I like Zara Stoneley’s writing style and this was another relaxing read from her, I really enjoyed it overall but for me it was quite predictable however that didn’t impact too badly on my enjoyment. Daisy was a likely but flaky character but that makes her quite relatable and Ollie (Oliver) was nice but a shade too perfect, Uncle Terence was fabulous, he was without a doubt my favourite character, wise but lives life to the full. The story is steady going, more character based than plot based but it works well for that and it’s not a standard Christmas story which is another plus for me!

A Christmas themed novel perfect for any time of the year. 

Uncle T's infamous annual Christmas Eve party looms signalling it's time for Daisy Dunkerly to dig out her festive jumper and flashing antlers, although she's not in the festive mood this year. It's a yearly reminder of Ollie Cartwright and a teenage kiss under the mistletoe and the fact he's now a doctor and she's failed to live up to expectations. With Stanley her foster dog in tow, she heads to the bookshop party venue hoping some seasonal luck will rub off on her. 

It's easy to understand and sympathise with Daisy and how her life has panned out over the years. A star pupil with ambitions, her life is a shadow of what she could have achieved. To make things worse, her mother is a friend of Ollie's mum who's favourite topic of conversation is bragging about her son's accomplishments. Growing up, constantly compared to him is a constant reminder of her shortcomings. 

Full of laughter with an overload of puppy love, the main plot's centred around Christmas but there's much more to the narrative than a seasonal chicken vol-au-vent and Pringles. It's about second chances, building confidence and realising some people are not who they seem...both positive and negative. Packed with emotions, secrets are revealed, deceitful acts uncovered yet the overall mood of this novel is upbeat. Who doesn't love a second chance? 

Everyone loves a happy ending and Ms Stoneley delivers one with touching sentiment and it's a fitting finale to this delightful rom-com. 

4.5 stars 

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher One More Chapter via NetGalley***

I don't know why but I kept expecting weddings.

Daisy and Ollie were childhood rivals, pit against each other but the mothers. Unfortunately, life drives them apart and takes them on different journeys. A series of events gets them a second chance and this time they are not willing to let go.

This book was slow to begin with but a quarter of the way through found its purpose. The plot was predictable and twists contrived but it worked. I liked the Christmas setting, it added charm to the story. All the characters were well written, excepted their flaws and faults and stayed true to their roles.

This book is definitely recommended.
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

Luanna

It was a beautifully written book. Excellent character depiction, plus an exciting storyline, not to mention the romance. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed that this story was told over four Christmases. Also, the fact that Uncle T had Christmas parties in his bookshop sealed the deal for me with this book! Bookshops and Christmas are my favourite things so I spent the time reading it wishing I could get an invite. Another good story from Zara Stoneley.

This is the first book I have read by this author. Little slow moving for me, but still overall a cute Christmas love story.

Yay, I am back with another book by Zara and I think I have to say this one is my favourite out of the ones I have read! Why, well it is just so much fun, there is a dog called Stanley and even though you have a will they, won’t they scenario it was not forced down your throat. Instead, the situations and the secrets drive this book, the romance well it gave me the warm and fuzzy feelings. Also, it had me crying quite a bit too when I was not smiling like a loon!!! For me, this book has everything! Embarrassing and cringy parents who are fab, the unrequited love, the wrong love, the outrageous friends and a lot of laughter.

Daisy and Ollie have been friends for like ever! Their mums always compete who has the better child etc and they stayed clear of it, sharing a “forbidden” kiss one Christmas at Uncle T’s Christmas party in his bookshop (love this setting!). Never to see each other again for years and when they do fireworks thank you very much, but more in a sparkler kind of way not in a whizz-bang over and done with way.

With the story being told in segments of months and times worked wonderfully. You get given snippets to Daisy and her life at different stages, watching her grow more and more in the book into the woman that Uncle T always knew she would be.

Uncle Terrence isn’t her Uncle but Ollie’s, but he is like a fairy godfather to her, always a big part of her life and growth. I have to say when he was in the story I smiled. I would love someone like him in my life, just full of life! He loves life!

For me, the friendship between Daisy and Ollie is something truly amazing. All throughout the years, they were there for each other, bar a blip in the form of a secret until years later they meet again at Uncle T’s party. Their chemistry was great fun to watch with the banter, the adjustment to being friends as adults and the way Daisy would squirm and be awkward around him.

A big part in Four Christmases and a Secret were all the secrets. They played a huge part in their lives and some were bittersweet and some heartbreaking…all made me blinking cry.

I love Stoneley’s writing, she makes it so easy to read her novels. She draws you into their lives and her characters are so realistic that you could be reading your friends’ diary. Nothing superficial, just warm and fuzzy romance, making you believe everyone has a Prince Charming and to seize every opportunity you get. I could not put this book down nor did I want to. I wanted to keep reading for as long as I could and even hid away on Sunday afternoon to read this! I definitely think this is my favourite book from Stoneley, each book she writes gets better and better than the one before. I am a sucker for romance, it’s a nice change from the blood, guts and terror and she is my go-to for hearts and flowers.

It is never too early for Christmas! Zara Stoneley is quickly taking a place on my shelf of "must read" authors. That is why I jumped at the chance to read her latest book. This book was a delight to read and I must tell you even though it has the word Christmas in the title, this is a perfect feel good read for any time of the year.


Daisy just found out she is losing her boyfriend, her dog (rest assured nothing happens to the dog) and her job. She just might lose her darn mind. What always cheers her up is the annual Christmas get together at Uncle Terrence's bookstore. One event that brings her family and friends together to share in the holiday cheer.


Yet every Christmas party year after year she has to endure hearing of Ollie Cartwright and how flipping perfect he is. Vera (Ollie's mom) and Daisy's mom are BFF's. Daisy is constantly having to hear how Ollie is a doctor and how geeky Ollie is so accomplished. Daisy admits to perhaps being a bit competitive and jealous of Ollie but she doesn't see what the buzz is all about. Until Ollie walks in the door after 13 years......whoa Ollie is hot!


I absolutely loved Daisy! She is witty and has a wicked sense of humor. This book had just the right amount of "rom" and just the right about of "com". I found it highly entertaining and endearing. I flew right through this in a mere day as I couldn't wait to find out what would happen to our quirky two main characters. Would they find love or would they find they just had too much history that would in the end push them apart?

Loveable characters, charming background and a story that gets you in the feels. What is there not to love about this romantic Christmas story?

I have to admit that my favourite parts of the Bridget Jones films are those set at Christmas when the terrible Christmas jumpers come out and everyone is eating turkey curry! So I was excited to find out that Zara Stoneley was setting her next book around, not just one Christmas but FOUR different Christmases! Poor old Daisy has to attended Uncle Terence’s spectacular Christmas parties every year, with her appropriately festive attire, and listen to how fantastic life is going for her old schoolfriend Ollie. But Daisy’s life isn’t going quite so well especially on the work and romance front although Uncle T has something up his sleeve that may be about to change things in a very unexpected way!

This is a super cute romcom that didn’t feel overly festive like some Christmas books as things happened during the year leading up to the party at Uncle Terence’s bookshop again. So don’t feel you have to read it in the snow, eating Christmas cake, listening to carols and drinking mulled wine! Although you will certainly feel in the Christmas spirit if you do!! Daisy was a lovely character with two potential love interests, one much more likeable for me than the other so I was rooting for Daisy to see sense and end up living a “happily ever after” approved of by me!! I felt a real kinship with Daisy. She’s a book loving journalist who didn’t do as well in her A levels as expected so is in a job that she enjoys but that wasn’t on her longterm plan. Her love of animals means that she is a perfect choice to foster and when a certain dog comes into her life it looks like she has more than enough love to spread around. But there’s a secret hanging around and it’s one that I certainly didn’t see coming!

This would make a fabulous Christmas tv movie as I found it very easy to visualise characters and settings throughout due to the descriptive and engaging narrative. Whilst I don’t think I enjoyed it as much as The Holiday Swap, it is still a funny and enchanting storyline with an endearing heroine.

For lovers of Sophie Kinsella this is the perfect book. The second book this month for me during Christmas which had without any surprise, put me in the festive mood three whole months prior to it. Cute and easy read although sometimes I did feel the writing slightly disjointed but this does not mean I did not enjoy it because I most certainly did. As expected of a Christmas novel it had the perfect ending for the cute story with a slight undertone if sadness in the end which I did see coming far away from. The plot twist wasn’t exactly surprising but did give tint of sadness to the the HEA. Nonetheless a cute read to definitely leave a smile on your face.

Characters-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hero-*swoony*⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heroine-*my kinda people*⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plot-*amazing*⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cliffhanger-N/A
Cheating-N/A
Will I recommend it?-highly. To all romcom lovers!:)

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for this book. I wanted to read it since I saw the beautiful cover and also the blurb. It sounded just like something I would love reading and I was right! I couldn't put it down. I read it in 3 hours since I got it. And I loved this story. Its my first Zara Stoneley book and its not going to be my last. I just can't get over this cute story. Had me smiling the whole time I read it and just reminded me a lot of Bridget Jones and who doesn't love that! Gah it was so good and I can't praise it enough. A classic reluctant love story with awesome characters,great banter,christmas background,adorable romance.
The story of childhood frenemies Oliver(ollie) and Daisy. Since their mother were besties so these two practically grew up with eachother. The last christmas while they turned 18, these two shared a kiss under the mistletoe at Uncle T's party but unfortunately they went to different uni and did not get a chance to be close to one another. But almost after 13 years,they met again. Ollie,now a doctor
,successful , hansome and daisy turned out to be exactly the opposite. The events that happened could mark this book in a strictly woman's fiction catagory or chicklit but Ollie and Daisy's slow burn romance,their interaction,the way they became friends again reminded me so much of 'Bridget Jones's diary' and I completely fell in love with it,hands down. Oliie has been an wonderful friend to our beautiful daisy. Their chemistry and friendship made this book special for me. And lets not forget the unrequited love story of uncle Terrace. I cried like a baby towards the end. The man loved deeply, not only that he had been a father and champion to Daisy when the poor girl needed him to be. Daisy's friendship with Frankie depects most of what consists of today's friendship. I like to babble more about this book. I loved it since I saw the cover and I am exceptionally grateful to netgalley for this ARC. If you want to know if Ollie and Frankie got their happily ever after then you have to wait for its release on 27 th september,2019. Well the title says it all. This book spans over christmas seasons,a funeral and celebration of love and friendship. It was my first Zara Stonely book but not the last!
A perfect romcom and I couldn't praise it enough. A great and entertaing read. Will recommend it to all romcom lovers! Happy reading ....xoxo✌❤

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.
This is the first book I've read by this author. To be honest I found it a little hard to get into, but after the half way mark (and the disappearance of a few characters) I liked it more.
The family aspect of the story was lovely, and was unpredictable to the end.
Daisy's involvement with the animal shelter and Stanley was a nice touch, and Stanley and Terence were definitely the best characters in the novel.
3.5 stars

Oh my goodness, what a fantastic book. This is one that I haven't been able to put down. I've read this gorgeous book in just one sitting- it is fabulous.
I have adored the characters in this book, I was rooting for them from the very start. They are likeable and realistic, plus you can pick up the chemistry between them from the very beginning. Daisy is down to earth and as a reader it is obvious that her kids with Ollie has stayed with her for years. Ollie is the nice guy that every girl dreams of, even his colleague Juliet can see that and constantly tries to imply she's his partner.
This book has in no way been predictable, I was extremely shocked about the friendship between Daisy and Frankie turned out. Nor did I predict the relationship between Terence and Ollie. However, this only added to how fantastic the book is.
Zara captured my attention and engaged me from the very first page with this gorgeous book. I would absolutely love a follow on story with Daisy and Ollie present. This book is so good, I am gutted to have finished it. It's an easy rating for me, this is most definitely a five star book.

Daisy has just been dropped by her boyfriend. It’s almost Christmas and he’s shown his true colours by putting everyone before her. She is currently working at the local rag- or at least she is until she gets a text advising her that she has to reapply for her job as three papers are merging. The love of her life is Stanley the dog she is fostering and her Uncle who runs a bookshop.Uncle Terence holds a party every year and flashing jumpers are a pre- requisite. When she was younger she had a thing for Ollie. Ollie is now a successful doctor and at the party with his girlfriend and almost fiancee from what Daisy can tell. A book about life and its ups and downs with a smile along the way. I loved Stanley and almost cried at one point (I won;t give anything away). Although Christmas features in this, much is about other times of the year so is not really just a seasonal book. A main character who is in love with books- what’s not to like?!! When you fight it all the way but just have to follow your heart. A wonderful, feel good pick-me-up read with a dog you can;t help but love and a smile.
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I could so easily see this working on a big screen, its such a heartwarming story, and I didn't have more than half an inkling as to the big secret.

The story does indeed feature four Christmases , but yet I feel this could easily be read at any time of year, as not only do we feature Christmas, it also takes in the rest of the year too, and with the exception of the mega Christmas party each year, I didn't overly feel festive for the rest of the story.

I really enjoyed seeing how Daisy develops as a person over the course of the book. I loved the rivalry between her mum and Oliver's mum with their continual one up-manship. And Stanley is a lovely character too, and is instrumental in Daisy slowly growing in confidence.

Easily my favourite character was Uncle Terence, with his wonderful bookshop, ability to throw a marvellous party, all of his advice for Daisy, and well thinks I can't talk about, as they would be spoilers.

There are two potential love interests in this book for Daisy, the one who has been under her nose the time, and a new colleague who I really didn't take to.

Daisy although she doesn't realise it is just such a big hearted character, and loves book and animals, which makes her a fabulous person in my eyes. She always tries to help others, while putting herself down.

Although not my favourite book by the author, its still another excellent story and one worth reading (or maybe watching if my wish comes true and it gets turned into a film!).

A really enjoyable novel, with some great characters.

Thank you Netgalley and One More Chapter for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.