I've read a few Christmas themed books recently, and this one is my favourite to-date. Perfect to curl up with over the festive period, or even on a sunny day in September! The village setting is lovely, and the festive descriptions are wonderfully atmospheric. That said, the way the two main characters spend Christmas Day itself is refreshing. I loved Evie, and hearing all about her sewing and her shop. I warmed to Jake eventually. A special mention must go to the dog in this story. The ending was satisfying. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Evie has just left her bullying, manipulative fiancee and moved to Willowbrook to open a craft shop. She is living in the shadow of her dead sister and can do nothing right in the eyes of her parents.
Jake is mourning the death of his wife when he moves to the village .
Neither are looking forward to Christmas and the festivities.
They decide to go away together as friends to Provence for Jake's wine buying business and so miss Christmas all together.
But what if one wants more than friendship?
Just right for Christmas reading curled up in the warm.

I love a good Christmas romance and although Christmas isn't the main theme of this story it is a lovely heart-warming read. I loved the storyline, the setting and the characters in this book.

The characters really make this story special. Evie is quirky and I loved that about her. She is her own person with her own style. However, she is pretty insecure thanks to her ex and her parents. She has a wonderful personality though, alway upbeat and an eternal optimist. I would like to be friends with Evie.

Jake, however, is her opposite; moody, morose and grieving his wife's death. Even Evie's optimism has trouble breaking through all that. Sophia Claire writes people very well though and despite all that he has a kind side which sneaks through.

This is a fun, romantic story, with great characters and a fantastic storyline. A book to curl up with on a cold evening and indulge in a good story, great characters and a large helping of romance.

Such a lovely cosy Christmas read. Loved both the main characters and was rooting for them from the start. Highly recommended

How I loved this cosy tale, perfect fireside reading for a Winter evening. The characters were charming and Evie's quilting gave the story a real homely feel. Christmas, quilting and a smouldering romance - what's not to love.

A brooding new resident in Willowbrook and his curious dog don't meet local craft shop owner, Evie, under the best circumstances. But the more they interact, the cracks in their hearts start to heal, they begin to realise that perhaps from a wobbly beginning, something special can grow. A light and fluffy romance that also touches on loss and grief, and learning to move forward. A little repetitive in terms of language - a lot of references to dimples and tensing muscles - but that can be overlooked for a sweet, seasonal tale.

This book had everything you need for Christmas, snow, friendship, warring families, troubled romance, and one clumsy girl. I loved this book, and read it in one sitting, drowning out everything that was happening around me.

Grieving man meets girl with low self esteem due to troubled relationships with her fiancé and parents. Turbulent days end with a happy romance. Pleasant story in a village and France working through their issues. Nothing new with the concept but it was nicely written and bought in some diversity through career choices. Passed a very pleasant sunny day reading this

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review good light hearted xmas books can recommend

A sweet romantic storyline with characters who have their own difficulties to overcome. Moments that make you laugh and made me want to get some scraps of fabric and start a quilt! Would make. Great cosy read in the build up to Christmas or during the holiday even if you are travelling to warmer areas.

Likeable characters to whom you want things to work out for, whether it is together or apart.

Such a heartwarming story, I adore a Christmas story (even when reading in August !) this is definitely a book to curl up with of an evening, a book to make you smile and feel happy. The characters are so lovely, the writing so warm, really hoping for future stories with the same cast of characters


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I loved Evie and Make from the start. A lovely heart warming story that a second chance can happen. Loved it.

This was a wonderful festive story full of intrigue, drama and romance.
It tells the story of our heroine, Evie. Recently dumped but with a dream of running her own shop she meets Jake, a man with a past. The story is full of twists and turns and a Christmas holiday to France before we get our happily ever after.
Fabulous writing and I’m desperate for a follow up!
Would highly recommend

What a lovely story and one which kept me reading for longer than normal (I should have been asleep)!! I always want a follow-up when I read a good story like this, so hope there is one in the pipeline!

Reading the first chapter of this book, I couldn't for the life of me see Jake as the main character-to-be. I expected a nice man to step and help Evie out and forget all about her bad breakup and the despicable, grumpy Jake. But of course that is not what happened, but let me not give the plot away...

The Christmas Holiday is a lovely book that was funny and even made me read Pollyanna (apparently a classic, honestly, I had not heard of this book before) the 1913 novel by American author Eleanor H. Porter next. This is definitely a book that deserves to be on my for-a-rainy-day shelf.

Now all we need is the book to be made into a movie - with perhaps Jamie Bamber as Jake? A part two of a series would be nice as well

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

The Christmas Holiday is a sweet and heartwarming read which follows the slow-burn romance between Evie and Jake. Haunted by the harsh criticisms from her ex-fiancé, Evie runs a sewing shop and tries to remain optimistic although her confidence is in tatters. Jake, on the other hand, is still grieving the unexpected loss of his wife two years ago.

It was lovely to see their fledgling friendship develop into something more romantic, without downplaying the journeys both have been on. Jake helps Evie gain confidence in herself and Evie helps Jake with his grief. Both are entirely believable characters and the plot is paced just right. The love that develops is delightful. Recommended!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this Christmas romance between Evie and Jake. Evie's a sweetie, who has recently opened up a sewing shop. She's not long out of an emotionally abusive relationship and is not particularly supported by her parents. Jake's a widower, who is really struggling with his grief. It was great to read about them supporting each other as they worked through their issues. Both of them found it easier to stand up for the other than themselves. There was no magic fix, both had to work on themselves and it didn't happen overnight, so it was great to get to their happy ending.

As someone who loves to quilt and Harbours a secret desire to open a quilt shop I loved this book. I needed a good romance and, unlike some books, both main characters were very likeable. Actually all of the characters weee very realistic suiv and I could imagine people I know on each of the roles

The book was easy to read, a lot of fun and I didn’t want to put it down. I will read more by this author

Such a fabulous festive story. So well written loved the characters loved the story and loved the whole backdrop for the story!

The perfect festive cosy read for the Christmas season!

Loved reading this, great story line, very well written I will recommend you read it, you will really enjoy this.