“Christmas by the Lighthouse” by Rebecca Boxall really has little to do with Christmas. The story focuses on the disintegrating marriage of the main character, the illness of her lover, and their efforts to start a new life together. (I guess the idea of getting married before having a baby together is an old-fashioned idea, right? Maybe I am just showing my age here, since I think morals must be different now.)

I did not really like any of the main characters. I thought they were shallow and self-centered for the most part. The way the main characters found each other was the most interesting part of the story, no spoiler here for future readers. Christian readers will probably find sufficient offensive ideas (atheism, immorality) so may want to avoid this novel altogether.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This book made me sad...IDK why! Not sad in a bad way...just thoughtful and sad...

**OMG! I cannot believe that these reviews haven't been done! I am so sorry they are so late!!!**

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect escapist read.

Jude lives Jersey in a job he hates a lonely life and hes never been in love.
Summer lives with her husband Seth in England for more than 20 years, wityh adult twin boys, when Seth asks for a break in their marrige Summer goes to her aunts in Jersey.
Before he meets Summer, Jude is diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastoma brain tumour, which is inoperable in the uk,
Ok so I dont want to give too much of the book away, I wish there had been a tyrigger warning on this for me anyway, I thought a cute fluffy xmas book, its not all that,
My dad died 2 years ago from a glioblastoma tumour and tis book brought everything back, but in saying that the author gave a true account, my dad was only given 2 months so he couldnt do his bucket list, but it was fun reading about Judes.
I am glad I read this book and although it was hard for me to read in places this book was fantastic, well done Rebecca you nailed it.

Two identical suitcases. One belongs to Summer, a woman who is fleeing from England to the island of Jersey to recover from the shock that her husband has asked for a "six month break in their marriage." The other belongs to Jude, a man who is coping with devastating news of his own -- he's been diagnosed with a brain tumor. When each reaches their destination on Jersey, they realize that they have the wrong suitcase and the search for the rightful owners brings them together. Each person immediately feels an affinity for the other, as if their souls know they are both searching for answers that will help them cope with their tragedies. A relationship develops as they work together to help Jude accomplish the things on his bucket list before he dies.

My only disappointment (a minor one) about the book: the title seems to indicate that it takes place entirely during Christmas, but that isn't quite true. In fact, the transformation that Summer and Jude experience probably couldn't be realistically accomplished during the short 3-4 week holiday period.

The story is filled with a mixture of sadness, hope, reconciliation, and eventually happiness. (Because every good romance deserves an HEA, right?) I enjoyed it and recommend you check it out if you're looking for an inspiring, second chance book!

Summer has always put her husband first, so she's completely unprepared when he asked for a six-month break from their marriage. Even so, she embraces the newfound time to herself by hopping off to Jersey for a relaxing vacation by the sea. However, after a luggage mix-up, she meets the utterly charming Jude, who's also processing his own shocking news. Yet their chance meeting might be the best thing that's ever happened to them, as soon they're off creating memories to last a lifetime.

Author Rebecca Boxall has crafted a profoundly heartwarming story. Both Summer and Jude are introduced at their lowest points: Summer is on a break from her husband and Jude has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. They're both seeking the same thing: relief— from mundane jobs, family drama, and an overwhelming sense of the ordinary. And while the circumstances that propel them to meet might skew to the extreme, this basic driving force is relatable. Fortunately, they find comfort in each other, and the result is an adventure that takes them from one excitement to the next.

Even with such heavy subject matter, Boxall manages to keep the story relatively light. She doesn't gloss over the hardships her characters face, but rather, her focus is on comfort. Summer talks about her crumbling relationship and Jude talks about treatment and his acceptance of the inevitable end. However, they don't dwell, and instead are spurred toward the fun and pleasant parts of life. And with an enchanting seaside town for a backdrop, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. The result is a book that feels like just as much an escape as the one Summer and Jude look for.

Of course, it helps that they're a winning pair. Instantly taken with each other thanks to Summer's honest and open style, they embrace in a seemingly-natural alliance. And whether they're cracking Jude's bucket list or simply having dinner together, they feel completely natural and fully realized. As such, there are occasional hiccups, and Boxall expertly finds ways of producing mendable fractures between the two as they grow together.

Ultimately, rich characters, numerous adventures, and a focus on the beautiful within the tragic all combine for an uplifting read.

Loved this story. It had my emotions going all over the place because as I was reading, I felt like I was right there with them. The characters are wonderful, well most of them. Everyone has some flaws and some issues they either don’t know how to handle, or just need to find a way to work through them. You’ll see courage, despair, hope, love, just about any emotion you can think of and it all comes together so well. You’ll also see all sorts of personalities, which makes reading this very enjoyable. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Where should I begin with this book? First off, the title can be misleading. Only three chapters (if I'm not mistaken) are set during Christmas. And when I read/hear Christmas at the Lighthouse, I'm expecting a book that will, at least, spend a considerable amount of time during Christmas. But after reading the book, I understand the reason behind it, I just don't think it is strong enough.

The book centres around two characters: June and Summer. Each of them has their own problems to deal with. Summer sees her 20-years marriage on the line when her husband asks for a break. And June receives some really bad news regarding his health. Both of them have quite distinguished lives, and they are forced to meet up by chance. As soon as they meet, they feel an attraction for each other becoming immediately close.

When I went to this book, I was expecting a cheesy-hallmark-movie kind of story. And I came out slightly disappointed. Even though it's a lighthearted romance and even a bit cheesy, the romance happened too fast. I would enjoy this book way more if both characters took the time to know each other first and become close friends before taking the relationship into the sheets.

Of them both, Summer was the character that I disliked the most. Her ideas didn't exactly match her actions creating more drama that wasn't needed. The rushed relationship with June is an example of that. It's not supposed to be payback against Seth, she even says it's not. But, in the end, her choices speak otherwise.

Even though I had my problems with the decisions that were made for the story, it still grabbed my attention. I read this book cover to cover, and it wasn't a bother to pick it up again. I was intrigued to see what would happen next. How everything was going to end. And even if this wasn't the Christmas story I was hoping for, it was a story about emotional support, friendship, loyalty, next chances, and life.

CHRISTMAS BY THE LIGHTHOUSE is a story that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride from devastation to utter joy, and everything in-between as well. The basics of the story can be found in the Cover Description, yet although that will tempt you, and have you picking up this book what you don’t find there are the emotions, the strength of two people who have had their worlds tilted and now need to re-think, readjust to a far different reality than they once knew.

Because I do not want to give much away I will say that I found myself asking questions throughout the reading of Summer’s and Jude’s story. “What would I do?” “How would I react?” “Can it be possible to find true happiness in the middle of heartache?” You will think throughout CHRISTMAS BY THE LIGHTHOUSE and will come up with your own unique reactions as to what you would do in similar circumstances.

The story itself is endearing, if at times heartbreaking. The writing flowed for me and I easily found myself in a world that has drastically changed without my consent. I liked Summer and Jude both as a couple and individually. Of course, there are bumps in the road but they handled those things in a realistic way. I adored a pup that no one seems to want except for this couple, and finding that forever home for human and canine is the absolute best feeling possible. There is a solution that was believable for me, and that “believable” is important in my acceptance of what these two people are facing individually and as a couple. I enjoyed myself in this world and would not hesitate to recommend CHRISTMAS BY THE LIGHTHOUSE as a Christmas Romance or a story that could be relevant at any time of the year.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I really enjoyed this book. It is set in the beautiful west coast ofJersey. It starts with a man not living a whole life, just work, eat, sleep and repeat, we can all relate to that.
Then with the usual deft twists of the plot, things turn around and he has everything to live for.
Then with another twist he now has everything to lose.
This is a beautiful story of life, love and not giving up. You never know when something good is just around the corner or when the reverse might happen too. The characters and place are all well described and I read the book in two sittings because I couldn’t wait to know what happens in the end. (Spoiler alert) Rest assured further plot twists leave everything on a good footing at the end.

I have never read a book by this author. I liked the description and the cover so I requested it on Netgalley and was pleasantly surprised when they allowed me to read it. These are my opinions.

The description was of starting over or adjusting positively to change. I found it uplifting. I like how the two main characters meet, adapt to their changing life and find a positive outlook on circumstances. No one likes to be adrift as Christmas approaches but it does happen. I’m glad this really didn’t dwell on lonely people working through the Christmas holiday. It was about working through life.

It was different then what I normally read but I enjoyed it none the less.

I recommend this book as an uplifting change of life story.

Thanks to netgalley for a chance to read this book.

When Summers husband asks for a six-month break from their marriage she takes herself to Jersey to stay in her aunts cottage by the sea. She meets Jude after taking the wrong suitcase at the airport. Jude has just been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour and has just a year to live.
Read this book to find out what happens to them both.

My first time reading a book by this author and it certainly won’t be the last. What a brilliant book, couldn’t put it down had to keep reading to find out what happened.

Up front, this isn't really a Christmas novel but it's a lovely story. Summer's on a 6 month break with Seth, her husband of 20 years. She's also surprised to discover that this doesn't bother her that much. A chance mistake with suitcases brings her in contact with Jude, who's just been diagnosed with a brain tumor and given not long to live. This doesn't start as a romance but rather a story of two friends who work their way through one's bucket list. There's not big drama and there's lot of chuckle spots. There's also no easy answers. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. A good read.

Happy-go-lucky journalist Summer has always managed to focus on the silver lining. But nothing in her life has prepared her for her husband Seth’s recent revelation: he wants a six-month break from their marriage.

Determined to stay positive, Summer decamps to Jersey to spend six months by the sea, where every passing week makes Seth more of a distant memory. Then she meets sweet, charming Jude, whose life seems to be on permanent hold even before he receives devastating news of his own. To both of them, their chance encounter feels like fate, and with Summer’s encouragement Jude embarks on a bucket list of experiences that seem to bond them for life.

When they’re together, the world is alive with possibilities, but as Christmas approaches, their time is running out in more ways than one. Will they return to the lives they left behind – or take a chance on an unknown future?

Story full of love and romance which makes it perfect Christmas read.

Summer is living a pretty normal, busy life with her husband Seth and their 2 grown up children. When out of the blue Seth decides they need a 6 month break from their marriage! Summer is shocked but soon see’s it as a chance to break away from the norm and make the most of some time alone. She decides to spend her 6 months at her Aunts cottage in Jersey. This is where unexpectedly her paths cross with Jude. Jude has been stuck in a job he doesn’t really like, no partner, no kids etc... However after receiving some devastating news he decides it’s time to live a little, so meeting Summer comes just at the right and kind of the wrong time!
The book takes you on the journey of their beautiful relationship as it develops quite quickly and will have you routing for them as a couple. But what happens at the end of the 6 month break? Will Summers love for Jude still be strong or will she discover old feelings for Seth and return home?

I devoured this book in one weekend! What a lovely (emotional at times) romance novel. I found it so easy to read and hard to put down. The setting for this book is just perfect. I’ve not been to the Channel Islands but lived on the Isles of Scilly for 3 years so it was really easy for me to imagine how beautiful Jersey must be. This would be perfect to read this winter whilst curled up by the fire.

Thank you to Net Galley, Rebecca Boxall & Amazon Publishing for the ARC of this book 📖

Book Description-
Happy-go-lucky journalist Summer has always managed to focus on the silver lining. But nothing in her life has prepared her for her husband Seth’s recent revelation: he wants a six-month break from their marriage.

Determined to stay positive, Summer decamps to Jersey to spend six months by the sea, where every passing week makes Seth more of a distant memory. Then she meets sweet, charming Jude, whose life seems to be on permanent hold even before he receives devastating news of his own. To both of them, their chance encounter feels like fate, and with Summer’s encouragement Jude embarks on a bucket list of experiences that seem to bond them for life.

When they’re together, the world is alive with possibilities, but as Christmas approaches, their time is running out in more ways than one. Will they return to the lives they left behind – or take a chance on an unknown future?

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this Author and thoroughly enjoyed this FANTASTIC book
The title made sense in the end. A warm inviting atmospheric story NEVER give up on your dreams when life gets hard
I just utterly loved this OUTSTANDING book and can highly recommend.

Christmas by the Lighthouse by Rebecca Boxall is a beautiful love story. Sometimes when people separate from others good things happen to make them find someone else that is special. A miracle occurs with this story. This Christmas story could be read year round read.

This was a heartwarming story of love, grief, loss, hope and enjoying each day to the fullest. I loved the characters and found myself pulling for them throughout the book. The story was a reminder to me of what is important in my life.
Many thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to follow along with more stories in this town.

Is there anything better than a perfect Christmas romance? Loved this one! Highly recommend!

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher. All opinions are my own.