I loved this book. Such a beautiful setting for for such a lovely, occasionally heart wrenching story where family is at the centre of things, which feels so much more important in the current circumstances. The Christmassy touches were gorgeous and I was left bereft when I'd finished it.

I usually love Philippa Ashley’s books but, this one I found wasn’t as good as her others. It was obvious from the start what was going to happen which made my reading of it a little boring. It was sad in places when usually I find her books very uplifting and easy to read. This one wasn’t as “laid back” and I found my mind drifting whilst I was reading it.
I do hope her next book will be better. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A beautiful, heartwarming read. Right from the start this book grabbed me, Conner and Lottie seemed the perfect couple, a romantic proposal and then, it all goes to pot! I was just settling down to read their love story and Conner decided it’s not to be and I’m thrown in a tiz, then Lottie gets the news about her sister and she has to dig deep and bury her own feelings to support her. Within the first 5 chapters I think I lost count of the amount of times I had to pick my jaw off the floor. I loved the instant twists and turns and sudden reappearances.
The descriptions of the house and the forests were beautiful and I really felt I was there, even the cottages were beautifully described. The slow burn friendship of Jay and Lottie was lovely and how he instantly felt drawn to her, and Steph and the twins was beautiful and I was rooting for them from very early on.
The story flowed so well and I didn’t want to put it down. Every character was well rounded and my heart went out to Lottie so many times due to the predicament Conner puts her in, I was honestly secretly hoping Jay was going to lay him out and declare his love for Lottie every time they were in a scene together.
Beautiful winter wonderland escapism.

A story of angst, family feuds, family support, weddings and much love. At set around a beautiful hotel at Christmas. Not a traditional Christmas story, it one full of warmth, which will h@ e you curling up with a warm drink ready for some quality time with the new friends you are about to make. Enjoy it is a great book to while away a few winters Evenings.

Another great read from Phillipa Ashley. This book contains all you require from a Christmas book, including Christmas tree decorating, festive feasts, and even a brides arrival by a Reindeer pulled sleigh!

I loved the back and forth between Jay and Lottie, and their budding new romance. However I did feel that this festive read had a lot more hard hitting topics in it than a usual Christmas book, which really bought it back to reality at times. Whilst reading mainly Thriller and Crime books this month this has been a lovely tonic in between, many thanks to NetGalley and Publishers for the chance to read and review this book!

As is usual with Phillipa Ashley novels you know that no matter how the plot progresses, everything will turn out well in the end. However, you can also feel assured that the story will be enchanting, with some interesting and lovable characters that you just know you are going to miss when the story ends. I read my early copy of A Surprise Christmas Wedding on a Turkish beach in 35* and as much as I was enjoying my holiday I ended up wanting to leave and catch up on some Christmassy activities.

Lottie and Jay both work at Firholme, she as the Events Co-ordinator he as the Estates Manager. They also live next door to one another. but both have been hurt in the past.
Lottie's former partner appears at Firholme with his fiance and Lottie is asked to arrange their wedding which is being kept secret. Lots of twists and turns but a heartwarming story.

Perfect Christmas escapism! I always love Phillipa Ashley's books, they're just such a joy and this one is no different. Funny and heartwarming and lovely.

I really loved that both Lottie and Jay had baggage from their past that they were dealing with, and how sweet and tentative their romance was in the face of that. Also as always the cast of characters were funny, infuriating and adorable in turn.

100% recommend for a festive feel good read.

Lottie has had the year from hell and when a big part of that drama arrives back on the scene now she's finally becoming settled again it throws her life into disarray. With hunky neighbour Jay facing his own demons can either of them move forward?
On the front cover Katie Fforde recommends this book as warm, funny and feel-good. Being a massive Katie Fforde fan, this is an endorsement and a half for me to read the book.
I did find 3 errors towards the end of the book such as have instead of has and editing errors really do grate on me. However the story is cute, fluffy and set at Christmas which just gives you the perfect cosy read for the autumn nights.
Trevor the dog may be the outstanding character in my opinion though, he has a very good sense of judging people.
If you are a fan of a light romance then don't miss out!

An enthralling read. Fun, heartwarming and enjoyable. Who doesn't like a girl meets boy story, especially when their previous boy leaves girl partners are involved. I enjoyed this love story and will look out for other books by Philipa Ashley.

A fairly standard romantic novel..... a jilted girl meets a handsome guy with trust issues. Do they, don't they? Throw in the ex partners and you have the perfect mix. Set at Christmas time which makes it an ideal time to curl up in front of a fire and read in one sitting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the advance copy of this book.

Lottie starts a new life ,after being dumped by fiancé Connor, as a wedding planner in a beautiful hotel in the lake district. When she discovers the groom in her first wedding is Connor, she finds it difficult to decide whether she still has feelings for him. Will the handsome estate manager, Jay, help her make up her mind? Predictable, yes, but a lovely,enjoyable, book to curl up with on a cold winters day, other story lines break up the predictability.

I really enjoyed this, I love a Christmas book and this fitted the bill perfectly. It was a little predictable but a great read to cosy up with

❄️👰🏼 A Surprise Christmas Wedding 👰🏼❄️
BOOK REVIEW - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

It’s been a year since Lottie’s fiancé walked out, leaving her heartbroken. But things start to look up when she lands her dream job at a beautiful Lake District estate, with a handsome groundskeeper for a neighbour.

So when Lottie is asked to organise a last minute Christmas wedding at Firholme, she can’t wait to get started. Until she meets the couple, and discovers that Connor, the man who broke her heart, is the groom-to-be.

As snow falls on the hills, can Lottie put aside her past to organise the perfect winter wedding? And will there be any festive magic left to bring Lottie the perfect Christmas she deserves?

A lovely festive book. It's an easy read that, although took me longer to read than planned (my fault), it's got me into the Christmas spirit! It is well written, you can almost picture the perfect setting at Firholme in the snow. I really enjoyed this book. It was heart warming and an enjoyable read. No way would I plan a wedding for me ex!!! Thank you for letting me have a copy in exchange for a #netgalley review.

Absolutely loved this book. I can’t recommend it enough. Lottie is such a lovely character I wish I knew her in real life!
It really got me in the Christmas spirit. I haven’t read anything by Phillips Ashley that I haven’t loved.

Could you plan a wedding for your ex? Well, that's what Lottie has to do. She had a real upside down awful period where Connor broke their engagement and her sister Steph was diagnosed with cancer but now she's healed (almost) and living in the Lake District. She's working as an event and wedding planner at Firholme House where Jay is the estate manager. He's healing too (no spoilers) but he's got a great dog and does enjoy chatting with Lottie. You know, don't you, that Jay and Keegan are going to grow close. You also know that Connor, that rat, might not be the best man for Keegan (or anyone for that matter). You will like these characters, the setting,. and the plot.. It's a nice escapist read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Perfect to take your mind off things.

A Surprise Christmas Wedding
Phillipa Ashley
So, Connor proposes and then he -un- proposes and in the meantime Lottie finds a job as an events manager on a great estate up in the Lake District of the UK. And then she meets Jay, the new estates manager, who has his own demons to face. And together they organise a wedding of a rather surprise couple. The wedding sounds wonderful and tame reindeer and sledges and…
Wonderful area of the world if somewhat chilly and wet. and windy. And prone to being snowy in the winter – which stats early and ends late… and so I’m really glad the author hasn’t minimised the weather effect here – the snow can stay on the very mountain tops almost all summer and walkers often get lost or struggle because they have not taken the weather into account – sunny when they started and shorts and t-shirts but failed to bring the fleece and wet weather gear and then they get into trouble. Take 2017 for instance, in the UK, there were only 9 days of the year when there was not a Mountain Rescue call-out. And in the Lake District there were 449 incidents alone! 356 of which were related to hill walkers with 13 fatalities. FYI there were also 10 animal rescues!
My family love this area when the snow has just fallen – crisp and blindingly white – glorious to see when driving over the high passes – if they are clear. But the last time I went up there with friends and hubby – I went shopping and to a nice warm pool and spa instead of walking in the snow!

4 star review of A Surprise Christmas Wedding by Phillipa Ashley
Lottie has been through o much since her fiance Connor, left her at the altar. Offered her dream job as an event coordinator in Firholme in the Lake District, she is determined to move on with her life. The fact that she has a hunky neighbour Jay is an added bonus.
However her dream job turns into a nightmare when the groom to be for the wedding she is planning turns out to be her ex Connor.
Lottie will need to dig deep to plan the perfect wedding for the happy couple. Will the magic of the Christmas season bring Lottie the happiness she deserves.
A Surprise Christmas was full of quirky characters that were entertaining to read about. It was a heart warming and enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book, through the publisher via Netgalley.

A delightful, feel good book. Wonderful descriptions of the Lake District, I could almost breathe the air. All the important things in life, family, love, forgiveness make this the perfect Christmas read.

Lottie and Conor are engaged, but he changes his mind 3 days later. One year later she has a new job as an event co-ordinator and Conor and his Fiancé Keegan book their wedding when Lottie now works.

I love Lottie is is such a sensible and sensitive soul. Wanting to help everyone and trying make it though this festive period with her heart intact. Conor is and awful person and Keegan would be better off without him. Jay the Estate Manager is lovely and his dog is a lovable rogue. The side characters add to the depth of cosy that shrouds this book The whole feel of the book is heart-warming and sweet. I finished it in 1 day and I think it was a day well spent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books for the copy of this for review.