Cover Image: A Surprise Christmas Wedding

A Surprise Christmas Wedding

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

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.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

A truly lovely Christmas story set in beautiful surroundings in the Lake District. So we'll described, I could picture it all.
I loved all of the main characters, Lottie, Jay, Steph, the twins and not forgetting Trevor the dog.
A story of betrayal and heartbreak, and learning to forgive and move on. A truly moving and heartwarming story, I struggled to put it down.....

Was this review helpful?

A Surprise Christmas Wedding is a light, easy read. The main character,Lottie, has recently started over in life and things are finally looking up, with a new job after being dumped by her fiancé a year earlier.
Imagine Lottie’s surprise when Connor, her former fiancé, is one half of the couple who appear at Firholme, Lottie’s place of employment, to plan their wedding. Will Lottie be able to plan their wedding and maybe find love along the way?

This book is fluffy, sugary sweet and definitely predictable, but there are times when predictable sweet fluff are exactly what I need in a book. If you’re the same way, check out A Surprise Christmas Wedding.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cozy and warm holiday read, and stayed true to Ashley's writing style. I found it to be slightly "heavier" than some holiday reads- an awful break up, a cancer diagnosis, other issues- but it comes together wonderfully in the end. Firholme (the estate) is a fantastic character of its own, and the supporting characters rounded it out well.

Was this review helpful?

This is a really cosy cuddle up and enjoy the story sort of romantic novel.It is exceedingly easy to read but the narrative is good enough to draw you in and read the until the end of the book.The setting is the magical Lake District and what better season to set the story than just prior to Christmas.The twists and turns of the story are quite believable so it is easy to sit down with a soothing warm drink (it doesn’t have to be alcoholic!) and savour the picture of people’s romantic lives being played out.The highlight as the book’s title is a wedding planned very near to Christmas at very short notice.The venue and the people involved definitely could be a recipe for disaster.
I enjoyed the simplistic style of the writing an was very happy to continue to read to the end to find out what happened.Okay it was happily ever after at its conclusion but I had a warm glow flowing through my body when I finished it.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful Christmas tale, full of joy and happiness, following hurt and confusion. Family dynamics and situations have led to estrangement but circumstances have changed and forgiveness occurs. It's easy to hold on to hurt feelings and harder to make amends and move forward. Lottie and Jay both need to let things go so they can move forward together. A couple of twists. A wonderful seasonal read.

Was this review helpful?

Cute story from Phillipa Ashley. Not my favourite, but an easy undemanding read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Was this review helpful?

A Surprise Christmas Wedding by Phillipa Ashley and my 1st Christmas read of 2020🎄.
I picked this book because I have read previous books by this author and have loved them all. The ones I’ve read before have all been set in Cornwall which as we know I’m always a fan of! A surprise Christmas Wedding is about Lottie and is set in the Lake District (there is a tiny pinch of Cornwall at the beginning). Lottie has spilt up from her boyfriend, got herself a new job, which as the story progresses comes with its ups and downs. We see Lottie struggle but we see that she is a strong and determined character, with a big heart and a bit of a people pleaser especially where her ex boyfriend is concerned. I loved this book, I loved the characters and the setting and the story flowed and it made me get a warm Christmas, excitable feeling. I couldn’t wait to pick this book up to see what was happening. It’s an easy read perfect for cuddling up with, under a blanket with a hot chocolate, it truly is the perfect Christmas read. There’s so suspense or surprise, it’s a fluffy, feel good read but I didn’t mind that one bit. Would definitely highly recommend to all weather you are new to this author or have read her books before. Whenever I’ve finished books by this author I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Was this review helpful?

Lottie dodges a bullet when her fiance Connor breaks her heart.
.
She moves on and finds a new job as an event coordinator only to be reunited with her ex when she has to plan his last-minute Christmas wedding.
.
Luckily she notices the handsome groundskeeper Jay who keeps her distracted with his wayward dog and family secrets.
.
Throw in a Christmas tree farm, snow-capped mountains, and an interesting interpretation of a nativity play and you have yourself a warm and cozy read.
.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

My favourite-Christmas and romance. A feel good factor book that fulfills
the dreams but leaves you wanting more. Perfect for the cooler evenings in a the run up to Christmas

Was this review helpful?

*Thank you to netgalley & Avon publishing for a review copy of this amazing book*
A surprise Christmas wedding gives you all the feels of christmas, it contains mulled wine, hot chocolate, reindeers, trees and decorations. Unlike other christmas’ it also contains an unfortunate surprise for Lottie. A Year ago she was proposed to by her then boyfriend Connor. Even though overwhelming thoughts made her think that it would be a bad idea she says yes. They start celebrating on their lovely little break away with champagne. However as soon as they get home Connor becomes distant explaining that he suddenly has to go away with work. She understands this but however feels like there has been a sudden change. A few days later when he comes home he tells her that he actually doesn’t want to get married. And her World begins to change around her as on that very same day her sister is diagnosed with cancer. Fast Forward to today and Lottie is now working at the Firhome hotel. Her manager announces that they have their very first wedding coming up and Lottie goes all in with her organisation; however when she meets the bridegroom it is none other than Connor. Can Lottie put her hurt feelings aside and plan the best wedding for her job and stop thinking about what his bride has that she didn’t. She also now has a handsome neighbour Jay who she could potentially have something with if Connor would just stay out of her way. Can this Christmas be better than the last?I absolutely fell in love with this book and especially the reindeers that were named after the members of take that. I absolutely hated Conor throughout this book but I fell in love with her neighbour and colleague Jay! It has made me look at more of Phillipa Ashleys books as I would definitely recommend this one!

Was this review helpful?

This is the 1st Book that I have read by the author and I really enjoyed this Book, This book tells the story of Lottie who works at a Hotel and has to Organise a wedding at Short Notice and the groom of the wedding turns out to be her ex boyfriend Connor, I enjoyed This story and getting to know the characters and all that happens .

With thanks to Netgalley & Avon books Uk for the Arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

*I've received this digital copy in advance in exchange of an honest review, so thank to the publisher and Netgally for this chance*

What can I say?
The book started well. It has an interesting beginning even if it's a usual trope but with a Christmas setting, an unnerving bride to satisfy and a wedding to organize I thought it would be an enjoyable light reading.
The fact is that more I read more I got bored, and I'm sorry for that.

The story had several issues that could be exploited better: a serius illness in family, betrayals, an ex that "comes back"... but all has been so flat I lost the interest to read it and I just wanted to reach the end. Even the love story doesn't move. It has been so trivial, with no cliffhangers but just the same doubts and dialogues perpetrated more than once and than the happy ending. Just tepid sparkles, no real discussions besides some quick pages..
The truth is I haven't see a character development, just a bunch of scenes cute ok, but very common. You can't see where the main figures start to work on their own and then on a possible relationship and that's a great void in a story like this.
So, I can't say it's a bad book, but obviously it hasn't been what I've expected.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book and it certainly didn’t end how I expected it to.

I loved the fact that the prologue was in Porthmellow which tied this book to more of the author’s books and the rest of the book went in a totally different direction.

Lottie and Connor were to get married with a fairytale proposal... but as the story deepens we realise this was not to be. We see the tale a year later as she has moved on to a new job and a new life, but he is back in her life...

This book is lovely, full of tension and broken relationships, but shows how life moves on and can be healed. I love how we see the harmony of Firholme in contrast to the broken relationships between Ben and Jay, and Lottie and Connor, and the conclusion of the story.

Lottie has to hide what has happened to her and Connor from his sister, Steph, as we discover she is not well. The side story with her and the twins are so fun. They bring a different depth and much laughter to tense situations.

This is a fun book which brings insight to a big house and the life around its working life and gives me itchy feet to travel to Firholme and its surrounds. Something to read with a big hot chocolate like the ones sold in the cafe.

Was this review helpful?

Light, easy romance that leaves you smiling.
Lottie is an events planner for a beautiful estate. She absolutely loves her job and the grounds she lives on as part of the perks of the job. That is until the big wedding of the season turns out to be for her ex-fiance and his soon to be bride. Lottie is always striving to be the ultimate professional, while reeling from seeing Connor again and in this capacity.
Jay runs the estate's grounds and has his own share of heartache. He has closed himself off not only from romance, but from his family and friends as well. Can living at the estate bring him out of his self induced isolation and out into the social world again?
Finally,. can Lottie and Jay work past all their past issues to find a happily ever after together?
This was a simple, quick read that kept me interested the whole way through. I loved the characters and all their real emotions and struggles. Lot of romance, forgiveness, some laughs, and a sprinkle of holiday cheer! Overall a great read.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book! This is my first one by author Phillipa Ashley and I’m sure I’ll be reading more. I really enjoyed her writing style and her characters. I could almost hear the words in the proper accent while I read this since the author is from the UK. In fact, I’ll admit there were a few words I needed to look up which was fun! It’s an adorable story perfect for Christmas.
Lottie is an event manager at a large estate. She was heartbroken when her fiancée cancelled their engagement a year before. But she is in for a huge surprise when she discovers who she’ll be planning a Christmas-time wedding for next.
This book has all the things you want in a Christmas story: family, a little drama, heartache, forgiveness and plenty of romance with a few adorable twins thrown in too.
Thank you to netgalley and Avon Publishing for an early readers copy in exchange for my review. I highly recommend if you want to get in the Christmas mood.

Was this review helpful?

Lottie works as a wedding and events coordinator in an Edwardian mansion on a huge estate in the Lake District. We join the story as Lottie, and her neighbour and colleague Jay, start to plan the decorations and festivities for the Christmas season.

Lottie loves her job until she discovers that her next clients are none other than her ex and his fiance. She then faces the arduous and awkward task of planning a last minute wedding for a demanding bride.

I absolutely loved this book and kept reading until I got to the end. The setting for this is gorgeous and I could easily picture it from the description of the flora and fauna.

The characters are all likable (with the exception of the ex) including a dog called Trevor and a herd of reindeer named after Take That!

There are some emotional moments as Lottie's sister has been treated for cervical cancer, but it's a pleasant easy read at about 4-5 hours with an emotional but heartwarming ending.

There are references to Portmellon in Cornwall where more of Phillipa Ashley's books are set. I recommend you give some of those a read too.

(I should mention to the publishers/author that a 6 week scan was mentioned which confused me slightly. Maybe I missed something but first scans are normally around 10-14 weeks, 8 weeks earliest.)

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another great book by Phillipa.

Lottie starts a new job as an events manager at Firholme. She is asked to plan and organise a surprise wedding a few days before Xmas. Little does she know until she meets the hapless couple that the groom is in fact her ex fiancé Connor. Connor wants to keep his and Lottie’s relationship a secret from his fiancée. Will she be able to arrange the wedding without letting it slip or will Keegan Connor’s fiancée find out and call the wedding off.

Was this review helpful?

Lottie is working at her dream job as events manager at an estate in the Lake District. A year ago her fiancee walked out on her but she is determined that this Christmas will be different.
There is a very handsome grounds man working on the estate but he also has history and shuts himself away at Christmas.
Then Lottie's ex fiancé turns up with his new fiancée and wants Lottie to organise a Christmas wedding for them.
Can she organise it within weeks and how does she feel about doing so?
Will she get the Christmas she wants and who will she spend it with?

Was this review helpful?