Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Well, I like the promise of the blurb. Sadly, it felt kind of flat for me. I didn't love it, and I didn't hate it. It is just an okay read.
I mean Lottie wasn't really into marrying Connor when he proposed in the first place, so her being so heartbroken when he three days later said he changed his mind is not all that believable. I, as a reader, didn't feel the heartbreak, and I couldn't connect with her. And he is no prince charming at all. So Lottie girl, you saved yourself. She moves on to another place, works as an event planner, and has something something going on with the neighbor Jay. A year later here comes ex and his fiancee, and Lottie is organizing their wedding. Christmas wedding planning ensues, some drama, Lottie being stupid with the ex, and a happy ending with Jay.

This is my first read by this author and I will not shy away from her books in the future. However, this wasn't for me. You all might give it a chance. It is a light, holiday-themed book if you are looking for it.

What could be worse than being an event planner and having to plan an event for your ex-fiancee who dumped you after proposing and has now shown up with his new fiancee to plan his wedding? This is the situation Lottie finds herself in at the start of this story. Jay is the new groundskeeper at the manor and has his own set of issues. The question is whether Lottie and Jay can overcome their issues and build a relationship. An engaging story set in an English country manor with plenty of Christmas cheer and a storyline with a little more substance than your typical Christmas romance. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Collins Publishers for an advanced copy of this book.

Such a wonderful, romantic story about facing your past and moving on with the future. Loved it and could not put it down.

A fabulous Christmas book, filled with interesting characters and situations.
It was engaging and I found it so easy to read, a lovely relaxing festive read on a rather damp and windy day!
Pure escapism at it’s best! 🎄❄️

Such a lovely story with so many emotions. Navigating the thoughts and feelings that happen in so many people’s lives on the journeys we all walk. Made me feel all warm inside and gave me that Christmas glow. Highly recommended

This is my first book my this author I really enjoyed it, the characters were brought to life and I am sure many will relate to some to the topics, quite a speedy read nothing was too drawn out. I am hoping there are more novels from this author. My first Christmas book if the year I’m sure it won’t be my last. Out the fire on grab a hot chocolate and enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and AVON/HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. for copy of "A Surprise Christmas Wedding" in exchange for an honest review.

The story begins on 15 September in Porthmellow, Cornwall where Lottie Hargreaves an events organizer at a hotel has just been proposed to by Connor. The day after the proposal he leaves for Scotland on work for his insurance firm. When he returns he has shocking news for Lottie. The same day that her dreams are shattered, her sister learns that she has cervical cancer. Lottie throws herself into supporting Steph, a single mom with twin daughters, Myra and Jodie.

The story continues a little over a year later on 4 November with Lottie living in Langmere in the Lake District and working at Firholme House as an event and wedding planner. When she meets a bride-to-be, wanting a Christmas Wedding. Little does she know that Keegan's fiancé is her former boyfriend and almost husband Connor.

The estates manager Jay Calder is also trying to forget his past and while he starts off as gruff, Lottie soon realizes that sometimes things really do happen for a reason. Jay has a delightful dog named Trevor that steals the show.

A lovely feel-good story for the upcoming holiday season.

Another excellent book from Phillipa Ashley. If your feeling down or just want to cosy up reading one of her books they will pick you up. Loved the characters. Lottie and Jay are perfect for each other. I hope there will be a sequel.

A great plot.

I enjoyed the characterization and the twist at the beginning. It definitely got me hooked for more.

I do feel that the writing and the end were drawn out, leaving little room for suspense at the end. The plot gets a little predictable at the middle as well.

All in all, a sweet romance.

I loved this easy Christmas read.
Lottie starts a new life at Firholme after being jilted by Connor. She has a new job as an events manager and a home that comes with the job.
One day an unexpected guest arrives Lottie has to set aside her emotions.
There is also a new estate manager Jay with his dog Trevor who also has been hurt in the past.
Can they both move on from the past?
I loved the descriptions of the lake district having visited twice I know how beautiful it is. Firholme also sounded stunning.
An uplifting Christmas read, highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon books for the ARC in return for an honest review

I love Phillipa Ashley's book and this is one of the best ones of hers I have read yet! It's both emotional and funny. I'm almost disappointed I didn't leave it to read until December because it really sets the scene for feeling Christmassy! Can't wait for Phillipa's next book :)

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Booms for the chance to review this ARC.

I thought this was a charming story of family, healing and finding love when you didn't think it was possible. I adored the twins and Lottie's relationship with Steph. I loved how the picturesque descriptions of the estate made you feel like you were there. While the story did seem a bit slow at times, and Connor got on my last nerve with his arrogance, I really enjoyed this story and I would definitely read others by this author.

Loved this book. It was a lovely festive snow covered romantic book.

Lottie has been unceremoniously dumped by slimy Connor who gets cold feet after proposing to her and runs away to Australia.
Before she has the chance to be consoled and lick her wounds her sister is diagnosed with cancer and she spends her time caring for her and looking after her twins.

She takes a local job to stay near her sister that has accommodation attached and is in her dream location.

Then just as her life begins to look up slimy Connor returns with a fiancée in tow and gets her messed up in his web.

Can she make a new start with rugged Jay and be the wedding planner to Connor and his blissfully unaware bride to be?

I really loved this book and the characters.

This arc was provided in exchange for an honest review for netgalley

What more do you possibly need in a Christmas read that snow, Christmas trees, family drama and a twinkle of flirting. This book is everything you need to accompy the cup of tea and a mince pie.

EVERY part of Christmas cozyness is included. I loved this book so much I read it in a day and its just lovely. Its one of those books that your so eager to get to the next bit because you need to know what’s happening. Brilliant read for 2020 Christmas

#NetGalley #SurpriseChristmasWedding #PhillipaAshley #bookreview #christmasreads2020

Last Christmas Lotties fiancé, Connor, had dumped her with no real explanation, and her sister, Steph had been seriously ill. This year it was going to be different. She had landed her dream job at Firholme, and her sister, a single mum of twins, was so much better. Add to that the new estate manager,Jay, things were looking up. That is, until an engaged couple arrived unannounced wanting to get married at Firholme before Christmas, only a matter of weeks away. And the bridegroom to be was Connor.

Having read all of this author's books and enjoyed them, I was so happy to read this, and I enjoyed it so much I read it in a day. Can not wait to read her next one.

This is another lovely book from one of my favorite UK authors. Her stories let me escape real life and enter a world where there are problems, but having love ones near always helps.

In this story the two main characters, Lottie and Jay, are both dealing with betrayal and trust issues. Lottie is ready to go on with her life and she is just what Jay needs to help him let go and begin living again.

After reading a realistic historical book prior to this one, it was a joy to enter the world created by Phillipa Ashley and just have pure relaxation, knowing all would work out to a happy ending. Ms. Ashley has a great talent for creating characters that I care about. She also describes the scenery beautifully and I feel transported physically to the Firholme Estate while reading. This book also has an adorable and slightly misbehaved black Labrador named Trevor, who is a great comic relief to the bits of serious issues in the story.

I want to thank Avon Books UK for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy of this book. My review is my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

This was a rather sweet story about two people who have had bad luck in romance in the past. Lottie’s ex asked her to marry him and then left her a few days later. And she also has to cope with her sister dealing with a terrible cancer diagnosis. But it’s now a year later and she’s trying to build a new life working at a lovely estate that the owner is trying to turn into an events venue. And Lottie has the chance to do the planning for the first wedding there. Except it just happens to be her ex and his new fiance. But Lottie agrees to keep their past relationship a secret because she wants to make the wedding a success.

Her next-door neighbor on the estate is the new groundskeeper, Jay. He’s suffered his own sad story which has left him estranged from his family as well as living a solitary life. But he can’t resist Lottie.

If you can buy the whole story , this makes a lovely story.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this book as it had a lot of potential -- great setting, Christmas and a rescue dog. However, it just fell flat for me. I thought the book dragged quite a bit; I was determined to finish it but it was a chore and took me much longer than usual to read because I wasn't excited about it. I liked the premise of the story and the characters but they lacked depth.

This was a light and sweet Christmas romance set in a lovely part of England. I always enjoy books which can take me to another place and this one did just that. Like most romances it was predictable, but in a comforting sort of way.

Lovely way to start to get into the Christmas spirit! Lottie’s heart is broken when she is proposed to but then her fiancé changes his mind within a week. At the same time she is caring for her sister who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. Fast forward a year and Lottie has become an events manager at a stately home in the lakes. She is totally taken aback when her ex and his new Fiancée turn up wanting to book a wedding there. Will this Christmas be a happier one for Lottie and her family?
A very nice book to curl up with and get engrossed in. Whilst I did think Lottie should have stood up for herself a bit more, and I definitely didn’t like her ex - Connor, the other characters were very believable and well drawn. A very pleasant way to spend a few hours relaxing in the run up to Christmas.