All Nell wants is to make a success of her cosy beachfront hotel, Holly Lodge. But with a glamorous new hotel in town, Nell's struggling to make it work, and she'll have to fight to keep Holly Lodge open. Luckily, best friend Tom is at hand to help in any way he can, because quite simply, he is is completely and utterly in love with Nell. But she has no idea. They'll need a bit of Christmas magic, not only to save Holly Lodge, but also to open Nell's eyes to what's been in front of her the whole time...

What a book! I'm a sucker for a sweet Christmas romance, and Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay has that in spades. Nell is an absolute angel, such a sweet person, and completely obsessed with rom-coms - a love we happen to share, and so I loved the way there were all these comparisons to some of my favourite films in key moments throughout the book! Tom was also such a wonderful character to read about, and I really enjoyed the fact that you had chapters from both of their POVs, as well as a few others along the way.

Plus, 10/10 to Katie Ginger for writing in a character struggling with a form of disability (I won't be more specific for fear of spoilers). It's amazing to see a character such as this in a contemporary romance novel, and I was so excited to see such a positive storyline being used rather than it being all doom and gloom as it sometimes can be - this instead was really uplifting, and I thought it reflected so well on the author to take such an upbeat and inclusive approach to her writing. 

Now, I will admit that when I started reading this, I had no idea it was the third book in a series. But luckily, that doesn't matter at all, as this is definitely one that can be read as a standalone. But I loved the setting and the characters so much that I've actually already ordered the first two in the series, and I can't wait to visit Swallowtail Bay again! This just had such a lovely festive feeling to it, and even though there was a bit of drama, it still made me feel so happy and Christmassy, Definitely a new festive favourite author!

Disclaimer - I was fortunate enough to be provided with an advance reading copy of this book by NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

Katie Ginger has a distinct way of writing the heart that is so truthful and real, you immediately get immersed in her stories and fall in love with her characters. This book is no exception and I just loved it. Perfect for readers who love a truthful and heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance.

Winter Wishes at Swallowtail Bay by Katie Ginger was a great festive read, great for snuggling down to escape into for a few hours. I did not want to put this book down, I loved it.

Sometimes liking romantic stories to much can be a dangerous thing - it can keep you from actually living your life, as you're waiting for the movie to begin. And, listen, I've definitely been guilty of this as well - but I certainly hope I've never had it quite as bad as Nell does. I can certainly understand why Tom might've been a bit hesitant to tell her he loves her - after all, those are some expectations to live up to!
This Christmas, though everything's about to change - and that's not necessarily in the way these characters might have wanted. Although, you know, it did give us some great Christmas decorations and holiday spirit to dream away at!
From health problems to weddings being put into danger to a hotel manager that honestly just made me think of the grinch (or that guy from Home Alone 2, you know the one, with the smile) - these characters just could not get a break. Maybe it's because of that, that the romance didn't grip me quite as much as I'd hoped it would. Or maybe it just was the bit where this wasn't so much a story of two people falling in love, as it was of them (finally) getting together. Leading with a Christmas wedding, though? That was always going to be a hit, wasn't it? :)

A wonderful story of how Nell who loves romcon movies,  the idea that love hits you like a lightening bolt and that there is a soulmate for everyone out there. As a hotel owner Nell is hosting her best friends wedding as well as being her bridesmaid. But when the mother in law starts to upset the apple cart, Nell  finds it hard to not step in. She also doesn’t realise how very important her friendship is with Tom and how he is always there when she needs a shoulder to lie on. A lush story of love and friendship

I'm not a fan of this series I tried 2 book and DNF. 

*******************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.********************************

A gorgeous read. Nell has taken over the family business - a small boutique hotel and when a new hotel opens locally, she starts to struggle with various issues.
She is planning a wedding for her friend- and has to deal with a brideszilla mother of the bride, whilst trying to keep her best friend happy looking forward to the wedding of her dreams.  She organises a wedding fayre to attract more business and I loved the preparation and description of the day. I felt as though I was there to choose everything for a wedding.
Romance, friendships, fraught families and a Christmas setting all make for a wonderful Christmas book.

Nell runs her parents boutique hotel in swollowtail bay, this has been her dream for as long as she can remember however the arrival of the new chain hotel in the same area looks set to derail her dreams. 

With the help of her best friend Tom can Nell save her hotel as well as seeing the love that she has been blind to for so many years.

I enjoyed this book to a certain degree, however, it seemed to drag on and on for an age with nothing really happening. Despite whatever obstacle was put in her way, everything always seems to turn out perfectly for Nell. 

The book was ok but I wouldn’t rush to read it again.

If you want Christmas magic, a little bit of sparkle into your life and to transported to somewhere else when we all have to stay in our houses for lockdown 2.0 then this is the perfect book to get you in the festive mood and to lift your spirits.

This is the first book by Katie Ginger I've had the pleasure of reading. Didn't realise until the end of it that it was actually the third book in the series. Thoroughly enjoyed it and loved all the characters, and can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series.

I was so so looking forward to reading another novel by Katie Ginger, I loved the first two novels set in Swallowtail Bay and I couldn't wait to get stuck into this one. However, unfortunately I didn't find myself enjoying it as much as I thought I would. I couldn't really relate to the characters, the location didn't really do it for me and overall I just couldn't get into it.

I look forward to seeing what Katie Ginger has to offer in future, but unfortunately this particular novel wasn't for me.

About 85% of this book is about planning holiday events at a struggling inn in England. 5% is a boring rival hotel sub-plot, and 10% is what you picked up the book for - a sweet holiday romance. 

Yes, this could be a Hallmark movie. The main character spends most of her time oblivious to her doting romantic interest as she tries to figure out how to run the Inn her parents left her. Then, miraculously, in the last 15% of the book, they realize they love each other and share one chaste kiss.  A nice, completely vanilla, un-scandalous romance to give your grandma for Christmas. Sadly, not the engaging love story I was looking for. 

It took a very long time to get through this book because the plot was so boring and the romantic tension sooooo lacking. I think the author was more concerned with setting up a world to begin a series in and that's why there was so much extra description, tedious party-planning details, briefly mentioned auxilliary characters, etc.

In the end, the characters just didn't capture my heart enough to recommend this book to anyone else.

This is such an enjoyable book!

The key phrase in it is ‘the one’ and it refers to many ‘best’ things: the one wedding dress, the one best wedding venue in Swallowtail Bay, the one best friend, and The One, the man of Nell’s dreams.

Nell is fabulous. She’s both romantic head-in-the-cloudsy, and very down to earth. She’s confident one moment, and a dithering bundle of nerves the next. She’s perfect in being so realistically imperfect.

Tom is gorgeous in an understated, natural way. He’s Nell’s The One, but of course, she doesn’t realise that. Will she finally stop alternating between daydreaming and overworking and see what’s under her nose?

Swallowtail Bay is a bustling, interesting place with a population of interesting characters who enjoy good and bad relations, friendships and rivalries with each other, and there are interlinked and opposing businesses too. It’s beautifully portrayed.

Lots to entertain and enchant you in this seasonal romcom.

I loved Spring tides at Swallowtail bay so when I saw on netgalley that there was one called Winter Wishes I thought it would be the perfect cosy read. Unfortunately what I didn’t realise was that it’s a series and there is a summer one in between. Having said that it didn’t change how I felt about the book. It’s cosy and very easy to read, a typical chick lit book which I don’t always love but I love how easy they are in more difficult and uncertain times. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys easier to read books.

Nell owns a hotel in Swallowtail Bay. She doesn't have many guests so she is trying different things to get more people interested in staying there  Her best friend Cat is getting married in the hotel during Christmas.  Her groom Kieran is best friends with Tom and he is in love with Nell.  
Another hotel in town is jealous of Nell and they are posting bad reviews on a hotel website.
A good little romance.

This was the first book I have read from Katie Ginger, I realised afterwards its part of the a three part series and it’s the third book 🤷‍♀️ You don’t need to read the first two to enjoy reading this one however and I loved it! I adored Tom as a character and I found myself invested in his happiness as the book went on!

A lovely Christmassy read, perfect for the build up to the festive season 🎄 🎁 🎅 available now on amazon £1.99 for the ebook 😊 

5/5 ⭐️ 

Recommend  ✅ 

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This was a heartwarming winter read, with wonderful characters and an engaging story. It was very well written and if you want something to get you in the christmas spirit then this book will definitely do that.

An entertaining and well written romance.  Great plot, characters and setting.  Romance readers will enjoy this book.  I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley.  This is my unbiased review.

I think this is a great story. I loved the cover which is what drew me to the book first.
The story is a very nice, laid back story about friendships, family and love. Nell owns a hotel, her friend Tom has always been there for her, they are also best friends with cat and keiron who are engaged to be married at Nells Hotel. 
Throughout the wedding planning there is some ups and downs with families and friends but these things happen! I did enjoy the story and the characters were very likeable. Thank you to the publishers, netgalley and the author Katie ginger for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review

A good book to read in the lead up to Christmas, based in the aptly named Holly Lodge Hotel.

Nell loves watching romcom films and dreams of her own wedding and looks forward to arranging the wedding 0f two of her best friends.  Trials and tribulations proceed the day, but will she fulfill her dream of meeting her own true live?