While apart of a series, this can really be a stand alone. I love the village she takes us to and the characters! I loved the mystery aspect and overall thought it was a great Christmas book!

I enjoy reading Sue Moorcroft’s stories taking place in Middledip. While there are few intersections of characters the readers know from other books, we are still experiencing the same town vibe and getting to meet other villagers.

The story focuses on Laurel, who had an appalling, unforgettable situation one dark night when she was in her late teens. She moved away from Middledip soon afterwards and now is moving back (temporally) to help her sister, and is confronted with the dark past. A good part of that past is her teenage boyfriend Grady, and their sparks still are ignited, unfortunately, it is complicated.

The story is about bullying, guilt, forgiveness, family ties and community. As difficult as forgiveness can be, can a person truly move on and live a full emotional life, with the past hurt weighing like a 100-pound weight on their mind?

Sue Moorcroft did an amazing job of writing a book about a difficult subject and did it with grace and understanding. I definitely recommend this book.

I will add that I love the book cover! Laurel, the main female character is an artist and the descriptions of her paintings are so beautiful, I wish I could actually see them.

I want to thank Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

You can never go wrong with Sue Moorcroft and Under the Mistletoe didn't disappoint, great read for Christmas

Another winner by Sue Moorcroft. Although I read this preview copy in the summer, it put me straight into festive mode. A story full of twists and turns, characters with issues past and present who work through them and a strong moral compass underpin this book. Most enjoyable.

I love Sue Moorcroft books they are full of love, loyalty and new beginnings. I got fully involved in Christmas with the wreaths, Christmas trees and a whole village embracing the Christmas spirit. I loved all the characters, all with a story to tell from the effects of bullying to a family member with agoraphobia plus two very different horses but both loved for different reasons. Sue Moorcroft paints pictures with words and this is a book I am so happy to have read

I've not ready any of Sue Moorcroft's works and I came upon this book by pure chance. And unexpectedly, I liked it a lot. This book deals with heavy topics and can be triggering for some, so a fair warning before you read this book. I have to remark that Moorcroft doesn't shy away from showing how these situations affect someone and continue to affect them even after many years after the incident. Laurel is a truly wonderful character and I loved reading from her perspective. And Grady is also a lovely guy and so supportive of Laurel.

My only qualm with this book is the number of characters; there were quite a few and each had some minor subplot attached with them, so things did become hard to follow sometimes.

But overall, this was a pretty nice Christmas read (which I'm reading in August lol)

Such an emotive subject handled with great care and attention. Laurel returns to her home town to look after her agoraphobic sister and neice but having run away 14 years ago after a traumatic incident can she cope with all the feelings coming back brings. A brilliant story about the long term affects of bullying and more. Superbly written with characters you want to envelope in a big hug. Totally recommend

Another feel good festive treat from sue moorcroft, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without one of her Christmas reads!
Lovely to be back in middledip and meet new, interesting characters whilst being in a snowy festive village setting, I felt as if I should be sampling a mince pie washed down with a baileys as I devoured under the mistletoe!
Under the mistletoe is a Christmas read with a strong sense of community, family loyalties and a sense of belonging/coming home, but underlying it all difficult subjects such as assault, bullying and agoraphobia are sensitively tackled with an underlying message that in order to live again,move on and be happy you need to let go of the past in order to progress to a happier more fulfilled future.
A lovely thought provoking Christmas read that will get you into the festive spirit, perfect for those pre Christmas dark wintery nights!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Oh I do love a trip to Middledip! In her latest festive fiction Under the Mistletoe, Sue Moorcroft takes us back to this lovely village for a story that has everything that I love - likeable, relatable characters,,damaged characters, a pretty village full of community spirit, snow, Christmas trees, love, loss, hot romance, and horses! This gorgeous tale wrapped me in a warm and comforting hug from the first to the last page, and I feel slightly bereft at having to leave! There is a darker side to this story that is sensitively written, and really engaged my emotions. The story shimmered with glorious colours - phthalo blue, cadmium red, Indian yellow to name a few, that really leapt off the pages,,allowing me to visualise them in all their beauty, and I loved that. This is a story that needs to be on my shelf, as it is already in my heart. I absolutely loved it.

Very strange to be reading a Christmasy book in the summer but considering the summer we’ve had perhaps not that strange! A lovely love story about Laurel who moved back to her home village after her marriage fails. But should she have come back? Bad things happened when she was a schoolgirl but her sister needs her. She falls in love again with her old boyfriend. Her paintings are a joy. Little things keep cropping up that could spoil her happiness but she fights in through.

I have enjoyed reading this author’s previous books and this one doesn’t disappoint.

Laurel left the village of Middledip as a traumatised teenager; she’s now back to help her sister Rea who is suffering from agoraphobia. But the villain of those teenage years still lives in the village and although years have passed, she is finding it difficult to forgive and forget. With feelings for her nemesis brother added into the mix, will Laurel be able put the past behind her?

Lovely story. Good characters. An easy and enjoyable read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s definitely a great wintery/festive read. I always find myself sinking into the books by this author and feeing like I’m part of the story.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Laurel returns to families hometown after getting a divorce. While there she meets Grant who was her old boyfriend many years ago. I enjoyed the different characters in this book and the chemistry between Laurel and Grant

A festive, feel good treat! It’s lovely to be back in Middledip again for this gorgeous, heartwarming book from Sue Moorcroft. This time we meet Laurel and Grady who are back together in Middledip years after Laurel fled following a nasty bullying incident involving Grady’s brother Mac. Grady never found out what happened all those years ago, but can Laurel move on and put the past behind her? A wonderful treat for the Christmas holidays which I happily devoured in one sitting! Relax, grab a Baileys and a piece of shortbread and enjoy……

Laurel returns to Middledip to help her sister Rea. She's not been back since a traumatic experience when a teenager. She then bumps into her old boyfriend Grady. Love Sue Moorcroft books and this is no exception

At first, I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books for allowing me to review this book. Keep in mind that my review, however, is my true opinion on this book.

“Under the mistletoe” is another beautiful story by Sue Moorcroft. Perfect for your holiday!

This book is all about Christmas. Here you've got it! Laurel returns to Middledip to have a slow and more relaxed life. She has just been divorced, so life has definitely not been easy for her. But nothing is like she remembered in Middledip. Or maybe it is just as hurtful as she thought.

This book gives you a perspective on life that you might need to take sometimes. You have to remember, what is important to you, and what you prefer to prioritize in life. And this book will get you thinking.

“Bad things always seemed worse at Christmas”. What a line! I guess I can kind of agree with it, though. When you think about it, it might be true. And I feel like this line explains everything about this story.

I usually enjoy Sue Moorcrofts books. They always make you feel good, and they are uplifting as well as enjoyable to read. And this one is certainly a good one as well.

This is such a beautiful and wonderful book!

If you were not already thinking about Christmas, this book sure will get you thinking and longing for Christmas to be here.

A story that made you think.. Could you forgive some one who had hurt you mentally and physically. You had the love element with Lauren and Grady and the pain of the x husband . Also bullying at school and Rea with her agoraphobia. A brilliant read. Loved it.Another ace book by Sue Moorcroft

This book was sent to me by Netgalley on Kindle for review…it is character driven with a story that is quickly read…the protagonist has a group of friends who make the book more interesting…try this one. Perhaps there should be more about the other characters, but all in all, this is a fun read.

I was so excited to be able to read this as part of my Christmas in July readathon absolutely love this authors books and this one was no exception. It was a real treat to be transported back to middledip which has featured in some of her other books. Under the mistletoe was so much more than just a Christmas story and had lots of very strong characters who were all dealing with their own demons. Laurel who is coming to terms with her divorce is transported back to the painful events of what happened in her youth when she returns to middledip to help her sister Rea who is suffering from Agra phobia and her niece Daisy who has been at the mercy of bullying at school. The author raised awareness of these issues and lots of others which I won’t go into for fear of spoilers whilst dealing with them in a very sensitive way. The other story running parallel in this book is the romance blossoming between Laurel and Grady will they get a second chance at love after his brother Macs actions all those year ago came between them and will they overcome all of the difficulties that are being put in their way now and in the past to be able to move forwards in their lives and be together.

Three and a half stars.

Welcome back to the village of Middledip. Laurel, a successful artist, has returned home to help with her sister Rae's acrophobia and her fourteen year old niece Daisy's selective truancy. Her original intention is only to stay for a few weeks to help out Rae and Daisy before moving to somewhere like Cornwall to set up her own art studio. A divorcee, Laurel has avoided Middledip since a traumatic incident in her teenage years which involve her then boyfriend Grady Cassidy's older brother Mac. Laurel is horrified to learn that Mac is now Daisy's Head of Year and the father of one of Daisy's best friends.

Do Laurel and Grady have a second chance, or will the events of that long ago night cast a shadow over the present? Set against the chocolate box setting of a small English village at Christmas this is a charming second-chance romance.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.