Maddy Cracy is carer to her aunt Ruthie and to her own little girl Lyla. Her life is predictable, if a bit stale until Raff turns up with a box of old love letters between Ruthie and his father. As with any Sue Moorcroft book, this did not disappoint.

The Christmas love letters is about two romances - the one between Maddy and Raff that is unfolding in the present, and the one between Ruthie and Raff's (married) father, that happened in the past. The discussion of Ruthie's affair is gentle and nuanced. There's some exploration of what it was like to have had a child out of wedlock in the 60s and 70s. There's a lot of strong emotional elements pulling in different directions in this book - long lost parents and siblings, blood family vs adopted family, living with a sick parent, living with the uncertainty when someone has disappeared ...
I found this book very moving. I also found an interesting exploration of how to help someone with waning sight live in their own home comfortably.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy.

Sue Moorcroft does it again with a thoughtful, romantic and heart-warming story for Christmas. In a change from her usual snowy Middledip setting, she takes us to Nelson's Bar, in Norfolk, where single mum Maddie acts as a carer for her great-aunt Ruth. She, Ruth and little Lyla form a strong unit, but when stranger Raff seeks out Ruth, claiming she had a long-term affair with his adopted father, it looks like Maddie's family dynamics are about to change. As Maddie learns the details of Ruth's star-crossed love affair with Nigel through their cherished love letters, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Raff. But there are so many complications in the way...
This was a strong story with an engrossing plot. I love that Sue Moorcroft keeps readers in the loop at all times - there are no unreliable narrators, no hidden surprises, just solid action that keeps the story moving on, sweeping the reader along with it, to find out what will happen next.
There is also so much emotion to be explored here - romantic love, family love, lost love and selfish love are all themes that affect the main players, and each has their own challenges to face before finding resolution.
And within it all are all the traditions of Christmas - a little girl looking forward to Santa's visit, mince pies and mulled wines, snowmen, fetes and nativity plays.
A charming and heart-warming seasonal read with emotional depth, lovely characters and a cracking plot. I loved it.

I can’t begin to say how much I loved this book. Maddy and her daughter Lyla were such wonderful characters along with Raff and ALL the others. This is a real heart warming read which kept me hooked from start to finish. A lovely magical Christmas read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this new festive Christmas book from Sue Moorcroft!! A really special unusual story which was totally fascinating, from the very beginning right through to the end!!
Maddy lives in her own unique family unit with her beloved aunt and 6 year old daughter in Nelson’s Bar on the far coast of Norfolk. After the disappearance of her husband nearly seven years ago, the oncoming winter and snow coming down is raising some last memories of him. When a stranger visits and upsets her aunt, some long hidden secret family history is revealed. How times have changed over the last fifty odd years, in beliefs, morals, and family life.
There are some great characters, and wonderful moments that are frustrating, funny, touching and beautiful. This book shows the complex emotions and insurmountable pathways through adoption and different types of family that we all know now but were unacceptable then. Sensitively written and well thought out.
Hugely enjoyable and now, one of my favourite Sue Moorcroft books!!! The story and people within these pages are still with me!
Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for the early read. What a brilliant Christmas book!! Hugely recommended!!

This is another Christmas treasure from Sue Moorcroft. Maddy had a difficult marriage with her Husband spending money they didn’t have. After a huge argument one night he disappeared before Maddy had been able to tell him that she was pregnant. She moved in with her elderly and poor sighted Aunt as her carer. Lyla was now 6 years old. A stranger arrived unexpectedly one day. He had some information for Aunt Ruthie about her greatest love from her past. A lovely story enfolds with lots of twists and turns into the run up to Christmas Day. I highly recommend this delightful read.

This is a beautifully written story with a holiday touch. The relationship between the characters is endearing, and the setting is picturesque. Truly enjoyed this story.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The more I read this story the more I could appreciate its clever concept, letters that connect us to our innermost thoughts and feelings. Combining complex characters with twisty roads of decision, I was completely enthralled and felt a deep connection particularly to Maddie as a mum and a carer. I particularly liked that all of the characters are far from perfect, they each display difficult traits that hold them back from happiness and you see these evolve over time to be acknowledged and challenged. All in all a beautiful look at the true meaning of family.

In "The Christmas Love Letters" by Sue Moorcroft, readers are treated to a heartwarming tale filled with believable characters, a well-paced narrative, and an emotional depth that's easy to connect with. The story revolves around Maddy, who is dealing with the mysterious disappearance of her husband, leading her and her daughter to live with her aunt Ruthie. The sudden appearance of Raff, searching for an old friend of his father, sets in motion a series of events that delve into the past, unveiling a treasure trove of love letters. Ruthie and Maddy find themselves caught up in the secrets and surprises hidden within these letters.

What truly stands out in this narrative is the emotional journey of Ruthie, which is bound to bring tears to your eyes. The story's twists and turns keep you engrossed from the very first page to the final chapter. Moorcroft's storytelling is not only engaging but also brings out the complexities of love, family, and the past's impact on the present.

If you're looking for a highly recommended read that combines a gripping plot with relatable characters and a touch of romance, "The Christmas Love Letters" is a wonderful choice for your reading list. Sue Moorcroft's storytelling prowess shines through in this heartwarming holiday tale.

Sue Moorcroft has delivered another gorgeous, cosy winter tale. Set in her usual trade mark picturesque small village with wonderful characters and towns folk, this one comes alive with Christmas spirt mixed in with a dash of mystery and intrigue. A fabulous Christmas read.

This was my first Sue Moorcroft novel. It was a cozy Christmas read but I wish there would have been more emphasis on the letters. So, I was a little disappointed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Almost seven years ago Maddy’s husband Adey walked out after a row and disappeared without a trace. Since then, Maddy has lived with her elderly Great Aunt Ruthie and her young daughter Lyla in the coastal village of Nelson's Bar.
Maddy is happy with her life until gorgeous Raff appears on her doorstep one day, asking to speak to Ruthie. Raff has some love letters written almost 50 years ago from Ruthie to his adoptive father.
As past secrets come to the fore Maddy and Raff find themselves getting closer, but then the more recent past rears its head.
Will the past come between them or can Maddy and Raff have the future they deserve.
This is a wonderful story of secrets, family and love. The characters are strong and relatable, it made me want to laugh and cry at times.
Perfect to cosy up with on a cold Autumn day.

Absolutely brilliant. A great read that I couldn’t put down. Meeting Maddie and Ruthie and the way their story was told dragged you in. 2 love stories, one told through letters from the past and the other the result of letters being found and reunited. If you want a love story with a couple of twists then this is the one for you. Recommend this one.

I really struggled with this one and I'm not really sure why. I usually love sues books but this one didn't flow as effortlessly as others for me. Maybe it was the head space I was in. But I just didn't gel with it.

Maddy's husband Adey disappeared one snowy night before Christmas. Six years later, she is living in a quiet Norfolk village, bringing up the daughter Adey never knew about and caring for her Great Qunt Ruthie. When stranger Raff turns up on their doorstep, the revelations he makes will make huge changes to their lives. Then Maddy starts receiving odd texts that appear to be from missing Adey - can she cope with all of the changes and upheaval happening in her life?

Another lovely book from Sue Moorcroft, with engaging characters, along with misunderstood unpleasant ones! A slow burn love story, with plenty of smiles contained within.

This was a real feel-good festive treat from Sue Moorcroft.

Set on the Norfolk coast, Maddy has lived in Nelson's Bar her whole life.
One night, after an argument her letdown of a husband, Adey, storms out, disappearing without a trace, leaving his whereabouts and welfare a mystery.

Her life in chaos, Maddy is left to pick up the pieces.
She muddles through over the years, moving in with her Great Aunt Ruthie, her financial saviour. Maddy also takes on the role of carer, due to Ruthie's deteriorating eyesight.

One day, a stranger knocks on their door out of the blue, upending their lives...
Raff has questions about the past, but with them he also has the biggest surprise for Ruthie.

Then, Maddy begins to get unsettling text messages that bring up memories from the past that she had hoped she would never have to face

I loved getting to know the characters and definitely felt the story grew greater in depth the further I read.
I was longing for them all to have a happy-ever-after.

The Christmas Love Letters will be released on 26th October.

(#AD-#PRProduct: Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for a #gifted eARC in exchange for my review.
Review also posted to GoodReads and Instagram. Will be added to Amazon when eligible)

Thank you NetGalley and AVON/HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. for the opportunity to read "The Christmas Love Letters" in exchange for my honest review.

This heartwarming Christmas story starts 20 December 1977 when someone named Nigel is writing a love letter to Ruthie and on Christmas Eve Ruthie is writing back.

In the present day Maddy Cracey lives with her great-aunt Ruthie Willson who is 80 in Nelson's Bar, Norfolk along with her 6 year old daughter Lyla. Maddy's husband Adey walked out of the house 7 years ago when their house flooded and they had no insurance. He has not been seen or heard from since. He just vanished into the snowy night. Maddy was left to face debts and disaster on her own. They had been together since senior school but only one of them was a grown-up. Ruthie has limited vision so Maddy is her official carer.

Rafferty Edmonds appears and tells Ruthie that his adoptive parents Nigel and Sindy couldn't have children so they adopted him and later a little girl named Ffion. A long held love and secrets begin to unravel as Maddy learns that her great-aunt had a daughter and that daughter is Ffion. She also learns that Ruthie is now also a grandmother to a 16 year old Chloe. There is much back-and-forth as to whether Ffion and Chloe want to meet Ruthie and quite a few tears.

Another storyline is a series of texts that Maddy receives from "Adey". She is finally happy and now these cryptic messages start coming. Weeks away from being able to declare him legally dead is Adey alive, is he going to want half of the house that she worked so hard to save, is he going to want to be part of his daughter's life - a daughter Maddy didn't have a chance to tell him about when he walked out the door.

The author based this story on real love letters that someone showed her. It makes the story even more meaningful. These love letters are what tie together the two storylines in this book - Ruthie, Nigel and their daughter Ffion; as well as, Raff and Maddy. The biggest takeaway from this story is that it doesn't matter if you are related to someone by blood, what matters is the family that you build for yourself.

What an amazing feelgood festive treat this book was. Couldn't put it down. Such a heart warming story with such likeable and relatable characters. Loved that i could just escape reading it, made me want more! . Thank you netgalley for the chance to read it! Highly recommend

This is such a beautiful book! So easy to read and once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down. The characters and the location are just perfect! Such a stunning love story! Loved this so much!

Another feel good festive treat from Sue Moorcroft, heart warming and emotive with great characters. Easy read, curl up and enjoy. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

I’d never heard of Sue moorcroft before but I can tell you now I won’t be forgetting this author and I’ll be recommending her to friends.
Maddy the main character in this book has not had it easy, her husband disappeared one night after an argument leaving her with a flooded cottage, debt and pregnant although adey did not know she was pregnant.
The characters are well written and I found myself eager to get back to reading the book.
I would say the title is a little misleading as there is no Christmas letters till the end but it’s definitely made me feel festive with the book being set in the November and December.