3.5 Stars

This is a story of a young mother, Madeline Cracey who goes by Maddy, and who lives with her Aunt in Norfolk, England. Maddy is, technically, married, but to a man who has been gone for seven years, a man who seems to have disappeared one night - the night before Maddy had known that she was pregnant. Her daughter is now 7 years old. They’d moved in with her Aunt Ruthie, or Grantie, after her husband’s disappearance, which seems to be good for each of them.

As her aunt’s sight is diminishing, and the letters she’s kept out of sight keep calling to her, she has Maddy read her some of the letters, as she reminisces over the man she had loved, and shares some of the background story with Maddy.

This story involves, and revolves around the aunt’s love story, the desire to make a connection with someone she lost, and Maddy’s story, as well, which revolves around the need to determine if her husband is dead or alive and just hiding so she can go on with her life.


Pub Date: 26 Oct 2023


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Avon Books UK, Avon

Such a sweet heartwarming story of family, friendship and love. The characters come alive and you can’t help, but root for them. A story of how old love letters can start new relationships.

When Maddie’s husband went missing nearly seven years ago, she was left with debts and a newly discovered pregnancy. Caring for her great aunt Ruthie and bringing up her daughter filled part of her life, but she needed answers and closure. When a handsome stranger knocks on the door and discloses that great aunt Ruthie had had a long affair with his adoptive father and that Ruthie had a daughter, Maddie was overwhelmed. The letters between Ruthie and z Nigel are poignant, filled with love.
This heart warming story of betrayal, family and complicated decisions makes a wonderful festive read brimming with festive events and lots of snow.

this is a lovely christmas book to read telling the story of two generations telling there story through love letters and giving joy and sadness throughout the story but a happy ending a must to read so giving no detail one to read for yourself

Maddy, mother to young Lyla, found a home with her Great Aunt Ruthie when her husband disappeared one night almost seven years ago, leaving her pregnant and penniless – she’s now Ruthie’s carer, but through their very special relationship has also found the support and love she really needed to see her through the most difficult of times. With no sign of him in the intervening years – perhaps he did fall over the cliff on that stormy night – the time is approaching when she can call her marriage officially ended and move on.

But while her own story certainly isn’t over, an unexpected visitor then enters all their lives – Raff arrives with a bundle of love letters Ruthie wrote to his father during their earlier affair, and a number of secrets from the past slowly begin to unravel. At first, Maddy is fiercely protective, worried that revisiting the past will affect Ruthie’s frail health – but as the full story slowly emerges, and they read the letters together, it becomes plain that there are ends left untied and the chance of a happy ending. And Maddy finds herself and Raff becoming closer, as they learn to trust each other – might there be a chance of a happy ending of her own, or could there be some unexpected obstacles in the way?

I loved absolutely everything about this book – especially the heartbreaking background to the letters, the way the secrets within them slowly emerged, and their ramifications and emotional impact in the present. But that’s not the only unfolding story – there’s a great deal more to make this one a compelling read with a particularly uncertain outcome. The setting of Nelson’s Bar is nicely detailed and a wonderful backdrop (not the first time the author’s taken us to that part of Norfolk, but nothing to worry a first-time reader), and there’s a very strong focus on family – both chosen and real – which is something I always really enjoy. Friendship too, often complicated, sometimes disappointing, always layered, and so well handled. There’s that perfect balance between lightness – with touches of lovely humour – and those rather darker edges that are always present in the lives of the author’s beautifully drawn characters. And, of course, it’s Christmas – with just the right festive touches and occasions, and unexpected snowfall just to make everything that bit more difficult for everyone.

Emotionally, this book was everything I could have possibly wanted – but it’s a real page-turner of a story too, and one that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page (and my goodness, what a perfect ending!). My favourite book yet? Yes, of course it is – until the next one. Do add this one to your Christmas list – I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

All I am going to say is that you can never go wrong by reading any books written by Sue Moorcroft, well worth 5 stars

Thanks to Netgally and publisher for this ARC

This book is another Christmas beauty from Sue Moorcroft. It is filled with nostalgia, heartache and love.
Set in Nelsons Bar this festive read focuses on family romance of the past and present. Although there is an element of deception, it has a twist that came as a total surprise. I loved many of the characters in this book but Ruthie who is fragile with failing health was a favourite.
My thanks to Net Galley and Avon for the digital ARC.

I received an ARC of this novel and would like to say thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley. This was an amazing 5 star read!

Maddie is living with her Aunt Ruthie and her daughter Lyla. Her husband Adey disappeared into the night 7 years ago and is presumed to be dead. Ruthie is a senior citizen and need Maddie to be her caregiver as she has problems with her sight and her breathing.

One night a man shows up at the door and wants to talk to Ruthie. He was adopted by a man that Ruthie had a long time affair with and when he died, the family found all of these love letters from Ruthie.

The story continues with how this affects both families and the connection between them.

This was a lovely story with wonderfully complex characters and storylines. Since it takes place around Christmas there are also lots of lovely Christmasy feels in it as you discover all the Christmas traditions in this quaint village.

I'm looking forward to reading more of this author.

I have to confess that this is the first book that I’ve read by this author but rest assured it certainly won’t be my last, as after finishing this wonderful read I’ll be certainly reading more . The Christmas Love Letters was an utter joy to read, it has the most wonderful characters and a captivating storyline. Right from the very start this book had me utterly absorbed into the story and the lives of all the characters. The relationship between Maddy and her Great Aunt Ruthie was portrayed so well and to see how much Maddy cared for Ruthie was wonderful. The Christmas theme was lovely but this book is so much more than a fluffy, feel good Christmas romance, it’s a story of relationships and families. I adored it.

I am sure that we all think we know the stories of our parents or other significant people in our lives, but what happens if we really don't? What would happen in your family if suddenly a man turns up at your door claiming to be related to your beloved auntie - the person you are closest to in the world - who has never, ever mentioned anything about the story the man tells.

Maddy Cracey's life is already complicated. She moved in with her aunt to be her full time carer when her husband Adey disappeared nearly 7 years before. Adey never knew that she was pregnant with the now 6 year old Lyla. There are people in the small town who never let her forget about her missing husband and the mystery of what happened to him. Maddy has her close knit friends and is getting by, but she is looking forward to the day when her husband can be declared legally dead and she can move on.

One day, a man knocks on the door and tells a story involving Ruth and a love affair with a married man. Maddy is completely shocked, but that is just the beginning. What follows is a story that unfolds through the letters that both Ruth and her love kept over the the years. Of course, there are complications that occur when such a situation occurs, and Maddy needs to do what is best to protect her elderly aunt and daughter.

The man, Raff, has his own family to protect with their own individual issues. His sister Ffion is unwell and her teenage daughter is scared about her mother, confused by all the truths that are being unveiled, and subject to changing her mind about everything at any time, as teenagers are known to do. Meanwhile, Raff, by trade a teacher, is trying to write his own fantasy novel while helping out his sister before she goes in for an operation.

I really enjoyed the whole premise of this book. There were the twists of turns of Maddy's story, the strong female friendships and inter-generational relationships, the incredibly moving story about Ruth and great chemistry between Raff and Maddy. There were times when there was some miscommunication that could have prevented a few misunderstandings, but this is a minor quibble really.

There are some Christmas books where the story is set at Christmas and there is a mention of Christmas now and then. This is not one of those books. This book is all about Christmas - food, crafts, fetes, markets, so much snow!

This is the second novel I have read by Sue Moorcroft but it is the first of her Christmas novels. I am definitely excited to read more!

a cosy christmas read with twists and turns along the way! i loved maddy and raff and their complicated family, lyla is such funny little character and ruthie is just wonderful. a heartbreaking read at times but an endearing, creative and warm story.

thank you to netgalley for the arc!

It just isn't Christmas with a Sue Moorcroft book to sink into; and this one is no exception. A lovely read for the festive season.

This a beautiful love story. I loved the idea of the love letters telling the story for us - a way of keeping memories alive - so precious.
Ruthie and Maddy’s relationship was lovely - so natural and I loved how their family unit was so strong in spite of all the changes around it.
The intertwining of past and new loves made the emotions run high and more often than not I had a year in my eye as I wished for the characters to find what they were looking for.
As always Sue Moorcroft has written a powerful story, full of emotion and love and with some great characters who are unafraid to share their feelings and emotions.

The picturesque village of Nelson's Bar on the Norfolk coast serves as the backdrop to Maddy Austen's life. Six years after a heated argument led to her husband Adey's disappearance, Maddy's routine with her daughter Lyla and Great Aunt Ruthie is disrupted when a stranger named Raff arrives with forgotten love letters. As Raff and Maddy delve into the secrets of the past, they form a deep connection that hints at a budding love story. However, a mysterious message leaves Maddy questioning the distance of her own past. The novel unfolds as a captivating tale of love, family secrets, and the enduring power of the Norfolk coast to bring unexpected joy and healing into the lives of its residents.

The Christmas Love Letters is not my normal genre but I do love a book with Christmas in the title so I decided to give it a go. I found it to be a lovely read, quite emotional, with well written characters that I actually found myself caring about. Overall a lovely read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.

I adore Sue Moorcroft books; they're always so warm and cosy with great characters and spirit. Her latest offering didn't disappoint. The lovely Christmastime setting in Nelson's Bar added so much to the story which already had so many things going on.

The book starts off with some letters between two lovers , Ruthie and Nigel, from long ago having an impact on several characters' lives now. The letters are filled with so much love and heartache through so many years, but ultimately, help bring together several characters in different but lasting relationships by the end. You had to feel for Ruthie went through so much but was still a loving and dear woman.

Lots of drama including missing persons, hidden pregnancy, adoption, illness and secrets kept me reading on to finish the book in one sitting. I really enjoy how Ms. Moorcroft tackles some difficult issues in her books while ensuring that we get the HEA (although it did seem hard going for poor Maddy and Raff after their initial connection). Special mention of Maddy's amazing best friend, Heloise, and the adorable and funny Lyla who both added so much to the story.

Another charming book by Ms. Moorcroft and highly recommended reading if you want a heart-warming story with lots of drama but also lots of friendship, family and love. And of course, Christmas!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a lovely cosy Christmas read. I thought that the storyline was original and interesting.I really enjoyed reading it.
There were lots of secrets, some drama and emotional scenes. There were many twists and turns, but it was also a heartwarming read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

"The Christmas Love Letters" is another heartwarming seasonal romance from Sue Moorcroft. As you would expect, this is a well written page-turner with some great characters and an evocative setting. Ruthie in particular is lovely, and it's always good to see an older character featuring so much in a story. Settle down by a cosy fire with a mug of hot chocolate and enjoy a great read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I can't quite imagine what it would be like if my husband stormed out in a rage and was never seen again. But this is the predicament that Maddy faces when her husband Adey disappears. Plus little does he know that she is pregnant with their daughter. Fast forward 6 (nearly 7) years and Maddy is living with her great aunt Ruthie and her daughter Lyla in idyllic Nelson's Bar. Ruthie has a big secret that is about to come out when a tall, handsome (although a bit dishevelled) man comes to speak with her. Ruthie had an affair with a married man in the 70s and a child was born. Ruthie gave Ffion to her lover to bring up as his own. But he already had an adopted son (Raff). Cue an adorable story that had me captured.

But I am a big fan of Moorcroft's books. Absolutely loved this.

A beautiful story of past and present. Keeps the reader engaged and wanting to know more. Perfecr for a cosy winter read.