This is the first Sue Moorcroft book I have read but I will be looking out for further books by this author.

This was a lovely heartwarming read - a delight for Christmas!

Maddy - deserted by her husband, Adey, pregnant and in debt, manages to put her life back together and six years on is settled in Nelson’s Bar a career for her great aunt and her 6 year old daughter.

This quiet life is upended as Raff comes into their lives and long kept family secrets emerge. Add to this mix the reemergence of Adey and Maddy has many issues to resolve before she can have her own love story.

I enjoyed seeing the growing relationship between Maddy and Raff as well as the description of the new family dynamics which were very sensitively done.

One I will be recommending.

I am a great fan of all things Christmas and love this time of year, when festive novels from my favourite authors begin to be released. This Christmas, Sue Moorcroft’s seasonal story is set in the Norfolk village of Nelson’s Bar, a setting of some of her more recent books. As I always find with her books, I was immediately drawn into this story, which finished all too soon.



The story centres on Maddy Cracey, who, along with her young daughter Lyla, lives with and cares for her great-aunt Ruthie. Maddy’s husband, Adey, disappeared without trace at Christmas almost seven years ago, before Lyla was born. When Ruthie receives a visit from a stranger called Raff one day, their peaceful lives are turned upside down by his revelations and the bundle of love letters he has discovered. A secret from Ruthie’s past is gradually uncovered with consequences for the whole family. As time passes and Maddy gets to know Raff, it seems that romance may be in the air. However, Maddy still thinks of her husband, more so now that some mysterious text messages have started to appear on her phone.



This was a highly emotional story, filled with mystery and romance and perfect for reading before the fire in the run-up to Christmas. The characters were all strong and with interesting stories of their own. I loved the story behind Ruthie’s letters and love affair. Then there was the mystery over Adey’s disappearance; where had he gone? I was so sorry for Maddy left in a bind and unable to move on. Thank goodness she had a charming little girl to keep her going and that handsome author Raff came into her life. The setting was absolutely perfect for a Christmas story, with a quaint little village cloaked in snow. I can thoroughly recommend this book as one to read this festive season.

The perfect Christmas book. There’s just enough drama to keep it interesting and an awful lot of Christmas cheer and festivities to make it charming.
A definite must read!

That Christmas Feeling…

No, I know it’s only October, don’t shout me down but I just wanted to get a little of that Christmas frisson!
It was rainy and I wanted to curl up with some love and snow and joy and The Christmas Letters by Sue Moorcroft was just the ticket!

Maddy Cracey had called Nelson’s Bar home all her life. Tucked away on the Norfolk coast on the cliffs and sharing her home with her husband Adey until an epic row and he stormed out into a blizzard never to return.
Six years later she is living and caring for her Great Aunt Ruthie and daughter Lyla, when a handsome stranger Raff, arrives with some love letters from the past for Ruthie and their quiet lives are turned upside down by family secrets.
Maddy and Raff grow close and love begins to blossom until a message from Maddy’s past threatens to upend all they have built.

I have to say that this book was just joyous, I loved the characters and the setting, I could really picture Nelson’s Bar, the cliffs and the sea and the wind blowing! It’s full of snow and Christmassiness (is that a word?!), there’s a big dollop of love in it, there’s mystery and drama and it really is uplifting. I think Ruthie was my favourite character, she is just lovely and brought a tear to my eye. Closely followed by Lyla, who made me hoot; the honesty of kids does it every time!

It made me think about letter writing too, it’s gone out of fashion since we all have phones in our hands. But there’s something about a letter and a love letter that is really special. After this I’m bringing back letter writing to my life!

This is a heartwarming, joyous festive read, perfect for winter nights and twinkling lights!

This is a feel good festive read and so heart warming. This wouldn't be my usual choice of book but was drawn in by the title and cover. I enjoyed the concept of the letters and would have liked some more letters as i loved reading them. This is a beautiful read showing the true meaning of the importance of family.

Thanks to Avon books and Netgalley for sending me this arc in exchange for my honest review

Warmed my heart and gave me warm fuzzy feelings, but not without a fair amount of drama in the lead up.

We have long lost family members, secrets, a blending of families, plus friends and family to get to know. There is so much going on in this story, and above all there are some love letters.

I wouldn't even know where to start in trying to tell you how fabulous this book is, but it has to be one of Sue Moorcroft's best, if not the best. Once I got to grips with the characters, I was utterly hooked on the story.

I was thinking about it when I wasn't reading and read most of the second half in one sitting without any awareness of the world around me.

It's just such a gorgeous story and perfect for this time of year, with some of the more serious themes broken up with the lightness which is 6 year old Lyla. Who is mega excited for Christmas.

I loved Nelson's Bar, and getting to know Maddy and her family. And as Maddy is a carer for her great aunt, we get some insight into life with a partially sighted older person who also suffers quite badly from asthma. I loved Ruthie and really felt for her at times.

I really don't want to say too much more other than if you are already a Sue Moorcroft fan, then you definitely need to read this book, and if you have never read her before, then this is a great book to start you off with a new favourite author.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Oh what a complicated life poor Maddy had, when her husband Adey disappeared seven years before, and she'd been working hard to get herself out of the financial hole he'd left her in. Luckily her Aunt Ruthie or Ruthie as she calls her, offered her a job as her live in carer, due to her failing eyesight, and the rest is history.
Maddy's daughter Lyla, who's six, calls her Grauntie Ruthie (great, great auntie), which really made me chuckle!.
Raff, who it turns out is the adoptive brother of Ruthie's long lost daughter, arrives to meet Ruthie and report back to Ffion, so she can decide whether to meet her mother or not. They've had letters sent from Ruthie to their father Nigel over many, many years since their father died, so they only have one side of the story.
It's a wonderful, emotional tale that will draw you in quickly, and keep you there, right in the middle!. I found it really tear jerking in places, but loved every single second of it, and can see a few spin offs with other characters that could be very interesting too.!. Well, if Sue decides to write more from this particular storyline that is!!. Fingers crossed!!
Many thanks to Avon books for this amazing opportunity to read the arc copy via Netgalley.
#Netgalley, #avonbooksuk, #suemoorcroftauthor.

"The Christmas Love Letters" by Sue Moorcroft is a heartwarming Christmas story set in the charming village of Nelson's Bar on the Norfolk coast. The novel revolves around Maddy, a single mother, her daughter Lyla, and her great aunt Ruthie. Maddy's life takes an unexpected turn when a handsome stranger named Raff shows up at Ruthie's door, armed with a collection of long-forgotten love letters. These letters hold secrets that will unearth family mysteries and alter the course of their quiet lives.

The story keeps you guessing right from the start. The prologue sets the stage for intrigue with long-forgotten love letters, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to uncover the secrets they held. What I appreciated the most was that the story didn't follow the predictable path that many romance novels tend to take. Sue Moorcroft surprised me by skilfully blending darker elements with a heartwarming tale, keeping me engaged throughout.

The Christmas setting in Nelson's Bar is beautifully described, making it a charming backdrop for the unfolding drama. The book's nonlinear narrative keeps the mystery alive, and I felt like I was right where I should be throughout the story.

What I particularly loved about this book is the way Sue Moorcroft crafts her characters. Maddy's resilience and her determination to protect her family resonated deeply with me. Her bond with her great aunt Ruthie is truly touching and adds an extra layer of warmth to the story. The characters feel real and relatable, making it easy to connect with their struggles and triumphs.

As for the characters, I couldn't help but root for Maddy and Rafferty Edmonds. Raff's charming yet enigmatic personality, combined with Maddy's tenacious nature, makes for a compelling dynamic. The revelation of family secrets adds depth to the plot and keeps the reader hooked.

The story also excels in crafting moments that tug at your heartstrings, especially when it comes to the love letters. Maddy's sensitive reading of these letters had me shedding a tear, and I was emotionally invested in her journey.

In conclusion, "The Christmas Love Letters" is an exceptional holiday read that defies expectations. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy heartwarming stories with well-developed characters, a touch of mystery, and a festive backdrop. If you're a fan of Sue Moorcroft's work or love a good Christmas romance with a twist, this book is a must-read.

Roll on Christmas, then I can read this book again without feeling guilty...scratch that, I'm going to start it all over again, right now! The queen of the Christmas romance has done it again, and you don't need it to be December to read this story; I should know.
Set in Sue's Norfolk village of Nelson's Bar, we meet a wonderful cast of characters from Aunt Ruthie who has a heart-breaking past which comes back to not only haunt her, but her niece Maddy and young daughter, Layla. This is in the form of a series of letters she kept which detail a relationship she kept secret for her whole adult life.
The other half of this secret appears in the shape of Raff, an author of fantasy who's distracted by his ill sister. Between them, they have to piece together their intertwined stories and discover if a relationship is worth fighting for.
As ever, this author displays she is a master of her craft. There's heartache and heartbreak; magnificent settings and beautiful dialogue. Overall though, what stands out for me is the characterisation. Sue's always written beautiful characters, but here, she's taken this to a new level and I look forward to me next visit to Nelson's Bar!
My thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the reading copy.

Maddy and her daughter have lived with Aunt Ruthie since Maddy’s husband disappeared 6 yrs ago. They’ve settled into a family routine taking care of each other. When a delivery of old love letters to Aunt Ruthie turns their life upside down a sad story of love and loss is revealed.

Raff, the bearer of the letters, tries to help heal wounds and a romance with Maddy ensues, but with too many outside factors and family feelings things don’t go smoothly.

A festive story with likeable characters, this is an interesting story of healing with a happy ending

The Christmas Love Letters had me hooked on the title and sybopsis, and had me feeling emotions before I even started the book. I felt sadness at the row and Adey storming off into the snow, curiosity at what was going to happen next, and a sense of magic at the coziness of the setting. There was a feeling that "anything could happen".

I was concerned for, and rooting for, Maddy and Raff in equal measure and I loved Maddy's daughter and grandmother.

A truly magical book that's tragic, hopeful and feelgood all at once.

Thanks to Sue Moorcroft, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4.5 stars

I only read my first Sue Moorcroft book earlier this year, but she's fast become one of my favourite authors. Her books have such a warmth to them, you're immediately drawn to the characters and I can't put the books down until I've found out their story!

The Christmas Love Letters was no exception - what a beautiful, cosy Christmas read. We're transported to Nelson's Bar on the Norfolk coast, where we find Maddy, her daughter Lyla, and her Great Aunt Ruthie. After some difficult times, Maddy is finally settled until a stranger called Raff turns up to speak to her Great Aunt. His letters bring back a lot of memories for Ruthie, and many family secrets are uncovered during the course of the book.

Maddy also finds herself falling for Raff, but can they be together with all the family drama? Her own past also comes to light which proves to be another obstacle.

This is such a lovely book! I love how the author always manages to combine sensitive topics with warmth, community, and love.

Perfect winter book! 💕

Thank you so much to Sue Moorcroft, Avon UK/ Harper Collins UK, and Netgalley for the arc.

What a lovely book this was to read. A storyline that really captured you from the off as you then saw it through the various twists and turns. Great characters too that you really got into. Definitely a book to read!

another lovley christmas book by sue moorcroft.
A love story past and presant.
Ruthie falls in love with a service man who works in her office in the 1970's nowing that he is married until he is posted away to scotland.
They keep in touch through letters and the odd get together when she finds out shes pregnant. She has no choice but to give up her child.
Maddy moves into ruthies house when her husband disapears and leaves her pregnant and with a house that needs lots of work doing to it only to turn up 7 years later out of the blue.
loved reading this book

This is not your typical Christmas read and that is what I enjoyed about it so much - I loved the fact that it was different. Yes it had fantastic elements of family love and Christmas traditions but, it had a big dose of real life and some secrets from the past that could change everything.
The book is the story of two women Ruthie and her great niece Maddy. Almost seven years ago Maddy and her husband had a row and he stormed out of the house never to return. Waiting for the seven year deadline so he can be proclaimed dead she hasn't really moved forward with her life.
When a secret from over forty years ago is revealed Ruthie's world is turned upside down and the bearer of the news has a huge impact on Maddy. As these two strong women try do what is best for everyone another blast from the past rears it's ugly head and threatens to change the two women's life forever.
Brilliantly written with some interesting insights into the past. I adored Maddy's daughter and her wonderful zest for everything Christmas , she totally made me want to go out and start my Christmas shopping.

The only thing I enjoyed about this book is all of the Christmas touches. The storyline was almost impossible to follow and the characters are one- dimensional at best.

The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft is a contemporary novel set in a remote village in Norfolk. The focus is on relationships both past and present. The novel explores romantic, parental, caregiver and adoptive relationships. The author doesn't sugarcoat difficulties between friends, and families. That families can be who you choose is clear from the author's multiple characters. Their growth throughout is shown while not dragging down the plot.

I rated this book 5 stars, and highly recommend it.

A sweet story about love and family set in a cute, sea side, small town. It felt as though I was watching this movie play out on the Hallmark channel! The families had all endured so much but stuck together and took care of one another. A feel good story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

A feel good festive read with lots of friendships, snow, twinkly lights and mince pies. The story is set in Norfolk mostly in Nelson's Bar where Maddy moved after her husband Adey left one night, not to return, leaving her with a flood in their own house, huge debts and pregnant. She now lives with her great aunt Ruthie and her daughter is six years old. Through shear determination and hard work Maddy fixed up the cottage she owned and now rents it out as income while she acts as a carer to Ruthie and mother to Lyla. Their comfortable life is upset a few weeks before Christmas when a stranger knocks on the door with a story from the past that upsets Ruthie and throws Maddy's life into turmoil.
At first it appears that Maddy can build a relationship with this stranger but of course the nothing goes smoothly. As the story developed I found myself willing the characters to sort out their differences and stop prevaricating so they could have a happy ever after.
A little slow in places but a good feel to the book and chock full of Christmas references so a good read the festive time of year.
With thanks to Netgalley and AvonBooksUK for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

Maddy's husband left seven years ago- before their daughter Lyla was born-and she's built a good life since then with her aunt Ruthie and the people who come to Nelson's Bar. And then one day Raff turns up and Ruthie's past comes rushing back thanks to the love letters he's carrying. Moorcroft (and rom com) fans know that there will be more than a little attraction between Maddy and Raff and that a conflict will arise. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This has good characters, a lovely Norfolk setting, and a zippy (albeit it a tad trope-y) plot to make it a good read.