Winter's Wishfall by Ceri Houlbrook

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Black and White Publishing and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

You're never too old to believe...

After losing her job, boyfriend and flat just a few weeks before Christmas, Ellie Lancaster makes some resolutions:

1. Exact revenge on ex.

2. Be unboring.

3. Find a job.

With 1 complete, Ellie manages to tick off 2 and 3 simultaneously by accepting a mysterious archiving job on a tiny Scottish Island that doesn't seem to exist on any map.

In the new year, her equally new bosses - celebrity baker Clementine Jones and her straight-laced twin brother Cole - introduce Ellie to the archives: a vast network of underground caverns, filled with scrolls dating back centuries, each addressed to the same person, in a multitude of languages: Dear Father Christmas...

My Opinion

This is such a magical read. Whilst the many focus is Christmas, the book can be read at any time of year as it isn't overly festive. The book gets off to such an intriguing start as Ellie starts a new job without any idea of what she will be doing. This is my first book by Ceri Houlbrook but based on this example it most certainly will not be my last.

Rating 4/5

I enjoyed this one - Christmassy vibes provided by the wishes that Ellie, Aidan, Clementine, Cole and the mysterious Uncle Joe have to transcribe/translate and archive. A little bit of flirting, a lot of sorting and even more cake testing, guides us through a year in one of the most mysterious places that there ever could be.

the most magical read with a festive twist!
when all goes wrong for ell she gets an amazing opportunity for a new job but it’s not so straightforward
a fun cosy read

3.5 stars

I had almost completely forgotten I had this book, but I'm really pleased I remembered in time for Christmas and read it this year, as it was such a nice little story set around the Christmas period. The plot is refreshingly original, set on a remote Scottish island and following a woman looking for a purpose in her life, while also searching for a job, and this mysterious role falling into her lap (and through the power of Christmas magic). I loved the setting, and how Ellie integrates herself so fully into the Jones family through her kindness and sweet nature, making them all fall in love with her, and helping her to find her place in the world and work towards a greater cause. I felt the book lost a bit of steam towards the second half, but still very enjoyable nonetheless.

I loved the writing style which instantly pulled me into the wonderful storytelling for this marvellous tale that’s as beautiful on the outside as the words are inside its pages. It’s a truly magical story full of mystery, adventure, secrets, and miracles – I enjoyed every moment spent in this special world which ignites our curiosity and feeds our imagination!

Each character was a treat to get to know, and their stories relatable, with the complex family dynamics and strains experienced running a family business. The Island felt like a living, breathing enigma – we learn its history and treasures right alongside Ellie making the story feel very real and come alive the more we discover.

We follow Ellie on her surprising journey of self-discovery. As she takes in the stunning archives and her breathtaking new surroundings her interest, and ours, is piqued. I was excited to find the answers and the more I read, the more I needed to keep reading! Ellie embraces the inexplicable, opens her eyes to new opportunities, and finds a new calling.

Clemmie’s effervescent nature remained constant, she was a ray of sunshine injecting fun and laughter into her scenes. I adored her friendship with Ellie, and of course all the delicious cakes!

On first impressions Cole seems to be her polar opposite – aloof, arrogant, and very matter of fact. We see a softer, more playful side to him with his son Alex. He elicits a strong emotional response from Ellie – mainly annoyance at first with their amusing, passive-aggressive back and forth! The more time they spend together, forging a better understanding of each other, the more they bond and feelings grow.

The story exhilarates and dazzles as the magical realism takes hold and I loved the enchanting folklore woven through the chapters. As the novel moves forward, a magnificent air of wonder is created and anything feels possible.

Winter’s Wishfall is a fabulous gem full of boundless treasures exploring family, belonging, and believing in the impossible. If you’re in need of an uplifting read with feel-good vibes then look no further!

With thanks to @Tr4cyF3ntøn and @CeriHoulbrook for a place on the Tour.

A really fun and charming read with an enjoyable premise and gorgeous characters. I would highly recommend.

Completely nothing like I was expecting, but in a good way!
I don’t want to give away the plot as I feel this would spoil it for another reader.
Be ready to be taken to a different place, a special, magical place. What do these scrolls mean? Where did they come from? Just what is the job that no one can tell you about?
You will fall in love with the magic of this island - and everyone on it.
I love the twists and turns and just felt I had been transported somewhere magical.
The author describes the locations really well, I can see in my minds eye the journey across to the island, the walks around the island and those inside it’s caverns.
Definitely worth a read. Curl up and enjoy this very different Christmas read.

This was a quick read, a properly cosy page turner. It felt whimsical and magical like it would wrap you up in a warm hug. The magic aspect gave an enchanting little twist to this perfect festive story. Thoroughly recommend to anyone looking for a fast paced romance with a little twist!

What an utter treat and absolute delight Winter’s Wishfall, the debut novel from Ceri Houlbrook, turned out to be. I went into this one completely blind not knowing what to expect having not read the blurb as it was the gorgeous cover that first attracted my attention. I thought if the cover is like this than surely the story between the pages would be wonderful and I was very much proven correct. I had thought it would be the usual Christmas rom com – of which I can’t get enough of at this time of year but it’s not at all. In fact it’s so much better than that. Admitedly, if I had known about some aspects of the story I probably would have laughed and tossed my eyes to heaven and not bothered reading at all but that would have been my loss as the story that unfolded was truly magical and gave me all the feels.The author draws on her work as a folklorist and weaves a story that lives long in your mind once you have reached the final word. There are elements of magical realism which initially I did have to suspend my disbelief for but soon I was totally caught up in the story. Yes some things are incomprehensible or ungraspable but that all added to the enchanting atmosphere created throughout and I couldn’t get enough of everything and I was bitterly disappointed when it ended.

Ellie Lancaster is not having a good time of things. She has been dumped by her boyfriend for reasons she had never thought possible meaning she now has no place to live. Redundancies are being made in her job as an archivist which leaves her jobless and she has no idea what to do next. At the moment she is staying with her brother Toby, his partner Mike and her niece Izzy but she can’t go on like that forever. A job opportunity presents itself and she attends a café where she is met by the exuberant celebrity baker Clementine and her complete opposite her twin Cole. The interview is strange to say the least. It’s not like any interview Ellie has been at before and infact she doesn’t even really know what the job is for other than the pair need an archivist. The exact details surrounding the job are very hush hush and Cole doesn’t come across well at all.

Clementine loves Ellie at first and is bubbling over with enthusiasm for her to join their team. Whereas Cole is strait laced and very professional, that’s the way he comes across for the majority of the story. Pedantic, pompus, brusque, intense, blunt and abrupt are just some of the adjectives that spring to mind when it comes to Cole but Ellie also finds him very handsome. Cole has very good reason to be the way he is as he has something major at the forefront of all that he says and does and when the reader becomes aware of this you do tend to warm much more to him as does Ellie. Ellie decides to take a risk and accept the job and she signs a confidentiality agreement which means no one not even her family can know where she is or what she is doing. This all sounded very intriguing and I was dying for the book to really get going in order to discover much more.

There is so much secrecy surrounding Ellie’s journey to her new work place. She travels the length of the British isles to the Shetland island of Unst but her journey doesn’t end there. She meets Aidan Haw who has also been employed by Cole and Clementine for his ability to digitally archive things. The duo are whisked away on a boat to a small island called Osk inhabited only by Clementine and her family. There is no internet or phone signal and they are completely cut off from the world. I was surprised by how quickly Ellie adapted to everything considering she had come from the hustle and bustle of the city. But the author had a brilliant way of describing the island, its isolation and ruggedness that it seemed like the perfect place to heal from the recent upheavals in her life whilst at the same she got to indulge her love of archiving as she loved getting a glimpse delving back into the past.

I really felt like I was transported to another time and place whilst reading Ellie’s story. I could visualise the island so clearly in my mind and wished that it was real so I could visit all the characters and get to experience what Ellie and Aidan did. There are endless mysteries and secrets that surround the island and they are not given up in a hurry. Usually I would be so impatient to discover exactly what was going on but here I was savouring every page and eking things out for as long as I possibly could because I didn’t want the magic, beauty and meaning of the story to end. The actually meaning behind everything was just so special, joyful and heart-warming when it was finally revealed but there were a few dark elements thrown in towards the end, but they only served to heighten the message behind the entire plot.

The plot itself was extremely well executed in the way there was such a clear beginning, middle and end and a few surprises thrown in along the way with lots of emotion and bit by bit I could see a much bigger picture starting to emerge. There aren’t many specific details that I can say about the plot as it would give too much away and ruin the magical realism element. It’s almost like the reader signs a confidentially agreement similar to Ellie. I am loving this magical realism element in Christmas books at the moment. This is the second book in a row where this is present but in both books it has worked so well that it feels really believable and not at all far fetched and that’s the sign of a truly great writer. Clementine reveals bit by bit why Ellie and Aidan have been chosen to work on the island and in between she bakes the most wonderful cakes and treats that will have your mouth-watering. So you definitely need to have something sweet and tasty by your side as you read this delectable story.

Ellie and Aidan are introduced to a vast cavern beneath the cottage on the island which is filled with scrolls addressed to a certain someone. There they meet Uncle Joe and his two ravens. At first it all seems very strange and sinister but I admired how Ellie just went with the flow and didn’t overly question anything. It was almost as if she knew that with time all would be revealed. She sets about archiving the scrolls but this is a mammoth task and strange things start to occur which does eventually lead to her questioning things. As for the wishfall of the title, at the risk of over using the word magical - I’ll use bewitching, mythical and otherworldly instead. Well that was what it truly was and just the most beautiful thing ever. As for some romance yes it was here but it wasn’t the dominate focus of the plot and nor did it need to be but I was happy to see its inclusion all the same.

I sincerely hope that Winter’s Wishfall finds its way to lots of readers. It’s a real gem of a book infused with such magic, warmth and human understanding.I was gutted to finish it and could have happily read on for several hours more but the ending was deeply satisfying and rewarding. Everything demonstrated that Cei Houlbrook is a talented author with a strong and vivid sense of imagination and I adored the historical and myths, legends and traditions that were scattered throughout. This is a fantastic and astonishing story that you will want to read in one go and I can’t recommend it enough. I hope Ceri is hard at work on her next book because I am eager to see where she will take us next.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oooh I loved this book, so heartwarming and charming, and definitely got me in the festive mood. This book was so much more than your standard romcom and there was a lot of depth to the characters and the storyline but written in a really beautiful way (think Nicolas Sparks!)

I really can't wait to read more books by this author.

I didn’t really know what to expect from this book. It looked cosy and heartwarming, an easy festive read. But it is so much more!

4 stars

Ceri Houlbrook's 'Winter's Wishfall' is a delightful and heartwarming tale that truly captures the essence of the holiday spirit. The book tells the story of Ellie Lancaster, who sets out to find new employment after losing her job, boyfriend and flat. She accepts a mysterious archiving job on a remote Scottish island not marked on any map. The plot unfolds on the island, where Ellie discovers a new life and falls in love with her bosses - Clementine Jones, a celebrity baker, and her straight-laced twin brother, Cole.
The book is a delightful blend of romance and magical elements, interwoven uniquely to create an engaging read. The characters in the book are lovable, and their evolving relationship is portrayed realistically. The bond between Ellie and Clementine is heartwarming and adds a touch of tenderness to the story.
The book 'Winter's Wishfall' beautifully captures the essence of Christmas and adds a touch of fairy tale magic that makes it a perfect read for the holiday season. The author's superb storytelling skills are evident, leaving readers happy and enchanted. In summary, the book takes readers on a delightful and magical journey, making it a highly recommended read for anyone who wants to experience the wonder and joy of the festive season. The plot is easy to follow, has a great storyline, and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Oh how I wish I could be Ellie, what a lovely way to spend the best time of the year. Step into this book and drift away on dreams. Really enjoyed this and will read it again next Christmas. 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

1st the cover is gorgeous! When I started reading the book I hadn’t read the blurb in awhile (I like to do that sometimes so I don’t go in with any expectations). Let me tell you Ellie is braver than I am. Agreeing to go on a job she knows little about and it’s far away from anyone she knows. I love her passion for her work and loved figuring out with her what exactly her job was supposed to be. I highly recommend this book if you love contemporary fiction and a little bravery.

The story was totally wasted on me. It was whimsical and totally unrealistic. Who the heck takes a job under those circumstances? Sorry but this one wasn't for me.

A fun festive read, set on a mysterious island, where Ellie accepts a job after her break-up. All is not as it seems, so why is she there and what is the actual job?

As I read this delightful tale, I couldn't help but be swept away by the magical journey that unfolded before me. The story is centred around the theme of rediscovering the joy and wonder of Christmas, and it does so in a way that truly captures the essence of the holiday season.

The characters are so charming and endearing that you can't help but feel invested in their journey. The heartwarming moments are perfectly placed throughout the story, each adding depth and meaning to the overall message. The incorporation of fairy tale magic in this book adds a layer of enchantment, rendering it an ideal read for the festive season. Its ability to evoke feelings of wonder is particularly noteworthy, and it serves as a testament to the author's skill in crafting a compelling narrative.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to experience the true spirit of Christmas. This will definitely add some extra sparkle to any book lover's celebrations, making it an ideal gift, for yourself or others!

I really struggled to get into the book which was really something as I love christmas and magic in books. I just didn't gel with the writing. The timeline and love story was very confusing because it was all so vague and not well detailed. I ended up dnf'ing this book

What a beautifully written book! Christmas is one of the most magical times in life, lights, presents, coming together of family and love. Ellie and Aiden's trip to Osk was definitely an eventful and memorable one. I love Uncle Joe, Willum and Mary. Heck, I loved them all! I will re-read this book soon and I wish I could go to the island myself! We all need a Clementine and Cole in our lives, found family is always a good thing too!

This story was emotional, magical and a real joy to read! It has everything from mystery to love, adventure to deceit and trickery but for good reasons. I love the idea of the wishfall and granting them, it would be so atmospheric on the island and I can picture the island, the changing of seasons, the tides, the views and a team, a family to take you under their wing. The island wants you and wants you to know it.

I don't want to spoil the story but would 100% recommend this book! Definitely goes up with my faves of 2023!

This was truly a magical christmas read. A good mix of reality mixed with magic. Ofcourse it was completely based in fantasy but that just made it all the more exciting. I adored this book and all the characters and was wishing there was more to the story!