Lovely, heartwarming story based around a Christmas concert.
Beautifully written.
Highly recommended

Despite the description of the book sounds lovely, I wasn't loving this book at all.

Not much hate towards Sophie, yet she came out pretentious to me. And Liam... he is a guy that seems nice and cute, but you hate his vibe for whatever reason and can't put your finger around it until later when you are met at least with hot and cold, and poor treatment.
But ok, the main characters are just a part of the problem. If this is the author's debut novel, I wish her all the best and improvement in writing skills, there is a place to grow... a lot of place. It's not bad per se, but somehow story is dragging and lacks anything to keep the interest in the story.

I don't know, but it's a "no" for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m the sort of person always looking for new Christmas books to read and this one piqued my interest for many reasons and even with it being just after Christmas I still knew I needed to read it and see what I ultimately thought of it.

A Concert for Christmas follows Sophie, a primary school teacher, who is organising the Christmas Concert for her choir this year but soon enough disaster strikes and problems start to appear for Sophie to deal with all while coping with her past and a possible new budding romance.

While this is not one of my new top festive romances from this year it was still very enjoyable to curl up with and root for these characters. Our characters have gone through a lot and in many ways are still learning how to manage all that they have gone through as well as in Sophie's case organise this concert and for both Liam and Sophie care for those around them as much as they want to.

We follow Sophie who I really liked as a character, you could understand how and why she was where she was in life but you could also see how much she cares about everyone and just wants to try and do what she thinks is the right thing to do. As we continued through the book she did frustrate me a few times and there were times I found myself wishing she had acted differently but I still wanted to read and continued rooting for her in the end. Sophie isn’t always surrounded by the most supportive people throughout the story but she does well figuring out what she wants and how to find the people that do benefit her to be around. Overall, while she’s not my favourite character ever I did really enjoy reading about her and genuinely hope the best for her as well as really enjoying her character development.

Liam our main love interest on the other hand had periods when I loved him and periods when I hated him. By the end while I loved the main couple Liam still wasn’t my favourite, I could understand many of the actions he made that caused me frustration but that doesn’t mean I was a fan of him in the way I would hope to be. He does the best he can and knows how to for his daughter Cassie but that doesn’t mean his actions are the best or that you don’t wish he would do differently.

We do also meet lots of other characters throughout the story some of which I felt neutral about, some I loved throughout, some I was not the biggest fan of throughout and some who I felt differently about at different points of the story. If I had to pick one reason why I felt like I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I expected and hoped it would probably be the characters and how they acted.

I enjoyed the overall plot and how the romance evolved but as you can probably tell I didn't enjoy the entire book. I really liked Cassie as a character, she was very enjoyable to read about and I hope the best for her and her future as well as enjoying all the festive feels because who doesn’t? Liam helping Sophie through her anxiety when performing was one of my favourite parts of the book and something that truly helped me support the romance because I think without it and my overall feeling on the characters I may not have supported it anywhere near as much.

Overall, I would still recommend this book. It’s not a recommendation I would give first as there are many other Christmas romances I love so much more but I would still recommend it and I do think there are people out there who are perfectly suited to this book and would give it five stars, that just not me. Overall I would rate it 3.5 stars as it wasn’t absolutely horrible and I will definitely recommend it at points but it’s not a book I loved or highly enjoyed in the way I look for in a 4+ star rating.

Thank you Netgalley and Allison & Busby for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Concert For Christmas is the debut novel from author Helen Hawkins and a cosy Christmas contemporary romance set in the fictional Cotswold market town of Cranswell. It’s an easy read which you could fly through in a day and great if you like books with a cosy community theme.
I want to preface this review by saying that I did want to like this book. I always try to support new authors and hate having to give negative feedback on a debut book where possible. But, although it did have some strengths, I largely didn’t get on with A Concert For Christmas and hope that this review explains my reasoning for this well.
To start with the things I enjoyed about the book, I did really like the cosy small-town setting of Cranswell and it was nice to meet the different inhabitants of the town. A particular shoutout goes to my personal favourite character: the eccentric Lulu. The focus on the choir and their Christmas concert felt lovely and festive so it was a great setup for a cosy Christmas novel.
Sophie was a nice-enough protagonist. She made me laugh at times and it was sweet how much she cared about everyone around her. I liked following her day-to-day life as a primary school teacher. The trauma she has following her miscarriage and subsequent relationship breakdown was largely well written also. However, I was absolutely infuriated by her for dating the parent of a child in her class. I am an ex-teacher and that is a total no-no, particularly in the way Sophie went about it. She was over-familiar with Liam’s daughter Cassie and it just all completely went against teacher professionalism. I also didn’t like the relationship between Sophie and her mum. It seemed unrealistic that Sophie’s mum would run a charity supporting those who have experienced child loss yet be completely oblivious to how Sophie was struggling.
The primary issue with the book is Liam’s character. He treats Sophie really poorly and is blowing hot and cold throughout the whole story so it really hard to root for their romance. All I wanted was for Sophie to run for the hills. I appreciate that something could be said for Liam’s untreated trauma following the death of his wife but if anything, he needed therapy not a new girlfriend to take on the brunt of his trauma responses. It was extremely difficult to celebrate a HEA between them when we’d seen awful anger issues in Liam that had not been addressed.
Unfortunately, I did find the narrative structure difficult to engage with also. We had frequent chapter breaks in the middle of scenes and chapters repeatedly switched focus between our two POVs – Sophie’s and Liam’s – and this overall just made the narrative feel really disjointed and difficult to follow.
Overall, this book would be good for anyone wanting a easy-read Christmas book with a small-town setting and community feel, but it just wasn’t for me.

⭐️⭐️/5

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk and the post is linked.

This is a great debut novel from Hawkins. I liked the writing style and it felt suitably festive and wintery. I enjoyed the scenes in the classroom as well as at the concert rehearsals. I thought Kate was a great supporting character.

If I have one complaint it would be in relation to Liam's character. I just don't see the attraction beyond a physical one. He treats Sophie horribly and blames her for everything. I don't think he really learns anything at the end and I can't reconcile his character to the awkward date. I don't really buy he would bring balloons.

I decided to read this book as I am going to a talk by the author at my local library next week. I really enjoyed reading this story. Sophie is a primary school teacher in the small town of Cranswell, having left London after a bad break up. Christmas is nearly here and Sophie is also organising a concert for a local choir. When their choir master is called away they find themselves being looked after by Liam, a local farmer cum musician. Sophie finds herself attracted to him but then discovers that his daughter is in her class. This is a lovely tale for Christmas with some very lovely characters.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

What a lovely christmassy chicklit book! I really enjoyed reading it. There is everything I like in it, lovely characters, a nice christmassy atmosphere, a fun story full of events that will keep you on your toes but yes there is a but, I sometimes felt a bit bored by the main character Sophie who can be lovely but also can be so unnerving! You want to shake her and tell her to stop being so self destructive. But other than that I really loved my reading and I am giving it 4 stars out of 5!!!

A lovely festive read. Sophie is a school teacher and is also in charge of organising a christmas concert that raises money for Charity. Coincidences and calamity combine to make the path a bumpy one between the concert director Liam and Sophie, overcoming their embarrassing internet date and dealing with his troubled daughter being in her class.
The rehearsals are a great way to meet the characters and learn about the ways they support each other. A lovely book focusing on friendships, romance and a busy build up to Christmas

I enjoyed this debut novel, the setting was perfect and most of the characters very likeable. Unfortunately Liam had some character traits that I struggled with. The story is heartwarming and entertaining but is also not afraid to deal with some difficult themes such as grief, loss and bullying. Overall I would recommend this festive read.

Sophie is organising the local Christmas concert. When the musical director drops out, attractive Liam arrives to fill his shoes and convinces Sophie to overcome her fears to sing solo.

I am choosing not to rate on Good Reads as it’s a debut novel with very few ratings and I don’t want to affect things too much for the author. But unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me.

My main issue is Liam. I found him so unlikeable; maybe because I just do not find extreme rage and being hot and cold attractive. He was so up and down right down to the wire and I just can’t understand why being with him was better for Sophie than being single. She was portrayed as so weak and always bowing down to Liam’s anger, and this just didn’t get addressed enough to make up for it.

There’s also a lack of addressing some quite major issues around Sophie dating a school parent, of Kate being pregnant and literally not going on maternity leave despite clearly needing to. I also don’t understand the issues between Sophie and her mum - her mum literally runs a charity for people who have lost children, to be as unaware of how to support Sophie as she is is just so bizarre.

I’m genuinely gutted I didn’t enjoy this and hope that others find the love in this as I’m sure there is an audience for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book which is my first read by this author. My preferred reading is usually crime thriller but i wanted a more lighthearted festive read and this was perfect for that. I enjoyed all the characters and the setting. I liked that it wasn't a regular boy meets girl love story, both main characters had emotive back stories. An excellent read which i highly recommend.

An adorable festive read that has put me in the mood for the Christmas season!

The 'will they won't they' relationship between Sophie and Liam as they navigate the music concert and Cassie's issues at school keeps you turning the page and the characters are likeable, even if Liam takes a bit of warming up in this wintery tale!
I loved the beautiful Cotswolds setting and the other characters from the choir and the friendship between Sophie and Kate. There are some big issues explored here too, like grief, bullying and miscarriage. And like in all good love stories, the characters have some healing to do in order to love again.
Uplifting, poignant, heart-warming and as toastie as mulled wine around an open fire. I will definitely read whatever Helen writes next.

If you're looking for a cosy, festive read with some sweet romance, then look no further. This book has it in spades, but also with some more sensitive themes such as grief, loss and bullying.

The main character Sophie is a very likeable and relatable character. Liam starts off not so great but with chapters from his point of view, helps us see why he is being the way he is and tigs on our emotions.

Liam's daughter Cassie, who happens to be in Sophie's class, is a lovely character too. She plays a pivotal role in helping Sophie and Liam navigate their feelings, not just for each other, but for life in general.

Other side characters are fab too making this an easy, great read. I finished it in 2 days as I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Allison & Busy for the book to take part in their blog tour.

My first Helen Hawkins book and it will hopefully be the first of many as this book is just a beautiful Christmas book which shows that any loss is different but if you have the right people in your life you can get through it, it maybe tough but you will get there especially at Christmas.


I would highly recommend reading this book as once I started it, I didn’t want to stop.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this quaint christmassy book

sophie lawson is a school teacher, shes also in charge of the christmas choir this year to raise funds for her mothers charity

but alas the musical director has a family emergency and someone else takes over, someone who sophie is trying to avoid after a very disastrous blind date that had balloons attached to that memory

this is a fun read for christmas, it has all the bells and whistle that give it a real good christmassy feel to it

Helen Hawkins is a first time author for me. First few chapters were a delight, so I knew it would be a good read for me. Good characters, which made for an excellent read. Thank you for the ARC.

A Concert for Christmas is a heartwarming holiday romance from Helen Hawkins. It's the first of her novels I've had the chance to read and it leaves readers feeling very Christmassy indeed.
The story centres around primary school teacher Sophie, who is organising the annual village Christmas concert. Having escaped London a few years previous to live in the country, she relishes the small town atmosphere her new life gives. When their choir conductor needs to leave suddenly to tend to a sick relative, Liam, the handsome new musician in town steps in. However, Sophie has seen him before - opp[osite her at a table at a very bad blind date!

Over the pages that follow Sophie and Liam's awkward relationship begins to thaw and at the same time, develops a complexity as both characters reveal secrets from their past.

With lots of holiday sparkle in the air, will it be a happy ending for both of them?

I really enjoyed this book and would give it 4/5 stars. I did feel the ending was a little rushed (although quite satisfactory!) and would happily read more of Hawkins's stories

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review

Shimmering, celebratory, and adorned with the sparkle of a gingerbread latte, mince pies, and mulled wine, this Christmas tale encapsulates the festive spirit. Sophie, a part-time fundraiser and teacher, orchestrates a Christmas concert in her charming new village. Amidst her witty and pregnant friend Kate and the glamorous singer Lulu, the story unfolds with the impending Christmas concert and the arrival of Liam, who stirs Sophie's emotions and catches her attention as a hot dad. Overflowing with holiday vibes, this book left a lasting impression. Gratitude to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a very cute Christmas romance, beginning in November and spanning the festive season, with a Christmas concert on Christmas Eve. This was over-all cute, which the relationship between Liam and Sophie growing from negative to positive. I wouldn't say we know that much about the main or side characters, but it was about enough for an easy read.

Some spoilers ahead:
Regarding the multiple conflicts in this book, I don't think they were handled that well. There is mention of a death of a spouse 5 years prior, miscarriage, and trauma associated with these events. With Sophie's mum's charity supporting women who have had miscarriages, I expected her mum to be a lot more sympathetic. I also felt that the 'final' conflict before the end seemed forced, as I don't know how that could ever have been interpreted as Sophie's fault. All of this, combined with Liam often losing his temper, blaming Sophie for things that aren't her fault, not being entirely professional regarding the concert, etc all felt like some red flags against him. If you ignore those, then it's cute, but unfortunately it didn't make me root for them. Sophie deserves happiness and support, and I felt more empathy for her emotional responses.

There were a few sections from Liam's POV, which were just the next paragraph after Sophie's and wasn't marked as a change in narrator. It wasn't too confusing, but I prefer when this is made clear.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

This is a debut that I adored and will definitely be looking out for what the author writes next. It's your perfect heartwarming tale - Christmas, a small village and potential romance. Of course no story runs smoothly, otherwise how would we have a story? Definitely an author to look out for in the future.