This is just the most romantic of reads. I know I’m always in for a treat with Jo Bartlett books, and this one gave me all the emotional feels.
I loved both Emily and Jude’s back stories - their lives and families so different. Drawn together through their lives in the literary world, I loved seeing Emily open Jude’s eyes to romance.
Emily’s family were wonderful and I loved their chaos at Christmas time - following those treasured traditions each and every year.
Being back in Cornwall with some familiar friends from the other stories from Jo has been special and it’s always a treat to meet up with Gwen again.

A Cornish Winter's Kiss is such a fun romance. Most definitely grumpy meets sunshine with Jude’s firm belief that love doesn’t exist and those who believe in it are nothing but fools, and Emily’s embracing love in all forms, even if she hasn’t found her happily ever after… yet. Watching them interact, begin to change their minds, and slowly build their own love story while the magic of the Christmas season swirls around them was a delightful journey. I enjoyed the aspect of the veil being pulled back on the publishing industry, just a bit, to give us a view that we (as readers) don’t always see. Plus, add to that the fun of a romantic at heart audiobook reader meshing up with a mystery/detective writer whose books (in his opinion, thank you very much!) don’t need a romantic touch, and I was easily charmed and hooked. I had fun here, and isn’t that the entire point of picking up any book?

If you love a well-written, charming, engaging romance with a couple that you’ll easily find yourself hoping they find their happy ending, then A Cornish Winter's Kiss by Jo Bartlett is a perfect fit for you.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Emily Anderson loves romance and Christmas. She has made a career as an audiobook narrator, mainly in the genre she loves. Jude Cavendish is a successful crime author with a messed up childhood that left him feeling unloved and not believing in love. Unfortunately, his detective series is falling in ratings and so he contacts Emily for help in how best to invent a love story for his cynical detective.

This is a grumpy / sunshine romance in wintery Cornwall at Christmas time. It reads easily and has a cute dog called Gary Barlow in it. The setting is lovely and the supporting characters engaging and funny but there is a lot of telling over showing. Jude really needs therapy for his deep-seated feelings of inadequacy, which are based on being adopted, his adoptive mother dying and his stepmother not liking him at all. Still, it's light-hearted and if you like uplifting and heartwarming novels, this is for you.

3.5 stars

This romance was definitely a slow burn (closed-door), but I really enjoyed first getting to know Emily and Jude independently of their feelings for each other.

Admittedly there were a few moments early on (within the first 2 chapters) where I was a bit skeptical of the writing style/details and debated whether I should continue on (the annoyance of the FMC wishing there was a way to read and chop vegetables at the same time while I'm screaming at them that audiobooks exist!), but after those points it moved pretty quickly as we got into the main plotline. I do somewhat appreciate the irony that the FMC ends up becoming an audiobook narrator, but that line still stuck out to me. Speaking of narrating audiobooks, I loved that both our MCs were part of the publishing world! It was so fun to seemingly lift the veil and have that be such a central plot point.

Thanks to the author, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed this book! I just loved this story and I loved the wonderful characters.

I would highly recommend reading this book as it’s a great heartwarming read.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

"Romcoms might suggest that change meetings happened all the time, and that finding love really was that easy, but real life wasn't like that."

Emily is a romantic at heart and now has a dream job narrating audiobooks (thanks to a scene set three years in the past that brought a lump to my throat). She's close to her family and has a loving but perceptive best friend and sister who keep an eye on her and hope she'll stop making bad choices. Jude Cavendish is a crime writer who's able to make the most grisly stuff believable, he's not close to his family and now he's under pressure to add some heart into his next book or risk the series being cancelled. He has his editor on his side, but that feels about it. Can Emily and her proximity to romance books and authors help him learn and unthaw ... and keep his publishing contract? And which of the characters' opinions does the quote above describe?

A lovely Cornish setting and it does have scenes at Christmas but isn't only Christmassy so perfectly readable at other times of the year, and I loved the attention to the intricacies of both the characters' careers.

No spoilers, I promise but you can happily read this if you need any animals in a book to stay OK: there's not even any mild peril for the dog(s). There are some themes around loss, difficult families and long-term health conditions, but sensitively written and integral to a believable plot.

Book blog review coming 08 July 2025: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/07/08/book-review-jo-bartlett-a-cornish-winters-kiss/

Emily is a born romantic and loves a good rom-com read. An unexpected meet on a train lands her the perfect job. She has everything except that special someone.
Jude is a writer who can’t open enough with his feelings his book’s characters have become very one dimensional, so when his agent suggests Emily help him figure out love isn’t a trade off he begins to see how wrong he’s been all these years and everything starts to slot into place.
They didn’t figure themselves falling in love.
Brilliantly written as usual by Jo Bartlett, love all her books and this one didn’t disappoint.

Emily Anderson, hopeless romantic, still single but leaving her love life to fate. After being made redundant from her job in the library, Emily moves to London for a dreary job, but at least she is with her friend. jasmine. Fate puts her on the same train as her favourite author who, after hearing Emily read aloud to a young child, recommends she applies for a job as a reader of audio books.
At a book signing she meets crime author Jude cavendish, brilliant at writing about murders but hopeless at romance, both on and off the page.
It was interesting reading how Jude viewed his family and how differently Emily and her family worked together.. there was lots of tension, will there be more than friends?
No spoilers but this is a cosy read.

This Christmas romance centres around Emily, an audiobook narrator of romance, and Jude, an author of crime novels. When Jude is told his sales are declining, and adding a love story for his lead detective might help readers stay invested, he teams up with Emily to learn what love looks like.

Jude has had a lot of trauma in his life, and doesn't believe love is real, in any circumstance, not just romantic love. Emily has had a life full of love. He's grumpy, she's sunshine. She shows him there is love in the world, and he is worthy of it.

I found this book to be a bit heavy on Jude's struggles. I felt for him, but it seemed that was all he and Emily discussed. There is reference to them having fun and joking, but it wasn't shown very often in the book. It did make the book feel like their whole relationship was about her supporting and helping him.

At the same time it was nice to read a romance that wasn't super fluffy, and had some real meat to it. It was a cute romance set in Cornwall at Christmas, and definitely a good story! I did enjoy it a lot.

Jo Bartlett's 'A Cornish Winter's Kiss' is an engaging, heartwarming romance set against the idyllic landscape of the Cornish coast. Jude, a crime novelist with a bad attack of writer's block, is told by his publisher to pen a love story into his next novel, and one about which he knows nothing. Along comes Emily, a sun-filled woman, whose optimistic view of love is the perfect contrast to Jude's cynic outlook.

Their "grumpy sunshine" relationship provides plenty of cracking banter and genuine laughs as Emily attempts to teach Jude the art of love. Over the festive season, the Christmas magic infused into the Cornish backdrop adds an extra layer of sweetness, and it's a great read for anyone seeking feel-good escapism. The author is wonderful at creating relatable characters and a feeling of community, so readers will be rooting for Jude and Emily to find their surprise happy ever after. This is perfect for fans of heartwarming contemporary romance.

Every time I pick up a Jo Bartlett book, I feel like I'm getting a warm hug or drinking hot chocolate. She does romance and rom-coms so very well and just leaves me with that warm, fuzzy feeling.
This book was no exception, and I read it in one sitting. I had to find out how it ended.

Set on the beautiful Cornish Coast, and at Christmas time, what more could we ask for? Emily adores romance in her own life and in the books she audio narrates; she loves nothing more than a happy ever after. She is tasked to help crime writer Jude up his game and add some romance to his novels. He does not believe in fairytales or happy ever afters, so she has her work cut out for her. But, they indeed say opposites attract, and this is exactly what our main characters do; they couldn't be more like chalk and cheese, but somehow they just work.

Whether you are a fan of the author, romance or just love a Christmas setting, this book is one to add to your reading list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emily is a hopeless romantic. She meets Jude who is the exact opposite. Jude is also a writer who enlists Emily’s help in adding some romance to his next book.
I liked Emily from page one. Jude took me a little longer to like. It’s a nice story leading up to Christmas. It’s perfect for all romance lovers

A Cornish Winter’s Kiss by Jo Bartlett

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Emily Anderson adores romance—both in books and in real life (though her own love life is more ‘tragic subplot’ than ‘happily-ever-after’). As an audiobook narrator, she spends her days bringing love stories to life, convinced that one day, her own perfect romance will come true.

Jude Cavendish thinks romance is a fairy tale for fools. A crime author with a serious case of writer’s block, he’s horrified when his publisher asks him to add a love story to his latest novel. He knows murders, mysteries, and mayhem—not grand gestures and stolen kisses.

Desperate for help, Jude reluctantly turns to Emily, whose sunshine personality is the complete opposite of his grumpy cynicism. She’s determined to show him that love is more than just fiction, and he’s determined to prove her wrong. But as Christmas magic sparkles over the Cornish coast, Jude starts to wonder… what if Emily’s right?

Could the festive season bring them both the plot twist they never saw coming?

My Opinion

I have read a few books by Jo Bartlett and they have all been enjoyable. A Cornish Winter’s Kiss was such a sweet, festive read. Jo Bartlett has created some characters that were easy to connect with. A comforting read.

Rating 4/5

Two characters with very different backgrounds and life stories are thrust together . Happy go lucky Emily meets the less than happy Jude but through the medium of books the two are brought together. Initially she is a narrator for audiobooks and he a crime writer. What will melt first , hearts or snow?

An amazing story . Emily is all about romance and is very lucky when she meets her favorite author and she suggest to be her audiobook narrator for her next book . Now three years later she works for a lot authors and she is very happy doing it . Jude Cavendish is an author who writes crime but his publisher asks him that it will be better if he add in his next book a love story for his main character . Jude is not believing to romance and thinks is for fools so he has problem to write romantic scenes . His publisher tells him to ask help from Sophia Wainwright his company best romance author . But when he went to meet her he was absorbed by Emily's way of reading and he end up asking her to help him finish his book . Emily is trying very hard to prove him that love is real but he is very open to change his opinions . When she has to visit her parents for the Christmas at Port Agnes he also go there because his father's family is living near and he must visit them for Christmas . Spending every day talking and sharing secrets they come closer and they fell in love . Will she be able to heal his wounds ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publisher as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This was another fabulous book by Jo Bartlett.

Emily is doing a job she loves, narrating books, but she’s yet to find love, but believes it’s possible for people to find their soul mate.

Jude has been advised to give his main character another angle, that of a romantic relationship in the book he’s writing by his editor as his recent book isn’t doing as well as expected.

He is also advised to read romance books, to get a feel of what to write for his character. Even though he doesn’t believe love exists, that people always want something in return.

He meets Emily, she is set on proving to Jude that love does exist. As they meet on different occasions they become friends and get to know each other.

So, will Jude finally realise that what Emily has been trying to show him does exist and will the Christmas season sprinkle its magic on them?

The story has you engrossed, turning the pages. I loved the setting, character’s and the dogs.

It covers illness, emotion, love and more..

I highly recommend this book.

Emily finds herself in a dream job, narrating audio books for some of her favourite romance authors. Jude is a crime writer known for his gritty books, however sales are falling and he is told to add a softer side to his detective. To this end he is put in touch with Emily, however he struggles due to his background that means he doesn't understand romantic love and how his detective could have a romantic interest.
I don't tend to read hard crime books, although I love a cozy mystery, so I can understand why a softer side to his main character might be required. Whilst Emily loves romances Jude's upbringing makes it difficult for him to believe in love that isn't transactional, ie expecting something in return. Seeing how these two work together, gradually chipping away at his reserve is heartwarming, add in a setting in Cornwall and two lovely dogs results in a book that I absolutely loved, as I do other books by this author.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

There’s something rather special about reading a book based on romantic fiction that a firm favourite author has written. I loved everything about this book and was eager for it to reach the happy-ever-after part, despite knowing that it would bring the book to a close sooner.

Emily Anderson falls into the role of recording audiobooks for her favourite author and never looks back. Fast forward to the more present day, Emily is asked to work with a crime writer, Jude Cavendish, whose writing lacks a human side and needs direction in how to connect with his audience by introducing some love to his characters.

It was easy to imagine the two leads as I read from both genres, although not an equal split. However, I certainly prefer books that depict a homelife for the main protagonist and perhaps include a little romance. The truth is that humans come in all shapes and sizes, and their lives should reflect their humanity, adding a depth that cannot be created otherwise.

There’s no question that Jude is resistant to Emily’s guidance, repelling all attempts to reach his core and penetrate his heart. Despite his determination to resist, Emily is equally focused on helping him see that there is plenty of evidence around him of genuine love and seeing that may lead him to adjust his viewpoint to one with far less cynicism.

Emily and Jude had completely opposing viewpoints, but there was no doubt that their connection was genuine and worth exploring. It would be impossible to ignore their pull towards each other, but I honestly don’t include spoilers, so you’ll need to buy a copy if you want to know how or if their relationship develops.

I don’t want to be overtly gushing in my praise of this book, but it certainly ticked plenty of boxes for me and concluded in a most satisfying way. I often point out to anyone with an opposing viewpoint that even the most high-octane thrillers have a theme of love and romance, even if the romance is between best friends and remains platonic. The heart always craves a connection on some level.

Jo Bartlett has done it again with another fabulous book. Emily Anderson narrates romance books and even though she herself has been unlucky in love she still believes that it’s possible to find your soul mate. After a dip in sales and being told by his editor to give his main character a relationship Jude Cavendish is struggling to write his latest book. Encouraged to read some romance books he ends up meeting Emily. She is determined to prove to cynical Jude that love is out there. As they get to know each other they soon become friends. Will the magic of Christmas help this friendship develop into something more? This has so much depth and emotion. The story covers so many different topics, friendships , romance, illness and more. I stayed totally engaged in the story throughout. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

A gentle story that has you fully invested in Jude and Emily, as well as some of the side characters. A festive romance that isn’t too heavy on the Christmas theme but has you believing that you should give love a chance.