Aside from the churchy stuff I really enjoyed this book. It seemed weird to have a side character who escaped a religious cult find solace in another…um…well a church. Nice as it seemed. I do really enjoy this series of books set around Sherwood Forest. It’d be nice to have a book about Marvin as a young man.

This was the most beautiful story of new beginnings friendships and community spirit with a sprinkling of romance and plenty of Christmas magic thrown in but also covers a lot of other deep themes in a very sensitive way which are all in their own way part of this fabulous read which is so more than just a festive read.

Mary and Beckett were both brilliant characters and loved how they both developed as the story unfolded and began to trust and help each other navigate the path ahead.

If your looking for a heartwarming and uplifting read to make you smile this winter then I highly recommend.

A sweet story about fresh starts. Mary and Beckett are thrown together and both find the friendship they didn't realize they needed. They pull each other out of their shells and build a community that loves and supports them.

I really enjoyed 'The most wonderful time of the year' from the premise to the characters, it was likeable, cozy, warm, full of heart and christmas cheer - the perfect holiday read.

Mary was a great main character and I really liked her story, and how she came to realise that sometimes life doesnt work out how you think it will.

It was a fun festive read and I would recommend.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 /5

This book was definitely a cozy, Christmassy read filled with heartfelt moments. The story begins with Mary, who finds herself unexpectedly in labor while hiding deep in a forest, and is rescued by Beckett, a driver who bravely battles a blizzard to get her to the hospital. As Mary adjusts to life with her newborn, Beckett’s patience and kindness introduce her to a warm, tightly knit community she never expected to join.

I loved the characters in this story, as each of them had a significant purpose throughout. The author carefully infused emotional depth into the characters, bringing deeper themes to the surface. The blossoming romance between Mary and Beckett was truly heartwarming.

This story was built so skillfully that I never felt bored for a single moment. The Christmas vibes made it even more beautiful and enchanting.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy festive romance that will warm your heart this holiday season.

This book is perfect for the festive season, brimming with Christmas cheer and a touch of mistletoe. I promise you that Mary and her family will capture your heart.

I have found a new auto-buy author! Every book I've read by Beth Moran leaves me feeling happy and hopeful. I mean, I've only read her Christmas ones... but they go beyond a meet-cute love story. The meet-cute of Beckett and Mary is beyond adorable. Isolated in Sherwood Forest, Mary calls for a taxi to get to the hospital... on Christmas Eve... in a snowstorm. You know there is going to be an unbreakable bond between these two!

What I was captivated by were the backstories of Beckett and Mary. There is some heavy baggage to unpack here but their chance encounter was the beginning of finding their village and navigating complex relationships. Their village, full of quirky and loveable characters, evolves into a found family. It was such a feel-good read!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an opportunity to read this.

This book was the most wonderful festive hug and gave me everything I wanted from a really great seasonal read.
As always with a Beth Moran book, the characters seem to almost come to life from the page and they become people that I cared about through the telling of their story. Learning about both Mary and Beckett's troubles and history made this into such a wonderful will they - wont they story where it felt like the author was sharing her affection for these characters with us on the page. Mary's past was obviously a troubling one with the drips of it we were shown and then to hear what had happened, it made me wonder what I would have done in her situation.
This story was rich with human emotions and festive cheer. there was a lot of Christmas imagery and traditions as well as the friendships that develop from the emergency start to this book.
I found this to be a wonderful read and am looking forward to more from this very talented author.

I just finished The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Beth Morgan, and it gave me all the cozy holiday vibes! This story captures everything I love about Christmas—family, love, second chances, and of course, plenty of festive cheer. The author’s writing feels warm and inviting and the characters are easy to connect with. I loved how she blended the sparkle of the season with real emotions, reminding us that the holidays aren’t always perfect but they can still be magical. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a blanket, sip hot chocolate and watch the Christmas lights twinkle while you turn the pages. Perfect for anyone who wants a heartwarming, feel-good read to get into the spirit of the season. This one definitely put me in the holiday mood (even though I read it in August!)!

A really lovely festive read. Dealing with some difficult issues in a really compassionate way. Great well-written characters and a wonderful story line. I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.

What a wonderful holiday read! Beth Moran always writes interesting stories with such great characters and this is no exception. I especially love that Mary and Beckett find a community that not only supports them but becomes a family of choice. Grab your cocoa and enjoy! Thanks #NetGalley #Boldwoodbooks

Beth Moran’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant novel that perfectly captures the spirit of festive storytelling. At its heart is Mary, a woman burdened by a past she is desperate to escape and a future she feels unprepared for, expecting a child and searching for stability. When a blizzard forces her into the care of Beckett, a quiet, dependable taxi driver, her life begins to change in ways she could never have anticipated.

Moran excels at creating a sense of place and atmosphere, immersing readers in the remote, snowbound community with vivid sensory detail. The story balances tension, warmth, and humor, exploring themes of belonging, resilience, and the transformative power of human connection. Beckett’s steadfastness complements Mary’s initial vulnerability, creating a relationship that evolves naturally and believably over the course of the novel.

What sets this book apart is Moran’s ability to combine heartwarming narrative with emotional depth. Mary’s journey is not just about romance or festive cheer—it’s about discovering strength, finding trust, and accepting that support can come from the most unexpected places. The secondary characters add richness and authenticity, from the quirky, supportive townsfolk to the subtle but meaningful interactions that highlight the importance of community.

Moran’s prose is approachable yet evocative, with moments that are genuinely moving and others that elicit warmth and laughter. The pacing is excellent, and the story unfolds with enough tension to keep readers engaged while never sacrificing its comforting, uplifting tone. The festive setting is woven seamlessly into the narrative, giving the novel a sense of occasion without feeling overwrought or cliché.

In summary, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an emotionally satisfying, heartwarming read, ideal for fans of contemporary women’s fiction and festive stories with depth. Beth Moran delivers a narrative that leaves readers with a sense of hope, belonging, and the kind of gentle joy that lingers long after the final page. This is a novel that will resonate with anyone seeking a comforting, heartfelt, and beautifully written story during the holiday season—or any time of year.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A festive, heartwarming, and deeply moving tale of love, resilience, and community.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, by Beth Moran, is the story of Mary Whittington as she navigates the most terrible year of her life. Alone and self isolated in a dismal cottage in Sherwood Forest, Mary is embarking on motherhood alone. With no car and labor pains weeks early, she has no choice but to call a cab only getting a quick pick up when she explains her circumstances.

Beckett Bywater, doctor in training but not licensed due to leaving before residency to care for his failing Gramps, is the driver on duty when Mary’s call comes through. In a troubled effort to get to the hospital with stopped traffic and snow falling, Beckett makes an emergency decision by taking Mary to New Life Community Church, seeking safety and solace for Mary to give birth.

As the story unfurls so do the life lessons of empathy, inclusion, community, responsibility, self confidence, friendship, and found family. With surprising incidents, laughter, and caring, these lovely characters present a beautiful holiday tale. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Let me start by saying—I don’t cry easily. Months, even years, can go by without me shedding a tear. My husband even jokes and calls me the “ice queen.” But this book? This FIVE STAR read completely broke through my walls, especially at the ending.

I didn’t expect to get so attached to the characters—Mary, Beckett, Gramps, Bob, and the whole community they stumble upon after one unforgettable taxi ride. By the time I finished, I was wishing I could check in on them again—one, three, even five years down the road—just to see where life has taken them. Crossing my fingers for a sequel!

This story is emotional, uplifting, and full of Christmas spirit. Even though I read it in the middle of summer, its snowy setting made me feel like I was right there in the season.

This is the first book I’ve read by Beth Moran, but after looking her up on Goodreads, I realized I’ve already marked so many of her books as “want to read.” After this one, she’s officially on my must-read author list.

Thank you NetGalley, Beth Moran, and Boldwood Books for the ARC—writing this review was pure joy!

Sweet story of Mary, who meets Beckett when he arrives at her house to taxi her to the hospital when she goes into labour.

What follows is the tale of how Mary and Beckett came to be at the points they are in their lives, the people around them and the new friends they meet on the way.

I loved the characters. They are all so lovely and the community that Mary and Beckett find themselves part of is so well-drawn and believable that I want to go and meet them all.

The setting in Sherwood Forest is lovely too.

Touching on a wide range of subjects such as death, dementia, caring for ageing family, adoption, parental neglect and much more, this isn’t as twee a story as the title might have you believe. It’s well-written, thoroughly enjoyable and gently thought-provoking. I would recommend getting a cup of tea and a slice of cake and settle down for a lovely afternoon read.

My only question is ‘why does no one comment on what an unusual name
Beckett is?’

This is a lovely story of community, friendships and love. Mary moves from Sheffield to Sherwood Forrest and throughout the book we explore the reason for this. The first time Mary meets Beckett is when she is in his taxi and goes into labour and from here they become firm friends. Beckett is trying to work while also being a carer for his Grandad who has a stroke a few years before.
This book explored how a community can come together to support each other and how friendships are created, it was sad at times but the Winter/Christmas theme was always in the background and all of the characters were wonderful.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for an advance copy of this book but opinions are all my own.

A wonderfully uplifting book. How to survive and live when it seems life is against you. Mary and Beckett are really down to earth characters who take us on a rollercoaster ride but make us want nothing but the best for them. A feel good seasonal read.

So good! Mary Whittington moves to the Sherwood Forest region of England to have her child and reclaim her life after devastating personal and professional losses. I loved reading about her journey to find herself and a new “family,” The characters were so well-drawn that I kept wanting to Google them! Wonderful writing and storytelling—I was sad to get to the end. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a lovely story of how we sometimes meet people exactly when we need to! Told from the POVs of Mary and Beckett, we follow their journey through single motherhood, coping with caring responsibilities and general life struggles can impact us and having support can help. Short chapters, excellent side characters (Gramps in particular is brilliant!) and lovely Christmas vibes will have you wanting to reading on and hoping for a happy outcome for both Mary and Beckett! Definitely give this book a read if you like a Christmas romance!

The most wonderful time of the year is a lovely Christmassy quick read that restores your faith in humanity. This is a standalone book and if you like a Christmas romance, you’re going to love this.

This story focusses upon Mary who calls a taxi to take her to the hospital when she goes into labour early, but due to unforeseen circumstances, she doesn’t make it to the hospital and her taxi driver Beckett comes to the rescue.

Mary feels stressed and isolated after previously leaving her job and home and adding a newborn to her problems with no support system is inevitably going to make things worse. The story unfolds with a community network coming to support Mary in her time of need with some surprises along the way.

Beth Moran always writes great romances and this one is no different. I recommend that you pick it up.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.