First I’d like to thank Jenny Bayliss, Net Galley, Penguin Random House and Michael Joseph for giving me access to this advance reader copy (ARC).

Christmas in July! I am so here for it, I’ll be home for Christmas is an incredible cozy, feel good, Christmas story!

This is the first book I’ve read by Jenny Bayliss, and I can tell you now, it won’t be my last!

I had so much fun immersing myself in the delightful town of Pine Bluff in the Scottish Highlands, and almost feeling like I too was a part of the family and community that Jenny has created for her characters.

This is definitely a Christmas must read for 2025!
Don’t miss its release on 23rd October!

Thoroughly enjoyed this story and the trauma Fred was dealing with along with the family and some romance thrown in then the icing on top was all about the community! A brilliant read, engaging throughout.

If you’re looking for the ultimate warm, cozy Christmas read, this is it! ❄️
With Fred navigating family chaos, her charming mom Bella, and their hilariously wild aunts, this book is packed with heart, humor, and the perfect amount of festive magic. Jenny Bayliss gives us a story that feels like wrapping yourself in a blanket with hot cocoa while fairy lights twinkle. The multi-character perspectives add depth and charm, making you feel right at home in their world. An absolute delight that’s brimming with Christmas cheer, family love, and a sprinkle of romance.

As I get all the school holidays off in summer I love a Christmas read in the sun, so for those groaning try it. Thank you NetGalley.

I have to confess that this is the fist book by Jenny Baylis, and I can say this is not the last.

Christmas stamped all the way through this cute story. Set in a Scottish village called Pine Bluff, Fred returns home to her mother and aunt after a relationship break up and Fred has lost her job into the bargain.
You can feel the cold winter and Christmas vibes ( even in July at 30 degrees)
There is an encounter with a childhood friend Ryan and Warren form London to add into the mix of the festive season.

The story is about finding yourself, healing and a good dose of alcohol laden hot chocolate and Christmas.

Recommended read and out for publication October Half term - 23 October 2025.

A lovely, cosy and hopeful second chance read.
Five stars. Thank you to the author, publisher an NetGalley for the chance to read an ARC.

I absolutely adore a festive read with a bit of emotional depth, and I'll Be Home for Christmas delivered just that. Jenny Bayliss has a real gift for creating small-town charm, and Pine Bluff, with its quirky cracker shop and bustling Christmas market, felt like stepping into a snow globe.
Fred was a really relatable lead. Flawed, funny and trying to find her footing after a really awful relationship has led to her doubting her own instincts when it comes to men. I loved her eccentric family and the focus on crafting and small businesses supporting each other.
It left me smiling and feeling full of festive fuzziness. A lovely winter escape with warmth and a jolly ending- what's not to love?!

I always look forward to Jenny's Christmas novels and I'll Be Home For Christmas certainly didn't disappoint. I love how her books make you feel cosy and look forward to the festive season. The story was easy to follow and had a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💜 Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Jenny Bliss, for the opportunity to read 'I’ll Be Home for Christmas'; it has left me with a warm, contented feeling — exactly what I want from a festive read.

The first chapter sets the tone perfectly, pulling you straight into the main character’s world with wit and a touch of bittersweet nostalgia. I loved how quickly the story felt alive, like visiting a place you’ve known all your life. That sense of community — the messy, noisy, relatable mix of neighbours, family, and old acquaintances — was one of my favourite things about the book. It made the whole setting feel like another character, and it reminded me how much I enjoy stories where an entire village comes to life.

I enjoyed how Fred’s relationship with her mum developed. At first it seemed like such an odd connection — almost tense — but the way they gradually opened up to each other, building trust and true affection, was one of the most touching parts of the book for me. Their conversations and little moments together added a deeper emotional layer to the story that I wasn’t expecting, and it made their bond feel so genuine.

A festive read without being too saccharine, full of humour, warmth, and plenty of surprises. If you enjoy books about community, family, and the magic of letting your guard down, I’d recommend picking this up.

Ok I'm now feeling in my Christmas feels in July!!! What a cute cosy easy read. I really enjoyed it While on holiday in the hot tub!

This is the first book I've read by Jenny Bayliss - I wasn't blown away.
I am a massive fan of Christmas books and this one certainly did have a festive feel but something just fell slightly flat for me

Fredericka, known as Fred, has come home to live in Pine Bluff after a relationship break up with an older man and being made redundant from her job in marketing. She says it’s only temporary while she decides what direction she wants to take her life in.. She bumps into her old school friend Ryan, who came back to live in Pine Bluff a few years ago and set up a coffee company.
Fred offers to help out with the family cracker making business as her mum, Bella, is very busy with making and selling the crackers. Pine Bluff has a wonderful Christmas market every year , so good it rivals German markets. Bella has a stall there but also needs to make the crackers. She has two elderly aunts who live in a cottage next to her house and they help out in the business as well, Fred feel guilty though to see how hard they all work,
Warren, a journalist up from London to write about the Christmas market, has a courier package wrongly delivered to Fred while her redundancy package is delivered to him. Fred goes to swap the packages at the local hotel and they agree to have a coffee together.
It’s a Christmas story full of snow and romance. I would love to visit Pine Bluff with its great supportive community spirit, local independent shops and market.

This was a fun festive tale that I devoured in one go in the height of summer! Jenny Bayliss has created the world of Pine Bluff so well it almost seems real. The characters were all well rounded and likeable (for the most part iykyk!) and I honestly could read a whole book about the Aunts and the Pine Bluff Jezebels! Although I really want to read happens next for Fred, Ryan, Bella and Liam, and Hallow-Hart crackers so if the author could ‘cracker’ on with the next one that would be great! Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read this, it’s 5 stars from me.

Once you get used to the main female character being called Fred (Frederica) you find yourself enjoying a story of reawakening love.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A cosy Christmas cracker full of heart!

What an absolute delight! I thoroughly enjoyed this festive read — Fred, Bella, and the aunts were such charming, lovable characters. The dual love stories were an unexpected treat and added an extra layer of warmth and magic. It felt like wrapping yourself in a cosy blanket on a snowy day.

I’m so grateful to have had the chance to read this ARC. It’s definitely going on my list for a re-read during the Christmas holidays!

This was my first Jenny Bayliss book and I enjoyed it! It had a touch of Practical Magic and Gilmore Girls set in a Hallmark movie feel to it.

I did find some of the storylines a little predictable, but as a cosy, easy read I didn’t mind that.

The Christmas market, the small town, and the snow definitely got me in the mood for Christmas!

If you’re looking for a cute, cosy, book to get you feeling Christmassy then this is the book for you.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc copy

This was giving cosy hallmark vibes but unfortunately it was a dnf . Ryan just seemed like a damp dish cloth . Fred had dept but I just couldn't get into this . I'm usually a christmas read girly but this wasn't for me unfortunately but I do think the author is quite gifted at writing.

A real hug of a book, cozy Christmas markets, hand rolled crackers and a girl returning to her home town to pick up the pieces after her life has fallen apart.

Pour your self a hot chocolate- if the Aunts are involved add a large slug of Baileys and settle in for a great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review. It maybe July, but I was transported to a highland Christmas.

This is the first book I have read by Jenny and was happy to receive an advance copy. Fred has just come out of a bad relationship and was made redundant. She has nowhere to go so decides to go home to Pine Bluff in the North of Scotland. Her family run a Christmas cracker business. Her mum runs things with the help of her aunt Cam and partner,Aggie.Bella was just 16 when she had Fred and she sacrificed her life to look after Fred. She was a few months pregnant when she came to Pine Bluff and she met Liam who was a few years older. He was up for the Christmas market. He asked her to go back down south with him but she wasn’t keen so they would only meet up every year. Eventually Liam got married to Claire so Bella had to try and forget him but couldn’t. Fred met Warren, a journalist who was trying to get a new column in his newspaper. He is very handsome and charming.She also bumped into Ryan,her childhood friend and crush. This is a must read,what will become of Fred and Bella,will they reconnect. I loved it,couldn’t put it down.

This book is the perfect Christmas read!! It gave me classic Hallmark movie vibes in a book. A beautiful story with beautiful characters. Would definitely recommend !!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I really enjoyed this book by Jenny Bayliss, it is great if you love Christmas books which I do.
I loved the setting of Scotland, and the characters that were featured, and I liked the main character, Fred. I liked the will they wont they story, and really did feel as though I was there with the characters in Pine Bluff.