A British Christmas story with a lot of heart! This was not quite what I expected but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn’t your typical Christmas romance, though there is a great day of cheesey moments (the best!). Deeper themes of familial conflict and grief are laced through the story very elegantly.

This is not your average feel-good Christmas novel. Despite the publisher’s promotional phrase - a gorgeously warm, engaging festive romcom – the author explores a deeply, emotionally-charged storyline with skill and sensitivity. Yes, there are humorous moments and romance, but the long-standing effects of a family tragedy are acknowledged as the protagonist returns to her hometown to write an article featuring Christmas traditions in a small town. I enjoyed spending time with Mally as she reconnects with the community she left behind twenty years ago and begins a long overdue healing journey. Overall, this is a solid debut novel and I look forward to reading more novels by this author.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Who doesn't love a good cheesy Christmas movie - where love reigns supreme amongst the snow and star topped Christmas trees and every happy ending is tied up neatly with a shiny bow. Amelia Allister - Mally - has made the ultimate bingo drinking game out of the tropes she has found in each and every of her favourite genre of films - the Hallmark Christmas movie. Little does she know that her best friend, Elle is about to make her use these tropes to write a feature article about Christmas, love and happily ever afters for The Helix, an online publication, that they both work for - something far outside Mally's comfort zone as she is largely involved in corporate duties and doesn't consider herself a writer. Within no time at all, and perhaps because of all the gin they were consuming at the time, Mally finds herself agreeing to write the article but only if she uses her home town of Scarnbrook, a place she had not visited in twenty years due to a family tragedy. From the moment she drives into the town, she finds herself encountering many of the tropes coming true including the nasty villain threatening the happiness of the townfolk, the chance meeting with the now adult teenage crush and any number of foolish actions committed by the heroine, yes, Mally herself. This is a charming story about a woman who really want to believe in a sense of community and the possibility of true love, accompanied by some really serious moments as the author delves into how a family has struggled to deal with loss that cut out their hearts. While there is pain, there is joy and as the book progresses and we get to see more and more of the characters it becomes a stronger tale. I actually didn't love Mally's best friend - she made my teeth grind - but that is the sign of a well written character - I don't think Hayley Dunlop wanted me to think Elle was wonderful - she was meant to be flawed. I wavered at times between four and half stars and five for this book , however ultimately I think it deserves the five stars because as a debut novel it really hit the mark. I hope Ms Dunlop goes on to write further books as I really enjoyed her voice across these pages. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in return for my honest opinion. Definitely a book to put on your TBR list this year.

wow. who needs the Christmas movies when you have the books. and when you have the book that gives us the Christmas movie playbook then you are on to a winner. but boy did i not realise how much this book would have so much more. it was hard, it was soft. it was touching and tender. it was emotional and raw. it was like a loving embrace, or a warm mug of tea with a blanket on a comfy chair. you want to snuggle into this book and also snuggle our heroine too. she's returning to a place where memories run so deep and painful at times.Our Mally has always turned to the rom-coms for comfort at this time of year. we all know the ones. but this year might be different. by being set up with recreating them in her home town shes about to start a journey that might allow her her own movie ending or at least a fun filled adventure along the way. with help of those around her you watch Mally be so brave and keep doing so. when i heard her story and then watched her journey throughout this book i was pulled in. this book had all the little puzzle pieces to the perfect read for me. my heart bloomed throughout it and at times felt to big with my emotions(but in a good way!) your going to love this book.
i dont know why this is the first from this author. where has she been hiding her talents!
i loved this book. and i could read it any time of year. im keeping my fingers crossed that we get to see more from this author. shes done a beauty with her first and deserves more.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas is a deep and heartwarming Christmas novel.

It definitely teeters on being a bit darker and sadder than what one might expect from a festive read. But, besides dealing with deep themes, it still gives one the satisfaction of the protagonist finding herself and growing over the festive season.

I also adore Hallmark movies, so I can not fault the use of them in this book.

If you're looking for a real and raw festive read, then this book is for you.


Thank you NetGalley for the ARC