Could It Be Magic was a sweet festive romance where childhood friends connect again and find love at Christmas – a pretty standard plot for a festive romance. I’d say I enjoyed this book but it hasn’t been my favourite festive romance of the year so far.

There’s not really a lot going on in Could It Be Magic but that’s part of the appeal of festive romances, I suppose. Very little drama, a sweet childhood friends to lovers romance and a Christmas market – what’s not to love? Well, I wouldn’t say love. I didn’t “love” this book, but I did like it and I thought the childhood friends to lovers was lovely. I’m such a sucker for that trope. Probably because it makes the relationship more believable when they get together and they love each other so quickly (which is a common theme of festive romances).

The connection between Thea and Nick was built in a realistic way and the little flashbacks and shared memories from when they were teens made their love more believable. I love it when the author shows you why they should be a couple rather than just making you like them because they say you should. Does that make sense?

The bit of drama that you do get in Could It Be Magic was a bit ridiculous. Third act breakups are one of the worst tropes in romance and also bringing the ex back to stir this up even more is terrible. I hate that so much. Thea’s ex doesn’t try to get between her and Nick but he does come back into her life as they’ve got together and while he isn’t trying to win her back, that whole situation felt a bit pointless. I now can’t even remember what happens with that storyline.

Thea has the most mature 13 and 10 year olds ever. To begin with she made Cora sound like a bit of a nightmare, but she was lovely and so empathetic. She was constantly making her mom a cup of tea when she was stressed or upset and she was the one that pushed her mom to go for things with Nick. Her 10-year-old son wasn’t involved as much but he seemed very mature too. They did still act like children though.

I loved the scenes that were quite literally just Thea and Nick working in the farm shop. It’s nice to reminisce on working in retail at Christmas (the nice parts, although let’s be honest, there aren’t many) when you no longer work in that industry. A Christmassy farm shop is my idea of heaven. I’m definitely going to try and get a few this festive season.

I’d recommend Could It Be Magic if you’re looking for a sweet romance set in a small town. There’s not too much drama so this is perfect for getting cosy under a blanket with your hot beverage of choice.

Rating: 3.5/5

Thea is a part time teacher and mom to 2 children; she needs extra money for Christmas and her childhood friend Nick needs help at the family farm store. they find they are having feelings for each other.

A delightful friends to lovers Christmas tale. Thea is a part time teacher and single mum of 2 children. Nick is a friend who she's known since childhood. Thea needs some extra income to make ends meet over Christmas and Nick finds himself woefully short-staffed at the family farm shop. So Thea goes to work with Nick and slowly they realise that their relationship is developing into something more than just friends. Such a sweet read, I really enjoyed it.
Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Fay Keenan for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

Could It Be Magic? is like a warm hug wrapped in countryside charm and sprinkled with just enough sparkle to keep you believing in the unexpected. Fay Keenan delivers a story that blends second chances, a dash of mystery, and characters you’ll genuinely root for from page one to the sigh-worthy end.

Set in the ever-inviting village of Roseford, the book captures the beauty of healing, hope, and the kind of love that grows slowly, surely, and a little bit magically. There’s depth behind the sweetness, and you’ll find yourself wishing Roseford were real just so you could visit.

Perfect for when you want to escape into something comforting, romantic, and quietly magical.

Highly recommend if you love:

Slow-burn romance

Cosy English settings

Characters with emotional depth

A sprinkle of mystery and a pinch of magic

This is a very cute and festive read that had a lot of Hallmark vibes, which I love. It is a beautiful love story involving a single mother and it won't be my last Fay Keenan book for sure!

This was such a cute festive read. Even though it's part of a series and I haven't read any of the others I still enjoyed it. I loved the cute and cosy, small town setting and the great mix of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood books and the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is book two in the Brambleton Series but can be read as a standalone which I have done. It was a lovely little story to curl up with, the characters really bought the story alive. Thea is a single parent and is having a lot of problems with money and with Christmas coming up she knows it is going to get expensive so when the farm shop manager gives her a second job she welcomes the extra money it will provide for her family and also she may get a bit of happiness in the way of falling for him. The story has relatable and shows every day struggles that single parents go through. I love how Thea turned her life around with the help of Nick. It was a wonderful story to relax with and I look forward to reading more books by Fay.

Thea Ashcombe es madre soltera de dos hijos, profesora a medio tiempo y una verdadera experta en hacer rendir cada centavo. Tras una subida inesperada en la tasa de su hipoteca, sus ya ajustadas finanzas comienzan a desmoronarse. Justo cuando su situación económica se vuelve crítica, una inesperada oportunidad laboral aparece en Saints’ Farm Shop, un encantador negocio local dirigido por Nick Saint, un viejo amigo de la infancia con quien Thea comparte más historia de la que está dispuesta a admitir.

Mientras Thea se adapta a su nuevo trabajo entre productos frescos y luces navideñas, comienza también a redescubrir su lugar en la comunidad… y en el corazón de alguien más. Pero con los recuerdos del pasado aún pesando y la llegada de una filmación para un programa navideño de televisión en la tienda, Thea y Nick tendrán que decidir si están dispuestos a arriesgar la amistad por algo más.


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Además del romance, la novela trata temas como la maternidad, las segundas oportunidades profesionales, el peso del pasado, las dificultades económicas, y la importancia de pedir ayuda.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

This was a lovely cosy read that will be perfect accompanied with a hot chocolate and festive lights.

It’s nice to have focus on a single mother and the challenges she faces and her finding her happy ending.

A lovely friends to lovers romance set on the British countryside.

Arc received from Netgalley.

What a sweet book! It felt like reading a Hallmark Christmas movies, and I really enjoy watching those movies. Felt a bit weird reading a Christmas book in July, but it was a nice change from the heatwave I've experienced lately. The characters were nice, and likeable, and it mentioned a lot of tough things but in the end everything worked out.

Schoolteacher and single mum, Thea begins to work a few hours in Nick's farm shop to help make ends meet . Friends for years, Thea begins to feel more than friendship, will Nick reciprocate? A feel good, cosy story to curl up on the sofa with .

Such a gorgeous festive read by Fay. I loved book 1 of this series with Tristan and Charlotte's story and it was lovely catching up with them in Thea and Nick's story.

Small town romances just make me smile and friends to lovers is my favourite trope as that's how me and my husband got together.

I've loved all of Fay's books I've been fortunate to read and already cant wait for the next one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book. I didnt realise it was part of a series and read it as a stand alone which was easy to do. First time Ive read this author and it wont be the last. I read it in the pool in 30 degrees heat , it was a perfect super soft easy read!

What a beautiful love story and being a good mother against all the odds. I had not read any others in the series . I will now.. Can read as a stand alone .You just escaped into the characters lives. I loved the twin brother. Lots of good story lines . I loved the farm shop and the special bags. Read it. You won’t be disappointed .

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it