The very first thing to be noted about this book is that it is not a fluffy read. It is not the usual light Christmas read that you would be expecting, instead it is dark, serious and heavy but that just makes it that much more of an intense and unputdownable read. The book looks at very difficult topics such as domestic abuse and rape, homelessness and the refugee crisis. Yet, it is also still full of Christmas cheer, hope and happiness. It is such a wonderfully balanced read that I cannot help but recommended it – but just be warned that their may be topics inside that may trigger some people. Lauren Westwood, in my opinion, however, has done a fantastic job of flowing these topics into the book in a sensitive and interesting way.

With the darkness of the book, the characters are complex individuals with pasts that affect their present and future. It is the way they overcome this that really brings this book together. And you all know that I am a sucker for character led stories. I absolutely loved learning more about both Nicola and Dmitri and witnessing how their lives change so dramatically in only a few days. I thought they were both really strong, fascinating characters and it was such a wonderful thing to see how they overcame their pasts to paint the way for a new future that they never thought they would have.

There were a few issues I had with the book, a few moments when I just felt certain parts weren’t entirely necessary but, fortunately, these did not impact on my overall feelings on the book. It was a book that held me captivated and I simply struggled to walk away from it and get on with other things. It is also a book that stayed with me after it ended as well. I felt like I wanted to read more about Nicola and Dmitri’s lives but alas, I have to move on. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for further books from Lauren Westwood in the future and would highly recommend this book too.

I just adored this book. It was such a pleasure to read.

I liked Nicola as a character once I got to know her. She’s a strong woman, and she’s dealt with some difficult times in her life and tried to build a successful life and career for herself. But she holds something of herself back, until she meets Dimitri.

I loved Dimitri from the start, and as the book progressed I felt for him even more. He’s such an excellent male lead character, he’s got a depth and vulnerability to him.

I really liked the musical aspect to the book. I love classical music, and was delighted when I read in the afterword that the author had compiled a playlist to go with the novel, which I promptly downloaded. This will keep this wonderful book in my mind for even longer.

The imagery is really evocative, and I almost felt as if I was there, in London at Christmastime.

Superb plot, characters and imagery, such a beautifully written book. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a copy of Moonlight on the Thames!

I look forward to the Christmas-centered romance novels that come out each year because they're so easy and festive that they are simply addicting. Moonlight on the Thames was much different than any one I've read before, though. This book tackles much deeper issues than a typical Christmas novel, but does so in quite an elegant way.

Nicola hates Christmas. At first, it seems like it's probably for some petty reason, but it's not. So, instead of facing her past, she puts all of her energy into her career. And it's paying off, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's happy. Dmitri is also facing a past incident that he'd rather not reveal, and it's one that completely threw him off his path towards becoming a concert pianist. So, instead, he directs the choir and plays simple Christmas carols on the piano. Nicola and Dmitri meet when Dmitri's choir falls victim to Nicola's minor Christmas induced meltdown at Paddington Station.

I really enjoyed following Nicola and Dmitri's relationship as they got to know each other, both the good and the bad. I think these are two characters that bring out the best in each other, and you can see that based on the way they speak to each other. But this isn't what I typically look for in a Christmas romance, and I definitely wasn't expecting the turns that this story took. I definitely enjoyed it, but am happy I read it in September and not in the festive lead up to Christmas!

'Moonlight on the Thames' is not the lighthearted festive read the title suggests but it does have romance, a fairytale quality and a Christmas message.

Nicola's successful career masks an empty life and deep, damaging secrets that seem worse at Christmas time. Dimitri's giving nature is especially evident at Christmas, but he is finding it increasingly difficult to hide the despair and guilt he feels. The couple's meeting is festive, and Nicola is more 'Scrooge'than 'Santa Claus', but their serendipitous meeting makes them both look at their empty lives.

Poignant and romantic this festive tale focuses on those less fortunate at this time of the year. Dimitri and Nicola's life are both blighted despite their outward success, and this story explores their inner turmoil and seemingly unlikely romance. Both protagonists are authentic and flawed and carry a damaging amount of emotional trauma but their courage and need to find more in their lives lets both characters develop in a believable and heartwarming way.

Music in all its forms underscores this story and gives it a uniqueness not usually found in festive reads. There are no sugar-coated platitudes in this story, just two people trying to make the best of shattered lives but the outcome makes all the angst worthwhile and leaves an important message in the readers' minds.

I received a copy of this book from Aria via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Lauren Westwood is in a class of her own when it comes to writing immersive, emotional and compelling novels and she is back with a spellbinding new tale readers are simply going to love: Moonlight on the Thames.

Climbing the corporate ladder and being a rising star in her field was all that Nicola had ever wanted – or so she thought. While her professional life is a resounding success, her personal life is a complete and utter shambles. Nicola spends so much time at work that she has let her career take over her entire life and when her office affair comes to its inevitable conclusion, the last thing she wants to contemplate is the approaching Christmas holidays. Yuletide cheer and quaint holiday traditions are the last things on her mind. But life does have a habit of surprising you and of pulling the rug out from under your feet as she discovers during one night at Waterloo Station. Could a cancelled train be a blessing in disguise which will change her entire life forever and prove to her that happiness can be within reach – but only if she looks in the right places.

Becoming a concert pianist had been Dmitri’s goal for as long as he could remember, but alas his dream was not to be. A man with plenty of secrets in his heart, Dmitri is forever haunted by events in his past that have shaped his present. However, amidst all the darkness and sadness he has suffered, Dmitri finds great solace and immense comfort in his music. Conducting a pop-up choir in London during the festivities and spreading cheer and lightness during the holidays is much-needed balm that soothes his troubled soul. However, the last thing Dmitri was expecting was to meet somebody who was going to change the course of his life…Nicola!

Two lost and wounded souls come together unexpectedly, but can music and moonlight heal their broken hearts? Or will old wounds and past demons cost them their last chance of happiness?

The always superb Lauren Westwood has written a terrific read that will steal your heart this Christmas. Moonlight on the Thames will make you laugh, cry and believe in the redemptive power of love. Written straight from the heart and told with sensitivity and compassion, Moonlight on the Thames features beautifully drawn characters, pathos, emotion, drama and a heartwarming love story that will have you reaching for the tissues.

A wonderfully told tale of hope, redemption and salvation, Moonlight on the Thames is another winner for the talented Lauren Westwood.

I have a confession to make- yes I know another one. Prior to being invited to take part in the blog tour for ‘Moonlight On The Thames’, I hadn’t actually come across Lauren Westwood before. Sorry Lauren. Well Lauren, I have certainly heard of you now. I absolutely loved reading ‘Moonlight On The Thames’ but more about that in a bit.
I have to say that at first I didn’t like the character of Nicola and on more than one occasion I felt like slapping her across the face with a wet fish. Her attitude stinks. She is a workaholic, who is sleeping with her married boss. She is desperate to get home but her train is cancelled. As a result she cuts through Dimitri like a knife through butter. The way she speaks to him and his pop up choir is inexcusable. All they are doing are singing Christmas carols and she has a go. As time went on I found myself thawing towards her a little bit and overall I did like her. I thought that she was tired from all the work and commuting that she had to do and something was bound to snap. It did and Dimitri felt the full force of it. I also think that Nicola was frustrated at her chaotic personal life and she is angry at herself for sleeping with a married man. She does seem to have rather a lot of pent up anger. Dimitri came across as a nice man, who is very friendly and exceedingly tolerant. He has lived in the UK for some years now and he has adapted really well. It soon becomes clear that something happened to him in his past which affected him greatly and still affects him to this day. We don’t find out exactly what had happened all at once but clues are dropped throughout the book and eventually we get to know what happened. Dimitri has a sort of chaotic personal life too. He works as hard as he can with his choirs and he doesn’t have a girlfriend. Instead he has meaningless one night stands with women. It’s clear to see why Nicola and Dimitri are soon drawn to each other. Both of them have been hurt in the past and they have built a wall around themselves to protect themselves. These walls are not easily broken down. Both of them are that dedicated to their work that they don’t have much time left for a personal life or for romance. Both have made mistakes but they seem to have learnt from them. I was just hoping that they would get together. As to whether they get together or not- well you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out because I am not going to tell you.
It took me next to no time at all to get into the story at all. The author’s writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn into the story and her writing style just encourages you to read on. Before you know what is happening, boom you are addicted to the book. At least that’s what happened to me anyway. If I had to put the book down for any reason, then I counted down the time until I could pick it up again. When I first checked how much I had read, I was stunned to realise that I had cleared over a third of the book. I was enjoying the story so much that I didn’t realise how quickly the pages were turning and before I knew what was happening, I had finished the book, which I was so disappointed about. The author uses such vivid descriptions that if I closed my eyes I could easily imagine that I was walking by the River Thames with snow in the air and the temperatures to match. The colder weather seems like a relief given how warm it has been lately. This book is so well written that I began to interact with it. I know, it’s a work of fiction but if I get into a book and I think anything of the characters, then I start to talk to the characters as if they can hear me and I shout random words at the book. This last point gets me some weird looks on the bus I can tell you.
‘Moonlight On The Thames’ is a beautifully written book which is certainly addictive reading. The characters are realistic and you can’t fail to warm to them and hope that they find the happiness that they so deserve. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. Prior to this book, I hadn’t come across Lauren Westwood before but now that I have, I fully intend to track down her other books and read them as soon as I can. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.

A sparkling feel-good Christmas novel - with hidden depths. This one will definitely leave you with a warm heart and a yearning for wonderful music.

With a high-powered job in finance where she is successful beyond most of her colleagues' wildest dreams, her own home in Richmond-on-Thames and a wardrobe of designer labels, Nicola is a woman who has it all. However, Christmas is not her favourite time of year and as it fast approaches she feels dread rising within her, and when she comes across a choir belting out greetings of the season it doesn't bode well. Dmitri is the choir conductor and he loves his music. On the surface he is a happy soul, but his past hides some dark times. Now that their paths have crossed, will they meet again?

At the beginning, this book has a bit of A Christmas Carol about it, but this is a multi-layered read with plenty more to discover. The music is just one of those layers and if, like me, it gives you the notion to look up the pieces mentioned, then make sure you read the author's acknowledgements! Lauren Westwood is a talented and experienced author and it shows throughout this novel with beautiful writing and the seamless melding together of several story threads. London isn't a city I know at all but it is brought alive here and the cover is perfect for the content. As well as making me ponder on the true meaning of Christmas, I have also had plenty of giggles and smiles and really couldn't find fault (even if I had wanted to). Such a magical read deserves nothing less than full marks!

My thanks to publisher Aria not only for my copy via NetGalley, but also for inviting me to take part in this blog tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this story, it was very well written and had me captivated.

I loved the storyline for this one, it was a lovely book to read and it really helped me unwind and relax. The characters were genuine and I really warmed to them. The writing style is lovely and it works so well for this genre. It was a complete treat to read for me.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

Review: What a brilliant cover this book has. A beautiful London Christmas. 

Lauren Westwood has created a lovely tale set at Christmas in London. Lauren's writing places the reader at the heart of the scenes she is creating. There are two characters, Nicola and Dmitri who both need healing. Life for them is about carrying on trying to hide the problems in their lives. However, Christmas has away of bringing joy to people's lives even if they do not want it there.

I enjoyed reading this book. Excited by the cover I was expecting good things and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and following them throughout their Christmas journey as love and joy seeped into their lives. The setting seemed to appear before me and I felt like I was right there waiting for the train with Nicola. 

A brilliant read and one to defiantly read this Christmas.

London’s East End, 1930.

Robbie has two children named Ben and Ruthie. He’s really struggling to keep his children fed, warm safe and happy and also is still severely affected by his wife’s death. Of his two children, Ben is the one who helps his dad get more money for the family by doing errands so they can be fed. Ben is putting money away into a fund in an effort to help further.

Flo works works in the areas’s sweets shoo with the help of along with Honour. Honour thinks she is Flo’s sister, when really she is Flo’s daughter. Flo has been working at the shop her whole life and when her dad suffers 2 strokes she finds her time further filled with caring for him. He’s got a bad temper on him though which sometimes makes this harder but she’s upbeat.

The Depression means Britain is steeped in misery and poverty but some people do what they can to ease suffering. There’s a soup kitchen and minimal health services which nmeans a lot at a time when the National Health Service did not exist.

People are just trying to survive and move on as best they can. Christmas has not been able to be celebrated because of the poverty in the area. But that is something that Flo and Honour are determined to change. For everyone but especially for the children. Will they succeed?

The Depression is very well portrayed here and there is so much hardship. Rosie Clarke is not a new author to me as I reviewed all her Mullberry Lane books and enjoyed every one. She is a master at writing historical fiction that really makes you think and feel. I liked Robbie and his family as well as Flo. The atmosphere in the book is represented in a way that’s second-to-none and I felt transported to the time period. Despite all the suffering, the Christmas scenes and how people come together is magical.

Thanks to Rosie Clarke and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

I seriously loved this book…

This story tells the journey of two very different people (or very similar, depends on how you look at it) finding their way to each other and also finding the way to themselves. She works in firm that negotiates deals between companies and he is a Russian musician managing a very busy choir, among other activities. They cross paths when one of them is having a not very good day and snaps at the choir in a train station (we are allowed to have bad days or bad memories associated to Christmas, right?), and things evolve quite a lot from there.
Personally, I liked how each character felt real in their own journey and how each one had flows and very private experiences to overcome. All of it is wrapped in a London scenery (spoiler alert: London is beautiful during Christmas time and this book made me feel like I was in all the places they visited) with some day to day experiences like impatient commuters and Christmas carols.
You should absolutely read it if you enjoy romance, character development, snowy weather and… London.

**A free ARC copy of this book was provided in exchange for honest feedback.

This is the first book by Lauren Westwood that I’ve read, but I will definitely be reading more!

I adore Christmas-themed novels and start reading them as soon as summer starts to fade. The cover and blurb really appealed to me, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Nicola is not looking forward to Christmas. She meets Dmitri at Waterloo Station when her train is late and she’s forced to listen to his choir singing on the concourse. They are polar opposites but their friendship develops and, along the way, we learn their history, which makes this so much more than ‘pink and fluffy chick-lit’. I absolutely loved it and wouldn’t hesitate to read more books by Lauren Westwood.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

3 - "You need to find your own happiness…" Stars.

If you are looking for a story set around two broken, lonely souls, who although from opposite sides of the spectrum in pretty much every way, come together over the course of Christmas in London, then this is a book that will be right up your street.

Her life had been shaken up like a snow globe and filled with magic…

Lauren Westwood is a new author to me, and after reading the synopsis of Moonlight on the Thames I knew I wanted to give her a go. Nicola and Dmitri are very interesting characters, both of them battling demons of their pasts, you get a sense early on that there is more to this pair than you initially see, and although they are ‘present’ they generally hold themselves apart from the people they are interacting with, for many reasons, which are all revealed as the story between them progresses.

People joined the choir for different reasons… and at different stages of life.

I must admit I found this book pretty heavy going on the story-line and far too dragged out in its telling especially for a book being marketed as a Christmas read. The middle third in particular seemed to go on forever and not really achieve much in the way of development.

Both characters are dealing with some pretty heavy stuff in their pasts, and their current lives are kind of unravelling around them as well, so a chance meeting on the main concourse of Waterloo Station between them yields unexpected results.

It was better than being alone…

I almost forgot that this story was set around Christmas for most of it, I’ll be honest and say it was far heavier than I was expecting, or than I generally want in my Christmas reading. If you are looking for light and fluffy, this is not the one for you. If you are looking for something a little grittier, with a couple dealing with some pretty dark issues with a light sprinkling of seasonal magic in the latter stages then give it ago.

I’d definitely read more from the author in future, but maybe not when I am looking for Christmas fluff to give me the sparkly feels of the season.

What a book! 5 stars out of 5 for me! So beautiful, magical, poetic, lovely and yet also a bit sad for some parts. I read this book really fast, I couldn't put it down. The book is really well and beautifully written. It's not the typical "Christmas chicklit", it's so so so much more than that! I really urge you all to read it!

The Blurb :
Nicola is a rising star at the top of the corporate ladder, but her personal life is a disaster. Her office affair has lost its allure, and the last thing she wants to think about is Christmas. A night of cancelled trains and festive Christmas carols at Waterloo Station is just about the last straw...
Dmitri loves conducting his pop-up choir during the festive season, meeting people, and spreading joy and cheer around London. But he carries deep secrets from his past that robbed him of his dream to become a concert pianist.
Can their hearts and souls be unlocked by music and moonlight and will they discover the healing power of love?

My Thoughts :
I have to start by saying this has such a beautiful cover, it is one of the best festive scenes I have seen. It just calls out to you and what better place to be than London with Big Ben in the background.
Nicola and Dmitri meet at London’s Waterloo Station. Nicola’s train is late and she is not happy. She is caught up in the crowd of people trying to listen to a Christmas choir on the station platform conducted by Dmitri and Nicola is not shy to tell everyone what she thinks.
This couple couldnt be more different, with Nicola being a career woman who lives to work, she hasnt many friends and is only close to her sister. Nicola also is having an affair with a work colleague.
Dmitri, is so far removed from her lifestyle. He is from Russia and enjoys music and his choir. He is loveable instantly and is a very kind man. Can they these two opposites attract?!
This was a bit of a slow start for me and at times I found the choir and singing elements a bit boring but I enjoyed the developing relationship between this couple and seeing if they can both overcome their own heartaches and issues.
Lauren Westwood gives vivid descriptions throughout which transports you right to the scene on the page. There is lots going on to keep any reader entertained.
Looking forward to her next release.

5.0 out of 5 stars
Well-written romance that is much more!
ByMaggie on September 4, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
Looking at the cover and reading the blurb you think, "Ah, a nice light Christmas romance, a bit of fluff"! Well, this well-written novel is so much more! I had to stay up until the very wee hours to finish it, to see where the author was going with the heartfelt and complex storylines and very human situations. This is a Christmas romance for those who are feeling a bit cynical about the whole Christmas business, for those who want more! Be prepared to get hooked by these two main characters who aren't what they seem on the outside!

I think this is more a mainstream Woman's novel, more than just a romance. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Westwood, but will certainly NOT be the last!

It was the cover that first appealed to me most about this book as it is such an alluring and beautiful cover, so festive looking too.

I have literally fallen in love with this book, was a truly wonderful heartfelt read from start to finish. It was so much more than a romance story, had lots going on and I was pretty much glued to the pages throughout and couldn't turn the pages quick enough.

I loved getting to know the two main characters Nicola and Dmitri and learning about their own stories and seeing how/if their relationship becomes serious or not.

The setting of the book, being London was perfect, made me want to hop on a train and visit straightaway, so as to experience the sights and joys of ice skating, walking round the market and all the other things that Dmitri showed to Nicola throughout the story.

So final words, having read a couple of Lauren's books previously, I am happy to report that she is a wonderful author, has such a amazing way with words that just keeps you wanting more and the way she writes her characters and how they develop throughout a book, really makes them come alive.

If you haven't read a Lauren Westwood book yet, then all I can say is don't delay any further, as I can highly recommend her books as truly heart-warming, entertaining and delightful reads.

I love that I got more than I bargained for with this book. The characters were flawed - as are real people most of the time - and quite realistic. They were drawn to each other quite early on but hang ups on both sides effectively kept them apart. I also loved the way the author wove darkness into the story without having the darkness overshadow everything. She gave the book dark undertones in a very skillful manner.

Thought i was getting a light and totally forgettable book; was pleasantly surprised.

I loved this book and it what not what I was expecting. Quite emotional at times.

Told from the points of view of both Nicola and Dmitri, starting with a chance encounter at a busy railway station.
Both are hiding a secret from their past, and still letting it have a hold of them.

I definitely recommend reading this book!

This read was not really what I was expecting. It took a very long time to get into the storyline. Nicola is not happy with where her life has gone. Dimitri is s much loved person but he's isolated himself from his true passion. Can two broken people help each other heal? Telling your one truth is the first step.