I always look forward to books with a Christmas theme. This is the first one that has come my way this year, and I am delighted that it is by one of my favourite authors. Phillipa Ashley has written many stories based in Cornwall; this one is the second in a series featuring the Cornish seaside village of Porthmellow. I read and enjoyed the first In this series, and was looking forward to catching up with some familiar characters, as well as new arrivals in the village.

This story follows the fortunes of the Latham family - parents Anna and Roger, and grown up children Ellie, Marcus and Scarlett. While spending the Christmas break in Porthmellow, a well-meaning, but nonetheless disastrous Christmas present has left the family reeling following a shocking revelation. A year later, as the village of Porthmellow prepares once again for its annual Christmas celebrations, we find Ellie living there in the manor house that once belonged to her aunt, and joined unexpectedly by Scarlett, who is seeking answers about her heritage. As Christmas approaches, it appears that both girls may have found romance in the form of ex-army engineer Aaron and natural history writer and forager Jude, both of whom originally come from the village. However, there are complications in these relationships as well. When mother Anna also arrives on the scene, the girls hope that they may discover some answers and find a way to keep the Latham family from splitting apart.

This is a lovely romantic story, with a warm festive feel to it; I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a satisfying Christmas read. Porthmellow would certainly be a wonderful place to spend Christmas, with its charming decorations, great traditions and community spirit. Once again Phillipa Ashley has introduced the reader to some strong and interesting characters, as well as intriguing situations. I do enjoy her books set in Cornwall; her love for and familiarity with the county shine through her writing. I always finish her books with a strong desire to visit. I hope that there may be more Porthmellow stories in the pipeline - I would love to find out how the relationships in this story develop.

A perfect Christmas read. This book is well written with a good plot and well developed characters.. I found this book to be very entertaining and highly recommend it. Thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

Absolutely fantastic had me gripped!!! Loved it! Can't wait for more from.this author. Storyline was great, characters were easy to.connect with

Thank you for the advanced copy

How lovely to be back in Porthmellow with this all new, standalone story. I was hooked from the first chapter, and wanted to know what on earth had disrailed Scarlett's Christmas day so much that she fled from it and ended up in the pub, wearing fluffy bunny slippers.

As the events of that first Christmas are revealed, well I could definitely understand her feelings and also had a strong hunch that this would be one tremendous book which is really was.

Although I did spend a fair amount of the story wondering whether the title was ironic, as I just couldn't see how there would be a perfect Christmas in it, but I'm delighted to say that the author has some fabulous tricks up her sleeve!

This is the story of Scarlett and Ellie's family, as they go from the bombshell of the previous year, into a more turbulent time. Assorted family secrets are revealed and both ladies also have potential romances, although nothing runs smoothly.

I enjoyed the Winter Solstice festival, I just wish that like the first book we had seen more of the planning and committee members. Although Sam, Gabe, Ben and Zennor were all present in this story, it felt more like cameo's and just seeing familiar faces around the community, rather than anything further really happening with them.

A Perfect Cornish Christmas is a story with the greater themes of Christmas at its heart, the importance of family, and the feeling of coming together as a community. It was another incredibly enjoyable book in this series. And given how early in the year I read this, I'm also delighted to say it's not overly festive, its more a story that takes in two Christmases' and an autumn in between, as we follow the sister's stories.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

As good a tale as I’d expect from Philippa Ashley. I found it hard to put this book down. Lots of romance but a family revelation leads to lots of heartache and misunderstandings on the way to the conclusion of the story. All set in beautiful Cornwall. An excellent read.

A great Christmas read.

This is set around sisters Ellie and Scarlett.

Ellie lives in Porthmellow, looking after the house her parents inherited. She has been running from relationships since she was uni, and now she meets Aaron she thinks maybe she has met someone worth stopping for. Be when she finds out he is keeping secrets can she trust him any more?

Scarlett was shattered when last Christmas she found out her Dad wasn't her biological father. She moves to Porthmellow determined to find out who he is, but will she like who and what she finds? Whilst in Porthmellow she meets Jude, but do they have a chance together?

Scarlett's family are in Porthmellow for Xmas when a secret ruins everything. You gradually find out what happens and especially to Scarlett and her sister Ellie. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Will need to look for other books in the series

Wow, will you just take a look at this gorgeous cover?! As soon as I saw it be uploaded on Netgalley I knew I had to read it. Especially with it being set in the gorgeous town of Porthmellow and by one of my favourite authors, Phillipa Ashley. I absolutely loved the other novel set in this town, A Perfect Cornish Summer so couldn't wait to get stuck into this one. This cover is absolutely gorgeous, I love the bright sky, the snowy cottage and the fairy lights around the cottage too.

I loved being back in Porthmellow, as mentioned above, I loved the first one set in this delightful little town and I couldn't wait to see what the previous characters had been up to. Even though this novel mentions characters from the first novel, you could easily read it as a standalone as Phillipa really describes who everyone is and a little bit about their background. I love the setting, it sounds idyllic and so festive! Planning a trip to Cornwall ASAP...

Onto the storyline itself, I was so intrigued by Scarlett's story! I really wanted to find out if she did find her real dad and the whole background story from Christmas 2018 had me hooked! Bless Scarlett, she thought she was doing the right thing but in actual fact everyone kind of blamed her for the outcome! What I liked about this novel as well was that we read quite a bit about Scarlett's sister, Ellie, too. I enjoyed getting to know her and seeing what happened with her and Ashley.

Each sister had their own relationship issues, but it was nice to read about the family and about how well they came together to support each other through said issues. Ellie and Scarlett had a great family bond and you can easily see that. Nearer the end of novel, there's a huge twist that I certainly didn't see coming. It had me gripped and I sped through the pages! The only thing I would say is that it needed a little more festivity. I loved reading about the Christmas lights and Christmas Day, but I just wish there was more descriptions about it. Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

*sighs a happy sigh
You know when you smile when you finish a book, you are satisfied, replete, content? This book gives you that! It sparkles like snow, it warms like hot chocolate, it embraces like your favourite blanket, it uplifts like your favourite song. I want to move there!

I have always loved the Cornish series of books from Phillipa Ashley and this was no exception!
A festive romantic feel good book perfect for Xmas! Fantastic descriptions of the Cornish coast, brilliant characters particularly Scarlett Ellie Jude and Aaron and very topical with the food foraging and Xmas festival!
A great read that I would highly recommend
Thank you net galley for this early read!

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Having read all of Phillips's books I thoroughly enjoyed her Christmas books great strong characters excellent setting and something to make you think I would highly recommend this book.

I wanted to read this book because I enjoy Phillipa Ashley books. It’s a good Christmas read that I’m sure will be popular this year. Interesting characters make it an enjoyable read.

O what an tangled web we weave. This fantastic story has plenty or twists and turns, this has been so well written that it would be easy to re-read it very quickly. This follows the characters from Porthmellow plus new ones as well making this novel really interesting. This author always gives us a wonderful read and I would recommend everyone to get this and enjoy it as much as I have.

A beautiful Christmas read. I loved the characters especially Scarlett and Ellie. Would recommend this romance Christmas book.
Thank you to Phillipa Ashley, NetGalley, and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Philippa Ashley so I was really looking forward to this book. It’s the effect Christmas novel and makes you feel as if you are a part of the story. If you want to get into a Christmassy mood, this is the book to pick up!

Welcome to a very different couple of Christmas's at Porthmellow!

Firstly, Phillipa has created the type of village that I think we'd all love to live in...or maybe that's just this reviewer?

In our second visit to the Cornish village of Porthmellow, we are treated to the time after Scarlett's worst Christmas ever, and how her sister Ellie and her deal with the fall-out. This is so much a family story, though with more twists and turns than a snake!

Ms Ashley is a author I've followed since the release of her first novel, Decent Exposure, and have loved her Cornish series of novels. This one does not disappoint and shall henceforth become a Christmas staple with this reader, for the simple reason that it brings something different to the Christmas genre. Any story that can make me laugh out loud whilst I'm wiping a tear from my eye has to be a good thing, eh!

Now, if you wish to read more on the story, please go elsewhere, but this book is a must for both Ms. Ashley's fans and fans of good stories everywhere.

Thank you very much to Avon and Netgalley for the ARC, most appreciated.

Great feel good girlie read. Really loved this one, and a little of precious characters. Love how u feel u are there while reading it, gets u immersed in the story and lives of the characters. The only thing I found was it ended really quick

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a delightful festive read; perfect for losing yourself in for an afternoon.

The setting of Porthmellow evokes the feel of a small, tight-knit community and this community spirit is woven throughout the story. There's romance, family disharmony, misunderstandings, plenty of humour and a dash of angst (lots of the key ingredients of a family Christmas!). All these elements are balanced brilliantly to create a story that pulled me in immediately.

The main characters are relatable - fallible, well-intentioned and ultimately, likeable. There are a couple of less -pleasant characters but these are equally well-written; perfect for bringing in that angst.

This is the first Phillipa Ashley book I've read, but it certainly won't be my last.

A lovely feel good read, perfect for curling up with on a cold winters evening at Christmas Time. Likeable characters and twists and turns that stop you from putting the book down. Although it is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone book.

A lovely read second in this series a welcome visit back to the town the people a book that gives you warm happy feelings #netgalley#avonbooksuk