Ok, it's only the first week of November, but I have contender for my favourite Christmas read of the year. This was such a lovely and festive story!

I have to admit I have a particular soft spot for Christmas books with a UK setting, and this one was done so perfectly - the little references to places (and foods!) really made it feel like England to me.

I also really enjoyed all of the references to Christmassy pop culture - especially the Christmas movie references.

I loved that the focus was as much on the family relationships as on Eloise and Cara's respective romances. The whole family dynamic was very sweet - although we don't see a whole lot of them throughout the book the parents reminded me a bit of the parents in Gavin and Stacey.

Another thing I really liked about It Won't be Christmas Without You was that it is pretty short. I know that might sound a bit weird, but when it comes to these sweet, cosy, Christmassy books I do like something that I can read in just a sitting or two.

I was interested to see the author, Beth Reekles, also wrote The Kissing Booth, which was adapted to a movie by Netflix. I really enjoyed the writing, and now I'm keen to check out her backlist.

Overall, I thought this was quite delightful, and I'd definitely recommend it if you're after a quick, cute festive read! I gave it 3.5 stars.

IT WON’T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU brings us the story of twin sisters Eloise and Cara who are total opposites in personality. Each has differing tensions both personal and work-related this holiday season as we follow them through the days leading up to Christmas. I read Christmas Romance for the season and the love stories combining my favorite season and reading choices. I simply didn’t feel the magic of Christmas here. I did feel a lot of tensions that felt, to me, unresolved by the ending. I think I have to admit that this story simply wasn’t for me, although I’m certain there is an audience that will love Cara and Eloise.

I liked their story, I wish I could have loved it but, for me, this was a dual point of view story that was good but didn’t capture my emotions. If you loved Ms. Reekles’ THE KISSING BOOTH then you may want to give this Christmas story a try.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Sweet, fun, heartwarming Christmas rom-com. If you like Hallmark movies, this will be the book for you!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is the type of book I look for when I track down my "Christmas Reads". It was easy and breezy and the characters were likeable. Eloise and Cara are twins whose Christmas plans for the year are discombobulated and out of sorts. This leads to hurt feelings and resentment; but of course in the end, all is well. I really enjoyed Eloise's neighbor Jamie. He was cute, funny, and I am glad it did not take long for Eloise to figure out how awesome he was! If you are looking for a fluffy, Britishy, Christmas story where all is well that ends well, this is definitely for you.

I liked this festive story a lot. A light, easy read, full of everything you would expect of a book set at this time of year. Perfect to get into the holiday mood.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am not a lover of Christmas stories. You probably won’t find me binging on Hallmark Christmas movies. But I’m up for the occasional Christmas rom-com. So I was delighted when I received an advanced e-copy of It Won’t Be Christmas Without You by Beth Reekles. This story had all the Christmas rom-com necessities: 1) takes place in the UK (as do all the great Christmas stories), 2) twins-one who loves Christmas, one who isn’t as fins and has her career to think of, 3) parents who go on holiday at Christmas leaving twins to fend for themselves, 4) hunky neighbors, 5) Christmas office parties, and 6) references gifted throughout to other beloved Christmas rom-com’s (Love Actually, anyone?). I really enjoyed this story told in countdown to Christmas style. The characters were real, I loved Eloise, but Cara was a little much. I loved Cara’s boyfriend, George, but Eloise’s love, James, took a little to warm up to. Overall, this was a sweet, easy, fun read that definitely has me looking forward to more Christmas stories.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced e-copy! #netgalley #itwontbechristmaswithoutyou

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book, it was very enjoyable. I found the plot line engaging and the characters believable. Very warming and perfect for Christmas! I have not read anything by this author before but will do in the future! I will be recommending this book to friends and family.

Warm, comforting festive read that’s as much about love for your family as it is a romance. I enjoyed the dual perspectives of the twin main protagonists and the story made me smile, a hot chocolate with marshmallows book.

Who is in the mood for a super cute, Christmas rom-com?!?? Better question is who isn’t?!?!

It Won’t Be Christmas Without You was super cute, funny and well written. While reading this book I was either giggling or smiling. This book will also get you into the holiday mood!

2.5 stars

I have never read (and haven't seen the movie) "The Kissing Booth" but this novel comes from the author of that novel. Also, from what I have read, this is the author's debut into Adult fiction compared to her previous Young Adult works.

For me, this novel read as an average and quick Christmas read. There wasn't anything that made the story more than that and it will easily be forgotten. Although that sounds rather harsh, it's not necessarily a bad thing because the novel did serve its purpose of being entertaining.

I could see this novel being adapted into a movie (Hallmark, Netflix, or Lifetime....pick it up) and being rather enjoyable but as for a novel, it's one that can be read once and enjoyed without leaving a lasting impression.

***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

This was a super cute, Christmas-y read! I enjoyed the balance of family story with romance. Reekles' writing is funny and charming and brought to mind comparisons to some of my favorite British holiday movies, like Love Actually or The Holiday. I recommend this to anyone looking for a light and festive read around the holiday season.

If you know me at all, you'll know that I love a good family oriented story. Add in some Christmas sparkle and I'm basically sold. And as it turns out - "It Won't Be Christmas Without You" offered me exactly that.
Taking place in the direct lead up to Christmas, twin sisters Eloise and Cara are faced with spending Christmas on their own, one in big city London, one in a small town, neither particularly happy with the situation.
The way Beth Reekles manages to slowly portray the totality of their relationship, as well as how she doesn't allow the story to get stuck in just romance, combine to make this one of those reads where you really want everything to work out as perfectly as possible. Maybe even with the cosiness of a white Christmas... And of course: a Hallmark-y happy ending, all put together in an incredibly cosy, easy read.

I really enjoyed this story of finding a new love and starting a new relationship while trying to live her life and own her job with all the requirements.
In comes her family and especially her sister who cares for her more than she knows and for whom the Christmas family day it's very special. With a snow day insight, she tries to get to her home through all the cancelled trains and busses.
An easy read, good writing and a lovely story

A sweet, very English romance novel with alternating perspectives between two twin sisters - one in London and one in their home town. When their parents announce they're going on holiday over the holidays, they have to make their own festive plans. Got me in the mood for christmas!

Christmassy, warm and cute. Those are the words that come to mind when reading this book. I enjoyed it, but I had hoped for a bit more.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read pretty much every Christmas chick lit book available, and I will be honest- this is one of my favourites of all time! Reekles perfectly balances the family relationships between Eloise and Cara and their parents with the romantic relationships. She skilfully builds multiple plots, and weaves them together. And the biggest asset? It is truly a Christmas novel! Christmas is a character in the book, and the setting is firmly in place. You can tell that Reekles loves the holidays herself. I loved this from start to finish and couldn't put it down!

Lovely festive read. It was a heart warming romance. It was a wonderful book to read. It was well written and flowed well.

I was expecting this book to be so cute but I was unfortunately very disappointed in the way this book was written,

It has been such a long time since a book kept me awake late at night reading. I have really enjoyed this one. Its written in a calm peacful pace and it made me really look forward to my favourite time of year!

I nearly screamed aloud when I heard about this book. I mean - Christmas time, romance, a Mr Darcy-esque male lead, references to Pride and Prejudice and Hallmark movies... what more could you want? And yes, I did like it! It was an absolutely lovely read, particularly as we'll be gearing up for Christmas soon (ish).

Characters:
At first, it was a little jarring because there are switching point of views, but they aren't announced - they kind of just switch. But once I got past that, I really didn't mind the switching POVs. At first however, I did find that I thought Eloise, Cara and some of the other characters were a little bit 2 dimensional. They rounded out towards the middle/end, but Eloise at first, as much as I loved her - she just seemed ever so slightly annoying as did Cara. But they ended up being wonderful.
Oh and Jamie. And George. I just wished we could have seen MORE of them!

Storyline and Plotting:
I won't lie, I think that the plot could have slowed down slightly. I just didn't feel as though there was enough time throughout the novel to explore the possibilities that were there. For example, I would have loved to see more of Jamie and Eloise's relationship, and the same with Cara and George. I wanted to see more of them, and more of Eloise and Cara actually together. Parts of the plot just felt slightly rushed to me. But it was heartwarming and lovely to read all the same.

Overall:
I liked this novel, I did. A sweet, funny and Christmassy romance, emphasising the importance of communication, family and romance.

Note: I was very generously provided an ARC of this novel by the publisher and the author via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.