Although set mainly at Christmas this story reveals itself over a number of years. Daisy and Oliver have a friendship that started as young children and has changed over the years. They are brought together by Uncle Ts Christmas party and they reminisce and come together in various ways over the years.
I really enjoyed this book. The revealing of the secret is well done, Daisys growth in herself is lovely and some of the other characters are really well portrayed. It is warm and funny while dealing with some sad situations.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me an advance copy.

I love Zara Stoneley’s books and this one didn’t disappoint. It made me laugh out loud and Daisy’s Mum is hilarious! Fab ending as always. I’d definitely look out for her. Ext book. Thank you for accepting my request.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable book.

I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I'd not read anything by this author before but this definitely won't be the last I read by her. Already I can't wait to read some of her other books. I loved the characters she created and the story was just great. A few secrets along the way ... not as festive as I had anticipated but a wonderful story of love.

Loved the story in this book. It was sweet and easy to read. A weekend book that you can just enjoy. Took me no time to read.

Two years later and something just really isn't working for me with this one. I've started and stopped a few times and just can't get into it. Not the book for me.

This book has a great cover. The Book was also good. The story was interesting and it was an easy read.

What a fascinating book. I was impressed by the storyline and the characters were all well written and complex. Where there are complex storylines combined with intriguing characters the reader experience is magnified tremendously. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this book.

I think this would make a fantastic Hallmark Christmas movie. Super festive and very cheery. Great Christmas reading, wouldn't read it outside of December.

Zara stonely has fast become one of my favourite romantic comedy authors and I have adored each and every book she has written thus far and this one didn't Disappoint
Each and every character was utterly relatable , I fell in love with the whole story and I wished it hadn't of eneded x

I read this book very quickly thanks to such an engaging talented author! Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Great characters, setting and storyline. Would highly recommend.

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Steering away from my usual genre of book, I thought it was the perfect time to read this one. Yes it's predictable and cheesey but it was exactly what I needed to read after a very crappy year. Not only did it cheer me up, and but it also got me into a festive mood!
Daisy was a very relatable character to read about (I too could never be with a guy who doesn't like chocolate!!) , and Oliver sounded like an absolute dreamboat!! Uncle T was a character that I just loved, and of course Stanley! 🐶
The story was warm, touching, sentimental, charming and funny in places. A festive rom-com that I really enjoyed.
This is a first read from this author and it certainly won't be the last. A must-read!

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

Loved this Holiday Book. I try to read at least one CHristmas book per season. I am very glad that i was chosen to read and review this one

"Four Christmases and a Secret" is an enjoyable Christmas romance, probably best enjoyed within the season, like gingerbread and candy canes, it has to fit the mood. Does it transcend it's seasonal nature? Perhaps not, but December will come around again.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Daisy has attended Uncle Terence’s Christmas parties for as long as she can remember. But this year, after losing both her boyfriend and her job, she’s especially looking forward to the distraction. Terence’s parties are legendary shindigs, filled with fun and family—and even better for book-obsessed Daisy, they’re hosted in his bookshop. Unfortunately, this year Ollie, son of her mother’s best friend, is also attending. Growing up, they had a rivalry for years, but now everyone seems to prattle on about how successful and accomplished he is. But after Daisy sees him for the first time in thirteen years, she just might understand what all the fuss is about.

Author Zara Stoneley just might be the master of simmering feelings. Daisy and Ollie might not have seen each other in years, but the second they’re reintroduced a spark is evident. Could it just be a friendship rekindling after a long break? Or is something deeper forming between them? As the two are wedged together with the help of some familial forces, it’s pure joy reading about them bounding through adventures and, eventually, reaching their own conclusions.

But beyond the potential romance rests the heart of the story: Daisy herself. Right at the beginning, she’s struggling with a major crisis of identity culminating in feeling lost and confused about the direction of her life. However, Stoneley expertly pushes the plot across four different Christmas seasons and the events leading up to them, and the result is a Daisy that has a long time to grow and evolve into herself. There are no quick solutions, and it’s incredibly engrossing to watch her naturally progress from unsure and somewhat insecure to going after what constitutes a happy ending for herself.

Helping her along the way is an outstanding cast of characters. With four Christmases to contend with, there are plenty of festive folks around headed by Uncle Terence. With sage advice doled out at just the right moment, he provides a hint of magic to the proceedings. And then there are a cadre of friends, family, and even a few unsavory lingerers that amp up just enough tension and drama to keep things bouncing along.

Ultimately, Four Christmases and a Secret delivers a rewarding romance that still manages an emotional punch.

I absolutely loved this novel!

Stoneley has created an absolutely wonderful cast of quirky, true to life characters. They draw you in and wrap you up in their world (Stanley the dog definitely wins the cuteness award!).

I honestly couldn't put this down, its the perfect mix of light-hearted humour and poignant heartfelt moments (you might need the tissues for those - I certainly did). Packed with parties, friends, laughter and not forgetting that secret. This a perfect tonic not just for the Christmas season one that can be enjoyed all year round.

I shall be off in search of Zara Stoneley's other novels now!

Thanks to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads & Netgalley for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The premise of this book with its Bridget Jones vibes sounded great but the execution left something to be desired.

The title alludes to four editions of a family Christmas party (taking place in a bookstore!), which our main character Daisy enjoys but it also means having to listen to endless praise about Ollie, the son of her mother's friend. Daisy just lost her job, her boyfriend, and she doesn't really know what she's doing with her life. Her mother reminded me of the mother in the show Miranda because she was always bugging Daisy about bringing a plus one to the party. Daisy and Ollie have a little bit of history because they made out during the Christmas party when they were teenagers and now he finally attends the party again after many years of being too busy and brilliant (apparently).

One of the problems I had with this book was the writing, which was mediocre and the word "snogging" was very much overused. The structure wasn't ideal either - there was a timestamp at the beginning of each chapter, which was the only indication of how much time has passed so I never knew how much time has passed because I didn't remember what the previous timestamp said.

Daisy was a hot mess for the majority of the story (although there was some character growth) and so was the whole book. There was a lot going on with the side characters, who were mostly unlikeable (like her "friend"/roommate). Points down for making the only vegan character obnoxious and for the fact that Daisy became weirdly hypocritical about his diet. The romance was fine but it didn't leave a lasting impression.

That being said, there were definitely some fun and cute elements (e.g. the atmosphere of the Christmas parties in a magical-sounding bookstore with ugly sweaters). The book was entertaining enough and I'm not sorry I picked it up, it just didn't quite meet my expectations.

I think I wanted to read this mostly because of the cover, it is just so pretty and festive. I couldn't resist it.
Unfortunately, this was not my "thing", but most other people likes it much more than me and it generally has some very nice reviews. Soooo it might just be my grumpy personality this time.

The story itself was cute. It's one of those with two friends whose friendship evolves them into being lovers. But like I wrote, not my "thing". I found it boring. Sorry.

I expected a completely different story when I read the title, saw the book cover and read the blurb. More of a small mystery. Instead I got a chick-lit, which wasn't bad at all. I love chick-lits, and this one was actually quite nice with a very likable main character. Some side characters are also quite nice, I especially liked Uncle Terence.

The author just should have edited her manuscript a bit better to avoid unnecessary repetitions. And she could have tried using a thesaurus so that she didn't have to use the same words and phrases, like for example "hot and bothered", again and again and again.
But apart from that it was a nice read, although the ending was a bit over the top cheesy.