I enjoyed "A Family by Christmas" by Viv Royce. It was a short, sweet read featuring a clean (kissing only) romance between likeable, well-developed main characters, Emma and Grant. This story will likely appeal to fans of Debbie Macomber's books as it seemed to me to have something of a similar feel.

I really liked that Grant and Emma took the time to become friends before their relationship turned into something more. I also appreciated how Grant doted on his adorable young daughter, Casey. His parents and sister were great secondary characters, and Grant was very lucky to have such a wonderful support system to help him care for Casey. It was lovely how the entire family welcomed Emma into the fold even before she and Grant became a couple.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

**My thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This was a sweet story based on Emma and Grant. Emma is a sweet woman who is a little bit too soft to be in business and Grant is a lovely man, who shrinks back a little on finding love again after his wife died.

It is Casey, Grants daughter, who brings the pair together, by trying to get him to fall in love with his teacher.

Its certainly a book to read wrapped up in front of a cosy fire, getting yourself ready for the festive period.

The closer we get to the holiday season, the more you'll want to read books like this heartfelt emotional romance. Just a nice story to get you in a Christmas-y mood.

If you are wanting a heartwarming Christmas read that will pull at your heart strings, this is the read for you. Viv Royce gives us a great read that will have you longing for the Christmas season and rooting for Emma and Grant. And of course, longing for some of Emma's bonbons. Lol

Emma is a young lady trying to start up a new business selling her bonbons. When a young girls comes into the shop to buy some bonbons for her dad because she knows that he loves them, Emma's heart melts. Emma quickly finds out that her name is Casey and she wants her dad to find love so he will smile again. Emma tells Casey that she will make her an order of bonbons and for her to pick them up the next day. When Casey leaves, Emma makes some of her best varieties to fill the order. Emma thinks that it is just the sweetest thing that Casey wants her dad to smile again but she also wonders what has happened for him to loose his smile.

Grant, a pilot, is in Wood Creek just for a little bit with his daughter Casey. After Grant tucks Casey in one night he goes to his study to find a special box of bonbons on his desk. When he tastes the bonbons he knows that he has to meet the person that made them. There are bonbons and then there are BONBONS. These are very special and the person that made them knows what they are doing. Grant remembers his mom mentioning that there was a new chocolate place opening in town so he finds the paper where she had seen the article so he can get the address of the new shop. Grant has no idea how Casey was able to get those for him.

Grant goes to Emma's shop the next day and inquires about his mysterious box of bonbons. When Emma tells him that Casey ordered them for him to fall in love with her teacher and be happy again, Grant seems to be embarrassed. Grant and Emma hit it off immediately though and things just click for them.

Emma puts up her guard again because she is from foster families and is used to everyone leaving her. Grant knows that he is supposed to only be staying in town for a short time and that is in the back of his mind. Will these two be able to pursue a relationship or will their plans and walls put a halt to that? You will have to read this sweet story to find out.

The story flows really well and the characters are so likeable. Great job with this one Viv Royce!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are my own. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

A family by Christmas was chocolaty sweet romance that revolved round Emma, Grant and his lovely family in small town. It was about new venture in small town, family, love, belongingness, following your heart and gut feeling.

Characters-
Emma was nice person who wanted to keep her customer happy and survive her business in new town. She was too gentle and generous but I liked her sentiments and outlook towards her business totally opposite of what she was taught. Her thoughts and feelings were realistic and heartfelt. I loved her even more for selflessness.

Grant was her polar opposite. While Emma was cautious by nature, loved her sanctum of shop and home, Grant loved freedom, life-risking adventure and his old pilot job. He was caring and lively person. His feelings for his daughter was lovely.

Casey the little girl of Grant was sweet adorable child. All side characters were nice and supportive.

What I liked-
Writing was great, east to follow and atmospheric. Setting was vivid filled with Christmas spirit that gave festive touch to the story. I loved Emma’s shop, Wood Creek town, Galloway nursery and Christmas fair. The story was third person narrative from Emma and Grant’s perspective. It worked nicely here giving the parallel view of their thoughts and feelings.

It started with a little girl trotting in Emma’s Chocolate Shop placing a cute special order for her daddy. She wanted Emma to make chocolates that help her dad, Grant, fall in love with her teacher. On receiving such delicious chocolate gift, Grant was curious why owner of the chocolate shop was giving it away and so he visited her shop. He wanted Emma to befriend Casey, spend Christmas with her so she can build bond with new people, come out of her shell and enjoy Christmas before they live the town when he get new job. Emma was hesitant at first but she loved Casey and didn’t want to spend Christmas alone. But could she stop the feeling that has started growing after meeting Grant? Can she save herself from heartbreak when both Grant and Casey left the town?

Both had one thought, enjoy it and have fun till it lasts but as they spent more time with each other, friendship turned into deep feelings and blossoming love. It complicated their situation. Emma wanted to stay while Grant wanted to leave on first opportunity. I was curious to see when he will realize his true feeling for Emma and what he will decide after that and will Casey agree to leave her grandparents and Emma with whom she was attached now and have formed strong bond.

Emma’s loneliness being a foster kid touched my heart. It was admirable to see her standing on her own feet, running a shop by heart with so much love and dedication. I was happy for her when she got connected with Grant’s family and all the support she got from town and other shop owners. I knew it will be her best Christmas this time. I liked her attitude and the way she handled her feelings not spoiling new formed bond with Grant’s family. I loved her even more for her selfless advises even though it hurt her.

I liked Grant’s perspective. I could understand Grant’s dream and wish to get job after getting over his loss. It looked like selfishness from certain view but I didn’t feel so. Everybody needs to live for themselves, for something that make them happy and flying was his need and happiness. But I liked him for thinking about his daughter at the same time. His dilemma was realistic.

I loved getting answers to all questions. I liked the message in the book about, trusting your feelings and working out a way that is best for everyone not what you want and your family wants. End was sweet and filed with happiness.

Why 4 stars-
No villain, no drama, no misunderstandings that equals to no twist which made it a tad predictable.

Overall, I enjoyed this family by Christmas. It was charming, cozy, and delightful Christmas read filled with festive feel. Do I recommend this for your Christmas reads? Righto.

a lovely holiday read that's guaranteed to give you warm fuzzies, a family by christmas finds emma and grant brought together by casey, grant's young daughter who wants her dad to find happiness again.

both emma and grant have their reasons for not wanting to risk love again, but with casey's machinations and some christmas joy, it's hard to say no to love.

if you're looking for a quick read full of warm fuzzies, this is just the thing.

**a family by christmas will publish on october 14, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (bliss) in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars

A family by Christmas by Viv Royce is a sweet and entertaining holiday read.
I enjoyed the storyline and I enjoyed watching Emma and Grant come together.

Overall A Family by Christmas is a lovely read and I highly recommend it.

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC*

A cosy Christmas story that will leave a delightful, sweet taste in your mouth! I saw a review that said A Family by Christmas was like a Hallmark movie in print form and I absolutely agree with this! It was like a perfect little ready for a cosy night in. Perfect for when you're craving a little Christmas miracle in your life!!

A FAMILY BY CHRISTMAS is sure to warm your heart this holiday season, and one little girl will certainly steal hearts and scenes throughout this story. Really, everything you need to know before picking up this Christmas Romance is in the Cover Description. The only thing you won’t learn from there is the depth of the emotions that are going to grab your heart and not let go until the final page.

Emma and Grant both have valid reasons for not risking their hearts again even though each is lonely in their own fashion. One charming little girl who wishes for her Dad to find love and happiness again will bring two strangers together perhaps to take a risk once again. Yes, there are a few bumps along their road to happiness but nothing huge enough to get in the way of their growing love for each other and for Casey. This is a quick read, one that kept a smile on my face throughout. I completely enjoyed this world and sincerely hope there will be more to come from the small town of Wood Creek. If you’re in the mood for some Christmas magic, two people who seem meant for each other, a charming town and one determined little girl who will steal your heart – then you need to pick up A FAMILY BY CHRISTMAS right now. I had such a good time in this world and believe you will, too.

*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.*

I just really enjoyed this book. It was just really easy to get lost in this book. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

A sweet holiday read about a former foster child trying to find a place to call home. Emma has opened up a bonbon shop in a small town & is hoping to set her roots & establish herself. A young girl named Casey comes into her shop looking for help making her father happy again. As Emma is drawn closer into the family, she begins to fall in love.

Grant Galloway moved back home to give his daughter some stability after his wife died. Helping run his family’s Christmas tree farm isn’t what he plans on doing for long. He was a pilot & really wants to get back in a plane. He didn’t plan on falling in love either, until he met Emma.

I really enjoyed this story. It’s perfect for the Christmas season. The gradual build up from friendship to romance. Emma looking for family & connections. The young girl wanting her father to be “happy” again. The family hoping he stays this time. A connection was built from the time Casey made her request to Emma & it kept me involved to the end.

I read this book really quickly, but unfortunately, it wasn't my favorite.

I loved seeing the daughter in this story being an active role in the story, which is something I don't see very often, but I didn't feel the romance. It felt very rushed and like there wasn't really much of a connection between the characters. There could have been if there was more time, but it all felt very rushed.

The writing wasn't something I connected with, either. I don't know if it was the "accent" in the writing or what, but there were times I was taken out of the story because of how things were worded.

I'm grateful for receiving this book, but it just wasn't for me.

‘Tis the season…for sweet Christmas romances! Yes, I’m one of those people that love sweet Christmas themed stories. I mostly love them this time of year, but if I’m being honest, I could read them all year long and never get tired of them! So I guess that’s your warning if you hate holiday books that would play out wonderfully on the Hallmark movie channel. You’ll be seeing a few more reviews from me on these types of books.

Emma is a product of the foster care system. Her story was better than most foster kids have, but she’s still all alone in the world. But she’s got her little shop on Heart Street that she’s been dreaming of for what seems like forever. And now, she’s been given a mission by an adorable angel named Casey. Casey only wants to make her Daddy happy again. Grant (Casey’s dad) felt like his world was ripped out from under him when his wife died, so he brought Casey home to his parents’ house and they’ve been working on rebuilding their relationship and their lives as a unit of two instead of three. Will Casey’s plan work or does Grant have one of his own that will take them far away from Emma…for good?

NICUnurse’s Rating: I liked this story because it has all the great holiday-themed elements that I love. A quaint small town, nice people who support each other (most of them, anyway), and a sweet love story. And characters that are growing, learning, and accepting. I felt it might have been a little heavy on the internal dialogue versus the actual interaction by the main characters, but as this is the first time I’ve read this author’s work, it might just be how she writes. I would loved to have seen Emma and Grant talk more about their budding relationship than having it mostly in their heads, though. All in all, I liked the story and would give her books another shot for sure.

I give A Family by Christmas by Viv Royce 3.75 stars.

Emma and Grant are as sweet as the candy in Emma's shop. This has all the good feels like a Hallmark movie and plays as one in my mind as I read. Casey is a sweet heart who forms an immediate bond with Emma. And they work on helping Grant, Casey's dad, find happiness. I loved the family aspect and dynamic of this book. It was such a fabulous and loving focus that just warms your heart. Emma and Grant worked so well together. He wanted to take care of Emma and she reassured him in his fatherly role. What a very lovely story with a perfect ending!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

In A Family by Christmas we meet Emma, a chocolatier who has just started a new business in the little town of Wood Creek. Then on one particular day Emma finds herself right in the middle of a little girl’s romantic plans for her dad. Casey is determined her dad Grant will fall in love with her teacher and that Emma’s bon bons will do the trick.

A Family by Christmas is quite a short story and one that moves at a lovely pace as you see Emma spend more time with her new found friends. It all made for an engaging and sweet story helping to create a cosy feel when reading. Emma has quite a sad back story, one that contrasts in some ways but also has similarities with Casey and Grant’s. This all made me hope that they could get their happy ever after. Even though this book is set at Christmas for the most part it isn’t too overpowering. So if you are in a Grinch like mood it shouldn’t bother you too much! The festive spirit just adds an extra magical layer to the plot as you see this small town prepare for Christmas along with the families that live there. I love books set in locations like this as you get a real community spirit along with a homely, warm and comforting feeling throughout.

A cosy Christmas story with chocolate, family and romance at its heart!

This was a sweet tale. How do you go wrong with Chocolate and little kids with Christmas. It took a while to get to the romance but it seemed secondary to the story.

A Family by Christmas ia a delightful read. It is a sweet Christmas story. I truly enjoyed all the characters. It was well written and it has a really good storyline. I look forward to reading more stories by this author.
I read and reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are of my own. Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for letting me read this book.

Honestly, it just wasn’t for me. I skimmed it after the first few chapters, thinking maybe it was just a bit too slow at the beginning. But that wasn’t the issue, it just was too syrupy and didn’t hold my attention. I never finished it.
I won’t be putting reviews up anywhere, as I think the problem was that I personally didn’t like it, not that it was a bad book in general.

3.5/5 stars

Clean, short and sweet story. It was an ok read for me. I like my books with a little heat so that was a bit of a letdown for me. The story was good. It was like a Hallmark movie in print form. If that is what you like, then this will be the perfect book for you. It just wasn’t for me.

The characters in A Family by Christmas were delightful! A young woman, just starting out on her dream after years in and out of foster care. A newly widowed father, trying to give his daughter a magical Christmas and a little girl who only wants her dad to fall in love and be happy. This was a quick, clean read with lovable side characters and little conflict. I am looking forward to reading more in this series!