After a bad breakup, Nina travels to the picturesque French village of Chamillon to spend time at her family's cafe and to focus on her new career as a travel blogger. Romance is the last thing on her mind, but that doesn't stop her aunt Dolly from trying to set her up with her cousin Charlie's best friend Ryan, who is also going through a tough breakup. But will Dolly's matchmaking tricks actually work, given that Nina and Ryan don't like each other very much? I'll Be Home for Christmas is a charming, heartwarming Christmas story, full of humor, romance, and heartfelt family relationships. Karen Clarke is a fantastic writer. I could easily picture the gorgeous winter setting, and could almost smell the delicious pastries at the cafe. Nina was a witty and relatable main character. Her flirty and awkward interactions with Ryan made me laugh out loud a couple of times. They were perfect for each other and I loved their slow-burn romance. Nina's strong bond with her family just added to the warm and fuzzy feeling of the story. I can't wait to read the other books in the series and spend more time with Nina's wonderful family. This is the perfect Christmas romance and I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Surprises included
The author of multiple books Karen Clarke presents "I'll Be Home for Christmas. A heart-warming, feel-good romantic comedy", published by Bookouture. Nina decides to spent Christmas away from the place and reminders of her cancelled wedding and the death of her grandmother in England. Her stay on a French island is supposed to help her getting her travel block off the ground while visiting her aunt Molly and her cousin Charlie. Her meeting of Ryan is coupled with surprises and misunderstandings. The fact that Molly likes to play cupid becomes obvious, will it lead to a relationship of Nina and Ryan? And will Nina ever get her travel blog started or will something else be her occupation considering the fact that she has a knack for reorganizing people's rooms in the village?
This as the first book of Karen Clarke which I read. I highly recommend it since it has nice, believable characters that are well developed. The mysterious twists and turns keep the story interesting. It is funny how things turn out. This great relaxing read is indeed a really heart-warming and feel-good story.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#IllBeHomeForChristmas #NetGalley

❄Nina, What are You doing here?! It's time to decide!
4.5🌟stars
👍👍Another wonderful feel-good romance from Karen Clarke, this time steeped in the sentiments and trappings of Christmas!🎁

👥Author Karen Clarke has returned to her friendly French island getaway for another warm-hearted tale about a young British woman at a crossroads. Dolly the British expat baker is in full matchmaker mode, arranging scenarios that bring her visiting niece Nina, recently disappointed in love, mourning her dear grandmother's death and at a loose end professionally, in close proximity with a writer friend of the family who's had his own relationship issues. Their story is initially confrontational, at times whimsically amusing, and romantic.

📝Clarke adds a touch of suspense and anticipation when Nina accidentally discovers some yellowed letters that were written by her great grandmother. I really enjoyed this added touch, though the reveal of the final element that resolved the mystery was a bit of a letdown, not really as dramatic or emotional as I had expected.

A crew of secondary characters are quirky and distinct, from crotchety baker Mathilde, to Margo the sci-fi romance writer, to covert lovers Gerard and Madame Bisset and their irrepressible pets Hamish and Delphine. For me, greedy guts Hamish has one of the best scenes in the book thanks to a stealth visit to the cafe kitchen. A definite LOL moment not quickly forgotten!😆

There's also some high drama as a principal character disappears under disquieting circumstances, and soul searching as Nina struggles to decide whither to go in her next career move. 🤔

Whew! A lot going on, including a bit of chaos in the cafe, but the pages flew! I am now looking forward to Clarke's next work😊

Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

We are back in France where normally we can bask in the sun, but this year the snow has found its way to treat the people to a white Christmas.

It's not because it's freezing outside that the atmosphere has changed. The communtiy is still warm and they still do anything to help each other out. And why not do a little bit of matchmaking as well, because love sure is one of the warmest feelings.

There is a saying : There's no such thing as coincidence, but you can create coincidences in order to make your plan work.

Home is often synonym of a house, but the word is much more than that. You are home when you are with the people love and geography has got nothing to do with it.

A lovey, heartwarming story with lots of little jokes created by the author due to words getting lost in translation. 5 stars.

Thank you, Karen Clarke and Bookouture (via Netgalley)

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book. It's the third book in the Little French Cafe series but all three books can be read as standalones.

This book follows Nina, who comes to visit her Aunt Dollie and her cousin Charlie. Dolly owns a little cafe in Chamillon, a lovely little French village. Nina wants to escape Christmas this year due to breaking off her engagement. I liked Nina. She's not afraid to stand up for herself but she often jumps to the wrong conclusions.

Also looking to escape is Charlie's best friend Ryan. Ryan also recently broke off an engagement and has come to Chamillon to try to write his second book. Ryan has severe writer's block. I instantly like Ryan. I thought he was funny and a bit of a cheeky chappie.

Aunt Dolly tries her best to matchmake these two despite their pasts. It's clear from the beginning that these two were made for each other but I enjoyed Dolly's matchmaking efforts. Aunt Dolly is a little devious at times but she does have the best intentions at heart.

This book has a slow build-up and is full of embarrassing moments followed by some really romantic scenes. This book is perfect for snuggling up under a blanket with a hot drink. It has a real festive feel to it.

A lovely light hearted seasonal read. It’s full of lovely characters, a heartwarming tale and just the right amount of tension between the leads. Not much drama, but lots of humour and warmth

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

“I’ll be Home for Christmas” is a funny tale of finding oneself, the importance of family, and a bit of romance. The beautiful setting makes me wish for a trip to France. This is the first book I have read by by Karen Clarke, but it won’t be my last!

This book is the 3rd book in the Little French cafe books. I have read all of the series so far, and in my opinion the series gets better with each book. If you haven't read the other books yet you can still enjoy this as a standalone novel.
This book features Dolly, the owner of the cafe, and her lovely Son Charlie. A lot of the previous quirky characters also appear in this book, and it is good that we get to know some of them a lot more.
Nina is Dolly's Niece, who is trying to escape from Christmas this year. She has lost her beloved Grandmother, and also called off her wedding. She is not feeling very festive at all, and decides to visit her Aunt in the South of France. Unfortunately for her, Christmas celebrations are in full swing. She also finds out that she is not the only guest, and her Aunt is doing her best to matchmake.
This book is so easy to read and lighthearted. It certainly has a feel-good factor, and made me smile. It is a little predictable in places but it is still enjoyable and entertaining,a good book to read and relax with. A lovely festive book to curl up with.
I hope that there will be more books in this series. Karen Clarke is great at writing series, and they are always in nice locations.I am looking forward to reading more books by her.

I'll Be Home for Christmas by Karen Clarke is a wonderful Christmas love story, I absolutely loved this book, And will be reading more books by this author. This book is hilarious and fun, I found myself laughing out loud several times. The characters and plot are well developed, and I could not put this book down. I would love to read more books with these characters. I strongly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

Enjoyable read and made me wish to visit the cafe in France. Likeable real characters who make you care what happens to them. All round good read

Another fabulous Christmas story from Karen Clarke, So festive and cosy to read. I loved Nina as a character and I felt myself really wanting the best for her throughout. This is definitely a story I will be re reading this Christmas time. I've already preordered a physical copy to keep on my shelf!

I love Christmas book season!!! What a fun and sweet book to start my season reading with. The romance actually seems secondary to all the fun and quirky characters in this little French town. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so it was a treat to find out a special Christmas book was added to the series. I'll definitely be reading more books from this author!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC for a fair and honest review.

A feel-good, cozy Christmas rom-com that is sure to bring laughter and joy. After getting her heart shredded and coming upon her cancelled Christmas wedding, Nina decides to get away to her aunt Dolly’s café for an attempt at her new career choice, travel blogging. The problem is, she’s not very committed to this, and comically, not very good either. She is good at organizing other people’s clutter though and quickly earns a place in this small community. Her aunt Dolly is good at organizing other people’s lives, aka matchmaking, and Nina is repeatedly thrown into Ryan’s path. After a rocky, and very comical start, reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, Nina and Ryan both find a place to call home for Christmas.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.*

It’s been a bad patch for Nina: calling off her wedding to a cheating fiancé and then losing her beloved grandmother shortly after – everything is conspiring to make her idea of escaping Christmas and going to her aunt Dolly’s house for the season the best idea she’s had in ages. The French don’t go ‘overboard’ with Christmas, and she’s expecting a quiet time away from carols, tinsel, forced jollity and a chance to start her life off in a new direction with a travel blog. It’s just that Nina hates to fly, doesn’t really travel, and Aunt Dolly and her cousin Charlie are ‘All In” with a very British Christmas that includes holiday sweaters, music and a blow-up Santa. It all contrasts nicely with the unusual weather and snow – not a common site in the little village.

Things are even more complicated with Charlie’s best friend Ryan being in the mix – there to recover and regroup after his own engagement exploded spectacularly during his groom’s weekend – and his need to be away and out of contact with his ex. OH – and he’s got a deadline for his second novel which isn’t going well, and neither he nor Nina are expecting company in the little flat above the café. With a wonderfully funny introduction involving a koala onesie and spilled milk, Nina’s need to ‘tidy’ rooms and rearrange them to show them at their best, plenty of ‘matchmaking’ from Aunt Dolly, a disastrous miscommunication between Nina and Ryan, and the surprise appearance of both his ex and letters written by her grandmother that open a whole Pandora’s box of questions – the story is funny, sad, poignant and shows Dolly at her matchmaking best – pushing the two together at every opportunity.

Chamillion presents itself as a lovely ‘French tinged’ village, with many of the ex-pat Brits fitting in nicely and making their own little home in the town. With plenty of returning characters from the Little French Café series, we see a book launch, the return of Charlie’s girlfriend Elle, Dolly in her new married life and Hamish the Scottie dog with his owner Gerard. Answers to the questions that both Dolly and Nina’s mother had about their own mother’s life and loves, Nina finding a new start for her own love life and career, and a lovely moment to see the Northern Lights in the epilogue, the story works as both a continuation of the series or as a stand-alone, as the romance and holiday feel combine to bring healing and happiness to characters and readers alike.

I received an eArc copy of the title via NetGalley from the publisher for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-axy/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

First, I want to thank Karen Clarke, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with this book.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a Heartwarming, Feel-good Romantic Comedy by Karen Clarke. I am a huge fan of Christmas, being with family, watching Christmas movies on Hallmark and curling up on the couch with a nice hot cup of tea and a great Christmas book like Karen’s. As long as she doesn’t jinx the Buffalo, NY snow I will be happy!!

The cover of this book reminded me of looking into a snow globe and seeing the miniature scenery with people. Snow coming down all around it. It was a very cute and picturesque cover with the title placed just right. Well done to the graphic designer.

Immediately, Karen put a big grin on my face with an adorable little girl wanting hot coco and a huge piece of cake in the café she entered with her Mom. It was the way she asked for it just melted my heart! Plus, her name was Holly. It was just so fitting for the time of year.

My heart went out to Nina as she lost her gran 6 months ago. Plus, she and her boyfriend Scott had just broken up. I didn’t blame her for not feeling in the festive mood to celebrate Christmas this year.

Many times, in this book Karen had me cracking up laughing hysterically! Many Christmas books don’t have that effect on me! I was quite shocked! I now know what a Heartbreak Haircut is.

I loved how Charlie met his new girlfriend Elle (who looked like Marilynn Monroe). It was such a unique way that you never hear of in any other story. Kudos to Karen for thinking outside of the box for that one.

I loved the twist in this story that Nina didn’t know about until Charlie told her! This was a brilliant storyline!!
I loved how Ryan was the famous R.A. Sadler who wrote The Midnight Hour!! It was so exciting when Nina found out that tidbit of information! I would be fangirling too!!

I loved how Nina had a travel blog.

I enjoyed this fun, Christmassy read. Not only did it have family, self-discovery and romance, there were also several very amusing scenes that made me chuckle. Perfect for a gentle Christmas escape.

I don’t quite understand why it’s called I’ll be home for Christmas, as no one goes home for Christmas.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nina has called off her wedding and effectively killed her gran so she's cancelling Christmas and instead will spend it in her Aunt Dolly's cafe in Chamillon.

She arrives in a snowy Chamillon to her aunt's cafe looking like a santa's grotto and to make it even worse her cousin Charlie's good looking friend Ryan, who has also called off his wedding, has also come to stay! Can her Aunt Dolly's schemes make this a christmas for them both to remember?

There are a few slight twists and turns but of course you know where the book is headed It's a great quick read with a lot of humour thrown in and the description of the cafe and Chamillon makes you want to get on a plane and join them..

All the characters are well written right down to Hamish the dog! and you come away from the book with a warm fuzzy feeling and a smile on your face.

Thank you to Net Galley and Bookouture for the ARC.

Perfect little feel good read for the holidays. It was a quick read, light, breezy romance. Characters were charmingly delightful

This was a lovely, warm Christmas story full of family. There were a number of laugh out loud moments that put a smile on my face. A good HEA ending that I was afraid wasn't going to happen.

This book was gifted to me by the author and NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Koalas and a handsome man. What more do you need in a Christmas Story. Have fun reading this one. Lots of laughs and a little holiday romance.