Member Reviews
This was a heart warming and enjoyable festive read. I really like the characters and I think it was so good that the main characters found each other and made each other happy. Its lovely to have a happy ending for them both. I wonder whether Connor and his new wife will be happy aswell... maybe that can be another book.
This is a lovely feel good Christmas book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it,and was immersed from beginning to end. It’s just what I needed to read at this difficult time as it is a perfect form of escapism and a lovely story. Looking forward to the next book by Phillipa.
fun light Christmas story. Great characters and setting. Sweet. as are all of this author's books! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher!
So well written by Phillipa and a wonderful storyline as well. Loved, loved loved this, sad in places, happy in others with a surprise nearer the end. The health parts are very well dealt with making for a wonderful read. This is a 5 star book, wish it could have been 10 as it is well worth it. Phillipa's writing gets better with every novel and I am sure you will be very happy to read this, I didn't want it to end.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC in return for an honest review.
A fantastic Christmas read full of twists and turns at every corner. This book made me laugh, cry, gasp - you name it!
Lottie is the new events manager for Firholme a beautiful Lake District estate. It's her dream job made even better by the arrival of Jay the handsome estate manager. Will all this be ruined when her ex-fiancé Connor turns up with his new demanding fiancée Keegan looking to book a last minute Christmas wedding?
This is a nice, quick read which fills you with Christmas spirit. The characters are all well written and Firholme sounds like an enchanting place. You find yourself really rooting for Lottie and Jay.
Thank you to Net Galley and Avon for the ARC.
If you are looking for a Christmas book with a little more depth, then this is one for you. On the surface of the story, it's lovely and Christmassy, but within it there are characters dealing with real life situations that some readers will really connect with. Having said that, it's not doom & gloom, quite the opposite. I really loved this book and can heartily recommend it.
This book just goes on too slow for my taste. I just got bored throughout the whole reading experience waiting for something to happen. I also think there's a lot of unnecessary scenes to the story that can be cut out to have a more concise and engaging story to read. I still think other readers will like this more than I do.
I do love a good Christmas story filled with happiness, the reason for the season, and all the goodness Christmas can bring. This had all of it. It also read rather slow for me at times. The keeping secrets and outright lying because Lottie's X was a douche, took up way too much of the book. For years I've read that scenario and it always causes very predictable problems. Both Jay and Lottie had been burned, but neither faced their part in what was just not meant to be. I didn’t connect with their own romance so much, they were too busy with their jobs and their own issues. I thought it had a good start, but outside forces can be a big pain. Even lovable Trevor had impeccable timing--NOT LoL.
Lottie's sister, Steph, and her girls needed their own book with all the ups and downs. The twins were adorable, really, the school play was an added plus, and a twist in the road of Jay's bah humbug attitude.
I do wish that gorgeous wedding would've been Jay and Lottie's, though it was still awesome and she handled every altercation beautifully, no matter whose it was.
The area was well described and sounded like a beautiful winter wonderland.
I'm happy to have read it and thank the publisher, thru Netgalley, for providing a copy. These are all my own thoughts and opinions willingly written out
Who loves a good awkward scenario? This book has a few noooo moments, poor Lottie, ugh Connor. Lottie is a hardworking event planner with a great relationship and her career is going great. Her partner Connor just proposed then suddenly 3 days later rescinds and moves out, the day after her sister tells her she has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. Ok this is the prologue to where we start the book basically.
A year later, her sister is hopefully in remission. She's at a new estate as a wedding/event planner closer to her hometown. She also seems to be interested in the new groundskeeper, Jay and the feelings are mutual. They need a wedding before Christmas to get some revenue and in walks her former partner with a gorgeous young woman looking for a venue to get married quickly. Ok back up... what?! Oh they just hit it off after a month have moved in and after 6 months are getting married. But he lived with Lottie for 2 years and just bailed after proposing. (I get that people don't fit but wow proposing after living together for 2 years is not sudden in my thinking.) He seems mortified that Lottie is the wedding planner but doesnt let on that he knows her other than childhood friends. And he just let's the fiancee move ahead with this horrid plan or having his ex plan his wedding. I mean what worse hell could there be for the person broken up with? What will happen once his fiancee finds out who she really is? I am halfway through the book which is usually when I start the reviews and I usually post what I have come up with since I can't tell you how things have resolved, where's the fun in that? Ok and I really can't tell you anything past halfway you have to trust me its worth the read! Man it gets juicy!
Jay seems to have a lot of messy family dynamics as well that are pretty horrible for him. Maybe Lottie and Jay can help each other move on and heal. Also, Jay looks like Jon Snow? Yes please!
Also, Edwardian parties, reindeer, snow, drunken sisters (that would have been me for sure!), and Christmas tree centers to say the least.
Thank you Net Galley and Avon Books for the arc copy for my honest review.
What a lovely heartwarming Christmas romance with wonderful characters.
Both Lottie and Jay have suffered heartbreak and trying times over the last year so both have trust issues. As the story unfolds it's clear they have feelings for each other but will they take the chance on finding love again?
Lottie works as an events manager and has to plan a Christmas wedding, which is by no means an easy task.
The pace of the story is perfect and I really warmed to the characters. The descriptive writing made me visualise each scene as though I really was there.
I would highly recommend this as a gift for anyone who loves a Christmas romance. You won't be disappointed!
Thank you to netgalley, the publishers and the author for an advance copy. Loved every page!
A heartwarming christmas read.
Lottie is surprised by an unexpected proposal from her partner and then is devasted three days later when he calls it off and she also discovers her sister is ill.
Fast forward one year and in her new job Lottie has to organise her ex's wedding to his new fiance. The story follows her as she arranges the wedding and her new developing relationship with neighbour & co worker Jay.
A lovely romantic Christmas story of 2 people who’ve been hurt and lost trust in love but find each other and find the ability to trust again, with a few complications on the way. Perfect Seasonal reading.
This was a proper Christmas novel, perfect for reading on a dark night next to a fire. The main character Lottie is a wedding planner and I really enjoyed the emotional journey she goes on throughout the book. She’s likeable and relatable and throughout I was rooting for her. The relationships she has are lovely, particularly those with her sister and nieces. The storyline moves quickly enough, and along the way there are some beautiful, Christmassy scenes that had me ready for December in October! I’m now looking forward to Christmas tree farms, nativities and Christmas dinner. I’d recommend this festive treat.
Thanks to netgalley, the author and publishers for gifting me this this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.
Phillipa Ashley is one of my favourite authors and I couldn't wait to read it.
This book started in Cornwall as usual but then went to the Lake District.
I loved the relationship between Lottie and Jay and just wanted them to get together. This is a perfect Christmas book which has got everything you would want and more. Can't wait for Phillipa's next book..
A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Avon and Netgalley.
Lottie’s fiance, Connor, walked out on her less than a week into their engagement. Since then she has worked at rebuilding her life with a new job of events planner at Firholme. For the first wedding at Firholme, Lottie has the challenge of arranging Keegan’s dream wedding at short notice. Lottie must overcome the issue of Connor being the groom.
Jay is also trying to escape from a breakup and a family betrayal. Can Lottie help Jay to recover in time for Christmas.
I loved the way that Phillipa developed the relationships through this book. With all of the detail that goes into describing Firholme and the Christmas tree farm, Ashley has set the perfect Christmas scene.
Having never read a book by Phillipa Ashley, I was greatly surprised by this story and will be on the lookout for more.
Rating: 5/5
Reading this book has made me consider having a real Christmas tree this year
A delightful, festive read. I fell in love with the stunning location, makes me want to visit the Lake District. Full of festive cheer, heartache, family, and a loveable dog called Trevor. Makes you appreciate what you have. Just wanted to hug my family after reading this. A perfect festive escape.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I’ve been on a bit of a Christmas book kick over the last couple weeks. I love going into them knowing that in spite of all the drama and chaos, there will always be a happy ending. Especially now, in this crazy year of 2020, I feel like it’s important to have that hopeful bit of predictability. This book did not disappoint.
This was 3.5⭐️’s of super cute, the world is still an amazing place, assurance. I really liked it.
Honestly, there was nothing over the top or surprising about this hence the 3 stars, but it was still great.
A year after a confusing break up, family health issues and switching to a new job, Lottie finds herself planning her ex’s extravagant Christmas wedding. Drama galore! Exactly what you expect from a book like this.
The writing flowed really well and the story development was well done, if a bit slow at times. I especially enjoyed all the Christmas activities throughout. It really got me into the holiday spirit. I kind of wish it was December, so I could participate in similar events.
I really enjoyed the secondary characters. I did find the story revolved around them more than it did the 2 main characters and that confused me a bit. I was also knocked off track when the point of view would randomly change to Jay’s. It wasn’t done very often, and I felt like it messed up the flow more than it added anything notable to the story. We would have had a little more mystery if we never had any site into Jay’s thoughts.
Overall, this was wonderful. The ending was what really got me. I found myself grinning as I read how they settled the issues in the hours leading up to the wedding. It was delightful and as I said, I was exceedingly satisfied with the happily ever after.
Thank you NetGalley, Phillipa Ashley and Avon Books UK for a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
A fun read with a great Christmas story. It has very relatable characters with real feelings which draw you into to their lives. The ending was inevitable but very sweet.
Christmas magic. The Lake District during Christmas with delightful characters. Real life hurts that require real forgiveness are the draw to this sweet tale of hope and love. One thing I love about Phillipa Ashley’s stories is the importance of family and how they surround each other during difficult times. While some parts are thoroughly predictable, that is exactly what kept me hanging on. I wanted to reach the conclusion of a happily ever after and this did not disappoint. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own, freely given.