A new Phillipa Ashley novel is always a reason for joy. A Phillipa Ashley Christmas novel is even better. But set it in the Lake District – the wonderful Northern Lakes no less, and it because an absolute Christmas treat.

Lottie has landed a new job at a posh country hotel, following a break-up. Her next door neighbour is Estates manager Jay, who is also new to the area. When Lottie is asked to arrange a surprise wedding the week before Christmas, it’s all hands on deck.

The book has everything you would wish for – engaging characters, beautiful scenery, cute kids and even a lovable Labrador. There’s a Christmas market in Keswick, my favourite Lake District town and a couple of excellently-written sub-plots.

This is definitely a book for snuggling down with – grab a mug of hot chocolate and get yourself into the Christmas spirit!

This is a lovely feel good book - perfect for a Sunday afternoon in front of a roaring fire. Yes it’s predictable but who doesn’t enjoy a good love story? Lots of laughs along the way to Lottie’s happily ever after! With thanks to netgalley for an arc in return for my honest feedback.

Last Christmas was miserable for Lottie; her fiancé had broken off their engagement after just three days, without a proper explanation, and her sister was very ill.

In the meantime, Lottie has landed her dream job as an events organiser at a beautiful stately home. Everything is going so well, until she starts organising a forthcoming wedding….and discovers that the groom-to-be is her ex!

Then there’s Jay, her new neighbour and work colleague.

Maybe this Christmas will be better than last year’s after all!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Not the story I was expecting - I thought the heroine would get a surprise wedding! What joyous, lighthearted, uplifting story.

There are some great Christmas stories around this year and this one should be on your list. Great characters, a really engaging storyline and a delightful conclusion. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

I simply love everything Phillipa Ashley writes , this book didn’t disappoint me, another 5 star heartwarming read from a fabulous author. Set in the Lake District during Christmas how much more fabulously seasonal could you want. A story full of emotion, about love, loss, forgiveness, family and what’s truly important in life. This book will really get you in the mood for Christmas and even if you were the ice queen this book will melt you. Fantastic seasonal romance

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

Set in the beautiful Lake District at Christmas this has everything you need in a festive read. Snow, romance, secrets and reindeer!

A beautifully written book by author Phillipa Ashley, the story had me loving the characters. The story of their lives livened up my day and took me far away from reality. The writing had the power over me to make me feel happy and warm reading it.
The characters were real where both had been hurt and betrayed. It was wonderful to connect with them as it reflected my life in some ways. Seeing them finding hope and gravitate toward each other filled me with joy. When an adorable canine was added to the midst, it was one sweet story that captured my heart completely.
Overall, a wonderful sweet read.

You know, I think this one is on me, because I didn't like the premise of this book, but I read it anyway. I wasn't really into the story, the writing didn't connect to me. It felt kind of repetitive at times.

The narrative made me feel so distant from the characters, they felt flat for me. I think the third person here did not work for this book, in my opinion. I couldn't connect to any of the characters, I could not care for the drama.

However, I did like the description of the place. It felt so real to me I actually googled it. And Jay and Lottie had a nice journey, their bantering and eventual relationship were cute, though I do wish there wasn't the whole Connor and Nadia drama surrounding them. The family aspect was also cute, it had me emotional at some points.

At last, I didn't really feel the Christmas-y cosy vibe until the very end of it.

I think this might sound a little bitter... I do think people can enjoy this! It just wasn't my type of book, after all.

I enjoyed this book. I loved Lottie and Steph and her twins. Jay grew on me. He had a lot of hidden issues that came out gradually. Connor and Keegan deserve what ever happens to them. Keegan is just spoiled and you will see what I mean about Connor. It was heartwarming that Jay learned to let go of hurts and reunite with his family. All and all a good story

Another lovely book from Phillipa Ashley. I really enjoy her writing, and find her stories uplifting and heartwarming. This one didn't disappoint.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me an early look at this lovely book in exchange for an honest review.

A suprise Christmas wedding has more suprises in-store than the wedding itself when exes resurface, mis-communication, hearts and trust are broken, mishaps and set backs happen.

Join Lottie, the events co-ordinatior for Firholme estate wants to offer the best wedding possible in the run up to the Christmas season. Enter her ex Connor, the groom and the man who broke her heart the year before.

Set within the Lake District take a winter walk in the countryside as the festive season approaches.

I liked the complex issues with the characters and the various stories which are interwoven. Take Lottie and Jay both feeling the sting of past heartbreaks, Lottie's sister Steph and her cancer journey and the bride who wants the perfect day, plus the dynamic of family relationships.

A Surprise Christmas Wedding by Phillipa Ashley is a most delightful contemporary novel that will make you feel festive.
The novel is set in the Lake District in the lead up to Christmas. Phillipa Ashley has perfectly captured the scene as we ‘walk’ through woods near Keswick. Her characters are wonderfully drawn, warm and welcoming. The reader really feels included in the novel.
We witness the importance of family – family that is there to support you through thick and thin. When cracks appear in relationships, they need to be mended because family is what really matters – from the oldest to the youngest – including a dog called Trevor and a wonderful pair of five year old twins who will delight the reader. Their mannerisms have been perfectly captured by the author.
As well as the festive season approaching, there is a wedding to plan – interestingly on 19th December, the same day as our daughter’s anniversary – so I could really envisage the Christmas wedding. An overnight snowfall adds an interesting twist.
Hearts have been broken and trust eroded but bitterness will destroy us from the inside out. We need to take a chance and learn to live and love and trust again.
I adored A Surprise Christmas Wedding. I could not put it down. Phillipa Ashley created a wonderful read. I cannot wait to read more by her.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

I have never read a novel by Phillips Ashley and now I wonder why not! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this seasonal story about Lottie and her heartbreak after a split with Connor. An new job and a new start sounds just what she needs until she comes face to face with Connor as he turns up at her workplace where Lottie is now a wedding planner.
Full of emotion and seasonal vibes makes this a lovely book
Thanks to #NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review

Another great book from Phillipa. Although a bit cheesy in places what a fantastic book to be reading at the moment. Two people both having had bad experiences in the love department meet and as they shed their baggage fall in love. Amidst this is the planning of a Christmas wedding. Easy to read, loveable characters so sit down with a glass of something and off you go. Thanks Phillipa and NetGalley

A seasonal tale of hope after loss; love and forgiveness; health before everything.
Lottie and Jay meet at the Firholme Estate where they both found new beginnings after being hurt in previous relationships. Lottie did not envisage her new job would be planning the wedding of her ex fiance, and Jay needed to find a way to forgive and trust again.

This very sentimental read had me wishing for a happy ending after far too many disappointments and misunderstandings. Luckily the beautiful scenery of the Lake District and the school pantomime got me nicely into the Christmas spirit.

Having never read Phillipa Ashley before I was unsure what to expect, however as a fan (amongst others) of Trisha Ashley, Katie Fforde and Sue Moorcroft I wondered why I had not picked up one of her books before. The story follows Lottie and is set one year after she is dumped by her fiancée Connor. In the months since she was left heartbroken, Lottie has found herself a new job as an events/wedding organiser at Firholme. The job comes with a cottage and a handsome next door neighbour, Jay, who is carrying baggage of his own after a breakup and family problems. As the possibility of a new romance develops between Lottie and Jay, Lottie is horrified to come face to face with her ex and his new fiancée, who want her to organise their wedding at Firholme - and all before Christmas.
I enjoyed reading As Surprise Christmas Wedding’, although it could have been set at any time of the year, however the story was made more atmospheric and romantic as winter draws in, the Christmas tree farm opens and the snow starts to fall..... but will the wedding go ahead and will Lottie get the happy ending she hopes for?
This book will definitely put you in the mood for Christmas. Curl up in front of the fire, grab a hot chocolate and watch out for the snow as you enjoy this festive treat.

This is a lovely festive read. Lottie has had a tough year, with a broken engagement and supporting her sister through her cancer treatment. Jay, her new neighbour and work colleague, is also nursing a broken heart.

The story features secrets, half truths, comedy moments, reindeers, Christmas trees, decorations and romance. Will getting to know Jay, and his gorgeous dog, Trevor help Lottie to cope with organising a wedding for her ex? This is a no spoiler review so you will need to read the book to find out.

A lovely story to provide an escape from the stress and anxiety of 2020. I only discovered Phillipa’s books this year (see my review at https://mentoringmumof2bookreviews.home.blog/2020/05/29/bookreview-a-perfect-cornish-escape-by-phillipa-ashley/) but have been busy adding more of her books to my Kindle to curl up with over the winter. I recommend enjoying this one with a mug of hot chocolate whilst listening to some Christmas music.

Phillipa Ashley does not disappoint with her latest festive read. In this novel, we are in the beautiful and picturesque countryside of the Lake District. Ashley has a unique talent for sweeping you away from the glum weather and spiraling news and taking you to a place of tranquility and relaxation, as ever with a compelling storyline with likable and relatable characters. Not to mention a loyal dog as ever-bustling by the romantic lead's side.
Lottie is rebuilding her life after a humiliating break-up and a traumatic year supporting her beloved sister through cancer treatment. Connor has had a bad year as well and is hiding in the wild grounds of the estate where Lottie works as a wedding planner and avoiding his family at all costs. This isn't just a romance but also celebrates the importance of family especially at Christmas. Sit and enjoy with your favorite tub of assorted chocolates, a pack of hankies, and a big blanket. It won't fail to get you in the Christmas mood.

Another perfect offering from the magnificent Phillipa Ashley. This festive romance is set in the absolutely gorgeous Lake District and centres around Lottie, an events co-ordinator at a stately home, being placed in the unenviable position of having to co-ordinate a secret wedding for the ex who inexplicably dumped her just days after he proposed. On the other hand, estate manager, Jay, is coping with heartbreak of his own and is afraid to trust again. However, living next door to one another and being thrown together at work creates an attraction too strong to ignore. Will their pasts come back to haunt them before they get there happy ever after.
Absolutely loved this and loved the characters, especially Trevor the dog. Lovely romance but there was real tension in the crisis that forces Jay to face up to his anger and make the final decision about his family. Loved it.