Lottie and Connor were newly engaged after a romantic trip to Cornwall, but then Lottie suddenly finds herself single and living in the grounds of Firholme in the Lake District as the newly appointed events manager. Tasked with promoting the venue as the ultimate wedding destination she is shocked when the groom to be is a little too familiar!!
Living next to Lottie is the brooding Jay, a man with a secret and a dog called Trevor.
Mix in some family drama, a heap of secrets and a ton of Christmas and this is the perfect Christmas novel.
I loved this book, it had plenty of suspense, well written characters and a great storyline from beginning to end. Fingers crossed this isn’t the last we will see of Lottie, Jay and co.

Can't beleive how late I am with this review?

Well, never mind. This is the story of of Lottie and Jay; and too many Christmas trees to mention - oh and Trevor, the dog! This is a many-layered story and so best taken, slowly, savoured even. The more I read, the more I grew to love them all - well, not one, but when you read this novel, I'm sure you'll come to the same conclusion. However, there is no reason why you have to like every character and I believe a story is even better for this. Ms Ashley has written a wonderful novel that will make for delicious Christmas imbibing! Enjoy!

3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher gor providing mr with an e-copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I usually wait until December to read Christmas books but I needed some comfort with this pandemy and this book delivered. Lottie works as an event planner in a cosy village resort. Her neighbor Jay is the new tree farm Manager., who lives with his dog Trevor in the next cottage. Lottie has to plan the last minute wedding of her ex-fiance and they agree not to tell the bride.

You will get the holiday feel with baby reindeers, nativity play, snow storm, tree farm and tree decorating. You will also witness family turmoil with both Jay and Lottié’s families.

This was a cute story typical of a Hallmark holiday movie. If you enjoy those, you will enjoy this heartwarming story.

A heartwarming story about the joy of Christmas in the midst of snow covered hills, pine trees and reindeer. Lottie has had the year from hell, getting dumped and then nursing her sister through cancer and helping with her twin nieces. She loved her new job as event planner until her ex turns up with his fiancee wanting her to organise their wedding. She tries to focus on the task at hand whilst there are miscommunications galore that add to the difficulty of the whole thing but there are also welcome distractions including her neighbour Jay and his dog Trevor. This is a lovely story, well told of overcoming heartache, learning how to trust again and being able to identify good relationship qualities, as well as the importance of family and Christmas traditions.

With thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Phillipa Ashley's books and I love Christmas books so this was the perfect combination and an absolute wonderful festive read which I enjoyed immensely.

The book focuses on the lovely Lottie, who is trying to start a new life after her fiancé Connor left her. Her sister has also recently finished treatment for cancer and Lottie has been by her and her nieces’ side throughout - this was tackled so sensitively. Lottie's new life is in the stunning Firholme Estate in the Lake District, working as an Events Manager. Her first wedding is to be held in a few months’ time, but the couple who are getting married turns out to be her ex and his new fiancée! Total respect to Lottie for going forward and giving the wedding her all, despite who the Groom was! At Firholme, she meets the wonderful Jay, the Estate Manager, who is also trying to move on from a very difficult few years. Together they help each other with their past and the issues that their past has caused, hold each other up and together make each other so very happy with a future they could only have imagined.

The Christmas Tree plantation in the book is so so lovely - an absolutely beautiful setting which I felt transported too - such a magical place with reindeers, festive joy and happiness! One which we would all love to go to - I feel so ready for Christmas now! Is it too early to put our tree up!?!

Jay's dog Trevor brought so much laughter in the book - a great character! Every home needs a Jay! Family is so important to both Lottie and Jay and despite very tough times for both sets of families, they put the past behind them and move on together. Family is so important to them both – the ending was so lovely!

A fabulous delightful story which will make you smile but also full of twists and turns - a very emotional read. Great characters, incredible setting and a wonderful plot. Thank you for another brilliant book!

It’s been a year since Lottie’s fiancé walked out, leaving her heartbroken. But things start to look up when she lands her dream job at a beautiful Lake District estate, with a handsome groundskeeper for a neighbour.
 
So when Lottie is asked to organise a last minute Christmas wedding at Firholme, she can’t wait to get started. Until she meets the couple, and discovers that Connor, the man who broke her heart, is the groom-to-be.
 
Oh this was just a really cosy lovely festive read 😍 this is exactly the sort of thing I look for in a Christmassy book. I loved all the characters... especially Jay 😍

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and will not be the last. I just love how Philipa writes ❤️

The perfect festive read.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

A Christmas Delight!

I totally feel in love with the character Lottie and the setting of the story. I started and finished this book in one go as I couldn't put it down. So beautifully written and Christmassy 🎄

I loved this book! I was so happy to discover the author, too...and to have so many of her books to dig into. Interesting story, great characters, and comfortable reading. I've already recommended it to my friends.

An OK Christmas romance.
Unfortunately the characters were either a bit weak or a bit over the top spoiling what could have been a relaxing read.
Hence only two stars.

This plot was pretty muddled for me. The whole mix up with the wedding and secrets was just a bit trite. Also again the romance here seemed to move very quickly from “hello I don’t have any interest in a new relationship” to “omg I love you!” Which just isn’t natural. I feel it needs pointing out again tok that we don’t need comments on weight and calories in these cosy romances. Leave the calories out of it, stop worrying about Christmas cake, just love yourself.

An entertaining and well written romance. Great plot,well developed characters and a Christmas setting. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

Lottie has landed her dream job at a beautiful Lake District estate where she is slowly getting over a broken heart after her fiancé left her a year ago. She has fought hard to keep her heartbreak to herself especially as her sister has been severely ill and Lottie needed to be there to support her and her nieces.

Jay has recently started work at the same estate and lives in the cottage next to Lottie, he is quiet and tries to keep himself to himself but over time Lottie manages to bring him out of his shell. It is clear that there is something he is hiding from and when he is on a works night out and bumps into his brother it is clear to Lottie that there is a lot of hurt beneath the handsome exterior.

When Lottie is challenged with arranging a Christmas in 7 weeks, she finds herself having to face up to the feelings she has kept buried for so long. Couple this with a growing friendship with Jay and her sisters up coming doctors appointment, Lottie doesn’t know whether she is coming or going.

I really enjoyed this story and the growing relationship between Lottie and Jay, because it moved at a steady pace and you really got a sense that they had both been hurt in the past and were wary of opening themselves up for that again.

I liked that the story didn’t just centre around Lottie and Jay and that her sisters story was also included in quite a fair amount of depth. I would possibly like to see a story with Steph finding her way after everything she has been through as I think that could be a really uplifting read.

There were a few parts where I felt the writing was a bit repetitive and I was not happy that Connor seemed to get off so lightly. I would have liked him to have had a serious tongue lashing to put him firmly in his place but then I guess the point is to show that once you have moved on, you can let go of your anger.

A lovely, lovely book that is definitely worth a read.

Posted on Goodreads

A very nice story with great characters and a beautiful setting. Lots of trouble, but it'll work out nicely at the end. I loved the Christmas wedding. This is really a very nice feelgood novel to read.

When Lottie is tasked with organising a last minute wedding at her new job, the last person she expected to see was her ex fiancé. When he asks her to keep their past association a secret, Lottie agrees even though she thinks it’s wrong.

Meanwhile her handsome new neighbour is coming out of his shell - could things be looking up for Lottie?

I love Phillipa Ashley books, they are always heartwarming.

Love festive read from Phillips Ashley. I was lucky to get an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
Read the book in a day, lovely characters, believable, and relatable.
Great as always yo get into the festive spirit and who doesn't love cheesy romcom at this time of year. Fun afternoon on a miserable wet day, definately will recommend.

I really enjoyed this book about a Christmas Wedding.

We have Lottie who is the events manager at Firholme who just over a year ago was engaged to Connor who broke it off a few days after the event and Lottie was devasted.

An couple who want to get married at Firholme turn up and Lottie discovers the groom is Connor. How does she feel about this so quickly after being engaged to her that he is getting married.

There is so many problems with the wedding will it go ahead. We have Jay who lives next door to Lottie he has problems of his own and Lottie helps him will there be a romance with them.

I would recommend this book.

I loved this book. It had me looking forward to Christmas, humming carols and wishing we had mince pies to eat, and it's only October!! As well as being based in the festive season, this book was so good to read. Definitely un-put-down-able. There were highs and lows, twists and turns, sad and happy tears and many, many smiles. I would 100% recommend.

A delightful story. I rarely pick up a book that I find difficult to put down, from page 1, but I really needed to know what would happen next. It begins with an unexpected holiday, Lottie and Connor usually plan their holidays down to the last detail, but this time they got up, packed and went! On the last day of a wonderful Cornish holiday Connor gets down on one knee on the beach, and proposes. Lottie is thrilled, but Connor’s mood seems to change when they get home. He goes off for a few days on a business trip, and does not get time to phone, just a few texts pass between them. When he gets back he says “I’ve done something unforgivable”, and Lottie’s world unravels. About the same time her sister discovers she has cancer, so Lottie has to bottle up her grief and be positive for her sister’s sake.

A year later Lottie has a job as Events Manager for a newly reopening smart hotel. It is a live-in position, she has a small semi-detached cottage in the grounds. Her neighbour is Jay, the Estate Manager, a quiet, uncommunicative man. He has a lively dog, Trevor, and Lottie hears the dog more than she hears Jay. The hotel owner is keen to get the hotel open and start making money, she tells Lottie that they need a wonderful Christmas wedding for the publicity it will bring, and it is Lottie’s job to make that happen. Then an Australian woman wants to look round, and she decides she wants to have her wedding there, just before Christmas. Then the prospective groom arrives, ... Connor!

Connor had not expected to see Lottie, and there are some excruciating moments of embarrassment between them. Lottie grits her teeth and gets on with organising the wedding of the year! She inevitably has more dealings with Jay as they are into the Christmas season, and she is involved with events other than the wedding. They start to enjoy each other’s company, but because both of them have some deep issues to deal with their relationship is very volatile. Connor doesn’t help, he gets difficult with Jay about his relationship with Lottie, which is absolutely none of his business. You get such a well drawn picture of Connor you wonder what Lottie ever saw in him!

The story builds to a great climax the night before the wedding, and it is all down to Lottie’s organisational and people skills which decide whether it will take place. Soon after this Jay receives terrible news, that put all his issues into perspective. At last he and Lottie are able to talk and explain the awful events in their lives which have had such an impact.

There is a really feel-good ending, to a delightful story.

A wonderful Christmas treat awaits you with this book.

The story starts in Cornwall before moving to the fens.

Lottie is having a wonderful holiday with boyfriend Connor in Cornwall, and then out of the blue Connor asks her to become his wife, less than a week later he breaks off the engagement.

Fast forward a year later Lottie has moved to Firholme a luxury hotel as the Wedding Planner, the job comes along with the job and she couldn't be happier, close to her sister and nieces she really hopes that life is going to be better all round this Christmas Season, that is until Connor turns up along with his fiancée and asks Lottie to plan her perfect wedding.

Jay is also new to Firholme, very much a loner, he is the land manager and is currently managing the Christmas Tree Farm, he lives next door to Lottie along with his dog.

This was a lovely book, I really loved the characters and the descriptions of the area, without giving you any spoilers here is a chance to celebrate Christmas in the fens without even going there.

The characters all had so much heart and you really were engaged with their story, I was so devastated when the book finished and I had to leave them behind.

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

Lottie, after being let down by Connor after his proposal, becomes a wedding co-ordinator in the Lake District, where she grew up. A year later she is asked to arrange a special wedding in the run up to Christmas which turns out to be that of Connor and his Australian fiancee. The wedding needs to be a success to put Firholme, the stately home, on the map and bring in future business.
Jay is the new estate manager and appears to be quite abrupt but Lottie finds he can be relied upon when needed.
It is the story of Lottie's determination to do a good job despite the anger she still has towards her ex fiance, whilst also exploring new feelings she has for Jay.

It is a pleasant good natured read.