There's something special about a festive story which is filled with love, life and friendship and that's exactly what Phillipa Ashley gives us in this charming story which is set in a lovely Cornish village and which features a whole list of wonderful characters who you take into your heart from the beginning. I especially warmed to Bo Grayson who runs the aptly named Boatyard Café and who has been so unlucky in love that she has given up on finding her Mr Right but then a mysterious fortune teller informs Bo that she will meet the love of her life before Christmas.

What then follows is a charming story which has everything you want from a festive read. With its intriguing story line about winning and losing in love and a gentle narrative which is filled with music and dancing. A Special Cornish Christmas is a perfect feel-good romantic story to sink into when the pressures of the festive season get too much.

I’m a big fan of this series and the festive edition has everything you look for in a Christmas romance.

Main character Bo suffers heartbreak just before Christmas so the last thing she needs is a repeat performance. Norwegian Ran catches her eye but he is battling his own demons and seems only interested in friendship, which is fine by Bo.

A touch of mystery is added to the story when Bo and her friends take a visit to Madame Odette at the village fete. They are all given predictions for the future which seem far fetched to say the least. Who is the mysterious fortune teller and is she genuine or fake?

I loved the vintage theme which runs through this story. From dancing to music and fashion, the details from a by-gone age give a heartwarming, nostalgic feel. Of course, romance plays a part and the stunning Cornish location adds to the feel good theme.

Another little gem from Phillipa Ashley, the perfect escape in these tough times.

What can I say about this book, it’s a typical festive love story that you can curl up and read with your duvet and a hot chocolate. Phillipa writes such lovely books her words are fluid and descriptive. The characters make you feel like you are one of them. If a book can make you feel like that then you are on to a winner.

A Special Cornish Christmas by Phillips Ashley

This was a lovely romance novel. It included a dancing club with a Cornish background.

I loved this book. The characters we’re so real and friendly. Just the right amount of heartbreak, followed up by love. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was nice catching a glimpse of some familiar characters and finding out a lot more about others. I really related to Bo and the struggles she faced. I was rooting for her to find her happy ending from the start. This book left me feeling all warm and Christmassy and I would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a light hearted Christmas romance. It has just the right amount of twists and turns in the plot to keep you hooked.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books UK and Phillips Ashley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a big of an up and down story for me. It certainly had the festive spirit, I LOVED the boatyard cafe and all the happenings with it, and the storyline was pretty good as well. I’m not sure I really connected with the characters, other than at certain moments throughout the story (the more heartfelt moments.) I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing and I think that is where most of my issues come back to. The potential for this one is there, but some of the conversation was quite stilted, the writing didn’t always match what the emotion for the scene should have been, etc.

Not a bad story, entertaining, and as I always say, give it a try yourself and form your own opinion!!!!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Ahhh... I don't know the story was okay.

A lovely Christmas read
Get snuggled up and get yourself a hot chocolate
And get engrossed in this brilliant story of love and heartbreak
It will have you hooked from the first page and you won’t want to put it down
Thanks NetGalley

My thanks to #Netgally and #Avon publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
A lovely cosy Christmas read, ideal for the holiday season.

A wonderfully festive fun filled fantastic read.

Beautifully written with a feast of fabulous characters.

Heart warming and laugh out loud funny. A treat for everyone.

Highly recommended 5 stars from me.

Phillipa Ashley’s books are a real treat because there is always so much depth to them. This is festive and feel-good but like all of Phillipa’s books, is also a treat. The books really are a love letter to Cornwall and much time and effort goes into capturing the beauty of the setting. Add to this the delicious food described throughout and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect novel. All it needs is the characters and storyline… which do not disappoint!

It’s always lovely to revisit a few familiar characters too and we get to find out more about Bo who is briefly mentioned in Phillipa’s last Summer book. The characters have extremely well written quirks, personalities and aspects that make them all key parts of the book.

My thanks to netgally for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review, which I freely give.

A lovely Christmas story, it begins at Christmas and Bo is in the pub with her boyfriend Hamish, along with some of her other friends incuding Ran. When Bo & Hamish get back to her home, Hamish drops a bomb shell, not only is he leaving her to go back to Scotland he also reveals he is engaged.

Fast forward to the summer fair, Bo is still nursing a broken heart and had vowed never to trust a man again. Bo, Angel - a friend of Bo and Ran. They have there fortunes told and all are told they will be with the one they love by Christmas.

We learn a bit about Ran and Angel. Bo is running a cafe at the boatbuilders.

As Christmas aproaches, we have more heartache and good times. Will it come togeter for the big day ? My li[ps are sealed. A lovely 5* read and highly recommended.

A Special Cornish Christmas is a lovely, lightly Christmassy read. Bo Grayson and her friends all receive the same prediction at the Summer fete - You will meet the love of your life by Christmas Day. The story follows the friends through the rest of the year to see if the prediction comes true! Great characters and storyline.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This is just right for Christmas, wonderful characters, great storyline. Once again this author delivers a thoroughly enjoyable read

My first Christmas book of December! It was wonderful Phillipa Ashley did not disappoint. The story of Bo and Ran who got to know each other through rock and roll dancing. So heartwarming! And lovely to see some familiar faces from her book 'An endless Cornish Summer' Definitely Recommend it!

If you are looking for a gentle Christmassy read with lots of heart and romance, this is the one for you. I thoroughly enjoyed returning to the Boatyard but this time to meet Bo and to see what life was going to dish up for her. Bo is a gorgeous character with a kind heart which she is desperately trying to shield from any further hurt. The romance feels credible. You make your own mind up about the men she meets. Some are nicer than others!
Friendship is at the heart of the story and it is great to glimpse a few characters we have met before. Angel’s story shows how she herself develops as a person and what a good friend Bo is. Madame Odette is there to add a touch of humour- and mystery. In brief, the writing flowed smoothly and gave me such a lovely reading experience. Highly recommended.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

I have enjoyed Ashley’s books in the past and this novel was no exception. For those of you who do not like ‘heavy’ Christmas stories, this is likely to appeal: taking place over twelve months, the festive spirit does not dominate the storyline too much.

Starting at Christmas, we meet Bo and her boyfriend, Hamish. However, she experiences her worst nightmare when she ends up getting dumped by Hamish on Christmas Eve. Simply telling him those three words sends Hamish scampering back to Scotland, leaving Bo swearing off men to avoid getting hurt ever again.

Fast forward to the summer and Bo and her friends, Angel and Ran, attend a local summer fete. All in the name of charity, each decides to attend the fortune teller’s tent. They all know it’s a bit of fun but each character literally staggers out of the tent from Madame Odette’s predictions. All centring around love and Christmas day, Bo, Angel and Ran are rather sceptical about their predictions.

From then onwards, this story follows the three characters in the months leading up to Christmas. Attending their dance group, the Flingers, I thought this part of the story added a lot of energy to the plot. I could vividly picture the rock and roll style dancing and I loved the writer’s descriptions of the dancing. I even found myself searching online to hear some of the songs referenced! Whilst the Flingers are practicing for their Christmas shows, it definitely does not make the story feel more festive, just instead a snapshot into the hard work involved of putting together a performance.

I really liked Bo, Ran and Angel’s characters because they are all so different. Coupled with the quaint seaside setting, it felt like I was reading about a familiar place with familiar people. Bo runs the local coffee shop near the boat yard, Ran is the boss of a diving business and Angel works at the nearby farm shop. However, her love of sewing and a personal tragedy means she finds herself taking the next step with her hobby in pursuing it as a business. I particularly enjoyed watching Angel’s growth in confidence as so many people were delighted by her wares.

This was a lovely story. Romance is a key theme but I think this story is more of a drama where three characters are haunted by a fortune teller’s predictions – more haunted than they would admit to. Bo’s reluctance to pursue anything romantic for fear of being hurt showed a vulnerable side to her character and I think this is why she and Ran were so well suited. Learning about Ran’s background was also quite sweet and made me think him and Bo would make a perfect match: they both have a troubled past that they need to move on from.

Finishing this book, I felt quite Christmassy but not overdosed on tinsel! It was a great read from an author I enjoy and, even though I have not read any of the books set in Falford, this did not deter me from the story. It was a satisfying read with enough warmth to suit this festive time of year.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A great holiday read. This tale of learning to believe in oneself, love, and friendship had me hooked from the very start. I can always count on Phillipa Ashley for a heart warming book that is easy to love.

3.5 stars

Very sweet romance set in a small town by the sea side. A rock and roll dance loving, cafe owner and a record loving suba diver looking to start over start of as friends. Then they grow into something more when she starts giving him dance lessons. Its happy and light hearted for the most part. The town is a fun place to explore in the story.

There is nothing wrong with the story so I can't fault it. I just didn't find it to be particularly unique or having stand out characters or romance. I would tell recommend this to someone whos just looks for a simple romance set during Christmas.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily.
I have not read any other books in this series although I have read books by this author in the past. She writes novels in the genre I like although I find her use of 'modern' language (the younger generation tend to use words in everyday language that I avoid) spoils my reading somewhat. I have finished reading this book and it is clear that it can be read as a standalone novel. It is not strictly a Christmas book as it mentions last Christmas at the beginning then runs from summer through to Christmas Day. It focuses on a group of characters who enjoy the music, clothes and dancing from the fifties so if you like that period you are bound to enjoy this story. Unfortunately I do not like it at all; the word 'vintage' fills me with loathing and I read the word 'cheesy' so many times I began to think the author might dislike it too. However, I recognise that whilst aspects of this book did not appeal to me it is well-written with good characterisation