Member Reviews
Bo Grayson isn’t looking forward to Christmas, last Christmas Eve she was left heartbroken and isn't holding out much hope for this year's festivities.
At the end of the summer Bo and her friends Angel and Ran visit a fortune teller who tells both women that they will meet the love of their life by Christmas Day. Bo is too busy to worry about that though, with her Boatyard Cafe doing well and dancing with the Falford Flingers she doesn’t have time to think about romance, but things have a funny way of happening when you least expect them.
Full of fun, ups & downs and the strength of love and friendship.
What a treat to be back in Falford for Christmas, although the story is centered on Bo it's lovely to catch up with old friends from previous books.
This is such a fabulous festive story that just felt really magical. Bo is such a wonderful character and I felt myself really her wanting to succeed. A story filled with food friendship and romance what more do you need? Highly recommend to get you in the festive mood this year!
When Bo, Angel and Ran go to see the fortune teller at Falford Festival she makes predictions for them until the ned of the year.
They don't really believe them, but as Christmas comes closer may changes happen in all their lives.
I have read a number of Phillipa Ashley books before and unfortunately this one didn't grab me in the same way.
Still a good read
This is the second book in the Falford series, and after enjoying the first I was looking forward to reading it.
The story follows Bo across two Christmases. Although it is part of a series it could easily be read as a standalone book.
I have to admit I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book, but it is still a good festive read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this read.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
This is a charming story set in what seems to be an idyllic setting and told with great warmth.
Bo has always loved Christmas but at the start of the novel she learns her boyfriend is still in love with a fiancée she didn’t know about and she is left alone. At the local village fete she and her friends from the rock and roll dance group she attends visit a clairvoyant, who tells them all they will be with the love of their life by next Christmas. The story sees us rooting for Bo and her delightful cafe and hoping that she and gorgeous diving instructor Ran will get together. The fates seems aligned only for disaster to strike in the form of Ran’s not yet ex wife.
I enjoyed the story and loved the idea of the Falford Flingers dance troupe. They seemed to have a great time and tied the characters together well.
Thoroughly recommend this as lighthearted Christmas read. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book starts when Bo, the friendly café owner has her heart broken at Christmas. A few months later her and her friends go to a psychic at the fair, thinking it will all be generic scam, but they don’t like what they hear…
A lovely heartwarming book with likeable main characters, although a little predictable at times. I read the whole book on a soggy Sunday afternoon.
Thank you Netgalley- I will be seeking out more books from this author!
A wonderful festive read. I love Bo, her resilience and tenacity. Angel is perfect showing someone coming to believe in themselves. My draw backs were it was a bit slow and predictable but still a feel good read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Back to Falford for Christmas and Bo isn't sure she's ready for it. After getting dumped last year, she isn't in the festive spirit but she was given spiritual advice that she would find her love by Christmas. Growing closer to the quiet Ran, she begins to wonder if maybe she has but life is never that simple,
Having read the previous book I was excited to go back to Falford and see the characters again. I really liked Bo so it was good that she gets her chance now. This was a really good read and perfect for this time of the year. I loved the dancing and of course the tunes, so many classics are mentioned. I also loved Angel's story in this and her strength really shines through. The plot was steady and built to exactly the ending I wanted. You can't go wrong with a story like this. Light, fun and festive.
Thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
After an appalling Christmas last year Bo is not looking forward to the festive season but she has friends to help her through. Perfect Christmas tale and lovely to be back in Falford again.
A Special Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley
Tropes: Small Town Romance; UK Romance; Holiday Romance
Another charming, small town Cornwall set read that Ashley fans will definitely enjoy. This one definitely holds that cozy feel, perfect for a curl up for a winter read. I loved the setting, and as always, it makes me long to visit. I did find the beginning to be a bit slow, and the romance to not feel like an overly focused point, so this was not my favorite of the authors – however, it still held the small town, charming feel that I enjoy in these types of reads. I really enjoy Phillipa Ashley style of heartwarming, small town cozy reads and look forward to trying another of hers soon.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a fan of Philippa Ashley and always enjoy her story. This one was engrossing and entertaining, with the right festive spirit and a lot going on.
I was happy to catch up with some characters from previous novels and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the plot.
Good character and plot development, lovely setting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Another heart warming festive read from Phillipa. It gives you a wonderful and warm Christmasy feeling whilst the story unfolds.
Sweet and endearingly romantic, A Special Cornish Christmas is the tale of two people trying their hardest not to fall in love.
The story is set in the same world as Phillipa's other novel, An Endless Cornish Summer. Its characters inhabit the picturesque coastal village of Falford and this tight-knit community are always willing to pull together and help one another out. Some of the previous book's characters pop up again here, and if you're familiar with them, it's nice to read about a friendly face! However, this book could also be easily read as a standalone without losing any enjoyment from the story.
Main character Bo is a quirky character. An eternal optimist, she offers a ready smile and a listening ear to friends and customers alike. She runs her own business, a waterfront cafe, and loves nothing more than baking, dancing, and her standout vintage style.
Of course, though, as Christmas rolls around, Bo can't help but be reminded of the heartbreak she suffered over the last festive season. But with a friend to support and a business to keep her focused, Bo can't afford to be maudlin. Will she manage to find true love at last this Christmas?
Bo's friends add colour to the story, fleshing out the world and breathing life into her love of dancing and vintage music. Her wardrobe is also vividly detailed - from scarves in her hair to custom dresses to die for, I can't be the only one wishing for just a fraction of Bo's individual style!
This is the perfect book to get you in the mood for the holidays as we approach the festive season. Grab a mince pie and settle in for a Cornish Christmas like no other!
A Special Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley takes us back to Falford, in Cornwall, and to the Boatyard Cafe right before Christmas. Bo is particularly excited about Christmas this year because she had Hamish. She couldn't wait to wake up next to him Christmas morning. But, she made the mistake of saying, "I love you," and he was gone. Back to Scotland. Back to his fiancée. She was done with men. She dog in her heels and worked. Oh, she didn't stop playing. She still had the Falford Flingers, her dance group, and all her friends there. It was a long year. She and some friends put a sail up over her deck, extending the amount of outdoor space; Angel's husband was in a serious jam at sea-but wait, he wasn't. He had left her and was holed up with his new girlfriend. That started a whole new life for her and Bo was able to help. The there was Ran, short for Ranulf, who was the DJ for the group. She helped him select music and they became friends. There was so much going on. Then all of a sudden she saw Ran as more than a friend. That's when things got dangerous. After the fortune-teller at the fair in August, she didn't know what to think when his wife showed up.
This is the most down-home series, even in Cornwall. A Special Cornish Christmas is primarily a slice-of-life plot, full of Bo and her friends and customers. The fishing boats go out, they come in. The customers come in, they leave. People come and go in you life, just as they do in Falford. It is a comfortable book in which, through the author's words, the reader gets to know all of these people: how they think, how they feel, what they see when they look at one another. It is home, even though it's far away. It's a romance, but it is so much more. They have real problems and real solutions, and Ashley helps us see of it, as it happens. It is an absolutely lovely read with a happily-ever-after. Loved it.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Special Cornish Christmas by Harper Collins, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #harpercollins #phillipaashley #aspecialcornishchristmas
Thanks for the opportunity to return to Falford.
This is now my favourite book in the series, it felt a little bit more cosy that the first book.
Loved the storylines - the dancing, the music and the community spirit.
Happy to recommend this festive book.
A Special Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley mixes excellent characters with holiday magic, lovely romance, serious and lighter moments. The characters develop at a slow but steady pace, making them easy to relate to. A Special Cornish Christmas is a sweet and cute read perfect for this time of the year.
I was over the moon to receive this book from netgalley as i am a massage fan of Phillipa Ashley, especially her books set in Cornwall. It was fantastic to be transported back to Falford and the people in it. A beautiful Christmas romance
I loved being back in Cornwall and this time at Christmas. Bo and her friends are such great characters and I loved the community spirit of the village. The Flingers sounded a great group and the music was a wonderful reminder off days gone by. Philippa Ashley writes such great heartwarming stories and this is one to wrap you up in a warm hug.
It was great to return to Falford, a Cornish seaside resort,
And reconnect with the folks there, with plenty to sort.
With unfaithful men and women starting anew
There seemed little hope of their dreams coming true.
However, a fortune teller gave three a surprise
Was she telling the truth or just more lies?
Bo runs the Boatyard Café and dances, too,
Last Christmas was ruined by a love untrue
With the Falford Flingers, friend and more
This story has so much for you to adore.
There's even a mystery person to ID
Can you guess who - read it for yourself and see!
With a sprinkling of Christmas magic this year
Maybe this will prove one for happy tears?
Fresh starts, new inspirations and chances
They're all there along with heartwarming romances.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.
This book is set in Falford, the location of a previous book by Phillipa Ashley. Although it is not a true sequel, previous characters do feature in this book. This book features Bo, the cafe owner from the previous book. This book can be read as a standalone novel.
This is a fun and entertaining read. It is an easy, lighthearted enjoyable festive read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.