The cover art for this book is perfect! It is adorable and makes you feel cozy. This book is a perfect little holiday story set in the idyllic Shetland Islands and is packed with plenty of fun character, holiday cheer, and of course a romantic subplot. This book would be perfect for holiday reading! It is cozy, sweet, and full of holiday magic.

A fun, easy reading experience with an enjoyable Shetland setting. The characters were well drawn and the author kept you turning the pages.

This is actually the second in a series, but I followed it just fine without having read the first – it follows different characters and the stars of the first novel play a background role.

It follows three women at different ages and stages of their lives who have one thing in common – they are all taking part in a local craft Christmas market at Lerwick Manor in Shetland.

Verity is a runaway mum, determined to finally have some peace and quiet now that her sons are old enough to look after themselves, and to sell her knitted and crocheted gifts. Nessie is a newly trained blacksmith determined to prove herself and get people interested in the traditional, unglamorous craft. Isla is the youngest but has been given a huge opportunity running the Manor’s café and feeding the visitors to the market.

Each of them has a deeply personal journey to go on and old issues to address, but they come together to help and support each other, along with the rest of their small community.

Another good book from this author. Not too strenuous and exactly what is needed at times. It was for me and I can't wait for her next.

THERE ARE SMALL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

As is often the case, I didn’t realise that this was part of a series and I have read it as a stand-alone, and it easily holds itself up as such.

This novel follows three women on Shetland, what has brought them there and how they grow.

Verity - a likeable older character who was abandoned by husband and the father of their children, leaving her to raise them on her own. I love that she gets her own romance, however, got very frustrated at how she let her family walk over her.

Nessie - younger and starting her own business in the family craft (blacksmith), I enjoyed how it showed the struggles with her confidence and the difficulty in starting a business, as well as how she was supported by her family and friends. And her romance was predictable, but it was still enjoyable.

Isla - the most frustrating character. I understand that she is young and immature, however, how she thought she could ignore the fact that her keys had gone missing is ridiculous, especially when you consider how long it went on for and the obvious fact that someone was getting into the premise overnight. I did enjoy her standing up to her vile ex-boyfriend, but would have liked to have seen her make better choices.

Overall, an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Continuing my Christmas-themed books, I finally read this one that has been in my TBR list for a while. The book is told from several characters' points of view. There's Verity, the middle-aged mother who takes a gap year to try and start a yarn store business on Shetland, far from her home and her sons and her bossy twin sister. There's Nessie, the groovy blacksmith whose hair color changes to match her moods. There's Isla, the talented young chef who is managing and baking at a cafe. They all have stables in which to create and sell their crafts at Lerwick Manor, whose owners are trying to create an artisan haven. There is also a cast of secondary characters who play important roles in each woman's emotional, artistic, and romantic journey. This book is a pleasingly cosy novel in which all troubles are wrapped up neatly and just in time for a snowy Shetland holiday.

Lovely feel good book to read. It was a joy to read. Lovely characters. Great plot. The book was charming. Very well written. I’d definitely recommend this book. Idyllic location that set the tone of the book to perfection. Perfect seasonal book to get you in the mood for the festive season.

I enjoyed this book it was a really enjoyable read, nothing to heavy and easy to pick up and put down at will as it wasn’t too taxing, all in all not a bad book! .

This is a heartwarming and cozy read that will inspire you and bring joy no matter what season you read it during!

Brilliant brilliant book, such a gray story. I really enjoyed it. Christmas books are my favourite genre to read, happy to read them anytime I need a festive hug. Cosy down with a hot chocolate and the twinkle of fairy lights and I am at my happiest.

This is a second, seasonal visit to Lerwick Manor in Shetland for a story of three women who want to make changes and improve their lives. Isla wants to manage a cafe. Nessie’s family have always been blacksmiths and she would like to learn the craft even though traditionally this has been a male occupation. Verity would just like some quiet and time to herself, after spending several years as a single mum. They are all at bespoke workshops for artisans,built from the manor.’s stable block.
I loved the backdrop of Shetland as it moved from autumn into winter. The story flits between these three woman, as returning character Erin meets and follows their progress. As the individual studios start to fill up, the artisans begin to pursue their crafts and forge friendships with each other. There’s even a touch of romance for extra intrigue and a few laugh out loud moments. I think this was a lovely gentle read, perfect for Christmas curled up in front of a fire with a hot chocolate, but ultimately a bit too nice for me to get into.

A really great story, charming, atmospheric, great characters. Filled me with warmth and spirit. Well written and flowed nicely, was romantic and funny, charming and full of fun. A great read, i really enjoyed it.

From Shetland, With Love at Christmas by Erin Green

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Headline and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Verity is embarking on a better-late-than-never gap year now that her sons have flown the nest, and dreams of turning a lifetime's hobby of knitting and crocheting into a profitable new enterprise at Lerwick Manor's gallery.

Nessie has returned to Shetland after two years spent retraining as a blacksmith on the Scottish mainland. She's determined to do whatever it takes to reignite the traditional craft and prove that gender is no obstacle to taking on her family's heritage.

Isla is fresh out of catering college, but she is desperate to prove she has what it takes to run Lerwick Manor's artisan café. Focused on perfecting her grandmother's traditional recipes, Isla has no time for anything else - especially not her pesky ex.

With the island's Yule Day celebration fast approaching, it's the ideal moment for their crafts to shine. But they can't do it alone - and their friendship might turn out to be their greatest creation yet...

I really enjoyed this story - I felt at home with all of the crafts going on throughout the book. The book is well-written and so thought out, I mean who hasn't thought of taking a gap year to escape from the kids. A fun Christmassy story, full of community spirit.

Rating 4/5

sadly i didnt get to read this book as i was working double shifts as an RN with covid and unfortuantly had no spare time to read

I love Scotland and think that it makes this book a really great read, what a fantastic setting!
It's a lovely book, well written, lots of charm, plenty of laughter and I really loved all the characters and the friendships they kept, it was all very believable and realistic! I particularly liked how this tickled my green thumbs especially after reading about the allotments, I have lots of inspiring ideas already!

I really liked the writing and how it flowed, so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for Erin Green in the supermarkets!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this lovely and free ARC!

A late gap year - loved it.
It was a welcome change to have an older main character in this story, ably supported by the others, whose own stories intertwined with Verity's in a natural and pleasant manner,
I thoroughtly enjoyed escaping into the lives of the newly formed community and was rooting for them all to succeed in their own adventures. I wanted to be part of the new community that formed at Lerwick Manor. I found myself wanting to hop to Shetland to experience this artisan oasis for myself.

The book was fantastic. I had no expectations, but anything I could have expected have been totally smashed.

It opens with Verity who moves to Shetland from England on a year out. We come to meet all of her new craft colleagues and where she is now going to spend her time. The book is split between various craftspeople, but this just leads to the deeper Shetland fabric, especially as all of the characters are so tightly linked together, both in their lives and in their family lines.

There are so many twists and turns about the barn and Lerwick Manor, and the people in it. From Isla baking in the cafe to Nessie and Isaac in the forge and up to the bosses in the Manor, you just don't want to put the book down. Isla is also a central character as she is part of the place that interlinks everyone else's lives, caffeinating and feeding them... her recipes and ideas making me hungry... and gives everyone else so much inspiration that their lives change.

I am so glad that I read this book and would recommend it to anyone, and Shetland is now firmly in my to-visit list.

Travel from the Midlands to Shetland with Verity as she escapes her role as a Mum to 3 sons. Verity has rented a cottage for a year and left her Sons a note and food in the freezer! With every page you read you will find yourself stepping into Verity’s new life as she finds herself again as she becomes a part of the Community at Lerwick Manor. As friendships grow and ideas are pooled. I found myself in the Orangery as Isla follows recipes from her Granny’s recipe book ! Will Verity find love as her friendship with Magnus grows as they are connected by wool from his flock of sheep! If you knit you will find yourself immersed in feeling the wool as you knit your next item! Will Verity give in to guilt and return to her Sons and life as a Mum for Christmas ? As relationships form trust grows and snow falls so be warned you may find yourself up rather late as you just can not put the book down! I have not read Erin Green’s novels before but I certainly will look out for her books after this read.

From the points of views of three different women in Shetland during Christmastime, this cozy book is a fun and easy read. Perfect to curl up with during the holidays, this book will set the scene for a cozy Christmas. If you enjoy reading romances with very lovely, European holiday descriptions, then you will love this book. There is crafting, there is family, there is joy. Pick this one up by the fireplace and get a mug of hot chocolate. In a sense, this book is like a hallmark movie in book form, which is a purely comfort. I love easy, fun and descriptive holiday reads during Christmastime and this fits the bill!

Special thank you to Netgalley and Headline for this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a highly entertaining festive read with a whole range of characters, each with their own story to tell. It felt like you were meeting a whole community. The setting on Skye is glorious and I could absolutely picture the location and the cluster of craftspeople. You also get to follow different generations. Verity has brought up her three sons and is ready for a personal challenge. Nessie is young and starting out to carry on the family tradition of blacksmithing. At first, she seems unconventional, but you soon realise that she is totally family focussed and dependable. Isla, at nineteen, has earned herself a great opportunity running the café. Eager to succeed, she lacks experience and draws on her memories of her grandmother for culinary inspiration. Seeing how these three meet the challenges of their businesses and establish their lives and relationships is heart-warming. With just enough of a Christmassy feel, you find yourself hoping that this will not be the last time we meet these characters.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book.