Well, I saved one of the best for last. This is my final Christmas story for 2021 and I really enjoyed this story. This story is set in Scotland, in Christmas Village, a lovely little village with quirky characters, a caring community and a castle. Thirty-year-old Belle Albany is busy, but lonely as Christmas approaches. Her boyfriend has moved to Australia, her godmother has died and once again, her father is not coming home for Christmas. As she pedals her bike home, she slips on some ice and knocks over elderly Edina, the only inhabitant of the castle. She agrees to move in with Edina to help take care of her until she is back on her feet. It is perfect timing because a family whose children are in her class, have lost their home and are looking for something close to Christmas Village to rent, so they don't have to move away. What Belle was not expecting was handsome Jack Hamilton-Kirk, Edina's grandson to show up and find out what is going on. With all Belle has on her plate with work, she is also trying to give Edina a wonderful Christmas by fulfilling her requests to Santa.

I loved Belle's character. She is the most giving person, one who wants to help everyone, make them happy, even if they don't want her help. Jack was the character you love to hate, at least at the beginning. He is rude, arrogant, is suspicious of everyone, thinks he knows what is best for Edina even though he didn't really know her and is quick to jump to conclusions. As he and Belle get to know each other, he begins to change. Edina is a hoot. She has lived alone in the castle since her husband died and once Belle starts getting her out and about, she is like a flower opening up. Belle's friends and the other villagers are all great additions to the story. The Christmas cheer in this book is overflowing and the Nativity that Belle's students put on is both wonderful and humorous. Both Jack and Belle have some baggage to deal with in order to move forward and I liked that the best way to move forward is through communication and forgiveness. If you are looking for one more Christmas story this year, I recommend Christmas in the Scottish Highlands.

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft is an absolutely beautiful and delightful story! This is my first time reading this author and I will definitely be looking for more of her work in the future. The MCs are Belle & Jack, they are perfect for each other!!

Thirty-year-old Belle Albany is feeling lonely this Christmas. Another whole year has passed and her life is… exactly the same as it was last December. She longs for true love and a little bit of winter magic – but she’s almost given up on finding it in the sleepy Scottish community where she lives…

Jack is arrogant, rude and bossy and Belle is convinced he’s about to ruin the seasonal cheer she has worked hard to create. He’s basically the Grinch in human form, so why does her heart race every time they’re in the same room? They disagree on almost everything, from menu choices to music, and yet she starts to glimpse a softer side hidden behind Jack’s clipped words and brooding countenance.

The attraction between these two is very hot and each moment they spend together the intensity grows. Belle hopes this is the year she will finally get her happily ever after but Jack isn’t sure everything will be so easy.

This gorgeous, festive read is like a warm hug in a book! The perfect cosy romance to snuggle up with and simply enjoy no matter the season! I highly recommend this book and encourage you to give it a try!!

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I had high hopes. Who doesn’t love to read about spicy romance in Scotland!?

Our story centers around Bell (the overly helpful middle school teacher) and Jack (a bitter, untrusting corporate man) as well as the various townspeople throughout their town in Christmas village. After Belle accidentally hits Edina (Jack’s semi-estranged grandma) with her bike, Belle moves in with her to help her recover and Jack comes to visit because he doesn’t trust Belle’s intentions. Laughter, some spice, and romance ensue.


Unfortunately, this book was just so-so for me. Firstly, the names… they just seemed almost silly (why was everyone always referring to Jack with his full name of Jack Hamilton-Kirk?!). I enjoyed the secondary characters a lot but felt that they didn’t have too much depth to them. Lastly, the way the relationship took off and formed felt a little unrealistic to me.

BUT all in all it was a fun quick read for the holidays!

*Thank you NetGalley for the digital copy in return for my honest review*

I have been saving this book because I wanted to read it over the festive season. It has been my guilty pleasure in the quiet moments, between family outings, endless gift wrapping, the big food shop and so on. Christmas is a lot of hard work for a lot of women, up and down the country, so what better way to unwind than with a lovely festive romance?

I have always loved Scotland and it has been a dream of mine since childhood to spend Christmas in a castle. In my imagination at least, this book has made that dream come true! Curled up on the chaise-lounge, with a cup of Christmas cheer beside me - a Baileys hot chocolate to be precise - I have devoured this romance novel and found it to be both heart-warming and charming.

It is set in a small Highland village, dominated by a large castle which is inhabited by a reclusive widow called Edina. who has a penchant for wearing her tiaras on a daily basis. Love her! When Edina writes out her Christmas wish list, she has no idea that she is setting in motion a chain of events that will impact the lives of so many of her fellow villagers and family members alike.

This novel is an easy read, the pacing is good and the romance between the two characters develops nicely. It has just the right balance of drama and optimism. You won't need to work hard to enjoy this book, so sit back, put your feet up and relax with Christmas in the Scottish Highlands. It is one of those books that I will bring out each year, creating a new festive downtime tradition. I will look out for more festive books by this author. It is available now, in hardcopy and download formats.

The perfect Christmas book for cosy nights abd frosty mornings. The ideal mic of. Likeable characters and storyline. Perfect. Beautiful landscape.

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands
By Donna Ashcroft

Welcome to the gorgeous Scottish Village of Christmas, where snow is falling, presents are being wrapped, and the locals are writing their festive wish lists.

This was a lovely book. I could relate to the older woman being lonely. Belle sure turned it around for her. Congratulations to the author. This book is a winner.

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

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an enjoyable, easy read in a lovely setting.

Wow what a brilliant book.  This is the second book I have read by this author and she is definitely one to watch out for. The story line is so brilliant and heartwarming. It has a wonderful sense of community love. The writing style is so clever just telling you enough about the characters to think you know and love them. This creates a brilliant sense of atmosphere and you are always surprised by what comes next. I loved the diversity of characters and how they are brought together creating such a wonderful Christmas story. This is a perfect Christmas book with everything you are ever going to need to keep you frantically page turning to find out what happens next. I couldn't put this book down. There were so many ups and downs , twists and turns that you get a real sense of tension. It brings out so many emotions that you won't want this book to end. I really can't wait to read more from this author her books are wonderful.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing this amazing holiday story to life, bringing so much joy to many. You won't be disappointed.  Already listed the above review on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK and my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/christmas-in-the-scottish-highlands-by-donna-ashcroft-bookouture-5-stars under ladyreading365

This was a lovely holiday read that filled me with all of the feelings that one wishes to feel at this time of year: hope, joy, giving… All of these characters had wonderfully thought out personalities and the storylines were excellent. I really enjoyed this read.

A lovely novel full of giving and finding the truth. The book explores the importance of a community and caring for each other. Belle is a selfless teacher who gives up her home for a family in need and moves into this Scottish estate to take care of the old women she accidentally ran over with her bike. She decides to make the woman's Christmas wishes come true, which includes a family reconciliation. The woman's grandson shows up and he and Belle immediately butt heads, but there's an underlying attraction that slowly grows throughout the book. The romance was cute, but I also loved the sense of community in the small Scottish town. Belle has a best friend who has a bit of a side plot and Belle is also helping put on her school's nativity play. I loved how the old woman was thriving and living life again and how there were so many relationships that were being mended throughout the book. It's written well, the characters and dialogue are authentic, and the descriptions place you smack in the middle of each scene. Jack and Belle have obstacles that they have experienced in the past, and both bring their own flaws and strengths to the current situation. They seem to really fit well together and I enjoyed the progression and positive changes that were rolled out through the chapters.


Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#ChristmasintheScottishHighlands #NetGalley

This was such a lovely read. I was totally drawn towards the lonely Edina and her brash grandson Jack as characters and Belle as the main focus of the story was delighful.
Thoroughly recommended to help bring on festive cheer.

I love Donna Ashcroft's books and this is a perfect cosy Christmas read. Obviously predictable but it doesn't matter as she presents such a lovely cosy Christmas feeling with lovely characters that you just want to curl up with it and not put it down

Set in a snowy little Scottish village in a town called Christmas, Belle is feeling lonely and like she is not a priority for anyone. She’s a teacher and is selfless, always going out of her way to help someone else. After an accident causes Edina to fracture her ankle, Belle moves into the older woman’s castle to help take care of her. Edinas grandson, Jack, shows up and they immediately are suspicious of one another. There are several storylines throughout involving family, the school nativity and of course, love:)

It was a cute enemies to lovers read that has a Hallmark Christmas movie vibe, which I adore. If you’re looking for a cozy Christmas story this is a cute choice:)

Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for an eARC for an honest review.

OMG, this author has done it again! I've read a few of her books now and they never disappoint. This book was certainly a cute and heart-warming festive tale. What I love about Ashcroft's books is the romance always feels realistic. It's not a case of the main female character losing her mind and personality to get the guy. The women always retain their power and independence.

This book also had a great message and lesson for life. You'll need to read it to discover what that is for yourself.
Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and the author for an advanced reading copy.

This was such a cute, Christmas-y read that filled me with happiness and warmth, I loved Bdlle's relationship with Edina, how all the characters were there for each other, It was just so delightful and I highly recommend it.

This was my first book by the author and it certainly won't be the last.

Thank you @netgalley & @bookouture for this ARC in exchange for an honest review💕

Despite experiencing her own recent heartaches, Libby is excited to be a bridesmaid at the wedding of her best friend Willow. The Christmas Eve wedding promises to be a good time, up until the point Libby find out her ex will be there. When they get snowed in and a handsome stranger bonds with Libby, things get awkward, Will Libby be able to put her ex behind her? And what secret is the handsome stranger keeping? A good story.

Belle Albany immediately begins to worry after crashing into an elderly woman named Edina, who suffers a broken bone. It doesn’t take Belle but a moment to realize that Edina is living all alone in a crumbling Scottish castle. Belle cannot walk away. It is the Christmas season and Belle had actually been feeling quite alone herself. She moves in with Edina while she recovers. Christmas starts to look brighter.

However when Edina received a FaceTime call from her grandson Jack, Belle begins to worry is that she may have overstepped. Belle soon learns that Jack has not seen his grandmother for decades. Despite this, Jack shows up. What is more is he is rude and arrogant and has no desire to make Christmas enjoyable for anyone. Any Christmas plans that Belle and Edina had begin to form look like they will fall apart. He only intends in being in Scotland long enough to find a better place for his grandmother to live.

Belle decides to go ahead with the Christmas plans that she had begun to form with Edina. Every step of the way, Jack disagrees. However, the ice around his heart begins to thaw and before long Jack and Belle soon realize that they are both drawn to one another. Will the pair find that the Christmas holidays bring joy to both of their hearts or will something from Jack’s past be responsible for ruining any chance that happiness for them? In this touching story by Donna Ashcroft the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, the Christmas season, the love of family and friends, and two hearts all come together in a wonderful story that proved to be a delightful read.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Really enjoyed this book. Loved the community feel. A good read to get you in the Christmas spirit. .

I absolutely loved this festive read!
When busy schoolteacher Belle accidentally crashes her bicycle into an elderly lady she doesn’t plan to add more to her heaping plate of to-dos, but she knows she has to help the lonely, sad Edina. Belle temporarily moves into Edina’s crumbling Scottish castle to help nurse her and bring some cheer into the old lady’s life, unexpectedly coming face-to-face with Edina’s very handsome estranged grandson Jack…
What I loved about this heartwarming story:
• a fun cast of characters, including an adorable Donkey Bob and cute cat Jinx
• enemies to lovers trope
• the gorgeous Scottish setting, full of snow and cairns and beautiful countryside
• the depiction of kind, caring people and people with capacity for change

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bookouture for the copy in exchange for review!

Super cute Christmas story. I really enjoyed this, seeing all the people of the village getting together to help each other out. Is a feel-good read which will cheer you up.
Thanks #netgalley for the advanced copy.