Christmas in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft is a wonderful, heartwarming, and festive contemporary romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I loved visiting this adorable, quaint, and picturesque town in the Highlands of Scotland, especially during Christmas. The warmth and glow of the season easily brightened through the cold weather in this sweet story..

I really enjoyed Belle, Jack, and Edina…as well as the full cast of characters. I really love all the heartfelt attempts of Belle and Jack…and their own interactions. Both 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 I saw.

This is such a wonderful and enjoyable story that I really needed at this current time.

I highly recommend this sweet romance.

Thank you NG and Bookouture for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

I enjoyed this heartwarming Christmas romance. The characters were great especially Edina. The main characters work together to grant Edina her Christmas wish list while falling in love.

This Christmas story is just sooo cute- like OMG someone please make this into a movie. I couldn't get enough of it and I know some of it is the Scottish parts but man the wee kids, the amazing grandma, the long lost grandson coming home, the snow, the friends, the kids again, the pink hair, the donkey and his friend the cat! Its just so cute and just the perfect Christmas book escape that everyone needs. There is an HEA and a little steam! So much Holiday cheer as well!


5 stars
2 steam



Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book!

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands is a fun Christmas read by Donna Ashcroft. Sometimes when you long for something such as Belle does in wanting a little magic in life you have to provide it yourself. Belle does just that as she works to supply it for someone else who is in desperate need of it. In doing so she finds it for herself too.

Belle Albany is a character that is easy to love. Her selflessness and desire to always be a help to others is such winning characteristics. Her counterpart Jack Hamilton-Kirk is the complete opposite at first appearances. His arrogant grouchy attitude along with his air of entitlement makes him unlikable. However, he is the more interesting of the two characters. As the story progresses with Belle and Jack working together a different picture of Jack comes to life. A lovely Grinch-like story without ghosts coming to haunt on Christmas Eve.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's not like me to give a 5-star review to a romance novel, but this one was just about perfect! It wasn't ridiculously over-the-top with the romance, but just right. The characters were all likeable, and the story was realistic enough to be believable and keep me interested. It was a quick read that I didn't want to put down. The writing was excellent with an engaging plot and, of course, a beautiful setting in a small village in the Scottish Highlands during the holidays - what more could you ask for? As soon as I finished reading this, I immediately ordered all of the author's other books! This one's going into my stack of Christmas books to be re-read each year. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun book to get them in the holiday spirit! I just loved it.

Donna Ashcroft is a lovely worker with beautiful stories. A wonderful John when Christmas in the Highlands. The cover at is also amazing

Primary school teacher Bella Albany is bicycling home in a snowstorm when she collides with elderly Edina. She's horrified that the older woman's ankle may be broken and immediately volunteers to stay with her--at her lonely castle. Because a local family is looking for a place to stay, it seems logical that Belle should stay with Edina until she is healed and allow the family to stay in her house. Everyone agrees--except Edina's newly reconciled grandson, Jack, who suspects Belle has ulterior motives.

But Belle has the same misgivings about Jack. Why has he reappeared in his grandmother's life, researching care homes and taking an interest in his grandmother's tiaras?

As the overworked Belle prepares for a Christmas performance and various townspeople pitch in to help, Edina thrives, and sparks fly between Jack and Belle--sometimes angry, but increasingly due to mutual attraction.

This is a delightful holiday story, with a dreamy setting and lots of snow and single malt Scotch. What's not to love? #ChristmasInTheScottishHighlands #NetGalley

A lot of holiday-themed books focus on the lighter side of the holiday season, which I do love. However, Christmas in the Scottish Highlands touches on several difficult topics without losing its softness and warmth. Ashcroft is a talented writer, and Belle, Jack, and Edina are fully formed characters that you feel like you've known forever. However, the supporting characters also feel fully formed, and although we don't spend a lot of time with them, they really make this novel.

This is on the shorter side, so it is perfect to read in an afternoon or a weekend when you want to stay inside and stay warm!

Such a lovely Christmas story that leaves you feeling all warm and cozy inside. Belle and Jack are such great characters, throw in snow, festive preparations, a donkey and the Christmas message of second chances, love and looking through the other side of the spoon, this one is a festive treat.

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft.
Welcome to the gorgeous little Scottish village of Christmas, where snow is falling, presents are being wrapped and the locals are writing their festive wish lists. Will this finally be the year that Belle’s dreams come true?
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…
When Belle crashes into elderly Edina on her cherry red bicycle, it’s not the meet-cute she’d been hoping for. But she immediately recognises the lost look in Edina’s watery-blue eyes and resolves to organise a Christmas to remember for them both – brimming with mince pies, mulled wine and lots of sparkle. Although Belle hadn’t counted on Edina’s home being a crumbling Scottish castle and she certainly hadn’t been expecting Edina’s handsome long-lost grandson Jack Hamilton-Kirk to turn up on the doorstep in the middle of a snow storm…
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.
As they hunt down costumes for the annual nativity show and save a donkey from a snowy disaster, Belle can’t ignore their growing attraction. But will a secret from Jack’s past come between them? Or will this finally be the year Belle falls in love?
A lovely feel good read. I loved the story and characters especially Belle. She was my favourite character. I read this In one sitting. I loved the cover. 5*.

This is a delightful read set in the Scottish Highlands during the month of December.

I could picture the snow-covered landscape with cold that bites.
And while aspects of the story are predictable (girl meets boy, but they don't hit it off; then they do, but stuff happens to drive them apart; until they finally realize they want to be together), I appreciated the common theme of every story having two sides.

This is much better than your average village romance story. It's written well, the characters and dialogue are authentic, and the descriptions place you smack in the middle of each scene.
I say this because most of the books I've read lately, in this genre, list a bunch of details from too many characters without really digging deep into any of them. This one is so much better.
So if you're looking for a Christmas read that will leave you feeling happy for reading it, this is one of the good ones.

There's not much more comforting than secluding yourself in a tiny Scottish village for the weekend... And that's exactly what I did!

Donna Ashcroft seamlessly wove a cozy Christmas tale that takes place in Christmas Village. Where the plot is a soft, cozy blanket and the characters are the warm fire you sit in front of. 

Poor Belle doesn't see the elderly Edina when she's riding her bike home one night from the school where she works. One thing leads to another and Edina suffers a broken ankle.

Belle, not the kind to leave an old woman helpless, decides to help see to the mending of the sweet Edina and stays with her in her Scottish castle. 

Enter Edina's handsome, but suspicious, grandson, Jack. These two had chemistry that just sang off the pages and I couldn't help predicting the inevitable. 

However, that didn't take away from this delightful Christmas story! This one is definitely good for bringing in the Christmas cheer!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this charming book! My review will be live, on the link given, on October 16, 2021.

I did enjoy this book but I did find Belle's relentless need to help out and try to fix everything a little grating at some points, she just seemed a bit too good to be true. That said there was an interesting cast of characters and it was a very enjoyable read

This is the perfect book to put you right in the holiday spirit. Ashcroft drops you right in the Scottish Highlands in the small, cozy town of Christmas village. The book opens with Belle accidentally running into Edina with her bike, injuring her. Edina is an elderly woman living alone in a castle outside of town. Belle ends up staying with her for a few weeks as she heals and ends up meeting Edina's grandson, Jack. The two have zero trust of one another and it's a rocky start to say the least.

I love how warm and happy this book made me feel. It reminded me of a Hallmark Christmas movie with just a little more spice. There are lovable, quirky characters, a Christmas play, lots of snow, a secondary romance that is just as great as the first and a donkey that befriends a kitten. The small town aspect of the book is so charming. I really enjoy books with found families where everyone pitches in to help others. The good of humanity comes out and you can't help but smile. Belle and Jack had chemistry for sure and I enjoyed watching them each slowly let their barriers down.

I have been a fan of Donna Ashcroft for a few years now and love each of her books just as much as the last. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a feel good holiday romance that will fill your heart.

Belle has always been inspired by her parents, doctors who spend their lives volunteering in Kenya, to be the best person she can be. Constantly thinking of ways she can help the villagers in Christmas Village, Belle finds herself moving into a castle with a kindly old lady, Edina, after she's injured in a small accident and needs a caregiver. Soon Belle sets out on a mission to give this lonely lady everything on her Christmas list.

Believe me when I say, I RAN to NetGalley when I saw another reviewer had received an ARC of this book. I discovered Donna Ashcroft last year, after picking up another one of her ARCs, and I've been smitten ever since. Feel good, Christmassy vibes that truly just melt your heart

There were so many Christmas titles I wanted to request on Netgalley, but this is the only one I caved for. The change in weather to colder and wetter certainly helped me get in the mood to cosy into this story.

I do love a Christmas heart-warmer and this certainly delivered. I wouldn't call Belle and Jack enemies from the get-go but Belle was certainly wary and I loved how that relationship turned around. I have read and really enjoyed many of Donna Ashcroft's other stories and this one is up there with them.

I'm forever a fan of not just romance but also having older / younger characters add to the story and Edina's relationship with Belle and her class of school children was just lovely as well, she brought her wisdom and some humour to the story.

Definitely one to look up over the winter (and obviously autumn!) period.

My many thanks to Bookouture via Netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy which I have reviewed honestly.

Bob the Donkey and jinx the cat make the book! The theme of “other side of the story was good” and it really came together at the end. It was a pleasant and gentle read. I really felt like I was living the story - especially the nativity and the excitement of the town. The story covered most of the main characters and didn’t leave much hanging, so you can read this and not feel as though you need to know more. I struggled a bit with all of the descriptions in the story. I like to read fast and this just bogged me down., but if you like to get really involved and get detailed description, this book is for you.

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands - Donna Ashcroft

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

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…

When Belle crashes into elderly Edina on her cherry red bicycle, it’s not the meet-cute she’d been hoping for. But she immediately recognises the lost look in Edina’s watery-blue eyes and resolves to organise a Christmas to remember for them both – brimming with mince pies, mulled wine and lots of sparkle. Although Belle hadn’t counted on Edina’s home being a crumbling Scottish castle and she certainly hadn’t been expecting Edina’s handsome long-lost grandson Jack Hamilton-Kirk to turn up on the doorstep in the middle of a snow storm…

This book overflows with Christmas spirit. It is a sweet and cosy, heart-warming Christmas romance with very likeable characters. As this is a relatively short book at just over 200 pages, nothing is dragged out making it a thoroughly enjoyable book.

An uplifting read about family, friendship and community. A feel good romance that will not fail to put a smile on your face and get you ready for the festive season.

Rating 4/5

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read several books by Donna Ashcroft and enjoyed them all. So I had high expectations for this book. I am happy to report that this book lived up to my high expectations.