Belle Albany was rushing on her bicycle through the falling snow in the small town of Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, when suddenly an elderly lady stepped into her path. Unable to stop, she bumped the lady who went down and immediately Belle jumped down beside her. Edina was shaken but sure she was alright – after all she said, it was her fault for stepping out. But Edina had a small fracture in her ankle and Belle immediately knew she would need to look after her until it was healed. Belle was a caring person, always putting others before herself, and when she saw Edina’s home, the massive castle on the hill, with Edina the only inhabitant, Belle felt sorry for the lonely old woman. She vowed to help her and make her happy.

As Belle gradually came to know Edina, she discovered a rift in Edina’s family that had been years in the making. Her grandson Jack had only recently contacted her after thirty years of not knowing if he was even alive. Edina was thrilled to talk to and about Jack, but she hadn’t seen him yet. And the estrangement between Jack and his mother Tara was heartbreaking. Edina badly wanted the two to get back together. And when Jack arrived in his fancy sports car – not the most ideal through the snow – Belle found him rude and arrogant…

As Belle worked with her junior class at school, working on the nativity play for the end of the year, she had them writing their Christmas lists. Edina and Belle joined in for a bit of fun – but Belle was then determined to fulfil most if not all on Edina’s list. But could she do it? Getting Tara and Jack back together might prove the sticking point.

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands is a delightful, heartwarming novel by Donna Ashcroft which I thoroughly enjoyed. Belle was an exceptional character and Edina was wonderful. I loved Bob (the donkey) and Jinx (the cat) as well. The whole village of Christmas was full of special characters which made Christmas in the Scottish Highlands an extremely feel-good story. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

A delightfully enchanted storey. This novel drew me in from the first page and kept me there the entire time, even out in the cold snow with Bob the donkey.
I really liked the message in this book about learning to listen, seeing all sides of a storey, and being true to yourself and bold enough to ask for what you really want.
Belle had a tremendous heart, and I admired how she was able to provide so much happiness and love to so many people without ever understanding it. Jack hit it off with her right away, and she made him rethink everything he thought he knew about himself and others.
Seeing all of the other characters interact was fantastic, and I really like the multi-generational aspect of the storey.

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands was good but it was definitely very similar to another Christmas book I had just read before this one especially at the beginning.

It was a fast easy read and I did like the plot. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review this. This was a three star rating.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Belle lives in a Scottish Village of Christmas, she thirty and single.

Accidentally, she injuries Edna, whose a wealthy resident. She offers to stay in the castle until Edna’s injury is healed, because she feels that it was her fault and also, she’s the sort of person who wants to help and care for others.

So when she reads Edna’s letter/Christmas list, she wants to grant all her wishes and makes this her mission. But, so that this can happen, she’ll have to ask other members of the community to help. This includes her brooding, big shot lawyer grandson.

As she’s trying to bring some Christmas happiness to her friend, she also wants to find her an Christmas magic, even more so after meeting the grandson.

This was a sweet, happy story of friendship, hope and love, and the spirit of Christmas.

Get cozy and enjoy this light Christmas book. A fun story, but full of reminders that open communication and considering both sides of the story is important. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. Christmas in the Scottish Highlands had just the elements I was looking for in my next read: a cozy setting, charming characters, and a delightful happy ending.

Belle Albany is thirty-years old, single, and living in the Scottish Village of Christmas. When she runs into and accidentally injures well-known and wealthy resident Edina, Belle offers to stay with her in her castle until she heals, partly because she feels bad for what happened but also because she is the type of person who always wants to help and care for others. Which is why Belle makes it her mission to help grant every wish on Edina’s Christmas list. In order to make this happen, she’ll need to get the help of other folks in and around the village, including Edina’s handsome, yet brooding, big shot lawyer grandson.

While trying to bring a little Christmas cheer to her new found friend, Belle also secretly longs to find her own little piece of holiday magic, especially after meeting said grandson. What follows, is a sweet and cheerful story of love, friendship, hope and the enduring spirit of Christmas in this quaint little Scottish town!

Was this story a tad predictable with a none-too-surprising happy ending? Absolutely… but that is exactly what I was in the mood for! I wanted to read something that felt like being wrapped up in a snuggly blanket and that is exactly what I got! Christmas in the Scottish Highlands did not disappoint.

Such a heartwarming story! I read it over a grey and cold weekend, that was the perfect book to cosy up to :-) I loved the characters, their development, their relationships and awww Bob the donkey stole my heart! Even though the book is a light read, it did make me self-reflect on my relationships, so thank you to Donna Ashcroft for this :-)

Absolutely recommend this book if you need a charming, heartwarming and delightful read.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love a Christmas book anytime of the year, the season brings out the best in most people. However our central character Belle is so lovely she oozes Christmas spirit and kindness, whatever the date. Riding home on her bike from her job as a teacher in the local primary school, in the snow, Belle accidentally runs into local villager Edina literally with her bike. Edina suffers an injury to her knee and us unable to look after herself in her home Evergreen Castle, Belle offers to stay and take care of her until she is back on her feet. This works out really well for Belle as she has just offered up her house to one of her pupils parents as they are being asked to leave their rented accommodation.

Whilst staying at the castle Belle realises Edina is very lonely since her husband died and vows to get her involved with the school children and village life. The pair get on enormously well and Edina begins to come out of her shell and find a way to be useful to someone. In one such meeting Belle gets the children to write a letter to Santa of what they want most for Christmas and the grown ups join in. On reading Edina's letter, Belle vows to tick as much off the old ladies list as possible. One of the things on the list is Edina's estranged Grandson, before Belle has chance to intervene Jack is at the castle trying to find out who this stranger is staying with his Grandma.

Jack is a hugely successfully lawyer in London, polished and rich. Both think the other has ultra motives, and are after Edina's money or in Belles case she thinks he want to put his Grandma in a nursing home and keep the castle and money for himself.

This is a great holiday romance, filled with laughs, fun and a reminder that friendships and family can get you through almost anything. It is filled with amazing characters and I would love to read more in the future about Edina and Tavish the local shop keeper, and about Kenny and Logan. This would make sure a great series.

Christmas, The Scottish Highlands, a crumbling castle and a dysfunctional family - All the ingredients of a fabulous story to really get me into the Christmas spirit in September! This is a lovely book with loveable characters that I actually cared about and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to escape from their day to day life into a festive holiday read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

✨Cozy holiday romance in spite of loads of snow & a freezing castle!🏰

I thoroughly enjoyed this story; the author has done a great job of creating a satisfying small-town holiday experience with romance.

Belle, a kind, warm primary school teacher who can't say no to anyone needing her help is the center of the action in this lovely holiday romance set in a small town in the Scottish Highlands. The enemies to lovers romance for Belle and visiting attorney Jack has just a bit of heat but it's not explicit. Just as important is the friendship that develops between Belle and the lonely 77-year-old woman she runs down in the opening scene. Belle pulls out the stops to give Edina the Christmas of her dreams.

Apart from that, my favorite part of the story involves the little darlings in Belle's primary class as they prepare for Christmas and their participation in the village school nativity play. They steal each scene they are in and embody the happy anticipation of the season.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Curl up by the fire as you watch the snow fall and read this lovely romantic holiday book. Such a delight to read something that is full of the magic of Christmas and good cheer and believing that wishes do come true.

Belle, the daughter of missionaries, is a school teacher who lives in Christmas Village in the Scottish Highlands where one day she runs over an old woman, wearing a beautiful tiara, who lives in a castle. Belle is such a kind soul, always doing for others more than herself. Besides teaching the village children, she has raised money for a village playground, knitted blankets for babies in the hospital, adopted animals, organized fairs and parties and now the Christmas Nativity play, and helped all her friends. It is no surprise that she immediately takes on the responsibility to care for Edina who has broken her foot and moves into her castle to do so. This allows her then to offer her home to the family of one of her students who have become homeless. Lonely and widowed, Belle is just what Edina needs. Then Edina’s long-lost and handsome grandson shows up to show his love for his nana but also because he feels she is vulnerable and unsure of Belle’s motives. Jack, a lawyer, is very jaded, thanks to his father’s influence who took Jack away from his mother, Tara, when he was only 5 years old. Jack’s father taught him to never trust anyone, especially women. But Jack wonders, is Belle truly as kind as she portrays? Belle brings her class to Edina’s castle and together they all write letters to Santa. Belle finds Edina’s list and sets out to fulfill everything on it to make her happy, but the hardest will be to have Jack and his mother Tara reunite and be family again. Jack wants nothing to do with Tara, who has spent her life running a donkey refuge. Can this Christmas wish come true?

So many complexities and great characters. Some of my favorites are the typical curmudgeon, who has a soft spot for Edina and she just wants to see him smile. But I love, love, Bob. He is a donkey who just seems to have a great insight into what each character really needs. Christmas in the Scottish Highlands is a warm and cozy feel-good book that is perfect for the holidays. The story is rich in details that take you along as they traipse through the snow amongst the tall trees across the fields. The characters are well developed and charming. I’d love to read more about Christmas Village and to follow what happens next at Evergreen Castle for Belle. Put this one in your stocking.

Many thanks to #Donnaashcroft #christmasinthescottishhighlands #bookouture #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Wow! I was looking for something with Christmas cheer to warm my heart and this novel of Donna Ashcroft’s did just that! With 'Christmas in the Scottish Highlands' she not only swept me away to a beautiful snowy northern setting but she also delivered an original modern take on the 'Beauty and the Beast' classic complete with a castle! Yes, Belle, our heroine is actually named after this fairy-tale character and aptly so, for she is a kind-hearted, selfless school teacher helping all those in need.

The story launches with Belle hurdling into an accident. She has just agreed to take on the Nativity Play in Christmas Village. She is pedalling her bike fiercely to get home. Snowflakes are swirling around her when a huge chunk of snow falls off a tree, hits her in the face and blinds her vision. Without warning, Belle runs her bike into Edina, an elderly lady, and causes an ankle injury. Of course, Belle feels terrible and wants to make amends so she offers to move in to help Edina in her home at Evergreen Castle. Belle knows this elderly lady will need help while she recuperates, especially since she lives alone. Edina accepts. Belle also has given her own house to a family in need while they look for a new rent, so it’s a win-win situation. But this decision to live with Edina sends Belle headlong on a journey of unplanned events and communications—sometimes with persons who might not see her acts of kindness as genuine. For one: Jack, Edina’s once estranged grandson, who just happens to be a lawyer—and ends up at her door carrying a wagon load of distrust and suspicions. Upon hearing of Edina’s new roommate, he sets out to uncover her motives. But Belle does not trust him either and wonders if his plans for Edina are ill. She then embarks on a mission to tame the arrogant beast and expose his plans.

Meanwhile, Belle sets about providing as much joy as possible for Edina, including bringing her students in for some pre-Christmas activities. The kids are asked to make a wish list for Santa and Edina joins in with the fun. Then Edina’s secret wish list finds its way into Belle’s hands who then decides to try and fulfil her desires. This takes Belle down some interesting paths, including a few with Jack. But things don’t quite go as planned and unexpected emotions arise.

This is very much a story about relationships: family, friends and community members. And the importance of communication: listening, knowing someone, hearing both sides of the story. It is also about choices, forgiveness, trust and second chances. Even distorted views are exposed as nothing is ever just black or white.

We get two points of view, Belle’s and Jack’s. This gives us an advantage snapshot of their thoughts and reactions. Belle explores her motives and habits. Jack questions all he has been taught about trust. Have they each been affected by their upbringing? Belle and Jack have both lost a parent in one way or another and are forced to look at how it has shaped their world view. Belle may have set out to tame the beast, but she also learns much about her own life in the process. Jack’s hard and fast rules are challenged. He must overcome the pre-programmed negative voices in his head to find peace with his past, too. It is obvious that Belle’s accident with Edina is the catalyst that sets more than one life change in motion.

Animals are part of this delightful story, too, and their healing presence in the lives of the lonely. Also, the school children add some wonderful magic to Edina’s life as she becomes involved in their Christmas preparations and festivities.

I loved Belle’s reason for becoming a teacher: “seeing the children’s perspective on the world, all that innocence and desire to do good.” She has inherited this admirable core principle from her parents. But in the midst of the merriment, her own childhood comes back to haunt her in unexpected ways. Will there be relationship healing in store for her, too?

This was my first reading of a Donna Ashcroft novel and I absolutely adored it so much I literally went out and bought a previous Christmas novel of hers, as a gift to myself! I am certain I will add even more of her books to my shelves. For 'Christmas in the Scottish Highlands' was exactly what I had hoped: an uplifting story. Donna’s clear and warm writing style kept me interested in the characters’ lives and beautiful setting. I did not wonder about the outcome because I absolutely loved the entire journey. For I sensed and trusted the author would deliver the right ending for this fairy-tale romance: joyful, exciting and fulfilling. And it was. Although my usual diet is Historical Fiction, I wanted some ‘feel good’ Christmas magic as a treat and Donna’s 'Beauty and the Beast' rendition provided just that! I highly recommend this novel to those who want to get into the jolly holiday spirit. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy to review.

Charming, delightful, heartwarming! This wonderful Christmas book is full of characters who have who are kind and thoughtful, but who have placed walls around their hearts to protect them from pain. But as they come together to help each other, to work side by side to put together the school nativity, will they finally take a chance on love? I loved the spirit of community in this small Scottish village, I loved Bob the donkey, and I mostly loved Belle, who is good and kind and just wants someone to truly love her. Snuggle up with this book during the holidays—you’ll be glad you did!

The story begins with Belle running over a little old lady with her bike. When she gets to know her a little and learns that there will be no one to help her while she heals, she offers to move into her big home in the town of Christmas. Belle has been very lonely; Edina (the elderly woman) is also very lonely. Her family has neglected her for years, and she's all alone. That grabbed me right away, because I'm 82, live alone and suffer from a lot of loneliness, myself . It really gets fun when the letter writing to Santa begins, though. Belle wants to fill Edina's wishes, but some are pretty far-fetched.


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4267056698

Donna Ashcroft's novel, Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, is a tale of a castle that is home to an eccentric older lady, her dysfunctional family, a donkey, a school teacher, and a town of loving people, that grabs the reader's interest and keeps them turning pages. The setting and the characters are described in a way that makes them easy to identify; and the storyline, peppered with a few love stories, makes this novel hard to put down.

Belle Albany is a thirty year old kindergarten teacher who spends her life helping others and spreading herself a little too thin. When Belle hits Edina with her bicycle she moves into the castle Edina lives in and vows to give her the Christmas she's always wanted. Throw a gorgeous grandson into the mix and romance could be on the cards. Is Belle ready to let herself be helped for a change or is she going to keep herself guarded forever?

I really enjoyed this cute romance story I loved every character as they were very well fleshed out. The story was gripping and I couldn't put this down but I didn't want this too end. I feel like I could read about these characters forever.

I liked that this was set in the Scottish Highlands and in a snowy village where everyone speaks my accent. This really put me in the mood for Christmas and winter it would be a great story to read when the snow is falling outside.

I liked the themes in this story showing that there's always 2 sides to every story and you should always hear both sides before making a decision and you shouldn't be afraid to ask for what you want or need because when someone cares for you they want to help. I liked that this was a slow burn romance and it took the characters time to get to know each other properly and that there was more than one romance story in this too.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a cute Christmas romance and I'll definitely be reading more of Donna Ashcroft's books.

Such a cute Christmas story!
I loved the characters and their development, even though I thought Belle was too good to be relatable some times. I was obsessed from beginning to end (read it on every single spare second I had).
It is the first book I have ever read from Donna, but I will be looking for others, because the writing style really was one I liked.
I would 100% recommend for those who like a good romance in a christmassy scenario.

This is just what I look for when I want to read a romantic Christmas book. It had everything I love: the Scottish Highlands, wonderful and lovable characters, and a story that captivated me so much that I couldn't put the book down. Seriously, I read it all in one sitting. The Christmas lists to Santa, the children excited for the nativity play, a fun an eccentric grandma, and the love story between Jack and Belle all made this book a true joy to read. If you need a book to get you in the holiday spirit or if you just want to escape in a wonderful Christmas romance, this is the book for you.

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands

4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a copy of Christmas in the Scottish Highlands in exchange for a review!

This book was perfectly sweet with not one thing being disappointing or too sweet to ingest. It follows the story of 30-year-old Belle, a local primary school teacher residing in Christmas Village during the Christmas season. After a tragic accident in her childhood, leaving her and her father without her mother, she’s sent to live with her godmother while her father volunteers in Kenya. Belle has grown up needing to feel needed, often taking on too much for her to handle, but it makes her feel useful and needed.

So when she knocks over elderly Edina with her bike and fractures her ankle, she jumps at the opportunity to do multiple good deeds at once. Including taking care of Edina at her castle home. The more time Belle spends with Edina, the more she realizes how both need each other, for the comfort, for the love.

But insert grumpy, closed off from everyone, hot shot lawyer from the city Jack, and you have the perfect mix of a Christmas romance.

Belle spends her winter leading up to Christmas helping Edina cross off everything from her list that was supposed to be burned after writing, planning the nativity for the school, and falling in love with Jack, who very much does not trust her, a random woman from town who is a little too nice and a little too helpful, and is very, very irresistible for the man who has never truly loved anyone.

The writing of this book was well done, the pacing was great, it felt realistic and not quite like a tacky Hallmark book. I’ve had issues with recent seasonal-themed books that I’ve read in the last little bit and was worried that this one would be the same, but this was a nice surprise.

I loved reading it, I didn’t feel like I was missing something from it. It was perfectly wintery and Christmasy. There is nothing that I would have changed other than how Jack and his mother went about their relationship – which happened very quickly and felt slightly off after the general pacing of the rest of the book.

Most of it was predictable but in a nice way. You could see what’s coming from a mile away, but it was one of the reasons this book felt so cozy and familiar.

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands was perfectly themed, well-paced, had extremely enjoyable characters, and was the perfect read to get into an early Christmas Spi

Christmas in the Scottish Highlands is the perfect holiday read full of lovable characters, laughter, a hilarious donkey and a town you will fall in love with. Belle is a teacher who puts not only her students but everyone first. When she accidentally hits Edina with her bike, she agrees to stay with the older woman while she heals. Enter Edina's grandson who has differing ideas and opinions about what is best for her. Sparks fly between Belle and Jack but will they set their differences aside to help make this Christmas special.

I adored this book so much! Some of the side plots were a bit distracting but overall I loved the characters and I loved getting to see so many relationships in one book. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a quick, cute and mildly steamy Christmas book.