This Christmas, Rowan has a long list for Santa:
* To get her sex life out of the Sahara
* To stop being the lonely singleton in her friendship group (aka the prime target for blind dates that go horribly wrong)
* To find out where her confidence went (note to self: check under sofa)
* To have someone to curl up with this Christmas, other than a tin of Quality Street
But having had more than her fair share of heartbreak thanks to her ex with more off-agains and on-agains than Rachel and Ross she’s starting to think that real love is just wishful thinking…
But Rowan’s friends aren’t so quick to give up, arranging an advent calendar to help get her spark back. And while the gifts make Rowan feel festive glittery bubble bath, anyone? what she really wants to unwrap is the guy who delivers them, Alex. With his soft Scottish accent, infectious grin and blue eyes as twinkly as fairylights, Rowan wouldn’t mind finding him in her stocking this Christmas…
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture
I just reviewed Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend by Sophie Ranald. #SantaPleaseBringMeaBoyfriend #NetGalley

I thought this book was a pretty cute Christmas story. It follows Rowen on her adventure of learning to love herself and learning to love again. Also her adventure of having an ‘advent calendar’ on the days leading up to Christmas. I’ll admit, I was as excited as Rowen to find out what the present was going to be each day.

I really liked how Ranald brought in the pandemic in just a passing note. Saying how Rowen had to find a new job during the pandemic because her makeup business had slowed down as no one was getting married. This is the future of books where they mention things that have happened in real life to stay relevant. This is the first time I’ve read a recently written or published book that mentioned the pandemic. I thought it was a nice touch.

One thing that I thought was unnecessary was the chapters that had Alex’s POV. I didn’t think they added to the book at all. They didn’t take away from it either but I think I would’ve liked the book more if his chapters weren’t included. We didn’t really learn anything about him from his chapters because Ranald was trying to be secretive about his life. I understand but then why even have chapters on him if you give us the bare minimum?

Overall, this book was fine. It just didn’t really stand out to me in any specific way.

I REALLY wanted to love this story! Christmas romances are my JAM typically but this one just fell flat for me.

I didn’t like the heroine. Her daughter treats her poorly and she lets her… which I just can’t stand in real life or in books. And it was just really boring to read! I wasn’t invested in her story at all.

I didn’t love the writing style of it either…

I wish I could leave a better review.. but I have to be honest. This just wasn’t for me.

This was a very cute Christmas romance! I loved the character of Rown. She was likable and I was cheering her on throughout the book. The writing was very well done. This is the perfect Christmas book! I would definitely recommend others read this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

While the premise was really cute and I think our heroine Rowan, a single mom, deserved a magical Christmas - I couldn’t really find myself invested in the story. There was nothing wrong with it really, but it took too much time to my liking before anything really happened.

I thought the changing relationship between Rowan and her teenage daughter, as well as her relationship with her ex were the most interesting developments in this story. Those struggles felt real.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel the same excitement for the romance part of the story. It was really cool how Rowan’s group of girlfriends wanted to do something for her and set up this advent calendar, counting down to Christmas with a delivery per day. But it felt a bit repetitive and slowed down the story for me. In my heart I know these gestures were sweet and that Alex was a wonderful guy - and it’s a shame I wasn’t feeling it.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing a digital ARC with me in exchange for a review.

Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend by Sophie Ranald.

I’ll start by saying that I am OBSESSED with Christmas romances, and was excited about this book. The premise is one that I have read before and enjoyed, so I was expecting good things from this novel.

The main character is a lonely single mum raising a teenage daughter. She is gifted a custom advent calendar by her friends, where all the gifts are designed to make her feel good about herself. This part I loved. The rest, not so much. The romance was a painfully slow burn, which made the first half of the book drag on for me. I was well over halfway through before anything happened between the two main characters. Then, when something did eventually happen between the two main characters, it all happened within two chapters, the speed was dizzying. I loved the premise of the story more than the actual story itself.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

the writing isn't good and the story is so boring 😭

i thought it'll be a fun Christmas rom-com when i requested this but the main characters barely interact half of the book(only 2 minutes a day when he delivers her package). heroine was a doormat even her daughter treats her poorly, i hated her and i don't like hero much either

first Christmas novel of the year and i'm so disappointed 😤

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

Rowan a nearly 40 year old of one surely teenage daughter. Has the best friends ever, knowing Rowan is finding it hard to get into the Christmas spirit. They devise an advent Calendar where each day a new gift is delivery, what no one could count for was the blue eyed, tight arsed delivery driver.

This is a slow burn romance. What I loved most was the little snippets into Alex’s life, so many questions of who he was and what he was up too. I was rooting for him not being the bad guy which was hard when a certain female kept getting mentioned.

This book kept me laughing and agreeing with how hard life can be. Rowan’s ex and her daughters father was her biggest hurdle to climb over from him moving on and getting engaged. Rowan’s character grew as each page was turned, loved the everyday problems and the heights Rowans friends went to help her climb them .

Do I recommend this book, YES
Strangers to Lovers
Based in London
Christmas
Winter Wonderlands

3.5 stars

I liked this one. I did! But there was something just not quite right for me.

Rowan is a single mother to a moody teenager. She is navigating life as an estate agent while also nurturing friendships with highly supportive ladies, juggling her daughter, Clara, with her ex, and living a lonely single life.
When her friends decide to treat her to a great Christmas, gifts begin to arrive each day in the hands of sweet, kind and handsome delivery man named Alex.

First off, I loved the premise of this book. It’s creative and original, and I appreciated that! I felt the pacing was off for me. We got over halfway through the book and there was no development between to two MC. I mean, no development that was noteworthy. Sure they chatted and both seemed interested in the other, but…… nothing. When things did pick up, it felt they went 0-75/80 in like, two chapters. At one point both characters do acknowledge the speed their relationship took off at, but I think it made this story less believable.

I noticed at one point at the beginning of their interactions, Rowen referred to him as Alex when she was thinking and daydreaming of him. Like ten pages later she got an envelope he signed as ‘Alex’ and she was thrilled she finally learned is name…. 🤔

Overall, I enjoyed the read. I liked the mother daughter relationship between Clara and Rowen. I enjoyed seeing Rowen gain confidence and put herself out there. I enjoyed watching her give Paul a piece of her mind. I just wish the actual romance had taken time to develop a little more deeply.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really like the main character and I also really like Alex but I didn't like the dual POV. I felt it was unnecessary and I was skipping to get back Rowan's POV.
I love Rowan's friends and her daughter and the character was really written believeable. I love the idea of the Christmas calendar too.

Loved this authors previous books and this did not disappoint,loved Rowan…..she had imperfectiosn don’t we all?,loved it being set in London and me knowing all the places and loved that it was a happy read,at a very unsettling and sad time for everyone in the Country this was just the right distraction to have and to lose yourself in for a few hours,very enjoyable as always from this author

Synopsis : The story takes place in London. Rowan is a single mom raising her teenage daughter. They struggle to make ends make and Rowan is trying her hardest. Rowan’s friend group sets her up a Christmas calendar to show her they appreciate her. She gets a new gift everyday till Christmas. She meets the mailman Alex. Alex is no normal mailman. He’s beautiful and hilarious. What will happen between to the two ?

I fell mad in love with this book. This book did not stand out to me, because of the romance. This book stood out to me because we got to see Rowan’s journey. Rowan grew so much over the course of this book and I found myself resonating with this character. She is the most beautiful written character ever. Rowan also showed her flaws and that made me feel even closer to Rowan. She had the best character development I have ever read in a Rom~com. Rowan was so hilarious. I caught myself laughing so hard at 2 am that my mom was yelling at me across the house. This character was far from perfect in the best ways. Sophie Ranald writes a very good love interest. It’s not over the top and I definitely appreciated the slow burn. Alex was witty and kind. I even caught myself falling in love with this man. She doesn’t shove him down our throats. She gives us time to grow an attachment to him and don’t even get me started on his love language. ACTS OF SERVICE. This man is to die for. Got me wishing I was Rowan. Rowan’s relationship with her ex husband was also portrayed so well. I caught myself feeling her feelings. I was getting mad with her,crying with her. I just I loved Rowan so much. Anyways, Sophie sets the scene so well. I’ve never been to London or anywhere in the UK, but it was just I felt like I was there. I was learning all kind of new terms and foods. Like I want to live in London now. This book was beautiful written and I couldn’t have read a better Christmas Rom com. Thank you for giving me a chance to read this beautiful arc !

This story has everything you can think of for love wrapped into one! Rowan was a bit messy at times, but her role in the story was FANTASTIC. Her friends- where do I begin! I widh I had the friends that she does. It definately takes a “village!” I was so happy that Rowan got everything she wished for in the end. It was an honor to read/review this story. I will be recommending it to my book club once it’s officially released!

You’ll want to curl up with a hot choc to read this warm hug of a festive book.

This is such a heartwarming festive story. A new festive favourite!

A five-star read that unwraps like your favourite Christmas present. This is funny and joyous and has a darker undercurrent that manages to keep you from being pulled under and just adds to the whole passion and drama that fills each page. I loved the premise of this story, but I loved Rowan so much more, she isn’t always a character you like, but you love her non the less. Rowan is so amazing, but her friends are the type that everyone deserves to have. There are some complex tory lines within this one, and its light and comedic on the surface, but its real as well, and just really fun. This is an author that always makes me smile, and this story is one that will be making me smile right until next Christmas and beyond.

The start of the book was a little confusing with all the pov changes and not clarifying whose pov you were reading. The story was alright seen pretty basic could have a had a bit more of a complication or drama in the book. Is a HEA I suppose and a quick read. But definitely need to add characters name to show which pic we are reading from.

This book was really cringy and not in a cute way. I found it hard to like the characters and want to keep reading

I really enjoyed reading this. I like it when I can get lost in the story. I enjoyed all the characters. It was funny and witty, and a feel good story.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I really enjoyed this book, even if parts werea bit far fetched not sure many of us would let a random delivery into our homes, good quick read with likeable characters.

Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend, by Sophie Ranald.

For the holidays Rowan's friends send her an advent calendar. Each day until Christmas she will receive a gift. Alex is the delivery driver on Rowan's route. There is an attraction between the two, but will the couple find a connection?

This book is a sweet romance with humor generously sprinkled in. The cast of characters is delightful and put you in the Christmas spirit. It is a wonderful story about friendship and love. Sophie Ranald is the author of 18 books. Additionally, she writes for magazines. This is my first read by the talented author and I look forward to more of her work.

Santa, Please Bring Me a Boyfriend is available on October 7th.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for sharing this heartfelt book with me. I appreciate your kindness.

#SantaPleaseBringMeABoyfriend