Overall I loved this book and it how portrayed a normal couple and their relationship.

At first I was a little unsure as we join Ed and Kate in the middle of a fight something that had built up over a long time but as the story progressed with the snapshots back to the past you can’t help but fall in love with these imperfect souls.

It’s a perfect quick Christmas romance pick me up with the theme throughout you can’t skate and be complacent with your friendships/relationships and expect everything to be fine. You need to put a little work in, be honest and communicate. Joanna Bolouri has a lovely writing style and overall a fun read.

This was well written, I felt like I got all of the characters and where they were coming from. Even the extended families all worked well. My main issue is that I didn't believe in our couple. They start off splitting up and the book didn't convince me that they made the wrong choice.

The chemistry is there and the years of history. But the sense that they're going in different directions stuck for me. Regardless it's a sweet read which captures the Christmas spirit.

A quick, easy, cute and cosy read that had me singing christmas songs - well one in particular the whole time I was reading it. Perfect book to fill you with festive cheer

I'm driving home for Christmas, I can't wait to see their faces, driving home for Christmas yeah.

Oh I was instantly transported to wonderful Christmas time with this book. I felt throughly festive after reading this book. It's such a warm and cosy read. Perfect for this time of year.

A brilliant book not laughed , cried or bit my lip at a book so much in a good while, definitely worth a read this wonderful Christmas time
It follows the lives of Ed and Kate through time and back through time from Christmas now which starts with a fraught road trip home for Christmas and a few hours later ends with them splitting up but without telling anyone!
Then they start to think back to their lives pre Ed/Kate and where they better?
In Kate’s case no they were considerably worse as Ed does all cooking, cleaning household duties that she know has to think about whilst working a job she hates as a busy lawyer
Ed meanwhile who has took the plunge and started doing open mic nights with his music wonders is this the best idea he could come up with?
Do they want to carry on alone? Then suddenly Kate’s granny is taken ill

A really entertaining, heartfelt and engaging novel, perfect for Christmas or any time of the year. An original story and I genuinely did not know how it was going to end until the final pages

I was really enjoying the start of the book, but every time the book flipped to past Ed and Kate, I was so confused to why. Maybe it explains later on, but it put me off. That's just my opinion and I loved everything else.

I loved this book. A couple of child heart sweethearts who had survived different universities etc and suddenly driving home for Christmas argued and it is the story of how they fell back in love with life , work and each other over a year. Set between Derbyshire and London . Ace setting and story

I really enjoyed this book, I was hooked from the start the characters were well written and likeable, you could really relate with the struggles, curl up and enjoy this book

I read this book fairly quickly and although I enjoyed it I must admit to skipping through several pages. I didn’t warm to the characters and while the story was interesting, this spoiled the book somewhat for me.

This is a perfect, feel-good, cosy up with the fire and Christmas tree lit behind you kind of book. Perfect Christmas read, simple and easy! This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This was the first book I have read from this author, and to be honest, I wasn't entirely sure I would be able to stick it out at first, but the more I read, the more I enjoyed it.

It was refreshing to me, having an already etablished couple as the main characters, and a normal couple to book, with everyday normal jobs and everyday normal lives.

Still in love after all these years, the plot explores what happens when all those little things add up to issues you can no longer ignore. Do you drift apart, or do you fight for the person you loved, still love, despite their flaws?

A nice, quick read of around two hours, that explores love, friendship, and loyalties. Bonus that it is set at Christmastime.

Thank you to @netgalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

Very enjoyable book,A slow but moving story about finding yourself,and what you want from life.
Enjoyable characters good description,and a heart warming story to be enjoyed with a drink.

Thank you to Quercus books, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I haven’t read a Joanna Bolouri book yet and when this book started I was unsure on whether it was going to be the Christmas book I was looking for but it totally took me by surprise. I’ll admit I don’t think I liked Kate until probably 80% of the way through the book, but she definitely gets better. Ed on the other hand and Gubba are the stars in this story. This is definitely a Christmas story to enjoy and reflect on all there is to be thankful. A total feel good and I will be having a look at the previous releases by Joanna Bolouri.

I wasn't sure about this at the start, but it soon turned into a really nice surprise!

I loved this book having a couple as it's centre. Two very normal people, absolutely in love with each other, after all those years.

They do have drifted apart in a way, and their marriage is in peril, but they still act like very reliable people, who are there for each other when it matters.

I adored how relatable the story was, not about the one big problem and going from love to hate, but instead about the little things adding up. The realisation that maybe love alone isn't enough, if you don't grow in the same direction. That you can love a person and respect them, even when times get rough, or you wonder if you're still right for each other.

I've rarely come across a Christmas romance that was so little about drama, but just about how life can be. It just felt more "grown up" than all the miscommunication drama you so often get in this story of books.

There's enough friction to still be an engaging read, which I devoured in a single day! I cared for all the characters and enjoyed there not being a clearly right or wrong side. Just people, all with their own flaws and problems.

Such a wonderful story full of loyalties, friendships and love. About knowing yourself and finding your way.

Highly recommended!

Rarely do I slot right into the rhythm of the writing by an author I have not previously read or heard of, but this was one of those amazing occassions. I couldn't put the book down!

The characters felt so real and the story line was so visual in my head as I read, it felt like it was something I was watching on TV. This book has humour, but also a fabulous understanding of love and insecurities within relationships.

Ed and Kate, initially school friends, which turns into a relationship, have been together for fourteen years. Through, school, university and their adult work lives to date. Ed is a laid back school music teacher, while Kate is a hot shot divorce lawyer to "C" list celebs. Both have been happy with their lives together till the night they travel to their family for Christmas, when hard to take home truths are said in a blazing argument while stuck in the motorway traffic jam. They face the dilemma of turning round and going their separate ways or visiting the relatives over Christmas and pretending everything is fine.

I have absolutely no problem awarding this book my five stars. I'm going to look up other titles by the author as I have enjoyed it so much.

Driving Home for Christmas is Joanna Bolouri’s latest Christmassy read. The story follows main characters Kate and Ed. The pair are childhood sweethearts whose relationship has started to drift and it all comes to a head right as they set off to their home town for Christmas. What ensues is an uncomfortable Christmas with lots of memories and secrecy.

Throughout the story both characters narrate giving you a glimpse into how each of them feel about themselves and the other. It’s clear that there’s still a whole lot of love there if it’s just being masked by a smidge of discontent.

While the story has more serious undertones with its relationship in trouble trope, the characters have some excellent one liners and a real sarcastic wit at times and I think this just makes Joanna’s characters really relatable. We’re treated to a great cast of supporting characters especially Tom and Gubba - Kate’s brother and Grandmother.

If you’re looking for similar reads check out Hello Stranger by Rachel Marks or Joanna’s other Christmassy read All I Want for Christmas.