This is a very cute Christmas romance, set in the Lake District. The Lake District has a special place in my heart being the site of holidays and my own engagement. The atmosphere was spot on, and I could picture being back there. The feelings left over from being exes also felt realistic - both positive and negative, and suitably complex. I really enjoyed this. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Thanks @ netgalley for the arc of this fabulous book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but then again I love Philipia Ashley’s book extremely good anyway! This did not disappoint, it tells the story of a girl who lives in a small community in the Lake District one where you grow up here and marry your long term boyfriend and stay here til you are buried here or so the stories go. But in Freya’s case this was not going to happen in junior school she had had a pretend wedding where she was meant to marry Travis but at the last minute as she got to the altar she felt so sick (had done all the night before) and then threw up on Travis and turned and fled home under the duvet until school broke up. She then hoped everyone would forget about it
And she ignored Travis for a long time until they were drawn together again in their twenties and he asked her to marry him again ? She panicked again as her mum had got in her head saying he was unreliable an no use and she could do better she left him again and this time he left and she never heard from him again
Until he turned up suddenly just before Christmas and as she was cleaning the last cottage who should let himself in but Travis she was so shocked her mouth gaped. Er hello how are you? I am fine thanks and you Freya? I am good why are you here Travis ? I am opening a studio in the town didn’t you know? No she said her mouth in a firm line he smiled warmly saying maybe we could catch up sometime get a drink ? Er yes sounds good your not with anybody? No I am single still you? Yes the same ok well if you’re free tonight how about we grab a drink and a bit of food I am starving! Yes she said me too
And that is how this story starts ….

I loved this book. It was perfect for my first Christmas read. After an ex returns to town will they get back together over the festive period a lot stands in there way but will they succeed.

Welcome to the Lake District and a cracking cracker of a story! For this longtime fan of the author, it's always a very welcome day when a new book pops onto my kindle ad I devoured this story, barely popping up for breath. This is that kind of story by an author at the top of her game. Twists, turns, misunderstandings, red-herrings, surprises...you name, it this book has it. Oh, romance, plenty of romance. Trust me, you'll love it!
My thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the reading copy.

An absolutely lovely story of family, loss, hope and moving forward. I loved the characters, especially Travis, who was trying to help his younger brother Seb, after coming back to Bannerdale after years away building his photography business. The community spirit and importance of family shone through in this heartwarming story. I struggled to put it down.

This is a cute and light second chance holiday romance. I really liked both characters and their development.
It was all around a really great romance book, but I expected a bit more Christmas in it. It was mentioned a few times, but throughout the book I didn’t feel the Christmas vibe that much. Which is the only reason I was disappointed. For a book with Christmas in the titel I expected a lot more Christmas and holiday vibes.

However the written was amazing and the romance was really sweet, so I do recommend it!

Sweet story about Freya who lives in a village in the Lake District and has recently had a close escape from a trip to the altar. A previous ex turns up back in town and the attraction is still there.

It's a pleasant book with little mystery but various twists and turns. I thought there would be more mention of the characters in the previous book but I suppose living in the same place doesn't mean you would know them in real life so I should not expect it in a book.

An enjoyable pre-Christmas read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC

Another lovely story from Ashley, this one filled me with festive feelings from top to toe, with plenty of romance in there too. I loved the Lake District setting once more and the small reference to a character from Ashley’s previous Christmas novel. All in all, it was a great read from start to finish.

This book opens with a surprising wedding between the two characters… except they are eight years old. I was flabbergasted when I read this scene and, to be honest, it was how Ashley got me hooked so quickly. This was a wedding between children as part of a school project and I was astounded at how far the project had come. This was not just a school hall ceremony, but a church event with a vicar, bridesmaid… the real deal. So it is of no surprise that Freya gets cold feet and literally legs it from the church.

It is this that seems to haunt Freya in present day and has had an impact on her serious relationships. It turns out that her childhood groom was in fact someone she then was engaged to at a young age. And now Travis has returned to the village after many years’ absence. Has absence made the heart grow fonder for Freya? Or does she still fear the commitment that was enforced on her at the childhood wedding?

I loved the sparking relationship between Travis and Freya. It is evident that they are a couple who are destined to be together and readers are not the only one who thinks this. The sparks that fly between them are unavoidable and friends around the couple cannot help but notice that something will inevitably happen. However, both Travis and Freya are quite emotionally vulnerable and I enjoyed how Ashley develops this aspect of their characters. Fear of being hurt and abandoned, the loneliness at Christmas-time and not being comfortable at truly sharing feelings with one another leads to a “contract” style relationship between the two. It is obvious that this will not last and there are times when their relationship is called off – another indication that both fear being burned by the other.

I liked how Travis seems to be the one who truly falls first, making this more of a refreshing story. He sounds like such a lovable character and I admired his family values. Returning to open up his own gallery, Travis is keen to support his brother and sister whilst also getting his business established. He is dedicated to his work and has a passion for photography and I enjoyed reading the descriptions of some of Travis’s work.

You cannot ignore the warm, fuzzy feeling that this book generates. Set at Christmas time in the Lakes, there is the benefit of some snow and lots of Christmas spirit too. It is the perfect winter warmer with plenty of happiness within the pages as well. Whenever I read a Christmas book from this author, it definitely gets me in the mood for Christmas. It might not quite be December yet, but I am certainly ready to celebrate.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful holiday romance that gives you all of the sitting in front of a crackling fireplace vibes. Well plotted and paced with endearing loveable characters. Not to be missed.

Another beautiful story from Phillipa Ashley. Loved all the characters and the glorious lakeside setting. Freya has a wonderful company called Cottage Angels, which services holiday rentals, when one day her ex Travis returns to the village and rents one of the cottages, what happens next is a beautiful tale.

Any book from Phillipa Ashley is going to be a great read and this one is just that. Well worth 5 stars and I will leave it at that. Fantastic.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

What a lovely Christmas read!
I love a Phillipa Ashley book & this one comes near the top. Freya & Travis are teenage sweethearts who lost contact but meet up again. Will they, won't they get together with the added problems of family & friends. Can they realise what they have? Set in the beautiful Lake District, that lends it very well to a Christmas story.
Read & enjoy!

I loved this book, set in the Lake District. It was such a pleasant read with not too much emphasis on Christmas. The story flowed along with gusto and I read this quickly. I love Phillipa's books anyway so, it wasn't that difficult to enjoy this one. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Four Weddings and a Christmas was a lovely cosy Christmas read that really gets you in the mood for the holiday season. It was slightly predictable in places, but I think a lot of books in this genre are, but that did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.

I have read and enjoyed a few books by this author which were set in Cornwall. This one is set in the Lake district and still very enjoyable.

It begins when Freya & Travis are at school and they are the 'Bride & Groom' at a wedding. Freya runs from the church. Many years later and nearing Christmas she is busy getting cottages ready for Christmas. When Travis walks back into her life, he is renting a cottage. Over the years he has become a very successful photographer.

Both Freya & Travis have family and problems. It is another brilliant read which I can recommend.

This was a light and fun holiday romance. I enjoyed the characters and especially the setting. Didn't require too much thought!

Quite predictable storyline wise where this was going to go but a decent enough of a storyline on the way to make it an enjoyable read.

Travis is back in his home town and comes face to face with his ex. He still cares for her and it soon seems that might be mutual but there's a lot of history and hurt to work through. Freya is facing a christmas with her mum on a cruise and Travis being home. Could this christmas be the one they both find what they truly want.

Aww I do love a Phillipa Ashley festive story. You can never go wrong. This was another great one. As expected it's festive fun and with a little drama thrown in. The plot is a steady build up to an ending I really enjoyed. I liked that they both had to work through some issues throughout the story. The addition of the side story with Seb just added a little more depth to the story. Great present for any christmas romance fan.

It took a while for me to get interested in this book. It covers family dramas, friendships and relationships. Life isn’t always easy but it is certainly down to the choices we make. A good story with believable characters.

This is such a cosy, feel good Christmas read.

Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District, Freya and Travis’ story is the perfect blend of believable and captivating, with a fantastic cast of supporting characters to boot.

The writing pulls you in, with funny, witty and tender moments peppered throughout and the little town setting was perfect for this story.