My thanks to Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources for the tour invitation. I love Sue’s books and have reviewed more on this blog than I can list (you can find previous reviews via the search bar). Her summer and winter books are always a highlight and The Christmas Love Letters lived up to expectations.

Set in the English county of Norfolk, this is a heartwarming albeit heartwrenching story. A bundle of love letters of a long ago affair tells a remarkable story of love, loss and secrets.

Maddy Cracey lives with her great aunt Ruthie and young daughter Lyla. Maddy needs a place to live and octogenarian Ruthie, due to her failing eyesight, needs a carer so the living arrangements work perfectly. It’s not just one of convenience though. There is real love and affection between them with Maddy being especially protective of Ruthie.

Maddy hadn’t had the best of times. Her irresponsible husband Adey disappeared one night after a row and she’s had to ride out the village gossip and suspicion for nearly seven years whilst struggling financially and bringing up their daughter alone.

When Rafferty (Raff) appears on the scene with his father’s letters, Ruthie has to reveal a period of her life that she has never forgotten. Her pain of long ago events was plain and Maddy is concerned that this is all too much for her.

As mentioned, this story is set on the Norfolk coast and makes a return to a previous fictional location, Nelson’s Bar. A further setting is Docking – a village I am now familiar with as it has recently formed part of my Norfolk house hunting search. With the story set in the lead up to, and including Christmas, there is an evocative sense of place with the wintry snowy weather playing it’s part. As to be expected from this author there is much more depth to the story than just romance and I was more than intrigued to see how decisions from the past would impact on the present.

Secrets, love, heartbreak, romance and drama are all within The Christmas Love Letters. With authentic characters dealing with extraordinary events, this is another gorgeous cuddle of a book that I raced through. I was rooting for Maddy on all fronts. She was no pushover however she was a natural caregiver who deserved to be treated well and I was hoping that those slow burn romance vibes would lead to something special.

The Christmas Love Letters is all about family and second chances. Set against the festive background and the community celebrations, it’s a perfect book to curl up with.

A lovely story set in Nelson's Bar, a little village in Norfolk. We meet Maddy who has lived there her whole life. Seven years ago, after an argument with her husband Adey, he storms out, never to be seen again. Unknown to him, Maddy is pregnant with their daughter. Maddy cares for her daughter and has moved in with her Great Aunt Ruthie. Life follows a pattern until a stranger shows up with some love letters written by Ruthie a long time ago. Follow the twists and turns of the story dealing with love, betrayal and how secrets always seem to have a way of becoming known. Another great story from Sue Moorcroft and a delight to read.

Maddy has called Nelson’s Bar on the Norfolk coast home all her life but one stormy night after an argument her husband disappears never to be heard of again. He didn’t know she was pregnant band it’s been a tough struggle coping. Then a stranger appears who knows Maddy’s great aunts daughter. And years of hurt come to an end. Not always easily. An unusual and intriguing book.

The Christmas Love Letters was a great way to start off my Christmas reading this year with the book featuring family, friendship, romance and of course snow! I was hooked right from the prologue. I enjoyed revisiting the setting of Nelson’s Bar and am pleased to read that they have wifi coverage now. Nelson’s Bar and nearby Hunstanton were the perfect setting for this festive novel with warm pubs and cosy houses to escape the cold winds whipping off the sea. It all sounded rather magical and exciting with the Christmas fairs and all the pretty Christmas lights.

When Raff’s arrival unveils a closely guarded secret, Maddy’s great-aunt Ruthie produces some old love letters. With her sight failing, she can’t read them herself so asks Maddy to read them for her. There were such beautiful words about this impossible relationship and I loved reading about the letters – even if Maddy wasn’t allowed to read ‘the sexy bits’! It was moving to think this story was inspired by some real love letters.

I thought that Maddy was an inspiring character, someone who just got on with things despite all the challenges life threw at her. One of the biggest of these is not knowing what happened to her missing husband all these years ago. I just can’t imagine how it would feel not knowing where a missing family member even if, as in this case, the relationship wasn’t particularly good. Maddy was very protective of her loved ones, particularly her daughter Lyla and what a sweetie she was. I admired the dedicated care she selflessly gave her great aunt. Family came first for Maddy, often at the cost of her own happiness .

I really like the way that Sue builds up the attraction and tension between her romantic leads. It always seems so realistic and the chemistry between Raff and Maddy was fizzling off the page, There’s not a smooth path to happiness of course and sometimes I just wanted Raff and Maddy to sit down and have a good honest talk with each other.

Sue Moorcroft always includes some deeper issues for her characters to grapple with, issues that her readers will often be able to identify with. I feel these make her characters fully rounded and her storylines realistic. In this book Sue covers adoption, single parenthood, caring for an elderly relative, difficult family relationships, ill health and missing people. Such a lot it seems for one book, yet it all blends into the story perfectly.

The Christmas Love Letters is a touching and heart-warming read. A wonderful addition to Sue Moorcroft’s collection of Christmas books and a must-read for any of her fans.

I really loved this, and especially reading it in October too. It had Winter and Christmas feels but nothing too heavy - the storyline was the key aspect of the book and the journey and dilemmas that the characters were facing.

The setting, familiar Nelson's Bar, was great to revisit (but you don't have to have read previous books set in this location) and the characters were unique, flawed and brilliant to read about. There's also an underlying mystery - something unresolved and a curveball or two thrown into the mix as well. Dare I say it... Sue Moorcroft is mixing things up a little! Sweet, heart-warming and romantic, but dark, edgy and raw. A beautiful combination really to create a book that had me hooked from start to finish.

Such a gorgeous book, I was so excited to return to Nelson’s bar once more as I loved the beautiful setting.
Maddy is an amazing character, so strong and inspiring, her ability to pick herself up and to move on with her life despite the circumstances in her past was brilliant. It was wonderful to see the strong bond with her aunt, and how she manages to bring up her daughter in a really positive way.
Raff was an intriguing character, his appearance brought much to the family, and the letters he brought relighted memories from the past and inspired love in the future.
A really delightful love story that had lots of twists and surprises.

This book is a gorgeous and new Christmas story and a secret romance is only the start of the story!

This wonderful, festive story takes place in an idyllic village on the Norfolk coast and through the authors amazing writing style it honestly felt like i had been transported there and it was wonderful to be so totally immersed in the story.

I soon found out that I couldn’t put this book down and each chapter quickly pulled me along to the next one and the next!!

A gorgeous, moving story and one that also had all of those most important Christmas feels too…..

"The Christmas Love Letters" by Sue Moorcroft is a heartwarming holiday tale that envelops readers in the magic of Christmas. Set in the idyllic English countryside, the story weaves together romance, tradition, and the power of love letters. Moorcroft's charming characters and evocative writing create a festive atmosphere that's perfect for cozy winter reading. This enchanting novel is a delightful reminder of the warmth and joy the holiday season can bring.

What a wonderful, cosy, Christmas story, after plenty of false starts, misunderstandings and crossed wires I hope Maddy and Raff have the happy ever after they deserve to complete their family

Ruthie is an elderly lady being looked after by her Great-niece and single mum, Maddy. One day Maddy comes home to find Raff, a visitor, sitting in the living room chatting with Ruthie. Suddenly, lives are changed by the conversation they start to have.

Heavily strewn with hot chocolate, snow, twinkling lights, mince pies and Christmas Fayres, this is a fireside book for upcoming Christmas season Sundays.

Themes however do include some surprising heavy stuff: abandonment, betrayal, missing persons, deceit, adultery, adoption, police investigation and reunion.

This is an unlikely Christmas story, but the village of Nelson’s Bar is as good as any other for twinkling lights and painted baubles.

I highly recommend The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft.

A great love story that you don't want to miss. Maddy lives with and cares for her aunt Ruthie and daughter Lyla. Her husband disappeared and she is getting on with life. When out of the blue a man shows up wanting to speak to her aunt Ruthie and from there secrets are revealed and feelings explored. Raff is a gentleman and I developed a little book crush on him myself. The characters are so easy to fall in love with and the plot is one that has a mysterious edge that keeps you turning the pages. A story of family, lost love, new love and beginnings. The ending had me tearing up! With lots of emotion this is one festive read that I will treasure.

EXCERPT: As the early November wind blew Maddy Cracey along the cliff path from High Cottage that Friday morning it was hard for her not to think of her fair-haired, grey-eyed husband, with his naughty grin and capricious ways. Eyes drawn to the tossing sea, for the millionth time she sent out her thoughts to him:Adey, where are you? What happened that night?' Adey Austen had done a vanishing act one snowy December night nearly seven years ago, and since then, Maddy's life had been defined by a secret and a lie.

ABOUT 'THE CHRISTMAS LOVE LETTERS': A secret romance was only the start of the story… Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar – an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey – until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night. Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her young daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed. As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she'd thought it was…

MY THOUGHTS: The Christmas Love Letters is a beautifully written, emotional, heart-tugging Christmas read with a touch of both drama and mystery that I read overnight, unable to put down.
The characters are well fleshed out and relatable with reactions that we have all felt/experienced as life and love delivers unexpected blows.

I admired Maddy's fortitude, but she does lack some necessary communication skills, clamming up when she is stressed, or putting her foot in her mouth by speaking without thinking. Great-Aunt Ruthie, for whom Maddy is a carer, is a sweetie. She has lost so much during her life, including her sight, but she keeps a smile on her face and just keeps on going. She loves Maddy like a daughter. They have an easy and loving relationship.

I had all the feels reading this (arm yourself with a serious box of tissues) and enjoyed that the romance didn't overwhelm the mystery or the family-drama aspects of the story, but instead worked as an integral part of it.

I'm not going to say anything else about the characters or the plot for fear of giving away spoilers. But this is definitely my favorite Christmas read of 2023.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#TheChristmasLoveLetters #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: An army child, Sue was born in Germany then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK. She's worked in a bank, as a bookkeeper (probably a mistake), as a copytaker for MotorCycle News and for a typesetter, but is pleased to have wriggled out of all 'proper jobs'.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for providing a digital copy of The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Publication date: October 26, 2023

The Christmas Love Letters is a good holiday past/present love story. I have read Sue Moorcroft before and enjoy her books, this was no different!

Maddy Austen lives in Norfolk with her 6 year old daughter and visually impaired great aunt. Maddy has accepted her fate as a single mother with little prospects for love. On a cold night nearly 7 years ago after a fight Maddy’s husband walked out of the house and never returned.

Maddy is her Great Aunt Ruthie’s care provider and has carved out a good life with the people she loves. Maddy comes home from visiting the shops and finds a strange man in the living room chatting to Aunt Ruthie.

Turns out, Aunt Ruthie has a past that includes giving up a daughter for adoption. The man visiting is Raff the adopted brother seeking information for his sister. As Maddy helps Aunt Ruthie navigate her new family dynamics, she feels a spark for Raff but before they can even explore it, she received a mysterious text message that could be from her missing husband.

This was a 3.5 star read for me. While I enjoyed the story and liked Maddy and Raff together but there was a lot going on. Almost too much. Every time the story settled a bit there was something else. I would still recommend as a good option for a holiday romance.

#NetGalley #thechristmasloveletters #suemoorcroft

Another great read from Sue Moorcroft, though I have to admit this didn't quite hit the spot for me as some of her other Christmas books have. I feel we didn't hear from Raff as much as we normally do from the male characters, or certainly didn't get his strength of feeling. Maddy, Lyla, Ruthie, and Heloise were all great characters. I could never take to Ffion and Chloe. What strange characters. Adey was as you'd expect. It's suitably festive. I liked the love letters theme. Lots to like! With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

This is a story of a young mother, Madeline Cracey who goes by Maddy, and who lives with her Aunt in Norfolk, England. Maddy is, technically, married, but to a man who has been gone for seven years, a man who seems to have disappeared one night - the night before Maddy had known that she was pregnant. Her daughter is now 7 years old. They’d moved in with her Aunt Ruthie, or Grantie, after her husband’s disappearance, which seems to be good for each of them.

As her aunt’s sight is diminishing, and the letters she’s kept out of sight keep calling to her, she has Maddy read her some of the letters, as she reminisces over the man she had loved, and shares some of the background story with Maddy.

This story involves, and revolves around the aunt’s love story, the desire to make a connection with someone she lost, and Maddy’s story, as well, which revolves around the need to determine if her husband is dead or alive and just hiding so she can go on with her life.


Pub Date: 26 Oct 2023


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Avon Books UK, Avon

Such a sweet heartwarming story of family, friendship and love. The characters come alive and you can’t help, but root for them. A story of how old love letters can start new relationships.

When Maddie’s husband went missing nearly seven years ago, she was left with debts and a newly discovered pregnancy. Caring for her great aunt Ruthie and bringing up her daughter filled part of her life, but she needed answers and closure. When a handsome stranger knocks on the door and discloses that great aunt Ruthie had had a long affair with his adoptive father and that Ruthie had a daughter, Maddie was overwhelmed. The letters between Ruthie and z Nigel are poignant, filled with love.
This heart warming story of betrayal, family and complicated decisions makes a wonderful festive read brimming with festive events and lots of snow.

this is a lovely christmas book to read telling the story of two generations telling there story through love letters and giving joy and sadness throughout the story but a happy ending a must to read so giving no detail one to read for yourself

Maddy, mother to young Lyla, found a home with her Great Aunt Ruthie when her husband disappeared one night almost seven years ago, leaving her pregnant and penniless – she’s now Ruthie’s carer, but through their very special relationship has also found the support and love she really needed to see her through the most difficult of times. With no sign of him in the intervening years – perhaps he did fall over the cliff on that stormy night – the time is approaching when she can call her marriage officially ended and move on.

But while her own story certainly isn’t over, an unexpected visitor then enters all their lives – Raff arrives with a bundle of love letters Ruthie wrote to his father during their earlier affair, and a number of secrets from the past slowly begin to unravel. At first, Maddy is fiercely protective, worried that revisiting the past will affect Ruthie’s frail health – but as the full story slowly emerges, and they read the letters together, it becomes plain that there are ends left untied and the chance of a happy ending. And Maddy finds herself and Raff becoming closer, as they learn to trust each other – might there be a chance of a happy ending of her own, or could there be some unexpected obstacles in the way?

I loved absolutely everything about this book – especially the heartbreaking background to the letters, the way the secrets within them slowly emerged, and their ramifications and emotional impact in the present. But that’s not the only unfolding story – there’s a great deal more to make this one a compelling read with a particularly uncertain outcome. The setting of Nelson’s Bar is nicely detailed and a wonderful backdrop (not the first time the author’s taken us to that part of Norfolk, but nothing to worry a first-time reader), and there’s a very strong focus on family – both chosen and real – which is something I always really enjoy. Friendship too, often complicated, sometimes disappointing, always layered, and so well handled. There’s that perfect balance between lightness – with touches of lovely humour – and those rather darker edges that are always present in the lives of the author’s beautifully drawn characters. And, of course, it’s Christmas – with just the right festive touches and occasions, and unexpected snowfall just to make everything that bit more difficult for everyone.

Emotionally, this book was everything I could have possibly wanted – but it’s a real page-turner of a story too, and one that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page (and my goodness, what a perfect ending!). My favourite book yet? Yes, of course it is – until the next one. Do add this one to your Christmas list – I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

All I am going to say is that you can never go wrong by reading any books written by Sue Moorcroft, well worth 5 stars

Thanks to Netgally and publisher for this ARC