This book is another Christmas beauty from Sue Moorcroft. It is filled with nostalgia, heartache and love.
Set in Nelsons Bar this festive read focuses on family romance of the past and present. Although there is an element of deception, it has a twist that came as a total surprise. I loved many of the characters in this book but Ruthie who is fragile with failing health was a favourite.
My thanks to Net Galley and Avon for the digital ARC.

I received an ARC of this novel and would like to say thank you to the publisher, the author and Netgalley. This was an amazing 5 star read!

Maddie is living with her Aunt Ruthie and her daughter Lyla. Her husband Adey disappeared into the night 7 years ago and is presumed to be dead. Ruthie is a senior citizen and need Maddie to be her caregiver as she has problems with her sight and her breathing.

One night a man shows up at the door and wants to talk to Ruthie. He was adopted by a man that Ruthie had a long time affair with and when he died, the family found all of these love letters from Ruthie.

The story continues with how this affects both families and the connection between them.

This was a lovely story with wonderfully complex characters and storylines. Since it takes place around Christmas there are also lots of lovely Christmasy feels in it as you discover all the Christmas traditions in this quaint village.

I'm looking forward to reading more of this author.

I have to confess that this is the first book that I’ve read by this author but rest assured it certainly won’t be my last, as after finishing this wonderful read I’ll be certainly reading more . The Christmas Love Letters was an utter joy to read, it has the most wonderful characters and a captivating storyline. Right from the very start this book had me utterly absorbed into the story and the lives of all the characters. The relationship between Maddy and her Great Aunt Ruthie was portrayed so well and to see how much Maddy cared for Ruthie was wonderful. The Christmas theme was lovely but this book is so much more than a fluffy, feel good Christmas romance, it’s a story of relationships and families. I adored it.

I am sure that we all think we know the stories of our parents or other significant people in our lives, but what happens if we really don't? What would happen in your family if suddenly a man turns up at your door claiming to be related to your beloved auntie - the person you are closest to in the world - who has never, ever mentioned anything about the story the man tells.

Maddy Cracey's life is already complicated. She moved in with her aunt to be her full time carer when her husband Adey disappeared nearly 7 years before. Adey never knew that she was pregnant with the now 6 year old Lyla. There are people in the small town who never let her forget about her missing husband and the mystery of what happened to him. Maddy has her close knit friends and is getting by, but she is looking forward to the day when her husband can be declared legally dead and she can move on.

One day, a man knocks on the door and tells a story involving Ruth and a love affair with a married man. Maddy is completely shocked, but that is just the beginning. What follows is a story that unfolds through the letters that both Ruth and her love kept over the the years. Of course, there are complications that occur when such a situation occurs, and Maddy needs to do what is best to protect her elderly aunt and daughter.

The man, Raff, has his own family to protect with their own individual issues. His sister Ffion is unwell and her teenage daughter is scared about her mother, confused by all the truths that are being unveiled, and subject to changing her mind about everything at any time, as teenagers are known to do. Meanwhile, Raff, by trade a teacher, is trying to write his own fantasy novel while helping out his sister before she goes in for an operation.

I really enjoyed the whole premise of this book. There were the twists of turns of Maddy's story, the strong female friendships and inter-generational relationships, the incredibly moving story about Ruth and great chemistry between Raff and Maddy. There were times when there was some miscommunication that could have prevented a few misunderstandings, but this is a minor quibble really.

There are some Christmas books where the story is set at Christmas and there is a mention of Christmas now and then. This is not one of those books. This book is all about Christmas - food, crafts, fetes, markets, so much snow!

This is the second novel I have read by Sue Moorcroft but it is the first of her Christmas novels. I am definitely excited to read more!

a cosy christmas read with twists and turns along the way! i loved maddy and raff and their complicated family, lyla is such funny little character and ruthie is just wonderful. a heartbreaking read at times but an endearing, creative and warm story.

thank you to netgalley for the arc!

It just isn't Christmas with a Sue Moorcroft book to sink into; and this one is no exception. A lovely read for the festive season.

This a beautiful love story. I loved the idea of the love letters telling the story for us - a way of keeping memories alive - so precious.
Ruthie and Maddy’s relationship was lovely - so natural and I loved how their family unit was so strong in spite of all the changes around it.
The intertwining of past and new loves made the emotions run high and more often than not I had a year in my eye as I wished for the characters to find what they were looking for.
As always Sue Moorcroft has written a powerful story, full of emotion and love and with some great characters who are unafraid to share their feelings and emotions.

The picturesque village of Nelson's Bar on the Norfolk coast serves as the backdrop to Maddy Austen's life. Six years after a heated argument led to her husband Adey's disappearance, Maddy's routine with her daughter Lyla and Great Aunt Ruthie is disrupted when a stranger named Raff arrives with forgotten love letters. As Raff and Maddy delve into the secrets of the past, they form a deep connection that hints at a budding love story. However, a mysterious message leaves Maddy questioning the distance of her own past. The novel unfolds as a captivating tale of love, family secrets, and the enduring power of the Norfolk coast to bring unexpected joy and healing into the lives of its residents.

The Christmas Love Letters is not my normal genre but I do love a book with Christmas in the title so I decided to give it a go. I found it to be a lovely read, quite emotional, with well written characters that I actually found myself caring about. Overall a lovely read.

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

I adore Sue Moorcroft books; they're always so warm and cosy with great characters and spirit. Her latest offering didn't disappoint. The lovely Christmastime setting in Nelson's Bar added so much to the story which already had so many things going on.

The book starts off with some letters between two lovers , Ruthie and Nigel, from long ago having an impact on several characters' lives now. The letters are filled with so much love and heartache through so many years, but ultimately, help bring together several characters in different but lasting relationships by the end. You had to feel for Ruthie went through so much but was still a loving and dear woman.

Lots of drama including missing persons, hidden pregnancy, adoption, illness and secrets kept me reading on to finish the book in one sitting. I really enjoy how Ms. Moorcroft tackles some difficult issues in her books while ensuring that we get the HEA (although it did seem hard going for poor Maddy and Raff after their initial connection). Special mention of Maddy's amazing best friend, Heloise, and the adorable and funny Lyla who both added so much to the story.

Another charming book by Ms. Moorcroft and highly recommended reading if you want a heart-warming story with lots of drama but also lots of friendship, family and love. And of course, Christmas!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a lovely cosy Christmas read. I thought that the storyline was original and interesting.I really enjoyed reading it.
There were lots of secrets, some drama and emotional scenes. There were many twists and turns, but it was also a heartwarming read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

"The Christmas Love Letters" is another heartwarming seasonal romance from Sue Moorcroft. As you would expect, this is a well written page-turner with some great characters and an evocative setting. Ruthie in particular is lovely, and it's always good to see an older character featuring so much in a story. Settle down by a cosy fire with a mug of hot chocolate and enjoy a great read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

I can't quite imagine what it would be like if my husband stormed out in a rage and was never seen again. But this is the predicament that Maddy faces when her husband Adey disappears. Plus little does he know that she is pregnant with their daughter. Fast forward 6 (nearly 7) years and Maddy is living with her great aunt Ruthie and her daughter Lyla in idyllic Nelson's Bar. Ruthie has a big secret that is about to come out when a tall, handsome (although a bit dishevelled) man comes to speak with her. Ruthie had an affair with a married man in the 70s and a child was born. Ruthie gave Ffion to her lover to bring up as his own. But he already had an adopted son (Raff). Cue an adorable story that had me captured.

But I am a big fan of Moorcroft's books. Absolutely loved this.

A beautiful story of past and present. Keeps the reader engaged and wanting to know more. Perfecr for a cosy winter read.

I don’t think anyone who reads the title or sees the cover of this book will have any doubts as to what it will be like. And all of their assumptions would be right!

“The Christmas Love Letters” is about Maddy whose life was rocked when her husband disappeared 6 years previously, leaving no trail but a lot of money troubles and, unknown to him, a pregnant wife. In the present day, Maddy has managed to claw her way back financially and be a wonderful mother to daughter Lyla. And she is also carer to her Great Aunt Ruthie who has always been more of a mother to Maddy than her biological one. However, when the handsome stranger Raff turns up on their doorstep, Ruthie is forced to own up to a secret she has kept for over 40 years. And Maddy has a chance at her own happiness, but her past is also always lurking in the background. Will everyone get a happy ending and will it be a happy Christmas?

Along with a lovely cast of characters, there are lots of wintry and Christmassy events. And while you can see some of the twists and turns coming a mile off and some of the language used in the more romantic scenes feels a bit clunky compared to the rest of the book, I don’t think any Moorcroft or heartwarming fiction fans will be disappointed. This is a wonderfully cosy read that is perfect for the run up to Christmas, preferably accompanied by a hot chocolate or a glass of wine!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Another winner from Sue Moorcroft. This time she returns to Nelson's Bar, the fictional Norfolk coastal village seen in A Summer to Remember. The descriptions evoke North Norfolk, the characters are drawn and we get swept along by Maddie and her family's problems.
Just right for curling up in front of a fire while the winter weather blows outside.

wow This story is really very special! I enjoyed the characters and the setting and I have to say I have been thinking about the story ever since I finished it. Absolutely amazing!

I thought the relationship between Maddie and Aunt Ruthie was really special as well and enjoyed the mystery throughout!

What a lovely and moving book. This book had all the Christmas feels, and so much love.

I loved the idea of the love letters being kept and read over and over again, Ruthie and Nigel had a love that just couldn't be, but they found a way to always be in each others lives. Raff and Ffion were great, they took the news about their dad and Ruthie well and the reunion between Ruthie and Ffion was so movng.

The other story line of Maddy and Adey was really quite clever and had me hooked. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, then a curve ball is thrown. The trip to Cornwall really was unexpected. Layla was a great character, a six year old child with a big heart and a good head on her shoulders. I loved her enthusiasm.

The Christmas magic still happened, even if it was getting close to midnight, I was so happy for Maddy and Raff. I loved reading this, and I was sucked in right from the start. A wonderful Christmas read about family and love.

I really enjoyed this book whilst I started and found I kept wanting more!

I loved reading something based from (supposedly) near where I live and how magical it is in the snow, I wish we had snow that often!

An enjoyable Christmas read that gets you ready for the Christmas period. I would say it’s more of a 3.5 star book for me :)

Maddy Cracey lives in a small coastal village in Norfolk with her small daughter Lyla, and her great aunt Ruthie.
Maddy is a carer for Ruthie, tables now turned as Ruthie was there for Maddy after her husband Adey mysteriously vanished one snowy night.
Things are about to change when a stranger named Raff calls to see Ruthie, with a bundle of old love letters.

I totally enjoyed reading this heartwarming book. I loved the characters in it, Maddy and her generous and thoughtful loving nature. Her sweet daughter Lyla, and Ruthie. A lovely mix of characters exploring and examining relationships, family life, and empathy and feelings.
I found this the perfect book to curl up with and shut out the world.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.