Cute, fun read that’s perfect for getting into the holiday spirit! Somewhat of a slow burn, second-chance romance. I’ll read anything set in Scotland, and this one did not disappoint with the atmosphere / setting. I have not read the other books in the series, but it was fine - I didn’t feel lost. If you like easy cozy romances with a holiday feel, give this a go. 3.5 stars

Thank you to Joffe Books and Ellie Henderson for granting me a Netgalley digital arc of A Christmas Wish on Arran. As it’s a festive story, it seems like the right time of year for a read and review.

A Christmas Wish on Arran is a cozy romance full of festive fun and heartwarming romance that’s perfect for ushering in the season with feel-good vibes and the season’s magic. The storytelling is layered, weaving journeys of self-discovery, healing, and romance to tell Beth and Callum’s story, and the plot is full of surprises. The characters are rich, vibrant souls with big hearts full of kindness and generosity, and they form a lovely, close-knit community on the Isle of Arran that makes me want to go live there. I loved that this romance featured dual POV and focused on the main characters who were in their 40s.

Ellie Henderson is a beautiful wordsmith who can paint a vivid, rich, and attractive picture of Scotland with her words. She captures the ambiance and atmosphere of Arran’s enchanting ancient landscape: warm, small community vibe and Scotland’s tendency for wild weather perfectly.

The romance is a very slow burn as Calum and Beth tiptoe around each other within their small island community – only with some sneaky old lady matchmaking and old friends to nudge them in the right direction do they take the plunge to reconnect. Beth and Callum’s chemistry reignites slowly as they come back into each other’s lives and find their feelings during times of hardship. They support one another in difficult moments, which beautifully mirrors their character journeys and development.

A perfect snowy festive read with oodles of charm and a cute, heart-warming second chance romance that will bring a smile to even the most hardened bah humbug out there. I’d recommend curling up with your favourite festive beverage, snuggly blanket, and roaring fire (or playing one on a device) to escape the winter gloom and the December hustle and bustle.

I hadn’t realised when I picked up this book that it was part of a series of stories set on the Scottish Isle of Arran but whilst I suspect that there are reappearing characters in each of the books, not knowing much about their back story didn’t detract from the delight of spending time on Arran with Beth and Callum.

Beth is newly returned to Scotland after spending much of her adult life in London. Her arrival on Arran as the new reporter on the local newspaper allows her to take stock of her life, leaving her troubles behind and starting afresh in a place which is familiar as she spent some of her teenage years on the island, working and falling in love. When Beth accidentally bumps into Callum, now a grown up version of the boy she loved twenty-five years ago. However, Beth is torn between guarding her secrets or allowing life to offer her and Callum a second chance at happiness. This is such a lovely story as not only does the beautiful Isle of Arran comes alive but we also get to spend time with a lovely array of characters who bring a real heartwarming empathy to this delightful will they, won’t they story. The coziness of living in a small town comes to life and shows how supportive small communities can be when people need help.

Wonderfully festive, with oodles of charm, and a heartwarming love story at its heart, A Christmas Wish on Arran had everything I wanted from a festive read. It’s as comforting as a delicious hot chocolate sprinkled with cream and marshmallows and is perfect escapism from the Christmas rush.

I love Ellie’s books and will read anything she writes. Love that the books are all set in Scotland and show off our beautiful country

Perfect holiday read! This book was light, warm, and fun. Everything you could want in a Christmas book. Well done!

A lovely book to read. Great characters, great setting and the warmest of all cosy feelings generated by the writing. I really enjoyed this book, it felt like a complete treat to read. I loved meeting new characters and catching up with the old but this can be read easily as a stand alone book. A complete joy.

Thank you Netgalley

I liked the majority of the characters, and I'm always a sucker for a second-chance romance. Overall it was a sweet Christmas romance, though I do wish it felt more Christmassy.

Many thanks to Ellie Henderson, Joffe Books, & Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

I literally felt like I was on the Irish island of Arran while I was reading this one. The setting of the novel itself is a character in the book.

Beth Ferguson got let down by Callum 25 years ago, so she left the Isle of Arran, now she is going back. I enjoyed reading their second chance Christmas story. I found the story to be well worth reading. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

25 years ago Lizzie and Callum agreed to meet at the train station, that is if Callum really wanted to go with Lizzie to London to start their lives and careers together, but he never shows. Lizzie, now known as Beth, has a faltering career as a journalist in London has a second chance to return to Arran for work. Will things work out unlike last time?

This book is definitely that of a Hallmark movie! If you want safe Christmas tropes set on a small Scottish island this book is perfect! Easy, quick and full of largely expected twists, with a few unexpected ones to actually keep you somewhat on your toes! I loved that this was about an older couple than you normally see in a lot of popular romances with the main characters being in their 40s and getting a second shot at love together! So if like me, you love a Hallmark Christmas style movie (because it’s always a safe “new” watch) this is perfect for you! And yes despite this being a series it works perfectly fine as a standalone!

3.5⭐️

I love Ellie’s books. And love them being set in Scotland. Her stories are always relatable with the characters and the story

A Christmas Wish on Arran, by Elllie Henderson, is the story of journalist Beth Ferguson and the circuitous route over a couple of decades as she travels from Arran and Edinburgh to a career in London traveling the world in search of the story, to the downfall of such things with Covid, and to returning to her roots as she was first offered a job at the Isle of Arran newspaper before ever heading to London.

As Beth reconnects with former friend Kirsty and makes friends with her publisher Jim’s wife Fiona, she settles in to her new home. Being only a ferry ride from her elderly father is a bonus. But the advances made by the local hotel manager are unwelcome and the discovery that Callum Thompson, the man who broke her heart so long ago, creates an angst for Beth to deal with. The fact that the teenage girl, Daisy, that Beth is working with on the high school newspaper is Callum’s ward only adds to the confusion of the tale.

This lovely story brings not only the people of this lovely island to the public but also brings the island to the reader. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Arran is a place that I have very fond memories of, so I’m surprised that I haven’t come across this author sooner. I really enjoyed this book and found it very relatable. The story is touching and stuck with me. I’ll definitely read more from this author in future.

A Christmas Wish On Arran is about a journalist named Beth, who takes a Job at a local paper in Arran. Arran just so happens to be have ties there, and is where she fell in love with Callum. Callum never left Arran and due to it being an island it’s not long until they see each other again. Beth and Callum run into each other a lot, and start spending more time with each other. Beth’s dad lives in a retirement home and Beth worries the entire time about her father. When something happens Callum is the one to show up for Beth time and time again. Maybe their love is still there, and maybe this can work. Read this book, Callum is such a good guy and I loved reading about these two.

Whilst A Christmas Wish is the fourth in the Scottish Romances it can easily be read as a standalone.

It's a gorgeous heartwarming read of second chance romance and Christmas magic that will leave you with a warm heart and all the festive feels.

The characters are delightful and it was a joy to be part of Beth and Callum's rekindled romance.

A wonderful wintery read that was highly enjoyable.

If you're looking for cozy and sweet, look no further. I don't mind cozy and sweet, but I did struggle a bit with this one, simply because it was a bit far fetched. The first half of the book they hadn't even interacted, and when they did and you learned their story, it just felt like...really? I know his dad passed, and that is traumatic, but who doesn't call their girlfriend or woman they love or whatever she was to him? It just didn't help me believe they really had this deep connection.

Overall it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. Cozy, characters are all pretty easy to like, and the love story is very pure and sweet.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

A Christmas wish on Arran by Ellie Henderson.
Scottish Romances Book 4.
This was a lovely read. I loved the cover and blurb. I got into the story straight away. I loved the characters Beth, Callum, Daisy, Edie, Jim, Freya, Kirsty and more. This was a lovely feel-good read. I read this in two sittings. I couldn't put it down. I loved how helpful they all were especially Kirsty and Edie. I do hope there is more to come. I would recommend this book.


Blurb.
This Christmas, can Beth and Callum find the second chance they need?

When Beth Ferguson’s journalism career in London ends in tatters just before Christmas, she’s offered a new start as the local reporter on the Isle of Arran.

The only problem? Returning to the place where she first met Callum. Her first love. The man who broke her heart.

Arriving as the close-knit community prepares for their Christmas festivities, Beth soon reconnects with Arran’s magic. But when she bumps into Callum — who is just as gorgeous as she remembers — it’s their shared past that pulls at her heartstrings.

It’s not just Beth whose heart broke that day 25 years ago. Callum, now a single parent to teenager Daisy, has never forgotten Beth, the ‘one who got away’.

Despite the time apart, the more Beth and Callum try to ignore their chemistry, the more it reignites the flame between them. And when Beth needs a shoulder to cry on, it’s Callum who shows her that time and distance can’t change what the heart really wants.

Perhaps they are both about to discover the season of second chances and a Christmas to remember.

@hyggebooktours
@joffebooks
@choclituk
@elliehbooks

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book so much that I bought my own copy so I could read it again!

I have never been to Scotland but am ready to pack my bags right now. The Isle of Arran sounds so exciting, and the descriptions are breathtaking.
This is the type of book once you start it nothing else around you exist until it's completed. I just got lost in it and had to know how it'd end.
Festively fun and heartwarming. I love the characters and seeing their character development as the story went along.
Full of surprises, from did that really happen to how can that be possible moments. I loved everything about this book. I so love a warm family-oriented Christmas story it warms the heart so much.
A bit of a scare brings a family even closer together and I loved seeing this.
Can a past heartbreak be explained away? Anything is possible during this magical time of Christmas when misunderstandings are healed, and love is the healing balm.
Beautiful, I so loved this and recommend it to all! A read again Christmas story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Beth always dreamt of being a journalist but when things go wrong she starts again as a local reporter on Isle of Arran.
She hopes first love Calum will have moved away.
How wrong could she be?
I really liked Beth and wanted things to go well for her. I was intrigued to see how this Arran love story would work out being Scottish myself and having been to Isle of Arran many times.
I raced through it and I really enjoyed Beth and Calum's story.
This is the first book I have read of this author and I hope to read more.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.