I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Christmas in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft Also by this author: The Little Christmas Teashop of Second Chances, If Every Day Was Christmas, Summer in the Scottish Highlands
Published by Bookouture on 11th October 2021
Genres: Chicklit, Christmas, Contemporary, Humour, Love & Romance
Pages: 289
Format: eARC
Source: from Netgalley
Goodreads
Amazon Kindle
Welcome to the gorgeous little Scottish village of Christmas, where snow is falling, presents are being wrapped and the locals are writing their festive wish lists. Will this finally be the year that Belle’s dreams come true?
Thirty-year-old Belle Albany is feeling lonely this Christmas. Another whole year has passed and her life is… exactly the same as it was last December. She longs for true love and a little bit of winter magic – but she’s almost given up on finding it in the sleepy Scottish community where she lives…
When Belle crashes into elderly Edina on her cherry red bicycle, it’s not the meet-cute she’d been hoping for. But she immediately recognises the lost look in Edina’s watery-blue eyes and resolves to organise a Christmas to remember for them both – brimming with mince pies, mulled wine and lots of sparkle. Although Belle hadn’t counted on Edina’s home being a crumbling Scottish castle and she certainly hadn’t been expecting Edina’s handsome long-lost grandson Jack Hamilton-Kirk to turn up on the doorstep in the middle of a snow storm…
Jack is arrogant, rude and bossy and Belle is convinced he’s about to ruin the seasonal cheer she has worked hard to create. He’s basically the Grinch in human form, so why does her heart race every time they’re in the same room? They disagree on almost everything, from menu choices to music, and yet she starts to glimpse a softer side hidden behind Jack’s clipped words and brooding countenance.
As they hunt down costumes for the annual nativity show and save a donkey from a snowy disaster, Belle can’t ignore their growing attraction. But will a secret from Jack’s past come between them? Or will this finally be the year Belle falls in love?
This gorgeous, festive read is like a warm hug in a book! The perfect cosy romance to snuggle up with this Christmas. Fans of Nicola May, Trisha Ashley and Debbie Macomber will love this wonderfully uplifting novel.
Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I have read a few of Donna’s books and I really like her writing style.
This book is set in Christmas Village in Scotland ( I know when can we move?) The village sounds heavenly. It has a cute little row of shops and seems to be constantly full of snow. Everyone is so friendly and really looks out for each other. It sounds so pretty and full of
Belle is the sort of person that will do anything for anyone. If she’s known you for 5 minutes or 5 years she will help you out. She spreads herself too thin because she can’t bear to say no. What Belle needs is someone to take care of her and force her to take some time out for herself. I can’t imagine anyone not being friends with Belle, she is such a sweetie. I do worry that sometimes she gets taken advantage of though.
Edina is such a great character. What is it about old people and children that make such fantastic characters? Edina has locked herself away in the castle for so long she has forgotten what it’s like to be around people. Belle makes her remember how much she loves being around not only the other villagers but also the wee ones as she calls them. She is so generous to the children in Belle’s class. I loved seeing Edina blossom as the book progressed.
Jack, Jack, Jack. This man is so infuriating and yet so utterly gorgeous at the same time. At some points, I wanted to shake the man to make him realise that there are good people in this world. There were times when you could see the shutters coming down and he would not listen. There were other times when he let his guard down and you could see the man he was underneath. A sweet, kind, gentle man who has an affinity for animals.
This was a perfect Christmas escape. Grab yourself a hot drink and a blanket and snuggle down with this book for a few hours. You won’t regret it!
About Donna Ashcroft
Donna Ashcroft was born in London and grew up in Buckinghamshire. She went to university in Lancashire and, among other things, worked as a copywriter, buyer, waitress, secretary and marketing manager.
Donna wrote novels for over ten years before being published. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and was a joint winner of the Katie Fforde Bursary in 2017.
Donna loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she’s escaping into a romance novel or movie. When she’s not reading or writing she’ll probably be found hoovering … or negotiating with her teenagers about who is doing the washing up.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
@Donnashc Thank you!