Mia is a writer working for a newspaper covering weddings, but this is not the field she really wants to be in...... Her dream is to be a travel writer travelling the world to exotic destinations.... so when her boss offers her the opportunity of shadowing his daughter and her fiance on their two month pre wedding trip culminating in a big London wedding she thinks all of dreams have come true...... until she finds out that the photographer is her ex that she broke off with five years ago.... but she can be professional about it can't she?

Hunter is a successful photographer getting to the top of his field, usually with a pretty girly on his arm, but when he is asked to be photographer on his friend's pre wedding trip he is happy to do it.... not realising who the journalist is going to be!

A lovely story, great characters, plenty of fun and an author that I am going to look out for in the future

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. I'm not interested in this book anymore. I had to dnf it a couple pages in because it couln't keep me interested.

I absolutely loved this book. It's a Christmas story with a difference. Liv and Sandeep are engaged and before their large Christmas wedding want to travel and have it documented. Mia is a writer, employed by Liv's father, he gives her the assignment. Hunter is a famous photographer, he is a friend of the couple, and wants to take the pictures as a present to them. Unfortunately Mia and Hunter were once engaged and haven't seen each other for five years. When they meet, as they are about to set off for the trip, sparks fly. Will love be rekindled or will the trip be a disaster? Read on!

I am usually not one for second chance romance type books.
However, this book has changed my mind about them.
I loved the writing style and the story line.

I could not get enough of this story. It left me on the edge of my seat. I never really know what was coming next. I was in love with all the characters and when the book ended, I was hoping for a part two or an epilog. I would love to know what happens next.

I am now adding this author to my must read section.

I enjoyed being transported and traveling around the world through this book, stopping off in India, America, Malaysia and Scotland reading about these places and some of the cultures. Although this book has Christmas in its title it’s not overly festive and can be read anytime. Easy to read but kept me hooked, I loved it.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the focus on the relationships and the travel. It was great to travel the world with these characters.

First book I have read from this author and I really enjoyed it.
The descriptions of the places they went to makes you want to go on holiday, and the characters are all likeable and you hope they get a happy ending.
Even though it is set at christmas, because they are travelling to countries where christmas isn't celebrated, it isn't overly festive so would be a good read at any time of year.

First, I read this a couple months ago so I’m a little fuzzy on the details, except the corgi is Rupert and very cute. Anyhow the setting for the book is a lot of fun and I really like that Charlotte is not a young thing. The relationships between the characters are real and quirky and I really felt like I was there at the inn and theater. I’m afraid I figured out the murderer a long way in advance, but that’s okay because it was more about the process and the characters than the whodunnit for me. I enjoyed this book too (if I’m honest, I find myself putting down a lot of books I don’t care for these days, but I don’t write about them because my reason for not liking them is more about where my head is right now than the books).

Anyhow, if you like cozies, this book is for you. It’s good.

Sometimes a book is just such a lovely surprise, more then what you’d expected. I love when that happens! This was my experience with The Christmas Holiday by Maxine Morrey.
After years of paying her journalist dues Mia Walker finally gets her big break when her boss asks her to accompany his daughter and fiancé on a pre-wedding trip. Along with documenting the trip for the couple she will get the chance to finally write some travel pieces, her ultimate goal. There’s just one glitch. The renown photographer chosen for the assignment is her ex-fiancé. Hunter Scott has actively tried to have her removed from the assignment, thinks she’s in over her head, and still holds a grudge for her breaking things off. I was absolutely transported as Mia travels to India and experiences the culture for the first time. Hunter sees things again though her eyes. Ms Morrey doesn’t sacrifice the romance while bringing real depth and substance to these characters, and expertly using the location as a character itself. I do wish as they traveled more of the locations were highlighted more prominently. As the wedding approaches back in festive holiday London Mia and Hunter are torn between a complicated history and moving forward in the present. I really enjoyed this and recommend for those that crave winter themed holiday stories and lovers of romance.
I received an advanced reader copy (eGalley) from HQ Digital through NetGalley. This review reflects my honest and unbiased opinions.

A lovely story with some fabulous destinations and a great cast of characters. The tension was real and the situations amusing. I enjoyed this story and didn't want to end. The later destinations felt a little rushed - particularly London - and I would have liked more description and build up for the final chapters. But that didn't detract from my enjoyment. 4* = an enjoyable read, that didn't feel Christmassy until the very end.

Lovely cover on the book. Great feel good read for over the festive season. Lovely characters. a book that draws you in and makes u wish you were there

When I saw this novel was coming out by the lovely Maxine Morrey I was rather excited.  I loved The Christmas Project, and I knew that The Christmas Holiday would be just as good.  I was a little dubious about reading my first Christmas themed novel in September, but I really shouldn't have worried.  This novel is more about seeing some amazing sights across the world than it is about Christmas, so please don't worry about reading this novel too early in the year.

Mia Walker is a journalist who despite enjoying her job as the 'Hatches, Matches and Despatches' writer, longs to be a travel journalist.  She finds herself presented with the perfect opportunity - her boss asks her to travel alongside his daughter Olivia and her fiancee Sandeep to document the big worldwide trip they have planned before they get married at Christmas.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Mia and she is determined to prove herself in the world of journalism.

Hunter Scott is a world renowned photographer, who also happens to be close friends with Olivia and Sandeep.  Oh, and he's Mia's ex-fiancee.  Awkward!

So, Mia and Hunter are forced to embark on a two month journey around the world together, documenting Olivia and Sandeep's trip with words and photographs.  I really enjoyed getting to know the four main characters of this novel, although particularly Mia and Hunter.  As the novel progressed, I found it harder to understand Mia's reasons for ending her engagement to Hunter, although it was also quite difficult to understand why Hunter walked away.  These two characters are clearly very stubborn who both had issues that they needed to deal with.

What blew me away about this novel though was the locations.  The travel destinations are described with such vibrancy that it is difficult not to get caught up in Mia's excitement about visiting these places.  They are colourful places, full of culture and wonder.  They have definitely inspired me to add some places to my 'to visit' list!

I loved this novel.  It was light-hearted, even if it did touch on some more difficult topics (I don't want to give anything away so you'll have to read it to find out what these are for yourself).  There's plenty to see with lashings of romance thrown in for good measure.  Go grab yourself a copy, there's no need to wait until Christmas to experience some Christmas magic!

Rating: 📖 📖 📖 📖

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this lovely novel in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first of Maxine's books that I have read and I really enjoyed it - after reading lots of thrillers and crime it was nice to enjoy a good old fashioned 'fluffy' read!
The story is about Mia who is a reporter and has been asked to document her Boss's daughters build up to her wedding - she spends 2 months travelling with the daughter and her fiance to India, America, Malaysia and Scotland. Also included in the travelling party is Hunter the photographer who just so happens to be her ex-boyfriend from 5 years ago.
I really enjoyed the exoticness of the places they went to and all the luxury that they had - real escapism for me! It's not really a festive story as much as I thought it would be but that didn't bother me at all - I love a romance and a happy ending and this was perfect! Will look for her other books now.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy of this book, and for the opportunity to take part in the Weekend Blitz for it! As normal, first comment goes to the cover. I love the colour of it, I love that it doesn’t give a huge lot away and it’s just pretty. I wouldn’t instantly associate the Taj Mahal with Christmas, but it works brilliantly.

This book was light-hearted, romantic, and just great fun!! Taking us on a magical, Christmas journey. It may have caused a few giggles and sneaky smiles while reading it in public, I really love books that make me laugh. I’ve found myself thinking about this book days after I’ve finished it. It’s been haunting me in a good way.

I instantly felt a connection with Mia. As for Hunter, I instantly took a liking to him as well. A big liking to him. The chemistry between Mia and Hunter worked wonderfully and I instantly wanted them to work things out. Liv and Sandeep were brilliant characters as well, they added that extra layer of love and chemistry to the book. The romance wasn’t sickly sweet, it felt real and honest.

The writing style was quick, easy and just good to read. It was light-hearted, yet moving. There was a depth, it touched on a subject that could be difficult to write but was done well (no details given, don’t want to spoil it for you!), it was very brief but it changed the pace slightly and that was refreshing for a book like this. It all gave us an insight to what did and didn’t happen between Mia and Hunter and I don’t think I still get why they broke up to begin with? Well, I get it, but who actually broke up with who?

While it was quick and easy to read, I felt that the first book of the book was perfect. The whole time in India was brilliantly written, it was a great paced story. But then it felt rushed after that. There wasn’t enough time in each place to get the same sense of place as we got with India. That is my only bad point about this book.

Did they get their happy ending though? Did everything work for them? I would love to know what happened after the ending. I would have loved to have read Mia’s article for the wedding as well, and the travel pieces that they were working on.

I give this book a big fat 5/5. It was magical, christmassy, loving, brilliantly written and just great.

Mia Walker is given the biggest second chance, when she is offered the dream journalism job of travelling the world documenting a couple, who is set to wed. What's this big second chance I'm speaking of? Mia will be working alongside an incredible photographer, also known as her ex-fiancee, Hunter Scott. Mia hasn't seen Hunter ever since their engagement ended five years ago and it seems that Hunter has some revenge in mind.

Hunter does everything he can to get Mia taken off of this trip, however, the couple are set on Mia and it is time for him to face reality. Mia happened to already be extremely worried about her ex being a part of her dream journey, now with him trying to rid her off of the trip, it certainly isn't helping Mia's confidence.

The story between Mia and Hunter is incredibly intense and rather emotional. They have so many feelings towards each other bottled up and the more time they spend together, the more they let their feelings come out. There are a lot of heat in the moment conversations where they immediately regret what they've said but are too stubborn to admit it. Mia is most definitely the stubborn character of the book and that is because she hasn't had the easiest of lives, she relies on herself and won't let anybody in. Whilst she can easily care for other people, she struggles to let other people care for her.

I definitely enjoyed travelling the world with the characters and felt like I was embracing the cultures with them. The Christmas Holiday is a sweet and warm-hearted book which will have you hooked from beginning to end. It's a cosy and romantic read where you'll find yourself curled up on the sofa or in bed for hours on end.

I enjoyed this book so much! Mia who wants to be a travel writer gets her big break when her boss asks her to travel with his daughter to document her wedding. She's to be paired up with photographer Hunter Scott who just so happens to be her ex fiance. What ever could go wrong with that!?

I adore Maxine's writing style, it just pulls you in and this story is another fantastic read! I loved it so much I managed to read it in one sitting!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Maxine Morrey has become one of my favourite authors and The Christmas Holiday has done nothing to change that.. I enjoy her well-developed characters and the plots that are full of interest without being overdramatic. This latest offering had the added bonus for me of travel and I had a great time with my new friends.

I had heard of this author many a time but never read any of her books and I will be reading more as I loved every second of reading it. Full of holidays and emotions along with romance so full of drama and so heartwarming to read. A real winter treat to curl up and read this book highly recommend it to anyone. Mia is a journalist and she really wants her break with writing as winter comes along and when she's given the chance when she is asked to travel and write about a romantic tail that will end in a huge wedding in London. She takes the offer up but learns she will be travelling with her ex who is a photographer but she knows it's to big to turn down so takes it up. How does she cope being with her ex who clearly still loves her but does the Christmas magic take hold and can she work things out with the one man she has always hated. She loves writing while out and about and meeting new people as well. Well worth reading.

I love how different this book is in comparison to other Christmas novels. This is the first Maxine Morrey novel I've read (I feel like I keep saying that in my reviews lately!) and I was wonderfully surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

As well as this being decidedly different to other Christmas novels I've read, the cover is totally different as well. The colours are so inviting, and although it doesn't scream Christmas, it still stands out and draws you in. Also, how could you resist reading a book with the Taj Mahal on the cover? Exactly, you can't.

This novel is all about new experiences, romance and of course travel, which makes it an exciting and refreshing read to the other usual Chick Lit novels. The travel side of the book is something that I really did enjoy reading about, as it's in my personal interest to travel as much as I can. And although I haven't visited enough places as I would have liked, I felt like I was living the experiences of the places through main character Mia.

This book is a lot of fun, it has a ton of humour and is a lighthearted and easy read. Something I tend to look for in a book. When I read, I want to escape to a happy story, and this is definitely the book to choose to do just that. The characters of this book are so, so easy to relate to and you end up falling in love with their character. It's real obvious that there's still a romantic spark between Mia and ex-fiancé Hunter, and it's really exciting reading their story and seeing how their relationship turns out.

As the book does have some involvement with Christmas, it's the perfect book to read in the build up to the holiday itself, it'll get you really excited! Now I just can't wait for more books by Maxine Morrey!

Overall, an exciting read that is lighthearted and enjoyable from the start. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Another fantastic read by Maxine. I really enjoyed this festive read. Great characters that you really connect with a real page turner for me. Demolished to quickly!