FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017

Book Review: Christmas at Mistletoe Cove by Holly Martin


Release Date: 22nd September 2017
Publisher: Bookouture
Twitter: @HollyMAuthor

It just wouldn't be Christmas without a wonderfully festive, romantic read from Holly Martin. We know we've said this before, but it's true, so we feel like it's only fair to say it again. Holly is brilliant at bringing cozy, quaint, magical villages to life at Christmas time, so much so, that you will wish you could visit them, or even live there yourself, in wintry wonderland bliss.

Cafe owner Eden Lancaster always believed in fairy-tales and magic, that was until her one true love left her for New York twelve years ago. It wasn't a case of moving on and forgetting about him because he also happens to be her very best friend, who often visits her and her brother and sister in Hope Island, causing more heartbreak each and every time he comes and goes. Dougie Harrison has never shown any signs that he feels the same way about her, even though they do share a very close relationship. So, when he moves back to Hope Island all these years later, Eden doesn't know what to think. Could this be her chance at telling him how she feels and finding her happy ever after or will it just prove to her that there's no such thing as fairy dust and wishes after all?

Kelly: Like a warm cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream and those little tiny marshmallows on a cozy evening in December, ' Christmas at Mistletoe Cove,' will make you feel warm, festive and smiley. It's all the wonderful feelings you get at Christmas time, wrapped in a pretty little cover. Open it up and the inside is bursting with magic and sparkles. Eden and Dougie's story is sweet and homely, especially if you've read Holly's first two stories this year. It always fills me with excitement seeing how the characters I met in previous stories are getting on. In 'Christmas at Mistletoe Cove,' Rome and Freya, (Summer at Buttercup Beach) Bella and Issac (Spring at Blueberry Bay) are all doing well, as their lives run merrily alongside Eden and Dougie's. This made me content and feel like I was back home with the characters.

As for Eden and Dougie, they did have such a special relationship. It was cute the way they were already very touchy feely and the way they were so relaxed around each other, yet they both weren't sure how the other one felt. One of my favourite things about Eden was that her feelings for Dougie never changed throughout the whole story. Her love for him never wavered, even with their ups and downs, which showed just how strong and true her feelings really were. Dougie was such a sweetheart the way he wanted to see Eden happy and with a smile on her face. I loved that he went through great lengths just to make her believe in magic again, it was incredibly romantic.

Lucy: What can I say? Holly Martin is delightful, this book is delightful and I still feel delighted thinking about it, when I finished it over a week ago. This is another dose of Christmassy, romance perfection and I adored it. You will want to put up your Christmas tree, pour yourself a mug of your favourite hot drink and snuggle up under your coziest Christmas blanket and do nothing but read this book. Best friends Dougie and Eden were incredibly endearing and I was sucked up into this story from the very first chapter. Their relationship made me happy. I loved that they were so close with each other and could be themselves around each other and were always having fun. Watching their relationship blossom was beautiful, they way they laughed with each other and the shenanigans and awkward moments they had with each other were so heartwarming and at times made me chuckle out loud. We got a little suspense in wondering if they would end up together and I liked that there were moments where they didn't hold back and really told each other how they felt. It made me love Eden even more when she didn't run away and feel sorry for herself, but chose to go after what she wanted and stand for what she felt and admit to her mistakes. Dougie was ridiculously cute. You know by now I am a complete soppy and mushy romantic and the things he did for Eden melted my heart. Wait till you read it, uh the list, the wishes, oh how I loved what he did for her. I truly feel we should all have lists, not because we should want more or not live in the moment but because I feel when making the most out of life and love, we should always want to see our other half happy. We should want to go out of our way and experience everything with them. Furthermore, I think it's an amazing way to ensure you don't get complacent or settle. Like Eden and Dougie show, it doesn't have to be big things or extravagant surprises, it can be as simple as taking a bath together or holding hands. This was something special I loved about this book and that Holly created! :)

A wonderful Christmas story of love, friendship and wishes coming true. Mistletoe Cove is a lovely small town and is the perfect setting for a sweet romance. The main characters are perfect and the story just makes you happy. I definitely recommend if you want a lovely Christmas romance.

Last year a read a book from Holly Martin for a Holiday readathon and I saw this one and was so excited to grab it for this years readathon. I probably should put Ms. Martin on an auto-buy list. I have read two holiday books from her and loved both of them so much.

This happens to be the third book in a series and I grabbed it without knowing that, all was fine though, this story while it kind of spoils the outcomes of the other books, follows a different couple on Hope Island. The book is so whimsical and I love books set to the holiday magic that is Christmas and all its glory.

In this book we follow two points of view, Eden and Dougie, they have been best friends forever and both want more but are too scared to acknowledge it. Their friendship is playful and full of sexual tension. It was a fun read and I loved the romantic aspects of it. I am not always a huge fan of romance but this one was perfect - just enough heat and love and magic all rolled into an adorable book.

Christmas at Mistletoe Cove is the story of childhood friends Eden and Dougie, who have always loved each other but don't realize that the other has the same feelings until much later. They both shy away from telling the other about their feelings which seems quite clear to everyone else around them. As much as I enjoyed the concept of magic and hope at the time of the holidays, the romance did not do much for me. It all felt rushed and sudden and then quite over the top. All of a sudden everything just works out and is perfect with a lot of over the top gestures to prove that dreams can come true. It seemed a bit too easy for me and thus I ended up skimming through some parts of the story that didn't hold my attention. The characters are nice, but everyone seems to be rather perfect in how they are and their lives.

The concept of a happily ever after and finding love at the time of Christmas is wonderful and I am sure that fans of romance will enjoy this story!

I struggled thru this story. Does he doesn't he? Really? Took too long to get there.

A real cosy Christmas escape, the perfect Christmas book! The first I've read by Holly and I'm definitely going to be tracking down several more.

So good. I was in the middle of a stressful week and needed a bit of an escape. Holly Martin didn't disappoint with this book. My kids know I've been sucked in when they find me cooking dinner while holding my kindle. I just couldn't put it down.
Everything I love in a romance book. It was absolutely magical and perfect for curling up to read around the holidays. Or any day really.

Another cracker of a tale from Holly Martin. I love that her books are intermingled with others but not so much you can't read them on their own. If you want to get in the mood for Christmas give this a try !

A festive romance to make you wish wishes did come true. The characters are relatable and though everything seems just too perfect you read on wishing nothing bad happened to the fun loving pair. Has the funniest smouldering sex scene I have ever read.

You can not go wrong with a Holly Martin Christmas book. This is a fun,festive book of love held on the back burner for years discovered and acted upon. Dougie is such a romantic. This book is a warm hug on a Winter's day!
Pub Date 22 Sep 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with a Christmas book by Holly Martin. Festive, sparkly and super sweet, this is a perfect book to curl up with on a cold night.

This delightful story takes us back to Hope Island at Christmas time with its town brightly decorated it is the most magical setting. Everyone is looking forward to the festivities and Eden Lancaster is most excited of all as her best friend Dougie Harrison is back from New York and not just for the holidays but for good.

There is definitely a spark between the two of them but neither of them is keen to start up a romantic relationship as their long lasting friendship is so good they do not want to jeopardise it.

This is a lovely fairy tale that I was addicted to from the start and complete with hopes, dreams, wishes and fairy dust this is just what I needed when reading a Christmas romance story.

Holly Martin writes some gorgeous tales and I would not hesitate in recommending you read not only the others in this Hope Island series, but all her others. She brings all the characters to life with warmth and depth that leaves you feeling that you have gained some more friends.

In the continuing Hope Island series, Holly Martin treats us to a wonderful story of love, friendship, and holiday spirit in her latest novel, Christmas at Mistletoe Cove. With her brother Rome settled in marriage to his lovely Freya and expecting a child, her adopted sister Bella planning a dream wedding to her wealthy entrepreneur Isaac, Eden Lancaster feels at loose ends wondering what her future holds, and wishing with all her might that her best friend, Dougie Harrison will be a major part of it.

Dougie is returning home to Hope Island after twelve years in the states where he became quite the gaming design guru. He now has a venture to explore with Isaac, plus he just wants to come home. Just as Eden has harbored her love for her best friend, Dougie has done the same and plans to rectify that. Not knowing he already has Eden's love, he sets out to win it and he sets out to do so in a very big way.

A lovely story about a devoted extended family group with a touch of magic and many, many fairy lights, mysterious gifts, and a white Christmas. I enjoyed this book and do recommend it.

Wow. I always knew that when this book came up on Netgalley that I would enjoy it but I didn't think I would love it as much as I did. This book is so Christmassy and beautiful it's untrue - Holly Martin certainly knows how to write a Christmas romance novel.

The story follows Eden as she figures out where to go with her love life now that her true love Dougie has returned to Hope Island. I soon was hoping and praying that things worked out between the pair but of course (without giving too much away), Holly Martin is known for her beautiful endings that shall make you swoon!

The story was terribly romantic and simply magical and I loved the descriptions about the Christmas markets, mince pies and of course, the snow! This story was written so beautifully and had fast become my favourite Christmas book, making me want to visit Hope Island myself at Christmas time!

I loved everything about it, I loved the 'wooing', I loved the descriptions of the magic and the Christmas markets. The mince pie pancakes sounded delicious and I found myself soon Googling how to make them myself! The romance between Eden and Dougie was described beautifully and I fell in love with Holly Martin's stories even more.

Overall, a beautiful love story, which I throughly enjoyed and was very sad when it ended. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel which I have reviewed honestly.

Dougie and Eden had been best friends their whole lives; that was evident in the way the were with each other, knowing and enjoying each others flaws, anticipating each others reactions and generally moving in synchronisation. The only thing they didn't get right were their love lives.

Cue a little magic and a few nudges in the right direction and what you have is a beautifully charming, sweep-you-away romance in the style I've come to expect from a Holly Martin novel. I loved revisiting Hope Island and all of its characters. Holly's writing is again superb-the descriptive text allows you fall into her make-believe world and live amongst these characters that you can't help but fall in love with.

Dougie was super sweet, affectionate, thoughtful, sexy and damn near perfect. His efforts to give Eden all she'd ever dreamed of were what romantic dreams are made of! No wonder Eden has a hard time believing it all could be true. Loved him!

If you haven't yet picked up a Holly Martin book you are missing out!

Christmas at Mistletoe Cove takes us back to Hope Island and some old favourites.
This time we follow Eden and her best friend Dougie. They have been best friends since they were children, but Eden has been in love with him for the last 12 years but feels that Dougie doesn’t feel the same for her. All is ok whilst he was living in New York as she could forget about him and get on with her life, but when Dougie decides to move back to Hope Island, Eden begins to question whether she can see him every day and him dating other women.
It was great being back on Hope Island and meeting up with Bella, Isaac and the gang. I love how Holly manages to seamlessly interlink the different stories so you feel as though you have never been away. I love finding out what’s been going on and developments in the lives of my favourite characters, but also seeing life on Hope Island from a different perspective.
We met Eden and Dougie in the previous Hope Island books and they were characters whom were easily likeable and I was thrilled to finally be able to read their story.
Holly manages to create such beautiful stories, the characters are always realistic and easily relatable. The plots are always well thought out, beautifully descriptive and take me as the reader, on a roller coaster ride of emotion.
Christmas at Mistletoe Cove was no exception. I fell in love with the Island and the islanders all over again. Holly had me hooked from page one, her beautifully descriptive and easy writing style made this an enjoyable read. The words flowed and weaved their magic, portraying scenes which quite literally blew my mind. As always I can vividly picture the scenes and the characters, Holly’s ability to tell a tale is incredible. I was hooked, reading late in to the night, desperate to see where Holly would take me next.
I love learning more about he characters and discovering how their lives develop and their relationships build and grow. Holly has an amazing ability to draw the reader in, with her catchy plots and side stories and interlinking lives, making this, as is the case with all her books a compelling read.
Even if you haven’t read the other books in the series, don’t wait. Pick this up. You won’t be sorry! Not only do you have gorgeous locations, fascinating characters and relationships, but you also have the added bonus of Christmas cheer and sparkle. What else can you ask for? This is definitely a book to be on your Christmas wish list. This is a compelling and beautifully written Christmas book, guaranteed to add some sparkle and joy to your life this Christmas. It certainly put a smile on my face.
I hope there is more to come from Hope Island 🙂

3 - "Magic and dreams and wishes..." Stars.

We finally get to Eden and Dougie’s story, with the fact they are both attracted to the other, but unwilling to admit it running as a strong secondary trope through the previous two books, I was itching to get my hands on this one, and add to it that it’s set around my favorite season and I was excited to start Christmas at Mistletoe Cove.

Sadly, this was my least enjoyable book of the series, I just found it too juvenile in parts with the erroneous drama between the two of them and Eden’s reactions and doubts took too much precedence, and whereas I think Dougie’s actions were supposed to come across sweet and thoughtful once they arrived in Mistletoe Cove they were for the most part endearing, but I just found it all a little too Saccharine rather than romantic at points.

It still gave a good Christmassy vibe, I loved catching up with previous and secondary characters, and there were the usual Holly Martin giggles along the way. But I just wanted a little less sugar, more relevant emotion and a lower level of drama.

I've been eagerly awaiting the story of Eden and Dougie after so much was hinted towards in the last few books! Although I did enjoy it, out of all the books it was probably my least favourite. I loved the legend of the wishes, and I was so happy that Eden and Dougie got together but it was a little too obvious for me! The way they both acted with each other I couldn't quite believe that they really didn't know each other's feelings. I also couldn't imagine them actually saying what I was reading - it was a little too cheesy. BUT I still really enjoyed it and would more than happily read another of this series and certainly more from Holly! It was a feel good story and I'd still recommend.

I can't tell you how excited I was to hear Holly Martin had a new Christmas book out and not only that it was set in the wonderful Hope Island - a place I've grown to know and love, whose residents feel like friends. Hope Island and it's inhabitants are simply magical, I always find myself reading about their lives with a soppy grin on my face.

This time the story focuses on childhood best friends Dougie and Eden. Eden was totally in love with Dougie after they had shared a kiss at Mistletoe Cove. She thought it was the beginning of something....until Dougie left Hope Island 12 years previous with his parents and then stayed away to follow his dreams, settling in America. Unbeknown to him, he left behind a bereft and heartbroken Eden. Each visit he made home over the 12 years he was away squeezed her heart a little bit harder so the day she found out he was moving back to Hope Island she was beside herself with anxiety and excitement in equal measures.

I really don't know how Holly does it but she has once again draped her blanket of love and sparkles over this warm, witty story. It is truly magical, I was swept up in the magic and excitement as Dougie paved the way for Eden to hope, wish and dream. Holly's descriptions are so vivid I was sucked straight into the story and was rooting for Eden and Dougie to find romance and find their happy ever after.

Holly always adds subtle humour to her novels and Christmas at Mistletoe Cove is no exception. This was a book that had me creased with laughter and smiling one minute then cringing behind my hand the next as Eden's parents joined their friends in sharing anecdotes and offering the pair the sort of advice you definitely wouldn't expect to get from your parents. Add Christmas to the mix and you really have got a magical book that I was sorry to finish.

Anyway, enough said - go out and buy this gorgeous book, you won't be disappointed. I however am off to have supper - mince pie flavoured pancakes anyone?