I've been a real fan of Holly Martin's work in recent years, her series' are always heartfelt, passionate and uplifting; it's also addictive when she drops in hints of characters with intriguing pasts in one book that you can then follow on to the next/previous book in the series. As part 3 of the Hope Island series this book includes some old favourites from the previous books and offers some new developments for them but, as with all her other books, can be perfectly enjoyed on it's own merit without having to have read the whole series.

Though this is marketed as a Christmas book I would say it focuses more on the romance and drama of the characters rather than Christmas, so don't feel put off picking it up if you're not in a particularly festive mood. Hope Island is based in the Scilly isles and has a close community feel and a touch of magic that you are hooked on through the pages; it really is easy to see why Dougie is drawn back to the island and how anything is possible there. The characters, the easy way of life and the sense of fun from the community is contagious and this book has such a feel-good vibe with it.

The emotions of the main characters, Eden and Dougie, are tense from both of them spending a long period of time apart with many intervening factors that leaves both confused, wary and at odds with each other. This battle of trust and truth is both excruciating and frustrating but written brilliantly to keep you gripped to see if they'll ever sort things out. I loved the very humorous and completely realistic "wooing" that was written, it was so comical in a way that you felt like a bit of a (non pervy) voyeur and couldn't help smiling along with the hilarity and sweetness of it all. I want to give a high-5 to Holly for writing realistic, passionate without excess and therefore completely relatable love scenes, not an easy feat and mastered brilliantly I think.

Uplifting, funny and magical, this book is perfect for cosying up with and escaping for a few hours!

I loved this book and Holly Martin is one of my favourite authors. This is the third book in the "Hope Island Series" but is perfect as a standalone story. This is the love story of Eden and Dougie. Eden has been in love with Dougie since she was a teenager. He moved to America 12 years ago and is now back. Eden thinks Dougie sees her as his best friend and she accepts that's how things are. But Dougie seems to have more than friendship on his mind! Read on!

This was such a beautiful book- it makes you believe in the magic of romance and friendships. Mistletoe Cove sounds such a wonderful place full of meaning for Dougie and Eden as they shared a kiss there when they were teenagers. Unfortunately Dougie moved to America with his parents shortly afterwards and shattered Eden's childhood dreams.
This is a lovely story where great friends realise that they have both loved each other for years, although they are still a bit cautious. The romance throughout is really special and who wouldn't want a Dougie to come back into their lives with lots of romantic gestures warming the heart.
Although part of a series this is easily read as a standalone- but you really don't want to miss out on the other books in this series

I am absolutely delighted to be back in Hope Island alongside some truly wonderful and memorable characters, courtesy of author Holly Martin and the stars of this story. Having LOVED the authors previous novel; 'Summer at Buttercup Beach', where we were introduced to some of the characters who also reappear in this novel, I was so excited to find out what happened next with Dougie and Eden. Even though 'Christmas at Mistletoe Cove' has characters who have featured in Holly Martin's previous novel, it is still a standalone which means it can be read on its own with no issue. Although saying that, my advice would be to read 'Summer at Buttercup Beach' before you read this one, just so you get to read another f'awesome storyline!

As a child, Eden used to be all rainbows, fairies and wishing on her birthday cake but, as she got older, that all changed. Gone was the girl who found magic in everything. Gone was the girl who believed in fulfilling dreams and making wishes after being hurt so badly. Eden had only ever wanted for one particular thing, yet due to her dip in self-confidence, Eden believed that it would never, ever happen. It's funny how the things we want the most, are quite often right underneath our noses....

The thing about Holly Martin's novels is that no matter how long passes between each book release, Martin manages to real you back in with her snort worthy humour and hot under the collar antics. It's as though the author sees all of her readers as long-lost friends, especially as I seemed to fall in love with the storyline and the characters almost straight away. 

I'm sure a lot of people are going 'it's only September, why are you reading a Christmas book now?'. Usually I would be asking folk the same question, however thanks to Holly Martin, this year I'm not. Why? Because whilst reading 'Christmas at Mistletoe Cove', I forgot that it was only September, that it was only Autumn, and that Halloween still hadn't been yet. I'm not saying that because I have a bad memory, I'm saying that because everything about this storyline screamed; 'READ ME AND FORGET EVERYTHING ELSE. I'M GOING TO HUG YOU UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED THE BOOK'. Soooooooo of course I did what I was told! I forgot everything else and allowed myself to be hugged by such an enchanting and loveable storyline.

I loved how I was able to slot back into the characters lifestyles, even though the storyline was from a different point of view as opposed to the previous book with similar characters. I adore Holly Martin's cosy and comforting writing style as she never fails to deliver with her outstanding and relatable storylines, alongside some proper unsexy laughing. Think of a pig snorting, a sea-lion clapping, and a human bent over gasping for air and you'll get a rough idea as to how I laughed whilst reading this book.

Dontcha wish that you had a laugh like mine.....DONTCHA.

'Christmas at Mistletoe Cove' is as cosy as laying under a blanket with a hot cuppa tea; it truly is a hug in a book. Prepare to fall in love with Mistletoe Cove and Holly Martin's heart-warming words. Prepare to feel sad when it comes to saying 'bye' to a lot of fabulous characters. But, most importantly, be prepared to love this book with all of your heart. If an Ice Queen can do it, you can too.

Festive, fabulous and f'awesome; Holly Martin has delivered a belter of a book yet again.

Thanks Bookouture.

This is the third book set on Hope Island and although I have loved and would recommend the first 2, this can also be read as a standalone. Eden and Dougie are the stars of this show although characters from the other 2 books (Bella and Freya) also get a look in too. Hope Island is a small (but beautiful sounding) place and everybody knows everybody. Eden has been in love with Dougie since she was a young girl but when he left for America she assumed she would get over him. For all the years he has been away their friendship continued and for Eden it just got more difficult seeing him on his flying visits back to Hope Island. However, this time around his visit will be the last as he is planning on staying for good this time.

I have loved all the characters featured since the first book and because I have read the other 2 I felt like I already knew Eden and have been rooting for her since the beginning. We see Eden battle against all of her instincts and she struggles to face what could become her new reality. As always Holly Martin has created a wonderfully warm and romance packed book that makes the perfect Christmas Gift. I love this series of books and thoroughly enjoyed this. One set of character should that are excellent are Eden's Mum and Day they are hilarious and totally deserve their own book. Another cracking read where the perfect accompaniment would be a roaring fire and a mug of hot chocolate!!!

Eden and Dougie have been best friends since they were kids. Eden has always been in love with Dougie while his feelings for her seem to just be platonic. Now Dougie has moved back home and he is Eden's neighbour. Desperate to find the girl who once believed in magic, Dougie takes Eden to a magical spot in town where you can have any three wishes granted. Eden doesn't believe in magic and the only thing she has ever wished for is the one thing she can't have- Dougie.
As much I was looking forward to this book, I found it pretty predictable. I loved the chemistry between Dougie and Eden. They are undoubtedly my favourite couple in this series. The only flaw in this book is the predictable plot. The character's are entertaining and funny, the romance is beautiful. This is a great Christmas read that I recommend to anyone who is looking for something sweet and light-hearted.

I have absolutely adored this series along with it's wonderful set of characters so I couldn't wait to read this last instalment. However I also felt a little sad that it was coming to an end and I have to admit to longing to read Eden and Dougie's story as soon as they were mentioned. Christmas at Mistletoe Cove can be easily classed as a standalone as you get some background information within this story. However you really are missing out on such a wonderfully romantic series so I definitely urge you to start at the beginning.

There is such a playful friendship between Eden and Dougie that just drew me into their story. I loved their interactions and I was smiling away to myself throughout. Dougie is flirty and cheeky which was a perfect combination I think I may have got a little crush on him myself. It makes a lovely change to have a male lead with red hair then couple it with green eyes I think I was swooning a little. They already have a close and tactile friendship but there is also that lovely bit of realism whenever they were together that made things so perfect. Eden is a strong character except when it comes to Dougie after years of loving him but never telling him there is this vulnerability to her that was so endearing.

As ever it was so lovely to catch up with the characters in the previous books who all try to help Eden and Dougie figure everything out. I have to give a special mention to Finn he was hysterical as usual and it always became even funnier when Lucy joined in the conversation. I was half cringing and half giggling, I love them!

There are some lovely themes of friendship, love and family that combines to make a really gorgeous story that pulled me right in. It really is the perfect heartwarming story and guaranteed to bring you a lovely feeling of Christmas cheer! I know for a fact whenever I pick up a book by Holly Martin I will be reading a story with engaging characters that will have you rooting for their happy ever afters. It's a wonderful will they won't they story but the question is will their dreams come true this Christmas?

Holly Martin has a special way of creating stories that seem truly magical and if you are in need of a little bit of Christmas sparkle then look no further!

A beautifully romantic story that is guaranteed to melt your heart!

With thanks to Kim at Bookouture for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Eden is delighted when Dougie announces that he is coming back to Hope Island for good after 12 years of living in America, but the delight is also tinged with a bit of worry - she has been in love with him for ever but he doesn't feel the same way about her so how will she cope with seeing him every day but only as a friend!

Dougie has always felt that Hope Island was home........especially as that is where Eden is.........but how will he manage loving her when she only sees him as a friend! She has always believe in magic and fairytales can he use this to make her love him?

A lovely book and great to be back on Hope Island with Bella and Isaac and Rome and Freya. Holly Martin books are always so warm and cosy that you don't want to put them down but at the same time you don't want them to end - definitely one of my favourite authors

If you are in the mood for a delightful, second chance, festive romance don't bother reading my review - just start reading this brilliant book! Whilst it is the third in the series and does mention other characters from the earlier books, I still believe it works well as a standalone.

They grew up together, were always a pair, but soon after kissing Eden for the first time Dougie Harrison left with his parents to live in America. Whenever he returns to Hope Island he stays with his best friend, Eden Lancaster and that's been going on for the last twelve years. Now he's left his New York life behind to return home to Hope Island bringing his dreams with him. Eden has always had dreams of her own and most have revolved around Dougie wanting her as so much more than his best friend . . . Both are reticent and wary of moving their relationship on - but twelve years is a long time and maybe their feelings might be returned by their best friend? Can they trust their hearts to each other? Will Christmas change everything for them this year?

This is a heartwarming story of taking a chance on love, good old-fashioned wooing, fairy wishes and a magical well. It is a moving, cosy festive read, ideal for curling up with and escaping into - and some of the romantic gestures Dougie makes will definitely have you swooning your way through this story which is a great addition to the delectable series. Take yourself off to the Scilly Isles for a great story with plenty of reassurance needed in this  emotive, snowy, festive romance!

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

If you have read the previous two books set in Hope Island, you know by now, who Eden and Dougie are, as they were secondary characters in those stories. If you haven't though, don't worry, Holly Martin tells their story from the beginning in this book, so it can easily be read as a stand alone.

What I have always loved about Holly Martin's stories is the magic that surrounds them and in Christmas at Mistletoe, there's definitely a lot of magic. There's this legend that if you throw a paper with three wishes into a magic well in Mistletoe Cove, you'll get what you wished for. And obviously, our main characters try that for themselves... with really interesting results.

I really liked this magical touch, especially as it is a story set around Christmas, the most magical time of the year... I do think that September is a bit too soon to get into the Christmas spirit but the author definitely made me feel cosy and warm inside.

The star in this story for me is Dougie, as he was so much fun! He really had the craziest ideas and he surprised me so many times! I didn't warm up to Eden that much though... but I have to admit that they made for a really interesting to read couple.

By now, I know what I am getting with a Holly Martin book: a heartwarming romance with a good dash of craziness and this one delivered exactly that. Perfect book to pick up on a rainy weekend and enjoy with a hot chocolate and some fairy dust!

Rating: 4 stars

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

We are back on Hope Island, yay!!! This is the third book of the series and follows Eden Lancaster and Dougie Harrison. We know especially Eden already, because her siblings Bella and Rome, had their own stories told in the previous two books.

Eden and Dougie shared their first and only (so far) kiss on Mistletoe Cove 12 years ago. Eden has been in love with Dougie for a really long time, but he moved to NYC. Now he is back and Eden’s feelings are still there.

Dougie is nice to all the girls and treats Eden like a best friend and a bit more. The way he touches her and holds her is not only friendship. The more time these two spend with each other the more the sparks fly. They are there from the beginning, but they grow stronger rapidly. Holly Martin captures that beautifully, her writing is on point! It was a pleasure following these two characters.

We get to read more about Freya’s, Rome’s, Bella’s and Isaac’s life as well, which is just fabulous. I absolutely adored their stories.

This book is full of romance, friendship, humour, love, passion and the christmassy atmosphere around it, makes it just so magical. It also contains a bit of fairytale touch, with the wishes and the fairy dust surrounding Mistletoe Cove.

A very festive and charming read! Can we have Christmas now please?!

This book follows the story of Eden and Dougie who've been lifelong friends for years and Eden had been in love with him for as long as she can remember. Dougie has recently moved back to Hope Island and Eden is hoping that her romantic dreams may eventually come true.

Christmas at Mistletoe Cove is a nice story but it just didn't blow me away. I've read a couple of Holly Martin's books before and was looking forward to reading this one but I just found it a tad predictable and lac lustre. I just found I couldn't seem to gel with the main characters. Compared to previous books they were just too nice and sweet for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and he author for the chance to review.

I love Holly Martin’s books and was looking forward to reading a cosy Christmas book. Unfortunately, I found Eden and Dougie’s story rather strange. I totally understand that a man and a woman can be close, platonic friends, and I totally understand that friends can be in love without admitting it to each other. However, Eden and Dougie were close enough to share a bed and fall asleep cuddled up together, but each didn’t realise that the other one was in love with them. I have good male friends but I wouldn’t share a bed with them if they had a perfectly good bed of their own nearby! The book was well-written, and had plenty of humour, wit, and warmth, but I just wasn’t too keen on the storyline. I’m sure that it will be a bestseller and plenty of people will enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

Uncomfortably bad read. So the main characters are friends only friends never romantic, yet upon arriving the male character finishes every sentence addressed to the female character with "honey". Great to see you honey. Let's go home honey. Etc.

What a seriously cringeworthy read this was. The dynamic between the characters was pathetic. The supporting characters may have even been worse in some ways. Not for me. I generally love a good cozy romance but there was nothing cozy about this.

Thank you to Holly and Bookouture for my copy of this book and for letting me be part of this tour. I LOVE Holly's work and I have been waiting all summer for this story so I couldn't wait to jump back in. While this is the third book in the Hope Island series you can read it as a standalone. 

Eden has been in love with Dougie pretty much her whole life but he doesn't know. Dougie moved to New York when he was 17 but he's always wondered what if about that one amazing kiss he had before he left. I fell in love with Dougie after the first book in this series. I pretty much begged Holly for their story and I was so excited when she confirmed it was already in the works. 

Holly has a way of writing male characters that are just so damn romantic and Dougie is no exception. He tries his very best to make Eden believe in magic and wishes like she used to. He really is such a sweetheart. 

One of the things I love about Holly's books is that they are so funny. I couldn't stop laughing throughout this book. Eden's parents are some of her most humorous characters. They get so excited and say the first thing that pops into their heads. Oh, I love them so much.

I think that this has to be up there with one of my favourites from Holly and I look forward to seeing what she brings to us next.

This is the story of Eden and Dougie, two very close friends who have had sparks flying for years but who have done nothing about it. It was less of a "will they, won't they" and more of a "WHEN will they" for me, and that is just fine. Their story was sweet and this book was just the right kind of read inbetween the thrillers that I tend to devour.

I have read a couple of Holly Martin's books before and sometimes they kind of veer into unlikely and this was a little like that, but not enough to be annoying. Dougie is very romantic, probably a little over the top for me, but nevertheless I had tears in my eyes at some of his gestures of love. Eden is a little slower to respond than he would like and the lengths he goes to, to woo her, are really lovely. Everyone should be loved by a Dougie, I think!

I would recommend this book if you are looking for a nice holiday read with a Christmassy touch.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

I have been waiting for Eden and Doug's story since the first book! The tiny hints this author gave us in the first two books just left us wanting their story. And this book didn't disappoint at all! I love the way this author paints the picture in my mind while reading her books. It really feels like I am part of the town while I am reading. Once you start these books, you can't put them down!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Legend has it that if you write 3 wishes and drop it in the wishing well they will come true as least that is what sexy Dougie Harrison tells his best friend Eden Lancaster. All Eden wished for was for Dougie to love her back so what does she have to lose by putting it on her list to drop in the well. Will her wishes come true or will she experience be careful what you wish for?

Holly Martin does it again! A beautiful and romantic Christmas romance. 3rd book in the Hope Island series but this book can be read as a stand-alone. The book has me smiling and laughing. I really loved reading this book and highly recommend.

The third book in the series focuses on Eden and Dougie. Eden has been in love with Dougie for a long time, they shared a kiss at Mistletoe cove 12 years ago. After the kiss Dougie moved to New York, but Eden didn’t stop loving him, each visit he paid back home reminded her the feelings she’s always had. After being away for so long, Dougie is finally back on Hope Island and this time he’s back for good. Eden is feeling happy and miserable at the same time, but she’s happy to have him back nevertheless. Will the Christmas and Mistletoe cove magic help Eden and Dougie to find their way to each other?

It’s a sweet and cosy Christmas read that is filled with humor, friendship, love and festive atmosphere. I adored Dougie, he was such a charming and romantic guy and I also liked how funny Eden’s parents were. It spent great time with all the characters on Hope Island.