It may only be October, but Christmas is fast approaching and the holiday titles are appearing on the shelves. I received an early Christmas present of an advanced copy of Portia Mackintosh's holiday offering - and it's a little (Christmas) cracker.

Ivy Jones runs "Christmas Every Day", a festive themed shop in the Yorkshire village of Marran Bay, that she has inherited from her mother. Business is not doing well and even as December arrives the shop is quiet and the bills are stacking up. In walks dashing businessman Seb with a kiss under the shop mistletoe that send Ivy's heart aflutter - could he be the holiday romance she needs to end the year?

When her landlord decides to sell up, Ivy's home and business are threatened by development and the fight to save her mother's legacy begins.

This book is like a comforting Christmas film - you have no doubt how it will end and you've seen it all before but you still enjoy every minute!

The story is heart-warming and full of holiday spirit - you can practically smell the gingerbread pouring off the pages.

The main characters are charming and likeable and the supporting cast add lots of laughs. Cheeky Santa Gaz, prim school teacher Mrs Snowball and postman Pete create a real sense of village community and lots of laughs.

This is a perfect holiday romance - make yourself a hot chocolate, grab a blanket and snuggle down in your pyjamas to enjoy the festive fun.

Thanks to HQ Digital for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very Christmassy story set in a Christmas shop in Marram Bay. Full of love, laughter and Christmas. Ivy runs her late mums all year round rented Christmas shop, Seb is looking to relocate and build some holiday homes. This is their story of finding love where it’s least expected and the fun and games they have coming to a wonderful romantic conclusion with each other or someone else? Enter Gaz, a young, lovable Casanova who plays Santa Claus and Charlie, he local vet who loves to introduce herself to all new good looking men. Put your feet up, grab a cuppa and snuggle down for an irresistible, unputdownable read.

A great christmas story featuring Ivy and Seb. Second book in this series, but I don't think it matters if you haven't read the first.

This is one fab Christmas story! I fell in love with Seb and Ivy and really wanted the best for them both. Plus all the mentions of cinnamon lattes and gingerbread truffles have left me very excited about making lots of Christmas goodies!

This is the first book I have read by this author but I have since found that this isn't the first book in this series. Even so it can be read as a stand alone. Now I can't wait to read more!

This is just what you need for your holiday reading. This fun book will get you out of your reading slump! Heartwarming,fast paced holiday romance. I love being able to count on HQ Digital for a guaranteed funtastic holiday read that's perfect to pair with cinnamon rolls and hot cider.
Pub Date 08 Oct 2018
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from HQ Digital. Thank you. All opinions are my own.

Ivy and Holly are two very different twins – while Holly hates Christmas, Ivy lives and breaths Christmas. Their mum has started a Christmas shop that is open all year round and after her death Ivy takes it over – and she couldn’t be happier to work there. However, the shop is now in danger, as the owner of the building is selling up and moving away. Smooth operator Seb enters the scenes here – he wants to buy the place, demolish the shop and build something else there. Moreover, he’s very charming and it looks like the whole Marram Bay is under his spell. Ivy tries everything to raise the money to keep her shop – but can she save it?

I thought we’re going to hear more from the characters from the first book in the series but except for one or two scenes including Lily and Prue there was nothing more – this book totally focuses on brand new characters that I immediately grew fond of. I loved Ivy – she was probably one of my most favourite characters ever, such laid – back and relaxed and full of the greatest one – liners, and so, so realistic and real! I really felt as if I can reach out with my hand and touch her.

An open all year round Christmas shop – isn’t it a brilliant idea? And it was only the first festive thing in this novel. We then have twins Holly and Ivy, all the festive food you can think about, decorating trees, Christmas Festivals, Santa shenanigans … and yet it was not too festive overwhelming, thanks god, however a brilliant start to all the festive books slowly coming my way, tadah. It was full of brilliant, incredibly funny scenes and the tasting the Christmas Cake will probably stay with me forever, as well as the kissing booth and golden retriever, to name only a few.

Portia MacIntosh has a talent to create characters that are full of life and that rarely give up but are also realistic, and it was the same this time as well. Ivy, living and breathing Christmas, was so optimistic and so bouncy and it was impossible not to like her. I absolutely loved the way she was thinking and how fair she was, she wanted to save her shop but she was also willing to take another look and see other options – however, I also loved the fire in her and that, even though she’s seen those other options, she always came up with brilliant ideas to help her keep her mum’s heritage. She was smart and funny and not taking herself too seriously. Her sister Holly was an absolute opposite of Ivy re: Christmas but as likeable as Ivy. The one and only Gaz and his never – ending attempts to chat up a girl and on the other hand such a lovely Santa. And Seb with his Lamborghini and plans, such enthusiastic and down – to – earth – all of them, as well as the supporting characters, were absolutely fantabulous and incredibly easy to like, even if they were planning on demolishing some beloved shops or trying to sabotage those plans.

There was of course a hidden depth to it, and it had some very poignant moments, but on the whole it was a funny, entertaining novel. The banter between the characters was so natural and easy, the writing style was light – hearted and I was hooked from the very first page till the end. It was heart – warming and oh so romantic without being too saccharine. A lovely story about families, relationships, chances and finding what it really is what you want from life. It was not too complicated and a little predictable but full of other perks that made me appreciate it so much. Don’t be surprised when you’ll feel like curling up in front of your fire – place with a cup of hot chocolate and looking to put your Christmas lights on when reading “Love and Lies at the Village Christmas Shop”! Truly recommended.

Perfect read to get into the Christmas mood a little early on.

I loved the twins and the small town shenanigans surrounding them. The Men in the story didn't disappoint at all.

Hey, well if you love Crimbo then this is the book for you
‘Christmas Every Day’ is the shop Holly and Ivy ( twins ) were brought up in and now their Mum has died Holly runs it...but the business is failing...enter Seb an ‘out of towner’ kinda Brad Pitt meets Channing Tatum who is looking to redevelop land to build holiday homes.....need I carry on??.....he wants the land where the shop is...but theres a spark between them as Holly tries her best to keep it, then a kiss, then, well.....how will they unite their love with the impending sale 😃
All this set in a dreamy chocco box village where there is a home made jam shop and a headmistress called ‘Mrs Snowball’, a loveable rogue Gary who is the shops Santa,Crimbo fairs snd Christmas Cake competitions along with as much tinsel, baubles, trees and mince pies as you can handle
A dreamy, lovely book, cosily written which brought a near forgotten Christmas’( I sound old but its all changed now hasnt it ) back and gave smiles, raised eyebrows and fun
A very different read for me and hard to mark as usually do but marking on the criteria that it did as was meant to do it has to be a 10/10 and 5 stars

Cinnamon latte anyone?

This is actually MacIntosh’s second book based in Marram Bay (with its Yorkshire charm and causeway tides) but I haven’t read the first and that definitely didn’t detract from my enjoyment and understanding of the plot (I am however going to catch up with it because of how much I loved this book and her writing).

Holly and Ivy are non-identical twins that are as different as they look. Ivy is wonderfully bookish, independent and committed to her shop; Ivy is a savvy mum of 2 with a husband that works away and a lot of dislike for Christmas (for understandable reasons). Both sisters have suffered many heartaches and this book explores their different approaches to the festive season, and to life, but also their incredible bond and the ways they support each other. With everything they hold dear under threat it seems a Christmas miracle or two are much needed; you very much feel one of the family as you experience this life-changing season with them.

I really felt a connection with the peripheral characters in this book, there really is a community that provides much of the laugh out loud moments. Loveable rogue Gaz stole my heart and smooth operator Seb brings such a dilemma to the story that you just get hooked in to trying to figure him out.

Full of festive memories, nostalgia, pain, heartache, and loyalty, can anything ever be kept just as it was forever?



Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Way too early to be thinking about Xmas but that did not stop me really enjoying this heartwarming and romantic read.

This is the first book i have read by this author but it certainly will not be my last. Its a fantastic festive novel. Brilliantly written and the sarcastic wit is priceless. I highly recommend this book.

This is the second novel I've read by Portia MacIntosh and I'll be honest and say they just keep getting better. I loved the last one but this one just blew me away because it was set at Christmas! And Christmas novels are my absolute favourite type of novel. The cover for this novel is so festive and simply beautiful! The idea of having a Christmas shop open all year round sounds amazing to me! The Christmas decorations, the little Santa and the beautiful tree looks so cute and just so Christmassy! It's one of the best Christmas covers I've seen.

As for the story, it was lovely and heartwarming. What I love about Portia's novels is that they are so lighthearted and easy to read. You feel like you're flying through the pages! This particular novel by Portia MacIntosh follows main character Ivy as she takes over her mums beloved Christmas shop but is stopped in her tracks when Seb comes along. Seb is intent on knocking down Christmas Every Day and wants to build holiday homes - which most of the village agree he should do to get more tourists! Ivy is heartbroken by their decision to knock down her childhood home and livelihood and makes it her mission to stop Seb getting his own way.

Along the way, she and Seb grow closer, no matter how much Ivy tries to stop her feeling - this man is trying to destroy her home after all! Will Seb compromise on his plans in order for Ivy to see him as he really is? It was such a great, festive read and I was left feeling so happy and warm inside once I finished it! I was sad when it finished and it was definitely one of the most festive novels I've read so far this year so would recommend giving it a go if you're not feeling as festive yet! It's a great way to get you in that Christmassy mood for sure.

Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

First of this authors books that I have read but will definitely be reading more. Festive, funny, feel good book, read in one afternoon.

Absolutely loved this! The whole developer moving into a tiny village storyline is one of my guilty pleasures. I love finding out how different authors handle the problem this creates between two lead characters.

Portia MacIntosh has a flair for writing lovable characters. Even the characters that make a tiny appearance in her stories are memorable. Come on a golden retriever at a kissing booth? Visuals in my head for days, thanks for the smiles.

Snowmance is also one of my guilty pleasures. I do love a good romance that's set at Christmas time or surrounding a Christmas themed shop. This story has both of those and the romance is sweet and a slow burn.

Great story to cozy up under a blanket with. I read this in one sitting :)

Emma Messenger's review Sep 18, 2018 ·
it was amazing

I have heard about this writer, but hadn't read any of her books yet. I really loved this book, and after I'd read it, I saw another book called ' Summer at the Apple Blossom Deli' which is set in the same village, and was written before this one. Although I hadn't read the first book, it was easy to follow the story as this book appears to be a Stand alone book. I would like to read more books by this writer.
This book is set in the picturesque village of Marram Bay. It focused on twins, Holly and Ivy. Their late Mother ran a Christmas shop, which was open all year round. Holly doesn't like Christmas, so Ivy has the responsibility of making Christmas memorable for Holly's children.
Ivy lives and breathes Christmas, although the shop is struggling, she is determined to keep the shop open.
A handsome and intriguing stranger, Seb, arrives in Marram Bay, and visits the shop. There is an instant attraction between them. Ivy is horrified to discover that Seb intends to buy the shop and demolish it, in order to build holiday lets.
Ivy goes into overdrive, trying to increase business, and raise the money to buy the shop herself. Seb and Ivy keep finding themselves thrown together, by the Villagers. Although Ivy wants to hate Seb,she is finding it hard.
It seems impossible that there will be a happy ending, especially for Ivy.
This book is fun, with interesting characters. The description of Marram Bay is lovely, and makes me wish that I could visit.
There are plenty of food references, which made me hungry. This book is very festive, with lots of Christmas references. This book is romantic and a nice read. I would recommend it.

Well this is definitely the most festive book I've read in a long time!

We are introduced to twins Ivy and Holly (See? Festive!) who have differing views on the joys of Christmas. Ivy adores it and has a shop 'Christmas Every Day' that is literally how it sounds selling festive goodies all year round.

Ivy took over the shop from her late mother and also lives on the premises so you can imagine her horror when it is announced that new guy in town, the suave sounding Seb, has bid for the property and plans to turn it into a holiday resort.

Ivy vows to come up with the money to outbid Seb but will her plans go awry? Or can she save her home and business? Indeed will she fall for and share mistletoe kisses with Seb? I thought it was brilliant reading about some of Ivy's money-making ideas for the shop and would so love to visit it myself! Ivy was as good a business person as Seb I thought with some very clever plans.

I did see where the book was going but was still delighted with the ending, it was exactly what I hoped to happen through the course of the book but I won't add any spoilers...

This was honestly perfect for those who love all things Christmas - I so enjoyed reading about all the scrummy treats, decorating trees and the Santa shenanigans! The book was very funny in places, in particular I found Ivy's colleague Gaz to add welcome comedy value.

My thanks to HQ Digital via NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a first for me by this author but won't be the last.

Twins Holly & Ivy's mum first opened Christmas Every Day as she loves Christmas, but sadly their mum passes away.

Ivy also loves Christmas and vowed to take over the running of her mother’s store and keep the Christmas spirit alive in the idyllic seaside town of Marram Bay. She is trying to keep their mother's memory alive, and trying to give her niece and nephew a Christmas to remember, but she's also worried about Holly who seems to be hiding something!

Holly is the opposite and hates Christmas she has two children and a husband who works away a lot, so finds it hard being on her own.

Everything is about to change for Ivy when enigmatic businessman Seb moves to the town, threatening to bulldoze her beloved shop to make way for a holiday complex.

Can Ivy save her shop before Christmas? She comes across many hurdles whilst trying to raise the cash to buy the store, but her employee Gaz has ideas (even if they aren't what Ivy wants) to pull the people in.

Can she get Seb to change his mind or even compromise? Could there be a different side to the newest resident of Marram Bay that would make all her Christmas wishes come true?

As someone who loves Christmas this was a brilliant read and the idea of Christmas Every Day was amazing!

A heart-warming, uplifting book that had me captivated from the first chapter.

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.

My review has been posted to my blog & Goodreads.

Review has also been tweeted as usual.

Thank you! :c)

I enjoyed this story but I’ve recently read Dear Santa by Nancy Naigle and the plot was a bit too similar for my liking. A fun festive tale if you haven’t read the other book though, a relaxing quick read.

I had never heard of this author before but now want to read more of her books as if anything like this one be worth it as simply brilliant and hooked from the first page and was so heartwarming and romantic and finding what it is you want from life and about families. It's written so well and fabulous from the first page and really didn't want it to end. Full of Christmas in many ways and so beautiful and amazingly well written. Worth far more than the five stars and high recommend anyone to read it. It is an easy read but with quality content and you really think you are there in the beautiful village.
Ivy just loves Christmas and following in her mums footsteps. Her mum opened a Christmas shop that is open all year and when she dies ivy takes it over and lives in the flat above the shop. The shop isn't doing as well as it could do but she's happy. Her sister holly is the opposite and hates Christmas she has two children but her husband works away so hard being on her own. Everything is going well but one day a handsome man walks in to the shop called Seb he says he's moving to the beautiful Marram Bay and Ivy does feel her heart skip a beat when she sees him. Problem is she soon gets a phone call from the owner of the shop saying he's selling up as moving away and he's got a buyer but sadly it's Seb who she loved and he wants her out as he wants to change the whole area in a holiday park. Can Ivy save the shop and move forward as she doesn't want to loose the shop as its really her mums and she can't let her mum down. She comes across many hurdles when trying to raise the cash but by employing Gaz in her shop he has ideas to pull the people in. Know one is happy about what Seb wants to do but Ivy still has feeling for Seb but so cross as well will he change her mind about getting out and giving the shop up or will she stuck it out and stay in the shop or will she realise that the building isn't what hold memories of her mum they are in her heart so can she compromise with him. Can they both be happy and get what they want and can they find romance or not.
Simply so well written and you just curl up and read it in front of a warm fire and think of Christmas an amazing story.