§§§A gruff hero, an independent heroine and a mischievous Dalmatian, all the ingredients are there for a cosy winter romance.
It’s an oldie but a goodie and Sophie Claire has incorporated it into her story well, the strong and silent lord of the manner, haunted by his past finds himself captivated by the faults of a lady coming out of the shadow of her past mistakes.
I particularly like how straightforward and no nonsense Jake Hartwood is, but underneath his moody exterior is the capacity to love, woman and beast.
It’s Evie Millers compassion and generosity, which makes her the perfect balm for his wounded soul. Add loyal Smoke into the mix and things get interesting.
The fact the two main characters don’t spend Christmas in the “usual” way, but go their own way to escape their problems means this charming Christmas read has a new and interesting dimension to a genre with plenty of books to chose from at this time of year. TheChristmasHoliday should definitely be on your TBR lists.
My thanks as always to Netgally and For allowing me to read and review TheChristmasHoliday in advance.

🎀Warmth and renewal for a grieving widower and a crafter who lacks confidence 💞
👥I really enjoyed the emotional journey of principal characters Jake and Evie as they face up to their past disappointments and find budding friendship and attraction despite their bitter disappointments in past relationships. Jake is the dark that highlights Evie's light and positive nature. Christmas promises to be a difficult holiday for both but they join forces and find new possibilities on a trip to Provence. Their hot and cold connection was realistic if frustrating, but each of them gave support and encouragement to the other and let time, circumstance and a Dalmatian named Smoke work their magic.

🎄 Although Christmas preparations, weather and celebrations play a role in the plot, I would not label this as a Christmas story per se. Neither is it a light romance filled with warm and fuzzies. It's a clever tale of second chances, difficult choices, and finding the strength inside to live consciously instead of coasting through life. It was a bit slower than I would have liked, but ultimately a very satisfying read. 👍👍

Thanks to publishers Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

Still grieving for his wife two years after her death, Jake moves to the country in search of privacy and isolation.
Evie, the bubbly new owner of “Buttonhole” has lost faith in men since her ex cheated on her.
It was interesting how these two people helped each other to view life from a different and more positive perspective.
I enjoyed the quilting references - I would love to have a quirky shop like this nearby.
Enjoy this cosy read and escape to some wonderful locations..








Amazon

I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm a huge fan of Christmas books, and I was attracted to this book by its festive cover. I think that this book can be easily read and appreciated as a Autumn or Winter book, as it is not overly festive, but is a good book to curl up with on a cold day.
This book is a cosy and heartwarming read, although grief is one of the main themes in the book, and is talked about in most of the chapters. It is written about sympathetically, and in a gentle way.
The characters of Evie and Jake are both bereaved, and slowly develop a friendship, where they help each other to heal.
The characterisation in this book are wonderful, they all have flaws, and are not perfect. I really liked this, as it made the characters very likeable and easy to relate to. The character of Smoke, the dalmatian is fantastic.
Evie is such a quirky, lively and kind character, who is impossible to dislike. Despite her self esteem problems, she makes the book fun to read. The dialogue between Jake and Evie is enjoyable and entertaining when they playfully mock each other.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC. I really loved this book.

Evie is an amazing character, I wish I had half of her spirit and optimism, recovering from a broken engagement she follows her dreams to set up a needlework shop and despite the struggles getting it off the ground and the belittlement she suffers from her family she keeps going and shines through it all, Jake lost his wife two years ago and now sees everything in grey, he endures each day and keeps his family and everyone at arms length. Both have a reason to avoid Christmas with their families and their fledging friendship sees them escaping to France. Both characters are well written and develop well throughout the story, it doesn’t offer many surprises but that doesn’t detract from this feel good read which is a perfect winter tonic.

Contemporary romance is not a genre I visit often, I can’t use words like ‘chilling’ and ‘disturbing’ however I enjoyed this gently told story of the exuberant, ever optimistic Evie and the dour and abrupt Jake. Evie has just escaped a toxic boyfriend and Jake is mourning the sudden loss of his wife. It is charming to observe how their relationship develops and how they help each other overcome their recent past.

This is a well written novel with some excellent dialogue between Evie and Jake as they verbally wrangle with each other. It is a cosy and heart-warming read. Special mention to Smoke (what a brilliant name), the Dalmatian who loves everyone and plays his own, significant, part in the developing romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Holiday by Sophie Claire an adorable four-star read. This is a great slow burn story that will surprise you at times, it’s a great story and true as not everyone is glossy and perfect Evie the main character has flaws that make you fall for her. This was so sweet, it made me want to pick up a needle and thread.

This was a really cute, slow burn romance which I really enjoyed. I ended up reading this book in one sitting as I seriously could not put it down.

I really liked the characters in this book, especially Evie who has been through so much in her life but is still so optimistic. She has flaws, she’s incredibly clumsy but that never stops her from living her dream. Jake is still dealing with the grief of losing his wife and I really enjoyed seeing how much he developed in this book. I loved the interaction between the two and it honestly had me hooked.

This is a story that has you rooting for both Evie and Jake and this book has the perfect slow burn romance that I love. Nothing felt forced or too rushed. Even if this wasn’t a romance I would have still enjoyed how much their friendship helped them develop and move on from their past. The fact that this book was based at Christmas time was just an added plus for me.

Overall, this was an adorable and heart-warming romance which I recommend reading curled up with a blanket and completely immersing yourself into!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

A lovely Christmas tale that was predictable from the beginning but just what you need to make you feel that Christmas warmth! So pleased there was an epilogue too.
I was really rooting for Evie throughout and loved the little back story of her learning to love herself. A perfect Christmas present!

A nice Christmas romance. I loved the cover of this book. I would love to visit this village
I warmed to the characters and the storyline was ok
An ok read

This is a delightful book, and although it has a ‘ Christmasy’ feel don’t let that put you off reading it at any other time of the year. I read it over the last couple of dreary couple of autumn days feeling a bit under the weather and it was the perfect pick-me-up. Okay it’s a tad predictable, but then it’s a fairly lighthearted romance with a few ‘darker’ moments thrown in. If you are looking for an easy to read novel on a cold dismal weekend this is the one.

Evie is hanging curtains in the old hall house when she the owner of the house and his dog come in and when the dog gets excited she bangs the wall with the curtain rod. Evie owns the button hole she makes curtains quilts.

This is a lovely Christmas festive romance from Sophie Claire featuring the themes of loss, grief and the struggle to comes to terms with and move on from such desperate heartbreak. Evie Miller has recently settled in the beautiful small village of Willowbrook, leaving behind her hated job in London working in a jewellery store and the break up of her engagement, after she found her fiance, Tim, in bed with another woman. She has set up her own fabric and sewing shop, a dream she has finally realised, she is a gifted and creative seamstress, but is facing Christmas with her shop in dire financial straits. She is making fitted curtains to keep her head above water, but it is not where her heart lies, she enjoys inspiring others to develop their sewing skills with her classes, and loves making daring and colourful quilts, can turn her hand to other items, such as sewn Christmas decorations and more.

She is fitting curtains at the local manor house, when she finds herself encountering the new owner who was not due to move in yet and his lovable dalmation, Smoke. An inebriated Jake Hartwood is in no mood for company, and is less than polite to Evie. He has deliberately moved away from members of his family, so that he can be alone to grieve the loss of his beloved wife, Maria, from a brain tumour over two years ago. His family cannot understand why he is refusing to move on, but he just has not been able to, finding himself unable to cope with the festive season, family celebrations and the bonhomie that goes with them. He finds Evie too much, too colourful, too optimistic, bright, cheerful and friendly, referring to her as Pollyanna. However, Evie has her own demons, she is clumsy and is still missing her sister, Zara, a loss that has torn apart her family. She has low self esteem issues, Tim had been constantly critical, considered her a failure and made it clear that in his eyes, she was far from the perfect woman. Tim is continuing to harass her, despite cheating on her, insisting that she marry him, and he is supporting by Evie's parents who think she should just buckle down, give up her failing business and settle down with Tim.

To avoid going to her family who are spending Christmas with Tim's family, Evie decides to go way on holiday to the South of France, with Jake, who is doing business with wine growers for his wine importing business. Jake and Evie find themselves taken with each other, but will their friendship become anything more with so much that lies between them, and a Jake certain he will never get over his dead wife. This is a wonderfully entertaining and warmhearted Christmas reading fare, with great characters and a fabulous dog in Smoke. If you are looking for escapist Christmas reading fare, this fits the bill perfectly. Many thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC.

Huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for allowing me to read this lovely little Christmas read early.

I absolutely loved this sweet Christmas read, it's got me feeling all festive and just in the mood for more Christmas reading.

I loved both vibrant 'Pollyanna' Evie and the grumpy 'Mr Arctic' Jake. I felt that that story flowed really well and kept a good pace, nothing was too rushed. It was great to read how their friendship came together, with a little help from Smoke of course. I really enjoyed reading about Evie's enthusiasm for her shop and for sewing/quilting in general, it's really made me want to try - maybe someday.

The characters felt really real, and I cringed every time Evie's parents or Tim came into view, they were so horrible and it was frustrating when she got so down heartened by them; but when she stood up to them - perfect! I knew that there would be more to Jake than first met the eye, and my heart just broke for him, and I really liked how we got some insight to his thoughts at times too.

All in all, a heart warming and cute Christmas read that I'd definitely recommend.

Evie having left behind her ex boyfriend who did very little for her self esteem, is trying to make a success of her craft shop. Meets Jake who is struggling to adapt to life with out his wife who passed away. Their initial interactions are awkward and it is lovely to read how their friendship develops.

A very sweet read with lovely characters who you root for throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect escapist read.

This is the second Christmas themed book I have read in September, perfect for curling up on the sofa with on the cooling evenings.
Two people still grieving for lost loved ones, find themselves in the little village of Willowbrook.
One grieving for a lost sister and a broken engagement and the other unable to forget the pain of losing his wife.
Evie and Jake were likeable characters, and even though you knew what would be the inevitable end, it was a comforting, easy read, which left you feeling warm inside.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable story with a wintry theme and a Dalmatian named Smoke - I recommend finding time to snuggle up on the sofa with a hot chocolate to visit Willowbook village. Evie is a great character and I enjoyed finding out how her life changed after meeting Jake.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder Stoughton for an advance digital ARC - my thoughts are entirely my own.

I've read a few Christmas themed books recently, and this one is my favourite to-date. Perfect to curl up with over the festive period, or even on a sunny day in September! The village setting is lovely, and the festive descriptions are wonderfully atmospheric. That said, the way the two main characters spend Christmas Day itself is refreshing. I loved Evie, and hearing all about her sewing and her shop. I warmed to Jake eventually. A special mention must go to the dog in this story. The ending was satisfying. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Evie has just left her bullying, manipulative fiancee and moved to Willowbrook to open a craft shop. She is living in the shadow of her dead sister and can do nothing right in the eyes of her parents.
Jake is mourning the death of his wife when he moves to the village .
Neither are looking forward to Christmas and the festivities.
They decide to go away together as friends to Provence for Jake's wine buying business and so miss Christmas all together.
But what if one wants more than friendship?
Just right for Christmas reading curled up in the warm.