There are so many ways to meet the man of your dreams, but getting knocked down by one at a bus stop is not usually on anyone's list. Isobel is lucky enough to meet Tom a second time, but is one week enough time to put a relationship on a solid footing? All you need is a little Christmas magic!

I loved the blurb of this story and had such high hopes as it sounds like something I would just love. I’m obsessed with Christmas books and hallmark movies and it sounded like a perfect mix of both but for me it just fell short. I unfortunately just didn’t love it. I felt the story didn’t really flow and it was very slow and I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I definitely think if you love Christmas books though you should give it a read and see what you think as I know everyone just has different preferences. It had a lovely Christmas setting and painted this time of year great but the story just wasn’t for me.

Anyone on Twitter will know I regularly promote this author as I’ve had a few experiences previously with her books and have always fallen in love with the wonder and magic of her romances. Here was beyond no exception, and, actually has catapulted her into my ‘authors I must read any new books of’ (the title of this list is a work in progress!)

I also (Yes, I am getting to the review) think I need to start a ‘best meeting of romantic leads’ list (again I think I’d title it differently), as this year has been a bit of a standout for me for the way  our love interests meet, with so many making me sit up with my hand to my heart and made my romantic senses throb with happiness.

And so we begin. An introduction to Isobel and we’re wandering through the streets thinking of Christmas, which is approaching and we meet a man who’s very obviously not having a great day. I was right there, in the busy, bustling street and got so excited over her fall (horrific of me I know, but her coming to her senses teamed with the obvious attraction was perfection!).

The book moved like this for me as I followed both extremely loveable characters around, actively awwing at their little asides to each other (there’s one point early on where they lean in to adress each other and my heart nearly burst!) and wondering how something so meant to be could be put in such jeopardy and also have an expiry date.

The romance was of the one thousand watt on the smile-o-meter kind, the backdrop the Christmas dream, the characters and story both compelling and so well done and actually this book has made me realise I need to do a round up again this year of all the fantastic Christmas books out there. Basically-go get and you’re welcome!! Thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the book in return for an honest review.

Rating 5 (hundred bazillion) out of 5.

It's still 70 degrees where I live, but it's the holidays and I'm reading winter romance novels even if it kills me. Thankfully, One Week 'Til Christmas was pure delight. A travel writer on holiday in London for Christmas accidentally runs into (literally) a burgeoning movie star whose description made me picture Richard Madden.

YES PLEASE.

This holiday romance was sweet and swoon-worthy, but light on the bedroom scenes.

In one of the best meet-cutes, the handsomest man literally knocks Isobel Bennett down and almost into a bus’s path when he slips and falls on an icy sidewalk. Despite some bruises, she regrets not having gotten his name and number. She’s a travel writer based in Australia and on vacation in London through Christmas. However, her boss, who is concerned about falling readership, hounds her to do an interview with an actor whose star is on the rise. Tom Bracken, famous for his TV character, is rehearsing for a play and preparing for a big movie role. However, Isobel doesn’t watch TV and has no idea who he is until she shows up at the National Theater and finds he’s the man from the sidewalk. Those two fateful meetings turn into a week of togetherness that leads to a very promising relationship. However, with her returning to Australia and a text from her boss that spells betrayal to Tom, will they ever have a chance for a happily-ever-after?

Humble, naturally charming and intelligent Tom cares for his friends and has the same insecurities as any normal person. Isobel, who’s tiring of her boss and career, wants to write more in-depth serious stories and perhaps turn her amateur photography into something full-time. After 10 years travelling the world, Tom very quickly becomes her vision of home and normalcy. The attraction between them is instantaneous, but they take their time before even kissing, simply enjoying each other’s company and sharing intimate conversations while shopping at Liberty’s, eating at market halls, and skating at one of the temporary ice rinks that pop up in London at the holidays. This delightful book, set in one of the most ideal cities to celebrate Christmas, is the perfect present. Treat yourself!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from HQ Digital through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Two people. One chance meeting. Seven days to Christmas.

Talk about the perfect novella to get you into the Christmas spirit in London nonetheless. The connection between Isobel and Tom was both charming and witty making it feel like you were right alongside their journey. I love the idea of love at first sight and felt like this novella gave me exactly that. The setting was magical and festive whereas the romance was steam and definitely no steam. Great book about accidental meetings and falling in love.

This was cute, incredibly predictable, but cute. This was a perfect pre-Christmas read. Nothing was too heavy and everything was wrapped up nicely in the end.

I am a sucker for a cute Christmas romance and this meet cute was not a disappointment and I loved it and the Christmas and snow and romance was all really good and well done in this one

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion and review. This was a cute if not a bit predictable Christmas story. Up and coming minor celebrity runs into girl, literally, girl is a travel reporter on vacation who gets talked into interviewing said B list celebrity, chemistry happens and they have a week to fall in love before Christmas. My main complaint is the whole outrage scene when he finds out what he thinks is a set up but really wasn't a set up and she was just supposed to be okay with him basically calling her a liar. That part was glossed over too much, otherwise it was a cute book that reminds you of the Hallmark Christmas movies.

Such a wonderfully, fast paced story, that had me cheering on the characters right from the start. An accidental meeting, has the two main characters destined to meet again, the week before Christmas. The story that plays out is romantic & funny with a splash of the Holidays added in. This is the first book I have read by Belinda Missen and it will not be my last. So glad I received this from #netgalley. This was a 4 star read for me.

Like a Hallmark movie in book form, this is an enjoyable, light read. The expected meet-cute, and roadblocks along the way wrapped in a Christmas package.

The only criticism I have is that the story was over far too quickly for my liking. I absolutely loved this heart-warming festive read and begrudged doing anything that dragged me away from the love story of Isobel and Tom.
While visiting London a week before Christmas, Isobel has a less than perfect start to her holiday when a handsome stranger falls into her while waiting for the bus.
A little shocked and dazed, Isobel fails to ask for his name but in a twist of fate is led to him when she is asked to interview a TV star EVERYONE is talking about.
Not leaving anything to chance, the days before Christmas are spent visiting various festive attractions. Isobel and Tom really fall for each other and are faced with the difficult decision of continuing their love affair, or to part ways.
I really enjoyed this book and have already recommended it to so many people. A fun, well written festive rom-com that will have your heart exploding until the very last page. Perfect!

If you flip to the Hallmark channel as soon as Halloween is over, you'll like this sweet story from Belinda Missen.

The stakes aren't high, and you know exactly how it's going to end, but it kept my attention and put me in a festive mood, which is what I was after.

In One Week Til' Christmas, we meet Isobel, a journalist, who finds herself in London just a week before Christmas and intends to spend it by getting in to the Christmas spirit and experiencing everything she possibly can, with the help of her best friend, Estelle. However, Isobel's plans are slightly adjusted when she literally takes a fall with the gorgeous Tom. When the two meet again whilst Isobel is on the job, they seem to think fate is trying to tell them something and decide to spend the week getting to know each other, whilst also embarking on a little adventure jam-packed with the most adorable Christmas activities, including; ice-skating, Christmas shopping and tucking in to all the delicious Christmas foods!

There's something about these story-lines, in which two people only have a limited time to get to know one another, that I just can't get enough of. As soon as I knew that Isobel and Tom only had a week together, the excitement just completely consumed me! I think these sort of story-lines really are so romantically powerful, that you immediately want a one week romance yourself... with the hopes that you both fall hard enough to want to stay together forever!

Isobel was such an inspiring character to get to know - she was in a job that didn't respect her whatsoever and took advantage of her at every possibility, therefore she knew the right thing to do was set up her own website and become a freelance journalist. Having a blog myself, I can definitely relate to how scary it is to see whether or not it will be a success or not and now I feel more motivated than ever to work extra hard on my blog to get it the best I possibly can. With the help of Estelle and Tom, this seemed to become a possibility more and more as the story went along. Isobel probably had the most to lose when it came to saying goodbye to Tom, as she lives in Melbourne and travels constantly for work, therefore she was more reserved than Tom about allowing their friendship to become anything more. Of course, Tom had plenty to lose as well, but he didn't live on the other side of the world. Tom really encouraged Isobel to open up though and have fun, no matter their expiry date and because of that, she begun to fall hard, causing problems when it came to travelling home, where her family were waiting for her to finally come home for Christmas for the first time in three years.

Tom was just such a drop-dead gorgeous character, like seriously, where can I get a man like him? He took Isobel to all of the best locations in London and was determined to give her the best week before she headed home. He never shyed away from his feelings towards her and made it very well known throughout that he would go far and beyond to keep her in his life. He was an incredibly fun and carefree character as well around Isobel, with great humour and I felt myself smile a lot at everything he said. Despite his career, he was so humble and Isobel never looked at him as anything other than the man she had met and got to know all by herself. She wasn't going to let the internet tell her otherwise. He spoke so passionately about his career and life, that I could feel myself gradually just falling in love with him. He is definitely the type of man I could sit and listen to all day, I wouldn't spend a single day feeling bored, because there's nothing more attractive than a man who talks with such passion and isn't afraid to talk about all different types of topics. Again, does this sort of man exist out in the world?

Isobel and Tom's blossoming romance really was the most magical story to read about - I absolutely adored getting to know them and joining them in all of the Christmas festivities during their time in London. Their connection was instant, but their romance was paced perfectly throughout and allowed them to really develop feelings for one another - They just clicked so well and helped one another with making choices, gave the right advice and really cared for one another, making the ending that much more stunning.

The story was everything I could have imagined and more, I was so satisfied with the outcome of Isobel and Tom's relationship, that I somehow want Belinda to give us another book about them! This will be an unforgettable read, that has brought so much joy and happiness to my own life and I will hold these two characters very close to my heart for a long time. This is the first book of Belinda's I have read and I will not be stopping here. As soon as I've published this review, I'll be rushing to add the rest of her books to my TBR list.

If you want to get in to the Christmas spirit with a gorgeous, magical and stunning romance, then may I introduce you to Isobel and Tom, because you're really not going to get anything better than the adventures they're about to take you on! Also be prepared for the emotional roller-coaster you're about to get locked in to as well, but I can promise you, you're only going to have a full heart and a big smile on your face from beginning to end!

This book wasn’t for me! I usually really enjoy holiday romances but I just couldn’t get into the book, I felt no connection to the characters and didn’t feel any sort of chemistry between them either! I hope others enjoy this but it just fell flat for me.

This is such a heart-warming holiday read!

Isobel is a journalist who finds herself in London the week before Christmas and has grand plans on how she is going to spend it - getting her yuletide on! After bumping into Tom, the pair hit it off and decide to spend the week getting to know one another. Cue all of the most adorable, wonderful parts of a snow-white Christmas: mulled wine, ice-skating, shopping for Christmas presents, eggnog and all of the delicious Christmas food!

One thing I really enjoyed about One Week Til Christmas was the contrast between a white London Christmas and the Australian traditions Isobel had growing up (Eg. Tobogganing in the snow VS the Aussie slip and slide, complete with half a bottle of dishwashing detergent).

If you're looking for a quick holiday romance to read while you listen to carols and sip on eggnog, One Week Til Christmas is for you.

An absolutely fab, fun, festive read! I just want it to be Christmas - and ideally to be in London for it. I love Belinda's writing. Can't wait for her next!

I just finished One Week "Til Christmas, and the verdict is in -- I LOVED this one! This book had hints of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Josie Silver's One Day in December. Though it was a quick read, I felt that a lot happened and the story story had a nice arc. Sometimes novellas can leave me unsatisfied, but I loved how this story wrapped up. And the only thing it left me wanting, was to read more books by Belinda Missen!

Isobel and Tom quite literally run into each other at a bus stop. However, Isobel doesn't realize until a last minute interview a couple days later that Tom is a very famous and rising actor. They hit it off at this first meeting and Tom asks her out under the guise of an apology. And sparks fly from there!! I love how both of these characters had well established careers, between Tom's acting and Isobel's writing. They were equally strong and interesting characters. Their chemistry is so sweet in this book and is definitely a slow burn that will keep you smiling. In terms of steam, this one is closed door. And regardless of what level of steam you prefer, I think you will enjoy this cute Christmas novella!

This is the perfect book to cozy up with in preparation for the Christmas season. You can believe the story of the romance between Isobel and Tom because the magic of Christmastime in London is a character itself in the story. It's a cute, comforting read sure to get you in the Christmas spirit, no matter what time of year you actually read the book.

One week till christmas is a contemporary novel that takes place the week before christmas. The book flows lovely and you find yourself turning the pages without noticing.
Isobel Bennett is a writer and travel journalist who is always off galavanting somewhere to write a report. She is from Australia but finds herself in London during the festive season and slip sliding literally into a handsome stranger who she then bumps into again the following day.

This is the read thats a perfect pick up, blanket on the legs, hot chocolate by your side and get drawn into Christmas preparation in London, ice-skating, mulled wine, dancing, christmas carols. Lots of comedy and romance.
Isabel is a lovely likeable character who meets Tom and the friendship blossoms. The characters are witty and strong and you feel like you know them all.
If your looking for a Christmas romance that will warm you and touch your heart then One week till christmas is for you.
Thank you for the ARC Netgalley.