Lottie and Jay both work at Firholme, she as the Events Co-ordinator he as the Estates Manager. They also live next door to one another. but both have been hurt in the past.
Lottie's former partner appears at Firholme with his fiance and Lottie is asked to arrange their wedding which is being kept secret. Lots of twists and turns but a heartwarming story.

Perfect Christmas escapism! I always love Phillipa Ashley's books, they're just such a joy and this one is no different. Funny and heartwarming and lovely.

I really loved that both Lottie and Jay had baggage from their past that they were dealing with, and how sweet and tentative their romance was in the face of that. Also as always the cast of characters were funny, infuriating and adorable in turn.

100% recommend for a festive feel good read.

Lottie has had the year from hell and when a big part of that drama arrives back on the scene now she's finally becoming settled again it throws her life into disarray. With hunky neighbour Jay facing his own demons can either of them move forward?
On the front cover Katie Fforde recommends this book as warm, funny and feel-good. Being a massive Katie Fforde fan, this is an endorsement and a half for me to read the book.
I did find 3 errors towards the end of the book such as have instead of has and editing errors really do grate on me. However the story is cute, fluffy and set at Christmas which just gives you the perfect cosy read for the autumn nights.
Trevor the dog may be the outstanding character in my opinion though, he has a very good sense of judging people.
If you are a fan of a light romance then don't miss out!

An enthralling read. Fun, heartwarming and enjoyable. Who doesn't like a girl meets boy story, especially when their previous boy leaves girl partners are involved. I enjoyed this love story and will look out for other books by Philipa Ashley.

A fairly standard romantic novel..... a jilted girl meets a handsome guy with trust issues. Do they, don't they? Throw in the ex partners and you have the perfect mix. Set at Christmas time which makes it an ideal time to curl up in front of a fire and read in one sitting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the advance copy of this book.

Lottie starts a new life ,after being dumped by fiancé Connor, as a wedding planner in a beautiful hotel in the lake district. When she discovers the groom in her first wedding is Connor, she finds it difficult to decide whether she still has feelings for him. Will the handsome estate manager, Jay, help her make up her mind? Predictable, yes, but a lovely,enjoyable, book to curl up with on a cold winters day, other story lines break up the predictability.

I really enjoyed this, I love a Christmas book and this fitted the bill perfectly. It was a little predictable but a great read to cosy up with

Absolutely loved this book. I can’t recommend it enough. Lottie is such a lovely character I wish I knew her in real life!
It really got me in the Christmas spirit. I haven’t read anything by Phillips Ashley that I haven’t loved.

Could you plan a wedding for your ex? Well, that's what Lottie has to do. She had a real upside down awful period where Connor broke their engagement and her sister Steph was diagnosed with cancer but now she's healed (almost) and living in the Lake District. She's working as an event and wedding planner at Firholme House where Jay is the estate manager. He's healing too (no spoilers) but he's got a great dog and does enjoy chatting with Lottie. You know, don't you, that Jay and Keegan are going to grow close. You also know that Connor, that rat, might not be the best man for Keegan (or anyone for that matter). You will like these characters, the setting,. and the plot.. It's a nice escapist read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Perfect to take your mind off things.

A Surprise Christmas Wedding
Phillipa Ashley
So, Connor proposes and then he -un- proposes and in the meantime Lottie finds a job as an events manager on a great estate up in the Lake District of the UK. And then she meets Jay, the new estates manager, who has his own demons to face. And together they organise a wedding of a rather surprise couple. The wedding sounds wonderful and tame reindeer and sledges and…
Wonderful area of the world if somewhat chilly and wet. and windy. And prone to being snowy in the winter – which stats early and ends late… and so I’m really glad the author hasn’t minimised the weather effect here – the snow can stay on the very mountain tops almost all summer and walkers often get lost or struggle because they have not taken the weather into account – sunny when they started and shorts and t-shirts but failed to bring the fleece and wet weather gear and then they get into trouble. Take 2017 for instance, in the UK, there were only 9 days of the year when there was not a Mountain Rescue call-out. And in the Lake District there were 449 incidents alone! 356 of which were related to hill walkers with 13 fatalities. FYI there were also 10 animal rescues!
My family love this area when the snow has just fallen – crisp and blindingly white – glorious to see when driving over the high passes – if they are clear. But the last time I went up there with friends and hubby – I went shopping and to a nice warm pool and spa instead of walking in the snow!

4 star review of A Surprise Christmas Wedding by Phillipa Ashley
Lottie has been through o much since her fiance Connor, left her at the altar. Offered her dream job as an event coordinator in Firholme in the Lake District, she is determined to move on with her life. The fact that she has a hunky neighbour Jay is an added bonus.
However her dream job turns into a nightmare when the groom to be for the wedding she is planning turns out to be her ex Connor.
Lottie will need to dig deep to plan the perfect wedding for the happy couple. Will the magic of the Christmas season bring Lottie the happiness she deserves.
A Surprise Christmas was full of quirky characters that were entertaining to read about. It was a heart warming and enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book, through the publisher via Netgalley.

A delightful, feel good book. Wonderful descriptions of the Lake District, I could almost breathe the air. All the important things in life, family, love, forgiveness make this the perfect Christmas read.

Lottie and Conor are engaged, but he changes his mind 3 days later. One year later she has a new job as an event co-ordinator and Conor and his Fiancé Keegan book their wedding when Lottie now works.

I love Lottie is is such a sensible and sensitive soul. Wanting to help everyone and trying make it though this festive period with her heart intact. Conor is and awful person and Keegan would be better off without him. Jay the Estate Manager is lovely and his dog is a lovable rogue. The side characters add to the depth of cosy that shrouds this book The whole feel of the book is heart-warming and sweet. I finished it in 1 day and I think it was a day well spent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books for the copy of this for review.

A truly lovely Christmas story set in beautiful surroundings in the Lake District. So we'll described, I could picture it all.
I loved all of the main characters, Lottie, Jay, Steph, the twins and not forgetting Trevor the dog.
A story of betrayal and heartbreak, and learning to forgive and move on. A truly moving and heartwarming story, I struggled to put it down.....

A Surprise Christmas Wedding is a light, easy read. The main character,Lottie, has recently started over in life and things are finally looking up, with a new job after being dumped by her fiancé a year earlier.
Imagine Lottie’s surprise when Connor, her former fiancé, is one half of the couple who appear at Firholme, Lottie’s place of employment, to plan their wedding. Will Lottie be able to plan their wedding and maybe find love along the way?

This book is fluffy, sugary sweet and definitely predictable, but there are times when predictable sweet fluff are exactly what I need in a book. If you’re the same way, check out A Surprise Christmas Wedding.

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cozy and warm holiday read, and stayed true to Ashley's writing style. I found it to be slightly "heavier" than some holiday reads- an awful break up, a cancer diagnosis, other issues- but it comes together wonderfully in the end. Firholme (the estate) is a fantastic character of its own, and the supporting characters rounded it out well.

A wonderful Christmas tale, full of joy and happiness, following hurt and confusion. Family dynamics and situations have led to estrangement but circumstances have changed and forgiveness occurs. It's easy to hold on to hurt feelings and harder to make amends and move forward. Lottie and Jay both need to let things go so they can move forward together. A couple of twists. A wonderful seasonal read.

Cute story from Phillipa Ashley. Not my favourite, but an easy undemanding read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Lottie dodges a bullet when her fiance Connor breaks her heart.
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She moves on and finds a new job as an event coordinator only to be reunited with her ex when she has to plan his last-minute Christmas wedding.
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Luckily she notices the handsome groundskeeper Jay who keeps her distracted with his wayward dog and family secrets.
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Throw in a Christmas tree farm, snow-capped mountains, and an interesting interpretation of a nativity play and you have yourself a warm and cozy read.
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Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My favourite-Christmas and romance. A feel good factor book that fulfills
the dreams but leaves you wanting more. Perfect for the cooler evenings in a the run up to Christmas