I can always depend on a Sue Moorcroft holiday book to get me into the holiday mood. Well written and a quick easy read, I was sad when the story was over.

This is a cozy Christmas story which I truly enjoyed reading!

Hannah bumps into her brother Rob’s best friend Nico in Stockholm, the two rekindle a fast friendship. But both of them have their own problems to deal with.

Hannah has to deal with an inattentive boyfriend, Albin as well as the risk of losing her beloved shop while, Nico has two children to look after as well as deal with the constant troubles of his alcoholic ex-wife.

Coincidentally, when Hannah moves back to the little village of Middledip to take care of her Nan, Nico has just moved in too. Under the same snowy sky, can the childhood friends make a romance work – or are there too many obstacles standing in their way?

The main characters Nico and Hannah are so well written and extremely likeable. Nico’s kids Josie and Marie are such a delight to read about. However, Nico’s ex-mother in law was so annoying that I really wished that I could her a piece of my mind.

The book covers so many different aspects such as eating disorders, addiction, failing relationships, family, friendship and parenting. Each of these have been included in the story in such a smooth and beautiful way. It was amazing to read Nico and Hannah’s journey as they faced the different challenges in their lives and emerged stronger than before.

Overall, it’s a perfect festive read!

Thank You to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!

I love books set in Scandinavia and this christmas book with split settings of Sweden and England hits the mark. The two main characters were very likeable (especially in Nico's case) and the two children were absolutely gorgeous. There was a really magical atmosphere at times and the romance seemed genuine and warm. I loved some of the supporting characters and there were some serious aspects with Loren's addiction and the impact on little Maria.
I felt a little impatient with Hannah towards the end but the resolution was just perfect.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another great book from Sue.

A lovely Christmas themed book about Nico and Hannah. Quick read, couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for her next book.

This is one of my favourite times of year, when all the lovely Christmas books are starting to appear. As a confirmed fan of Sue Moorcroft’s writing, I am always eagerly awaiting her annual Christmas story, wondering where it might transport me. In this case, I was delighted to be taken on a trip to Sweden, as well as revisiting the little village of Middledip, which will be familiar to other fans of Sue’s books as it is the setting of many. I was spellbound by this captivating, snowy story and devoured it in no time.

The heroine of the tale, Hannah, is living in Stockholm when the story begins, running her own gift shop and living, not altogether happily, with boyfriend Albin. She is delighted when she receives a surprise visit from Nico, her brother’s best friend who she has known for many years as they all grew up together in the village of Middledip. However, soon after, and with Christmas fast approaching, Hannah finds herself returning to her family home having lost her dream business and split up with Albin. Coincidentally, Nico has also returned to Middledip, accompanied by his two little girls. When his father is taken ill in Sweden, Hannah offers to accompany him on a visit there to help with the children. It looks as if there could be a spark of romance between Hannah and Nico, but a series of obstacles and misunderstandings keep getting in the way.

I can highly recommend this as one of my favourite Christmas books for this year. It is a cosy and festive story full of drama and friendship, and oozing marvellous characters. I absolutely adored Nico’s little girls, the very sensible 8-year-old and the sweet 2-year-old, and was impressed by his skills as a single parent. I thought he was quite a catch and kept wanting to give Hannah a push. Hannah’s family were also lovely and so supportive. Of course, the trip to Sweden was terrific. Sue Moorcroft has done her research well, providing the reader with a great tour of the country and details of some of its Christmas traditions. I could almost feel the snow crunching under foot. If you are not already familiar with Sue Moorcroft’s books, this would be a good place to start; it would make a wonderful addition to anyone’s Christmas stocking.

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

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, being split between Sweden and the UK. However, once I started reading, I think it worked perfectly. This isn't a particularly light book, but it is touching and heartfelt in ways that most books can't be. Nico and Hannah both have to make very difficult decisions, and I found myself mulling over what I would do myself- not often the case with holiday fiction for me! Moorcroft has written incredibly complex and human characters, and it makes for such a compelling read. I will be on the lookout for more of her books!

I can always rely on a Sue Moorcroft book to keep me fully immersed in the world and characters she’s created, and Christmas Wishes was no exception, What a glorious and festive Christmas read!

I don’t want to say too much because I hate spoilers, but I really enjoyed Hannah and Nico’s story and the various challenges they had to battle to overcome, separately and together.

Sue’s books always have an amazing cast of secondary characters, and in this one I particularly enjoyed Josie and Maria, Nico’s daughter and her young half-sister. They were great fun and made me chuckle at times.

A strong sense of setting is also something I look forward to from a Sue Moorcroft book, and so I really loved returning to the fictional village of Middledip, particularly as I’ve read the others. Of course, I also enjoyed the chapters set in Sweden, and felt like I’d be on holiday there by the end of the book.

With a wonderfully satisfying ending, Christmas Wishes left me with a warm glow and I‘m already looking forward to Sue’s next book.

With thanks to Netgalley, Avon and the author for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Enjoy a festive outing to Sue Moorcroft's merry Middledip!
The action here actually starts in Stockholm, where Hannah Anna Goodbody runs Hannah Anna Butik. The shop is doing well, but her relationship with live-in boyfriend Albin is on the skids when Nico, an old friend of her brother Rob, turns up. Swedish-born, he spent years in Hannah's home village of Middledip and now lives in London.
They duly meet up again at Rob's wedding, where there is a definite spark between them - until Nico learns Hannah has a boyfriend, and turns decidedly cool. Hannah returns to Sweden to end the relationship only to find Albin has pre-empted her, robbing her of her business and her home. Fortunately, there's always a place for her at Middledip, and she returns there to look after her Nana Heather, who has broken her arm. But why is Nico now living in the village, too?
The scene is set for romance - but there are so many challenges in the way. Divorced from his drug and alcohol dependent wife, Nico cares not only for his own daughter, Josie, but her little half-sister Maria. He's constantly juggling work with family demands and very conflicted about his feelings.
Hannah meanwhile, thuough not heartbroken, is smarting from Albin's betrayal and very aware she needs to find a job and a new purpose in life.
Will the misunderstandings between her and Nico drive them apart or bring them closer together?
This is another super seasonal story from Sue Moorcroft. Both Nico and Hannah are empathetic characters - Nico especially, with his love for his daughter and her little half-sister. He's strong, funny, caring and yet vulnerable, too (he has an eating disorder brought on by stress). No wonder Hannah falls for him. Hannah is warm, resourceful and loving - a bit too inclined to doubt herself, epscially when it comes to matters of romance but willing to stand up for herself and those she loves in all other ways. Her and Nico's emotional connection bubbles away under a narrative that takes us from Sweden to Middledip back to Sweden in a series of adventures and mishaps and misunderstandings as they both try to get their lives back on track.
As it's Christmas, expect snow, carol singers, festive meals, fairylights, snowman building, skating and a celebration of Sweden's St Lucia day before Christmas day itself, when things all come to a head for Nico and Hannah.
I can't leave this review without mentioning the little girls, Josie and Maria. They're both charming - bright, funny and loving, without being little angels, and Nico's relationship with them is definitely a strong point of the book. There's one funny scene when he hoovers off Maria's socks where I was laughing as much as the girls! I think I might be a little in love with him myself ...

I loved the book it was sweet and cute and filled with Christmas cheer. I loved both Nico and Hannnah. They had their own problems to deal with. Hannah had a failing business probably a failing relationship too. Nico had two children to look after along with his personal problems.

Set in the backdrop of festivities and warmth of Christmas, the book soothed the heart with its quiet demeanor. It was wonderful to see friendship emerge between them along with a growing sense of love. The story had its twists, true love was never ever smooth.

It was wonderful to read about two people who had to traverse the minefield of life to find each other. A lovely book by author Sue Moorcroft, indeed.

This was a perfect read in preparation for the holidays. Not only are there interesting family tensions that always seem to pop up during Christmas season, the setting is idyllic. Of course it doesn’t hurt that the two main characters, Nico and Hannah, are friends from the past now bumping into each other during a difficult season of love. They are both kind and independent people that had you wishing for a happy Christmas love story. It was a quick read that I smiled throughout.

A great Christmas romance from Sue Moorcroft! Great characters, the festive traditions of Sweden, and several interesting story lines make this a must read for the holidays. Things are not going well for Nico or Hannah. Single dad Nico finds himself looking after his ex-wife's young daughter, who is a sister to his daughter Josie. Hannah finds herself with a failing relationship and forced out of her new business. There are lots of ups and downs in their romance. Can their Christmas wishes come true?

First thanks to Netgalley for this ARC. This wasn't my first book from this author so I knew what to expect.
This was not really a rom com, but I enjoyed it. Love the Christmasy feel to it.

4 stars.

What a beautiful book, always a delight to venture back into Middledip but the characters within this story have just melted my heart. Josie and Maria are just gorgeous!

The battles of Relationships, Parenting, Maternal Mental Health, Addiction and Eating disorders faced by some of the characters were beautifully written.

What I always love about Sue's books is the journey she takes you on. From the snowy coverings of Sweden to the Christmas warmth of Middledip, the highs and lows of family life and that this little village will ways have people within it to make your day that bit brighter.

If ever there's a book to get you into the Christmas spirit, this is it!

Christmas Wishes by Sue Moorcroft
Publication Date: October 29, 2020
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Description from NetGalley...
“Hannah and Nico are meant to be together.
But fate is keeping them apart…

When Hannah bumps into her brother Rob’s best friend Nico in Stockholm, the two rekindle a fast friendship. But Hannah has a boyfriend – and Nico has two children to look after. When Hannah loses her beloved shop in Stockholm, though, she is forced to move back to the little village of Middledip – only to find Nico has just moved in too. Under the same snowy sky, can the childhood friends make a romance work – or are there too many obstacles standing in their way?”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @avonbooks for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
This is my first book from Sue Moorcroft. This book is more of romance than romcom. There were a few pages that I skimmed through but overall it was an okay read. I appreciated how there was a focus on Nico’s issues, the struggle he was going through, such as his eating disorder. I haven’t read many fictions dealing with male eating disorder. Moorcroft did this well. The descriptions of Christmas in Sweden and East Anglia was good. It made for a cozy Christmas read while dealing with serious social and familial themes.

What can I say other than I loved this book so much I read it in a day. Hannah who thinks she’s sorted with a business she enjoys, her brothers wedding to look forward to and an unexpected visit from a old school friend. Nico who has a difficult job, difficult ex wife and a boss who is very unsupported finds life becomes too much, when he unexpectedly has two children to look after. Both of their friendships grow but you have to read the book to see how many twists and turns they both encounter.

Any enjoyable cozy holiday story. Gets me in the mood for the holiday season. The characters were likable and story well written.

I have not read anything by Sue Moorcroft before, and Christmas Wishes was a bit different than I expected. It caught me off guard with some of the language and topics included in the story, especially in regards to Hannah's boyfriend Albin. I could have done without all that.

Beyond those issues, Hannah and Nico's story had some really great moments. I really enjoyed Nico's character especially. The kindhearted father to not only Josie, his own daughter, but to Maria as well. His unstable ex-wife and his irritating former mother-in-law put him in an impossible situation, but I was so impressed with how he handled it all. Not many would have handled it in the same way.

I also liked seeing Hannah's character grow stronger throughout the book. Both Nico and Hannah were thrown some major curve balls, but overall I really liked seeing how their relationship developed over time and how everything came together.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you @netgalley for gifting me a digital copy of Christmas Wishes in exchange for an honest review.

#christmaswishes #NetGalley

Christma Wishes is another captivating, reflective, feel-good book by Sue Moorcroft.
Nate and Hannah's story is told between the country's of England and Stockholm.
I enjoyed reading the developing romance between them both and escaping to Middledip, meeting up with some familiar characters and Stockholm.
Want a heartfelt story of adventure, romance, friendships and family. Christmas Wishes is for you.
Hannah lives in Sweden when she runs into Nico, a teenage friend from her youth. Nico stirs in Hannah a feeling that makes her feel good; but, she already has a boyfriend, and Nico has a problematic alcoholic ex-wife, and their children needs to think about.
Hannah's relationship breaks down, and her nan needs caring for, she is in Middledip, Hannah leaves Sweden to be with her. On arrival, she discovers that Nico has also relocated to the village. Can a relationship develop between these two old friends?
I highly recommend this book.
I want to thank NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Sue Moorcroft for a pre-publication copy to review.

Warm festive feel book to get you right in the mood for Christmas. Beautifully written and a wonderful read.

Christmas Wishes by Sue Moorcroft is a lovely, heart-warming festive read. It follows the tale of Hannah and Nico. They’re meant to be together but fate is keeping them apart. When Hannah bumps into Nico in Stockholm they quickly rekindle their childhood friendship. There’s an attraction but Hannah has a boyfriend and Nico had two children. When Hannah has to move back to England to her parents small village, she finds Nico has also moved there. Could Christmas work it’s magic and inject some festive love be in the air?

I really enjoyed this book with its likeable and relatable characters. The story flows well from chapter to chapter and you have a real festive feel from it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.