I love a Christmas story and this one was particularly enjoyable. The writing style is engaging and I liked the characters very much.

Someday at Christmas - Lizzie Byron

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley.

Shell Smith works as a make up artist at Duke & Sons, when Callum Duke is brought in to help revive the store Shell and her friends see this as their opportunity to help save the store.

The novel is packed with vivid details meaning you can actually picture the department store decorated for Christmas.

A real feel good Christmas story, which I can see being made into a film at some point.

Rating: 5/5
I read this book in two sittings as I was unable to put the book down. I would definitely recommend this as a book to curl up with this Christmas.

Well I didn’t expect to find myself enjoying a Christmas romance novel in the middle of August but when you’re in the middle of a pandemic I guess there are no rules!

Shell works in the beauty of Duke and Sons department store and still lives at home with her parents and two sets of twins. Her romantic life is virtually nonexistent and she still has a crush on Nick her old friend. Life is just ticking along until Old Mr Duke introduces his grandson to shake up the store and try to turn it around back into profit.

Sometime the right book lands in your lap at just the right time and for me this is one of those. Total escapism with lots of laughs and a smattering of romance. Fabulous.

Larger than life Shell Smith loves her job as am ART make-up artist within Duke & Sons, it might not have been the path that she had originally hoped for but she is happy. Her love life isn't quite as straight forward, comparing all the men that she dates to Nick Wallace (her college crush). Whilst nothing happened between them she always thought that he was the one.

Callum Duke is back in the UK to help his grandfather run Duke & Sons, with a viewpoint of taking over as CEO in the next year or so. He's handsome, charming as well as warm and friendly to all his staff. Despite the cool, calm and collected facade that he shows to his employees he is very worried about the future of Duke & Sons.

With changes happening at Duke & Sons, everyone is wondering what the future holds. Can Callum save the store that has been in his family for generations? Can Shell find true love when Nick Wallace makes a surprise return? Or is there someone else that has captured her heart?

A feel-good Christmas themed story that could easily be made into a festive film. Showcasing relationship dynamics between friends, family and those we hold in our hearts.

Oh I’m so ready for woolly jumpers, sparkly lights and the Christmas tree. This has been a gorgeous read and I absolutely loved it. I haven’t been able to put this one down.

Absolutely loved this book! It's a great festive read and I could easily see it being made into a Hallmark Christmas type movie. So if you love those sort of movies, you will adore this book!

Just wonderful! This is a festive romance that was exactly what my cynical and tired brain needed right now. A perfect slice of escapism, about 27-year-old Shell, her returning situation-ship Nick and her new boss Callum - along with a truly charming array of supporting characters. Shell, her friends, family and love interests all felt like really people who I came to care for quickly and deeply. Effortlessly diverse and inclusive, along with a no-snootiness approach to Hallmark Christmas movies, this was an absolutely delightful read.

I can't wait till this comes out as I'll be insisting multiple friends and family members buy it!

A really fun festive read. I enjoyed Shell and Callum and the efforts to turn the fortunes of Duke & Sons around. There was a wonderful mix of supporting characters. Including Shell’s family who were lovely and boisterous. Some funny moments and very heart warming. I look forward to more from this author.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Duke & Sons department store, where Shell Smith has been working as a make-up artist on the ART counter for a while now.

Nick, her long-term crush is back in town, as well as that she’s really busy on the beauty department in the store. Compared to the rest of the store, which is a bit quiet.

Callum, whose the owners Grandson comes with some different ways to keep people coming into Duke & Sons this Christmas, One of these is to allow a production company to film a romcom after hours.

He wants to keep this a secret from his Grandfather so he recruits Shell’s help. During this Shell realises there more to Callum than just his suits and business demeanour..

Changes are coming in Shell’s life during this most wonderful time of the year.

There’s a lot to enjoy about this book: Christmas decorations at an old department store. A white Christmas! Dapper stranger who’s possibly ruining it all but isn’t, actually! A crush come from the past to reignite old passions. Friends to lovers!!! (One of my faves, it has to be said.) A big band of friends, who all are as warm-hearted and diverse as I’d hoped. The Smith family!!

What a great Christmas romp, I enjoyed every minute of it <3

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Have never read anything by this Author before it's quite a different take on Christmas but was highly enjoyable.

This was hugely fun! A body positive, diverse and distinctly English Christmas rom-com, which combines all of my favourite tropes - behind the scenes on a movie! Working at a department store! Christmas fair hijinks! Plus lush descriptions of make up and beauty (I now desperately want a Gucci bag, for the first time in my life). A really warm-hearted feel-good read.