This is a lovely, comforting read by Phillipa, a. Christmas tale by her is a must. Her description of the Lake District and all things Christmassy put you so in the mood for the festive period, I enjoyed getting to know Krystle and Max and the story keeps you turning pages to know what happens with them both and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely recommend this for cozy winter night reads with a big mug of hot chocolate. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this early copy.

I loved this book! Exactly what you need as a Christmas read. Lots of cosy house scenes and snowy wild outdoors! Santa, an elf, reindeers and wooden angels - what more do you want!
Krys rents a house she saw in the Lake District when she was young and deprived. She wants it to be the best Christmas for her and her boyfriend but his work gets in the way.
Life doesn’t go to plan, however, she becomes part of the village and helps out with their struggles!
Definitely pour yourself a hot chocolate and sit down and read!

I loved this story which is festive and heart warming but with some poignant moment. I loved Krystle and Max, rooted for them, and liked how they were developed.
The plot is fast paced, kept me reading and smiling.
A perfect festive story, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

Another fabulous festive story from Phillipa Ashley! The setting of the lake district really added to the feel!

This is the story of Krystle who needs a break and sets off for a festive secluded break at the lakes. but of course, fate has other plans, and she ends up meeting Max who hates Christmas after her car breaks down. She takes on the task of making Max love Christmas again. This is such a magical story and really stayed with me after reading. Perfect for the upcoming festive season!

A wonderful new book from Phillipa Ashley, you can't go wrong with any of her books. A real Christmas story set in the Lake District, makes me yearn to be back there. Worth far more than 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

What a wonderful festive read, a book that has all the Christmas feels.
Krys and Max meet in extreme circumstances and are thrown together.
Max is very guarded and does not enjoy the Christmas spirit. On the other hand Krys loves Christmas and lives in the spirit all year round.
This beautiful story includes all the community and the mountain rescue team.
Happy Reading with this 5 star book.

Thanks to Net Galley for this free read. Another great read from Phillipa Ashley.- I spent a weekend, reading this book, next to the log burner nice and cosy and away from the rain and wind outside! Krys and her boyfriend have made a trip to the Lake District however it does not get off to a great start due to torrential rain and flooding. They become stranded not too far away from their destination. A local comes to their rescue and becomes a part of the ongoing story. The reader goes back in time with Krys to discover the reason why she has come to this particular area and the meaning of the holiday home that they are going to stay in. There are lots of ups and downs, comedy, drama as well as emotional scenes along the way. I won't give away anymore. I look forward to reading the next book by this author. Thanks again to Net Galley for the free read.

What an amazing book to read to help get you into the festive spirit. Such relatable characters and a part of the world so close to and familiar to me which made reading it all that much more special.
Krys and Max are such wonderful characters, each not perfect, each with baggage and each so very human, I really enjoyed watching their friendship grow- sometimes with the help of Jake, Max’s dog. Seeing the community rally round Max and show him that he is worth their time and he is important to them was touching, and I loved how Krys just slotted in so seamlessly and pulled Max with her.
It was fascinating learning how the magic of Christmas happens and the work that goes into making the holiday season so beautiful and special to everyone. Learning Max and Krys’s back story was heartbreaking at times and I found I wanted to just reach out and hug both of them.
A simply wonderful and moving Christmas read.

I absolutely adore Phillipa's Cornish series and have read them all, so when I was offered a chance to read this Christmas novel I was really excited.

Set in the stunning Lake District, Krys and her boyfriend Brett rent a manor house for several weeks on the run up to Christmas. It's the perfect 'Christmas card house' which Krys had seen in her childhood and had always dreamt of sitting by the log fire.

Bad weather and Brett's stupidity leads to their car being a write off in a stream before they have even arrived! Luckily a local called Max helps them out. He's a strange character, hates Christmas and is lacking social skills! This being said,  he offers the couple a roof over their heads for the night.

When Brett is called back to London for work, Krys settles in to life in the village and agrees to help decorate the mountain rescue centre for the winter ball. She soon gets to know all the locals and they all warm to her.

As Krys is known as Mrs Christmas she is in her element but as Brett is once again called away for work will her Christmas be ruined or could this be the start of a new life?

A real feel good, heartwarming, fluffy romance which did have me shedding a tear.

I don't read many romances, but Phillipa Ashley knows just how to write them and is my go to author for these. An absolute pleasure to read.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC.

The Christmas Holiday is a festive feel-good read. We meet Krystle, who had a tough upbringing and longed to return to the Christmas House she so coveted as a child. When she finally books a stay there, all is not plain sailing, especially with partner Brett, But when Krystle meets Max, a lot of things start to change for her.

The Christmas Holiday is full of festive charm, and is perfect for curling up with a blanket and mince pie (or two!).

After a slightly slow start, I really settled in to this book and enjoyed it so much.
All of the characters were great and I loved Krys and Max.
The setting was perfect - the Lakes in the height of winter, covered in snow - and the manor house just sounded so cosy and inviting.
A really good story leading up to Christmas and one that should definitely be on your festive tbr!

Krystle has always loved Christmas and this year its time for her perfect Christmas.
she rents a large house in the Lake district for her and her boyfriend and takes a couple of months of work.
It is a disaster from the start.
Can Krystle save Christmas and spend it with the man of her dreams?

Please see LoveReading.co.uk for the full review. I have chosen The Christmas Holiday as a Liz Pick of the Month.

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

A book that I was hooked with from the start. Krys went on a trip in her childhood to Cumbria and there, she looked through the windows of a house, the memories of which have stayed with her. She’s always imagined a perfect Christmas in that house.

The image of that “Christmas House" haven’t left Krys, so she rents a house in Cumbria for herself and Brett so that they can have some time together from the work which keeps them busy. Which doesn’t as planned.

Neither does their arrival in the area, which upsets Krys, as they end up being helped and rescued by Max and his dog Jake.

Staying at the house, she helps the Mountain Rescue Team, in organising the decorating for their Winter Ball, and is getting more involved in the local community.

I highly recommend this book.

What a fabulous book - I really enjoyed it! Set in the wonderful Lake District (such a fantastic location for a festive story!), it starts with a disaster for Krys and Brett. However, a local resident called Max, comes to their rescue. Over the coming days and weeks, Max sees quite a lot of the couple (and Krys in particular), even though it's his intention to stay away from everyone and live like a hermit. With Brett called away for work, Krys becomes increasing involved in the village and it's community. She is called in to use her professional skills and somehow, Max seems to feature quite a bit in what is going on.

Although you can see where the story is likely to go, there are quite a few twists and turns along the way. And anyway, who doesn't want a happy ending, especially at Christmas? If you are looking for a lovely read, set in a great part of the country, with a wonderful cast of characters, I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This is a heartwarming holiday story of love, family, friendship and forgiveness. Truly a beautiful story.
Max has lived in isolation since a tragic accident changed the course of his life. One night he rescues a woman, Krys, and her boyfriend from a wreckage, and slowly his life begins to change. But Krys has also had some emotional upheavals in her life, and has come to town to create a perfect holiday. When their paths keep crossing, feelings form and pasts are put to rest.
I loved this story and how real their emotions felt. Highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Krys needs a holiday with her boyfriend Brett. She has booked Holly Manor for Christmas but Brett has been called away for work and things don't work out for them.
Max is a bit if a recluse but has agreed to join the MRT.
They are both soon falling into Thornedale life and as they prepare for the MRT Christmas ball the attraction is plain to see but Max hides his grief after the loss of his wife. Can he move on?
This was a really warm Christmas read. I loved the way the people rally round and help and look out for each other.
Jake the dog is quite a character and a bit naughty.
I love Phillipa's writing and really look forward to each book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon books for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Krystle always remembers her time in the Lake District when she was a troubled teen away from home. Her happy place became the beautiful image of a warm fire, decorated tree with a stack of presents. Now a successful Christmas buyer she has decided to go back to where it all started and finally enjoy the Christmas she always wanted with her boyfriend. But things don’t always go to plan. A story with a lovely festive feel.

Definitely a hot chocolate of a book! Beautifully festive themed with Krys, a Christmas buyer visiting the lakes for a long holiday with her boyfriend. Disaster strikes as soon as they arrive and they are rescued by recluse neighbour Max. A lovely story of grief, new love and Christmas set amongst the beautiful backdrop of the lakes. Highly recommend

Now we're talking. I've had my summer holiday and wanted to throw myself into building up for Christmas and this festive little gem was perfect for doing just that. It's set over 2 months: November and December so you can feel the build up to the festive period for yourself.

Wonderful characters, perfect setting in the lake, light romance and character development this provides a wonderful feel good novel delivers perfectly. I would definitely recommend!