I love a holiday themed romance and this did not disappoint. Will definitely be buying a copy to reread closer to the holidays.

Catherine Walsh does an amazing job of developing the MCs throughout the novel and the location development as she describes their time in Chicago, Buenos Aires, Pairs, London, and finally their time in Ireland places the reader in the story. I can relate as my last international trip was nothing but delays!

I think the flashback chapters are well incorporated and add to the character development and show how Molly and Andrew’s relationship has grown over their ten years of Christmas flights. Overall a great read I’m adding to my holiday list.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Catherine Walsh for the opportunity to read and review.

I absolutely loved this book. Sweet, hilarious, romantic. Covers all the bases for me! Such a fun holiday reed. Thank you netgalley!

I loved this - it is one of the best romance books that I have read in a long time.

Molly and Andrew were great main characters - they had great banter, lots of laugh out loud moments but also lots of affection and warmth towards each other which felt refreshing.

I was instantly drawn into this book and couldn’t put it down - the writing flowed perfectly and never felt disjointed even when looking back in time.

Overall an amazing heartwarming book.

I think it’s safe to say very few people find going to the airport and actually flying to be a truly relaxing experience. There is always something that is stressful. (I personally fly with my dog 99% of the time so I’m always stressed about that entire process!) However, Catherine Walsh made the entire process of airport delays and 7 hour flights the makings of a great friendship and eventual love!

Andrew and Molly met because he had been dating Molly’s college “friend” and bonded over the fact that they both grew up in Ireland. Then they end up sitting next to each other on a flight back to Ireland for the holidays and proceed to do that for 10 years, making an interesting holiday tradition. They would spend about 10 hours together every year creating the foundation of their relationship. I always enjoy when two people are so clearly in love and shocked when their other relationships never work out but it takes them time to figure it out. (I strongly believe everyone needs a Gabriela in their life!)

This book was a very sweet and romantic story that I devoured in one day! I look forward to reading more Catherine Walsh books in the future!

🥰Scene: Christmas night

I was able to review Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh and Bookouture for providing me with an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Molly and Andrew have spent ten flights together over the span of ten years to get home for Christmas in Ireland each year becoming friends over the years. On the tenth flight everything there is a storm and Molly does everything possible to get Andrew home for Christmas. I absolutely adored this adorable holiday themed romance.
This is my first Catherine Walsh book and I’m so excited to go back and read other books. Definitely add the Holiday Romance to your to be read (TBR). This is an anytime feel good read.

Oh I will definitely be rereading this one when it’s closer to the holidays. It was super cute, light, and an easy read!

I received an advanced copy of this book.

It's no secret to the people in my life that I looooove a Christmas romance. This one was no exception. It's a friends-to-lovers trope, which I'm always a fan of, done well. The characters were smart and self-sufficient and conversation was fast-paced and witty. It was such a cozy read with all the (early for me) holiday cheer. I'll definitely reread this in December!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a great holiday romance. Relatable characters with real flaws and believable personalities. The banter between them was great! This book had me laughing out loud, and or course it was totally adorable too.

I loved that both MCs bodies were described in believable/achievable ways. No perfect six-pack etc. I will definitely keep this on my go-to list for good holiday reads.

I did notice more typos then average (I notice them in lots of books) and I'm not sure if that's just the case with the e-copy, or the print copy will have as many.

Of course, Molly is seated on a long flight next to Andrew, her friend's boyfriend -- the same boyfriend that her friend just told her she's cheated on and was planning to break up with after the holidays. Fast forward a decade and we see the friendship that has unfolded between Molly and Andrew, both still living in Chicago and flying home together to Ireland for Christmas. Year 10 brings its own challenges as a snow storm grounds them and they go on a wild adventure trying to get home for Christmas still, then surviving Christmas with their families.
Through flashbacks of important moments from each year of their traditional flights home giving context to some of their current travel antics, their full story is shared through honest moments, laugh out loud moments, sweet moments, and family characters that make you want to put on a comfy sweater and decorate for Christmas.

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I received and read an ARC of this title on #Netgalley and have already recommended it to others.

This is a sweet little romcom. The characters are funny and the report feels genuinely affectionate, from their friendship affection to relationship affection. It is very clear how much Andrew's family and his relationship is what drives the story as there's not much aside from a general familial affection shown with Molly's family. Her parents aren't even given names but the conversations they have are also genuine, loving, and beautifully written. I had a hard time putting this one down.

Molly and Andrew live in Chicago and are trying to get back to Ireland for Christmas. They meet every year for 10 years and get on the same flight. Eve is stressing as all the flights from Chicago are cancelled due to snow. They eventually get to Ireland but through a long process. Book jumps back and forward from the first year up to the present

loved all this book is and was. Really enjoyed this story and will read more of Catherine Walsh books. This was a good boo. Go and read it.

For anyone who loves a good Hallmark/Lifetime/Netflix Christmas movie this book is for you. The world that Catherine Walsh creates around around Molly and Andrew is captivating and instantly puts a smile on your face as you see the journey they go on to get home for Christmas.

I fully recommend that you put on a great Christmas playlist (Coming Home by Scott Helman, Baby It Ain’t Christmas Without You by Kris Allen, and Someday At Christmas by The Jackson 5 may have been on repeat), grab some Hot Chocolate and Sugar Cookies and just fall in love with this book. Add it to your yearly Christmas traditions right there with watching watching Christmas classics because it’s that enjoyable and fits right in with everything jolly and fun.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGallery for proving advanced copy for my honest review.

I have never been one who gravitates towards romance books but every now and then I feel like reading something lighthearted and comforting, which was my hope when going into Holiday Romance. This book felt like being wrapped up in a warm hug...on the coldest day of the year! The storyline was nothing short of delightful, and I was rooting for Molly and Andrew practically from the first chapter. If I can liken this book to anything, it was reminiscent of a really good Christmas movie, where the central romance makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, the setting is snowy and magical, the adventure is unexpected but such fun, and all the characters are so lovably Irish that I was smiling practically the whole way through.

If you're looking for a Christmas-themed friends-to-lovers centred around trying to get home for the holidays, this book is absolutely for you. Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of Holiday Romance - I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the lookout for more of Catherine Walsh's work.

I was hesitant to start this book being that it's still summer, but it was absolutely what I needed to read. Light, comforting, funny, and all around a joy to read. I loved being on Molly and Andrew's 10 year journey and seeing their romance build on the foundation of a true friendship. I definitely recommend making a cup of cocoa and sitting down to read this. I guarantee it will make you smile.

While it did feel a little weird to be reading a Christmas themed novel in the middle of the summer, I absolutely adored this adorable holiday themed romance! I am very much a sucker for the ‘’friends to lovers’’ trope, so I wasn’t exactly surprised when I ate this one up.

I loved the little flashbacks where we would see Molly and Andrew grow closer over the years, going from acquaintances to best friends (and even more ;). Also.. can we just talk about how mature and healthy these two are??!! There was minimal drama and the problems that they faced, they solved by just talking it out, instead of bottling it up.

If you’re looking for a cute Christmas themed read this winter, don’t hesitate to pick this one up!

Let’s backtrack to Christmas Eve nine years ago where shock horror, Molly Kinsella find herself accompanied on her flight home from Chicago to Dublin by her friend Hayley’s soon to be dumped boyfriend Andrew Fitzpatrick. In fact, the bye-bye text comes just before departure from O’Hare. Way to dampen the Christmas spirit Hayley. Not that Molly is big into Christmas anyway though she’s not quite The Grinch. She and her sister do have one Christmas tradition though it might not fit with yours and mine!!! Andrew and his family embrace the festivities with enthusiasm, matching pyjamas, sweaters and all.

It’s December 21, present day, also Chicago and Molly is thinking of quitting her law job as she’s miserable. Blow me down if Andrew isn’t on the same flight, maybe he’ll cheer her up? However, the weather isn’t great the flight gets delayed and delayed and ultimately it’s cancelled. Andrew is gutted, he loves his Christmases in Cork but fret not as plans are afoot to get them both home. Yes, it’s a bit circuitous, okay, it’s a lot circuitous and involves several modes of transport but what an adventure for them both! Oh, I should perhaps mention thanks to a guy at O’Hare with a sprig of mistletoe they exchange their first kiss……. The story is told in the present day and via a countdown narrative of the intervening flights over the last nine years.

Do you know what, I’d probably fall for Andrew too, he’s a lovely guy with that dimple and all. Molly can weep for Ireland but she’s terrific and a girl after my own heart in the food department! The chemistry between them is tangible, the dialogue is smart and makes me smile. I don’t laugh out loud much but there’s oodles and oodles of charm with plenty of really good characters. The settings are fantastic for example Paris to London (mulled wine in Portobello Road, yes please) and Christmas in Ireland which I can confirm has yet to be beaten in this English household.

It’s lovely and sweet but not saccharine with the array of characters keeping feet firmly on ground it couldn’t be too sugar rushy! You feel the Christmas spirit so it’s a perfect seasonal read even down to frost and a bit of snow. It’s a heartwarming story, very well written and satisfyingly enjoyable. It’s more ROM than COM for me with a little added steam but I have no hesitation in recommending this. I’ll definitely want to read more by Catherine Walsh.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

She’s meant to be catching flights, not catching feelings…

Molly and Andrew are trying to get home to Ireland for Christmas when a freak snowstorm grounds their flight. Once a year over the last ten years, they sit together on a plane and catch up as if they had seen each other only hours before. Two very different people with two very different takes on Christmas but Molly is determined to get Andrew home this year to see his family no matter what she has to do to make it happen. And maybe the universe has a bigger plan for them…

Catherine has done it again! I adored The Rebound last year and was so excited to see she is releasing a new book- a Christmas feel-good story which is just perfection.

It has all the right elements for a fun, easy read- friends to lovers, a little bit of spice, a whole lot of tension and some really romantic gestures courtesy of the male MC.

The jumps from past flights and airport shenanigans to the present day worked so well in this book to show the friendship between Andrew and Molly (and I think we are all shouting at Molly for not realising sooner that Andrew was clearly in love with her for a loooonnnng time!).

Loved the two main characters Molly and Andrew. The banter between the two of them is just so perfectly written and Catherine delivers on the Irish wit, sense of humour and sarcasm in this story just like in her last book. I liked how Andrew’s decision to stop drinking was handled in the story, particularly as we Irish are characterised across the world as these mad drinkers (I don’t drink which amazes a lot of people when they find out I’m Irish).

Not only did I love the protagonists, but so many of the other characters were perfect additions to the story. Hannah, Andrew’s sassy little sister; Zoe- Molly’s sister, ready to give birth to her child without a partner and so feisty to boot! So many strong female characters in this story that you wish you could befriend! The Irish mammies are well represented in this book too- shout out to Andrew’s mam who is literally the quintessential Irish mammy trying to do everything on her own at Christmas and keep the peace in the family.

And when you’re reading the book, just think about the scene in Home Alone when the Macallister family run frantically through the airport to catch their flight (with the iconic song jingling. That’s what I visualised when reading Andrew and Molly’s frantic rush to catch their flights! There always has to be tears and drama at the airport at Christmas which Catherine captures perfectly!

This book has literally got me so excited for Christmas and I can’t wait to reread it coming up to the festive season. 5 stars all the way!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc. Holiday Romance will be out on 4th of October- get yourself a copy!

Love and romance...family and friends...home and away from home...likable characters...loved...twins...parents...friends...so many things/people to deal with...careers...quit or stay...coincidence? Must happen???? Traveling at Christmas? Grinch? This is a fun romance...fun to read...fun to determine what will happen next. The protagonist is a quirky character who seems real...this is fiction, but I know it could be nonfiction...it could happen...it probably has happened...it might happen...this author has written a cannot put down romance that is a light, quick read. Cozy up and enjoy the holidays with these characters...This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the electronic copy.

Just like the title this is a perfect “Holiday Romance”. Molly and Andrew have spent ten flights together over the span of ten years to get home for Christmas in Ireland each year becoming friends over the years. On the tenth flight everything there is a storm and Molly does everything possible to get Andrew home for Christmas. This is a wonderful friends to lovers book! Such a sweet, funny, fun and fast paced read. The characters even the side characters are likeable and well developed. This is my first Catherine Walsh book and I’m so excited to go back and read other books. Definitely add the Holiday Romance to your Tbr it’s a wonderful Christmas read or anytime feel good read!
Than you Netgalley and Bookouture for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

In the midst of this vicious, everlasting heat wave Catherine Walsh opened a tiny little door to the great lands of escapism and I’ve never been more grateful. Holiday Romance is her third book and by now she’s established her reputation of an auto-buy romance author for me.

I love the way she describes the characters and the surroundings without going overboard and gives you room for your imagination. Her characters, main or side characters alike, compliment each other so well, as if they are puzzle pieces finally finding their match. I wouldn’t mind reading about certain side characters…I’m looking at you Christian and Zoe ;)

And I know I repeat myself, but nobody does dry, hilarious, peed-in-my-pants-a-little humour like Catherine Walsh. She captures the Irish essence, bottles it up and uses it as her ink and I’m here for it.

Holiday Romance is a book that makes you feel warm and cosy, but that will also invite you to reflect on your own holiday traditions and the value of family and friends.

If you haven’t read the previous books by Catherine Walsh, then treat yourself to some early christmas present and go get them now. You will not regret it, pinky promise.