A lovely story. I could not put this down. The concept was something totally different. 2 people different problems trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life to hopefully sort themselves out. But things did not work out for the solitude they thought they needed.

This was such a lovely, cozy read. I love anything set at Christmas but this really had some substance to it. Two people with equally tragic circumstances who manage to come together to make Christmas that little bit happier again. I loved the characters, loved the furry companions and loved the setting of ten book. I will definitely look out for this author again. Thank you netgalley

I'm not usually a contemporary romance reader but comparisons to The Holiday, my all-time favourite Christmas movie, made me grab it with both hands and curl up to a bit of Christmassy escapism.

The story is told from our two protagonists perspectives Rose and Charlie as they both facing Christmas alone. In order to escape the forced festivities they each book the beautiful Seaview Cottage in Donegal. Upon arrival they discover that it's been double-booked by both of them and they've no choice but share this holiday period together.

Forced proximity is one of favourite tropes and it's so well done in this romantic Christmas story where these two virtual strangers get to know each other in the run up to Christmas and maybe find love amidst the beautiful landscapes of rural Donegal and adorable dogs.. It's the perfect wintery read if you're looking for a sweet heart-warming book to cosy up with and even works on a wet day in July.

Many thanks to @netgalley and @penguinbooksireland for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Due to a double booking both Rose and Charlie and their respective dogs have booked a rural cottage in Ireland to escape from Christmas. Agreeing to share the cottage under duress they struggle with their individual issues and being in close contract. Can they come to accept each other and maybe more?
This is a slow burner, you gradually find out more about Rose and Charlie and the reasons why they are escaping from Christmas. It is told from each point of view, but this is clearly marked as the start of each chapter and didn't cause me any confusion. They are both strong characters, but suffering with loss. Starting off only communicating by text and whiteboard they gradually come to like and respect each other, but can this grow to anything more? Although there is sadness in each of their stories the overall tone of the book is more positive. The setting is idyllic, with a supporting cast of characters in this small community. An ideal read to get into the spirit of Christmas.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book.

If you are looking for the perfect festive read this Christmas then this book is for you, so go grab yourself a mug of hot chocolate, a cosy blanket and switch on those twinkly fairy lights because you’re in for a real treat!

This Christmas is told from dual POV and helps you to understand the heartache and struggles that both Charlie and Rose are dealing with. Christmas can be the most wonderful time of year for some, but can be the most loneliest time for others. Under the cosy roof of sea view cottage thrown together by fate, we see Charlie and Rose’s relationship develop and their love of Christmas return.

This book is a beautiful read and gave me all of the Christmassy feels. Defo one to add to your TBR pile.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this advance review copy.

One isolated and cosy cottage, one man looking to escape from everything Christmas, one grieving woman determined to isolate herself from family and friends. What could possibly go wrong?
This is a heartwarming story of lost love, memories and new beginnings. Characters that come to life on the page, that you can really empathise with and care about what happens to them, this is a gentle and lovely story. A great read.

I love a Christmas book as you know its going to be a cosy read and this was no exception. The characters were charming and the plot was fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This Christmas - Emma Heatherington

This book definitely pulls at your heartstrings, but turns out how all best Christmas books should. It would be a great read closer to Christmas time to get you in the festive spirit. I did find the pace a little slow for me, but this is just a personal preference, but overall it is a lovely book that touches on love and loss and how we can manage our own path after such tragedies. Thanks very much to Netgalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone and Penguin for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions.

A different read to my usual but I thoroughly enjoyed it, a well written funny, heartbreaking and sad read all rolled into one.

All the characters were well described and I enjoyed the storyline from beginning until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for this ARC which I will recommend.

This Christmas, Rose and Charlie are each hoping to avoid everything festive, by escaping away to the wild Atlantic coast of Donegal. Seaview Cottage, situated not far from Fanad lighthouse, is the perfect place to spend a secluded Christmas in splendid isolation away from the hustle and bustle of Dublin or Belfast. As luck would have it, the cottage has been double booked and for practical reasons they agree to share the rental. As they had both hoped to spend Christmas alone, they studiously try to avoid each other, with many an unexpected twist along the way.
I absolutely LOVED this book, I had tears in my eyes at times reading it and was rooting for a happy ending for them both! The fabulous scenery and two lovely dogs are a great supporting cast, adding such realism to the story. I want a sequel! A really charming Christmas read. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the review copy.

Really enjoyed this book from the out. Funny, sad, a total mixture of everyday life and emotional, cried a few times, laughed a lot. A good read for Christmas, I will be buying a few hard copies as stocking fillers for my friends

You get lots of individual stories related to wedding day events in this wonderful book.
The initial story of actress Rosa May Garland, who disappeared shortly after giving birth to twin sons inspired her descendent novelist Honey to write a book about a jilted bride which then caused readers to send in their stories and wedding dresses. Thus the Wedding Dress Museum was born. Through the display of Rosa May’s dresses in the V and A, Honey meets fellow descendent Garland who is a theatrical costume maker and conservator.
This is a refreshing story about new beginnings, second chances and learning to live again. The characters, especially the animals are easy to visualise.

When Zelda Fitzgerald said "nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold" she had never read any of Emma Heatherington's novels. I've never read an Emma Heatherington novel I didn't love because she gets right to the heart of all the things that make us human; love, loss, heartbreak, determination, passion and strength. I loved the characters, both human and canine. If you need ideas for what to buy the reader in your life this Christmas, this is it. Think The Holiday but so much better...

Enjoyed this one. Easy to read and gave me The Holiday meets Jenny Colgan vibes, Characters were relatable.
I loved this emotional yet light read of a very sweet romance. I enjoyed the way they had an impact on each other and grew.

Oh my his this game me MAJOR The holiday vibes! This was cosy and romantic and gushy and just perfect! Ireland as a backdrop was everything I didn’t realise I needed and the characters were a joy!

A lovely, heartwarming story. Yes it was predictable but that only adds to the charm.
Sometimes you want to know you're in for a comfort read before you open the book.
I loved it and will look out for more books from this author.

I really enjoyed this book - It is Christmassy and fun and romance all rolled in to one fantastic mix which makes reading it a delight.

Rose and Charlie were both likable characters and whilst the plot may be a little predictable, it doesnt take away from the story, the story will take you on an emotional rollercoaster but one you will want to go on again and again.

Oh my goodness, this one was an absolute delight and tear jearker. I adored it, I devoured it. So beautifully written, and romantically set. I wanted to get on over there myself for Christmas. I just loved the whole story, the way we see from Rose and Charlie. A definite must have read. I'll be getting a hard copy for my shelf! Thank you to the author, netgalley and publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

oh how i love christmas books and christmas, this was a gripping read and had me hooked straight away, if you love cosy, cute fun reads this is the book for you and if you love christmas then grab this quickly.

My genuine thanks to Netgalley for my copy of This Christmas. At first I found it rather slow going and considered giving up, but that's not really my style and I soon got used to the pace, the genuine rhythm of life. Rose and Charlie are two delightful characters whose, true to life, tender love story had me in tears at times. I even began to feel Christmassy even though I read it during a heatwave! Rading This Christmas was a joy.