A Scottish hotel in a winter wonderland provides the perfect backdrop for a Christmas wedding!

Libby Carter is a fashion designer who loves weddings, so when her brother asked for help at Starcross Manor to plan holiday reception she says YES. Only, this is not an ordinary wedding and everything goes awry. Libby finds herself asking the "grumpy" videographer for help. This isn't Guy's normal gig, he's a nature videographer but here he is taping a wedding as a favor.

Guy isn't looking for love. He's a single dad with a broken heart on the mend. Sparks soon fly when these two kiss under the mistletoe. Their path to true love was heartwarming as they build trust and understanding.

This installment in the Love Heart Lane series can be read as a standalone as this is book #12.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the complimentary copy.

A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor by Christie Barlow

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what.

Fashion designer Libby Carter has always loved weddings, so when her brother finds himself in a bind and asks her to step in and plan the perfect winter wonderland wedding for guests at his hotel, Starcross Manor, she happily takes on the challenge. But this is no ordinary Christmas wedding and when everything starts to go awry Libby asks gorgeous videographer Guy Hart for help.

This isn’t single dad Guy’s usual gig – and he is not a fan of weddings – but saying no to vivacious Libby isn’t an option … especially when saying yes leads to one very unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe!

My Opinion

Sadly this is yet another series that I am reading out of order, but so far it has not spoilt my enjoyment. Each book can be read as a standalone and it always feels lovely to return to the familiar characters or Love Heart Lane.

As I was reading this, I could really picture it being made into a lovely, festive movie. With a close-knit community, returning to Starcross Manor really feels like you are returning to visit old friends. I read this over a few short stints and at the end of each sitting I really wasn't ready to leave.

This is such a heart-warming read that it will make for a great addition to your books to read over the upcoming festive season and I would recommend catching up with the whole series if you haven't started it yet.

Rating 4/5

Libby’s brother Flynn is left in the lurch when the wedding planner at his hotel quits unexpectedly right before she’s due to plan a wedding that will put the hotel on the map of wedding destinations. Flynn begs Libby to come home for Christmas to plan the wedding instead. While visiting home she meets Guy who, the wedding’s videographer, and finds a love of her own.

I haven’t read the other books in this series and got this one as an ARC through NetGalley. I don’t think you need to have read the previous books to enjoy this one though there is a reference to a massive cast of characters.

The Christmas setting really comes through in this book. If you like Hallmark Christmas movies I think there is a real chance you’ll enjoy this as you can really picture the truly magical Christmas setting.

Unfortunately generally the writing style of this wasn’t for me. It’s a very specific British writing style that just isn’t my preferred way to consume romance stories.

There’s a fair amount of plot in this which works quite well. I found the insta love nature hard to get on board with in this particular scenario but there is definitely drama (to the point where I did want to tell Libby to seriously back down). I liked Holly and Guy’s relationship.

TW for not being able to have children. It’s a relatively big plot point, although is abandoned part way through the book in a way I didn’t love.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thanks for the opportunity to read and review. Not sure why I haven’t read any of Christie’s books before. Great setting, a festive novel, romance, weddings, strange happenings, a cute dog, and delicious food combined make an enjoyable story.

Thank you, One More Chapter, for letting me be a part of this readalong.

I think we all know by now that a cosy feel good romance will always have a special place in my heart and add in the Christmas setting and I knew I needed to be part of the OMC readalong.

I loved how this book had the slightly more grumpy MMC guy and the Christmas/wedding loving Libby. Guys, little girl, Holly added the additional funny cuteness.

Libby gets asked to help her brother plan a wedding for competition winners at his big Scottish Manor, where something isn't quite right with the happy couple.

If you want an easy, feel-good festive, read this one's for you.

A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor is another beauty from Christie Barlow and my new favourite in the series.
Being back in Love Heart Lane is so special and as always I’ve loved the characters involved.
The chemistry between Libby and Gus was wonderful from the very start and I loved how they worked together.
The descriptions of the manor sounded idyllic and the Christmas setting just magical. A definite recommendation for the festive season

This is book 12 in the Love Heart Lane series from Christie Barlow. Stories in this series are set in the charming Scottish highland village of Heartcross. Each features some recurring characters in addition to new visitors to the area. Since people coming to the village never want to leave, there is an increasing number to meet in each book. In spite of that, each story can be read as a standalone since the author includes back details as necessary. This book has a beautiful cover with an inviting wintry scene. Inside, there is a map showing the various buildings featured in the books so far.

This story centres on Starcross Manor, the luxurious hotel owned by Flynn Carter. Having been left high and dry by his wedding planner, Flynn persuades his sister and successful fashion designer Libby to step in to oversee a special wedding he hopes will serve as an advert for Starcross Manor as a premier wedding venue. The wedding, to be held on Christmas eve, was the prize in a highly publicised competition. Libby will be working alongside award-winning videographer Guy Hart, who is none too enthusiastic about this assignment. Things don’t go quite as planned with the wedding, but Libby and Guy find themselves increasingly drawn to each other. However, they both have some problems to work through that might get in the way of their budding relationship. Can the village of Heartcross work its magic once again?

I have become quite absorbed in this series, and very much enjoy each instalment, meeting up with familiar faces and catching up with village developments. I can certainly recommend it to readers who like myself are attracted to the tranquility of the Scottish highlands. This book was a quick and easy read. I particularly enjoyed trying to work out what was going on with the special wedding and the competition winners themselves. Libby is a very likeable character and well matched with handsome single dad Guy. Not only was he easy on the eye, but came with an adorable young daughter and mischievous dachshund called Pickle. They had me hoping that they would get together in the end. I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series and meeting characters, old and new.

Libby comes to help her brother Flynn, after his wedding designer turns in her notice. nice characters and a beautiful setting.

Libby steps in to help her brother Flynn, the owner of Starcross Manor, after his wedding planner resigns just when an important wedding is due to take place on Christmas Eve.
It's always a pleasure to return to Love Heart Lane and the people who live there. It does sound idyllic, although probably too cold for me, with fantastic scenery and a real sense of community amongst those who live there. There is the blossoming relationship between Libby and Guy, who is there to record the event on film, although both have their reasons to be wary of a new relationship. The preparation for the actual wedding itself, the prize from a competition, doesn't go to plan, raising suspicions that all is not as it seems. Definitely recommended to help escape to a winter wonderland, either from a cold and dreary winter here or even to help cool down if you are lucky enough to visit somewhere hot and exotic.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

The wait was finally over, to read and review the new Christie Barlow offering. Lovely, homely characters, but well written and very enjoyable. Thank you for the ARC.

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

I thoroughly loved reading this book.

Flynn, the owner of Starcross Manor ran a competition for a couple to win the wedding of their dreams with all expenses covered on Christmas Eve, in order to promote the Manor as a location for future weddings.

But before the couple arrive, his wedding planner resigns. Flynn asks his sister Libby, who is a fashion designer to help him out, and also asks Guy, a videographer to help.

But, when they meet the couple, Libby suspects something doesn’t feel right. Things start happening, as the preparations begin, which cause stress for Flynn. Can she and Guy find out what’s wrong?

Will there be a wedding at Starcross Manor, and if so, who will the lucky couple be?

It was lovely to be back in Heartcross, meeting old friends and catching up with them.

I highly recommend this book.

Libby gets called in to help her brother Flynn out when his wedding planner hands on her notice. The problem is he's launched a competition to get Starcross Manor to be THE wedding venue and the winners are getting married on Christmas Eve at the manor! Hence the reason he needs the help! Libby has her own work and is getting ready to move to New,York for her new job, but agrees to help Flynn as its,Christmas and it means she'll be able to spend it with the family..... What she doesn't bank on is meeting Guy who she's told can be a bit prickly - he's there to film the wedding.
Without giving too much away romance is in abundance in this novel and it's such a feel good read. I would love to visit Starcross Manor it sounds so idyllic and makes me can't wait for Christmas!!! Cat wait for the next novel by Christie. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this.... Will be highly recommending

I love to visit Love Heart Lane as it's a place where I feel good, have fun and I'm glad to catch with the lovely characters.
This is a festive and enjoyable story that i recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Libby’s brother ropes her into planning a wedding. She’s working along side a photographer named Guy. She’s heard he can be a bit prickly, only time will tell.
It’s a truly lovely story set in a gorgeous sounding location.
I was wishing I could go to Starcross Manor. There’s a few surprises long the way and lots of romance. It’s a perfect book to add to your holiday reading list
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

What a lovely uplifting story! This is my first Christie Barlow book and although this is part of her Love Heart Lane series, I don’t think it was necessary for me to read the previous eleven to enjoy this delightful, warm and cosy mystery romance. I can see why her stories are so popular, though, and I am glad to have had the pleasure of reading one. And with Christmas on the horizon, it was a perfect season selection!

There are a number of couples in this story but Libby and Guy are centre focus. Yet Libby’s brother, Flynn, and his soon-to-be wife, Julia, are very much a large part of the plot, too, that includes a lovely surprise where the community comes together to create a very special event.

Libby Carter is a fashion designer whose last important relationship ended badly. But she has directed her passion elsewhere by putting her heart and soul into building her business. Her hard work has paid off. Now she has been offered a prestigious role in New York where she can further expand her career. But before she heads off to fashion central in the new year, her brother, Flynn, owner of Starcross Manor (an events venue) needs her help. His wedding planner has resigned and left him in a lurch so his sister takes over temporarily to organise the perfect winter wonderland wedding. This will be used for positive venue promotion to increase profile and sales. The couple to star in this video advertisement have won a competition hosted by the Manor. Their prize is a wedding of their dreams. But when Libby meets them, she senses there is something very odd about this couple; including their strange request for an all-black wedding. Of course, herein lies the mystery and it’s a great one that kept me engaged and turning the pages, even though I guessed early on what was happening.

Joining Libby in the task is videographer Guy Hart, friend of Flynn’s. Guy is not a fan of weddings (and understandable when we hear his story) but he has been hired to team up with her. Together they create some magic on and off camera. These unexpected sparks continue to glow and the experiences they share are quite touching; including time spent with Holly (Guy’s young daughter). The little girl becomes very fond of Libby and vice versa. It is clear Holly needs a good female role model and a sincere friend and she finds both in Libby who is warm, wise and kind.

I felt I got to know the important characters quite well and I particularly liked Libby, her friend Isla, brother Flynn, Guy and little Holly (daughter of Guy). Libby and Flynn’s dad was pretty cool, too, even if his appearances were brief. And, of course, lovely Julia who gets to have a set of reindeer!

Setting is important in this novel and the cover provides a great mental picture. The descriptions of the gorgeous Scottish landscape covered in snow add atmosphere and charm. This is the kind of novel you don’t want to end as you feel part of the story. There is a wonderful positive message that with each obstacle, there is a sound solution and that if things are meant to be they will work out. Once reality kicks in that she will be moving far from her family and Guy, she becomes torn as what to do. She has just been offered her dream job but are the sacrifices too much? Should she go to New York or stay in Scotland? After talking to her dad, a solution appears. And this story has a very happy ending after all.

This heart-warming Christmas novel about the healing power of love and second chances is a real gem. Yes, as Guy says, ‘The past is something we can’t change but we can learn from it.’ And as Libby responds, ‘Once you let yourself start living again and there’s hope for the future, everything seems calmer.’ These characters certainly learn from their pasts and everything works out. Great things are on the horizon. New home, fresh start and new perspective. A delightful Christmas story. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK) and Netgalley for my review copy.

What a gorgeous story. Just perfect for this time of year, cosy and beautiful in so many ways.

When Julie suddenly quits, Flynn is distraught at having no wedding planner for the wedding of the year, a competition win to help promote his hotel. His sister, Libby, is getting ready to jet off to NY to start the job of a lifetime and he convinces her to help out in between. Little does she know, this will lead to all kinds of complications!

The characters in this story are so well written, you feel like you’re part of the community too. For a small village, they certainly have their full share of talent! And conveniently everyone you need to put on a wedding worthy of celebrities. The scenery also sounds so stunning, mountains, fields and snow galore.

As the first Christmassy book of the year, you can’t go wrong. It has everything you need - snow, Christmas and romance. This is the authors 19th book, I’m going to be checking more out especially if they’re all as good as this one.

There is nothing to not love about this book, the storyline is lovely, the location is beautifully described and the characters are outstanding.

Flynn owns Starcross Manor and organized a completion where a lucky couple will tie the knot on Christmas Eve. When his wedding planner walks out, he calls his sister Libby to help. With Libby and Guy the camera man behind the wedding, what could go wrong.

A feel good book that will make you smile.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

The next book in the Love Heart Lane series is just as good as I expected. The series, set in Heartcross, Scotland, centers the stories around a community of core characters while adding in a few new faces in each book. This keeps the series feeling fresh and gives readers an anticipation of what will happen next. Each book is a stand alone story, you see the romance from the beginning and the always SIGH worthy ending.
Starcross Manor is the local hotel/lodge/event center of Heartcross. Libby is visiting her brother, Fergus, who also runs the Manor. She has been through a bad breakup so is moving out of the cuntry to start a new job in the US. When her brother is left with no help planning a wedding at the hotel, Libby agrees to help. She will meet Guy through these efforts and the story blooms. As always, Christie Barlow gives us a movie worthy tale of romance. I would recommend you take your own journey to Love Heart Lane and meet these wonderful characters for yourself.

A very enjoyable read that reminded me why I like this series in the first place. Everyone coming together to support each other is always nice to read about. But it was kind of odd to also read about everyone coming together to basically attack a certain couple. Might have been nicer to write it so the town helps the mean folk work through their issues etc.

But still an easy cozy read.

A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor by Christie Barlow was patchy for me. It was well written and had a decent mix of characters. But there was no sense of place. Allegedly set in Scotland, there was nothing to demonstrate that in the feeling of the book. I suspect (I hope) that I have come in partway through a series as there were many gaps in understand for me.