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

I loved this book, perfect to read snuggled under a blanket with hot chocolate.
It was very well-written.

The story kept me hooked from beginning to end.

I loved the setting and characters.

I recommend this book.

This was the most perfect book to read on a cold, chilly Autumn day, while snuggled under a blanket!! It was such a lovely, festive read and also wonderfully written too.

It was such an easy book to read and kept me engrossed right up until the very end.

I loved all of the characters and really enjoyed becoming immersed in their stories.

Last Christmas At Ballyclaire was full of drama, beautiful settings and was a wonderful , festive read and i really enjoyed it all and was left with a warm cosy feeling too…….

When Natasha returns home for a cosy Christmas despite her guest bailing on her at the last minute she’s all prepared to have a traditional celebration with her mother and sister in their childhood home, Ballyclare.
Unexpectedly her mother declares there is no money for extensive house repairs and this will be their last Christmas before Ballyclare has to be sold. With all her certainties gone and her love life in ruins to boot, the celebrations become rather muted.
Help arrives in the form a tourist looking for his family roots. There is a reinjection of positivity all round. Christmas is back on, of course it is; this is what we are here for.
I like the way the story draws in different generations alongside the contemporary romance. A family wobble is a good way to start a Christmas story. This focuses on certainties taken away from Natasha who is the main focus. She examines her life and is able to change the ways she moves forward. That’s quite some heavy lifting for a romance novel but I do like a little soul searching with my hot chocolate. There is heartfelt unrequited love, an epiphany and of course a happy ending. Perfect for the Christmas stocking of your romance loving friends.

This book is a lovely lighthearted read about a single parent family sharing Christmas in Ireland. The lead character, Aileen shares her previous struggles of living with her husband who was diagnosed as a manic depressive and the impact this had on their time together and their children, especially with the mystery of his disappearance. The storyline has a feel good factor as the main characters learn to communicate and understand one another better opening up about their feelings and emotions.It also shares the developing romantic relationships for both daughters, Doon and Natasha culminating in a warm and uplifting ending. An enjoyable read.

"Last Christmas at Ballyclare" by Emily Bell is a heartwarming holiday novel that transports readers to the picturesque Irish countryside. The story follows the lives of the O'Sullivan family, whose Christmas traditions and bonds are put to the test by unexpected events. Bell's vivid descriptions of the charming setting and endearing characters make this a cozy and emotionally resonant read. The narrative is filled with the magic of Christmas, family dynamics, and a touch of romance, creating a captivating story that captures the true spirit of the season. "Last Christmas at Ballyclare" is a delightful and uplifting tale to savor.

This is a tale of a family Christmas told in alternative chapters from the view points of sisters Natasha and Doon and their mother Aileen.

Despite what we hope family Christmas are not all smooth sailing and this book reflects this whilst keeping the spirit of Christmas as the 3 women grow during the events of the festivities.

Although this wasnt the full on sugar sweet Christmas type book, i loved the kitchen sink drama within!
Two daughters come back to their family home for Christmas which turns into a few dramas and heartbreaks.

I really enioyed the characters and their individual stories. I flew through this as if it was like a netflix series! Cant put it away. Need to read on.

The setting sounded like the perfect christmas irish hideaway. Full of delights to enjoy on a chilly december. I will keep an eye out for follow up book in the(hopefully not to far away) future!

Many thanks to the Author and publisher through Netgalley for an DRC.
Publication Date 23/11/23
Review written 5/10/23

A really nice Christmas book set in Wicklow in Ireland. Told by multiple points of view. Discovering each one of the characters journeys, self growth, and love. There is some mystery thrown in there too. There are a couple of characters I didn't really gel with. But all in all a good book.

What a beautiful setting in the Wicklow hills in Ballyclare. I loved the characters and it was a truly magical tale. Natasha thinking that she will lose everything suddenly things turned around for the better after her meeting with a stranger with a connection to the house knocks on their door. It was a beautiful story of love and bereavement.

This was a wondrous and warm Christmas read set in beautiful Wicklow in Ireland. Told from the POV of Mum, Aileen, and her daughters, Natasha and Doon. Each one on their own journey of self discovery, with a sprinkle of romance. I really enjoyed seeing how each character's story unfolded. There was a bit of a mystery going on with the fact Aileen's husband - Natasha and Doon's dad - had disappeared and I would loved to have delved more in to that. I loved Aileen and the side characters but Doon and Natasha's attitudes towards each other grated on me at times. The author sets a beautiful wintery scene in Wicklow, with stunning views, that had me wanting to visit there myself. It was a really sweet read and I would love to read more from Emily Bell.

Singleton Natasha and newly engaged Doon are planning to spend Christmas together with their mother Aileen at their family home Ballyclare in Ireland. A home which holds cherrished memories and also some heartache when their husband/father disappeared years ago.

The McDonnell family faces the heart-wrenching possibility of selling their beloved Ballyclare, and this could be their last Christmas in the family home. When a stranger with a family connection to the house knocks on their door, their fortunes start to take a turn.

Last Christmas at Ballyclare was my first read by Emily Bell. I picked the ARC with the hope of a warm, festive read, and to be honest, it is exactly what I got. The writing is descriptive and detailed. All the characters are dealing with their own struggles, and throughout the story, Emily has woven in some flashbacks featuring poignant times in the family life. The story is a slow and steady build-up. At times, I found Natasha irritating and selfish, but she came to the realisation of her behaviour towards the end of the book. I did feel the end was a bit rushed and wrapped up too quickly. I loved the fact that the story was set in Ireland, and the author described the scenery beautifully.

Overall, this is an enjoyable and quick Christmas read, but one that you can put down and come back to. Like all good Christmas books, this one will leave you feeling warm and cheerful.

Many thanks to @Netgalleyuk, @emilybellwriter, and @penguinukbooks for the chance to read the ARC.

Perfect Christmas book, uplifting and heartwarming. Told from the perspective of 3 women. Interesting characters well written. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

A really nice read. I loved hearing from all 3 women. It was great to hear it from all their perspectives. The story I loved the most was Doon’s but I found Aileen’s fascinating as well.

A lovely, festive and easy read.

"Last Christmas at Ballyclare" by Emily Bell is a heartwarming holiday novel that beautifully captures the essence of family, love, and the magic of Christmas. The story revolves around Natasha, a Singleton who is returning home to Ballyclare, her cherished childhood house in the Wicklow hills, for yet another Christmas with her mother, Aileen, and her seemingly perfect, engaged older sister, Doon.

However, this Christmas is different. The McDonnell family faces the heart-wrenching possibility of selling their beloved Ballyclare, and this could be their last Christmas in the cherished family home. Just when it seems that the holiday season might be filled with bittersweet memories, a stranger's arrival at their doorstep brings an unexpected twist to their Christmas.

As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn into a heartwarming tale of love, hope, and the enduring bonds of family. Bell skillfully weaves together the individual journeys of Natasha, Aileen, and Doon, each facing their unique challenges and transformations. The characters are relatable, and their emotions resonate deeply with readers.

The setting of Ballyclare provides a picturesque backdrop for the story, evoking a sense of nostalgia and tradition. Bell's vivid descriptions bring the old house and its surroundings to life, making readers feel like they are right there, experiencing the magic of the season.

At its core, "Last Christmas at Ballyclare" is a story about the power of love, forgiveness, and the miracles that can happen during the holiday season. It reminds us that Christmas is a time for healing, rekindling old connections, and finding new beginnings.

Emily Bell has crafted a heart-warming and uplifting tale that will leave readers with a warm and fuzzy feeling, making it the perfect book to curl up with during the festive season. "Last Christmas at Ballyclare" is a delightful read that celebrates the true spirit of Christmas, and it will surely find a special place in the hearts of those who appreciate holiday-themed stories filled with love and hope.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

What a brilliant family saga, emotional and uplifting and the added bonus of Christmas

This book is one I found entrancing and oh so very festive. The story is based on the McDonnell family and how they are all coming together at their house Ballyclare.

Despite being a house Ballyclare is one of the stars of the story as it is the glue that holds our characters together and is the main thing that they are all loyal to. I loved the writing in this story, it made me feel all festive and it was heart-warming in the extreme.

This is a real free good book. Two sisters who have grown up coming back for Christmas . You have strangers, moving on, some interesting twists. Not the ending I expected. Very clever. I loved it . Set in Ireland. Read it

Great Christmas book set in a great idyllic location. This is a great family saga where 3 individual women struggle with the problems of their Ken lives but support and draw support from each other. I love books about the relationship between mothers and daughters and this one is angsty but ultimately heartwarming.

For a book with so much heartbreak and worries, it is supringly engaging and cheerful. Three women (mother and two daughters) have lots of decisions to make. All will be life changing and will cause hurt to someone, but what will be for the greater good? All set in set in a Christmas atmosphere. Once you start reading you will not want to stop.

A cute Christmassy romance. The relationship between two very different sisters and their mum is great, as they make life changing decisions and grow closer over the festive season. There are money worries, teenage angst comes back to haunt them and above all romance with the right person.