As I read this delightful tale, I couldn't help but be swept away by the magical journey that unfolded before me. The story is centred around the theme of rediscovering the joy and wonder of Christmas, and it does so in a way that truly captures the essence of the holiday season.

The characters are so charming and endearing that you can't help but feel invested in their journey. The heartwarming moments are perfectly placed throughout the story, each adding depth and meaning to the overall message. The incorporation of fairy tale magic in this book adds a layer of enchantment, rendering it an ideal read for the festive season. Its ability to evoke feelings of wonder is particularly noteworthy, and it serves as a testament to the author's skill in crafting a compelling narrative.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to experience the true spirit of Christmas. This will definitely add some extra sparkle to any book lover's celebrations, making it an ideal gift, for yourself or others!

I really struggled to get into the book which was really something as I love christmas and magic in books. I just didn't gel with the writing. The timeline and love story was very confusing because it was all so vague and not well detailed. I ended up dnf'ing this book

What a beautifully written book! Christmas is one of the most magical times in life, lights, presents, coming together of family and love. Ellie and Aiden's trip to Osk was definitely an eventful and memorable one. I love Uncle Joe, Willum and Mary. Heck, I loved them all! I will re-read this book soon and I wish I could go to the island myself! We all need a Clementine and Cole in our lives, found family is always a good thing too!

This story was emotional, magical and a real joy to read! It has everything from mystery to love, adventure to deceit and trickery but for good reasons. I love the idea of the wishfall and granting them, it would be so atmospheric on the island and I can picture the island, the changing of seasons, the tides, the views and a team, a family to take you under their wing. The island wants you and wants you to know it.

I don't want to spoil the story but would 100% recommend this book! Definitely goes up with my faves of 2023!

This was truly a magical christmas read. A good mix of reality mixed with magic. Ofcourse it was completely based in fantasy but that just made it all the more exciting. I adored this book and all the characters and was wishing there was more to the story!

I really enjoyed the book. It's not top list swoon worthy but it was light and sweet enough that it made me smile throughout.

I wasn’t someone who could easily suspend belief to immerse myself in fictional fantasy worlds – until I stepped into this magical land of festive make-believe! It’s tricky to say too much about Winter’s Wishfall without giving away all of its best secrets but what I can say is that, like all the best things about Christmas, it’s sweet, sometimes melancholy and slightly bitter, best enjoyed with a pinch of childlike wonder, romantic, heart-warming and over far too soon. So go on, pack away your adult cynicism for a few hours, make a wish and delve straight into this sumptuous confection of a read.

With gratitude to the publisher who gifted me an advanced coy in exchange for my honest review.

I didn’t really know what to expect from this book. It looked cosy and heartwarming, an easy festive read. But it is so much more!

The book primarily takes place on a remote island off Scotland, not on the map. It’s mysterious and whimsical but the island has its secrets.

When I began reading this, it gave Romance vibes with a hint of Thrill. My favourite!
I didn’t know what secrets, good or bad, the island held. You really felt as if you were there, it was described beautifully.

Ellie was such a likeable character. She was funny, caring and dedicated to the new chapter of her life. I loved her relationship with Clementine - also an amazing character.

The way Cole’s character evolved throughout the book was joyous. As you progressed through the book, you learned more about him and his ways.

It’s hard to put into words how good the story was without spoiling it but it was incredible. I’ve not read anything like it before and it was totally unexpected. I loved the side plots, it tied in really well with the main story.

I also liked how time advanced, it would have a detailed day and would then briefly cover a couple of days. It was easy to follow.

Although it was a ‘magical’ story, it felt so real.

If you like romance, magic and suspending a little bit of disbelief then this book will be for you. The characters were good. I liked the touch of magic and I really liked the Christmas feel.

This book wasn’t for me unfortunately. I did not gel with the fantasy of magic, which to me was confusing as it was in realistic environment.
I was waiting for some dream to end and the story to continue, but it didn’t materialise.
The ending wasn’t finalised either.
I did love the characters and also the moral lesson to help others though.

I’ve never read a novel like this and I found it absolutely enchanting! I literally could not put this book down. From the location, to the mystery of the island and the wishfalls, it was all just magical and I loved every page. Fab ending too.

This is such a cosy romance full of Christmas magic.

The story is whimsical and so full of Christmas joy, it’s a pleasure to read.

The characters are such a good mix and I really enjoyed getting to know more about them all.

The romance is a grumpy sunshine, slow burn and although this is a romance novel, more focus is on the whole group and the wonderful Christmas atmosphere than the romance itself.

I loved this; such a gorgeous read.

What a wonderful grown up fairy tale! This starts to put the magic back into Christmas. A delightful story that really makes you smile and wonder. A must for the Christmas book pile.

I really enjoyed this enchanting holiday story. I found it to be wholesome, heartwarming and cozy and loved the romance and mystery as well as the authors engaging writing style. As a journey of self discovery this is a very moving tale and one I would not hesitate to pick up again to read as Christmas approaches.

"Winter's Wishfall" by Ceri Houlbrook is a delightful holiday read that combines romance, mystery, and a touch of magic. Ellie's journey of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a remote Scottish island and its enchanting underground archives, is both heartwarming and engaging. The story's blend of unique characters, a centuries-old tradition of writing letters to Father Christmas, and the cosy atmosphere of Wishfall Island make it a perfect read for the festive season. With themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the power of wishes, this novel captures the essence of Christmas and reminds us that miracles can happen when you least expect them.

This is such a lovely, whimsical book. It felt like reading a magical middle grade for grownups. The characters are delightful and well rounded with some great plus size and disability representation.

The setting was magical and cosy with just the right amount of Christmas cheesiness.

The intrigue had me turning pages quickly and wanting to find out what was going on. And the ending was exactly what I wanted it to be. A heartwarming festive read for sure.

Winter’s Wishfall

By Ceri Houlbrook

I don’t know Ceri personally but should I chance to catch her eye over a crowded bar, or bump into her on a busy street, I should do all that is within my, admittedly low, charismatic ability to cadge an invite to a book club meeting she may ever be holding. For there is completely no doubt she shares my worshipful approach to matters Patisserieiral (SIC) and Cake! Also, Christmas! Also, she is a great storyteller!

Using too many exclamation marks and using also twice is - a sign of a bad writer, but sometimes throw caution to the wind I say. Take a risk. Let your editor get enraged.
Live dangerously.

And that is prezunctly what our heroine does here, in this here tale. Sorry, I did it again!

Winter’s Wishfall - is one of those books that is an extremely slippery thing, hard to capture and throw into those demanding cages of genre. It is a love story, an adventure story, a mystery, a magical tale, and the realisation for our vicarious self, that home is absolutely where we belong. Even though that home is far from our wildest imaginations of where we thought it ought to be.

And for our vicarious heroine, Ellie, and I suspect the author Ceri, Christmas is the best time of all times to be home. The home that we all long for, and those of us who have wished enough and worked hard enough… to have. And I don’t mean a house… I mean a home.

What Ceri Houlbrook does so cleverly in this novel is to keep Christmas itself at bay. By doing so the emotions she experiences, and we share, do not at all become saccarineial (I know) and we are kept in the magical realism of the world she creates. If, dear reader, you are like me, and soon tire of the carols and the ho ho hos from early November onwards. Unless it is me shouting the latter of course, which has an entirely different dispensation. Then you will also love the bathos she includes, the reality of loneliness, the desire for love and belonging that we have all possessed at some stage – and so many of course still do.

Without going into plot, which reviewers oft fall back on for the bones of their review. And which are as welcome to me as a piece of coal for Christmas. I shall say this book is most certainly not just for Christmas. But it is perfect for Christmas. It is perfect for a book club read. It is perfect for a holiday read, a Sunday read, an ‘every spare moment’ read. A just ‘Jane you must read this!’ Or Jack of course. I know the vast majority of book buyers are women – but there are a few men with the sensitivity and romance in their souls to read this – and not worry about tearing up a little on the morning, Northwood to Baker street commute

It is essentially a journey of self-discovery, in believing in things that as an adult you really shouldn’t, and for Ellie the hardest thing for her to believe in - is herself, of course. It is not an easy journey for her, physically and metaphorically. There are a lot of obstacles for her to overcome, hard physical obstacles and even harder emotional ones. And by the end there are indeed tears in eyes for the reader and for her. And not just from the icy shards of storm-blown annihilation she must battle through to reach hearts desire at the end. I absolutely dare you not to be moved!

So, as the kids say, Winter’s Wishfall in short:

It’s just lovely. And it’s tough. And it is magical. And it reminds us all of the true joy of Christmas.

Christmas cake! And Christmas love! And Christmas Spirit!

It’s a full, five course Christmas roast of a book and God bless us everyone.

Marc Peirson
Sunday Times No 1 best selling novelist, screenwriter and wannabe songwriter.

Well what a read! I left the book with more questions unanswered than answered but that is all part of the joy! A magical Christmas adventure which draws the reader in and weaves its magic. You feel the pull of the island and are compleed to keep the secrets even from the comfort of your reading chair! A mixed bag of characters who all weave their way into your heart but wor many different reason.

I will say no more so as not to spoil anything, but you will not regret joining Elllie of this journey.

It doesn't immediately shout 'festive book' at you. It feels very fantastical and magical, but not necessarily Christmassy at first. Considering I like my Christmas books to be full-on Christmas right from the off, I was worried I might find this one hard to enjoy, but I absolutely loved it.

I was expecting the light-hearted festive lovey-dovey rom-com that I know and love, but this has so many layers to it. It's really profound and thought-provoking, and looks at the difficulties raised by the festive season as well as the joys.

It is such a sweet book, it instantly put a smile on my face and it just felt like a great big hug. It is so full of heart. I found myself sobbing at various points. It's got to be one of the most beautiful books I've ever had the pleasure to read.

If my research is correct, this is Ceri's debut fiction book, and what a way to start. This gives me such hope for future works she brings out.

There isn't a huge cast of characters, but I've picked out a few that I think are worth a mention.

Ellie: Our main protagonist - I loved her from the off. She's a family woman, caring, smart, passionate, and my love for her only grew throughout the story. I admired her and felt every moment of her story alongside her.

Aiden: Another archiver - I wasn't sure of him at first, he annoyed me, I felt he was always complaining, was a bit selfish, and a bit egotistical. But he grew in maturity throughout the story and becomes a good friend for the reader.

Clementine: Employer - She is a lovely, upbeat, positive, fantastic, motherly figure, who cares very much for her family, friends and home, and she loves to bake (a woman after my own heart). She was an excellently written character.

Mr Jones: Employer - A surly, strict, pessimistic man who appears the opposite of Clementine, and feels like he's building a barrier between himself and his own family and his employees. But he very quickly wormed his way into my heart and I couldn't help but love him.

Uncle Joe: Pre-existing archiver - He is a quiet, mysterious, enigmatic character, and whilst he often stayed in the background, he soon came out of his shell and every scene made me want to know more about him.

I can't say too much about the plot as it's very mysterious and it's better that you go in blind, but believe me when I say that I recommend this to everyone who wants a festive tale with a heart.

I felt bereft when I finished it, unwilling to let them go. It felt like a series that I just wanted to dip back into and continue their lives. And whilst it doesn't call for a sequel, how I hope there will be.

Oh my this is such a magical read. I absolutely loved it. It should be sold as fantastic Christmas story. Ellie after losing every thing applies for a job to archive documents. It turns out to be on a magical island with a fantastic famous cook . I won’t spoil the story. Father Christmas is involved and a lovely love story and great food . Lots of great characters and a great ending. Read it