A sweet uplifting festive delight.

Erica is a forty year old career woman searching for contentment. Anna’s teenage twins are becoming self reliant and she is questioning everything. Claudia is a chef whose long term partner has left her for a younger woman.

Together they are the the Christmas Book Club, close since college they plan a getaway to a cosy inn in snowbound Vermont where Hattie is a single mum trying to keep her business open.

Sarah Morgan never misses her stories are brimming with wisdom and sisterhood, I adore them.

Bursting with heartwarming holiday vibes, this one is packed with single parent romance, second chances and new starts.

I loved reading about a group of forty somethings ( I am am one…sssh don’t tell anyone) their struggles were relatable and beautifully written.

And the romance between Hattie and Noah aka the Christmas Tree Man was sweet, lovely and down right adorable. The best single parent romance I have read in a while, this trope is definitely growing on me.

✬ Like a decadent hot chocolate this book is perfect for cosy festive days relaxing by the tree/fire.

I expected this to me be a cosy read and I wasn't wrong. Three friends from college are now almost 40 and are embarking on their annual week long book club holiday. This year is different for all of them due to changes in their circumstances.

Hattie runs the Inn that they have booked and has had her own difficulties since the sudden death of her husband but is getting by while trying to see through his vision for the inn. A vision which doesn't match hers..

I thought it was going to centre around Christmas but it wasn't really., that felt very much like a background theme to me.

I enjoyed the book but I never doubted that I would. An easy non challenging read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.

A Sarah Morgan book is like a cup of comfort and an old friend, her characters are believable and the storylines are engaging. This story drew me in and I couldn’t put it down. A book club, friends and love what more do you need

I absolutely love, love, loved this one. A story of love, loss, families and friendships. A story of moving on and making radical changes to your life, either through choice, tragedy or decisions of others. All this with a covering of snow, Christmas and a magical backdrop.
The one problem with this story, it ended! It certainly is one of those books you want to devour but also read slowly so you don’t reach the end too soon.
I can assure you that you will fall in love with Erica and her friends as they embark on their annual ‘book club’ holiday.
Definitely give this one a read. You will not regret it (apart from when you can’t put it down and are tired the next day!)
I would absolutely love a follow up to this, I want to know more about all these wonderful characters.
Overall well written with well developed characters and the author as a way of writing which makes you feel as though you are right inside the book, seeing and feeling what the characters are.

Thank you NetGalley, HQ and Sarah Morgan for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Oh my goodness! What magical, Christmas vibes! This feel good story centres around 4 women at pivotal times in their life, with the Maple Sugar Inn at the heart of it all. You fall in love with each character as you read through their story, revealing the power of long lasting friendships and family.

It is the perfect festive book, ready to curl up with a blanket and a Hot Chocolate on the run up to Christmas! Such a cosy read, I couldn't put it down!!

It just isn't Christmas with a Sarah Morgan book to lose yourself in; and this one is no exception. A lovely read for the festive season.

This is a story about three very different friends that met in college. Anna, Erica and Claudia. They are all about to be 40 years of age and changes are to be made in their lives. Although all the changes are different, the one solid fact is that they are always there for each other. There is one other main character and that is the hotel owner, Hattie. Hattie has had some trauma in her life and is trying to move on. This was a lovely heartwarming story about the value of true friendship but also how important family is. The setting is very picturesque, from the cosy hotel to the seasonally decorated shops, I would have loved to spend time in the bookshop! I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was just what I needed. A proper feel good festive read full of friendship, long - lost family and romance.
It was like having a massive cuddle!!

The writing was superb giving us the perfect Christmas vibes with the Inn being set in a picturesque setting. Snow, cozy log fires and an Inn with its own library it was a book lovers dream.

I loved all the characters, I really appreciated how each character was completely different because that really showed what each one bought to the story. It had all the vibes of women power and women supporting women.

A truly engaging festive read that will stay in your mind long after you have finished it.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a complimentary arc in exchange for my own honest review.

Sarah Morgan is one of my go-to authors for a festive book and this year's didn't disappoint.

I loved the perfect winter setting and development of the characters stories.

Left me feeling warm inside - a must read

A warm, festive read with all the traditional activities and themes present. There are themes of abandonment and loss but also redemption and the power of long standing, supportive friendships. I enjoyed and recommend the lovely gentle book.

This one is not complicated at all, it's rather long-winded, there isn't much that's happening...but my goodness, this is just a perfect story to read and better yet, indulge in! I can totally see this being the book to read around Christmas or a holiday break (it's heavy on snow & Christmas decor, but not much else/too much of that time period to feel it can only be read around that time of the year). All four main characters get their POV throughout, and there was something going on with each of them so that kept things interesting. But at the same time, it didn't feel like Ms. Morgan thought she had to throw everything & the kitchen sink at these women to over-complicate the plot, and that for me was the beauty of this tale. Only mistake I made was picking this up to read before bed so I had to tear myself away when sleep came calling - had I known better, I would've sat with this one afternoon so I could indulge in a single sitting (or as close to as possible!)
Really the perfect antidote for stress & everything-is-awful-in-the-world moments. Sarah Morgan at her best, yet again!

It can’t be nearly Christmas without a Sarah Morgan book and this is a definite for your Christmas list.
As always her characterisation is brilliant - each of the females in the story adding so much to the feeling of support and love. This is masterpiece in showing family doesn’t need to be blood.
Erica, Claudia, Anna and Hattie are brilliantly written - flawed and totally human, their stories have brought me to tears and also made me laugh out loud, and I loved the whole community feel I got from being a ‘guest’ at the Maple Sugar Inn.
This book has everything you need for a Christmas and should be in everyone’s stocking on December 25th.

I’ve read the majority of Sarah Morgan’s books as I know I’ll be in for a feel good story with well written characters and this one didn’t disappoint. Hattie is a single mum struggling to keep her husbands dream of owning an inn alive. Erica, Claudia and Anna book to stay at Hattie’s inn over Christmas as part of their yearly book club holiday.

It’s a lovely story of friendship, loss and moving on with love. A Hallmark movie of a story, it’ll leave you charmed by the characters and wanting to visit the inn yourself!

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in return for an honest review. 4.5 stars

This romantic novel did not disappoint; the festive location and world building alone would make it a hit. Sarah Morgan excels at portraying Christmas on the page with its scenery, fragrance and taste. The addition of the idea of a holiday with friends dedicated to reading and chat made this book an idyllic escape. Maple Sugar Inn, despite its twee name was a bookworm's dream.

Told in multiple POVs, the women all had distinct but relatable personalities so I became invested in all their story arcs. Like many of Sarah Morgan's novels there is always one character that the reader can see themselves in and in this case, it was Hattie, a stressed single mum of the adorable Delphi. Her backstory, daily struggles and endless multitasking pulled at the emotions. Noah, her love interest captured the imagination and Rosa kept having to read to see if their happy ever after could work.

All heading into their forties, change was in the air for the three friends, Erica, Anna and Claudia. While they all had their secrets and challenges, I loved the solidity of their long standing friendship and is something I strive for. While many festive books are focused on romance and community, this novel also highlighted the bonds between friends and the power it brings when you have the courage to reveal secrets and ask for help.

The Christmas Book Club was as heart-warming and cosy as promised: full of festivities, emotions, drama and escapism with dollop of romance and community. It could easily become a series based in this Vermont town by telling the stories of the cast of characters already introduced here. This entertaining and uplifting book is perfect for cooler night, Christmas tree lights while drinking hot chocolate.

Yay! Sarah Morgan is back! And now what will follow is a very predictable review where, once again, I gush about how much I loved the story. Sorry, but, yes, Morgan delivered another brilliant novel. With Christmas, snow, hot chocolate and a book club, what was there not to love?

Following four women, these characters all converge at the idyllic Vermont hotel of the Maple Sugar Inn. The descriptions are chocolate-box worthy and a place where you just have to snuggle up in front of an open, roaring fire. Coupled with the snow, it really was the ultimate location for a Christmas story.

Hattie, Anna, Erica and Claudia are at the Inn and the year has not been easy. For Hattie, being a grieving widower running the Inn has been a challenge in itself and she lacks the confidence to make changes that would go against her late husband’s wishes. Trying to stay strong for her delightful daughter adds to a drain on her spirit: I admired how much Hattie persevered with in an attempt to set the best example possible for her daughter.

Anna, Claudia and Erica have been friends since university and their warm, comfortable friendship is enviable. I liked seeing what little secrets each of the friends had as they come together for their annual book club. Morgan keeps the women’s personalities all unique and I loved reading about their individual trials and tribulations, knowing that they would triumph by the end of the story.

I really related to Anna’s character. I recognised her feelings of being lost at her current stage in life and was keen to see how she would move into a new chapter. It was lovely to see how she evolved over the story, rather than being the supportive “crutch” to her friends and family. In fact, it was ultimately the help of her friends that allows Anna to move forwards, showing they are just as important to her as her soon-to-be-leaving-home children.

I loved the little connection Morgan makes to this year’s summer novel. With the references to Catherine Swift, I felt like I was in the Sarah Morgan “club” as I recognised the continuation of a character… does that make me a super fan?!

I was so sad when I had finished this book. I enjoyed it so much that I had goosebumps at the end. In fact, it is one that I would consider reading again this year, in the week prior to Christmas Day, because it was so enjoyable. Forgetting that it had me constantly craving for a giant, never-ending mug of hot chocolate, Sarah Morgan has taken me on a romantic and heart-warming story that was brilliant from start to finish.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ahh a Christmas book from Sarah Morgan…there’s no better way to make sure you’re feeling festive!

This was, not surprisingly, an absolute treat. Filled with friendships, romance and laughter set against the backdrop of a snow covered inn in Vermont. Absolutely perfect.

If you’re looking for a feel good read to get you in the festive spirit look no further. I highly recommend!

This is a lovely cosy Christmas read. It will get you in just the right mood for the festive season and is a heartwarming story.
Erica organises the Christmas get away for her group of friends’ book club and asks if they want to go to the Maple Sugar Inn. It’s a beautiful place which will be perfect to get them in the Christmas mood.
Unbeknownst to the others, Erica has her own reasons for wanting to go there.
Hattie is struggling to run the Inn following the death of her husband and whilst she makes it look fine to the guests, she knows something needs to change.
I loved how the different characters stories came together and what a lovely ending.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

The Christmas Book Club is a gentle charming read full of love, friendship and finding your true self.

Erica, Anna and Claudia visit The Maple Sugar Inn for their annual book club get together. There they chance upon the owner Hattie, who is dealing with keeping the hotel running whilst juggling bringing up her young daughter and dealing with the death of her beloved husband.

Or is it chance that has led the friends to the Inn, or are there secrets to be uncovered?

Sarah Morgan writes the best Christmas books, and this one is no exception. I really enjoyed reading it. I love reading about book clubs too and I liked the idea of friends meeting up as part of a book club.
It was obvious that there were a lot of secrets and I enjoyed reading about how they were revealed. There was a lot of drama and emotional tension but plenty of heartwarming moments too.
This book was very well written and I quickly became engrossed in the storyline. It's a fantastic book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

Another good read from Sarah Morgan. Three friends, Anna, Claudia and Erica always enjoy a pre-Christmas break together. Each of them have problems and secrets kept from each other. This time they choose the Maple Sugar Inn. Proprietor Hattie is grieving for her husband and wondering how she’ll cope with running the inn without him. Will the holiday be a success?