3.5 stars rounded up. This was a very cute Christmas romance, beginning in November and spanning the festive season, with a Christmas concert on Christmas Eve. This was over-all cute, which the relationship between Liam and Sophie growing from negative to positive. I wouldn't say we know that much about the main or side characters, but it was about enough for an easy read.

Some spoilers ahead:
Regarding the multiple conflicts in this book, I don't think they were handled that well. There is mention of a death of a spouse 5 years prior, miscarriage, and trauma associated with these events. With Sophie's mum's charity supporting women who have had miscarriages, I expected her mum to be a lot more sympathetic. I also felt that the 'final' conflict before the end seemed forced, as I don't know how that could ever have been interpreted as Sophie's fault. All of this, combined with Liam often losing his temper, blaming Sophie for things that aren't her fault, not being entirely professional regarding the concert, etc all felt like some red flags against him. If you ignore those, then it's cute, but unfortunately it didn't make me root for them. Sophie deserves happiness and support, and I felt more empathy for her emotional responses.

There were a few sections from Liam's POV, which were just the next paragraph after Sophie's and wasn't marked as a change in narrator. It wasn't too confusing, but I prefer when this is made clear.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

This is a debut that I adored and will definitely be looking out for what the author writes next. It's your perfect heartwarming tale - Christmas, a small village and potential romance. Of course no story runs smoothly, otherwise how would we have a story? Definitely an author to look out for in the future.

Sophie returns home after losing her baby and boyfriend. She is putting on a fundraiser concert for women like her. Her mother doesn't seem to understand why she can't just move on. She meets Liam who is a single father and trying to deal with his own issues with his daughter. Together, they help each other heal. It was ok. I skimmed it more than anything as it just didn't draw me in super well.

I couldn't resist requesting this novel after reading the synopsis, it seemed it would have everything I love in a Christmas novel. I loved the setting and all the festivities that ran through the book. I did find the way the two characters met and their subsequent meetings a little unbelievable in the way they acted towards each other but as the novel went along and I came to understand why they are the way they are I got swept up in their story. The supporting characters were brilliant - particularly Lulu and Kate! Also I loved Cassie, she's such a cool kid and I was so hoping she would get her happy ever after. I really enjoyed this one and I recommend it.

I absolutely loved this happily ever after festive rom com and after reading it i was definitely not disappointed.

A Concert For Christmas was full of Christmassy goodness and was such an easy book to read, it wasn’t long before i was totally immersed in the story.

Each chapter flew by and i found myself reading faster and faster so that I could get to the end of the story and see how it had all unfolded.

It was such a warm and cosy story, Christmassy and heartwarming, full of wonderful characters and i thoroughly enjoyed everything about it…….

Thank you to Allison & Busby for an arc in return for my honest review!

There are different kinds of Christmas romances - the fun and whimsical where a (often small) town have to work together for Christmas spirit, and the emotional where characters deal with all those difficult emotions that come up around Christmas (such as grief and loss) while also having all those emotions on the flip side (love and new beginnings). Somehow Hawkins was able to have both wrapped up in this one story.

I went from laughing to sobbing to wanting to curl up in front of some Christmas lights, all within the space of a few chapters.

Sophie and Liam - our two main characters - are those perfect Christmas romance characters. A primary school teacher who deserves a solo at the Christmas concert and a single dad farmer who is the new choir conductor. Oh, and insert meet-cute - they've already been on one horrendous date before he becomes her choir conductor and the dad of a pupil in her class almost overnight.

My only (minor) critic is that I wished we got a little more at the end! I would have liked another chapter or even half chapter after the resolution and before the epilogue because the ending was a bit abrupt.

Would recommend to anyone looking to curl up with a Christmas romance that feels like Love Actually meets Nativity (for adults!)

Absolutely loved this book!

The authors writing style is amazing!

I look forward to reading more from them!

I received a free copy of, A Concert for Christmas, by Helen Hawkins, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Teacher Sophia Lawson is in the Cotswolds, after a bad break up, romance is the last thing on her mind. This was a nice read, I liked Sophia, she is a nice character. The setting is beautiful.

Sparkly, festive, glittery, gingerbread latte, mince pies and mulled wine. This was a perfect Christmas book with all the festive feels. Sophie is a teacher, part time fundraiser, Christmas concert organiser. She’s moved to a gorgeous village for her job and made brilliant friends like Kate who is Sarcastic, witty and very pregnant! Lulu, old school Hollywood glamour and a singer too!
The Christmas concert is looming and the musical director Nigel has to go home. Liam steps up and Sophie’s hormones and hot Dad radar go into overdrive. This book is sooooo good. Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange on an honest review.

This is a lovely Christmas read. Gosh mothers have a lot to answer for some times. Sophie was a teacher. I loved her best friend being so pregnant and their playground duty time was funny at times. They both sing in a choir. Sophie has a child who is not happy in her class. You get love and twists. It covers a sad subject as well. Snow. Confused children and a lovely neat end. I can’t wait to read the next book the author writes