Sadly after enjoying Heatherington's last Christmas offering, this one was not for me.

This book spans a year, between Christmas Eve's when the main protagonists first meet and where they are a year later. The fact that the majority of the novel, was in fact, not set at Christmas didn't bother me in the slightest.

The characters on the other hand, did bother me very much. Bea in particular. I found myself rushing through the chapters from her POV as they were tedious and she just seemed to make illogical choices.

There were some tender moments, but they weren’t enough to pull this one back for me.

What a gorgeous book.
The perfect slow-burner romance with incredible characters that felt like family. The difference in POV swapping between Bea and Ollie built up the tension and chemistry perfectly.
The beautiful locations of rural Ireland and a boutique hotel in Kensington, London, really bring everything to life with the cosy, slow-pace Vs vibrant city life.
Uplifting, heartwarming and magical.

Bea loves her job managing an exclusive 5 star boutique hotel in Kensington. It’s a far cry from the Irish village where she grew up and where her family and her boyfriend still live.
Bea is on her way to spend Christmas with them, waiting for her delayed flight when she meets Ollie.
Ollie is a cardiac nurse and is on his way to see his seriously ill father for Christmas.
They share stories of their childhoods and their current lives and quickly feel like they have known each other for years.
When they arrive in Ireland they go their separate ways and although they think of each other they both think they have missed their chance.
Then, they bump into each other a few months later and discover the spark is still there but are they ready for romance or is friendship all they can hope for.
As Christmas approaches again, Bea and Ollie have a decision to make, will this be a Happy Christmas for them?
This is told from the point of view of both Bea and Ollie, they are both great characters and I liked them instantly. It moves from the streets of London to the beauty of the Irish countryside and coastline and I was totally swept along in the story.

This book has everything required for a cosy romantic Christmas read. I loved every page with the story keeping me hooked from start to finish.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Loved this story, the characters were well written and the whole book was so enjoyable. A story of a chance meeting, coincidences and a love so strong. Loved Bea, Ollie and Leroy .
My thanks as always to NetGalley and Publisher Random House UK, Cornerstone | Penguin for the early read

Bea and Ollie are an interesting couple and the plot is well-written if unsurprising. For me, the best bit of Emma Heatherington's Maybe Next Christmas is the evocative description of the houses and hotels. I thought that was excellent and added to my enjoyment. I felt that there were two many tropes and very minor plot strands included; the novel really didn't need them. But this is an ideal Christmas read.

Maybe Next Christmas had a kind of Serendipity (the movie) feel to it, with the two main characters destined to be together even though at times it seemed an impossibility.

Set at Christmas time in Ireland and in London I was left feeling very festive by the time the book concluded. I very much enjoyed the interactions between all of the characters. There was romance, friendship, celebrations and deaths. The sad aspects of the story were well balanced with the happy moments so there was never a time when I felt sad for too long.

I don't read many contemporary books, and am selective in the ones that I do. I am glad I chose to read this one as I love a festive story any time of the year.

I have enjoyed Emma Heatherington’s previous books and was looking forward to this one.

It’s a beautifully written Christmas story that covers, families, relationships, grief and love.

Bea and Ollie are both on a flight returning home for Christmas, they have never met before …until the flight gets delayed.

Lovely

Maybe Next Christmas (24 oct)(netgalley)

This is poignant and heartwarming, sad and happy, emotional with a lovely Christmassy feel. Family is important to both Bea and Ollie when they meet at the airport on Christmas Eve awaiting a delayed flight home. Their reasons are different but it is the start of a journey to love that is not without its struggles. The characters are likeable and charismatic. Really enjoyable story which is well written and draws you in from start to finish.

A lovely festive romance touching on themes of grief. Loved the characters (Aunt Nora and Leeroy were my favourites), although I did want to shake Bea at times. A bit of a tear jerker at points and a bit predictable at others but all in all a beautiful, moving read.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Bea is heading back to Ireland for Christmas with her family. But she has decided she wants to finish with her boyfriend Sean. She has a delay at the airport and gets chatting to ollie who is on his way home to spend what could be his last Christmas with his dad. Will they realise they are meant to be together and can they make it work. Such a lovely Christmas read.

This is my second book by Emma Heatherington and I loved it as much as the first one. It’s such a lovely Christmas read and the story and characters draw you in and you become attached to Bea and Ollie, it’s a story of love and family and friendship and I couldn’t put it down. Please bring out a follow up so we can find out what happens in their world. Highly recommend, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

this is a lovely christmas book to read telling the story of bea and ollie how they came together in the end from accidentally meeting going home for christmas and not finally getting together the following christmas when bea follows her rainbow to a happy ever after a nice light hearted read to ease you into christmas reading

This is such a delightful, heartwarming book; it is a perfect read for the Christmas season. Ollie and Bea are great characters, I was routing for them all the way through. The book has beautiful descriptions: of the Irish countryside, the bright lights of London and the glamour out Carnation hotel. It also has wonderful dialogue that moved me to tears more than once. I heartily recommend this book.

The fateful story of Bea and Ollie, two Irish people living and working in London heading home for two very different Christmases, meet at the airport, share time together while waiting on their delayed flight. Once they're in Ireland, they go their separate ways to spend Christmas with their loved ones.

A chance encounter back in London a few months later has a lasting effect on them both, changing the course of their lives and future plans.

Book Tag Line: This Christmas they're strangers. Maybe next Christmas they'll fall in love...

This is an emotional rollercoaster of a Christmas book, looking at love and relationships of all kinds and the impacts they have on us.

Dealing with love, relationship breakdowns, death and those last special moments and memories of loved ones, this is a touching, heart-warming book of love and loss and how that impacts Christmas, done in such a delicate and beautiful way, with lovable characters you just want to sit down with a drink and a mince pie and get to know more.

I don't think I've cried so much reading a book, ever, it was written so tenderly, and so much care. A must read for those who love a romantic Christmas book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

It's Christmas Eve and, by chance, Bea and Ollie end up sharing a table at Heathrow Airport, when their flight to Ireland is delayed.
It feels like love at first sight but having not exchanged numbers or even surnames, their chances of meeting up again are slim.
This is a lovely, warm book with great characters. I really enjoyed it

Settle in for this fabulous festive read. It’s Christmas Eve and Bea is at Heathrow Airport waiting to board her flight back to Ireland. She’s eager to see her family, but is also aware she’s got a difficult conversation ahead. The plane is delayed and whilst waiting in the bar, she meets Ollie. He’s also returning to Ireland and as they get chatting, it’s clear there’s a connection both opening up to each other, because after all, once they leave the place, they won’t see each other again. Or will they? This is a gorgeous heartwarming read. The classic will they, won’t they but with a lovely festive twist. I read this in under a day as I couldn’t put it down. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone and the author for the chance to review.

A wonderful love story told over the space of a year and between the protagonists. You were willing them on to see what was in front of them while waiting for fate to play its hand too.

Beautiful story and made me want to visit Ireland!

A well written book that brings the romantic story together with the trials of modern life.... i.e. work commitments! The story moves along quickly using the voices of the two main characters Bea and Ollie with alternate chapters. A lovely book to read curled up in front of a blazing fire with the Christmas decorations all around.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the advance copy of this book.

Emma Heatherington's Maybe Next Christmas is a cozy, slow-burn romance that captures the spirit of the holiday season.

On Christmas Eve, Bea is heading home to Ireland to reunite with her long-term partner, Sean. But when her flight is delayed, she meets Ollie, another traveler returning home. Despite their immediate connection whilst waiting for their delayed flight, they fail to stay in touch and they return to their old separate lives.

Months later, a chance encounter in London reignites their spark. As Christmas approaches again, Bea and Ollie find themselves drawn together by fate.

Heatherington's writing is warm and inviting, creating a delightful feel-good atmosphere. Her characters are lovable and relatable, and the Irish setting adds a charming touch.