A proper Christmas read full of romance , family, and friendship. Set in a charming , remote ski lodge where Hailey has escaped spending Christmas with her family and her ex boyfriend (who, after 3 years has decided he wants her back). She had shelved her song writing ambitions and settled down to life as a music teacher but her heart is totally devoted to creating music. So when her best friend offers her grandmother 's remote cabin, Hailey has no excuse for not indulging her passion for creating songs. However, nothing goes to plan. Arriving in the dark to find the electricity not working and the cabin occupied by a rabid raccoon, Hailey seeks help at the nearest store, which happens to be owned by the mayor. She sends her handsome son Jay, to help and they instantly have a connection, especially when Hailey discovers Jay is an accomplished musician turned producer. They quickly become attracted to each other and all goes well until her solitude is shattered! This charming book has so much to love. A real escapist read

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for my ARC copy.

4.5 ⭐️
I absolutely adored this book, it felt like I was reading a hallmark christmas movie! From the setting to the characters to the whole plot, this may be a Festive read that I reread again next christmas. I highly recommend this book if you would like a quick, cosy, holiday romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this ARC.

Hailey is a music teacher with song-writing aspirations who flees to a remote cabin in weirdly named Podunk for Christmas, to escape her boundary-free family and her ex Zach who can't take no for an answer. Of course they all find out where she is and descend anyway.

In the meantime, five minutes after arrival she meets hunky Jay and falls in love faster than one can say "Help, there are bats in the cabin!"

Gosh, where to start. I've obviously heard of Debbie Macomber, she's written books for decades and is very prolific. For me that seems to be the problem though.

It's a fast easy read but generic and predictable, with a lot of romantic drivel being spouted. Everything is rushed, we get no sense of Jay or anyone else. The cover is as old-fashioned as the clean story, there is barely a plot and there are no embellishments with quirky characters or cute pets.

Everything is traditional, with marriage proposals and fatherly blessings and as American as "apple pie, guns and the American flag" (direct quote).

People eat boxed mac and cheese, spaghetti with jar sauce and salad mix that comes with dressing, and salted popcorn. Urgh.

Hailey makes a very stupid career decision that really shouldn't fly these days, and when Charles pursues Hailey's sister Daisy, not taking no for an answer, it's suddenly fine because he's a good guy.

Seriously, this story was maybe acceptable 40 years ago. I prefer my stories a bit more modern so this fell flat for me.

2.5 stars rounded up

A heart warming Christmas story. Small town Christmas with all the trimmings. Deciding not to go home for Christmas due to an ex wanting to rekindle a long dead romance. Borrowing a remote cabin for the festive season and getting pulled in by the Christmas festivities in the local community. Jay finds a kindred spirit in Hayley but will work come between them?
Made me smile

Hailey decides to get away for the Christmas holidays to her friends empty cabin in the small town of Podunk. However little does she know she will not end up with the peace and quiet she was hoping for.
I loved everything about this book, the setting was brilliant and the characters were excellent.
A heartwarming Christmas story full of friendship, family, forgiveness and plenty of romance
Thanks to NetGalley, Debbie Macomber and Little Brown Book Group UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I absolutely loved this book! I love acquiring books with a musical theme and I loved her and Jays story and how they come together. It was so beautifully written and the Christmas theme makes it all the more perfect. If you love Debbie’s work you will absolutely devour this one! I know I did!