368 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date December 2, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
MY THOUGHTS
This is one of my favorite authors for Regency era historical fiction. Her books are easy to get absorbed into as you’ll want to read for hours. I enjoyed the characters and could very easily envision the scenes presented playing out. I loved how atmospheric this is with characters having deep secrets, a rumored haunted house and even a ghost present. History, mystery, love and secrets taking place in a charming English village. “Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this compelling Regency-era novel laced with intrigue, love, and English village charm for fans of historical romance and whodunit mysteries.” I’ll be coming back for more of this author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the author
Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit http://www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.
Christmas at Honeycombe Bay Two Scrooges come together for a festive-free holiday season by the sea and find all their anti-Christmas plans going up in smoke when they decide to play Santa for a single mom and her child. Eloise Garrett thinks Christmas is overpriced, overhyped, and overrated, and without any family to share it with, she feels sad, lonely and isolated. The “season for giving” is just a constant reminder that she’s single, sixty(ish), and staring down retirement. But not this Christmas. Determined to avoid the most magical time of the year, Eloise decides to spend Christmas in Honeycombe Bay. Surely a seaside village in the middle of winter won’t be too festive? Ever since his wife passed away, Bartholomew Knott hasn’t felt up to welcoming visitors to his guest house. With the prospect of another long, lonely winter, and having become more Scrooge than Santa over the years, Bart is dreading Christmas. However, when he’s contacted by someone who dislikes decking the halls just as much as he does, Bart has the brilliant idea of opening the guest house to people who want to escape all things festive. Christmas isn’t easy to ignore, though, not even in off-season Honeycombe Bay. So when fate forces Bart to give shelter to a single mother and child whose holiday has been devastated by a terrible fire, Eloise finds herself playing Mrs. Claus to Bart’s Santa—dragging the house’s other guest, a heartbroken teacher looking for a break during the holidays, into the action as well. But holiday cheer isn’t the only thing sparking under the mistletoe. Will the guests at Honeycombe Bay realize that, sometimes, the best way to escape Christmas is to let it into your heart? PERFECT FOR FANS OF
I am a big fan of Lilac Mills books and always look forward to a new one coming out especially one taking place at Christmas time. Eloise Garrett is so over Christmas and it hasn’t even happened yet. Christmas is just too Christmassy for her. After all what’s the big deal, she has no one to buy for aside from a few friends and she doesn’t enjoy the hype or everyone’s else’s fixation with it. Time away at a bed and breakfast in Honeycombe Bay is just what she needs and its holiday free because the owner of this lovely little seaside resort isn’t celebrating either since the loss of his wife celebrating without her around just isn’t something he can see himself doing. The seaside resort owner, Bartholomew Knott and Eloise are both sixty something and seem to have a lot in common and are enjoying time together as she’s the only one staying at the inn for now over the holidays. As their talks become personal, they find themselves becoming close. When other guests arrive they all pitch in to help a single mother and her child having an unfortunate event happen to them. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters and enjoyed them all equally. It was heartwarming seeing the Christmas spirit awaken in the hearts of the characters who though they didn’t need Christmas. So many want to help a young child and his mother at Christmas time helping hand and hearts get a sprinkling of magic and it’s a beautiful thing. Romance is popping up for several couples unexpectedly and this is such a heartwarming and fun book. Highly recommended!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio – Lilac Mills lives on a Welsh mountain with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don’t get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually). She’s been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet. She loves long, hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she’s usually writing or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-afters always on her mind.
Lilac also writes under the pseudonyms Liz Davies and Etti Summers
I’ve enjoyed this author’s books so much and I’m delighted to bring you a cover reveal today for her upcoming book.
Dreaming Of A Scottish Summer Brooke never intended to return to her native Scotland. That is until she’s offered a job with legendary literary agent, Levi Hudson, who just happens to represent her favourite author, Petra Swan. Petra’s books helped her find hope again after her heart was broken, and Brooke will do anything to meet her. Even if it means working with the formidable Levi. Not only is he grumpy, he’s also infuriatingly handsome. Yet as his frosty exterior slowly begins to melt, Brooke realises that moving back to the highlands might be the best decision she’s ever made…
Pre-order Links
Publication Date: 31st January 2027
Author Bio – Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She has two sons and an adopted Romanian rescue pup, Cooper. Dreaming of a ScottishSummer is Julie’s sixteenth novel.
First off I want to apologize to everyone for hardly being around recently.
I got a new full time job over a month ago and it’s hectic and crazy and at times frustrating but I enjoy it. I’m working at Gibbles Chips if anyone has ever heard of them or even tried them. It’s been a very eye-opener Let me tell you.
Unfortunately my reading tim
e has been drastically reduced from a book a day to way less. I’ve been just reading books I’ve signed up for with blog tours , that’s all I have been finding time for and even a few of my blog tour postings have been a day late, sorry publishers. It’s a 5 day a week job, first shift then next week mandatory Saturday so the 26th we’ll be working that Saturday too. Anyways, I’m here and haven’t fallen in a hole somewhere but I may just be buried up to my neck in chips somewhere . 🤣🤔😭
All Celestewants for Christmas is to escape. But could a surprise visit to an inn where candles glow behind every window and the smell of winter spices fill the air be her chance at a new beginning?
Dropping her suitcase down on the front step of the Christmas Cove Inn, Celeste can’t help but smile. Her holidays should have been spent on assignment in the Caribbean, the perfect way to mend her broken heart. But when her flight was diverted to Sea Spray Island near Cape Cod, she had to take the only room left at the inn.
Celebrating the season is the last thing on her mind but that’s all cheerful islander and single dad Nathan wants to do. His family’s cozy inn is full of festive spirit, and it’s not only the twinkling decorations and crackling fires that begin to thaw Celeste’s aching heart…
With fast-falling snow keeping her on the island, she’s soon drawn in to the Christmas countdown activities by the quirky locals… and is spending more and more time with Nathan. When he asks for her help to raise money for the struggling community center, she says yes in a heartbeat. For the first time in years, has Celeste finally found a place to call home?
But when the snow stops and it’s time for Celeste to return to the city, will she really be able to say goodbye to Nathan and Christmas Cove? Or will the magic of the season give her a reason to stay?
A heart-warming and joyous festive read full of romance, Christmas spirit and small-town charm. Perfect for fans of Pamela Kelley, Heidi Swain and Sarah Morgan.
This book was previously published as Celebration At Christmas Cove.
Publication Date: 15 September 2026
MY THOUGHTS
Looking for a positive, feel good, charming Christmas romance you’ve found your book. Loved meeting Celeste and Nathan and seeing how their most unexpected romance plays out. A snowstorm diverts her work travel flight from the Caribbean where she’s assigned to cover the holidays on assignment over Christmas to Sea Spray Island near Cape Cod. She’s understandably very upset for the diversion, but the bad weather keeps piling on and as her relation progresses, we see how charming it really is on the island. I loved meeting all the people there and getting a real feel of the wants and needs of them. They are trying desperately to get funding for the important community center to not close. It’s the hub of the town and all the fun stuff happens there. Nathan’s family inn is so cozy and charming that I’d love to visit it myself. As this charming community draws her more into its arms and she’s made to feel so welcome she is delighted to help with the community center fund raiser. What will happen once the snow stops flying though and things return to normal with her boss not happy about the major delay covering the travel story of the season. Will she leave Nathan and return to her job, does she even want to now or has the holiday spirit wrapped itself around her and convinced her this is really where she wants to be in a new romance with the welcoming townsfolks. Loved this holiday romance so warm and welcoming and so festively told.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Kristin Harper earned an MFA in creative writing. Before becoming a full-time author, she held numerous professional roles, including college professor, data analyst, and development director. She grew up in New England, and has lived in various places across the US, including the West Coast and Washington, D.C. Kristin’s now happily back in Massachusetts, just a stone’s throw from Cape Cod – the source of inspiration for the setting of her Dune Island series.
Winter Magic at Hollybrae Castle A Scottish castle, a fake marriage… and one very real Christmas romance? After a window display goes disastrously viral – thanks to a malfunctioning animatronic Santa and an unfortunate encounter with Paddington Bear – Lula Haines finds herself without a job just weeks before Christmas. So she jumps at the chance to decorate Hollybrae Castle in Scotland for the holidays. There’s just one complication: her handsome new boss, Oliver Bracewell, needs a fake wife for the festive season. To secure a promotion that could save his family’s castle, Ollie has been pretending to be a married father-of-two to impress the family-focused firm where he works. Now his bosses are coming to stay at Hollybrae over Christmas… expecting to meet his non-existent wife and children. At first, playing along is easy as Lula is swept up in the magic of turning Hollybrae into the perfect festive escape with Ollie. But as Christmas draws nearer and she and Ollie grow closer, Lula begins to wonder if Hollybrae could become more than a temporary escape… and if the man she’s only pretending to love might actually be the one she’s been waiting for all along. With heaps of tartan, tinsel and Christmas magic, this uplifting romance is perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Heidi Swain, Cressida McLaughlin, Ellie Henderson or Jessica Redland!
MY THOUGHTS
After being introduced to this author’s books several years ago I haven’t missed reading anything she’s written. Her books are really relatable. The story starts off with a hilarious mishap, I mean I really wouldn’t want to have been in Lula Haines shoes but it sure makes for a comedy of errors. When the dust settles or should I say stuffing she finds herself without a job right before Christmas. At this point desperation leads her to accept a job decorating Hollybrae Castle in Scotland. Oh my, the description especially with the castle all gussied up for the holiday’s is marvelous. Talk about a fairytale castle. When her new boss needs her to play along to help him get a promotion she has to pretend to be his wife along with caring for their nonexistent children. The hilarity continues as the boss and his wife ask her questions about past events she should know about concerning her “husband” and herself and she really fudges it, can’t be prepared for everything in this fake relationship. When does the pretense start feeling oh so real and her leaving after Christmas when the job is done seems like the last thing she wants to do now. This kept me spellbound as I read. A fairytale romance in a fairytale castle. What more could you ask for? Absolutely loved this one!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Jaimie Admans is the bestselling author of several romantic comedies – including The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane and The Post Box at the North Pole. Her series for Boldwood, The Ever After Street Series, is based on the magical world of fairytales.
Welcome to Hollythorpe, a quaint village in the Cotswolds, where the locals are stringing lights around their village tree. And meet Clara as she pulls her suitcase through the snow, hoping for a new start…
This isn’t the Christmas that Clara was hoping for. Twenty-four hours ago, she was engaged, a shiny diamond on her wedding finger and a gorgeous husband-to-be by her side. Only now, the ring is gone and so is he. She’s almost given up on Christmas magic completely – until she arrives in Hollythorpe.
Clara waits outside her kindly godmother Eleanor’s red front door, knowing that a warm welcome will help heal her aching heart. Snowflakes are falling gently on her long dark hair when a car sprays her with slush and then, unexpectedly, stops to help. Clara lays eyes on Liam stepping out of his car, six feet of gorgeousness. She realises maybe there could be upsides to a cosy Cotswolds Christmas…
Except Liam is closed off to everyone and Clara knows she should be protecting her heart too, so she tries to put him out of her mind. When the village’s usual Mrs Christmas calls in sick before Hollythorpe’s winter fair, Clara steps into the role to help her godmother. Only, she hasn’t realised who Mr Christmas is… none other than Liam himself.
As the two are thrown together to bring Christmas to Hollythorpe, Liam’s icy exterior starts to thaw. And Clara can’t deny she’s falling for him. But then the past comes back to haunt them, changing everything…
Will Clara and Liam end up lonely this Christmas? Or can the most wonderful time of the year bring them together, actually?
Isn’t Christmas supposed to be the best and happiest time of the year? So then why is Clara feeling so glum? Just yesterday she was happily engaged, enviable sparkling ring on her finger with a handsome man by her side. Keep in mind, that was yesterday. That was before she found out what he was really like and before he was gone. A new start in the Cotswold’s and a quaint little village of Hollythorpe gives her a feeling of hope back. Staying with Aunt Elanor is just the perfect place to be. she’s so kind and encouraging. The Christmas spirit is hitting and a chance meeting with gorgeous Liam kicks her interest in being in this festively decorated small town another notch. Warm, welcoming, festively decorated with softly falling snow will kick your Christmas reading off the right way in this charming seasonal read. Relationships take center stage here, we see several romances bloom and kind and supportive friends and family there for each other as well. Five star read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Donnahas had sixteen books published in total. Four have been in the Amazon top 100 and one even made it to number seven in the UK and US Kindle charts, another made it to number one in the UK, US and AU free Kindle charts. She was also shortlisted for the RNA Debut Romantic Novel of the Year in 2019.
She lives in Hertfordshire, with her own romantic hero, two grown up kids who pop in occasionally and two grumpy cats. She loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she’s escaping into a romance novel or movie.
Prepare to escape to Scotland with a gorgeous feel-good romance this summer…
Returning to the Scottish Highlands was never part of Poppy Summers’ plan. But life had other ideas.
With her parents’ cherished holiday cottages losing money, Poppy is determined to carry on their legacy and save the business before they’re forced to sell.
Revamping the cottages is Poppy’s priority until she meets Mason Cooper, a charming historian drawn to the highlands for research. As their newfound friendship grows, is it possible that something more might be enough of a reason to make Poppy stay for good?
This is another automatic read author for me. With her books feeling so warm and welcoming with such friendly characters I can’t miss out. Set in the Scottish Highlands I always look forward to these books. Poppy has her life planned out and it doesn’t involve returning to the Scottish Highlands. With her parent’s vacation cottages losing money she has to step in and help out with the family business though and she has a plan for turning around the cottages. Mason is a historian and he’s in the Scottish Highlands for research. As he and Poppy work together, she’s drawn to his good looks and the interesting historical information he provides. I really enjoyed the tale of the highwayman and the history of the castle, forbidden love and the roses. There is a lot of fascinating old history to uncover, and I was there for all of it. History, mystery and romance. You really can’t go wrong. with this intriguing story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio – Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, Cooper. The Secret Castle in the Highlands is Julie’s fifteenth novel.
Social Media Links – Julie Shackman Author Julie Shackman (@G13Julie) / Twitter Julie Georgina Shackman (@juliegeorginashackman) • Instagram photos and videos (2) Julie Georgina Shackman | Facebook
The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop Isla Stewart has a glittering publishing career in London, but when she’s unexpectedly made redundant, she faces an uncertain future. Licking her wounds, Isla heads home to the Cotswolds. Keeping her devastating redundancy a secret from her proud parents, she seeks refuge at Finch’s, the enchanting bookshop she worked in as a teenager. With the owners struggling with their health, Isla steps in to manage the shop hoping to convince them that the business has a future. Isla likes nothing more than chatting to people about books, but her safe haven is soon disturbed when she comes face-to-face with her first love, Charlie Brace, made worse by the arrival of Guy Madley, the incredibly handsome property consultant who has advice for owners Jon and Miriam. As Christmas approaches, Isla has decisions to make. Does her future lie in London or can a whole heap of books and a sprinkling of festive magic offer a life that she could never even have dreamed of?
MY THOUGHTS
This is one of the author’s that I’m always going to say yes to a chance to read one of her books. Wonderful relaxation reads, not a heavy read but it puts you in a fun place where you know you’re going to enjoy what you’re reading. The author’s books, I’m so glad I discovered them several years ago and add in one of my favorite genres, Christmas and we have a true winner. Isla Stewart absolutely loved to read so who better to have a lovely publishing career and she does it so well. When she’s unexpectedly made redundant, she has a dilemma on her hands, least of all she doesn’t know how to tell her parents. Licking her wounds she heads home to the Cotwolds and picks up the pace helping out at the Finche’s family bookstore where she worked as a teen. She loves them like family and with them getting older and having health problems they do rely on her. They know they can’t keep running it and retirement calls and they also can’t keep up the steady pace required in the shop. When they suggest it be put up for sale and contact a property manager for advice and help, she’s devastated as she feels so at home and the thought of it being sold isn’t setting well with her. She really wants to dislike property manager, Guy but he’s charming and handsome and not really a bad fella. We follow along as she has a totally unexpected offer and see how things are progressing at the lovely bookshop at Christmas time. So charming, the customers are wonderful and love the camaraderie Isla has with them. She makes all the customers feel special and always has just the right book recommendation for them. I enjoyed the romance and the Christmas vibe, it’s a warm feeling and such a sweet, clean romance. It all comes down to will her future take her to London away from the bookshop and Guy or will her hometown win out and be just what she’s looking for in this wonderful small-town romance?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio – Jill Steeples is the bestselling author of feel-good, escapist fiction. Her stories are perfect for fans of Heidi Swain and Cathy Bramley. Set in the close communities of cosy English villages, her books explore the themes of starting over, friendship and love across the ages, as well as the healing properties of nature and the great outdoors. Her novels are described as heart-warming and uplifting, designed to leave a smile on your face.
Love Song at the Music Festival From Heartbreak to Harmony After young music teacher Mirren Elphinstone’s entitled boyfriend dumps her and walks out on local band Tavrach, Mirren has a score to settle. Despite her usually sunny, helpful nature, she decides auditioning for the vacant lead singer role is the perfect way to get payback.
Tavrach’s enigmatic frontman, Adam Cormac, is desperate. With the Autumn Gold Festival fast approaching, the band needs a new lead singer – and fast. When only one hopeful turns up – a golden-haired beauty with the voice of an angel – Adam takes a chance.
He soon discovers Mirren is the ex of the sneaky band member who not only abandoned them but stole some of Adam’s compositions. Tempers flare, until the tension between Adam and Mirren turns electric. What began as revenge quickly explodes into an attraction as powerful as their duets – but Adam’s been burned too often to risk his heart lightly.
If they want a chance to turn heartbreak into harmony, Adam must believe he’s more than a stopgap, while Mirren must choose love on her own terms. Only then can they strike a lasting chord before the curtain falls.
I’m wondering how I’ve never heard of this author before I read this book. I will now need to catch up on the series she has because I really enjoyed this book.
I loved the couple featured in this book. They had true chemistry.
She is a music teacher, and her former boyfriend never treated her right or introduced her to anyone, always thinking he was better than her and bossing her around. He never even introduced her to the members of the band her was in. Then he ditched the band as well.
Sad and lonely and quickly running out of money she auditions for the band he used to be in and shocking herself she makes it as a singer. She’s thrilled. Shortly after the sparks begin to fly between her and the band’s guitar player, Adam.
I just loved the chemistry they have singing and playing together. It’s truly a singing love song that becomes the real thing.
The book has so much heartfelt emotion you can really feel it coming off the pages. This author is now on my radar and I can assure you I’ll be reading more of her books.
Recommended!
Author Bio –
Margaret Amatt is a bestselling Scottish author, professional daydreamer, and certified chocolate addict. She’s been making up stories for as long as she can remember – some of them even made it onto paper (and, tragically, onto floppy disks that no computer can read anymore). After two decades of writing in secret, she finally unleashed her first novel on the world in 2021, kicking off a ten-book series set on the stunning Isle of Mull.
But why stop there? She’s also the creator of The Glenbriar Series, where romance, small-town drama, and a pinch of spice keep readers coming back for more. This series is still going strong, with more books planned, including a spin-off series in 2027.
Margaret also has two books out in the Love on the Edge – Barra series, set in the Outer Hebrides.
Margaret has spent her whole life in Scotland’s breath-taking Highland Perthshire, despite her entire extended family coming from the Glasgow area. Her books are romantic and emotional, sweet and funny, and each one can be read as a standalone, but long-time readers know the joy of familiar faces popping up, adding to the chaos.
So, if you love relatable characters, sizzling chemistry, and plenty of banter, you’re in the right place – just don’t blame Margaret when you stay up way too late reading just one more chapter.
