The Perfect Christmas Village - Bella Osborne

 

When Christmas-hating Sam moves to Holly Cross, he thinks he's found the perfect home, until he discovers that, each year, Holly Cross transforms into the most Christmassy village in the whole country...

Blythe is just one sale away from being Real Estate Agent of the Month, so she twists the truth to sell a home to city boy Sam, who is looking for the perfect house in the perfect location. Little does he know he's just bought a cottage in the middle of the most Christmassy village in the country. And if there's one thing Sam loathes, it's Christmas.

Sam's arrival puts Holly Cross's chance to win the title of Britain's Most Perfect Christmas Village now in jeopardy, and the villagers are soon up in arms. Meanwhile, Sam is in his own personal hell surrounded by fairy lights and everyone is looking to Blythe to fix things.

But as the festive season looms, maybe there's more than just Christmas in Holly Cross for Sam to fall in love with...

Purchase Links:

Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perfect-Christmas-Village-Bella-Osborne-ebook/dp/B0BM2DP2PK

KoBo - https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-perfect-christmas-village-1

Apple - https://books.apple.com/gb/book/the-perfect-christmas-village/id6448858762

My Review:

I genuinely look forward to each of Bella’s books as I know it will be quality, entertaining and a blooming great story. The Perfect Village Christmas is wonderful – I was enthralled with each page I sat and devoured. It is a Perfect Christmas book and will leave you feeling festive fuzzies.

The village of Holly Cross is my kind of place and yet again I wish I lived in such a brilliant community. I think each character was brilliant, even Leonora who was perhaps a bit full on (but for the right reasons really!) Reading about their efforts to become the ‘Perfect Christmas village’ had me laughing and feeling all sentimental.

Blythe is desperate to prove herself and sells a house in her local village to Sam, unaware that he is harbouring some secrets. Sam moves to Holly Cross and is not a fan of Christmas, in fact he hates it – which proves challenging in this village. Soon regretting his choices, he is determined to ignore everyone’s, especially Blythe’s, efforts this festive season.

Blythe is determined to make him see the good in Christmas no matter what. On many occasions she pushes her festive agenda and in my opinion really pushes her luck with him. I’m amazed he tolerated as much as he did! There is something about their connection though and it is clear to see the spark between them.

A story full of shenanigans, pumpkin picking, fireworks and festive fun at the sexy Santa dinner; a whole community pulling together and being there for each other. All have very different reasons for being so involved in the village activities but it’s clear everyone cares for one another too. Fun characters, heart warming moments, comedy and charm – what more do you need this time of year.

I cannot recommend this one enough. It’s a must read this Christmas, I suggest you ask Santa very nicely and get a copy!

Author Bio:

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written nine best-selling romantic comedies, two best-selling bookclub reads and won the RNA Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year Award.

Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in Warwickshire, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on social media.

Social Media Links:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/osborne_bella 

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bellaosborneauthor

In the Greek Midwinter - Mandy Baggot

 

It was supposed to be a holiday of a lifetime…

But when Jen’s boyfriend David suddenly cancels their romantic Paris trip, needing to urgently travel to Athens for work, it’s best friend Bonnie who suggests they surprise him.

Having already booked the time off from her events company – Christmas Every Day – Jen decides an impromptu and romantic gesture might be just what their relationship needs?

Arriving in Greece and finding David is not there, Jen has a lot of questions. And when she gets her answers she has a choice – should she go home or should she stay a while?

With the help of Astro, the handsome yet Christmas-hating waiter from the local bar, she sets about a little Greek Christmas research. But what starts as a ‘business trip’ soon turns into something more…

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/greekmidwintersocial

My Review:

Do I look forward to Mandy Baggot’s ‘festive’ books? You bet I do. Do I love when Mandy whisks us away to glorious locations? Always. Have I loved the combination of both? ABSOLUTELY!!

After some of my favourite festive reads over the years, In the Greek Midwinter is yet another gem that left me ready for the season ahead. It is heartwarming and romantic but at it’s core it’s about people allowing themselves to believe – whether that’s in other people or a little bit festive magic. It’s a story of two people who both had difficult starts in life, coming together and discovering they have so much more in common than they realised.

Jen is a festive fanatic, the season reminds her of the moments in life she can think of fondly. She doesn’t let people in, not easily and never completely. She can put hurt behind her – or so she thinks. When a romantic break doesn’t go as planned, a change of scene leads to some life changing discoveries.

Astro cannot stand the season and rallies against his uncles plans to decorate everything. The season intensifies a pain he cannot move on from. His hidden passion is a way for him to unleash his feelings, even if it risks getting in trouble.

When their worlds collide, can they find a way to get along with each feeling so strongly. I loved the dynamic between these two characters, seeing how their relationship developed over the course of the book.

A whole cast of supporting characters make this book so entertaining and really funny. I loved Natalia – Jen’s ‘colleague’ from the Ukraine who looks after her business whilst Jen is in Greece. She is very “gangster- esque” but in a humorous way, someone to keep onside. Achilles is a brilliant character, his enthusiasm for all things jumps off the page.

A great book to cosy up with this festive season, let the snow fall (no matter where you may be!) and enjoy the read. Another great story from Mandy Baggot, festive and in Greece; what a fab combination. 

Author Bio:

Mandy Baggot is a bestselling romance writer who loves giving readers that happy-ever-after. From sunshine romantic comedies set in Greece, to cosy curl-up winter reads, she's bringing gorgeous heroes and strong heroines readers can relate to. Mandy splits her time between Salisbury, Wiltshire and Corfu, Greece and has a passion for books, food, racehorses and all things Greek!

Social Media Links:

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