Sunday, September 13, 2026

Christmas, Actually Review




 

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 of her kindly Aunt 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 Aunt Eleanor. Only, she hasn’t realiszed 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?

Fans of One Day in December, Philippa Ashley, Sarah Morgan and Jenny Colgan will adore this totally uplifting and page-turning novel of finding that love really is all around.

My thoughts:

This is a lovely Christmas romance, and definitely will get you in the spirit and ready for some festive lights and snow! Clara has walked away from her too perfect (but also a loser) fiance after catching him with someone else, and has nowhere to go, since they live together and he's her boss. So she sets out across the Atlantic to her godmother's house in England, looking for a break to lick her wounds.
 
While waiting outside Eleanor's shop, she's sprayed with mud by a handsome man's truck, and her day just keeps getting worse. She agrees to play as Mrs. Christmas for the upcoming holidays in town (a town that takes Christmas VERY seriously by the way!), only to discover that the handsome Liam is her "husband."
 
They're both closed off to love and relationships, but can a Christmas miracle heal their hearts?
 
While this book was a bit expected, there are plenty of things that make this story special. Figgy's obsession with fabrics, the bunny escape artist, and mischievous elves all make this story a wonderful holiday read!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. 

 

What readers are saying about Donna Ashcroft:

I loved every minute… I laughed out loud so many times!!… All of the Christmas feels and then some. Just adored this!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Delightful… A joy to read… So hilarious I couldn’t help but laugh out loud… perfectly sets the stage for the Christmas season… Truly captivating… I loved every aspect of this’ Page Turners, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Exceptional, witty and heart-warming… tons of sparkle, cheer, charm and romance… I adored this… Off the charts!… Lots of friction and sparks!… Good for the heart and medicine for the soul… Bursting with enchanting chemistry… A red hot captivating Christmas story!’ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄’ Cindy L Spear, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The ultimate cozy holiday escape! Imagine crackling fires, snow-dusted highlands, and a story filled with charm, romance, and festive magic. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a blanket, sip hot cocoa, and believe in happily-ever-afters all over again. If you’re looking for a heartwarming read to get you in the Christmas spirit, this one is a must!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read in one sitting… Laugh out loud moments, lots of twists, a beautiful love story.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A beautiful festive read that filled my heart with pure joy! I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much! A real page turner! Finished it in a few hours.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 
Author Bio
Donna has 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.


 








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