I am delighted to share my review today ~ thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for organizing.
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4⭐
Genre ~ cozy Christmas fiction
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ September 18, 2024
Series ~ Haileybrook Village
Est Page Count ~ 331 (48 chapters)
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ brief fake relationship, small town, no steamage
Author Note: This is a “sweet” or “closed door” romance
Bella (36) and Jack (40) meet when she pretends to be his girlfriend at his ex-girlfriend’s wedding. They have a great night together, but then Bella has to leave for a family emergency. Since they don’t live in the same town it’s not likely they’ll see each other again…or is it?
Bella moves from London to the quaint small town of Haileybrook for a job at a retirement home. Surprisingly Jack started working there just recently. It doesn’t seem like it’s fate though when Jack isn’t too thrilled to see her.
It’s festive, but it’s not overly Christmasy. No gift giving, just decorations, mince pies and gingerbread house making. Perhaps a mistletoe or two. I’d definitely put this in the category of a Hallmark style movie, even though I never watch them. There’s a small mystery to solve and a smidgen of romance. There are a good mix of lovable and crazy characters to keep it interesting. I’m happy to know some of them (the good ones) already have their own book, so I’ll have to be sure to check them out.
Overall, a quick, easy and descriptive read. While the romance is not the main focus of the story you can’t help but fall in love with both Bella and Jack and root for their happily ever after.
Side note ~ this is marketed as a cozy Christmas romance, but the romance is super light, so I’m going with just cozy Christmas fiction.
Book blurb:
An uplifting festive romance perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies and authors such as Phillipa Ashley, Trisha Ashley, Sue Moorcroft, Rebecca Raisin and Donna Ashcroft.
Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.
Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.
A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.
But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/BellasCC
Author Bio –
Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire, UK with her husband and two children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but sometimes need a little help to realise it.
A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for over a hundred sweet treats at clairehuston.co.uk. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.
Social Media Links –
https://linktr.ee/clairehuston_author
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