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Last Christmas at Ballyclare
Natasha is flying home for Christmas to Ballyclare - a beautiful old house in the Wicklow hills. When her friend Ben - who she was so sure could be more than that - abandons his plan to join her, she's devastated. Another year of just her mother and sister Doon for company.
To add to her woes, no sooner has she arrived home - her sanctuary through many a storm - than she is told it might have to be sold. And to the man whose younger brother broke Doon's heart all those years ago.
Will this be their last Christmas at Ballyclare? Or could a little bit of Christmas magic, and unexpected romance, help all three McDonnell women find their path?
To add to her woes, no sooner has she arrived home - her sanctuary through many a storm - than she is told it might have to be sold. And to the man whose younger brother broke Doon's heart all those years ago.
Will this be their last Christmas at Ballyclare? Or could a little bit of Christmas magic, and unexpected romance, help all three McDonnell women find their path?
400 pages, Paperback
Published February 9, 2024
31 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 5, 2023
Although this wasnt the full on sugar sweet Christmas type book, i loved the kitchen sink drama within!
Two daughters come back to their family home for Christmas which turns into a few dramas and heartbreaks.
I really enioyed the characters and their individual stories. I flew through this as it was like a netflix series! Cant put it away. Need to read on.
The setting sounded like the perfect christmas irish hideaway. Full of delights to enjoy on a chilly december. I will keep an eye out for follow up book in the(hopefully not to far away) future!
Many thanks to the Author and pulisher through Netgalley for an DRC.
Publication Date 23/11/23
Review written 5/10/23
Two daughters come back to their family home for Christmas which turns into a few dramas and heartbreaks.
I really enioyed the characters and their individual stories. I flew through this as it was like a netflix series! Cant put it away. Need to read on.
The setting sounded like the perfect christmas irish hideaway. Full of delights to enjoy on a chilly december. I will keep an eye out for follow up book in the(hopefully not to far away) future!
Many thanks to the Author and pulisher through Netgalley for an DRC.
Publication Date 23/11/23
Review written 5/10/23
January 29, 2024
I could not wait to read this book, then I could not finish it, not good at all.
December 19, 2024
3.5 :)
Beautiful story about love and family but also grief. Loved the character developments of the two daughters and how their mom is always so loving and supportive
Not veeery cute and cozy christmassy like I expected but I still enjoyed it!
Beautiful story about love and family but also grief. Loved the character developments of the two daughters and how their mom is always so loving and supportive
Not veeery cute and cozy christmassy like I expected but I still enjoyed it!
November 12, 2024
A festive tale all about family at Christmastime 🎄
Natasha is heading home to Ballyclare for Christmas and is hoping that her hopes of romance are going to become a reality. Sadly, this doesn’t happen and instead she is left facing the prospect of losing the family home that she loves so much. Natasha’s sister Doon is also facing her own dilemmas, she’s getting married but is she truly happy? And Mum Aileen is trying to come to terms with the fact that Ballyclare is falling victim to subsidence and that losing their beloved family home is a very real possibility.
With the three women back home together for Christmas, will they be able to come up with a plan to save their house or will it be their last Christmas at Ballyclare?
This book was full of heart, full of warmth and full of festive sparkle. All three of the main characters, whilst they had their flaws, were such lovely people. I really liked how they strengthened their bonds and became closer to each other as the book went on. I loved the message of doing what makes you happy, regardless of what others might think/say. It’s all about taking the leap and doing what is best for you. Overall, a really lovely family oriented book with little sprinkles of romance thrown in along the way.
Natasha is heading home to Ballyclare for Christmas and is hoping that her hopes of romance are going to become a reality. Sadly, this doesn’t happen and instead she is left facing the prospect of losing the family home that she loves so much. Natasha’s sister Doon is also facing her own dilemmas, she’s getting married but is she truly happy? And Mum Aileen is trying to come to terms with the fact that Ballyclare is falling victim to subsidence and that losing their beloved family home is a very real possibility.
With the three women back home together for Christmas, will they be able to come up with a plan to save their house or will it be their last Christmas at Ballyclare?
This book was full of heart, full of warmth and full of festive sparkle. All three of the main characters, whilst they had their flaws, were such lovely people. I really liked how they strengthened their bonds and became closer to each other as the book went on. I loved the message of doing what makes you happy, regardless of what others might think/say. It’s all about taking the leap and doing what is best for you. Overall, a really lovely family oriented book with little sprinkles of romance thrown in along the way.
November 22, 2023
Emily Bell has done it again. The setting, characters, plot: all completely wonderful. My Nana used to have a house in Ireland so when I was reading about Ballyclare, this is what I pictured. It made the story really personal to me and I found myself caring for Aileen as if she was my Nana. I wouldn’t go so far as to say there were twists, but the plot was wonderfully written and I had no guesses as to where it was heading - I was wholly delighted at the end. It had its usual Emily Bell festive charm alongside characters I couldn’t help but care for. It really takes a special kind of author to make you have so much hope for fictional characters.
January 2, 2024
A warm and cosy, if predictable festive read.
Sisters Doon and Natasha return home for Christmas to their mother’s house in Co Wicklow, each with their own complicated love lives. When mum Aileen breaks the news to them that Ballyclare, the family home, has to be sold as she can’t raise the money for the repairs needed, the girls process the news in their own way with the help of two nice chaps who are easy on the eye.
This is mostly fluffy Hallmark stuff but with a nice bit of depth to it in the family’s backstory. I enjoyed it - ideal easy reading for the time of year.
Many thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.
Sisters Doon and Natasha return home for Christmas to their mother’s house in Co Wicklow, each with their own complicated love lives. When mum Aileen breaks the news to them that Ballyclare, the family home, has to be sold as she can’t raise the money for the repairs needed, the girls process the news in their own way with the help of two nice chaps who are easy on the eye.
This is mostly fluffy Hallmark stuff but with a nice bit of depth to it in the family’s backstory. I enjoyed it - ideal easy reading for the time of year.
Many thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.
December 24, 2023
A very Christmasy book to finish off Christmas Eve. Gave me all the Christmas feels.
December 25, 2024
A gorgeous and meaningful family Christmas story about letting go, moving on, and embracing new pathways. Loved it!
August 3, 2023
This was a really enjoyable read about three family members who are each at a crossroads. Mum Aileen feels as though her life has been on hold since her husband went missing many years ago and she’s also faced with potentially having to sell her family home due to subsidence. Eldest daughter Doon feels overwhelmed by her forthcoming marriage plans and younger daughter Natasha’s plans to try to forge a relationship with her good friend Ben have been destroyed at the last minute. Set over the Christmas period this is a warm character read set in a stunning location and with a brilliant cast of surrounding characters. The storyline is very gentle although there’s a lot of hurt in amongst due to the family background there’s a lot of hope too in this beautiful moving on story.
December 21, 2023
A bit of a slow one, still a cute story - but not at the level of her other books :)
September 21, 2023
Singleton Natasha and newly engaged Doon are planning to spend Christmas together with their mother Aileen at their family home Ballyclare in Ireland. A home which holds cherrished memories and also some heartache when their husband/father disappeared years ago.
The McDonnell family faces the heart-wrenching possibility of selling their beloved Ballyclare, and this could be their last Christmas in the family home. When a stranger with a family connection to the house knocks on their door, their fortunes start to take a turn.
Last Christmas at Ballyclare was my first read by Emily Bell. I picked the ARC with the hope of a warm, festive read, and to be honest, it is exactly what I got. The writing is descriptive and detailed. All the characters are dealing with their own struggles, and throughout the story, Emily has woven in some flashbacks featuring poignant times in the family life. The story is a slow and steady build-up. At times, I found Natasha irritating and selfish, but she came to the realisation of her behaviour towards the end of the book. I did feel the end was a bit rushed and wrapped up too quickly. I loved the fact that the story was set in Ireland, and the author described the scenery beautifully.
Overall, this is an enjoyable and quick Christmas read, but one that you can put down and come back to. Like all good Christmas books, this one will leave you feeling warm and cheerful.
Many thanks to @Netgalleyuk, @emilybellwriter, and @penguinukbooks for the chance to read the ARC.
The McDonnell family faces the heart-wrenching possibility of selling their beloved Ballyclare, and this could be their last Christmas in the family home. When a stranger with a family connection to the house knocks on their door, their fortunes start to take a turn.
Last Christmas at Ballyclare was my first read by Emily Bell. I picked the ARC with the hope of a warm, festive read, and to be honest, it is exactly what I got. The writing is descriptive and detailed. All the characters are dealing with their own struggles, and throughout the story, Emily has woven in some flashbacks featuring poignant times in the family life. The story is a slow and steady build-up. At times, I found Natasha irritating and selfish, but she came to the realisation of her behaviour towards the end of the book. I did feel the end was a bit rushed and wrapped up too quickly. I loved the fact that the story was set in Ireland, and the author described the scenery beautifully.
Overall, this is an enjoyable and quick Christmas read, but one that you can put down and come back to. Like all good Christmas books, this one will leave you feeling warm and cheerful.
Many thanks to @Netgalleyuk, @emilybellwriter, and @penguinukbooks for the chance to read the ARC.
November 24, 2023
Thanks to @netgalley and @michaeljbooks for the eARC of “Last Christmas at Ballyclare” by @emilybellwriter which is published in paperback today. I love a festive book and this was such a cosy, joyful and romantic read, that has me counting down the days to Christmas.
I loved this festive book which follows Aileen, Natasha and Doon’s points of view. The three women are very different but they are all loveable and I wanted a happily ever after for each of them. All three had their troubles and were hoping that the Christmas period will provide some solace. I particularly enjoyed Doon’s story.
“Last Christmas at Ballyclare” also shows Aileen’s backstory and why Natasha, Doon and Aileen have been affected by the past. You could really understand why they hung on to Ballyclare as a constant in their lives and were so desperate to keep their family home.
I loved the way the characters and their relationships and the family dynamics developed during the book. This was a lovely part of the story and just added an extra dimension to the book. As did the mental health representation.
The book was written beautifully and had such a great sense of place. I could really imagine myself spending Christmas at Ballyclare and walking through the snowy Wicklow Hills.
Such a lovely and cosy book that left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Unashamedly romantic and festive. It was a joy to read from start to finish. I’ve now read all three of Emily Bell’s festive novels and they are among my favourite Christmassy reads.
I loved this festive book which follows Aileen, Natasha and Doon’s points of view. The three women are very different but they are all loveable and I wanted a happily ever after for each of them. All three had their troubles and were hoping that the Christmas period will provide some solace. I particularly enjoyed Doon’s story.
“Last Christmas at Ballyclare” also shows Aileen’s backstory and why Natasha, Doon and Aileen have been affected by the past. You could really understand why they hung on to Ballyclare as a constant in their lives and were so desperate to keep their family home.
I loved the way the characters and their relationships and the family dynamics developed during the book. This was a lovely part of the story and just added an extra dimension to the book. As did the mental health representation.
The book was written beautifully and had such a great sense of place. I could really imagine myself spending Christmas at Ballyclare and walking through the snowy Wicklow Hills.
Such a lovely and cosy book that left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Unashamedly romantic and festive. It was a joy to read from start to finish. I’ve now read all three of Emily Bell’s festive novels and they are among my favourite Christmassy reads.
November 9, 2023
When Natasha returns home for a cosy Christmas despite her guest bailing on her at the last minute she’s all prepared to have a traditional celebration with her mother and sister in their childhood home, Ballyclare.
Unexpectedly her mother declares there is no money for extensive house repairs and this will be their last Christmas before Ballyclare has to be sold. With all her certainties gone and her love life in ruins to boot, the celebrations become rather muted.
Help arrives in the form a tourist looking for his family roots. There is a reinjection of positivity all round. Christmas is back on, of course it is; this is what we are here for.
I like the way the story draws in different generations alongside the contemporary romance. A family wobble is a good way to start a Christmas story. This focuses on certainties taken away from Natasha who is the main focus. She examines her life and is able to change the ways she moves forward. That’s quite some heavy lifting for a romance novel but I do like a little soul searching with my hot chocolate. There is heartfelt unrequited love, an epiphany and of course a happy ending. Perfect for the Christmas stocking of your romance loving friends.
Unexpectedly her mother declares there is no money for extensive house repairs and this will be their last Christmas before Ballyclare has to be sold. With all her certainties gone and her love life in ruins to boot, the celebrations become rather muted.
Help arrives in the form a tourist looking for his family roots. There is a reinjection of positivity all round. Christmas is back on, of course it is; this is what we are here for.
I like the way the story draws in different generations alongside the contemporary romance. A family wobble is a good way to start a Christmas story. This focuses on certainties taken away from Natasha who is the main focus. She examines her life and is able to change the ways she moves forward. That’s quite some heavy lifting for a romance novel but I do like a little soul searching with my hot chocolate. There is heartfelt unrequited love, an epiphany and of course a happy ending. Perfect for the Christmas stocking of your romance loving friends.
December 24, 2025
I received this one as a gift and decided it needed to be read during the festive season.
This one wasn’t your typical lighthearted Christmas book. It’s not lighthearted at all and deals with some heavy subjects. It’s about three women - a mother and her two grown daughters back home for Christmas in Ireland.
All of them are deal with, or will deal with, a failed relationship. On top of that, their beloved family home is falling apart and it will cost upwards of six figures to fix.
I do like emotional books, so I enjoyed this one. I feel like the ending wrapped up too fast and could have used an epilogue but that’s just me being needy. It did end on a sweet and hopeful note.
The missing husband storyline was quite heartbreaking though and I too would have a hard time moving on if that happened.
I also liked the portrayal of the different sisters and how their ages affected their perception of things growing up. One sibling might have a totally different view of how life was compared to the other.
This one wasn’t your typical lighthearted Christmas book. It’s not lighthearted at all and deals with some heavy subjects. It’s about three women - a mother and her two grown daughters back home for Christmas in Ireland.
All of them are deal with, or will deal with, a failed relationship. On top of that, their beloved family home is falling apart and it will cost upwards of six figures to fix.
I do like emotional books, so I enjoyed this one. I feel like the ending wrapped up too fast and could have used an epilogue but that’s just me being needy. It did end on a sweet and hopeful note.
The missing husband storyline was quite heartbreaking though and I too would have a hard time moving on if that happened.
I also liked the portrayal of the different sisters and how their ages affected their perception of things growing up. One sibling might have a totally different view of how life was compared to the other.
November 23, 2023
An enjoyable story about a mother and her two daughters, set over the Christmas period, where they're all at a crossroads in their lives.
Natasha works in London, but has come home to Ireland for the holidays. Doon lives in Ireland and is in the midst of planning her wedding. And their mother, Aileen, has financial troubles as she's a bit scatty regarding bills and paperwork, forgot to renew her buildings insurance, and has now found out she needs a lot of money to fix subsidence in their old house, which of course she doesn't have so they may have to sell.
The story is all about the dramas in the lives of these three women, with side characters to round it all out. I must admit, although I did enjoy the story in general, I didn't warm to either of the sisters, especially Natasha who I found very irritating!
But it all sorted itself out eventually and there was a satisfying ending.
Natasha works in London, but has come home to Ireland for the holidays. Doon lives in Ireland and is in the midst of planning her wedding. And their mother, Aileen, has financial troubles as she's a bit scatty regarding bills and paperwork, forgot to renew her buildings insurance, and has now found out she needs a lot of money to fix subsidence in their old house, which of course she doesn't have so they may have to sell.
The story is all about the dramas in the lives of these three women, with side characters to round it all out. I must admit, although I did enjoy the story in general, I didn't warm to either of the sisters, especially Natasha who I found very irritating!
But it all sorted itself out eventually and there was a satisfying ending.
December 20, 2025
Last Christmas at Ballyclare by Emily Bell
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Penguin and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Natasha is flying home for Christmas to Ballyclare - a beautiful old house in the Wicklow hills. When her friend Ben - who she was so sure could be more than that - abandons his plan to join her, she's devastated. Another year of just her mother and sister Doon for company.
To add to her woes, no sooner has she arrived home - her sanctuary through many a storm - than she is told it might have to be sold. And to the man whose younger brother broke Doon's heart all those years ago.
Will this be their last Christmas at Ballyclare? Or could a little bit of Christmas magic, and unexpected romance, help all three McDonnell women find their path?
My Opinion
Emily Bell has created a lovely setting with some great characters. Last Christmas at Ballyclare was a quick and easy book to read.
Rating 3/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Penguin and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Natasha is flying home for Christmas to Ballyclare - a beautiful old house in the Wicklow hills. When her friend Ben - who she was so sure could be more than that - abandons his plan to join her, she's devastated. Another year of just her mother and sister Doon for company.
To add to her woes, no sooner has she arrived home - her sanctuary through many a storm - than she is told it might have to be sold. And to the man whose younger brother broke Doon's heart all those years ago.
Will this be their last Christmas at Ballyclare? Or could a little bit of Christmas magic, and unexpected romance, help all three McDonnell women find their path?
My Opinion
Emily Bell has created a lovely setting with some great characters. Last Christmas at Ballyclare was a quick and easy book to read.
Rating 3/5
December 11, 2024
This was a cute Christmas story, but there were a few timeline and geographical inaccuracies that let it down slightly for me (I'm just pernickety about details especially when it comes to reading about locally-based books to me). Growing up and living around the majority of areas mentioned in the book, I know them very well but was a little disappointed to read things such as the family home being bought in 1992 (5 years before Dan went missing in 1997) for €95,000 when the Euro wasn't introduced into Ireland until 2002. And then, with the daughters knowing they were 'now in Wicklow proper' after seeing familiar landmarks such as the Silver Tassie pub (which is in South County Dublin, not in County Wicklow) among a couple of others. It was still enjoyable though and a nice Christmas read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2023
This was a wondrous and warm Christmas read set in beautiful Wicklow in Ireland. Told from the POV of Mum, Aileen, and her daughters, Natasha and Doon. Each one on their own journey of self discovery, with a sprinkle of romance. I really enjoyed seeing how each character's story unfolded. There was a bit of a mystery going on with the fact Aileen's husband - Natasha and Doon's dad - had disappeared and I would loved to have delved more in to that. I loved Aileen and the side characters but Doon and Natasha's attitudes towards each other grated on me at times. The author sets a beautiful wintery scene in Wicklow, with stunning views, that had me wanting to visit there myself. It was a really sweet read and I would love to read more from Emily Bell.
November 24, 2023
Actual rating 4.5.
I am an absolute diehard Emily Bell fan, having read every one of her books since picking up the first, and if you need some Christmas reading inspiration, look no further! This latest one is an absolute joy!
First of all, Ballyclare and the Irish village setting is just the stuff that Christmas dreams are made of, so if you want snow covered mountains and home made wreaths on doors to really bring on that winter spirit, you’re in the right place. And then there’s the compelling storyline around the family home, the lovely relationship between mother and daughters, and, of course, the romance 😍 OMG and the food too! This is cosy reading at its best gang, and I finished it feeling all the warm fuzzies and very much ready for Christmas 🙌
I am an absolute diehard Emily Bell fan, having read every one of her books since picking up the first, and if you need some Christmas reading inspiration, look no further! This latest one is an absolute joy!
First of all, Ballyclare and the Irish village setting is just the stuff that Christmas dreams are made of, so if you want snow covered mountains and home made wreaths on doors to really bring on that winter spirit, you’re in the right place. And then there’s the compelling storyline around the family home, the lovely relationship between mother and daughters, and, of course, the romance 😍 OMG and the food too! This is cosy reading at its best gang, and I finished it feeling all the warm fuzzies and very much ready for Christmas 🙌
February 23, 2024
This is a story about home and family. After another relationship ends in disappointment Natasha heads home to Ballyclare in the Wicklow hills where she grew up to spend Christmas with her mother Aileen and sister Doon. But her mother and sister have secrets and troubles of their own. Doon is engaged to "the perfect man" and should be happily planning her wedding but she's having doubts and jitters. Her mother Aileen is still grieving for her husband Dan who disappeared without a trace twenty years ago and worse still she has to tell her daughters that their house is falling down and will costs hundreds of thousands to repair. But the arrival of a stranger on their doorstep starts the beginning of a change for the family.
December 11, 2025
More a 3.5 than a 3. A story about a woman and her two adult daughters, and their home at Ballyclare, inspired by Wicklow in Ireland. I've been there and it is indeed a beautiful place. All three women are somewhat in a state of flux, and their various internal struggles come to a head when they spend some time together, contemplating the fact the house has to be expensively repaired due to subsistence. At the beginning this was very stressful for them all - but time and happenstance came together and the book ended with all three a lot clearer about their hopeful futures. Quite a cosy book that addresses the bonds of family, and coming together in a lovely spot with old friends. Christmassy and charming.
December 31, 2023
Natasha returns home to Ballyclare and is looking forward to spending Christmas with her mother Aileen and sister Doon. However, the news she receives on arrival is not what she was expecting.
As Christmas looks like being a washout this year, the 3 of them start looking at their lives and try to work out what they can do to help.
Add in family and friends, a stranger and a long lost friend to the mix and you have a wonderful heartwarming and emotional Christmas read.
Thank you Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
As Christmas looks like being a washout this year, the 3 of them start looking at their lives and try to work out what they can do to help.
Add in family and friends, a stranger and a long lost friend to the mix and you have a wonderful heartwarming and emotional Christmas read.
Thank you Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Read
January 5, 2024Aileen and her daughters Doon who is engaged to Ciarán, and Natasha, ready to let her friend Ben know how she feels before he leaves her at the airport, gather for what could be their last Christmas in their beloved home, Ballyclare.
Told from the perspective of each of the women, this is at times sad, but also incredibly heartwarming. The Wicklow setting is stunning, with beautifully worded descriptions that deposit you in the Wicklow hills it's hard not to get absorbed into life in Rathowen.
This is what I would describe as the ultimate Christmas cheese. It reminds me of Ireland's version of a Hallmark Christmas Movie & I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Told from the perspective of each of the women, this is at times sad, but also incredibly heartwarming. The Wicklow setting is stunning, with beautifully worded descriptions that deposit you in the Wicklow hills it's hard not to get absorbed into life in Rathowen.
This is what I would describe as the ultimate Christmas cheese. It reminds me of Ireland's version of a Hallmark Christmas Movie & I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 8, 2023
I loved this story. Ballyclare is the family home to Aileen and her two adult daughters Doon and Natasha. Aileen has recently received the bad news that the Georgian house they call home is suffering from subsidence and will cost at less £200,00 to repair. It appears that this be the last Christmas they will spend in the family home. Follow the story of Christmas and the personal epiphanies all three women have as they must face the future. A great engaging read, lovable characters. A great Christmas read.. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
December 21, 2024
Po dočítaní sa cítim akoby som dostala objatie po ťažkom dni 🥹 Kniha ma bavila od začiatku. A potom ma nebavila. Potom som váhala, či ju dočítam a nakoniec som sa do nej absolútne zaľúbila. To prostredie. Postavy. Veľmi chválim vývoj postáv, ktorým si prešli, pretože to bola naozaj veľmi pekná cesta, ktorú mám pocit, že som prešla spolu s nimi. Spaľovací mi dospeli pred očami.
Strašne rada by som niekedy dostala možnosť navštíviť Ballyclare. Alebo sa prešla po dedinke a vypila si so sestrami čaj. No som rada, že aspoň skrz stránky som mohla 🤍 Nádherná vianočná knižka 🎄☺️
Strašne rada by som niekedy dostala možnosť navštíviť Ballyclare. Alebo sa prešla po dedinke a vypila si so sestrami čaj. No som rada, že aspoň skrz stránky som mohla 🤍 Nádherná vianočná knižka 🎄☺️
November 22, 2025
Wonderful! If you want a feel good Christmas themed book this is it. Natasha is coming home for Christmas from London city to the picturesque Wicklow mountains.
Doon, Natasha’s sister, is picking her up from the airport and driving her to the village of Rathowen where they will spend Christmas with their mother, Aileen.
There is unrequited love, new love. A bit of sadness and a bit of adventure. You really get it all with a bit of snow and a magical Christmas.
Could not put this down! I can’t wait to see what else Emily Bell has written!
Doon, Natasha’s sister, is picking her up from the airport and driving her to the village of Rathowen where they will spend Christmas with their mother, Aileen.
There is unrequited love, new love. A bit of sadness and a bit of adventure. You really get it all with a bit of snow and a magical Christmas.
Could not put this down! I can’t wait to see what else Emily Bell has written!
January 7, 2024
I loved it. Last year it was Baby it's cold outside, this year I enjoyed this second book from Emily Bell, both devoured during the festive season.
I won't spend words about the plot, there's enough of it already.
What I loved most is the description of meals, landscapes and habits which are so familiar to people living in Ireland. It was like having new friends at home for Christmas, telling me about their most recent news.
I can't wait for another new novel by Emily Bell
I won't spend words about the plot, there's enough of it already.
What I loved most is the description of meals, landscapes and habits which are so familiar to people living in Ireland. It was like having new friends at home for Christmas, telling me about their most recent news.
I can't wait for another new novel by Emily Bell
December 20, 2025
3.5 🌟 Rating from Me
This was an easy and enjoyable read with a clear intention to be cozy, even if it didn’t quite hit that mark for me.
The characters were likeable and pleasant to spend time with, and the story kept me turning the pages.
While the ending felt a little rushed after the build-up around Ballyclare, it was still a satisfying enough conclusion.
Overall, a nice, low-stress read — not a standout, but an enjoyable way to pass the time
This was an easy and enjoyable read with a clear intention to be cozy, even if it didn’t quite hit that mark for me.
The characters were likeable and pleasant to spend time with, and the story kept me turning the pages.
While the ending felt a little rushed after the build-up around Ballyclare, it was still a satisfying enough conclusion.
Overall, a nice, low-stress read — not a standout, but an enjoyable way to pass the time
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2023
Very festive and very sweet.
I liked all the characters, loved the community feel to the book and the descriptions of the scenery.
It was a great book, would be lovely to read under the rarity lights with a great big mug of hot chocolate by your side.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review
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I liked all the characters, loved the community feel to the book and the descriptions of the scenery.
It was a great book, would be lovely to read under the rarity lights with a great big mug of hot chocolate by your side.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review
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October 30, 2023
This is a tale of a family Christmas told in alternative chapters from the view points of sisters Natasha and Doon and their mother Aileen.
Despite what we hope family Christmas are not all smooth sailing and this book reflects this whilst keeping the spirit of Christmas as the 3 women grow during the events of the festivities.
Despite what we hope family Christmas are not all smooth sailing and this book reflects this whilst keeping the spirit of Christmas as the 3 women grow during the events of the festivities.
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