Light Up My Heart

by Joanne Speirs

Second chances can be a gift when you’re brave enough to risk your heart … gripping, emotional and uplifting, the unmissable small-town festive romance from the award-winning author of Second Chance Love in Point Perry.

Perfect for lovers of Virgin River and readers who enjoy Elsie Silver and Laura Pavlov.

Scarlett Reynold’s life in the city may be in tatters, but that doesn’t mean anyone needs to know. Especially when Christmas is her favourite time of year and it’s her first visit home to the small town of Point Perry in forever.

Ryan Black would recognise Scarlett anywhere, although apparently, she doesn’t remember him or their teenage summer romance. He’s fine with that because he hates Christmas and anyone who loves it so much isn’t meant for him.

But then Scarlett and Ryan are thrown together amidst preparations for the town’s annual Christmas festivities. The longer Scarlett is in town, the more reasons she’s finding to stay, and the harder it is for Ryan to deny their growing attraction.

When admitting your feelings means facing past pains, sometimes even love can’t overcome doubt and fear. But never underestimate the power of a little Christmas magic …

Genres: Romance, Novella, Christmas, Contemporary

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2024

About the author

Joanne Speirs is an award-winning romance author who grew up on a farm in a small rural community on the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia. Scouring the school library shelves for Sweet Valley High novels and sneaking a read of her mum's Mills & Boon books became a favourite pastime in her teens and fuelled her passion for reading and writing romance.

She lives in Adelaide with her two grown sons, husband and border collie named Zeb. When not writing, she works as an editor, specialising in editing manuscripts for other romance authors.

Her debut, Second Chance Love in Point Perry, was runner-up in the prestigious Romance Writers of Australia Valerie Parv Award in 2019 and was longlisted for the Romance Writers of Australia Emerald Award in 2020.

Voted: Favourite Debut Romance Author 2023 (Australia Romance Readers Assoc—ARRA)

Finalist in the Romance Writers of NZ Koru Award 2024 for Best Long Romance and Best First Book

To find out more, visit Joanne at https://www.joannespeirs.com.au

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Happy reading!

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Joanne Speirs debut book set in Point Perry and was eager for another trip to this fabulous seaside small town with such awesome characters, I fell into this one it is Christmas time the weather is hot and Scarlett Reynolds has arrived home after her life in the city has fallen apart, Ryan Black, Christmas Grinch has taken up the job of nurse at the local hospital he did visit Point Perry for a summer holiday when he was seventeen and he has just run into Scarlett and she doesn’t remember him from all those years ago, can they have a second chance?

When Aunt Lilac has a fall Ryan and Scarlett are pushed together and there is no getting away from the effort of Lilac to push them together one problem, Ryan does not do Christmas and Scarlett is a huge fan of Christmas and when the penny drops and Scarlett memory comes back their first meeting doesn’t go that well, but with what needs to be done they are soon opening up to each other and hearts are opening up like they did all those years ago.

This really is a beautiful romance filled with so many emotions it had me turning the pages, Ryan and Scarlett are such beautiful and caring people they deserve to find love and happiness can the Christmas magic bring them together and see them heal from their pasts?

If you love a good Christmas story then this is one that I highly recommend, and being July it is the perfect time to read a Christmas story, thank you MS Speirs for another gorgeous story and I do hope there will be many more visits to Point Perry, I loved this one it left me smiling the ending is so romantic and fun.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlett Reynold’s leaves Adelaide for the family farm near Point Perry, no one needs to know about the issues she’s having with her job and Christmas is her favourite time of the year. Scarlett adores all things Christmassy, from Santa hats to baking goodies with her mum and most of all singing carols and the lighting up of the Point Perry Jetty.

Ryan Black’s a nurse at Point Perry District Hospital and has his reasons for not liking Christmas, for some people it’s not a happy time of the year and they breathe a huge sigh of relief when it’s over. Years ago he met Scarlett, they had a teenage summer romance and he notices her when she’s filling in at her brother’s servo and when the town’s appointed matriarch is hurt and they both come to her aid.

Scarlett and Ryan are put in charge of Point Perry’s Christmas festivities, during this they both have “light bulb” moments and are thrown together, about each other, sticking around longer than they planned and it’s hard for them to ignore the sizzling chemistry and keep their hands off each other.

I loved Light Up My Heart (A Point Perry Christmas) by Joanne Speirs, I live in a small country town and it goes completely bonkers over Christmas, and not everyone likes it and I can relate to some of Ryan's thoughts.

This isn't just a Christmas story, it's also about over coming fears, anxiety, and bullying, childhood trauma and facing the past and so Scarlett and Ryan can move forward and fingers crossed be together. I was very happy to catch up with other familiar characters from Ms. Speirs previous book Second Chance Love in Point Perry.

The novella was emotional and stirring, uplifting and moving and five stars from me.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully swoon-worthy novella

I loved being immersed in the tight-knit, seaside community of Point Perry at Christmastime.

Scarlett and Ryan are both kind-hearted and community-minded characters, with their own complicated lives. Will the Christmas spirit offer them an opportunity for the love and happiness they deserve?

This was such a beautifully emotional story and I am excited to read more from Australian author Joanne Speirs!

[Brooklyn Tayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Joanne for gifting us a copy to read and review.
Welcome back to Point Perry for the festive season.
An engaging Christmas novella with a big heart.
Scarlett returns to Point Perry after her lifestyle in the city is in chaos.
She is only here briefly and needs a little time to rejuvenate.
Ryan knows Scarlett from the past and their brief romance in their teens is long ago, he’s also a big grinch at this time of year.
It’s the town’s annual Christmas celebrations and with everyone in good spirits, feelings rise between the two.
Can they overcome personal issues and make the most of the holiday season….
A tale that will pick you up and leave you with a smile.
Full of emotion, warmth and honesty this book gives you all the feels.
Genuine characters among a halcyon atmosphere with a sunshine plot.
Easily read in one setting so grab a blanket and your drink of choice and relax and enjoy.
Let’s hope there’s more heartfelt stories to come.

[Kerrie Juric · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely beautifully written, sweet, quick Christmas story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Light Up My Heart: A Point Perry Christmas by Joanne Speirs is a novella set at Christmas time in a small Australian seaside town, Point Perry.

It is a second chance, grumpy sunshine, small town contemporary romance with plenty of laughs, some banter and some spice! Oh and plenty of Christmas! You’ll even get Santa on a jet ski!

The two main characters, Ryan the Grinch and Scarlett who lives and breathes Christmas, had a summer holiday love when they were teens and then Ryan went back to the city. Fast forward 15 years and they are both back in Point Perry, but for how long.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and was entertained from start to finish. I can’t wait for my next trip back to Point Perry.

[Pandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this heart warming Christmas romance. Scarlett is determined and absolutely the kind of person we should aspire to be. Ryan I just want to give a big hug, what a kind man for having gone through so much. I love this small town and the incredible kind people living there. As someone who has grown up in a few small Australian towns, I can absolutely relate to the sense of community you get from this book.

[Angela Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to get an ARC of the next installment in Jo Speirs’ Point Perry series.

I loved the characters and settings in the first book, and was super excited to return to this small coastal town.

The banter between Scarlett and Ryan was super fun and just a little bit spicy. And who doesn’t love a romance set at Christmas.

This was a lovely, quick read perfect for some Christmas in July reading!

[Amelia Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The heart and spirit of Christmas is good anytime of year and I was delighted to read a wonderfully light yet heart-felt story of Christmas outside of the usual season - with all the Aussie Christmas trimmings and community I am familiar with. 'Light up my Heart' lifted my spirits and alongside Scarlett and Ryan I was reminded to look beyond myself to hope and love and family in the bigger picture.

Both Scarlett and Ryan return to Point Perry, Scarlett to spend time with her family before returning to her own troubled life in Adelaide, and Ryan to work in a place where he experienced the light of good memories against the darker background of his life troubles. As they reconnect and reignite their friendship and romance, hidden hurts and troubles are revealed, and they learn it is possible to move beyond their past troubles.

This novella is a quick light read - perfect for a weekend morning by the beach. Or the local jetty.

I received an advanced copy of this second story from Point Perry. It was like returning to a favourite holiday place with the banter of friends and people I love to visit.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a heart warming and enjoyable read.

Scarlett is the sunshine to Ryan’s grumpy. She adores Christmas and he loathes it. But Ryan soon realises you can’t hide from Christmas in a small community, it’s all hands on deck to make it the special occasion for all.

The chemistry between Scarlett and Ryan was perfect, and for a novella, it was woven beautifully into a perfectly paced storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Rombookfanlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy romance featuring Scarlett swooping back into her hometown with her fun Christmas-loving personality and running into an initially grumpy Ryan, known to each other from their pasts. It’s nice to see them getting to know each other again, building their romance on friendship and opening up to each other for emotional support. There are a few different instances of some real vulnerability that lends more and more to their connection.

This book has legit Australia vibes - I had to look up a few terms and phrases in the first couple pages and beyond. I’m well versed in American and British English but not as much with Australian lingo so it was fun to learn some bits and it felt very authentic to the setting!

The story very much conveys the small town feel: quirky characters, everyone knows everyone, and everyone lovingly in everyone’s business.

It may be a function of this being a shorter-length book but I tend to prefer a little more backstory for a second chance trope and perhaps a little more banter/flirtation between the main characters, so I didn’t fully click with their characters and story. However, it was still an enjoyable light read and wouldn’t deter someone from reading this - I think there’s lots of people who will really enjoy this nice, romantic read. It’d be a good one on holiday, lounging on the sofa :)

Overall a solid, mild-spice, romance story which has nice heart-warming vibes and that very cozy small-town feel. 3.5/5 ⭐️

I received an advanced copy of this book (thank you!) and this is my honest review.

[Kaylene Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this chance to return to Point Perry and Joanne did not disappoint. This is the second book in Hearts of Point Perry Series.

Preparing for Christmas is always fun and in a small town even better, but not for Ryan. He has some things from his past that prevent him from enjoying Christmas.

Scarlett on the other hand loves Christmas and celebrates it enthusiastically from songs to Christmas ornaments and dress.

This was a warm fun loving book about 2 people who had a past together and were trying to move on from that past. They keep running into each other and sparks are flying, memories have resurfaced but in the present hidden secrets threaten to stop them from being together.

Filled with back and forth, hot and cold banter from the main characters and the people of the town “helping” them find each other again, this novel with make you laugh, smile and cry a little bit.

With a Santa on a jet ski and a town full of cheer for the holidays you’ll love being back at Point Perry.


Thanks Joanne for allowing me to be a part of your ARC Crew.

[Leteisha Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet story of two people in a small country/coastal town in Australia. Full of romance, suspense and experiences that any Aussie can easily relate to like fresh seafood takeaway and the locals at the IGA. And while romance is my normal “go to” Genre I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The main characters are acknowledging and working through their traumas while forming new bonds while creating a new life together and it really adds depth to how relatable this story really is. All in all it was a beautifully written; captivating love story.

[Lisa Flenley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this small-town romance story. It was a bit jumpy in some sections & fast paced in others with left of field information that was necessary but perhaps not injected well?
Overall it was a sweet, feel-good story with easy to love characters given a second chance at love in a small town.
Bonus points for the Collingwood fan in Scarlett 😜

[Nikki Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Aussie Christmas Hug in a book - full of nostalgia and even though it’s set in summer, it still brings the cosy vibes.

Jo packed so much into this little book, not only is there a love story and community Christmas, but it goes through overcoming trauma, bullying and sticking up for the right thing.

It’s grumpy/sunshine and he definitely brings the Grinch vibes, there’s a Santa on a Jet Ski, the support and understanding that Ryan and Scarlett had for each other was beautiful and Aunt Lilac truly bought the humour and the sass.

An overall joy to read and no need to wait for the Christmas season to pick it up.

Thank-you so much again Jo for having me as an ARC reader and I can’t wait to see what you do next 🤩

[BookishVocab · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, small town, second chance love story set at Christmas! It was so nice to read a Christmas book that was set in a warm climate. Scarlett and Ryan were great characters who both showed growth throughout the novel. The last chapter flash forward was perfection! I won't give any spoilers but it was so lovely to read and tied in so perfectly. This would be a fun Christmas in July read or is perfect for getting into the festive mood in December. This was the first book I've read by Joanne Speirs and I will be reading more. Thanks for a great story!

Side note... I loved Lilac so much. Can we please petition to have a spin off for her? Her dialogue was so fun to read.

[Adeline Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased a signed copy through the author's link on Instagram. It arrived beautifully packaged, complete with some delightful goodies: stickers, a cute penguin keyring, and a bookmark all Christmas-themed!

I read the book in one sitting—it was such a comforting read that the only thing missing was a hot chocolate by the fireplace. I loved how the author incorporated Australian lingo and cultural references, from "frog in the pond" to "pipe cleaners."

This cozy, soul-soothing romance touched on real issues, such as childhood trauma and its impact on adulthood, as well as the community's role in the healing process.

I definitely look forward to reading more from this author!

[Witchetty Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small town reconnecting romance.

15 years since the summer they met.
She has forgotten who he is and needs to go through a memory box to jolt her memory. She is full of Christmas cheer.
He has reasons to dislike Christmas. They quickly reconnect and realise not all is as seems. Quick read.

Still a great story just don’t think I vibed with it as well. I completely blame that on my mood. I hope to do a reread later in the year when I’m different headspace. As I may vibe better than now.

Thanks to books and bitches for the copy. These are my totally honest and totally awesome opinions.

[Sharon Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely local story about a relationship between two people, one who lives in the small town and one who had gotten away. Needing a break and a fresh Scarlett stays at her parents. High school sweethearts Ryan and Scarlett spend time together helping the town to set up for Christmas. I can sense the meddling and the love in the story. I can imagine how these people would go about pursuing two people together. Meant to be? Maybe. I love this story!

[Leah Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was the perfect sweet easy read and just what I wanted. The characters felt real to me and I loved seeing how the story panned out sharing a true spirit of Christmas. There were a few twists I didn’t quite expect but they added to the story. Honestly if you want a sweet, easy read that embraces Christmas this book is for you. I’m definitely keen to revisit Point Perry and read others stories. 💕

[Barbara OLLIE Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book!!. I love a good Christmas story and Light Up My Heart brought me so much joy reading this.

Light up my Heart tells the story of 2 main characters Ryan (the Christmas Grinch) and Scarlett (a Christmas Fanatic), who through different circumstances and sad past events get brought together, with the help of a lovely lady called Aunt Lilac.

Such a heart-warming novel, please make it your next novel to read, you will absolutely love it.

[M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick Christmas read with all the feels!

Well, this was a fun read. While a little fast in places, this is a festive second chance romance filled with emotion and capped with a satisfying HEA. I definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a quick Christmas read with all the feels!

[Melissa Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I say, I love Christmas stories. They are such feel good books. What is even better about this one is it is based in Australia so it is a Summer Christmas Book so I was super excited.

This book is a quick read and the characters are a delight! After 15 years apart they meet back up again just in time for Christmas. This is a new to me author and I can’t wait to read more of their books.

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary Romance, small town, second chance, accident, off page bullying, friends to lovers.

This is a sweet small town romance where both come back to town after years away for different reasons. Set at Christmas time with the annual Christmas festival.

[Morgan Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

This was a good story. I just didn't think it was for me. It definitely will be for people who like Christmas type books.

[A Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlett and Ryan’s story is beautifully captivating. A small town romance with a few twists and turns that meant I couldn’t put this book down. Wonderfully written and such an easy read.

[Sara Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Sweet characters, I’m starting to get invested in this cute little town. 2nd in the Point Perry series. I want to move there.

[Heather Brocklehurst]

A lovely read, thanks Jo! 😊🎄❤️

[Leanne Lovegrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christmas stories and this one was beautiful 🎄

[Maggie Szabó · Rating 5 out of 5]

I put my hand up to be sent and ARC of this book, and I'm so glad I did! This novel is full of feel-good vibes, wonderfully Australian settings, and the most likeable and believable characters.
Up front - Romance is not a genre I usually read, I've previously found it to be a mushy-icky place where I really don't sink into the story. However this is the second book I've read in this genre which I've loved, so I think it's time to change my POV!
So in this book, the second instalment in Jo Speirs' Point Perry series, we meet Scarlett Reynolds, a woman who's just quit her job in the big smoke and is home for Christmas week with her family in Point Perry. She's glad to see them, but isn't letting on how bad things have become in her life. Ryan Black has recently returned to work as a nurse in the local hospital, remembering when he was there over a decade ago, and that good things happened. Those good things happened with Scarlett, but on their initial meeting, she doesn't remember him, and he can't forget her. It's Christmas, too, which is Scarlett's favourite time of year, but Ryan's least loved celebration.
Thus ensues a brilliant plot to bring the once-lovers back together, brought about by the locals in town. Scarlett's brilliantly sassy Aunt Lilac schemes and plots with the other town stalwarts to get Scarlett and Ryan helping out with the choir and jetty lights for the town's Christmas celebrations, thus forcing them to spend time together and reconnect.
Their feelings have been supressed for years, but it doesn't take long for them to be ignited again, and Jo Speirs knows how to apply just enough spice on the page to make it engaging and realistic.
It was an absolute joy to read, full of memorable characters, settings that would feel familiar to any Aussie, and with a great voice that I trust we'll be hearing a lot more from.
Well done, Jo!