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The Christmas Market
Jas saw the light when her ex dumped her treasured vintage fabric all over the street. She's back in her home town with a plan to launch her hat-making business at the Christmas market in the beautiful Georgian square.
But the Ballyclane she returns to is not the one she left nine years ago. Her mother has a new man and Jas's old room is a walk-in wardrobe now. Her beloved gran has died and the house Jas hoped to work from is a bonanza for property developers instead.
And no one is organising the Christmas market! There's just enough time to manage that and keep her business plan on track. She certainly doesn't have time for Niall, the smoky-eyed, posh boy builder, hell-bent on breaking her heart.
With a best friend hiding a secret, a childhood nemesis determined to take her down, and a beautiful French angel enchanting everybody, Jas struggles to get a grip on what's real.
Still, she might find everything she needs at the market this Christmas if she can let herself truly believe…
But the Ballyclane she returns to is not the one she left nine years ago. Her mother has a new man and Jas's old room is a walk-in wardrobe now. Her beloved gran has died and the house Jas hoped to work from is a bonanza for property developers instead.
And no one is organising the Christmas market! There's just enough time to manage that and keep her business plan on track. She certainly doesn't have time for Niall, the smoky-eyed, posh boy builder, hell-bent on breaking her heart.
With a best friend hiding a secret, a childhood nemesis determined to take her down, and a beautiful French angel enchanting everybody, Jas struggles to get a grip on what's real.
Still, she might find everything she needs at the market this Christmas if she can let herself truly believe…
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Published November 28, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 30, 2024
The Christmas Market is a cosy festive novel by Linda McEvoy.
❤️ Blurb -
Jas saw the light when her ex dumped her treasured vintage fabric all over the street. She's back in her home town with a plan to launch her hat-making business at the Christmas market in the beautiful Georgian square.
But the Ballyclane she returns to is not the one she left nine years ago. Her mother has a new man and Jas's old room is a walk-in wardrobe now. Her beloved gran has died and the house Jas hoped to work from is a bonanza for property developers instead.
And no one is organising the Christmas market! There's just enough time to manage that and keep her business plan on track. She certainly doesn't have time for Niall, the smoky-eyed, posh boy builder, hell-bent on breaking her heart.
With a best friend hiding a secret, a childhood nemesis determined to take her down, and a beautiful French angel enchanting everybody, Jas struggles to get a grip on what's real.
Still, she might find everything she needs at the market this Christmas if she can let herself truly believe…
💜 Review -
This was such a cute and cosy read. It's the perfect book to curl up with over the festive season. I loved following Jas through the novel as she tries to make the towns festive market a success. The story was easy to follow, had a good cast of characters and the pacing was just right. For a debut novel, this book was brilliant. I highly recommend The Christmas Market and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💖 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the publisher and author, Linda McEvoy for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
❤️ Blurb -
Jas saw the light when her ex dumped her treasured vintage fabric all over the street. She's back in her home town with a plan to launch her hat-making business at the Christmas market in the beautiful Georgian square.
But the Ballyclane she returns to is not the one she left nine years ago. Her mother has a new man and Jas's old room is a walk-in wardrobe now. Her beloved gran has died and the house Jas hoped to work from is a bonanza for property developers instead.
And no one is organising the Christmas market! There's just enough time to manage that and keep her business plan on track. She certainly doesn't have time for Niall, the smoky-eyed, posh boy builder, hell-bent on breaking her heart.
With a best friend hiding a secret, a childhood nemesis determined to take her down, and a beautiful French angel enchanting everybody, Jas struggles to get a grip on what's real.
Still, she might find everything she needs at the market this Christmas if she can let herself truly believe…
💜 Review -
This was such a cute and cosy read. It's the perfect book to curl up with over the festive season. I loved following Jas through the novel as she tries to make the towns festive market a success. The story was easy to follow, had a good cast of characters and the pacing was just right. For a debut novel, this book was brilliant. I highly recommend The Christmas Market and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💖 Thank you to Random Things Tours, the publisher and author, Linda McEvoy for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2024
Good writing, lovely small-town Stars Hollows in Ireland vibes and characters, but i just personally hate when miscommunication is used to drive the plot forward and it went on for like half of the book
October 3, 2024
ahh this was such a cute, quirky novel brimming with romance and festivities. It definitely got me in the Christmas spirit.
Our main protagonist Jas comes across as having quite a negative view on situations and always assumes rather than finding out the facts. This all stems from her school experience and previous relationships. It's quite sad really that she doesn't realise her own potential, and for this reason, I was really rooting for her.
Niall, despite coming from money, is down to earth and a pillar in the community. As for the rest of the characters, they were all ages great addition to the story and were really developed well.
Honestly, this is a cutsey winter read perfect to snuggle down under a blanket with. A huge thank you to Randomthingstours to be a part of the tour.
Our main protagonist Jas comes across as having quite a negative view on situations and always assumes rather than finding out the facts. This all stems from her school experience and previous relationships. It's quite sad really that she doesn't realise her own potential, and for this reason, I was really rooting for her.
Niall, despite coming from money, is down to earth and a pillar in the community. As for the rest of the characters, they were all ages great addition to the story and were really developed well.
Honestly, this is a cutsey winter read perfect to snuggle down under a blanket with. A huge thank you to Randomthingstours to be a part of the tour.
September 26, 2024
The Christmas Market is a lovely, quiky, cozy festive novel of romance, full of the magic of Christmas time.
We follow our main character, Jas, who's finally realised what her boyfriend is really like, so leaves and returns to her home town of Ballyclane, where she plans on selling hats at the Christmas market. But will Jas get what she wants? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, although this isn't my usual type of read, I did enjoy it.
It's the perfect winter read to settle down on the couch with, get comfortable with a nice hot drink and while away the time turning the pages.
There's a nice cast of characters, with decent depth, and the story flows well with good pace.
I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
We follow our main character, Jas, who's finally realised what her boyfriend is really like, so leaves and returns to her home town of Ballyclane, where she plans on selling hats at the Christmas market. But will Jas get what she wants? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, although this isn't my usual type of read, I did enjoy it.
It's the perfect winter read to settle down on the couch with, get comfortable with a nice hot drink and while away the time turning the pages.
There's a nice cast of characters, with decent depth, and the story flows well with good pace.
I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
October 3, 2024
Such a cute cosy Christmas book! Definitely getting me into the Christmas mood!
The story follows a woman named Jas who wants to make Christmas Markets a success again in her town.
I can't believe this is a debut novel! Fantastic! Well written and easy to read! It just flows!
It's not long for our Christmas markets 😍.
The story follows a woman named Jas who wants to make Christmas Markets a success again in her town.
I can't believe this is a debut novel! Fantastic! Well written and easy to read! It just flows!
It's not long for our Christmas markets 😍.
January 10, 2025
Everything you want in a Christmas romance.
December 20, 2024
Welp that was a book
Liked the Christmas side of it but as for the romantic plot I was losing my mind! Like it was driving me up the wall
Liked the Christmas side of it but as for the romantic plot I was losing my mind! Like it was driving me up the wall
December 6, 2024
Three and a half. I love the idea of a story about a Christmas market, something I do myself but did find it a bit irritating that she kept ignoring that Niall obviously wanted her, it was blatantly obvious and just talk to him, but like the hats, nice change to usual Christmas market stall
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2024
After Jas’ relationship ends she decides to return to her home town of Ballyclane to start again and launch her hand made hats at the Christmas Market. But to her horror her sister who normally organises the Christmas market is unable to. So Jas decides to take matters into her own hands. Can Jas make her hats and the Christmas market a success?
I had to start this review by saying how much I liked the front cover of this book. As soon as I saw it it reminded me of Christmas cards and the Christmas markets which I love to visit every year.
When I first started to read I felt truly sad and heartbroken for Jas especially because the book starts with Jas’ boyfriend throwing Jas’ fabric out of the window. This is fabric that Jas has collected and gathered so that she can use them in her hat designs. It was a scene that enraged me but it is also the scene that is a turning point for Jas. It makes her realise that she’s been holding on to a relationship that is going nowhere but also that her boyfriend has no respect for her, her belongings or her craft. It is this that prompts Jas to return home but things are very different than the Ballyclane she remembers. I found myself cheering Jas on when she decides to organise the Christmas market because it is also a big step in her career on sharing her hat designs with others.
One of the things that's very clear is that Jas lacks confidence. She is a fantastic designer and creates these amazing designs but she doesn't have the confidence to put herself out there and share her creations with the world. It isn’t clear to begin with why Jas lacks confidence but when she talks about her past and childhood it’s clear that she was bullied which had a big impact on her. So she prefers to blend into the background rather than to put herself forward.
This is a book about moving forward and moving on. When Jas returns to her home town she expects it to be exactly as it was when she left but things have changed. Her mother is now in a relationship and the future of her grandparents’ home remains uncertain. Although Jas wants to live in the house and use it as a base for her work she doesn't tell her mother this. I can definitely understand why Jas is attached to her grandparents’ house because she feels her grandmother's presence there and she wants to be close to her grandmother.
When it comes to Niall Jas is very unsure about him to begin. She is also reluctant to start anything new with Niall not only because of what happened in her previous relationship but also because she isn’t confident enough to tell him how she feels or what she wants.
I loved the idea of the Christmas market because it not only celebrated Christmas but also showcased what the town had to offer including local products and produce. I had so many favourite scenes in the book but the one that will stick with me is where Jas starts to sell her hats and when Niall tells Jas that he believes in her. It’s the words that she needed to hear and it makes Jas realise that there are people around her that love and care about her and that maybe it’s time she started to believe in herself.
A festive read.
I had to start this review by saying how much I liked the front cover of this book. As soon as I saw it it reminded me of Christmas cards and the Christmas markets which I love to visit every year.
When I first started to read I felt truly sad and heartbroken for Jas especially because the book starts with Jas’ boyfriend throwing Jas’ fabric out of the window. This is fabric that Jas has collected and gathered so that she can use them in her hat designs. It was a scene that enraged me but it is also the scene that is a turning point for Jas. It makes her realise that she’s been holding on to a relationship that is going nowhere but also that her boyfriend has no respect for her, her belongings or her craft. It is this that prompts Jas to return home but things are very different than the Ballyclane she remembers. I found myself cheering Jas on when she decides to organise the Christmas market because it is also a big step in her career on sharing her hat designs with others.
One of the things that's very clear is that Jas lacks confidence. She is a fantastic designer and creates these amazing designs but she doesn't have the confidence to put herself out there and share her creations with the world. It isn’t clear to begin with why Jas lacks confidence but when she talks about her past and childhood it’s clear that she was bullied which had a big impact on her. So she prefers to blend into the background rather than to put herself forward.
This is a book about moving forward and moving on. When Jas returns to her home town she expects it to be exactly as it was when she left but things have changed. Her mother is now in a relationship and the future of her grandparents’ home remains uncertain. Although Jas wants to live in the house and use it as a base for her work she doesn't tell her mother this. I can definitely understand why Jas is attached to her grandparents’ house because she feels her grandmother's presence there and she wants to be close to her grandmother.
When it comes to Niall Jas is very unsure about him to begin. She is also reluctant to start anything new with Niall not only because of what happened in her previous relationship but also because she isn’t confident enough to tell him how she feels or what she wants.
I loved the idea of the Christmas market because it not only celebrated Christmas but also showcased what the town had to offer including local products and produce. I had so many favourite scenes in the book but the one that will stick with me is where Jas starts to sell her hats and when Niall tells Jas that he believes in her. It’s the words that she needed to hear and it makes Jas realise that there are people around her that love and care about her and that maybe it’s time she started to believe in herself.
A festive read.
December 19, 2025
cosy Christmas read
The Christmas Market by Linda McEvoy is a warm, emotional festive read that beautifully captures the magic of Christmas while gently exploring love, loss, and second chances. Set against the twinkling backdrop of a traditional Christmas market, the story follows characters who are each carrying their own worries, regrets, and hopes into the festive season.
As the stalls glow with lights and the scent of mulled wine fills the air, old wounds resurface and new connections begin to form. Linda McEvoy writes with real tenderness, showing how even the smallest acts of kindness can bring comfort during difficult times. The Christmas market isn’t just a setting—it becomes a place of healing, reflection, and quiet transformation.
What makes this book especially touching is its emotional honesty. The characters feel real and relatable, their struggles heartfelt, and their journeys towards hope deeply satisfying. There’s romance, friendship, and a strong sense of community, all wrapped in festive charm without ever feeling superficial.
Perfect for curling up with on a cold winter’s night, The Christmas Market is a gentle, uplifting reminder that Christmas can bring new beginnings—even when hearts feel heavy. A lovely choice for readers who enjoy emotional festive fiction with warmth, depth, and plenty of heart. 🎄✨
The Christmas Market by Linda McEvoy is a warm, emotional festive read that beautifully captures the magic of Christmas while gently exploring love, loss, and second chances. Set against the twinkling backdrop of a traditional Christmas market, the story follows characters who are each carrying their own worries, regrets, and hopes into the festive season.
As the stalls glow with lights and the scent of mulled wine fills the air, old wounds resurface and new connections begin to form. Linda McEvoy writes with real tenderness, showing how even the smallest acts of kindness can bring comfort during difficult times. The Christmas market isn’t just a setting—it becomes a place of healing, reflection, and quiet transformation.
What makes this book especially touching is its emotional honesty. The characters feel real and relatable, their struggles heartfelt, and their journeys towards hope deeply satisfying. There’s romance, friendship, and a strong sense of community, all wrapped in festive charm without ever feeling superficial.
Perfect for curling up with on a cold winter’s night, The Christmas Market is a gentle, uplifting reminder that Christmas can bring new beginnings—even when hearts feel heavy. A lovely choice for readers who enjoy emotional festive fiction with warmth, depth, and plenty of heart. 🎄✨
November 4, 2025
The Christmas Market by Linda McEvoy
Blurb
Jas saw the light when her ex dumped her treasured vintage fabric all over the street. She's back in her home town with a plan to launch her hat-making business at the Christmas market in the beautiful Georgian square.
But the Ballyclane she returns to is not the one she left nine years ago. Her mother has a new man and Jas's old room is a walk-in wardrobe now. Her beloved gran has died and the house Jas hoped to work from is a bonanza for property developers instead.
And no one is organising the Christmas market! There's just enough time to manage that and keep her business plan on track. She certainly doesn't have time for Niall, the smoky-eyed, posh boy builder, hell-bent on breaking her heart.
With a best friend hiding a secret, a childhood nemesis determined to take her down, and a beautiful French angel enchanting everybody, Jas struggles to get a grip on what's real.
Still, she might find everything she needs at the market this Christmas if she can let herself truly believe…
My Opinion
The Christmas Market was a cosy, festive novel. A quick and easy read. In places I found myself getting frustrated with some of the characters but nevertheless, this was a pleasant read.
Rating 3/5
Blurb
Jas saw the light when her ex dumped her treasured vintage fabric all over the street. She's back in her home town with a plan to launch her hat-making business at the Christmas market in the beautiful Georgian square.
But the Ballyclane she returns to is not the one she left nine years ago. Her mother has a new man and Jas's old room is a walk-in wardrobe now. Her beloved gran has died and the house Jas hoped to work from is a bonanza for property developers instead.
And no one is organising the Christmas market! There's just enough time to manage that and keep her business plan on track. She certainly doesn't have time for Niall, the smoky-eyed, posh boy builder, hell-bent on breaking her heart.
With a best friend hiding a secret, a childhood nemesis determined to take her down, and a beautiful French angel enchanting everybody, Jas struggles to get a grip on what's real.
Still, she might find everything she needs at the market this Christmas if she can let herself truly believe…
My Opinion
The Christmas Market was a cosy, festive novel. A quick and easy read. In places I found myself getting frustrated with some of the characters but nevertheless, this was a pleasant read.
Rating 3/5
October 9, 2024
I love a good holiday read, especially so when it has a rollercoaster of emotions and events that tumble down everywhere, making it extra exciting.
This book has a wonderful main character, who has a good heart and great inspiration, for the holiday season. It was so funs to read along as she took on the challenge of the Christmas market, trying to keep the old traditions alive and start her hat business back up for the market. I loved seeing how she handled all the changes in her family and surroundings and what she did once she met her interesting love interest that she tried to fight engaging with.
This book is exciting, engaging and has lots of banter that provides a very humourous story for the emotional ride you go on. Plus, it is set round the holidays!
This book has a wonderful main character, who has a good heart and great inspiration, for the holiday season. It was so funs to read along as she took on the challenge of the Christmas market, trying to keep the old traditions alive and start her hat business back up for the market. I loved seeing how she handled all the changes in her family and surroundings and what she did once she met her interesting love interest that she tried to fight engaging with.
This book is exciting, engaging and has lots of banter that provides a very humourous story for the emotional ride you go on. Plus, it is set round the holidays!
November 17, 2024
This debut novel had me smiling at the instantly recognisable Irish humour, warmth, self-deprecating female protagonist and hot as hell love
Interest. Loved the hats aspect. So original. Dealt with some serious themes that had you rooting for the protagonist from the start. Loved the connection with the Square, her gran, her French friend and all the Christmas market detail. Secondary characters were also fabulous and convincing and I really enjoyed seeing how everyone ‘grew’ throughout the book. Look forward to her next novel.
Interest. Loved the hats aspect. So original. Dealt with some serious themes that had you rooting for the protagonist from the start. Loved the connection with the Square, her gran, her French friend and all the Christmas market detail. Secondary characters were also fabulous and convincing and I really enjoyed seeing how everyone ‘grew’ throughout the book. Look forward to her next novel.
December 7, 2024
Jas is a wonderful character. She is warm, loving, talented and a bag full of worries! It takes one to know one but to top it off, Jas always seems to get the wrong end of the stick. Her anxieties mean she doesn’t listen properly. She doesn’t believe in herself. When she returns home to her beloved Ballyclane she throws herself into organising the annual Christmas Market. Along the way she meets new friends and reunites with old ones - unfortunately her school bully is there too but there are many people there to lift her up and help her with her new business selling bespoke hats if she would only stop to listen. This is an uplifting Christmassy read all about the power of family and friendship. Romance will blossom and enemies thwarted. A perfect read, even if Jas is frustratingly naive.
October 6, 2024
This was fun and warm, with plenty of laugh-out loud moments. One in particular (The Harry Styles/One Direction joke) had me properly laughing on a packed EasyJet flight!)
The Christmas Market features a lovely cast of characters led by the charming Jas, who won't let life grind her down and who finally finds her feet and confronts her demons back in her home town. Linda has a lovely voice, and I really look forward to reading whatever she writes next.
The Christmas Market features a lovely cast of characters led by the charming Jas, who won't let life grind her down and who finally finds her feet and confronts her demons back in her home town. Linda has a lovely voice, and I really look forward to reading whatever she writes next.
February 1, 2025
Jas finally realises that her boyfriend is no good for her, and moves back to her home town of Ballyclane. She plans to start her handmade hat business, with it's unveiling at the Christmas market.
I thought that I was really going to enjoy this book when I first started it, but not far in, Jas started constantly jumping to conclusions and from there the book ran on miscommunication and self doubt, making it not the cosy read that I was expecting.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for letting me read a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
I thought that I was really going to enjoy this book when I first started it, but not far in, Jas started constantly jumping to conclusions and from there the book ran on miscommunication and self doubt, making it not the cosy read that I was expecting.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for letting me read a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
January 5, 2025
My palate cleanser festive chick- lit! Pretty easy to work out where the story is headed from the get-go. I personally wasn't keen on miscommunication being the premise of least half the book because there's no way that you wouldn't ask questions/could be that dim 🤣
January 5, 2025
Fácil de leer, un libro romántico ligero. Ambientado en diferentes pueblos de irlanda. Me lo leí en inglés y se entiende perfectamente. Recomiendo leerlo si no sabes qué más leer, especialmente en época navideña. Le doy dos estrellas porque es bastante predecible, pero no me ha disgustado.
January 25, 2025
Cozy, charming read. Brought me back home with imagery of a small town in Ireland and how communities rally together to create some magic for Christmas. A quick and easy read to get into the festive spirit.
January 28, 2025
I loved Ballyclane and the setting, Amelié, Niall and the rest but for me Jas drove me crazy. I had to keep stopping to scream at her in frustration, just talk to people! Still a sweet holiday romance with growth in characters, just not for me but I'm sure it's a lot of others cup of tea!
January 30, 2025
This story captures life in a small Irish town perfectly where the action centres around the café, the pub and in this case, the lovely Georgian square. Jas is an appealing character and we really want everything to work out for her. Perfect holiday reading, especially in the run up to Christmas.
August 22, 2025
A cute Christmas novel, probably not a good idea to read it in August as I'm very excited for a time of year that's pretty far away 🤣 The ending was predictable, but that's the beauty of a rom com novel, you know what to expect but enjoy it nonetheless.
December 11, 2024
I adored this cozy Christmas read! It was charming, funny and really took me out of my day to day life. A wonderful book to curl up with next to the fire!
December 27, 2024
Easy read rom com! Kept me entertained
December 29, 2024
A pleasant Christmassy read, though the love mix ups frustrated me.
January 3, 2025
Lovely Xmas story. Main character so frustratingly stubborn. My first audiobook!
November 23, 2025
It’s the first time I’ve read a book from this author and I’m sure it won’t be the last. A lovely simple story of family, misunderstandings and Christmas, so what’s not to love.
November 26, 2025
A lovely little read for Christmas !
December 30, 2025
A Netflix-Christmas-movie book. The movies are better. Forgettable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews