The Christmas Catch

by Clare Lydon, Claire Storey (Narrator)

Two stranded travellers. One secret crush. Can they make it home without falling in love?

Thrown together when their plane conks out and a blizzard rolls in, Morgan Scott and her childhood friend Ali Bradford are on a mission to make it from Glasgow to Devon in time for Christmas.

The catch? Roads and trains are up the spout, Morgan’s patience is running low, and Ali has had a secret crush on Morgan since forever. But she can keep a lid on over two decades of unrequited love. Particularly when they keep having to share a bed. Absolutely no problem at all.

As Morgan and Ali inch south, they discover more about themselves and each other. This is one twisty road trip that takes them places they’ve never been before, and might just change their lives forever.

This holiday season, wrap yourself in the latest romantic comedy from the queen of British sapphic fiction, Clare Lydon. If you love riotous road trips, red-hot attraction, lashings of snow, plus all the festive feels, this is the book for you!

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Lesbian, Holiday, LGBT, Queer, Contemporary

Audible Audio

First published October 19, 2022

About the author

Clare Lydon is a London-based writer of contemporary lesbian romance. She's a No.1 best-seller on lesbian fiction charts around the globe with five full-length novels to her name, as well as writing the All I Want series, set to continue throughout 2016. If you love romantic comedies, prepare to fall head over heels in love.

If you like books shot through with witty dialogue, 3D characters and sharp observations of modern lesbian life, why not give Clare's books a try?

More at: www.clarelydon.co.uk

Get a copy of my free Christmas novella 'It Had To Be You' by signing up to my mailing list here:

www.clarelydon.co.uk/it-had-to-be-you

Reviews

[Della B · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Morgan and Ali want to do is to get home to celebrate Christmas with their families. Having met on their doomed to be canceled flight, Morgan becomes reacquainted with her hometown best friend’s little sister, Ali. Recognizing they are both headed to the same location, Morgan and Ali team up to try to make it home for the holidays. Unfortunately, the travel gods have other plans for them. 

The Christmas Catch, with Lydon’s sparkling wit, is a highly entertaining romantic read. The characters the duo meet along their travels are eclectically endearing and memorable. The slow burn romance is delicately dangled in front of the reader, never over powering nor repetitious. There is a beautiful balance in the writing, which unlike the trip home for Morgan and Ali, provides the reader with a comfortable and engaging journey.

I received a free advance review copy from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[pipsqueakreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas!

This was a cute book and one that I really enjoyed even though October is a little bit too early for a Christmas read for me. The main characters are childhood friends who become reacquainted one Christmas when the flight they were meant to be on gets delayed and they have to make alternative travel arrangements together. The road trip is an adventure and they meet different kinds of people and that was fun to read.

I think the story was pretty written well and I love the way Morgan and Ali were around each other -  strangers with some sort of familiarity. I love that they were comfortable with each other because they knew each other as children and at the same time, got to discover a lot more about themselves and each other as adults. I could see the sparks between them as well. I thought Ali's crush on Morgan was endearing and the way Morgan tried to reconcile kid Ali with adult Ali was terribly cute too.

The last third of the book had less Christmas fluff because one of the characters started to think further into the practicality of their relationship so that put a downer into the festive mood. But I thought that actually made me more interested and invested in the characters.

My first Christmas read for the year and I'm happy that it turned out to be so enjoyable.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I looove when one character had a crush on the other when they were younger, and now they're adults and start a romance. In this one, Ali has had a crush on Morgan since they were younger, and they run into each other on a flight they're both on to go home for Christmas. The flight gets canceled, so the two have to find their way home together. There were so many fun shenanigans as they try to make their way home and they meet some fun people along the way. The story did slow down when they got home and I wasn't as invested in the romance, but overall this was so fun and and a great Christmas romance to pick up!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and enjoyable 💕

One of my favourite Christmas reads!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read.

A trip home that went a few days too long instead of just hours and was far more adventurous than a plane ride. Our 2 MCs, Morgan and Ali planned to get on a plane and spend Christmas with family back home. Plan went out the window when the flight was delayed. The obvious solution is to go by land…Automobile? Sure…. But when there is high demand with limited supply, what do you do? Hitch a ride…or 2. Take a train, rent a car and since it’s been an eventful journey, why not cycle as well? That’s what Morgan and Ali went through just so they can be home before Christmas…Throw in a roll in the hay, feelings brewing….now wouldn’t that make an interesting read? And it only takes a little mishap to knock some senses into our MCs to make them realise that they are meant to be together after all even if the ocean separates them, albeit temporarily.

Solid 4 🌟

[Henriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas roadtrip from hell to heaven
I had an entertaining time reading the catchy „Christmas Catch“ on the first cold days of autumn. There is a roadtrip from hell. Our two heroines whose plane is grounded in Glasgow decide to chance their luck by taking to the road to reach their parents‘ home in Devon just before Christmas. Hyperbolic moments meet with „what else can go wrong“ (enter: a creative author with new ideas) and those two stumble and slide - at times literally - down south: Not without meeting quite a few lovely people on their way, not without catching feelings and not without some very hot moments. Not all is romcom there is just a pinch of serious to give this wonderful read more depth.
This is a book to be enjoyed with homemade gingerbread, mince pies and of course tea. If you crave a thoroughly English and thorougly entertaining Christmas f/f romance click „buy“ and enjoy.

PS: I loved the mention of Paddington and marmelade sandwiches. A subtle nod (and not the only one) to recent events. And Mistletoe got a honorable mention as well (another brilliant Christmas novel by Lydon).

I received an ARC. The review is left voluntarily while drinking tea.

[Simone11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first half of the book very much. So much fun things happened to the two MCs.
But at the end I was very annoyed with Ali why she thought there couldn’t be a future for them as a couple without really thinking it through or communicating with Morgan.

[XR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cute read for me. I loved all the cute little mishaps that happened to Morgan and Ali, as jinxed as they were, every incident just brought them closer together.

[LEAH · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ★ | Boringgggg. Bored. I’m bored. Yawn. Don’t get me wrong, there was funny moments and touches of humour that made the book lighthearted and fun for sure. But I wasn’t a fan of the stranded at every which way trope to begin with, so actually I don’t even know why I bothered with this one. Oops. Oh well. Nothing excited me. Ugh. Thought I’d give it a go. Wish I hadn’t. I believe this comes down to a personal disinterest as opposed to the writers credibility. Got 100 pages in. Nothing happened that made me want to carry on. So I didn’t. Gave up. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it as they say. Won’t be trying it again.

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb book from Ms Lydon; she just keeps producing little gems time after time. This one is low aghast, funny, romantic story of a childhood crush being fulfilled.
Ali had a crush on her older sisters friend Morgan Scott since forever. Then as fate would have it she bumps into Morgan at Glasgow airport during a snowstorm. Their plane is grounded and they both have to get home to Devon in time for Christmas. What follows is a funny, heartwarming story of dreams that really can come true, with a few hick-ups on the way. A lovely read that really does warm the heart. Would highly recommend.

[JulesGP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to read a book by this author for a long time and I’m glad I started with this Christmas book. Morgan lives in Glasgow and is flying home to Devon to be with her family. Unbeknownst to Morgan, her lifelong friend’s younger sister, Ali, is doing the exact same thing. Ali’s first crush was Morgan and she never forgot her. Because of a snowstorm, their flight is canceled and they end up joining forces to try to get home before Christmas. A funny, sweet sapphic road trip that puts me in mind of the planes, trains and automobiles movie. The book has a great mix of holiday vibes plus a romance that has just the right amount of spice and angst. Claire Storey is an absolute delight as the narrator.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first two thirds of the book very much! The Christmas spirit, both main characters and the tension building between them, the humor - it was very enjoyable and made me feel good.
I don't know what happened in the last third of the book. It just wasn't as good as the first part and I was even a little bit disappointed.
But it is still a nice read if you are in the mood for a Christmas story.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Christmas story. I would maybe say everything that happens, all that just piles on might be a bit too much, still it somehow works. It’s just me who thinks it’s too much, it could have been just this tiny bit less over the top.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cancelled flight home.
Reconnecting with a friend's little sister all grown up.
A shared, simple road trip home.
What could possibly go wrong?? With Clare Lydon's storyline - everything!
Morgan and Ali's journey home is anything but smooth. An abandoned car trip, a truck, train, bike, cows, a bed shared and emotions start to smolder. There is humor, well fleshed out characters and a smart, nicely developed and paced plot with slow burn romance. Doubts, questions asked and over thinking of feelings, heated kisses and nights to remember before the HEA.
An easy, quick read that brightened a gloomy week.

I rec'd a copy from the author. This is a completely voluntary and unbiased review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Catch by Clare Lydon is a fun and steamy sapphic novel that immediately put me in the holiday mood! Morgan and Ali are stuck in a car together for quite a long time, and you can just about imagine how many things can go wrong when you are traveling with someone you've had a crush on for ages through a snowstorm. They find out a lot they didn't know about each other along the way, and the close proximity/one bed tropes ended up being a delightful experience. There is just the right amount of steam that it wasn't too much for me, and I loved watching the relationship between the two blossom as the book went on.

I listened to the audiobook and have to say that is the way to go. Claire Storey was narrator extraordinaire, and I didn't want to stop listening to her. Morgan and Ali both have a viewpoint, and while it would have been nice to have one narrator for each of them, I was still completely satisfied with just having Storey. The Christmas Catch made me laugh out loud so much, but there are also a ton of heartfelt and teary moments as well. I was a little surprised by where the author takes part of the end, as it felt a little unnecessary for the characters to reach the resolution they do. I didn't particularly care for that part, but the rest of the book was a trip (no pun intended), and I will definitely be reading Lydon again!

[Stuffl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dieser Roman ist eine wunderschöne Weihnachtsgeschichte über zwei Frauen, die an einem Flughafen gestrandet sind und nun gemeinsam versuchen bis Weihnachten bei ihren Familien zu sein. Daraus entwickelt sich ein Roadtrip der besonderen Art mit allem was nur schief und gleichzeitig doch gut gehen kann. Denn Ali und Morgan kennen sich schon seit Kindertagen und Ali war schon immer heimlich in Morgan verliebt. Doch schien sie für Ali immer unerreichbar. Doch jetzt - 20 Jahre später - sitzen beide zusammen in einem Auto und versuchen durch einen Schneesturm zu kommen.

Die Dynamik zwischen Ali und Morgan war sehr witzig und schön. Die beiden hatten sofort eine Verbindung, die der Roadtrip nur noch verstärkt hat. Auch die Geschehnisse um die beiden herum waren sehr unterhaltsam und hatte einfach eine herzerwärmende und weihnachtliche Atmosphäre. Das Knistern war herzallerliebst und holla, ich habe nicht gewusst, dass Lebekuchenhäuser bauen so romantisch und elektrisierend sein kann. Das werde ich nun mit ganz anderen Augen sehen.

Ich habe schon viele Bücher von Clare Lydon gelesen und mag ihren Schreibstil sehr. Sie schafft tolle Charaktere, die Ecken und Kanten haben, und vor allem eine wunderschöne Atmossphäre und Energie, die die Bücher versprühen. Auch hier ist ihr das gelungen. Der einzige Kritikpunkt ist für mich der Konflikt im letzten Abschnitt des Buches. Es war mir etwas zu lang gezogen und es wurde über mehrere Kapitel wiederholt, so dass die Geschichte etwas ins stocken geraten ist. Das fand ich etwas schade. Allerdings hat es nicht dazu geführt, dass ich das Buch weniger genossen habe. Ich mochte es wirklich sehr und kann es ganz klar empfehlen.

Danke an NetGalley für die Bereitstellung eines Rezensionsexemplar.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tenía planeada una reseña demoledora para este libro.

Hoy después de pensarlo mucho entiendo que eso no va a pasar. Solo diré que este libro es exactamente un ejemplo del talento y de qué es posible crear algo en época navideña con un cliché funcional y con esa sensación que hace saber en qué época del año estás en todo momento, la diferencia a lo que estaba leyendo con anterioridad es clara y ahora entiendo porque...

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Christmas romance. 4.25 stars

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s a class act, Clare Lydon, a very safe pair of hands. I always know when I start to read one of her books that I’ll love it, held safe like a baby in a crib. Highly recommended.

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Catch by Clare Lydon is my first festive book of the season and it was an excellent way to start!

Ali harboured a crush on Morgan throughout her teen years, with Morgan oblivious at the time. They reunite on a cancelled flight to their hometown and decide to find a way back together so they can make it in time for Christmas. What follows is a hilarious journey of broken transport, colourful side characters and a lot of Christmas cheer.

This book is super sweet, with a definite comedic flair. I loved the reunited school girl crush aspect, particularly when it develops into romance in present day. There are some serious topics in this too, which Lydon balances well.

All in all, a great Christmas novel.

Many thanks to Clare Lydon for providing me a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

let it once be me
let it once be me
let it once be me
let it once be me
let it once be me
let it once be me

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Cute!

Morgan and Ali knew each other as children but when they are both struggling to get home for Christmas from Glasgow, they team up. With their options running out, they embark on a travel adventure where they end up discovering much more about one another and a connection they didn’t know they had.

I loved every second of this. It was everything I love about Clare’s stories, heartwarming but also packed with unforgettable and comedy moments. Morgan and Ali were a great pair as they both had very different views about Christmas and about what they would do to get home. They both had fantastic skills that helped them along the way and without each other I’m sure they would have remained stuck in Glasgow.

There were so many moments where I could laugh with the characters, cringe with them about the situations they found themselves in, and feel like I was a part of their adventure too. Clare always makes Christmas stories sound wonderful and magical and it is great to immerse yourself in complete festive cheer. The connection between Morgan and Ali was brilliant. They really complimented one another and despite not really knowing one another well, they soon found they had more in common than just being aware of one another from childhood friendships.

Clare put them in some pretty amusing situations but every time they overcame the problem or just dealt with it even if it was a bit unsettling or worried them. They had determination and nice people to help them along, which restored faith that kind people are out there willing to help strangers.
Of course, there was drama, and a lot of unexpected scenes too, but it just made for a completely fantastic Christmas Romance that will leave you with that warm, fuzzy, festive feeling.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Lydon books. It's a great holiday read, but is nice for any time of the year. Lots of good feels.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute love story with a lot of crazy things happening
Like, when you think it can't get worse than that, it does 😂

My 4-star review it's because is hard to believe that after having a crush on Morgan all her life, Ali wouldn't want even try to have a relationship with her, I mean, seriously? Man, I am a glass-almost-full-empty kind of person and even I would still try for my forever crush (probably the love of my life)

Also, I really don't understand how people in books leave their cats/dogs behind with other people when they move like Ali did, even if I had to move to another country I would take my babies with me, I'd never go without them, never!

[Sidereal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traveling is one of my favorite Christmas sub-themes in fiction. There's just something enjoyable about mixing a character journey with a holiday I generally associate with cold weather. Having two people go through it together magnifies things, and it's learning about themselves through each other's perspective that I like the most. I'm particularly endeared to Ali's side of the story and how she accepts that she can have her cake and eat it, too.

It's difficult to describe what happens in The Christmas Catch without spoiling anything because even seemingly small events can end up having considerable effects later on. Things come full circle, sometimes in ways I didn't expect. There were parts were I laughed and parts were I cried, and both at the same time.

I also have to say that I love how Clare Lydon describes the setting. Whenever I read her books, I always have a vivid picture of the world in my head. Sprinkle in interesting side characters, things that go bump in the night, and general misfortune with and around technology, and you've got a road trip that's both funny and toasty. And it tilts to the toasty side quite a bit.

I received an ARC for The Christmas Catch. I leave this review freely.

[Rachel Bowdler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Christmas Catch had some of my favourite festive tropes, from forced proximity to only one bed! Is there anything better than watching two characters flail on a disaster trip while also falling in love? Of course, that it’s sapphic, funny, and festive with a sprinkle of angst made it even better. My first time reading a book by Clare Lydon but certainly not my last!

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is quite an adventure witch started on the first chapter and never stopped throughout the book. The characters are lovely and sweet. Clare you put up a nice and warm holiday/Christmas story.

I got an ARC copy of this book for a honest review

[Romina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5☆

وایب کریسمسشو دوست داشتم ولی حوصله سربر بود. مخصوصا از ۵۰ درصد به بعد. اگه یه چیزی باشه که ازش متنفرم شخصیتای لجبازه و لجبازی الی خیلی رو اعصاب بود چون اصلا منطقی نبود و فقط برای جلو بردن پلات بود.
از یه طرفم به نظرم تاکید روی اینکه میتونن ماهی یه بار از لندن پرواز کنن به نیویورک و هرجایی میخوان برن و هرکاری میخوان بکنن یکم...نمیدونم. یه جوری بود.

[zara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

thus was good. super cute. and then it goes downhill when they actually got back home 😭