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A Scottish Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of year . . . to fall in love.
Rose Aldridge was not expecting to be working the festive period in a pop-up Christmas shop. She wasn’t expecting to be offered a job by a handsome, brooding Scotsman either!
Alastair Duncan hates Christmas. His wife left him and his daughter on Christmas Eve. Now his family have announced they are coming to stay at his sprawling Scottish estate. He needs help planning the perfect Christmas. When he meets Rose, looking fed-up selling tinsel and baubles, he offers her the job. To his surprise she accepts.
Rose wastes no time Christmas-tree shopping and party planning. Before long the Duncan family estate is a mass of ribbons, presents and twinkling lights — even the family goat, Houdini, gets into the festive spirit!
But the more time Rose spends with the Duncan family, especially Alastair’s 12-year-old daughter, Isla, the more Alastair sees how perfectly she fits in . . . and the ice around his heart begins to thaw.
As Christmas Eve approaches, and Rose is due to return home, it’s time for the Christmas magic to weave its spell . . .
Christmas Romance Single-dad Romance Grumpy x Sunshine Opposites Attract Slow-Burn This heartwarming and uplifting Christmas romance is perfect for fans of Lucy Coleman, Sarah Morgan, Phillipa Ashley, Cressida McLaughlin, Emma Heatherington, Sarah Bennett and Maxine Morrey.
Rose Aldridge was not expecting to be working the festive period in a pop-up Christmas shop. She wasn’t expecting to be offered a job by a handsome, brooding Scotsman either!
Alastair Duncan hates Christmas. His wife left him and his daughter on Christmas Eve. Now his family have announced they are coming to stay at his sprawling Scottish estate. He needs help planning the perfect Christmas. When he meets Rose, looking fed-up selling tinsel and baubles, he offers her the job. To his surprise she accepts.
Rose wastes no time Christmas-tree shopping and party planning. Before long the Duncan family estate is a mass of ribbons, presents and twinkling lights — even the family goat, Houdini, gets into the festive spirit!
But the more time Rose spends with the Duncan family, especially Alastair’s 12-year-old daughter, Isla, the more Alastair sees how perfectly she fits in . . . and the ice around his heart begins to thaw.
As Christmas Eve approaches, and Rose is due to return home, it’s time for the Christmas magic to weave its spell . . .
Christmas Romance Single-dad Romance Grumpy x Sunshine Opposites Attract Slow-Burn This heartwarming and uplifting Christmas romance is perfect for fans of Lucy Coleman, Sarah Morgan, Phillipa Ashley, Cressida McLaughlin, Emma Heatherington, Sarah Bennett and Maxine Morrey.
Audible Audio
First published October 9, 2024
416 people are currently reading
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About the author
Emma Bennet
17 books124 followersEmma grew up and lived in London, before falling in love and moving to Wales to marry her own hero. Emma now lives with her husband, 4 children, and many animals a few miles outside of a small Welsh market town. She can often be found in rivers attempting to control two overexcited chocolate labradors.
Seven charming romances are currently available from the Amazon bestselling authoress:
Number 1 Australian kindle bestseller, 'His Secret Daughter', is the heart-rending story of Iris, a woman falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter.
The beautiful landscape around her home gave Emma the inspiration for 'The Green Hills of Home', a tale of love and duty in which country girl Gwen struggles to save her family home and avoid her feelings for her handsome, suave new boss. Is he quite all he seems?
'Snowed in for her Wedding Day' is a novella picking up Gwen's story as her wedding day approaches, but with terrible weather, and an absent groom, will she have the happy ending she so deserves?
'Just Desserts' is a novella about confused chef Leah, who's falling for her handsome French co-worker Jean-Claude, but meant to be marrying to Dan in just a few weeks! Who will she choose?
'Her Perfect Hero' was released in July 2015 as 'I Need a Hero', it's a lovely comic romantic read for anyone who's ever searched for Mr Right (and failed to find him!). Despair of Bronte, a romance writer, incapable of spotting when the perfect man is right next door! Full of horses, country houses and dentists, just beware of the foul-tempered cat Mr Darcy!
'Starstruck', proves that falling in love with a rock star is harder than you'd think! When newly divorced Kate finds school friend, now super famous rock star Joseph Wild, on her doorstep, her whole quiet, ordinary life is thrown into disarray. Is the attraction between them enough to make up for all the hurdles they have to cross if they want to be together?
Latest release, 'Her Sister's Baby' is a beautiful and emotional story about grief, the promises we make and finding love in the most unexpected of places.
Emma likes (in no particular order): cake, books, Cary Grant films, prosecco, chocolate, guinea pigs, knitting, quilting and happily ever afters!
Seven charming romances are currently available from the Amazon bestselling authoress:
Number 1 Australian kindle bestseller, 'His Secret Daughter', is the heart-rending story of Iris, a woman falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter.
The beautiful landscape around her home gave Emma the inspiration for 'The Green Hills of Home', a tale of love and duty in which country girl Gwen struggles to save her family home and avoid her feelings for her handsome, suave new boss. Is he quite all he seems?
'Snowed in for her Wedding Day' is a novella picking up Gwen's story as her wedding day approaches, but with terrible weather, and an absent groom, will she have the happy ending she so deserves?
'Just Desserts' is a novella about confused chef Leah, who's falling for her handsome French co-worker Jean-Claude, but meant to be marrying to Dan in just a few weeks! Who will she choose?
'Her Perfect Hero' was released in July 2015 as 'I Need a Hero', it's a lovely comic romantic read for anyone who's ever searched for Mr Right (and failed to find him!). Despair of Bronte, a romance writer, incapable of spotting when the perfect man is right next door! Full of horses, country houses and dentists, just beware of the foul-tempered cat Mr Darcy!
'Starstruck', proves that falling in love with a rock star is harder than you'd think! When newly divorced Kate finds school friend, now super famous rock star Joseph Wild, on her doorstep, her whole quiet, ordinary life is thrown into disarray. Is the attraction between them enough to make up for all the hurdles they have to cross if they want to be together?
Latest release, 'Her Sister's Baby' is a beautiful and emotional story about grief, the promises we make and finding love in the most unexpected of places.
Emma likes (in no particular order): cake, books, Cary Grant films, prosecco, chocolate, guinea pigs, knitting, quilting and happily ever afters!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
December 1, 2024
Was this the best holiday romance that I've ever read? Nah. But it was EXACTLY what I needed right now and that's why it's getting an enthusiastic 3 stars. It was a perfect, sweet and low angst-dare I say ZERO angst-read. I could totally see Hallmark adapting this.
Head empty only Scottish Christmas vibes
Head empty only Scottish Christmas vibes
November 3, 2025
A Scottish Christmas
3✨
3✨
December 26, 2024
Een boek op minder dan een week uitgelezen... Dan weet je dat het goed was. Dit had mijn romantisch zieltje nodig. 🥹
Read
December 2, 20242.5 stars. Meh story, meh plot, meh characters. But it's Christmasy and that's what I was looking for.
December 29, 2025
cutesy and cheesy holiday romance, enjoyable and easy to read!
December 12, 2024
2.5 🌟
ok loved the setting obvi but the writing was immature, no spice 🌶️, and I kept catching typos which really takes me out
ok loved the setting obvi but the writing was immature, no spice 🌶️, and I kept catching typos which really takes me out
November 24, 2024
I was so bored the entire book. And it was odd that almost the entire book was from Rose's POV except for like 3 pages right in the middle.
December 17, 2024
Nope. Sorry. That's not how you do it. The meet cute happened on the first chapter... I don't even have a description of the characters yet, how am I supposed to picture it? Also what is the need to describe each f-ing meal? Why do I need to know when everyone is having a shower?? Elipsis was needed badly!!
Also, you have a hot and tall Scottish single daddy... and there is only kissing???? No, ma'am, I expected way more.
This star is for Houdini, because I enjoy originally named pets. Especially if they are a cute goat. But not even him could save this book.
Also, you have a hot and tall Scottish single daddy... and there is only kissing???? No, ma'am, I expected way more.
This star is for Houdini, because I enjoy originally named pets. Especially if they are a cute goat. But not even him could save this book.
September 30, 2024
Rose works in a seedy pop-up Christmas shop, situated down an alley between a vaping store and a tattoo parlor. Despite the clearly ideal location, the shop is vacant of customers, and Rose is set to make herself look busy.
In walks the devastatingly handsome Scotsman, Alastair Duncan. He's trying to find someone to fulfill a variety of personal and business holiday events on very short notice, and Rose happens to have events organization experience. He hires her on the spot, and off to Scotland, she goes.
When she arrives, she meets a motherly cook, his sweet and vivacious young daughter, along with her pet goat, and is welcomed into the fold. While she plans out informal and formal events, family gatherings, and the like, her and Alastair find an unexpected comraderie and joy in a holiday they both were dreading. We see both looks and touches linger, as her deadline to leave on Christmas Eve approaches.
With an offer to see the fruits of her labour on Christmas day, and an accountant who has her eye out for Alastair popping by, Rose wonders whether she's found a place to call her own, or not.
*******
This was such an adorable and light-hearted novel. The characters were vibrant, likable, and easy to relate to. The immediate teasing and banter between Alastair and Rose was great, and set the tone for a lot of fun as the book developed. I enjoyed the characters being pushed out of their comfort zone, as well as any miscommunication being approached and settled in a timely manner. I especially appreciated that the emotional toil was incredibly low, with no third act conflict to spoil the atmosphere. The book is the joyful and uplifting light read that it was presented as.
The only real issues I had with the novel were that it was so short it felt closer to a novella, and I would have loved to see more relation development. This leads me to our next point. The declaration of love was a bit much for me. I'd have enjoyed a more realistic declaration of having developed feelings and really wanting to see where it goes. It felt almost blindsided when it felt more logical that they were in the process of really falling for each other with the lingering looks and touches and had an infatuation developing. Especially as they held up the boss/employee barrier the entire three weeks.
Either way, this was a lovely and quick read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who needs a little escape, or palate cleanse, to get back into the joy of a reading a genuinely good book.
****
Thank you, NetGalley and Joffee Books, for the digital ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In walks the devastatingly handsome Scotsman, Alastair Duncan. He's trying to find someone to fulfill a variety of personal and business holiday events on very short notice, and Rose happens to have events organization experience. He hires her on the spot, and off to Scotland, she goes.
When she arrives, she meets a motherly cook, his sweet and vivacious young daughter, along with her pet goat, and is welcomed into the fold. While she plans out informal and formal events, family gatherings, and the like, her and Alastair find an unexpected comraderie and joy in a holiday they both were dreading. We see both looks and touches linger, as her deadline to leave on Christmas Eve approaches.
With an offer to see the fruits of her labour on Christmas day, and an accountant who has her eye out for Alastair popping by, Rose wonders whether she's found a place to call her own, or not.
*******
This was such an adorable and light-hearted novel. The characters were vibrant, likable, and easy to relate to. The immediate teasing and banter between Alastair and Rose was great, and set the tone for a lot of fun as the book developed. I enjoyed the characters being pushed out of their comfort zone, as well as any miscommunication being approached and settled in a timely manner. I especially appreciated that the emotional toil was incredibly low, with no third act conflict to spoil the atmosphere. The book is the joyful and uplifting light read that it was presented as.
The only real issues I had with the novel were that it was so short it felt closer to a novella, and I would have loved to see more relation development. This leads me to our next point. The declaration of love was a bit much for me. I'd have enjoyed a more realistic declaration of having developed feelings and really wanting to see where it goes. It felt almost blindsided when it felt more logical that they were in the process of really falling for each other with the lingering looks and touches and had an infatuation developing. Especially as they held up the boss/employee barrier the entire three weeks.
Either way, this was a lovely and quick read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who needs a little escape, or palate cleanse, to get back into the joy of a reading a genuinely good book.
****
Thank you, NetGalley and Joffee Books, for the digital ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 16, 2024
This book gave me all the Hallmark Christmas Movie feels and I'm here for it! This book was definitely a cozy holiday read! I loved that this book featured some of my favorite tropes: grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, and found family.
I really enjoyed the character development for Rose and how planning the Christmas events for Alastair helped her find herself again after the loss of her mother.
I really enjoyed that this book came from Rose's point of view but it would have been nice to get some of Alastair's point of view especially when there seemed to be some miscommunication trope coming in towards the end.
I really enjoyed the character development for Rose and how planning the Christmas events for Alastair helped her find herself again after the loss of her mother.
I really enjoyed that this book came from Rose's point of view but it would have been nice to get some of Alastair's point of view especially when there seemed to be some miscommunication trope coming in towards the end.
December 13, 2024
I was going to rate this 3 stars because I wish there was more meat to this story, sometime we get told the characters are doing something and dont get to go along. BUT, honestly, this story had some realistic characters. The love interest was kind and gentle and introverted in a way that is real, and I really appreciate that because often romance novels are too far fetched. This was a sweet holiday read and where is my Scottish man????????
December 16, 2024
Somehow worse than I thought it was going to be. Can’t decide if a child or AI wrote it.
November 3, 2024
Just a fun and predictable read, but very enjoyable if you want to a quick read.
December 13, 2024
Such a charming and fun read! I love single dad tropes! Like, love love love them!!!! The Christmas vibes were vibing, the romance was cute, the setting was magical. Everything about this book worked for me. It felt very hallmark-y, and there was not any spicy scenes but that was fine by me because I gobbled it up.
Also, I think the goat, Houdini was my favorite character 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
And I loved Alistair’s family. They were so wholesome and kind. That moment when they asked Ross to stay for Christmas got me all teary eyed. Loved it!
Also, I think the goat, Houdini was my favorite character 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
And I loved Alistair’s family. They were so wholesome and kind. That moment when they asked Ross to stay for Christmas got me all teary eyed. Loved it!
December 16, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
this book was very cute and cozy. i really liked these characters. they were really cute and they had so much love for eachother. this setting was beautiful. it really brought me more into christmas mood. the only thing that was really sad was the romance. the romance hasn‘t really started till 80% of this book and than we haven’t gotten anything really. i feel like they haven’t got a connection. but overall was this book adorable and i loved these characters a lot!! isla was the cutest i want to hug her so bad😭
this book was very cute and cozy. i really liked these characters. they were really cute and they had so much love for eachother. this setting was beautiful. it really brought me more into christmas mood. the only thing that was really sad was the romance. the romance hasn‘t really started till 80% of this book and than we haven’t gotten anything really. i feel like they haven’t got a connection. but overall was this book adorable and i loved these characters a lot!! isla was the cutest i want to hug her so bad😭
December 16, 2025
This was such a cute and cosy festive read. It was easy to follow and had a great cast of characters. Being a short novel it can be read in a single sitting, which is perfect for the time of year. The place settings in the story sounded beautiful plus there was a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Choclit for my copy of the book as part of a giveaway prize.
💝 Thank you to Choclit for my copy of the book as part of a giveaway prize.
September 22, 2024
I loved this. It was like I was reading the next Hallmark Christmas movie. It was cute and cheesy but I loved every chapter of it.
The daughter Isla was probably my favorite character in the book. I loved the innocents of her and how she had a goat as a pet.
The family dynamic was good and gave you a nice happy feeling that even though a few of the characters had some hardships they got a happy ending. Right at Christmas which is my favorite time.
The daughter Isla was probably my favorite character in the book. I loved the innocents of her and how she had a goat as a pet.
The family dynamic was good and gave you a nice happy feeling that even though a few of the characters had some hardships they got a happy ending. Right at Christmas which is my favorite time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2024
Book version of a Hallmark movie 🎥 I LOVED this Christmas read so much. I think I smiled the whole book•••Average girl gets a job decorating a man’s house for Christmas and planning his work Christmas party. She falls in love with him and his daughter. Daughter has a pet goat, which I now want.
5⭐️
5⭐️
December 3, 2024
4.5 stars. Was it the best book i have ever read no. Maybe it’s because Scotland holds such a near place in my heart or because losing a parent is still so tender to me but I really enjoyed this book. It got me in the mood for Christmas reminded me of how amazing Scotland was. Talked about how hard losing a parent is and of course had love in it too.
December 24, 2024
Scottish/Christmas/no-spice romance
This was a Scottish non-spice Christmas story about grief,being alone and finding happiness again. It is probably the most realistic book romance I've read in a long time. I really enjoyed it.
This was a Scottish non-spice Christmas story about grief,being alone and finding happiness again. It is probably the most realistic book romance I've read in a long time. I really enjoyed it.
December 10, 2024
Such a slow burn. I loooved this! Hallmark movie in a book!
December 13, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
The perfect end of year/Christmas easy romance read.
The perfect end of year/Christmas easy romance read.
December 18, 2025
Cute Christmas romance.
Amazon audible
Amazon audible
December 24, 2025
Impossível existir casal mais sem química, tinha potencial mas não entregou nada
January 12, 2025
Adorable!!!!
December 13, 2025
a very cute Christmassy single sitting read
September 18, 2024
After her mom's death, Rose is facing a lonely Christmas while working in a pop-up Christmas shop. Until a handsome, Christmas-hating Scottish man visits the shop and asks her to plan several Christmas events for his employees and business associates. Rose decides anything is better than spending her Christmas alone.
Over the next few weeks, Rose spends time with Alistair and his daughter as she plans Christmas parties, an end-of-term get-together, and the family's Christmas. Along the way, she rediscovers who she is after caring for her sick mother for so many years and helps Alistair remember the joy of Christmas.
Overall, the book was very cute, if typical. The writing style is very simple and gentle, for lack of a better term. There is no real spice (which is fine; it's just something to be aware of!). The story is well done, but not quite my style—a gentle, sweet story and very slow-burning.
Over the next few weeks, Rose spends time with Alistair and his daughter as she plans Christmas parties, an end-of-term get-together, and the family's Christmas. Along the way, she rediscovers who she is after caring for her sick mother for so many years and helps Alistair remember the joy of Christmas.
Overall, the book was very cute, if typical. The writing style is very simple and gentle, for lack of a better term. There is no real spice (which is fine; it's just something to be aware of!). The story is well done, but not quite my style—a gentle, sweet story and very slow-burning.
September 21, 2024
ARC Review! Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC. Looking for a festive, feel-good read to cozy up with this holiday season? A Scottish Christmas delivers a delightful grumpy-sunshine romance between Rose, a spirited former event planner, and Alastair, the brooding man who hires her to organize his company and family’s holiday celebrations. Set against the beautiful backdrops of the Scottish Highlands, this story immerses you in rich Christmas traditions and festive cheer. One of the standout characters is Aunt Helena, whose sharp wit and high-class charm provide plenty of humorous moments, making her a perfect addition to the story.
Throughout the book, the slow-burn romance is delicately and beautifully developed, capturing the readers' emotions. However, the ending appears to have been hurriedly concluded, leaving the readers wanting more. The progression of the characters' chemistry transforms from a subtle, understated connection to a more advanced and intense one, which could have been further explored and developed. Even so, the heartwarming journey between the characters makes it a perfect holiday read. For a more in-depth review of this charming story, head over to to my website where I share my book reviews, Erika West's Pearls! My star rating would be a 3.5. #ascottishchristmas #netgalley
Throughout the book, the slow-burn romance is delicately and beautifully developed, capturing the readers' emotions. However, the ending appears to have been hurriedly concluded, leaving the readers wanting more. The progression of the characters' chemistry transforms from a subtle, understated connection to a more advanced and intense one, which could have been further explored and developed. Even so, the heartwarming journey between the characters makes it a perfect holiday read. For a more in-depth review of this charming story, head over to to my website where I share my book reviews, Erika West's Pearls! My star rating would be a 3.5. #ascottishchristmas #netgalley
December 5, 2024
I liked this book and I love books with kids.it shows you how a person is when it comes to kids. I loved everyone’s relationship with each other and the way people were looking out for each other.
October 25, 2024
✅🎄Your Next Read🎄
🎄Thank you @joffebooks for the arc of A Scottish Christmas. All opinions expressed are my own.
My thoughts:
A Scottish Christmas is the perfect Christmas book to get your holiday season started. Definitely a cozy and cute Christmas read.
🩷Christmas Romance
💜Single-Parent Romance
💙Grumpy-Sunshine
🧡Opposites Attract
🤎Slow Burn
#shortbookthyme #romanceemma #ascottishchristmas #joffebooks #booktour #yournextread #romcom #christmasromcom #romancebooks #romcombooks #bibliophile #bookandtea #christmasreading #scottishromance #booklover #bookstagram #arcreviewer #readerlife #booksbooksbooks #bookworm
🎄Thank you @joffebooks for the arc of A Scottish Christmas. All opinions expressed are my own.
My thoughts:
A Scottish Christmas is the perfect Christmas book to get your holiday season started. Definitely a cozy and cute Christmas read.
🩷Christmas Romance
💜Single-Parent Romance
💙Grumpy-Sunshine
🧡Opposites Attract
🤎Slow Burn
#shortbookthyme #romanceemma #ascottishchristmas #joffebooks #booktour #yournextread #romcom #christmasromcom #romancebooks #romcombooks #bibliophile #bookandtea #christmasreading #scottishromance #booklover #bookstagram #arcreviewer #readerlife #booksbooksbooks #bookworm
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews