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One December Morning
One chance meeting. Two strangers. And a sprinkling of Christmas magic…
Fifty-five-year-old Peg has been lonely for as long as she can remember. As she battles through traffic while the snow softly falls around her, the best she can hope for is to get home for Christmas safely, and to spend it wrapped in a blanket by a roaring open fire in her tumbledown cottage in the Cotswolds. Little does she know that everything is about to change…
Because Henry is also stuck on the road, and when their cars come to a complete standstill, he and Peg strike up a conversation over a homemade mince pie and a flask of hot tea. Towering over Peg, his navy waffle-knit jumper charmingly threadbare at the elbows, he chats effortlessly. With his tortoiseshell glasses pushed back into his mass of curly dark hair, Henry makes Peg laugh, and the two click. As something shifts, Peg realises that it’s been a long time since she smiled like this.
Peg discovers that Henry is single too, but he’s off to grit his teeth through the forced jollity of another family Christmas with his insufferably perfect daughter-in-law in the next village. Before they get a chance to exchange numbers, the traffic starts to move and Peg and Henry are wrenched apart…
She doesn’t expect to see him again. But then, days later, there’s a knock on Peg’s door: Henry needs her help. In an instant, she knows this will be a Christmas she’ll never forget, in ways she could never have imagined. Can she let herself get involved and risk being vulnerable, or will she shy away?
Peg doesn’t open her heart to anyone. But can the magic of Christmas persuade her to give it to someone special…?
Fifty-five-year-old Peg has been lonely for as long as she can remember. As she battles through traffic while the snow softly falls around her, the best she can hope for is to get home for Christmas safely, and to spend it wrapped in a blanket by a roaring open fire in her tumbledown cottage in the Cotswolds. Little does she know that everything is about to change…
Because Henry is also stuck on the road, and when their cars come to a complete standstill, he and Peg strike up a conversation over a homemade mince pie and a flask of hot tea. Towering over Peg, his navy waffle-knit jumper charmingly threadbare at the elbows, he chats effortlessly. With his tortoiseshell glasses pushed back into his mass of curly dark hair, Henry makes Peg laugh, and the two click. As something shifts, Peg realises that it’s been a long time since she smiled like this.
Peg discovers that Henry is single too, but he’s off to grit his teeth through the forced jollity of another family Christmas with his insufferably perfect daughter-in-law in the next village. Before they get a chance to exchange numbers, the traffic starts to move and Peg and Henry are wrenched apart…
She doesn’t expect to see him again. But then, days later, there’s a knock on Peg’s door: Henry needs her help. In an instant, she knows this will be a Christmas she’ll never forget, in ways she could never have imagined. Can she let herself get involved and risk being vulnerable, or will she shy away?
Peg doesn’t open her heart to anyone. But can the magic of Christmas persuade her to give it to someone special…?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2025
1253 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
About the author
Emma Davies
28 books324 followersEmma Davies once applied for her dream job in the following manner;
'I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.' Well she's now a forty something mother of three, and is working on the rest.
By day she's a finance manager and looks at numbers a lot of the time, but by night she gets to use actual words and practices putting them together into sentences. Her twitter bio says she loves her family, her job, reading, writing, singing loudly in the car, and Pringles, so that must be true then.
Wave to her on twitter @Emdavies68
Letting in Light is her debut novel, and she is currently working on her second.
'I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.' Well she's now a forty something mother of three, and is working on the rest.
By day she's a finance manager and looks at numbers a lot of the time, but by night she gets to use actual words and practices putting them together into sentences. Her twitter bio says she loves her family, her job, reading, writing, singing loudly in the car, and Pringles, so that must be true then.
Wave to her on twitter @Emdavies68
Letting in Light is her debut novel, and she is currently working on her second.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
December 2, 2025
In a Nutshell: A contemporary fiction with middle-aged characters. Promoted as a romance, but it barely meets the bill. Some decent characters, but a couple of annoying ones as well. Lacklustre character development, decent plot, slow pace, some good emotions. Attempts magical realism but fails. Might work better if you are looking for a contemplative story than a feel-good or romantic one. Suspension of disbelief required. This is an outlier opinion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
I am not much into romances, but as this novel promised to be a love story with middle-aged characters, I thought of giving it a try. The book started off fairly well, but with almost every subsequent chapter, my rating kept dipping. A slight upward swing came when the promised “sprinkling of magic” came, but the ultimate execution of this was so disappointing that my rating swung downwards again!
Bookish Yays:
🎄 The start is really good, with a nice meet-cute for Peg and Henry. The author’s note states that a part of this incident is based in reality. No wonder it feels so genuine!
🎄 Blanche and Aunt Mim – the only two characters who know their mind and speak their heart. I loved them both. Peg’s daughters are also nice, though their role in the story is too brief.
🎄 The bond between Peg and her Aunt Mim, and also between Peg and her daughters – heartwarming. The scenes where these characters interact are the sweetest ones of the book.
🎄 The Cotswold setting. Beautifully explored.
🎄 The portrayal of Christmas. There’s the OTT materialistic side (courtesy Adam and Sofia) and the more sober approach (thanks to Peg.) A good study in contrasts, and hopefully makes readers understand that less is more, even during the festive season.
Bookish Okays:
☃️ Peg. Mostly a good character, she would have made it to my Yays list were it not for the final couple of chapters. I appreciated her kindheartedness and sensibility for the most way. If only she stuck to her earlier sentiments even at the end.
☃️ The pacing is quite slow, with a lot of plot progress reliant on extended conversations. The dialogues are written fairly well, and even include banter, but at times, the dragged feel is overpowering.
☃️ The story is divided on a day-wise basis, going from 22nd December to New Year’s Day. The progress across these days is written well and it is important to pay attention to the dates. However, the developments that happen (romantic or otherwise) seem far exaggerated for a ten-day period.
☃️ The lead characters’ ages aren’t immediately clear. The blurb mentions that Peg is fifty-five, but there is no reference to this in the book at all. We are just supposed to guess that she is middle-aged from the fact that she has two independent daughters. Henry’s age of sixty-two is hinted at only around at 21% mark. As this is a middle-age “romance”, their ages should have been clarified right at the start.
Bookish Nays:
❄️ The cover art portrays a cutesy Christmassy vibe, but a major chunk of the book is more emotional and contemplative than light and feel-good. I don’t mind this kind of Christmassy read, but I like to know it in advance.
❄️ Henry. Definitely a minority opinion, but I just didn’t like him! He’s judgemental and self-centred, and has no qualms dissing his family to strangers. And honestly, what was the basis for his obsession with Peg? It felt more like he wanted to be mommied by her with perks such as tasty food and loads of sympathetic pampering.
❄️ The “romance” – non-existent! Almost the entire story is, in turns, a family drama and a one-sided obsession coming from Henry. No genuine lovey-dovey feels.
❄️ Henry’s son Adam and his wife Sofia – written in such a stereotypical way that they have no redemptive qualities until almost the very end, by which time it is too late.
❄️ The sudden flip-around in character development: Four characters (including one posthumous) have their behaviour converted to the exact opposite in the last few chapters for no rhyme or reason.
❄️ The “sprinkling of magic” as promised on the cover and in the blurb. I wish I could go into details but this would be a major spoiler. So all I can say is, this is the most disappointing part of the book. When you promise magic and even offer it, you ought to develop it properly. No point leaving that arc dangling.
❄️ Plenty of lies and secrets and manipulation – ugh!
❄️ The needless preachiness. Who likes a holier-than-thou attitude in a Christmas story? (Okay, that sounds like an ironic query, but it isn't.)
❄️ So many unrealistic situations! I want to vent in detail, but again, spoilers! All I’ll say is, I felt really sorry for Peg because everyone seemed to be taking advantage of her goodness.
❄️ The ending is so very abrupt! Just as the “relationship” was finally starting, the book ended. It was at the 90% mark on my Kindle, so I just didn’t expect the sudden full stop. The remaining 10% turned out to be promos and other miscellaneous content.
Overall, this plot idea had great potential, but the execution didn’t work for me. With the farfetched situations, overdose of bad behaviour, poor character development, and abrupt ending, the book messed up the chance it had of portraying a mature love story in a mature way.
“An utterly uplifting and tear-jerking novel of second chances in the most unexpected of places” – Sorry to whoever writes such promotional captions under book titles on Goodreads, but you really need to stop! Not only are you setting up reader expectations to increase (Applicable to innocent non-Grinchy readers, not me), but even worse, you are making promises that aren’t kept by the book (“Utterly uplifting”, my foot! Utterly aggravating, more like!) It is always better to avoid captions altogether than to use stock hyperbole for every single new release.
Mine is clearly an outlier opinion. So please read through other reviews and take a call on this work.
Recommended to those contemporary fiction fans who read with their hearts and not their heads, and aren’t looking for a light-hearted, feel-good Christmas romance.
2 stars.
My thanks to Bookouture for providing the DRC of “One December Morning” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work better for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
After visiting her old aunt, middle-aged Peg is on her way back home hoping to reach quickly, but an unexpected traffic jam blocks her progress on the highway. Stuck in the same jam is Henry, who is on his way to his son’s house for Christmas. The two had met coincidentally just some hours ago at the petrol station, so when Peg sees Henry, she strikes up a conversation. Their chat is mutually enjoyable and when the jam finally clears, both think that they won't meet each other again. But fate has other plans…
The story comes to us in the third-person perspectives of Peg and Henry.
I am not much into romances, but as this novel promised to be a love story with middle-aged characters, I thought of giving it a try. The book started off fairly well, but with almost every subsequent chapter, my rating kept dipping. A slight upward swing came when the promised “sprinkling of magic” came, but the ultimate execution of this was so disappointing that my rating swung downwards again!
Bookish Yays:
🎄 The start is really good, with a nice meet-cute for Peg and Henry. The author’s note states that a part of this incident is based in reality. No wonder it feels so genuine!
🎄 Blanche and Aunt Mim – the only two characters who know their mind and speak their heart. I loved them both. Peg’s daughters are also nice, though their role in the story is too brief.
🎄 The bond between Peg and her Aunt Mim, and also between Peg and her daughters – heartwarming. The scenes where these characters interact are the sweetest ones of the book.
🎄 The Cotswold setting. Beautifully explored.
🎄 The portrayal of Christmas. There’s the OTT materialistic side (courtesy Adam and Sofia) and the more sober approach (thanks to Peg.) A good study in contrasts, and hopefully makes readers understand that less is more, even during the festive season.
Bookish Okays:
☃️ Peg. Mostly a good character, she would have made it to my Yays list were it not for the final couple of chapters. I appreciated her kindheartedness and sensibility for the most way. If only she stuck to her earlier sentiments even at the end.
☃️ The pacing is quite slow, with a lot of plot progress reliant on extended conversations. The dialogues are written fairly well, and even include banter, but at times, the dragged feel is overpowering.
☃️ The story is divided on a day-wise basis, going from 22nd December to New Year’s Day. The progress across these days is written well and it is important to pay attention to the dates. However, the developments that happen (romantic or otherwise) seem far exaggerated for a ten-day period.
☃️ The lead characters’ ages aren’t immediately clear. The blurb mentions that Peg is fifty-five, but there is no reference to this in the book at all. We are just supposed to guess that she is middle-aged from the fact that she has two independent daughters. Henry’s age of sixty-two is hinted at only around at 21% mark. As this is a middle-age “romance”, their ages should have been clarified right at the start.
Bookish Nays:
❄️ The cover art portrays a cutesy Christmassy vibe, but a major chunk of the book is more emotional and contemplative than light and feel-good. I don’t mind this kind of Christmassy read, but I like to know it in advance.
❄️ Henry. Definitely a minority opinion, but I just didn’t like him! He’s judgemental and self-centred, and has no qualms dissing his family to strangers. And honestly, what was the basis for his obsession with Peg? It felt more like he wanted to be mommied by her with perks such as tasty food and loads of sympathetic pampering.
❄️ The “romance” – non-existent! Almost the entire story is, in turns, a family drama and a one-sided obsession coming from Henry. No genuine lovey-dovey feels.
❄️ Henry’s son Adam and his wife Sofia – written in such a stereotypical way that they have no redemptive qualities until almost the very end, by which time it is too late.
❄️ The sudden flip-around in character development: Four characters (including one posthumous) have their behaviour converted to the exact opposite in the last few chapters for no rhyme or reason.
❄️ The “sprinkling of magic” as promised on the cover and in the blurb. I wish I could go into details but this would be a major spoiler. So all I can say is, this is the most disappointing part of the book. When you promise magic and even offer it, you ought to develop it properly. No point leaving that arc dangling.
❄️ Plenty of lies and secrets and manipulation – ugh!
❄️ The needless preachiness. Who likes a holier-than-thou attitude in a Christmas story? (Okay, that sounds like an ironic query, but it isn't.)
❄️ So many unrealistic situations! I want to vent in detail, but again, spoilers! All I’ll say is, I felt really sorry for Peg because everyone seemed to be taking advantage of her goodness.
❄️ The ending is so very abrupt! Just as the “relationship” was finally starting, the book ended. It was at the 90% mark on my Kindle, so I just didn’t expect the sudden full stop. The remaining 10% turned out to be promos and other miscellaneous content.
Overall, this plot idea had great potential, but the execution didn’t work for me. With the farfetched situations, overdose of bad behaviour, poor character development, and abrupt ending, the book messed up the chance it had of portraying a mature love story in a mature way.
“An utterly uplifting and tear-jerking novel of second chances in the most unexpected of places” – Sorry to whoever writes such promotional captions under book titles on Goodreads, but you really need to stop! Not only are you setting up reader expectations to increase (Applicable to innocent non-Grinchy readers, not me), but even worse, you are making promises that aren’t kept by the book (“Utterly uplifting”, my foot! Utterly aggravating, more like!) It is always better to avoid captions altogether than to use stock hyperbole for every single new release.
Mine is clearly an outlier opinion. So please read through other reviews and take a call on this work.
Recommended to those contemporary fiction fans who read with their hearts and not their heads, and aren’t looking for a light-hearted, feel-good Christmas romance.
2 stars.
My thanks to Bookouture for providing the DRC of “One December Morning” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work better for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
October 2, 2025
I received a free copy of, One December Morning, by Emma Davies, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Peg is in her mid fifties and lonely, Peg is expecting another quiet Christmas by herself, but this year is different. This book is like a cup of hot tea, on a cold and dreary day. I loved all the characters especially, Peg, Phoebe, Izzy, Henry, Mim, and Blanche, s lovely Christmas read.
December 9, 2025
3.5 stars
Loved how this book began: two adults meeting outside a gas (petrol, as the setting was England) station having a normal conversation, then meeting up again as traffic came to a standstill on the M5 as each was en route to a Christmas destination. They are facing an hours-long delay, so Peg grabs snacks she has in her car and taps on Henry’s window. They eat, they chat, they spend a couple of hours in delightful company and deep conversation before traffic begins to move and Peg darts back to her own car, knowing she’ll never see Henry again.
Wrong.
Another thing I loved: the MC’s ages. Peg is in her late 50’s, widowed for four years, with two grown daughters she’s close to, but whom she encourages to go on a ski trip so that she can relax and spend a cozy, quiet Christmas at home. Henry is 62, divorced, and feels disconnected from his only child, a son, and uncomfortable around his perfection-obsessed daughter-in-law. Both Henry and Peg enjoy their independence and not answering to anyone else for how they spend their time and energy.
Yes, but.
I also loved the slow, thoughtful pace which allowed the reader ample time to know the characters.
And the strange, slightly disorienting plot twist that occurred at the 35% mark.
However.
By the time the characters emerged from the fallout of the strange plot twist, Peg’s Yoda-like wisdom had started grating on me. No human has this many answers, not even the best therapist in the world, and it WAS starting to sound like therapy-speak. Everyone came to Peg with their problems, and left with insights that stretched credulity.
I resented the slightly preachy and judgy tone regarding lifestyle choices. I actually agree with the author, but one shoe doesn’t fit everyone. And while this book paid lip service to everyone living the life that suits them best, the disapproval of a more opulent lifestyle shined through the cracks.
Lastly, this was more a women’s fiction book than a romance, although the two main characters do start a relationship very near the end of the book in a reserved, tepid way. Henry finds himself interested in Peg early on. Peg doesn’t fight the idea of something with Henry: she completely ignores even the possibility. I would have preferred seeing Peg fight against feelings than for feelings to not exist for her at all.
So while this is a quality book with good writing, it didn’t hit the sweet spot for me.
Loved how this book began: two adults meeting outside a gas (petrol, as the setting was England) station having a normal conversation, then meeting up again as traffic came to a standstill on the M5 as each was en route to a Christmas destination. They are facing an hours-long delay, so Peg grabs snacks she has in her car and taps on Henry’s window. They eat, they chat, they spend a couple of hours in delightful company and deep conversation before traffic begins to move and Peg darts back to her own car, knowing she’ll never see Henry again.
Wrong.
Another thing I loved: the MC’s ages. Peg is in her late 50’s, widowed for four years, with two grown daughters she’s close to, but whom she encourages to go on a ski trip so that she can relax and spend a cozy, quiet Christmas at home. Henry is 62, divorced, and feels disconnected from his only child, a son, and uncomfortable around his perfection-obsessed daughter-in-law. Both Henry and Peg enjoy their independence and not answering to anyone else for how they spend their time and energy.
Yes, but.
I also loved the slow, thoughtful pace which allowed the reader ample time to know the characters.
And the strange, slightly disorienting plot twist that occurred at the 35% mark.
However.
By the time the characters emerged from the fallout of the strange plot twist, Peg’s Yoda-like wisdom had started grating on me. No human has this many answers, not even the best therapist in the world, and it WAS starting to sound like therapy-speak. Everyone came to Peg with their problems, and left with insights that stretched credulity.
I resented the slightly preachy and judgy tone regarding lifestyle choices. I actually agree with the author, but one shoe doesn’t fit everyone. And while this book paid lip service to everyone living the life that suits them best, the disapproval of a more opulent lifestyle shined through the cracks.
Lastly, this was more a women’s fiction book than a romance, although the two main characters do start a relationship very near the end of the book in a reserved, tepid way. Henry finds himself interested in Peg early on. Peg doesn’t fight the idea of something with Henry: she completely ignores even the possibility. I would have preferred seeing Peg fight against feelings than for feelings to not exist for her at all.
So while this is a quality book with good writing, it didn’t hit the sweet spot for me.
October 6, 2025
I enjoyed this story about Peg and Henry. They had a "meet cute", a chance meeting in the petrol station. This chance meeting is the beginning of their friendship and they are brought together again and again, buoyed by that first conversation and a kinship ready to bloom. The backdrop is the Christmas holidays, so the story also threads in the stress of the holidays, of children who care more about appearances rather than the meaning, and family dysfunction in general. A serious accident brings things.
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.
September 10, 2025
Two lonely people unexpectedly connect during the Christmas season in the Cotswolds. Charming and hopeful!
December 22, 2025
Peg lost her husband at Christmas, four years ago, so it’s not the easiest time for her – and this year she’ll be spending it alone, with her two adult daughters away on a skiing holiday. But she’s contented, planning to curl up by the fire with a good book in her cosy Cotswold cottage – and perhaps take a walk in the nearby woodland her husband bought her as a gift. She’s been to see her elderly Aunt Mim, so important in her life – and, on the way home, finds her heart lifted by a chance meeting with Henry, stuck in the same traffic queue as she is.
He’s on his way to spend Christmas with his son Adam and daughter-in-law Sofia – always a testing experience, their life choices having been rather different from his own. While the presence of Sofia’s mother Blanche – not as elderly and incapable as they like to make out – might make things a touch easier, by Christmas morning the tensions are too great, and he finds himself driving away after a particularly painful argument. Peg never expected to see him again, although she would have liked to spend more time with the gentle man who made her laugh. And when there’s a knock at her door on Christmas morning…
I really don’t want to spoil this story – but the way it unfolded was one of the loveliest pieces of writing I’ve read in a long time. There’s a touch of magic, an experience that might or might not have happened, beautifully handled – and the story continues as Peg becomes pivotal in the lives of Henry and his family, the experience changing all their lives and bringing happiness in the most unexpected ways. The characters are wonderfully developed – very real people in every way, both good and not so good – and the dynamics of families explored. Lives are transformed, through acts of extraordinary kindness – and Peg and Henry find that the initial spark between them that they both felt might be able to find a way to develop.
Peg and Henry are rather older than the norm for main characters – something I always enjoy when done so well – and all their quirks and concerns are quite perfectly captured. Additional texture is added by the more elderly Blanche and Aunt Mim – an unexpected guest after an accident at home – and the younger characters of Adam and Sofia, their lives beset by problems and complicated by secrets, and Peg’s daughters who return early from their trip. The pacing is fairly slow, the whole story developing mainly through all the individuals’ conversations and interactions – and it all works so perfectly, touching you to the heart. And that one central relationship, developing slowly, was one I really believed in – finding joy, and the possibility of new beginnings – while gently helping provide a fresh start for others who need it just as much.
The whole book is set at and around Christmas – with a real contrast between the Insta-ready celebrations of Henry’s family and the warmth and simplicity (and quiet magic) of Peg’s offering. The emotional content makes it a read perfect for the season – but its messages would work just as well whenever you chose to read it. Tremendously uplifting, deeply moving, beautifully written, a story I adored and that will stay with me for some time – this might well be one of my favourite reads of the year, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
He’s on his way to spend Christmas with his son Adam and daughter-in-law Sofia – always a testing experience, their life choices having been rather different from his own. While the presence of Sofia’s mother Blanche – not as elderly and incapable as they like to make out – might make things a touch easier, by Christmas morning the tensions are too great, and he finds himself driving away after a particularly painful argument. Peg never expected to see him again, although she would have liked to spend more time with the gentle man who made her laugh. And when there’s a knock at her door on Christmas morning…
I really don’t want to spoil this story – but the way it unfolded was one of the loveliest pieces of writing I’ve read in a long time. There’s a touch of magic, an experience that might or might not have happened, beautifully handled – and the story continues as Peg becomes pivotal in the lives of Henry and his family, the experience changing all their lives and bringing happiness in the most unexpected ways. The characters are wonderfully developed – very real people in every way, both good and not so good – and the dynamics of families explored. Lives are transformed, through acts of extraordinary kindness – and Peg and Henry find that the initial spark between them that they both felt might be able to find a way to develop.
Peg and Henry are rather older than the norm for main characters – something I always enjoy when done so well – and all their quirks and concerns are quite perfectly captured. Additional texture is added by the more elderly Blanche and Aunt Mim – an unexpected guest after an accident at home – and the younger characters of Adam and Sofia, their lives beset by problems and complicated by secrets, and Peg’s daughters who return early from their trip. The pacing is fairly slow, the whole story developing mainly through all the individuals’ conversations and interactions – and it all works so perfectly, touching you to the heart. And that one central relationship, developing slowly, was one I really believed in – finding joy, and the possibility of new beginnings – while gently helping provide a fresh start for others who need it just as much.
The whole book is set at and around Christmas – with a real contrast between the Insta-ready celebrations of Henry’s family and the warmth and simplicity (and quiet magic) of Peg’s offering. The emotional content makes it a read perfect for the season – but its messages would work just as well whenever you chose to read it. Tremendously uplifting, deeply moving, beautifully written, a story I adored and that will stay with me for some time – this might well be one of my favourite reads of the year, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
October 9, 2025
Peg, once again, is heading home for Christmas, only to find herself spending the holiday alone—or so she believes. The beautiful Christmas snow is falling, causing chaos among holiday travelers. When Peg meets Henry, they engage in a conversation that sparks a connection, revealing shared interests and a realization that they aren’t so different after all.
Perhaps this Christmas will be different for Peg. Henry needs her help, and Peg is more than willing to lend a hand. As the holiday music plays and the snow continues to fall, Peg and Henry find themselves in a state of happiness they’ve never experienced before.
“One December Morning” by Emma Davies is a heartwarming and festive read that instantly transported me into the holiday season. This delightful story is filled with charming characters and breathtaking landscapes blanketed in Christmas snow.
Every page of this enchanting book exudes the magic of Christmas. I was captivated by Peg’s character, and it was heartwarming to see her discover that she can still find her happily ever after at the age of fifty. What a wonderful storyline! If you’re ready to be swept away into the holiday season and find new love, this book delivers all the feels. I absolutely adore everything about this story and highly recommend it.
Perhaps this Christmas will be different for Peg. Henry needs her help, and Peg is more than willing to lend a hand. As the holiday music plays and the snow continues to fall, Peg and Henry find themselves in a state of happiness they’ve never experienced before.
“One December Morning” by Emma Davies is a heartwarming and festive read that instantly transported me into the holiday season. This delightful story is filled with charming characters and breathtaking landscapes blanketed in Christmas snow.
Every page of this enchanting book exudes the magic of Christmas. I was captivated by Peg’s character, and it was heartwarming to see her discover that she can still find her happily ever after at the age of fifty. What a wonderful storyline! If you’re ready to be swept away into the holiday season and find new love, this book delivers all the feels. I absolutely adore everything about this story and highly recommend it.
October 16, 2025
A nice cosy story, with some very comfy vibe, like you want to read it under your blankets, looking at the fire with a cocoa in your hand.
Don’t expect some sweeping-off-the-feet romance; it’s a rather slow-paced story, and there’s more focus on family relationships than romance.
Read if you like:
- older MCs (not in their twenties or thirties)
- cosy small town and cute garden&house vibes
- complicated family relationships
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Don’t expect some sweeping-off-the-feet romance; it’s a rather slow-paced story, and there’s more focus on family relationships than romance.
Read if you like:
- older MCs (not in their twenties or thirties)
- cosy small town and cute garden&house vibes
- complicated family relationships
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
November 2, 2025
I want to love this book - there were elements that I did love but I feel still confused by it! Not wanting to spoil it but theses a twist and I’m not sure I get it?! Happy for anyone to message me if they understand it! Apart from that it’s a lovely book and one you don’t want to put down. I feel frustrated like I’ve missed something!
There is Peg and Henry whose lives are entwined just before Christmas. We meet their nearest and dearest too. It’s a lovely book but I just feel a bit like I’ve missed something.
There is Peg and Henry whose lives are entwined just before Christmas. We meet their nearest and dearest too. It’s a lovely book but I just feel a bit like I’ve missed something.
October 15, 2025
✅beautiful story about family, unexpected friendship and second chances….with a touch of magic sprinkled throughout the story. And, lots of mince pies!
It was lovely getting to know P)eg and Henry as fate throws them together on numerous occasions.
One December Morning was a fun, festive read full of Christmas spirit and healing.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
It was lovely getting to know P)eg and Henry as fate throws them together on numerous occasions.
One December Morning was a fun, festive read full of Christmas spirit and healing.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 7, 2025
Amazing. A great feel good Christmas story. What a ‘meet cute’ the odds are amazing for what happens next. ( I don’t want to give any spoilers away)
Peg and Henry are interesting characters, each different and think they are happy and content, but a chance encounter changes them and the effects snowball. There was a scene that had me thinking it was going to be a duel / alternative timeline but it was slowly explained, but boy oh boy did it keep me engaged and reading faster.
It was nice to read about characters that are nearer my own age, there were many aspects I could relate to, and Mim and Blanche added an even older element and showing that even in your 80s you still have plenty of life left in you.
A wonderful magical Christmas miracle read.
Peg and Henry are interesting characters, each different and think they are happy and content, but a chance encounter changes them and the effects snowball. There was a scene that had me thinking it was going to be a duel / alternative timeline but it was slowly explained, but boy oh boy did it keep me engaged and reading faster.
It was nice to read about characters that are nearer my own age, there were many aspects I could relate to, and Mim and Blanche added an even older element and showing that even in your 80s you still have plenty of life left in you.
A wonderful magical Christmas miracle read.
December 5, 2025
Thought-provoking story about a person who appears to be happy, but covers feelings until the end .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2025
Very cute and wholesome
January 5, 2026
this was a cute story.
January 5, 2026
Relationship focused without much action, this one was just okay. The middle aged characters dance around their attraction for each other throughout the whole book and it got a little tedious.
December 17, 2025
Took me a minute to get involved - and there were a few chapters that confused me a wee bit, but in the end I quite enjoyed the story . And so glad to read about main characters in their mid lives. I’ll give this author another try.
December 3, 2025
"One December Morning" by Emma Davies is a novel about two damaged people who meet by chance during the Christmas holidays and find unexpected healing through each other's company. It's a story of second chances, grief, acceptance, and the surprising ways fate can intervene in our lives.
.
Peg is a widow. .
.
Henry, in his sixties, is divorced and estranged from his son. .
.
What follows is a gradual, gentle romance. .
.
The heart of the story isn't really the romance between Peg and Henry, it's about the tension between living an outwardly perfect life and living an authentic, peaceful one. .
.
The book excels at depicting genuine emotion.
.
The pacing is thoughtful. Rather than rushing toward a grand romantic conclusion, the book allows relationships to develop naturally. Conversations meander. Characters take time to understand each other.
Davies understands the difference between sentimentality and genuine emotional depth.
.
The secondary characters are well-drawn. .
The Christmas setting doesn't rely on sentimentality, it's simply the backdrop for people navigating change and connection.
The Christmas setting isn't just window dressing, it's essential to the story.
.
What Doesn't Work:
The magical realism element feels underdeveloped. .
This book is fundamentally about accepting that life rarely goes according to plan, and that's actually okay.
.
It's also about the difference between what looks good and what feels good. Social media, magazines, and cultural narratives push us toward visible success - perfect homes, perfect careers, perfect holidays. But this book asks: at what cost? And when does the pursuit of the image damage the actual experience?
My rating:4/5 star
.
Peg is a widow. .
.
Henry, in his sixties, is divorced and estranged from his son. .
.
What follows is a gradual, gentle romance. .
.
The heart of the story isn't really the romance between Peg and Henry, it's about the tension between living an outwardly perfect life and living an authentic, peaceful one. .
.
The book excels at depicting genuine emotion.
.
The pacing is thoughtful. Rather than rushing toward a grand romantic conclusion, the book allows relationships to develop naturally. Conversations meander. Characters take time to understand each other.
Davies understands the difference between sentimentality and genuine emotional depth.
.
The secondary characters are well-drawn. .
The Christmas setting doesn't rely on sentimentality, it's simply the backdrop for people navigating change and connection.
The Christmas setting isn't just window dressing, it's essential to the story.
.
What Doesn't Work:
The magical realism element feels underdeveloped. .
This book is fundamentally about accepting that life rarely goes according to plan, and that's actually okay.
.
It's also about the difference between what looks good and what feels good. Social media, magazines, and cultural narratives push us toward visible success - perfect homes, perfect careers, perfect holidays. But this book asks: at what cost? And when does the pursuit of the image damage the actual experience?
My rating:4/5 star
October 7, 2025
Fifty five year old Peg is heading home to The Cotswolds after visiting her elderly aunt Mim and she's looking forward to having a nice quiet Christmas snuggled up by the fire while her girls are away skiing, but the traffic has come to a complete standstill due to an incident, then she spots a guy she bumped into at the service station a while back stuck in the traffic just up ahead and, as she has a boot filled with baked goodies, she decides to offer him something to eat and drink while they wait. She hits it off with Henry straight away, discovers that he's also single and heading to the village next to hers to stay with his son and daughter in law but, before they have chance to swap numbers, the traffic starts moving again and she thinks that's the last she'll see of him, until a few days later there's a knock on her door, Henry needs her help and she finds herself pulled straight into the drama of his family like she never would have imagined.
One December Morning is a heartwarming tale that introduces us to Peg and Henry, two wonderful souls whose lives are just drifting along until that chance meeting, Peg is still grieving the loss of her husband four years ago on Boxing Day and Henry is trying to build bridges with his son Adam and the author brings the two of them together in a touching act of fate and their lives become inexplicably entwined from that day on. I adored Peg who was just kindness personified, not only helping Henry in his hour of need, but also Adam, his wife Sofia and her mother Blanche, taking them all under her wing without a second thought and, I believe if she was going to have another chance at happiness with anyone, it had to be Henry who was adorable. This is a story of love, loss, grief, loneliness and second chances and is like a hug from a favourite sweater on a cold winters day. I loved how their friendship blossomed and that ending was the ultimate 'ah lovely' moment.
I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
One December Morning is a heartwarming tale that introduces us to Peg and Henry, two wonderful souls whose lives are just drifting along until that chance meeting, Peg is still grieving the loss of her husband four years ago on Boxing Day and Henry is trying to build bridges with his son Adam and the author brings the two of them together in a touching act of fate and their lives become inexplicably entwined from that day on. I adored Peg who was just kindness personified, not only helping Henry in his hour of need, but also Adam, his wife Sofia and her mother Blanche, taking them all under her wing without a second thought and, I believe if she was going to have another chance at happiness with anyone, it had to be Henry who was adorable. This is a story of love, loss, grief, loneliness and second chances and is like a hug from a favourite sweater on a cold winters day. I loved how their friendship blossomed and that ending was the ultimate 'ah lovely' moment.
I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.
November 1, 2025
Peg lost four years ago during Christmas her husband and wants to spend this year Christmas all on her own as her daughters are off on a skiing holiday. Peg is organizing her live to be along again with fifty-five.
Her only relative left is her aunt from whom she is returning home when he meets at a gas station a man whom she helps to clean his windscreen as the nozzles of his car are frozen. Who would have thought that they meet again soon after when both are stuck in a traffic jam where their cars stop close to each other?
They spend the hours together in Henry´s car, have a chat use Peg´s food she is bring back home with her and get to know a bit about each other and that Peg´s hoe and Henry´s destination is close by. So she learns that Henry is divorced and on the way to his son and his daughter in law where he spends Christmas as this is the only time when he really sees his son nowadays but that these days are strained and his Christmas doesn´t sound as relaxing as her plans.
When the cars start moving again Peg is in a hurry to get to her own car and due to the sound of the starting cars Henry can´t really understand the last sentence of Peg.
Will they meet each other again?
I really liked this story and enjoyed that the characters in this book are older than usual.
I did not expect that story to talk about so important topics like what is really important in life, what makes you happy and how do you want to live your life.
Due to this is really enjoyed the book as it had much more meaning in it than I expected as usually Christmas novels don´t go so deep.
Who expects a classic light Christmas romance with lots of fun is here wrong.
The story is nicely written and right from the start I got a cosy feeling and liked Peg right from the start. The pace was good but at one point in the book there was a jump which confused me a bit (as I don´t want to spoiler I can´t say too much about it). We start with one story line, all is fine and really cosy and then the story goes in a different direction. That was a bit confusing for me, this doesn´t get really clarified so this is the reason why I give this story only 4 stars and not 5.
I really liked all the characters in it and especially when you get to know them.
The oldest ones in this book like aunt Mim and Blanch the mother of Henry´s daughter in law were so funny and not at all what you expect when you start with the book.
The journey Henry´s son Adam and his wife Sofia do, what all is revealed is for me very well written.
How Peg and Henry get to know each other and how their feelings develop is nicely written.
So for me a wonderful cosy read which I really liked.
Her only relative left is her aunt from whom she is returning home when he meets at a gas station a man whom she helps to clean his windscreen as the nozzles of his car are frozen. Who would have thought that they meet again soon after when both are stuck in a traffic jam where their cars stop close to each other?
They spend the hours together in Henry´s car, have a chat use Peg´s food she is bring back home with her and get to know a bit about each other and that Peg´s hoe and Henry´s destination is close by. So she learns that Henry is divorced and on the way to his son and his daughter in law where he spends Christmas as this is the only time when he really sees his son nowadays but that these days are strained and his Christmas doesn´t sound as relaxing as her plans.
When the cars start moving again Peg is in a hurry to get to her own car and due to the sound of the starting cars Henry can´t really understand the last sentence of Peg.
Will they meet each other again?
I really liked this story and enjoyed that the characters in this book are older than usual.
I did not expect that story to talk about so important topics like what is really important in life, what makes you happy and how do you want to live your life.
Due to this is really enjoyed the book as it had much more meaning in it than I expected as usually Christmas novels don´t go so deep.
Who expects a classic light Christmas romance with lots of fun is here wrong.
The story is nicely written and right from the start I got a cosy feeling and liked Peg right from the start. The pace was good but at one point in the book there was a jump which confused me a bit (as I don´t want to spoiler I can´t say too much about it). We start with one story line, all is fine and really cosy and then the story goes in a different direction. That was a bit confusing for me, this doesn´t get really clarified so this is the reason why I give this story only 4 stars and not 5.
I really liked all the characters in it and especially when you get to know them.
The oldest ones in this book like aunt Mim and Blanch the mother of Henry´s daughter in law were so funny and not at all what you expect when you start with the book.
The journey Henry´s son Adam and his wife Sofia do, what all is revealed is for me very well written.
How Peg and Henry get to know each other and how their feelings develop is nicely written.
So for me a wonderful cosy read which I really liked.
October 8, 2025
Two strangers, one snowy road, and a Christmas miracle neither of them saw coming.🎄
One December Morning- by Emma Davies
❄️Blurb❄️
One chance meeting. Two strangers. And a sprinkling of Christmas magic... Fifty-five-year-old Peg has been lonely for as long as she can remember. As she battles through traffic while the snow softly falls around her, the best she can hope for is to get home for Christmas safely, and to spend it wrapped in a blanket by a roaring open fire in her tumbledown cottage in the Cotswolds.
Little does she know that everything is about to change... Because Henry is also stuck on the road, and when their cars come to a complete standstill, he and Peg strike up a conversation over a homemade mince pie and a flask of hot tea. Towering over Peg, his navy waffle-knit jumper charmingly threadbare at the elbows, he chats effortlessly. With his tortoiseshell glasses pushed back into his mass of curly dark hair, Henry makes Peg laugh, and the two click. As something shifts, Peg realises that it's been a long time since she smiled like this. Peg discovers that Henry is single too, but he's off to grit his teeth through the forced jollity of another family Christmas with his insufferably perfect daughter-in-law in the next village. Before they get a chance to exchange numbers, the traffic starts to move and Peg and Henry are wrenched apart... She doesn't expect to see him again. But then, days later, there's a knock on Peg's Henry needs her help. In an instant, she knows this will be a Christmas she'll never forget, in ways she could never have imagined. Can she let herself get involved and risk being vulnerable, or will she shy away? Peg doesn't open her heart to anyone.
But can the magic of Christmas persuade her to give it to someone special...?
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
One December morning, fate pauses the world just long enough for two hearts to meet.
Peg, lonely and battling a snow ridden traffic jam days before Christmas, unexpectedly meets Henry, a fellow traveler stuck by the traffic jam, and strikes up a conversation over shared mince pie and tea.
What follows next is only described as a cozy, snowy mystery, turned friendship and romance.
A perfect read for the holiday season, best enjoyed by the fire, cozied up in a blanket, with a steaming mug of cocoa.
One December Morning proves that sometimes the greatest gift of all is finding love when you least expect it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, and the Author for allowing me to ARC read this heartwarming story for you.
One December Morning- by Emma Davies
❄️Blurb❄️
One chance meeting. Two strangers. And a sprinkling of Christmas magic... Fifty-five-year-old Peg has been lonely for as long as she can remember. As she battles through traffic while the snow softly falls around her, the best she can hope for is to get home for Christmas safely, and to spend it wrapped in a blanket by a roaring open fire in her tumbledown cottage in the Cotswolds.
Little does she know that everything is about to change... Because Henry is also stuck on the road, and when their cars come to a complete standstill, he and Peg strike up a conversation over a homemade mince pie and a flask of hot tea. Towering over Peg, his navy waffle-knit jumper charmingly threadbare at the elbows, he chats effortlessly. With his tortoiseshell glasses pushed back into his mass of curly dark hair, Henry makes Peg laugh, and the two click. As something shifts, Peg realises that it's been a long time since she smiled like this. Peg discovers that Henry is single too, but he's off to grit his teeth through the forced jollity of another family Christmas with his insufferably perfect daughter-in-law in the next village. Before they get a chance to exchange numbers, the traffic starts to move and Peg and Henry are wrenched apart... She doesn't expect to see him again. But then, days later, there's a knock on Peg's Henry needs her help. In an instant, she knows this will be a Christmas she'll never forget, in ways she could never have imagined. Can she let herself get involved and risk being vulnerable, or will she shy away? Peg doesn't open her heart to anyone.
But can the magic of Christmas persuade her to give it to someone special...?
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
One December morning, fate pauses the world just long enough for two hearts to meet.
Peg, lonely and battling a snow ridden traffic jam days before Christmas, unexpectedly meets Henry, a fellow traveler stuck by the traffic jam, and strikes up a conversation over shared mince pie and tea.
What follows next is only described as a cozy, snowy mystery, turned friendship and romance.
A perfect read for the holiday season, best enjoyed by the fire, cozied up in a blanket, with a steaming mug of cocoa.
One December Morning proves that sometimes the greatest gift of all is finding love when you least expect it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, and the Author for allowing me to ARC read this heartwarming story for you.
October 16, 2025
I like emotional books, stories set in the backdrop of Christmas.
And I normally like this author.
But this book...OMG...why the heck did I spend few hours of my life to find something good in it? Now I will never get those hours back.
The one star is because the book had Christmas and kindness in it.
Now let's get to why I found the book so difficult to get through. (yes, I hear ya. I should have DNFed)
1. The characters' emotions were not felt
2. The story did not have warmth in the atmosphere as such books tended to have
3. It was painstakingly slow
4. There was a scene of meet-cute, but for me, it felt a bit unbelievable.
5. I felt Henry had imagined Peg to be someone who was not so in real life and had wrapped his mind around her for no reason. It felt she was more his escape route, not love interest.
6. There was an attempt to show how a miracle had occurred in their lives on Christmas morning, but that arc was not continued well in the rest of the book
7. Henry and Peg had no romantic vibes. There was no zing between them. The least I could feel was Peg helped Henry on humanitarian grounds.
8. Suddenly, Peg's well loved dead husband became someone who was not so good to her.
9. There was a complete disconnect between a couple of scenes, and I was told how it could be true rather than shown in the bond between them. (Eeeks. there was no bond between them.)
10. I couldn't connect with any one of the characters. Maybe Blanche and Mim were good (the older characters) but they didn't have space to breathe in their character in this book.
11. It absolutely didn't feel as if Emma Davies had written this book. All the praise written in the beginning felt more as if they were written for some other book. I was fooled by those words since the book had no such scenes.
One December Morning ruined many hours of my October morning in my trying to find something to like about this book. Sigghhh.
PS - I am not sure if there are 2 Emma Davies authors and if the one whose books I have read before is the same as this author. I don't have the time to investigate. If you do find out, let me know.
And I normally like this author.
But this book...OMG...why the heck did I spend few hours of my life to find something good in it? Now I will never get those hours back.
The one star is because the book had Christmas and kindness in it.
Now let's get to why I found the book so difficult to get through. (yes, I hear ya. I should have DNFed)
1. The characters' emotions were not felt
2. The story did not have warmth in the atmosphere as such books tended to have
3. It was painstakingly slow
4. There was a scene of meet-cute, but for me, it felt a bit unbelievable.
5. I felt Henry had imagined Peg to be someone who was not so in real life and had wrapped his mind around her for no reason. It felt she was more his escape route, not love interest.
6. There was an attempt to show how a miracle had occurred in their lives on Christmas morning, but that arc was not continued well in the rest of the book
7. Henry and Peg had no romantic vibes. There was no zing between them. The least I could feel was Peg helped Henry on humanitarian grounds.
8. Suddenly, Peg's well loved dead husband became someone who was not so good to her.
9. There was a complete disconnect between a couple of scenes, and I was told how it could be true rather than shown in the bond between them. (Eeeks. there was no bond between them.)
10. I couldn't connect with any one of the characters. Maybe Blanche and Mim were good (the older characters) but they didn't have space to breathe in their character in this book.
11. It absolutely didn't feel as if Emma Davies had written this book. All the praise written in the beginning felt more as if they were written for some other book. I was fooled by those words since the book had no such scenes.
One December Morning ruined many hours of my October morning in my trying to find something to like about this book. Sigghhh.
PS - I am not sure if there are 2 Emma Davies authors and if the one whose books I have read before is the same as this author. I don't have the time to investigate. If you do find out, let me know.
December 24, 2025
Peg & Henry meet at a gas (petrol) station. Stuck in traffic, Peg notices Henry sitting in his car not far from hers. Indefinitely at a standstill, Peg takes some food & taps on Henry’s window. The 2 keep each other company for the couple of hours they are not moving. The conversation flows smoothly and there seems to be a level of comfort each feels with the other.
Peg is a widow whose husband passed on Boxing Day (Dec. 26) four years ago. Her 2 grown daughters are traveling for the holidays. So, Peg, seemingly content, plans on spending a quiet Christmas alone. Henry, divorced, is driving to his son & daughter-in-law’s home. Visits at his sons are less than relaxed & it is obvious, that although Henry loves his son greatly & wants to spend time with him, he is not looking forward to the visit.
The traffic starts moving, so Peg returns to her car calling out to “come visit.” During conversation it is discovered that Peg lives not far from Henry’s son.
Tensions build between Henry & his son on Christmas morning & Henry leaves even before breakfast. Henry finds himself at Peg’s home, where they spend a very relaxed and enjoyable day together. However, things are not what they seem.
Henry wakes up in a hospital where he finds he has been in a single-car accident. Lucky to be alive, Henry begins the recuperation process. How is Peg involved in this whole story? What really happened on Christmas Day? Will Peg be able to move forward & find a new form of happiness?
At 1st glance, I felt this was going to be a simple, feel-good Christmas story. As the story unfolds, many personal and relational issues are delved into. Other characters’ (family) stories are intertwined with Peg & Henry’s. Relationships are kindled & renewed. Lessons are learned on doing what really brings you joy…not needing to put on any pretenses.
The relationships & the deeper lessons learned make this a 4-star read for me.
Peg is a widow whose husband passed on Boxing Day (Dec. 26) four years ago. Her 2 grown daughters are traveling for the holidays. So, Peg, seemingly content, plans on spending a quiet Christmas alone. Henry, divorced, is driving to his son & daughter-in-law’s home. Visits at his sons are less than relaxed & it is obvious, that although Henry loves his son greatly & wants to spend time with him, he is not looking forward to the visit.
The traffic starts moving, so Peg returns to her car calling out to “come visit.” During conversation it is discovered that Peg lives not far from Henry’s son.
Tensions build between Henry & his son on Christmas morning & Henry leaves even before breakfast. Henry finds himself at Peg’s home, where they spend a very relaxed and enjoyable day together. However, things are not what they seem.
Henry wakes up in a hospital where he finds he has been in a single-car accident. Lucky to be alive, Henry begins the recuperation process. How is Peg involved in this whole story? What really happened on Christmas Day? Will Peg be able to move forward & find a new form of happiness?
At 1st glance, I felt this was going to be a simple, feel-good Christmas story. As the story unfolds, many personal and relational issues are delved into. Other characters’ (family) stories are intertwined with Peg & Henry’s. Relationships are kindled & renewed. Lessons are learned on doing what really brings you joy…not needing to put on any pretenses.
The relationships & the deeper lessons learned make this a 4-star read for me.
December 16, 2025
This is such an interesting and unique story. At times it does seem incredibly strange and far fetched to me but that could just be me. The characters are a lot different than I am though I do wish I were a bit more like some of them (and not so much like others!)
In this story, fifty-five year old Peg is feeling lonely as the holidays approach. She runs into a man and they strike up a conversation, not romantic or anything just a typical stranger type conversation, and they both go their separate ways. However, when she finds herself stuck in traffic due to weather she happens to look over and see Henry, the man she met, is also stuck in the same traffic. Since it would seem they are going to be stuck quite some time she and Henry decide to share some food and hot tea as well as more conversation. The two click and Peg finds herself smiling more than she has in a long time. During their conversation, Peg learns that Henry is also single and is on his way to spend another Christmas with his oh so perfect daughter-in-law and his son who hasn't been very open to his dad over the years. Before they get the chance to give each other their numbers the traffic starts up and the two are pulled apart. She doesn't expect to ever see him again but then he shows up at her house because he needs her help.
After this the story gets a little out there in some ways. I just couldn't quite wrap my head around doing what Peg does, she's such an amazing person, but I would strive to be a bit more Peg-like if I could.
This book is definitely sweet and it is also very cute for the holidays. It'll leave you with a good feeling and maybe even a little good will for those around you and yours.
In this story, fifty-five year old Peg is feeling lonely as the holidays approach. She runs into a man and they strike up a conversation, not romantic or anything just a typical stranger type conversation, and they both go their separate ways. However, when she finds herself stuck in traffic due to weather she happens to look over and see Henry, the man she met, is also stuck in the same traffic. Since it would seem they are going to be stuck quite some time she and Henry decide to share some food and hot tea as well as more conversation. The two click and Peg finds herself smiling more than she has in a long time. During their conversation, Peg learns that Henry is also single and is on his way to spend another Christmas with his oh so perfect daughter-in-law and his son who hasn't been very open to his dad over the years. Before they get the chance to give each other their numbers the traffic starts up and the two are pulled apart. She doesn't expect to ever see him again but then he shows up at her house because he needs her help.
After this the story gets a little out there in some ways. I just couldn't quite wrap my head around doing what Peg does, she's such an amazing person, but I would strive to be a bit more Peg-like if I could.
This book is definitely sweet and it is also very cute for the holidays. It'll leave you with a good feeling and maybe even a little good will for those around you and yours.
October 16, 2025
When Peg met Henry....it is just that simple :) Not really but I really liked these two characters, they were so likeable!
Peg is on her way from her aunt Mim's place. She stops at a petrol station and helps out a fellow traveller whose windscreen is iced up and who doesn't seem to know about the little nozzles icing up (I didn't either until I read this book!). They get chatting and go their separate ways, not thinking they might run into each other later on, down the motorway. But a traffic jam occurs and they DO come across each other once more so fate has its hand here, I think.
I can really see how something like this might happen, to be honest. Peg is a delightful woman, open and friendly. Henry seems a little bit scatty, in the way that academics sometimes are, but also friendly and kind. At the very least, these two can be friends, right?
Ah, life has a way of throwing curveballs and Peg and Henry have to navigate family dynamics and to top it off, it is Christmas which has negative connotations for Peg, since it was just after Christmas that she lost her husband, some 4 years earlier.
This is a nice, cosy story and I enjoyed it. There was a part I didn't really understand all that well, something to do with a dream, and that confusion spoilt it a little but that is ok, not everyone is going to have the same level of understanding when it comes to reading a book. I am sure the author could explain it in about 5 minutes!
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
There was a
Peg is on her way from her aunt Mim's place. She stops at a petrol station and helps out a fellow traveller whose windscreen is iced up and who doesn't seem to know about the little nozzles icing up (I didn't either until I read this book!). They get chatting and go their separate ways, not thinking they might run into each other later on, down the motorway. But a traffic jam occurs and they DO come across each other once more so fate has its hand here, I think.
I can really see how something like this might happen, to be honest. Peg is a delightful woman, open and friendly. Henry seems a little bit scatty, in the way that academics sometimes are, but also friendly and kind. At the very least, these two can be friends, right?
Ah, life has a way of throwing curveballs and Peg and Henry have to navigate family dynamics and to top it off, it is Christmas which has negative connotations for Peg, since it was just after Christmas that she lost her husband, some 4 years earlier.
This is a nice, cosy story and I enjoyed it. There was a part I didn't really understand all that well, something to do with a dream, and that confusion spoilt it a little but that is ok, not everyone is going to have the same level of understanding when it comes to reading a book. I am sure the author could explain it in about 5 minutes!
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
There was a
October 2, 2025
"The way a crow shook down on me, the dust of snow from a hemlock tree, has given my heart a change of mood, and saved some part of a day I had rued…"
This heartwarming story follows Peg and Henry, two single parents navigating the complexities of family, grief, and the need for connection during the holiday season.
Peg, a widow, is still carrying the weight of loss while raising her children with the support of her aunt. She plans for a quiet Christmas, finding comfort in books, a warm fire, and carolers. Henry, meanwhile, spends the holiday out of obligation with his son and extended family, though tensions run high.
When Peg and Henry cross paths, an unexpected bond begins to form. The novel alternates between their individual journeys and eventually brings their stories back together as family secrets, heartache, and healing unfold.
I especially loved the way Emma Davies painted the winter scenery—the descriptions were vivid and captured the cozy yet emotional tone of the holidays. The pacing felt just right for the short timeline between December 22 and the New Year, and I appreciated how the story explored the power of family, forgiveness, and the Christmas spirit in mending old wounds.
While the ending was somewhat predictable, I still found the story enjoyable and heartfelt. I only wished Peg and Henry’s connection had come together a bit sooner, but overall this was a touching holiday read that left me feeling warm and reflective.
This heartwarming story follows Peg and Henry, two single parents navigating the complexities of family, grief, and the need for connection during the holiday season.
Peg, a widow, is still carrying the weight of loss while raising her children with the support of her aunt. She plans for a quiet Christmas, finding comfort in books, a warm fire, and carolers. Henry, meanwhile, spends the holiday out of obligation with his son and extended family, though tensions run high.
When Peg and Henry cross paths, an unexpected bond begins to form. The novel alternates between their individual journeys and eventually brings their stories back together as family secrets, heartache, and healing unfold.
I especially loved the way Emma Davies painted the winter scenery—the descriptions were vivid and captured the cozy yet emotional tone of the holidays. The pacing felt just right for the short timeline between December 22 and the New Year, and I appreciated how the story explored the power of family, forgiveness, and the Christmas spirit in mending old wounds.
While the ending was somewhat predictable, I still found the story enjoyable and heartfelt. I only wished Peg and Henry’s connection had come together a bit sooner, but overall this was a touching holiday read that left me feeling warm and reflective.
November 29, 2025
I loved Peg and Henry's meet cute: a brief encounter at a gas station. And then miles down the road, traffic comes to a halt because of a spill on the highway. Peg spots Henry a few vehicles away, so she brings over snacks and we get to know their backstories over their conversation while waiting for the highway to clear. When the traffic starts to move, Peg exits, and she shouts over the noise directions to her home. Ooh! Will Henry find her?
Was not a fan of Henry's son (Adam) and daughter-in-law (Sophia), so did not enjoy when the story shifted to Adam's not so big secret. I wanted more Henry and Peg! I felt they were barely even friends.
This story is very atmospheric. Filled with cozy settings: fireplaces, naps, reading, gardens, making tea and baking. The pacing is s-l-o-w. A lot of conversation about homes. A lot. Sophia disliking her home, trying to change it, loves Peg's home, Peg contemplating selling her home, maybe a house swap, etc. It got very repetitive. A lot of words but no story.
At one point I thought there was going to be an alternate timeline! I was starting to think Henry knew something Peg didn't. He also seemed more attached than he should be? It left me confused. Because then I wondered if Peg knew, and was hiding more than the books she didn't want Henry to find. Overall, an enjoyable, relaxing read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
Was not a fan of Henry's son (Adam) and daughter-in-law (Sophia), so did not enjoy when the story shifted to Adam's not so big secret. I wanted more Henry and Peg! I felt they were barely even friends.
This story is very atmospheric. Filled with cozy settings: fireplaces, naps, reading, gardens, making tea and baking. The pacing is s-l-o-w. A lot of conversation about homes. A lot. Sophia disliking her home, trying to change it, loves Peg's home, Peg contemplating selling her home, maybe a house swap, etc. It got very repetitive. A lot of words but no story.
At one point I thought there was going to be an alternate timeline! I was starting to think Henry knew something Peg didn't. He also seemed more attached than he should be? It left me confused. Because then I wondered if Peg knew, and was hiding more than the books she didn't want Henry to find. Overall, an enjoyable, relaxing read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
October 7, 2025
What a lovely heartwarming story about grief and second chance, when all seems lost a chance at fate is all you need…. Oh and a flask of hot coffee, cheese and beetroot sandwiches and a tonne of homemade mince pies.
When Peg leaves her elderly Aunt Mims and begins the travel back home she offers another lone traveler some assistance, as with the bad weather his water jets have frozen over on the car leaving his windscreen covered in road muck from the overspray.
Later that afternoon after they both said their thank yous and goodbyes, they both set off on the rest of their journeys, not to see each other again….. but as luck would have it, they both get stuck in a traffic jam - a few cars apart.
After Peg making the random decision to grab some sustenance she heads to the man’s vehicle and they pass the time by having a picnic together (brave or what?)
It turns out they are both going to the same place and even eerier, the gentleman used to live in the area and his son lives a short drive away from her home.
The gentleman, Henry arrives at his son’s home just in time for dinner although his daughter in law is a interior design social media influencer so everything has to be ‘picture perfect’ to get the most viewings and meet the trends.
Christmas is a time to relax and enjoy with family and friends but this Christmas will be anything but…
When Peg leaves her elderly Aunt Mims and begins the travel back home she offers another lone traveler some assistance, as with the bad weather his water jets have frozen over on the car leaving his windscreen covered in road muck from the overspray.
Later that afternoon after they both said their thank yous and goodbyes, they both set off on the rest of their journeys, not to see each other again….. but as luck would have it, they both get stuck in a traffic jam - a few cars apart.
After Peg making the random decision to grab some sustenance she heads to the man’s vehicle and they pass the time by having a picnic together (brave or what?)
It turns out they are both going to the same place and even eerier, the gentleman used to live in the area and his son lives a short drive away from her home.
The gentleman, Henry arrives at his son’s home just in time for dinner although his daughter in law is a interior design social media influencer so everything has to be ‘picture perfect’ to get the most viewings and meet the trends.
Christmas is a time to relax and enjoy with family and friends but this Christmas will be anything but…
October 19, 2025
Peg is a widow. She lives alone and often travels a few hours away from her home in a Cotswold village to care for her Aunt Mim who is in her 80’s. One morning on her way home, Peg stops at a petrol station, she sees a man having trouble cleaning his windscreen and offers him some warm water. Later, on the motorway, there is an accident, and the traffic is stopped for a few hours. Peg is stopped close to the man she saw at the petrol station, so she goes over to hm and offers him some sandwiches, mince pies and a cup of tea.
The man is Henry, and he is on his way to his son’s house for Christmas, but Henry is not happy about spending Christmas with his son and daughter-in-law.
This was about families, grief and secrets. I loved the way the characters interacted, and how their secrets were revealed.
Peg wants to stay at her home but feels she has to move closer to her aunt to help care for her.
Henry’s son and his wife are not happy and have too many secrets. Henry would love to live the life Peg is living but thinks he has to move closer to his son to offer some support. Meanwhile, Peg’s aunt Mim, has a secret.
Lots of twists and turns to unravel.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Bookouture for a chance to read and review this E-Book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
The man is Henry, and he is on his way to his son’s house for Christmas, but Henry is not happy about spending Christmas with his son and daughter-in-law.
This was about families, grief and secrets. I loved the way the characters interacted, and how their secrets were revealed.
Peg wants to stay at her home but feels she has to move closer to her aunt to help care for her.
Henry’s son and his wife are not happy and have too many secrets. Henry would love to live the life Peg is living but thinks he has to move closer to his son to offer some support. Meanwhile, Peg’s aunt Mim, has a secret.
Lots of twists and turns to unravel.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Bookouture for a chance to read and review this E-Book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
October 6, 2025
⛽🚘Cozy with a twist of mysterious magic🛣
I found this holiday story altogether charming.
Peg and Henry are mature, widowed and divorced respectively, and connect unexpectedly in an hours-long traffic jam days before Christmas. Thereafter, fate and illness brings them back together as part of a group that includes Henry's son, daughter in law and her mother, and Peg's aunt and her daughters. In the space of about a week, new friendships, romance and some self-reflection hit for most of the group and lives are changed, definitely for the better. Peg and Blanche, the daughter in law's mother, were two of my favorite characters. Peg is so giving, ready to uproot her contented existence and possibly miss out on a budding relationship to keep a promise. And the way Blanche shows everyone the gross misapprehension her daughter has of her as a feeble old woman who needs a minder: go, Blanche!
Henry's unexplained memories of a visit with Peg that only he remembers kept me puzzled throughout the story. Interesting twist that really gets the characters interacting.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
I found this holiday story altogether charming.
Peg and Henry are mature, widowed and divorced respectively, and connect unexpectedly in an hours-long traffic jam days before Christmas. Thereafter, fate and illness brings them back together as part of a group that includes Henry's son, daughter in law and her mother, and Peg's aunt and her daughters. In the space of about a week, new friendships, romance and some self-reflection hit for most of the group and lives are changed, definitely for the better. Peg and Blanche, the daughter in law's mother, were two of my favorite characters. Peg is so giving, ready to uproot her contented existence and possibly miss out on a budding relationship to keep a promise. And the way Blanche shows everyone the gross misapprehension her daughter has of her as a feeble old woman who needs a minder: go, Blanche!
Henry's unexplained memories of a visit with Peg that only he remembers kept me puzzled throughout the story. Interesting twist that really gets the characters interacting.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
November 5, 2025
In the perfect little meet cute, Peg was traveling home after visiting her aunt and meets Henry at the petrol station and again on the highway when traffic comes to a halt. They discover they'll be in close proximity to each other during the Christmas holiday while Henry is visiting his son and daughter-in-law and Peg will be spending the holiday alone. An invite is extended (we think), but is lost in the noise on the highway. Henry is a divorcee and Peg is a widow, both are middle aged and mature, and both are trying to get through the holiday as best they can. You will instantly come to love both of these characters.
This book focuses more on family dynamics, problems with aging, stress, and miscommunication than romance. This book will make you wanna curl up in your favorite reading spot, warm beverage in hand, oversize sweater, and just melt into the storyline. The descriptions of Peg's house definitely gives "The Holiday" vibes while the scenery descriptions are beautiful.
I loved the characters of Peg and Henry, but this story also has some wonderful other characters that add a richness to the book. This story will definitely put you in the holiday spirit!
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
This book focuses more on family dynamics, problems with aging, stress, and miscommunication than romance. This book will make you wanna curl up in your favorite reading spot, warm beverage in hand, oversize sweater, and just melt into the storyline. The descriptions of Peg's house definitely gives "The Holiday" vibes while the scenery descriptions are beautiful.
I loved the characters of Peg and Henry, but this story also has some wonderful other characters that add a richness to the book. This story will definitely put you in the holiday spirit!
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
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