Christmas at Hollybush Farm

by Jo Thomas

Don't miss Jo's next feel-good festive romance...

'It just wouldn't be Christmas without Jo's book in your stocking!' Jill Mansell

Jemima Jones is driving home to her family's magical hill-top farm for Christmas…

And on arrival, she soon learns that her dad has been keeping a secret – all is not as it seems, and Hollybush Farm is struggling to make ends meet! Worried about losing the childhood home she loves, Jemima decides it’s time to pull on her winter wellies.

Amid the chaos of chasing after the Houdini-escaping sheep and organising the Christmas tractor run, Jemima begins documenting her slice of farming life on social media. As she builds a supportive online following, she also forms an offline connection in the shape of charming retired rugby player Llew, her very own Santa's helper.

With a sprinkle of festive cheer and a dash of goodwill, might the community pull together to help save the farm in time for Christmas?

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook

368 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

https://www.facebook.com/pg/JoThomasA...

Hello, I’m Jo Thomas. I write romances about food, love, family and fun and believe every story should have a happy ending. Welcome to my world.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

There was so much to love about this armchair travel to Wales!

I identified so much with Jemima and empathized with her drive to prove she was as good at what she does as she can be. I cheered her on as she took on the role of Social Shepherdess, rounded up online support, and brought community back to small towns. I supported her quest to choose independents over big companies and read with my fingers crossed that she and Llew would find happiness. I'll admit to yelling at Matthew and his overbearing nature!

This is a great Christmas read with an important message!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Christmas at Hollybush Farm, by Jo Thomas, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Jemima Jones is heading home home for the holidays, not knowing the farm is not doing well. I love how this town comes together for each other, its so heart warming. Such a great holiday read.

[Emily West · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m really sorry to say that this book was not for me. I found the main character quite preachy and hypocritical which just made her a bit irritating. I fully support the background of the story about supporting local farmers, especially young farmers but just found it a bit twee. I would also like to point out that there are only so many times I can read about cawl and Welsh cakes before I want to scream that there is other food in Wales.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t need to know what a Jo Thomas book is about, I just know I will want to read it. She’s taken me around the world to beautiful destinations and treated me to descriptions of mouthwatering foods. So reading Christmas at Hollybush Farm this festive season was an absolute no-brainer and what a beautiful and utterly satisfying book it truly is.

It begins with Jem and her boyfriend Matthew driving to see her father at his farm in Wales. Jem is high up in the hotel industry and so she’s grabbing a little time before Christmas to go back home. Lucky she does really as her father is unwell and the farm is failing. Matthew is pretty scathing about the farm but Jem realises that no matter how hard she has striven to reach her place at the hotel chain, it’s here on the farm that she truly belongs.

This revelation leads to new friends, new ventures, and maybe new love. What jumps out most in this book is the community spirit, the way that people who were feeling dispirited because of the decline of farms and the small towns and villages that relied on them, with a little enterprise and the power of social media could try to turn things around. It’s never that easy but pulling together and solidarity helps enormously.

I found Christmas at Hollybush Farm such a joy to read (I would expect nothing less from Jo Thomas). She transported me so effectively that I felt I was there in Wales on the farm for Christmas with Jem, Llew, Mae et al, and I felt excited for all of the ideas that could save the farm and the wider community from ruin. I also loved the little cameo from Beca from Summer at the Ice Cream Café and it warmed my cockles to think of her and Jem going on to do more together, along with the folk who supply jacket potatoes, knitted dog scarves and so much more. It’s an absolutely lovely story and it’s always a pleasure to have a Jo Thomas book in my festive reading pile.

[Lisa Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel good cosy Christmas read with a clear message/reminder to support your local food suppliers rather than the bigger supply chains; and know where your food comes from. There was a recurring theme of having hope and working together to support each other. I loved the added recipes at the back of the book, I can’t wait to bake a Welsh cake 😋

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me.

Jemima Jones coming to Hollybush Farm her childhood home for Christmas.What she finds is her father sick, and struggling to keep the farm and meet ends. Scared that the farm will be sold she decided to stay and help. Jemima put herself to work and start also documenting her life on a farm on social media. Add also to the mix retired rugby player Llew, support online and help of old friends, there may be a hope to save the farm just in time for Christmas.

Will Jem save her childhood home?

Full of charm and warmth this book was an enjoyable read. I could feel Christmas festive and goodwill,the friendships were also real and together they create real Christmas magic. If you like reading about winter and Christmas festive, this book is for you.

Thank you netgalley and publisher for my arc copy.

[Elise - ABook&ACup · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Desssssssy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Took everything in me to not DNF - so boring, truly no idea how it’s rated so highly.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jem is a high flyer in the hotel industry with an exciting new position in the pipeline which will take her and her boyfriend Matthew far from her native Wales. When they go home to spend Christmas with her dad at his farm, she discovers that the farm is not doing well and her dad has been keeping his financial problems from her. She soon realises that the businesses in the town are also struggling and determines to do her best to help save both the family farm and the town.

This book gave a really good insight into the realities of modern farming and how difficult it can be for farmers to make a living. Historically, I think people always think farmers are rich but with mass production of cheap food, it isn’t like that any more. There’s an emphasis in this book on promoting locally grown or raised, high quality food. The book also touches on the strains of farming life and how as well as being a physically demanding job, it can also affect people’s mental health.

It wouldn’t be a Jo Thomas book without some delicious sounding food to get your mouth watering. One of the ways Jem looks at diversifying is by creating a foodie type market, supporting various local producers. There is a lot of what I’d call comfort food in this book: warming soups and stews as well as tasty baked potatoes. Sometimes the simple foods are the best!

Jem raises awareness of farming life and the issues facing modern farmers through her ‘Social Shepherdess’ Instagram account which quickly becomes very popular. We really see the power of social media to get a message across. Social media is not without its problems of course but can also be a force for good. We also see the power of a community coming together to stand up for what it believes in and supporting each other,

There is a rather lovely romance in the book – in fact there are a few – but I’ll leave you to discover those for yourself. Christmas at Hollybush Farm is a heart-warming festive read in a lovely small town setting. Community, friendship and romance all play a part in making this a ideal book to curl up with as we approach Christmas.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Jo Thomas and love her books. Living in Wales and loving where we live, I was very excited to read Christmas at Hollybush Farm. The farming community in our area is an integral part of our community. Farmers are essential for bringing food from the field to our table and it is very important we know where are food comes from, not just from supermarkets. Life is very tough for farmers and there is constant uncertainty and they are having to diversify to keep their farms afloat.

The main character is Jemima Jones. I really liked Jemima, she is kind, practical, determined and very resilient. Jemima is not afraid to muck in, no matter what needs doing. She is a force of nature.

It's Christmas and Jemima and her boyfriend Matthew are heading back to her family’s hilltop farm, not knowing that her Dad has been keeping a secret. The farm is struggling financially and he is not sure how it will survive. But this is Jemima's home, it holds all her memories and is where she was brought up. She loves the community, the people and does not want to lose her home.

Farming life was not for Matthew and despite how much Jemima was telling him that she wanted to do all she could to save the farm and she was staying, he did not understand her pull to the farm, and saw it as a passing phase. Matthew was very dismissive of Jemima's ideas and did not support her at all. I was very pleased when Matthew went home and back to his corporate world.

So Jemima tries to do everything she can to rescue the farm, her home, her safe place. With her Dad unwell, she steps up and shines so brightly! Jemima works on turning the farm around with new ideas, the backing of the community and social media! Social media can make such a difference to businesses and that includes farming. Sharing knowledge, advice and new ways to farm is such a supportive help for farmers, particularly young farmers, along with allowing others to see how vital farmers are. Farmers are quiet heroes but sometimes we need to shout out loud and let the world know how integral they are to each and every day. And help them in a world where costs are rising and how our food is grown which is often overlooked. Jo Thomas addressed these important issues incredibly well, giving out such a vital message.

Not only is the farm struggling but other businesses are too. And Jemima did all she could to help them as well. I loved the protest and lock in at the cafe, I loved how they made the best of the awful situation they found themselves in and I loved the food truck!

I really loved the relationship between Jemima and ex-rugby player LLew - they were destined to be together! Brought together by a snowstorm, he was utterly charming and with time he totally understood why Jemima wanted to save the farm. He felt far more comfortable in the countryside than the city, and finally realised it was where he truly belonged, with Jemima by his side.

Lots of great characters in the book. I thought Evie was fantastic - I loved how she took Blood Pressure readings from those in the queue for the food truck. That day, Evie may have saved someone’s life.

If you are looking for a heartwarming romance, with a Christmas setting, wonderful food and a great storyline then this is the book for you! And the perfect Christmas present too! An absolute joy to read!

Now I am off for a lovely bowl of Cawl! And then I think some Welsh cakes are in order!

Thank you very much to Random House UK and, Transworld Publishers for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

[Emily Pankhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netgalley Review

The writing was engaging and powerful in it's message that we all need to take a step back and appreciate what Farmers do for all of us. It was very topical and held such an important message that I think we all need to hear and be reminded of once in a while.

I enjoyed all the food descriptions and the love that ultimately shone through in this book.

The chapters were fairly long so you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. I was so engrossed in what was happening that I didn't notice the length of the chapters.

There was a good flow between each chapter which made it easy for me to sit and read it for long periods of time.

There was a good pace to the story, with little jumps in time to keep everything moving forward.

The story held such an important message that was reiterated throughout the book well, making it a very thought provoking read.

I particularly enjoyed how relevant it was to today, using social media and highlighting the good that it can do, especially at a time when you only really seem to see the dark side.

The characters were excellent. There were some lovely friendships, and I particularly liked the fact that some characters were persuaded to change their outlook.

There were some unpleasant characters in the story which added some tension and jeopardy. I enjoyed being on the main character's journey and how she really had to work hard to get to where she needed to be.

Lastly the settings. I loved the Farmyard settings. There were wonderful descriptions of food and the surrounding area throughout the book, which added depth and comfort to the overall story.

Overall another wonderful read from Jo Thomas, with a poignant message for us all to consider.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something special about a new book from Jo Thomas, as they always include a culinary treat to imagine and recreate. I’m used to Jo’s books taking me away to distant lands; however, this time it was a trip to Wales, an area I really haven’t explored.

Jemima Jones is taking her boyfriend home to meet her father, so that he can ask for her hand in marriage, which seems like a lovely, romantic gesture. That is, until they arrive and discover that the farm is in serious trouble, along with her Dad’s health. The upshot of these discoveries means that Jemima stays in Wales while her boyfriend returns to their life in the city.

As Jemima finds her feet in a lifestyle that she thought she’d left behind, she soon discovers the depth of the farm's troubles and determines that she must rally the villagers and make some changes if they are to survive.

It soon became evident that Jemima, or rather Jem, was a natural organiser and had a heart of gold. I loved reading about her desire to bring change to the entire village, and not just save her family farm. We often hear news stories about the decline in British farming and the impact of so-called super farms, with little to no consideration for animal welfare and food safety. Reading this novel amplified that message and brought the problem into sharp focus.

There’s a strong supporting cast, including Llew, who was initially trying to buy one of the farm’s fields to install some solar panels. As a former rugby player, he was easy to imagine, and I found myself hoping for a change in Jem’s personal alignment with her would-be fiancé. Llew felt like a much better match.

My favourite parts included the truce between her dad and his neighbour, as they found a peace that had evaded them for years, and the gentle relationships that formed as a result of activity in the café.

As Jem’s mission extends into the village, things really gather pace, and there’s a triumph available for village life over corporate greed. I will even think twice about frequenting chain brands over independent outlets.

This touching yet powerful novel has really made me stop and think, but it was done gently. I never felt like I was being preached to; I just felt gently advised. I highly recommend this novel, and I know it will stay with me, helping me make some minor changes to my purchasing decisions.

[Fictionatnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Jo Thomas novel, and it turned out to be a wonderfully warm and festive read. The story follows Jemima Jones as she heads home for the holidays, only to discover that her family’s farm is struggling more than she expected. What really stood out to me was the sense of community. Neighbours, friends, and family coming together to support one another when it matters most. While the pacing has a few slower moments, the charm of the setting and the uplifting spirit of the story make it a delightful seasonal read.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A feel good holiday read!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really delightful Christmas story by Jo Thomas. I really like the characters and how they all fitted into the story.
It's a very festive read, but it also highlights the hard life that a farmer has and how the power of social media can make a change and how life can be perceived.
The story is about Jemima Jones, known as Jem. She returns home to see her dad and find him unwell at home in the farmhouse where she used to live he gets rushed to hospital and Jem takes over the running of the farm to her partner Matthew's horror. Whilst doing this Jem is worried about her Dad losing the farm, and she starts to reevaluate her life and what's important to her.
There is also the love interest of ex-rugby player Llew , who has become her own Santa's helper.
There is a strong feel of community coming together and supporting each other in hard times thanks to Jem and her determination to make everyone's life a little better in the place she calls home.
There are some gorgeous recipes at the back of the book and I will definitely be trying to make some of them.
It's been an nostalgic read for me , as it has had me thinking of my grandad Stan when her dad speaks Welsh , just las my grandad did and that gave me quite a lot of comfort .
It also has you thinking about supporting your own local community- i only buy local meat , veg , eggs etc from town veg/butcher shop and farm shops . I like to know where my food comes from and that it's locally produced.

[BooksCoveredHB · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my full sensory review please see my blog. I am so grateful I was gifted a ARC and I loved it! I was delighted when the book arrived and it was a cold wet and windy night here in Somerset in the UK. I found it was fitting to eat my first mince pie of the year. This book was a real treat and I agree with that tag line, I would have loved to have received a book such as this in my stocking!

There are some serious topics covered regarding family and responsibilities, relationships and the nature of the farming industry and other industries, mainly here is catering and hospitality.

I have grown up in a rural area, I appreciate farms and the hard work, dangers and dedication, the highs and lots of lows that go with this, in particular the long hours, no rest, the loneliness and financial implications.

In Christmas at Hollybush Farm Jo tackles these themes very well and creates a very believable narrative as well as relatable and loveable characters. The dialogue is spot on for me and the book just flowed. Thank you Jo for handling such topics with compassion and respect.

This book is certainly not all doom and gloom, the book is in general very entertaining and really lifted my spirits. I am 40 and I know my 18 and 20 year old daughters would enjoy this along with many friends in their 50s and even my mother in law who is 80.

I highly recommend this for seasonal readers and lovers of the cosy reads genre.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book encompassed everything I'm hoping for in a festive read. I loved the cosy setting of a farm in a small Welsh town where everybody knows everybody and they look out for each other.

Jemima returns home to Hollybush Farm for Christmas only to find her dad, as well as a lot of the town's residents are really struggling. He hasn't been able to pay the heating bill, has fallen ill, and may lose the farm. Soon enough, Jemima is getting back into the swing of farm life and raising awareness online to the importance of shopping local and supporting farmers.

I loved how the whole book centred around the importance of a community working together. It was a completely heartwarming, feel good read with a touch of Christmas spirit, too.

A lovely, enjoyable read for cold, snuggly nights in.

[Kaat SweetOnStories · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a medical emergency lands her aging father in hospital, Jem is forced to make a tough decision: accept a job offer across the pond and move to Seattle with her long-time partner Matthew... or stay behind to look after her family's farm in Wales. Although... it's not really a tough decision for Jem. She loves the farm: it's home. What's tough, is having to let down the employers who've been good to her... and realizing the man she was about to get engaged to demand she let her father fend for himself, when the farm already isn't doing too well financially. Jem turns to social media in a moment of vulnerability and quickly goes viral, and she realizes this is what she is meant to be doing: speak up for farmers. Hoping to rescue her father's farm, she puts everything she has learned in the hospitality business into fundraising. An online following rallies around her warm little community, which unexpectedly includes Llew, a handsome retired football player turned solar panel salesman.

I can tell this book is very close to the author, Jo Thomas's heart. Indeed, in her acknowledgements, at the end of the book, she mentions how Christmas at Hollybush Farm is inspired by the work her daughter does through a foundation focusing on farmers' mental health. Through Jem, she makes an impassioned plea for the plight of Welsh farmers that is touching and eye-opening. There's an empathy coming from the author, which she channels not only through her lead character Jem, but also in how she choses to describe the story's setting, focusing in part on the healthy realism of the manual (human) labor that's involved in farming, describing the humans and the human touch behind the produce. Farmers are people doing their best to provide for other people, and these days they're so overlooked.

Thomas describes farm living in great detail, taking the reader along with Jem as she goes through daily routines and chores, some routine, others emergency. Jem is clearly in her element, finding joy in the mundane, in the comfort of the familiar, because it's cozy and it's home. The farm life is hard work, and it's not exactly Instagram idyllic, but Jem thrives there, regardless. I think her decision to forego her relationship and promotion in lieu of this life is very, very convincing. There is a quiet charm to it, a rustic authenticity, found in little moments such as noting the nicks and scratches on the old kitchen table, remembering how they happened. Little bits and bobs like this make it feel real. It's Christmas time, and that adds to the warm and cozy atmosphere, but the holiday itself is not at the forefront of the story.

Something Jo Thomas does well, I think, is write community life. I've read another one of her books earlier this year, and also noticed then how there's a warmth to the way her characters interact with one and other, how they come together with a common goal. The recurring side characters are developed strongly enough, almost efficiently. What you read is what you get. Character such as Jem's dad, Mae, neighbor Myfanwy, ex-boyfriend-now-friend Owen all have personality but are easy to figure out. Everyone just clicks together nicely. And it helps that they're all lovely, kind people. Even the farm dogs have a bit of personality to them. Anyway, Christmas at Hollybush Farm is a wholesome, comforting read in that sense, and it's almost like I'm there with this sweet community, rather than just observing them as they fight together stay afloat.

But the book does get very repetitive. I suppose it makes sense in one way: Jem narrates the story, and she worries. Of course thoughts tend to go round and round in her mind. She's an empathetic and passionate character, concerned about those around her, and she faces several life-altering decisions all of the sudden regarding where to live, where to work, and whom to be with. But even then, it's just a lot of the same, and unfortunately as I kept reading, I felt myself feeling just a tad bit bored with the story, Jem literally repeating the same thoughts and sentences throughout the book ("farmers need to make a living" over and over and over - yes, dear, we get it). The characters even eat the same things: for the longest time, all they eat is cawl, jacket potato and Welsh cakes. I was delighted for these people's gut health and taste buds when shepherd's pie made its way to the menu some time later. Things like this start to grate. They just do. (I do like that the recipes are included in the back. That's a cute touch.)

Had the romance storyline been handled better, this could have been a 4-star book for me, but unfortunately it falls flat. Llew isn't fleshed out enough. Jem remarks several times that he's attractive, and there are some moments during which his inherent goodness shines through. But Thomas won't commit to him being either a Samaritan or - as a solar panel salesman offering to buy her father's land - an enemy. The indecision there means there's no real romantic build-up or tension. What exactly draws Jem to him? There's nothing much to go on for a huge part of the book. Later on, Llew's more involved, but he's mostly just there? And by then Jem had already decided she wants to be with him and several steps just feel skipped over. Part of it is that Jem's indecision regarding Matthew takes way too long. The man is practically holding up his own red flags, frantically waving them in the wind, BEGGING to be dumped and Jem still takes her sweet time deciding what to do. 

Christmas at Hollybush Farm is an accessible book, and there's a lot to like about it. The warm community is this book's greatest asset. But it ended up being just an okay read. Not a bad book at all, but not engaging enough past the 70% mark. Rather than repeat the farmers' message and the cooking of cawl as often as she did, Thomas could have used that space to really develop the romance storyline: it would have made the book more vibrant and memorable.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Penguin for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.

[Eilidh Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t love Jo Thomas’s Christmas release last year and after that I wasn’t sure if I was going to read more from her after it however I am so glad that I didn’t decide not to read more from her because I ended up loving this one and I think it has become one of my favourite festive reads of the year. There were a lot of great elements about this book and things that I just had a great time reading about.

Christmas at Hollybush Farm follows Jem who has come back to her family farm to celebrate an early Christmas, to discover her Dad is unwell and the farm is struggling to make ends meet, so she puts on her wellies and gets stuck in with the things that need to be done. And amid the chaos of doing so Jem begins to document her life on social media, sharing how much farmers are struggling.

As I said there was a lot that I enjoyed within this book and overall I found it to be a book that I really enjoyed and now want to buy a physical copy of. Some of the things that particularly stood out to me as I was reading were the way that the community all came together, the festive feels and the message about farming.

Something I wasn’t expecting going into this book but I suspect made me enjoy this book in a way that I didn’t A Recipe for Christmas last year was the combined message about farming that I felt really boosted this book and really important at our current point in time and the way the community all came together. The message about farming didn’t come across as something Jo Thomas was trying to sell, instead it felt well integrated into the story and something that as a reader I picked up on because of the situations the characters were in and what could have been done to improve that. It did also get me thinking about where my food comes from and what I can do to improve that.

The other thing I really loved and also featured in the other Jo Thomas book I have enjoyed is the community feel throughout the story and the way the community all comes together to support each other when times are tough. It made me support all the characters within the story as I had seen what they had been willing to do for those in their community when they had been struggling and it was nice to see how they would all just get involved and make sure things happened. It is definitely something I always love to see in books but it hits harder within festive books.

There wasn’t loads of romance within this book which was what I needed, with where my reading has been recently but the romance that did feature made me smile throughout the time I was reading. It was nice to see Jem realise what it was she actually wanted from both life and her romantic relationship but seeing as she had been in a serious relationship at the start of the book it was also nice to see she didn’t suddenly move on really quickly instead her relationship with Llew developed slowly and steadily until at the end of the book I had an idea of where it was going but it also seemed like as a couple they had room to grow and get their happily ever after which definitely worked for this book. I also liked seeing Jem’s Dad get his happily ever after, after all the time he had spent living on his own and many of the other characters.

Overall this was a festive book I was very happy to love and I am so glad I gave Jo Thomas another shot. There were some great feelings and messages in this one too, so while it might be a bit late to read it this festive season I would recommend picking up a copy ahead of November 2026 so that you can dive right in when the time is right.

Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for my copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This is not just any Christmas book. This is a Jo Thomas Christmas book. Which mean's it's bound to be wonderful.

I love this nostalgic view the story has. I know farming is not an easy job, and she hasn't shied away from that. But she's also kept that nostalgic feeling of a simpler time, of curling up in front of a fire, under blankets, with the rain or snow falling outside, and a hot bowl of something in your hands. If I ignore the harder aspects of that life, I'd say it almost felt romantic and I loved it. It sounds like a life I'd like; little cottage, roaring fire, thick blankets, soup on the stove, and more books than I could possible read.

I liked Jemima as a main character. She so wanted to help but she was conflicted, being torn in two. She's very selfless and caring and others around her take advantage of that. She's a very real, recognisable character.

I didn't like her partner Matthew. He was well written and probably exactly what Jo intended, and his role was perfect. But he felt slimy and smarmy and selfish, almost like he felt he was too good for this little life, and I really didn't like him at all.

I loved this sense of community Jo has created. Things have been rough, there's not much money in farming and small communities anymore, but they try their best. And it's gorgeous, like this community is an extension of the family.

I also loved the passion for local food and knowing where your food comes from, and about slow food and comforting food, but it's not preachy.

I read this on a day where I'd baked Christmas cookies and I was listening to Christmas music, whilst it poured down outside, so it was perfect.

I read it in a day, it was so addictive.

Her book A Recipe For Christmas was probably my favourite of hers, and I've read a lot of them, and I would say this is pretty darn close to matching that. It's so warm and cosy and comforting and everything you want from a festive read.

[TrishAM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo Thomas has written a charming, cosy, Christmas story that leaves you with an emotional feelgood factor.
Jemima Jones (Jem) was returning to Hollybush Farm in the beautiful Welsh countryside, with her would be fiancé, Mathew. Jem had forged out a very successful career in the luxury hotel industry and she and Mathew were off to Seattle to open and run one of their chain of hotels across the pond.
What Jem found at the farm made her heart sink, there were no farm workers, fences were down, the house was cold but more worrying, her father was very sick. When Jem had seen her father safely settled in a hospital bed she set about sorting the farm. Things were much worse that Jem realised, the farm was on it's knees, her father had kept things from her.
Mathew was keen to get away and take Jem with him but Hollybush farm was Jem's home, she might be a high flyer but she loved her father, this farm held all her wonderful childhood memories, Christmas on the farm, the laughter, the love, the food and the company.
Jem was soon to find that not only the farm was on it's knees, but so was the once vibrant town. In desperation, Jem turned to social media with her thoughts and was surprised at the number of likes. Jem gathered the locals who were all in the same boat, could they bond together and bring life back into the town, could they beat the huge corporations.
Ex rugby player, Llew Griffiths, could be the answerer to the farm's problems but Jem hated his proposal but even though she started by hating Llew, the dislike soon turned to friendship and then .....
Jo Thomas has beautifully described the festive Christmas and New Year markets, the atmosphere, the laughter, the lanterns, the smells, but most of all the camaraderie, all set against a stunning Welsh backdrop, I really wanted to be there. This book has wonderful warm characters, beautiful friendships and an emotional happy ending.
Thank you Random House Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I think of Jo Thomas I think of amazing books, delicious food and exotic locations.

Well one out of three is certainly true of this book - it's a totally brilliant story and I couldn't read it quick enough and it kept me completely engrossed for a couple of long train journeys.

The location though this time is slightly less than exotic at least to me, it's on a sheep farm in Wales and it's all about a small farming community that is struggling. With Jem having returned home for a visit, discovering her father is unwell and decides she needs to stay.

And in that ends up becoming an online sensation trying to be voice for underappreciated farmers everywhere, and re-acquaints herself with the community and is surprised at what has been happening in her home town.

Unfortunately just due to personal taste the food did not make my mouth water. If you are a fan of winter warming healthy food that is definitely the definition of farm to table, then you will almost certainly be hungry while reading this, but it's just not my idea of appetising again, even with Jo's great descriptions of it.

But luckily I'm not just here for the food, I'm here for the heartwarming stories that this author tells and this really is one of those. It's about community, it's topical, and it's certainly opened my eyes to what farmers are dealing with. In fact this probably needs to be read by anyone that makes the rubbish decisions that affect British farmers, as this is a great advocate as to the issues they are facing.

I absolutely loved the animals present in this book, especially the mischievous ram and all of the main dogs. Seeing Jem get back in touch with her roots was really lovely.

Another top quality book from an auto read and favourite author of mine. Just wonderful.

Thank you to Transworld Digital and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Jo Thomas is at her uplifting best with her gorgeous new novel, Christmas at Hollybush Farm.

Jemima is looking forward to spending Christmas with her family at Hollybush Farm. There is nowhere else Jemima would rather be than at the place that means the most to her surrounded by the people she loves. Only the magic of the festive season is sadly lacking this year as she soon discovers. It’s clear that something isn’t quite right this year and when her dad confesses that the farm is in trouble and they are struggling to make ends meet, a determined Jemima vows to do everything in her power to do something about it. She is not about to lose the farm and comes up with a fool proof plan that might just reverse Hollybush Farm’s ailing fortunes.

Documenting her day around the farm on social media might just be thing to save her family’s home. It doesn’t take long for Jemima to become a hit on the socials – even if she spends her days covered in mud, chasing after sheep and organising the Christmas tractor run. However, it’s not all hard work for Jemima – especially when she makes a connection with handsome retired rugby player Llew.

This Christmas promises to be one to remember for Jemima – and with a bit of luck and goodwill, she might just get everything she’s always wanted…

Festive romantic escapism doesn’t get any better than this! I loved everything about Christmas at Hollybush Farm! Jo Thomas is absolutely superb and she has penned an addictive contemporary romance that is enchanting, magical and so enjoyable that I put my life on hold whilst I was devouring this book.

A romantic treat for fans of the genre that will leave them with a massive grin on their face, Christmas at Hollybush Farm by Jo Thomas is an absolute must-read this festive season.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another wonderful and heart-warming story from Jo Thomas. If you have read any of her books before, then you know you are going to be in for a treat.

The hotel hospitality business is something that Jem and her partner Matthew are all about. They strive to be the best at what they do, with promotions on the horizon and the chance to more further up the corporate ladder. Taking a quick break before the mayhem of Christmas, Jem takes Matthew to see her father at her family farm in the Welsh Mountains. For Jem, it is a chance to catch up, but for Matthew, it is a world away from all he knows, or wants to know!

A surprise awaits the couple as they arrive at Hollybush Farm, not the warm house or the welcome they expected. She finds that she has to stay on at the farm longer than she or Matthew expected her to, much to Matthew's chagrin.

While he returns, she remains to help save her childhood home. What she does not expect is to find herself saving not only the farm but the community she grew up in, with the friends she knew and some new ones. Social media becomes her friend, and in some ways, it also marks a change in circumstances.

This is a wonderful book that not only tells the story of Jem, her father, neighbours and the community, but also how small communities are struggling. The competition between supermarkets, large consortia, factories, hotels, chain stores, and food that has miles to go, and the way good, honest home grown and cooked food is disappearing.

With this and an unexpected future, the author takes the reader on a whirlwind tour of the farm and the surrounding area in the Welsh Mountains. Mixing in business, friendship, the need to expand and diversify, as well as romance, makes this a very addictive story.

This is a wonderful festive fiction that has a strong and important message behind it. If you are a fan of heart-warming contemporary fiction, then this is one I would be very happy to recommend.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sensational offering from this author.

As I have come to expect from this author, the characters are wonderful and well developed, the scene is set so well and is beautiful and then there is the food. Always such wonderful references to seasonal or cultural dishes. Imagine my delight when I discovered the recipes at the end of the book for the delicious things mentioned throughout. I dare you to read this one and not go away wanting to sample the dishes discussed.

As Jem heads back to her childhood home, full of wonder to see her dad and the farm she grew up on, she soon realises all is not as it should be. He isn’t there to greet her and that’s just the start of the problems. What follows is a lovely tale of friendships, family, choosing what is right for you and making your dreams become a reality.

The theme of social media is cropping up more and more and in this case, it’s lovely to see it being used for good, to inform, to support, the things it should be used for.

There really are some wonderful characters in this, far too many to mention, but you will fall in love with them all and be rooting for their happiness and success. I also loved the sense of community, sticking together for what is right, helping one another, be that giving someone a hot meal who may not otherwise have one or staging a sit in to save someone’s livelihood!

There’s humour throughout, especially with some larger than life animal companions, who are out to cause mischief.

It’s definitely hard to put down as it’s so heartwarming and uplifting. I love the focus upon where food comes from and the plight of this country’s farmers. Do read the acknowledgments at the end too, to find out the real life situations some go through, but the determination they show to move on.

All in all a definite must read.

[Becca Scammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jemima Jones is heading back to her childhood home, tucked away in the beautiful Welsh hills, after 20 years away, building her career in the hospitality industry. Looking forward to sharing exciting news and plans for her future with her beloved father. But when she arrives, she soon learns that all is not as it seems and her dad has been keeping secrets. Hollybush Farm is, like so many in the farming community, struggling to make ends meet, and the childhood home she loves so dearly is at risk of being taken over by a faceless corporate company whose only goals is to make money. Something Jemima begins to understand that she has unwittingly become a part of.

With her dad out of action due to illness, Jemima is forced to pull on her well-worn wellies once again and get stuck in. Taking her on a personal and professional journey of discovery. Bringing her little community together and building a supportive online one in the form of documenting the struggles of farmers up and down the country and educating the wider world about where food comes from and the importance of buying locally, to support small businesses/communities to help them thrive via social media.

Jo has created a brilliantly heartwarming, thought-provoking, and inspirational story packed full of love, laughter, romance, community spirit, friendship, belonging, found family, wonderfully written and relatable characters, beautifully set scenes in the Welsh countryside, and a powerful but cosy feel-good message wrapped up in festivities and magic of Christmas.

Jo's writing is perfectly paced and thoroughly enjoyable. A perfectly bingeable story to sit down with on a cold, wintry afternoon wrapped up in a cosy blanket in front of the Christmas tree with a fully loaded hot chocolate on the table beside you.

I loved it!

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo Thomas delivers another festive treat with Christmas at Hollybush Farm, a story brimming with charm, community spirit, and the comforting chaos of rural life.

Jemima Jones returns to her family’s hilltop farm for Christmas, only to discover that things aren’t quite as she left them. The farm is struggling, her father is hiding more than just financial woes, and the future of her childhood home hangs in the balance. What unfolds is a gentle, uplifting tale of resilience, rediscovery, and the unexpected power of social media to rally support and spark change.

Thomas’s writing is reliably warm and engaging, with vivid descriptions that make you feel the frost in the air and the mud on your boots. Jemima is a relatable heroine—determined, slightly frazzled, and full of heart. Her budding romance with Llew, a retired rugby player turned local hero, adds a sweet layer without overpowering the central narrative. The pacing is steady, with just enough tension to keep the pages turning. While the plot leans into familiar festive tropes, it does so with sincerity and a clear affection for its setting and characters. The community scenes—especially the tractor run and the online following Jemima builds—are particularly delightful.

Perfect for readers who enjoy cozy countryside settings, gentle romance, and stories that celebrate togetherness, Christmas at Hollybush Farm is a feel-good read that captures the spirit of the season without veering into sentimentality.

Recommended for fans of Trisha Ashley, Cathy Bramley, and anyone who believes in the magic of a well-worn pair of wellies.

With thanks to Jo Thomas, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Catarina Geirinhas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Jo Thomas and Penguin UK for the ARC.

✨ Cozy farms, frosty mornings, and a whole lot of festive heart… ✨

Christmas at Hollybush Farm by Jo Thomas is a warm, uplifting story that whisks you away to the Welsh countryside just in time for the holidays. Jemima Jones, who has been chasing her career in event planning with her controlling boyfriend Matthew, returns home for Christmas only to find her beloved family farm in trouble—and her father in no state to keep it running. What starts as a short visit quickly turns into a fight to save not only her home but also the struggling community around it.

I loved Jemima’s journey. She’s relatable, stubborn, and full of heart, and I cheered her on as she pulled on her (pink!) wellies, took to social media as the “Social Shepherdess,” and discovered just how much she could do to bring people together. Llew, the ex-rugby player with a big heart, makes for a sweet romantic thread, but the true star here is the community spirit—neighbors rallying around local shops, tractor runs, jacket potatoes, and all.

This is a story about resilience, family, and remembering what really matters. Yes, it leans into some classic festive tropes, but Jo Thomas writes them with such warmth that they feel comforting rather than clichéd. Her vivid descriptions make you feel the frost in the air, the mud on your boots, and the sparkle of a small town fighting to keep its identity alive.

If you’re looking for a festive read that’s charming, cozy, and filled with heart, Christmas at Hollybush Farm is the perfect armchair escape. 🎄✨

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jemima is heading back to deepest darkest Wales with her boyfriend Matthew to see her dad in her traditional pre-Christmas trip. She’s nervous in a happy way to be introducing the two most important men in her life to each other. But things don’t go quite to plan in the slightest.

As Jem tries to steady the ship that is her father’s farm and her life back in Cardiff, she (and I) get a better appreciation of what it is to run a local business in a small community. In a way this is Jo Thomas’ manifest for Shop Local – she highlights the struggles of a small business or community where there isn’t the investment or the opportunity. I’ve seen it to an extent locally but Thomas makes it more real for the less suburban areas of the UK.

I love how Thomas takes very likeable characters and throws them in the deep end of a life changing problem. Every book I’ve read I’ve been prime cheerleader for her leading ladies and Christmas At Hollybush Farm is no different. I loved Jem as she slides back in to farm life in the depths of winter. The relationships she builds in the community are just so real … there is so much I want to say but for fear of spoiling the story I will stop!

Christmas At Hollybush Farm is the most gorgeous heartwarming addictive read. As the dark nights were gradually drawing in around me I was snuggled in my sofa, visiting deepest darkest Wales and a farming community struggling to survive but that community welcomed me with open arms. I felt like I was one of them, praying and hoping that they would get a break in life. Another superb read from Jo Thomas – loved it!!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love spending time with the characters in books by Jo Thomas. She creates some of the best characters to spend a day or two with, and interesting life-changing scenarios they find themselves in. You start off the book thinking where is this going and not feeling that engaged with the scenario and the characters, and before long she has you in the palm of her book and you care very deeply for what happens with her characters. This book was every bit as good as all the other books I have read by her recently.

The book starts with Jemima arriving at a visit to her father’s farm to introduce her father to her fiancé to be, being a successful manager in a hotel chain, where she is soon to move to the US to take her career further forward. She encounters her father seriously ill which leads to her needing to spend time on the farm which leads to a number of lovely situations, which ultimately transforms her life.

As usual Jo has pulled together a number of interesting real life characters who only add to the book, and within this book she takes on the world of social media and a number of current real life issues. She has the habit of leaving you with a feel good glow, if you ever need to lift your spirits then I recommend picking up a Jo Thomas book. As usual food also plays a big part in this book, with some associated recipes at the end of the book.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough and it would be a great read in the lead up to Christmas or at any time really. Now I wait eagerly for the author’s next book.