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The Best Christmas Ever: The must-read upcoming gorgeous and completely heart-warming cosy festive novel from the number one Sunday Times bestseller for 2026!

Not yet published
Expected 22 Oct 26

Win a free print copy of this book!

8 days and 00:49:02

5 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
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Don’t miss Sarah Morgan's brand-new upcoming feel-good novel full of friendship, love, and hope!****

This year, Christmas isn’t going to plan … and that might be the best gift of all.

Mabel has no intention of celebrating Christmas. Living alone in her beautiful old house in the woods, she’s happier keeping the world at a distance.

Brooke has planned every detail of a magical family Christmas at her parents’ house. But when a fierce snowstorm forces her, her husband and their two daughters to take shelter in Mabel’s home, all her careful plans are turned upside down.

Also stranded are Izzy and Jason, two colleagues with unfinished business and undeniable chemistry. Izzy is hiding a lonely heart behind a bright smile. And Jason may be the one man capable of breaking through her walls.

Suddenly, Mabel finds herself hosting the last thing she wanted: a full house for Christmas. Then the chaos, laughter and warmth begin to work their quiet magic. As the snow falls and the fire crackles, this snowbound group discover that family can be found in the most surprising places.

Because sometimes the Christmas you never planned is the one that changes everything …


Praise for Sarah

'With multiple viewpoints, gentle romance and plenty of family drama, it delivers exactly what Sarah Morgan does best’ Daily Mail

‘Provides all the festive feels’ Good Housekeeping

Sarah Morgan always delivers glad tidings. All the festive fun and feels’ Platinum

’Simply gorgeous! As warm and comforting as hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun … Sarah Morgan IS Christmas!’ Veronica Henry

‘Sarah's Christmas books have this kind of magic that draws you in … a real curl up in front of the fire novel that keeps you wanting to turn the pages’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Absolutely phenomenal’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 22, 2026

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About the author

Sarah Morgan

694 books7,476 followers
About Sarah

USA Today and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Morgan writes romance and contemporary women's fiction and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives near London, England, and when she isn't reading or writing she loves being outdoors.

Sarah's latest novel is out now - Brave New Summer (UK title)/ Five Star Summer (US/Canadian title). Sarah's brand new Christmas book, THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER is coming in October!

Join Sarah on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahM...
Follow Sarah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahMorgan_
Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmorgan...
Website: www.sarahmorgan.com





Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for cakecoffeeandbooks.
610 reviews30 followers
July 13, 2026
‘She was spending the next few days with six strangers. What sort of Christmas was this going to be?’

I’ve read a few of Sarah Morgan’s Christmas books but this was by far my favourite so far!
It begins a few days before Christmas when a snow storm means colleagues Izzy and Jason are stranded at Mabel’s home, along with Brooke, Matt and their 2 little girls. Mabel plans to let Christmas pass without celebration, alone with her cats as she has for the past few years, but now with 6 unexpected house guests she is forced to face her past and change her festive plans.

I really enjoyed all 7 characters, how they bonded and formed such strong friendships and how they pulled together to create so much Christmas magic. This was a lovely, feel good festive read!

Thank you very much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
Profile Image for Chelsea Walker.
157 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2026
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Release date 10/27/2026. Sarah Morgan has a way of making everything so cozy with her holiday inspired novels! I read this snowed in novel during a heat wave, and I could fully feel the holiday vibes. Mabel Miller plans to spend her Christmas alone with her 4 cats, no decorations, just solitude and R&R. When the storm of the century hits, 2 sets of strangers show up on her doorstep simply unable to travel further. Soon it turns into a Christmas for the ages. This was a quick fun holiday read, with lots of cute connections, and lessons about life it hits all the points of a hallmark movie waiting to be made. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Louise Hall.
Author 14 books19 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 19, 2026
ARC received via NetGalley.

I genuinely don't think you'll find a better author of feel-good Christmas books than Sarah Morgan. She's one of my all-time favourite authors and I particularly look forward to her Christmas books so I was really excited to get an ARC of The Best Christmas Ever and it didn't disappoint.

As with most of her most recent releases, The Best Christmas Ever has several different strands and I'm always in awe of how the different strands can be equally as engaging and all tie in to the wider plot.

In The Best Best Christmas Ever, you've got Mabel, who's in her sixties and is planning to spend Christmas with just her cats for company. Brooke, Matt and their two daughters are travelling to visit Brooke's parents and after getting caught in a once-in-a-lifetime snowstorm, they seek shelter with Mabel. They're soon joined by work colleagues, Izzy and Jason, who were returning from a job when they were caught up in the same storm.

The three women all have their own issues to contend with. Mabel is struggling with regrets about her estrangement from her daughter. Brooke is straining under the pressure to live up to her mother's expectations and to provide the most perfect Christmas for her girls. Izzy has been fighting her feelings for Jason after their summer romance because she's spent so long being deprived of love that she doesn't know if she's capable of it.

I love that what could've been a really awkward situation ends up being the titular Best Christmas Ever. It's a helpful reminder that not everything has to be perfect. Even in the midst of a heatwave here in the UK, I was immediately transported to Mabel's gorgeous gingerbread house with its turret bedrooms and library with amazing views of the snow-covered forest and the scent of cinnamon cookies baking in the oven.

Brooke's daughters, Poppy and chatterbox Elsie are scene-stealers and it was so lovely how Elsie and Mabel bonded over books and Elsie reignited Mabel's creativity, which had been lost for so many years.

The Best Christmas Ever is as cosy as being wrapped up in blankets, drinking hot chocolate and surrounded by fairy lights. If you're looking for a hug in a book then Sarah Morgan should be your go-to author.
Profile Image for Simply Bookish.
16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins Publishers, and Sarah Morgan for the electronic advanced reader’s copy of The Best Christmas Ever in exchange for my honest review.

Sarah Morgan is a brilliant storyteller and her newest novel should be at the top of your cozy Christmas TBR stack! She has an innate understanding of relationships and her wisdom shines through each page. She has mastered the art of creating a wonderful Christmas ambiance, complete with blustery snowfall, whipping winds, crackling fires, warm blankets, spiced cookies, hot drinks, and togetherness.

This story follows three families who meet a few days before Christmas on account of a blizzard. Mabel lives on her own in a fairytale home on the edge of a woods. Due, in part, to the passing of her husband, she no longer celebrates Christmas which suits her just fine. Brooke and her family live in London, but come stateside every Christmas to visit her well-meaning but overbearing parents. Izzy and Jason are colleagues who have a good working relationship despite a past fling. When a blizzard strikes, the three families find themselves snowed in together for Christmas. The story is told from the three alternating viewpoints of Mabel, Brooke, and Izzy. This gives a richness and depth to each individual and allows the reader to experience the complexity, internal struggle, and hope that comes from being a grandmother, mother, wife, and young professional.

Sarah Morgan sets the standard for Christmas reads and The Best Christmas Ever is spot on. She is my automatic go-to author when I want to curl up with a book that feels like I am visiting with my best friend while snow falls outside and a fire is crackling in the fireplace. Devoted readers and new readers alike are sure to love Sarah Morgan’s newest novel.
Profile Image for Katie Lavoie.
372 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 11, 2026
I’ve read and loved multiple books by Sarah Morgan and this might be my favorite yet. It’s full of new found friendship, different types of love, and all the holiday magic.

Stylistically it keeps with her other books - following three women as their lives intersect, this time when they are snowed in over Christmas holidays. I love how this style lets Sarah paint the different perspectives of themselves vs how the other women seem them. Doing it lets the reader see things around perception vs reality while still keeping the book lighthearted and fun, which I personally enjoy.

I also enjoyed all the characters (not just the three women we follow but I am going to focus on them herein) and how they represent different emotions ties to unmet familial expectations. They were all thoughtfully developed and relatable, and I bet most readers would see parts of themselves in one or two characters.

While I think there are a few noteworthy and sweet messages that come out of the book, my personally favorite is around embracing the unexpected and making the best out of a bad situation. Especially as it relates to the holidays and familial pressure, and the many emotions that come with those two things.

Thank you to Sarah Morgan, MIRA, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
736 reviews20 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 16, 2026
Wow another fantastic Christmassy read from the queen of Christmas books!
Sarah Morgan has the unique ability to describe the most perfect festive reads full of friendship, traditions, ambience, festive fayre and a sense of coming together to celebrate no matter what the circumstance.
Strangers travelling home for Christmas get caught in a massive snowstorm and seek refuge in the only house around, Mabel the elderly reclusive householder suddenly and unexpectedly now has four adults and two children to accommodate, what follows is the most wonderful coming together of complete strangers, revelations, realisation and acceptance which ensures the most wonderful Christmas for all concerned full of joy, happiness, festive baking , decorating, snowy fun and even a festive romance.
I read this in the height of a heatwave and dreamed longingly of snowy weather!
Thank you NetGalley for this early read
Profile Image for Angela Owen.
358 reviews4 followers
July 15, 2026
Every time I read a Sarah Morgan Christmas book I think it can’t get any better but this one is my favourite one yet.

Mabel is planning on spending her Christmas alone with her 4 cats but this soon changes when the storm causes 2 groups of people to seek refuge.

The characters are all wonderful and I loved how they all bonded and had a cozy magical Christmas together. Brooke was my favourite and I loved how she really grew as a character as the story progressed

The story is told through 3 different character viewpoints and this really added to the book and showed their feelings and point of view so well.

A wonderful 5 star Christmas read which I would recommend with a beautiful ending which had me in tears.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Morgan and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
160 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 9, 2026
Pick up this enchanting Christmas story in October 2026. You won't want to miss seeing how 7 strangers thrown together during a snowstorm a few days before Christmas, become a part of each others lives and help each other through rough parts of their lives.

Mabel has been mostly alone the past 8 years since the death of her husband. She prefers it that way. What is she to do when Brooke and her family arrived at her door after an accident due to the snowstorm. She reluctantly lets them in. Not long later, Izzy and Jason arrive, also due to an accident caused by the snowstorm. How will Mabel deal with 6 strangers in her house and at Christmas! Pick this book up to find out how all these strangers become part of each others lives!
Profile Image for Ann.
6,200 reviews89 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
August 13, 2026
What a wonderful story. A widow who is estranged from her daughter and grandchildren is facing another lonely Christmas with her big turkey. A terrible snowstorm is hitting the area and not one but two car accidents outside her home has a full house she never expected. A family from England on the road to visit the woman's parents are dreading Christmas. She knows her parents will begin to badger them as they walk in the door about moving back to the US. A couple of business associates are stranded after visiting a client who are in love but neither know it. And when Mabel reveals she is a famous Children's author the whole Christmas vibe comes together. A very feel good story. I enjoy most of Sarah Morgan's books but this one just hit the spot.
Profile Image for Cory Beyer.
791 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and @HarlequinTrade for this ARC. Mabel is all prepared to spend a quiet Christmas at home with herself and her 4 cats. Izzy and Jason are leaving a job site and hoping to make it back to their own homes during an awful blizzard. In the same bad weather, Matt, Brooke and two little girls are driving to Brooke's parent's house without getting stuck. First, Matt and Brooke slam into Mabel's rock wall followed shortly by Izzy and Jason. They all find themselves on Mabel's doorstep all seeking refuge. What happens next is pure Christmas magic. I LOVE Sarah Morgan's books and this is no different. Her feel good stories are just what we need! #TheBestChristmasEver #SarahMorgan #HarlequinTrade #Oct2026
196 reviews2 followers
July 10, 2026
If cozy Christmas books are your thing, add The Best Christmas Ever by Sarah Morgan to your holiday TBR. When a blizzard strands three groups of strangers under one roof just days before Christmas, what starts as an inconvenient situation slowly turns into something truly heartwarming. I loved how this story blends family, grief, healing, friendship, and a touch of romance, all wrapped in the coziest winter atmosphere. It made me smile, tugged at my heart, and left me with that warm, fuzzy feeling only a great Christmas book can. Highly recommend it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the eARC!
Pub. date: Oct. 27th 2026
#TheBestChristmasEver #NetGalley
Profile Image for Annie Leadley.
497 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 21, 2026
As always Sarah Morgan delivers a beautiful story full complex Characters set amid an amazing Backdrop at Christmas, & seasonal stories are always delightful no matter what time of year it actually is.
Who wouldn't want to be sort of stranded in a magical House that has Turrets , amazing intricate Bookcases full of Books plus an actual cosy Library with views of the magnificent scenery beyond the House itself., & it's a story that can be read over & over again .#NetGalley, #GoodReads, #FB, #Instagram, #Amazon.co.uk
Profile Image for Hillary.
174 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 7, 2026
I absolutely loooooved this book! I even found myself loving the idea of the books (the witch books series with not-a-cat) within the book, if that makes sense? I was finding myself wishing I could read those books too! I loved all of the characters, their individual trials and personalities and the way they flowed together to make their holiday work and come together. Sarah Morgan is by far one of my favorite authors. I never miss a book!
39 reviews
Read
July 12, 2026
This delivers everything you want from a cozy cute Christmas story. If you love reading seasonal books and want one to add to your winter TBR this is perfect. I loved reading about all of the people who stumbled into Mabels house. It was sweet and fun. Reading this over the summer is just making me even more excited for the holiday season.

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me this arc.
46 reviews
August 12, 2026
Thank you Net gallery and Sarah Morgan for allowing me to read this ahead of its release.

What a wonderful Christmas story from sadness, the stress of Christmas and families and how this affects different people.

Such a warm loving story I could not put it down even when reading it in 36 degrees summer heatwave 😍😍😍
Profile Image for Hayley Wren.
108 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
August 15, 2026
It just wouldn't be christmas without an incredible book from Sarah Morgan. I loved this book and was very much rooting for all the characters. The location of Mabel's home and the imagery Sarah Morgan created of it was amazing, it made me want to visit it immediately. Such a cosy novel, perfect for a cold winters day lounging on the sofa. I can't recommend it enough.
Profile Image for Susan in Perthshire.
2,340 reviews125 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 1, 2026
Oh this is one of SM’s best. What a superb, heartwarming story. Fabulous characters - frequently carrying deep wounds, a sensitive handling of serious issues and a fantastic cast of amazing characters. I loved it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Maggie's Book Collection.
360 reviews6 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
July 28, 2026
This is definitely one of Sarah Morgan's best Christmas stories, and I love her Christmas books. This one starts just before Christmas in a howling snowstorm. Brooke, Matt and their two little girls are trying to reach her mother's home when they crash into a wall outside a house in the middle of nowhere. Mabel plans to let Christmas pass without celebration, alone with her cats as she has for the past few years, but even she cannot turn Brooke and her family away on such an awful night. Colleagues Izzy and Jason are travelling back from a job when they skid and crash into something at Mabel’s home. So, now Mabel has two more guests in her home.

Now with six unexpected house guests to deal with, Mabel has to face her past and change her festive plans to accommodate them all.

I loved all the characters in this story. How they bonded in adversity and helped each other find peace at Christmas. They all formed such strong friendships, and how they all did their bit to make it a happy Christmas after all. This was a lovely, feel good festive read which I will be reading again nearer December and would highly recommend!
Profile Image for Bookworman.
1,166 reviews144 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 14, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a delightful, Christmassy story! I really enjoyed it. The combination of heartwarming family relationships, cute kids and cats, several wonderful love stories and a satisfying HEA.

No profanity and closed door love scenes. Yay!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews