Christmas at Honeycombe Bay: A Holiday Romance

by Lilac Mills

Two Scrooges come together for a festive-free holiday season by the sea and find all their anti-Christmas plans going up in smoke when they decide to play Santa for a single mom and her child.

Eloise Garrett thinks Christmas is overpriced, overhyped, and overrated, and without any family to share it with, she feels sad, lonely and isolated. The “season for giving” is just a constant reminder that she’s single, sixty(ish), and staring down retirement. But not this Christmas. Determined to avoid the most magical time of the year, Eloise decides to spend Christmas in Honeycombe Bay. Surely a seaside village in the middle of winter won’t be too festive?

Ever since his wife passed away, Bartholomew Knott hasn’t felt up to welcoming visitors to his guest house. With the prospect of another long, lonely winter, and having become more Scrooge than Santa over the years, Bart is dreading Christmas. However, when he’s contacted by someone who dislikes decking the halls just as much as he does, Bart has the brilliant idea of opening the guest house to people who want to escape all things festive.

Christmas isn’t easy to ignore, though, not even in off-season Honeycombe Bay. So when fate forces Bart to give shelter to a single mother and child whose holiday has been devastated by a terrible fire, Eloise finds herself playing Mrs. Claus to Bart’s Santa—dragging the house’s other guest, a heartbroken teacher looking for a break during the holidays, into the action as well. But holiday cheer isn’t the only thing sparking under the mistletoe. Will the guests at Honeycombe Bay realize that, sometimes, the best way to escape Christmas is to let it into your heart?

Christmas at Honeycombe Bay features two heartwarming romances and all the holiday romance tropes a small-town that is “all in” for Christmas, a later in life romance, a widower hero, forced proximity in a charming B&B, a grumpy/sunshine couple with a single mom character, and plenty of carols, cocoa, and decking the halls.

Genres: Christmas, Romance

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 29, 2026

About the author

Lilac lives on a Welsh hillside with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don't get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually).
 
She's been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet.

She loves long, hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she's usually writing, or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-afters always on her mind. 

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Book Review✨

This book has all the Hallmark Christmas vibes!

I love how the story begins with both Bart and Eloise wanting to escape all the holiday cheer. They definitely found camaraderie in being total Scrooges!

This story was especially fun for me because the characters were older and had unique perspectives compared to what I’m used to reading. Bart is still grieving the loss of his wife, whom he loved dearly, while Eloise just wants a break from the whole holiday season.

I loved how they slowly built their friendship and how all their plans went out the door when they took a young family under their wing during the holidays. Their generous spirit and willingness to put others above themselves was so heartwarming! It was sweet seeing them slowly become something more in the process.

I completely understood all the moments of disconnect in this book. I was right there with Bart when his son became opinionated! He’s a grown man and knows what’s best for himself. When Eloise questioned her connection with Bart because he was still affected by his late wife’s passing… because he so was! All these real life issues made the story even more intriguing.

This story would make the best Christmas movie! It’s so cute, heartwarming, and cozy. Definitely a perfect holiday read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have to preface with I read a lot of holiday books, as soon as Thanksgiving gets here I am all about holiday books and Hallmark romance, which is not my usual fare. That said, Christmas at Honeycombe Bay is not the usual holiday fair. Granted, Eloise is newly retired and her best friend, the one she typically spends Christmas with, is newly married, it seems a perfect set up for a sad to happy holiday romp. But Eloise is feeling out of sorts and has no family, and a sad childhood story. She decides she will return to a bed and breakfast she enjoyed in the past as long as there is no Christmas goings on. Eloise is feeling full on grinch. The B & B owner, Bart, is in his second year of grieving his late wife, Penny. He too is not looking forward to the holidays and hasn’t run the B & B properly since his wife’s passing. The idea of zero holiday spirit combined with a glimmer of hope to keep his house financially solvent is an inviting idea.

Eloise and Bart hit it off immediately but both have heavy hearts and do not trust themselves as they begin to develop some sort of feelings. At the same time, his neighbor’s home has had a fire and Sarah and her young son, Toby, are in need of a place to stay and frankly, a bit of support. Meanwhile, Mitch, a heartbroken school teacher, is also coming to stay at the lonely hearts club. Eloise, Bart and Mitch seemingly find their purpose taking care of Sarah and her son. Sarah, who is fiercely independent, reminds Eloise a bit of herself and Toby reminds her of what she is missing with no family. It’s a perfect set up for this band of misfits to cobble together their own family of sorts.

I enjoy that was Eloise is a bit prickly and older, not the expected female lead in a rom come. She came for NO holiday but Honeycombe Bay has other plans. Unbeknownst to Bart, the town is trying to drum up community with their own holiday market literally brimming with festivity. Needless to say Eloise is annoyed. But as she begins to see what Sarah and Toby need, combined with what she has missed, she lightens up a bit. It’s wonderful to image at 60 we can reinvent ourselves. The story has is share of expected rom com turns but feels less love story and more real, warts and all, people.

[Trinity Gerke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fine. I liked the characters and the story was ok, but it wasn’t my favorite. It may just be me, but I didn’t really understand why Eloise hated Christmas so much other than she had a bad childhood and that soured it. I didn’t feel that was a good enough reason to hate it so much. Maybe I missed something. Other than that I liked the characters and their relationships. The town seemed cute and like somewhere I would want to visit. I think the act 3 “breakup” was a little lame. If you want a cute love story like a Hallmark movie then I would say read it.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't read many holiday stories and can count on one hand how many Hallmark movies I've watched. Of the ones that I have read, I've been far from happy. Usually they're so cheesy, cringey, and painful to get through. This was fine, which for a holiday story is a compliment from me.

From the beginning, I was intrigued that the FMC, Eloise, was sixty. I never really understood why she seemed to despise Christmas and everything to do with it (even drink flavors like spiced caramel). She did have a bad experience as a child, but it didn't seem proportional to her avoidance of all things Christmas-related. It was nice to see her grow from being a prickly older woman to one whose heart opened up to all kinds of love and care.

That being said, this would've been better if it wasn't a romance. It felt.. so wacky to me. She meets Bert, who is a grieving widow of twenty months, and they both fall in love with each other after ten days. Okay. They both acknowledge their feelings of romantic love for each other to themselves and I sat here confused as to how they felt that way. Sure, they shared meals and talked a bit .. maybe they were both so lonely and recluse that once they interacted with someone age-appropriate and of the desirable gender that they just fell in love and trauma-bonded? I don't know man.

The third act break up was so unnecessary. It's not a requirement of a romance book. Eloise was categorized as straightforward and honest in the beginning, but once she started falling for Bert three days in, she lost her proclivity to communicate? I can understand why Bert struggled to communicate because she is his paying guest, he's grieving his wife and marriage of thirty seven years, and he really needs the money so he doesn't want to shove her away. But sir, you're grown. How are you going to go from puffing icing sugar on Eloise because she laughed at the mess you made to suddenly reaching out to kiss her??? No prolonged eye contact, no flirty talks and touches, no tension. Just. Food fight. To make out session. Huh.

This definitely gave me Hallmark vibes, so if you like that, you should definitely give this a try. I enjoyed that the main characters were older, and it was a more detached take on a small town which was nice. I had some gripes with it, but as a read, it moved along smoothly. I wasn't dragging my feet to read it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for this eARC!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may be sitting in Northern California where September still hasn’t gotten the memo about fall, but Lilac Mills’ Christmas at Honeycombe Bay had me on the patio with my morning coffee pretending there was a chill in the air. Thank you to Dell and Random House Publishing Group for the gifted early copy. Anyone else completely willing to read Christmas books while it’s still way too warm outside?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eloise Garrett wants absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. No decorations, no forced cheer, no pretending the holidays are magical when they mostly remind her of everything she doesn’t have. So she heads to Honeycombe Bay and books herself into a seaside B&B for what she hopes will be a wonderfully Christmas-free escape.

There’s just one problem: Bart, the widowed owner of the B&B, is every bit as determined to avoid Christmas as Eloise is. Two Scrooges under one roof? I was already entertained.

What really won me over, though, was that Eloise and Bart are both older characters who have lived enough life to know that starting over isn’t always easy. I loved getting a later-in-life romance where loneliness, grief, retirement, friendship, and the possibility of falling in love again were allowed to matter. Their relationship felt gentle rather than rushed, and I found myself rooting for both of them.

Then a fire leaves a young mother and her little boy needing somewhere to stay, and suddenly this house full of people trying to escape Christmas is figuring out how to create one for a child. That’s where the story got me. The shared meals, decorating, Christmas activities, and this unexpected little group slowly becoming a family gave the book so much heart.

And we don’t just get one romance! There’s another relationship quietly taking shape alongside Eloise and Bart’s, although I’ll admit I was more invested in Eloise and Bart. Apparently I have picked my Honeycombe Bay couple and I’m standing by them.

This ended up being less about Christmas decorations and presents and much more about loneliness, kindness, second chances, and finding people when you least expect them. My coffee definitely went cold during those last chapters.

Now tell me—what’s one romance trope you’ll never get tired of? Later-in-life romance and found family are pretty high on my list.

#ChristmasAtHoneycombeBay #LilacMills #ChristmasRomance #HolidayRomance #LaterInLifeRomance #FoundFamily #SmallTownRomance #Bookstagram #BookReview

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Christmas at Honeycombe Bay” was a beautiful story. Eloise wants to avoid everything Christmas. She has no family and after devoting her life to her job, she has been made redundant. She decides to spend three weeks at a charming B&B in the village of Honeycombe Bay, which she had visited a few summers ago. She probably won’t be able avoid everything Christmas, but the tourist town will likely be largely closed up for the season. The Sea View Guest House is not actually open. Since the death of his wife, Penny, almost two years ago, Bart has been mired in grief. While he will enjoy spending time with his son and his family, Bart is not very excited about Christmas either. When Eloise goes on a rant about wanting to avoid everything Christmas related, Bart sees the appeal and announces he will be avoiding Christmas too. He actually finds two more guests who want the same thing, although only one (Mitch) will actually show up.

However, Bart, Eloise and Mitch will not be skipping Christmas. A house fire leaves a young woman and her young son homeless, so Bart offers to let them stay at the guest house. And decides to give Sarah and Toby the best Christmas he can. Mitch is immediately on board, but Eloise is more resistant. However, when she comes around, she goes all in.

I enjoyed the relationships that developed between the main characters. Reopening the B&B, even if only temporarily, and helping Sarah and Toby, gives Bart a sense of purpose he has been missing. It also brings meaning to Eloise’s life, who has been left adrift by the loss of her job. Sarah is proud and stubborn, not wanting to accept charity. So, Eloise, Bart and Mitch have to be creative in how they help her out. Toby is resilient and adjusts fairly well to his new situation, especially with the love and kindness he is shown. Mitch is a teacher and is great with kids in general. Eloise has no experience with children or grandchildren, but it is not long before she becomes Nana Weez (Toby cannot say Eloise 😀), a role she finds she really likes. Sarah and Mitch have an attraction but Mitch lives far away and both have been badly hurt in relationships. Eloise and Bart will also develop an attraction, though they are convinced the other one does not feel the same.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this was so totally and utterly heartwarming, and made so feel rather festive too. I feel this at it's heart really does show the true meaning of Christmas, and it's not the presents, lights etc.. but it's how you can make other people's lives a bit better for the festive period at least.

Eloise is determined to avoid Christmas this year, she is recently unemployed and was never a big fan of the season anyway, plus her best friend is in a new relationship and she doesn't want to intrude. so will be alone.

Impulsively she decides to book into a B&B in Honeycombe Bay, a place she has some fond memories of, and assumes that it will be quiet and not full on xmassy, given it's out of season. Something Bart the owner agrees with. Bart hasn't opened the B&B since his wife passed over a year ago, but needs the money, so not only agrees to Eloise but promptly decides to offer it as a non Christmas break to others.

I enjoyed getting to know Eloise, Bart and the other guest Mitch, even though it turns out Honeycombe Bay was putting on a week of Christmas activities. But it's when Bart takes in a young mum and child after they have no where else to go, that he decides the little boy needs to have good Christmas memories, even if the other guests leave.

But instead they all agree and from then there is a real sense of found family between them all, and I'd say the second half of the book with all the characters in place is just a sheer pleasure to read.

It really gave me all the festive feels, and I loved all the various Christmas activities that were undertaken, including the local panto,

There are also some fledgling slow burn romances, if only the characters can actually learn to communicate and not just guess what the others are thinking, which was a bit frustrating but true to life.

This is another wonderful book from Lilac Mills, and it left me feeling warm and fuzzy.

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

[Simone ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first I need to say a gigantic thank you to my favourite lady Lilac for giving me a proof of her next book which I was excited beyond words for! As expected I adored this read from start to finish, Bart & Eloise’s story had me feeling all of the feels the entire way through and this was a christmas read which ofc we know I adored which I promise i’m not biased just because i’m a christmas baby 👀

If there’s one trope I love it’s found family and this book captured it perfectly, most of the time in life we don’t get to pick our family but on the odd occasion someone will walk into our lives and become a member of your family and I loved how this group became their own little family even though they’d only known each other a few weeks, the way that they took care of & showed up for each other was so beautiful 🥹 One of my favourite things of this whole read was seeing how Eloise opened up to those around her after being alone for so long and seeing her connection to Sarah had me in my feels so hard, they had the perfect mother-daughter connection!

We know how much I adore an older couple so Eloise & Bart’s story was so perfect for me, reading about them reminded me that we can fall in love more than once in our lifetime and that love can make itself known at any point in time and everyone has their own timeline - plus these two were the sweetest humans ever and I loved seeing how natural they were around each other even before mitch & sarah came into the story the way that they could just exist in each others space as if they’d been together for years was the best 🫶🏻

Overall, I adored this read & all of it’s characters on another level and Lilac absolutely smashed it once again - the excitement I feel about the rest of this series and the highland rescue centre series cannot fully be explained because it would just be me screaming constantly but I cannot wait to read all of these books and to keep telling you wonderful people all about them! 🥰

[Aura C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that quietly sneaks into your heart.

I expected a cozy Christmas romance, but what I found was a story about loneliness, grief, unexpected friendship, and discovering that it’s never too late to start over. The romance was lovely, but it was the characters themselves that completely won me over.

I adored Eloise and Bart. They’re not twenty-somethings chasing sparks—they’re two people who have lived full lives, experienced heartbreak, and convinced themselves that Christmas, and maybe even love, had nothing left to offer them. Watching those walls slowly come down was so rewarding.

Honeycombe Bay felt like a place I wanted to visit. Between the little B&B, the seaside setting, and the strangers who gradually became something that looked a lot like family, every chapter felt warm without being overly sugary. It reminded me that sometimes the people who change your life are the ones you never planned to meet.

I also appreciated how the story treated grief with patience. It didn’t rush anyone toward healing or pretend that love magically fixes everything. Instead, it showed that healing often happens through small conversations, shared meals, unexpected kindness, and simply having people who refuse to let you face life alone.

By the final chapters, I realized this wasn’t really a Christmas story—it was a story about hope. About finding joy again after you’ve convinced yourself it’s gone. About opening your heart when it’s the last thing you want to do.

This was comforting, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of book I’d recommend curling up with on a cold December evening. If you love mature characters, found family, slow-burn romance, and stories that leave you feeling lighter than when you started, don’t let this one pass you by. It was an absolute delight. 🎄🤍

[Ayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas at Honeycombe Bay by Lilac Mills

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Ballantine, Dell, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Christmas at Honeycombe Bay is a delightful novel full of heart and warmth! A feel-good story focusing on two main characters who are not fans of the holidays at first but soon begin to discover that Christmas brings togetherness, kindness, and love. Such a sweet and hopeful read!

For Eloise Garrett, Christmas serves as a reminder that she’s single in her sixties and is nearing retirement. But this year, Eloise decides to spend Christmas in Honeycombe Bay, a seaside village, in the middle of winter. Bartholomew Knott isn’t eager to welcome visitors to his guest house since his wife passed away. However, when someone who dislikes the holidays just as much as he does reaches out to him, he decides to open the guest house to people who want to escape the festivities. When Bart unexpectedly has to provide shelter to a single mother and child whose home has been destroyed by a fire, Eloise finds herself embracing the festivities to cheer up the other guests. Soon, everyone at Honeycombe Bay begins to realize that embracing all of the festivities may truly bring them joy.

Christmas at Honeycombe Bay is such a wonderful story from beginning to end. As the story unfolds, themes of community, generosity, connection, and love emerge. With both main characters in their sixties navigating significant life changes, the romance is heartfelt and meaningful. All of the supporting characters make this story even more delightful as well. Overall, Christmas at Honeycombe Bay is absolutely delightful!

[Becca T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who is ready to snuggle up by a warm fire with a cozy read to prep you for the holiday season? If so, this is a great read for you!

First of all, thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group, Lilac Mills, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book! Christmas is my favorite time of the year, so when I saw the opportunity to read Christmas at Honeycombe Bay and provide my honest review, I was very excited!

Feeling down about her life, Eloise escapes the Christmas festivities by vacationing in Honeycombe Bay. Bart, the B&B owner where Eloise decides to stay, is just as keen on skipping the holiday madness with the recent death of his wife. The two, along with a few others who trickle in, spend their holiday together and hearts begin to change (and not only around the Christmas season). With a little boy now in the house, how can they stick to being Scrooges?

This book was a treat because we didn’t just get one HEA, but two! I almost exclusively read romance, and it was fun to see two cute couples fall in love by the end of the book. Now, I will say that I became more invested in one of the couples than the other. I felt like I was able to connect with them a bit more because of the background given their situation. However, it’s kind of nice to have double the romance as you may relate to one couple more than the other! The way I see it, Christmas at Honeycombe Bay has something for everyone!

Overall, this was a cute read! The storyline picks up after a bit, and it’s hard not to become invested once you learn more about each couple. Enjoy your own escape to Honeycombe Bay with this book by Lilac Mills!

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes a community and people full of kindness not just to look but to step up and help, it is in the helping that true joy comes. First time reader of this author. This is a charming story about some more mature people and finding happiness after loss. Eloise is sick of Christmas. She has no family and she just doesn't want to celebrate this year. She decides to travel to a Bed and Breakfast that she stayed in years ago in Honeycombe Bay. The owner of the B&B is Bart. He is still grieving the loss of his wife who died over a year ago. His son wants him to sell the B&B so when Eloise calls him to book a room he decides to open it to anyone else who doesn't want to celebrate the holidays. However their plans get thwarted when the town decides that it is going to have a major Christmas festival. Then a single mom loses her rented home to a fire. Now Bart and Eloise need to figure out if they can really forgo Christmas. This was a sweet, cozy holiday romance that had all the ingredients of a comforting Christmas read: a charming seaside village, festive traditions, found family, and multiple romances. I especially appreciated that one of the main romances featured older characters, which isn’t something we see often in holiday romances. It provided a nice and heartwarming story. Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group, Lilac Mills, and NetGalley for the opportunity.

[Monica Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super sweet story, perfect for Christmastime. What I loved about the story is it featured characters in their 60s.

Eloise is sick of Christmas. She has no family and she just doesn't want to celebrate this year. She decides to travel to a Bed and Breakfast that she stayed in years ago in Honeycombe Bay. The owner of the B&B is Bart. He is still grieving the loss of his wife who died over a year ago. His son wants him to sell the B&B so when Eloise calls him to book a room he decides to open it to anyone else who doesn't want to celebrate the holidays. However their plans get thwarted when the town decides that it is going to have a major Christmas festival. Then a single mom loses her rented home to a fire. Now Bart and Eloise need to figure out if they can really forgo Christmas.

This was an absolutely charming novel and perfect for Christmas time. I loved that the main characters were older. It was told in both Eloise and Bart's perspectives which I always appreciate in a romance novel. This was the perfect cozy Christmas book that I anyone will enjoy. I especially recommend it for those who maybe want to read about characters of a more mature age.

Thank you to Dell Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this E-Arc.

This book was genuinely like a warm hug on a stormy day. There is nothing more cozy and comforting than a small town romance, especially if its about a girl who is not particularly fond of Christmas ending up in a town that is exceptionally keen on celebrating Christmas. She finds herself rethinking her firm stance against Christmas celebration as she forms a connection that warms her frozen heart.

I truly feel the way emotions were presented was done so beautifully. Feelings of loneliness in times where one is expected to be most joyful was truly presented with such a tender and careful intent. Watching the characters find ways to open up their heart to each other after their own personal struggles truly was wonderful to watch.

I am so excited to see what the author writes in the future as this book was exceptionally well done.

It truly is the best book to read during winter, snuggled up in a warm blanket by the fireplace with a hot cocoa (which I will absolutely be doing when I buy the physical copy when it comes out). The setting alone had me hooked.

If you are looking for a deeper meaning behind the romance, I truly could not recommend this book more. It had a deep sense of emotional intelligence.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas at Honeycombe Bay: A Holiday Romance
by Lilac Mills
4 out of 5 stars
Expected publication date: September 29, 2026

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

One-sentence summary: When tragedy strikes, Bart and Eloise decide to celebrate Christmas after all.

This is a Christmas romance story that has something for everyone. There is a younger couple who fall in love, an older couple who fall in love, the "I'm not celebrating Christmas" viewpoint, and eventually the Christmas celebration. None of this is surprising or a spoiler, because the book description lists all of these elements. The fun part is watching how they are all revealed.

Throughout this book, there are moments of sadness, moments to laugh-out-loud, and moments of relief. The characters are loveable and relatable. The village setting is a place where it sounds like it would be fun to visit- either during the festive Christmas time or during the spring and summer bee season. Overall, this is just a fun Christmas story with all of the expected elements.

I would recommend this book to readers of Christmas stories who are looking for an easy-to-read book during the holiday season.

[Gylene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Christmas romance stories and read them throughout the year when I am in the mood. After reading the description of this one, I was very interested in it. It is about Eloise and Bart, a later-in-life couple who are both scrooges about Christmas. I will confess the book is very slow to get started, and I felt there was a lot of filler to make the book longer. While the characters were well-developed, I had a hard time connecting to some of them. Bart was a charming older gentleman, struggling with the holiday after his wife passed. However, I could not connect at all with Eloise. Her attitude drove me crazy. Just when I thought maybe I could like her, she went back to being the snarky person she was at the very beginning. I did like Sarah, Mitch, and Toby. The little boy was adorable.

As far as the romance between Bart and Eloise goes, I didn’t feel or see it. There seemed to be no connection, and it felt forced. I was happy with the romance between Mitch and Sarah and felt they made the perfect instant family. When I read a Christmas romance story, I want to have the festive feeling to go along with it, but that seemed to be lacking in this story. I will admit that sometimes certain books are not for everyone, and I conclude that this book just wasn’t for me.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️½

Christmas at Honeycombe Bay had all the ingredients of a cozy holiday read. The setting sounded absolutely beautiful, and the premise immediately caught my attention. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite work for me.

The story moved at a very slow pace, and I found myself getting bogged down in lengthy descriptions of meals and Eloise’s internal thoughts. While those details may help some readers feel immersed in the world, they often pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in.

I also struggled to connect with Eloise as a main character. Her decisions and perspective made it difficult for me to become invested in her journey, which in turn made it hard to care about the outcome of the various relationships.

By the end, everything seemed to fall into place a little too neatly and conveniently. The conflicts were resolved so tidily that they lacked the emotional impact I was hoping for. While the picturesque coastal setting and holiday atmosphere were enjoyable, the predictable resolutions and slow pacing kept this one from being a standout read for me.

Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy to review. This is set to publish in September.

[Jenn]

This was a sweet, cozy holiday romance that had all the ingredients of a comforting Christmas read: a charming seaside village, festive traditions, found family, and multiple romances. I especially appreciated that one of the main romances featured older characters, which isn’t something we see often in holiday romances.

The premise was unique, with two Christmas skeptics finding themselves unexpectedly creating holiday magic for others. The setting of Honeycombe Bay was easily my favorite part of the book and made me want to visit.

That said, I struggled to fully connect with the story. The pacing felt slow in places, and with multiple romances sharing the spotlight, I never became deeply invested in either relationship. While the emotional moments were heartfelt, they didn’t have quite the impact I was hoping for, and some of the conflicts wrapped up a little too neatly.

Overall, this is a comforting holiday read that will likely appeal to readers looking for low-drama, feel-good Christmas romances. While it didn’t completely win me over, I still enjoyed spending time in Honeycombe Bay.

[Angela Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just the perfect Christmas read from start to finish. It had everything from the perfect setting, fantastic characters and a beautiful storyline.

Eloise doesn’t enjoy Christmas so books a B&B 200 miles away in the stunning Honeycombe Bay to spend the season alone. What follows is the start of some beautiful friendships and the most perfect Christmas she has ever had.

The characters were all wonderful and the story just flowed beautifully as 4 damaged people found their joy for Christmas and life again. I loved how all the characters had their own back story’s which we slowly learned about and it was great to see how they all developed both alone and together as friendships grew. It was lovely to see the magic of Christmas for Toby but also for all of the adults and how the simple things are always the most magical.

I cannot wait for the next book in the stunning Honeycombe Bay and to see how all the characters are doing.

A fantastic 5 star Christmas read that you will not want to put down( except to have a hot chocolate or another mince pie)

Thanks to NetGalley, Lilac Mills and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas read and found it covered so many different topics but they all flowed together and were written sensitively. Eloise Garrett does not like Christmas thinking that it is overrated, overpriced and overhyped. She decides this year to go away and contacts the Devon guest house she once stayed in thinking that an off season seaside town will be quiet. The owner is Bartholomew Knott and he hasn’t opened since his wife died and doesn’t want to celebrate the festive season. When Eloise gets in touch and shares how she wants to spend time away where is she’s unlikely to be bothered by anything Christmas themed he decides to reopen the guest house for like minded people who want to ‘get away’ from the festive season. However when neighbour Sarah needs help Eloise and Bart find their Christmas being very different from what they had expected!
Each character had depth and as the story develops we slowly find out more about the backgrounds of each character and how their experiences have shaped who they now are. There were some lighthearted moments that made me chuckle along with some that brought a tear to my eyes. This is such a lovely read that shows how compassion, looking out for others and working together can make a difference to everyone.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eloise Garrett is not a fan of Christmas. To avoid all things Christmas this year, she decides to rent a room in Honeycombe Bay. Bart Knott hasn’t enjoyed Christmas since his wife passed away. When Eloise contacts him to ask about a room, at first, he’s inclined to say no, then has a change of heart. The two of them should be able to enjoy a Christmas-free holiday. When Sarah, a young single mother, and her son, Toby, are forced out of their rental home by a fire, Bart decides to let them stay at the Bed and Breakfast, too. Despite their own feelings about Christmas, both Bart and Eloise agree that Toby should have a festive holiday, especially when the gifts his mother had bought for him were destroyed in the fire. They, along with Mitch, another guest, decide to go all out with decorations, presents, and a huge feast.

A fun holiday read with feelings growing between Bart and Eloise, and also between Mitch and Sarah, lots of holiday cheer, and a reawakening of the Christmas spirit that had been lost.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Dawn aka wolfinbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It was almost enough to make her believe in the magic of Christmas.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Small town…later in life romance…found family…forced proximity…a single mom…and tons of Christmas cheer!
Eloise wants to escape Christmas this year so books a stay at a delightful B & B. A small, seaside town shouldn’t be to festive in the middle of winter, right?
Bart, a widower, hasn’t opened his B & B since his wife passed and isn’t in the holiday spirit. He’s in need of funds so agrees to Eloise staying. He’ll open for those who want to ignore the season.
When there is a fire in a neighbors house, Bart and his guests welcomes the single mom and child into his home. But now all the Scrooge guests decide to make this the bestest Christmas ever! Loved this novel right from the beginning! Totally captivated me! Highly recommend!
Thank you Lilac Mills, Megan Whalen, Penguin Random House and @NetGalley for the complimentary ARC. Review is based on my thoughts and opinions.
Release Date: September 29, 2026

[Marian Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a gifted e-book ARC. The following is my honest review.

Christmas in Honeycombe Bay is a heartwarming, later in life, festive romance and the perfect start to a brand new series by Lilac Mills.

Eloise Garrett thinks Christmas is overhyped and is determined to avoid another holiday season alone. With no family to share it with she books a room in a B&B in Honeycombe Bay. Surely a seaside village in the middle of winter won’t be too festive?

Bart Knott hasn’t celebrated Christmas since the death of his beloved wife of many years. When Eloise calls to book a room, Bart decides to open his guesthouse to other travelers avoiding the holidays as he needs the funds. But Christmas isn’t easy to ignore when Bart gives shelter to a single mom and child whose lives have been devastated by a fire. But fate has other plans for the Christmas avoiding guests who team up to make this the best Christmas ever!

Christmas at Honeycombe Bay is a sweet, festive romance that warms the heart. A perfect read for Christmas. This later in life romance delivers new beginnings, plenty of small-town charm and the Spirit of Christmas. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you Lilac Mills, Megan Whalen, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christmas at Honeycombe Bay, by Lilac Mills, was next up on my Christmas in July adventure. I was unsure about this book at first. Our leading lady. Eloise is not a fan of Christmas and was looking to find a getaway that had no Christmas spirit. She called a guest house in Honeycombe bay and Bart the owner decided to allow Eloise to come and stay. They both agreed on no Christmas music, decorations, outings, no Christmas anything. But when a single mother and her three year old son loose their house to a fire, Bart takes them in as well. And how do you not have Christmas for a three year old? This is where the book turned around. They, almost like a family, did all the Christmas things you would hope for in a book, and made the three year old's a Christmas to remember. I enjoyed the second half of this book more than than first half. But the writing was well done and very descriptive. A quick read for those that need to be forced into the Christmas spirit. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced e book copy.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of Christmas at Honeycomb Bay by Lilac Mills.

If you’re looking for a heartwarming Christmas story with all of the Christmas vibes, look no further.

The main romance in this book is between Eloise and Bart, but it’s so much more than a romance book, it’s found family, it’s melting Scrooge heart, it’s ALL the Christmas vibes. Eloise and Bart are both a little older. She’s sixty ish and he has a grown adult son and grandkids, so I was a little weary jumping in as I like my thirty something MCs, but this book just brought a smile to my face. It’s set in a small seaside village across the pond and the characters are so vibrant and loveable all with rich backstories. It’s cozy and just literally the most heartwarming.

If you’re looking for a dramatic, fast paced, spicy book, this is not it. If you’re looking for a cozy, Christmas, closed door romance or a gift for your mother in law or boss this holiday season, this is definitely it.

[Valerie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for an early uncorrected proof copy of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I have enjoyed many of this author's clean romances with HEA endings. This first book in a new series sets lovely scenes: the cliff walks, the village and the beautiful bay. I am a sucker for Christmas books and the beautiful cover beckoned me into the pages.
The story starts with 2 mature people who don't want all the festive celebrations which provides opportunities for development of the characters and the details of the setting. I loved the slow unfolding of the storyline as widower Bart opens his home / B&B and events bring new characters.
This is an emotional book and I think it shows a great deal of depth and perception as the true spirit of Christmas is explored. I can't wait to read more of the books in this wonderful new series!

[Sallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story with fabulous characters and one that everyone will enjoy. When the holidays approach and a group of strangers sign up to spend the time alone in Honeycombe Bay at a bed and Breakfast, no one knows what lies ahead. The owner of the Inn has recently lost his wife and has no interest in keeping the Inn open but life has different plans for him. One by one guests sign up and the house next door burns leaving a young mom and her son with no place to live. Watching the group become a family is a heart warming experience and I loved it. Book clubs will love it as well and who can read this story and not be touched? This book has it all young love, senior love and the problems with family. I highly recommend it,

I wish to thank Net Galley and Penguin Random House Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eloise hates all things Christmas and wants to get away from it all so she decides to visit a place she's been before that is crowded in the summer but isolated in the winter. Bart, a grieving widow, doesn't enjoy the holidays since his wife's passing so he agrees to open his B&B up during the holidays for others who want to get away from the season. What he doesn't know is the town has decided to celebrate in a big way to try to draw tourists year round.

An unfortunate accident happens and the owner takes in a lady with a son and everyone decides to try to bring some Christmas cheer to them. The kindness of strangers will definitely tug at your heart strings.

Read this book when you want to put a little Hallmark sappiness (in a good way) in your holiday!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

[Armelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free as a Goodreads giveaway.

With few good Christmas memories, and no family to share the holidays with, newly unemployed, 60-ish Eloise decides to escape from her noisy neighbors and her one (and apparently only) well-meaning friend and spend three weeks at a Christmas-free boarding house in a quiet seaside village.

But things have changed since she last visited Honeycombe Bay and Eloise finds herself immersed in all things Christmas, including, just maybe, a bit of romance.

Meh. Eloise isn’t very likable. Even her new love interest considers her to be “spiky.” She’s pushy, too. Young mother Sarah DOESN’T want Eloise’s interfering help, but Eloise just keeps pushing and pushing, and we’re supposed to think she’s being super-generous, when she’s really being meddlesome, patronizing, and intrusive.

It was fine, but I didn’t love it.

[Madison_Reads13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a light, fun, and festive holiday read? Go ahead and add this sweet and cozy romance to your TBR.

Eloise is not a fan of Christmas, to say the least, so she heads out of town to escape the chaos and lands at a small bed and breakfast along the shore in the off season. Unfortunately for her, the town has recently decided to fully embrace the holidays, dropping her straight into Christmas celebration central. When a sudden hardship hits a neighboring home, Eloise starts to rethink her stance on the season. Amid all the festive charm, she forms an unexpected connection that slowly brings warmth back into her guarded heart.

This story takes its time to slowly unfold, leaning into themes of community, kindness, and generosity. I especially loved that this romance highlights characters in their sixties navigating meaningful life changes, which felt both refreshing and heartfelt.

I did find myself wishing for a bit more depth in the central relationship, as some miscommunication near the end made the resolution feel slightly rushed. I would have loved a few more one on one moments between Eloise and the MMC exploring their personal histories to strengthen their emotional connection and deepen their bond.

If you are in the mood for something cozy with a touch of emotional depth, I would definitely give this one a try. And maybe, like Eloise, you will find yourself softening toward a little holiday magic too. I give this book 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.