Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky

A Town Called Christmas #1

by Holly Martin

This year spend a wonderful Christmas on Juniper Island, where love can melt even the iciest of hearts...

Piper Chesterfield lives a glamorous life travelling the world and reviewing the finest hotels. She calls nowhere home, she works alone and that's how she likes it. For long ago Piper decided that to protect her heart she should lock it away.

So when Piper's next assignment brings her to the newly opened Stardust Lake Hotel for the festive season, the last person she expects to face is Gabe Whitaker, the man who broke her heart so completely she could never love again.

But Piper isn't the only one who has been frozen in time by heartbreak. Gabe hasn't forgotten the golden-eyed girl who disappeared from his world without a trace.

Now fate has reunited them on Juniper island, can the magic of Christmas heal old wounds? And can this enchanting town be the one place Piper can finally call home?

Curl up with this gorgeously romantic tale and let the glistening snow and the roaring fires of Stardust Lake Hotel get you in the festive spirit this Christmas.

Christmas Under a Starlit Sky out soon.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Chick Lit, Holiday, Contemporary, Adult, Fiction

322 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 2016

About the author

Holly lives in a little white cottage by the sea. She studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of her colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years’ service was the moment when she knew she had to escape. She quit her job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, she emerged wide eyed and terrified that she now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. She taught for four years and then escaped the classroom to teach history workshops, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next. But the long journeys around the UK and many hours sat on the M25 gave her a lot of time to plan out her stories and she now writes full time, doing what she loves.

Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance. She is the bestselling author of 26 books selling over a million books worldwide. Holly's books have been translated into French, German, Italian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Estonian, Turkish and Russian.

Follow her on Twitter @HollyMAuthor

Reviews

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Piper Chesterfield is a Professional Mystery Guest (I SO want a job like that). She's been writing reviews for TREE OF LIFE magazine going on 10 years now. One more Hotel stay and she is ready to take a much needed break. STARDUST LAKE HOTEL on Juniper Island looks to be the perfect way to spend the Christmas holidays. That is until Piper learns that the man behind the Hotel is none other than Gabe Whitaker. Her best friend and the man who broke her heart twelve years ago.





Gabe isn't all that happy to see Piper again. After all she left without a word twelve years earlier, taking his heart with her. Gabe has moved on though and now has a 4 year old daughter Wren. He'll demand some answers so he can have closure, but getting involved with Piper again is out of the question.

Will the magic of Christmas and Juniper Island help these two find forgiveness and the strength to let go of the past and start again??


"He pulled back to stare into those beautiful golden, vulnerable eyes and knew he was falling in love with her all over again"


Where to begin? There were things I LOVED about this one, and things that unfortunately brought my rating down....

I LOVED the setting and the festive atmosphere. The island and the cabins. The evil little shetland ponies. Everything was just so beautifully described. I had no problem picturing it in my head. I was transported right into the holiday spirit. The writing flowed nicely and I wasn't bored. That said, the middle did drag a little for me, but not enough for me to contemplate skimming.

I ADORED Piper. She had a crappy upbringing and had a lot of baggage because of that. I felt really bad for her and even though the misunderstanding that caused the rift between Gabe and Piper was one of those "miscommunication" deals that drive me crazy, the circumstances were such that I completely understood her actions. Despite that I felt she was a strong and very sweet heroine and I HATED the way everyone treated her through two thirds of this book.


"So you’re not seeing anyone at the moment?’ ‘No.’ For a brief moment he thought he saw hope flare in her eyes and that annoyed him a bit. After what had happened, after what she had done, she couldn’t possibly think they could just pick up where they left off."


Unfortunately the same can't be said about Gabe (or his sister or his brother) I LOATHED Gabe through two thirds of this book. This hero was a whiny, self centered douche. His whiplash back and forth with Piper was SO annoying. One minute he is telling his sister Piper shouldn't be held responsible for a mistake she made 12 years ago, then in the next breath he is acting like this OTT injured party. Being rude, and acting like he can't trust Piper. Back and forth and back again. I wanted to throw my tablet at something. Even after finding out what happened, he acts like Piper is this awful untrustworthy person. Almost the whole book he acts like an injured party. HE could have went to London to confront Piper and find out why she left without a word. Instead he just acted like a whiny bitch about it, and went on to manwhore around and have a kid (of course Piper never has sex again after Gabe *rolleyes*). EVERYONE kept taking potshots at Piper about how she had "broke Gabe" I seriously wanted her to give them all the finger and get the hell out of there.



That said, the last one third of the book everyone seemed to be letting the past go and the romance between Piper and Gabe was sweet, with some mild heat. Of course we have the inevitable "misunderstanding" that I knew was coming from the beginning of the book, and of course Gabe acts like a whiny douche again. Thankfully we have the awesome Piper who doesn't let him get away with it, and all's well that ends well.


"Then lighten up and stop staring at me like I’m breaking your heart all over again. This is difficult for me too."


Overall the good outweighed the bad. We get a quick peek at the next book in the series which will be Gabe's sister. I'm intrigued, but it is an older woman/younger man book. Plus he is an actor, so I'm on the fence about wanting to read it. Luke's book is the one I am REALLY waiting for...

[Irena BookDustMagic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Martin made me fall in love. I am in love with Christmas! I want to go there, have a nice vacation, watch merrie dancers, feed reindeers and hang out with village people. I'd also like to eat some delicios food.
Too bad this place called Christmas exists only in imagination, because I am sure it would be a hit, a place so many people would love to visit one day.

It is September, but my Christmas Spirit is fully awake! Holly Martin can take the blame, but let me tell you the true: I don't mind. Not at all!

As you might already know, I am a HUGE fan of festive stories. Christmassy/wintery books are my absolutely favorite to read, especially when it's cold outside.
When I got a chance to read Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky I was thrilled.
This summer I read Martin's Summer at Rose Island and fell in love with her writing style, so I had a strong feeling I'd enjoy this novel too.

Of course, I was right. The writing style was amazing but simple, easy to read, just as it should be when it comes to chicklits.

One thing that is the most incredible when it comes to this story is the setting. The way Martin described winter, the place and the atmosphere felt almost magical.

The characters were pretty likeable. Piper's life was not easy and you could tell it had shaped her as a person.
I liked the chemistry between her and Gabe and it was nice to watch how they overcame things that went wrong between them.
Wren was such a good child, sometimes even too good for a four year old if you ask me.

However, my utterly favorite were Leo with his gang (those were small savage ponies that disturbed people).
I wouldn't mind to cross my paths with them one day.
Overall, if you are looking for a read that will wake up your Chrisitmas Spirit, Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky is a perfect choice.
I certainly enjoyed it and now I'm looking forward to read the sequel when it comes out next month.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty average read to end to my 2019 festive love-in. We all know I’m a sucker for a single dad but a bit drawn out and pedestrian for my liking. Lovely remote Scottish setting though and likeable characters.

[Теодор Панов · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎄 Christmas 2020 🎄

Приятна историйка с много коледно настроение. Хотелският комплекс, разположен на остров Джунипър, успява да те отведе на едно място с много коледен чар и обаяние, а като се добави снегът и северното сияние, коледните къщички и магазинчета, стъклените иглута и специално построеният Леден дворец, атмосферата в книгата става наистина чудна.

По отношение на романтичната страна на историята между Гейб и Пайпър, ами на места ми изглеждаше леко клиширана, а някои неща около тях ненужно пресилени.

Но като цяло е подходящо четиво около празниците. Притежава нужния заряд.
3,5 звезди.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Martin is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She has a way of warming you up inside and will have you falling in love with all the characters from the very beginning of CHRISTMAS UNDER A CRANBERRY SKY. You can’t help but care for Piper. She is damaged where love is concerned, and very fragile, but she goes out of her way to help those she cares about. Gabe is my new book boyfriend who I thought was an uptight snob in the beginning but the way he protects Piper and looks out for her had me swooning in no time at all. I devoured Gabe and Piper’s story in one sitting and can’t wait to continue the Town Called Christmas series with the next book, Christmas Under A Starlit Sky. I can’t wait to read more by this wonderful and funny author.



It’s always refreshing when an author can make you giggle out loud and Holly Martin does just that with CHRISTMAS UNDER A CRANBERRY SKY. She even had me snorting to the point where my husband looked at me like I was crazy. Holly Martin is quickly becoming my newest go to author. CHRISTMAS UNDER A CRANBERRY SKY is book one in the A Town Called Christmas series. Here you will meet Piper Chesterfield. She lives nowhere, has no house to call home. She reviews the finest hotels for her career and travels all over the world. She arrives at one of the Shetland Islands to review a new resort that will be opening soon, and it just happens to be a wonderful place where she spent a childhood holiday. She discovers once there that the hotel and resort is owned by her childhood best friend and love of her life Gabe. They hadn’t seen each other for over 12 years when Piper left due to a tragic accident and horrible misunderstanding.



CHRISTMAS UNDER A CRANBERRY SKY is a magical romantic story that you will finish in one sitting like I did. It’s a wonderful story that is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit no matter what time of year you read it. If you love a sweet and funny story of friends becoming lovers then nothing then lovers again than do not skip CHRISTMAS UNDER A CRANBERRY SKY. The characters were also a joy to read about. I liked both Piper and Gabe, as well as Gabe’s family, but my favorite was Gabe’s young daughter Wren. She was simply the sweetest character who pulls at your heartstrings and I loved her involvement in the story the most. It had me completely invested in all of the characters lives, so much so that now I feel as if we are all friends and I truly want to pack up the car and head to Christmas. I just love when an author can do that to me and Holly Martin does not disappoint.



I received a copy of this book by the author and publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Liina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper has been reviewing hotels for years and before she takes a break from it, she is spending Christmas at Stardust hotel on Juniper Island, where she is also assigned to work. On the very first day she meets her first boyfriend, whom she hasn't seen for 12 years. Their meeting is surprising and bittersweet for both of them, because they both broke each other's heart without knowing it. As Christmas is approaching Pip and Gabe don't have a lot of time to make things right, but falling in love all over again on this magical island happens faster than they can think of. The sparks are flying, but is it going to last, when Pip's secret comes out?

It's the first book in a new series and I absolutely adored it. The setting was so realistic and perfect for the story, it felt very wintry and Christmassy. All the characters were wonderful as well, starting from the main characters and ending with the people who work there. In the first installment we got to read a bit about Gabe's sister, but her story continues in the second book, which I'm already excited about. It's a terrific book to read during the winter/Christmas time.

[Ренета Кирова · Rating 5 out of 5]

Приятна, коледна книга, която се чете с горещ шоколад в ръка на топло и уютно местенце.
Сюжетът те пренася на Шетландските острови с тяхната сурова красота и весело украсено курортно градче. Снегът е затрупал всичко, а местните понита спокойно се разхождат сред хората. В кошарите се отглеждат елени, на гостите на хотела се предлагат стъклени иглута, през които се вижда северното сияние, както и многобройни забавления на острова. Тук Пайпър попада сякаш в друг приказен свят, но трябва да напише отзив в списание за новия хотел. Само че собственикът се оказва неин бивш приятел от детството, с когото са се обичали. Преди дванадесет години се разделят, поради необичайни обстоятелства и едно недоразумение. Те не са се забравили, но Гейб има вече дъщеря. Любовта им се възражда и двамата трябва да намерят начин да разберат искат ли да бъдат отново заедно.
Типична коледна книга, която прочетох с удоволствие. Понякога имаме нужда от вълшебства и любов в живота си.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly Martin has done it again! She’s created a fantastic island community, shared many details about the location and community living there to bring it vividly to life in the imagination of the reader. I’d love to visit there and meet everyone! Her characters aren’t characters, they are people you’re privileged to meet and get to know so they become virtual friends for whom you care and empathise with. It is a brilliant start to a new festive series, as the tag line says, it really is “a perfect romance to curl up by the fire with”!

Set on Juniper Island, one of the Shetland Isles, it has just one town which is called Christmas. It is on this island that the Stardust Lake Hotel is due to open, just in time for Christmas. Piper Chesterfield is a hotel reviewer, travelling the world to a wide range of different hotels and reviewing them for an influential publication. She has happy memories of an earlier holiday on the island, but that was before all went wrong with her world. She has a past filled with drama, rejection and heartbreak but she’s made a great job for herself over the last decade and this is her last job before taking a sabbatical.

Gabe Whittaker was Piper’s best friend and sweetheart, her first love who broke her heart. She certainly didn’t expect to discover he is the owner of the Stardust Lake Hotel and he certainly wasn’t anticipating his first love to reappear in his life again. Is this a second chance for love for the two? Prepare yourself to meet his much loved daughter, a four year old who is a real wannabe Elsa from ‘Frozen’ princess and is a delightful, real character in every sense of the term!

This is a truly magical festive read, easily a 5* read that I can’t recommend highly enough - and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to find out what else happens next to everyone involved!

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author and publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review on www.novelgossip.com

I have a confession to make. I’m bit obsessed with Christmas. Think Buddy the Elf. So naturally when I saw this title on Netgalley I was thrilled! I know what you may be thinking, it’s September Amy! Why would you even be thinking about Christmas?! Well folks, that’s what I do. I start thinking about next Christmas on December 26th. So basically, I never stop thinking about it. Enough about me, let me get to the point here. This book really got me even more into the festive spirit and sparked my enthusiasm for all Christmassy things and I couldn’t be more excited!

Piper is just a lovely and personable woman. She had some tragedies in her young life, but twelve years later and she has found her niche in the world. She’s a mystery reviewer in the hotel industry and travels the world staying in fabulous hotels for free! Talk about a dream job. Gabe was her first love and let’s just say things did not end well between the two of them. When she learns that her latest reviewing assignment is to cover the hotel Gabe owns she is shocked and unsure how to feel about seeing him again. They begin a tentative friendship but it’s clear they still have feelings for each other. I really wanted to like Gabe as he had so many very good qualities but he was so wishy washy in regards to his feelings towards Piper that he often irritated me. His daughter Wren however, was just a darling child and her humor and sweet innocence charmed me.

My favorite part of this book was the setting, hands down. Stardust Lake Hotel is simply magical and enchanting. Martin’s descriptions of this picturesque town were gorgeous and all I could envision is a perfect winter wonderland. The Christmas market in the town sounds amazing, I’m still trying to figure out how I can manage to do my Christmas shopping there this year?!

[Антоанета · Rating 3 out of 5]

Четеше ми се нещо коледно (и все още ми се чете), затова посегнах към тази книга. За пореден път се убеждавам, че подобните книги на Ера са само красиви корици и нищо повече. Самата история беше блудкава и става за екранизация в Холмарк, но не е това, което търсех.
Историята разказва за двама най-добри приятели от деца, чието приятелство прераства в любов в тийнейджърските им години. Нещастно стечение на обстоятелствата ги разделя и всеки обвинява другия, че му е разбил сърцето. 12 години по-късно те се срещат отново на един северен шотландски остров, на който Гейб е изградил коледно градче и красив и уютен хотел, а Пайпър пристига като таен клиент, за да пише рецензия без да подозира кой е собственика. И даааа, голямата любов пламва отново като смятам, че прекалено бързо се разбраха и простиха за недоразумението в миналото.
Макар да не обичам сняг, книгата предлага описание на чудно хубава атмосфера с много сняг, коледни лампички и всякаква друга украса, коледни храни и напитки, северното сияние и своенравни елени. Това малко или много повдига коледния дух.
Но това, което ме дразнеше е, как Гейб в няколко по-специфични ежедневни ситуации поставяше Пайпър пред собствената си дъщеря, а уж дъщеря му беше всичко за него. Например, когато излязоха на бой със снежни топки и всички бяха мокри, той каза единствено на Пайпър, че е мокра и трябва да бърза за под душа, за да свали всичко и да не настине - родителската логика е да се направи това за 4 годишно дете, а то бе зарязано отвън да продължава да се замеря със сняг. В друга опасна ситуация на леда в края на книгата, Гейб отново се погрижи за Пайпър, а детето беше оставено на грижите на останалите и т.н. подобни дразнещи моменти.
Оценката ми е между 2 и 3, но при положение, че Джени Хейл (чийто книги са още по-дразнещи) получи 3* ще дам и на тази толкова. 😄

[Amairo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Наистина не очаквах, че ще ми хареса толкова много. Беше доста предвидима на моменти, но затова и обичам коледните книги. А описанията на всичко просто ме караха да мечтая безкрайно. Препоръчвам много, а и се чете дори и след Коледа.

[Steffi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfection. It's Christmas and winter wonderland perfection. I have almost no words how much I liked this book.

Within the first few pages I was already sure I was going to love this book. The atmosphere and scenery was simply amazing.
The description of the hotel, the igloos, the ice palace, the little village with those magical shops was just perfect. There were so many little and wonderful things which created such a magical atmosphere. The combination of all this made it an absolutely amazing seasonal read.

The characters were really lovable too. Pip and Gabe were so cute and I really liked them together. But also the side characters were really charming and I can't wait to find out more about them. One highlight was definitely the little Wren. She made me laugh out loud several times.

To me Holly Martin is the queen of romantic scenery. I am always feeling at home with her beautiful desriptions, be it in the snow or at the beach. She is an amazing author and so far I loved all of her books.

[Hristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really cute, entertaining read. And this comes from with someone obsessed with rom-coms set around Christmas, a self-proclaimed expert.
The plot and characters are well-developed, the whole setting is wonderful, the writing is on point, the Christmas atmosphere is weaved throughout the text in a perfect manner. It's a perfect read for the holiday season.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Приятна книга с голям коледен заряд. Определено ще се чете и втората книга от поредицата!

[Julian Lyubomirov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Абсолютна шега, много смешен секс и пълна липса на коледно настроение. Иначе става за убиване на време в безсънни нощи.

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born 3 days before Christmas which means Christmas fiction is my speciality reading time of year. Holly Martin is one of my favourite authors who blends in the most delightful characters with a story that can make me fall in love with all the scenes. What I like the most about Holly Martin is her flair for her imagination to make every book so perfect with the places and characters. The front cover is beautiful it glitters, very eye catching that looks just like a sparkling Christmas card. Piper Chesterfield has a glamorous job as a photographer taking pictures of hotels and holiday destinations for travel brochures, with writing reviews. For Christmas her next assignment was to stay in Stardust Lake Hotel on the Juniper Islands. I fly about four time a year how I wish I could fly in a stunning plush plane just like Pip, her flight was amazingly magical. Juniper Island is very much a magical place with the snow and log fire's in the cabins and twinkling fairy lights. Over ten years ago Pip and Gabe were in love. Now she is back here on Juniper Island, meeting by chance Gabe Whitaker again, but this time he has a daughter Wren. Piper is leaving Juniper Island in two weeks, but Wren would dearly love a step mum. The question is could Pip and Gabe magically fall in love again? This book has more genuine magic and charm with the Christmas perfect treat than any other book that I have read. Highly recommended with so much to look forward to.

[Amy K · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. Repetitive, boring, uber ridiculous and in desperate need of editing. Maybe the worst book I've read all year.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished and been astounded by Christmas Under A Cranberry Sky, I think I am fairly safe in declaring Holly Martin a queen of the Christmas book, so with that in mind I am delighted that there is a second book in this series out soon.

But let's talk about this one first, from the simply gorgeous cover, to the simply stunning setting, I really didn't want this book to end, everything about it is pure enjoyment, designed to get you in the festive spirit. I can't believe its September and I am currently really feeling quite Christmassy after reading this book.

Juniper Island is a one town island near the Shetlands, and Piper is a mystery guest who has been travelling around the world for 10 years reviewing hotels. who comes to Juniper Island for Christmas to review The Stardust Lake Hotel that is just opening.

She has a personal connection to the island as she last visited with her best friend and love of her life back when she was a child, so is keen to see what the new owner of the hotel has done to the place. Little does she expect to come face to face with Gabe who she hasn't seen for many years.

As Piper is guided around the resort, it becomes apparent just how much thought the author has put into creating this magical and wintery sounding place, from the magnificent ice palace, complete with ice carvings courtesy of a previous character of Holly's, to the glass igloos where if you are lucky you may be able to see the Northern lights.

I actually melted when Piper is shown the Christmas market that is going to be a permanent fixture of the town called Christmas. As you go into each shop it is clear how much care has been put into every little details, from the arrangement of the snow globes in the snow globe shop, to the six (I think it was) different flavours of chocolate fountains, in the chocolate shop. Each shop and villager is specialising in a different wintery or Christmas craft or food, so all the shops can live in harmony with each other. It was at this point where I was on social media begging people to let me fly to Juniper Island then and there!

There is some wonderful wildlife on the island too, from the group of shetland ponies that terrorise everyone, and could ultimately cause the tourists problems, to the adorable puppies and not to mention what every Christmas themed resort needs, real life reindeer, all 8 plus Rudolph. There is one very funny and memorable scene involving the reindeer that is brilliant.

Wren is Gabe's 4 year old daughter, and she takes an instant liking to Piper, asking her all sorts of tricky questions that only someone with a childlike innoncence would.At times she sounds wiser than her 4 years, and then the rest of the time is she your typical child, who loves her new home, and has a huge love of all things Frozen.

With an adorable child, adding to Gabe's overall appeal its little wonder there is a strong romance element brewing in this story, and although there are some will they won't they moments, I hope I'm not spoiling the book too much from saying that if you are a fan of the author you know she loves a HEA, and with it being Christmas, I was hoping and praying for the only outcome that I would have found acceptable!

Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky has easily moved into my top three Holly Martin books, and I am eagerly awaiting, like a kid at Christmas, for the second book in the A Town Called Christmas series.

Thank you so much to Bookouture and Holly Martin for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.

[Love Fool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Piper Chesterfield lives a glamorous life travelling the world and reviewing the finest hotels. She calls nowhere home, she works alone and that’s how she likes it. For long ago Piper decided that to protect her heart she should lock it away.

So when Piper’s next assignment brings her to the newly opened Stardust Lake Hotel for the festive season, the last person she expects to face is Gabe Whitaker, the man who broke her heart so completely she could never love again.

But Piper isn’t the only one who has been frozen in time by heartbreak. Gabe hasn’t forgotten the golden-eyed girl who disappeared from his world without a trace.

Now fate has reunited them on Juniper island, can the magic of Christmas heal old wounds? And can this enchanting town be the one place Piper can finally call home?

I wish this hotel and town was real. It sounded magical. Who wouldn't want to visit a town that was dedicated to Christmas? Christmas makes everyone nicer, kinder, happier, and dare I say more romantic. Maybe... just maybe... because of this book someone will make a hotel or town like this? Any readers? Please?

I love second chances and the thought of fate and destiny... and if you are a fan of those too you will like this. Piper and Gabe were childhood best friends and sweethearts until Piper mistakes an act of kindness as a betrayal. Fast forward 12 years later, Piper is lonely, living out of a luggage, traveling to one hotel to the next reviewing them as her career. Gabe is a successful entrepreneur opening his new hotel and living alone with his daughter.

Piper's and Gabe's worlds collide when her next assignment is to review his hotel. This biggest character in this book is fate. If you believe in magic, love, and the fairytale of Christmas, you will enjoy this book.

[Natsu · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story centers around Pip and Gabe, who’ve known each other since childhood, fell in love in high school, broke up, ran into each other again after being apart for twelve years. Discovering that their breakup came from a misunderstanding, they ask themselves if they can pick up where they left off and start all over again.

The backdrop of the book was beautiful; Stardust Lake Hotel with its ski-resort like log cottages, a Christmas-themed village close by that sells handmade crafts, Northern Lights that spread over the winter sky. The setting was attractive enough that I wished the place existed.

The side characters were intriguing, especially Wren, Gabe’s 7-year-old daughter. Her innocent sweetness was like a frosting on a cake that gave the plot a sparkle.

Yet, the biggest drawback to the story was the explicit description of love. I felt they were redundant, unnecessary, and disrupted the natural flow of the plot. A huge letdown on my part, hence 2.5 stars.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adored the festive setting in this (so atmospheric!), but didn't really "feel" the romance at all. It was far too back-and-forth for my liking, and ultimately you knew what was going to happen. I enjoyed Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky, but perhaps not enough to carry on with the series.

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.

Christmas..... what's not to love??! And when you find yourself reading this in October it immediately transports you to December and all the wonderful sights and sounds of the festive season!

And it is set in just the perfect place - Juniper Island which is the most northern isle of the scottish islands and it is just the most idyllic place! The perfect location for the Stardust Lake Hotel to open for business!

Piper is a mystery guest who has reviewed hotels all over the globe for many years. Her reviews can make or break a business, so when she is sent to Juniper Island to pass judgement on this new resort she isn't expecting what she finds there! She does remember visiting the Island as a child, with her best friend Gabe and his family, and has fond memories of the place. But her life has changed considerably over the years which caused her much sadness, so she has built up a tough exterior even though her true feelings often reveal themselves in the form of nightmares.

One person she isn't expecting to be there is Gabe himself and this really upsets her emotions and as a reader we begin to hear the backstory of their friendship, and what happened to change it all those years ago. Can they move on and forget the past?

Gabe had also had a pretty rough few years but his focus now is his new business along with adorable daughter, Wren! Considering all she'd been through in her four years on this planet she was just a little sweetheart!! And her obsession with the film Frozen was exceptionally cute! And speaking of cute, there's always Winston the sausage dog!!

I adored the cast of characters in this story as there were quite a few layers to some of them, so what you saw wasn't always the true person, and as the story develops you got to see different sides to people. The struggle the characters had between letting go of past tragedies and not wanting their feelings to be crushed again was so real and touchingly explored throughout the book.

This was such a sweet story full of love and warmth that I couldn't help but race through it and was extremely pleased to see it was book one in a Christmas series so am looking forward to another visit to Juniper Island - just a shame it can't be in person for real!

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just absolutely LOVED this book. Holly Martin just completely wows you with her beautiful writing, wonderful characters and great story. From the first page, I was absorbed and could not stop reading. I was rooting for Piper and Gabe. I LOVED Juniper Island and absolutely want to visit. So evocatively described, I felt like I was there with Piper. This is a beautiful, feel good, Christmas book that has you celebrating no matter what time of the year you read it. I adored this book and cannot wait for the next one.

[Kelly Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

a beautiful Christmas story loved every minute of it just one question what times the next plane to juniper island

[Slavi Stoyanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Най-хубавата коледна книга, която съм чела до този момент 🎄🎅🐎🦌❤️

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early October. The time of year when books start appearing with Christmas in the title, a nice wintery cover and then a story that actually contains just the briefest of allusions to the festive season. Then there's the few that are all about Christmas and Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky is one of those books. It was just magical, there's no other word for it. It has been far too long since I picked up a book by Holly Martin and when I glanced over the glowing reviews coming in almost daily for this book, I knew it was one I was going to have to read and it is the first of my Christmas themed books this year.

Piper Chesterfield has a job that I'm sure most of us would love to have. She travels around the world, staying in some amazing (and some not so amazing) locations and then she reviews them for The Tree of Life magazine. She's reached a point in her life though where she doesn't enjoy it anymore, as for her it's just no fun without somebody by her side to share it with. I do not share these thoughts and would take a ticket and a job reviewing hotels tomorrow and never look back but, in terms of the book needing a story, she takes on one last job on Juniper Island, reviewing the Stardust Lake Hotel and it's beautiful wintery surroundings, which are all about Christmas. Even Scrooge would find something to love about this place. It is so beautifully imagined that even the plane that takes Piper to the island screams Christmas. I so wish this place was real because if it was I wouldn't even be writing this review I'd be sitting on a plane like a kid on Christmas Eve and making my way to Juniper Island and never, ever leaving.

The place has changed a lot since Piper was a child when she used to visit with friend and love of her life Gabe, the man who went on to break her heart which then resulted in her closing herself off from the world (or at least the people of the world as she then went on to travel around the world as a reviewer). Arriving on the island and Piper is blown away by just how much has changed. It is almost unrecognisable from the place she once knew, and it's clear that this is a place she is going to have no trouble staying in, enjoying the Christmas surroundings and writing one last review before heading home and reevaluating her life. Of course, it was never going to be that easy and when Piper finds a young girl wondering through the snow, she soon finds herself standing face-to-face with none other than Gabe Whittaker, the man who broke her heart all those years ago. Awkward. Not only that but he is the man she has to thank for the beautiful surroundings she finds herself in, as he owns the island, and it's clear from the outset that the feelings these two characters once had for one another haven't exactly gone away.

Very few authors write a love story as enjoyable as those by Holly Martin. More than once as I read this book I thought it was going to be a contender to beat One Hundred Proposals as my favourite Holly Martin book, but I think that will forever be my favourite as I still think about it even now. This book does come an incredibly close second though. The connection between these two characters is palpable, to the point where I just couldn't wait for them to get on with it and admit their feelings for one another. The journey they go on throughout the story is extremely believable, and of course Holly has more than one spanner ready to throw into the works to make sure that this couple really have to work for their happiness. But, there's simply no better place for them to do that. Gabe's daughter was a true standout character of the book, her naivety and the way she just asks the most inappropriate of questions (but they just so happen to be the questions the reader wants to know the answers to the most) is just brilliant and she reminded me at times of one of my cousins who is also unafraid to just speak her mind and ask questions without fear.

Despite how much the reviews said this book was packed with Christmas I couldn't help wishing that there had been even more. Don't get me wrong everything about it was just amazing, and even in October I am already wishing for Christmas to arrive (which surprised even me as after losing my grandad in July it's not something I have really been looking forward to), but the book ends on Christmas Eve and whilst it leads nicely into the second book on Juniper Island, I did miss those scenes of waking up on Christmas Day and to wake up in a place this magical on Christmas Day was something I really wanted to read. That said, perhaps this is something we see in the second Juniper Island book, and I really hope so. Gabe transformed the island in his grandad's memory and this is something that brought tears to my eyes once his parents arrived on the island and praised him for all that he had achieved. It was just so special and was one of my favourite scenes in the whole book. Holly Martin has written in Christmas Under a Cranberry Sky one of the most enjoyable Christmas novels that I have ever read and has once again treated us to another beautiful and memorable love story (with more than enough heat to keep you warm on these upcoming winter nights, and no, I'm not talking about the hot chocolate). I honestly cannot recommend it enough and Holly proves here why she is one of my (and many other people's) favourite authors.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. This book was perfect for the time of year and made me want to go to a place like this, Christmas all year round would be so much fun. Ended with an open ending so am looking forward to the next installment. Haven't read anything by this author before but will be tempted to get any others I see with her name on. Was a very festive novel and couldn't wait to find out what happened with all the characters

[Damelapin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved it - the atmosphere, the setting, the mystery traveller twist, the writing and the ponies ;)

[Светлана Димитрова · Rating 4 out of 5]

Сладникава коледна история, която завършва с отворен край за следващата книга.

[Veselina Proycheva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Всичко, което искам от една коледна история. Атмосфера, лека драма, щастлив край. Бих прочела и друго от авторката. Стилът ѝ ми допадна.

“”Животът е по-голям от нас. Не бива да забраняваме, че пътищата ни, решенията и проблемите ни са дреболия в необятната картина на света.”