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Maybe This Christmas
When Beth Brown loses her job and her boyfriend in the space of twenty-four hours, she thinks life can't get any worse. That's until she finds herself in the depths of the English countryside working for chef, Rocco di Castri. Not only does she have to deal with his legendary moods, but she's also expected to get his chaotic schedule and workload in check, all while she's nursing a broken heart.
It's not long before Rocco's idyllic home starts to work its magic and soon she sees a softer side to her boss too. And as the festive season approaches, Beth dares to look forward to everything the perfect country Christmas has to offer – and perhaps some romance of her own. Until news of an unexpected proposal threatens to put pay to all Beth's plans. Will Beth get her happily-ever-after? Maybe, this Christmas...
It's not long before Rocco's idyllic home starts to work its magic and soon she sees a softer side to her boss too. And as the festive season approaches, Beth dares to look forward to everything the perfect country Christmas has to offer – and perhaps some romance of her own. Until news of an unexpected proposal threatens to put pay to all Beth's plans. Will Beth get her happily-ever-after? Maybe, this Christmas...
Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2018
534 people are currently reading
873 people want to read
About the author
Jill Steeples
34 books231 followersAuthor also writes as J.E. Steeples
Jill Steeples lives in a small market town in Bedfordshire with her husband. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, crocheting, musical theatre, baking cakes, eating them and the occasional tipple.
From an early age she fell in love with the fabulously funny romances of Jilly Cooper, and vowed, one day, she would have a go at writing one of her own.
Jill started her career writing short stories, particularly those with a twist in the tail, and her work has appeared in popular women’s magazines around the world and in a number of charity anthologies.
Now she writes feel-good, uplifting fiction for Boldwood Books and her works include The Dog & Duck series and The Primrose Woods series.
Jill Steeples lives in a small market town in Bedfordshire with her husband. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, crocheting, musical theatre, baking cakes, eating them and the occasional tipple.
From an early age she fell in love with the fabulously funny romances of Jilly Cooper, and vowed, one day, she would have a go at writing one of her own.
Jill started her career writing short stories, particularly those with a twist in the tail, and her work has appeared in popular women’s magazines around the world and in a number of charity anthologies.
Now she writes feel-good, uplifting fiction for Boldwood Books and her works include The Dog & Duck series and The Primrose Woods series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
December 15, 2022
Cute book, just not my cup of tea!
December 9, 2015
This is a very uplifting easy to read Christmassy story with a newly dumped Beth starting a new job as PA to celebrity chef Rocco di Castri – a man with smouldering good looks, a roving eye and a temperament. It is a story that is predictable in that cosy way that only Christmas stories can get away with, for some reason. It is a tale with just the right amounts of romance, obstacles, misunderstandings, drama and a dog that I would just love to add to my brood. With characters who are fun to read about and likeable and a countryside setting that makes you yearn for a Christmas invitation, this is a quick, fun read that I just seemed to race through. Many thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the review copy.
September 7, 2022
Fun Christmassy book to put you in the mood for the season. It has all the trimmings you'll need unexpected drama,on again off again romance, crossed lines of communication,Christmassy atmosphere,festive and more.
The book moved at a quick pace and I enjoyed it.
Pub Date: 23 Aug 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
The book moved at a quick pace and I enjoyed it.
Pub Date: 23 Aug 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
December 13, 2015
This actually disappointed me. I love Jill's books, they're so much fun usually, but I was soooooooo annoyed when Beth said she wasn't going to let Rocco walk all over her, be another notch on his bed post etc, and then within the next chapter he'd managed to charm her with no discernible charm ARGHHH.
It was a cute read, a quick read, a charming read, but it was so frustrating because I expected better from Beth, than to be your typical Chick Lit heroine who falls for the bad boy, though I never saw any of that either. Yes, he had his apparently angry moments, but Rocco was no Gordon Ramsay. There was no fire, no spark, I wanted more swear-y and Gordon Ramsay attitude.
I didn't hate the book by any stretch of the imagination, I was just disappointed. It was only okay. Millie was very much the highlight, because you cannot beat having a dog in a book, they ALWAYS make it that little bit better.
It was a cute read, a quick read, a charming read, but it was so frustrating because I expected better from Beth, than to be your typical Chick Lit heroine who falls for the bad boy, though I never saw any of that either. Yes, he had his apparently angry moments, but Rocco was no Gordon Ramsay. There was no fire, no spark, I wanted more swear-y and Gordon Ramsay attitude.
I didn't hate the book by any stretch of the imagination, I was just disappointed. It was only okay. Millie was very much the highlight, because you cannot beat having a dog in a book, they ALWAYS make it that little bit better.
December 24, 2023
This is literally 0 stars 😐
How is this a love story? The main characters spoke like twice and somehow fell in love??? Every other character was awful. The fmc was so cringe and judgey. This isn’t even a Christmas book.
It can have the 1 star for the dog lol.
How is this a love story? The main characters spoke like twice and somehow fell in love??? Every other character was awful. The fmc was so cringe and judgey. This isn’t even a Christmas book.
It can have the 1 star for the dog lol.
August 7, 2022
I didn't know I needed to read this book till I read this book!
It's a feel good but quite predictable romance story centered around a recently dumped Beth who takes a job with the temperamental but swoon worthy celebrity chef Rocco di Castri as his PA. The setting, the plot, the characters and the adorable dog made this the perfect weekend read. I absolutely love it and I will talk about it for years to come . Go get your copy.
A huge thanks to Boldwood books for my complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
It's a feel good but quite predictable romance story centered around a recently dumped Beth who takes a job with the temperamental but swoon worthy celebrity chef Rocco di Castri as his PA. The setting, the plot, the characters and the adorable dog made this the perfect weekend read. I absolutely love it and I will talk about it for years to come . Go get your copy.
A huge thanks to Boldwood books for my complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
July 19, 2022
Cute and comfy afternoon read. Perfect for a rainy day pick me up.
Beth and her partner of 5 years have broken up so she decides to make a fresh start and take a job as a PA for a celebrity chef, Rocco. She enjoys the job, but she very much has a crush on him, although he seems to be involved with a model called Pandora. Beth struggles with her feelings while doing a great job with Rocco, and little does she know, he has feelings for her as well. Their main struggle is communicating, which is frustrating and a trope I don’t love. I did however, love the setting as well as Rocco’s adorable puppy Millie and his housekeeper Sylvia was a breath of fresh air!
Totally predictable but still fun and a nice refresher during this heat wave.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
Beth and her partner of 5 years have broken up so she decides to make a fresh start and take a job as a PA for a celebrity chef, Rocco. She enjoys the job, but she very much has a crush on him, although he seems to be involved with a model called Pandora. Beth struggles with her feelings while doing a great job with Rocco, and little does she know, he has feelings for her as well. Their main struggle is communicating, which is frustrating and a trope I don’t love. I did however, love the setting as well as Rocco’s adorable puppy Millie and his housekeeper Sylvia was a breath of fresh air!
Totally predictable but still fun and a nice refresher during this heat wave.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
February 7, 2016
Received through NetGalley & the publisher, Joffe Books, in exchange for review.
Rated only 3 stars, as I liked it but it wasn't anything special. It was fairly predictable and was one of those books that I feel is sadly forgettable.
Rated only 3 stars, as I liked it but it wasn't anything special. It was fairly predictable and was one of those books that I feel is sadly forgettable.
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December 9, 2018Dnf. I can’t have any sympathy for a woman who strings her boyfriend along for 5 years. He loved her.. she liked having him around. And then she gets heartbroken when he ups and leaves her. After that, I couldnt care.
December 30, 2015
May have been better if it was written from the point of view of both main characters. The main love interest (male) felt very one dimensional and you never really felt a connection b
May 14, 2025
Where to start? Nine out of 10 reviewers say that this is a cute, fun, light-hearted romance read. What?! Were they saying this just as a thank you for receiving a free book to read?
What was written in this book wasn't bad. What WASN’T written in this book was bad. I felt like I skimmed the whole book, even though I read every single word on every single page. So many scenes were left incomplete, conversations were left to be said with only minimal words. Yet there were tons and tons of internal dialogue from the heroine's POV. By the way, that is the only POV that the readers get.
One of the most talked about topics in this book was how everyone and their brother just knew that it was love at first sight for both of our hero and heroine. I, as a reader, was completely unconvinced. There were hardly any interactions btwn the hero and heroine. For a long time, I didn't even know who the "hero" was going to be, as the celebrity chef guy supposedly had a girlfriend for most of the book to some nasty supermodel. The other possible love interest was the ex-boyfriend.
As for the characters, the heroine was an idiot that would not communicate, she wouldn't speak up to clear up something that didn't make sense, she was just a really frustrating character to read and root for. The celebrity chef hero was constantly described to us as a male slut, short-tempered, foul-mouth ticking time bomb.... so he 'bellowed' once or twice. Big deal. They hardly interacted for more than 5 minutes at a time in any given scene, so I was shown nothing about him (only told).
As for the light-hearted romance... non-existent in my terms of 'romance'. Because the heroine assumed that the hero had a girlfriend, she pushed him away the two times he attempted to kiss or be romantic with her. Once they were finally on the same page that he was indeed single... they laid down on his bed to go to sleep for the night. And they went to sleep. No making out, no kiss good night... This was their first night together! They did finally have sex the next day, a completely unromantic and I would say closed door scene.
A complete let down for me. Very frustrating, almost no interaction or dialogue btwn hero and heroine. It could have been so much better!
What was written in this book wasn't bad. What WASN’T written in this book was bad. I felt like I skimmed the whole book, even though I read every single word on every single page. So many scenes were left incomplete, conversations were left to be said with only minimal words. Yet there were tons and tons of internal dialogue from the heroine's POV. By the way, that is the only POV that the readers get.
One of the most talked about topics in this book was how everyone and their brother just knew that it was love at first sight for both of our hero and heroine. I, as a reader, was completely unconvinced. There were hardly any interactions btwn the hero and heroine. For a long time, I didn't even know who the "hero" was going to be, as the celebrity chef guy supposedly had a girlfriend for most of the book to some nasty supermodel. The other possible love interest was the ex-boyfriend.
As for the characters, the heroine was an idiot that would not communicate, she wouldn't speak up to clear up something that didn't make sense, she was just a really frustrating character to read and root for. The celebrity chef hero was constantly described to us as a male slut, short-tempered, foul-mouth ticking time bomb.... so he 'bellowed' once or twice. Big deal. They hardly interacted for more than 5 minutes at a time in any given scene, so I was shown nothing about him (only told).
As for the light-hearted romance... non-existent in my terms of 'romance'. Because the heroine assumed that the hero had a girlfriend, she pushed him away the two times he attempted to kiss or be romantic with her. Once they were finally on the same page that he was indeed single... they laid down on his bed to go to sleep for the night. And they went to sleep. No making out, no kiss good night... This was their first night together! They did finally have sex the next day, a completely unromantic and I would say closed door scene.
A complete let down for me. Very frustrating, almost no interaction or dialogue btwn hero and heroine. It could have been so much better!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2022
There was so much that was good. In this book. The premise was interesting, the hero was fabulous, and the settings were really well done. We only ever got the heroine’s POV and I missed not getting inside Rocco’s head. All we had was Beth and quite frankly at times I was fed up with her suspicious and judgemental attitude.
But there’s so much that was predictable and pedestrian and signposted pages in advance. For example, the scene where Martin chased her down and they went out for lunch, and finally, yes finally, he tells her he is getting married to Sue? Well that scene was predictable from the moment he told her at the engagement party that needed to see her.
The misunderstanding, when she believed Rocco had got engaged to Pandora wasn’t pleasant. He had already told her. There was nothing no relationship between him and Pandora, but she decided he was lying. I found that hard to accept, and I so hate black moments that are caused by a simple misunderstanding.
The book would’ve benefited from some seriously fierce editing. There was far too much description and too much ‘telling’.
The pacing at the end was way off. The entire scene with Pandora, turning up and focusing on organising her engagement party was irrelevant and unnecessary.
2.5 stars
I’ll certainly keep an eye out for other books by this author.
But there’s so much that was predictable and pedestrian and signposted pages in advance. For example, the scene where Martin chased her down and they went out for lunch, and finally, yes finally, he tells her he is getting married to Sue? Well that scene was predictable from the moment he told her at the engagement party that needed to see her.
The misunderstanding, when she believed Rocco had got engaged to Pandora wasn’t pleasant. He had already told her. There was nothing no relationship between him and Pandora, but she decided he was lying. I found that hard to accept, and I so hate black moments that are caused by a simple misunderstanding.
The book would’ve benefited from some seriously fierce editing. There was far too much description and too much ‘telling’.
The pacing at the end was way off. The entire scene with Pandora, turning up and focusing on organising her engagement party was irrelevant and unnecessary.
2.5 stars
I’ll certainly keep an eye out for other books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2025
2 stars
“Men, they are impossible. Don’t you agree?”
‘Maybe this Christmas’ follows Beth, a woman who loses her job and her boyfriend in the space of twenty-four hours. She soon finds herself in the depths of the English countryside working for chef, Rocco di Castri, and things take a turn.
I went in with low expectations for this book, and somehow, it still fell short. +1 for the dog and +1 for being a quick read, but that's where the positives end. The overused miscommunication trope, misleading cover, lack of actual Christmas vibes, and the name Rocco all left me unimpressed. Beth seemed more invested in embracing the countryside lifestyle than pursuing love which, honestly, I can’t fault her for.
Book Club #20 – December 2024
“Men, they are impossible. Don’t you agree?”
‘Maybe this Christmas’ follows Beth, a woman who loses her job and her boyfriend in the space of twenty-four hours. She soon finds herself in the depths of the English countryside working for chef, Rocco di Castri, and things take a turn.
I went in with low expectations for this book, and somehow, it still fell short. +1 for the dog and +1 for being a quick read, but that's where the positives end. The overused miscommunication trope, misleading cover, lack of actual Christmas vibes, and the name Rocco all left me unimpressed. Beth seemed more invested in embracing the countryside lifestyle than pursuing love which, honestly, I can’t fault her for.
Book Club #20 – December 2024
January 20, 2016
Suffering from a horrible winter illness, I wanted to choose a book I could pick up at varying times during the day and long hours awake during the night, so I needed to choose one out of my very long TBR pile from one of my favourite authors. Not wanting to let go of the Christmas theme I picked Warm Winter Kisses by Jill Steeples. Great choice by me, I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the very first page to the very last. A really great winter read, warm and cosy throughout. A very easy to rate 5 stars.
December 26, 2022
Beth has lost her job and is feeling sorry for herself so when her boyfriend Martin suggests a meal out as he has something to discuss with her she has her hopes raised only to be dashed when he breaks up with her! Beth takes a job as a P.A. to Rocco a 3 star Michelin chef who has a bit of a reputation. The job is live in at his house in Mettlesham. When Beth and Rocco get off on the wrong foot she wonders if she’s made a mistake. A cosy, festive feel good read set in the countryside.
December 27, 2024
What happened in this book guys? Like, she met him and didn’t like him, he was kinda a dick and then they randomly fell in love? I felt like I had skipped huge chapters of this book but I read every single word and I honestly regret it. A relationship should not be built on one person not trusting another THAT much. Why was an engaged guy kissing her in the middle of a busy street? Why did her arch enemy for most of the book become her best friend for the last chapter. Why did they get engaged after like three days and one fuck?
August 6, 2022
A little bit cliche but still a fun read. Lively and entertaining. Perfect to read with a cup of tea. The epilogue seemed a bit rushed with too much info. Maybe would have worked out better to be a few other books over time instead.
December 24, 2019
I really enjoyed it.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
February 10, 2024
Nice easy read. Story about finding love again after a broken 💔.
December 1, 2022
Well, it was a free book. Well, I did skim through a lot of it. Disappointed it wasn’t a real Christmas book. It ends on Christmas, but most of the book is about 2 characters that are too cliche to really like.
December 14, 2023
This book should have been a quick read but I really struggled as I just didn't enjoy it. Predictable and cliche.
February 17, 2024
Fun, but clichéd.
December 12, 2022
Meh. I enjoyed about 70% of the the beginning and ending both lagging. Also the miscommunication and lack of communication drove me crazy.
August 29, 2016
Beth was offered a job with Rocco who was a celebrity chef. Rocco owns a restaurant and is best friends with a famous guitarist Zac Stranger and Rocco has an on and off relationship with supermodel Pandora. Beth liked being a temp then she could choose the jobs she wanted to take. Beth had just finished a contract with a globe trotting CEO from Investment Bank which consisted of twelve hour days and no real time for herself. Beth’s live in boyfriend broke up with her they had been together five years. Beth had never had the great depth of love her ex Martin had for her. Lexi was Beth’s sister and had accepted the job with Rocco for Beth. Even though Beth was feeling down and thought about taking some time off. Sarah was a PA and Rocco said the contract would be for three months. Beth would be keeping track of what Rocco should be doing and when. Sarah goes to Rocco’s country estate as that is where she is to work. As time goes on Sarah tries to hide her growing passion for Rocco.
This was an enjoyable story as well as well written. It was predictable but still a good read. I enjoyed the back and forth between Rocco and Sarah. I also laughed while reading this. This was one of those stories that just makes you feel good although not really very realistic. It was an easy read. Some of the story does seem a little rushed. But I did feel the insecurities Sarah felt were very justified. This story had a good plot. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of the story. I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.
This was an enjoyable story as well as well written. It was predictable but still a good read. I enjoyed the back and forth between Rocco and Sarah. I also laughed while reading this. This was one of those stories that just makes you feel good although not really very realistic. It was an easy read. Some of the story does seem a little rushed. But I did feel the insecurities Sarah felt were very justified. This story had a good plot. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of the story. I recommend.
I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.
December 14, 2015
Another great read in my festive collection this year. It really added to to the warm Christmas feeling I’m wrapping myself in on the build up to the festive season.
Beth starts work as a PA for a celebrity chef, Rocco and deals with his lifestyle and mood swings . He has a reputation- will he live up to that and what will her life be like in the whirl around him. She falls for his smouldering, brooding persona- but his girlfriend is ever present.. The book has romance and Christmas sparkle mixed in with everyday problems. Life never runs smoothly.
The English countryside setting is described beautifully and I loved the christmas tree dressing in the house.
I enjoyed this one and would like to thank Net Galley and the publishers for the chance to read this one in exchange for an honest review.
Beth starts work as a PA for a celebrity chef, Rocco and deals with his lifestyle and mood swings . He has a reputation- will he live up to that and what will her life be like in the whirl around him. She falls for his smouldering, brooding persona- but his girlfriend is ever present.. The book has romance and Christmas sparkle mixed in with everyday problems. Life never runs smoothly.
The English countryside setting is described beautifully and I loved the christmas tree dressing in the house.
I enjoyed this one and would like to thank Net Galley and the publishers for the chance to read this one in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2016
This was a nice comfy afternoon read. Beth has been freshly dumped and takes a job as a PA to a cantankerous chef. She goes to stay at his home in the country and I felt such a sense of place, I wanted to move in too.
Rocco makes a great H who I loved! And Beth is full of real emotions at finding herself newly single while it seems like everyone else is getting married. I understood her insecurities and felt her reactions were realistic. I did get annoyed at the Big Misunderstanding and like always it could've been cleared up with an honest conversation. But it was mild and was resolved pretty quickly.
I found this book to be a bit predictable but in a sweet and comforting way. A nice Christmas romance.
Rocco makes a great H who I loved! And Beth is full of real emotions at finding herself newly single while it seems like everyone else is getting married. I understood her insecurities and felt her reactions were realistic. I did get annoyed at the Big Misunderstanding and like always it could've been cleared up with an honest conversation. But it was mild and was resolved pretty quickly.
I found this book to be a bit predictable but in a sweet and comforting way. A nice Christmas romance.
December 18, 2015
I have read quite a few Christmas novels lately and must say that this ranks as one of my favourite. Its not too long and I managed to read it quite quickly. Beth takes on the job of PA to the notorious chef Rocco di Castri. Even his name sounds exciting! Anyway we follow their winter adventures together through misunderstandings and eventually love. In a steamy story with a very happy ending. This is a curl up by the fireside novel, very enjoyable.
December 23, 2015
I came across this book by chance which was my good luck as I probably wouldn't have bought it based on the title alone. I enjoy good chick-lit but feared this might be a bit 'slushy'. I was wrong! This is well-written set against a great country background and some memorable characters. Very easy to read romance if you're looking for a christmas read by the fire.
November 13, 2021
Quite a bit of potential for a great book, but it was flat, and sometimes frustrating. Neither Beth nor Rocco communicates and, although there's tension, none of it is really felt by the reader (at least by me). There are some fun and brilliant moments, but overall, this was not a fully formed story. Standalone and HEA.
September 26, 2016
A free Kindle download that I never warmed too ... (see what I did there?) It just didn't work for me on a few levels and I never related to the Beth or Rocco or any of the characters. Some might like this, but it was a miss for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews