This Grinch loved a Christmas book.  Then again I think The Christmas Wish by Tilly Tennant will win over lots of hearts this Christmas with its idyllic location and appealing characters.

<b>My Thoughts on The Christmas Wish by Tilly Tennant</b>

It was so heartwarming that my heart has blisters! Which sounds painful, but my time with this book was anything but, as I glowed with contentment while reading it.

I loved spending hours getting lost amongst the pages.  Dreaming of being with the characters in Lapland, soaking up all the Christmas cheer, and feeling their excitement in this most magical of places. And watching lost souls find their way to happiness, proving that you are never too old to believe in the magic of Christmas. Or in the power of love.

At the start of this book I glibly announced that Christmas books make for a nice change from my usual thriller diet of books. Like sorbet, they are sweet and palate cleansing! And they are. However The Christmas Wish also has a lot of substance.

The characters are portrayed warts and all. They are not cartoon perfect, and they make mistakes. But watching them overcome, and fight for a better life made me proud of them.

<b>Who should read The Christmas Wish by Tilly Tennant?</b>

If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, then you need to snap this book up. Also recommended to fans of Faith Hogan, Jill Shalvis and Kate Hewitt.

I loved The Christmas Wish and was hooked from the first few pages. Another great book by Tilly Tennant, written well, left me feeling very Christmassy and a must for all to read.

Well as we are edging closer to Christmas what better way to get into the festive spirit then to read this gorgeous story. Now even though there is a Christmas theme it really isn't overly done so I would say it is more of a winter read. One where you want to get wrapped up warm in a blanket and feel all warm and cosy which this book expertly does.

In The Christmas Wish we follow Esme who finds herself living with her grandmother and trying to get her life back in order after leaving her fiancé. You know how sometimes a character really makes your blood boil well Warren is one of those and I have to admit to wanting to jump in the story and tell him exactly what I thought! I always think this is a true test of how involved you can become in a story, I felt as if I was right there. Esme finds herself travelling to Lapland which for me is where the story really shines!

With any Tilly Tennant book you are guaranteed an uplifting story and this book is another gorgeous example of how engaging and magical her stories can be. Of course there are some emotional moments but these just add so much more to the story. With a wonderful setting that was brought to life making me instantly want to visit along with engaging characters I couldn't ask for much more. It was so fun seeing Esme make friends who all brought something to the story. I also loved seeing Esme slowly but surely finding herself and making decisions without any manipulations or outside influence.

The Christmas Wish is a heartwarming tale with magic and charm on every page!


With thanks to Noelle at Bookouture for my copy via Netgalley.

If you like Jill Mansell or Debbie Macomber, this is the Christmas romance for you. A sweet, satisfying treat of a romance!

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. When I read the blurb, I thought it would be a bit of light reading which is always welcome in amongst my usual reading matter of heavy thrillers, but there is a lot going on for the main characters, which gives it a depth that is sometimes missing from such books.

Esme is trying to come to terms with the sudden death of her grandma and at the same time, trying to figure out why exactly she is with her lying, cheating fiance, Warren. When she goes to Lapland, she meets three people, all very different, who provide her with easy friendships but more importantly, distance from Warren, both literally and figuratively. Lapland sounds absolutely gorgeous and it made me want to pack my bags and go there! It has definitely found it's way to my bucket list of places I want to travel to, now :)

This is a decent read and at times a confronting one as well. Warren's behaviour is frightening and I found myself yelling: "get away from him, NOW", several times whilst reading this book. Just like in real life though, people live their lives in a certain way and get involved with certain people that aren't good for them and they have to find their own way through. To decide to stay or not.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

I love Christmas-themed novels and I’ve read (and enjoyed!) quite a few of Tilly’s books, so I knew I was in for a treat.

Esme flees London after being jilted by her cheat of a fiancé and takes refuge with her grandmother in the Peak District. They plan a trip together to Lapland and the Northern Lights but, sadly, Esme ends up having to do the trip on her own. She meets Zach but also hears from her ex, so who will she choose?

A warm, funny, and romantic read to get you in the spirit of Christmas.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Cute story, though I did wonder what redeeming features Esme’s ex-boyfriend Warren had that kept drawing her back to him - he was horrible! In fact I found her character rather frustrating at times with her low self esteem and constantly being told by everyone around her that Warren was no good for her, yet still being full of doubts.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

To be honest, this one wasn't quite what I expected! It starts pretty heavy - with Esme trying to escape an abusive relationship, and then her grandmother passing away - and I'd say it took until about 25% in to get to the Lapland trip and more of the cosy, romancey, Christmassy story I was expecting.
Once that all got underway I did enjoy it - and Lapland was such a fantastically fun Christmas setting.

I did have a little bit of trouble spending so much time in Esme's head because of how little confidence she has in herself and how self deprecating many of her thoughts were. This is something I always struggle with in books where the protagonist has low self confidence - I find their POV really uncomfortable, which gave kind of a weird vibe in a Christmas novel.

Overall this was sweet and mostly fun, and I liked the secondary characters a lot. It is possible that some readers could find the controlling aspects of Esme's relationship with Warren triggering, so that is definitely something to watch out for. I gave this one 3 stars!

There’s something incredibly sad about someone coming to the realisation that their relationship isn’t what they thought it was. There’s something equally (more?) sad about someone realising the way they are being treated isn’t okay. No matter how much they might try and defend that other person’s behaviour.
Throughout this story, Tilly Tennant does an incredible job of not only revealing the truth of Esme’s situation, she also manages to allow her character to get beat down again and again. It’s not necessarily fun to read, but it did make for a very compelling read.
What made this even better? Well, the story just takes place in freaking <em>Santa-country</em>. I mean, they go visit the real Santa in his actual town with his actual elves and surrounded by actual snow. I know I mentioned this for “The Summer Getaway” as well, but the author has a way of really making a location come through life through her words.
So if you’re in need of something to make you feel more Christmassy than you have in a long while? And you’re more than willing to take some sadness and tears with that deal? Then this is your book!
Rating: 4/5

I really enjoyed this latest festive read from Tilly Tennant it was uplifting, joyous but full of life's hurdles taking you on an emotional journey.
Tilly Tennant for the last few years has been treating her readers to wonderful, heart-warming stories that are set in idyllic locations. The Christmas Wish takes the reader on location to the rugged beauty of the Peak District and then to a spell-bounding village in Lapland.
After a disastrous relationship back in London were Esme had been living and working she decides to pack her bags and move in with her Gran in a quaint village in the Peak District. Esme was feeling pretty low as all her self-esteem had been quashed by her ex-boyfriend. With the help of her Gran, her homely cooking and the bright, fresh air from the hills Esme starts to regain her confidence.
Sadly when tragedy strikes and Esme loses the support she thrived on Esme starts to think of her previous life back in the city and wonders whether she's made a big mistake.
Esme's Gran left her with a wonderful present, a trip that they had both talked about, a trip of a lifetime to Lapland. In honour of her Gran's wish Esme embarks on the trip and meets up with fellow solo travellers and an unlikely bond is soon formed. A quartet of solo travellers from all walks of life and ages have one thing in common, a desire to see the Northern Lights in Lapland. Can this trip to a remarkable location help Esme with decisions about her life? Will these strangers be the listening wise ears that she now misses?
I loved getting to know the other solo travellers with Esme. They all sounded interesting and the banter that soon emerged between Hortense and Brian was comical and also endearing. Zach the other solo traveller was a character that you could sense he shared a common vulnerability with Esme but he was so guarded with his emotions you couldn't predict the atmosphere.
This was a gorgeous festive read that was life-affirming, uplifting and takes you on a scenic and emotional journey.

Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via Netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I love Tilly's work so I was excited to read this book the minute the cover was revealed. I'm a sucker for a good cover and nothing excites me more than a good Christmas story.

Esme returns to her Grandmother's after splitting with her fiancee Warren. Esme's Grandma didn't judge, she didn't prod she just let Esme be and tell her story in her own time. I adored Esme's Grandma, Matilda. Matilda is a practical woman. She does what needs to be done and doesn't mess around. She's also very loving and would do anything for her Granddaughter.

Esme is a complex character. There were times when I wanted to shake Esme. Her entire relationship with Warren drove me crazy. The way he manipulated her and made her feel unworthy. These scenes were difficult and infuriating to read. I really struggled to see how he got away with it. I hope this was an eye-opener to anyone in this situation. It's truly heartbreaking.

I loved the location in this book. Lapland was amazing! All that Christmas cheer, the Northern Lights, the snow. The only thing that puts me off is the cold. Yes, I know you need the cold for the snow but I hate being cold. I would love to see the Northern Lights, they sound so beautiful but I would hate to be THAT cold.

Esme's travelling companions Zach, Brian and Hortense were an unusual bunch. No one would put them together but they say opposites attract. Not only did they help her have an amazing holiday they also helped her get stronger and see the truth of her relationship with Warren.

This story will tug on all your emotions. From tears of sadness to tears of joy. Tilly not only tells a story of love but also focuses on some tough and important topics. This was an inspiring story of love, friendships and self-discovery.

What a fabulous read. I never expect anything else from this author. It was totally gripping from the start.
We begin with Esme who is in the wrong relationship with a controlling married man. Initially she has left him and is with her Grandma in the Derbyshire Dales, my home. However, her Grandma dies and Esme take a a trip her Grandma wanted her to do. Her married man doesn't want her to go so she leaves to go alone on this Lapland tour and all the single people meet and become friends from the meeting at the airport. There was young sexy Zach and two older people, hortense and Brian.
Zach is going through his own turmoil and trying to come to terms with it being back in the country. However, he takes Esme to see Santa, northern light, husky rides. And she had the best time out there... she comes to realise in time what she wants isn't the married man and finds love with the young Zach.
Brilliant read, it's a typical book of a singletons who meets a young sexy man who wants the whole thing. But the setting is sublime. The friends are unique. I really loved it.

The Christmas Wish, written by author Tilly Tennant, is one of my favorite holiday themed books to be released this year! This is a wonderful romantic comedy that takes place in a beautiful winter wonderland.

Christmas is fast approaching, but for Esme Greenwood, she is not feeling too festive this holiday season. Esme was engaged to Warren, but she has been recently been dumped by her unfaithful ex. Looking for a change, she leaves London and heads to Thimble Cottage...the home of her loving grandmother, Matilda. During a conversation one day, Esme brings up the northern lights. When her husband was alive, Matilda wanted to travel to Lapland to see them, but they never went on that trip. Esme wants to plan a trip to Lapland with her grandmother...determined that they should make memories together.

While out Christmas shopping, Matilda and Esme separate so they can buy each other a Christmas gift. On the way back to meet Matilda, Esme notices a crowd gathered, and goes over to see what happened. What she never expected to see was a woman laying on the ground...her beloved grandmother has collapsed and died. Later, after going through Matilda's handbag, Esme realizes that the gift her grandmother bought for her was a fully paid, seven day tour of Lapland for the both of them. How can she possibly go to Lapland without her beloved grandmother?

Zach is a thirty-two-year old unemployed actor, and he is planning a trip to Lapland. The tour company that he booked his trip with has set up a Facebook group for people travelling alone, giving the solo travelers the opportunity to connect with other people travelling in the group. Zach decides to give it a try, and reaches out to the other people in the group. The group decides to meet up at Costa Coffee at the airport, and this is when Zach finally meets the others that will be travelling with him...and one woman definitely catches his attention.

The story that unfolds is one that will have you hooked from the very beginning! This is a story filled with characters that you will immediately be drawn to. Tilly Tennant is brilliant when it comes to creating characters that are down-to-earth and easy to relate to. Esme is a character that has seen too much heartbreak in a very short period of time. With that being said, she is also a character that needs to find her inner strength...something you will see her accomplish as the story continues. Zach is a complex character...one hiding something, but a character you end up wanting to find happiness. Warren is a character I despised from the very beginning...and I hated how he kept trying to manipulate Esme...but as we all know...live and learn, and hopefully Esme learns to let him go! The supporting cast of characters are funny at times, frustrating at times, but they will grow on you, flaws and all.

Overall, this is a heartfelt and cozy Christmas story. The vivid details of Lapland will have you perfectly visualizing the beauty of the northern lights show over the snowy landscape...the perfect setting for the Christmas season! Tilly Tennant has once again created the perfect mix of characters to create the perfect holiday story!

I would like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review The Christmas Wish by Tilly Tennant. My views are my own, and are in no way influenced by anyone else.

Anyone who is a regular reader of Tilly’s books will know she is the go to author for beautifully written, uplifting, cosy romance and the charm of her writing is doubled in her Christmas books, so I was delighted to get my hands on this beauty to review. Just look at that cover – if it doesn’t get you in the festive mood, nothing will, you old Grinch!

We meet Esme as she arrives at her Grandma’s house with her tail between her legs, having split up with her fiancé, Warren (and what a horrible character he turns out to be!), knowing that she is the only person who can help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. but then, tragedy strikes, and Esme finds herself running back to Warren. After all, better the devil you know. But then, Esme finds her Grandma has booked her on the trip of a lifetime to Lapland, and Esme is offered the chance to get away and figure out what she wants from life.

Everything about this book is charming, the characters (except Warren!), the settings – both Derbyshire where her Grandma lives and Lapland- and the heart-warming plot of taking a chance and breaking free to find happiness. I really warmed to Esme and her dilemma, but her grandma was my favourite character, which made the events earlier on in the book very poignant and moving, and I could feel Esme’s loss and confusion, so I understood her subsequent actions to a degree. Although, I have to say that I did get the point where I wanted to slap some sense into her and get her to open her eyes and be brave, but I think Tilly’s way of waking her up was probably a better story!

Once the story reached Lapland, I was in seventh heaven. Having been there myself, the book brought back all the wonderful memories of that trip I took, particularly the sense of otherworldliness there is in the place where there is a perpetual twilight and constant sparkling snow. Everything seems that bit more magical and special and you are a million miles away from real life. Tilly does an amazing job of bringing this place to live and imbuing the story with that winter wonderland magic, it is fabulous writing.

This book is an antidote to everything cynical and depressing and doom-laden that might be dragging you down in the modern world, so I would prescribe a healthy helping of this lovely book as an entirely legal, and side-effect free, mood-enhancer. Take as large a dose as required at any time of day.

What a gorgeous holiday book!

The cover alone is adorable, but the words inside are even better. This was quite more serious than I would have believed it was going to be and I thoroughly enjoyed the direction it went in.

I feel like I can’t provide a summary with spoilers so I’ll just say that we get to see our main character, Esme, go on a personal journey in which she grows tremendously and it is a joy to read about.

I absolutely adored the setting, one I’ve never read about before, and enjoyed learning about the location and the atmosphere. The perfect winter wonderland!

There was some comic relief from Hortense who happened to be one of my favorite characters - I’d love to see another book to explore what happens to her in the future!

There were several difficult subjects addressed, all carefully detailed, that will make you feel for these characters tremendously. I highly recommend for those who enjoy holiday books with a more serious edge.

A big thank you again to Bookouture for my advance copy! This book is now available.

When her relationship with her fiancé Warren falls apart Esme Greenwood goes to the one place she knows she can try to heal her broken heart – her grans. Just as she is finally getting her life back together, tragedy strikes and suddenly her ex-fiancé is back on the scene and you find out why they had split in the first place. When Esme caves and agrees to go back to him I could have cheerfully throttled her and its not long before he is back to his old controlling ways. In what looks like a moment of self-preservation she decides to take the trip to Lapland that her gran had booked for them. Going alone she knows this is what she would have wanted and Esme sees it as a way of honouring her memory.
While on the trip she meets Zach, Hortense and Brian who like Esme are making the journey alone for their own reasons. An unlikely group they seem to get along most of the time and provide quite a few chuckles along the way. Hortense is certainly larger than life and barrels over all of them at one point or another. Her developing relationship with Brian sees them either at each other’s throats, or acting like love sick teenagers, which is amusing and cringe worthy in equal measure. Zach clearly has his own secrets that the author doesn’t reveal until much later but he does give Esme very mixed signals throughout the book.
Now I will admit that I am not a huge fan of Christmas but I did love this book. Whilst it is undoubtedly going to put the reader in the mood for Christmas with the setting of Lapland and Santa’s village (yes even me..christmasphobe that I am.. would still love to go to Lapland and take in the whole experience) this actually takes second place to the actual story. Tilly Tennant has managed to tell a heart-warming story about people coming to terms with their relationships and taking those steps that will put them in a better place whilst not being over sentimental in the process.
For fans of Tilly Tennant and her books this is definitely one that should be added to your collection

Happy Publication Day! Awwh I absolutely loved this story. Got me feeling festive and ready for Christmas already! I lost myself in this story, I was right there beside Esme the whole time. I loved the setting, snow, the adventures, santa and the Christmas village. It was perfect!

I did feel that poor Esme was having a very tough time for the most part of the book… Not having much luck with life. This holiday was well needed for poor Esme, she needed a break from life. From the start I didn’t like Warran, too controlling and firm for me. But when four solo travellers get together to go on this holiday it may be the best thing yet for Esme.

I loved the group. The most unexpected of allies and friends to comfort each other while on holiday. I loved them all Zach, Hortense and Brian all very different, unique and have their own characteristics but making the perfect group and the story even better. It was just what I needed making a perfect little film in my mind. A brilliant heart-warming ending too. Will Esmes life ever get better? Will she find her perfect ending?

This is a cracking Christmas read I would highly recommend to you all! A well deserved four stars. Take yourself away onto a little Christmas break! Perfect. Beautiful.

We first meet Esme when she lands on her grandmother's doorstep visibly hurt and upset but unwilling to say why. In the beautiful Derbyshire village with her grandmothers loving care, she begins to recover and we begin to find out the reason for Esme's heartache.

It turns out that Esme had escaped a controlling and toxic relationship with boyfriend Warren. She has to build back family approval as well as her own confidence but she knows she has made the right decision. With her lovely grandma by her side she begins to look to the future. However, Warren continues to contact her through text messages, asking her to go back to him.

On a Christmas shopping trip, disaster happens and Esme finds herself alone and devastated again. When she finds tickets to a trip to Lapland for herself and her grandma she has no idea what to do.

The idea of travelling alone is daunting for Esme but she finds herself part of a group of sole travellers who agree to link up for the trip. Hortense and Brian make great travelling buddies but it is Zach who Esme really connects with.

Tilly Tennant does an absolutely magnificent job of describing the breathtaking Lapland experience, but for me it is the characters which make this book so memorable and outstanding. Esme's travelling companions are intriguing, flawed but incredibly warm, especially the handsome theatre producer Zach.  Matilda, Esme's grandmother is the sort of grandma that my heart aches for, then there is the despicably cruel Warren to throw shade into the mix.

As for Esme, you feel like you are going on an emotional journey with her. At times, she frustrated me so much but I grew to love her and desperately cared about her happiness. There are serious issues dealt with in the book, incredibly poignant moments but other times I genuinely cried with happiness.

Who could want for more?

Star light, star bright, where the hell is Mr. Right?💫

This was a charming story filled with all the wonders of winter... this however was not a book filled with fluff, it took on some serious subject matter that added another dimension to the story... it also takes you to Lapland and The spectacular beauty of the Northern Lights... now I’ve never considered vacationing in a cold climate, but these lights are quite alluring.... I truly had no idea they were so colorful, I don’t know what I thought, But now I get the draw!

Esme has just left her lying cheating boyfriend and return home to live with her grandmother.... grandmother spoils her with the comforts of home and food and the two of them begin to fantasize about a trip to Lapland... but when Grandma is no longer able to go and Esme gets back with the lying boyfriend Warren, the trip might no longer happen... but when Esme realizes that lying is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Warren he is also manipulative and controlling, she begins to think that a solo trip might not be such a bad idea after all.... what I really liked about the travel company is that they introduced people traveling alone to one another, and so Esme met an eclectic crew of characters including Zack....

This book really picked up for me when they got to Lapland, I loved every single minute of that adventure... Esme really blossomed as a character when out of the clutches of Warren... there must be something so liberating about traveling alone, I’ve never done it, but I could see where it would just give you a confidence boost.... and it wouldn’t hurt if there was a handsome Zack on the trip as well... I really liked the relationship between these two it developed sweetly and slowly.... there was also a lot of will they? Won’t they? Zack has a secret and Esme has evil Warren...

This really is a heartwarming winter Romance with just a tiny dash of Christmas.... recommend to anyone who enjoys a nice sweet romance with some likable characters and a beautiful setting....

*** A big thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***

The Christmas Wish was like a festive balm for my soul.

This story has everything I’m looking for in a good read, it has comfort, friendship, and joy with an undercurrent of hurt, that sends Esme back home, to her family.
For me, there is nothing more important as family at Christmas, it doesn’t matter if they are made up from blood or band, what counts is that we have someone.
For Esme, she chooses a ragtag band of strangers who will make you both laugh and cry. Everyone needs a Hortense in their lives, so long as they have a Brian to keep them occupied. Zach is perfectly mysterious and intense, and I love that misinformation has Esme viewing him in a different light, for a short while at least. Everything about #TheChristmasWish gives me a Hygge vibe and I thank #Bookouture and #Netgalley for giving me a wonderful book to spend my nights curled up with.
I highly recommend this excellent festive ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐read.