Cover Image: Christmas at Strand House

Christmas at Strand House

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I wanted a heart warming lovely read, and this book was just that. It's cute fast and charming. Perfect for relaxing. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Lossy inherits Stand House from her godmother and it’s a house that holds many happy memories for Lissy.
She decides to have Christmas there, perhaps her last cHristmas there as she may yet decide to sell it. And as she’s making her preparations she realises that three people she knows, not all best friends, some not much more than acquaintances, will be alone for Christmas so she invites them to stay.
And each 8ne arrives with secrets of their own.

This Christmas will prove to be life changing!

Was this review helpful?

A feel good story with Lissy finding her life taking a new direction after inheriting a house. It turns out everyone has a secret and you won’t be able to wait to find out about each new turn in the plot. A perfect book to curl up with by the fire with a nice glass of wine dreaming about visiting Strand House.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderful festive story! Admittedly not a piece of lasting literature but a lovely holiday read describing 4 fantastic days over which 4 aquentences become firm friends. As a reader I felt I was there with them and enjoyed every minute of it.

Was this review helpful?

Christmas at Strand House was a holiday delight. I started reading expecting to find a predicable romance. It did check that box but, also delivered much more.

When divorced accountant Lissy inherits her godmother's English seaside villa, she is unsure whether she will keep it long term. What she does know is that she doesn't want to spend Christmas alone. She invites two girlfriends and the late husband of her childhood friend to spend the holiday with her. The days that follow prove that true friendship does not need the commonality of age or background and that romance can be ignited under unusual circumstances. This was a sweet story of friendship, family, resilience and romance.

Thank you to HQ Digital and NetGalley for this advance copy, in exchange for my honest feedback.

Was this review helpful?

If you are looking for a good Christmas book taking place at Christmas time, this is the book you need! This book takes place during 4 days, starting on December 23rd and finishing on December 27th. So much happens on those 4 days between these 4 friends who are totally different and who have totally different lives, stories and secrets. These 4 starts the Christmas Holidays more as acquaintance and they end it as very close friends. It's such a beautiful and strong story, it was the first time I was reading a book from Linda Mitchelmore and I was really pleased to discover a very well written book. One of the best "Christmassy" book I have ever read! Really good book!

Was this review helpful?

Very cute festive book. It's a quick easy to read novel that will get you in the holiday spirit. The four friends are endearing and fun and light hearted. Definitely recommend...especially during the Christmas time.

Was this review helpful?

Overall a fun and enjoyable story of 4 friends who gather together for Christmas. Lissy inherited Strand House from her grandmother, and invites her best friend's Widower Xander, model Bobbie and artist Janey to spend it with her. Each one has issues they are going through, and throughout the 3-4 days they are together a lot happens. A good story, and I did enjoy it, but did tend to skim a bit here and there at times too. Still though, I would highly recommend this book, and it is a fun Christmas read.

Was this review helpful?

A cozy holiday story that was festive to read during the season. I found it easy to read and the characters enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?

This was a light and entertaining Christmas book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The story revolves around four characters.- Lissy, Xander, Bobbie and Janey. None of which are from friends but they all come together to spend the festive period at the request of Lissy. Each character has their own story, their own secrets and these twist and turn into a captivating read.
Loved this book and also loved the one year later, too many books leave me with a what happened next feeling but this completed the story.
Thanks for allowing me to read, I'll be looking for future books by Linda!

Was this review helpful?

Four friends agree to spend the Christmas holiday at the huge, newly inherited home of Lissy’s. Each would have otherwise spent the time alone and each have secrets to keep or share, as they sit fit. Throughout the book, Lissy, Xander, Janey and Bobbie slowing peel away the layers of hurt that have held them.

I enjoyed this book very much. It is a Christmas story but not in the usual sense. Instead of the romantic couple (which, SPOILER ALERT, may still occur), the main characters are friends. Not close friends but barely less than strangers. This is such a great plot: What happens when four acquaintances come together to spend Christmas together in the same house?

The book is humorous and comforting. It gives each of us hope. Not necessarily for a fairy-tale relationship but to be a better self. It is the perfect, fun holiday story not to be missed.


I received an eBook ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (not a positive review). This in no way affects my opinions or ratings of this book.

Was this review helpful?

Christmas is approaching and Lissy has just inherited her godmother’s seaside villa, Strand House. Lissy has many memories of this beautiful seaside village, and most of them growing up with her best friend Claire. Their friendship continued until Claire’s untimely death a few years ago. Since Lissy is alone this Christmas, she decides to go to Strand House and invite her friends Xander, who is Claire’s late husband, Bobbie who met Claire at an art workshop and Janey who also met Claire that weekend. Claire is what brought this group together, but they each have their own reasons for accepting Lissy’s invitation. As the story unfolds, we get to know each characters secret and how they ultimately share it with this new group of friends.
What I loved about this book was that the story was told from each characters perspective. I soon found myself completely immersed in their lives and was wishing for a happy ending. The story is one of loss, but also of renewed hope and love for each character. So grab a nice warm drink, a blanket and curl up with this beautiful story. Thank you to NetGalley and HQ digital for an advanced copy of the book to review

Was this review helpful?

As with most books with several characters and a story told from different viewpoints, it took me a little bit to get into the story and connect with each character. However once I did, I found Christmas at Strand House to be a charming book full of heart. Each character had a different story and a different conflict to overcome. I enjoyed the development of each of them and how their stories resolved. This was a fun, quick read —perfect for the busy holiday season!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this story, the way you find out more about the 4 main characters as the story progresses and the house itself was a lovely setting for it all. I especially loved the way they all came together to fix it up and how being together helps them all in different ways.

Was this review helpful?

A young divorced accountant invites three acquaintances to spend Christmas with her at the beautiful home she just inherited from her aunt. The four quickly become much closer as they each share their life experiences.

A pleasant, if somewhat predictable, holiday read.

Was this review helpful?

Love reading a Christmas themed book at this time of year and this one didn’t disappoint. It tells the story of 4 people who come together to spend Christmas together at Strand House. The descriptions of the settings and the food and good company made me wish I was there too. Their friendships grows and love blossoms. It’s a wonderful story and all four of the characters go through a healing process that they are all there to help each other through.

Was this review helpful?

Excellent book! Loved the characters and it was a great storyline. I would highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

Christmas at Strand House is a heartwarming and festive story of four acquaintances who spend the holiday together. They each come to Strand House in various stages of life with current struggles, such as moving on after a divorce and losing a spouse. I loved that the author had each of the characters grow and change throughout the book, while also providing enough background that you don't get totally lost. This book really showed the power of friendship and how wonderful it can be for someone to open up their home to others for the holidays. Some of their personalities were a bit too whiny and immature for my taste, especially for adults. I gave this book three stars because the piece of romance in the book made me feel a bit uneasy given the characters' history and how their relationship first began. Overall, a warm and festive feel-good read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

A great christmas read, set in a lovely location. The characters were all interesting and it was easy to keep up even with the chapters split from different points of view.

Was this review helpful?

I just loved Christmas at Strand House. A great Christmassy tale with great characters I felt I was at Strand House with them I loved it. Written well and easy to escape into.

Was this review helpful?