Oh I loved this story from first page to last! It’s told in four perspectives, three new friends who met on an arts weekend, and the widowed husband of the fourth, the one who essentially brought them all together. Lissy, having just inherited her great aunts house on the Devon coast is recently divorced and has decided that she wants to have company: who better to invite than the two other women at the weekend course she and her childhood best friend Claire attended, even with Claire now gone in a road accident? So using Facebook and emails, she contacted Janey, the real artist in the group, Bobbie, the aging fashion model who was their life model for the course, and Xander, still living in the little town, still reeling after his wife’s death. And all agreed, arriving with their own concerns and questions, but happy to reconnect and get away for the few days.

Here the story opens up: the connection that both Lissy and Xander felt the night of his wedding, never acted upon and him not really moving forward to open his heart or life to another. Lissy with her newfound enjoyment in cooking and her growing disillusionment with her career as an accountant. Janey who took the first step into a new and freer life by leaving her alcoholic abusive husband, a bundle of nerves and shame taking a taxi to Strand House with the lovely Sam, an older man who seemed to intuit her need for ‘jollying up’. Robbie with her bold ways, oodles of luggage and lack of tact, who gets to the heart of the matter, carrying a letter from her solicitor that she knows is holding information about her biggest secret and regret.

Through delicious food, some drink, and the sense that dreams are possible within the walls of the house, these four take tentative steps toward deepening their friendship and finding supportive and often helpful advice and options as they learn more. From Janey’s abuse and withdrawal into herself because of her husband, and Xavier’s instantly apparent ‘big brotherly’ concern, to Bobbie’s literally putting her in new clothes to boost confidence, one would think that Janey was the only one finding peace. But a Christmas night telephone call to Bobbie, a connection that is deepening and growing between Lissy and Xander, and the ease with which they all offer support, honesty and true affection – even the most harsh-sounding conclusions are put forward with best intentions, and help toward everyone finding the fireworks on Boxing Day to be the sparks that guide them into new directions with all the possibilities open. Mitchelmore packed a ton of issues, questions, secrets and choices into this story and managed to provide ways forward for all, with the simplest of needs: friendship. That kind of friendship that is honest, wishes you the best but isn’t afraid of pulling you up short when you’re wrong-footed, but will support, cheer, accept and enjoy each step forward as if they were their own.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=’ https://wp.me/p3OmRo-abX/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Lissy, Janey, Xander and Bobbie are all dealing with issues in their lives so the opportunity to spend Christmas together at the house Lissy has just inherited could not come at a better time. This is a tad more serious than the cover might lead you to believe but trust that there will be ups, downs, and in the end, a happy result. Mitchelmore has a nice way of balancing the bitter toward the sweet. She's created four special, very relatable characters you will root for. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is indeed a feel good read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, for this free eARC.

This was my first book by Linda Mitchelmore, and I loved her writing. I can't wait to pick up another one of her works.

This was such a good piece of chic lit, that is a prefect festival book.

When Lissy inherits her late grandmothers house, she invites three of her friends, who she knows will be alone, to come spend the holiday with her. During their stay, there are secrets coming out, new love found, and some find a new purpose for their life. All four of them grow a tremendous amount, during their short stay, over Christmas.

I loved this book and all four of the characters. This will be one book that I highly recommend. On sale December 4th, 2018!

what an amazing book. Loved it from beginning to end
I loved the authors style of writing and will be looking for other books by this author.
I would recommend this book to friends and family

It's Christmas...it's Chick Lit...it has the perfect cover! I loved this book :c)

Thank you so much for allowing me access :c) Review blogged as usual :c)

hank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have to say, this is quite possible one of my favourite pieces of Christmas chick lit, period. (I have quite a few, too....) Mitchelmore has written such a thoughtful and engaging book; it gives you the warm Christmas feelings that you expect from this sort of book but you also have to really think. All of the characters are established in adulthood, meaning that there aren't any clueless twenty-somethings wandering about. All four are fully-fledged adults who have very real and adult problems, like abuse, death, and infidelity. That sounds like it may be a heavy book, but it truly is a light and loving journey for each character finding their way.

The house itself is a fantastic character, as well as the village, but the four protagonists are the stars. What I love is that each character is given their own space to be and grow, which is no easy feat with four to balance. There is enough conflict for the book to feel realistic, but they are so supportive of each other (lending to the warm feeling)! You feel the bumps and friction of their time together, as well as their own individual issues, but it never takes centre stage. I should hope that whenever I am lucky enough to host the holidays, that I provide such a welcoming atmosphere! I will absolutely be on the lookout for more books from Linda Mitchelmore.