A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley is a delightful read full of romance with a dash of family drama and a little mystery to boot. The storyline is driven by a less-than-successful Christmas gift the year before. This book digs a little deeper than many of the Christmas-themed books I’ve read. It also offered a few twists I was not expecting. It’s a story about family, healing, and finding love. Just a lovely story for the season.

An entertaining and cosy read for the festive season. Not as much Christmas-focus as I thought there would be - more on Christmases that go wrong, and boy haven't most of us been there! - but still an enjoyable and interesting story about family secrets, dynamics and drama, with a lovely setting. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC!

A light and breezy read about a family torn apart by one big secret revealed one Christmas Day, in the form of a DNA test designed to appeal to their interest in family history.
There is temporary heartbreak as individuals go their separate ways to try and heal as well as a big dollop of romance for both girls, Ellie and Scarlett.
Scarlett is on a mission to discover who her real father is whilst trying very hard not to fall for Jude. Unfortunately, her mission does make her overactive brain put two and two together to come up with any number other than four, and so she is in danger of causing pain to people she cares about when she decides to speak her mind.
Ellie is nursing heartbreak from a disastrous relationship a long time ago which forced her into making a life changing decision. She is full of regrets and determined not to fall in love but of course that is before Aaron emerges on the scene.
Set in the village of Porthmellow, a small fishing village in Cornwall, the reader is able to relax, escape and know that in spite of all the issues that need resolving, romance will always win the day. Rest assured, gentlemen do exist and so does kindness, honesty and trust!
This book won't exactly stay etched on my memory but it is warm and inviting enough for me to pick up other books in Ashley's Cornish series for when I am in need of some reassurance and love!

Although I did enjoy this book I did have to keep turning back the pages to remind myself who was who as there seemed to be lots of characters. The story was lovely though and the food sounded devine

There are more secrets in this book than in the files of MI5! I loved the premise, the DNA test, but let this book serve as a warning - sometimes cans of worms may be opened, lol.

There are strong messages in the story - forgiveness, understanding, honesty, charity - and all of them were wrapped up in a very satisfying way. Two Christmases, two very different outcomes and a large dollop of feelgood festive cheer.

4☆ A Feel Good, Cosy Romance. The Perfect Start to a New Series!

Perfect Cornish Summer is a cosy heart warming, fun story of friendship, tradition, romance and community spirit.

I love a good food festival and try to go to at least 2 a year so when I see the blurb featured a food festival it certainly pricked my attention! 

Sam is in charge of organising Porthmellow's Annual Food Festival which she is passionate about.

However this year she is about to be tested as the celebrity chef they have booked for the cooking demos has pulled out and the replacement.... just so happens to be Sam's Ex Gabe! And he spells trouble for Sam and the two have a turbulent history.

But can Gabe save the day and win over Sam's heart? Or will things fall apart?

There are plenty of eclectic and endearing characters that bring the community together and bring their own story.
There was quiet a few to get my head round at first,but it's the start of a new series so by the second book I'm sure they will feel like friends. Which is what I come to expect and love with Phillipa's stories.

A Perfect Cornish Summer is a Light hearted, Warm and Cosy story of second chances at Romance, Community Spirit, Drama, a dash of Mystery, Friendships, Family and plenty of light hearted Humour.
The perfect start to a new series. 
Phillipa Ashley has written another Gem and I can't wait for the next instalment!

So if you are looking for a New Summer Series that is light hearted, Fun and has a Scrumptious Foodie Festival then you are in for a real Treat! Enjoy! 

Thank you to Avon Books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Family runs through this festive read from start to finish- it is literally in its DNA! You get to follow the two sisters, Ellie and Scarlett as they come to terms with events from the past. Their two stories run nicely alongside each other and I loved the feeling of community which is to be found through the cast of characters and village life. Full of quirky characters, festive touches and some darker moments behind the glitz, it is a highly recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book

I loved reading this book. I was so happy when I found out that I was able to get the book early and review it through netgalley. I do enjoy all the books by Phillips Ashley and was glad I could read on from the previous one. Fingers crossed there is another one and I will be lucky enough to get it.

This is the first Philipa Ashley book I have read and what a corker to start with.  Perfectly Christmassy to get you in the mood for some festive fun, laugh out load in places, heart wrenching in others.  Like a warm, woolly jumper, snuggled up by the fire with a hot chocolate, this will be a favourite for years to come.

The Blurb :
Christmas in Cornwall is just around the corner…
But after last Christmas revealed a shocking family secret, Scarlett’s hardly feeling merry and bright. All she wants this Christmas is to know who her real father is.
So Scarlett heads to the little Cornish town of Porthmellow, where she believes the truth of her birth is hidden. She just didn’t bargain on being drawn into the Christmas festival preparations – or meeting Jude Penberth, whose charm threatens to complicate life further.
Everything will come to a head at Porthmellow’s Christmas Festival … But can Scarlett have the perfect Christmas this year, or are there more surprises on the way?

My Thoughts :
Back in Porthmellow this time for Christmas.
Ellie is still living in in Porthmellow and looking after the house her parents inherited. Trying to get on with life after such an unexpected Christmas last year.
Scarlett was devastated last christmas when she found out that her dad wasnt her real dad atall and she is back in the village and staying with her sister Ellie to try and find out more about where she has come from and her heritage. What is uncovered sure leads to a devastating blow to the whole Latham family.
Each chapter is written from the sister’s point of view, which I really liked.
I enjoyed learning more about Ellie and Scarlett as we got further into the story, a few twists and turns and as usual there is some romance thrown in by the likes of Jude and Aaron.
I enjoyed being back in Porthmellow and to see all the past characters in the story, aswell as some new ones.
I always look forward to a new release from Phillipa Ashley and this festive treat didnt disappoint, she has a way to draw the audience in and make us feel part of the story that we are reading about. I am already waiting for her next release.

Another of my favourite authors, her books never disappoint.

It starts with Scarlett and Ellie's plans for a wonderful family Christmas going drastically wrong when they surprise the family with some interesting DNA history results.  It was a  lovely festive read, well written and engrossing.  Also quite timely with all the publicity about obtaining DNA results!

There is a great plot, all the characters were relatable and of course, the cornish setting which just makes you want to sell up and move there.  It's a perfect christmas read which will make you smile and feel all is well with the world.

Another excellent read from Phillipa Ashley, I can't recommend it enough.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

Wonderful feel good Christmas story!  I absolutely loved the characters involved and there were some interesting twists in more than one of the story lines.  And as for the village of Porthmellow - well, I would love to move into one of those cottages around the harbour tomorrow!

If you would like a easy to read, heartwarming Christmas story, read this!

Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for allowing me to review this book.

A Perfect Cornish Christmas was my first read of the Cornish series.

I wanted to really like this, but I was expecting a different take on a Christmas story. If you're looking for a story that is not Christmasy with only touches of the holiday here and there, then this book is for you. However, it was not a bad read and it was interesting because of the mysterious backgrounds of the characters.

What a lovely, Christmassy book, perfect to just curl up and read in one sitting on a cold winter’s afternoon.. That is exactly what I did!!!
It was such a warm, cozy book to read and I throughly enjoyed it. I have read Philippa Ashley’s books before and have always enjoyed them. This one was just the same . I loved the characters and the descriptions which are always written well in all her books.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This was not at all what I was expecting – I was expecting… More Christmas?

This story follows mainly Scarlett and her sister Ellie. We get to see their lives after the disaster that was Christmas, right at the start, now almost one year later and nothing seems to be that much better… How will this Christmas be anything good with so much sorrow going on? There’s a lot of family drama that evolves nicely, plus a lot of romantic drama and some cuteness in it too.

I really liked the family dynamics and all the drama in it, I thought it was interesting, and I wouldn’t have guessed the end of it at all. One of the main topics is secrets. How they can hurt you and destroy everything you care for. There’s cheating, lying, omitting important things in one’s life. Basically, there’s a LOT of drama. But instead of being only in the family, the drama starts spreading and it’s everywhere. Every character has way too much drama for my liking. It was just a bit too much, to the point of me losing my interest and getting in a slump…

Another thing I have to complain about is that there’s not much Christmas. As I said at the beginning, I was kind of expecting it due to the title, right? But I felt that it was missing the Christmas feeling I was hoping for. There’s Christmas as the beginning and preparation for it till the end, but I can’t say the book itself was Christmassy.

Now, for what I did enjoy… I really enjoyed following Scarlett and Ellie and how different they are. I loved how connected they were and how much they cared for each other. There’s a lot of complicated relationships in this book, but their sisterhood is not one of them, and I’m glad. It was fun to follow their romantic interests to a point, although I wasn’t a fan of some moments (like I said, too much drama, and that’s coming from a person that generally enjoyed reading about those…).

I also really enjoyed some important topics mentioned, like how much one wrong turn can affect one’s life. One mistake, one secret, might not have consequences right away, but you know the drill… The past always comes back to haunt you. But there’s also the other side… The forgiving side. I really enjoyed how Scarlett and her mother came to make peace with each other.

Overall, there was a lot happening in this book, which made it a bit crowded and repetitive. But the story did have some parts I enjoyed. I think my favorite bit is the feeling of living in a small place. I tend to love those. Everyone knows each other and everything that is going on. It’s quite entertaining and at times endearing.

Good to return to this community and follow the lives of the people that we've become attached to in previous books and meet new ones.A good book to curl up with pre Christmas when you don't feel like engaging with the world and are in need of an escape. 

Looking forward to the next visit to this Cornish village and its community life!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC copy.

A good Christmas read . Funny sad and happiness all  you would want in a Christmas story and a Perfect Cornish Christmas has it all

Best-selling author Phillipa Ashley takes readers back to the charming Cornish town of Porthmellow with her enchanting, addictive and captivating new novel, A Perfect Cornish Christmas.

Scarlett Latham had been looking forward to spending Christmas day with her family at Seaholly Manor, the stately home that had belonged to her eccentric Aunt Joan. Having planned for the perfect Christmas surprise, Scarlett cannot wait to see her parents’ faces when they see their present, however, surprise soon gives way to shock when scandalous family secrets are revealed that shatter and change the once perfect family unit forever. Feeling betrayed, confused and heartbroken, Scarlett flees the scene and turns up at the local pub soaked to the skin and with her new bunny slippers ruined beyond recognition. Unable to face her mother who has lied to her her entire life, Scarlett realizes that she needs some distance and some time to figure out what to do next and who her real father is. Scarlett believes that the truth about her identity lies in Porthmellow, so she decides – despite her embarrassing appearance at the pub – to leave her life in Birmingham behind and move to Cornwall for good. But will Scarlett find the answers she has been searching for? Is she ready to hear the full story about her father? Or would she be better off not knowing?

Porthmellow is a community that welcomes everyone with open arms. There is always a shoulder to cry on, a 
delicious pie to savour and a somebody willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear and Scarlett’s plan to keep a low profile flies out of the window when the residents hear that she has decided to temporarily settle in Porthmellow. Scarlett had planned to spend her sojourn in Cornwall trying to suss out her next move and to discover as much as she possibly can about her biological father – she certainly never imagined that she would end up roped into the preparations for the Christmas festival or that she would end up falling for charming and drop dead gorgeous Jude Penberth. Scarlett’s life is complicated enough as it is, she certainly does not need more complications, however, keeping things strictly platonic between her and Jude soon proves easier said than done…

With Christmas fast approaching, will Scarlett finally have a Yuletide that will not end in tears? Will all her dreams come through in Cornwall? Or are there more shocks and surprises on the way?

A new novel by Phillipa Ashley is always a major cause of celebration and A Perfect Cornish Christmas is the latest in a long-line of uplifting, witty and heart-warming romantic comedies that will make readers laugh and cry. A sensational and scintillating story about forgiveness, redemption, fresh starts and healing, A Perfect Cornish Christmas is a first class read guaranteed to leave readers with a great big smile on their faces.

Sparkling, engrossing and deliciously feel-good, A Perfect Cornish Christmas is a fabulous festive treat you will not want to miss.

Christmas a time for families and friends to get together and be merry.  That is until the giving of Christmas presents.  For Sarah and Ellie their present to their parents didn't go quite as planned.  Their present revealed that the DNA for Scarlett did not match that of her father's.  Rushing outside she ran until she came to the local pub announcing open door for all those people on their own.  Stumbling through the door dishevelled little did she know how her life was going to change.  This is a really excellent Christmas book. Characters are very believable.  Set in Cornwall you can imagine being there as the story unfolds.  There are quite a few twists and turns in it and I never thought about the outcome of one path of the book.  This is the second book in the series.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christmas.  Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for a review.

A Perfect Cornish Christmas is the second book in a planned series from Phillipa Ashley set in the Cornish coastal village of Porthmellow. Whereas book one followed the village during their preparations for the annual Summer festival now the attention turns to the Winter Solstice festival and the run up to the Christmas period. I thought this story would be a direct continuation following on from where we had left off in the previous book and also continuing to follow the same characters. Instead I was given the complete opposite with new characters being introduced with a very interesting storyline running through the entire book.

I was glad this was a totally new story as I felt enough had been written about the previous characters and, likeable enough as they were, some new faces would bring an extra dimension to the series. The storyline of book one was summed up perfectly in one or two sentences which means that this is easily read as a standalone book. Yes old familiar faces do make appearances every now and again but at the heart of this book are sisters Ellie and Scarlett who do have an awful lot to deal with and any hopes of a perfect Cornish Christmas as the title suggests do for the majority of the novel seem very far from their reach.

Christmas Day 2018 and for Scarlett Latham and her family settling down in Seaholly Manor, as left to sister Ellie by their Great Aunt, should be a time for family, celebrating and thanksgiving. But things go horribly pear shaped when Scarlett and Ellie present the findings of a DNA test they commissioned to discover if they do have Viking heritage as always claimed by their Dad Roger. Innocently, enough the sisters thought this would be a lovely surprise for everyone. Little did they realise the surprise Scarlett was going to get when the results show that Roger couldn't possibly be Scarlett's Dad. Chaos ensues with a family torn apart and fractured and with Anna their mother refusing to divulge any details preferring to bury her head in the stand full of denial that anything they suspect to have happened could ever have done so.

Scarlett flees to the Smuggler's Inn and is embraced by the locals in her bedraggled state at their Christmas Dinner for the lonely. She meets Troy and Evie, Jude, Sam and some others but the question remains, will a reconciliation with her family ever be possible? Will her parents marriage survive the revelations? Can Scarlett discover who is her real father? So many more questions rush through her mind and over the course of this book, many are answered but many more arise and it all makes for an interesting and engaging story.

Fast forward to a year later and Scarlett has decided to move permanently to Porthmellow to live at the manor with Ellie. She is still getting over a break up in her recent past and is very wary of getting involved with anyone else. Her work is freelance as she is in the copy writing business so she feels she can get some new business in a different setting. But behind it all Scarlett has ulterior motives in that she has a gut feeling that her Dad was from Porthmellow given some clues she has picked up on now she knows the way things really stand. She hopes to find out more and to discover what happened with her mother all those years ago that she betrayed her husband in that way. I loved both Scarlett and Ellie as characters and I felt there was real raw emotion and depth behind both their stories and it was brilliant to see Phillipa Ashley dealing with some real serious issues. The storylines didn't seem far fetched at all in the slightest and they were nicely balanced with lots of humour and of course romance.

Scarlett meets Jude who is so in tune with nature and his surroundings. He shows her a different side to Porthmellow and the coast as he takes her foraging and also sea swimming in the dead of winter. Instantly you could see the connection developing between the two but you wondered would Scarlett ever give in to it given she had the trauma of a break up to deal with plus she had her sights set on uncovering the truth behind her parentage.

Jude just seemed so down to earth and genuinely just such a lovely man with not a bad bone in his body. His intentions were always so real and honest that when a surprise surrounding Jude makes itself known I thought well fair play the author really threw me off course just as much as the surprise had Scarlett forming totally different opinions about the man she thought she had been getting to know. The romance angle for Scarlett combined with her quest to seek the truth all played out very well over the course of the book and I found myself enjoying the story immensely not really expecting so many twists and turns but pleasantly surprised and intrigued when they sprung up.

As for Ellie, the poor girl, she was hiding a lot in her past and putting on a brave face and always moving forward yet the events of the past couldn't be erased from her heart and mind. She is used to drifting from place to place and from one relationship to another so when she starts getting attached and perhaps too comfortable in Porthmellow she begins to wonder is this where she is meant to be? If so can she find someone that can slot into that gap in her heart that has been there for far too long. Long time residents of the village Evie and Troy have just had their son arrive back to the village after serving in the army. Aaron and Ellie meet after a bump in the road so to speak and introduce themselves to one another.

Again as with Scarlett and Jude you can feel the connection between the pair but at the same time the further we get to know Aaron you come to understand that he too is hiding something just like Ellie. But really they seemed like the perfect match if they could overcome the issues that begin to arise and simmer between them. Aaron as with Jude I felt was so just genuine, charming and down to earth. There was no fancy ways about either of the men, what you saw was what you got and there was no nastiness or double crossing ways about them. The author really had created the perfect male leads without them twee and overly sentimental. They were like men that you could meet in the real world and want to be with them.

A Perfect Cornish Christmas was a very enjoyable read and in all honesty I thought it was so much better than book one. Narrowing the focus to two specific characters and their family and subsequently their developing relationships was so much better as there was just too much confusion in the first book with so many characters to keep track of and the plot just felt very busy. Here everything was more narrow and it didn't feel as if things were going off in unnecessary tangents. Yes the preparations for the Winter Solstice Festival took a back seat but that didn't bother me in the slightest as I was more focused on the emotional stories developing around Scarlett and Ellie. When the time was right the festival did come to the fore and it provided the centre point for the tying of threads together but also for long held secrets to come to the fore.

I thought at one stage bravo Phillipa I never expected those revelations and it was almost as if she was taking a walk on the wild side having things being so tangled and complicated. It was something that made me really stop and think and it was a turn up for the books because the cover suggests all sweetness and light but the revelations don't always turn out that way. I would definitely recommend A Perfect Cornish Christmas, it has just the right flavour of Christmas to it combined with a very good storyline centred around romance and family secrets that will keep you turning the pages. Scarlett and Ellie are interesting characters that have you hoping that they will find the answers and happiness they seek.