Phillipa has set books before in Porthmellow and though the original cast are mentioned this is a stand alone book with new main characters. It focuses on two sisters Scarlett and Ellie and their family, however a Christmas present bought as a fun gift for the family , blows the family unit apart . This is a story about family, new and old secrets, and trust. I loved the various twists and turns of this book. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a nice cosy read
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books and Phillipa Ashley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely loved this book and read it really quickly. 

The concept of the DNA test and the resulting story was genius, so different.

From the first chapter, I was addicted to finding out what was going to happen. When Scarlett moved to the manor, the change in pace was immediate, both in the atmosphere at the house and the story.

This was both a warm and a chilling story in the same breath.

I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

Loved diving back into the lives at Porthmellow!

A festive romance centered around the Ellie and Scarlett’s family based in the Cornish harbor town. We begin with Ellie taking over her late Aunt Joan’s manor, gathering her family together for Christmas. A family secret blows the family apart as all family members try to come to terms with the news when a Christmas present of a family tree DNA test reveals Scarlett and Ellie are not full sisters. 

A year later and Scarlett is determined to find out who her birth father is and moves in with Ellie as she believes he is from the local town and her agenda is to find out who he is.   As she delves further the women in the family have a shock when they realise they have all had dealing with a local man over various decades once the truth is revealed. While Ellie has spent her life travelling and not putting down roots in case of getting close to people but has she finally found her forever place in Porthmellow?

Ellie and Scarlett both help with the festive preparations in the harbor town as the town pull together for Christmas. The community spirit is woven throughout the story and makes it an ideal place to live – even I want to! Both sisters become immersed in local life and even have their own romances along the way – full of misunderstandings, warmth and humour.

As soon as I saw that this book was 1. Set in Cornwall and 2. was about Christmas I had to read it. Why? Because I love both thats why. 

All Scarlet wanted was to make her family happy especially her Dad when she and her sister set out to do the Ancestary DNA test to see f they had Viking blood. Problem is it didn't go according to plan, and Christmas wasn't really what they expected it to be. The thing is Scarlett wasn't having a too good a Christmas what with her boyfriend dumping her and her business taking a hit as well. 

Ellie, Scarlett's sister has returned home and decided to stay after travelling the world. She has settled in Porthmellow where her beloved Aunt had an amazing property now owned by her mum. Problem is after the Christmas where everything had gone wrong is going to be able to stay in Porthmellow where she has started to set down roots? 

This was a really good read, it had romance, secrets, friendship and family angst. It had everything I like in a contemporary read. I was impressed with the style of writing and read it pretty quickly. I liked that it was focused not only on Scarlett and Ellie but on the town of Porthmellow and their family as a whole. 

Everyone in the book has a secret of some kind be it that they have had an affair, been heartbroken or are still married. These subjects made the book for me and it showcased the importance of family and friends in time of need.

Scarlett was so traumatised last Christmas that she ran out of the family home in her bunny slippers into the cold wintery weather and ended up finding shelter within the Smuggler’s Tavern at the Lonely & Lost Christmas lunch. She returns to Porthmallow the following year mortified that she has to face the people who tried to comfort her in her time of need. Scarlett feels as if she needs to get to the bottom of the secrets that emerged during that time and finally find peace. Phillipa Ashley really knows how to set the scene and draw you into the drama and joy of Christmas in a small Cornish seaside town, fabulous. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After surprising their family with a DNA discovery kit for Christmas, Scarlett and Ellie uncover some hidden family secrets! The book follows the sisters as they prepare for their next Christmas, a Christmas where the family is divided by their mothers past. 
Both girls are now living in Cornwall and finding their own love and happiness, naturally with some complications along the way! Throw in the great reveal of who’s the daddy? and a lot of Christmas festivity this is a Perfect Christmas read.
I loved this book having not read anything by Philippa Astley prior to this book. The characters were well written and the delicate subject of DNA well researched, and of course the subject of Christmas always makes for a good read
Thanks for allowing me to read. I’ll be looking out for anything by this author again!

I have been a fan of Phillipa's work now for a little while.  I love the way in which she writes such feel good, light hearted, romantic and amusing books.  I couldn't wait to get a copy of 'A Perfect Cornish Christmas' as it sounded like just the sort of read I needed at that time because I needed a distraction from something that I had been worrying about.  I also knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a read given how much I have enjoyed all of Phillipa's previous books.  I was correct on both counts.  I absolutely, totally and utterly loved reading 'A Perfect Cornish Christmas' but more about that in a bit.
I couldn't help but take to the character of Scarlett from the first moment I met her and by the time I got to the end of the book, I had started to consider Scarlett as a very good friend.  I really felt for her because a shocking family secret was revealed the previous Christmas leaving Scarlett not knowing who her birth father is.  She has had the rug pulled out from under her feet and Christmas has been tarnished for her.  I just wanted to jump inside the pages of the book to give her a huge hug and lend her a shoulder to cry on.  Scarlett desperately wants to find out who her father is and so she travels to Porthmellow, which is where she believes she will find answers about the circumstances of her birth and ,fingers crossed, she will find out who her father is.  What she didn't bank on was being welcomed into the Porthmellow community with open arms nor did she expect to meet a particular resident, who is very charming but he threatens to make Scarlett's life even more complicated.  What will Scarlett do?  Does Scarlett find out who her father is?  Will Scarlett live in Porthmellow permanently?  Well for the answers to those questions and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out to find out as I am not going to tell you.
I was addicted to this book before I even opened the book and began to read.  I loved the front cover and the synopsis of this book sealed the deal as it were.  I became seriously addicted to reading this book and parting with the book even for just a nanosecond was simply not an option.  I binge read the book over the course of a day, which is pretty good going for me.  Usually I have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not with this book.  I think that I had taken so well to the character of Scarlett and I wanted to find out if she got her happy ever after ending that she so deserved.  I reached the end of the book far quicker than I had wanted to or anticipated, which I was disappointed about.  I don't mean that in a negative way but I was enjoying the author's writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just didn't want the book to end.
'A Perfect Cornish Christmas' is brilliantly written, but then I find that all of Phillipa's books are brilliantly written.  She writes such warm stories and reading them feels like a hug from a mug.  I know that might sound silly to some but what I mean is that this book makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, which would be the same if the mug was to hug you.  Now I am confusing myself so I had better get back to the review.  Phillipa certainly knows how to grab your attention and once she has your attention she doesn't release it until the moment you close the back cover of the book after having finished reading the story.  Phillipa writes so realistically and uses such vivid descriptions that I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself.  Through her descriptions of the area, the author has made me want to visit Cornwall again.
In short, 'A Perfect Cornish Christmas' is a heart warming and fun read, which I would thoroughly recommend to other readers.  I will definitely be reading more of Phillipa's work in the future.  The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an advanced e-copy for an honest review.

I requested this book because I wanted to read some Holiday books, and yes! This is the perfect read for the season. Also, who knew reading about Cornwall would’ve been so much fun. 

 Okay, quick disclaimer this is my first time reading anything by Phillipa Ashley, and while this can be read as a stand-alone, there’s a companion novel that comes before this called A Perfect Cornish Summer that I’ve not read. I recommend you guys check it out just in case.

 Scarlett, our main protagonist(although we get to see her sister’s Ellie story as well), is not feeling very joyful this season still she decides to go Porthmellow, a little town in Cornwall to find who her real father is. However, she gets caught up in all the festivities and meets handsome and charming Jude.

I’ve rarely read women’s fiction because I love the romance more, but I was so into the familial dynamics, the town peoples (their Winter Solstice festival) and how they affected Scarlett, the love stories of both sister, and how it discusses the importance of belonging. However, I did feel their parents lacked motivation for some of their decisions, and in that aspect, it felt repetitive. 

In the end, the book is about what pretty much every other movie or book about Christmas is about, family, love and the feeling of togetherness. Which is exactly what I was looking for, and what I got. I would definitely like reading more from this author in the future.

A sugar sweet story set in a Corniish village with an edge to it brought about by a family mystery and resulting fall out. It was not really my cup of tea being more like reading the plot and dialog of a soap opera. However, fun for those who like an extended version of woman's magazine fiction.

A family’s world is turned upside down by the reveal of a “surprise” present during the annual Christmas celebrations in Cornwall 
 One year later and Scarlett returns to Porthmellow to stay with her sister Ellie to try and uncover a family secret. Turns out that there is more than one secret to uncover and more than one family involved .This is a lovely story full of twists and turns that will make you want to move to Porthmellow to join in the fun . The main action takes place during the Christmas season but  it would make a great holiday read too.

A fun light read, I did read A Perfect Cornish Summer first to get into the series. Good Christmas theme as it stretches from one Christmas to the next - my review on my blog at 

https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2019/11/09/book-reviews-phillipa-ashley-a-perfect-cornish-summer-and-a-perfect-cornish-christmas/

An engaging Christmas story about a complex family and their relationships, set in the beautiful Cornish village of Porthmellow.

Following the previous year’s family Christmas when everything went drastically wrong, Scarlett and her sister Ellie return to the Manor, a family home.  Both are trying to start new lives and repair family relationships. 

Every chapter is written from each sister’s perspective, Ellie and Scarlett becoming involved with potential new partners, and problems and misunderstandings which occur as the story unfolds.

The book is well-written, full of warm, interesting characters who come alive on the page, beautifully described Cornish scenery, along with several twists and turns which all combine to make an entertaining read.  All culminating at the Christmas festival when the answers to secrets are discovered.  The story moves along at a steady pace, with a real Christmas feeling.  This is the first book written by this author that I’ve read, but would love to read her other books.

Another great book in this series. 
How can a thoughtful Christmas present for a whole family, drive that family apart.
A year on, how will Christmas be? 
A really enjoyable read with a great storyline and one brilliant twist that I didn't see coming! 
I highly recommend this book to other readers.

This is the perfect book for you if you are looking for a cute Christmas romance to curl up with when the is cold and you want to stay inside in your comfy pj's, a big blanket and plenty of coffee. It is the perfect Christmas romance and I loved it! The atmosphere of the book gave me the perfect Christmas feels!

Last year's Christmas for both Scarlett and her sister Ella was less than perfect after family revelations and upsets ruined the day for the whole family. A year on is looking much brighter thanks to a couple of handsome men and a whole lot of soul searching and long-hidden secrets.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. We have two stories, one for each sister, both trying to pick themselves up following the repercussions of their previous Christmas. Neither of them is looking for romance but it finds both of them in the forms of Jude (Scarlett) and Aaron (Ella). Both girls are different in character so handle their problem differently. Both girls have also been hurt in the past but again handle things differently.

What I loved most was the setting. A beautiful little fishing town but with a real community spirit. Everyone knows each other and they all help out each other where they can. The Winter Festival seems to be where everything comes together and then there is the Festive Christmas Lunch for the Lonely which both starts and fittingly ends the story.

Phillipa Ashley has a style of writing that draws you in and keeps you wrapped up in the story like a great big hug. Perfect for those cold winter evenings to warm you through to the tips of your toes.

I was immediately drawn in to this tale of two sisters.  From Chapter One, I was expecting a comedic book with a view on Cornish village life.  Instead, I enjoyed a delightful expo into a Christmas season with one “normal but with a side of dysfunction” family.  Ellie has been always on the move for years and has put down some tentative roots as the caretaker of the holiday home recently inherited by their mother.  Scarlett’s business is faltering, and she asks to move in with Ellie while she rejuvenates her business with newly acquired local clients. The sometimes quirky (and hunky) but mostly salt-of-the-earth residents of Porthmellow welcome Ellie and Scarlett, encouraging them to enter into community engagement by helping out with the Solstice Festival.
I liked the overall tone and pace of the story; new characters appeared and required exposition that helped fill in backstory, giving a better understanding of the lead characters and moving the plot forward.  It was a joy to watch Ellie and Scarlett learning about themselves and figuring out what they wanted from life.  The possibility of romance figures into the story, as do the many complications of love and life.  I hope for the opportunity to follow these characters through the series volumes that follow.  
I requested and voluntarily read a review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.

Sisters Ellie and Scarlett thought getting their DNA tested to check their ancestry would make an amazing Christmas present to give to their parents, however, not everything goes to plan when it turns out that they have different fathers. Christmas is ruined and subsequently, the family starts to fall apart with their mother denying everything and declaring that the test must be false.

Move forward a year and their parents are living in separate rooms and their mother is still refusing to talk about the issue. Ellie is living in Porthmellow, Cornwall, and Scarlett believes that’s where the answers to who her real father is lies, so she asks Ellie if she can live with her for a while.

As Scarlett gets closer to the truth more and more problems arise and more secrets start to unravel. Has Scarlett bitten off more that she can chew in pursuit of the truth?

This is the first Phillipa Ashley book that I have read but it won’t be my last. I was a little unsure when starting this story whether it was part of a series or not due to Ms. Ashley’s previous novel ‘A Perfect Cornish Summer’, however, whilst I realised the setting is the same in both of the books and a few of the characters from the first make an appearance, this book certainly works as a standalone.

The book opened strongly and straight into the aftermath of the Christmas fallout. Then we get to find out what everything was about before moving forward in time.

The book was a sheer delight to read and for a romance book, there were a lot of twists, turns, and surprises along the way which kept me on my toes. The scenery is just beautiful and you can certainly see Porthmellow in all it’s Autumn glory as well as the Winter Solstice festival which I would love to attend.

There are two love interests in the plot and it was enjoyable to watch both of them develop although neither runs smoothly. Whilst Scarlett was the main character, Ellie played a major role too and I really enjoyed both of their stories equally.

This is a book that brings family life to the forefront and shows you that no family is perfect, everyone makes mistakes in their lives but it is how you deal with the issues together and come together as a unit that matters. Family is precious and comes in all shapes and sizes so make sure you treasure it.

A Perfect Cornish Christmas is the second book I have read by Phillipa Ashley. I am glad I decided to continue with this series as it was a very entertaining, fun filled read.  It was a  feel good read, perfect for curling up with on a cold winter's evening while the snow is softly falling outside my window.

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?

I found the characters to be well developed, and multi-dimensional. There were lots of twists and turns and multiple sub-plots to keep you engaged and interested in the outcome. It's the story of a woman, her search for her father, a community and how they all work together to help one another succeed.  I will definitely read other books by this author.

I requested and received an advanced readers copy courtesy of NetGalley and Avon publishing. All opinions are my own.

I thought this would be a bit different than it turned out. It had a lot of promise and I loved the concept but unfortunately I had to DNF at 75% of the way through because the switching of perspective became pretty confusing and frustrating for me. Some of the characters actions were a bit unreasonable and hard to relate to.

Another great read from Philippa Ashley, her books always make me want to go to Cornwall. 
A Christmas surprise that nearly tears a family apart, in spite of the basis of the book, I found it very uplifting and really does show the friendliness and support system you find in a village setting. 
Beautifully written with a surprising twist. Great read highly recommend