Slow start but stick with it, it's worth it. Different life stages of friends, centered around a dance group. Follow the challenges and changes that occur.
A gentle roller-coaster with friends you care about.
Christmas escapism, curl up and enjoy

I decided to read this book in the end and really enjoyed it. A typical Christmas love story based in a beautiful area of the country

This Christmas everything is about to change…
When Bo Grayson and her friends meet a mysterious fortune teller, she gives each woman the same prediction: You will meet the love of your life by Christmas Day.
But Bo quickly dismisses this as nonsense. And with the festive season in full swing, she has plenty to keep her busy: creating the seasonal menu for her Boatyard Café, getting her rock and roll dance group ready for their Christmas show – and avoiding thinking about last December, when her fortune took a turn for the worse…
Besides, she definitely isn’t ready to open her heart again. But will fate – and perhaps a sprinkle of Christmas magic – change her mind?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.
Another smasher from Phillipa Ashley! Perfect for curling up in a chair with a huge mug of hot chocolate and a 'Do not Disturb' sign. Phillipa weaves a story with style, as part of a series the book touches on previous storylines whilst focusing on an individual characters story. Its quirky, indulgent, heart breaking and fabulous all at the same time. The characters are relatable and realistic. Warning: Do not pick up if you have somewhere to be/something to do because you WILL get lost in this tale of love, friendship and possibilities.

A cozy little Christmas story. Visit the coastal town of Falford to meet Bo and her friends. Bo Grayson loves Christmas and all the old Christmas music, that is until her heart is broken by Hamish, a man who was not whom he seemed to be. Bo is a dancer in a village dance group called the Falford Flingers along with her friend Angel and the quiet newcomeer Ran. Together they attend a summer fair where they visit the mysterious Madame Odette to have their future told and all become visibly shaken as they are told the same thing, that “next Christmas they will be with their true love.” They all dismiss this this as a lark and yet their lives begin to be driven by these predictions. Yet Angel’s life takes a detour as her husband of 30 years disappears. As Bo and Ran begin to develop feelings for each other, Ran’s soon to be ex-wife turns up. So is the mysterious Madame a fake? Will Bo, Angel, and Ran find that magic and have a second chance to be able to trust love again?

Phillpa Ashley writes a delightful tale of mystery, love, holiday magic, and brings you into the Celtic countryside of England with her great descriptions. You can’t but help root for Bo, Angel, and Ran to find love and happiness given what they’ve all personally been through. I found that although this kept me reading on to find out and hoping for a great outcome, it was somewhat predictable. But that was okay with me because it’s what I wanted as a reader of this feel good book. It makes you believe that magic really does happen at Christmas.

Many thanks to #netgalley #aspecialcornishchristmas # phillpaashley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Bo runs the local café, and has been going out with Hamish. Looking forward to spending Christmas with him she is badly let down, leaving her distrustful of everyone.
Madam Odette. a fortune teller foretells the future of the three main characters, Bo, Angel, and Ran, though neither believe a word she says some of her prophecies start to come true.
Written in an easy, light-hearted style, with a friendly tone, the scenes are expertly set with beautiful descriptions of the scenery and boatyard on the Cornish coast where Bo’s café is placed. The plot runs at a steady space, with several characters who have hidden secrets. Ran, in particular, is mysterious and elusive about his hidden past, and all becomes clear as the story unfolds.
I like the Christmas feel to the story, and descriptions of retro dancing Rock n’ Roll and jiving, also the 60s costumes and sense of fun, energy and enjoyment.
There is a real sense of community, with strong, independent women helping each other when needed and determined to succeed when let down in the past. Characters are believable and develop as the story unfolds. However, I thought that the romance between Bo and Ran developed a little too slowly and lacked passion. But would definitely recommend.

There are many Christmas romances published each year, and this stands out above the rest. It is a warm, cuddly hug of a book. The Cornish setting, with Bo’s harbour cafe, is delightful. The unusual addition of rock and roll dancing as a hobby for Bo adds interest. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Bo Grayson is fantastically happy with her man but things stop abruptly just before Christmas leaving her second guessing her decisions and deciding to remain single. She plows all her energy into making her seaside cafe into a success. Her other passion is rock and roll dancing where she can forget her troubles and eye their mysterious DJ, Ran. I loved this book, Phillipa Ashley really makes her characters real making you care about them and cheer them on.

What a great feel good book. Love this and really got into the Christmas spirit. Love all Phillips Ashley books about the Cornish people and this book was no different .
Highly recommended

Waht's not to like in a Christmasy novel set in Cornwall and written by Phillipa Ashley. The novel starts with the the central character looking forward to a wonderful Christmas with her new man, Hamish and then we learn about her involvement with the Falford Flingers a team of people who put on demonstration shows of roke and roll dances. She is close to Angel who is married to a fisherman called Tommy who seems to spend his nights in the pub rather than at home and a new member of the group Ran, a quiet man who lives outside the village but enjoys setting up the records for the Team. The story then jumps forward to a summer fete where Bo, Angel and Ran separtly go to consult a mystic, Madam Odette who tells each of the three some disturbing news. It is ironic that a lot of what the woman says has an impact on their lives. I loved the idea of Bo's cafe and the Christmasy magic that Phillipa weaves into her tale as well as how each of the main characters resolve their problems whilst still involved with their beloved group of dancers. Cornwall comes alive in the pages of the novel and makes me long for a trip back in the future. A lovely novel for the Christmas stocking.

Phillippa Ashley never disappoints and this is a lovely, warm and festive book, perfect for the lead up to the Christmas season.
I loved the main characters, Bo and Ran and the setting of the fictional village of Falford.
The addition of a rock and roll dancing club and the many great songs referenced is a bonus.
Did I work out the ending? Of course, but isn't that part of the enjoyment in this genre.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

A cozy Christmas read! I definitely felt transported to Cornwall and by the end of the book I wanted to research dancing. I should have looked up the various songs mentioned in the book so I could have those playing while I read the book :)

A Special Cornish Christmas is another story in the Falford series and features many of the characters that readers of Phillipa Ashley will be familiar with. This book focuses on Bo, who owns the boatyard cafe and is an avid fan of rock and roll dance! Bo's been unlucky in love so far, but will her future change this Christmas with the arrival of quiet DJ Ran? Bo's best friend Angel also needs a dose of good luck, and we get to follow their escapades in the book.

A Special Cornish Christmas is a great book, at any time of year. The Christmas side of things is not too in your face, and just adds a nice back drop to the main narrative.

It's a comforting easy read, perfect for chilly nights with a hot chocolate and a blanket!

Another fantastic read by Phillipa!

Back in Falford Cornwall we are with Bo owner of the Boatyard Cafe after having her heart broken last Christmas she is hoping this one will be better.

After a fortune teller says that she will be in love by this Chrismas, Bo is not looking for love at all.

What a fab joyful read, great characters I loved Angel and Ran.

This is a lovely Christmas read with a bit of rock and roll thrown in what's not to love.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

A wonderfully feel good story! I couldn’t put it down and read it in one evening. Would most heartily recommend!

What a wonderful feel good read. Phillipa is my absolute favourite author.
It was a delight to be back in Falford and catching up with all the wonderful characters. This story focuses on Bo who runs the Boatyard Cafe and offers her delightful culinary food to the local and tourists.
Bo is nursing a heart break and decide that men are not worth it. She finds comfort in the Falford Flingers who are a group of locals who love Rock and Roll. WIthin her group they form strong friendships including Ran, who has a mysterious side to him and Bo is drawn to him.
The book leads through all the wonderful characters and how they overcome their emotional baggage and provide support for the group but mainly the importance of friendships. in the community.
A delightful read and can be read as a standalone.

What another cozy and wonderful book from Ashley! Brew yourself a cup of tea and read this book in front of a roaring fire! You will not regret it :)

As a fan of Phillipa Ashley I was looking forward to this book, especially as it was a sequel to An Endless Cornish Summer, which I loved. However I was slightly disappointed as it did not have the same appeal and emotion as the previous book. It seemed to lack the tenderness and depth of feeling that Phillipa is so good at portraying. It started well with Bo’s heartbreak over Hamish but I felt it lost momentum after that. It was an easy read but I didn’t engage with the characters and I got quite frustrated with Ryan’s constant indecision! The pace of the story was rather slow and not helped by the long descriptions of Bo’s dresses, Angel’s designs and the “music “ conversations, which added nothing to the story and seemed irrelevant to the plot. The best part of the book was the developing romance between Bo and Ran, although this was a slow burner. I didn’t really get a Christmas vibe from the book, this was overshadowed by the constant references and descriptions of the clothes and music. I’m sure fans of Phillipa Ashley will enjoy the book, especially if they love the fashion and music of the 50’s and 60’s.
Unfortunately for me it didn’t live up to the previous book An Endless Cornish Summer. Sorry Phillipa.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon books for allowing me to read this book.

Another great book from Phillipa although a little predictable it was still a great festive story. Definitely recommend snuggling up with this book this winter.

When Bo’s boyfriend ends their relationship on Christmas Eve,she feels that Christmas is an unlucky time for her.
The following August, a fortune teller tells her that she is going to be with the love of her life at Christmas.Bo doesn’t believe this and is convinced that her love life is doomed.Growing closer to a newcomer to Falford,will the predictions come true and will she be with the love of her life on Christmas Day?

Phillipa Ashley is on of my ‘go to’ authors and she has pulled it out of the bag again!This book has definetly got me in the mood for Christmas.

If you are needing an escape to a kinder, cosy place; inhabited by friendly, caring people, Falford is definitely a place you need to be. Albeit through the pages of a book.
I read An Endless Cornish Summer, the first in the Falford series by Phillipa Ashley, a few months ago. I loved the pretty shore community, set in the heart of Cornwall, and was thrilled to be heading back there for this book, A Special Cornish Christmas.
In this book, we get to know some of the other residents, while still having passing glimpses in to the lives of the Morvah family. Bo, our central character, runs the Boatyard Cafe, an idyllic spot on the river, in the heart of the quaint town. While her business is thriving, her love life has not been smooth sailing. At the same time, her close friend Angel is also having a very hard time too.
The story is closely based around the members of a local retro dance group, The Falford Flingers. The Rock ‘n’ Roll music, and the vintage clothes give a lovely back drop to the book, which further enhances the lovely, warm feel of the plot.
As with Phillipa’s books I previously read, this a gentle read, where you feel safe in the knowledge that nothing too awful will happen. You will be wrapped in the warmth of these pages, as if you were curled up under a cosy blanket, in your favourite chair.
4* from me.