Firstly, I will say a huge thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for sending me an eARC of this book to review following my review of An Endless Cornish Summer.

A Special Cornish Christmas is my first Christmas read of the year. Although it is a follow on from An Endless Cornish Summer, it can easily be read as a standalone novel. Although in this book we revisit Falford, the story centres around different characters to those whom An Endless Cornish Summer is centred around.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the relatable characters and I love books set in Cornwall, having spent a lot of time there myself.

This book is definitely what I would call a ‘cosy Christmas read’ or Christmas 24 in book form. It is a book you can curl up with under a blanket with a hot chocolate and lose yourself in.

I look forward to reading more of Phillipa Ashley‘s novels.

Silly, fun and romantic. Perfect to curl up with chocolate biscuits and a cup of tea! Heartwarming stuff..

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy from @netgalley of this wonderful book!! A special Cornish Christmas

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?

This is my second Philippa Ashley book, I read an endless Cornish summer a few months ago and I loved it! This latest book includes some of the characters from the summer book, it was so lovely to read, almost as if I was catching up with old friends and definitely got me in the Christmas spirit! I can’t wait to read more books by Philippa Ashley!

Bo has been hurt by her ex and is facing Christmas alone. Her friend Ran comes close to her, but he also has been hurt by his ex; can they make a go of things, or are there too many obstacles? Bo's friend Angel is looking forward to Christmas with her love Tommy, but there are a lot of changes coming up for her. Bo and Angel are best friends and they comfort each other as they go through their trials and tribulations. Bo works in a lovely cafe and dances and Angel is a dressmaker. Ran loves music and being in water. The three of them are very creative and I loved the creative theme through the book, and it was interesting to read about the dancing, dressmaking and music. It was a pleasant change to other books to read about these things. I also loved the connection between Bo and Ran and Bo and Angel. The book is very sweet and cute and perfect to read at this time of the year while it is frosty outside. I really enjoyed it!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Received a copy of this book for review. Overall it is a good read for me. Love the chemistry between the main characters. Love all the characters. What I love is that each of them does make a difference to the story as it developed. Like to read how the characters In the story are interrelated to each other. It make the story more exciting to read. The setting of the story is nice and is fit nicely to the story.Story plot are well penned out, with a slight twist to it in the end.

A cute festive story set in an idyllic setting. It does feature characters from previous books but can be happily read as a stand alone story.

Perfect for snuggling up with on a cold winter night!

Welcome to the lives of Ran, Bo and Angel. They are merrily living their lives when a fortune teller upsets the apple cart in more ways than one!!! It makes them question everything!!. When events unfold, the fortune teller comes into their minds again. Was this meant to happen or not?. Who could ignore the dancing group that features in their lives too and bonds them together . There are a large amount of people who are a family for all these characters. Dancing, music.... It makes you want to get the Christmas songs on already!!!
I really enjoyed this happy Christmas tale!! I think that this story is definitely worth looking at if you want to feel christmassy but also need a bit of a love story.!! Who could resist that!!!

This novel is centred around Bo Grayson, she runs 'the Boat Yard Cafe in Falford Village. She has always loved Christmas until her cheat of her partner ruined this for her.

Bo main passion is dancing rock and roll with a dance group. This is where she meets good looking Ran who is the DJ of the dance group.

I enjoyed the small community feel to this novel, especially  the added element of the fortune teller, which left you guessing as to who she really is.

This is a heart warming tale which was interwoven with several  other smaller characters story lines, of which there where quite a few! I also especially loved  Angel who grows in strength and conviction as the novel progresses. 

This is the second book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone novel. There is also a 3rd novel as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a digital copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

A Special Cornish Christmas by @phillipa.ashleyauthor This is a NetGalley read and chosen simply because I love this author. A Special Cornish Christmas is about Bo Grayson and her friends Angel and Ran who for a bit of fun visit a fortune teller but who gives the 3 of them the same prediction. For me this book is about so much more than weather these predictions are true, it’s about love, heartbreak, new beginnings, music, community and set at the perfect time of year Christmas. As readers we have visited Falford before however even though some old characters make an brief appearance, we are introduced to some new characters and they don’t disappoint. This book will give you the Xmas feels and you will without a doubt want to start playing some old but classic Christmas songs. It will no doubt have you laughing and have you rooting for the characters when all doesn’t go as it should, because as always the author has this amazing way of making her characters feel real, making them feel like it’s someone you know and ultimately making you feel like you are part of the Falford community. It’s also a great way of getting your Cornish fix if you haven’t visited it for a while and again as always the author has a great way of describing the environment the book is set in. As with all of Phillipa Ashley’s books you kind of know what you are getting, in many ways they are predictable, there’s no on the edge of your seat parts however in this book particularly, there were for me those ‘ooooohhhhh really’ moments and one of them being the fortune teller part, because as always I never read before what the books about and having the fortune teller part felt a little bit different and quirky. If you are going to choose one Christmas themed book this year then I highly recommend this one, its an easy read, perfect for this time of year, great for settling down, under a cozy blanket and switching off from everything else going on around you.
I will definitely be recommending to family and friends 🎄🎄🎄

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me at 57%.. This wasn't a bad book; the writing was good (for the most part), I liked most of the characters, and the setting was great. But I got halfway through this book and was still waiting for something remotely exciting to happen. And this is marketed as a romance but the romantic leads had no chemistry. If I've read over 200 pages of a romance and the couple has barely interacted, that's a problem. Was this Bo and Ran's book or Angel's book? I think this book is being marketed incorrectly and that's unfortunate.

I didn't realize that there were so many Cornish books in this series when I requested <i>A Special Cornish Christmas</i> but now I'm excited to read the others. This book is like a British Hallmark movie--it's cozy and charming. If you want a light Christmas read this is a very fun one to check out.

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Heart warming, festive romance. Nice, light easy read.

The second book in the Falford series is just as good as the first. Love the Cornish setting of Phillipa's books.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This book is number two in The Falford Series. It’s about Bo(Bonita) and Ran(Ranulph), who both aren’t looking for romance after they’ve been through sad past experiences and want to focus on themselves.

The story from friends to being in love flowed, just like a dance, it’s slow to begin with and then it picks up and comes to a high, with happiness.

Bo’s character was strong, fiery and despite what happened with her at the start of the story, the end was just perfect for her.

I loved the idea of the “fortune teller”. It added a magical aspect to the story.

The theme to this story is dancing, you could imagine the couples as they danced in their lovely clothes to the music of years gone by.

I think this book will bring happiness to all that read it. The cover of this book is gorgeous, I love it.

Highly Recommend This Book.

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Heartwarming (but there were things I didn’t like much)

Bo Grayson loves Christmas. However, her last one wasn’t memorable in any way, no thanks to the guy she was seeing.
While it brought her love life to a halt, Bo is busier than ever. Managing her café and being an active member of the dance group is not easy. Of course, she’s a sweet woman. She supports her friends and takes care of them.
Ran has his own troubled past to deal with and keeps things to himself. Being a diving instructor and a DJ at the dance group doesn’t mean he has to share his past with everyone, right?
But then Bo and Ran unwillingly end up facing Madame Odette to get their future prediction. April, their dear friend is shaken by the experience, and so are Bo and Ran. Turns out, Madame Odette had the same prediction for all three of them- they would be with the love of their lives by Christmas.
With the celebrations being only four months away, can they really believe in her words? Can Bo get over her hurt and take another chance at love? What’s Ran hiding, and how will it affect his future? What turns April’s world upside down? Is a new beginning on the cards for all three of them?
The book leans heavily on rock and roll dancing and music from the yesteryears. Some of it went over my head (not surprising as it’s not my country’s music or my preferred genre). Still, I didn’t miss anything. The connection to music and dance needs little or no explanation.
The story is written in the limited third person, with 60% of the chapters from Bo’s POV and the rest from Ran’s POV.
What I Liked:
• The warmth of small communities with a touch of idiotic people
• Bo’s relationship with her group members and others
• April is a lovely character, and she’s got a meaty role in the book
• Jenna’s presence as a catalyst and her assertive nature
• Madame Odette’s predictions generate subtle undercurrents throughout
• Not much emphasis on romance per se
• Bo- she’s a beautiful mix of kindness, assertiveness, and vulnerability
What Could Have Been Better:
Ran’s character arc- He’s presented as a good guy, which he is. He also believes in communicating with Bo and clearing things up, and it seemed like a great trait. However, towards the end, I found him annoying.
His indecisiveness was stupid rather than endearing. There’s a thin line between wanting to be kind and being a pushover. Boundaries are termed healthy for a reason. I won’t say much because I’ll have to put it all up as a spoiler, and it’s likely to turn into a rant.
The book gets four stars because Bo and a few side characters were a treat to read. My favorite is April, and her character growth is fab. I also love her interpretation of Madame Odette’s prediction.
To sum up, A Special Cornish Christmas is a heartwarming story and a good read on cold afternoons. It’s got some great moments.
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Bo feels like giving up on love, and then along comes Ran; spectacular both in and out of his wetsuit! But nothing's ever easy as we come back to the author's wonderful creation of Falford. There's heartache, rock 'n' roll, dancing and a cat which steals every scene he's in!
A terrific read, let alone a terrific Christmas story, you'll be as disappointed as I was that this ended! Wonderful stuff!
My thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the ARC.

I love books by Phillipa Ashley. She is such an excellent storyteller that reading this was pure joy and perfects relax in this autumn evening.

So cozy, touchy, and kinda complicated at the same, cause all the characters have difficulties to face. Still, it's compelling from the very first page and has something magical that makes you totally immerse in this written world.

This one is great not only near Christmas time. Some stories are universal and are perfect no matter the time and the circumstances, and this one is really one of these.

Page-turner keeps me awake at night and after this, I ordered some other books of Phillipa what is the best recommendation I would ever give

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great book. I felt interested in the plot from start to finish. And it was such a cozy, Christmas book!

A lovely feel good Christmas story. I love the chance to be able to escape to Cornwall in Phillipa's books. I would love to try one of the Turkey Pasties that Bo made. A lovely story of hope after a bad let down. A great book to read to get into the Christmas spirit set amongst a lovely friendly community. I would love to visit somewhere like Falford with all the characters created by Phillipa.

Look forward to the next book by Phillipa as they always delivery a great feel good story. Thank you.

Another winner from Phiillipa Ashley.
I do love a Christmas story and this had a great mix of everything.
Bo ends up spending Christmas with her family. Not quite what she had planned. Her boyfriend Hamish runs out on her on Christmas Eve leaving her heartbroken.
Bo is a very strong character who is such a good friend to Angel who needs a listening ear after her own heartbreak.
Ran was a bit of a mystery at first. Not letting anyone get close but that becomes clear as the story develops.
I loved that a few characters from a previous book showed up.
I did guess who Madame Odette was after she told Ran, Bo and Angel their fortunes at the local fete.
Loved all the rock n roll dancing and costumes, sounds fun.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC in return for an honest review

Another wonderful book from Phillipa Ashley. Full of Christmas Spirit and the importance of hope at this special time of year. A feel good triumph.