Such a wonderful warm story, full of Christmas and community spirit, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of visiting Middledip and all the lovely people who live there, I feel very christmassy now

Chick lit? Romcom? Oh, so much more depth. Sue Moorcroft is one of my favourite authors. She brings characters alive and paints magical descriptions of the village, thee season and Christmas. She also tackles issues with sensitivity - assault, agoraphobia, infertility and bullying and how they can be helped with no quick fixes. She also shows in this book glimpses of what it is like to be an artist and how they see their creations. This all becomes a homogeneous whole that draws you in and keeps you reading to the very last page with a satisfying twist at the end. If you are looking for a Christmas book, you couldn’t do better than this. It is a lovely book and I recommend it.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for a ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Laurel has to return to the family home in the little village of Middledip to help her sister, who is suffering from agoraphobia. Whilst there, she finds herself having to face up to a long ago trauma and her teenage past. Will she be able to get beyond her history to settle once again?

Under The Mistletoe is a romance story, but it also tackles some hard hitting emotional issues, bullying and sexual assault. I did find some parts uncomfortable to read, but they were certainly thought provoking.

A great set of believable characters, I loved Lauren's niece Daisy and grumpy Gabe. A good read, definitely won't be my last by this author.

*Please review content warnings before reading Under the Mistletoe*

Under the Mistletoe was my first Sue Moorcroft book – and it was certainly not what I was expecting.
This story is about Laurel, a recent divorcee, returning to her hometown of Middledip to support her sister Rea, who has started to struggle with agoraphobia. Middledip is a place Laurel had been trying to avoid, due to a traumatic incident that occurred back when she was a teenager. Returning home brings this traumatic incident back to the forefront for her, especially since one of the perpetrators is still living in the village, along with his brother, Laurel’s first love.

Though set in a snowy, small-town village during the magic of Christmas, Under the Mistletoe manages to be a book full of dramatic moments and tension. The book does have its wholesome and romantic moments, though I wish they were more present throughout. The drama was fairly draining, and I found Laurel to be unreasonable at times. I appreciated the writing and character growth that was present, but I never felt emotional attachment to the story or characters. Overall, I found the book to be very average and not quite my taste.

(Note: I was provided an advanced copy of Under the Mistletoe by the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)

Content Warnings: sexual assault, agoraphobia, bullying, panic attacks, infertility, minor sexual content

Review of Under the Mistletoe by Sue Moorcroft

Divorcee Laurel returns home to Middledip to help her sister with her acrophobia and her nieces truancy. Also running into her old boyfriend along the way. I always enjoy Sue Moorcrofts books and this one was no different. An enjoyable read that tackled some difficult subjects. Recommended

A lovely Christmas book which has many characters facing demons. Laurel returns to Middledip and is the main character, but there is so much else going on. A very Christmassy setting and will not disappoint.

Loved how descriptive this book was, we follow laurel who has returned to the village she grew up in to help her sister and her niece, as her sister suffers from agoraphobia and it's effecting her niece, she bumps into an old flame Grady and slowly falls for him again despite what his brother had done to laurel when she was a teenager, can she get past what's happened and learn to slowly forgive, a book I couldn't put down, loved the storyline and the characters were brilliant
Well written and would highly recommend

I love Sue Moorcrofts books and this book was no different.

A book filled with romance and set at Christmas, I could not ask for more in a book. Its well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

The relationships and dramas in this book are brilliant and I wanted to know what was going to happen with Laurel and Grady.

Loved this book, will definitely recommend.

Under the Mistletoe by Sue Moorcroft is a wonderful, contemporary romance that takes place in a small village full of second chances and festive spirit. I loved it!

I have been a fan of Ms. Moorcroft for some time now, so I was excited to read her newest book.

Such a beautifully described quaint English village with all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and holiday cheer. Those activities paired nicely to the heavier content included and created a nice balance. Yes it is an adorable village, however small towns have their own troubles. Laurel returns to her childhood home to help out her sister (whom helped her out growing up) and her niece just when they need it the most. She doesn’t want to return. It is full of bad past experiences and a traumatic event. But, she faces the task full on.

She encounters a past significant other, Grady, whom a miscommunication and associated past events led to their separation. Can Laurel and Grady, and his brother Mac as well, find a way to acknowledge, accept, forgive, and move forward? Is there still a spark hidden that could be encouraged for Laurel and Grady? Can Laurel help her family move towards a positive future?

A little Christmas magic and hope will be needed to make this all come true. I truly enjoyed the journey to find this positive and uplifting ending.

5/5 stars. I highly recommend!

Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

This is the first book I read from this genre and from this author, but in December you can count on me to be in front of my TV, eating sweets and drinking a coffee while watching a christmas movie. This is how I knew I HAD to give a chance to this book and, oh my I was not disappointed.

This story brought so much more than just a nice and cosy Christmas read. Laurel's story is, unfortunately, not as rare as one can think, and needs to be widely discussed. By tackling different types of traumas and anxiety issues, this book is so much more than just a Christmas romance, it gives perspectives by observing traumas through different set of eyes.

I certainly am going to read other books by the same author. Again, thank you netgalley for providing me with a copy of this gem.

Another great book from Sue! Longing for those cold festive nights now. Great read to curl up with this winter

Absolutely love a Christmas themed book. Perfect reading for a winter's night. Fast paced, easy to read.

Christmas themed books are my favourite and this was a great addition to that genre. Makes you feel all festive!

Let The Festivities Begin…
In Middledip for the Festive season. Laurel has returned looking for a new start but life in Middledip throws up its own brand of stresses and strains. Will things be straightened out in time for a perfect Christmas? Unashamedly full of the festive spirit with a colourful cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Ideal holiday reading for some guaranteed escapism.

Just lovely. Gentle romance that brews over the whole book. The book doesn’t shy away from some hard issues and deals with emotional issues, sexual attack and agoraphobia really sensitively. The book is tense and whilst the happy ending is always assumed it could come in so many guises that the ending is always in doubt. Real tender relationships are explored along with the notions of forgiveness and forgetting all very well written. The exploration of art and its many ways of being produced is interesting and done delicately.
Incredibly moving and cute.

Whats not to love about a Sue Moorcroft book! This one will not disappoint & it also comes with wise words about moving on. Laurel moves bck to Middledip to move in with her sister Rea, who has agraphobia and her neice Daisy. Laurel is recently divorced & is looking for a new begining & hopefully moving to Cornwall to continue her career as an artist. There are bad memories in Middledip which are never far from Laurels thoughts & are exacerbated by seeing the Cassidy brothers. Difficult time ahead for her but will it get better? A lovely Christmas story thats highly recommended.

So much more than a Christmas read!

Always a delight to return to Middledip too, cant deny a little heart flutter at the mention of Ratty and a delight to pop into the Three Fishes too!

This is a story full of hope, love, friendship, family and community spirit. Mixed with the delicate magic of how Sue explores topics such as Agraphobia, Infertility, Assault and the wonders of art in its many forms from gourd, painting and wreath making (which I'm certainly going to try this year). All of this is why I love reading Sue's books, she transports you, makes you feel for characters and educates.
Another smashing 5* read!

I want to fist say thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me the eARC. I want to say that she handle the emotional subjects amazingly, this book talks about bullying, forgiveness, guilt, and more. The book it’s about Lauren going back to middledip temporarily to help her sister that is suffering from Agra phobia, and her nice daisy is also suffering from bullying at school. The author raised awareness about this issues. Lauren is also returning to a place where she had a bad experience when she was young and she is also reunited with her ex boyfriend but things between them are complicated. The book is good and I really like the the authors way of writing.

Oh this book was just perfection and has gotten me really excited for the Christmas season already!

Sue Moorcroft knows how to write a perfect festive story!

This is one of my favourite authors.
Set against the chocolate box setting of a small English village at Christmas this is a charming second-chance romance. Love love loved it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️