This book was so cute and I loved the small town vibes. If I had one complaint it would be that it wasn't festive enough. Still 5 stars though!

This one missed the mark for me as I feel like it was a story taking place at Christmastime rather than a story that actually had anything to do with Christmas. When I read a Christmas book, I want all the Christmas activities, and this one just did not deliver!

If you’re looking for a very cozy romance, that has no spice, and is more focused on plot and Christmas cheer - this is the one for you!

Blythe is just one sale away from being the top real estate agent at her company, for twelve months straight! She just needs the right buyer, Mr. Sam Ashton, to finally agree on a home. After many failed attempts she’s finally sold him one. The catch? Sam, who hates Christmas with every fiber of his being, is moving to Holly Cross. The Christmas capital of the world…practically.

With troubles in the office aka fighting with her mansplaining co-worker, Sam thinking she’s a liar, and the town Christmas committee counting on her to get him to agree to a display, Blythe is going to need a whole lot more than Christmas cheer if she’s going to pull off the year. Maybe if she really pushes Sam to get to know the community he’ll come around…and maybe she’ll also sprout antlers on her head and fly away.

While I thought the concept of this book was super cute there just seemed to be a lot of fluff to it. The hot-and-cold between her and Sam was fine at first, but it just kept coming and going and got a little old. It was juvenile and didn’t make a lot of sense to me. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. This was an enjoyable read, I love a Christmas romance and the setting of this was beautiful.

I was thrilled to receive a ARC of this book, I love Bella Osborne and Christmas.
This book follows the story of the perfectly Christmas loving town Holly Cross, and Sam who is basically the Grinch. Great heart warming love story with so much twinkling Christmas feels. Definitely a must read for the holidays

The Perfect Christmas was a fun, festive, Christmas romance with a bit more. It begins in May and continues on until Christmas. Blythe is an estate agent that is trying to set a record for the most sales in a month and needs one more to tie with her obnoxious colleague. She calls Ben, someone she has been working with as a last ditch effort. She sends him some comps and her drives to meet her the next morning to see the places. She ends up selling him a cottage in Holly Cross, the village she is living in. It is known as the most Christmassy village in the whole country, but the problem is that Sam hates Christmas. Blythe works on him for months with each holiday that comes up trying to soften him up to participate in the Christmas challenge. At the same time, they begin to fall for each other. Will this Grinch and the woman who loves Christmas, be able to have a relationship?

This was a fun story. Watching Blythe and Sam deal with the conflict when Sam refuses to participate in the Holly Cross Christmas Celebrations was a hoot. There was some fun banter and then there was dealing with Turpin, the miserable feral cat that lived in Sam's laundry room. As he moved into the house, there were some hilarious situations. This is a book about community in a small village. They all participated to various degrees and knew everyone else's business, at least a lot of it. There are some secrets that are revealed as the story plays out. Sam finally shares why he hates Christmas and it was heartbreaking. Blythe has her own baggage dealing with her father and their relationship, so it seems that maybe these two might never get together. The festivities include decorating houses, Sexy Santa waiters for a fundraising dinner, community concerts and more. This was a fun read that I very much enjoyed.

I have read a few of Bella Osbournes books and they are the perfect feel good read. I especially like Christmas books so mix the two together and youre onto a winner.

The characters and connections I'm this book are really good. I really enjoyed one relationship in particular and when you read it I think you'll know who I mean.

This book reminded me how small towns,cozy places and soft cuddles are important in celebrating Christmas. A heart-warming story of love and faith.

There isn’t much better than a cosy Christmas romance this time of year, especially one that is definitely about Christmas! Holly Cross is known as Christmas village as they go full out for Christmas with the community as the focal point.

Get ready for all of the festive build up, from Halloween, fireworks night and then of course Christmas itself! This is a charming book that has a really strong community vibe, there are also close friendships, family ties, workplace dramas, and of course relationship dramas!

I really liked seeing all of the characters develop along the course of this book, you really start to feel for them, I think Vicky was such a strong character for me despite her not being the MC and I loved her festive Pom Poms - I’m actually going to try and make some myself although I don’t think I’ll get quite as many made as she did!!

Holly Cross residents know how to do Christmas in the right way, with lots of lights, fun, and community activities. When Blythe sells a house to Sam Ashton, she never thought he would turn out to be a Grinch! Blythe and friends make it their mission to get Sam into the Christmas spirit, and there will be lots of surprises and a little bit of mystery along the way.

This is a sweet novel with lots of fun and humor, as well as warmth and caring. Although there are some naughty innuendoes, there is no overt intimacy or strong language. This book made me laugh many times before the satisfying conclusion.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I loved this book! I devoured it in only a few sittings and wish there was more to read. The story line was paced very well and the characters were easy to love!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

This is a story of Sam who is looking for a nice house, in a cute village. He thinks he finds the perfect house but his realtor Blythe forgets to tell him how this village out does itself on Christmas. But Sam hates Christmas.

This is a heart warming story on how Sam evolves and learns to get into the Christmas spirit.

Blythe sold Sam a house in their village, without telling him just how Christmas crazy they were. Same is very anti the festive season. The villager have an uphill battle to get him onboard helping to win the Christmas competition.
The villagers are a great crew, with maybe the exception of Leonora, who acts like a head girl. You can just imagine how pretty the village is and wonder why Sam is averse to Christmas. This was a lovely read.

"The Perfect Christmas Village" by Bella Osborne is a heartwarming holiday tale that takes readers on a journey of unexpected love, community spirit, and the magic of Christmas. Osborne weaves a delightful story around Sam, a Christmas-hating city dweller, and Blythe, a real estate agent with dreams of success.

Sam, seeking the perfect home in a perfect location, unwittingly buys a cottage in Holly Cross, a village that transforms into the most Christmassy wonderland each year. Little does he know that he's about to experience a festive overload in the place he least desires it. Blythe, eager to make a sale and achieve Real Estate Agent of the Month, bends the truth to sell the house to Sam, setting the stage for a series of comical and heartwarming events.

As Sam discovers the Christmas-centric nature of Holly Cross, he unintentionally jeopardizes the village's chance to win the coveted title of Britain's Most Christmassy Village. The villagers, passionate about their holiday traditions, rally against Sam's presence, and Blythe finds herself in the middle of the chaos, tasked with fixing the situation.

Osborne skillfully crafts a narrative that captures the essence of community, love, and the transformative power of the holiday season. Despite Sam's initial aversion to Christmas, the enchanting atmosphere of Holly Cross begins to work its magic on him. As the festive season unfolds, Sam finds himself drawn to the warmth of the community and the joyous spirit of the holidays.

"The Perfect Christmas Village" is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and Christmas magic. Osborne's vivid descriptions bring Holly Cross to life, making it a place readers would want to visit, especially during the holiday season. The characters are endearing, and the plot is infused with festive cheer, making it a perfect read for those who love heartwarming Christmas stories !

Book Review: The Perfect Christmas Village by Bella Osborne

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

I really need to stop being lured in by beautiful festive-looking covers. This was another meh read for me. Don't even get me started on the morals of someone lying and selling a house to someone in a village known for Christmas when they know he hates Christmas. That is a huge side-eye right from the start. Honestly, it just went downhill from there for me. The only thing charming about this one was the cover and the setting.

The Perfect Christmas Village by Bella Osborne tells the story of Sam, a Christmas-hating individual, who finds himself moving to Holly Cross, a village that transforms into the most Christmassy place in the country every year. Blythe, a real estate agent desperate to win the title of Real Estate Agent of the Month, twists the truth to sell Sam a cottage in the midst of this festive village. Sam's arrival not only jeopardizes Holly Cross's chance to win the title of Britain's Most Perfect Christmas Village but also puts him in his own personal hell surrounded by fairy lights. With everyone looking to Blythe to fix things, the festive season looms, giving Sam the opportunity to fall in love with more than just Christmas in Holly Cross.

While the premise of The Perfect Christmas Village may seem promising, it fails to deliver on its potential, leaving readers disappointed. The major concern with this book is the questionable morality of Blythe, who deceives Sam into buying a house in a place he despises. This act of manipulation and dishonesty sets a negative tone for the entire story, making it difficult to empathize with the characters or become invested in their journey.

Moreover, the plot lacks depth and fails to explore its potential conflicts adequately. The narrative revolves around the villagers' efforts to maintain their Christmas spirit while Sam tries to cope with his aversion to the holiday season. However, these conflicts are resolved too easily and lack any real tension or emotional impact. The story feels predictable and lacks the necessary character development to make it engaging.

The writing style is also underwhelming, failing to capture the magic and charm that one would expect from a holiday-themed book. The dialogue feels forced and lacks authenticity, making it difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper level. Additionally, the pacing is inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others feel rushed, leaving little room for the story to breathe and develop naturally.

Despite its flaws, The Perfect Christmas Village does present an idyllic setting that evokes the charm of a festive village. The descriptions of Holly Cross and its transformation during the holiday season are vivid and visually appealing. However, this alone is not enough to salvage the overall reading experience.

In conclusion, The Perfect Christmas Village by Bella Osborne falls short of delivering a captivating and heartwarming holiday tale. The morally dubious actions of the characters, coupled with a lackluster plot and underdeveloped writing, make it difficult to recommend this book. If you are seeking a truly enchanting holiday read, it would be best to look elsewhere.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

🌟 Review 🌟

This was an absolutely adorable read and one that I have definitely needed, and used, to escape reality over the past week. I didn't want it to end!

I love @bellaosborneauthor books and this one was no different. Blythe was a really relatable, down-to-earth character and I empathised with her struggles with her Father especially, as well opening up after being hurt.

I love how, along with Blythe, the reader unpeels the layers of Sam to find the shiny centre of him. He is a complicated man but this book is about what we all want - to be seen, understood and loved.

I love how this book literally builds up to Christmas in terms of its structure, and skips along quicker and quicker, as this is very much how I feel about Christmas as it nears. It also helps to build the excitement and tension towards three strands of the plot - and how Bella interwove those was also brilliantly executed.

At its heart, this is book about community, family, and taking chances. It has many twists and turns. It's the perfect Christmas read!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I have loved Bella’s previous books and this was no exception - plus a holiday read is always fun! The story had me smiling and laughing a lot. The main characters are likeable and so are the rest - which is important in a book like this as you want to be transported somewhere that you’d want to go! Loved it.

The Perfect Christmas Village is all about community spirit and help when it’s needed.

Blythe is an estate agent and sells a house to Sam, but she forgets to tell an all important thing about the house and village. The village competes to be the most festive village every year, but Sam hates Christmas.

It’s a fun christmassy read that will make you smile.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

The Perfect Christmas Village was a pretty sweet read that had a heartwarming small town with a wonderfully tight-knit community. The ‘townies’ were definitely the best characters and are what made this read enjoyable for me. Sadly, that’s where my enjoyment ends.

Unfortunately, the festive feeling just wasn’t there for me. I think because this book began at the start of the year, meaning it covered more holidays than just Christmas, by time we got to Christmas I was underwhelmed. You spend over 70% of the book building up to December and that’s around the time I’d expect our main characters to get together and we’re creeping closer to Christmas. But no. Christmas happens in just one short chapter and it was very sweet though.

I understood the need for the book to begin earlier as there needed to be time for certain stories to play out, but I did find the beginning a little difficult to get through. I was confused as to why a book called The Perfect Christmas Village was spending so much time outside of the festive season. It makes sense now, but when you begin the book and it’s currently April (or whenever it started) you do have some questions.

Even after finishing the book, I’m not sold on the romance between Blythe and Sam. Too much time was spent having little spats and not enough time was spent with them actually getting to know each other. After one event Sam invites her back for coffee and out of nowhere he’s asking her to sleep with him. It’s obvious this is where the book was going, but the change in mood was drastic.

I was way more invested in Vicky and Owen, even if I didn’t like her character that much. This being the fact that she constantly objectifies Sam and Owen. There’s finding them attractive and then there’s constantly making crude comments. I felt like this brought the tone down and stopped this from being a clean romance. Which is fine, I’m not prudish but it was so out of place.

I love that Vicky and Owen had their first kiss at 17 after a Captain America film - literally what happened with my boyfriend and me, we’ve been together for over 7 and a half years now.

This wasn’t a bad read in the slightest, I had a pretty good time reading it, but the fact that it didn’t deliver on the festivities or romance is a big deal for me.

Sam who hates Christmas moves to Holly Cross, the most Christmasy village ever. sweet story and setting, I enjoyed it very much.