I always enjoy Donna Ashcroft's books. They are written in such a way that makes them so cosy whatever the storyline is. I always feel like reading her books are like a warm hug and you feel like you're part of the story.

I really enjoyed the characters in this story and the will they, won't they aspect of relationships. It's romantic but also relatable in some places, the doubts that they each have and anxieties.

The whole book being centred around Christmas and festivities is another bonus. I absolutely love Christmas and considering it's only May I can clearly read a Christmas book any time of the year.

Such a fun book!! Donna writes amazing books, her Christmas ones are always my favorite.

I absolutely love Holliday, the festival, and her love story!

Set in a beautiful part of the world, Christmas Resort and the nearby Christmas Village sound like a lovely location for a unique Christmas experience any time of the year.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This is the perfect warm blanket on a cold winter night type book. Perfect for those who love happy endings and Hallmark movies.

Christmas Secrets in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft was another great book by this author. I was transported to the highlands from the start and throw in anything Christmassy and I’m hooked. Christmas resort is a holiday village in the Scottish Highlands where it is Christmas all year round, what’s not to love with this. A great festive read that made me smile.

This book is for anyone that loves a sweet Christmas story or Hallmark movie. It is what you expect it to be and you enjoy it for that purpose. Like a mug of hot cocoa and a warm blanket.

A sparkling holiday love story like no other. It's festive cheer and fun left my cheeks shining and it is like a huge hug in a cute cup.

I love this series!! And this book best of all!! I want to live and work here! Christmas all year! It would be amazing! Kinda like Holly and Damon and their romance. I loved every hot chocolate holiday vibe in this book. A festive must read!
I just reviewed Christmas Secrets in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft. #ChristmasSecretsintheScottishHighlands #NetGalley
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5☆ Full of Festive Charm

CHRISTMAS IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS is a heartwarming story full of Christmas Charm, Second chances, Learning to let go, move on and Learning to Love Again.

Holliday (yes that is the main character's name and it's perfect for the story) helps run Christmas Resort but it needs a lot of up keep and the owner is looking to sell it.

In walks Damon! No Christmas Spirit, hidden agendas and determined to demolish Christmas Resort!

It's fair to say Holliday and Damon don't hit it off to start with. She doesn't trust him, and he can't let himself trust again.
But just what is he hiding!
Can Holliday and Bonnibell save Christmas Resort by convincing Damon, just how special it is!

I loved every single character it was such a charming story. I was swept away with the warmth and joy Christmas Resort bought to everyone.
Plus I absolutely love knitting so the crafting was a big bonus for me. I've made pom poms and I've knitted Xmas baubles this year.

If you're looking for a quick festive read, with plenty of snowy moments, a sprinkle of Romance, cheeky banter and a whole bunch of loveable characters then I highly recommend picking up a copy of CHRISTMAS IN THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS.

I totally fell for "Christmas Secrets in the Scottish Highlands" by Donna Ashcroft! This Christmas tale was absolutely fantastic. I mean, who wouldn't want to hang out in a Christmas village all year round? I was totally hooked on the festive vibes, and the way the author described the setting made me feel like I was right there.

The characters were awesome, especially Holliday and Damon. I was totally rooting for them to get together. Learning about their backgrounds and how they ended up where they were added a cool layer to the story. The whole gang of characters was just great, and I can totally see myself revisiting this book every Christmas. It's a definite recommendation from me!

This book reminds me so much of a Hallmark movie. I thought this was a very sweet book that I found predictable, but in the best way.

Donna Ashcroft certainly knows how to do a Christmas book and my god does she do it well. Christmas Secrets in the Scottish Highlands was an utter joy to delve into and I barely came up for air until I reached the final page. This wonderful story was packed full of festive fun along with a more serious message being explored. That being the theme of memories and the way we chose to deal with them on a day to day basis - do we avoid and destroy them or chose to celebrate and acknowledge them? I loved this strand that was running through the story and it certainly gave me plenty of food for thought as to how I deal with memories and in that sense I could really identify with the main female protagonist Holliday.

As well as this emotional and heartfelt theme which was developed and explored to perfection was the theme of Christmas and every little detail was thought of right down to Christmas tissues. I embraced every bit of Christmas throughout this story and yes there could have been a danger that there could have been a severe overload and it would have just become twee and just way over the top but thankfully the story never fell into this territory at all. In fact, I just wanted more and more as I was loving it all so much. Really, I don’t know how Donna was able to think of so much as just when you thought Christmas Village had revealed all that it had to offer then with a turn of a page there was more that the reader would never have even thought possible.

Holliday Harrison works in the Scottish Highlands at Christmas Resort which is located quite close to Christmas village which has previously featured in some of Donna’s books. But don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous books set here as there are only a few characters who make a brief reappearance and there are plenty of new characters who are introduced making this very much a stand alone novel full of glorious festivities and memories to be made. Holliday embraces all things Christmas and we soon discover it’s her method of trying to keep the memories of her fiancée alive. She lost him several years ago and still can’t move on from the fact that he is gone. Her connection to the resort prior to working there is touching and sentimental yet heart-breaking as is what she does with the house the couple shared together. Holliday is the resorts arts and entertainment manager and she relishes her role always providing the best experiences to the guests.

As I have mentioned up above every little detail is thought of when giving the guests the most magical Christmas holiday and I couldn’t get enough of the fabulous descriptions of the resort and the activities. Decorations, lights, mince pies, garlands, holly, mistletoe, gingerbread men, reindeer, Christmas trees, sleighs. I mean I could go on and on. Everything was just so amazing but I’ll leave you to discover what else the resort has to offer. Christmas Resort has been Holliday’s refuge. It’s a place where enduring memories for families are made and in small way it helps her though her grief whilst clinging to the memories and trying to Andrew alive even though he has gone from her life. But now that is threatened as the owner is selling up and Damon MacAndrew has bought it. What plans has he for it? Will it remain the same as it is although it is need of renovation in order for the magic to continue to be created.

Holliday avoids her feelings and tried to pretend that nothing has changed. By staying at the resort is she trying to remember Adrian and in doing so does his make her happier? She had carefully constructed a world around herself following her huge loss but is she just stuck in time fearful of moving on and in in doing so doing more damage than good? Her emotions are kept firmly locked inside instead of facing them and surely this will cause harm rather than tentatively stepping on the path to acceptance? This little world that she has created for herself may just very well about to come crashing down when a discovery is made that Damon has plans to completely change the resort and build a normal hotel. Can Holliday, Bonnibell and co work their magic and get Damon to change his mind? Can they make him see that Christmas is a valuable and worthwhile place which does so much for the community and the guests that visit? A plan is put into action and a fantastic story unfolds that keeps the reader rapidly turning the pages.

Damon arrives at the resort to get a sense of what he is buying into. He is handsome and catches Holliday’s eye but she can she really warm to someone who has their heart set of changing what has worked for years and means so much to so many? The reasons for Damon’s desire to change Christmas Resort quickly become evident and in one way I could understand where he was coming from as he was so hurt and angry but on the other hand he was being very dramatic and in a way very ruthless. Disloyalty and faithfulness are two very strong words in his mindset and he does seem to not want to be swayed. He keeps his plans private but a chance discovery by Innes, the housekeeper sets the cat amongst the pigeons. Damon needs to start living in the present instead of fixating on past hurts and Christmas Resort is the last place that needs to be eradicated and then he can move on. But he doesn’t bet on Holliday and co having a very different opinion from him and they are not prepared to let Christmas Resort become a part of people’s memories never to be relieved again. Damon initially came across as ruthless with a heart made of stone and I feared that Holliday wouldn’t be able to penetrate and melt the external wall of ice that he has surrounded himself with. As she sets about showing him how special and remarkable the resort is and all that it has to offer she firmly hopes that he can be persuaded to change his mind.

What follows is a gorgeous, delightful and satisfying story that will bring a smile to your face. Christmas Secrets in the Scottish Highlands was a pure piece of Christmas heaven and one of my Christmas reading highlights for 2023. It should come with a warning that you will not get any work done but at the same this is just the book you need to allow you to switch off from all the madness and preparations that ensue at this time of year. It’s a wonderful feel good read that will warm your heart and certainly have you all excited for Christmas no matter how early you read it - yes I am that person that starts their Christmas reading at the end of September/beginning of October. How could you not when there are so many fabulous Christmas books published each year?

It was evident that Donna Ashcroft was enjoying writing this entertaining and engaging story as it was infused with such warmth, humour and human understanding that I immediately fell in love with the characters, the theme and of course the amazing setting.The cover alone would make you want to pick up this book and take a trip to Christmas Resort. Make sure you do because I guarantee you won’t be one bit disappointed. I hope Donna has planned a return visit for next year as I would love to reunite with Holliday and co once again.

This is one beautiful book! I just loved everything the characters, location, season. It was all perfect. Such an easy book to read. One to get you in the festive mood.

Really charming story, gorgeous setting, very well written, flowed well, great characters that i could really connect too, and it was a lovely read, Donna always writes good books, and i love reading her stories.

A wonderful Christmas book, I really enjoyed reading this. The storyline held my interest from beginning to end and the characters within it was believable & fully-formed.
A wonderful Christmas read that a bit of cosiness for cold winter evenings.

Nice little Christmas read. I wouldn’t say that anything particularly enthralling happens and there’s no drama, it sort of just plods along, so it’s easy to read.

I do love a good Christmas novel and this one was fabulous! I loved the idea of an all year round Christmas village (I really want to go stay there!). This novel was just so lovely - there was plenty of festive scenes and I could picture the location so well so I adored that. I loved the characters too and was rooting for Holliday and Damon to get together. I enjoyed learning their back stories and how they got to be where they were. The whole cast of characters was great actually and I can see this being a Christmas novel that I re-read in the years to come. I highly recommend this one!

A warm, wintery easy read. Definitely one to snuggle down with and imagine you are in the snowy Highlands. Lovely.

What an endearing book, twists, turns, psychological issues with a bit of romance thrown in. It certainly keeps you on your toes. Loved the snow ‘scenery’ which ties in with heartwarming drinks, eateries and friendship. Awaiting next book please.

Thank you @donnaashcroftauthor @netgalley for the digital ARC 💕.

🎄Holliday trabaja en Christmas Resort, un lugar en el que hospedarte mientras vives la navidad en cualquier época del año. Todo es perfecto hasta que llega Damon, un hombre interesado a toda costa en comprar Christmas Resort, y sus intenciones no son del todo buenas. ¿Podrá Holliday convencerlo de que vale la pena salvar el resort?

🎄 Estamos ante una historia de las que te dejan el corazón calentito, y además con ambientación navideña. Con esto ya tiene todas las de ganarme. Además, ocurre en un lugar en el que es navidad... ¡¡Todo el año!! Yo necesito algo así 😍.

🎄 Los personajes son muy tiernos. Holliday es alegre, cabezota y con las ideas claras. Arrastra un pasado algo triste el cual va sanando a lo largo de la historia. Damon, por otro lado, está roto y no ve más allá de sus motivos egoistas, pero Holliday, junto al resto del resort, le hará ver las cosas con otra perspectiva.
Mención especial a Bonnibell. Esa mujer me robó el corazón 🥰.

🎄La pluma de la autora es ágil, y la ambientación está tan cuidada que la experiencia se vuelve inmersiva nada más empezar.

🎄 Una lectura perfecta para las fechas que se acercarán en breves 🤭.