Jo Bartlett has done it again with another fabulous book. Emily Anderson narrates romance books and even though she herself has been unlucky in love she still believes that it’s possible to find your soul mate. After a dip in sales and being told by his editor to give his main character a relationship Jude Cavendish is struggling to write his latest book. Encouraged to read some romance books he ends up meeting Emily. She is determined to prove to cynical Jude that love is out there. As they get to know each other they soon become friends. Will the magic of Christmas help this friendship develop into something more? This has so much depth and emotion. The story covers so many different topics, friendships , romance, illness and more. I stayed totally engaged in the story throughout. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

A gentle story that has you fully invested in Jude and Emily, as well as some of the side characters. A festive romance that isn’t too heavy on the Christmas theme but has you believing that you should give love a chance.

Emily Anderson narrates audio books for a living and although she hasn’t found her own happily ever after she still hasn’t given up on true love.
Jude Cavendish writes the kind of crime books that Emily just can’t get her head around. Why would anyone want to read about gory murders and grumpy detectives when they could be reading about romance and love.
But Jude is struggling with his latest novel, his editor has tod him that his lead character needs more of a personal life, and that is something Jude is just not comfortable writing.
After a chance meeting, Jude asks Emily for help and determined to show him that real love does exist, Emily takes him up on his offer.
Christmas is fast approaching and Emily hopes that the magic of the season will help her to show Jude what he is missing.

Emily loves romance novels but her own personal love life isn’t that great. We then have Jude who’s an author but not a romance author he has such a negative attitude towards romance but he has his reasons. He’s been told to add some romance to his own novel and gets Emily to help.

I’ve been a fan of Jo Bartlett’s writing for a long time now and I’m always so excited to read a new novel of hers. This one is set around Christmas time but reading it in June didn’t bother me at all, I loved it!

I really do love the whole grumpy x sunshine trope and this one has been done brilliantly. I was intrigued to get to know why Jude is so against romance and we do find out why.

This is the perfect comfort read for anytime of year but especially at Christmas. But I think you should read it well before then 🥰

I can’t thank Jo enough for once again adding me to her acknowledgments I appreciate it so much and it makes me so so happy.

If you want a story full of cute moments, friendship, family and love too ❤️

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the arc of this cozy and festive romance.

If you’re in the mood for a cozy, heartfelt romance with festive charm and a strong emotional core, A Cornish Winter’s Kiss by Jo Bartlett is the book for you. Set in Port Agnes, Cornwall, during the holiday season, this story is a warm cup of coco on a snowy winter's night.

This story follows Emily, an audiobook narrator with a deep love for romance novels and an even deeper belief in real love, and Jude, a bestselling crime writer who doesn’t believe in love at all. When Jude’s editor insists that his detective needs a love interest, he hires Emily to help him understand what love really looks like. What begins as a working partnership slowly evolves into something more meaningful, as Emily’s warmth and optimism begin to melt Jude’s icy exterior.

Emily is hopeful, grounded, and full of heart. Her love for her family, the holidays, and romance in all its forms brings a festive spirit to the pages. Jude, on the other hand, is a stubborn grump with a complicated past. His journey through healing and rediscovery adds a powerful emotional layer to the book. Watching him gradually open up and let go of the idea that love must always be transactional is both touching and rewarding.

My only qualms with this book is that it felt like Jude's story was a bit repetitive at times causing the pacing to be a little slow in spots. I would have also loved to know how his own book turned out after adding a romance element.

This story has strong Hallmark vibes with cozy winter dog walks, meaningful conversations, healing, and of course, a heartwarming romance. It’s grumpy-sunshine at its best, with a slow-burn love story and sweet, closed-door intimacy. Bonus points for their dogs becoming fast friends.

A Cornish Winter’s Kiss is a warm, festive romance about learning to believe in love again, even when it seems impossible. A perfect read for fans of emotional, small-town charm, and holiday magic.

Will Jude and Emily find love?
A Cornish Winter’s Kiss out by Jo Bartlett July 2, 2025
4 ⭐️
I really enjoyed this book and I loved the location the book was set in. The main characters of the book were relatable. I connected with Emily because I am kind of a hopeless romantic. Throughout the book it goes through the trauma that both characters go through in their life and overcoming them. Jude is an author and enlists Emily who is a narrator for audiobooks to help with his upcoming book. Throughout the book Emily helps Jude incorporate love into his book. As the book goes on there might be some romance going on. I really think that the book captured the meaning of love and its relation to Christmas.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for the arc.

Emily Anderson is a hopeless romantic who spends her days narrating love stories, while Jude Cavendish is a jaded crime writer stuck in a creative rut. When his publisher demands he add a romantic subplot to his next book, Jude reluctantly seeks help from Emily, and the result is an utterly charming clash of hearts and perspectives.

The dynamic between Emily and Jude is a joy to watch unfold—her optimism and warmth slowly thaw his gruff exterior, and their interactions are full of spark and humor. Their journey from reluctant collaborators to something more is handled with care, allowing genuine emotional connection to build alongside the festive atmosphere.

Set against the picturesque Cornish coast at Christmastime, the story sparkles with seasonal charm and cozy details that add to its feel-good appeal. It’s a gentle reminder that love, like the best stories, often shows up when you least expect it.

This is a cozy, uplifting read with a lovely message about finding joy—and love—in the most unexpected plot twistsThis is a heartwarming, festive romance that brings together a sunshine-hearted dreamer and a grumpy realist in the most charming way. Jo Bartlett delivers a delightful opposites-attract story filled with holiday cheer, witty banter, and slow-burning chemistry.

👫 Grumpy x Sunshine | 💕 Slow-burn romance | 🔪 Crime Writer / 🎤 🎧 audiobook narrator pairing | ☃️ ❄️Christmas vibes | 🇬🇧 Port Agnes (Cornwall)

Emily Anderson is a romance audiobook narrator who lives and breathes love stories, even if her own romantic life feels more like a tearjerker than a fairy tale. Still, she holds out hope that her own happily-ever-after is out there somewhere — perhaps just beyond the next chapter. Jude Cavendish is her opposite in every way: a bestselling crime author with a cynical streak, currently battling severe writer’s block. When his publisher insists he add a romantic subplot to his next thriller, he’s appalled — until Emily is suggested as the perfect guide to help him find the “heart” in his work. She's all warmth and optimism; he’s brooding and bitter. As the two collide in the most charming Cornish setting at Christmas, their creative collaboration becomes something deeper, and both must confront their pasts and decide if love is more than just a genre trope.

Sometimes, a book wraps itself around your heart like a cozy scarf on a frosty day — and A Cornish Winter’s Kiss by Jo Bartlett does exactly that. With a cozy Christmas setting, lovable characters, and a delightful opposites-attract dynamic, Jo Bartlett weaves a story that feels like a festive hug. Jo Bartlett was a new-to-me author in 2025, and what a lovely discovery she’s been. This was one of those stories that made me smile through so many chapters, and yes, I devoured it in just a couple of days. It’s the kind of book you finish with a full heart and a TBR list that’s just grown by several Jo Bartlett titles.

The heart of this novel are Emily & Jude. These are characters you’ll fall for. This is a story about healing, second chances, and the courage to believe in love again. It’s also about the transformative power of connection — both professional and personal — and how joy can bloom in the most unexpected places.

Emily is the kind of character you root for from page one — bubbly, hopeful, and genuinely kind. She's the embodiment of a modern romantic: someone who chooses joy and softness in a world that often doesn't return the favor. Her optimism isn’t naïve; it’s earned, and that makes her emotional journey all the more touching. I was particularly touched by Emily’s relationship with her parents—especially the honest, tender portrayal of her mum’s health challenges. These moments grounded the book with genuine heart.

Jude, on the other hand, is deliciously grumpy with layers of unresolved trauma and emotional walls that make his transformation all the more rewarding. He’s not just "grumpy" for the sake of trope — he’s a man whose past has shaped his present, and watching him rediscover wonder and warmth is incredibly satisfying. Jude’s backstory is equally compelling. His struggle with past grief, abandonment, and identity brings a layer of realism to his guarded nature. One subplot involving the search for his birth mother was especially poignant—I wished it had been explored even further. Even the supporting characters shine — Emily’s parents are delightful, especially with hilarious touches like their dog named Gary Barlow (yes, really).

Jo Bartlett’s writing is smooth and comforting, with just enough wit to keep things light and just enough emotional depth to make you feel invested. The dialogue sparkles, the pacing is spot-on, and the setting — the windswept Cornish coast in winter — is rendered with such charm, you can almost feel the sea spray and smell of Christmas dinner. Is it a little predictable in places? Sure. But sometimes, predictability is part of the joy — like knowing exactly how your favorite Christmas movie will end, but watching it anyway because it makes your heart full.

Whether you’re a romance junkie, a holiday fiction enthusiast, or just someone craving a satisfying story with lovable characters and a few emotional plot twists, this book will hit the spot.

((rating 4.3))

There is something special about Jo's books and this one is no exception. Good plot and interesting characters make for a lovely book.

A Cornish Winter's Kiss is the perfect heartwarming read for Christmas in July. I got quite emotional with this one as it brought to light some of the reasons why everyone doesn't love Christmas. I was rooting for the characters and the more of their back story that I learnt the more realistic they became in my eyes. Of course I instantly loved the dogs in the book. The plot sets a nice even pace that has you feeling emotionally warm inside. It's a beautiful story that I love and maybe there could be a sequel for Christmas next year with Emily and Jude. Fingers crossed because I would be so excited for it.

Emily Anderson narrates romances for a living and fully believes her happily ever after is just one well-timed meet-cute away. Jude Cavendish writes about dead bodies and heartbreak and looks personally offended by the concept of mistletoe. So when his publisher demands he add a romantic subplot to his thriller, Jude looks like someone just asked him to co-write a Hallmark movie. Cue Emily, armed with holiday spirit, optimism, and just enough chaos to ruin this man’s commitment to emotional repression.

This is textbook grumpy meets sunshine but with enough cinnamon-sugar angst to make you misty. Emily is lovable without being perfect, constantly juggling her mum’s illness, her self-worth, and the exhausting job of always being the emotional support human. Jude starts off full porcupine, but watching him thaw? Delightful. Frustrating. Worth every grumble.

Cornwall shines like a Christmas postcard, complete with dogs named Rufus and Gary Barlow (yes, really), parents who make you cry and laugh in the same scene, and the kind of background magic that makes everything feel charmed even when it’s messy. Jude’s whole abandonment-adoption-family mystery storyline has depth, even if the emotional wrap-up hits a little too fast and too clean.

If you’ve read any holiday romance ever, you’ll see the clichés coming. But Jo Bartlett leans in hard, and it works. There’s comfort in the familiarity. The point isn’t surprise; it’s satisfaction. You want the clichés, the slow burn, the dramatic miscommunication, and you want them delivered with charm. Mission accomplished.

And look, the chemistry? They’ve got it. The writing sessions, the subtle glances, the heart-spill scenes in cafés... it’s slow and cozy and intimate without ever getting truly spicy, but it works because the tension builds from mutual respect and actual connection. Imagine yelling at a man about why love matters and watching him fall for you mid-rant. That’s the vibe.

The audiobook subplot adds another meta layer that works so well, especially when Emily’s idol Sophia Wainwright shows up like a fairy godmother with deadlines. It’s a neat little mirror to the central theme of how stories shape people, and how the right voice can make you believe in something you thought you’d outgrown.

A few plot threads tie up faster than expected, but honestly? When the book is this warm and charming, you forgive the shortcuts. The dialogue sparkles, the characters feel real, and the emotional hits land with surprising force for something that feels like reading a mug of peppermint mocha.

So yeah, this gets 4 stars. Because it made me laugh at dog karaoke, cry at a father-son conversation, and briefly consider throwing my phone across the room when Jude said the dumbest possible thing at the worst possible time.

Merry Mayhem Prize: For Dragging a Cynical Crime Writer Kicking and Screaming Into Love via Dogs, Pastry, and Sheer Determination

Huge thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I’ll be microwaving old cocoa, watching "The Holiday" (again), and pretending Cornwall is just a train ride away.

What a fabulous book. A new storyline following Emma and Jude. One is a crime writer and one loves romance books. Can Em transpose her love of romance both in the written form as well as in life. Loveable characters and a believe able story. I could easily read more about these characters. Thanks to Jo and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

I highly suggest you pick this book up for the perfect seasonal read come autumn/ winter, it’s got everything you need in a great read adorable characters, set in Cornwall, it’s Christmas and oh yes the most heartwarming romance, grab your cocoa, pop the fire on and your feet up , you’ll be in book heaven, I was.

Jo Bartlett is a wonderful writer who brings her characters and stories to life right off the page.

This is the story of Sophia, a voice actress who reads romantic audio books and Jude a crime writer, who needs some inspiration to help make his new book a success. Will they ever agree that true love and romance exsists?

I could not put this book down, lovely characters, amazing surroundings set in Cornwall at Christmas time and romance, a big hug in a book.

I absolutely adore this authors books so couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one. Loved the characters of Emily and Jude and was totally invested in their stories.

The story has a Christmas theme which was really warm and cosy and didn’t matter that I was reading it in May as I often immerse myself in Christmas reads during the summer season. It was so much more than just an Xmas read though as it also covered a lot of sensitive topics surrounding family
Dynamics and discovering yourself.

I would love a sequel to this to see where Emily and Jude’s life takes them.

Super cute romance ! I love it when one or more of the MC are writers. Emily and Jude are just great people. Jude has plenty of interesting and comprehensible internal conflicts. Emily has more of external conflicts : she is always ready to put herself aside to help her parents.

They were meant to meet.

Is it really credible for Jude to find out all his history in just a few days while he had been abandonned as a baby and new nobody from this time ? No, it's probably a bit too easy and he needs a good psychotherapy to sort out the abandonment and father issues.
But I totally get that the author could drag the book for another 500 pages. It's a romance after all !

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Anderson adores romance- both in books and in real life (though her own love life is more ‘tragic subplot’ than happily-ever-after’). Emily spends her days as an audiobook narrator, bringing love stories to life, hoping one day, her own perfect romance will come true.

Jude Cavendish, doesn’t believe in romance. He’s a crime writer with a serious case of writer’s block. He’s horrified when his publisher asks him to add a love story to his latest novel. He knows murder and mayhem- not grand gestures and stolen kisses.

When their paths cross at a book reading, Jude turns to Emily to ask her for help introducing a love interest into his new novel. Emily is determined to show him love is more than just fiction, and he’s determined to prove her wrong.

A Cornish Winter’s Kiss is such a sweet romance between Emily and Jude but there’s so much more to the story. The characters are lovely and you come to understand the way they are through their backstories. Both are in Cornwall to visit their families but the two families couldn’t be more different. I was totally invested in this slow romance from the first page. Heartwarming, moving and a lovely read as are all of the author’s books. A story of loss, love and new beginnings.

Thank you Netgalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not quite sure why this is being released in July given that it's lovely and Christmassy but I can read Christmas books all year so I didn't mind.

I'd never read anything by this author before but I'll definitely look to read more books by them in the future. A Cornish Winter's Kiss is such a sweet romance between Emily and Jude but there's so much more to it as well. I love the fact that Emily's parents' dog is called Gary Barlow, it's such a funny detail. Emily's parents are great characters and so positive despite her mum, Patsy's health issues, which are treated with sensitivity.

I can understand why Jude didn't believe in love at the beginning of the book given everything he's been through with the tragic passing of his adoptive mum when he was only 10 and then his horrible, meddling stepmother, Sandra.

I got really involved in Jude struggling to decide whether to try and find his biological mother and would've liked the author to take the storyline even further. The only quibble I have with the plot is Jude's relationship with his father because I've got a similarly complicated relationship with my Dad and I felt like it was resolved a little too quickly but that's probably a personal preference.

If you’re looking for a warm blanket of a book to curl up with on a cold evening, Cornish Winter’s Kiss delivers exactly that — a light, charming, and festive read with just enough heart to leave you smiling. Hopeless sunshine Emily and grumpy Mr “I don’t need romance” Jude. From the beginning that story caught my attention and I was pleasantly surprised with his interesting it was even with some too predictable moments. I wanted to note how we had portraying their personalities throughout family relationships. It was necessary for understanding characters.
That story is not not groundbreaking, but it’s not trying to be. Cornish Winter’s Kiss is comfort reading at its finest — like hot chocolate in book form. Perfect for romance lovers, holiday binge readers, or anyone needing a little plot twist of joy.
I’m grateful to be part of that ARC team, thanks

I love a Jo Bartlett book and this one is no exception. It’s a great read and has some interesting characters. It’s a bit of an up and down story but one that I really enjoyed