In this charming new holiday novel from Beth Moran, readers follow Mary as she’s running away from her past and her problems with an upcoming due date. Having found a new home in the forest, Mary is a bit far from the hospital and has no idea how important taxi driver Beckett will be. As she adjusts to parenthood and life in this close-knit community, Beckett is at her side and ready to help her even when she doesn’t have the energy to care for herself. As she learns what it means to belong and starts her life over, this might be the catalyst her life needs for a restart and a chance at a happy ending. The characters in this book are well-written and packed with details, and the alternating perspectives really allow Mary and Beckett’s respective storylines to develop as the novel progresses. The atmosphere of the village and its inhabitants really bring the larger emotional messages and their respective character development home and pull readers into the larger story. Entertaining, emotional, and heartwarming, readers will love this charming wintery novel, its incredible characters and vibrant setting, and brilliant writing about love, family, and community from Beth Moran.

One of the best parts of being a book reviewer is having a really good reason to read Christmas books in the middle of summer! @bethmoranauthor new book released today!
Pregnant, alone, and in a cottage in the middle of the woods Mary has been struggling to start her new life. When her water breaks in the middle of a snow storm she calls a taxi to get her to the hospital. Beckett has been trying to mange his life and balance his responsibilities. A final taxi fare on a stormy night will bring him even more responsibility but also maybe some new joy.
This is one of those cozy and happy Christmas novels that definitely puts me in a Christmasy mood.
Thank you to @netgalley and @theboldbookclub for letting me have a chance to read this one ahead of time.
#christmas #themostwonderfultimeoftheyear #readersofig #readersofinsta #readmore #bookreviews #bookreccomendations

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This was a heavy Christmas story, with a lot of feels. I enjoyed every second of it. I did not want the story to end.

I think I’ve mentioned it before but I really enjoy Beth Moran books. I was lucky enough to be gifted this to read in return for an honest review and yet again I loved her books.
The wrap you with a warm hug and keep you enthralled throughout.
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year starts with us meeting Mary, a very pregnant lady who lives in the forest on her own. She needs a taxi to get her to the hospital and the taxi man who knocks at her door happens to be a giant lovely person who helps her more than she realises she needs. Lovely story and characters.

so most people who know me, will also know how Im not a fan of pregnancy in books. however, this story, this romance started in the most original way, and i really rooted for these characters. i love that they are both caretakers in need of somr caretaking, and i love how they just forn the cutest little family. it looks like a christmas read but you can read it any time during the winter (or fall, like me).
really enjoyable read.

thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

Aside from the churchy stuff I really enjoyed this book. It seemed weird to have a side character who escaped a religious cult find solace in another…um…well a church. Nice as it seemed. I do really enjoy this series of books set around Sherwood Forest. It’d be nice to have a book about Marvin as a young man.

This was the most beautiful story of new beginnings friendships and community spirit with a sprinkling of romance and plenty of Christmas magic thrown in but also covers a lot of other deep themes in a very sensitive way which are all in their own way part of this fabulous read which is so more than just a festive read.

Mary and Beckett were both brilliant characters and loved how they both developed as the story unfolded and began to trust and help each other navigate the path ahead.

If your looking for a heartwarming and uplifting read to make you smile this winter then I highly recommend.

A sweet story about fresh starts. Mary and Beckett are thrown together and both find the friendship they didn't realize they needed. They pull each other out of their shells and build a community that loves and supports them.

I really enjoyed 'The most wonderful time of the year' from the premise to the characters, it was likeable, cozy, warm, full of heart and christmas cheer - the perfect holiday read.

Mary was a great main character and I really liked her story, and how she came to realise that sometimes life doesnt work out how you think it will.

It was a fun festive read and I would recommend.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5 /5

This book was definitely a cozy, Christmassy read filled with heartfelt moments. The story begins with Mary, who finds herself unexpectedly in labor while hiding deep in a forest, and is rescued by Beckett, a driver who bravely battles a blizzard to get her to the hospital. As Mary adjusts to life with her newborn, Beckett’s patience and kindness introduce her to a warm, tightly knit community she never expected to join.

I loved the characters in this story, as each of them had a significant purpose throughout. The author carefully infused emotional depth into the characters, bringing deeper themes to the surface. The blossoming romance between Mary and Beckett was truly heartwarming.

This story was built so skillfully that I never felt bored for a single moment. The Christmas vibes made it even more beautiful and enchanting.

I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy festive romance that will warm your heart this holiday season.

This book is perfect for the festive season, brimming with Christmas cheer and a touch of mistletoe. I promise you that Mary and her family will capture your heart.

I have found a new auto-buy author! Every book I've read by Beth Moran leaves me feeling happy and hopeful. I mean, I've only read her Christmas ones... but they go beyond a meet-cute love story. The meet-cute of Beckett and Mary is beyond adorable. Isolated in Sherwood Forest, Mary calls for a taxi to get to the hospital... on Christmas Eve... in a snowstorm. You know there is going to be an unbreakable bond between these two!

What I was captivated by were the backstories of Beckett and Mary. There is some heavy baggage to unpack here but their chance encounter was the beginning of finding their village and navigating complex relationships. Their village, full of quirky and loveable characters, evolves into a found family. It was such a feel-good read!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an opportunity to read this.

This book was the most wonderful festive hug and gave me everything I wanted from a really great seasonal read.
As always with a Beth Moran book, the characters seem to almost come to life from the page and they become people that I cared about through the telling of their story. Learning about both Mary and Beckett's troubles and history made this into such a wonderful will they - wont they story where it felt like the author was sharing her affection for these characters with us on the page. Mary's past was obviously a troubling one with the drips of it we were shown and then to hear what had happened, it made me wonder what I would have done in her situation.
This story was rich with human emotions and festive cheer. there was a lot of Christmas imagery and traditions as well as the friendships that develop from the emergency start to this book.
I found this to be a wonderful read and am looking forward to more from this very talented author.

I just finished The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Beth Morgan, and it gave me all the cozy holiday vibes! This story captures everything I love about Christmas—family, love, second chances, and of course, plenty of festive cheer. The author’s writing feels warm and inviting and the characters are easy to connect with. I loved how she blended the sparkle of the season with real emotions, reminding us that the holidays aren’t always perfect but they can still be magical. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to curl up with a blanket, sip hot chocolate and watch the Christmas lights twinkle while you turn the pages. Perfect for anyone who wants a heartwarming, feel-good read to get into the spirit of the season. This one definitely put me in the holiday mood (even though I read it in August!)!

A really lovely festive read. Dealing with some difficult issues in a really compassionate way. Great well-written characters and a wonderful story line. I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended.

What a wonderful holiday read! Beth Moran always writes interesting stories with such great characters and this is no exception. I especially love that Mary and Beckett find a community that not only supports them but becomes a family of choice. Grab your cocoa and enjoy! Thanks #NetGalley #Boldwoodbooks

Beth Moran’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant novel that perfectly captures the spirit of festive storytelling. At its heart is Mary, a woman burdened by a past she is desperate to escape and a future she feels unprepared for, expecting a child and searching for stability. When a blizzard forces her into the care of Beckett, a quiet, dependable taxi driver, her life begins to change in ways she could never have anticipated.

Moran excels at creating a sense of place and atmosphere, immersing readers in the remote, snowbound community with vivid sensory detail. The story balances tension, warmth, and humor, exploring themes of belonging, resilience, and the transformative power of human connection. Beckett’s steadfastness complements Mary’s initial vulnerability, creating a relationship that evolves naturally and believably over the course of the novel.

What sets this book apart is Moran’s ability to combine heartwarming narrative with emotional depth. Mary’s journey is not just about romance or festive cheer—it’s about discovering strength, finding trust, and accepting that support can come from the most unexpected places. The secondary characters add richness and authenticity, from the quirky, supportive townsfolk to the subtle but meaningful interactions that highlight the importance of community.

Moran’s prose is approachable yet evocative, with moments that are genuinely moving and others that elicit warmth and laughter. The pacing is excellent, and the story unfolds with enough tension to keep readers engaged while never sacrificing its comforting, uplifting tone. The festive setting is woven seamlessly into the narrative, giving the novel a sense of occasion without feeling overwrought or cliché.

In summary, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is an emotionally satisfying, heartwarming read, ideal for fans of contemporary women’s fiction and festive stories with depth. Beth Moran delivers a narrative that leaves readers with a sense of hope, belonging, and the kind of gentle joy that lingers long after the final page. This is a novel that will resonate with anyone seeking a comforting, heartfelt, and beautifully written story during the holiday season—or any time of year.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A festive, heartwarming, and deeply moving tale of love, resilience, and community.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, by Beth Moran, is the story of Mary Whittington as she navigates the most terrible year of her life. Alone and self isolated in a dismal cottage in Sherwood Forest, Mary is embarking on motherhood alone. With no car and labor pains weeks early, she has no choice but to call a cab only getting a quick pick up when she explains her circumstances.

Beckett Bywater, doctor in training but not licensed due to leaving before residency to care for his failing Gramps, is the driver on duty when Mary’s call comes through. In a troubled effort to get to the hospital with stopped traffic and snow falling, Beckett makes an emergency decision by taking Mary to New Life Community Church, seeking safety and solace for Mary to give birth.

As the story unfurls so do the life lessons of empathy, inclusion, community, responsibility, self confidence, friendship, and found family. With surprising incidents, laughter, and caring, these lovely characters present a beautiful holiday tale. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Let me start by saying—I don’t cry easily. Months, even years, can go by without me shedding a tear. My husband even jokes and calls me the “ice queen.” But this book? This FIVE STAR read completely broke through my walls, especially at the ending.

I didn’t expect to get so attached to the characters—Mary, Beckett, Gramps, Bob, and the whole community they stumble upon after one unforgettable taxi ride. By the time I finished, I was wishing I could check in on them again—one, three, even five years down the road—just to see where life has taken them. Crossing my fingers for a sequel!

This story is emotional, uplifting, and full of Christmas spirit. Even though I read it in the middle of summer, its snowy setting made me feel like I was right there in the season.

This is the first book I’ve read by Beth Moran, but after looking her up on Goodreads, I realized I’ve already marked so many of her books as “want to read.” After this one, she’s officially on my must-read author list.

Thank you NetGalley, Beth Moran, and Boldwood Books for the ARC—writing this review was pure joy!

Sweet story of Mary, who meets Beckett when he arrives at her house to taxi her to the hospital when she goes into labour.

What follows is the tale of how Mary and Beckett came to be at the points they are in their lives, the people around them and the new friends they meet on the way.

I loved the characters. They are all so lovely and the community that Mary and Beckett find themselves part of is so well-drawn and believable that I want to go and meet them all.

The setting in Sherwood Forest is lovely too.

Touching on a wide range of subjects such as death, dementia, caring for ageing family, adoption, parental neglect and much more, this isn’t as twee a story as the title might have you believe. It’s well-written, thoroughly enjoyable and gently thought-provoking. I would recommend getting a cup of tea and a slice of cake and settle down for a lovely afternoon read.

My only question is ‘why does no one comment on what an unusual name
Beckett is?’