Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin @hollymartin00 @BonnierZaffre

Snow is falling on White Cliff Bay, where Christmas is magical and love is in the air . .

Penny Meadows loves her cosy cottage with its stunning views over the snow-topped town of White Cliff Bay, but not even the roaring log fire can keep her personal life from feeling frozen.

That is until dashing Henry and his daughter Daisy arrive at the cottage for the festive season. And between decking the halls and baking delicious mince pies, Penny realises there is more to Henry than meets the eye.

With sleigh bells ringing and fairy lights twinkling, the ice-sculpting competition and Christmas Eve ball are in full swing. Will Penny be able to melt the ice and allow love into her heart? And will she finally have the perfect Christmas she's been dreaming of?

Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin was published in paperback by Zaffre on 20 October 2016.

Here I am, reviewing another Christmas book. I don't usually read any Christmas-themed books, but this year I've read and enjoyed two!

I've not read anything by this author before, Christmas at Lilac Cottage is the first book in the White Cliff Bay series, and it's an entertaining story. Easy to read with a really great setting. The author has created some delightful characters too, and I think it is her character development that is the strongest point in this book.
Penny lives alone, her friends seem to have moved on with life much faster than she has. Penny still bears the scars from previous relationships but she's had an idea. She will rent out the annexe of her home, not only will that bring in some extra money, but she will have some company too.
When Henry and Daisy, the new tenants, appear on the scene, Penny's life is turned upside down.

Christmas at Lilac Cottage is a feel-good read. From the beautifully illustrated sparkly cover, to the whirlwind romance, it all falls nicely into place. There were certain aspects of the blossoming relationship that were maybe a little too contrived, and crikey, it did all happy very quickly! But hey, it's Christmas, we all need a bit of romance and glitter every now and again don't we?

Holly Martin adds a dollop of fun to her well imagined characters and has produced a book that will cheer everyone on the coldest winter evening.


My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.

Holly lives in sunny Devon in a little white cottage by the sea. She studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of her colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years’ service was the moment when she knew she had to escape. She quit her job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, she emerged wide eyed and terrified that she now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. She taught for four years and then escaped the classroom to teach history workshops, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next. But the long journeys around the UK and many hours sat on the M25 gave her a lot of time to plan out her stories and she now writes full time, doing what she loves.

Holly has been writing for 7 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance 2013 with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance 2014. 

Follow her on Twitter @hollymartin00






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