Emma Heatherington
On Christmas Eve, sweet-natured, obsessively organised hotel manager Bea and over-worked A&E nurse Ollie meet on the flight home to Ireland. They talk, sparks flying, the whole way. But when the plane lands, they wave goodbye, each secretly wondering if they’ll ever meet again.
A few months later, they bump into each other in London. The chance encounter leaves them breathless, til a tiny misunderstanding means that, yet again, they part as strangers. But as the next Christmas draws near, fate, it seems, won’t give up on Bea and Ollie… The only question is, will they listen to what the universe seems telling them?
Christmas Eve was just the beginning.
Maybe next Christmas they’ll fall in love?…
My Review:
Maybe Next Christmas is so much more than a festive romance. It’s a heartwarming, deeply emotional journey through love, loss, illness, and healing.
From the start, I fell in love with the characters. Bea and Ollie are clearly meant for each other, and I truly enjoyed following their journey. Bea’s struggle to navigate her long-distance relationship, which has gone stale, resonated deeply with me. She clearly loves her hospitality career in London and doesn’t want to return to Ireland to give up her dreams of one day owning her own hotel. Ollie, the caring male nurse, completely won me over. His tender relationship with his father tugged at my heartstrings in the most profound way. I also loved how Ollie’s interactions with his patients at the hospital highlighted his compassionate nature – his caring side extended beyond his family, making him even more endearing.
Then there are the other characters who play such a vital role in the story. Leroy, with his endless charm and caring ways. Nana, the dog – who doesn’t adore a dog in a story? – added even more love and light to the narrative. And Ollie’s Aunt Nora’s warmth brought an added layer of kindness to the story. Everyone needs an Aunt Nora!
The book’s setting, with its vibrant London atmosphere and cosy Irish charm, truly enhances its appeal. Emma skillfully weaves heartwarming moments throughout, creating an immersive experience that kept me turning the pages. Her vivid descriptions of The Carnation Hotel brought it to life as a place of beauty and comfort, and I was delighted to learn that it was inspired by a real city hotel.
Having lost my mother to cancer just days before Christmas in 2016, this time of year is bittersweet for me. Emma’s writing reminded me of the enduring power of love and the hope that can emerge even from profound grief. The tenderness in her storytelling, coupled with the beauty of the Irish setting, left me comforted and inspired. This book isn’t just a Christmas story—it’s a love letter to resilience, family, and the magic of human connection.
If you’re looking for a heartfelt festive read, Maybe Next Christmas is the perfect pick – whether as a treat for yourself or a gift for someone special. It’s a story that brings so much joy, and I know many readers, including myself, felt its magic during the buddy read.
The Author:
Emma Heatherington is a bestselling author from Donaghmore, County Tyrone. Her novels include the Amazon UK Top 10 bestseller and Amazon US hit, The Legacy of Lucy Harte, A Part of Me and You, A Miracle on Hope Street, Rewrite the Stars and Secrets in the Snow which debuted on The Bookseller’s Heatseeker Chart at no.2.
As well as novels, Emma has written scripts for over 70 educational short films and plays and was ghostwriter for country legend Philomena Begley on her autobiography, My Life My Music My Memories (The O’Brien Press, 2017) and Nathan Carter’s life story, Born For The Road (Penguin Ireland) which was shortlisted for the An Póst Irish Book Awards 2018. Emma also regularly contributes to the Belfast Telegraph and Irish News newspapers and has appeared on chat shows on RTE, TV3 and UTV.
Emma is living with Multiple Myeloma. You can follow her, and her story, on Facebook, Instagram and Threads
The Book:
Title: Maybe Next Christmas
Publication Date: 24 October 2024
Number of pages: 400
Purchase Link: Amazon
The Review:
I had the pleasure of reading Maybe Next Christmas as part of a buddy read organised by Izzy from @the.reading.room_ to show support for @emmaheatheringtonwriter. When this beautiful novel was published, Emma was undergoing cancer treatment, and Izzy’s thoughtful idea brought together a wonderful community of readers. We shared posts, spread the word, and celebrated Emma’s work in any way we could.
If you’re looking for a heartfelt festive read, I highly recommend picking up this book—whether as a treat for yourself or a gift for someone special. It’s a story that brings so much joy, and we all felt its magic during the buddy read.
Thank you, Izzy, for organising such a fun and meaningful event, and thank you, Emma, for writing a book filled with love, warmth, and Christmas spirit. ❤️
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts thereof, may also be published on my social medial channels – find me everywhere as momobookdiary – and book websites, such as Amazon, Goodreads, LoveReading, StoryGraph, and Waterstones. All links are correct at the time of publication.
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