Emma Heatherington
Two strangers. One double-booked cottage.
This Christmas will be one to remember. . .
Rose used to love Christmas – until the year everything changed. She hasn’t been home to visit her family for the holidays since. Charlie is facing his first Christmas alone. It may be the most wonderful time of the year for some, but not for him. Not this year. In search of comfort and seclusion, Rose escapes to a cottage in rural Donegal to hunker down for the festive season by herself. But when Charlie opens the door to Seaview Cottage, the two strangers realise that their holiday rental has been double-booked.
They both expected to spend this Christmas alone. But their lives could be changed forever if they agree to spend it together. . .
My Review:
This Christmas by Emma Heatherington is a truly beautiful story that will fill your heart and may even bring a (happy) tear to your eye.
At the heart of the story is Rose, a kind and relatable protagonist carrying the heavy burden of heartache. Seeking solace from festive celebrations, she retreats to her cousin’s old cottage in Donegal, planning to spend Christmas alone with her loyal and lovable dog, George.
Then there’s Charlie, navigating a different kind of grief. Initially coming across as pretentious and judgmental, his guarded demeanor gradually reveals a deeply hurt individual afraid of enduring more pain. His faithful dog, Max, is a steadfast companion, bringing warmth and light to Charlie’s solitary world.
When Rose and Charlie discover their Christmas plans are unexpectedly intertwined, the result is a heartfelt journey of shared healing, blossoming connection, and rediscovered hope. Their growing relationship – unfolds in tender, funny, and endearing moments that kept me smiling throughout. And speaking of smiles, the true stars of the book are undoubtedly George and Max. These adorable dogs add so much joy and charm, perfectly complementing the emotional depth of their owners’ journeys.
The vivid descriptions of the quaint Donegal village transported me entirely, making it easy to picture myself there alongside Rose, Charlie, and their furry friends. The story captures the complexities of love, loss, and the unique mix of emotions Christmas often brings—whether it’s the pain of missing loved ones or the bittersweet hope of mending estranged relationships.
I devoured this page-turner in less than 24 hours, utterly captivated by its warmth, humor, and heart. If you’re looking for a festive romance brimming with love, hope, and the promise of a happy-ever-after, This Christmas is the perfect read. Highly recommended!
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: This Christmas
Publication Date: 31 August 2023
Number of pages: 388
Purchase Link: Amazon
The Review:
I had the pleasure of reading This Christmas while participating in the #TheBigBuddyRead organised by Izzy from @the.reading.room_ to show support for @emmaheatheringtonwriter. During the final stages of publication for Emma’s latest novel, Maybe Next Christmas, she was undergoing cancer treatment. Izzy’s thoughtful initiative brought together a wonderful community of readers to celebrate Emma’s work. We shared posts, spread the word, and found creative ways to honor Emma’s talent and resilience. Many of us quickly devoured Maybe Next Christmas and then moved on to last year’s release, This Christmas.
If you’re looking for a heartfelt festive read, I highly recommend picking up This Christmas and/or Maybe Next Christmas – whether as a treat for yourself or as a gift for someone special. It’s a story brimming with joy and warmth, and its magic truly shone through during the buddy read.
A big thank you to Izzy for organising such a meaningful and enjoyable event, and to Emma for writing books filled with love, hope, 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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