🌟 Review Note:
I am excited to share my review as part of the Virtual Book Tour hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours which is running 13–19 October 2025. You can follow along with the Book Tour Schedule to see what other readers thought about this festive romance.
Thank you Susanne McCarthy, Joffe Books and Zooloo’s Book Tours for inviting me along and for providing a copy of the digital edition of this new novel (via NetGalley) to read and review.
As always, this review reflects my honest thoughts.
About the book
Two broken hearts. One magical Christmas by the sea.
When Jess calls off her wedding just weeks before the big day, she escapes to the coastal village of Sturcombe Bay for a fresh start.
Swapping wedding plans for Christmas preparation at the fading Carleton Hotel, she’s not looking for love — until she meets Paul Channing, a rugged local with secrets of his own.
Shelley doesn’t let people in — not even at Christmas. But when kind-hearted Canadian pilot Daniel Crocombe steps in to defend her at the Carleton Hotel, his quiet warmth begins to break through her walls. With Christmas approaching, can Shelley believe she’s worthy of the love she’s always longed for?
As fairy lights go up around the village and snow dusts the bay, Jess and Shelley must find the courage to let go of the past — and discover that love often arrives when you least expect it.❄️ Christmas romance
❄️ Second-chance
❄️ Small-town
❄️ Friends-to-lovers
❄️ Slow-burn
About the Author
I’m a Londoner, though I haven’t lived there for many years. But if you’re born a Londoner you’re always a Londoner. And what could be better than growing up in London in the 60s? The clubs, the live music, the shops – all now passed into legend.
I got fed up with school and left before taking my A levels. Over the next few years I had lots of jobs – measuring fabric in Jones and Higgins in Peckham, cleaning chalets at Butlins Bognor Regis, even a short stint in the Civil Service. Then I decided it was time to grow up, so I went to Liverpool to train as a teacher. I loved life at University, but I wasn’t so keen on teaching, so I switched to adult education, which suited me fine.
Shortly after I met my husband we moved to Shropshire, where we lived on the side of a hill with a series of rescued Afghan Hounds, a couple of small terriers, some cats, some birds, some fish, and an iguana called Spike.
A few years ago we decided to move to Devon. My husband is a Devonian, and had always wanted to come home. And me… I wanted to live near the sea. So now we are settled here in South Devon, a twenty minute stroll from the beach. And I love it!
Susanne’s Social Media
X / Twitter: @McCarthySusanne
Instagram: @susannemccarthyauthor
Website: susannemccarthy.com
My Review
There’s something magical about returning to a place you’ve already fallen in love with, and Christmas at Sturcombe Bay gave me that exact feeling. From the very first page, it felt like coming home—not just to South Devon, but to the warm, welcoming community that Susanne McCarthy has created so vividly.
This story picks up beautifully where Coming Home to Sturcombe Bay left off, and it was such a joy to spend more time with familiar faces while meeting new characters who quickly found their way into my heart. I love how the author brings so many threads and lives together, weaving a story that feels layered and alive. Every character has purpose, every moment matters, and it makes the village feel wonderfully real.
I’ll admit, I was flying through the book at first—completely engrossed—until I realised I was already halfway through. I actually had to make myself slow down. I wanted to savour every detail, every heartwarming scene, because I knew I’d be sad to leave Sturcombe Bay when I turned the final page.
While this can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone, there’s a special richness in having followed the series from the start. The continuity, relationships, and sense of community deepen with each book. The writing is spot on, the pacing perfect, and the balance of festive charm, emotion and romance made this an utter delight to read.
Christmas at Sturcombe Bay is the kind of book that fills you with warmth, joy and the spirit of togetherness. I loved every moment, and I can’t wait to return to this gorgeous seaside village again.
This review may also appear on my social media and selected book platforms. All links are correct at the time of posting.
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