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Lou and Ben fell in love as teenagers at the Ballyheaney Christmas Eve party. Every winter, they saved the date for each other. Until everything changed one fateful night…

Now, after years away, widower Ben and his young daughter are back, determined to revive the legendary party. But with only two weeks to make it happen, they need help. So Ben turns to the one person he could never forget: Lou.

As the days tick down to another Christmas Eve together, old feelings and memories resurface. Will Lou and Ben seize this chance to rewrite their very own love story?

Every Christmas Eve by Emma Heatherington
Published 23 October 2025 by Penguin
Purchase Link: Amazon

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Emma Heatherington

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. She also regularly contributes to the Belfast Telegraph and Irish News newspapers and has appeared on chat shows on RTE, TV3 and UTV.

Her personally devised, online novel writing course is now available on www.writewithemma.com

Emma is living with Multiple Myeloma. You can follow her, and her story, on Facebook, Instagram and Threads

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My Review:

This book didn’t just make me emotional – it undid me in the quiet, gentle way that only Emma Heatherington can. From the very first pages, I felt that familiar tightening in my chest, the sense that I was stepping into something tender and meaningful, something that was going to ask me to feel deeply and without restraint.

Every Christmas Eve is a story about first love and the kind of love that never truly leaves you. It’s about the people who shape us when we’re young, the moments that define us, and the way grief and regret can linger quietly in the background of our lives. Emma writes these emotions with such care and authenticity that it feels less like reading a book and more like being trusted with someone’s memories.

Lou and Ben’s story is heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measure. Their shared past is soaked in nostalgia, in that golden glow of teenage love and Christmas Eve magic – the kind of memories that hurt a little to revisit because they mattered so much. Watching them navigate the weight of everything was emotional in a way that felt very real. There’s no rush here, no easy fixes. Just two people carrying scars, trying to work out if love can survive time, loss, and everything unsaid.

Ben’s grief, especially, is written with such compassion. It’s raw without being overwhelming, quiet without ever being shallow. And the inclusion of his daughter brought an added layer of tenderness to the story – those moments absolutely broke me. Emma has such a beautiful way of writing parenthood, love, and vulnerability, and I felt every single one of those scenes deep in my chest.

And then there’s Christmas Eve itself – not just as a date, but as a symbol. A reminder of tradition, of hope, of the possibility that even the most painful stories might still have room for joy. The countdown to Christmas Eve had me holding my breath, turning pages with tears in my eyes, desperately wanting things to work out while also bracing myself for heartbreak. Emma has a way of making you hope with your whole heart, even when you’re scared to.

I laughed softly at moments of warmth and familiarity. I cried – proper tears, the kind where you have to stop reading and just feel. I went through more than one tissue, and I absolutely needed them. This book has all the feels: love, loss, longing, healing, and that quiet, powerful belief that second chances might still be possible.

When I reached the end, I just sat there for a while. That’s always how I know a book has truly touched me – when I’m not ready to leave it yet. Every Christmas Eve stayed with me long after the final page, settling into my heart like a memory rather than a story.

Emma Heatherington has once again delivered a Christmas story that feels deeply human and achingly beautiful. This isn’t just a festive romance – it’s a reminder of why we love, why we hope, and why some stories are meant to be felt rather than simply read.

If you’re looking for a Christmas book that will wrap itself around your heart, gently break it, and then leave it warmer than before… this one is unforgettable. 🎄💔✨

The Audiobook:

Listening to Every Christmas Eve was an entirely different kind of experience — one that felt even more intimate and emotionally immersive. The narration by Ruby Campbell and Barry Simpson was absolutely exceptional. Their voices didn’t just tell the story; they became the characters, bringing every emotion, pause, and heartbreak to life in the most beautiful way.

Ruby Campbell captured the tenderness, vulnerability, and quiet strength of Lou so perfectly, while Barry Simpson’s narration as Ben was filled with warmth, grief, and longing. Together, they added such depth and authenticity to the story that it felt less like listening to an audiobook and more like being gently carried through someone’s memories.

When the audiobook ended, I didn’t move. I sat in complete silence, tears streaming down my face, just letting the story settle in my heart. It was one of those moments where words feel unnecessary because the emotions say everything. The ending was simply perfect — raw, hopeful, and deeply moving.

This audiobook didn’t just make me emotional; it stayed with me. If you love being completely absorbed in a story and feeling every single emotion along the way, I can’t recommend this audiobook highly enough. It’s one to listen to with your whole heart. 🎄💔✨

The Review:

This year, Izzy (@the.reading.room_) continued our lovely group read tradition from last year, bringing us all together again to read Emma Heatherington’s latest festive release (@emmaheatheringtonwriter). It was such a joy chatting about the book as we read during the first week of December – there’s something extra special about sharing a story like this with fellow readers.

Tags: #EveryChristmasEve #EmmaHeatherington #BookCommunity #BuddyRead #SupportAuthors #ChristmasReads #FestiveReading #BookLove #ChristmasSpirit #BookReview #FiveStarReads