Recommendations based on "Almost Midnight: Two Festive Short Stories"

"Morgan is a masterful storyteller…. For fans of Jojo Moyes, Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Stacey Ballis. —Booklist What happens if the only Christmas celebration you want to attend is one you haven't been invited to? USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan delights with this hilarious and heartwarming Christmas cracker of a novel! A family gathering This Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal—to avoid their well-meaning family’s endless stream of prying questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention. An uninvited guest Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone and the prospect of losing her job. Unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller, the season promises to be anything but festive. She’ll just deliver her proposal to his family home and then leave. After all, she wouldn’t want to intrude on the Miller family’s perfect Christmas. A Christmas to remember When Lucy appears on the Miller family’s snow-covered Highland doorstep, she's mistaken for Ross’s girlfriend. By the time the confusion is cleared up, they're snowed in—she can’t leave, even if she wants to! But does she want to? As secrets spill out like presents from an overstuffed stocking and the chemistry between her and Ross ignites, this is going to be either Lucy's worst Christmas ever or the best mistake of her life. Don't miss USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan's next cozy beach read, The Summer Swap, where a widow's plan to spend the summer in Cape Cod is upended by an unexpected guest and a secret that could change everything... Get lost in more captivating stories by Sarah Morgan: The Summer Swap - Coming May 2024! The Book Club Hotel The Island Villa Snowed In For Christmas Beach House Summer

Come and spend Christmas with the Williamson's and McKinley'sThe kids are grown and getting into all sorts of trouble!LilyChristmas has always been my favourite time of year.My family goes overboard, and the celebrations are week-long.This Christmas is different, however. We’re all spending the holiday at my Aunt Ella’s beach house.We’re not the only ones spending Christmas on this beach though.When my eyes spot the new neighbour, I can’t look away.I’m caught in a trance, in watching the show he’s putting on through the bedroom window.Even as his eyes meet mine, and he finishes, I still can’t seem to look away.If only I wasn’t currently in a house surrounded by my entire family.AlexThe girl from the window has been on my mind, night and day, for the past few days.I’ve stared out of that same window for hours, hoping to just catch a glimpse of her.I’ve seen at least a dozen different people come and go from the room, even one who looked just like her. But that girl wasn’t her.I’m tempted to just storm through the front door and search until I find her, except I know exactly whose house that is.As much as I want to take what’s mine, I currently have a multi-million dollar deal in the works with McKinley Industries—the very same people who own that property.When I meet one of the family members on the beach and get invited to dinner, I don’t hesitate to accept.This is my chance to see her again. Every fibre of my being wants to claim her as mine.But can I really entangle this innocent woman in my dark world?

’Sheer joy!’ Katie FfordeCurl up with the new Sunday Times bestselling Christmas novel from Phillipa Ashley, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Karen Swan and Heidi Swain!Can the spirit of Christmas reignite an old flame?With her thriving business Cottage Angels, Freya Bolton prepares the Lake District’s holiday homes for Christmas visitors. It’s her job to think of everything, from cinnamon-scented candles to tasteful decorations and hampers of seasonal treats.If only her love life were such a success… After being burned by past relationships, she’s now determined to steer clear of love for good.So when she bumps into gorgeous – and single – ex-boyfriend Travis, a no-strings festive fling seems perfect.But when her feelings for him begin to develop, is she on track for another romantic calamity? Or could this Christmas give her the gift of true love?This gorgeous Christmas romance from Sunday Times bestseller Phillipa Ashley will take you to the Lake District with a story of second chance love as heartwarming as a cup of mulled wine.Readers are falling in love with Four Weddings and a Christmas!‘A lovely, enjoyable read from start to finish. Exactly what we have come to expect from Phillipa Ashley. This would be a perfect gift to give this Christmas.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A wonderful holiday romance that gives you all of the sitting-in-front-of-a-crackling-fireplace vibes.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Perfect setting, interesting characters and a story line full of hope, romance and new starts.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This one filled me with festive feelings from top to toe, with plenty of romance in there too. I loved it!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A fabulous read. I adored this from beginning to end. Phillipa Ashley never disappoints, her books are a warm hug on a cold day.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A perfect Christmas story with great characters and meaningful development. Definitely recommend for your festive reading this year.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘A story of lost loves, missed opportunities and all the mishaps which happen in every day life. Good to see a strong female lead in a traditional romance. Loved it.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Fantastic read set in the Lake District. Expertly written with the usual Phillipa Ashley twists. A great festive read.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘This is my first book from Phillipa but it is like a hug in a book. This is a story of giving love a second chance with the backdrop and magic of Christmas. A fab book from this author.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‘Another brilliant novel from Phillipa Ashley! Freya is a very likeable main character, there is a beautiful Lakes background, and it’s set at Christmas – a perfect combination. Skilfully plotted and beautifully written, I will definitely be recommending this book!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Phillipa Ashley's book 'Four Weddings and a Christmas' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2023-11-13.

“morgan’s Latest Christmas Tale Will Delight Readers And Give Them The Perfect Excuse To Snuggle Up For A Few Hours With A Cup Of Hot Cocoa.”—booklist On The Christmas Escape This Christmas, Be Whisked Away By Usa Today Bestselling Author Sarah Morgan In This Uplifting Novel Of Friendship, The Festive Season, And Risking Everything For The Biggest Gift Of All... It Was Supposed To Be Christy Sullivan’s Perfect Christmas Getaway—a Trip To Lapland With Her Family And Best Friend, Alix. But Facing A Make-or-break Marriage Crisis, Christy Desperately Needs Time Alone With Her Husband. Her Solution? Alix Can Take Christy’s Little Daughter To Lapland, And They Will Reunite There For Christmas Day. It’s A Big Ask, But What Else Are Friends For? There’s Nothing Alix Won’t Do For Christy. But Christy’s Request To Save Christmas Is Giving Alix Sleepless Nights. She Knows Something Is Wrong, But For The First Time Ever, Christy Isn’t Talking. And Even The Arctic Temperatures In Lapland Aren’t Enough To Dampen The Seriously Inconvenient Sizzle Alix Is Developing For Zac, A Fellow Guest And Nemesis From Her Past. As Secrets Unravel And Unexpected Romance Shines Under The Northern Lights, Can Christy And Alix’s Christmas Escape Give Them The Courage To Fight For The Relationships They Really Want, And Save The Precious Gift Of Each Other’s Friendship?

Harlequin® Special Edition brings you three new titles for one great price, available now! These are heartwarming, romantic stories about life, love and family. This Special Edition box set includes: The Rancher's Christmas Reunion (A Match Made in Haven novel) By Brenda Harlen Celebrity Hope Bradford broke Michael Gilmore’s heart years ago when she left to pursue her Hollywood dreams. The stubborn rancher won’t forgive and forget. But when Hope is forced to move in with him on his ranch—and proximity gives in to lingering attraction—her kisses thaw even the grinchiest heart! Love at First Bark (A Crimson, Colorado novel) By USA TODAY bestselling author Michelle Major Cassie Raebourn never forgot Aiden Riley—or the way his loss inspired her to become a veterinarian. Now the shy boy is a handsome, smoldering cowboy, complete with bitterness and bluster. It’s Cassie’s turn to inspire Aiden…with adorable K-9 help! Their Christmas Resolution (A Sisters of Christmas Bay novel) By Kaylie Newell Stella Clarke will stop at nothing to protect her aging foster mother. But when sexy real estate developer Ian Steele comes to town with his sights set on her Victorian house, Stella will have to keep mistletoe and romance from softening her hardened holiday reserve! For more relatable stories of love and family, look for Harlequin Special Edition October 2023 – Box Set 1 of 2

Beautifully told with humor and tenderness, a Norwegian Christmas tale of sisterhood, financial hardship, and far-off dreams, acclaimed by reviewers and beloved by readers across Europe, where it has been a major bestsellerChristmas is just around the corner, and Ronja and Melissa’s dreamer of a father is out of work again. When ten-year-old Ronja hears about a job at a Christmas tree stand near where the family lives in central Oslo, she thinks it might be the stroke of luck they all need. Soon, the fridge fills with food, and their father returns home with money in his pocket and a smile on his face. But one evening he disappears into the night under the pretense of buying Christmas gifts—and the daughters know he has gone to his favorite local pub, Stargate, and they come to terms with the fact that he may lose his wonderful new job.Melissa decides to take his place at the Christmas tree stand, working before and after school in the December afternoon dark, and brings along Ronja, who quickly charms all the middle-class customers. On rare breaks the sisters dream of a brighter place of kindness and plenty, and find help from some of those around them—but both understand that their family structure is a precarious one, and that they are going to need luck and strength to transcend their circumstances.Skillfully told, evoking the delight, misunderstandings, and innocence of a child’s voice, Brightly Shining is small in stature but with an outsize impact on the reader, and has all the markings of a magical modern classic.

Dating Matthew O'Brien—a playboy and a younger man—cost Laila Riley her career and her parents' respect. A high price, even for love—and when Laila decides it was just a fling, she breaks it off, despite Matthew's objections. But the O'Brien family has other ideas, and they conspire to get Laila to join them on a Dublin holiday. It's a great time to get away from it all, but Laila has reservations about the trip. Matthew's bound to be there, and she's far from immune. What if she can't resist temptation? Meanwhile, the O'Briens are in an uproar over matriarch Nell's unexpected romance with an old flame. Will she follow her heart despite the risks? And will Laila discover that some risks are actually once-in-a-lifetime opportunities?

Don't miss author Linda Lael Miller's next heartwarming holiday drama, Christmas in Painted Pony Creek, where a single mom and her daughter find their lives magically changed and filled with the love and kindness of a man who would do anything to protect them.

Comedy / All Groups / 4m 6f plus 8 boys and 9 girls In this hilarious Christmas tale a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids - probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem - and the fun - when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on! This delightful comedy is adapted from the best selling book and the only story ever to run twice in McCall's Magazine. "An American classic." -McCall's

KIenzie's childhood in apartment A5 is fraught with violence, alcoholism, and abuse, and the young woman dreams of escaping her own life. By the author of Sugar. 30,000 first printing.