Recommendations based on "Merry Ex-Mas"

’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.

From The Outside, Adrienne Has Everything Any Woman Could Want. However, She Knows What Real Happiness Is, And It Isn’t Having A Good Job And A Condominium. Traveling Home To Her Small Texas Town For A Friend’s Wedding, Adrienne Is Hit From All Sides With The Happiness She Hasn’t Found For Herself—her Long-married Parents, Her Joyful Sister And Brother-in-law And Their Two Children, And Her Childhood Friends. They All Think She Has It All… All Except One. Trace Has Been Something Of A Nemesis Since Grade School. Always Ready With A Quip And Happy To Squabble Over Even The Smallest Thing, Adrienne Dreaded Seeing Him When She Came Back For The Wedding. So Why Does It Seem Like Trace Is The Only One Who Really Knows Her, Who Sees Her For Who She Is? Losing His Parents To A Plane Crash And His Uncle To Cancer, Trace Is Not Too Keen On Losing Anyone Else Close To Him. If Only She Didn't Skip Town After Graduation. He Didn't Get A Chance To Tell Her How He Felt. There Was A Reason Behind All His Teasing. He Loved Their Banters. It Meant Spending Time With Her. He Could Hear Her Voice. Now She's Back, But Her Leaving Is Inevitable. He’d Have To Risk His Heart By Asking Her To Stay. He Can’t Take Another Loss. Working To Save Their Friends’ Wedding Brings Adrienne And Trace Together Like Never Before. The Clock Is Ticking, And It’s The Worst Blizzard Lakeshore, Texas Has Seen In Years. Will These Two Match Up Their Friends Or End Up Matched Themselves?

"Uplifting, sexy and warm, Sarah Morgan's O'Neil Brothers series is perfection."—Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling authorThis winter, ex-skiing champion, reformed heartbreaker and single dad Tyler O'Neil has only one mission—making sure his daughter, Jess, has the best Christmas ever. The fact that his best friend, Brenna, is also temporarily moving into his chalet at the overbooked Snow Crystal resort is a delicious distraction he's simply going to have to ignore. Theirs is the one relationship he's never ruined, and he's not about to start now.Ski pro Brenna Daniels knows all about the perils of unrequited love—she's been in love with Tyler for years. But living with him is absolute torture… How can she concentrate on being his friend when he's sleeping in the room next door? Then when Tyler kisses Brenna, suddenly the relationship she's always dreamed of feels so close she could almost touch it. Could this be the Christmas her dreams of a happy-ever-after finally come true?

"Jackson brings the quaint Southern town to life in a memorable holiday romance complete with affable characters."—Publishers Weekly on One Christmas WishIt’s Christmas in Catalina Cove, a time of promise and second chances. But when you’re starting over, love is the last thing you’re wishing for…Vaughn Miller’s Wall Street career was abruptly ended by a wrongful conviction and two years in prison. Since then, he’s returned to his hometown, kept his head down and forged a way forward. When he is exonerated and his name cleared, he feels he can hold his head up once again, maybe even talk to the beautiful café owner who sets his blood to simmering.Sierra Crane escaped a disastrous marriage—barely. She and her six-year-old goddaughter have returned to the only place that feels like home. Determined to make it on her own, Sierra opens a soup café. Complication is the last thing she needs, but the moment Vaughn walks into her café, she can’t keep her eyes off the smoldering loner.When they give in to their attraction, what Sierra thought would be a onetime thing becomes so much more. Vaughn knows she’s the one. Sierra can’t deny the way Vaughn makes her feel, but she’s been burned before. With Christmas approaching, Vaughn takes a chance to prove his love, and it will be up to Sierra to decide if her one Christmas wish—true happiness—will come true.The Catalina Cove seriesBook 1: Love in Catalina CoveBook 2: Forget Me NotBook 3: Finding Home AgainBook 4: Follow Your HeartBook 5: One Christmas WishBook 6: The House on Blueberry Lane

No sooner had they settled in Washington than history repeated itself: the welcoming committee of available women. The casseroles. A widower Alex McKenzie might be, but he was not looking for a new wife. His four-uear-old son, however, had picked a new mommy ... just in time for the holidays.

St Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it's always cocktail hour somewhere... Escape to Cornwall with this uplifting and feel good standalone novel from the bestselling author of The Little Wedding Shop by the Sea There's nothing more magical than a winter wonderland wedding but when photographer Holly North returns to the cosy village of St Aidan she's determined to avoid romance and the festive season full stop. She's doing one small favour for a friend's wedding and then her plans involve diving under her duvet and avoiding any sign of Christmas cheer - and gorgeous but insufferable Rory Sanderson - for the rest of December! That is until Christmas arrives at Brides by the Sea, Cornwall's enchanting and most adorable little wedding shop. The champagne is on ice while mistletoe hangs from every nook and Holly's friends at the shop are determined she'll live up to her festive name. It's the most wonderful time of the year, and romance is most definitely in the crisp winter air with promises, proposals and Christmas kisses aplenty... What readers are saying about this cosy Christmas romance: 'You can almost smell the Christmas trees and taste those mince pie muffins...the perfect book to cuddle up with' My Chestnut Reading Tree 'A real cracker' Annie Cooper's Book Corner 'An absolute delight' Bookworms and Shutterbugs 'A really warm and cosy read...it has got me so excited for Christmas!' Jessica's Book Biz 'This book has it all, romance, entertainment, charm, cheerfulness, friendship, small miracles, Christmas magic and lots of warmth...I absolutely loved this fantastic book' With Love for Books

Eden will do anything to protect her son, even flee to a small-town Christmas tree farm in Maine. Beau will go to the ends of the earth to keep Eden safe. But who's going to protect his heart from a woman who can't seem to trust again? Perfect for fans of Hallmark Christmas movies and Debbie Macomber. Speeding north through rural Maine, Eden Martelli wonders how her life came to this--on the run with her mute five-year-old son dozing fitfully in the passenger seat. When a breakdown leaves them stranded in Summer Harbor, Eden has no choice but to stay put through Christmas . . . even though they have no place to lay their heads. Beau Callahan is a habitual problem solver--for other people anyway. He left the sheriff's department to take over his family's Christmas tree farm, but he's still haunted by the loss of his parents and struggling to handle his first Christmas alone. When Eden shows up looking for work just as Beau's feisty aunt gets out of the hospital, Beau thinks he's finally caught a break. Eden is competent and dedicated--if a little guarded--and a knockout to boot. But, as he soon finds out, she also comes with a boatload of secrets. Eden has been through too much to trust her heart to another man, but Beau is impossible to resist, and the feeling seems to be mutual. As Christmas Eve approaches, Eden's past catches up to her. Beau will go to the ends of the earth to keep her safe. But who's going to protect his heart from a woman who can't seem to trust again? If you long for a love that conquers all fear, for a heroine who never gives up on hope even when the night is darkest, Falling Like Snowflakes is the story that will warm your heart this holiday season. Start the Summer Harbor series with Eden and Beau, and let their journey of secrets, trust, and second chances remind you that home and love may be found in the most unexpected snowfall.

Join USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts this Christmas as she returns for the final installment in her treasured Icicle Falls series When Muriel Sterling released her new book, A Guide to Happy Holidays, she felt like the queen of Christmas. She's thrilled when the new tree she ordered online arrives and is eager to show it off--until she gets it out of the box and realizes it's a mangy dud. But rather than give up on the ugly tree, Muriel decides to make a project out of it. As she pretties up her tree, she realizes there's a lesson to be learned: everything and everyone has potential. Maybe even her old friend Arnie, who's loved her for years. Except, she's not the only one seeing Arnie's potential... Meanwhile, Muriel's ugly-tree project has also inspired her friends. Sienna Moreno is trying to bring out the best in the grouchy man next door, who hates noise, hates kids and hates his new neighbors. And while Olivia Claussen would love to send her obnoxious new daughter-in-law packing, she's adjusting her attitude and trying to discover what her son sees in the girl. If these women can learn to see the beauty in the "ugly trees" in their lives, perhaps this might turn out to be the happiest holiday yet.

As of Christmas Eve, Hank McCabe will lose his chance to bid on the Mesquite Ridge ranch. But ever since Ally Garrett delivered her ultimatum, Hank's more set than ever on snapping up her land. He's ready to build his future, and is crazy enough to think generosity would overtake the holiday-hating Ally this season. Apparently not!Ally came home to say goodbye to her family ranch and sever her ties to Laramie County once and for all. Not find herself smooching with the hunkiest cowboy in Texas. And not having a litter of adorable golden retriever pups take over the house she's trying to sell!It seems that with a McCabe around, things always get complicated. So it's time to make a choice—sell to the highest bidder, or give in to the spirit of the holiday. After all, what could be better than a cowboy under the mistletoe?

A mystery unwinds in the idyllic English countryside shortly before ChristmasLori can hardly wait for Christmas this year: lean times are over, the cottage Aunt Dimity willed her is more beautiful than ever, her nine-month-old twins, Will and Rob, are thriving, and she and husband Bill have never been happier. Determined to make this Christmas the best ever, Lori embarks on a round of shopping, holly-cutting, angel-cookie making, and more. When fat snow flakes begin drifting down outside of the window, Lori feels all her holiday wishes are about to come true. But the next day, beneath the lilac bushes now covered by freshly fallen snow, Lori makes a disturbing discovery: the body of a mysterious stranger--a tramp--barely alive. While the nearby village of Finch continues with its seasonal preparations, including rehearsals for the Christmas Eve Nativity play, Lori puts her plans on hold and teams up with Julian Bright--a devilishly attractive Roman Catholic priest--to search out the stranger's identity. Their journey takes them from abandoned World War II airfields to homeless shelters, places where the Christmas star shines dimly, if at all. As Lori unveils the tragic secret that led the stranger to her door, she confronts painful truths about herself and discovers the real meaning of a perfect family Christmas.