Welcome to Day 6 of #12booksofchristmas. In case you have missed any, here are Days 1-5

• Day 1 - Winter Solstice by Elin Hildebrand
• Day 2 - Murder After Christmas by Rupert Latimer
• Day 3 - Under the Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain
• Day 4 - Miracle on Ebeneezer Street by Catherine Doyle
• Day 5 - Keeping a Christmas Promise by Jo Thomas

Today's book was actually a book I read all the way back in January. I loved it so very much and knew this was going to be the first book to be added to the 2022 collection!

Plot

Six People Looking for a Safe Haven

A Cosy Pub in a snow storm

A White Christmas to Remember

Mary has been trying to get he boss Jack to notice her for four years, but he only sees the efficient PA she is at work. Will being holed up with him finally give her the chance she has been waiting for?

Bridge and Luke were meeting for 5 minutes to set their divorce in motion. But will getting trapped with each other reignite too many fond memories …..and love.

Charlie and Robin were on their way to a luxury hotel in Scotland for a very special Christmas. But will the Inn give them everything they were hoping to find and much more besides?

A story of knowing when to hold on and when to let go, of pushing limits and acceptance of friendship, love, laughter, mince-pies and the magic of Christmas.

My Thoughts

As a proud Yorkshirewoman, I am astonished I have not read any novels by Milly Johnson already. These books are beloved all over Instagram, and I can see what. I loved this.

This was released in hardback in 2020, paperback in 2021 and it is not just a romance novel, but there is something truly magical about this book. But I'm getting ahead of myself here.

The characters are all immensely likeable. Even spiky Bridge and Luke warring with one another during a bitter divorce, after a passionate marriage.

My favourite character was sweet, gentle Charlie. I wanted so much to be friends with him and Robin. I did wonder at one point, if it would transpire that he was in actual face Santa, he certainly looked like him! I loved the ideas, encouragement and advice he gave to his fellow travellers. At the end, I’m not ashamed to say I had a tear in my eye.

I did find myself in wonder at the Inn. Stumbled upon by the party, stacked to the gills with Christmas food and delicious treats for anyone over the Christmas period. The rooms were inviting, reminiscent of a much loved bedroom you may have had as a child. The fireplace roared with a warm fire and on switching on the radio to catch up on the latest news about the snowstorm, discovered Radio Brian playing old Christmas classics from the 1950s.

The novel is about the wonderful bonds we form with our fellow travellers through life. It is hopeful, has a brilliant message and we come to very much care about the group of characters - The Figgy Hollow Six! I will most definitely be reading more Milly Johnson!