Obviously I read the book first. It is a relatively short novel, so I got through it in a single day. Honestly, I thought this was quite delightful! There are lots of things about it that are completely ridiculous, but in a fun way. I don't even know where to start with the plot, so here's what the Goodreads page says:


Ashley Davison, a graduate student in California, desperately wants to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle. Dashiell Sutherland, a former army intelligence officer, has a job interview in Seattle and must arrive by December 23. Though frantic to book a last-minute flight out of San Francisco, both are out of luck: Every flight is full, and there’s only one rental car available. Ashley and Dash reluctantly decide to share the car, but neither anticipates the wild ride ahead.

At first they drive in silence, but forced into close quarters Ashley and Dash can’t help but open up. Not only do they find they have a lot in common, but there’s even a spark of romance in the air. Their feelings catch them off guard—never before has either been so excited about a first meeting. But the two are in for more twists and turns along the way as they rescue a lost puppy, run into petty thieves, and even get caught up in a case of mistaken identity. Though Ashley and Dash may never reach Seattle in time for Christmas, the season is still full of surprises—and their greatest wishes may yet come true.


Look, I don't even know what it was about this book that made me like it so much. It was sweet and funny, and had kind of a different twist to what you usually see in a cosy Christmas romance. It is quite a romp, and I just found myself smiling as I read it. Also, as an aside, the actual physical book itself is quite lovely - it is a little hardcover, with a very pretty picture on the front.

Onto the film then! I don't recall really having done a book and Hallmark movie comparison before, although I think there are one or two I have both read and watched, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

Here's the summary of the movie, from the Hallmark website:

Based on a novel by Debbie Macomber, this yuletide movie tells the story of Ashley Harrison (Meghan Ory) and Dash Sutherland (Andrew Walker). She is a crafter based in San Francisco who is desperate to spend the holidays with her family in Seattle and Dash is also in a rush to get there. When Ashley inexplicably encounters a problem with her reservation at the airport ticket counter, she turns to Plan B and attempts to rent a car. But there’s just one vehicle left and Dash beats her to it. Reluctantly, Ashley takes him up on his offer to join him on the road trip. As the pair heads north, their adventures include car trouble, adopting a puppy and being secretly tailed by federal agents, who believe Ashley is up to no good. With a hint of romance gradually filling the air will these two fall in love or will their journey bring about an unexpected road bump to romance?

This movie had a few things going for it right from the start:
  - Andrew Walker is one of my favourite Hallmark actors
  - Meghan Ory plays one of the leads in Hallmark's tv series Chesapeake Shores, which I love.
  - There is knitting
  - And puppies

I actually kind of adored the film almost as much as the book! I thought that a few of the more unusual parts of the plot were less well dealt with in the film than the book, but I also loved that they were different enough that both were completely enjoyable - having read the book didn't take away from the movie at all. The movie was also very pretty - there were some lovely tree shots (like in the background of the promotional picture) and gorgeous decorations. I'd recommend either or both of these to anyone looking for a fun silly Christmassy romp (with puppies!)

xo Bron

***
Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber
Published 2015 by Ballantine Books
Source: I was lucky enough to find both the book and movie at my local library (if you're in Canberra get on it!)
Format: Hardcover, 256 pages

 
Twenty-seven-year-old Holly Devine has just had her heart well and truly broken. Hurt by the two people she loves the most, she flees to her eccentric Aunt Clara’s cosy cottage to hide away over the winter season. But kind, impulsive Aunt Clara has other ideas… She’s not about to see her favourite niece wallowing in sadness during the most wonderful time of the year. So, with the help of her close circle of friends and plenty of gin, she creates a handmade advent calendar for Holly.

Every day in December, Holly opens a new door and has a different task to complete. She soon finds herself asking out a complete stranger – gorgeous, cheeky pub landlord, Finn Jackson. But as handsome Finn gets involved in her festive challenges, Holly’s determination to avoid romance is put to the test. Still, Finn’s far too carefree and single for true love, isn’t he?

As Holly begins to embrace each day – a complete makeover, building the biggest snowman she’s ever seen, singing in a karaoke contest – Finn is there adding fun and laughter to every moment. Holly starts to realise that she can become the person she’s always wanted to be…

But a secret from Finn’s past threatens to turn Holly’s Christmas upside down and makes her question everything she has experienced in the last few weeks. Will Finn open up to Holly in time to show her how he really feels? And will she complete the advent calendar challenges and fall in love this Christmas?

Ok, we know that Christmassy stories - whether in books or on the screen - are filled with tropes and 'advent calendar activities' is one of my favourites! I really thought this was a very sweet story - with a few steamy scenes too. I enjoyed the alternating perspectives - they switch between Holly and Finn. I also really enjoy quirky characters and a snowy setting, both of which this book definitely delivered on.

I think this one does a really good job with the 'background' characters - as well as enjoying Aunt Clara's and her WI friends, I liked seeing the relationships of some of Holly and Finn's friends grow.

I gave this three and a half shining Christmas stars, and a generous helping of Aunt Clara's homemade gin!

xo Bron

***
The Christmas Countdown by Donna Ashcroft
Out now from Bookouture
Source: free ebook provided for review by Bookouture via NetGalley
Themes: Christmas, heartbreak, finding yourself, relationships
 

Of note, I have both Wrapped Up IN Christmas  AND Wrapped Up FOR Christmas on my list, as well as Christmas Cow Bells (in case anyone was wondering what was the deal with the cows on the cover!).

I think I'm going to start with The Christmas Countdown by Donna Ashcroft:


Twenty-seven-year-old Holly Devine has just had her heart well and truly broken. Hurt by the two people she loves the most, she flees to her eccentric Aunt Clara’s cosy cottage to hide away over the winter season. But kind, impulsive Aunt Clara has other ideas… She’s not about to see her favourite niece wallowing in sadness during the most wonderful time of the year. So, with the help of her close circle of friends and plenty of gin, she creates a handmade advent calendar for Holly.
Every day in December, Holly opens a new door and has a different task to complete. She soon finds herself asking out a complete stranger – gorgeous, cheeky pub landlord, Finn Jackson. But as handsome Finn gets involved in her festive challenges, Holly’s determination to avoid romance is put to the test. Still, Finn’s far too carefree and single for true love, isn’t he?
As Holly begins to embrace each day – a complete makeover, building the biggest snowman she’s ever seen, singing in a karaoke contest – Finn is there adding fun and laughter to every moment. Holly starts to realise that she can become the person she’s always wanted to be…
But a secret from Finn’s past threatens to turn Holly’s Christmas upside down and makes her question everything she has experienced in the last few weeks. Will Finn open up to Holly in time to show her how he really feels? And will she complete the advent calendar challenges and fall in love this Christmas?

The Christmas Countdown is out now from Bookouture, who kindly provided me with an ecopy (via NetGalley). Pop back next week to see what I thought!

xo Bron

Tonight I'm sharing another new Christmas release from a favourite cosy Christmas author - Tilly Tennant's The Christmas Wish.

Here's the summary from Goodreads...

Christmas is coming but it doesn’t feel that way for Esme Greenwood. Recently jilted by her cheating fiancee Warren, she’s had enough of London life and escapes to Thimble Cottage in the Peak District, home of her beloved grandmother Matilda.

While Esme mourns for the wedding she’ll never have, Matilda puts her granddaughter back together again with comforting words and generous helpings of fruitcake and together, they plan the trip of a lifetime, to Lapland to see the northern lights, somewhere Matilda has always dreamt of going.
But tragedy strikes and when Matilda dies, Esme screws up the courage to go on the trip on her own to honour her beloved grandmother’s wishes. At the airport she meets a motley crew of characters including Zach, a handsome, brooding, out-of- work actor and together they set off for an adventure.

Beneath the indigo skies of Lapland, Esme and Zach grow closer. But when Esme is bombarded by messages from Warren promising he’s changed and she discovers that Zach is hiding something very significant – will her head be turned? And when a trip to the northern lights reveals the full extent of Zach’s own secret past, is there any hope that Esme will get the happy ending that her grandmother wished for her?

To be honest, this one wasn't quite what I expected! It starts pretty heavy - with Esme trying to escape an abusive relationship, and then her grandmother passing away - and I'd say it took until about 25% in to get to the Lapland trip and more of the cosy, romancey, Christmassy story I was expecting.
Once that all got underway I did enjoy it - and Lapland was such a fantastically fun Christmas setting.

I did have a little bit of trouble spending so much time in Esme's head because of how little confidence she has in herself and how self deprecating many of her thoughts were. This is something I always struggle with in books where the protagonist has low self confidence - I find their POV really uncomfortable, which gave kind of a weird vibe in a Christmas novel.

Overall this was sweet and mostly fun, and I liked the secondary characters a lot. It is possible that some readers could find the controlling aspects of Esme's relationship with Warren triggering, so that is definitely something to watch out for. I gave this one 3 stars!

I have previously read two other Christmas novels by Tilly Tennant - A Very Vintage Christmas and A Cosy Candlelit Christmas - both of which came out last year and were also really lovely. I think the latter was my favourite - so much snow and Christmassiness! I actually reviewd both on my blog - you can find them here.

Don't forget to let me know if you read any of these, or if you'd like to share your favourite Christmas read in the comments!
xo Bron


*** The Christmas Wish ***
Out now from Bookouture.
On Goodreads
Source: Free ebook provided for review by Bookouture via NetGalley
Find Tilly Tennant online here. 

Jenny Hale's new release this year is called It Started with Christmas. I love the covers on her books - they are some of my favourites! Here's the overview from Jenny's website: