I really liked Blythe, and I felt for her every time she got insecure, and felt like she had to prove herself I really cheered for her when she finally stood up for herself with her dad, I had this huge grin on my face because I was so pleased for her! I actually really loved Sam, his grinchyness reminded me a little of my husband who is not as keen on Christmas as I am, but he's not Sam's level of Grinch lol But it did just endear him to me that little bit more. Sams arrival might cost the town their chance to win Most Perfect Christmas village and everyone expects Blythe to fix things but Christmas might not be the only things that Sam falls in love with this year. At the heart of the story is a delightful cast of characters, each with their own quirks and challenges. As they come together to prepare for the annual Christmas festival, their friendships deepen, and romances blossom. Bella Osborne skillfully weaves these relationships, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in their journeys. The story occurs over seven months, starting at the end of May and ending on Boxing Day (December 26th). While this gives enough time for the lead couple to get to know each other and fall in love, the results are mixed.

Blythe has to sell one more house to become real estate agent of the month so she bends the truth to sell a new house to city boy Sam. Bella Osborne has a great way of bringing to life the wide range of likeable & fun characters. This is a well-written story about a community coming together to raise money for charities, and Holly Cross village feels like the perfect place to live. The author definitely brought the story alive with her vivid descriptions, and I would love to be part of this community. Yes, it’s only July but I love Christmas romance books and read them year round. I also love British authors and recently discovered Bella’s books. A must read for fans of romance, Christmas, and fans of Bella Osborne. Holly Cross is full of an array of quirky characters that make you feel the spirit of Christmas and understand it’s more about the people this time of year vs the present.As a matter of fact, she has a "show down" scene with Sweeney that is quite excellent and her second meeting with Macfarlane at a market is moving and sweet. Throughout, her scenes with Maesa Nicholson, playing her granddaughter are very well done and, at times, nicely humorous. Nicholson is an impressive young actress. My favourite character has to be Turpin the feral cat. Murray was slowly getting him used to being around him when he passed. Blythe has promised to continue feeding him even though he lives in Sam's garden. Once he decides to live indoors he takes to sleeping in woks, pillowcases - while Sam's head is still on the pillow. He doesn't let Sam come down the stairs at one point or out of the utility room. Undoubtedly, this book is all about community. Although the HCCC is quite intense about their Christmas decorations, the fervour they approach this time of year is reflected in the love they have for each other in the community. This is reflected in Blythe’s attempts to integrate Sam into the village, even though her efforts sometimes don’t hit the mark. There is no negativity, nothing malicious in the area and this is what helps to make it such a great Christmas read.

A heart warming cosy read, perfect for curling up with a hot chocolate and losing yourself in the spirit of Christmas. Set in the idyllic village of Holly Cross with Estate Agent Blythe leading the story we are introduced to an array of colourful characters who all hold a special place within the village. As we learn of the community spirit to come together and celebrate the years celebrations along with the desire to create the best Christmas display yet newcomer Sam doesn't seem as taken with Christmas as the rest of the village and as such a battle of wills begins. Blythe lives in the village of Holly Cross, succeeding in work she needs to sell just one more house to top the monthly sales chart. To do so she doesn’t tell Sam the whole truth about the cottage in Holly Cross or the villages passion for Christmas, and later finds out that he hates Christmas. This doesn’t go down well in the village, and they all expect Blythe to turn this around in time for the festive season. It’s nice to see how Blythe tries to slowly break down Sam’s disdain for Christmas. But when she learns the reason why, she is more understanding of him. As a huge cat lover, I really liked Turpin and how he brings Blythe and Sam together all the time. In addition, the humor with bits of risqué comments thrown in, made me laugh out loud. I just loved this book which came at a time when I really needed a good laugh. As the story unfolds, Sam's perspective begins to shift, and he discovers that there is more to Christmas than he initially believed. Through heartwarming moments and unexpected connections, he slowly starts to embrace the joy and togetherness that the holiday brings. The evolution of Sam's character is well-developed, and readers will find themselves rooting for his personal transformation.I received this book as an ARC from Aria&Aries through NetGalley and this review is based on my own opinion. This book felt different to a typical Christmas story because it takes place over several months. With summer temperatures, it is difficult to imagine prepping for Christmas decorations, but the residents of Holly Cross think differently. Christmas has put the little village of Holly Cross on the map and the local community take decorating the village incredibly seriously. And it’s expected that any new-comers will jump on board too. Sam Ashton didn't know he was moving to the UK's most perfect Christmas Village. He is very against the holiday. Leonora is the head of the HCCC (Holly Cross Christmas Committee) and she is determined to win the best Christmas Village competition. During the spring Blythe finally finds the perfect house for Sam Ashton a customer who has been looking for a house in the village for some time. The house belonged to Murray, an elderly man and good friend of Blythe’s who died suddenly while away on a birdwatching trip and was buried in Manchester under mysterious circumstances. Although she misses her friend and is still feeding the cat who lives in his garden, she is happy to find the perfect buyer for his house. While talking to Sam during the sale, he tells her he hates Christmas and everything to do with it but she decides not to tell him about the village’s love of Christmas and that everyone is expected to get involved.

The book is centered around the joy of Christmas and the importance of family, friends, and community spirit. She remembers a home on the Green whose owner recently passed away and she knows it will be sold. However, as it’s not currently listed for sale, she takes a chance and shows it to a man named Sam who wants to move to the area. She has a key to the house as she had promised the previous owner she would feed his feral cat, Turpin. It took a little time, but she finally got a call from a solicitor for the deceased and arranged to sell the house to Sam. I absolutely love Bella Osborne’s writing and look forward to each of her books. Her Christmas books give her an opportunity to really flex her comedy skills, and this was no exception. There are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments, and I had tears rolling at one point. Osborne's writing style is warm and inviting, immersing readers in the cozy atmosphere of Holly Cross. The vivid descriptions of the village's Christmas decorations, bustling markets, and festive events evoke a sense of holiday magic. The author effortlessly captures the essence of small-town charm and community spirit, making the village of Holly Cross come alive. Except that Sam has other ideas. Moving to the area, he is the Grinch personified. It doesn’t matter what Blythe seems to do, Sam resolutely refuses to get involved with the HCCC (that’s Holly Cross Christmas Committee to you and me). The conflict between Blythe and Sam is entertaining; each equally frustrated by the other’s stubbornness to appreciate their love or hate of Christmas is justified. I loved watching these characters battle it out and the cheekiness of the miserable cat, Turpin, added fun to this festive read.

In Holly Cross, a little village with a big heart –estate agent Blythe needs one last sale to clinch the target she has been working for all year. Sam Ashton has rejected every house she has suggested, with a big move from city to countryside any house has to meet Sam’s idea of the ideal home. When Sam unexpectedly turns up the next day, Blythe is determined to get her sale whatever it takes, and if it means a few white lies then so be it! Blythe is a real estate agent and competing for the top spot and she needs one more sale to grab the title. So she kind of sells Sam a house in her neighborhood under false pretenses. Sam hates everything Christmas and he just bought a house across the street from the epicenter of the most Christina’s village in England. Now Blythe has to work hard to make things right with Sam, while trying to persuade him not to be the Grinch. This is definitely a grumpy - sunshine sort of a book with Blythe being the sunshine and Sam being the Christmas hating new person in the village, despite moving to a place that is this year competing to to win the Most Perfect Christmas Village crown.