Published By: Penguin
Pages: 400
Released On: 06/11/2025
At Ravendale Castle, nestled in the snowy heart of the Lake District, Lara is busy preparing for the Winter Spectacular — a glittering light trail that will fill the grounds with the magic of Christmas. It’s the perfect distraction from her recent heartbreak until Flynn, the ruggedly handsome technical manager, arrives and sparks start to fly.
Flynn is determined to prove he’s worth taking a chance on. But just as Lara begins to believe in love again, someone from Flynn’s past arrives at the castle, bringing a secret that could tear them apart.
As Christmas draws closer, can Lara and Flynn take a leap of faith toward the happily ever after they’ve always wanted?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
It’s been a little while since I’ve read a Phillipa Ashley book – and a Christmas one at that – and this reminded me why she’s so popular. She’s given us a warm, cosy, familiar, romantic, uplifting, festive tale and I flew through it.
I read this in October and it felt very festive (although I admit I am a 24/7/365 Mrs Claus) but I definitely think it’ll make you feel even more festive if you read it close to December.
Our main characters of Lara and Flynn are delightful. They’ve both been through some difficult times, personally and professionally, and this helps them become more relatable to the reader and more well-rounded people. There’s a small cast of supporting characters, some given more page time than others, but all very interesting and work well to evolve Lara and Flynn’s story.
It’s loving a romantic without being too cliché, which I like, as some love stories can be a bit too sappy for my liking.
As someone who loves a good visit to a National Trust property and the suchlike, I loved the setting of this big castle in the Lake District with all this land – it just sounds idyllic.
Is it a little predictable? Probably. Do I care? Absolutely not. When I read these happily-ever-after romance novels, I know what I want and I know what to expect and I know what I’ll get, and happily, they all tend to be the same thing. So who cares if you see the ending coming. It doesn’t spoil anything for me, and if anything, it actually heightens the warming familiarity of the story and makes for a more enjoyable read. And there’s enough surprises along the way to keep your entertained.
I read that this was a sequel to Second Chance Summer, which I haven’t read. If it is, I will say I didn’t feel at a disadvantage for having not read it. I’m sure you might get more out of it in terms of familiar characters and settings, but it’s just as enjoyable going into it fresh.
There’s Christmassyness, romance, love, magic, historical elements, difficult topics and conversations, and just pure beauty. It’s got everything that a festive tale should have, sprinkled with Phillipa’s magic dust.
It’s not my favourite of her books – that title still remains with Escape For Christmas – but I still really enjoyed it. It gave me everything I want from one of her books, and I thoroughly recommend it to get you into the festive spirit – no matter whether you’re a “it’s too early for Christmas” or a “Christmas all year round” kind of person, like me!
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