Christmas at Holly Tree Cottage by Eliza J Scott
Series: Life on the Moors #9
Genres: Christmas, Contemporary Romance
It’s Christmas time in Lytell Stangdale!
When Romy Stainthorpe sees Holly Tree Cottage staring back at her from the pages of a magazine, she’s sure it’s a sign. The quaint property is situated in Lytell Stangdale, a village in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors. Her time there is steeped in happy memories of carefree days with the moorland wind blowing through her hair. And not just that, it’s where she had her first kiss and where she first fell in love.
It was her perfect place, where she felt most at home. Until her family’s hasty departure years twenty-one years earlier. Since that day, Romy has never been back, but the cottage has regularly crept into her thoughts. And now it’s available to rent for the festive season…
Could it be the perfect getaway Romy needs to get her life back on track, not to mention escape her friends’ well-meaning attempts at matchmaking since her divorce from Russ?
Local farmer, Finn Tindall is struggling to navigate the first Christmas since his ex-wife took herself and their sons to live in the US. He’s thrown himself into his work at Castlegate Farm and rarely ventures out, unable to face the pitying glances thrown his way. His only company is his loyal black Labrador Ted.
Convinced that fate is talking to her, Romy heads back to a snowy LytellStangdale. Once there, she’s thrilled to see the village is looking Christmas card-pretty and has embraced the festive period. The only place where there’s no Christmas cheer is Finn’s heart.
It doesn’t take long before Romy and Finn’s paths cross, setting long-hidden emotions stirring once more. Suddenly Christmas doesn’t seem so gloomy after all.
Could this be the exciting fresh start each of them deserves?
Will Finn and Romy decide their second chance at love is worth fighting for? Or will the obstacles put in their way make them think it’s time to say goodbye?
Why not take a trip to festive Lytell Stangdale where a warm welcome awaits and happy-ever-afters are guaranteed?
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Review
This heartwarming story weaves together two timelines, exploring Romy’s past and present as she returns to her childhood village and rents her former family home. It’s immediately clear that she and local farmer Finn Tindall share unfinished business. Despite the twenty-one years since Romy left, their undeniable chemistry lingers.
Romy’s return reveals the struggles she has faced with her family life since leaving the village, while Finn has also endured his share of heartbreak. Divorced and longing to see his young sons more often, Finn still feels the sting of betrayal from his ex-wife, who crushed his dreams when she moved away with their children. Despite these challenges, Finn’s family holds no grudges against Romy, welcoming her back with open arms.
This delightful Christmas tale is brimming with hope and second chances. The flashbacks to Romy and Finn’s youthful romance are beautifully rendered, capturing the sweetness and innocence of first love with a touch of nostalgia. Their journey toward rediscovery is both tender and captivating.
The story also introduces—or reintroduces—readers to the village’s charming residents, adding warmth and depth to the narrative. It’s a festive, feel-good read that will leave you smiling and eager to turn the pages.
Meet the Author
About Eliza J Scott
Eliza J Scott lives in North Yorkshire with her family and has wanted to be a writer as far back as she can remember. She is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming stories based on romance and friendship with a generous dollop of community spirit and a hint of humour. She has written and self-published ten novels and has been an Amazon UK Kindle bestseller.
When she’s not writing, Eliza can usually be found with her nose in a book or working in her garden doing a spot of plot wrangling (of the writing variety), and battling against the weeds. The weeds, unfortunately, are currently winning but Eliza is undeterred. Roses are amongst her favourite flowers and she doesn’t need much of an excuse to visit a plant centre where a new rose always seems to mysteriously find its way onto her trolley much to her husband’s astonishment.
Eliza also enjoys having a catch-up with friends over tea and cake, as well as bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop – for yet more tea and cake!
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