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Every Christmas Eve
- GenresChristmas
352 pages, Paperback
Published October 23, 2025
6 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Emma Heatherington
21 books265 followersEmma Heatherington is from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone.
Her latest novel, THE PROMISE, is out now in Ireland (HarperFiction) and available elsewhere on Kindle and Audio.
Her latest novel, THE PROMISE, is out now in Ireland (HarperFiction) and available elsewhere on Kindle and Audio.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 20, 2025
Oh Emma, what a book!! The perfect festive romance brought me so many feels 🥹
We follow Lou and Ben who fell in love as teenagers at the Ballyheaney Christmas Eve party and made a vow to each other to save the date, forever….until one fateful night.
Cue many years later, Ben now a widower with a young daughter, Ava returns to Ballyheaney determined to revive the legendary party, after the Village Committee wanted it active again. Unbeknown to Ben, Lou is also back in the village where she now lives after leaving New York and her daughter, Gracie behind. With only two weeks to go, Ben and family need help to pull things together, and turns to the only person he knows well enough to do it. But can they pull it off and will also bring them back together to rewrite their own love story ?
The characters were are really loveable, the setting so dreamy. I loved Uncle Eric with his witty one liners and always putting his foot in it. Nana Molly was adorable too. I loved how Lou, who ran the local florist put little love letters together with flowers for those who needed to make amends with loved ones, which later gave Ben an idea of his own.
If you loved The Holiday then you will adore this and I’m sure Emma’s other books also fall into this category. Second chance romances are my fave and there’s nothing better than at Christmas with the mix of everything festive and romantic
A true comfort and hug of a book 💗
We follow Lou and Ben who fell in love as teenagers at the Ballyheaney Christmas Eve party and made a vow to each other to save the date, forever….until one fateful night.
Cue many years later, Ben now a widower with a young daughter, Ava returns to Ballyheaney determined to revive the legendary party, after the Village Committee wanted it active again. Unbeknown to Ben, Lou is also back in the village where she now lives after leaving New York and her daughter, Gracie behind. With only two weeks to go, Ben and family need help to pull things together, and turns to the only person he knows well enough to do it. But can they pull it off and will also bring them back together to rewrite their own love story ?
The characters were are really loveable, the setting so dreamy. I loved Uncle Eric with his witty one liners and always putting his foot in it. Nana Molly was adorable too. I loved how Lou, who ran the local florist put little love letters together with flowers for those who needed to make amends with loved ones, which later gave Ben an idea of his own.
If you loved The Holiday then you will adore this and I’m sure Emma’s other books also fall into this category. Second chance romances are my fave and there’s nothing better than at Christmas with the mix of everything festive and romantic
A true comfort and hug of a book 💗
November 24, 2025
This was a beautiful, heart-warming, second chance romance. In fact, later life (and I don't mean a lot later) romances seem to be on trend this Winter and I am loving reading about them through fiction. This had a brilliant mix of everything, romance, blended families, second chances, winter settings and wonderfully flawed characters. If you love the feel of the film 'The Holiday' then you will adore all of Emma's books, because she captures the essence of winter, romance and small village life wonderfully.
December 23, 2025
I've just finished this lovely, gentle book.
It's a perfect book to be read so close to Christmas.
It's a lovely cosy story, with a very sweet plot. It's an charming book.
I only gave it 3 stars because I spent the entire time reading it waiting for something to happen.
But I would recommend it if you are looking for a sweet, charming and pleasant Christmas read.
It's a perfect book to be read so close to Christmas.
It's a lovely cosy story, with a very sweet plot. It's an charming book.
I only gave it 3 stars because I spent the entire time reading it waiting for something to happen.
But I would recommend it if you are looking for a sweet, charming and pleasant Christmas read.
November 16, 2025
3.5
Lou and Ben fell in love as teenagers at the Ballyheaney Christmas Eve party. Now, after years away, widower Ben is determined to revive the legendary party. But with only two weeks to make it happen, they need help. So Ben turns to the one person he could never forget: Lou... As the days tick down to a Christmas Eve together, old feelings and memories resurface. Will Lou and Ben seize this chance to rewrite their very own love story?
This story flips between the past and the present sharing the story of Ben and Lou in a cute, cosy read. Can they finally get it together 25 years later on Christmas Eve? The story features some heavy themes of parent loss which took away from the light festive element a little bit but considering the journey this author has been on recently, maybe it was her way of processing things... a warm Christmas hug in a book great for the festive season!
Lou and Ben fell in love as teenagers at the Ballyheaney Christmas Eve party. Now, after years away, widower Ben is determined to revive the legendary party. But with only two weeks to make it happen, they need help. So Ben turns to the one person he could never forget: Lou... As the days tick down to a Christmas Eve together, old feelings and memories resurface. Will Lou and Ben seize this chance to rewrite their very own love story?
This story flips between the past and the present sharing the story of Ben and Lou in a cute, cosy read. Can they finally get it together 25 years later on Christmas Eve? The story features some heavy themes of parent loss which took away from the light festive element a little bit but considering the journey this author has been on recently, maybe it was her way of processing things... a warm Christmas hug in a book great for the festive season!
November 24, 2025
Lou helps Ben deliver a foal at the Ballyheaney Christmas Eve party and ever since then they make sure to see each other on the same date...until they don’t.
It’s now years later and the party is scheduled again but Lou and Ben haven’t seen each other in years and they’ve both moved on.... haven’t they?
The Pro's:
1) Every book I’ve read of Emma’s has the same sort of vibe. It’s like putting on a cherished item of clothing, warm and comfortable
2) You get the Christmas vibes, obviously :)
3) 2nd chance romance
4) Every year Lou and Ben spend Christmas Eve together...until they don’t
The Con's:
1) I found I didn’t root for them as much as other characters in Emma’s books because of the reason they were apart initially (no spoilers)
2) There is some sadness and grief in the book
The Quotes:
1) The Christmas Eve party was an annual sweet escape into a way I imagined my life could be one day. And if I’d had the chance back then to travel the world or stay in that stable with him, I’d have chosen him every single time.
2) ‘Can I kiss you?’ he asked. ‘I’ve been wanting to do it for a whole year now.’
3) He was the man who broke my heart the worst. The man I really did think I’d marry one day, in so much more than just a young girl’s dream. The man who said he’d never marry another, and that he’d wait for me, even if it took forever.
The Summary:
All of the books I’ve read of the authors have always had that sweet, charming, warm feeling to them and this is no exception BUT I have to say I really didn’t root for the main characters as much as her other ones because in a second chance romance it has to be a fine balance as to why they couldn’t be together in the first place... and the initial reason why wasn’t enough for me... that being said you get the Christmas vibes and the Irish charm and I did like reading the book overall.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Irish Christmas vibes & second chance romance
I rated the book 3.5 stars (rounded down to 3 as felt it was more a 3 star than a 4).
It’s now years later and the party is scheduled again but Lou and Ben haven’t seen each other in years and they’ve both moved on.... haven’t they?
The Pro's:
1) Every book I’ve read of Emma’s has the same sort of vibe. It’s like putting on a cherished item of clothing, warm and comfortable
2) You get the Christmas vibes, obviously :)
3) 2nd chance romance
4) Every year Lou and Ben spend Christmas Eve together...until they don’t
The Con's:
1) I found I didn’t root for them as much as other characters in Emma’s books because of the reason they were apart initially (no spoilers)
2) There is some sadness and grief in the book
The Quotes:
1) The Christmas Eve party was an annual sweet escape into a way I imagined my life could be one day. And if I’d had the chance back then to travel the world or stay in that stable with him, I’d have chosen him every single time.
2) ‘Can I kiss you?’ he asked. ‘I’ve been wanting to do it for a whole year now.’
3) He was the man who broke my heart the worst. The man I really did think I’d marry one day, in so much more than just a young girl’s dream. The man who said he’d never marry another, and that he’d wait for me, even if it took forever.
The Summary:
All of the books I’ve read of the authors have always had that sweet, charming, warm feeling to them and this is no exception BUT I have to say I really didn’t root for the main characters as much as her other ones because in a second chance romance it has to be a fine balance as to why they couldn’t be together in the first place... and the initial reason why wasn’t enough for me... that being said you get the Christmas vibes and the Irish charm and I did like reading the book overall.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Irish Christmas vibes & second chance romance
I rated the book 3.5 stars (rounded down to 3 as felt it was more a 3 star than a 4).
December 29, 2025
What a wonderful Christmas gift 🎁
Lou and Ben grew up together in a small town in Ireland; Lou the village girl whilst Ben lived at the big house. A promise to be together on Christmas Eve at the charity afternoon tea is made over the birth of a new calf however life gets in the way and their friendship falls apart.
Roll forward 20 years and Lou is back from New York owning a florist cum coffee shop whilst Ben is in Dublin, a recent widower with a young daughter. Called home to help reignite the Afternoon Tea can Ben and Lou come together and rekindle their childhood romance?
Lou and Ben grew up together in a small town in Ireland; Lou the village girl whilst Ben lived at the big house. A promise to be together on Christmas Eve at the charity afternoon tea is made over the birth of a new calf however life gets in the way and their friendship falls apart.
Roll forward 20 years and Lou is back from New York owning a florist cum coffee shop whilst Ben is in Dublin, a recent widower with a young daughter. Called home to help reignite the Afternoon Tea can Ben and Lou come together and rekindle their childhood romance?
November 11, 2025
⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️
Review to follow
Review to follow
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November 14, 2025A Christmas book set in my wedding venue? 🥹🥹 yes pls
Read
November 21, 2025Such an enjoyable easy read
November 25, 2025
This was all kinds of perfect tbh
November 26, 2025
A cosy Christmas easy read! A nice book to start the Christmas period off right.
December 22, 2025
3.75🌟
A feel good Christmas romance book. Easy to read, no complicated story lines, just a very basic plot and romance, but it was heartwarming and enjoyable.
A feel good Christmas romance book. Easy to read, no complicated story lines, just a very basic plot and romance, but it was heartwarming and enjoyable.
December 30, 2025
Lovely story.
January 3, 2026
A really heartwarming story that made me smile and tear up at times. I really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down during the Christmas break.
January 9, 2026
If you miss Maeve Binchy new reads you will love this. A little story of an Irish village complete with a coffee shop, puppies, young and not so young love. Adorable.
January 6, 2026
This is a heartfelt second-chance romance filled with nostalgia, and festive magic. Lou and Ben first fall in love as teenagers at the Ballyheaney Christmas Eve Party, but years later life and loss has changed everything.
Widower Ben and his daughter help revive the legendary party, forcing long-buried feelings and unanswered questions back into the open. The gradual reveal of what went wrong all those years ago is emotional and well handled, adding depth to their rekindled connection.
Warm, comforting, and perfect for the Christmas season, Every Christmas Eve is a touching story about love, forgiveness, and finding your way back to the right person at the right time.
Widower Ben and his daughter help revive the legendary party, forcing long-buried feelings and unanswered questions back into the open. The gradual reveal of what went wrong all those years ago is emotional and well handled, adding depth to their rekindled connection.
Warm, comforting, and perfect for the Christmas season, Every Christmas Eve is a touching story about love, forgiveness, and finding your way back to the right person at the right time.
December 18, 2025
As I predicted this was absolutely beautiful. Emma has truly done it again.
Her stories are tender, warm, loving and heartfelt. I always finish her books with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.
I can’t ask for anything more.
I adore all the characters that feature.
Ben, Lou, Uncle Eric, Ava, Cordelia and Nana Molly to name a few. The small town setting and the hope of a second chance at love. All set during my favourite holiday, Christmas.
Chapter 23 is stunning! It was so touching that I actually had tears in my eyes.
I know this isn’t the greatest review but I can’t praise Emma & her books enough.
They are beautifully written with real, honest characters that you take into your heart and they stay there forever.
Emma is 100% an auto buy author.
I can’t wait for what’s to come next.
Her stories are tender, warm, loving and heartfelt. I always finish her books with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.
I can’t ask for anything more.
I adore all the characters that feature.
Ben, Lou, Uncle Eric, Ava, Cordelia and Nana Molly to name a few. The small town setting and the hope of a second chance at love. All set during my favourite holiday, Christmas.
Chapter 23 is stunning! It was so touching that I actually had tears in my eyes.
I know this isn’t the greatest review but I can’t praise Emma & her books enough.
They are beautifully written with real, honest characters that you take into your heart and they stay there forever.
Emma is 100% an auto buy author.
I can’t wait for what’s to come next.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews