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A Hogmanay Kiss
Marsaili and Will's happily ever after isn't turning out exactly like they planned...
Eighteen months after getting back together, and struggling to find a forever home in their small Highland community, they're still living in the upstairs bedroom of Marsaili's parents' croft. A chance to get away from it all for a romantic Christmas break is just what they need - Marsaili's brother is getting married, and they're going to spend two weeks in Edinburgh for the celebrations.
But when wedding mishaps, a flirtatious bridesmaid and past insecurities threaten to derail their plans, the idyllic festive getaway Marsaili and Will have been dreaming of could make them... or break them.
Reunite with all your favourite characters for a Christmas holiday they’ll never forget, in this fun, feel-good, festive sequel to The Back Up Plan.
Eighteen months after getting back together, and struggling to find a forever home in their small Highland community, they're still living in the upstairs bedroom of Marsaili's parents' croft. A chance to get away from it all for a romantic Christmas break is just what they need - Marsaili's brother is getting married, and they're going to spend two weeks in Edinburgh for the celebrations.
But when wedding mishaps, a flirtatious bridesmaid and past insecurities threaten to derail their plans, the idyllic festive getaway Marsaili and Will have been dreaming of could make them... or break them.
Reunite with all your favourite characters for a Christmas holiday they’ll never forget, in this fun, feel-good, festive sequel to The Back Up Plan.
134 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2020
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Elsie McArthur
3 books33 followersElsie McArthur is an independent author of women's fiction. After studying law at university, and then re-training as a primary school teacher, she now lives in the Highlands of Scotland with her two kids, a badly behaved cocker spaniel and a cat with a superiority complex. As well as continuing to work part time as a teacher, she is now indulging in her first love of writing. Her first book, 'The Back Up Plan', was released in January 2020. Her second novel, 'Love, on the Rocks' - a tale of love, loss and starting over set on the remote Scottish island of Inniscreag - is due for release in Summer 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 1, 2020
Marsaili and Will are in love, but their life is not as perfect as they might have expected. They have no house of their own and must live in Marsaili's parents' home, and Marsaili's insecurities keep making her doubt Will's love. Especially when Sophie, a beautiful, slender and extremely mean solicitor arrives from Dubai to attend their friend's wedding. She will try everything possible to make the couple break up so she can be with Will...
This is a realistic and heart-warming story which many people will identify with. It's a lovely Christmas read although you could read it anytime, really. The wedding scenes are fantastic, with a multicultural Hindu-Scottish wedding taking place in the book. And of course, you get a lovely happy ending!
This is a realistic and heart-warming story which many people will identify with. It's a lovely Christmas read although you could read it anytime, really. The wedding scenes are fantastic, with a multicultural Hindu-Scottish wedding taking place in the book. And of course, you get a lovely happy ending!
December 4, 2020
What a delightfully uplifting Christmas tale. I was so excited to read this book and pick up the story of Will and Marsaili a few years on. The story is filled with a Christmas wedding and family. However, bridesmaid Sophie has set her sights on Will. This story pulls on real life insecurities and shows that happy endings are for everyone - not just fancy Dubai lawyers! A lovely feel-good read for Christmas time.
Another wonderful book by Elsie!
Another wonderful book by Elsie!
January 4, 2021
The Back Up Plan by Elsie McArthur was one of my favourite reads of 2020 so I was thrilled to be able to catch up with Marsaili and Will again in this sequel novella.
We join the characters eighteen months after the end of the previous story when they are still looking for their own home and in the meantime are living at Marsaili's parents' croft in the Scottish Highlands. This doesn't provide our lovebirds with much privacy, something that made me laugh pretty early on. They're hoping their trip to Edinburgh over Christmas and New Year for the wedding of Marsaili's brother will provide them with some alone time…….the best laid plans and all that.
It was such a treat to meet all the characters again. Marsaili is as fiery as usual and somewhat insecure, but she's also incredibly kind and likeable. Will is a delight as before and I always think an author has done a fabulous job when they make their hero so delectable. I really enjoyed all the wedding celebrations too as the bride is Indian and so the ceremonies were multi-cultural.
Marsaili and Will's original road to true love was bumpy and a snooty bridesmaid and some misunderstandings send them down another rocky road, but I'm pleased to say that the ending didn't let me down and the ripples were smoothed out most satisfactorily. I closed the book with a smile on my face.
I loved this return visit to Scotland and I so enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters. A Hogmanay Kiss is a lovely read for this time of year, written with such warmth. It's pure joy.
We join the characters eighteen months after the end of the previous story when they are still looking for their own home and in the meantime are living at Marsaili's parents' croft in the Scottish Highlands. This doesn't provide our lovebirds with much privacy, something that made me laugh pretty early on. They're hoping their trip to Edinburgh over Christmas and New Year for the wedding of Marsaili's brother will provide them with some alone time…….the best laid plans and all that.
It was such a treat to meet all the characters again. Marsaili is as fiery as usual and somewhat insecure, but she's also incredibly kind and likeable. Will is a delight as before and I always think an author has done a fabulous job when they make their hero so delectable. I really enjoyed all the wedding celebrations too as the bride is Indian and so the ceremonies were multi-cultural.
Marsaili and Will's original road to true love was bumpy and a snooty bridesmaid and some misunderstandings send them down another rocky road, but I'm pleased to say that the ending didn't let me down and the ripples were smoothed out most satisfactorily. I closed the book with a smile on my face.
I loved this return visit to Scotland and I so enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters. A Hogmanay Kiss is a lovely read for this time of year, written with such warmth. It's pure joy.
December 29, 2020
Although this is a standalone novel, you would probably enjoy it more if you read The Back Up Plan first. The story begins with Marsaili in the pub with her teacher colleagues - wait a minute! Last time we met Marsaili in The Back Up Plan she was an aspiring actress, so immediately I could see things had moved on since the last book.
It was great to catch up with Marsaili and Will and find that they now live in the Highlands. Desperate for some time alone with each other they are delighted to be going to Edinburgh for a family Christmas wedding, and what a wedding it is. The festivities begin on Christmas Eve and span many days as this is a multicultural wedding. Even before the wedding itself there are some ups and downs for the couple and it's not all plain sailing for the rest of the family party either.
I detested Sophie the bridesmaid from the first page she appeared on and didn't warm to her much from there on in. I was so hoping she wasn't going to ruin Christmas or the wedding for Marsaili. I'll leave you to read this delightful seasonal tale and find out for yourselves if she did.
A lovely novella to snuggle down with and escape to Edinburgh, which was beautifully described, taking me back to my last visit there many years ago.
It was great to catch up with Marsaili and Will and find that they now live in the Highlands. Desperate for some time alone with each other they are delighted to be going to Edinburgh for a family Christmas wedding, and what a wedding it is. The festivities begin on Christmas Eve and span many days as this is a multicultural wedding. Even before the wedding itself there are some ups and downs for the couple and it's not all plain sailing for the rest of the family party either.
I detested Sophie the bridesmaid from the first page she appeared on and didn't warm to her much from there on in. I was so hoping she wasn't going to ruin Christmas or the wedding for Marsaili. I'll leave you to read this delightful seasonal tale and find out for yourselves if she did.
A lovely novella to snuggle down with and escape to Edinburgh, which was beautifully described, taking me back to my last visit there many years ago.
December 19, 2020
A charming holiday novella!
I haven't read "The Back Up Plan" (yet!), so I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this as much as I otherwise would, but I'd read other books by McArthur and decided to take a chance. It's Christmastime, and a holiday novella seemed perfect.
I'm so glad I did! What a charming, relatable story. Even though I was often frustrated by the heroine's insecurities, they were also feelings I've felt myself on occassion. They were REAL, and that's what makes this such a good story.
I'll definitely be adding The Back Up Plan to my ever-growing TBR list, so I can go back and see it all from the beginning. Well done.
I haven't read "The Back Up Plan" (yet!), so I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this as much as I otherwise would, but I'd read other books by McArthur and decided to take a chance. It's Christmastime, and a holiday novella seemed perfect.
I'm so glad I did! What a charming, relatable story. Even though I was often frustrated by the heroine's insecurities, they were also feelings I've felt myself on occassion. They were REAL, and that's what makes this such a good story.
I'll definitely be adding The Back Up Plan to my ever-growing TBR list, so I can go back and see it all from the beginning. Well done.
December 2, 2020
Another winner
As usual Elsie does not disappoint! I am envious of the relationship between Will and Marsaili and In my opinion that means the writer did a good job of making it real for the reader. Good job, definitely recommend you read this and the other books by this author.
As usual Elsie does not disappoint! I am envious of the relationship between Will and Marsaili and In my opinion that means the writer did a good job of making it real for the reader. Good job, definitely recommend you read this and the other books by this author.
April 11, 2021
A feel good follow up to The Back Up Plan. I enjoyed this book even more than the prequel. It was nice to once again, catch up with old friends and see where they now find themselves , and their relationship.
March 8, 2021
This novella is by far the cutest thing I've ever read! I love that it is written like it could be a stand alone, and I think is the perfect sample of the author's work. Though this is a sequel to her debut novel, I found it the perfect holiday read. Elsie McArthur has become one if my favorite authors and I can't wait to see what she writes next. Happy Reading, and Blessed Be.
Lily Ashtree
Lily Ashtree
December 31, 2020
It was lovely to catch up with Marsaili and Will again, to see how their romance had progressed. In a year when many weddings were cancelled, it was lovely to read about the preparations for the wedding and the celebrations on the big day.
With an early arrival, an unkind bridesmaid and many misunderstandings, the ‘holiday’ in Edinburgh had plenty of drama to keep this reader turning the pages. Elsie has created characters you care about and I devoured the book in one sitting. Thank you Elsie for another great virtual visit to Scotland. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
With an early arrival, an unkind bridesmaid and many misunderstandings, the ‘holiday’ in Edinburgh had plenty of drama to keep this reader turning the pages. Elsie has created characters you care about and I devoured the book in one sitting. Thank you Elsie for another great virtual visit to Scotland. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews