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Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop
Four months. One impossible task. It's time to save Christmas.
Bella Reed has worked at The Highland Flower Shop ever since she left college and now her Aunt Jane has handed the keys and the lease over to her. With the business under her reign, Bella is ready to hit the ground running - until she's dealt a massive blow. They're being evicted.
When dashing businessman Maverick McIntyre turns up in Fort William, Bella discovers the reason they're being kicked out. He has no intention of honouring a ridiculous deal his father made many years ago.
As Maverick and Bella lock horns, they both begin to see different sides to one another and before long the two strike up the most unexpected of friendships. Bella knows she has to keep business separate, but when her head and her heart are saying two different things, life starts to get complicated.
No matter her feelings, Bella isn't about to let anyone down and the entire town's counting on her to save Christmas.
Bella Reed has worked at The Highland Flower Shop ever since she left college and now her Aunt Jane has handed the keys and the lease over to her. With the business under her reign, Bella is ready to hit the ground running - until she's dealt a massive blow. They're being evicted.
When dashing businessman Maverick McIntyre turns up in Fort William, Bella discovers the reason they're being kicked out. He has no intention of honouring a ridiculous deal his father made many years ago.
As Maverick and Bella lock horns, they both begin to see different sides to one another and before long the two strike up the most unexpected of friendships. Bella knows she has to keep business separate, but when her head and her heart are saying two different things, life starts to get complicated.
No matter her feelings, Bella isn't about to let anyone down and the entire town's counting on her to save Christmas.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2022
884 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Coleman
16 books273 followersLucy Coleman always knew that one day she would write, but first life took her on a wonderful journey of self-discovery for which she is very grateful.
Family life and two very diverse careers later she now spends most days glued to a keyboard, which she refers to as her personal quality time.
'It's only when you know who you are that you truly understand what makes you happy - and writing about love, life and relationships makes me leap out of bed every morning!'
If she isn't online she's either playing with the kids, whose imaginations seem to know no bounds, or painting something. As a serial house mover together with her lovely husband, there is always a new challenge to keep her occupied!
Family life and two very diverse careers later she now spends most days glued to a keyboard, which she refers to as her personal quality time.
'It's only when you know who you are that you truly understand what makes you happy - and writing about love, life and relationships makes me leap out of bed every morning!'
If she isn't online she's either playing with the kids, whose imaginations seem to know no bounds, or painting something. As a serial house mover together with her lovely husband, there is always a new challenge to keep her occupied!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
December 24, 2022
Enjoyable easy Christmas read 🎄🎅🏼 Based around Fort William, where I visited last year!
September 27, 2022
I liked the concept of Lucy Coleman’s book, which is filled with a sense of Christmas spirit set in a cute Scottish setting. Bella is a likeable character and a strong woman, driving her newly acquired flower shop business forward and navigating some bumps that rear up. Personally, I found the storyline very slow and lacking in moments of chemistry between Bella and Maverick. It all felt too predictable for my liking.
December 12, 2022
A sweet Christmas romance about the owner of a flower shop with a Christmas decoration department that stays open year round and a vintage Santa Sleigh Ride that’s open for the kiddos at Christmas.
Bella’s Aunt Jane left the flower shop to her when she moved to sunny Portugal with her fiancé to be near Bella’s grandmother. The flower shop is thriving and the sleigh ride is run as a charity for the children of Ft. William. Part of the proceeds from the sales in the Christmas shop support the maintenance for the beautiful old sleigh ride that Bella’s grandfather built and ran years ago. It’s a community tradition that everyone loves.
But as the Christmas season approaches Bella gets the bad news that the landlord will be remodeling her flower shop and increasing the size. The rent has always been low thanks to a deal her aunt struck with the landlord years ago. But the landlord has stepped back and the business is being run by a corporation now. His grandson, Maverick, is in charge of the property and shows no sign he wants to help a long term tenant keep her space.
Like most Lucy Coleman stories, there are gorgeous descriptions of the Glencoe valley, nearby Loch Awe, and Ft. William’s high street. The food descriptions are delicious and you feel like you’ve travelled to Scotland. There’s sweet chemistry between Lucy and Maverick as he goes from grumpy corporate businessman to trying to win over both Bella and the townspeople who want to see the sleigh ride tradition continue.
If you want to feel like you’ve visited the highlands at Christmas with a non-steamy romance thrown in, you’ll love this book. Get your hot chocolate and Scottish shortbread and settle in by your Christmas tree.
Bella’s Aunt Jane left the flower shop to her when she moved to sunny Portugal with her fiancé to be near Bella’s grandmother. The flower shop is thriving and the sleigh ride is run as a charity for the children of Ft. William. Part of the proceeds from the sales in the Christmas shop support the maintenance for the beautiful old sleigh ride that Bella’s grandfather built and ran years ago. It’s a community tradition that everyone loves.
But as the Christmas season approaches Bella gets the bad news that the landlord will be remodeling her flower shop and increasing the size. The rent has always been low thanks to a deal her aunt struck with the landlord years ago. But the landlord has stepped back and the business is being run by a corporation now. His grandson, Maverick, is in charge of the property and shows no sign he wants to help a long term tenant keep her space.
Like most Lucy Coleman stories, there are gorgeous descriptions of the Glencoe valley, nearby Loch Awe, and Ft. William’s high street. The food descriptions are delicious and you feel like you’ve travelled to Scotland. There’s sweet chemistry between Lucy and Maverick as he goes from grumpy corporate businessman to trying to win over both Bella and the townspeople who want to see the sleigh ride tradition continue.
If you want to feel like you’ve visited the highlands at Christmas with a non-steamy romance thrown in, you’ll love this book. Get your hot chocolate and Scottish shortbread and settle in by your Christmas tree.
October 4, 2022
My second book by Lucy Coleman was warming, gratifying and highly entertaining, bringing absolutely no disappointments.
Bella Reed's Aunt Jane has run the Highland Flower Shop in Fort William, Scotland for decades. Aunt Jane is handing over Bella who has a diploma in business management as well as years of experience in floristry. Aunt Jane will be moving to Faro primarily to spend more time with her beau, Vic. Bella learns that unfortunately, her aunt didn't account for the change in lease conditions when the business was signed over. Enter businessman Maverick McIntyre who serves notice to Bella for eviction. Can Bella move forward or will she have to let the family's whimsical, delightful shop go?
The Christmassy references and descriptions from Lucy Coleman in this tale are so heavenly! They claim the top spot for me in the story. I also enjoyed the character of Bella who displayed independence and strength, and other members of the cast were well portrayed too. If you have a penchant for romantic Yuletide yarns, Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop is a must.
This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Embla Books via NetGalley.
Bella Reed's Aunt Jane has run the Highland Flower Shop in Fort William, Scotland for decades. Aunt Jane is handing over Bella who has a diploma in business management as well as years of experience in floristry. Aunt Jane will be moving to Faro primarily to spend more time with her beau, Vic. Bella learns that unfortunately, her aunt didn't account for the change in lease conditions when the business was signed over. Enter businessman Maverick McIntyre who serves notice to Bella for eviction. Can Bella move forward or will she have to let the family's whimsical, delightful shop go?
The Christmassy references and descriptions from Lucy Coleman in this tale are so heavenly! They claim the top spot for me in the story. I also enjoyed the character of Bella who displayed independence and strength, and other members of the cast were well portrayed too. If you have a penchant for romantic Yuletide yarns, Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop is a must.
This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Embla Books via NetGalley.
September 22, 2022
I received a free copy of, Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop, by Lucy Coleman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Bella finally gets to run her Aunt Jane's flower shop, but she get evicted first. Maverick, is not the most easiest person to talk to. Splitting up her flower shop into two buildings is not ideal, but needs must. This is a great Christmas story, I love, Lucy Coleman's books, and this one is very enjoyable.
January 1, 2025
Another very entertaining story by Lucy Coleman. Although it is a story about Christmas, don't wait until then to read.
December 15, 2023
Not necessarily a bad book, but to me it was a boring one.
In some ways, that is actually worse, because at least I often remember the bad ones. This one will fade into oblivion quickly.
To make things really easy, I've made a little list.
You might like this book if you:
🎄 Get childishly excited by the mention of a Gantt chart.
🎄 Find spreadsheets and economics unreasonably fun, because at times, that's about as jolly this book is.
🎄 Are interested in real-estate and how the market works - there's a A LOT of talk about these subjects.
🎄 Find domestic issues between couples interesting and don't really mind them being so trivial, normal, frequent, (and boring) that taking part of them is just like opening Facebook. (If you have dull friends.)
🎄 Like a driven and ambitious main character feeling a lot of pressure to live up to the responsibility of taking care of her dead grandfather's legacy - while seeming to have nearly no thoughts on her own wants and needs.
🎄 Really fancy a love story with nearly no chemistry or tangible attraction because the male character is a pretty decent specimen of Mr Perfect Cardboard. (But at least he's rich.)
🎄 Don't mind there being very little "flowershopping" going on, except for in the beginning and the very end of the book. Almost all of the book is spent with the main character doing admin work rather than working with flowers. (One of my biggest disappointments. I picked the book because of the flower shop theme.)
🎄 Like books that claim to be a Christmas story while it actually spans a whole year and, sure, Christmas is part of the story for well integrated reasons, but the actual Christmas feelings won't show up at all until the very, very end of the book.
🎄 Don't mind that the book is longer than it the content is interesting.
🎄 Find the reoccurrence of a rash a huge topic of interest and you want a reason to scoff at the seemingly incompetent medical personnel over at Faroe Islands. Because apparently they can't spot a pet allergy when it's right in front of them. No, it has to be guessed by a grandchild, over the phone from the UK. (Seriously, imagine me rolling my eyes here, in particular.)
🎄 Somehow really love an epilogue written in a weirdly omnipresent 3rd person, after the entire book before it was written in first person. 🤷🏻♀️
🎁 🎁 🎁 🎁 🎁
Ok, I think that will have to do.
The narrator is at least pretty good, otherwise I would have quit this book halfway in.
In some ways, that is actually worse, because at least I often remember the bad ones. This one will fade into oblivion quickly.
To make things really easy, I've made a little list.
You might like this book if you:
🎄 Get childishly excited by the mention of a Gantt chart.
🎄 Find spreadsheets and economics unreasonably fun, because at times, that's about as jolly this book is.
🎄 Are interested in real-estate and how the market works - there's a A LOT of talk about these subjects.
🎄 Find domestic issues between couples interesting and don't really mind them being so trivial, normal, frequent, (and boring) that taking part of them is just like opening Facebook. (If you have dull friends.)
🎄 Like a driven and ambitious main character feeling a lot of pressure to live up to the responsibility of taking care of her dead grandfather's legacy - while seeming to have nearly no thoughts on her own wants and needs.
🎄 Really fancy a love story with nearly no chemistry or tangible attraction because the male character is a pretty decent specimen of Mr Perfect Cardboard. (But at least he's rich.)
🎄 Don't mind there being very little "flowershopping" going on, except for in the beginning and the very end of the book. Almost all of the book is spent with the main character doing admin work rather than working with flowers. (One of my biggest disappointments. I picked the book because of the flower shop theme.)
🎄 Like books that claim to be a Christmas story while it actually spans a whole year and, sure, Christmas is part of the story for well integrated reasons, but the actual Christmas feelings won't show up at all until the very, very end of the book.
🎄 Don't mind that the book is longer than it the content is interesting.
🎄 Find the reoccurrence of a rash a huge topic of interest and you want a reason to scoff at the seemingly incompetent medical personnel over at Faroe Islands. Because apparently they can't spot a pet allergy when it's right in front of them. No, it has to be guessed by a grandchild, over the phone from the UK. (Seriously, imagine me rolling my eyes here, in particular.)
🎄 Somehow really love an epilogue written in a weirdly omnipresent 3rd person, after the entire book before it was written in first person. 🤷🏻♀️
🎁 🎁 🎁 🎁 🎁
Ok, I think that will have to do.
The narrator is at least pretty good, otherwise I would have quit this book halfway in.
December 15, 2022
This book was a typical holiday romance. Nothing too exciting and longer than it needed to be. Followed the familiar formula of a new to the area man literally bumping into a local woman and forming an instant connection. Bella is trying to save her family’s flower shop but the landlord is kicking them out. She bumps into Maverick who is the grandson of the old landlord and the one responsible for the new changes to the business. But Bella doesn’t know that he is her nemesis until days later when he comes to the shop for a cite visit and the town treats him like a villain for ousting the shop. But soon Bella is swooning over him and teaching him about the charms of the local community and he is soon helping her relocate the shop to a new, more affordable location. An easy beach read but nothing too memorable. A skimmer for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
lovely Christmas romance. The descriptions of Lachlan and it’s surrounding areas are beautiful and I really felt I was there. The log cabin and house descriptions were beautiful too.
I sympathised with Bella and the situation she was put in and then the seemingly never ending weight on her shoulders to fix things and continue her pops legacy. I liked how Maverick didn’t jump in and instantly solve all her problems (even though he was the cause if most of them initially!) he listened to her, supported her and worked with her family to help create a solution, which was perfect. I enjoyed their growling friendship and subsequent relationship. Bella is truly a lucky girl.
I sympathised with Bella and the situation she was put in and then the seemingly never ending weight on her shoulders to fix things and continue her pops legacy. I liked how Maverick didn’t jump in and instantly solve all her problems (even though he was the cause if most of them initially!) he listened to her, supported her and worked with her family to help create a solution, which was perfect. I enjoyed their growling friendship and subsequent relationship. Bella is truly a lucky girl.
December 6, 2022
The snow fell gently, creating a wonderland in the small town as people bustled from shop to shop. The smell of fresh baked goods filled the main street, and Christmas lights twinkled in the windows. Poinsettias greeted customers as they walked inside the warm buildings, and many shoppers carried peppermint hot chocolates in their hand. It was an idyllic scene, but there was some disappointment threatening the Christmas spirit this year.
Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop is story set in Scotland following our main character, Bella, as she takes over the family flower business. What she doesn’t know is that the building is about to be sold and she needs to find somewhere else to go, but how will she find the space for their Christmas special and how will she deal with the man in her way?
This book had a sweet small town setting, and I love the business is about to close trope, but the amount of business talk in the first half of this book really took away from the story and bored me. The romance was also not sparking for me and I wasn’t connected to the characters. The last few chapters of the book started to bring the sweet Christmas joy and warmth, but overall this was just a blah read for me.
If you love small town Christmas romances with a “business must close/move” trope and falling for the enemy then you may like this one.
TW: Infidelity.
Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop is story set in Scotland following our main character, Bella, as she takes over the family flower business. What she doesn’t know is that the building is about to be sold and she needs to find somewhere else to go, but how will she find the space for their Christmas special and how will she deal with the man in her way?
This book had a sweet small town setting, and I love the business is about to close trope, but the amount of business talk in the first half of this book really took away from the story and bored me. The romance was also not sparking for me and I wasn’t connected to the characters. The last few chapters of the book started to bring the sweet Christmas joy and warmth, but overall this was just a blah read for me.
If you love small town Christmas romances with a “business must close/move” trope and falling for the enemy then you may like this one.
TW: Infidelity.
January 4, 2023
Enjoyed but did do a wee bit of skimming ...
November 3, 2022
Bella is handed the keys to her aunts flower shop that is a huge drawer for the local community with their Santa sleigh ride that is housed in part of the shop floor. When they get an eviction notice Bella has to try hard to save the shop and the Christmas heritage.
You could just imagine the beautiful aromas in the shop and the Winter Wonderland extravaganza that she is trying to preserve.
A lovely festive read.
You could just imagine the beautiful aromas in the shop and the Winter Wonderland extravaganza that she is trying to preserve.
A lovely festive read.
December 8, 2022
I almost didn’t finish it, but glad I did.
This was a hard book for me to read. I’m not sure if it was the overcompensating descriptions, or that the usage of words weren’t what I’m familiar with, but it wasn’t until almost the end that the book flowed for me. I’m my opinion the first 2/3 of the book was an overachievers attempt to add as much descriptive wording as possible to the point that it took away from the story. Towards the end of the book, I for the first time had emotion while reading this book. I would love to recommend this book, but almost would want to warn to merely skim the book up through all of “October” once it gets to November, and especially December, the book really takes off and is fantastic. If you’re one that can do that, this book will be a welcome read. If overcompensation of details to the point of mere boredom will cause you to not finish, then don’t start this book.
This was a hard book for me to read. I’m not sure if it was the overcompensating descriptions, or that the usage of words weren’t what I’m familiar with, but it wasn’t until almost the end that the book flowed for me. I’m my opinion the first 2/3 of the book was an overachievers attempt to add as much descriptive wording as possible to the point that it took away from the story. Towards the end of the book, I for the first time had emotion while reading this book. I would love to recommend this book, but almost would want to warn to merely skim the book up through all of “October” once it gets to November, and especially December, the book really takes off and is fantastic. If you’re one that can do that, this book will be a welcome read. If overcompensation of details to the point of mere boredom will cause you to not finish, then don’t start this book.
September 7, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Embla for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Christmas + Scotland + flowers = it’s a match made in festive heaven.
The extended cast of characters in this book is plentiful and it helps give the story its sense of community. There’s children, parents, grandparents, and you can see the magic of the place through the generations.
I loved the description of the high street, especially near the end of the book when all the Christmas lights get switched on and whatnot, it’s really beautiful.
It starts in September so, apart from the odd mention, it does take a while to feel really festive, but there’s enough build up to get you looking forward to the latter chapters.
I liked the main characters of Bella and her aunt Jane. They’re strong women and they really hold the story up. Then you get the supporting cast. The handsome stranger, the caring colleague - it’s full of loving people, friends, relatives, as well as hard, selfish, serious types, but they all work together to add a sense of realism throughout.
One main plot theme involves a lot of tenancy legalities which I have no understanding of, but it doesn’t overwhelm. It is enough to move the story along and is the right side of mind boggling thankfully.
Everything is about community with this story and it’s lovely to see that. With more and more people moving to big cities for employment opportunities, it’s lovely to read about a smaller area where everyone knows everyone, it just makes the festivities that much richer.
These type of happily-ever-after books are always quite predictable, you know everything will work out in the end and that’s what I wanted from it. It’s the journey to get to happily-ever-after that I’m interested in and it was a very warm and cosy journey. I’d highly recommend it for any time of the year but particularly on a snowy winter night and I’ll definitely be looking out for more of her work.
There’s sadness and loneliness, stress and anger, but there’s also hope and happiness, love and joy. A real festive winner.
Christmas + Scotland + flowers = it’s a match made in festive heaven.
The extended cast of characters in this book is plentiful and it helps give the story its sense of community. There’s children, parents, grandparents, and you can see the magic of the place through the generations.
I loved the description of the high street, especially near the end of the book when all the Christmas lights get switched on and whatnot, it’s really beautiful.
It starts in September so, apart from the odd mention, it does take a while to feel really festive, but there’s enough build up to get you looking forward to the latter chapters.
I liked the main characters of Bella and her aunt Jane. They’re strong women and they really hold the story up. Then you get the supporting cast. The handsome stranger, the caring colleague - it’s full of loving people, friends, relatives, as well as hard, selfish, serious types, but they all work together to add a sense of realism throughout.
One main plot theme involves a lot of tenancy legalities which I have no understanding of, but it doesn’t overwhelm. It is enough to move the story along and is the right side of mind boggling thankfully.
Everything is about community with this story and it’s lovely to see that. With more and more people moving to big cities for employment opportunities, it’s lovely to read about a smaller area where everyone knows everyone, it just makes the festivities that much richer.
These type of happily-ever-after books are always quite predictable, you know everything will work out in the end and that’s what I wanted from it. It’s the journey to get to happily-ever-after that I’m interested in and it was a very warm and cosy journey. I’d highly recommend it for any time of the year but particularly on a snowy winter night and I’ll definitely be looking out for more of her work.
There’s sadness and loneliness, stress and anger, but there’s also hope and happiness, love and joy. A real festive winner.
November 28, 2022
Discover the locations in the novel
ead to the Scottish highlands for festive flowers
This book had the perfect mix for me – flowers and a nice flower shop, a village setting and a Christmas vibe. I’m not usually attracted to Christmas novels but this one stood out. The cover helped I’m not going to lie!
What I loved about it, is that it’s set in Fort William where I have spent many a happy holiday over the years. Spending time there again via this book was magical and I couldn’t wait to see it through the eyes of the author. She didn’t disappoint – we start off in September so get all the autumn vibes before heading into the festive period. The High street with its array of Christmas lights was stunning and I even got drawn into the whole sense of community and the build up to the festive day.
The characters and sense of community warmed my cold heart. Tjere’s a real village feel, a sense that entire families, generations live and work here. Strong main characters and a strong supporting cast make this a very nice and fleshed out story. There were some bits about tenancy and legal issues which I found a bit boring, but they were minimal and important to the story.
Lucy Coleman has written a book that will warm the cockles of your heart as the dark and cold night draw in. It will make you want to type ‘Fort William’ into a travel website too.
September 16, 2022
‘Tis the Season to read the perfect Christmas romantic comedy. Lucy Coleman’s Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop is just that. Much like many beloved Hallmark Christmas movies, this story was about how two characters, who are at first at odds, come together to save Christmas. Set in the Scottish Highlands, this story is about saving Bella’s family legacy, Santa’s Grotto sleigh ride. Bella is a dedicated, hard-working woman who just inherited her Aunt Jane’s florist shop. Maverick is the new-to-town businessman that causes Bella’s world to come crashing down. While Maverick seems harsh and cold at first glance, we soon see his true colors. He is a thoughtful and caring man willing to roll up his sleeves to help Bella. While their romance blooms, the two work together to save Christmas for the entire town.
This story had me hooked right from the start. I enjoyed watching the sweet romance between Bella and Maverick unfold. The cast of side characters and their stories kept things interesting. I loved the small town of Fort William. This story embraced family, friendship, and a sense of community where everyone cares for each other. It is the perfect feel-good story to read this holiday season.
If you love sweet, wholesome romance filled with tons of Christmas cheer, this is the book for you! Make sure to grab your copy of Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop! The expected publishing date is September 20, 2022.
Thank you, NetGalley and Embla Books, for offering me the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This story had me hooked right from the start. I enjoyed watching the sweet romance between Bella and Maverick unfold. The cast of side characters and their stories kept things interesting. I loved the small town of Fort William. This story embraced family, friendship, and a sense of community where everyone cares for each other. It is the perfect feel-good story to read this holiday season.
If you love sweet, wholesome romance filled with tons of Christmas cheer, this is the book for you! Make sure to grab your copy of Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop! The expected publishing date is September 20, 2022.
Thank you, NetGalley and Embla Books, for offering me the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 31, 2022
Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop by Lucy Coleman
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Four months. One impossible task. It's time to save Christmas.
Bella Reed has worked at The Highland Flower Shop ever since she left college and now her Aunt Jane has handed the keys and the lease over to her. With the business under her reign, Bella is ready to hit the ground running - until she's dealt a massive blow. They're being evicted.
When dashing businessman Maverick McIntyre turns up in Fort William, Bella discovers the reason they're being kicked out. He has no intention of honouring a ridiculous deal his father made many years ago.
As Maverick and Bella lock horns, they both begin to see different sides to one another and before long the two strike up the most unexpected of friendships. Bella knows she has to keep business separate, but when her head and her heart are saying two different things, life starts to get complicated.
No matter her feelings, Bella isn't about to let anyone down and the entire town's counting on her to save Christmas.
My Opinion
This is such a lovely story. Bella is trying to find up with a way to save the Santa Sleigh Ride as well as the flower shop that sells Christmas decorations all year round. Reading this I feel like I have just visited the snowy Scottish Highlands. I'd recommend reading this with a nice festive drink, surrounded by Christmas decorations.
Rating 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
Four months. One impossible task. It's time to save Christmas.
Bella Reed has worked at The Highland Flower Shop ever since she left college and now her Aunt Jane has handed the keys and the lease over to her. With the business under her reign, Bella is ready to hit the ground running - until she's dealt a massive blow. They're being evicted.
When dashing businessman Maverick McIntyre turns up in Fort William, Bella discovers the reason they're being kicked out. He has no intention of honouring a ridiculous deal his father made many years ago.
As Maverick and Bella lock horns, they both begin to see different sides to one another and before long the two strike up the most unexpected of friendships. Bella knows she has to keep business separate, but when her head and her heart are saying two different things, life starts to get complicated.
No matter her feelings, Bella isn't about to let anyone down and the entire town's counting on her to save Christmas.
My Opinion
This is such a lovely story. Bella is trying to find up with a way to save the Santa Sleigh Ride as well as the flower shop that sells Christmas decorations all year round. Reading this I feel like I have just visited the snowy Scottish Highlands. I'd recommend reading this with a nice festive drink, surrounded by Christmas decorations.
Rating 4/5
November 4, 2022
What a truly lovely story.
You might think it is the regular sort of a book about a shop that is coming up against a corporation, and know exactly how it ends but I am delighted to say that the route Lucy Coleman takes with this book kept me on my toes at all times, and in terms of the Flower Shop and the Sleigh Ride certainly didn't turn out how I would have thought at the start.
It took me a while to get into this story completely, I found it slow to get going and just felt like it may have had too many pages. I would have loved less deliberating over business decisions and more about the charitable sleigh ride, or just generally more of a feeling of Christmas.
It's a good book, I enjoyed it but I have read so many books from this author that I have enjoyed more, it just didn't properly mesh well with me.
I enjoyed the development of Maverick and getting to know his family. I also loved seeing how Holly's story developed. I think it was just Bella that I just didn't gel with.
I did though enjoy the Highlands setting and some of the descriptions were really good and I could conjure up the images in my minds eye quite easily.
Thank you to Embla Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You might think it is the regular sort of a book about a shop that is coming up against a corporation, and know exactly how it ends but I am delighted to say that the route Lucy Coleman takes with this book kept me on my toes at all times, and in terms of the Flower Shop and the Sleigh Ride certainly didn't turn out how I would have thought at the start.
It took me a while to get into this story completely, I found it slow to get going and just felt like it may have had too many pages. I would have loved less deliberating over business decisions and more about the charitable sleigh ride, or just generally more of a feeling of Christmas.
It's a good book, I enjoyed it but I have read so many books from this author that I have enjoyed more, it just didn't properly mesh well with me.
I enjoyed the development of Maverick and getting to know his family. I also loved seeing how Holly's story developed. I think it was just Bella that I just didn't gel with.
I did though enjoy the Highlands setting and some of the descriptions were really good and I could conjure up the images in my minds eye quite easily.
Thank you to Embla Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
December 10, 2022
It was ok
It was ok.
We meet Bella Reed, who has worked at the flower shop since she had left college, now she must run it and save it before Christmas.
Dashing business man Maverick Mclntyre wants to buy them out.
At first Bella and Maverick don’t get off on the right foot, tension’s mount, the locals aren’t happy about their long-time flower shop been bought out.
Bella does what she can to save it. she puts her all into it. is it enough though?
Bella splits up from her boyfriend, she’s now living on her own on top of running a shop that’s about to go under… and it turns out there’s a big famly secret as to why her aunt got the spot in the first place.
Can Bella with everything going on save the shop keep everyone happy?
Read and find out.
Ok, three, I gave it three, I did not like the book. It dragged way, way too long for me, I nearly gave up on it. it was too, nice, nice. Even though there is tension and drama in the book. None of it came across. It was “oh, I forgive you”. sort of thing. there is no real arguments.
The scenery is described beautifully in the book though. The Scottish accent is portrayed very well.
Please don’t take my word for it, read it for yourself.
It was ok.
We meet Bella Reed, who has worked at the flower shop since she had left college, now she must run it and save it before Christmas.
Dashing business man Maverick Mclntyre wants to buy them out.
At first Bella and Maverick don’t get off on the right foot, tension’s mount, the locals aren’t happy about their long-time flower shop been bought out.
Bella does what she can to save it. she puts her all into it. is it enough though?
Bella splits up from her boyfriend, she’s now living on her own on top of running a shop that’s about to go under… and it turns out there’s a big famly secret as to why her aunt got the spot in the first place.
Can Bella with everything going on save the shop keep everyone happy?
Read and find out.
Ok, three, I gave it three, I did not like the book. It dragged way, way too long for me, I nearly gave up on it. it was too, nice, nice. Even though there is tension and drama in the book. None of it came across. It was “oh, I forgive you”. sort of thing. there is no real arguments.
The scenery is described beautifully in the book though. The Scottish accent is portrayed very well.
Please don’t take my word for it, read it for yourself.
July 31, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This book by Lucy Coleman is a good example of how lucky we chicklit readers are to have so many talented British writers, especially in the Boldwood publishing house. The story is unique, starting with the sleigh ride that is used to collect gifts for struggling families. I have visited both Fort William and Loch Awe and the setting is described accurately, including the peace and serenity, it's very beautiful. The story about the shop lease and premises is realistic, and the characters portrayed well (albeit that there are quite a few - at one stage I thought this was part of a series and I ought to have 'met' some of them.previously!), although there are so many that a 'who's who' at the beginning might have been helpful. A couple of things struck me as odd (the reference to Isla sending Belle to speak to the McPhersons which was never continued, and Fiona's accident which seems to be a secret) but in general I found the book interesting as well as enjoyable. I particularly liked the epilogue which ties up loose ends. I've now signed up to follow this author!
This book by Lucy Coleman is a good example of how lucky we chicklit readers are to have so many talented British writers, especially in the Boldwood publishing house. The story is unique, starting with the sleigh ride that is used to collect gifts for struggling families. I have visited both Fort William and Loch Awe and the setting is described accurately, including the peace and serenity, it's very beautiful. The story about the shop lease and premises is realistic, and the characters portrayed well (albeit that there are quite a few - at one stage I thought this was part of a series and I ought to have 'met' some of them.previously!), although there are so many that a 'who's who' at the beginning might have been helpful. A couple of things struck me as odd (the reference to Isla sending Belle to speak to the McPhersons which was never continued, and Fiona's accident which seems to be a secret) but in general I found the book interesting as well as enjoyable. I particularly liked the epilogue which ties up loose ends. I've now signed up to follow this author!
November 4, 2023
I borrowed this book from Amazon Prime.
The book is written in the first person, Bella's actions and thoughts. But the epilogue from someone else's and I have no idea by whom. Also confusing was the fact that nothing stood between the next act. At some point, you're in William's office, and the next in the kitchen with your father. I didn't take at all to Holly; she's the owner's BFF but also an employee and doesn't know not to cross certain lines - ever. Also the fact that she calls her daughter "silly thing" when she was really upset didn't sit well with me. Maverick and his grandpa Randall are perfect gentlemen and try really hard to solve everyone's problems and make their significant other happy. A bit of repeats about "making excuses for Adam’s behaviour for so long now it’s become second nature." At least 4xby 24%. I loved how the relationship between Bella and Maverick build up through the story. Feel good holiday story.
The book is written in the first person, Bella's actions and thoughts. But the epilogue from someone else's and I have no idea by whom. Also confusing was the fact that nothing stood between the next act. At some point, you're in William's office, and the next in the kitchen with your father. I didn't take at all to Holly; she's the owner's BFF but also an employee and doesn't know not to cross certain lines - ever. Also the fact that she calls her daughter "silly thing" when she was really upset didn't sit well with me. Maverick and his grandpa Randall are perfect gentlemen and try really hard to solve everyone's problems and make their significant other happy. A bit of repeats about "making excuses for Adam’s behaviour for so long now it’s become second nature." At least 4xby 24%. I loved how the relationship between Bella and Maverick build up through the story. Feel good holiday story.
November 20, 2025
Bella Reed's home away from home is at the The Highland Flower Shop as she's worked at her aunt's flower shop ever since she's left college.
When her Aunt Jane hands the keys over to her, she's ecstatic, what could be more perfect and she's already dreaming and planning now that she's in charge.
A terrible miscommunication leaves her being evicted before any of those plans can come to fruition.
Set in a beautiful small town setting the flower shop is a pillar of the community and always so beautifully decorated for Christmas and quite busy.
Maverick McIntyre is quite hardlined and not interested in honoring a deal his father made years ago.
If only while in business meetings Bella didn't find Maverick quite so handsome and has to remind herself, he's the enemy.
A typical enemy to lover's romance with a lovely Christmassy theme that was an enjoyable story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
When her Aunt Jane hands the keys over to her, she's ecstatic, what could be more perfect and she's already dreaming and planning now that she's in charge.
A terrible miscommunication leaves her being evicted before any of those plans can come to fruition.
Set in a beautiful small town setting the flower shop is a pillar of the community and always so beautifully decorated for Christmas and quite busy.
Maverick McIntyre is quite hardlined and not interested in honoring a deal his father made years ago.
If only while in business meetings Bella didn't find Maverick quite so handsome and has to remind herself, he's the enemy.
A typical enemy to lover's romance with a lovely Christmassy theme that was an enjoyable story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
September 18, 2022
A beautiful story about a woman who overcomes the obstacles she faces when she inherits the Highland Flower Shop from her Aunt Jane. Soon after taking over the Flower Shop Bella learns that she lost her lease. Not only does she need to find a new location for the Shop, but she needs to find a place that can accommodate her family legacy – Santa’s Grotto and the sleigh ride that is a regional holiday favorite. Enter Maverick, the grandson of Randall, a friend of her Aunt Jane’s, and the person who initiated the eviction.
Come to the Scottish Highlands and join Bella and Maverick’s on their journey and meet the family and community that come together to help Bella save her legacy and find her happily ever after.
Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books for this eARC, My opinions are my own and not solicited in any way. Publication date: 9/20/2022
Come to the Scottish Highlands and join Bella and Maverick’s on their journey and meet the family and community that come together to help Bella save her legacy and find her happily ever after.
Thank you NetGalley and Embla Books for this eARC, My opinions are my own and not solicited in any way. Publication date: 9/20/2022
August 27, 2022
Set in Scotland, this story follows Bella as she tries to save her flower shop. Finding out that her lease will not be renewed and breaking up with her boyfriend happen back-to-back. But Bella is surrounded by friends and family for support.
Then she meets Maverick, who works for the company that owns her building. It’s nice to see their relationship slowly build, even with all the business stuff still looming. It’s a nice, sweet read.
I think my only real negative is about the formatting of the ebook, but I’m hoping that’s just because it’s an ARC and it will be fixed in the final version.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop to come out September 20, 2022.
Then she meets Maverick, who works for the company that owns her building. It’s nice to see their relationship slowly build, even with all the business stuff still looming. It’s a nice, sweet read.
I think my only real negative is about the formatting of the ebook, but I’m hoping that’s just because it’s an ARC and it will be fixed in the final version.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop to come out September 20, 2022.
September 6, 2022
When Bella's aunt leaves her floristry business to her, it should be a great opportunity. Unfortunately, her aunt didn't account for he change in lease conditions when she signed over the business. Now Bella is struggling to keep her business operating in the location everyone loves. Maverick is assigned to update the property to current codes and manage it. There's plenty of community support for the florist and the charity it supports. Maverick is coming into his own in a new country and getting to know his extended family. It is a lovely story of friendship, family and romance. I read this on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2022
Bella inherits the Highland Flower shop from her Aunt Jane and it was not long she finds out her Aunt had lost the lease to the shop. Bella now has to begin the search for a new location for the shop. This is just the beginning of everything Bella has to do to keep this shop going.
This is an easy and sweet Christmas story filled with so much emotion. This is a great book to spend time with. The characters all fit together perfectly, and they all help Bella accomplish what she wants to.
Thank you NetGalley and Lucy Coleman for the opportunity to read this ARC of Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop. This is my personal review.
This is an easy and sweet Christmas story filled with so much emotion. This is a great book to spend time with. The characters all fit together perfectly, and they all help Bella accomplish what she wants to.
Thank you NetGalley and Lucy Coleman for the opportunity to read this ARC of Christmas at the Highland Flower Shop. This is my personal review.
October 18, 2022
Bella has inherited her aunt's flower shop as her aunt Jane wants to go abroad for her retirement early but unfortunately they don't realise that there are terms in the lease which means it isn't going to be as easy as that
Maverick McIntyre whose uncle's company owns the building the flower shop gives Bella an eviction notice as the lease has now changed
Hoping to sort things out and re lease the shop Bella invites Maverick to look around, unfortunately there is a small demonstration outside from some of the locals trying to help which wasn't what Bella needed
Can they work things out as a business interest or do feelings start to run deeper than that ?
Maverick McIntyre whose uncle's company owns the building the flower shop gives Bella an eviction notice as the lease has now changed
Hoping to sort things out and re lease the shop Bella invites Maverick to look around, unfortunately there is a small demonstration outside from some of the locals trying to help which wasn't what Bella needed
Can they work things out as a business interest or do feelings start to run deeper than that ?
December 17, 2022
This was a prime lend from Amazon.
Lucy Coleman books are easy reads and always hit the mark. Not cerebral but comfort reading. This Christmas story has the villain, the heroine, dire problems, love stories, family secrets, lots of snow...and a Santa ride! What more could you ask for?
The characters are nicely written, but do suffer from the usual chick lit issue - they are wonder women with talent, excellent friends, and a dollop of money/ luck that us normal folk never have. But he, isn't that the joy of reading them?? As a seasonal story it works, and you will not be left disappointed with it at all.
Lucy Coleman books are easy reads and always hit the mark. Not cerebral but comfort reading. This Christmas story has the villain, the heroine, dire problems, love stories, family secrets, lots of snow...and a Santa ride! What more could you ask for?
The characters are nicely written, but do suffer from the usual chick lit issue - they are wonder women with talent, excellent friends, and a dollop of money/ luck that us normal folk never have. But he, isn't that the joy of reading them?? As a seasonal story it works, and you will not be left disappointed with it at all.
August 27, 2022
A wonderful Christmas story that will keep your interest!
Who doesn't like romance, a bit of turmoil and a happy ending at this beautiful time of the year?
Bella Reed needs help. She has taken on her Aunt Jane's flower shop and now there is some trouble.
Will she be able to move forward or will she have to let this cute, whimsical, shop go?
A mug of hot chocolate and a comfy chair with this book will bring you some holiday cheer!
Thank you to #NetGalley and #EmblaBooks for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review!
It is time for Christmas!
Who doesn't like romance, a bit of turmoil and a happy ending at this beautiful time of the year?
Bella Reed needs help. She has taken on her Aunt Jane's flower shop and now there is some trouble.
Will she be able to move forward or will she have to let this cute, whimsical, shop go?
A mug of hot chocolate and a comfy chair with this book will bring you some holiday cheer!
Thank you to #NetGalley and #EmblaBooks for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review!
It is time for Christmas!
November 17, 2022
I did make it to the end but only because I skimmed the last third - I've got this far so I may as well finish sort of thing. We know the moment Bella meets Maverick that they will begin a journey to find happiness together so it is important, to me anyway, that I like Bella and fall for Maverick. Both are pleasant enough, decent people, but somehow I failed to connect with them. It's a nice enough story but I wanted more depth; I know from some of her other books that the author is capable of creating characters I care about.
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