A Perfect Cornish Christmas

Phillipa Ashley

Oct 2019 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this eBook

Escape to Cornwall for Christmas in this Top 10 bestselling new romance.

‘Sparkling and festive, as satisfying as figgy pudding and clotted cream – loved it!’ Milly Johnson

Christmas in Cornwall is just around the corner...

But after last Christmas revealed a shocking family secret, Scarlett’s hardly feeling merry and bright. All she wants this Christmas is to know who her real father is.

So Scarlett heads to the little Cornish town of Porthmellow, where she believes the truth of her birth is hidden. She just didn’t bargain on being drawn into the Christmas festival preparations – or meeting Jude Penberth, whose charm threatens to complicate life further.

Everything will come to a head at Porthmellow’s Christmas Festival ... But can Scarlett have the perfect Christmas this year, or are there more surprises on the way?

Curl up with this gorgeous novel and savour the world of Porthmellow Harbour.

‘A transporting festive romance, full of genuine warmth and quirky characters’ Woman’s Own

‘A page-turner of a festive read’ My Weekly

‘Serious festive escapism ... like a big warm hug’ Popsugar

Praise for Phillipa Ashley:

‘Warm and funny and feel-good. The best sort of holiday read’ Katie Fforde

‘Filled with warm and likeable characters. Great fun!’ Jill Mansell

‘A delicious festive treat with as many twists and turns as a Cornish country lane’ Jules Wake

Ratings and reviews

3.5 Stars I didn't really read the blurb for this book so when I started reading and found it was set in Porthmellow Harbour I was actually really pleased to be in a familiar setting. However, it is only really a back drop to the story with a host of new characters and the odd name drop cameo of the characters from A Perfect Cornish Summer. Bit disappointing really as I would have loved to catch up with Sam and Chloe. The other disappointment in the book is that, for this reader, it tries to do too much. Instead of settling on two or three main themes throughout, it all gets a bit muddled and jumbled up whilst trying to cover everything. So much so, I found myself losing interest in the central story of the fall out from what should have been a fun present the previous Christmas that turned the whole family inside out. The author does do a good job of showing family dynamics and how each individual reacts to the revelation that Scarlett is not her father's biological daughter, but the whole push to discover the circumstances regarding her birth do become a little tedious after a while. This is not helped by all the other side plots that are brewing. The Christmas Festival does sound wonderful and I almost found myself wanting to go - even if the torch parade did make me think of the Shetland New Year celebrations. The whole setting does come alive in this book and at least the tide does come in occasionally at Porthmellow, although I don't think it is the time of year to be taking the plunge in to it's wild waters. There are some nice romantic flourishes throughout the book for Scarlett, her sister Ellie and even their mother. Ms. Ashley does a good job of making these heartwarming and touching whilst just about avoiding the schmaltz that it is easy to slip in to at this time of year. Although, I will admit I was far more interested in Ellie's potential romance than in Scarlett's. A nice, easy festive read that brings plenty of cheer.

I’ve been thoroughly spoiled this year .. this is another fabulous festive read! Last year, the Latham family’s Christmas imploded; twelve months on and things still haven’t been resolved. As Christmas approaches once again, daughter Scarlett heads to Porthmellow to try and find answers to the question which raised it’s head almost twelve months ago. Will she get to the bottom of things or is it the end of the family unit as they’ve known it? Such a fantastic, cosy read and the mention of all the great festive fare has me planning Christmas food already! With new characters, it took me several chapters to twig that I have visited Porthmellow before, albeit during the summer – after all I have read a LOT of novels this year. Phillipa Ashley’s stories are always warm and inviting, individually created but forming part of truly endearing series’ which pull the reader in and pin you down until the final page. This is the kind of book which you think you’ll pick up for ten minutes and before you know it another hour has disappeared! A gorgeous seasonal read and one which I totally loved, enjoyed and fully recommend. Absolutely worth all five stars!

4 star review of A Perfect Cornish Christmas (Porthmellow Harbour #2) by Phillipa Ashley I was drawn to the cover and the blurb and since I love any story that is centered around my favourite holiday of the year, Christmas, I couldn’t wait to read this story. Phillipa Ashley is a new author to me and I have no idea why I have not come across her before. I found myself easily picturing myself in Porthmellow, Cornwall and the surrounding area as I read this story. It was an entertaining and well written story which I really enjoyed. I really liked Scarlett and Jude and I felt for Scarlett as she searched for answers. A Perfect Cornish Christmas was full of quirky characters that were entertaining to read about. It was heart warming and enjoyable read. I received a copy of this book, through the publisher via Netgalley.

About the author

Phillipa Ashley writes warm, funny romantic fiction for a variety of world-famous international publishers.

After studying English at Oxford, she worked as a copywriter and journalist. Her first novel, Decent Exposure, won the RNA New Writers Award and was made into a TV movie called 12 Men of Christmas starring Kristin Chenoweth and Josh Hopkins. As Pippa Croft, she also wrote the Oxford Blue series – The First Time We Met, The Second Time I Saw You and Third Time Lucky.

Phillipa lives in a Staffordshire village and has an engineer husband and scientist daughter who indulge her arty whims. She runs a holiday-let business in the Lake District, but a big part of her heart belongs to Cornwall. She visits the county several times a year for ‘research purposes’, an arduous task that involves sampling cream teas, swimming in wild Cornish coves and following actors around film shoots in a camper van.