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beautifullybookish25's review against another edition
3.0
Some parts of this book were really great and some were just... Not. The magical aspect was too farfetched for me and it just seemed forced as if it were added to create drama and make the book longer. I enjoyed the book but I was frequently frustrated too as I felt the problems in the relationship were verging on silly. I am disappointed as this book had so much potential but it missed the mark for me.
cosyupnread5's review against another edition
5.0
Christmas at Mistletoe Cove was such a delightful read, I thoroughly enjoyed it, fell in love with Eden and Dougie, they made the perfect couple, love Holly Martin's style of writing her writing gets better and better with beautiful book covers to go with the perfect story to cosy up with!
emmacr2024's review against another edition
3.0
Christmas at Mistletoe Cove is the third and last in the Hope Island series by Holly Martin. I feel like I am always saying this but again this book is easily read as a standalone if you haven't read the first two in the series. The fact that this can be read on its own means the author has supplied enough of a back story so the reader doesn't feel like they are missing out on huge chunks of the previous stories. We have already read of Bella and Issac and Rome and Freya so now our attention turns to Eden and Dougie. What I like about this series is that there are no pretensions as to what they eventual outcome will be. It's fairly obvious to everyone, the readers included, except for the pair in question what will happen but in the case of this series I feel it's really more about the journey to get to that point that really makes the books so enjoyable.
Holly Martin certainly writes romance really well and in this book there were a few scenes that were just so perfect and really portrayed the love Dougie and Eden felt for each other. Yes there are lots of trials and tribulations, misunderstandings and secrets along the way but that all adds to the fun and the question of actually will they or won't they get their act together and realise what all the residents of Hope Island and their friends and family can see?
Eden Lancaster is the sister of Rome and Bella whose own relationship status' have been established in the first two books. She runs the local pottery painting café Pots and Paints with help from Claire. I was delighted now was the chance to finally get to know Eden as I felt she had been very much hovering on the periphery in previous books. She has been waiting impatiently to share her story and for her chance at long term romance to hopefully come her way. Eden is very nervous as her best friend Dougie Harrison is coming home from America after many years away from the island. He has decided to sell everything and buy a small cottage next to Eden's. You would think Eden would be over the moon with this. The best friend she misses so desperately is coming back for good. In fact it's the complete opposite and she is a total bag of nerves. For as long as she can remember she has been madly in love with Dougie but has never had the courage to confess her feelings to bare all to him. I thought how on earth if you love someone so much could you be around them and act all normal without giving away what was always running through your heart and mind. It must have been killing Eden to keep everything all bundled up. Even her friends and fellow islanders could see what Eden was going through. So why couldn't Dougie?
In one way I understood why Eden kept everything bottled up and at other points in the story the further everything developed I thought she was totally over acting and not appreciating what was unfolding in her life. By not telling Dougie how she was feeling she could keep her feelings to herself and the fear of said feelings not being reciprocated would never happen. At the heart of it all she didn't want their fantastic friendship to be ruined and I got that. But sometimes I feel we have to grab every opportunity and express how we feel. Forget the consequences, if your heart is saying one thing, go for it. If you don't you would always live with regrets for the rest of your life. If Eden didn't get everything off her chest it would only make her miserable and she would never find happiness in her life. So Eden questions why Dougie is forgoing his dream of making it big in the gaming world in America? Has Dougie something up his sleeve? Maybe he is much more in tune with Eden than she realises. Maybe the two of them needed to be locked in a room until they confessed how they felt seep down and then they could have dealt with the fallout or not? Eden was in pain, not the physical sort more the kind that is on your mind and in your heart every moment of every day. She really couldn't have gone on like that in the long term.
For two people that were only supposed to be friends they certainly were very touchy feely so it was obvious what was going to unfold but it's the manner in which it did that was both lovely and very frustrating at times. I thought the whole idea of Mistletoe Cove was just gorgeous and so romantic. If you go to the blow hole at Mistletoe Cove at midnight, having written three wishes on a piece of paper you throw it in, said wishes will come true. This is what Eden does. Mistletoe Cove was a special place for Eden when growing up and a certain something that happened there many years ago has always been at the forefront of her mind. I'll admit the 'magic' element of the book seemed over the top. I knew there had to be something else behind it but the way Eden reacts and gets all caught up with it in very much the wrong way with regard to the 'magic' made me very annoyed and frustrated with her. As I've said I wanted her to stop and appreciate what she had and not seek affirmations and concrete proof of stuff. Things were turning around for her and why couldn't she go with the flow and not stop and question everything at every juncture. She had the man of her dreams right before her, why couldn't she just leap into his arms and never let go ? Instead doubt and mistrust crept it's way in.
For me Dougie definitely rivalled Issac in the battle for who was the 'best man' in the Hope Island series. I thought he was sensible and had a good head on his shoulders. He was a natural flirt who made women swoon at his feet but he only had eyes for one woman. It's just a pity the path to true romance and honesty with his good intentions proved so rocky and not without its faults. Dougie was so incredibly romantic, every little thing was so well thought out and I think the bath scenes was very steamy, excuse the pun. Holly Martin can write scenes that have you wishing it was you actually with Dougie or whoever the man in question is according to whatever book you are reading. I could understand Dougie's hesitancy in relation to what he wanted for the future considering his past experiences with what happened to his parents marriage but I think Hope Island and Eden very much held a special place in his heart. Therefore over time and the fact he loves making people feel good about themselves someone may well just do the same for him. I fervently wished himself and Eden could get over their issues and get all the truth out in the open. It would be such a shame if two people who were destined to be together couldn't bare their souls and unite as they should do.
As Christmas was in the title, it surely had to be mentioned in the book. It wasn't to in your face but the descriptions of the island over the Christmas period and the Christmas festival as organised by Bella were wonderful. They certainly got me in the festive mode with all the glorious descriptions of the food and various activities. I really enjoyed Christmas at Hope Island. It was a lovely conclusion to the series. Overall I would place it second behind Spring at Blueberry Bay. This was an honest, romantic, sparkling and captivating read that proves Holly Martin never disappoints with any of her books.
Holly Martin certainly writes romance really well and in this book there were a few scenes that were just so perfect and really portrayed the love Dougie and Eden felt for each other. Yes there are lots of trials and tribulations, misunderstandings and secrets along the way but that all adds to the fun and the question of actually will they or won't they get their act together and realise what all the residents of Hope Island and their friends and family can see?
Eden Lancaster is the sister of Rome and Bella whose own relationship status' have been established in the first two books. She runs the local pottery painting café Pots and Paints with help from Claire. I was delighted now was the chance to finally get to know Eden as I felt she had been very much hovering on the periphery in previous books. She has been waiting impatiently to share her story and for her chance at long term romance to hopefully come her way. Eden is very nervous as her best friend Dougie Harrison is coming home from America after many years away from the island. He has decided to sell everything and buy a small cottage next to Eden's. You would think Eden would be over the moon with this. The best friend she misses so desperately is coming back for good. In fact it's the complete opposite and she is a total bag of nerves. For as long as she can remember she has been madly in love with Dougie but has never had the courage to confess her feelings to bare all to him. I thought how on earth if you love someone so much could you be around them and act all normal without giving away what was always running through your heart and mind. It must have been killing Eden to keep everything all bundled up. Even her friends and fellow islanders could see what Eden was going through. So why couldn't Dougie?
In one way I understood why Eden kept everything bottled up and at other points in the story the further everything developed I thought she was totally over acting and not appreciating what was unfolding in her life. By not telling Dougie how she was feeling she could keep her feelings to herself and the fear of said feelings not being reciprocated would never happen. At the heart of it all she didn't want their fantastic friendship to be ruined and I got that. But sometimes I feel we have to grab every opportunity and express how we feel. Forget the consequences, if your heart is saying one thing, go for it. If you don't you would always live with regrets for the rest of your life. If Eden didn't get everything off her chest it would only make her miserable and she would never find happiness in her life. So Eden questions why Dougie is forgoing his dream of making it big in the gaming world in America? Has Dougie something up his sleeve? Maybe he is much more in tune with Eden than she realises. Maybe the two of them needed to be locked in a room until they confessed how they felt seep down and then they could have dealt with the fallout or not? Eden was in pain, not the physical sort more the kind that is on your mind and in your heart every moment of every day. She really couldn't have gone on like that in the long term.
For two people that were only supposed to be friends they certainly were very touchy feely so it was obvious what was going to unfold but it's the manner in which it did that was both lovely and very frustrating at times. I thought the whole idea of Mistletoe Cove was just gorgeous and so romantic. If you go to the blow hole at Mistletoe Cove at midnight, having written three wishes on a piece of paper you throw it in, said wishes will come true. This is what Eden does. Mistletoe Cove was a special place for Eden when growing up and a certain something that happened there many years ago has always been at the forefront of her mind. I'll admit the 'magic' element of the book seemed over the top. I knew there had to be something else behind it but the way Eden reacts and gets all caught up with it in very much the wrong way with regard to the 'magic' made me very annoyed and frustrated with her. As I've said I wanted her to stop and appreciate what she had and not seek affirmations and concrete proof of stuff. Things were turning around for her and why couldn't she go with the flow and not stop and question everything at every juncture. She had the man of her dreams right before her, why couldn't she just leap into his arms and never let go ? Instead doubt and mistrust crept it's way in.
For me Dougie definitely rivalled Issac in the battle for who was the 'best man' in the Hope Island series. I thought he was sensible and had a good head on his shoulders. He was a natural flirt who made women swoon at his feet but he only had eyes for one woman. It's just a pity the path to true romance and honesty with his good intentions proved so rocky and not without its faults. Dougie was so incredibly romantic, every little thing was so well thought out and I think the bath scenes was very steamy, excuse the pun. Holly Martin can write scenes that have you wishing it was you actually with Dougie or whoever the man in question is according to whatever book you are reading. I could understand Dougie's hesitancy in relation to what he wanted for the future considering his past experiences with what happened to his parents marriage but I think Hope Island and Eden very much held a special place in his heart. Therefore over time and the fact he loves making people feel good about themselves someone may well just do the same for him. I fervently wished himself and Eden could get over their issues and get all the truth out in the open. It would be such a shame if two people who were destined to be together couldn't bare their souls and unite as they should do.
As Christmas was in the title, it surely had to be mentioned in the book. It wasn't to in your face but the descriptions of the island over the Christmas period and the Christmas festival as organised by Bella were wonderful. They certainly got me in the festive mode with all the glorious descriptions of the food and various activities. I really enjoyed Christmas at Hope Island. It was a lovely conclusion to the series. Overall I would place it second behind Spring at Blueberry Bay. This was an honest, romantic, sparkling and captivating read that proves Holly Martin never disappoints with any of her books.
bethanystone13's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emmascr's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed ReviewsThank you to Holly and Bookouture for my copy of this book and for letting me be part of this tour. I LOVE Holly's work and I have been waiting all summer for this story so I couldn't wait to jump back in. While this is the third book in the Hope Island series you can read it as a standalone.
Eden has been in love with Dougie pretty much her whole life but he doesn't know. Dougie moved to New York when he was 17 but he's always wondered what if about that one amazing kiss he had before he left. I fell in love with Dougie after the first book in this series. I pretty much begged Holly for their story and I was so excited when she confirmed it was already in the works.
Holly has a way of writing male characters that are just so damn romantic and Dougie is no exception. He tries his very best to make Eden believe in magic and wishes like she used to. He really is such a sweetheart.
One of the things I love about Holly's books is that they are so funny. I couldn't stop laughing throughout this book. Eden's parents are some of her most humorous characters. They get so excited and say the first thing that pops into their heads. Oh, I love them so much.
I think that this has to be up there with one of my favourites from Holly and I look forward to seeing what she brings to us next.
Eden has been in love with Dougie pretty much her whole life but he doesn't know. Dougie moved to New York when he was 17 but he's always wondered what if about that one amazing kiss he had before he left. I fell in love with Dougie after the first book in this series. I pretty much begged Holly for their story and I was so excited when she confirmed it was already in the works.
Holly has a way of writing male characters that are just so damn romantic and Dougie is no exception. He tries his very best to make Eden believe in magic and wishes like she used to. He really is such a sweetheart.
One of the things I love about Holly's books is that they are so funny. I couldn't stop laughing throughout this book. Eden's parents are some of her most humorous characters. They get so excited and say the first thing that pops into their heads. Oh, I love them so much.
I think that this has to be up there with one of my favourites from Holly and I look forward to seeing what she brings to us next.
jo_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
It's Christmas on Hope Island. Having spent Spring and Summer with Bella, Freya, Isaac and Rome this is a continuation of course of their story but this book focuses very much on Eden and Dougie.
Eden has been in love with Dougie since forever. But he broke her heart when he moved to America,
Trouble is Dougie did not know this at the time but he did know the one person that he was best friends with was the reason he kept returning to Hope Island.
Eden is settled in her Pottery Cafe and whilst she has dreams of making it bigger and doing more of what she loves, she is very content with Hope Island. Until Dougie returns.
Dougie is not just returning for a visit, for Christmas he is planning on staying a lot longer. How will Eden manage this unrequited love when he is going to be living right next door?
It all moves very fast for Eden, even left me in its wake. Romance and wishes are the way to her heart and it seems that Dougie has all the right answers. But it can it be too good to be true?
No of course not, it is simply the magic of love and the magical time of year. Christmas is bringing everyone together but can it keep them that way?
I loved this book, there was something so romantic about Dougie that I admit to shedding a tear or two and was probably secretly in love with him a little bit. That is the elegance of Holly Martin's writing taking you straight into the heart of the novel and she has you hooked with her writing and her setting.
She can do humour just as well and I have to confess Lucy and Finn, Eden's parents were hilariously embarrassing with an innocence about them which made me forgive there not so subtle comments or indiscretions.
Combine this with a lovely setting, the coldness of winter, the brightness of the stars, the warmth of the fire as Eden and Dougie find some common ground.
If you want snowmen, hot chocolate, roaring fires, lots of layers of clothing, romance, Christmas, weddings and bucket loads of romance, this is the book for you. It works as a standalone novel, but if you have the time get the whole Hope Island experience.
Another excellent novel from Holly Martin.
Eden has been in love with Dougie since forever. But he broke her heart when he moved to America,
Trouble is Dougie did not know this at the time but he did know the one person that he was best friends with was the reason he kept returning to Hope Island.
Eden is settled in her Pottery Cafe and whilst she has dreams of making it bigger and doing more of what she loves, she is very content with Hope Island. Until Dougie returns.
Dougie is not just returning for a visit, for Christmas he is planning on staying a lot longer. How will Eden manage this unrequited love when he is going to be living right next door?
It all moves very fast for Eden, even left me in its wake. Romance and wishes are the way to her heart and it seems that Dougie has all the right answers. But it can it be too good to be true?
No of course not, it is simply the magic of love and the magical time of year. Christmas is bringing everyone together but can it keep them that way?
I loved this book, there was something so romantic about Dougie that I admit to shedding a tear or two and was probably secretly in love with him a little bit. That is the elegance of Holly Martin's writing taking you straight into the heart of the novel and she has you hooked with her writing and her setting.
She can do humour just as well and I have to confess Lucy and Finn, Eden's parents were hilariously embarrassing with an innocence about them which made me forgive there not so subtle comments or indiscretions.
Combine this with a lovely setting, the coldness of winter, the brightness of the stars, the warmth of the fire as Eden and Dougie find some common ground.
If you want snowmen, hot chocolate, roaring fires, lots of layers of clothing, romance, Christmas, weddings and bucket loads of romance, this is the book for you. It works as a standalone novel, but if you have the time get the whole Hope Island experience.
Another excellent novel from Holly Martin.
pipparature's review against another edition
5.0
The most gorgeous festive novel, just as you'd expect from Holly Martin who seems to produce them reliably. It takes us back to the Scilly Isles and Hope Island, as featured in Spring at Blueberry Bay and Summer at Buttercup Beach.,
This is the story of the final sibling in the Lancaster family, Eden. The owner of a pottery painting cafe on the island., she has been in love with her best friend Dougie since she was a little girl. Dougie broke her heart when he left to move to New York aged 18 but he has announced that he is returning to live on the island once more and Eden is torn between delight at having him close by and frustration about her unrequited feelings.
Dougie's arrival turns Eden's world upside down and the book explores the way in which their relationship shifts against a Christmas backdrop, with a truly magical touch. The emotional connection between Eden and Dougie has been there since they were tiny children but this has to alter and grow if they can make a successful life together. Eden and Dougie are lovely characters and I think Dougie is one of my favourite male leads in a while. He has a wonderful childlike quality about him which makes him very likable. You'll root for this couple from the very start.
I genuinely loved this book. It's a real one-sitting read and I enjoyed a peaceful couple of hours curled up with it today. It's delightful in parts and will make you smile but the end brought me to happy tears as the Hope Island trilogy came to a close (although I'd love to see Rome, Bella and Eden revisited at some point by Holly Martin). This is a sexy, funny, passionate novel which is truly enjoyable and will get any reader into the Christmas spirit.
This is the story of the final sibling in the Lancaster family, Eden. The owner of a pottery painting cafe on the island., she has been in love with her best friend Dougie since she was a little girl. Dougie broke her heart when he left to move to New York aged 18 but he has announced that he is returning to live on the island once more and Eden is torn between delight at having him close by and frustration about her unrequited feelings.
Dougie's arrival turns Eden's world upside down and the book explores the way in which their relationship shifts against a Christmas backdrop, with a truly magical touch. The emotional connection between Eden and Dougie has been there since they were tiny children but this has to alter and grow if they can make a successful life together. Eden and Dougie are lovely characters and I think Dougie is one of my favourite male leads in a while. He has a wonderful childlike quality about him which makes him very likable. You'll root for this couple from the very start.
I genuinely loved this book. It's a real one-sitting read and I enjoyed a peaceful couple of hours curled up with it today. It's delightful in parts and will make you smile but the end brought me to happy tears as the Hope Island trilogy came to a close (although I'd love to see Rome, Bella and Eden revisited at some point by Holly Martin). This is a sexy, funny, passionate novel which is truly enjoyable and will get any reader into the Christmas spirit.
lostinstories___'s review against another edition
4.0
This book was great! Such a sweet story and just a perfect book to snuggle up in a blanket and fall in love with love. Definitely worth a read!
kirstyreviewsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Christmas at Mistletoe Cove by Holly Martin
Blurb
Growing up on Hope Island, Eden Lancaster always believed that if you wished hard enough for something, dreams really could come true. But Eden’s greatest wish is also her biggest secret: she has been completely in love with her childhood friend, the charming and attractive Dougie Harrison, for as long as she can remember. And he has no idea.
When Dougie leaves his successful life in New York to return home to Hope Island for good, Eden can’t escape her feelings. Her heart is full of hope that her romantic dreams are finally, at long last, going to come true…
This Christmas could change everything. But can a lifelong friendship really turn into the perfect romance? And will Eden get the happily ever after she’s always wished for?
My Opinion
This is the third book in the Hope Island series, but sadly I didn't realise that when I borrowed the book from my local library. I love a Holly Martin book and this was an enjoyable read but I feel I would have enjoyed it far more if I had a bit of background of Hope Island and residents of the island - now I need to go back and read the earlier books.
A lovely festive read with that usual Holly Martin spark. A delightful read that make you believe in the magic of wishes.
Rating 4/5
Blurb
Growing up on Hope Island, Eden Lancaster always believed that if you wished hard enough for something, dreams really could come true. But Eden’s greatest wish is also her biggest secret: she has been completely in love with her childhood friend, the charming and attractive Dougie Harrison, for as long as she can remember. And he has no idea.
When Dougie leaves his successful life in New York to return home to Hope Island for good, Eden can’t escape her feelings. Her heart is full of hope that her romantic dreams are finally, at long last, going to come true…
This Christmas could change everything. But can a lifelong friendship really turn into the perfect romance? And will Eden get the happily ever after she’s always wished for?
My Opinion
This is the third book in the Hope Island series, but sadly I didn't realise that when I borrowed the book from my local library. I love a Holly Martin book and this was an enjoyable read but I feel I would have enjoyed it far more if I had a bit of background of Hope Island and residents of the island - now I need to go back and read the earlier books.
A lovely festive read with that usual Holly Martin spark. A delightful read that make you believe in the magic of wishes.
Rating 4/5