The Perfect Start to Holiday Reading Season: A Scottish Christmas Hideaway by Ellie Henderson
Every year, I like to start my holiday reading early, and this season I kicked things off with an ARC review of ‘A Scottish Christmas Hideaway’ by Ellie Henderson (coming October 8). I’m so glad I did—because this one set the tone for all my festive reads to come! From the very first chapter, I knew this wasn’t going to be your typical overly sweet holiday romance. Don’t get me wrong—it has all the cozy charm you want in a Christmas story, but it also balances that warmth with depth, humor, and a few unexpected twists.
What I Loved:
The characters. Both main characters are layered, relatable, and felt refreshingly real. They each had backstories and struggles that made their romance feel more believable, not just a holiday fling.
The surprises. Henderson weaves in a couple of plot twists that honestly caught me off guard. More than once, I found myself gasping followed by “What?!”—and I love when a book does that.
The supporting cast. Quirky townsfolk, slightly offbeat but loving parents, and a whole small-town community that adds both comedy and heart to the story. These side characters made the setting feel alive and gave the book so much personality.
The romance. She is beautiful. And let’s just say the main male character is swoon material. Henderson manages to make the romance both sweet with slow burn tension, and exciting without being spicy or ever feeling forced. The result? A couple that was believable and a romance that did not feel rushed, even though it was in the span of about a month.
The themes. Underneath the romance, this book is really about family, friendship, and finding a place where you belong. It is about taking stock of your life and reflecting on where you want to be or if there is a reinvention waiting to happen. The Christmas setting makes those messages even more heartwarming.
I read this one quickly—almost in a single sitting—because I just didn’t want to put it down. To me, that’s always the best sign of a five-star book.
Who Should Read It: If you enjoy small-town holiday romances set in other countries, stories that highlight the importance of family and community, or books that blend warmth with romance and just enough intrigue to keep you guessing, this one is for you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! A Scottish Christmas Hideaway deserves a spot on your holiday TBR list.
Thank you, NetGalley, Joffe Books and Ellie Henderson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Book Link-Ups I Enjoy Joining
It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? at The Book Date
Top Ten Tuesday at The Artsy Reader
The Friday56 at My Heads if Full of Books
Book Beginnings on Friday at Rose City Reader
First Line Friday at Reading in My Superpower
Stacking the Shelves at Reading Reality
Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Monthly Round-Up at Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Foodies Read at Based on a True Story (monthly)
