I’m so delighted today to be joining the blog tour for the latest book from the wonderful Sue Moorcroft, The Christmas Love Letters, and sharing my review. Published on 26th October by Avon Books, it’s now available as an ebook, in paperback and as an audiobook via Amazon in the UK and US – you’ll also spot that beautiful paperback cover on the shelves at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, or you can always order it from your own favourite bricks and mortar or on-line bookshop. Thank you, as ever, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy, provided via netgalley.
Sue suggested recently that I perhaps should receive a long service medal for reviewing her books (and perhaps one for good conduct too!), but there are very good reasons why she’s remained one of my very favourite authors for so many years. Her two books a year – one summery, one set in winter – never disappoint in any possible way, and her writing just continues to get better and better. She creates such real characters, so easy to identify with – her storytelling is just wonderful, she has such a special touch with the emotional and romantic content, and her books’ themes are always so original and contemporary and tremendously engaging. You’ll find reviews of almost every one of her books by typing her name into my search bar (on the right hand side) – and I’m thrilled today to be adding yet another….
A secret romance was just the start of the story…
Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar – an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey – until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night.
Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her young daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.
As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she’d thought it was…
The festive new novel about love, family and the power of words from Sunday Times bestseller Sue Moorcroft, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Phillipa Ashley.
Maddy, mother to young Lyla, found a home with her Great Aunt Ruthie when her husband disappeared one night almost seven years ago, leaving her pregnant and penniless – she’s now Ruthie’s carer, but through their very special relationship has also found the support and love she really needed to see her through the most difficult of times. With no sign of him in the intervening years – perhaps he did fall over the cliff on that stormy night – the time is approaching when she can call her marriage officially ended and move on.
But while her own story certainly isn’t over, an unexpected visitor then enters all their lives – Raff arrives with a bundle of love letters Ruthie wrote to his father during their earlier affair, and a number of secrets from the past slowly begin to unravel. At first, Maddy is fiercely protective, worried that revisiting the past will affect Ruthie’s frail health – but as the full story slowly emerges, and they read the letters together, it becomes plain that there are ends left untied and the chance of a happy ending. And Maddy finds herself and Raff becoming closer, as they learn to trust each other – might there be a chance of a happy ending of her own, or could there be some unexpected obstacles in the way?
I loved absolutely everything about this book – especially the heartbreaking background to the letters, the way the secrets within them slowly emerged, and their ramifications and emotional impact in the present. But that’s not the only unfolding story – there’s a great deal more to make this one a compelling read with a particularly uncertain outcome. The setting of Nelson’s Bar is nicely detailed and a wonderful backdrop (not the first time the author’s taken us to that part of Norfolk, but nothing to worry a first-time reader), and there’s a very strong focus on family – both chosen and real – which is something I always really enjoy. Friendship too, often complicated, sometimes disappointing, always layered, and so well handled. There’s that perfect balance between lightness – with touches of lovely humour – and those rather darker edges that are always present in the lives of the author’s beautifully drawn characters. And, of course, it’s Christmas – with just the right festive touches and occasions, and unexpected snowfall just to make everything that bit more difficult for everyone.
Emotionally, this book was everything I could have possibly wanted – but it’s a real page-turner of a story too, and one that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page (and my goodness, what a perfect ending!). My favourite book yet? Yes, of course it is – until the next one. Do add this one to your Christmas list – I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
About the author
Photo by Silvia Rosado of Silvia Rosado Photography
Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author and has reached the coveted #1 spot on Amazon Kindle UK as well as top 100 in the US, Canada and Italy. She writes two books a year for publishing giant HarperCollins and has won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award and the Katie Fforde Bursary. Her short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.
For more information on Sue and her books, she has an excellent website, and a blog: she also has a Facebook author page, and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram. If you’d like to sign up for her newsletter, you can do so here: and if you’d like to join her street team, you’ll find the details here.
What a wonderful review, Anne! Thank you very much indeed. I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed The Christmas Love Letters so much. 🙂 Just thrilled generally by your post, tbh! xx
And if you’re thrilled, that makes me very happy too – what a lovely read! xx
Lovely review Anne. I’ve just started and am loving in.
Great review lovely, it’s a great read isn’t it x
Wow, sounds an interesting story. Thanks for your review of this book. I’m adding to my TBR.