A Heartwarming Christmas Holiday Romance
From the publisher:
This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents…
Becky is stranded at the airport, so when she bumps into her brother’s best friend, Will, and he suggests they drive home together, Becky reluctantly agrees. For the first time, Becky is dreading Christmas, and only Will knows why. Can she trust him to keep her secret?
Her twin sister, Rosie, married Declan after a whirlwind romance, and now the cracks are starting to appear. Rosie and Declan have agreed to hide their problems from her family, but Rosie’s insecurities are growing. Will this Christmas bring them closer or drive them apart?
Hayley can’t wait for her first Balfour family Christmas with Jamie. The Balfour Christmas traditions sound wonderful, but she’s worried about her place in this close-knit family. Will there be room for her too? And how will they react to the secret she and Jamie have been keeping?
Despite everyone’s best intentions, all the chaos and confusion could derail their normally happy holidays. Can they tell each other the truth in time to enjoy a perfect family Christmas?
Perfect for fans of:
- The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan
- Strong, hardworking women
- Complex family relationships
- Christmas Hallmark movies
- Rebecca Serle and Meghan Quinn
The Balfours’ Christmases are always full of love and chaos, but this year the holiday feels especially tense as everyone seems to be in the middle of a crisis. Each member arrives at the holiday gathering with private struggles and unspoken fears, turning what should be a joyful reunion into something far more complicated. Morgan creates an immersive, heartfelt portrait of three generations gathering under one roof, complete with secrets, surprises, and all the complications that come with family.
At the center of the story are the siblings, each carrying burdens that threaten to unravel the festive spirit. Becky and Rosie, once inseparable twins, have grown apart since Rosie’s wedding. Becky has deliberately kept her distance, wanting to give her sister space to settle into married life, but beneath her restraint lies a longing to reconnect. Rosie, meanwhile, is quietly questioning the choices she made, wondering if she rushed into marriage before truly knowing her husband.
Their brother Jamie arrives with his new girlfriend, Hayley, and a promise of a big announcement. For Hayley, who has never experienced the comfort of a close-knit family, the Balfours’ bustling Christmas is both thrilling and intimidating. She longs to belong, yet fears she won’t measure up to their traditions and expectations. Her perspective offers a tender glimpse into what it means to crave connection and to find it in unexpected places.
Meanwhile, Jennifer, the family’s matriarch, faces her own quiet crisis. She had imagined her husband’s retirement as a season of ease and companionship, but instead finds herself unsettled by his struggle to adjust. His obvious depression leaves her feeling helpless, and she wonders how to support him.
The novel unfolds through the voices of Becky, Rosie, Hayley, and Jennifer, each chapter peeling back layers of vulnerability and resilience. Their stories intertwine to reveal the complexities of family life—the misunderstandings, the silences, the moments of tenderness that break through the tension. As the Balfours navigate their secrets and begin to open up to one another, the narrative transforms into a moving exploration of love, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to be truly seen.
Morgan’s depiction of the Balfour Christmas is immersive and heartfelt, capturing the messy beauty of family gatherings where joy and conflict coexist. With surprises around every corner and emotions running high, this is not just a holiday story—it’s a portrait of a family learning that even in the midst of chaos, connection can be the greatest gift of all. With themes of family drama, hidden secrets, and a sprinkle of romance, this is a tantalizing tale of forgiveness and hope, and a terrific start to the holiday season.
11/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
A MERRY LITTLE LIE by Sarah Morgan. Canary Street Press. (October 7, 2025). ISBN: 978-1335013224. 368p.
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