Book Review: The Highland Lodge Getaway by Julie Shackman

I’m pleased to be welcoming Julie Shackman back to Novel Kicks. She’s here with the blog tour for her novel, The Highland Lodge Getaway. 

Fall in love with the Christmas romance of the year, full of love and second chances!

Lottie Grant loves the festive season so much that she works at the incredibly successful Christmas shop, Christmas Crackers, in her pretty Scottish home town of Craig Brae. But when the shop is sold, her world is turned upside down, leaving her wondering what she will do next.

Just as she’s about to give up hope on finding a new dream job, an offer comes that she can’t refuse, managing a set of luxury wooden cabins… and opening just in time for Christmas!

As she gets to work decorating the cabins, and hanging lights on the fir trees, Lottie can’t believe her luck. That is until the arrival of Blake Dempster, a moody but handsome hiking expert, who threatens to bring down her festive joy. But never one to shy away from a challenge, Lottie is determined to change Blake’s mind about all things festive.

And as the snow falls and the fairy lights sparkle, will work-obsessed Lottie and frozen-hearted Blake make their Christmas wishes come true?

*****

Lottie has always loved Christmas and as the chance to own her own Christmas shop edges closer, she can’t help but feel positive about the future.

However, when things change and her business plans disappear, Lottie doesn’t know what she’s going to do. However, Christmas works its magic and brings a potential new job. If only she didn’t have to deal with the miserable Blake Dempster.

OK, the cover for this novel is absolutely stunning. I love it and want to go there immediately.

This book looked magical and I couldn’t wait to get started and was so pleased to be invited onto the tour for The Highland Lodge Getaway.

The setting of Craig Brae sounds just beautiful. The description of Rowan Moore House, the cabins, the shop, the snow. Just take me there now.

Lottie is a strong, likeable character and I immediately loved her. I’m as mad about Christmas as she is. I’d have my tree up now if I could get away with it. As I got to know her, I wanted everything to be OK for her. I would love the talents she has for interior design especially if I got to decorate three Christmas themed cabins.

Blake is a mystery but you know there is more to him than meets the eye. I like how his story didn’t go quite the way I thought it would.

The plot moved well and I completely got lost in this story. It’s a lovely journey of two people who simply need to let themselves find each other. I hope this isn’t the last we see of these characters. I have become so fond of them. There were great scenes, laugh out loud moments and bittersweet ones too.

The Highland Lodge Getaway is a festive, magical story full of love, friendship and giving yourself permission to take opportunities – having faith that things will work out.

I loved this novel. It’s left me with loads of Christmas feels.

Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and One More Chapter for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review. 

About Julie Shackman –

Julie Shackman is a feel-good romance author from Scotland and is published by the HarperCollins imprint One More Chapter.

When not writing or reading, Julie loves to take her Romanian rescue pup Cooper for long walks, watch romcoms and indulge her love of music.

The Christmas Highland Lodge is Julie’s nineth novel.

Say hello to Julie via her website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The Highland Lodge Getaway is book five in the Scottish Escapes series and was released by One More Chapter in  October 2023. 

Click to buy on Amazon UK, Waterstones and Amazon US. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.