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Christmas

The best Christmas romance books to fall in love with this winter

Image showing three of the best books set in Spain: Retreat to the Spanish Sun, Sleeping Arrangements and Origin

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Reading lists

9 of the best books set in Spain

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Features

11 of the best books set in France

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9 beach reads set in Italy

Retreat to the Spanish Sun by Jo Thomas against a yellow background.

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Retreat to the Spanish Sun, by Jo Thomas

A photo of Celebrations at the Chateau by Jo Thomas, on a white hardwood background surrounded by pinecones and dried satsumas.

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Celebrations at the Chateau by Jo Thomas

The book Chasing the Italian Dream on an Italian-style table with tomatoes, basil and more.

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Chasing the Italian Dream by Jo Thomas

Love In Provence

'Filled with fun and summer sunshine in the south of France!' Jill Mansell 
'Joyful and life-affirming' Milly Johnson 
'A delicious escape to the sun’ Phillipa Ashley 
 
________________________ 
 
Escape to the beautiful lavender fields of Provence this summer 
 
Del moved to the south of France three years ago and hasn’t looked back. She’s found new friends, new purpose, and new love with gorgeous Fabien. 
 
But just as harvest on her little lavender farm is due to begin, Del gets some shocking news. With no time to dwell as she welcomes a new crew of lavender pickers, she unexpectedly waves goodbye to Fabien for the summer. 
 
Usually cooking – the thing she loves best – would help soothe her troubles, but Del doesn’t remember how . . . And then chef Zacharie comes to town, dropping another bombshell! 
 
Over one summer in Provence that’s full of surprises, friends old and new rally round. Can they complete the harvest and pull the community back together? And if Fabien returns, will Del finally get her happy-ever-after? 
 
'Jo sweeps you away to a better place with every book' Veronica Henry

A delicious escape to the sun, seasoned with Jo's unique warmth and wisdom

Filled with fun and summer sunshine in the south of France!

This story is vintage Jo Thomas, making me feel as if I’m truly smelling the lavender and enjoying all that Provencal food! An absolute treat of a book

This has everything you want from an escapist read: romance, food and beautiful descriptions of the French countryside

A joyful and life-affirming story of love, friendship and community all wrapped up in a lavender bouquet. An uplifting delight

Packed with genuine love and friendship

A joyful and life-affirming story about second-chance love and finding your own happiness

Be prepared to be transported to another place with a totally absorbing, page-turning, summer escape!

Relax and allow the story of expat Del to seep into your senses and fill your nostrils with the heady sense of lavender and Provencal cuisine . . . delightful

Lovely to be back in Provence with friends old and new

Delicious and delightful - Jo sweeps you away to a better place with every book, which are always filled with warmth, love and a big spoonful of happiness

Jo captures the soul of sunny Provence in this heady and heartwarming story

No summer reading list would be complete without the latest from the fabulous Jo Thomas . . . her glorious novels always transport you to somewhere beautiful

This is a delightful sequel to Thomas' bestseller, Escape to the French Farmhouse

Jo Thomas worked for many years as a reporter and producer, including time at Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Radio 2's The Steve Wright Show. 
 
 
Jo's debut novel, The Oyster Catcher, was a runaway bestseller and won both the RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the Festival of Romance Best eBook Award. Her book Escape to the French Farmhouse was a #1 bestselling eBook. Jo loves to explore new countries and discover the food produced there, both of which she thoroughly enjoys researching. Jo lives in Pembrokeshire with her husband and three children, where cooking and gathering around the kitchen table are a hugely important and fun part of their family life.

Escape to the beautiful lavender fields of Provence this summer 
Del moved to the south of France three years ago and hasn’t looked back. She’s found new friends, new purpose, and new love with gorgeous Fabien. 
 
But just as harvest on her little lavender farm is due to begin, Del gets some shocking news. With no time to dwell as she welcomes a new crew of lavender pickers, she unexpectedly waves goodbye to Fabien for the summer. 
 
Usually cooking – the thing she loves best – would help soothe her troubles, but Del doesn’t remember how . . . And then chef Zacharie comes to town, dropping another bombshell! 
 
Over one summer in Provence that’s full of surprises, friends old and new rally round. Can they complete the harvest and pull the community back together? And if Fabien returns, will Del finally get her happy-ever-after?

A heart-warming short story collection from the bestselling author

A Recipe for Happiness and other stories

Curl up with this delicious collection of bite-sized treats from the queen of feel-good fiction! 
 
A Recipe for Happiness takes you through a year with No.1 bestselling author Jo Thomas and includes seven heartwarming short stories, tons of mouth-watering new recipes and some personal family memories for an insight into Jo's life and loves, along with an extract of her most recent novel. It's perfect for fans old and new! 
 
**Jo Thomas' new novel COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS is out now in ebook and paperback!** 
 
Your favourite authors love Jo Thomas: 
 
'Bursting with flavour, adventure and romance' Ruth Jones 
 
'Delicious and delightful - Jo sweeps you away to a better place with every book, which are always filled with warmth, love and a big spoonful of happiness' Veronica Henry 
 
'Heart-warming, moving and romantic, with beautiful settings - what could be better?' Katie Fforde

Picking up a Jo Thomas book is a treat for the senses.

We love the way Jo's glorious novels always transport you to somewhere beautiful

Curl up with this delicious collection of bite-sized treats from the queen of feel-good fiction! A Recipe for Happiness takes you through a year with bestselling Jo Thomas and includes seven heartwarming short stories, tons of mouth-watering new recipes and some personal family memories for an insight into Jo's life and loves, along with an extract of her most recent novel. It's perfect for fans old and new! 
 
Your favourite authors love Jo Thomas: 
 
'Bursting with flavour, adventure and romance' Ruth Jones 
 
'Delicious and delightful - Jo sweeps you away to a better place with every book, which are always filled with warmth, love and a big spoonful of happiness' Veronica Henry 
 
'Heart-warming, moving and romantic, with beautiful settings - what could be better?' Katie Fforde

The most uplifting and feel-good Christmas romance book of 2023 from the bestselling author

Countdown to Christmas

The queen of feel-good Christmas fiction returns with a snowy adventure to Canada! 
'If you love a rugged hero, a heroine you can relate to, a warm romantic story and a bit of armchair travel, Countdown to Christmas is for you!' Katie Fforde 
'It just wouldn't be Christmas without Jo's book in your stocking!' Jill Mansell 
 
----------------------------------- 
 
Chloe can't wait for Christmas . . . to be over! Her son Ruben is staying with his dad and Chloe is planning to ignore the holidays altogether. Her only festive touch is her son's advent calendar, to help count down the days till he's home again. 
 
But a surprise call changes everything. Chloe might be the unexpected owner of some land in Canada! Surely, it's a scam. Or could it be just the escape she needs right now? Ruben's latest note in the advent calendar tells her to 'say yes!' 
 
In a flash, Chloe's new countdown to Christmas involves a log cabin in the middle of a snowy forest, a community that's worried for its future, a gruff lumberjack who gives her butterflies and a lot of pancakes with maple syrup . . . 
 
For a happy Christmas read full of romance and festive surprises, choose Jo Thomas. 
Readers love Jo's books: 
'Bursting with flavour, adventure and romance' Ruth Jones 
'Jo sweeps you away to a better place with every book, which are always filled with warmth, love and a big spoonful of happiness' Veronica Henry 
 
'Sparkling, romantic, magical - and delicious' Milly Johnson

If you love a rugged hero, a heroine you can relate to, a warm romantic story and a bit of armchair travel, Countdown to Christmas is for you!

It just wouldn't be Christmas without Jo's book in your stocking!

It was heartwarming – a lovely, cosy book that I could wrap myself up in and just enjoy

As heartwarming as a crackling log fire, as magical as a starry Canadian sky

Picking up a Jo Thomas book is a treat for the senses.

Heart-warming and delicious, it is a true feast for the senses

Full of holiday cheer, this delightful romance is just what you need in the countdown to Christmas

A delightful romance as sweet as maple syrup and as heartwarming as a big mug of hot chocolate. Enjoy!

A perfect read to get you in the mood for festivities

'If you love a rugged hero, a heroine you can relate to, a warm romantic story and a bit of armchair travel, Countdown to Christmas is for you!' Katie Fforde 
----------------------------------- 
 
Chloe can't wait for Christmas . . . to be over! Her son Ruben is staying with his dad and Chloe is planning to ignore the holidays all together. Her only festive touch is her son's advent calendar, to help count down the days till he's home again. 
 
But a surprise call changes everything. Chloe might be the unexpected owner of some land in Canada! Surely, it's a scam. Or could it be just the escape she needs right now? Ruben's latest note in the advent calendar tells her to 'say yes!' 
 
In a flash, Chloe's new countdown to Christmas involves a log cabin in the middle of a snowy forest, a community that's worried for its future, a gruff lumberjack who gives her butterflies and a lot of pancakes with maple syrup . . . 
 
For a happy Christmas read full of romance and festive surprises, choose Jo Thomas.

Brand-new for 2023: A perfect feel-good summer romance from the bestselling author

Summer at the Ice Cream Café

'Full of love and warmth, tears and laughter, another gorgeous book from Jo Thomas' Katie Fforde 
--- 
 
A dream home 
Beca Valentino is ready to escape the city. When she sees the perfect house for sale in her hometown, it seems like fate. Is this her chance to build the foster family she dreams of, on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast? 
 
A big mistake? 
Returning home isn't as easy as she thought, however. Her family's beloved ice cream café is gone - turned into a soulless wine bar by her hateful ex-boyfriend. Reconnecting with her oldest friend, fisherman Griff, isn't straightforward either. And when, instead of the children she expected to take in, two wary teenage boys appear on her doorstep, Beca fears she's made a terrible mistake. 
 
A recipe for change 
But an old family recipe book is just the inspiration she needs. Soon, with a little help from friends old and new, Beca is selling mouth-watering homemade gelato from a pop-up café on the beach. 
 
Then disaster strikes. Will the Valentino family legacy be lost forever? Or can Beca create a new recipe for happiness?

Full of love and warmth, tears and laughter, another gorgeous book from Jo Thomas

Another winner from Jo Thomas, gorgeously evocative, happy-making and full of love!

This story of friendship, family and community is guaranteed to lift your spirits.

A delicious and touching summery read in a beautiful setting that Jo's fans will simply adore

We love the way Jo's glorious novels always transport you to somewhere beautiful, and [Summer at the Ice Cream Cafe] is no exception . . . This touching novel, full of love and hope, is an uplifting summer read.

Picking up a Jo Thomas book is a treat for the senses. With sumptuous food and a romantic outcome, Summer at the Ice Cream Cafe is another winner to satisfy your appetite this summer.

An uplifting, summery comfort read that will tug on your heartstrings and leave you with a big smile

A feel-good story about finding your place in the community

This warm-hearted, uplifting story is filled with happiness, summer sun and ice cream. It's the perfect holiday read.

The perfect summer romance novel to give you butterflies, celebrating all things sunshine, the seaside and ice cream - yes please!

The perfect summer read to pack in your suitcase

This is the ultimate summer seaside getaway read

Escape to Iceland with the most feel-good and uplifting Christmas romance of 2022

Keeping a Christmas Promise

'The perfect cosy, Christmas read!' CATHY BRAMLEY 
'Sparkling, romantic, magical - and delicious' MILLY JOHNSON 
'The ultimate Icelandic adventure! Packed full of food, friendship and life-changing moments.' HEIDI SWAIN 
 
One Icelandic Christmas holiday. One snowstorm. An adventure they'll never forget! 
 
Twenty-five years ago, Freya and her three best friends created a bucket list. The future seemed bright and full of hope . . . But now they are travelling to Iceland in memory of the friend they've lost, determined to fulfil her dream of seeing the Northern Lights at Christmas. 
 
They didn't count on an avalanche leaving them stranded! Handsome local, Pétur, comes to the rescue, showing them how the community survives the hard winter. With Christmas approaching, Freya and her friends throw themselves into the festivities, decorating and cooking for the villagers using delicious local ingredients. 
 
But will they manage to see the Northern Lights? And can Freya's own dreams come true, this Christmas? 
 
People are falling in love with Keeping a Christmas Promise 
 
'Heart-warming, moving and romantic, with a beautiful setting - what could be better?' KATIE FFORDE 
'A gorgeous read, a delicious celebration of love and true friendship. This is another winner from Jo!' JILL MANSELL 
'Bursting with Icelandic flavour, adventure and romance' RUTH JONES

Heart warming, moving and romantic, with a beautiful setting - what could be better?

A deliciously festive treat bursting with Icelandic flavour, adventure and romance. Curl up, get cosy, and immerse yourself in this magical, Christmassy world.

A delicious celebration of love and true friendship. Another winner from Jo!

Sparkling, romantic, magical - and delicious.

The ultimate Icelandic adventure! Packed full of food, friendship and life-changing moments.

Keeping A Christmas Promise is not so much a book you read, but rather one you lose yourself in. It's not until it's finished that you realise Jo Thomas has helped you find something you didn't even know was missing from your life. 
 
Pure joy in book form.

Gorgeously escapist, uplifting and romantic, a delicious treat

A wonderful celebration of friendship and food, Jo takes you on a magical journey with a delicious warm hug on every page

Jo's stories are so moving and interesting and hopeful. They are also great fun to read

An uplifting tale of friendship and love. A real Christmas cracker!

A wonderful book, atmospheric, uplifting, heartwarming and one of [Jo's] best

A true Christmas classic you won't want to put down

One Icelandic Christmas holiday. One snowstorm. An adventure they'll never forget! 
 
Twenty-five years ago, Freya and her three best friends created a bucket list. The future seemed bright and full of hope . . . But now they are travelling to Iceland in memory of the friend they've lost, determined to fulfil her dream of seeing the Northern Lights at Christmas. 
 
They didn't count on an avalanche leaving them stranded! Handsome local, Pétur, comes to the rescue, showing them how the community survives the hard winter. With Christmas approaching, Freya and her friends throw themselves into the festivities, decorating and cooking for the villagers using delicious local ingredients. 
 
But will they manage to see the Northern Lights? And can Freya's own dreams come true, this Christmas?

Escape to Spain with this feel-good summer romance from the #1 bestseller

Retreat to the Spanish Sun

Sometimes you just need to get away... 
 
'Warm and life-enhancing, I wanted to move to Spain with these wonderful characters' Katie Fforde 
 
'A fabulous read celebrating the good things in life - fun, friends, family and food' Jill Mansell 
 
From the bestselling author of Escape to the French Farmhouse comes a deliciously feel-good new story... 
 
Eliza has a full house! When her three children grew up and moved out, she downsized to a smaller property... but now they're all back. Every room in the house is taken and Eliza finds herself sharing her bed with her eldest daughter and her daughter's pug. Combined with the online course she's trying to finish, plus her job to fit in, there just isn't the peace and quiet that Eliza needs. 
 
So when an ad pops up on her laptop saying 'house-sitters wanted', Eliza can't resist the chance to escape. She ends up moving to a rural finca in southern Spain, looking after the owner's Iberico pigs, learning about secret gastronomic societies ... and finding a new zest for life and love along the way. 
 
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Readers have fallen in love with Retreat to the Spanish Sun 
 
'Perfect for a summer holiday read' 
'You'll be craving tapas, Flamenco and the southern Spanish sun after reading this 5-star book' 
'A lovely read from Jo Thomas, her books never fail to make me happy' 
'A lovely, warm and sunny read' 
'Fabulous location, delicious descriptions of food &amp; drink &amp; wonderful characters, an all round feel-good book' 
 
If you love Jo's books, her newest summer novel, Summer at the Ice Cream Cafe, is available now!

A fabulous read celebrating the good things in life - fun, friends, family and food

Warm and life-enhancing, I wanted to move to Spain with these wonderful characters

A sun-drenched treat... A book that is full of zest, warmth and sunshine, like a jugful of the best sangria. I loved it!

No summer reading list would be complete without the latest from the fabulous Jo Thomas

A wonderfully escapist summer read

Whether you're trying to stay cool in a heatwave, lying on a beach abroad, or just dreaming of a summer adventure, you'll enjoy Retreat to the Spanish Sun for exactly what it is: a sweet and simple sun-baked adventure

Sometimes you just need to get away... 
 
 
'Warm and life-enhancing, I wanted to move to Spain with these wonderful characters' Katie Fforde 
 
'A fabulous read celebrating the good things in life - fun, friends, family and food' Jill Mansell 
 
From the bestselling author of Escape to the French Farmhouse comes a deliciously feel-good new story... 
 
Eliza has a full house! When her three children grew up and moved out, she downsized to a smaller property... but now they're all back. Every room in the house is taken and Eliza finds herself sharing her bed with her eldest daughter and her daughter's pug. Combined with the online course she's trying to finish, plus her job to fit in, there just isn't the peace and quiet that Eliza needs. 
 
So when an ad pops up on her laptop saying 'house-sitters wanted', Eliza can't resist the chance to escape. She ends up moving to a rural finca in southern Spain, looking after the owner's Iberico pigs, learning about secret gastronomic societies... and finding a new zest for life and love along the way.

Jo Thomas

Let the queen of feel-good Christmas fiction whisk you off to the snowy mountains this festive season... 
 
When Clara signs up for a month of chocolate-making in Switzerland, she imagines the stunning scenery of the magical snowy Alps, a cute chalet and a cosy workshop like something from a Christmas advert. 
 
What she isn&rsquo;t expecting is chocolate-making bootcamp! In this stark laboratory, chocolate is everything. It&rsquo;s a very serious set-up, with master chocolatiers to be revered and where favouritism and fanaticism, subterfuge and scandal are rife! 
 
Clara is way out of her depth. But caught up in the world of chocolate school, picking her friends &ndash; and her enemies &ndash; carefully, she discovers a newfound passion. Until a secret is revealed, and Clara has to decide whether to risk everything she has for a new life and love&hellip; 
 
'It just wouldn't be Christmas without Jo's book in your stocking!' Jill Mansell

Christmas in the Swiss Alps

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Jo Thomas

Christmas in the Swiss Alps

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