It’s such a pleasure to be reviewing Just for the Holidays by Sue Moorcroft and I’m very grateful to Avon books for my copy in exchange for an honest review. Another of Sue’s books, The Christmas Promise, was one of my books of the year in 2016 and you can read my review here.

I’ve also been privileged to host Sue Moorcroft in interview on the blog and here’s where you can read that post and in celebration of Just for the Holidays Sue told me all about her fantasy holiday companions. You can find out what she said here.

Just for the Holidays was published in e-book and paperback by Avon Books, an imprint of Harper Collins, on 18th May 2017 and is available for purchase here.

Just for the Holidays

In theory, nothing could be better than a summer spent basking in the French sun. That is, until you add in three teenagers, two love interests, one divorcing couple, and a very unexpected pregnancy.

Admittedly, this isn’t exactly the relaxing holiday Leah Beaumont was hoping for – but it’s the one she’s got. With her sister Michele’s family falling apart at the seams, it’s up to Leah to pick up the pieces and try to hold them all together.

But with a handsome helicopter pilot staying next door, Leah can’t help but think she might have a few distractions of her own to deal with…

A glorious summer read, for you to devour in one sitting – perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews and Trisha Ashley.

My Review of Just for the Holidays

With her sister Michele’s family in meltdown, Leah agrees to go with them to France, little realising just what she’s letting herself in for.

Just for the Holidays is a smashing summer read – just right for taking on your own holiday, although I think it should come with a warning. Sue Moorcroft describes food so impeccably that I found myself drooling and hungry for quite a lot of the time I was reading!

Like Leah, I don’t have a lot of time for children and could so readily relate to her feelings and exasperations as the holiday becomes hellish and complicated. There is such a fast paced plot that lurches from one disaster to another I really felt for poor Leah. I thought Leah was a glorious creation because she’s feisty and flawed, enjoying elements of life most stereotypically associated with men such as fast cars, so that Sue Moorcroft injects a pleasing layer of feminism into the romantic elements too. Ronan is the unattainable perfect hero and I found so much to dislike in Michele and Selina, neither of whom gained my sympathy despite their circumstances, that in Just for the Holidays there is a varied cast that will appeal to all readers.

However, what struck me most about Just for the Holidays was the quality of Sue Moorcroft’s writing. She has created three teenagers in Natasha, Jordan and Curtis that I know I couldn’t tolerate like Leah has to even though I felt sorry for their circumstances. They were horrendously real to me. The medical, culinary, romantic and sexual scenes were perfectly portrayed with just the right balance of detail and action. I could so easily picture myself in France too because Sue Moorcroft conveys place so convincingly. Whilst this is a romance at heart, Sue Moorcroft does not shy away from big themes too with betrayal, infidelity, finance, careers and parenthood very thoroughly explored to add layers of interest for all readers.

Just for the Holidays is an action packed portrayal of complicated family life with romance and relationships in a wonderful summer read. I really recommend it.

About Sue Moorcroft

Award winning author Sue Moorcroft writes contemporary women’s fiction with occasionally unexpected themes. The Wedding Proposal, Dream a Little Dream and Is This Love? were all nominated for Readers’ Best Romantic Read Awards. Love & Freedom won the Best Romantic Read Award 2011 and Dream a Little Dream was nominated for a RoNA in 2013. Sue’s a Katie Fforde Bursary Award winner, a past vice chair of the RNA and editor of its two anthologies.
The Christmas Promise was a Kindle No.1 Best Seller and held the No.1 slot at Christmas!
Sue also writes short stories, serials, articles, writing ‘how to’ and is a creative writing tutor.

You can follow Sue on Twitter @SueMoorcroft, find her on Facebook and visit her website.