Publication Date: October 14, 2025
After leaving her childhood village heartbroken, chef Ruby hasn’t been home in years. But could a chance trip down memory lane be the secret ingredient for a magical holiday season?
Ruby hasn’t been back home since she made the heart-wrenching decision to leave her childhood sweetheart, Nathan, for a career in London. But when she’s invited to judge the charity gingerbread competition, she decides it’s time. And it seems there’s Christmas mischief at work. Because Nathan is joining her as a gingerbread judge.
But it’s clear he would rather she’d stayed away, from his icy silence when they are alone, to the snarky comments and his accusing glare as they prepare for the event with other members of the community. And all Ruby wants to do is get back to London.
Then bad weather leaves her snowed in the village until after Christmas, with nowhere to stay. And things go from bad to worse when she slips on the ice… And falls straight into the arms of Nathan.
The pain of her injured ankle is nothing when, her heart aflutter, Nathan surprises her. As he scoops her up and sweeps her off to the hospital, it seems like the frost between them is finally thawing. But could the magic of Christmas mean a second chance is possible? Or is it too little too late?
Home This Christmas by Sue Roberts is filled with holiday happenings in a small town in England.
When a celebrity chef returns home from London to the small town she grew up in to judge a community gingerbread-making competition, she doesn’t expect to stay more than one night. What indeed, if anything, can keep her there longer?
We’re introduced to Ruby and her first love, Nathan, and the possibility of a second chance at love when their paths cross again. Ruby couldn’t get away fast enough years ago to try to succeed in London and broke their engagement to do so. We watch their chance meeting convince them to do a catch-up, much to Ruby’s chagrin and unease, but is it worth it in the end? Ruby reconnects with some people she knew and makes new friends when a few inconvenient actions occur.
Several storylines are interconnected, featuring a few twists, turns, and surprises. There are vivid winter scenes and descriptions, and you can feel the cold, the snow, and the warmth of the community members. The descriptions of the shops, the food, the inn, and the events leading up to Christmas set a nice tone.
There are secondary characters who often take center stage and add layers to the story. There is some romance and love along with family, friends, and reminiscing. There is a happily ever after in the offing and some closure, but the story ended abruptly. I would love this to be the start of a series or a connected story.
Home This Christmas is a holiday romance and a second chance at love for two very likable characters. Pull up a chair, grab a hot chocolate or a glass or two of wine, and immerse yourself in this lovely holiday tale.
Sue Roberts lives in Lancashire with her long term partner Derek and has had a lifelong love of writing, encouraged by winning a school writing competition at the age of 11.
She always assumed that ‘one day’ she would write a book, always having a busy household and a job, the idea remained firmly on the back burner but never forgotten.
The inspiration for her first novel came to her on a holiday to a Greek village. Her daughters had left home and suddenly the time had come to write that book!
