Publication Date: September 11, 2026
Welcome to Hollythorpe, a quaint village in the Cotswolds, where the locals are stringing lights around their village tree. And meet Clara as she pulls her suitcase through the snow, hoping for a new start…
This isn’t the Christmas that Clara was hoping for. Twenty-four hours ago, she was engaged, a shiny diamond on her wedding finger and a gorgeous husband-to-be by her side. Only now, the ring is gone and so is he. She’s almost given up on Christmas magic completely – until she arrives in Hollythorpe.
Clara waits outside of her kindly Aunt Eleanor’s red front door, knowing that a warm welcome will help heal her aching heart. Snowflakes are falling gently on her long dark hair when a car sprays her with slush and then, unexpectedly, stops to help. Clara lays eyes on Liam stepping out of his car, six feet of gorgeousness. She realises maybe there could be upsides to a cosy Cotswolds Christmas…
Except Liam is closed off to everyone and Clara knows she should be protecting her heart too, so she tries to put him out of her mind. When the village’s usual Mrs Christmas calls in sick before Hollythorpe’s winter fair, Clara steps into the role to help Aunt Eleanor. Only, she hasn’t realised who Mr Christmas is… none other than Liam himself.
As the two are thrown together to bring Christmas to Hollythorpe, Liam’s icy exterior starts to thaw. And Clara can’t deny she’s falling for him. But then the past comes back to haunt them, changing everything…
Will Clara and Liam end up lonely this Christmas? Or can the most wonderful time of the year bring them together, actually?
Fans of One Day in December, Philippa Ashley, Sarah Morgan and Jenny Colgan will adore this totally uplifting and page-turning novel of finding that love really is all around.
A woman seeking to mend her broken heart finds the beginnings of an exciting new future.
Author Donna Ashcroft brings forth holiday cheer in Christmas, Actually, pairing two unlikely people for the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Christmas.
Both Martine and Liam have experience with cheating partners. While Martine is visiting the village to see her godmother, Liam and his young son are residents.
From the beginning, there is chemistry between the two main characters, although neither is seeking a relationship. As they spend more time together representing the village during the holiday festivities, sparks of attraction kindle.
The emotions fly as Martine and Liam wrestle with hurt feelings and leftover baggage from previous relationships. Charming secondary characters help bring seasonal cheer to the story.
Christmas, Actually delivers a sweet romance about new beginnings.
Donna has had sixteen books published in total. Four have been in the Amazon top 100 and one even made it to number seven in the UK and US Kindle charts, another made it to number one in the UK, US and AU free Kindle charts. She was also shortlisted for the RNA Debut Romantic Novel of the Year in 2019.
She lives in Hertfordshire, with her own romantic hero, two grown up kids who pop in occasionally and two grumpy cats. She loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she’s escaping into a romance novel or movie.
