In the snowy Scottish village of Christmas, schoolteacher Belle Albany is always busy helping others, even if it means putting her own dreams on hold.

When a minor bicycle collision leaves spirited 77‑year‑old widow Edina with a fractured ankle, guilt‑stricken Belle moves into Edina’s grand, chilly Evergreen Castle as her caregiver. Suddenly, she finds herself sharing a roof with Edina’s handsome long‑lost grandson, Jack Hamilton‑Kirk.

Deeply distrustful of everyone, Jack immediately suspects Belle’s saintly intentions and is definitely not in the mood for holiday cheer. But when Edina’s secret letter to Santa falls into Belle’s hands—filled with wishes to restore a broken engagement tiara and spark a long‑overdue family reconciliation—Belle drags a reluctant Jack along on her mission to bring them all to life.

Amid mince pies, festive nativities, cheeky runaway donkeys, and late‑night talks by the castle hearth, the icy barriers Jack has built begin to melt. Soon, Belle and Jack discover that the ultimate holiday miracle isn’t just healing a fractured family… It’s finally finding the courage to ask for the love they deserve.

Perfect for fans of slow‑burn romance, grumpy‑meets‑sunshine dynamics, and the unforgettable magic of a small‑town Christmas.

Donna Ashcroft writes bestselling, heartwarming British romance and feel-good romantic comedies, set in charming UK villages and scenic coastal towns.