This novel has all the hallmarks of a charming holiday romance story--a bucolic setting at an English castle, descriptions of deliciously comforting drinks and food, picturesque snow, a gorgeous hero, a book-obsessed heroine, and some school-friend drama. And look at this delightful cover by the wonderful Sandra Chiu? Who could resist?

Elinor Noel (Nory) is a bookstore owner who heads to the luxurious castle on the grounds of her private school (she attended on a scholarship) to reconnect with her friends at the wedding of two of them. While there, she re-meets the now older (and hotter) son of the castle's gardener who's still upset by how Nory's well-off friends treated him years ago. He's also best friends with Nory's brother, who's not too happy to see his friend and his sister getting close.

I enjoyed the setting of this story and the interactions among the many characters (props for the diversity!). There are a lot of characters, which can get overwhelming at times. Nory is a sweet character to root for and her romance with Isaac is cute but lacks the emotional heft to make them a couple to remember. There's a lot going on, with some plot points only picking up speed near the end of the novel. I really liked the small subplot about the missing friend--a victim of suicide--that's poignant and adds some emotion to the frolicking and fun. If you're looking for a romantic, escapist read for the holiday season that has a festive setting, this is absolutely a good choice. I think I was just looking for something with a little more emotional heft.