Christmas In Castleby by J. M. Simpson | Book Review

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Title & Author: Christmas In Castleby by J. M. Simpson

My rating: 5/5

Publication date: 1st November 2024

Blurb:

When Tess Dutton arrives in Castleby to help in her sister’s restaurant for the Christmas period her worst nightmare awaits. Tess finds her sister unconscious at the bottom of her stairs, and a restaurant fully booked until Christmas.

Ex-Navy chef Griffin Jones returns to his late mother’s house trying to put his past behind him. He can’t forgive himself for what he did, and someone from his past won’t let him forget either.

Griffin steps in to help Tess in the restaurant, but he is haunted by his past. As he grows closer to Tess and their attraction blossoms, Tess receives a visit from an ex-lover, who wants to rekindle their romance.

Tess struggles when she finds out about Griffin’s past.

But he’s being persecuted.

And then Tess’s life is threatened.

Someone is so full of hate and so intent on revenge, that the only solution is to kill.

Review:

Did I read this book in less than a day? Yes, yes I did. I just couldn't put it down!

This is the sixth book in the Castleby series and I have loved every one of them, so when I heard there was a Christmas one coming, I was very excited. I would recommend going back and reading the other books in the series because they are fantastic.

Griff Jones is returning to the seaside town of Castleby, following his mother's death. Griff has had a tough few years and is looking to start over. At the same time, Tess has been roped into coming to help her sister Lorraine at her restaurant over the busy Christmas period. Tess has had a couple of heartbreaks recently, plus leaving her stressful job as a nurse.

The two cross paths when Tess takes over the restaurant for an injured Lorraine and is in need of a chef. Enter, Griff. But when Griff starts receiving threatening texts and letters about something that happened in his past, culminating in attacks both on him and his house, he realises he needs to tell Tess, but how will she react?

One thing I love about the Castleby series, is that going back to them feels so comforting. Griff and Tess are new characters but are very much welcomed by the locals who we came to love in the previous books (I'm looking at you Foxy and Maggie!). 

This is a shorter book than the rest but I always enjoy the pacing, tension and guessing that Simpson delivers. I just love the mix of small town vibes with some crime that keeps you on your toes!