The Christmas Countdown - The perfect cosy feel good romance
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Prime members: New to Audible?Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
The Christmas Countdown - The perfect cosy feel good romance
Buy for $15.76
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Kristin Atherton
-
By:
-
Donna Ashcroft
About this listen
It’s that time of year again, snowflakes are fluttering and the countdown to Christmas has begun!
Twenty-seven-year-old Holly Devine has just had her heart well and truly broken. Hurt by the two people she loves the most, she flees to her eccentric Aunt Clara’s cosy cottage to hide away over the winter season. But kind, impulsive Aunt Clara has other ideas... She’s not about to see her favourite niece wallowing in sadness during the most wonderful time of the year. So, with the help of her close circle of friends and plenty of gin, she creates a handmade advent calendar for Holly.
Every day Holly opens a new door and has a different task to complete. She soon finds herself asking out a complete stranger – gorgeous, cheeky pub landlord, Finn Jackson. But as handsome Finn gets involved in her festive challenges, Holly’s determination to avoid romance is put to the test. Still, Finn’s far too carefree and single for true love, isn’t he?
As Holly begins to embrace each day – a complete makeover, building the biggest snowman she’s ever seen, singing in a karaoke contest – Finn is there adding fun and laughter to every moment. Holly starts to realise that she can become the person she’s always wanted to be...
But a secret from Finn’s past threatens to turn Holly’s Christmas upside down and makes her question everything she has experienced in the last few weeks. Will Finn open up to Holly in time to show her how he really feels? And will she complete the advent calendar challenges and fall in love this Christmas?
It’s time to curl up for a delicious Christmas romance about daring to take chances, opening yourself up to love, and being true to who you really are. Perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Debbie Johnson and Debbie Macomber.
Readers are falling in love with The Christmas Countdown!
Donna Ashcroft was born in London and grew up in Buckinghamshire. She went to university in Lancashire and, among other things, worked as a copywriter, buyer, waitress, secretary and marketing manager. Her first book was shortlisted for the RNA Debut Romantic Novel of the Year in 2019. Donna loves a happy ending and is never happier than when she's escaping into a romance novel or movie. When she's not reading or writing she'll probably be found hoovering... or negotiating with her two teenagers about who is doing the washing up.
©2023 SAGA Egmont (P)2023 SAGA EgmontListeners also enjoyed...
-
Winter Wishes in the Scottish Highlands
- By: Donna Ashcroft
- Narrated by: Mhairi Morrison, Elliot Fitzpatrick
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2
Singleton and city-girl Ivy Heart has just turned thirty. She’s a chronic list-maker, married to her five-year plan, and can’t remember when she last had a Christmas off. This year is no different; PA to Lady Miriam Ballentine, Ivy has been tasked with bringing her estranged grandson home before Christmas Eve in return for a reference. With her dream job on the line, Ivy packs her bags for the snowy Scottish Highlands to track down the heir to the Ballentine estate.
By: Donna Ashcroft
-
Let It Snow
- By: Beth Moran
- Narrated by: Rosalind Steele
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 361
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 344
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 344
After the end of a long-term relationship, local weather girl Bea Armstrong has been avoiding her family, and their inevitable 'I-told-you-sos'. But with Christmas fast approaching, she is finally on her way home to Charis House, the school in Sherwood Forest that her mum and dad run in their old family home. And to top it all off, the insufferable Henry Fairfax—who her parents have always wanted her to marry—has also been invited.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Quick read
- By Kindle Customer on 01-11-23
By: Beth Moran
-
Christmas in the Scottish Highlands
- By: Donna Ashcroft
- Narrated by: Helen McAlpine
- Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 21
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 20
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 20
Welcome to the gorgeous little Scottish village of Christmas, where snow is falling, presents are being wrapped and the locals are writing their festive wish lists. Will this finally be the year that Belle’s dreams come true? Thirty-year-old Belle Albany is feeling lonely this Christmas. Another whole year has passed and her life is... exactly the same as it was last December. She longs for true love and a little bit of winter magic – but she’s almost given up on finding it in the sleepy Scottish community where she lives.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Loved it...but
- By Teresa, avid reader on 12-27-24
By: Donna Ashcroft
-
The Little Village of New Starts
- By: Donna Ashcroft
- Narrated by: Paula Masterton
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
Evie Stuart is playing it safe. She lives on her family’s remote farm in the Scottish Highlands and never ventures beyond the local village of Lockton. The most unpredictable events in her life are the antics of Miss Daisy, her grandmother Agnes’s pygmy goat. She’s learned that bad things happen when she’s impulsive, and she’s determined not to get burned again. Callum Ryder is exactly the opposite of what Evie wants in her ordered world.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Sweet
- By Kayla Marie Marcoux on 07-26-23
By: Donna Ashcroft
-
The Beekeeper's Cottage
- By: Emma Davies
- Narrated by: Sarah Lambie
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 17
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 17
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 17
Comforted by the gentle hum of the beehives at the bottom of the garden, Grace drains the last of her tea and walks slowly back towards the little hillside house she adores. Her marriage is over, but is it too late to start her life again? Beekeeper Grace thought throwing out her cheating husband would be the hardest thing she ever did. But when she opens the door to a property developer one morning, it’s clear that keeping her beautiful home and garden – her only sanctuary throughout her miserable marriage – will be the greatest challenge of all.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Reminiscent of Irish Country Doctor books
- By angela on 10-05-23
By: Emma Davies
-
Summer in the Scottish Highlands
- By: Donna Ashcroft
- Narrated by: Paula Masterton
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 26
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 25
Thirty-year-old Paige Dougall’s life is a mess. Only a year ago she was smashing all of her life goals - handsome husband, high-flying job, cute kid. But in just under 12 months, everything has gone wrong. Nursing a broken heart, single-mother Paige returns to Kindness Cottage, her childhood home nestled in a picture-perfect Scottish village. Despite the backdrop of rolling hills and lavender-scented air, Paige struggles to settle into her summer at Kindness Cottage. She’s too wrapped up in her own worries to embrace her surroundings...until Johnny Becker steps onto the scene.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Fun summer read!
- By Betsy Mitchell on 07-08-22
By: Donna Ashcroft
-
Winter Wishes in the Scottish Highlands
- By: Donna Ashcroft
- Narrated by: Mhairi Morrison, Elliot Fitzpatrick
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2
Singleton and city-girl Ivy Heart has just turned thirty. She’s a chronic list-maker, married to her five-year plan, and can’t remember when she last had a Christmas off. This year is no different; PA to Lady Miriam Ballentine, Ivy has been tasked with bringing her estranged grandson home before Christmas Eve in return for a reference. With her dream job on the line, Ivy packs her bags for the snowy Scottish Highlands to track down the heir to the Ballentine estate.
By: Donna Ashcroft
-
Let It Snow
- By: Beth Moran
- Narrated by: Rosalind Steele
- Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 361
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 344
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 344
After the end of a long-term relationship, local weather girl Bea Armstrong has been avoiding her family, and their inevitable 'I-told-you-sos'. But with Christmas fast approaching, she is finally on her way home to Charis House, the school in Sherwood Forest that her mum and dad run in their old family home. And to top it all off, the insufferable Henry Fairfax—who her parents have always wanted her to marry—has also been invited.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Quick read
- By Kindle Customer on 01-11-23
By: Beth Moran
-
Christmas in the Scottish Highlands
- By: Donna Ashcroft
- Narrated by: Helen McAlpine
- Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 21
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 20
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 20
Welcome to the gorgeous little Scottish village of Christmas, where snow is falling, presents are being wrapped and the locals are writing their festive wish lists. Will this finally be the year that Belle’s dreams come true? Thirty-year-old Belle Albany is feeling lonely this Christmas. Another whole year has passed and her life is... exactly the same as it was last December. She longs for true love and a little bit of winter magic – but she’s almost given up on finding it in the sleepy Scottish community where she lives.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Loved it...but
- By Teresa, avid reader on 12-27-24
By: Donna Ashcroft
-
The Little Village of New Starts
- By: Donna Ashcroft
- Narrated by: Paula Masterton
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
Evie Stuart is playing it safe. She lives on her family’s remote farm in the Scottish Highlands and never ventures beyond the local village of Lockton. The most unpredictable events in her life are the antics of Miss Daisy, her grandmother Agnes’s pygmy goat. She’s learned that bad things happen when she’s impulsive, and she’s determined not to get burned again. Callum Ryder is exactly the opposite of what Evie wants in her ordered world.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Sweet
- By Kayla Marie Marcoux on 07-26-23
By: Donna Ashcroft
-
The Beekeeper's Cottage
- By: Emma Davies
- Narrated by: Sarah Lambie
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 17
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 17
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 17
Comforted by the gentle hum of the beehives at the bottom of the garden, Grace drains the last of her tea and walks slowly back towards the little hillside house she adores. Her marriage is over, but is it too late to start her life again? Beekeeper Grace thought throwing out her cheating husband would be the hardest thing she ever did. But when she opens the door to a property developer one morning, it’s clear that keeping her beautiful home and garden – her only sanctuary throughout her miserable marriage – will be the greatest challenge of all.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Reminiscent of Irish Country Doctor books
- By angela on 10-05-23
By: Emma Davies
-
Summer in the Scottish Highlands
- By: Donna Ashcroft
- Narrated by: Paula Masterton
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 28
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 26
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 25
Thirty-year-old Paige Dougall’s life is a mess. Only a year ago she was smashing all of her life goals - handsome husband, high-flying job, cute kid. But in just under 12 months, everything has gone wrong. Nursing a broken heart, single-mother Paige returns to Kindness Cottage, her childhood home nestled in a picture-perfect Scottish village. Despite the backdrop of rolling hills and lavender-scented air, Paige struggles to settle into her summer at Kindness Cottage. She’s too wrapped up in her own worries to embrace her surroundings...until Johnny Becker steps onto the scene.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Fun summer read!
- By Betsy Mitchell on 07-08-22
By: Donna Ashcroft
Critic reviews
Oh how I loved this book. Spent my whole afternoon reading it and once I finished it, I was filled with joy... You get so involved with these characters... Honestly, this was such a good book. Would recommend it to everyone.
-- Goodreads Reviewer
This was such a heartwarming Christmas romance and I absolutely loved Holly and Finn and was smiling through all their cute moments. This book made me so happy!
-- Goodreads Reviewer
I adored the Christmas-y setting... While this is a super cute romance story, the main plot, at least, as I viewed it, was about Holly finding herself... Sunflower Island is a perfect setting for adorable romantic comedies and I would love to see more stories set here. It was a totally feel-good story that made me excited for Christmas.
-- Books Over Everything
Related to this topic
-
Once Upon a Crime
- By: Brynn Kelly
- Narrated by: Chase Brown, Rebekkah Ross
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 412
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 407
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 407
Lana Fleming’s sister has vanished from the set of TV’s hottest show, and no one seems to care. Desperate for answers, Lana sneaks in as an extra, only to get stranded with Griffin Hart, an A-list action star with a reputation for good abs and bad decisions. Though Griffin didn’t expect to be cast as a librarian’s sidekick in a real-life thriller, he’s weirdly into it—and into her. Even more unsettling—she sees right through his playboy persona. But their meet-cute soon turns deadly when they uncover a Hollywood scandal for the ages.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Smart & Funny!
- By donna dicesare on 03-10-25
By: Brynn Kelly
-
The Fall Risk
- A Short Story
- By: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Connor Crais
- Length: 1 hr and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 754
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 743
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 743
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
More of a dramedy
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 03-03-25
By: Abby Jimenez
-
Verity
- By: Colleen Hoover
- Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson, Amy Landon
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 128,677
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 113,693
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 113,560
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
intriguing but skip if triggered by child abuse
- By Amazon Customer on 05-16-19
By: Colleen Hoover
-
Always a Bridesmaid
- By: Erin Clark, Laura Lovely
- Narrated by: Andrew Eiden, Krystal Hammond
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 1,215
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,206
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 1,206
Meet Randi Burnett—she’s brilliant, she’s beautiful, and she works for the bride. Missing groom? Intoxicated in-laws? Crying ring-bearer? You name it, she wrangles it. Too bad her personal life isn’t thriving like her side gig as a bridesmaid for hire. Recently dumped, Randi throws herself into her biggest challenge yet when she’s hired as a maid of honor and pretend best friend for an ice queen bride. There’s just one problem—the best man is infuriating, overprotective, and anti-marriage.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Cutesy lil rom com
- By Kindle Customer on 02-13-25
By: Erin Clark, and others
-
The Last Letter
- A Novel
- By: Rebecca Yarros
- Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Jennifer Stark
- Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 5,733
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 5,533
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,527
Beckett: If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have. I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride. My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
What in the actual f@#k!
- By Booklover876🇯🇲 on 07-26-19
By: Rebecca Yarros
-
Misdirected
- By: Lucy Parker
- Narrated by: Nicola Coughlan, Gwilym Lee
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 374
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 362
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 362
Hattie Murton never dreamed of TV stardom. A straight-from-a-fairytale encounter with a casting agent somehow landed her a part on what she’d thought would be a one-off pilot for Leicester Square…
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Mindless chatter
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 02-04-25
By: Lucy Parker
-
Once Upon a Crime
- By: Brynn Kelly
- Narrated by: Chase Brown, Rebekkah Ross
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 412
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 407
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 407
Lana Fleming’s sister has vanished from the set of TV’s hottest show, and no one seems to care. Desperate for answers, Lana sneaks in as an extra, only to get stranded with Griffin Hart, an A-list action star with a reputation for good abs and bad decisions. Though Griffin didn’t expect to be cast as a librarian’s sidekick in a real-life thriller, he’s weirdly into it—and into her. Even more unsettling—she sees right through his playboy persona. But their meet-cute soon turns deadly when they uncover a Hollywood scandal for the ages.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Smart & Funny!
- By donna dicesare on 03-10-25
By: Brynn Kelly
-
The Fall Risk
- A Short Story
- By: Abby Jimenez
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Connor Crais
- Length: 1 hr and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 754
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 743
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 743
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
More of a dramedy
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 03-03-25
By: Abby Jimenez
-
Verity
- By: Colleen Hoover
- Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson, Amy Landon
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 128,677
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 113,693
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 113,560
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
intriguing but skip if triggered by child abuse
- By Amazon Customer on 05-16-19
By: Colleen Hoover
-
Always a Bridesmaid
- By: Erin Clark, Laura Lovely
- Narrated by: Andrew Eiden, Krystal Hammond
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 1,215
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,206
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 1,206
Meet Randi Burnett—she’s brilliant, she’s beautiful, and she works for the bride. Missing groom? Intoxicated in-laws? Crying ring-bearer? You name it, she wrangles it. Too bad her personal life isn’t thriving like her side gig as a bridesmaid for hire. Recently dumped, Randi throws herself into her biggest challenge yet when she’s hired as a maid of honor and pretend best friend for an ice queen bride. There’s just one problem—the best man is infuriating, overprotective, and anti-marriage.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Cutesy lil rom com
- By Kindle Customer on 02-13-25
By: Erin Clark, and others
-
The Last Letter
- A Novel
- By: Rebecca Yarros
- Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Jennifer Stark
- Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 5,733
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 5,533
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,527
Beckett: If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have. I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride. My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
What in the actual f@#k!
- By Booklover876🇯🇲 on 07-26-19
By: Rebecca Yarros
-
Misdirected
- By: Lucy Parker
- Narrated by: Nicola Coughlan, Gwilym Lee
- Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 374
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 362
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 362
Hattie Murton never dreamed of TV stardom. A straight-from-a-fairytale encounter with a casting agent somehow landed her a part on what she’d thought would be a one-off pilot for Leicester Square…
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
Mindless chatter
- By 🔥 Phx17 🔥 on 02-04-25
By: Lucy Parker