Book Review: Underneath The Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain

Underneath The Christmas Tree is written by Heidi Swain and was published in 2021. Underneath The Christmas Tree is Heidi Swain’s sixth Christmas book but it’s the first I have read.

I love reading a good cosy romance in the run up to Christmas. It always feels like the literary equivalent of sipping a cup of hot chocolate.

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Genre: Romance

Author: Heidi Swain

Buy: Amazon | Waterstones

Published: 2021

Plot

Wynter’s Trees is where the people of Wynmouth get their family Christmas tree and get into the Christmas spirit. Liza Wynter knows it’s a local institution and was her father’s pride and joy but now he’s gone she wants nothing to do with the business. It holds sad memories and Wynmouth was never a happy place for her growing up. When her father’s business partner decides to retire and pass on his share of the business to his son Ned, Liza sees it as the perfect opportunity to offload her share of the business.

When she arrives back in Wynmouth she finds the welcome overwhelming and is happy to see the business flourishing under Ned’s stewardship. She offers to stay up until Christmas to help with the busy season but makes it clear she has plans for her future and they don’t involve Wynter’s Trees. However, can the people of Wynmouth convince her that this is where she belongs? And can Wynter’s Trees finally weave its Christmas magic and convince Liza to stay?

Underneath The Christmas Tree Book Review

First of all, how gorgeous is that book cover? It immediately caught my eye and I really do appreciate a pretty cover, despite knowing I should never judge a book by it!

Underneath The Christmas Tree had all the Hallmark Christmas vibes which I love. Cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies are my not-so-guilty pleasure! It was delightfully festive and I could clearly visualise Wynter’s Trees and the lodge where Ned and Liza resided. The descriptions were vivid and clear without being over the top.

I really liked Liza as a character. Despite the sadness she had faced in her life, she was a strong character who knew her own mind. Ned was also very likeable and I enjoyed the slow-burn romance. Often when there’s quite a large list of characters it can become a little confusing remembering who is who. That wasn’t an issue with this book which is a testament to Heidi Swain’s skill of creating believable (and likeable) characters.