What I’m Reading This Week. Join me as I explore the latest book in my collection.

❄️✨ Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage — A Cosy Winter Escape

By Bren Moore

There’s something magical about winter reads. When the days grow shorter and the evenings draw in, I always find myself reaching for stories that feel like a warm blanket — comforting, hopeful, and full of heart. That’s exactly what I found in Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage by Katie Ginger.

This isn’t my first time reading Katie’s work — I already love her writing style, and it certainly won’t be my last. There’s a warmth and gentleness to her stories that makes them perfect companions for the colder months.

From the very first pages, this book wraps you in that cosy, festive feeling so many of us crave at this time of year. A charming cottage, the promise of snow, and the gentle hum of a small community coming together — it’s the kind of setting that immediately invites you to slow down and settle in.

What I'm Reading this Week...

And being a flame-haired author myself, I couldn’t help but smile at Esme, the main character — also a redhead. I found myself completely empathising with her and identifying with her journey. That feeling of standing on the edge of a new chapter in life, stepping into the unknown, and beginning again in a remote little cottage is written with such heart and honesty. I loved her as much for who she is as for what she’s facing.

What I also adored is how beautifully the setting is woven into Esme’s story. The cottage, the winter landscape, the quiet and isolation — they don’t just sit in the background. They shape her, challenge her, and gently help her grow. For me, the sense of place is just as powerful as the character development, and this book balances both wonderfully.

One of the reasons this story resonated so strongly with me is because of how much it reminded me of what I love writing about in The Towans Series. That same sense of community charm, of people coming together in small, meaningful ways, and of a place that becomes part of the healing journey. Just as the Cornish dunes and coastline shape my characters in Between the Towans and Beneath the Towans’ Sky, the setting here feels alive — a quiet force guiding change, comfort, and connection.

What I loved most about this story is how it captures the quiet magic of winter. Not just the sparkle of lights or the romance of falling snow, but the way winter encourages reflection — that sense of pausing, looking back, and quietly hoping for what’s to come. Katie Ginger weaves this feeling throughout the book in a way that feels natural and heartfelt.

The characters are warm and relatable, the kind you root for from the start. Their journeys are gentle but meaningful, full of small moments that linger, soft humour, and emotional connections that make you want to keep turning the pages long after you meant to stop.

I’m always drawn to stories set in close-knit communities, where people look out for one another and where everyday kindness matters. Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage captures that spirit perfectly — and it’s that same community warmth that sits at the heart of my own Towans stories too.

If you’re looking for a book to curl up with on a cold evening, this is a wonderful choice. It’s heartfelt without being heavy, romantic without being rushed, and full of that comforting glow that only the best seasonal stories seem to carry.

Reading stories like this always reminds me why I love writing the kind of books I do — stories about connection, community, healing, and finding warmth even in the coldest seasons.

So if you’re searching for your next cosy winter read, I can wholeheartedly recommend Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage. It’s a gentle, festive escape that leaves you smiling, comforted, and already looking forward to whatever Katie Ginger writes next.

Have you read it yet? Or do you have a favourite book you return to when the nights grow cold? I’d love to hear your recommendations.

Happy reading,

Bren Moore ❄️📚✨