Kate Hewitt

From a million-copy bestselling author, comes an unforgettable and heartbreaking story about one woman's determination to keep her family together when their world falls apart... "Mom, why are you so mad at Dad?""I'm not," I say, which isn't exactly true. Putting on a brave face for my two young daughters-pretending everything is fine in my marriage-has been hard. That, and losing the house after Daniel lied to me. I never expected to have to uproot my family to go live in my parents' isolated cottage on Lost Lake. It's twenty miles to the nearest town, an insignificant speck in endless pine forests. Nobody's lived here for a decade. Now, I pick up a rusty pail from its nest of autumn leaves and turn to my daughter. Suddenly, I recall how I used to help my own mother pick wild strawberries up here as a little girl. Maybe, this isn't a punishment. Maybe this place will be the making of our family. I'm still thinking it when my daughter rests her silky head on my shoulder that evening in the flickering firelight. And when, over a steaming cup of coffee at dawn, I watch a single loon cut a course through the mirrored surface of Lost Lake. Later, I'll hold on to these memories-ghostly shreds of another life. Because just eight hours after I sat on that sofa, feeling so hopeful, the world as I knew it-as anyone knew it-was gone for good. What do you do when the worst thing in the world happens to your family? A gripping, beautiful story that will break your heart. For fans of Boo Walker, Where the Forest Meets the Stars and Julianne MacLean. What readers are saying about Kate Hewitt: "A wonderful story that's been written with sensitivity and compassion, that tugs at the heartstrings and makes it impossible to put down. The final chapters are so emotional I finished reading with a lump in my throat and tears streaming down my face." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "An emotional book, brilliant, I could not put it down. Beautiful story." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I loved this book, couldn't put it down. I didn't expect it to end like that kept you guessing what was going to happen, I cried a lot so have hankies ready." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Honest and thought-provoking... A beautiful book... unique and so special. Can't wait to read more by this author." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A powerful and emotional read that had me totally transfixed. A moving and well-written story that will pull on every reader's heartstrings. Loved it." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It was a brilliant read, so sad, had me in floods of tears." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An irresistible attraction The Italian's Christmas Housekeeper by Sharon Kendrick Shy housekeeper Molly Miller always tries her best. She’s anxious to impress house guest Salvio De Gennaro, but instead is unfairly criticised by her employer! Found sobbing by Salvio, she's comforted…with the most amazing experience of her life. When that encounter costs Molly her job, Salvio offers her an irresistible proposition: become his temporary housekeeper – just in time for Christmas! The Italian's Unexpected Baby by Kate Hewitt Having escaped the streets of Rome, Alessandro Costa now runs a multi-billion-dollar empire. Yet Mia James, his forthright new executive assistant, threatens his renowned control. After one passionate together, Alessandro coolly dismisses Mia. Mia does not trust easy, and so she dares not tell Alessandro she’s pregnant! Yet on learning her secret, he’s determined to legitimise his child. Will Mia let Alessandro in? Unwrapping Her Italian Doc by Carol Marinelli It’s been a difficult year for midwife Louise Carter, but a mistletoe kiss with gorgeous Italian obstetrician, Anton Rossi, will make sure it ends on a high! Anton is all about control – but around Louise he feels totally powerless! And he certainly won’t be stopping with just one kiss…

Oväntad kärlek vid världens ände Laurel West är 36 år och den eviga singeln. Men hon trivs med livet, med frilansjobb, mysig lägenhet och katt. Visst drömmer hon om den stora kärleken, men han har ännu inte dykt upp. När Laurel en dag får ett samtal om att hennes syster Abby, som hon sedan länge tappat kontakten med, har checkat in på rehab och vill att Laurel ska ta hand om hennes fjortonåriga son, tvekar hon inte. Zach är enstavig och hånfull, och Laurel inser att hon kanske tagit sig vatten över huvudet, men när julen närmar sig är hon fast besluten om att skapa en underbar högtid för dem båda. Hon tar med Zach till sin favoritplats på jorden: sin fasters stuga på de vindsvepta kullarna på Orkneyöarna, norr om Skottland. Där inleder Laurel oväntat en vänskap med grannen, fårbonden Archie MacDougal, som är ungefär så långt ifrån sagoprinsen man kan komma. Men kanske kan två ensamma själar finna varandra vid världens ände? Jul vid världens ände är en varm och romantisk julroman om familjeband, modiga livsval och den stora kärleken. Detta är en mysig och charmig roman om familjeband, sorg, goda minnen, kärlek och oväntad passion. (Jul)stämningen i boken glittrar BTJ

As the snow begins to fall and the lights twinkle, Ellie realizes Christmas has finally come to the Inn on Bluebell Lane. But as she watches the guests arrive, she hopes this won't be her family's last winter in this magical place... It's been two years since Ellie and her family left their lives in America behind and moved to a small Welsh village to run her husband's family inn. Having fought to save it from disrepair, Ellie is shocked when her sister-in-law, Sarah, breaks the news that the inn is facing financial trouble and might have to close after Christmas, a thought that breaks all their hearts. Turning to her mother-in-law, Ellie sees tears sparkling in Gwen's eyes. But then Ellie has an idea: a celebratory Christmas week for guests and locals with all the festive trimmings - an unforgettable experience, and her family's last chance to save the inn. With Christmas drawing closer, the family are busier than ever. Gwen bakes enough mince pies to feed the whole country, while Ellie adds mistletoe to every room, and her husband Matthew turns the garden into a winter wonderland. But there are troubles ahead no one could expect. And as Bluebell Lane twinkles against the frost, Ellie marvels that the inn has never looked prettier. But will it be enough to save this beautiful place her family has grown to love? This totally unputdownable seasonal read is perfect for anyone who believes in the magic of Christmas. Packed with heart-warming festive cheer, and bursting with merrymaking, this novel is perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, Robyn Carr and Elin Hildebrand. Praise for Kate Hewitt's novels: "Stunning and thought-provoking... I loved it... Outstanding." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A firecracker of a novel. I was absolutely unable to stop reading." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Wow. Just wow. What an emotional rollercoaster." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Brilliant... I had to finish this marvellous book in one sitting " Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A heartbreaking story... Worth a complete five stars " Tropical Girl Reads Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When the call finally comes, my life as I know it is over-my job as a teacher, my marriage, my family are all gone. In a heartbeat, I've lost everything that ever mattered to me. All because of one secret, and what someone thinks she saw... As I sit in the school's office, listening to the accusations being made against me, I wonder how I got here. As they discuss what they think I did, words begin to jumble in my mind: "a video," "blurred figures..." I don't know how to explain that they've got it all wrong. Instead, I think back over the last few months and try to pinpoint the exact moment when I allowed a secret to ruin my life. I squeeze my eyes shut. I've been so stupid, I can see that now. Because I know who told them I did this. But it's just not true, I would never cross that line. So why would she do this to me, after all we've been through? What possible reason could she have to shatter my life into a million pieces? When I open my eyes, my colleagues are staring at me, waiting for answers. I take a deep breath. It's time to tell them what really happened. It's time to tell them the truth. An emotionally gripping and totally unputdownable story about the complexities of love, female friendship and betrayal. This page-turning read will stay with you long after the final page, and is perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty and Susan Lewis. Praise for Kate Hewitt's novels: "THE book of the year ... I don't think I have ever cried as much... heart-breaking and unputdownable... To say this story is a five-star read is an understatement. There are not enough stars in the world to show how much this book has touched me." Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The complexities of the situation are written in a truly beautiful, insightful way... It was real, and brutal, and heartbreaking, but it was honest, which made it all the most devastating to read." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Holy heck Kate Hewitt brought her A-game with this must read... I was completely entranced... There were so many well-timed twists and turns and just when I thought I couldn't be surprised anymore, there was another bomb waiting to drop ... A complete 5 star novel that will most certainly "wow" you " Steph and Chris' Book Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Immerse yourself in The Irresistible Italians and The Crown collections

As Ellie looked at the inn, with its white walls and purple flowers, she couldn't believe this was her new home. It looked like an idyllic image from a postcard, but would her life here be as picture-perfect? When Ellie and her family move to a tiny village in rural Wales, it's meant to be a new beginning for all of them. They have decided to take over her husband's family inn, leaving behind their old life and troubles in America. But soon after they arrive, Ellie realizes everything is in a far worse state than she'd ever imagined. And as her husband, Matthew, begins to tackle the renovations, it's clear that Matthew's mother, Gwen, has very firm ideas about what can and cannot be changed. And although Ellie tries, she finds it's not easy to form a closeness with her prickly mother-in-law, especially now they're living under the same roof. As the children struggle to settle into rural life, Ellie's eldest child, Jessica, makes it clear her parents have made a terrible mistake, and Ellie soon wonders if she's in over her head. Her reality feels a million miles away from the idyllic rural bliss she had hoped to create for her family. When disaster strikes, Ellie is left wondering why she ever brought her family to this place. But even as things go from bad to worse, she feels sure that the Inn on Bluebell Lane needs her family to restore its fortunes, and that perhaps her family need this magical place to bring them all back together once more... A gorgeous, escapist story that will leave you imagining the scent of bluebells on every page. Perfect for fans of heart-warming family dramas by Debbie Macomber and Erica James. Praise for Kate Hewitt's novels: "Stunning and thought-provoking... I loved it... Outstanding." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A firecracker of a novel. I was absolutely unable to stop reading." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Wow. Just wow. What an emotional rollercoaster." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Brilliant... I had to finish this marvellous book in one sitting " Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A heartbreaking story... Worth a complete five stars " Tropical Girl Reads Books ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Greek’s deal to save her! Years ago, multi-millionaire chef Dimitris wasn’t considered good enough for heiress Savannah. But now the penniless photographer is seeking his help, he’ll offer her a job in Greece. Their chemistry is still combustible…but can he risk rekindling anything other than their desire? A baby to bind them again! After surviving a plane crash, Nico returns to his wife Emma to discover three shocking revelations. First, he’s presumed dead! Second, Emma is pregnant with his child…and last, he must stop her convenient marriage to another man!

Rosie realised she loved the man standing before her. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. And if he were to fall in France, heaven help them both, she knew she would not regret one last night with him... 1941, Canada: When Rosie Lyman and her cousin Violet join the Canadian Women's Army Corps, Rosie is uncertain about leaving her life in Ontario behind and entering a new and challenging world of duty and service. From the moment Rosie signs up, the intensity of the work pushes all thoughts of home from her mind. And when she is selected for officer training and a placement overseas in London, Rosie finds herself swept up into an exciting world of classified postings she could never have imagined... When she meets handsome Lieutenant Thomas Crewe, with sparkling blue eyes and a smile like a movie star, Rosie soon finds herself falling in love for the very first time. With precious moments together restricted to weekends on leave, the pair try to steal as much time together as they can. But when Rosie hears that Thomas's division is flying in the D-Day invasion, she feels like her heart might break. Will he survive the battle? And can she find the strength within herself to go on if he doesn't? The fifth novel in the page-turning Amherst Island series, set during the Second World War in Canada and England, this gripping and truly unmissable read is perfect for fans of The Orphan Sisters and My Name is Eva. Readers love Kate Hewitt's Amherst Island series: "An incredible book... I didn't want to stop reading... I fell in love with the island and everyone there. It's been ages since a book spoke to me as much... It reminds me of the Anne of Green Gables books... or Little House on the Prairie. I cried like a baby several times... One of the best stories I have read." NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Simply amazing... Hewitt paints such a vivid picture... I found myself reading it slowly so I could savor everything... I didn't want the story to end... If you love a sweeping historical fiction story with a character you can't help but love, then you definitely will want to start this wonderfully amazing series." Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Phenomenal... The descriptions of the landscape and the island are so real... This inspirational historical fiction is a must read." NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A tearjerker The storytelling is wonderful and draws you in. I cried buckets " Karen_loves_reading ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As mothers we never dare to delve into our worst-nightmare scenarios. What if... we might murmur to each other, and then shake our heads, telling ourselves it'll never happen to us if we're just good enough mothers. Yet here we are. And the steady beep of the heart monitor is the only evidence the child in front of us is alive... It's Labor Day weekend, so of course we went to the beach. Like we do every year. For a barbecue picnic with my best friend Rose. It's the perfect tradition-drinks, games, burgers, music, laughter. Together with our husbands, my two teenage sons and her two daughters, we all arrived as the sun was still shimmering over the water, the whole evening ahead of us. But nothing goes to plan. Old secrets emerge, tempers flare. And so we parents decide to leave the beach, telling the teenagers to enjoy themselves, reassuring them someone will be back to collect them in an hour or two. But when I return a little while later, I know something is really wrong. Our teens are slurring their words, stumbling to the car. It's clear they have been drinking and I'm shocked. I never expected our kids to behave this way. I'm bracing myself to have firm words with them in the morning, but the next day my concerns fade to nothing, when seventeen-year-old Bella claims my son Finn assaulted her. Finn insists he would never do that. And I so want to believe him. Because I brought my son up right. Because a mother would know, wouldn't she? What I don't know is that the answer to what happened that night on the beach may be a matter of life and death for one of our beloved children... An absolutely heartbreaking story about friendship, parenting and betrayal. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes and Susan Lewis. Readers are loving That Night at the Beach: "Totally addictive... will keep you racing through the pages all night long." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Brilliant... I had to finish this marvellous book in one sitting " Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Heartbreaking... very hard to put down without reading in one sobbing gulp... Amazing." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Perfectly crafted to keep me wanting more... engrossing, spine-tingling read " Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wow I did not guess the ending... a page-turner... A cannot put down book." Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

She clutched the piece of paper close to her chest, tears welling in her eyes, hardly believing what she had read. Silently thanking Sarah for all she sacrificed, she took the death certificate and slipped it under a loose floorboard - no one must ever find out what she'd done... England, 1868: Orphaned and penniless, 18-year-old Sarah is left the sole guardian of her beloved little sister Lucy - who she's vowed to protect at all costs. With nowhere left to turn, she is forced to accept mysterious widower James Mills' proposal of marriage. She believes being his bride can't possibly be as bad as the threat of the workhouse. But nothing prepares her for the darkness of her marriage, the shocking secrets of her new family and for the lengths she will have to go to keep her sister safe... Now: Living in the beautiful village of Goswell, Ellen believes her family life to be idyllic... until her estranged seventeen-year-old stepdaughter Annabelle moves in and shatters the peace. Ellen fears they will never bond, until she finds a death certificate - for a woman named Sarah, from over a century earlier - hidden under the floorboards of their house, and Annabelle starts to help her unravel the mystery. Yet as Ellen and Annabelle dig deeper into Sarah's life and death, shocking truths, both past and present, come to light which change everything Ellen thought she knew about Sarah's family--and the new addition to her own... The Bride's Sister is a powerful and moving story about what it means to be a family, second chances, and the lengths we go to for those we love. Fans of Lucinda Riley, Barbara O'Neal and Fiona Valpy will absolutely love this gripping and emotional read. This novel can be enjoyed as a standalone. Previously published as The Second Bride by Katharine Swartz. Readers love Kate Hewitt: "WOW ... Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them ... It had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily ... An absolutely unputdownable, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heartbreaking book I LOVED it " Bookworm86 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"This book had me crying so badly. It broke my heart, never has any book been able to just wipe me out with such gut-wrenching sadness... BEAUTIFULLY DONE." NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Not only broke my heart but shattered it... When the tears came] though, they didn't stop. It is such an emotionally charged novel... An absolute tear-jerker of a read for which I highly recommend having a box of tissues on standby." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"An emotionally charged story right from the first chapter... I knew once I started I would not be able to put this book down... I was up till 4AM reading fighting for my eyes to stay open... Gripping and captivating " Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alice looked at the young girl standing alone on the platform, sensing the same vulnerability she'd once felt entering the village she now called home. Then, as the child gripped her hand, the pain and sorrow Alice had held in her heart for so long softened... And in that moment, she vowed she'd always protect her - whatever the cost... England, 1939: When Alice marries twinkly-eyed, kind-hearted vicar David, it means leaving everything from her old life behind and moving into the draughty vicarage in the beautiful but remote village of Goswell, Cumbria. Though homesick, Alice is determined to make a new life there for herself and her husband. But soon tragedy strikes, and she is devastated when war breaks out and David chooses to sign up to fight. But everything changes when Alice is asked to take in a child evacuee, and she makes a promise to protect this girl, no matter what it costs her... Now: When Jane and her family move to the small coastal village of Goswell where her husband grew up, she's afraid she might have made a huge mistake. Their new home - in what had once been the vicarage - feels a million miles from their previous fast-paced life in New York City, and Jane struggles with her empty days that seem lonely and purposeless. But then she finds a small note, forgotten behind a shelf in the pantry. A note written in the Second World War. By a woman named Alice, whose incredible story has the power to change everything... Two wives' stories - told over 70 years apart - about courage, finding a home, and how the unexpected arrival of someone else's story in your life can change your own. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley and Barbara O'Neal. This novel can be enjoyed as a standalone. Previously published as The Vicar's Wife by Katharine Swartz. Readers love Kate Hewitt: "WOW ... Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them ... It had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily ... An absolutely unputdownable, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heartbreaking book I LOVED it " Bookworm86 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This book had me crying so badly. It broke my heart, never has any book been able to just wipe me out with such gut-wrenching sadness... BEAUTIFULLY DONE." NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Not only broke my heart but shattered it... When the tears came] though, they didn't stop. It is such an emotionally charged novel... An absolute tear-jerker of a read for which I highly recommend having a box of tissues on standby." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "An emotionally charged story right from the first chapter... I knew once I started I would not be able to put this book down... I was up till 4AM reading fighting for my eyes to stay open... Gripping and captivating " Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

She looked down at the sweet little girl - and knew she wouldn't listen to what anyone else said. She had to do what was right. Even if it meant going against everything she was taught to believe and keeping a secret from the person closest to her... England, 1766: Abigail is happily married to James, a tobacco trader turned sea captain, and is looking forward to starting a family and settling down in Whitehaven, deep in the Lake District. But after a series of devastating losses, she finds herself in turmoil, with her future suddenly seeming unknown... When James announces that he will captain a ship to Africa and then the Americas for a year, it sparks a series of surprising and heartbreaking events - involving some of the darkest evils in humanity's history, and a tiny, terrified slave girl who's brought back to England. This helpless child forces Abigail to reconsider everything she thought she knew--and will change her life forever... Now: When a shipwreck is discovered off the coast of Cumbria, local expert Rachel is brought in to investigate. Her first thought is that this will be a perfect distraction from her troubled marriage and the memories of her past that she is desperate not to think about. But then it becomes clear the wreck is a slaving ship from the 1700s - one that was recorded as sinking in the Caribbean - and Rachel begins to wonder if there's more to this terrible mystery than meets the eye. Faced with uncertainty about both the past and present, can Rachel learn from Abigail's extraordinary story and take the first step towards a brighter future of her own? The Widow's Secret is a completely heart-wrenching and powerful story of courage, redemption, and compassion. Fans of Lucinda Riley, Barbara O'Neal and Fiona Valpy will be absolutely captivated by this unforgettable read. This novel can be enjoyed as a standalone. Previously published as The Widow's Secret by Katharine Swartz. Readers love Kate Hewitt: "WOW ... Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them ... It had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily ... An absolutely unputdownable, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heartbreaking book I LOVED it " Bookworm86 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"This book had me crying so badly. It broke my heart, never has any book been able to just wipe me out with such gut-wrenching sadness... BEAUTIFULLY DONE." NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Not only broke my heart but shattered it... When the tears came] though, they didn't stop. It is such an emotionally charged novel... An absolute tear-jerker of a read for which I highly recommend having a box of tissues on standby." Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"An emotionally charged story right from the first chapter... I knew once I started I would not be able to put this book down... I was up till 4AM reading fighting for my eyes to stay open... Gripping and captivating " Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I had to free it," Eleanor said, and stretched her hand out to the blue butterfly that seemed almost to hover in the air. "I had to let something find what happiness it could, since we cannot." England, 1918: As war ends, across the world, people are trying to heal and recover. But Eleanor still feels broken. The loss of her beloved brother, killed just days before the Armistice was signed, feels impossibly unjust. Spending her time in the neglected gardens behind their house, she fears her heart will never recover. Then her father hires a man to help restore the garden to its former glory. Gruff, handsome Yorkshireman Jack comes from a totally different world to Eleanor, but he understands the nature of her grief more than anyone else seems to. And as they spend time together, even though she knows her family will never accept someone of Jack's class, Eleanor starts to wonder if - like the butterflies around them - there is any way for her to learn to soar again... Now: Nearly one hundred years later, Marin is not prepared for finding herself the guardian of her fifteen-year-old half-sister Rebecca, after her father and his second wife are killed in a tragic accident. The sisters are practically strangers, and Rebecca's grief makes her seem even more distant. Marin too is in need of a fresh start, so when Rebecca begs her to let them move to the picturesque village of Goswell on the Cumbrian coast, Marin impulsively agrees. But it is only when they find a locked door to a secret garden, and a photograph of a girl with a butterfly alighting on her hand, that the sisters start to realise they have a mystery to solve, one about war, about secrets, and about a love that could never be. A mystery that might just bring them together... The Daughter's Garden is a totally unputdownable novel about tragic secrets, the chance for forgiveness, and the healing that can come from a new start. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Rhys Bowen and Lucinda Riley. This novel can be enjoyed as a standalone. Previously published as The Lost Garden by Katharine Swartz. Readers love Kate Hewitt: "WOW ... Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them ... It had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily ... An absolutely unputdownable, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heartbreaking book I LOVED it " Bookworm86 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Detta är en mysig och charmig roman om familjeband, sorg, goda minnen, kärlek och oväntad passion. (jul)stämningen i boken glittrar BTJOväntad kärlek vid världens ände Laurel West är 36 år och den eviga singeln. Men hon trivs med livet, med frilansjobb, mysig lägenhet och katt. Visst drömmer hon om den stora kärleken, men han har ännu inte dykt upp. När Laurel en dag får ett samtal om att hennes syster Abby, som hon sedan länge tappat kontakten med, har checkat in på rehab och vill att Laurel ska ta hand om hennes fjortonåriga son, tvekar hon inte. Zach är enstavig och hånfull, och Laurel inser att hon kanske tagit sig vatten över huvudet, men när julen närmar sig är hon fast besluten om att skapa en underbar högtid för dem båda. Hon tar med Zach till sin favoritplats på jorden: sin fasters stuga på de vindsvepta kullarna på Orkneyöarna, norr om Skottland. Där inleder Laurel oväntat en vänskap med grannen, fårbonden Archie MacDougal, som är ungefär så långt ifrån sagoprinsen man kan komma. Men kanske kan två ensamma själar finna varandra vid världens ände? Jul vid världens ände är en varm och romantisk julroman om familjeband, modiga livsval och den stora kärleken.