When Dido and her best friend and Heavenly Houseparties business partner, Henry are employed by wealthy elderly Sabine Powys to cater for her and her houseguests at her beloved Mitras Castle for the Christmas period, she has no idea this this booking will have a profound effect on her in many ways.

This is Sabine’s last Christmas, and she is determined to treat those close to her to a celebration as much like the elaborate Christmases of her childhood as possible. She also has another reason for bringing the residents of the castle together. She is dying and must decide to whom she is going to leave her large fortune.

One of the guests, her godson, Xan, is researching Sabine’s late husband’s life and Dido is horrified to discover that they have met each other years before. Determined to keep her distance from him in case he recognises her, she keeps her head down and focuses on her cooking and planning the best Christmas possible.

As Christmas draws nearer secrets are unveiled, Dido does her best to ensure that Mrs Powys is satisfied by her and Henry’s efforts. However, despite her best efforts, Sabine although liking Henry, takes against Dido. Dido is determined to do her best and remain professional and isn’t about to let Sabine’s nastiness towards her deter her from creating a magical Christmas for them all, but as Christmas draws nearer she discovers more about the elegant, frosty woman who has employed them.

One More Christmas at the Castle is another brilliant book by one of my favourite authors, Trisha Ashley. It might only be September when I read this book but losing myself in Dido, Henry and the gorgeous Xan’s time at the castle with the delicious food, ice-skating on the frozen pond, and the beautiful decorations made me long for Christmas to hurry up and get here.

A perfect festive treat, I wish I could give it 10 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam Press for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.