[updated February 2021]
I’ve written about Emma Heatherington before as her Christmas books Rewrite The Stars and A Miracle on Hope Street got my vote for best Christmas books of 2018 and 2019. I’ve just read her latest release, Secrets in the Snow, and figured that as she has become another of my favourite authors, she deserved an author spotlight.
Here you will find several book reviews and her bibliography, and of course, I will keep adding to this post when I read more Emma Heatherington books.
In this post, you will find reviews for:
Secrets in the Snow (2020)
Rewrite the Stars (2019)
A Miracle on Hope Street (2018)
The Legacy of Lucy Harte (2017)
One Night Only (2013)
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Emma Heatherington Book Reviews
A Miracle on Hope Street by Emma Heatherington (2018)
I will start with A Miracle on Hope Street because it was the first book that I read by Emma Heatherington and is probably one of my favourite Christmas books ever.
Ruth Ryan seemingly has it all but feels the loneliest person in the world. Yes, sound familiar? Finding out that one random act of kindness from her past altered someone’s future, made Ruth take a decision that would alter hers and many others too.
I have to say that it’s not all instant fluffy Christmas cheer. The first few chapters are quite deep, sad, and very thought-provoking. The author clearly knows people and understands human nature.
It really brings home that you never know what’s going on in someone’s seemingly perfect life. Or why people act the way they do. You can’t understand why someone becomes a drug addict or why a seemingly happy person acts the way they do. Unbeknown to you, they might be suffering from mental illness, debt or grief, or be punishing themselves because of things they’ve done in the past.
Don’t worry though it’s not all doom and gloom. This is a story of gratitude, love, and kindness. It captures the real spirit of what Christmas, and life in general, should be about. Fancy presents are not needed. Time and compassion are far more important.
I loved this book and thoroughly recommend it. I would love everyone to read this to understand that life and people aren’t quite so clear cut.
Rewrite the Stars by Emma Heatherington (2019)
Rewrite the Stars by Emma Heatherington is the perfect read for anyone who believes in love at first sight or hopes for a reconnection with a lost love. Do you ever wonder about the one that got away or what could have happened if you’d taken a different path?
A Miracle on Hope Street was my favourite Christmas read of 2018. Rewrite the Stars gives it a good run for top spot and was quite possibly my favourite Christmas read for 2019.
This love story is about Charlotte (Charlie) and her first love who she meets many years after their last meeting as teenagers. It is often very sad as it deals with depression, guilt, and family loyalty, yet it was heartwarming and thought provoking at the same time.
I read Rewrite the Stars in one day over 4 hours and couldn’t put it down. Add a few extra minutes on to that as I struggled to read the end through the tears. If you’re looking for a moving Christmas love story this one is for you.
Emma Heatherington wins again at Christmas.
Secrets in the Snow by Emma Heatherington (2020)
Wow, Emma Heatherington does it again for the third year running! She had me reading through misty eyes within the first couple of chapters. Secrets in the Snow is a wonderfully moving story with a few surprises and a beautiful ending.
Roisin and her young son Ben move to Teapot Row, Ballybray in Ireland after the death of her husband to start a new life. They become ‘family’ with the wonderful septuagenarian Mabel and settle into village life.
Sadly, Mabel dies but she leaves messages from beyond the grave for Roisin, Ben, and her nephew Aiden, encouraging them to live their best lives. Even though she dies early on in the story, Mabel is very much a main character in this book, with the trio revisiting wonderful memories of their time with her as well as some tough times as well.
Roisin works at Truly Vintage, a second hand/vintage clothing store. I enjoyed her reuse ethos and love of upcycling, arts, and crafts. I did find myself getting frustrated with her at times and if this had been a film I would have been shouting at her via the tv. But that only goes to show the strength of the writing and how dramatically her past affected her personality.
I loved Aiden’s character and the trips to New York that took place in this story.
I really enjoyed Secrets in the Snow and love that Emma Heatherington writes shortish books at around 4-5 hours reading time, meaning you can totally immerse yourself in the story in one fell swoop.
The Legacy of Lucy Harte by Emma Heatherington (2017)
The Legacy of Lucy Harte is an absolutely beautiful, emotional read. It follows the story of Maggie, a young woman who almost died 18 years prior, but received a second chance at life thanks to a heart donor.
Maggie is struggling with a marital breakdown and has been seeking solace in a bottle. Her work, health and personal life have all begun to suffer. One day she receives a letter that begins a new journey of self discovery.
Now I won’t give any spoilers but it is such a powerful read. I found parts of it amusing, some parts exciting and the whole book incredibly moving. It raises the issues of organ donation, alcoholism and coping with life’s traumas in a very real and sensitive manner.
I loved how we got to know Maggie through her story, but also Lucy Harte by way of her diary and bucket list.
This book has wonderful characters and gorgeous settings. The Legacy of Lucy Harte is a great reminder to never hold grudges and live for the now.
Warning: have a box of tissues on stand by.
One Night Only by Emma Heatherington (2013)
One Night Only is about 4 women: a married mum of 3, a married woman who wants to remain childless but whose husband doesn’t, a woman who is being beaten and cheated on by her partner, and a single woman with two teens.
The women decide to go away for a day/night at a spa to escape day to day worries for a short while. As I’ve found with other books by Emma Heatherington, the lead up to stories can be quite serious and sad, but then humour comes into the story too.
Bibliography for Emma Heatherington
(also writes as Emma Louise Jordan)
As Emma Heatherington
Secrets in the Snow (2020)
Rewrite the Stars (2019)
A Miracle on Hope Street (2018)
A Part of Me and You (2018)
The Legacy of Lucy Harte (2017)
Since You’ve Been Gone (2015)
All Over Again (2015)
Crazy For You (2014)
Playing The Field (2014)
One Night Only (2013)
As Emma Louise Jordan
The Truth Between (2015)
Beyond Sin (2015)
I hope you’ve enjoyed my reviews and if you haven’t already heard of Emma you will give her books a read. Maybe you’ll find some new favourite Christmas reads yourself. I’d love to know what you think if you’ve read some of her books.
You may like to read some of my other author spotlights including:
* Author Spotlight with Jane Fallon
* Author Spotlight with Milly Johnson
* Author Spotlight with Lindsey Kelk
* Author Spotlight with Veronica Henry
Join Emma Heatherington on her social media:
Twitter @emmalou13 @fictionpubteam @HarperImpulse
Instagram @emmaheatheringtonwriter @harperfictionpr
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Tea & Cake For The Soul 
I saw her 2020 book on your Reading Challenge list and added it instantly. I loved Re-Write and Hope Street. 🙂
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It’s a lovely read. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you liked her others.
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Thses sound like fantastic books. I do like the sound of Secrets in the Snow x
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I highly recommend them.
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Sounds delightful and Scribd has several of them. Score! Thanks as always for the recommendation!
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