Guest Review: Christmas for the Village Midwife by Tilly Tennant

Snow crunches underfoot, lights twinkle on the lakes, and in the little village of Thimblebury, midwife Zoe is hoping for more than one Christmas miracle…

As the streets of Thimblebury are blanketed by sparkling snow, village midwife Zoe Padbury wants nothing more than to warm her cold feet by a roaring fire and spend the holidays holding hands with her handsome new boyfriend Alex.

But babies don’t stop being born, and Zoe is busier than ever with new arrivals (and her grumpy new boss at the surgery, who definitely doesn’t believe in the magic of Christmas).

It should be happy news when Zoe’s oldest friend Georgia arrives in Thimblebury, pregnant with her first baby, but it’s obvious that Georgia is far from happy and is hiding something. Zoe is determined to help her friend… but in doing so unravels a long-held secret that will impact them all. Has Zoe got in too deep, and is it too late for her to save Christmas in Thimblebury?

Review: This is the second in a series of books about midwife Zoe Padbury who has moved from Manchester to join a medical practice in the small Lake District village of Thimblebury. This book starts in the run up to Christmas. In the first book in the series, readers learned that Zoe had divorced her husband and was looking for a fresh start somewhere new. She is renting a small cottage some way out of the village on one of the local farms and has met another newcomer, Alex, who is becoming a good friend.

Zoe is finding it a busy time in the village, with lots of babies on the way. Unfortunately, the usually pleasant atmosphere in the village surgery has become more subdued because of the arrival of a new GP who seems to disapprove of lots of things, Christmas activities in particular. However, she has brought with her to the village her sister who is an old childhood friend of Zoe’s, and happens to be in the late stages of pregnancy. Zoe can’t help feeling that something is wrong in her friend’s household and is keen to sort things out, but Alex thinks she should leave well alone. As the snow falls thick and fast, bringing extra problems for the couple, Zoe hopes that her growing relationship with Alex can survive even though this is not the cosy first Christmas in the village that she had anticipated.

I thought that this was a delightful festive read. It took me on quite a roller coaster ride, with all the drama, excitement, humour and romantic moments. Having read the first book in the series, I was looking forward to finding out what was happening in the lives of this lively and warm community. It was easy to envisage the village and its surrounding homes, and I could well imagine what it must have looked like with a coating of snow - just like many a Christmas card. Zoe was such a lovely, caring character, like all of the staff in the local surgery; it is easy to see how they must have felt with the arrival of someone with a totally different outlook on life. I was glad that the reason for the newcomers’ behaviour came out in the end. I was really moved by the ending of the story and I’m already looking forward to reading the next part of this series and finding out what happens next for Zoe and Alex.

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Guest Review: Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland

It's the most wonderful time of the year at Bay Books, and a new love story is being written in the stars... ✨

Nestled amongst the comforting shelves of her beloved Bay Books, Lily Appleton finds the peace and quiet she needs. But with Christmas just around the corner, Lily has to find an extra pair of hands to help her share the bookish magic.

After selling his business, Lars Jóhannsson is feeling lost. A job at Bay Books would give him the space he needs to contemplate his next move, but returning would mean confronting a painful past he's been avoiding. He’s also fairly sure he’s the one person Lily would never want to see again.

Lily is torn. Lars could be the perfect fit for Bay Books, but he once rejected her friendship and the hurt still lingers. But working together, Lily discovers a vulnerability that Lars has kept hidden away, along with a few surprising secrets. And as the Christmas season sprinkles its magic, Lily discovers the warmth of renewed friendship and the joy of heartwarming traditions from Lars’s Icelandic roots.

Review: I knew from the minute I saw the title of Jessica Redland’s latest book that she was taking readers back to the North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay, the setting for many of her earlier novels that I have read and enjoyed. I was excited to return to the cobbled street with its independent shops selling a range of goods from handmade chocolates to wedding dresses, many of which have been the focus of one of Jessica’s books. I love the book’s bright Christmassy cover as well; a sign of a truly festive story within.

This story features Bay Books, owned and run jointly by Lily Appleton and her father, Marcus. When Marcus has to take some time off for an operation in the run up to Christmas, their busiest time of year, Lily has to find somebody to fill in for him. Of all the applicants for the job, Lars Jóhannsson stands out as the most suitable. However, Lily is unsure about employing Lars as they have an unfortunate past history and he is afraid that the bookshop will stir up distressing memories for him. When they start working together in the shop, Lily discovers that Lars is not the person she remembers but a far more likeable and sensitive person altogether. He eventually opens up to her about his family history, explaining his treatment of her many years ago. She is fascinated by his tales of Christmas traditions in his father’s native Iceland and recognises their potential for utilisation in the bookshop. Most surprising of all is the secret that Lars has been keeping from everyone in the town for years.

I absolutely loved being taken back to Whitsborough Bay and reconnecting with some familiar faces and places in this wintry book. Bay Books sounds such a marvellous bookshop, crammed to the rafters almost literally with books on every topic and with the kind of customer service that I love to encounter when shopping. Lily and Marcus have built up a wonderful team. The shop is so well described by the author that I could almost smell that aroma you get when walking into a bookshop. From the start, I took to Lily and hoped she and Lars would be able to get past what had happened in earlier years. I was happy that they not only worked well together, but that they formed a friendship and more. I very much enjoyed learning a bit about Icelandic customs connected with Christmas and books in particular. This would make a great book for reading on a cold winter’s day in front of a warm fire.

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Guest Review: So This is Christmas by Helen Rolfe

Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel.

But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter. Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria.

Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…

Review: I have read quite a few excellent Christmas stories penned by Helen Rolfe, and was pleased to find that her latest book is my first Christmas novel of the season. Most of the action takes place in the wonderful setting of a snowy Vienna. I listened to the audio version of the book and found myself expertly transported into the world of its characters by the talented narrator.

This story begins in London, where elderly Bea is living in a care home and being well looked after by care assistant Sophie. Bea has been corresponding for years with her friend Greta, who now lives in Vienna, each looking forward in particular to their friend’s Christmas letter. Due to her failing eyesight, Bea has asked Sophie to write her latest letter, but sadly dies before it can even be posted. Bea has been suggesting to Sophie for years that she should visit Vienna, so she decides to take the letter to Greta and break the news of her friend’s passing in person. Once in Vienna, Sophie meets up with Greta’s family and falls in love with the city and its Christmas traditions. However, as time passes, she unexpectedly uncovers a secret connection with one of the family, linked with a tragic event in her past.

I absolutely adored this heart-warming festive book. In addition to all the Christmassy elements, which of course I loved, there is a powerful story with elements of a friendship spanning years as well as countries, a tragedy that has had long lasting effects on many people, the strength of family ties and the kindness of strangers; there is even a hint of romance. The setting in Vienna was really well described and had me wanting to spend Christmas there myself so I could witness in person all the sights and sounds of the city. The characters in the story were varied, but all strong with their own stories. I was totally surprised by the secret that was revealed to Sophie and which had so many ramifications. This is definitely a book that I would recommend to anyone wishing to get into the Christmas spirit or wanting to pass it on to others.

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Guest Review: Christmas Wishes and Irish Kisses by Debbie Johnson

From crying into Santa's beard at Macy's department store, to working the bar at a historic seaside inn thousands of miles away, Ellie de Vere has been through it all this Christmas season...

When Ellie trades her hectic New York life for the twinkling lights and snow-dusted charm of her childhood village of St Tilda, it's only to help her ailing father through the Christmas rush at their cozy family inn.

But all the festive holly, crackling fires and mulled cider in the world can't prepare Ellie for who she finds waiting for her back home. Her ex best friend Liam is also in town for the holidays... and they haven't seen each other in twenty years. He's now a devastatingly handsome single father with the same Irish lilt that always made her breath catch. If only he hadn't broken her heart irreparably all those years ago...

Can Ellie forgive Liam for what he did that disastrous final night in St Tilda? And is he even the same man she used to know? As Christmas approaches and old feelings refuse to stay buried, will Ellie finally find the courage to rewrite her future?

Review: I have been looking out for this author’s Christmas book, knowing that I would be in for a treat. Debbie Johnson has the knack of making me laugh out loud and shed a tear while reading the same book, but I always come away with a warm feeling inside. The title of this book suggested that it was going to have an Irish theme like last year’s Christmas story, which I enjoyed immensely. So I sat down to read this book, expecting to be entertained, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The story centres on Ellie de Vere, who is working in New York and is in a relationship with Tyler, but not sure about taking things any further. When she finds that her father in her Cornish home town of St Tilda is ill, she drops everything to go back and help him run his inn in the run up to Christmas. She has not set foot in the seaside village for twenty years, since her mother took her away to live in the USA. Soon, she finds herself face to face with the last person she expects to find in St Tilda - Liam Byrne, her one-time best friend who broke her heart before she left. He has come home to stay with his family for Christmas as well, bringing with him his three children. Both Ellie and Liam have done a lot in the intervening years since they last met and they have a lot to talk about and a lot of making up to do if Ellie can forgive and forget. In the midst of all the Christmas preparations and activities, can they find common ground and repair the relationship they once had?

I absolutely loved this light-hearted festive romance. Although, as I have come to expect with Debbie Johnson’s books, there were a lot of laughs throughout, there were also some sad and serious parts as well. Both Ellie and Liam had been through some hard times. Liam had lost his wife, while Ellie had a broken marriage behind her. While getting to know her father better, Ellie discovered disturbing things she did not know about her parents’ marriage. It was rewarding to witness Ellie grow to understand her father better at the same time as she and Liam learned about each other’s lives. Liam’s extended Irish family was a great source of humour, particularly his mother who coped amazingly well with an ever growing clan and always seemed so cheerful. I really enjoyed watching as the village prepared for Christmas while the snow fell. There was a lovely community feel about St Tilda, making me want to pay it a visit. I certainly recommend this feel-good romantic comedy which I shall certainly be visiting again.

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Guest Review: All We Want for Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

At Ravendale Castle, nestled in the snowy heart of the Lake District, Lara is busy preparing for the Winter Spectacular — a glittering light trail that will fill the grounds with the magic of Christmas. It’s the perfect distraction from her recent heartbreak until Flynn, the ruggedly handsome technical manager, arrives and sparks start to fly.

Flynn is determined to prove he’s worth taking a chance on. But just as Lara begins to believe in love again, someone from Flynn’s past arrives at the castle, bringing a secret that could tear them apart.

As Christmas draws closer, can Lara and Flynn take a leap of faith toward the happily ever after they’ve always wanted?

Review: I can always rely on Phillipa Ashley to produce a fine festive romance that will leave me looking forward to beginning preparations for the big day. For the last few years, while her summer books have been set in Cornwall, her Christmas stories have been set in the Lake District, one of my favourite areas of the country. This one had me scratching my head to start with, as the characters and Lake District setting were familiar but I couldn’t work out from where. I finally solved the mystery when I found them in a short story at the end of Phillipa’s last book, One Cornish Summer With You. There is no need to have read the short story before reading this book, as it is complete in itself.

The setting for this book is Ravendale Castle, where Lara, the events manager, is preparing for the festive celebrations, in particular a light trail, one of her ambitious new projects for the estate. She is startled to bump into Flynn, a face from the past and the castle’s newly-appointed technical manager. Lara is recovering from a bad breakup and is not interested in starting anything, but is aware of an attraction to Flynn. While Flynn is trying to persuade Lara that he can be trusted not to break her fragile heart, an event from his past is brought to light in a surprising way, turning everything upside down. Will a long-held secret spoil Flynn and Lara’s chance of a lasting relationship?

What a lovely, well-written story this was. In addition to a pair of extremely likeable central characters, it had a marvellous setting that I would love to visit, drama and secrets, oodles of snow, romance and Christmas preparations at every turn of the page. There was so much more than girl meets boy about the story. As well as Lara and Flynn’s tale, there was lots going on for other characters in the book. It was uplifting to see how all the staff and even owners of the castle worked together like a community. This is definitely one of my favourite Christmas stories this year and I would love to know what happens to Lara and Flynn in the future, so invested have I become in their relationship.

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Guest Review: All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan

This Christmas, the Balfour family will have more secrets to unwrap than presents …

Becky is stranded at the airport, so when she bumps into her brother’s best friend, Will, and he suggests they drive home together, Becky reluctantly agrees. For the first time, Becky is dreading Christmas, and only Will knows why. Can she trust him to keep her secret?

Rosie married Declan after a whirlwind romance, and now the cracks are starting to appear. Rosie and Declan have agreed to hide their problems from her family, but will this Christmas bring them closer or drive them apart?

Hayley can’t wait for her first Balfour family Christmas with Jamie, but she’s worried about her place in this close-knit family. Will there be room for her too? And how will they react to the secret she and Jamie have been keeping?

All this secrecy could derail everyone's happy holidays. Can the siblings open up to each other in time to enjoy a perfect family Christmas?

Review: I have been eagerly awaiting the new Christmas book from Sarah Morgan. For me, it’s like a sign of the beginning of the festive season, as I can be sure that her story will have me in a mood for all things Christmas by the time I have read a few chapters. In the past her books have taken me to various snowy destinations; this time the story is set in the north of England and there’s plenty of snow. As the beautiful cover suggests, there is a family get together in a house tastefully decorated for the occasion.

This story centres on the Balfour family as they gather to celebrate Christmas in the family home on the Northumberland coast. It is told by the female members of the group, individual chapters being narrated from the point of view of one of them in turn. Mother, Jennifer, is busy making the house ready, concerned that a newcomer to the family, her son’s girlfriend Hayley, should enjoy her first proper Christmas. Twins Becky and Rosie are travelling north, worried that the weather might stop them getting home. Becky has become stranded at the airport with all planes grounded. She is actually nervous about meeting up with the rest of the family for the first time in ages. Luckily she bumps into her brother’s friend Will, the only person who knows the reason for her nervousness, who offers her a lift north in his car. Rosie and husband Declan are driving towards the family gathering, but all is not well with their marriage and they want to keep that fact from the others. In fact, everyone in the party is hiding secrets. The question is: will a big family Christmas help with their problems or make things worse?

I can confidently recommend this heartwarming festive romance, that is simply brimming with strong characters, to other readers. It had me completely immersed in the lives of this family in no time at all. As they gathered together, one secret after another emerged and I was left wondering what would happen when they all came to light. This story is so well written that I could feel the tension building amongst the characters as one after the other neared the family home. I felt for Jennifer as she tried to ensure that Hayley would have as good an experience as possible, while also worrying about the rest of the family, her intuition that all was not well working overtime. I loved the sound of the big house that she has managed to decorate inside and out for Christmas. The setting also sounds wonderful, just a few steps from a long beach. This is definitely a book fans of quality romantic fiction would be happy to find in their stocking this Christmas.

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Guest Review: Christmas at Hollybush Farm by Jo Thomas

Jemima Jones is driving home to her family's magical hill-top farm for Christmas…

And on arrival, she soon learns that her dad has been keeping a secret – all is not as it seems, and Hollybush Farm is struggling to make ends meet! Worried about losing the childhood home she loves, Jemima must pull on her winter wellies and get stuck in.

Amid the chaos of chasing after escaping sheep and organising the Christmas tractor run, Jemima begins documenting her slice of farming life on social media. As she builds a supportive online following, she also forms an offline connection in the shape of charming, retired rugby player Llew, her very own Santa's helper.

With a sprinkle of festive cheer and a dash of goodwill, might the community pull together to help save the farm in time for Christmas?

Review: Jo Thomas is one of my favourite authors. In her books, she often transports the reader to a far off country and always highlights the tasty foods there, usually including some recipes for dishes described in the story. I look forward to her Christmas books in particular; they always get me in the mood for the upcoming festivities. This story is set in the UK and has a message for us all.

The story begins a few weeks before Christmas when Jemima Jones (Jem) is travelling to her family’s small farm in west Wales to visit her father and introduce him to her boyfriend. When they arrive at Hollybush Farm, it is apparent that all is not well and that her father has not been looking after himself. As Jem decides that she must stay and help her father around the farm, even though it costs her her job, she gradually realises that the farm is in a poor financial state and that there is even a possibility that they could lose it altogether. Whilst trying to find ways of bringing in revenue, Jem begins to post a diary on social media to highlight the plight of small farmers fighting to make a living off the land in the face of competition from cheap food imports. She has no idea of the impact her posts are going to have as they resonate with other farmers as well as the public in general. She even manages to win around a business man, Llew, who came to buy the land but ends up helping out and becoming a close friend.

I very much enjoyed this thought-provoking festive tale full of interesting and well-developed characters. Although set in the run up to Christmas, the story is more about the struggle not only farmers but also small villages have to survive against competition from large companies. Jem was an amazing character who moved from one world to the other when she gave up her job with a large hotel brand to help not only her family farm but the local community as a whole. She came up with some incredible schemes. The story also illustrates how social media, often given bad press, can be used in a positive way. Of course, the book also has its fair share of romance as well as a helping of humour. Finally, thank you to the author for providing recipes for some of the traditional Welsh dishes mentioned in the text. I highly recommend this book to read or gift this Christmas or practically any time.

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