Apologies for absence – I do need to remember that it’s not enough to simply read and enjoy all those lovely books on my pre-Christmas reading list, I should write a few reviews too! Today I’m delighted to share my review of A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain, which the publishers told me on the Amazon page was “the cosiest, most joyful novel you’ll read this Christmas” – and with over 650 reviews, almost all 4 or 5 stars, it’s one I was rather looking forward to. Published by Simon & Schuster on 13th October, it’s now available as an ebook on all major platforms (and only 99p for kindle!), in paperback, and as an audiobook: the kindle copy I read was my own, purchased via Amazon.
I’ve never read one of Heidi’s books before – no, I’ve no idea why I haven’t either (I despair of myself sometimes… and the lovely Sara-Jade has certainly tried to get me on board, sending me books she finds under her desk!) and it’s certainly beyond time that I did. I had the pleasure of zooming with the Books and the City team a few weeks ago for their 2023 showcase – and while there were a few books and authors I was excited about and made a note of for next year’s reading list, I’m particularly looking forward to Heidi’s April 2023 release, A Book-Lovers’ Retreat, a standalone rather than part of an ongoing series, and I’ve already pre-ordered my copy. But I’m getting ahead of myself – first I wanted to try this one and find out for myself why so many readers love Heidi’s books…
When Paige turns up unannounced at Wynthorpe Hall, she discovers the place she knew when she was growing up has changed beyond all recognition. She’s only planning to stay for a short time, but is quickly pulled into local life.
One night while driving home after delivering library books and shopping to residents she stumbles across an isolated cottage and meets Albert, its elderly and rather grumpy owner. She quickly realises there’s more to Albert than meets the eye and the same can be said for the other man she can’t seem to help running into, handsome but brooding Brodie.
All three of them have a secret and a desire to hide away from the world, but with Christmas on the horizon, is that really the best way to celebrate the season?
Paige’s time as an aid worker in war-torn Jordan has come to and end in the approach to Christmas, amid circumstances – slowly revealed as the story progresses – that have left her wanting to be alone to lick her wounds. But her parents – away on a cruise, and unable to provide hands-on support – convince her to join her godfather Angus and his sprawling family and wider community at Wynthorpe Hall, where her help is needed with preparations for the estate’s festive celebrations, with several key family members absent at a critical time. Once there, she’s wrapped in the love and warmth she remembers from her childhood – and finds real purpose in helping the community by delivering food, prescriptions and library books to those who live in more remote locations or are unable to leave their homes.
Lost on the fens in her unreliable land rover, she comes across elderly Albert – in need of help even more than many others, but resistant to her efforts. Slowly, she wins him over and they become friends – and she widens his horizons, reunites him with the community, and discovers his deeply-held secrets. But her path also crosses that of the dark and brooding Brodie, a man with depths and secrets of his own – and this time, she’s the one who has to resist, finding herself unexpectedly attracted to him when she knows her time in Wynthorpe will soon come to an end.
This is the ninth book set at Wynthorpe, and that’s never the ideal place to start reading a series – and there’s a large cast of established characters, so I’m sure I missed out on some of the back stories covered in the earlier books and the nuances of some of their relationships. But reading this one as a standalone was never a real problem – it’s very much Paige’s story, and I soon felt the same warm embrace that she did at the heart of the Connelly clan. And the warmth of the story was what I really loved – so many of the characters have their own problems and challenges, many dwarfing her own, and the magic of the festive season makes everything look a little brighter. I loved her relationship with Albert and the way it transformed both their lives – and the twists and turns of her tentative attachment to Brodie were so well handled, a smouldering romance between two damaged people that I really believed in. And on the Christmassiness scale, it’s just perfectly judged – plenty of lights and sparkle, but a stronger focus on love and kindness and the elements that really matter.
Yes, I really loved this one – and I’ll happily declare myself a fan of Heidi Swain’s lovely writing, excellent characterisation and wonderful storytelling, and will look forward to reading more. Highly recommended by me.
About the author
Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author who writes feel good fiction with heart for Simon and Schuster. She releases two books a year (early summer and winter) and the stories all have a strong sense of community, family and friendship. She is currently writing books set in three different locations – the Fenland town of Wynbridge, Nightingale Square in Norwich and Wynmouth on the Norfolk coast.
Heidi lives in beautiful south Norfolk. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!
Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website or Twitter.
So many lovely books still to discover then Anne!