Well, I’m sorry everyone, but I’m not going to get round to reading and reviewing every Christmas book I planned! Although I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single one I’ve read, you might have noticed the reviews are getting shorter and less detailed, and I reluctantly have to admit that I might just be getting a touch of festive fatigue. Would you believe I’m also in the middle of finally getting my new bathroom decorated? And the run-up to the festivities is beginning to make finding the reading time a little bit more of a challenge than I expected. I’ll turn to cosy crime next I think – Liz Fielding’s two lovely looking books, that she tells me are best read in order – but my reviews will have to wait until after the big day. And I really do need to think about starting to pull together my Books of the Year list, to share on New Year’s Eve – with 162 books to sort through, that might take me a while! So I’ll make this my final pre-Christmas post – and wish everyone the loveliest festive celebrations…
But just one last Christmas book – and I’m really delighted to share my review of That Festive Feeling by Heidi Swain. Published by Simon & Schuster on 12th October, it’s now available as an ebook on all major platforms (and only 99p for kindle!), in paperback, and as an audiobook. Sara-Jade at @TeamBATC was kind enough to send me a finished paperback copy (thank you!), but the e-copy I read was my own, purchased via Amazon.
You might know that I’m a relatively new Swainette – last year’s A Christmas Celebration was the first book of hers I’d ever read, and I could see immediately why readers are so passionate about her lovely books (you’ll find my review here). And I’m sure you’ll already know that it was also the well-deserved winner of the Popular Romantic Fiction prize at this year’s RNA awards. I then went on to thoroughly enjoy her summer book, The Book-Lovers’ Retreat – a beautifully told story, with tears and laughter along the way, filled with love and very real friendship, a lovely Lakes setting, and some superb character development as each individual discovers what will truly make them happy (you’ll find my review of that one here). And now, just like that, it’s Christmas once more – and her next book, always very much on my “must read” list…
Holly has the place to herself this Christmas. It’s not her place, though – she is house-sitting for friends who live on Nightingale Square – just there to keep the place warm and cosy and only for long enough for her to sort her life out. Newly single and finding herself unsure about next steps for her career, she plans to hunker down and make some life decisions.
To clear her mind, she sets off on early morning walks around a nearby lake and bumps into May, an older lady who is also new to the area, and her dapper Dachshund Monty. Quickly, a firm friendship blossoms. Then when Holly meets Bear, a rather large and rather attractive man, at the local pub, and his rescue dog Queenie, her stay at Nightingale Square suddenly feels even more appealing.
As the community comes together for the season’s festivities, Holly must start thinking about where her life will take her next. Some big decisions need to be made, but distractions close to home make thinking about the future more tricky than ever…
Will she get that festive feeling this Christmas…?
As this was my first visit to Nightingale Square and its lovely garden, I did wonder if I might find myself feeling like the guest at a party who doesn’t know anyone – but I felt every bit as welcome as Holly did, even if her original plan when house-sitting for Mark and Neil was more about having time to consider her future than being drawn into the many festive community activities. She finds an unexpected friend in May, an older lady also new to the area, met while walking at the nearby lake, who certainly brings colour and vibrancy back into her life – along with the love she’d always been lacking from her own family, and inspiration for her art to take a new direction through her characterful little dog Monty. And her talent finds another outlet from her involvement with The Chapel – working on the scenery for their Christmas production, with the help of garden designer Bear. From an unpromising first encounter, both he and his rescue dog Queenie become particularly important to her – but for very good reasons, romance really doesn’t look possible, however much they both might want it to be. But, surrounded by friends and slowly finding her zest for life again, she slowly finds herself in a better place and able to make some big decisions about her future.
The supporting cast in this lovely book is just wonderful – one of those communities I always enjoy so much, every individual so well drawn and with their own background stories. I know there are cameos that will delight readers of the author’s other books, but that was no obstacle at all to enjoying this one as a standalone. I particularly loved May – larger than life in many ways, but with her own uncertainties until she too is given a fresh lease of life by her new friendship and the warm community she becomes part of. I might just not have opened the door to pushy Lisa – but Holly has so many reasons to be grateful she did. Her journey is an emotional one, beautifully handled, and I really enjoyed the developing romance at the book’s centre – tender, moving, with touches of gentle humour, and one that had me so hoping they’d overcome the obstacles in their way.
Warm and touching, filled with love and humour and everything Christmassy, I really loved this one – another book everyone should have on their Christmas list!
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.
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.
Just started reading this one last night Anne and really enjoying it so far. Happy Christmas to you and I hope all your work goes smoothly x
Now looking at a beautifully painted and totally finished bathroom! And I hope you have a lovely Christmas too xx