I’m really delighted today to be joining the blog tour for Home for Christmas, the latest book from Heidi Swain, and sharing my publication day review – out today from Simon & Schuster, it’s available in paperback, as an e-book on all major platforms, and as an audiobook. My thanks to Sara-Jade Virtue at @TeamBATC for the invitation, and to Harriett Collins for helping by sending an advance reading e-copy (I did try to read the proof copy, but my aging eyes just can’t cope any more…).
Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas any more without a book from Heidi – I might have been a little late to the party, but I entirely loved both 2022’s A Christmas Celebration (review here) and 2023’s That Festive Feeling (review here). While it’s important to remember that her books aren’t just for Christmas – I also loved her latest two standalone summer books, The Book-Lovers’ Retreat (review here) and The Holiday Escape (review here) – I was so looking forward to returning to Wynbridge at the most magical time of the year…
Bella is living her best life in Wynbridge, with her beloved Spaniel, Tink. She’s found a way to keep the house she inherited from her grandparents while expanding her dream business – Away With the Fairies – and she’s ecstatic that Christmas is on the horizon!
In fact, everything is perfect until family friend, Catherine Connelly asks Bella if she’d be willing to rent part of the house to freelance author, Jude who is researching the history of the Connelly Clan and Wynthorpe Hall ahead of turning his findings into a book. The plan had been for Jude to stay at the hall, but he can’t cope with the chaos and Bella reluctantly agrees to open her door to him.
Initially, the pair clash but then friendlier feelings begin to grow and Bella finds herself wondering if Jude could become more than just another guest before it’s time for him to leave. That is, until he announces he has no time for Christmas!
With her favourite time of the year suddenly in jeopardy, will Bella ever feel like she’s home for Christmas?
There are so many books set in the Christmas season (and I eagerly devour as many as I possibly can) – sometimes the festive touches are subtle, sometimes the stories are more about the emotional aspects of the season, some have a bigger share of tinsel and sparkling lights and snowfall than others. Perhaps taking her lead from the Connelly clan at Wynthorpe Hall who really know how to celebrate, Heidi Swain can always be relied on to deliver the whole Christmas experience – and this lovely book really was the complete package, a really engaging and beautifully written story, and everything I could possibly have wanted from a festive read.
Bella plans her Christmas activities to the last detail, starting as soon as the calendar says December – it’s a season she really loves. Living with her much loved spaniel Tink in her grandparents’ former home, she’s looking forward to decorating in the over-the-top way she enjoys – and that brings back fond memories. But the season’s going to be a busy time for her too – lots of opportunities to set out her stall, selling the rather special fairies she makes (word is spreading about her business Away with Fairies, and it’s quite a challenge to meet demand).
The arrival of Jude rather disrupts her plans – he’s an author, writing a book about Wynthorpe Hall, and all the comings and goings there are making it difficult for him to work. When asked if she’ll allow him to live in her house while she moves into the flat upstairs for a while, she just can’t say no – after all, he plans to be gone by Christmas. But they get off on the wrong foot as soon as he arrives, and things just go from bad to worse – not only is he impossible to get on with, but he hates everything about Christmas, and he certainly has his reasons. But just as they’re starting to get on rather better (considerably better, in fact – this is a perfectly done enemies-to-lovers story…), and have recognised that there’s more than a bit of a spark between them, it’s time for him to leave.
There are a lot more twists and turns to their shared story – and no, of course I’m not going to tell you, you’ll need to read the book. But as Christmas steadily approaches, it’s fair to say that Bella totally embraces all the traditions of the season – and, while Jude might have needed rather more convincing, it was just the most wonderful experience to share all the really special moments with her. And all around her, there are others enjoying it just as much – the Connelly family hosting the many attractions they always do so well, individuals in the wider community playing their parts too (some of them familiar if you’ve visited Wynbridge before – but if you haven’t, you’ll soon feel at home). It’s a really lovely (and did I mention Christmassy?) light-hearted read for the most part, with perfectly judged laugh-out-loud moments and exchanges – but there’s some poignancy and a few emotional times too, equally beautifully handled. And then there’s that slow-burn and initially unlikely romance – they might not have been on the same page at times, and there were quite a few setbacks on the way to a hoped-for happy ending, but both Bella and Jude entirely won my heart.
This really was one of those perfect Christmas reads – filled with everything that makes the time of year so very special, and an absolute treat. I know you might prefer to read it rather closer to the big day, but do remember to add it to your festive reading list – chances are you’ll love it every bit as much as I did.
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.
