Book Review: All Wrapped up by Heidi Swain

 In Wynbridge, the scent of autumn is on the breeze and love is in the air…

 

Clemmie Bennett has been renovating beautiful Rowan Cottage on the outskirts of the small town of Wynbridge, for eighteen months following a very public heartbreak back in her childhood hometown. The popular Instagram influencer, lost her husband, sold their home, and has been cosied up the Fens and living a very private life, but now she feels it’s time for a change.

 

A chance encounter with co-owner of The Cherry Tree Café, the bubbly Lizzie Dixon, pulls her into organizing Wynbridge’s first-ever Autumn Festival, and her once quiet life is soon a distant memory. With the whole town rallying behind the event, she discovers a new sense of purpose.

 

 And when local vet Ash falls hard for Clemmie, she begins to wonder if she’s ready to move even further on from her past and fall in love again…

Review: As usual, Heidi Swain brings us a wonderful seasonal read with a main character you instantly sympathise as well as empathise with and want to help save over the course of the novel. I love that this book is Autumn themed. Heidi references Milly Johnson’s autumn novel and until the recent popularity in pumpkin spice romances, it really was the only other book out there that I had read that was truly about the ‘new school year’ feel of autumn. As a teacher, autumn is the new year for me-January is just the day the numbers on the end of the date change and so I really appreciated the theme of change and renewal that this book held. 

Clemmie is a great main character to spend the novel with. She is a classic character who is strong on the outside, keeps herself to herself, has renovated her own house and has a mini online empire of her own but on the inside, she is broken and hurting and soft in all the right places. It was wonderful to see her be welcomed into the Wynbridge community, knowing everything that the cast of characters could do for her. Even if you hadn’t met this group of people in previous Heidi Swain novels, you would know almost straight away that this town would welcome Clemmie and be the best thing to support her on her healing journey. 

As well as the theme of autumn and renewal in this book, we also have some great festivities along with crafts, walks and autumn food going on. We have a canine character to get to know (and fall in love with) and of course some romance. This is the best kind of romance because is it low and slow and the kind that you feel like you might get to the end of the novel without ever having your own love for Ash requited. I love the way this author wrote the friendship and the love in this book and I definitely fell in love with Ash the vet for all the right reasons. 

I read this book on cold autumn mornings and cosy autumn evenings with a hot coffee or a big mug of tea and it was just the perfect gateway read to take me from summer to autumn. I highly recommend you do the same!

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: Best Summer Ever by Heidi Swain

Summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to marry. Coming home could be just what she needs to move her life on.  

At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden.

As Daisy tries to find her place at Wynbrook and in the village, she’s drawn to summer visitor Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark between them fizzle out? And with it, the chances of this turning into the best summer ever?

Review: I was delighted to receive an early copy of this, Heidi Swain’s 20th novel. I have been following her stories set in Norfolk from the start and was looking forward to catching up with some familiar characters as well as meeting some new faces in the coastal town of Wynmouth. I must say that this book has the most stunning cover, practically exuding summer (the daisies are a lovely touch).

The story this time centres on Daisy, who is returning to her childhood home having left behind yet another job as well as a cheating partner, much to her parents’ despair. Daisy’s parents work at Wynbrook Manor, where the owner, Algy, is uncharacteristically low in spirits. The new cut flower venture in the grounds is not doing as well as Algy had hoped, as there is nobody to manage it. While Daisy is trying to settle into the village and find a suitable job for the summer, she almost literally runs into Josh, an American who is visiting the area. They don’t hit it off right away, but gradually a friendship develops between them. However, it transpires that Josh has not been honest with her about why he has come to Wynmouth, and it looks as if their relationship may go no further and Daisy’s hopes for the best summer ever may be dashed.

This was quite simply an enchanting story in an equally adorable setting. It is full of summer warmth and so many flowers that you could practically smell them each time you turned a page. Daisy was a troubled soul to start with, trying to find the niche where she could express her talents. She tried so hard to please her parents at the same time. Who could fail to feel for her? Josh, on the other hand, was a confident and likeable character with an air of mystery about him. I felt sure that he and Daisy would be good as a couple given a chance. I really liked Algy and could understand the dilemma he found himself in regarding his home and its future. I can certainly recommend this lovely, summery story to other readers and would encourage those not familiar with Heidi Swain’s excellent books to give it a try.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Blog Tour: Review of The Book Lovers' Retreat by Heidi Swain

Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Book Lovers' Retreat by Heidi Swain. I have a review for you today and the book just came out on Thursday so you can order it by clicking here. Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more reviews and other content. Here's what this new novel is all about:

One long summer. One perfect setting. Can fiction inspire real life…?
 
Sometimes a book grabs you by the heart and grows to mean everything to you. That’s what Hope Falls is to friends Emily, Rachel and Tori. So, when they get the chance to spend a whole summer at the cottage in Lakeside where the film adaptation was located, they know it is going to be the holiday of a lifetime.

Spending six weeks away will give them a chance to re-evaluate their life choices. For Emily to decide which way her career will go – the safe route, or the more risky creative option? And for Rachel to decide whether to move in with her partner Jeremy. Then Tori has to drop out at the last moment, and her space is offered to another Hope Falls afficionado, Alex. 

But when Alex turns out not to be who they expected, the holiday takes an unforeseen turn. And as the summer develops, so does their friendship. Could this be where they uncover their future selves, find love in all its forms and where their lives will change course forever…?

Review: A book about book lovers set in the lake district? Yes please! Even before I knew the setting of this one I knew it was going to be special. Heidi Swain is an autobuy author for me but I was extra excited about this book because this is her first standalone. Her Wynbridge series and her Nightingale Square series as well as her Wynmouth series all tie in together in some way and so I was excited what she would do with all new characters, a new setting and it doesn’;t hurt that one of those characters was named after me!

I loved getting to meet Emily, Rachel, Tori and Alex. They were all such well-rounded characters in themselves, I really hope we get to hear more from them in the future. I need a spin off to find out what happens next for Tori for sure! Emily is our main character and so we get to find out about her thoughts and feelings about her retreat as things progress and we get to see the other characters through her eyes too. Her best friends are Rachel and Tori and I had a special connection with Rachel because she is a tired teacher just starting her summer holidays. I will admit that I was jealous because it was already summer for her and just Easter holidays for me. Heidi always writes about people who work in education so well and as an educator I always appreciate that!

Tori was a really interesting character for me because I think she is the character who is hardest to empathise with because she comes from money. She reminded me a little of Sophie Kinsella’s Becky Bloomwood because she might like to spend but she always has her friends' best interests at heart. Then the wildcard in the group is Alex. Part of the story is getting to know Alex and finding out how this new person adds to the dynamic and mixes things up with the plot of the book. Now the premise behind this onel, going away for the summer to retrace the steps of a famous book and its movie adaptation might sound a little on the slow side but believe me there is plenty of action in this book, plenty to laugh at and plenty to keep you turning the pages.

The best thing about this book is that it takes our characters out of their routine, out of their comfort zones and places them somewhere with no wifi, somewhere that demands introspection and reflection and what better place to do that than the lake district? I adored the setting. It made for some wild weather, some unpredictable moments and of course some beautiful evernings around a fire with a glass of wine. I defy anyone to pick up this book and not come away wanting to jump right into the pages and snuggle up with their own book or watch a movie under a cosy blanket-such hygge vibes! I loved the story, I loved the characters and most of all I loved the setting. I flew through this latest release from Heidi Swain and I know you’re going to love it too!

To order your copy now, just click here!

Review: A Christmas Celebration by Heidi Swain

 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?

Review: A Heidi Swain Christnas novel set at Wynthorpe Hall again? Yes please! I was so excited to get stuck into this book and see my old friends from Wynthorpe hall once again. I cannot tell you how wonderful it felt to read those first few pages. It was as wonderful and festive as always and the book lets you catch up with these characters just enough that you get some satisfaction from it but not so much that it detracts from the main storyline. We also get some nuggets of information about those other characters that leave me with some questions that I really hope will be picked up again in future books because I need my answers!

Fear not, if you have never read a book set at Wynthorpe hall before, or indeed a Heidi Swain novel before, you do not need to have to enjoy this book. This book works whether you are new to this author and her world or if you are a die-hard fan of this location like I am, there is quite literally something in here for everyone. I will also say that if you are worried that this novel will be too festive or too much about Christmas, please don’t worry. There are festive elements here and people are gearing up, as always, for the winter solstice as well but this book is about family and community and finding help in the most unlikely of places. 

We get to meet two fabulous new characters in this novel, what a treat. Firstly we have Paige who is a class Heidi Swain character. She is a bit broke and there is a certain element of mystery surrounding the fact that she has returned from her role in Jordan earlier than expected. Paige definitely needs some family and some rescuing and she will find that in ways she never imagined. Then we have Albert, a mystery himself, what is his back story and why is he living in the state that he is living in. I loved meeting both these new people and they slot into this world so perfectly, I can’t wait to hear more from them in the future. 

In terms of the romance in this book, it definitely wasn’t as hot and heavy as last year's festive offering but I enjoyed the slow burn and then the friendship and family elements of love that are explored in this novel. Everything feels warm and cozy and you are just so behind every relationship whether that is romantic or not. I definitely feel ready to open my advent calendar now and I feel sure that this book will leave you with a warm and slightly festive feeling too!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: The Summer Fair by Heidi Swain

 Beth loves her job working in a care home, looking after its elderly residents, but she doesn’t love the cramped and dirty house-share she currently lives in. So, when she gets the opportunity to move to Nightingale Square, sharing a house with the lovely Eli, she jumps at the chance.

 

The community at Nightingale Square welcomes Beth with open arms, and when she needs help to organise a fundraiser for the care home they rally round. Then she discovers The Arches, a local creative arts centre, has closed and the venture to replace it needs their help too – but this opens old wounds and past secrets for Beth.

 

Music was always an important part of her life, but now she has closed the door on all that. Will her friends at the care home and the people of Nightingale Square help her find a way to learn to love it once more…?

Review: Another reliable treat from Heidi Swain. If you’re feeling despondent about the world, or anything else for that matter, this writer can be trusted to show you the light and make you feel just that little bit more positive again. I always love meeting a Heidi Swain main character because they always begin a book at a crossroads in their life, always need a little bit of a pick-me-up and a shove in the right direction again and Beth is no exception. But you know that Heidi Swain is going to look after her. 

One of the things I loved about Beth was how independent she is. This is not necessarily through choice but she is on her own in this world and she has chosen to make the ost of it as opposed to turning it into a sob story. She can see that her home situation has to change and her job situation is not ideal but she takes those obstacles and decides to do something about it. And of course along come Nightingale Square and the residents within. 

Returning to a much-loved location from thai authors creations always feels like returning home and when we have a new character entering that setting you can’t help but find yourself saying ‘oh I can’t wait for them to meet…’ and ‘oh I hope they enjoy…’ because you feel a sense of ownership over that location, that’s the power that this writer gives her settings. It was great to catch ujp on the action in the square again although I feel like we might have been inside almost all of the houses now and that has me a little worried!

As well as helping someone back on the path to happiness, a Heidi Swain novel always has a romance element in it and I LOVED the meet cute in this one. You almost don’t see it coming and then it’s like that moment in The Office where you say “oh ok it’s happening, everyone stay calm’ its a wonder. Another aspect of this novel that I loved which I don’t think has been a highlight of a Heidi Swain book before was music. I loved the musical side of it and the power that music is given throughout the book. I know singing makes me happier and so it was great to see it in black and white on the page here. 

Summery and just lovely I highly recommend The Summer Fair from Heidi Swain. 

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Blog Tour: Review of Underneath The Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain

 

Today is my stop on the blog tour for Underneath the Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain. This gorgeous festive read is out now and I have a review to share with you today. If you like the sound of that you can click here to order your copy now. 

Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews!

Here's what it's all about:

Wynter’s Trees is the home of Christmas. For the people of Wynmouth it’s where they get their family Christmas tree, and where Christmas truly comes to life.

But for Liza Wynter, it’s a millstone around her neck. It was her father’s pride and joy but now he’s gone, she can’t have anything to do with it. Until her father’s business partner decides to retire and she must go back to handle the transition to his son Ned.

When Liza arrives, she discovers a much-loved business that’s flourishing under Ned’s stewardship. And she’s happy to stay and help for the Christmas season, but then she has other plans. But will the place where she grew up make her change her mind? And can it weave its Christmas cheer around her heart…?

Review: Can we just take a moment to appreciate the cover of this novel? I love the candy pink shades and I also love the fact that the tree is front and centre on the cover. If you get the paperback copy of this one its also got gorgeous foil that shimmers in the light-just perfection!

I love the fact that a Heidi Swain Christmas novel focuses on someone who really isn't in the festive spirit. They begin the book wanting to ignore the whole thing but something in the Heidi Swain magic of everything seems sure to persuade them otherwise! This book is no exception and I took a lot of comfort in that. This is the first visit to the seaside town on Wynmouth in the winter time and it was lovely to be in a slightly different setting but still have some familiarity in terms of the people and the magic of the seaside. I also adored getting to know Liza, our aforementioned Christmas objector. She has had a whole heap of heart break in her life and so her avoidance of the season is totally understandable but she also goes on a massive journey throughout the pages of the book!

Wynter's trees is the perfect setting for this novel-what could be more festive than essential a Christmas tree farm? But it's what this place means to Liza and new resident Ned that really makes it special. I love the memories that have been made in the fields and in the lodge and the new traditions that are being made all the time-I really want to go and visit but I feel sure I would encounter some romance there and so probably best to avoid! The other thing about the setting is that it provides comfort for the whole community not just Ned and Liza. 

Another thing that Heidi Swain also does really well is to champion the younger and more troubled members of the communities that she creates and I love that about her books. I adored meeting Liam and watching him grow throughout his journey, good and bad. I really hope we get to go back and meet him again in a future novel because I think he is such a deep character I know there is more to be heard from him in the future-here's hoping!

If you're worried that this novel could be too much Christmas for you then have no fear. A Heidi Swain novel is basically as festive as you make it. There's always a mention of the solstice and life outside of the festive season. But if you want warm drinks and snow and Christmas tress then there are plenty of thee within the pages of the book. I love the hope in a Heidi Swain novel but I particularly love it at Christmas time. I actually listened to the audiobook of this and the narrator (one of my favorites) did a great job too-highly recommend!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Review: A Taste of Home by Heidi Swain

 Fliss Brown has grown up living with her mother on the Rossi family’s Italian fruit farm. But when her mother dies, Fliss finds out she has a family of her own, and heads back to England with Nonna Rossi’s recipe for cherry and almond tart and a piece of advice: connect with your family before it is too late…

Fliss discovers that her estranged grandfather owns a fruit farm himself, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, and she arrives to find a farm that has fallen into disrepair. Using her knowledge gleaned from working on the Rossi farm and her desire to find out more about her past, Fliss rolls her sleeves up and gets stuck in. But what will she discover, and can she resurrect the farm’s glory days and find a taste of home…?

Review: Oh what a treat to be back in Wynbridge in the summertime and this time we have that mix of family and returning home with an Italian twist! I defy anyone to read this and not find themselves looking at fruit farms in a whole new light every time they go past one!

I loved getting to meet Fliss. Like a lot of Heidi Swain's characters she begins the book being a little lost. The start of this book does have a care warning for recent loss of a loved one so just bear that in mind. I loved the bend that Fliss had in her upbringing. She had a single mum and definitely had a strong British identity mixed with Italian and then that wander lust that is always great to read about in other people especially during this time. I loved watching Fliss grow over the course of the book and I feel like this won't be the last we've heard from her, I really hope it isn't anyway!

This story does have a cross--generational element to it as well since Fliss learns that she has grandparents living just outside Wynbridge. It really love when we have two characters from different generations who get to each learn from one another and Heidi Swain made sure that this was a mutual process and not just one sided! I really loved getting to know our other new characters too-however it was so great to get to revisit old characters we have met in previous books. 

Although this book does feature characters from Heidi Swain's previous novels it is definitely a standalone and you don't have to have read and enjoyed all of the previous books to fall in love with this one too. And fear not, you don't have to have an interest in fruit farming to allow yourself to be fully absrobed into this storyline, it works on so many levels but will almost certainly make you hungry for food and for more from this gorgeous author's world!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Blog Tour: Review of The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain

Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain. I have a review of the book to share with you today and if you like the sound of that then you can click here to order yourself a copy now! Don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews!

Here's what it's all about...

Freya Fuller is estranged from her parents and has been following her childhood dream of becoming a gardener ever since. When an opportunity to design a winter garden opens up at a Victorian property in Nightingale Square, Freya jumps at the chance to make a fresh start. But while the majority of the residents are welcoming, local artist Finn seems determined to shut her out, and when Freya's family make a surprise appearance, it seems that her new life is about to come crashing down . . .

Review: Oh so lovely to be back in Nightingale Square and for Christmas this time. When I picked up the book I really didn't know there was such a thing as a Winter Garden, I assumed that the Grow-Well sites and the gardens of the house would just be getting turned over during the colder weather but NOW I want to get out there and plant some bulbs using Freya's trick. You don't have to be into gardening to enjoy this book, I'm not and I loved learning all Freya's methods!

Heidi Swain always does a great job of taking a character or characters who have had a tough time, they're a little down trodden and just trying to make the most of a bad situation and building them up over the course of a novel. This time we have Freya and her canine friend Nell and I loved meeting them both. What I really loved though was getting to watch Freya grow and change over the course of this book, I loved getting to see her blossom and also we get to see Nell getting a better life and loving her new surroundings too. 

Of course we are back in Nightingale square for this book and so we get to revisit some of our old friends and catch up with them. It was fab to see how Luke and Kate are expanding their family and if you haven't read the other books with this setting, don't worry, Heidi explains how they all fit together and who is who so you can get to meet them all at the same time that Freya does. The character I really loved seeing was Chloe and I loved all that we get to learn from her. It was wonderful to see her blossom too and I enjoyed reading her side storyline. 

It wouldn't be a Heidi Swain book without the kind of relationship will they won't they that gives you those new romance butterflies. Heidi makes use of my favourite romance trope in this book and I was rooting for it all the way. I also really loved that we got to see even more non-straight romance, I love when I can see diversity in a book that is organic and not just thrown in there to tick a box and so I love what this writer included for a certain resident of the square this time. 

This book is very much a winter book rather than a Christmas book which feels a little bit different for this author however it has been ages since I have read a seasonal book that is just celebrating the season and not tied to a specific holiday and so if you are looking to kick off your Christmas reading with just a little taster, this one would be the perfect first winter book of the season. I am sure you will be cheering on Freya and Nell throughout just like I was!

Blog Tour: Review of The Secret Seaside Escape by Heidi Swain

I'm very excited to be part of the blog tour today for The Secret Seaside Escape by Heidi Swain. The ebook is out now and you can click here to order your copy now. I have a review to share with you today but don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour for more exclusive content and reviews. 

Here's what it's all about...

Tess Tyler needs a break. Weighed down by her high-pressure job and her demanding father, she’s left little time to take care of herself. But after a shocking discovery sends her spiralling, she flees to Wynmouth, the seaside town she fell in love with as a child, to escape it all.

With its sandy beaches, stunning rock pools and welcoming community, Tess feels like she can finally breathe again. And as she grows ever closer to local barman Sam, she dares to dream that she might never return to her real life. But when a familiar face returns to town, Tess realises that there are secrets in Wynmouth too, and that her own past may be about to catch up with her . . .  

Review: Well this was a welcome escape from the real world. Heidi Swain always lets you delve deep into her worlds, walk along with her characters and enjoy some really tasty meals in the coffee shops and pubs that she creates and it is always a welcome escape to me. 

I really enjoyed this new coastal setting in the Wynbridge worlds. Although this is not a Wynbridge novel you can tell that this all takes place in the same world and I know that characters from Heidi's previous novels will have walked these shores and been tempted by this coffee shop too. 

As well as this book having a great setting it also has a lot to say about slowing down and taking a moment to breathe in this technology saturated more is more world. I really liked how Heidi picked up this theme and really illustrated how damaging it can be trying to keep up in the corporate world and never switching off because our emails are on our phones and our employers can reach us at any time.

I think the fact that this novel has the message of slowing down and taking a moment to smell the rose does mean that it moves at a slower pace to previous Heidi Swain books. I feel like it took me longer to get to the crescendo and the ending than in some of the Wynbridge novels where there is always a hive of activity and multiple characters are living their own drama filled storylines. I don't think there was an issue with the pacing, it is just slower than I have come to expect from a Heidi Swain book.  

Tess was a really fun character to spend this novel with because she really seems to know herself. She has been on a trajectory that she thought that she loved and she thought that she wanted but actually when she takes a step back ans examines that, she knows deep down that something has to give. I really liked how family oriented she is as well. She has a great loyalty to her family and yet they haven't always been there for her the way they should have. 

There are some other wonderful characters we get to meet in this novel too. Sophie has the aforementioned coffee shop that we know will always feature in some way or another in a Heidi Swain novel and her daughter Hope share a definite affinity for making things bigger and better with main character Tess. And then there are Joe and Sam. Each mysterious in their own way, we can tell there is going to be some romance where these guys are concerned. 

If you're looking for a seaside escape then this novel literally tells you that's what it's going to give you on the front cover. This is a nice break from a lot of the recent 'coastal' novels that are all set in Cornwall. It was nice to have a sleepy setting, an interesting cast and of course Heidi's Swains infamous signature dishes. Don't read this unless you have access to some snacks and possibly a pint! I really recommend this book. 

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Thanks so much to Heidi for stopping by the blog today!

Cover Reveal: The Secret Seaside Escape by Heidi Swain

Very exciting news for you today, we have a final cover for the Secret Seaside Escape by one of my favourite authors, Heidi Swain. You can click here to pre-order your copy now, but here's what you need to know about it...

Escape to the seaside this summer with the brand new novel from Heidi Swain, theSunday Times bestselling author of feel-good women’s fiction. Think idyllic beaches, refreshing rock pools and breathtaking romance. The PERFECT summer read!

 

Following a shocking revelation within her family, Tess Tyler is looking to escape her hectic city life – and where better to hide than Wynmouth, the seaside town she visited as a child, with its sandy beaches, stunning rock pools and welcoming community. But little does she realise, Wynmouth isn't quite the haven she remembers it to be, and her real life is still threatening to catch up with her . . .

 

Also returning to Wynmouth is Joe. Having fled over a decade ago after an accident that changed his life forever, he’s back and is determined to face his demons. But, like Tess, Joe realises that the town is nothing like he remembers and quickly his arrival brings old tensions to the surface.

 

As the pair begin to familiarise themselves with the town they once knew, they each realise that the secrets they carry are becoming harder to conceal – but will revealing them bring the answers they’re looking for? Will Tess and her new friends finally get the second chance they’ve been hoping Wynmouth will give them?

Are you ready for that stunning cover?

Isn't it gorgeous? I can feel the sun coming off it...

Thanks so much to Heidi for sharing with us today and make sure you all go and pre-order it now using the link!

Blog Tour: Review of The Christmas Wish List by Heidi Swain

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .

Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.

As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

Review: Well this book had me feeling all warm and cosy and festive from page one and kept me there right up until the end. This book is like a hug with substance, I didn't want it to end! I absolutely love a Hedi Swain Christmas novel but there is definitely something special about this one. I bought the audiobook and the narration is wonderful, it gets the tone of the story just right. If you're looking for a pick-me-up, this is definitely something to buy and read and love and read again!

Hattie is a great character to share this book with because she is at somewhat of a crossroads in her life so we get to help her decide if she's going to make changes or stick to what she knows. I loved getting to know her and I really hope we get to hear more from her in future Heidi Swain spectaculars.  Dolly is also a great character, she is feisty and she is old enough not to care what anyone thinks, if she knows something might be unpopular, she does it anyway and she is super passionate about Christmas too-wonderful!

It was great to be back in Wynbridge again too and visiting lots of familiar faces. It's always great to see people and places you recognise. but have no fear, if you have not visited this town before, all are welcome and you will be able to follow Hattie's story as a newcomer, or a returning visitor either way. This book doesn't just highlight the fun of the festive season though, it also does tackle some bigger issues, particularly those surrounding a controlling relationship and what might be going on behind closed door. I enjoyed seeing this fully explored in this book because it didn't become and issues based story, but a festive tale with some more real aspects of life exposed as well. 

Can I just say that this book features and school and teachers and teaching assistants and does so in a highly real way. Often teachers in books get to come home at night and do nothing, this book features what its really like to be in a school at Christmas time and i applaud this author for writing her school so well. If that's something that's important to you too, you needed to hear this. 

This book made me laugh and cry but altogether I just had the most amazing time spending my days in Wynbridge with Hattie and Dolly and of course the handsome folk who reside there-love interest anyone? I know you're going to love this one so pop it on your festive reading list now!

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

The Christmas Wish List by Heidi Swain Teaser Tour

I love Chrsitmas, I love a Heidi Swain novel and so why not make my own festive list to get me in the spirit of the holiday to celebrate the book being released?

The Christms Wish List by Heidi Swain is out now and you can click here to order your copy. 

Here's what it's all about...

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .

Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.

As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

And here's my list to get me (and you) ready for the season and ready to read this fabulous novel!

Review: Poppy's Recipe for Life by Heidi Swain

Things haven’t always been straightforward in Poppy’s life but her dreams are finally within her reach.

 

She's moving into a cottage in beautiful Nightingale Square, close to the local community garden, where she can indulge her passion for making preserves and pickles. She may not have the best relationship with her family but she is surrounded by loving friends, and feels sure that even her grumpy new neighbour, Jacob, has more to him than his steely exterior belies.

 

But the unexpected arrival of Poppy's troubled younger brother soon threatens her new-found happiness and as the garden team works together to win community space of the year, Poppy must decide where her priorities lie and what she is prepared to fight for …

Review: I loved being back in Nightingale square. It is always wonderful to be back in Heidi Swain's world but when it is one that is still quite a new world, it is great to catch up with people and find out what has changed in the square. If you loved Sunshine and Sweet peas and loved Kate and Luke then you will please to know we get to catch up with them in this novel too, your curiosity about where they are now and how they are doing is definitely satisfied. 

Of course this novel follows a new resident of Nightingale Square, Poppy. I love how independent Poppy is and how much she has always had to stand on her own two feet. She does value family and friends but she is quite capable of making her own happiness. I love watching her relationship with her brother change and develop over the course of this novel. Ryan is another great character and I think the life that he leads is one that a lot of young people find themselves in but it isn't written about enough in books. He is a decent guy and we also don't get to see decent acting teenagers a lot within the pages of a novel-very refreshing. 

I love the fact that Poppy also has existing relationships with people in the square through friendships and jobs and so she fits right into the community. There is also a little bit of romance in this novel, as you may have expected, and it is just achingly slow burn. It is wonderful to watch and just the kind that will have you hugging yourself with delight!

Ryan's storyline in this novel is defiantly a bit of a departure from the kind of things that this author usually covers in her books. He deals with some tough stuff and tries to deal with everything that is thrown at him on his own without any help from an adult. As I have already mentioned though, the things that he is dealing with are things that a lot of teenagers have to go through and have to deal with day to day. They are not written about enough in books and so I loved seeing Heidi Swain tackle them in this novel. Every issue was handled incredibly well. 

This book definitely provides some escapism and some romance but does also deal with the real world and things that go on within it. I think that Heidi has balanced these things well in this novel and it is definitely another hit for her. If you like a little bit of romance, some awesome friendships and real representation of what primary school teachers are like then this is definitely the novel for you. Pop it on your summer TBR now. 

To pre-order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

Cover Reveal: Poppy's Recipe For Life by Heidi Swain

I am so excited to be sharing the cover for Heidi Swain's new novel with you today-SO excited! Poppy's Recipe for Life comes out on 30th May in the UK and you can click here to pre-order the ebook or here to pre-order the paperback so you can get your hands on it as soon as it is released. I'm so excited to be heading back to Nightingale Square again too!

About the book…

Treat yourself to a glorious novel full of food, sunshine, friendship and love

Things haven’t always been straightforward in Poppy’s life but her dreams are finally within her reach.

She's moving into a cottage in beautiful Nightingale Square, close to the local community garden, where she can indulge her passion for making preserves and pickles. She may not have the best relationship with her family but she is surrounded by loving friends, and feels sure that even her grumpy new neighbour, Jacob, has more to him than his steely exterior belies.

But the unexpected arrival of Poppy's troubled younger brother soon threatens her new-found happiness and as the garden team works together to win community space of the year, Poppy must decide where her priorities lie and what she is prepared to fight for …

And here's that wonderful cover...

Isn't it glorious? I can't wait to read more about Poppy and find out exactly what's been going on in Nightingale Square since we last visited!