A Little Christmas Panto

by Angela Britnell

A FESTIVE FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS ROMANCE TO WARM THE HEART THIS SEASON.

Can a troubled Hollywood heartthrob be Rosey’s leading man?

Ex-pianist Rosey Teague feels like she’s back at square one. She’s approaching forty and has just moved back into her childhood home with her eccentric mother after her marriage came to a disastrous end.

At least she has the village’s Christmas pantomime to keep her busy. Rosey is the musical director and rehearsals are already underway.

But life takes an interesting turn when she comes face to face with Hollywood A-lister Zach Broussard in the local corner shop. As soon as their eyes lock, the electricity between them is undeniable.

He’s in their little village to escape the turbulent American media, who have been hounding him ever since the tragic death of his wife two years ago.

Zach has given up on acting, his true passion. But Rosey needs a hand with the Christmas panto, and who better to help than a Hollywood star . . . ?

Rosey and Zach both have pasts they’d rather forget, but they make one hell of a team. Together, maybe they can fall in love with life again. And perhaps each other?

This feel-good festive love story will enchant fans of Holly Martin, Sue Moorcroft, Cressida McLaughlin, Jessica Redland or Helen Rolfe.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Christmas

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2023

About the author

Find me on Facebook.

I was born in the beautiful county of Cornwall in southwestern England and grew up in a small village there. I return frequently to visit family and friends but especially to savor the cool rainy weather and hot tea. After school I joined the Royal Navy and served for nearly six years. I held varying jobs from being the only woman in the staff of a sports center to arranging social engagements for the Captain of the base. My last assignment was to Denmark where I thought I would spend a wild two years in Copenhagen only to discover I was being sent to a NATO Headquarters in a quiet town on the Jutland Peninsula. I was only disappointed for a while as I met my own tall, dark, handsome stranger there - a US Naval Officer named Richard who became my husband.

That was the beginning of an itinerant life as from Denmark we went to Sicily where we had our first son. Then it was on to Monterey, California and the birth of our second son. From there we headed to Patuxent River, Maryland where we had our third son. Richard's last assignment was to London where we spent a wonderful three years. Retiring from the Navy he took a job in Brentwood, Tennessee near where he grew up. Now he's retired for the 2nd time and I'm still writing!

I have always been a voracious reader, even at 5 years old my school reports show a keen interest in English and very little in math - some things never change! Although I enjoyed writing in school it wasn't until 2001 that I was tempted to take a creative writing class at a local recreation center which has sparked my new career.

I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoy writing it so sit back, make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy a break from everyday life.

Reviews

[Dash fan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5☆ A Light hearted Festive Read

A Little Christmas Panto is an enjoyable festive second chance, contemporary romance.

What better way to bring people  together, than a village Christmas Panto, where everyone gets involved.
Former Actor Zach and Pianist Rosey, are pushed together to work on the panto, when neither can say "No" to Anna, Rosey's overbearing Mother!

Zach and Rosey, are both trying to put their past behind them, and try to move on.
But when sparks fly between them, can they put their heartache and past behind them, and take a risk on love or will it end in disaster......oh no it won’t!.......or will it?

I enjoyed reading A Little Christmas Panto, it wasn't my favourite of Britnell's books. But it was a festive, light hearted, easy read, with quirky characters and a dash of Romance. I look forward to reading Britnell's next book!


Thank you to Rachel Random Resources Choc Lit Publishing for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.




You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2022/1...

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not my favourite of Christmas reads because I thought the writer glossed over some elements of the plot and left them underdeveloped. This is quite a short read, around 250 pages, and I think Britnell would have benefitted from adding detail to various parts of the story to make it more of an immersive read.

With the Christmas panto as the backdrop (which actually takes place in January), we have a girl-meets-boy type of story. Zach has been renting a barn just outside of the village, escaping the media turbulence in America. Eventually emerging from his hideaway, he meets local girl, Rosey, and the two have an instant connection. Rosey has been living with her mother for several years, returning to the village after a failed marriage. Now, she is part of the pantomime committee and through a turn of events, Zach becomes more drawn into this annual event. Despite fighting the urge to be on stage, Zach grows to enjoy being with the locals and how much different his life has become since leaving America.

Whilst all this is happening, as you would expect, Zach and Rosey move into a relationship. However, I do think this was the most rushed part of the story of all. I didn’t not a get a true sense of their feelings and did not believe they were as committed to one another as they say they are. One chapter they are together; the next they seem to be accepting they need to keep a distance and are back to being friends. I could not keep up with this changing and when they were together as a couple, felt that an obvious spark was lacking.

On the other hand, I thought too much attention was paid to Rosey’s mother and the performance. I would have preferred this to be sacrificed to see more time spent on Rosey and Zach. Furthermore, when Zach’s parents visit for Christmas, I still felt this was rather mundane and wanted to be out and about in the village, or understanding more about the connection between the blossoming couple.

As Christmas reads go, this was definitely festive and entertaining. I appreciated the Cornish village feel and the characters were generally likeable. The setting sounded idyllic and it was a happy-ever-after, although I thought Britnell was rather over-optimistic with how the epilogue concluded. It is set eleven months later and I was gobsmacked at how much had developed; it was verging on far-fetched and unrealistic which definitely lessened the impact of the final pages.

With thanks to ChocLit for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Happily Ever After Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at Happily Ever After Romance

I love Angela Britnell’s stories, especially her Christmas-themed ones and A Little Christmas Panto was exactly what I expected it to be – fantastic. Take one American actor who may be considered hot material in so many ways who simply wants to walk away from the acting life and deal with a difficult breakup as well as figure out what his life is without an audience. Add one British pianist who should be on a classical stage but has traded that spotlight for a place closer to home and her heart. And as a bonus, figure in one larger-than-life woman who doesn’t understand the meaning of “no” and will keep you in laughter at her outrageousness… there you have the basics of A Little Christmas Panto.

Rosey and Zach take a friends-to-lovers romance and make it their own as through the annual Christmas Panto they connect in ways beyond the musical pantomime they’re working on. I loved watching their romance unfold, as well as seeing Zach make some definite growth along the way. Between the developing romance, a mom who kind of steals every scene she can, a community full of characters up to shenanigans (in the best possible way usually), and perhaps one not-so-nice diva you’ll find a romance that you’ll love as you cheer this couple on to their happy ever after ending.

I had a blast here, and if you love a well-written romance full of possibilities, a believable couple, and a community that is just as much a part of the story as Rosey and Zach are… then A Little Christmas Panto is perfect for you this holiday season.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from ChocLit/Ruby Fiction. The opinions expressed in this review are my own -good, bad, or indifferent.*

[Henriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just the perfect little story to read as we near Christmas. It is full of wonderful characters, lots of festivities, a panto and romance.

I am not normally a big fan of Hollywood stars. Stars don't really impress me; they're just people like the rest of us, but I loved Zach right from the start. He was just a lovely character trying to find himself again after fleeing Hollywood. Rosey was also a really lovely character. I loved her interactions with her mother and her new friends in the village. I want to be her new friend too!

Sometimes a book comes along that makes you just want to curl up with a cup of tea and read all day long and forget everything else. This was that book! I found it really hard to put down. I just wanted to escape and read the ups and downs of Zach and Rosey's instant attraction and see whether that would lead somewhere and get to know more about the Christmas Panto and all the other characters in this lovely Cornwall community.

[Emmely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boy meets girl
Boy and girl go on a date but girl decides there's no future for their relationship
Boy disagrees but goes along with this for some reason
Boy and girl decide they're actually desperately in love
Boy has a deep, dark secret and tries to share. Girl knows what he's trying to do but purposely prevents him from finishing his sentence every single time and then spends 3 pages angsting about what the deep, dark secret is
Far too many side characters are introduced but contribute surprisingly little
Boy and girl remember this book is meant to be about a panto and have a little side plot where they explain to a person of colour why her way of dealing with racism is wrong and she should really do things their way
Boy tells girl the deep, dark secret. It is, in fact, a big, fat nothing. The reader, who has seen this coming since chapter 2, is exasperated and in desperate need of an actually good book
Everything is tied up up neatly in a predictable little bow. The end

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

I went into this book not knowing much about it and having not come across the author before either. I am so glad i took a chance and read it though because I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it.
I was drawn in at first by the blurb, it just sounded so sweet and lovely and Christmassy and a big bonus was that it was set in Cornwall - this gets a big thumbs up from me!!
The story was very close knit community driven, with most of the residents all coming together to rehearse for their yearly pantomime.
There were lots of interesting characters and lots of little side stories going on in the background too.
I loved the storyline between Rosey and Zachary with the constant will-they-won’t-they but the friends to lovers trope was wonderful and was helped along massively that Zachary was a Hollywood heart throb actor on hiatus!!
I also really loved Anna, Rosey’s mum, she was a wonderful, larger than life character and made a great addition to the story!
This was a wonderful, heartwarming read and the epilogue was just the absolute icing on the cake, it was perfect and may have left me crying happy tears…….

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tiny village of Polcarne is an unlikely place for a Hollywood star to go to ground, but Zach Broussard has his reasons for choosing to be as far away from the limelight as possible right now, and a rented barn conversion in Cornwall seems just the spot for him to find a way to heal from the heartache that plagues him.

Zach cannot see himself ever returning to the world of acting, but Polcarne's eccentric impresario Anna Teague has other ideas. She is in the full throes of organising this year's community pantomime and is determined to help along the friendship that has sprung up between him and her former concert pianist daughter Rosey, who is back in the village after the break up of her marriage.

Zach and Rosey are definitely attracted to each other, but will an amateur production of Aladdin create the magic they need for their own happily ever after?

A Little Christmas Panto provides just the right setting for two worlds to collide, as Hollywood heartthrob Zach, and Cornish pianist Rosey fall in love against the backdrop of more than your average community extravaganza. At first it seems that they cannot possibly be a good fit for each other despite the spark they feel, but under the surface they have more in common that they think, and I love the way they discover this ever so slowly over the course of the story.

In true rom-com style there are, of course, many hiccups to be overcome before the curtain comes down, with some tricky 'yes, they will/no they won't' moments, until Zach and Rosey are ready to fully open their hearts. In the mean time, the equally bumpy journey towards a panto that is suffering from a suspicious number of mishaps drives the tale, and the vivid cast of characters both on stage, and off, keeps you very entertained. 

The biggest character of all is the wonderful Anna, whose distinctive sartorial style is second to none, but there are a lot of other players to get you cheering (and booing), with story lines that bring in all manner of human emotion and some knotty real world issues  - especially around relationships, and the dynamics of small communities. I enjoyed how Britnell throws in all the elements you need from a rollicking rom-com, with lots of sentiment, laughter, and a quirky little Cornish community to take to heart, while blending in the more weighty storylines, and tying everything up nicely with an ending that brought a lump to my throat. There is also a very subtle mystery element that pops its head up in the odd goings on at the panto, which adds to the fun.

The narration by Laura Kirman is wonderful. She really takes you between the soft drawl of southern USA and the depths of rural Cornwall with her voice talents, keeping the pace going and packing in all the feeling you need to catch you up in the story. I absolutely loved listening to her, and now have a new name on my list of narrators to look out for. 

This was the perfect little story to set me up for Christmas. Yes, it was!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Angela's work for a while now. By no means have I read everything that she has written to date but that is something that I hope to rectify in the not too distant future. I read the synopsis of 'A Little Christmas Panto' and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Angela - a fun, light hearted, festive romantic read. Well it was certainly all that and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'A Little Christmas Panto' but more about that in a bit.

This was one of those books that grabbed my attention with a lovely bright and colourful cover. The synopsis drew me in and when I started reading, that was it. From then on, I found it impossible to put the book down. My Kindle wasn't glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. I loved the characters in this book who ended up feeling more like friends rather than characters in a book. I hope that makes sense. I cared about the characters and I had to know how the story panned out for them all. I became so wrapped up in the story and in the lives of the characters that I lost all track of time and just how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of 'A Little Christmas Panto' and I had to say goodbye to Rosey, Zach, Anna and the rest of the characters. I found 'A Little Christmas Panto' to be a cracker of a festive story and I enjoyed every single minute of it.

'A Little Christmas Panto' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Angela Britnell. Angela has one of those going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Anna's books feels more like a chat between friends. I hope that makes sense. Angela clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. I love the way in which Angela combines the drama with the humour. This book made me chuckle at the start and I ended up chuckling away to myself throughout the story. I love the way in which the author makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'A Little Christmas Panto' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Angela's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been a while since I last read an Angela Britnell novel but when I saw the words Christmas Panto in the title of this one, I knew I would succumb.

And wow I'm glad I did, as this was such a lovely romance, between two characters with a clear connection and all set to the backdrop of trying to get a panto ready to perform.

We have Rosey who is an ex-concert pianist, and Zach who was a Hollywood actor but is in Cornwall to get over a big loss, and both of them are just wonderful people. I loved getting to know them both, in addition to Rosey's mum Anna.

Now Anna is a larger than life character who is in charge of the panto and is just marginally obsessed with it in a good way. But not everything seems to be going smoothly with this years production of Aladdin - between some things going missing (which escalates), some cast members with absolutely awful attitudes, to well the most amazing Panto Dame - this is just superb. Oh yes it is!

There is more to the book than just a panto though, and there is a great deal of character growth within Zach, and I loved his budding friendship with Joe too.

This is a light hearted, festive story that brings with it some of the traditions of Zach's part of America together with Cornish traditions in addition to the great British tradition of Pantomime! It's an all around enjoyable story, that I couldn't get enough of.

Thank you to Choc Lit for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Kerry https://likeherdingcatsblog.wordpress.com Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Angela’s writing and her characters – especially the Christmas themed books however I think I may have found my new favourite in A Little Christmas Panto.
I am an absolute sucker for small town/community vibes in a romance book and I found the people of Polcarne really satisfied this need for me. It’s such a small community with an eclectic mix of people and personalities bringing it to life. It’s such a vibrant and supportive community and sounds so picturesque and quirky.
I couldn’t resist a book set around a theatre group as a fellow dabbler in the am dram and it didn’t disappoint. The group I am with are like a second family and I love every minute I spend with them. Angela captures this is this book and I love it. Anna is a comical exaggeration of a director and did drive me mad at times and really is quite full on and a little selfish, but she did love her daughter and her was dedicated role. Her antics did make me smile a lot – even when I disagreed with them.
Rosey and Zach are just adorable and I loved their tension and chemistry. Both very vulnerable and I enjoyed the will they, won’t they plot. I fell for them both immediately and was rooting for them all the way.
A Little Christmas Panto is such a feel-good festive read and it is perfect for cosy nights under the blanket. I cannot recommend this book enough for a few hours of pure escapism to Polcarne and it’s vibrant mix of residents.

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Christmas Panto by Angela Britnell

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Can a little Cornish village panto convince a troubled Hollywood heart throb to act again?

Oh no it won’t! At least that’s what Zach Broussard initially thinks when the eccentric Anna Teague tries to railroad him into helping out with her community pantomime production in the run-up to Christmas. Zach has his reasons for leaving Hollywood behind, and his retreat to the remote village of Polcarne in Cornwall signals the start of a new acting free life for him.

But when Zach meets Anna’s daughter, Rosey – an ex concert pianist who has swapped Mozart for panto tunes – he starts to wonder whether he could change his mind, and not just about acting.

My Opinion

This is my third book by Angela Britnell and so far they have all been delightful. I love a good Christmas book (at any time of year) and this was a nice addition to my festive reads for the year. I went into this book with no expectations - the panto idea drew me in, but I am glad that I took the chance as it was such a lovely book.

Community spirit, festivities and a pantomime make for an enjoyable and heart-warming read. A well-written, relatively short book so definitely worth a read this festive season.

Rating: 4/5

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable Christmas read
A heartwarming story I hope you'll need!
With panto fun and romance, too,
I highly recommend this fab book to you.

Hollywood heart throb, Zach Broussard, has come to stay
Hoping to leave the paparazzi and fans away.
After the tragic death of his wife, he's had enough of fame
And wants his own life again to reclaim.

He's had enough of acting, wants time to think, make a fresh start
And certainly in the village panto he does not want to take part.
However, when he meets Rosie Teague his heart starts to race
She's an ex concert pianist, has his heart found its place?

Will the residents of Polcarne help him change his mind
And his love of acting once more to find?
There's also a very real chance
That he'll find true romance!

However, there's also problems ahead for these two
As he has secrets hidden from view
Will they change Rosie's attitude to him as well?
Only time will tell!

Get ready for a matchmaking Mum and mischief, too
Providing laughs galore for me and you.
With panto jokes, romance and more
A festive read that I really adore.

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
It's a gorgeous, heartwarming read and this is my honest review.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a warm, festive read which captures the humour and the community feeling of the local Christmas Panto. There is plenty of scope for some varied characters and all of them add to the story in their own way. The most flamboyant of all is Anna, Rosey's daughter, whose life revolves around the annual Amateur Dramatics. Not everything goes to plan but the story is well paced and lively and the pantomime is a great setting for the action.

Rosey and Zach have both found their way to Cornwall nursing some difficult feelings. Rosey has returned home after a disastrous marriage and found a satisfaction in the village which she realised she lacked in her life as a concert pianist. Zach has given up his Hollywood career and looking for a new challenge and some answers as to the direction his life is going to take. Family and friends are both very important to both Rosey and Zach. They add warmth to the story and credibility to the characters. This is an entertaining festive read which I thoroughly enjoyed, especially the chemistry between the two main characters.

In short: a fine festive romance
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous festive read - oh no it wasn't .... oh yes it was!!!

I loved this and raced through as it gave me the proper festive feels! A huge Hollywood actor is craving quiet and anonymity after the loss of his wife, and he ends up in this small UK village and really takes to the community and quieter way of living! They leave him to get on with things and he appreciates the lack of fuss!

Rosey is the character we get to follow and I really liked her, and her mum too! Very different personalities but a great connection and support to one another. Zach finds Rosey a refreshing person in his life, very easy to talk to and get along with so finds himself wanting to help her and the village out when they put on their village panto!

You really sense his reluctance to commit, considering the heartbreak he's been through, and he gets that respect from the people he meets, especially Rosey and they are such a sizzling combination when they get together! But will it last or is it all just 'fantasy'?

All doesn't go to plan with the Panto and it was a great added edge to all the goings on and made for just a wonderful read!

[Tiziana Langone · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Panto is all you need… 
When Zach Broussard needs an escape from Hollywood, and the remote village of Polcarne in Cornwall gives him all the peace and quiet he needs. He cannot imagine to take back his acting, and in Polcarne he can finally think of what direction his life should take.
Gently pushed by Anna Teague, he finds himself helping out with the community pantomime production, where he meets Anna’s daughter Rosey. Rosey, who is a talented musician who has returned home after a failed marriage and has changed her tunes from Mozart into panto…
While neither of them are looking for something serious, just being together makes them both wonder if they have found something they weren’t even looking for… 
Angela Britnell has written another wonderful story, filled with Christmassy feelings and also letting me enjoy a British tradition I know about, but not enough and that all in a wonderful setting in Cornwall! Could my expectations be any higher? Nope… Did I get disappointed a little bit? Not at all! 
Zach and Rosey are at a different stage in their lives, both coping somehow with their grief. 
Zach’s grief is still raw and painful, and his guilt is almost tearing him apart. So I completely understood why he needed to get away from those spotlights and needed to be at a place where no one would bother him.
While I understood his pain, it’s only further along in the story that his pain has a deeper cause. And it made me only want to jump in the book to give him all my love in the biggest hug possible.
However, there were also moments I wanted to jump into the book for total different reasons… and that is to blame to his behaving very stupidly!
But that is all part of his growth and trying to move on from a past that hurt him beyond… 
And meeting Rosey is the perfect medicine for him. Because Rosey knows how it feels to have a broken heart, although for a different reason and a different outcome. But while she is still not feeling the need to dive into another relationship, she is clearly already in a next phase.
However, being further along, doesn’t mean she is there yet… And that vulnerability and fragility was so palpable, no matter how hard she tries to keep up the façade… 
Seeing how these two people meet each other at the right time, even if it doesn’t seem so, truly warmed my heart.
There is obviously the physical attraction, but slowly the emotional attraction overshadows the physical one.  
Of course, reading this beautiful story caused me to laugh several times, how could it not with a character like Anna in it.
But there were also the sweetest moments, about a second chance at love. And maybe even as important as the romance between Rosey and Zach, the bond of a whole community.
Because there are moments that some characters behave despicable, and the community react in the right way. 
I absolutely devoured this heart – warming Christmas story about two lovely people who have both endured a terrible heart – break, but found each other and were able to put the pain behind them and look forward to a bright future together, perhaps not how they envisioned it once, but nevertheless magnificent!  

[Martha Dunlop · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great fun, a real feel-good read with plenty of light heartedness and smiles along with the emotions.

Rosey gave up a career as an international piano soloist in an ill-fated attempt to save her failing marriage. She now lives with her mother, the eccentric Anna, in Polcarne and works as music director for the local panto.

Zach, is a Holywood A-lister who turned hermit after the death of his wife two years ago.

When Rosey and Zach meet in a corner shop in the Cornish village of Polcarne, they both begin to wonder whether a new start might be possible for them. But Zach has given up acting, and Anna is determined to get him into the panto. I will leave you to figure out who you think is going to win that one!

I loved the quirky characters in this, which fitted beautifully with the pantomime backdrop. There were hidden secrets, resentments, vulnerabilities, friendships, mess ups and laughs. It was funny and serious, a lovely escape. A perfect read to brighten up the dark nights!

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zach Broussard is running away from his celebrity past by escaping to the peace and tranquility of Cornwall. Living in the village of Polcarne gives Zach the respite he needs and he is enjoying his relative anonymity by keeping a low profile but when he meets with Anna Teague, and her daughter Rosey, Zach is cajoled into using his acting skills at the annual village pantomime.

The growing relationship between Zach and Rosey is really lovely and the author has brought these two charming characters to life. Both have an aching vulnerably, which is gently explored but there is no getting away from the instant attraction between them which gives rise to all sorts of ups and downs. The villagers who call Polcarne home are such a lovely bunch of people especially Rosey's mum, Anna, who rules the pantomime with a no nonsense approach and usually won't take 'no' for an answer.

A Little Christmas Panto is a warm hearted, festive story which brings all the charm of Christmas, the quirkiness of the British love for pantomime ,and the intriguing prospect of taking a second chance at love.

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a non-British person, I had no idea what "panto" meant when I first saw the title of this book, but then I found out along with Zach, an American actor staying in a Cornish village to keep away from media attention, that it's a funny kind of musical played around Christmas by villagers of all ages. And of course this is one of Angela Britnell's famous transatlantic romances, so the heroine is a local woman - Rosey, musical director and accompanying pianist of the pantomime.
Even if the story is told in the usual Choc Lit way, alternating points of view between Rosey and Zach, Rosey's mother Anna establishes herself as a third main character, whose strong personality makes her aims and thoughts clear enough despite her only being shown through the other two's eyes.
With those three plus all the villagers involved in the post-Christmas pantomime, I greatly enjoyed following the rehearsals.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosey an ex renowned concert musician has given it all up and come back to live with her mother Anna in the lovely Cornish village of Polcarne. Anna is in charge of the Christmas panto for the village and is determined that Rosey is going be involved but when Zach an American actor comes to stay in the village she definitely has her sights on getting him involved too, even if he is trying to keep a low profile! Sparks however are staying to fly between him and Rosie but have they both got too much baggage to start again?

Lovely feel good Christmas story with great characters and a good storyline. I loved Anna as a larger than life character and one that all villages need. Great light-hearted book to curl up with

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love my Christmassy reads and absolutely loved this one...oh yes I did!

What's not to like? The picture perfect Cornish scenery, a hot American film star all finished off with a good old fashioned pantomime. Sounds amazing, right?

I love a good friends to lovers romance, the relationship between Rosey and Zach was cute and I loved the chemistry between them. Her mother, Anna meant well, but what an interfering, annoyance she was.

Britwell is definitely an author whose works I'll be checking out in the future, if they're anything as good as this one she's got a new reader in me.

A Little Christmas Panto is delightfully heartwarming and encompasses everything to give you the festive feels.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of this author and this was my first book I read from this author. After reading this outstanding novel I have now added Angela to my favourites list.

Will heartthrob Zach win Anna over? Oh no he won't! At least not straight away! I loved the friends too lovers dynamic in this and my favourite character is Anna's daughter Rosey because she is such a bubbly and fun person to be around. I had a few laugh out loud moments and I found myself falling in love with all the characters as they developed.

A little Christmas Panto is brilliantly written and it was impossible to stop reading as I was glued to the pages from the get go. A fun, lightheaded, romance and festive novel which I mightily recommend.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the vibrant nature of the festive pantomime, there is something for everyone, and this Cornish one has lots of romance too. Zach, a Hollywood star, is in Cornwall to heal and try to make sense of his life after the loss of his wife. Full of guilt and secrets, he is surprised at his attraction to Rosey. An ex-concert pianist with a failed marriage behind her, Rosey's life is full of problems too, but they become friends as they work on the pantomime together.

I love the gentle romance full of conflicts but healing too. Vivid supporting characters and many humorous moments make this a lovely festive read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Yvonne Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this novel. The author, Angela Britnell, never fails to put a smile on my face with her fabulous novels and fascinating characters.

Zach is a Hollywood heartthrob, but he has fled that life and his secrets. He thinks he has found the perfect escape in a small quiet Cornish village. However the larger than life local pantomime producer, Anna, disagrees with his choices, to the embarrassment of her daughter, Rosey. Throw in some colourful local characters and attempted sabotage and the result is a great story that you won’t want to put down. I loved this novel!

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing this writer’s previous books, I settled in to enjoy and of course, I was not disappointed. I don’t know how these authors manage to come up with yet another story which contains fresh ideas, but is equally as enjoyable as their earlier books. I had a lovely time following the budding relationship between Rosey and Zeke, dodging the bumps and potholes along the way, and arriving with them at their HEA, so I can’t offer anything less than 5 stars and my recommendation as a good read.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story of a star who secumbs to a local girl and a village panto. The characters are so well portrayed that you want to book tickets to see the panto yourself. I loved how Rosey and Zach's romance slow burned to a very natural conclusion. The trials and tribulations of village life were also very well conveyed, nothing seemed over the top. To combine a good story with a romance is no easy task but Angela managed it well, I look forward to reading her next book.

[Donna Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another charming story from Angela Britnell
Rosey lives with her overbearing mother Anna in Polcarne.
Zach is an American actor from Tennessee who has come to Polcarne in order to escape his old life & get closure on his previous relationship.
They end up falling for each other but it’s not an easy relationship, and there’s the small matter of the village Panto to sort out.
Really enjoyed reading this book.

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh yes it is...another can't-put-it-down book from Angela Britnell. Having it all is not everything, less is more. Hard lessons painfully learnt by the stars of this story. As ever they are supported by other great characters who have their own ups and downs. A convincing story about the pantomime makes it certain you will understand more of the commitment that goes into keeping this tradition alive. Will you enjoy this-Oh yes you will!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great holiday read. We get to meet Rosey who is at home in her Cornish village after her career as a concert pianist with her mother Anna (who organises the local panto). Enter Zach, a hollywood actor escaping his past. Filled with warmth and interesting characters - a must read this holiday season.

[Sharon Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This did make me laugh a lot of times. Especially when the pantomime was rehearsing at the end and the new widow twanky.

[Vanessa-Ann Dowsett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story , great narrator, smiled a great deal brought a lump to my throat especially toward the end. Thank you Angela for a story which reminds one of the true meaning of Christmas