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Padcock Village #1
Christmas of New Beginnings
Five years ago.
After a bad breakup, Cerys Davies swaps the familiar shores of Wales for a fresh start in an enchanting village in the South Downs.
So Cerys throws herself into her newfound community, opening a quaint craft shop-tea room and helping launch the village's first festive craft fair.
But she’s soon tangled in a web of emotions. She’s fallen head over heels for Lovely Sam, the dishy owner of the local pub . . . within the first ten minutes of meeting him. It’s too bad he’s firmly in the clutches of Awful Belinda.Now.For five long years, Cerys has held a candle for Lovely Sam.
But she won’t let it get her down. As her fifth Christmas in Padcock approaches, there’s a magic in the air . . . Could this be the year that Cerys's wishes finally come true?
This Christmas might just be the one she’s been waiting for — filled with the joy of love and fresh starts . . .
Perfect for fans of Eliza J. Scott, Sue Moorcroft, Philippa Ashley, Heidi Swain or Kate Ryder.
After a bad breakup, Cerys Davies swaps the familiar shores of Wales for a fresh start in an enchanting village in the South Downs.
So Cerys throws herself into her newfound community, opening a quaint craft shop-tea room and helping launch the village's first festive craft fair.
But she’s soon tangled in a web of emotions. She’s fallen head over heels for Lovely Sam, the dishy owner of the local pub . . . within the first ten minutes of meeting him. It’s too bad he’s firmly in the clutches of Awful Belinda.Now.For five long years, Cerys has held a candle for Lovely Sam.
But she won’t let it get her down. As her fifth Christmas in Padcock approaches, there’s a magic in the air . . . Could this be the year that Cerys's wishes finally come true?
This Christmas might just be the one she’s been waiting for — filled with the joy of love and fresh starts . . .
Perfect for fans of Eliza J. Scott, Sue Moorcroft, Philippa Ashley, Heidi Swain or Kate Ryder.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2023
109 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Kirsty Ferry
46 books60 followersKirsty is from the North East of England and won the English Heritage/Belsay Hall National Creative Writing competition in 2009. She has had articles and short stories published in various magazines, newspapers and anthologies and was also a judge in the Paws 'n' Claws 'Wild and Free' Children's Story competition in 2011 and in 2013. 'The Memory of Snow', her first novel, was commended in the Northern Writer's Awards, shortlisted to the top five of Wyvern's novel competition in 2011 and longlisted in the Red Telephone Novel Competition in 2012. You can find out more about Kirsty and her work at www.rosethornpress.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 24, 2022
Christmas of New Beginnings is the 1st in the Padcock Village series by Kirsty Ferry and it was a nice, light, entertaining read. Cerys Davies had left Wales and her horrible ex for Padcock, determined to have a new beginning. Cerys was a folk singer with a beautiful voice, harmonizing with magic in her group but Rhys, the ex, put her down continually until she sure her singing ability was gone. Now in Padcock, Cerys opened a craft shop/tea room which had been a dream for as long as she could remember. The first friend she made in Padcock, Edie, was working for/with her and they were as close as sisters. But Cerys loved Sam, owner of the pub not far from her craft shop, while he was still with Belinda, the person both Cerys and Edie could see was using Sam. Would they be able to remove Belinda from Padcock, or would she do a good job of it herself? With Cerys’ fifth Christmas since she’d arrived in Padcock not far away, she wondered if this would be the one… Recommended.
December 1, 2023
Cerys has opened a shop in a small Welsh town after breaking up with her boyfriend. She has a crush on Sam, the owner of the local tavern who is seeing a snobbish woman named Belinda. Cerys is a talented musician but all of her ex's criticism has destroyed her confidence, but Sam gets her to agree to perform Christmas Eve. Will Sam ever break up with Belinda, since everyone but him can see she's wrong for him? Can Cerys ever perform again without fear? A very enjoyable Christmas romance with Welsh village ambiance.
December 30, 2023
I love that this charming story is set over 5 Christmases and follows Cerys as she settles into the lovely village of Padcock after a bad romantic break up. She instantly falls for Lovely Sam, the dishy pub landlord (a man almost too lovely for own good!) but he’s dating Awful Belinda (very aptly named!). We follow along with their story while reveling in village intrigue and the value of true friends and come to the present day, hopeful that the magic of the festive season will finally work its magic on Cerys and Sam. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment in this series very much!
January 6, 2026
An enjoyable, quick festive read - ideal to get those Christmassy juices flowing. Perfect for anyone who loves a Will-They-Won’t-They romance set in a cute English village with a cast of engaging characters and fun dialogue.
December 27, 2021
You know it's going to be a fun Christmas story when the local pub is invaded by sheep, and this was the perfect start to this wonderful novella that leaves you smiling and filled with so much joy as you follow the exploits of Cerys, a brilliant character who is sharing her memories of Christmas pasts after moving to the village of Padcock and falling in love with the local pub owner who, unfortunately, is with the horrible Belinda!
Cerys opened a craft shop/tea room when she moved into the area, and was welcomed with open arms by the local community, especially Sam who runs the local pub. He always seemed to be there at her time of need! If only she didn't always get so tongue tied around him!
The evil Belinda is the perfect villain! You just wonder what Sam sees in her! And it seems everyone else in the village can see past her antics except him so you're just eager for her to get her comeuppance! Meanwhile Cerys has more pressing matters to deal with when her love sick brother shows up!
I loved the way this story is told! Going back in time at looking at the events that lead up to the present, were a perfect way to see how her new beginnings in Padcock had evolved and brought her to the centre of the community! This was a story full of fun and great characters and I hope we get to revisit with them in the future to see what Christmas futures have in store for them all!!
Cerys opened a craft shop/tea room when she moved into the area, and was welcomed with open arms by the local community, especially Sam who runs the local pub. He always seemed to be there at her time of need! If only she didn't always get so tongue tied around him!
The evil Belinda is the perfect villain! You just wonder what Sam sees in her! And it seems everyone else in the village can see past her antics except him so you're just eager for her to get her comeuppance! Meanwhile Cerys has more pressing matters to deal with when her love sick brother shows up!
I loved the way this story is told! Going back in time at looking at the events that lead up to the present, were a perfect way to see how her new beginnings in Padcock had evolved and brought her to the centre of the community! This was a story full of fun and great characters and I hope we get to revisit with them in the future to see what Christmas futures have in store for them all!!
November 21, 2021
I loved this Christmas novella from the very first page which made me giggle, with a stampede of sheep in a pub! It’s most definitely what you’d call a slow burn romance as the storyline takes place over five Christmases moving back and forward though those years, as we get to know Cerys, Sam and Edie. The book is funny, warm and highly entertaining. Even the chapter titles made me smile!
There are so many Christmassy things included in this book to have you feeling all cosy and fill you with Christmas cheer, from festive baking, to the Christmas craft fair, carol singers and of course, there is some snow though not always when you might expect it…
This is the first book in a series and I can’t wait to return to Padcock to catch up with Cerys and Lovely Sam again – he really did sound lovely! Christmas of New Beginnings is such a gorgeous romance, the joy of Christmas wrapped up in a book.
There are so many Christmassy things included in this book to have you feeling all cosy and fill you with Christmas cheer, from festive baking, to the Christmas craft fair, carol singers and of course, there is some snow though not always when you might expect it…
This is the first book in a series and I can’t wait to return to Padcock to catch up with Cerys and Lovely Sam again – he really did sound lovely! Christmas of New Beginnings is such a gorgeous romance, the joy of Christmas wrapped up in a book.
October 19, 2021
A perfect seasonal romance to curl up in front of the fire with. Kirsty has a knack of characters that feel so real when you meet Cerys and Edie it’s like being amongst friends. Padcock sounds just the kind of place I love to visit. Cerys’s Christmas Craft fair is a welcome addition to the village, add Sam, homemade gin and wine, fake snow and what’s not to love about Christmas of New Beginnings. I hope we see more of the Padcock residents soon.
December 26, 2025
This one just wasn’t for me. I picked it up as a little festive filler between longer reads, but it ended up feeling more like the sad satsuma at the bottom of the stocking — technically part of Christmas, but no one’s excited about it.
The FMC was… well, bless her, but she had all the urgency of a damp Christmas cracker. If you want the guy and his girlfriend is clearly behaving like the office Grinch, then do something about it. If you know he likes you, stop faffing about like you’re waiting for the Ghost of Relationship Decisions to appear and just show him the proof. The dithering drained the tension faster than a cheap fairy light blowing its fuse.
The Christmas Past/Christmas Present structure was actually quite nice — a little glimmer of festive charm that kept me turning the pages — but overall, this landed at a solid 2‑star read for me. More lukewarm mulled wine than magical Christmas moment.
The FMC was… well, bless her, but she had all the urgency of a damp Christmas cracker. If you want the guy and his girlfriend is clearly behaving like the office Grinch, then do something about it. If you know he likes you, stop faffing about like you’re waiting for the Ghost of Relationship Decisions to appear and just show him the proof. The dithering drained the tension faster than a cheap fairy light blowing its fuse.
The Christmas Past/Christmas Present structure was actually quite nice — a little glimmer of festive charm that kept me turning the pages — but overall, this landed at a solid 2‑star read for me. More lukewarm mulled wine than magical Christmas moment.
December 14, 2024
Cerys Davies moved to Padcock village five years ago following a bad breakup.
Lovely Sam runs the local pub, and we find out why Cerys keeps trying to avoid him.
Awful Belinda is Sam’s other half, but doesn’t seem to know whether she wants to be with Sam or in London.
This was a fun and entertaining read, perfect for the lead up to Christmas.
It is a quick read, but did pack a lot in. I liked how the author went back in time to help us know just what had been going on. It helped to make sense of what was happening now.
There were plenty of laugh out loud moments throughout the story.
The characters were entertaining and each came into their own in the story.
I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
Lovely Sam runs the local pub, and we find out why Cerys keeps trying to avoid him.
Awful Belinda is Sam’s other half, but doesn’t seem to know whether she wants to be with Sam or in London.
This was a fun and entertaining read, perfect for the lead up to Christmas.
It is a quick read, but did pack a lot in. I liked how the author went back in time to help us know just what had been going on. It helped to make sense of what was happening now.
There were plenty of laugh out loud moments throughout the story.
The characters were entertaining and each came into their own in the story.
I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
April 20, 2024
A new to me author and series, a bit of a rom com theme.
Set in Padcock, a small village on the South Downs, Cerys has moved here to start a new life after her boyfriend destroyed her old one. She's bought a shop which she is going to open a craft shop and tea room in.
The book is set around five Christmas's where Cerys falls for 'Lovely Sam', the landlord of the local pub, the Spatchcock. However, she won't do anything about it as he's got Awful Belinda as his girlfriend until Cerys overhears something.
I enjoyed reading this book, funny in parts and a Christmas romance theme. If you want an easy read that isn't too deep, then this may be for you.
Set in Padcock, a small village on the South Downs, Cerys has moved here to start a new life after her boyfriend destroyed her old one. She's bought a shop which she is going to open a craft shop and tea room in.
The book is set around five Christmas's where Cerys falls for 'Lovely Sam', the landlord of the local pub, the Spatchcock. However, she won't do anything about it as he's got Awful Belinda as his girlfriend until Cerys overhears something.
I enjoyed reading this book, funny in parts and a Christmas romance theme. If you want an easy read that isn't too deep, then this may be for you.
December 31, 2025
Christmas New Beginnings is exactly what it promises: festive, cosy, and unapologetically cheesy. It’s packed with Christmas cheer, predictable romance, and all the familiar tropes you’d expect from a seasonal comfort read.
The plot is fairly straightforward and you can see most of the turns coming a mile off, but honestly, that’s part of the charm. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you want something light, comforting, and very Christmassy without having to think too hard. I needed a speedy read to finish 2025 and this fit the bill.
The plot is fairly straightforward and you can see most of the turns coming a mile off, but honestly, that’s part of the charm. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you want something light, comforting, and very Christmassy without having to think too hard. I needed a speedy read to finish 2025 and this fit the bill.
November 27, 2023
A warm, fuzzy winter romance
Cerys relives her past few Christmases as she settled into her little town. The publican, the lovely Sam, welcomes her and their friendship grows in spite of his girlfriend, Awful Belinda, who wants to live it up in London.
Humour and coincidence maintain the mood and better characters dilute the negativity of the 2D Belinda. The will they/won’t they aspect keeps the reader engaged.
Cerys relives her past few Christmases as she settled into her little town. The publican, the lovely Sam, welcomes her and their friendship grows in spite of his girlfriend, Awful Belinda, who wants to live it up in London.
Humour and coincidence maintain the mood and better characters dilute the negativity of the 2D Belinda. The will they/won’t they aspect keeps the reader engaged.
October 22, 2024
What a perfectly lovely Christmas book! I was immediately drawn in to the story by the quirky Cerys. Her expressions and way of telling the story had me chuckling along, all the while settling in to the cozy Christmas setting.
I loved the way the story was woven between the present and past.
And I absolutely loved her little craft shop and tea room! I want to go there!
I'm delighted to have found this series and look forward to the next story set in Padcock village!
I loved the way the story was woven between the present and past.
And I absolutely loved her little craft shop and tea room! I want to go there!
I'm delighted to have found this series and look forward to the next story set in Padcock village!
December 18, 2023
📚 Book Review 📚
Fun and frothy festive read with hugely likeable characters and with the hint true love.
I really enjoyed this read; it wasn’t overly long with caricatured people singing songs full of Christmas cheer, instead it was about a handful of people who were lived in a pretty little village and were actually kind to each other.
What a lovely read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fun and frothy festive read with hugely likeable characters and with the hint true love.
I really enjoyed this read; it wasn’t overly long with caricatured people singing songs full of Christmas cheer, instead it was about a handful of people who were lived in a pretty little village and were actually kind to each other.
What a lovely read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 11, 2024
A magical carpet ride
Kirsty Ferry has written a wonderful story that has more twists and turns than anything that Cerys could make in her bakery. She captures perfectly the moment when, in front of the guy you really fancy, you speak in nonsensical utterances. If you love Christmas and country village life, then this is the book for you. Welcome to Padcock 😀
Kirsty Ferry has written a wonderful story that has more twists and turns than anything that Cerys could make in her bakery. She captures perfectly the moment when, in front of the guy you really fancy, you speak in nonsensical utterances. If you love Christmas and country village life, then this is the book for you. Welcome to Padcock 😀
December 19, 2025
This was such a cute read. Being a short story I read it in one sitting. It's the perfect book to curl up with over the festive season. The story was cute and easy to follow and had a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💜 Thank you to Choclit/ Joffe books for the free download.
💜 Thank you to Choclit/ Joffe books for the free download.
November 30, 2023
Such a cheesy Christmas romance book. The characters were all okay they was nothing special about any of them except I didn’t like one character. The story was well written and I loved how the book ended xxx
December 1, 2023
Fun and festive
A fun, quick read that was thoroughly enjoyable. The main character and her sidekick were a hoot, and of course, the hero was a dream. Lovely Sam, he was. How delightful! Enjoy!!
A fun, quick read that was thoroughly enjoyable. The main character and her sidekick were a hoot, and of course, the hero was a dream. Lovely Sam, he was. How delightful! Enjoy!!
December 26, 2025
A good christmas read
This book has all the fixings of a good Christmas book- small town pub, small town business owners, a villain, a quirky friend, the two leads that cant get out of their own way and a brother who cares but is a bit stuck in his own world.
This book has all the fixings of a good Christmas book- small town pub, small town business owners, a villain, a quirky friend, the two leads that cant get out of their own way and a brother who cares but is a bit stuck in his own world.
November 27, 2023
This book was so funny I laughed out loud. A great introduction to this new series and characters. Looking forward to the next book in this series.
December 4, 2023
Warm cosy hug of a book
Light weight winter romance with smiles and love. Something to cuddle up with alongside a hot chocolate/warm drink of your choice
Light weight winter romance with smiles and love. Something to cuddle up with alongside a hot chocolate/warm drink of your choice
December 20, 2023
Lovely festive romance. Quite short so perfect to read at this time of year to get you in the Christmas spirit
December 27, 2025
A bit of a slow starter but picks up a bit later
December 30, 2025
A light easy to read Christmas story.
December 1, 2023
A sweet love story that is easy to read. The guy appeared spineless and wispy washy at times, but if he wasn’t we might not have had a story!
July 4, 2022
It’s not Christmas without a Kirsty Ferry book, is it? Yes, I know we are just into July and the Summer is well and truly here, but hey you can never have enough Christmas books, can you? and I am craving colder days instead of all the heat we have been enduring.
Whenever I read a Kirsty Ferry book it’s like receiving a massive hug, her stories aren’t just comforting and cheerful, but they always leave you feeling incredibly happy, this gorgeous book is no different and even better this is the first in a whole new series, yippee!!
I do love a second chance/ new beginnings romance and this is gorgeous, Carys has moved from Wales to a quaint village in the country, she wanted a fresh start a new beginning and by Jove did she get one! She has been a busy little bee; opening a craft shop and tea room, becoming embroiled in all of the drama of village life and secretly falling in love with gorgeous and super sensitive Sam (for some weird reason I keep picturing Hugh Grant from Four Weddings, no idea why maybe because I was watching the film while reading this book) he’s a bit bumbling but with a hugely good heart – plus very easy on the eye. Honestly, my imagination has gone a little out of control where our lovely Sam is concerned, he is a real sweetie.
Carys has worked so hard to start a fresh, to grab hold of her new beginning and finally after five years she may have just cracked it…only things happen! this is where Kirsty Ferry comes into her own, she takes what is already a fantastic love story and adds a surprising twist, a dash of intrigue and a good old dollop of will-they-won’t they’s and a very generous helping of festive glitter and cheer.
What more could you ask for?
I love how we initially meet the characters, I was laughing so much at the chaos, just imagine it, a pub full of regulars, a bumbling owner and a herd of sheep basically doing as they wish (as sheep do). It has Kirsty Ferry’s trademark feel-good humour stamped all over it!
There is a little twist with this one though, as unlike other Ferry’s books this one is told completely through the heroine's point of view, a nice little twist plus none of her customary time-slipping or ghosties, but it has so much to love, nothing more so then the pitch-perfect comedy and swoon-worthy romance, this is a real winner and well worth reading no matter what time of year.
I am really looking forward to seeing where this series is going to go, this village is full of stories, the characters are an eclectic bunch and I am looking forward to seeing who amongst them gets a story too.
This is a real gem, magical and delicious; the best chocolate from the box (in my case that would be the strawberry cream) Yum!!
Whenever I read a Kirsty Ferry book it’s like receiving a massive hug, her stories aren’t just comforting and cheerful, but they always leave you feeling incredibly happy, this gorgeous book is no different and even better this is the first in a whole new series, yippee!!
I do love a second chance/ new beginnings romance and this is gorgeous, Carys has moved from Wales to a quaint village in the country, she wanted a fresh start a new beginning and by Jove did she get one! She has been a busy little bee; opening a craft shop and tea room, becoming embroiled in all of the drama of village life and secretly falling in love with gorgeous and super sensitive Sam (for some weird reason I keep picturing Hugh Grant from Four Weddings, no idea why maybe because I was watching the film while reading this book) he’s a bit bumbling but with a hugely good heart – plus very easy on the eye. Honestly, my imagination has gone a little out of control where our lovely Sam is concerned, he is a real sweetie.
Carys has worked so hard to start a fresh, to grab hold of her new beginning and finally after five years she may have just cracked it…only things happen! this is where Kirsty Ferry comes into her own, she takes what is already a fantastic love story and adds a surprising twist, a dash of intrigue and a good old dollop of will-they-won’t they’s and a very generous helping of festive glitter and cheer.
What more could you ask for?
I love how we initially meet the characters, I was laughing so much at the chaos, just imagine it, a pub full of regulars, a bumbling owner and a herd of sheep basically doing as they wish (as sheep do). It has Kirsty Ferry’s trademark feel-good humour stamped all over it!
There is a little twist with this one though, as unlike other Ferry’s books this one is told completely through the heroine's point of view, a nice little twist plus none of her customary time-slipping or ghosties, but it has so much to love, nothing more so then the pitch-perfect comedy and swoon-worthy romance, this is a real winner and well worth reading no matter what time of year.
I am really looking forward to seeing where this series is going to go, this village is full of stories, the characters are an eclectic bunch and I am looking forward to seeing who amongst them gets a story too.
This is a real gem, magical and delicious; the best chocolate from the box (in my case that would be the strawberry cream) Yum!!
January 21, 2024
Kind of a cheesy romance, with Cerys having a crush on Sam from the first time she sees him. He seems to run hot and cold as he looks at Cerys like he likes her yet stays with his current girlfriend for 5 years, despite the fact that said girlfriend was always running off to London and staying away for big chunks of time. The story was well written though and I liked some of the characters and happenings. Nice ending.
December 12, 2021
I adored listening to this Christmas novella. Christmas of New Beginnings is packed full of giggles, gorgeous characters, festive fun, romance and sheep in a pub! It’s only short but it has everything you need from a festive read/listen.
Christmas just oozes from every pore of this novella from baking, crafts, singing and snow. It’s like a warm Christmas hug guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Padcock sounds like the perfect place to spend Christmas.
5 years ago, Cerys moved to Padfoot for a new start but although things didn’t quite go as planned, Cerys found a home and a community. The narrative moves between the present and the past 5 Christmases and tells us a story of how Cerys ended up in Padcock, and how each Christmas has gone each whilst introducing a variety of quirky and amusing characters, including Lovely Sam who is indeed very lovely!
I love the whole small community feel of this story as much as I love the romantic plot and I am really hoping this is the lead into a new series featuring the inhabitants of Padcock.
Christmas just oozes from every pore of this novella from baking, crafts, singing and snow. It’s like a warm Christmas hug guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Padcock sounds like the perfect place to spend Christmas.
5 years ago, Cerys moved to Padfoot for a new start but although things didn’t quite go as planned, Cerys found a home and a community. The narrative moves between the present and the past 5 Christmases and tells us a story of how Cerys ended up in Padcock, and how each Christmas has gone each whilst introducing a variety of quirky and amusing characters, including Lovely Sam who is indeed very lovely!
I love the whole small community feel of this story as much as I love the romantic plot and I am really hoping this is the lead into a new series featuring the inhabitants of Padcock.
September 30, 2021
There was a big question for Kirsty Ferry's usual readers: considering that all of her series already included a Christmas novella, would we not get any festive-themed story from her this year? And then this book was announced. First in a new series - problem solved (although I now wonder what will happen next year).
Anyway, this is a lovely introduction to a new location and cast of characters I'll be happy to see again in the next books. It's all in the heroine's point of view (hence the absence of the usual Choc Lit heart on the cover) and entirely contemporary (also, no ghost in sight this time), with the perfect mix of romance, humour and Christmas atmosphere that makes the best festive romantic comedies.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Anyway, this is a lovely introduction to a new location and cast of characters I'll be happy to see again in the next books. It's all in the heroine's point of view (hence the absence of the usual Choc Lit heart on the cover) and entirely contemporary (also, no ghost in sight this time), with the perfect mix of romance, humour and Christmas atmosphere that makes the best festive romantic comedies.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews