Coming Home For Christmas

Christmas #3

by Julia Williams

These three friends are dreading Christmas. Cat needs to get off the ‘has-been’ heap and rescue her flagging TV career, but the demands of her extended family are reaching fever pitch and she barely has time to breathe. Meanwhile, Pippa has got too many balls to juggle as a struggling single mum trying to hang on to her family farm. And Marianne’s marriage is looking distinctly rocky now her beloved husband’s ex is back on the scene.

Happy Christmas? Forget it. But Christmas is a time for miracles, and when the villagers learn they must fight for what they love, it becomes clear that there is festive magic in the air. Suddenly for Cat, Pippa and Marianne, it’s looking like it might just be a Christmas to remember…

Warm, humorous and completely irresistible. All you want for Christmas is right here!
“Terrifically warm, with lovely, lively characters.” Fiona Walker
“This story warms you like a cosy cup of cocoa.” Closer

Genres: Christmas, Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2014

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 3 in the story of the people of Hope Christmas, a small fictional village in Shropshire, England. I read these 3 books consecutively, over 1000 pages all together, and I will miss Cat, Pippa, Marianne, Gabriel, Dan, Noel and all the rest. You could almost call the trilogy a “saga” as the stories span about 7 years. The books are all billed as Christmas reads though each covers a whole year of village life, with extra highlights centered on the holiday season.

In this installment, the village is threatened by developers who want to place a huge hotel and spa right in the midst of beautiful farmland. We also agonize with Dan and Pippa Holliday, a seemingly perfect couple, whose lives undergo upheaval as Dan tries to recover from a traumatic brain injury. His diary pages, which appear at the end of each month, are one of the best parts of the book. We also suffer along with Marianne as her husband Gabe feels obligated to have his ex and mother of his son move into their house as she tried to recover from a severe bout of depression. There are several other threads as well that really pulled me in.

Again we see townspeople pulling together to help their village and each other. Though not really a Christmas read per se, this trilogy is certainly a feel good story, perfect for the end of the year. I always looked forward to returning to my kindle for a few chapters. These books were a wonderful escape from some of the real life stresses going on over the last month. A major piece of advice—you would do well to read these books in order; otherwise, it will be tough to sort everyone out and you will miss the basis of several of the storylines. This appears to be the reason the average star ratings go down as the series progresses—many reviewers have read these out of order.

I have a short story left from this series, then it’s goodbye forever to Hope Christmas. I really loved my stay there.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also posted on my link text

*Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Before reading 'Coming Home For Christmas' I haven't read anything by Julia Williams. When I was asked to review it and be part of her blog tour, I was thrilled and jumped at the chance to check this author, who I heard writes great. I didn't know this book is part of a series, actually the third and what seems like, the last part of Hope Christmas series. Once I realized it was a series, I must say I started to panic a bit, since I was worried there will be loads of characters who'll be mentioned from the previous parts and I won't be able to keep up not knowing what happened to them in the two previous books.

However, now that I read it, I can assure you 'Coming Home For Christmas' can be read as a stand-alone, however I would have enjoyed it far more if I had read the previous parts before starting this one. Baring in mind it's a Christmas book, and I usually end up enjoying these type of books, I did have expectations for this one (despite me not being familiar with the author's writing). I was not disappointed and was invested for most of the story, however I can't say that it goes on my faves shelf.

The story is centered around three friends, Cat, Pippa and Marianne who are at that point in their lives when they really don't look forward to Christmas. There's a lot going on in their lives, separations, taking care of an ill child, loads of family drama, so these ladies really try hard just to go through the day. However, Christmas is near and it's time for some magic to be brought to their lives.

There are some things which I loved, liked and disliked about this book. I truly loved the setting and I can see the author put much effort in creating this picturesque little place, Hope Christmas, which I read is actually based on a real place. I loved the descriptions and I do have this thing for small town or village stories where community is accepting and everyone is friends. This really got me in the festive spirit and I'm thankful to Ms Williams for doing this, for pouring some festive sparkle in my lately, grey and busy days. I liked the main characters, they are mature women who seem real and sometimes, I even had teary eyes because of some thing that were happening to them. But, the thing which I liked less was the fact that it took me some time to get into the story, I didn't know the characters from before so felt like I'm missing a lot from their lives. This switching from Cat's to Pippa's, then to Marianne's story sometimes felt a bit too much and confusing, making it hard for me to see the big picture.

But overall, Coming Home For Christmas is enjoyable, warm read perfect for this time of the year. If you're a fan of festive reads, looking for a feel-good read that will get you all festive, then this is the book for you. You'd maybe also like to check the other two in the series, Last Christmas and A Merry Little Christmas. I sure will.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't take long to read, bit of chick lit perfectly fit the bill for something to get me back into wanting to read.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began this book with the expectation of it being predictable and obvious and all being well by the end. It’s a Christmas story so what else could it be! It even has Christmas in the title and while I’ve mentioned the title, Hope Christmas. What sort of name for a town is that? And yes it’s based in the UK! I know there are a few places with daft names about and the more I think about it the more I’m leaning towards believing the possibility of it actually being a real place.
So, I digress, there were a lot of names to try and remember at the beginning and not a lot about farm work mentioned when it’s mainly based on farms but I loved the idea. The solid story premise I felt could happen and has happened time and time again. Also (starting to get annoyed at myself) the relationships began to develop and I warmed to them. I liked the fact that there was so much going on.
Yes it’s a bit of a gooey ending but it wasn’t bad and well, for goodness sakes I told myself, it’s Christmas!!!!

[Morgan Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the constant switching of POV's in this book to be very annoying--there would be about a page of one character before switching to the next and then to the third. I also found that the storylines of the characters were so boring and cliche, and that the characters themselves were flat and poorly written. The storyline wasn't even Christmas-ey, and considering the book spans an entire year and not just Christmas, it should have a different title. I was disappointed, but at the same time, intrigued enough to power through it.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t expect much from this book, so I can’t say I’m disappointed. It’s a lovely story, although not as christmassy as you may think. It only begins and ends at christmas, that’s all. While it was nice not to be reading a YA book about 16 year olds, I still feel like I don’t enjoy reading about middle aged women and their problems yet. Will wait a few more years for that.

[Carys Wiggans · Rating 3 out of 5]

So firstly I’ll admit that I didn’t enjoy this book. For these reasons alone...
I loved the first two of home Christmas, but I just found a repetitive pattern within the books, and felt it was maybe just a bit too predictable?
There was nothing wrong with it atall, I just felt it was the same story but a slight change of the details.

[April Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review @ https://aprillwood.wordpress.com/2014...

“Pippa didn’t want to be the one who threw in the towel. She had to save her heritage. Whatever it cost…”

Coming Home for Christmas, by Julia Williams, is a story about three women with very real struggles, who could all use a Christmas miracle. They live in a picturesque village, called Hope Christmas.

To add to their problems, L.K. Holdings has plans to come in and build a luxury hotel complex right on top of them. Hope Christmas will never be the same again…

Pippa’s farm is her past, her present, and her children’s future. She will do anything to save her farm… Unfortunately, being newly divorced, she may not have the finances to keep her farm. But, she refuses to be bought out by L.K. Holdings! She has to find a way!

And find a way she does… She rallies the village to protest, which significantly delays any progress on the part of L.K. Holdings. Meanwhile, she comes up with ideas to save her farm by hosting Halloween and winter themed events. All while raising her children, including one with special needs, all by herself. Her husband who suffered a brain injury, and hasn’t been the same ever since, walked out on her, and left her to handle things on her own. She appears to have everything under control… but will it be enough?

Marianne feels depressed. She isn’t cut out to be a farmer’s wife, like her good friend Pippa. But her twins, and step-son keep her plenty busy.

When Marianne gets a phone call and learns that her husband’s mentally ill ex-wife has nowhere to go and needs a temporary home, her immediate thought is NO WAY… but her husband reluctantly agrees to have her, in their house. Much to Marianne’s dismay.

And then there is Cat… wife, mother, and grandmother to baby Lou Lou, with an unexpected career as a TV chef. Bogged down by child care, Cat wonders, when will life ever get easy?

These three women have one thing in common, they want to save the woods, the woodland creatures, and their village itself from being mowed down by a luxury hotel development. Together, they fight the great fight, and hope for a Christmas miracle!

I would like to thank Avon Books UK, and Olivia Wilson of LightBrigade PR for providing me with a complimentary copy of Coming Home For Christmas in exchange for a fair, thoughtful and honest book review.

Coming Home For Christmas wasn’t the light Holiday read that I was expecting to read. Throughout the pages you will find real struggle, and anguish from these three women who are facing real-life problems, and the strife within the community to save their village.

Coming Home For Christmas is a festive, Holiday read for women. I really did enjoy this story, and was happy to see all the loose strings pulled nicely together in the end.

I really enjoyed Marianne’s character, and adding the ex-wife into the mix added a much needed dosage of comedy to lighten the story up. Marianne should have known upon Eve walking in that they were in for a wild ride, when their lamb gets loose and tears through the house like a runaway train!

Overall, I am giving this novel 4 stars.

[Sharon Thurnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read. It must be part of a serious of other books as it does make many references to previous happenings/stories. I found the book jumped around quite a bit.

[Claire Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this lovely book we have three friend that are dreading Chirstmas for three different ways ......

we meet Cat a mother, wife, Tv cook, caretaker and grandmother her life is busy . Her Tv career has taken a step back lately and spending more and more time with Lou Lou her granddaughter who came into this world a two Christmases ago....

Cat is best friends with Pippa and Marianne who all live I a lovely village called Hope Chirstmas .

Pippa and Dan her soon to be ex husband own a farm that over looks the wonderful woods that are in the village right next to them is Marianne and Gabriel farm. Pippa and Dan have three children two boys and a girl Lucy who has Cerebal Pulsey and is wheelchair bound Pippa is also her full time carer. Last year Dan and an accident falling out of a tree with left him a different person so he decided that Pippa would better off without him and moved out of the family home but still shared the workload and running of the farm with her this left her heartbroken but found that she could not do this emotionally and meet Richard but always kept him at arms length , but Richard was planning they future .......

Marianne is married to Gabriel they have two twins under three and Stepthen from Gabriel first marriage , but events take they faith out of they hands has Eve , Gabriel's ex wife is taken ill and Gabriel feels he needs step up and help her out so she moves in with them !!!!!!!! This puts a lot of pressure on they marriage to the degree that Marianne takes temping teaching jobs for the extra money and also to escape Eve but the jobs take her miles away from her family ....

Through out this book all the friends comes together in the time of need to fight off developers taking down the woods and building a Spa resort that will kill off they lively hood and they children's future .
What I also like about they book through out they are diary enteritis from Dan his therapist recommending writing down his feelings and how he was going to deal with things and seeing what a mistake letting Pippa go, but do they get back together, does Cat get her TV career but on track and does Marianne get her left back and does there free friends save the Woods from evil developers while you will just have to read the book you will not be disappointed.

[Ettelwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milý vánoční příběh, který neurazí, ale ani příliš nepotěší :)

[Carol W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to visit an "old" favourite author, Julia Williams. An author I can trust to spin me a tale of village life that will keep me entertained until the last page. This is one of those novels I fit into the modern day saga category, the book version of Emmerdale or Corrie or even The Archers, but more believable. The storylines are not far fetched.

This year the villagers have not only their own complicated family lives to deal with but developers LK Holdings are trying to muscle in and develop the beautiful countryside into something more profitable.
An old flame makes a reappearance for one of the residents and an ex comes to stay.

It was lovely to revisit the village of Hope Christmas and the villagers. I particularly enjoyed the diary from Dan as he struggles to come to terms with losing his love and family and rebuild his life after his devastating accident.
This is a follow on novel from Last Christmas but can be read as a stand alone.

Perfect festive reading to begin my festive reading.

5 out of 5 for me!

[Hayley Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and even if it took me a little while to get into it, feel like maybe it's part of a series but not sure. I love a good festive read and found this to be a chic lit with a lovely warm and fuzzy feeling at the end. The thing that sets this book apart from the many others this time of year, it how well written it is and how Julia Williams can make you feel the same emotions of her characters, I felt their frustration, despair, and more importantly happiness thoroughly. Defiantly worth picking this up.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was the perfect Christmas read and although I didn't finish it in time for Christmas I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved all the characters and I loved how close they all were, I also really fell in love with the setting of this book- Hope Christmas, it just seemed like such a tight-knit community. So yeah, don't get me wrong this book didn't blow me away or anything but it was the perfect light hearted read to snuggle up with around the festive season and so I still think it's worthy of four stars.

[Sarah Hanner Hopwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and easy after too much war :)

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading it by itself was very confusing- so many characters to follow and the jump from one couple to another so short.

I skipped through a lot because I wanted to know what happened at the end but I think I read 60% at best.

Seems like people who have read the previous books had a better time though so maybe it’s just reading this without pretext makes for a very different experience.

[Mrs Haver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh I like this book is just that when I read it back then it's such not a vibe. That's the number one rule in reading, don't hesitate to pause a book if you're not into it or else you will not enjoy it. This is like an old romcom movie relating to family most of the time and standing with your own ground. I like how they always help each other and they make their neighbors do the same.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. There’s nothing exactly wrong with this book, it’s just not for me. There are a ton of characters to keep straight, and I also think the “let’s fight big business” storyline is tired. My TBR pile is too big to keep going with this one.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun visiting Hope Christmas, a great read, very compelling. I’ll have to seek the other books out. Lovely stories that run alongside each other with great characters you get very find of. Well done Julia Williams.

[Gail Francis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't realise that this was part of a series which made the 'catch up' details very tedious. Was like reading Coronation Street in the country with just too much happening to three characters.

Please don't waste your time or money on this book.

[Ellie Janowitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading Julia Williams and it was fantastic. Beautifully written, a story of three individual women and their struggles. Williams tells it perfectly and the setting is at Christmas time, Brilliant!

[Ef Rodriguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I found it near the pool while on vacation in Mexico. It wasn't very good, but it made me want to visit England during Christmas. I guess that's worth something.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was ok but not very Christmassy, Christmas wasn’t mentioned until right near the end and it was really hard to follow the numerous characters.

[Sarah Staddon-Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another festive treat by Julia. Revisiting places and characters from previous books was just like coming home for Christmas!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read

[Annette O'grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

was a very interesting book to read

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great characters, nice story, but just didn't pull me in.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cliche to begin with but liked how it turned out. Could read any time of year. Would recommend

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. Took me quite a few pages to get my head around the characters due to the jumping around. Once I got into it, was easy enough read

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave up on page 85. Too depressing, and I honestly am just not into the characters enough to care.