The Winter Belle

by Dilly Court

As snowflakes carpet London’s cobbled streets, can Kitty protect her loved ones?

When her family falls on hard times, Kitty refuses to give in to despair. With a talent for painting, she earns a few shillings selling her portraits at the bustling Soho Bazaar.

But danger waits in the shadows, and when her mother is swindled out of almost everything and her sister is drawn into a reckless affair, their future hangs by a thread.

As winter tightens its icy grip, can Kitty give them hope when all seems lost?

Escape into the world of Dilly Court for winter 2025, with the latest utterly unforgettable fireside read!Readers LOVE Dilly Court!

‘Love the author, loved the book. Family saga at its best’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Another truly special book from Dilly. Warm and touching, with friendship and romance in the mix' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Can’t put it down!! It’s a 5 ⭐read! Have all her books to date…Just keep ‘em comin’!’

‘A wonderful book by my favourite author Dilly Court, I absolutely adore her style of writing and the rich and warm characters that are interwoven into the story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I'm a huge Dilly Court fan, and I've yet to read a book of hers that disappoints’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Really enjoyed it and read it right through on this windy and wet Sunday’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Another great read from Dilly Court, I was unable to put it down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dilly Court's book 'The Snow Angel' was a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2024-10-14.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christmas

Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Dilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific read from Dilly Court.a family struggle kitty has no choice but to find work to save the family from poverty. selling paintings at a bazaar.her mother is selling silver to a dodgy character, and the family gets into more trouble. Their father away, working gets hurt, and how will they survive.. a great read. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books ...

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow to get through but a good story with vivid characters.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book with strong women characters. A lovely story.
Well worth reading.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her family falls on hard times, Kitty refuses to give in to despair. With a talent for painting, she earns a few shillings selling her portraits at the bustling Soho Bazaar. But danger waits in the shadows, and when her mother is swindled out of almost everything and her sister is drawn into a reckless affair, their future hangs by a thread. As winter tightens its icy grip, can Kitty give them hope when all seems lost.

In my opinion, there's not much better than reading a good book. And with Dilly Court, I've never been disappointed.

When their father is badly hurt in an accident, it falls on Kitty to try and save her mother and sisters from asking their grandmother for help. Kitty decides against her mother's wishes and takes a stall in the Soho Bazaar to sell her collection of watercolours. But things don't go to plan and the family finds themselves split down the middle.

I liked all of the main characters in this well-written book. There were some dodgy ones along the way. This is a heartwarming read. I hope this book turns into a series as I would love to find out more about Kitty, and her sisters, Ivory and Amethyst and how their lives progress. Also I'd like to know how their father gets on after his accident now that he's back home.

Published 9th October 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK and the author #DillyCourt for my ARC of #TheWinterBelle in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful tale from Dilly Court with charming characters.
The story revolves around the Harte family—Mum, and three sisters: Kitty, Ivory, and Amy (Amethyst), along with their friend Nelly. While their father is abroad on a tracking expedition, he suffers a severe accident and is unable to send money home, forcing the family to lose their home.
Kitty, the most practical of the sisters, quickly takes action by selling paintings at a local bazaar. Amy’s character is fun and frivolous, determined to marry a man with a title. Ivory, the quiet sister, remains a bit of a mystery as we don’t learn much about her.
This is yet another wonderful story from Dilly, filled with ups and downs, shady characters, and good ones too. I raced through the pages, unable to put it down. Whenever I get the chance to read one of Dilly’s books, I can’t wait to dive in—she never fails to deliver a heartwarming story.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
This was my first time reading anything by Dilly Court.
I enjoyed the storyline of three sisters who have fallen on hard times because their father has had an accident whilst on an expedition abroad. I felt the link between the family’s finances must have been tight before the delay in the father’s return for them to be in such straightened circumstances. I like Kitty and her straightforward practical approach to the family’s problems. I did think that the storyline with the thefts was never fully concluded. The mastermind was never fully unmasked and I felt the author missed a trick here.
However it was a satisfactory read and I will read other books by this author in the future.

[Layla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This new book I struggled to get into and continue to read I wanted to finish it. I just have but it took a while I felt the story was rather drawn out this time. I do get through the Dilly Court books very fast but this took me nearly a month to finish. a nice story of a family with sisters who work together to stay out of the work house when there month has not much money left. The sisters set up a stall and kitty and her sisters run the stall by the watch ful eye a owner of a indoor market.

there the sisters meet then men they will later marry.....



I had the hardbacked book from a library, not Kindle as this page suggests.

[Sue Sykes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely story of the Harte family and their enjoyable comfortable life until it all changes. After the father suffers a serious accident while on a tracking expedition the family’s lives take a turn for the worst, Kitty, Ivory, Amy and their mother and family friend and housekeeper Nellie need to learn to make ends meet and find money where they can. Kitty is the sensible one and starts to sell her paintings and sketches in a bazaar and so it all begins. The life and loves of the Harte family will keep you reading when you should be asleep but it’s worth it 🙂📚

[Denise Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dilly Court never fails to keep me hooked into a book. From start to finish I just can not put it down.
Kitty does what she has to to support her family. I didn’t think for a while that Kitty would find the love of her life, but she did. I was so happy for Kitty and all of her family. I finished the book, and just can’t wait til the next book to read.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another success

[Pam Tait · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Winter Belle

A wonderful book with a fantastic story. The characters are all well thought out and complement each other. A story that moved along well.

[Catharina Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice easy romantic read with a few plots and turns

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read but I’m finding these stories very predictable.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Dilly Court

[Paula Liddell · Rating 2 out of 5]

usually like e Dilly's books but have to say I really struggled with this one@