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Ghosts of Rowan Vale #3
Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House
Snow is falling and festive lights are twinkling in beautiful Rowan Vale, the Cotswold living history village, where tourists mingle unknowingly with the ghosts of Christmas past...
When Clara first arrived in Rowan Vale to visit her boyfriend, Jack, she had no idea her life was about to change forever. Now, fifteen years later, she’s struggling to cope with hormonal changes and three boisterous sons.
After being a stay-at-home mum for years, Clara has an opportunity to start a new business and maybe find herself again. But when fate intervenes, all her hopes seem shattered - and her and Jack's relationship has never felt more precarious.
Meanwhile, at Harling Hall, tensions are rising between resident ghosts, Agnes and Aubrey. With the village hosting a Dickensian-themed weekend for Christmas, Victorian gentleman Aubrey is desperate to visit, but Agnes is adamant they mustn’t – but surely a little walk around the Christmas market wouldn’t hurt, would it?
While Aubrey prepares to defy Agnes, Clara’s secret is about to be revealed. She wasn’t entirely honest with Jack when she first arrived in Rowan Vale, and as the years passed, it seemed too late to come clean. But now she doesn’t have a choice…
With both relationships already under strain, the Christmas spirit has its work cut out, this festive season...
Fans of Heidi Swain, Lucy Jane Wood and the BBC series Ghosts will love this blissfully heart-warming, Christmassy story.
When Clara first arrived in Rowan Vale to visit her boyfriend, Jack, she had no idea her life was about to change forever. Now, fifteen years later, she’s struggling to cope with hormonal changes and three boisterous sons.
After being a stay-at-home mum for years, Clara has an opportunity to start a new business and maybe find herself again. But when fate intervenes, all her hopes seem shattered - and her and Jack's relationship has never felt more precarious.
Meanwhile, at Harling Hall, tensions are rising between resident ghosts, Agnes and Aubrey. With the village hosting a Dickensian-themed weekend for Christmas, Victorian gentleman Aubrey is desperate to visit, but Agnes is adamant they mustn’t – but surely a little walk around the Christmas market wouldn’t hurt, would it?
While Aubrey prepares to defy Agnes, Clara’s secret is about to be revealed. She wasn’t entirely honest with Jack when she first arrived in Rowan Vale, and as the years passed, it seemed too late to come clean. But now she doesn’t have a choice…
With both relationships already under strain, the Christmas spirit has its work cut out, this festive season...
Fans of Heidi Swain, Lucy Jane Wood and the BBC series Ghosts will love this blissfully heart-warming, Christmassy story.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2025
125 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 18, 2025
2.5 ⭐
While I absolutely love this world and I really enjoyed the first two books, I didn't particularly liked this one.
The village was even more enchanting than before and I did love it, but I couldn't get behind either of the main couples. This simply wasn't for me.
In this one, we're getting to know more about Clara and Jack. Fifteen years together, three sons and a plan to finally start a business, something that will finally let Clara find herself outside of being a mother and a wife, but some unexpected news puts everything in question.. And Clara is guarding a secret that might destroyed them..
And we finally get a long awaited glimpse into Agnes and Aubrey, their relationship, the tension that has been raising between them and the reason they don't venture into the village anymore. But there is much more than meets the eye, a secret that's close to unravelling..
I really liked the settings, it's my favourite yet. It was such a cozy atmosphere, the snow, the Christmas cheer, the Dickensian-themed weekend, absolutely perfect. And I do love Callie and Brodie and the ghosts, well most of them, but I couldn't connect to the couples at all and I didn't really liked how Clara and Agnes handled things...
I really liked Clara in the first two books, so I was excited for her story and I'm sympathetic towards her, I couldn't imagine how hard it can be, but that doesn't make what she did right. I can understand why she didn't say anything later, even do I feel she should have, but there's absolutely no excuse for her not saying anything at the very beginning and all the lies she told later were far too much.. And Jack feeling guilty about his behaviour when he found out is unacceptable. His reaction was absolutely warranted!!
Aubrey was the best character here, so kind and sweet, and he deserved better, especially after everything he had to endure when he was alive. He's the only reason I'm not giving this two stars.. What Agnes did was unforgivable.. I'm sorry, but it was incredibly selfish.. You don't get to project your fears and insecurities to the people you love, hiding things and making decisions for them, under the guise of protecting them.. It's unacceptable. She did it for herself and I personally would have never forgiven so easily.. And Aubrey still put her feelings first, he was far too good and a far better person than they all deserved!!!
And Lawrie had no right, not to do what he did and certainly not to speak the way he did!!
I was honestly annoyed and frustrated most of the book, we got over what was done far too quickly and far too easily. But, that's just my opinion!
I still love this series as a whole and I can't wait for more books. And while I didn't enjoyed this one, you still might.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC.*
While I absolutely love this world and I really enjoyed the first two books, I didn't particularly liked this one.
The village was even more enchanting than before and I did love it, but I couldn't get behind either of the main couples. This simply wasn't for me.
In this one, we're getting to know more about Clara and Jack. Fifteen years together, three sons and a plan to finally start a business, something that will finally let Clara find herself outside of being a mother and a wife, but some unexpected news puts everything in question.. And Clara is guarding a secret that might destroyed them..
And we finally get a long awaited glimpse into Agnes and Aubrey, their relationship, the tension that has been raising between them and the reason they don't venture into the village anymore. But there is much more than meets the eye, a secret that's close to unravelling..
I really liked the settings, it's my favourite yet. It was such a cozy atmosphere, the snow, the Christmas cheer, the Dickensian-themed weekend, absolutely perfect. And I do love Callie and Brodie and the ghosts, well most of them, but I couldn't connect to the couples at all and I didn't really liked how Clara and Agnes handled things...
I really liked Clara in the first two books, so I was excited for her story and I'm sympathetic towards her, I couldn't imagine how hard it can be, but that doesn't make what she did right. I can understand why she didn't say anything later, even do I feel she should have, but there's absolutely no excuse for her not saying anything at the very beginning and all the lies she told later were far too much.. And Jack feeling guilty about his behaviour when he found out is unacceptable. His reaction was absolutely warranted!!
Aubrey was the best character here, so kind and sweet, and he deserved better, especially after everything he had to endure when he was alive. He's the only reason I'm not giving this two stars.. What Agnes did was unforgivable.. I'm sorry, but it was incredibly selfish.. You don't get to project your fears and insecurities to the people you love, hiding things and making decisions for them, under the guise of protecting them.. It's unacceptable. She did it for herself and I personally would have never forgiven so easily.. And Aubrey still put her feelings first, he was far too good and a far better person than they all deserved!!!
And Lawrie had no right, not to do what he did and certainly not to speak the way he did!!
I was honestly annoyed and frustrated most of the book, we got over what was done far too quickly and far too easily. But, that's just my opinion!
I still love this series as a whole and I can't wait for more books. And while I didn't enjoyed this one, you still might.
*Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC.*
September 20, 2025
2.5 Stars (rounded up)
One Liner: A bit too goody goody
More than fifteen years ago, Clara arrived at Rowan Vale to meet her boyfriend Jack. Now, she’s a SAHM dealing with three naughty sons. Clara is excited when she gets a chance to start a new business and find herself again. However, the opportunity seems to slip from her fingers while putting her marriage in a precarious position.
Meanwhile, at Harling Hall, the resident ghosts, Agnes and Aubrey, seem to have disagreements about the Dickensian-themed weekend for Christmas celebrations in the village. Aubrey wants to attend them, while Agnes is adamant they shouldn’t.
Can Christmas magic help the couple set things right?
The story comes in Clara’s first-person POV and the third-person POVs of Agnes and Aubrey.
My Thoughts:
This is the third book in the series and might work as a standalone. I read the first book, which helped me have a clear idea of the setting and the characters. You can do that too.
The setting is cozy and beautiful. Christmas makes it even better with the cold, decorations, and lots of celebrations planned.
We meet a lot of kids this time. They all have different personalities and are easy enough to track. Apart from Immi and Florrie, who are little crackers and delightful, Freddie (a 6yo) makes his presence felt with his antics. There’s a fluffy big dog too (Toby).
Halfway through, the story feels like a repetition of book one. It’s the same thing in a different subplot. Needless to say, I didn’t like the same character in both books, nor do I like how easily it’s all forgiven, especially when another character also made me angry. While I can see the FMC’s situation, the other two responsible for it had no right to be forgiven so easily.
Honestly, as much as Christmas is about good things, it doesn’t mean a being can get away with lies, manipulation, blackmail, and whatnot, especially when it affects many others and their relationships for years. Also, it is not healthy to accept and forgive someone who projects their trauma onto others and uses it to play god.
I love happy endings, but this one somehow didn’t make me that happy. The main couple, yes, to an extent.
To summarize, Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House is a cozy Christmas read where ghosts and humans do things that have long-lasting consequences. The book certainly has its strengths, but somehow the message didn’t work for me.
Do check other reviews before you decide.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #ChristmasSpiritsAtHoneywellHouse
One Liner: A bit too goody goody
More than fifteen years ago, Clara arrived at Rowan Vale to meet her boyfriend Jack. Now, she’s a SAHM dealing with three naughty sons. Clara is excited when she gets a chance to start a new business and find herself again. However, the opportunity seems to slip from her fingers while putting her marriage in a precarious position.
Meanwhile, at Harling Hall, the resident ghosts, Agnes and Aubrey, seem to have disagreements about the Dickensian-themed weekend for Christmas celebrations in the village. Aubrey wants to attend them, while Agnes is adamant they shouldn’t.
Can Christmas magic help the couple set things right?
The story comes in Clara’s first-person POV and the third-person POVs of Agnes and Aubrey.
My Thoughts:
This is the third book in the series and might work as a standalone. I read the first book, which helped me have a clear idea of the setting and the characters. You can do that too.
The setting is cozy and beautiful. Christmas makes it even better with the cold, decorations, and lots of celebrations planned.
We meet a lot of kids this time. They all have different personalities and are easy enough to track. Apart from Immi and Florrie, who are little crackers and delightful, Freddie (a 6yo) makes his presence felt with his antics. There’s a fluffy big dog too (Toby).
Halfway through, the story feels like a repetition of book one. It’s the same thing in a different subplot. Needless to say, I didn’t like the same character in both books, nor do I like how easily it’s all forgiven, especially when another character also made me angry. While I can see the FMC’s situation, the other two responsible for it had no right to be forgiven so easily.
Honestly, as much as Christmas is about good things, it doesn’t mean a being can get away with lies, manipulation, blackmail, and whatnot, especially when it affects many others and their relationships for years. Also, it is not healthy to accept and forgive someone who projects their trauma onto others and uses it to play god.
I love happy endings, but this one somehow didn’t make me that happy. The main couple, yes, to an extent.
To summarize, Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House is a cozy Christmas read where ghosts and humans do things that have long-lasting consequences. The book certainly has its strengths, but somehow the message didn’t work for me.
Do check other reviews before you decide.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #ChristmasSpiritsAtHoneywellHouse
August 8, 2025
The holidays are just around the corner, and everyday stresses are compounded by bombshell secrets waiting to be uncovered in Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House by Sharon Booth. This is the third outing of the series, and while a reader doesn’t necessarily have to have read the others to understand what is going on, they might be better situated by doing so to get the relationships between all the various characters, like how and why Lawrie and Agnes are close, for example, or why Aubrey and Agnes reaffirm how Florrie is DEFINITELY their daughter irrespective of blood relation.
This novel’s human component is Clara and Jack Milsom, a noticeable departure from the previous two stories in which an unattached man and woman meet and fall in love. They have been married for over a decade and have three boys together, so this explores their current relationship and the circumstances that led them to each other. It was an interesting pivot, and it definitely paid off as I think having to deal with a new blossoming romance as well as the ghosts’ problems would have been pushing too much into the story.
Here are my jumbled thoughts:
•The dialogue with the boys where Clara tells them her secret is very funny in parts and feels exactly like how kids would react.
•Did NOT expect one character to be so boorish in this one. Won’t spoil it but—WOOF. Was thrilled to see Callie going all in on them. Now that Callie isn’t the protagonist, I’m really liking her as a character. She’s great at trying to help the living AND the dead.
•I enjoyed Clara’s perspective. How she was frightened and literally coerced into keeping secrets and how she wants what’s best for her children and husband but also wants to do something for HERSELF after years of taking care of her family. I don’t necessarily agree with the parallel made between Clara and one ghost, though. Clara kept her secret first because she was forbidden from coming and then literally blackmailed into keeping quiet if she wanted to stay. I ESPECIALLY don’t like the parallel with Jack and another ghost (trying not to spoil!!). The ghost has every right to be far, FAR angrier and for longer.
•Aubrey is the best character as always! He’s such a sweetheart and I’m thrilled he gets to have a happy ending this go around. He more than deserves it.
This book would be fantastic to read at Christmas time. It definitely brings out the feeling of snuggling up warm while it’s freezing out, of decorating, and of rushing to prepare for the holiday. It’s cosy, and it has a happy ending that soothes and cheers. This series has become such a lovely one to visit.
I had seen that this book was going to come out and wanted to request it; I was delighted to be sent it before I could.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This novel’s human component is Clara and Jack Milsom, a noticeable departure from the previous two stories in which an unattached man and woman meet and fall in love. They have been married for over a decade and have three boys together, so this explores their current relationship and the circumstances that led them to each other. It was an interesting pivot, and it definitely paid off as I think having to deal with a new blossoming romance as well as the ghosts’ problems would have been pushing too much into the story.
Here are my jumbled thoughts:
•The dialogue with the boys where Clara tells them her secret is very funny in parts and feels exactly like how kids would react.
•Did NOT expect one character to be so boorish in this one. Won’t spoil it but—WOOF. Was thrilled to see Callie going all in on them. Now that Callie isn’t the protagonist, I’m really liking her as a character. She’s great at trying to help the living AND the dead.
•I enjoyed Clara’s perspective. How she was frightened and literally coerced into keeping secrets and how she wants what’s best for her children and husband but also wants to do something for HERSELF after years of taking care of her family. I don’t necessarily agree with the parallel made between Clara and one ghost, though. Clara kept her secret first because she was forbidden from coming and then literally blackmailed into keeping quiet if she wanted to stay. I ESPECIALLY don’t like the parallel with Jack and another ghost (trying not to spoil!!). The ghost has every right to be far, FAR angrier and for longer.
•Aubrey is the best character as always! He’s such a sweetheart and I’m thrilled he gets to have a happy ending this go around. He more than deserves it.
This book would be fantastic to read at Christmas time. It definitely brings out the feeling of snuggling up warm while it’s freezing out, of decorating, and of rushing to prepare for the holiday. It’s cosy, and it has a happy ending that soothes and cheers. This series has become such a lovely one to visit.
I had seen that this book was going to come out and wanted to request it; I was delighted to be sent it before I could.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2025
This is the third novel in the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series and my favourite one so far.
Poor Clara isn’t having an easy time of it. With three boys to look after and going through the perimenopause, she has lost sight of herself and is wanting to get back to work. That is all thrown up in the air when something she definitely had never envisioned happening, throws everything up in the air.
Throughout the first two books in the series, I’ve been dying to know more about the ghosts Agnes and Aubrey and we finally get to find out the much awaited answers and I have to say it was well worth the wait. I felt for both of the ghosts as they didn’t have the easiest of lives when they were living and even in the afterlife they are faced with issues and fears to overcome. If anything this whole series and story make you realise the importance of friendship and family.
Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House was a wholesome and uplifting read that is filled to the brim of festive cheer. It was so sweet and I loved being reacquainted with certain characters and well as getting to know others better. Ghosts from different eras and the fact that Rowan Vale is a historical living museum makes for a really quirky read that will appeal to a wide range of readers. There is romance, secrets, family drama and much more. If you are looking for something a little bit different, I can’t recommend this series highly enough.
Poor Clara isn’t having an easy time of it. With three boys to look after and going through the perimenopause, she has lost sight of herself and is wanting to get back to work. That is all thrown up in the air when something she definitely had never envisioned happening, throws everything up in the air.
Throughout the first two books in the series, I’ve been dying to know more about the ghosts Agnes and Aubrey and we finally get to find out the much awaited answers and I have to say it was well worth the wait. I felt for both of the ghosts as they didn’t have the easiest of lives when they were living and even in the afterlife they are faced with issues and fears to overcome. If anything this whole series and story make you realise the importance of friendship and family.
Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House was a wholesome and uplifting read that is filled to the brim of festive cheer. It was so sweet and I loved being reacquainted with certain characters and well as getting to know others better. Ghosts from different eras and the fact that Rowan Vale is a historical living museum makes for a really quirky read that will appeal to a wide range of readers. There is romance, secrets, family drama and much more. If you are looking for something a little bit different, I can’t recommend this series highly enough.
July 31, 2025
I had read the first two books in this series, so I was quite ready to read the latest one. This book is centered around Jack and Clara, and the secret she is keeping. One of the things I like about these books is the feel-good aspect, and this delivers it in spades. It’s well-written, enchanting, and so darn cute. I was a little disappointed with the way something worked out (no spoilers), but that is my own personal opinion. If you loved the previous books, you’ll definitely love this latest installment. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
November 3, 2025
Absolutely loved this ❤️!
The setting of the village of Rowan Vale, inhabited by both the living and dead, was charming and magical and I particularly loved the ghostly characters. I definitely want to read the first two books in the series now to know the stories of the other characters.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Boldwood Books and the author Sharon Booth for the digital ARC of the book.
The setting of the village of Rowan Vale, inhabited by both the living and dead, was charming and magical and I particularly loved the ghostly characters. I definitely want to read the first two books in the series now to know the stories of the other characters.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Boldwood Books and the author Sharon Booth for the digital ARC of the book.
Read
August 17, 2025I really loved book one and two in this series as they were cozy and fun, however this one? Not so much. I don’t have any issues regarding the writing or the plot because it’s super easy to read, all my issues lie with the main couple. In the first few chapters I already should have put this down, because how am I supposed to root for a couple like this? I got to 40% before putting this down because I wanted to give it a fair chance and wanted to believe the dynamic might get better, but it seriously got on my nerves so much so that I couldn’t bring myself to go on with the story as intriguing as it was. If there are more books in the series I’d still love to check them out since I love the town and the people’s dynamics, but unfortunately this was a miss for me. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2025
Another delightful trip to Rowan Vale.
August 31, 2025
Heart-warming and festive, Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House by Sharon Booth captured my attention and heart from the first page. I adored the new Rowan Vale instalment to a series that has me eagerly waiting to read the next adventure. This unique and memorable story line with endearing characters who are both ghosts and living town dwellers, make me feel as though I know, empathise and respect each of them with their traumas and dramas. The dialogue between the characters is perfect, mature and engaging. The backdrop of this special village is exceptionally described and I can see clearly every image that surrounds and graces the setting. The plot is believable (even with the events surrounding the ghosts!) as it easily parallels the real world making it relatable. Emotions and reactions are universal in that the characters exhibit what one would expect in various circumstances. Yet there are surprises to keep a hungry reader wondering what might happen next!
The Christmas season is a special time of year with falling snow and twinkling lights that add more sparkle to the Cotswold historical village. The novel set during this period, adds a nice flavour to the drama. Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House focuses on two main relationships: Clara and Jack in the temporal world and Aubrey and Agnes in the spirit realm. Fear is a common negative emotion that flows back and forth between the two domains and couples. Fear that can foster the need to control. In Agnes’s case, it causes some serious relationship damage with her beloved Aubrey. Agnes keeps a tight rein on Aubrey’s activities for fear of losing him. She eventually sees the consequences of her actions and it is heart shattering. As for Clara, she hangs on tightly to a devastating secret that, if known, could seriously affect her marriage and bring into question her trust and motives. But behind this negative motivator is love: the positive force that pulls these four back together. For both Clara and Agnes feel great love for their special men. Once forgiveness is administered, happy resolutions come.
I loved this novel from start to finish with its wonderful surprises and turns of events. I felt the dialogue between Clara and Jack was very well written and the heated words shared between them were appropriate and relatable. It was easy to see each one’s point of view (though I favoured Clara’s the most!) and Jack’s injury of pride was, you might say, typical.
Callie, the caretaker of the village, was a wonderful equaliser of the characters’ conflicts. Her caring yet modern views injected some much needed wisdom into an archaic system that needed updating so her words and actions were a breath of fresh air in a stagnant and once unmovable code of rules!
I enjoyed getting to know Aubrey on a deeper level. He has a sweet personality but showed some fire when he felt betrayed. His actions and reactions were understandable and once we get Agnes’s backstory, we can understand her motives and what led her to do what she did. The main thing is that lessons are learned and joy comes out of the trials, once fears are addressed and dismantled, so that love can reign supreme!
Yes, I totally recommend the delightful Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House. It is a great addition to the series. Reading these books is like getting comfy in your favourite chair, wearing your cosy pjs and relaxing with your favourite cup of tea or hot chocolate. Warm and winsome, uplifting and memorable. It does the heart good to read these beautiful stories! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.
The Christmas season is a special time of year with falling snow and twinkling lights that add more sparkle to the Cotswold historical village. The novel set during this period, adds a nice flavour to the drama. Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House focuses on two main relationships: Clara and Jack in the temporal world and Aubrey and Agnes in the spirit realm. Fear is a common negative emotion that flows back and forth between the two domains and couples. Fear that can foster the need to control. In Agnes’s case, it causes some serious relationship damage with her beloved Aubrey. Agnes keeps a tight rein on Aubrey’s activities for fear of losing him. She eventually sees the consequences of her actions and it is heart shattering. As for Clara, she hangs on tightly to a devastating secret that, if known, could seriously affect her marriage and bring into question her trust and motives. But behind this negative motivator is love: the positive force that pulls these four back together. For both Clara and Agnes feel great love for their special men. Once forgiveness is administered, happy resolutions come.
I loved this novel from start to finish with its wonderful surprises and turns of events. I felt the dialogue between Clara and Jack was very well written and the heated words shared between them were appropriate and relatable. It was easy to see each one’s point of view (though I favoured Clara’s the most!) and Jack’s injury of pride was, you might say, typical.
Callie, the caretaker of the village, was a wonderful equaliser of the characters’ conflicts. Her caring yet modern views injected some much needed wisdom into an archaic system that needed updating so her words and actions were a breath of fresh air in a stagnant and once unmovable code of rules!
I enjoyed getting to know Aubrey on a deeper level. He has a sweet personality but showed some fire when he felt betrayed. His actions and reactions were understandable and once we get Agnes’s backstory, we can understand her motives and what led her to do what she did. The main thing is that lessons are learned and joy comes out of the trials, once fears are addressed and dismantled, so that love can reign supreme!
Yes, I totally recommend the delightful Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House. It is a great addition to the series. Reading these books is like getting comfy in your favourite chair, wearing your cosy pjs and relaxing with your favourite cup of tea or hot chocolate. Warm and winsome, uplifting and memorable. It does the heart good to read these beautiful stories! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.
August 18, 2025
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
The next installment of the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series (and definitely my latest guilty pleasure series!), CHRISTMAS SPIRITS follows new, but familiar, families during their most stressful holiday season yet.
Clara arrived in Rowan Vale over fifteen years ago to be with her long-distance boyfriend, Jack. Now, the couple are the proud (if a little exhausted) parents of three boisterous young boys and Clara is interested in re-entering the workforce (and have a different title than 'mum); however, Jack is hesitant to give up his stable job on the railroad to pursue Clara's dream of self-employment. But when a surprise changes everything, Clara and Jack will have to lean on each other more than ever to not only get through Christmas, but also to stay together.
Across town and in the big house, ghosts Aubrey and Agnes (a Victorian gentleman and Regency lady) are also at odds. Aubrey is increasingly desperate to return to the village to experience the upcoming Dickensian Christmas weekend and support their daughter, Florence-- and Agnes' argument to avoid the town due to a judgmental rector is growing less convincing by the day.
Just as charming and fun as the previous books, CHRISTMAS SPIRITS is a joyful and festive read. While not my favorite in the series overall (I have issues with Agnes), I still can't wait for the next one!
The next installment of the Ghosts of Rowan Vale series (and definitely my latest guilty pleasure series!), CHRISTMAS SPIRITS follows new, but familiar, families during their most stressful holiday season yet.
Clara arrived in Rowan Vale over fifteen years ago to be with her long-distance boyfriend, Jack. Now, the couple are the proud (if a little exhausted) parents of three boisterous young boys and Clara is interested in re-entering the workforce (and have a different title than 'mum); however, Jack is hesitant to give up his stable job on the railroad to pursue Clara's dream of self-employment. But when a surprise changes everything, Clara and Jack will have to lean on each other more than ever to not only get through Christmas, but also to stay together.
Across town and in the big house, ghosts Aubrey and Agnes (a Victorian gentleman and Regency lady) are also at odds. Aubrey is increasingly desperate to return to the village to experience the upcoming Dickensian Christmas weekend and support their daughter, Florence-- and Agnes' argument to avoid the town due to a judgmental rector is growing less convincing by the day.
Just as charming and fun as the previous books, CHRISTMAS SPIRITS is a joyful and festive read. While not my favorite in the series overall (I have issues with Agnes), I still can't wait for the next one!
September 16, 2025
"Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House” the 3rd instalment in Ghosts of Rowan Vale series by Sharon Booth set in the beautiful Cotswold village of Rowan Vale. The Cotswold village setting is beautifully described, creating a sense of nostalgia and charm. The intriguing premise and ghostly mystery kept me invested
This book stands out for its richly drawn characters, both living and ghostly. Sharon Booth has a remarkable gift for crafting multidimensional characters with relatable flaws, fears, and dreams.
The relationship between Clara and Jack resonated deeply, feeling authentic and nuanced. Their struggles, secrets, and difficult conversations were portrayed with sensitivity and realism. The way their love is portrayed as messy yet transformative is particularly compelling.
The romance between Agnes and Aubrey in the afterlife is equally moving. The way their love navigates challenges such as fear, control, and the longing to hold on too tightly adds depth to the story.
The parallels between the two couples are cleverly drawn, highlighting the complexities and transformative power of love. This book is a beautiful exploration of relationships, love, and personal growth.
I highly recommend this charming novel and look forward to the next instalment.
I requested and received an advance readers copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book stands out for its richly drawn characters, both living and ghostly. Sharon Booth has a remarkable gift for crafting multidimensional characters with relatable flaws, fears, and dreams.
The relationship between Clara and Jack resonated deeply, feeling authentic and nuanced. Their struggles, secrets, and difficult conversations were portrayed with sensitivity and realism. The way their love is portrayed as messy yet transformative is particularly compelling.
The romance between Agnes and Aubrey in the afterlife is equally moving. The way their love navigates challenges such as fear, control, and the longing to hold on too tightly adds depth to the story.
The parallels between the two couples are cleverly drawn, highlighting the complexities and transformative power of love. This book is a beautiful exploration of relationships, love, and personal growth.
I highly recommend this charming novel and look forward to the next instalment.
I requested and received an advance readers copy from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 1, 2025
I adored this book! The story was so lovely and heartwarming.The main characters, Clara ( who was alive) and Aubrey ( a ghost ) were prime examples of unconditional love. Clara gave up her life as she had known it to be with her husband Jack and live on the Harlingen Hall estate. Aubrey gave up his freedom, of sorts, to make his love happy. This book was a story of love, family, friendship and community. I enjoyed the way the ghost were present and part of everyday life in the enchanting village of Rowan Vale. I loved how they also had relatively normal lives and interacted with those who could see them. The village sounds absolutely fabulous as well. I found it very easy to become immersed in this story. I am definitely going to be reading the previous books in this series.
August 4, 2025
This was such a feeling good and heartwarming festive read. It was cute and easy to follow and perfect to read over the upcoming festive season. I loved the story and the great mix of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2025
“You are my reward, Agnes.”
I AM BAWLING.
I AM BAWLING.
December 4, 2025
I much preferred the first two books in this series, but still a good book well written and lovely to dip in the lives of different characters.
September 1, 2025
I have really enjoyed this series. It was interesting to see more interaction with the ghosts in this story. I can’t say I was a big fan of Clara. She just annoyed me until almost the end of the book.
September 15, 2025
I didn’t know what to expect going into Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House. I received a copy of this book for the RNA Awards, never having read anything by Sharon Booth, though I was familiar with her name because I occasionally ARC-read for Boldwood Books. This turned out to be a charming fantasy novel with two romance plotlines—one of which was a complete surprise.
Clara Milsom is a 41-year-old mother of three boys who has become lost in the daily grind of motherhood. She spends her days trying to keep everything together while struggling with the physical and hormonal changes of perimenopause and feeling, at best, invisible to the outside world. When she has the chance to take on a small business venture in her village of Rowan Vale—something that could give her a sense of self and help her family’s finances—unexpected events force her to reevaluate those plans and place her marriage to her husband, Jack, on shaky ground.
At Harling Hall, the local estate, things are equally complicated for longtime residents (and would-be lovers) Agnes and Aubrey. Agnes died in the Regency era, while Aubrey passed in the Victorian era, and they’ve shared Harling Hall as ghosts ever since. Together they’ve taken responsibility for an eleven-year-old girl who died at the Hall during WWII, forming a kind of ghost family. Aubrey and their daughter are eager to visit the village for Christmas, but Agnes is adamant they cannot. She claims it’s because of gossip about their unmarried state—but there may be more to it. As secrets surface, both Agnes and Clara are forced to reckon with truths they’ve been keeping from the men they love.
Based on the description, I expected a straightforward “marriage-in-trouble” novel with a few cute paranormal elements. While it certainly is a marriage-in-trouble story, the more traditional love story ended up belonging to the two ghosts, not the living couple. That twist caught me off guard, and now I’m tempted to add the first two books in the series to my TBR (they’re on KU).
The ghost romance was particularly lovely, weaving together the social expectations of the Regency and Victorian eras with a modern meditation on found family. Agnes, a prickly Regency ghost who endured a terrible marriage, watched Aubrey suffer throughout his life—first at the hands of his parents and later his wife and son. She’s fiercely protective of him yet acutely aware of the impropriety of their situation. Aubrey simply wants to make Agnes happy, but as a repressed Victorian gentleman he hasn’t voiced his love for her in more than a hundred years—talk about stunted emotional growth!
The modern plotline was a bit harder for me, largely because of Clara’s negative internal monologue. We’re in first person with her (while the ghosts’ chapters are in third), so her perspective feels more immediate. Clara spends much of the book lamenting her weight, appearance, and sense of uselessness. It’s an honest portrayal of how many mothers feel after years of child-rearing, but it made for a difficult headspace to inhabit. I did warm to Clara and Jack’s story by the end, but I still enjoyed the ghosts’ romance more.
Overall, this was a charming read with surprisingly high emotional stakes, despite not being heavy on plot—“marriage in trouble” is always an effective shortcut to tension. If you’re looking for a slightly spooky holiday read, add this one to your TBR. ★★★★☆
Clara Milsom is a 41-year-old mother of three boys who has become lost in the daily grind of motherhood. She spends her days trying to keep everything together while struggling with the physical and hormonal changes of perimenopause and feeling, at best, invisible to the outside world. When she has the chance to take on a small business venture in her village of Rowan Vale—something that could give her a sense of self and help her family’s finances—unexpected events force her to reevaluate those plans and place her marriage to her husband, Jack, on shaky ground.
At Harling Hall, the local estate, things are equally complicated for longtime residents (and would-be lovers) Agnes and Aubrey. Agnes died in the Regency era, while Aubrey passed in the Victorian era, and they’ve shared Harling Hall as ghosts ever since. Together they’ve taken responsibility for an eleven-year-old girl who died at the Hall during WWII, forming a kind of ghost family. Aubrey and their daughter are eager to visit the village for Christmas, but Agnes is adamant they cannot. She claims it’s because of gossip about their unmarried state—but there may be more to it. As secrets surface, both Agnes and Clara are forced to reckon with truths they’ve been keeping from the men they love.
Based on the description, I expected a straightforward “marriage-in-trouble” novel with a few cute paranormal elements. While it certainly is a marriage-in-trouble story, the more traditional love story ended up belonging to the two ghosts, not the living couple. That twist caught me off guard, and now I’m tempted to add the first two books in the series to my TBR (they’re on KU).
The ghost romance was particularly lovely, weaving together the social expectations of the Regency and Victorian eras with a modern meditation on found family. Agnes, a prickly Regency ghost who endured a terrible marriage, watched Aubrey suffer throughout his life—first at the hands of his parents and later his wife and son. She’s fiercely protective of him yet acutely aware of the impropriety of their situation. Aubrey simply wants to make Agnes happy, but as a repressed Victorian gentleman he hasn’t voiced his love for her in more than a hundred years—talk about stunted emotional growth!
The modern plotline was a bit harder for me, largely because of Clara’s negative internal monologue. We’re in first person with her (while the ghosts’ chapters are in third), so her perspective feels more immediate. Clara spends much of the book lamenting her weight, appearance, and sense of uselessness. It’s an honest portrayal of how many mothers feel after years of child-rearing, but it made for a difficult headspace to inhabit. I did warm to Clara and Jack’s story by the end, but I still enjoyed the ghosts’ romance more.
Overall, this was a charming read with surprisingly high emotional stakes, despite not being heavy on plot—“marriage in trouble” is always an effective shortcut to tension. If you’re looking for a slightly spooky holiday read, add this one to your TBR. ★★★★☆
September 11, 2025
“Heart-warming, magical, and impossible to put down.”
Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House by Sharon Booth is the kind of book that sweeps you away and makes you forget the world around you. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the mix of warmth, humour, and genuine emotion that runs through every page. This latest Rowan Vale instalment felt both familiar—like returning to old friends—and fresh, with its unique twist of blending living characters with those from the spirit world.
What I loved most was how real all of the characters felt, whether ghostly or flesh-and-blood. Sharon Booth has a gift for making her cast three-dimensional, with flaws, fears, and dreams that are easy to connect with. Clara and Jack’s relationship, in particular, struck such a chord with me. Their struggles, secrets, and hard conversations felt authentic, and while I sometimes winced at the choices they made, I understood them completely. On the other side, watching Agnes and Aubrey navigate their love in the afterlife was equally moving—especially as fear, control, and the longing to hold on too tightly threatened to undo them. Both couples mirror each other in really clever ways, and it reminded me how love can be messy, but also transformative.
The pacing kept me turning pages quickly, and I loved the balance of heartfelt drama with lighter, witty moments. Callie, the caretaker, was a particular highlight for me. She had such a grounding presence, and her wisdom felt modern and refreshing, as though she could cut through centuries of tradition and remind everyone what really matters.
I also appreciated getting to know Aubrey more deeply this time. His gentle nature made him instantly likeable, but when push came to shove, he showed that he had strength and fire, too. Learning more about Agnes’s past helped me understand her behaviour, and though she broke my heart at times, her growth was one of the most satisfying parts of the book.
At its core, this novel is about fear, love, forgiveness, and second chances. It doesn’t shy away from showing how people can hurt each other, but it always circles back to healing and hope. By the end, I felt uplifted, as though I’d been reminded that love really can overcome even the most painful obstacles.
The setting of Honeywell House and the wider village of Rowan Vale was pure magic. Snow-dusted streets, twinkling lights, and the timeless beauty of the Cotswolds gave the story such a strong sense of place that I could almost hear the crunch of footsteps in the snow and smell the fires crackling inside cosy cottages. The festive season added a sparkle to the story without overwhelming it—the Christmas touches felt natural and perfectly balanced against the drama and emotion at the heart of the novel.
I adored this book from start to finish. It’s warm, uplifting, and memorable—the perfect comfort read for winter nights. Curling up with Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House felt like settling into my favourite chair with a hot drink and knowing I was in for a story that would do my heart feel all the feels. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
Highly recommended if you love festive settings, emotional depth, and characters who stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this book. Bring on the next one!
Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House by Sharon Booth is the kind of book that sweeps you away and makes you forget the world around you. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the mix of warmth, humour, and genuine emotion that runs through every page. This latest Rowan Vale instalment felt both familiar—like returning to old friends—and fresh, with its unique twist of blending living characters with those from the spirit world.
What I loved most was how real all of the characters felt, whether ghostly or flesh-and-blood. Sharon Booth has a gift for making her cast three-dimensional, with flaws, fears, and dreams that are easy to connect with. Clara and Jack’s relationship, in particular, struck such a chord with me. Their struggles, secrets, and hard conversations felt authentic, and while I sometimes winced at the choices they made, I understood them completely. On the other side, watching Agnes and Aubrey navigate their love in the afterlife was equally moving—especially as fear, control, and the longing to hold on too tightly threatened to undo them. Both couples mirror each other in really clever ways, and it reminded me how love can be messy, but also transformative.
The pacing kept me turning pages quickly, and I loved the balance of heartfelt drama with lighter, witty moments. Callie, the caretaker, was a particular highlight for me. She had such a grounding presence, and her wisdom felt modern and refreshing, as though she could cut through centuries of tradition and remind everyone what really matters.
I also appreciated getting to know Aubrey more deeply this time. His gentle nature made him instantly likeable, but when push came to shove, he showed that he had strength and fire, too. Learning more about Agnes’s past helped me understand her behaviour, and though she broke my heart at times, her growth was one of the most satisfying parts of the book.
At its core, this novel is about fear, love, forgiveness, and second chances. It doesn’t shy away from showing how people can hurt each other, but it always circles back to healing and hope. By the end, I felt uplifted, as though I’d been reminded that love really can overcome even the most painful obstacles.
The setting of Honeywell House and the wider village of Rowan Vale was pure magic. Snow-dusted streets, twinkling lights, and the timeless beauty of the Cotswolds gave the story such a strong sense of place that I could almost hear the crunch of footsteps in the snow and smell the fires crackling inside cosy cottages. The festive season added a sparkle to the story without overwhelming it—the Christmas touches felt natural and perfectly balanced against the drama and emotion at the heart of the novel.
I adored this book from start to finish. It’s warm, uplifting, and memorable—the perfect comfort read for winter nights. Curling up with Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House felt like settling into my favourite chair with a hot drink and knowing I was in for a story that would do my heart feel all the feels. I can’t wait to see where the series goes next.
Highly recommended if you love festive settings, emotional depth, and characters who stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this book. Bring on the next one!
December 13, 2025
Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House by Sharon Booth
This is an easy, cosy Christmas fantasy. It is not the first book in the series, but it works well as a standalone. The book does not make the reader work for its worldbuilding or backstory. Everything you need is introduced naturally, and once things settle, it is easy to feel at home in the story.
The setting is a living history town where ghosts are a known and accepted part of the world. Not everyone can see or interact with them. Most people cannot, but everyone knows they exist, and those who can see them act as intermediaries between the living and the dead. It took me a little while to settle into how this works, especially without having read the earlier books, but once I did, it became one of the more charming aspects of the setting.
The main character, Anna, is a woman in perimenopause with three sons and a husband, and she is struggling to keep up with the demands of everyday life. Everything feels like too much, and she is no longer sure whether that is down to hormones, exhaustion, or something else entirely. I appreciated how honestly this was handled. It was refreshing to see a middle aged woman at the centre of a fantasy story, dealing with very recognisable pressures. There is also a long held secret from her past that is gradually revealed, adding another emotional layer to her storyline.
One of the book’s strongest points is its portrayal of an older, established couple. Apart from a brief wobble, Anna and her husband are happy and stable, focused on keeping their family and daily life running rather than on falling in love or starting a family. I would love to see more stories that centre relationships at this stage of life.
The family dynamics are warm and believable, and the ghost characters are given a storyline of their own. Two ghosts who were married to other people when alive are now a couple in the afterlife, calling themselves wife and husband, and they have a child ghost they think of as their daughter. Their problems partly mirror those of the living characters, but they also face their own distinct challenges, which gives the ghost side of the story real weight rather than making it feel purely symbolic.
While some elements felt a little rough around the edges, especially early on, I ended up really enjoying the village atmosphere and the blend of family life, ghosts, and small personal crises. I would have liked a bit more Christmas woven into the story, but the Christmas market and a small festive play help anchor it in the season.
Overall, this is a gentle, character focused Christmas fantasy about family, change, and finding your footing again, with a welcoming setting, thoughtful themes, and just enough festive spirit to make it a comforting seasonal read.
This is an easy, cosy Christmas fantasy. It is not the first book in the series, but it works well as a standalone. The book does not make the reader work for its worldbuilding or backstory. Everything you need is introduced naturally, and once things settle, it is easy to feel at home in the story.
The setting is a living history town where ghosts are a known and accepted part of the world. Not everyone can see or interact with them. Most people cannot, but everyone knows they exist, and those who can see them act as intermediaries between the living and the dead. It took me a little while to settle into how this works, especially without having read the earlier books, but once I did, it became one of the more charming aspects of the setting.
The main character, Anna, is a woman in perimenopause with three sons and a husband, and she is struggling to keep up with the demands of everyday life. Everything feels like too much, and she is no longer sure whether that is down to hormones, exhaustion, or something else entirely. I appreciated how honestly this was handled. It was refreshing to see a middle aged woman at the centre of a fantasy story, dealing with very recognisable pressures. There is also a long held secret from her past that is gradually revealed, adding another emotional layer to her storyline.
One of the book’s strongest points is its portrayal of an older, established couple. Apart from a brief wobble, Anna and her husband are happy and stable, focused on keeping their family and daily life running rather than on falling in love or starting a family. I would love to see more stories that centre relationships at this stage of life.
The family dynamics are warm and believable, and the ghost characters are given a storyline of their own. Two ghosts who were married to other people when alive are now a couple in the afterlife, calling themselves wife and husband, and they have a child ghost they think of as their daughter. Their problems partly mirror those of the living characters, but they also face their own distinct challenges, which gives the ghost side of the story real weight rather than making it feel purely symbolic.
While some elements felt a little rough around the edges, especially early on, I ended up really enjoying the village atmosphere and the blend of family life, ghosts, and small personal crises. I would have liked a bit more Christmas woven into the story, but the Christmas market and a small festive play help anchor it in the season.
Overall, this is a gentle, character focused Christmas fantasy about family, change, and finding your footing again, with a welcoming setting, thoughtful themes, and just enough festive spirit to make it a comforting seasonal read.
September 2, 2025
There’s festive and then there’s "let’s throw a Victorian Christmas party while everyone’s lying about something and the ghosts are beefing" festive... and Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House said, what if we do both? At once. In a village where the yuletide cheer is practically mandatory and even the afterlife gets seasonal depression.
This one picks up with Clara, a woman who has three kids, one very emotionally stunted husband, and what she thinks is perimenopause. Spoiler alert: it’s not. And that one not-perimenopausal twist is the first domino in a full-blown Christmas chaos avalanche. Listen. Clara is tired. She's forty-one, stuck between a crumbling model village business and the growing dread of becoming nothing but “mum” forever. I get it. She wants to claw back some sense of identity, maybe start a business, maybe not lose her mind. But unfortunately, she’s also been harboring a MASSIVE secret from Jack for, oh, I don’t know, FIFTEEN YEARS. And not a cute “I ate your Terry’s Chocolate Orange” kind of secret... this one is nuclear.
Meanwhile, over at Harling Hall, our favorite spectral duo, Agnes and Aubrey, are going full drama llama. Agnes is clinging to secrets like they're her last pearls, and Aubrey, literal ghost cinnamon roll that he is, just wants to put on a scarf, wander the Dickensian festival, and support their ghost-daughter like the king he is. But Agnes says no, and not just no, but passive-aggressive, steely-eyed, Regency-era absolutely not. And you just know when the ghosts start bickering, the living aren’t safe either.
Here’s the thing. This book wants to be a cozy slice of haunted holiday cake, and sometimes it really is. When it leans into the setting... the frosty air, the village-wide festivities, the quiet love between exhausted parents who’ve forgotten how to look at each other... it shines. But emotionally? We’re trapped in a snow globe of poor communication and suppressed resentment.
Clara’s choices… I want to hold her hand and slap her gently with a mitten at the same time. Her lie wasn’t just big... it rewrote her whole relationship. And Jack? Let’s just say his reaction is... complicated. Like, “Sir, why are you apologizing?” complicated. It’s giving, “I’ll suppress all my emotions and forgive you because it’s Christmas” and that’s romantic, sure, but also deeply unhealthy. Still, their dynamic did feel painfully real... messy, layered, weirdly codependent... and you know I live for that chaos.
But the real heartbreak? Agnes. Girl. GIRL. You had decades... literal decades, like, since the Victorian era... to come clean, and you still chose the dramatic martyr route. I felt for her, I did. But watching her project her trauma onto everyone around her while Aubrey kept being a damn saint about it? I wanted to shake her until her bonnet fell off. Aubrey deserved better. I’d haunt a better manor house for him.
Also, bonus drama points to the side characters who popped in just to drop emotional bombs or deliver judgmental glances like plot grenades. Lawrie, specifically, can go stand in a snowbank and think about what he did.
Is it perfect? Nope. The resolution feels a bit too tidy given the level of betrayal involved. Some forgiveness gets handed out faster than mulled wine at a village fair, and I’m not totally sold on the emotional math. But did it give me enough ghost angst, marital drama, and Christmas chaos to keep turning the pages? Absolutely. Three stars, would visit Rowan Vale again.
Big thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I haven’t screamed “MA’AM?!” at a fictional ghost and a mother of three since I accidentally watched The Others on wine night. This book had me decorating my imaginary tree with passive aggression, repressed trauma, and the tinsel of marital distrust. Bless you for letting me unwrap that emotional grenade early.
This one picks up with Clara, a woman who has three kids, one very emotionally stunted husband, and what she thinks is perimenopause. Spoiler alert: it’s not. And that one not-perimenopausal twist is the first domino in a full-blown Christmas chaos avalanche. Listen. Clara is tired. She's forty-one, stuck between a crumbling model village business and the growing dread of becoming nothing but “mum” forever. I get it. She wants to claw back some sense of identity, maybe start a business, maybe not lose her mind. But unfortunately, she’s also been harboring a MASSIVE secret from Jack for, oh, I don’t know, FIFTEEN YEARS. And not a cute “I ate your Terry’s Chocolate Orange” kind of secret... this one is nuclear.
Meanwhile, over at Harling Hall, our favorite spectral duo, Agnes and Aubrey, are going full drama llama. Agnes is clinging to secrets like they're her last pearls, and Aubrey, literal ghost cinnamon roll that he is, just wants to put on a scarf, wander the Dickensian festival, and support their ghost-daughter like the king he is. But Agnes says no, and not just no, but passive-aggressive, steely-eyed, Regency-era absolutely not. And you just know when the ghosts start bickering, the living aren’t safe either.
Here’s the thing. This book wants to be a cozy slice of haunted holiday cake, and sometimes it really is. When it leans into the setting... the frosty air, the village-wide festivities, the quiet love between exhausted parents who’ve forgotten how to look at each other... it shines. But emotionally? We’re trapped in a snow globe of poor communication and suppressed resentment.
Clara’s choices… I want to hold her hand and slap her gently with a mitten at the same time. Her lie wasn’t just big... it rewrote her whole relationship. And Jack? Let’s just say his reaction is... complicated. Like, “Sir, why are you apologizing?” complicated. It’s giving, “I’ll suppress all my emotions and forgive you because it’s Christmas” and that’s romantic, sure, but also deeply unhealthy. Still, their dynamic did feel painfully real... messy, layered, weirdly codependent... and you know I live for that chaos.
But the real heartbreak? Agnes. Girl. GIRL. You had decades... literal decades, like, since the Victorian era... to come clean, and you still chose the dramatic martyr route. I felt for her, I did. But watching her project her trauma onto everyone around her while Aubrey kept being a damn saint about it? I wanted to shake her until her bonnet fell off. Aubrey deserved better. I’d haunt a better manor house for him.
Also, bonus drama points to the side characters who popped in just to drop emotional bombs or deliver judgmental glances like plot grenades. Lawrie, specifically, can go stand in a snowbank and think about what he did.
Is it perfect? Nope. The resolution feels a bit too tidy given the level of betrayal involved. Some forgiveness gets handed out faster than mulled wine at a village fair, and I’m not totally sold on the emotional math. But did it give me enough ghost angst, marital drama, and Christmas chaos to keep turning the pages? Absolutely. Three stars, would visit Rowan Vale again.
Big thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I haven’t screamed “MA’AM?!” at a fictional ghost and a mother of three since I accidentally watched The Others on wine night. This book had me decorating my imaginary tree with passive aggression, repressed trauma, and the tinsel of marital distrust. Bless you for letting me unwrap that emotional grenade early.
September 1, 2025
It’s never too early for some Christmas magic!! ~ 4✨
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ PLOT ✧
It’s Christmas time in Rowan Vale & the small picturesque village is decked to the halls. The Christmas market & twinkly lights make it look like something from the front of a Christmas card & for both the living & ghostly residents, the countdown to the big day is on!
However not everyone is feeling merry…
For Clara & Jack Milsom at Honeywell House & the spirits of Aubrey & Agnes at Harling Hall, long held secrets, lies & unexpected surprises have thrown Christmas into chaos & it’s going to take more than just festive cheer to get things back on track!
✅ This is a great book for anyone who enjoys -
• books/genre - CHRISTMAS🎄, cosy romance, comedy, cosy fantasy & cosy paranormal.
• themes/tropes - Christmas, winter, ghosts/paranormal (friendly!), small town/village setting, close-knit community & found family.
[If you’re a fan of BBC’s ‘Ghosts’, you will LOVE this book👻]
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ SUMMARY ✧
Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House is the third instalment in Sharon Booth’s ‘Ghosts of Rowan Vale’ series.
It’s a cosy, heartwarming, feel-good story with entertaining ghostly characters, festive fun & the chaos that comes with Christmas. Set in the beautiful Cotswold village of ‘Rowan Vale’, it’s full of small town charm & community spirit. It’ll make you feel like your heart has grown 2 sizes & have you heading to the loft for the Christmas decorations (who cares if it’s August!?)
If you’re looking for an uplifting, heartwarming, charming story filled with love, laughter & Christmas magic then look no further 🎁🎅🏻🎄☃️
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ OPINION ✧
I really enjoyed this book & would definitely recommend! The plot was entertaining, easy to follow & the flashback chapters included all of the necessary background information. The cast of lovable characters was only small which allowed for deeper connections & a better understanding of their personalities/circumstances. However I wish there’d been more ghostly characters as a lot of the humour came from that side of the book.
Sharon included enough contention to build drama but not to overshadow the warm hearted, joyful nature. It really is merry, jolly & filled with Christmas magic✨
[For any ‘Ghosts’ fans out there, if you took the tv show & put it onto paper, this would be the result. It has the same humour & similar character types so if like me you were sad when the series ended, please read this book! I finished the last page & went straight to iPlayer to re watch it for the 100th time 🥲]
📣 Thank you so much to NetGalley, Boldwood Books & Sharon Booth for allowing me to read & review this ARC. This honest review consists solely of my own thoughts & I’m leaving it voluntarily.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ PLOT ✧
It’s Christmas time in Rowan Vale & the small picturesque village is decked to the halls. The Christmas market & twinkly lights make it look like something from the front of a Christmas card & for both the living & ghostly residents, the countdown to the big day is on!
However not everyone is feeling merry…
For Clara & Jack Milsom at Honeywell House & the spirits of Aubrey & Agnes at Harling Hall, long held secrets, lies & unexpected surprises have thrown Christmas into chaos & it’s going to take more than just festive cheer to get things back on track!
✅ This is a great book for anyone who enjoys -
• books/genre - CHRISTMAS🎄, cosy romance, comedy, cosy fantasy & cosy paranormal.
• themes/tropes - Christmas, winter, ghosts/paranormal (friendly!), small town/village setting, close-knit community & found family.
[If you’re a fan of BBC’s ‘Ghosts’, you will LOVE this book👻]
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ SUMMARY ✧
Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House is the third instalment in Sharon Booth’s ‘Ghosts of Rowan Vale’ series.
It’s a cosy, heartwarming, feel-good story with entertaining ghostly characters, festive fun & the chaos that comes with Christmas. Set in the beautiful Cotswold village of ‘Rowan Vale’, it’s full of small town charm & community spirit. It’ll make you feel like your heart has grown 2 sizes & have you heading to the loft for the Christmas decorations (who cares if it’s August!?)
If you’re looking for an uplifting, heartwarming, charming story filled with love, laughter & Christmas magic then look no further 🎁🎅🏻🎄☃️
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
✧ OPINION ✧
I really enjoyed this book & would definitely recommend! The plot was entertaining, easy to follow & the flashback chapters included all of the necessary background information. The cast of lovable characters was only small which allowed for deeper connections & a better understanding of their personalities/circumstances. However I wish there’d been more ghostly characters as a lot of the humour came from that side of the book.
Sharon included enough contention to build drama but not to overshadow the warm hearted, joyful nature. It really is merry, jolly & filled with Christmas magic✨
[For any ‘Ghosts’ fans out there, if you took the tv show & put it onto paper, this would be the result. It has the same humour & similar character types so if like me you were sad when the series ended, please read this book! I finished the last page & went straight to iPlayer to re watch it for the 100th time 🥲]
📣 Thank you so much to NetGalley, Boldwood Books & Sharon Booth for allowing me to read & review this ARC. This honest review consists solely of my own thoughts & I’m leaving it voluntarily.
August 2, 2025
The ghosts of Rowan Vale are back, with another heart-warming tale about love and understanding. This is the third book in the series. You don't need to have read the previous ones to understand what is going on, although there are very small spoilers for them. (Then again, this is a cosy romance series, so its hardly a real spoiler that characters get together and have a happier ever after.)
This time, Jack and Clara, the owners of the miniature village are the focus. I loved that the main female character is someone different - she's 41, she's already married to the love of her life and she's struggling with being a mother and wife. This is not your regular romantic lead, and I adored Clara. Her struggles, her feelings were so real and her fear was a thousand percent understandable. What woman doesn't fear she's being lost in the role of 'mum' at times?
Her secret was a little obvious - not the details, but it was clear that what the overall 'what' would be. I did audibly gasp at one of the twists however, and yet again I was reminded that I didn't like a certain human character. I don't care how he justified his actions, his behaviour was terrible and Clara, as her husband says, is incredibly forgiving.
In my review of the previous book I had listed some of the stories I really hoped we would explore, and one of them was the ghosts of the Hall, so I was so excited when I realised we were finally going to get some of answers about their past. We don't learn it all, but at least we finally know why they don't go out of the grounds. My heart broke for poor Aubrey and I'm so glad he got some closure and some real happiness at long last.
The Christmas setting was fun and in the current heat, I really needed to imagine the lovely coolness, the lights, the hot chocolate. It really is the most wonderful time of the year and the writer has captured the feelings well.
Very entertaining and I look forward to book four, this has become my favourite cosy series.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review, I was offered a copy without requesting (but I would have requested had I seen it first) due to previous reads.~
This time, Jack and Clara, the owners of the miniature village are the focus. I loved that the main female character is someone different - she's 41, she's already married to the love of her life and she's struggling with being a mother and wife. This is not your regular romantic lead, and I adored Clara. Her struggles, her feelings were so real and her fear was a thousand percent understandable. What woman doesn't fear she's being lost in the role of 'mum' at times?
Her secret was a little obvious - not the details, but it was clear that what the overall 'what' would be. I did audibly gasp at one of the twists however, and yet again I was reminded that I didn't like a certain human character. I don't care how he justified his actions, his behaviour was terrible and Clara, as her husband says, is incredibly forgiving.
In my review of the previous book I had listed some of the stories I really hoped we would explore, and one of them was the ghosts of the Hall, so I was so excited when I realised we were finally going to get some of answers about their past. We don't learn it all, but at least we finally know why they don't go out of the grounds. My heart broke for poor Aubrey and I'm so glad he got some closure and some real happiness at long last.
The Christmas setting was fun and in the current heat, I really needed to imagine the lovely coolness, the lights, the hot chocolate. It really is the most wonderful time of the year and the writer has captured the feelings well.
Very entertaining and I look forward to book four, this has become my favourite cosy series.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review, I was offered a copy without requesting (but I would have requested had I seen it first) due to previous reads.~
August 31, 2025
Honeywell House has been mentioned in the earlier books, as reference has been made to the miniature version of the village that was housed in the grounds. Although we have heard and seen references to the train driver, I feel that this was our first glimpse of Jack and the opportunity to get to know him.
The story begins with Clara meeting Jack and progressing beyond what was intended as a one-night stand. However, their chemistry was too strong, and now they have three sons, a dog, and a hectic life. I could completely understand Clara’s stress and wanted to offer her a giant hug. At least with their youngest now heading to school, Clara would have the opportunity to catch up on her life and regain her control.
Meanwhile, at Harling Hall, not everyone is enjoying a happy-ever-afterlife as tensions mount between Agnes and Aubrey. Agnes had been colluding with Lawrie to ensure that Aubrey was saved from an encounter with his great-granddaughter, who had moved into Rowan Vale. Keeping them apart had proved to be a challenge and had impacted their daily ‘afterlives’.
What I had learned from the earlier books is that despite her interference, Agnes mainly had Aubrey’s happiness at heart. She also needed to be in control, but was able to justify her actions and decisions based on that need.
There are mentions of practically the entire line-up of Rowan Vale, including cameos from some delightful ghostly characters, such as Quintus Severus, the ghostly centurion who patrolled the village ensuring everyone’s safety.
This is a gorgeous instalment in what is proving to be a delightful series, which has certainly captured my imagination. I am aware that Sharon is starting another new series that will run alongside this one, and I look forward to seeing where she takes us next.
The story begins with Clara meeting Jack and progressing beyond what was intended as a one-night stand. However, their chemistry was too strong, and now they have three sons, a dog, and a hectic life. I could completely understand Clara’s stress and wanted to offer her a giant hug. At least with their youngest now heading to school, Clara would have the opportunity to catch up on her life and regain her control.
Meanwhile, at Harling Hall, not everyone is enjoying a happy-ever-afterlife as tensions mount between Agnes and Aubrey. Agnes had been colluding with Lawrie to ensure that Aubrey was saved from an encounter with his great-granddaughter, who had moved into Rowan Vale. Keeping them apart had proved to be a challenge and had impacted their daily ‘afterlives’.
What I had learned from the earlier books is that despite her interference, Agnes mainly had Aubrey’s happiness at heart. She also needed to be in control, but was able to justify her actions and decisions based on that need.
There are mentions of practically the entire line-up of Rowan Vale, including cameos from some delightful ghostly characters, such as Quintus Severus, the ghostly centurion who patrolled the village ensuring everyone’s safety.
This is a gorgeous instalment in what is proving to be a delightful series, which has certainly captured my imagination. I am aware that Sharon is starting another new series that will run alongside this one, and I look forward to seeing where she takes us next.
September 3, 2025
My Rating: 4*
Third in the Rowan Vale series and still just as cozy and contemplative as the others. I find this series to be less about the ghosts and quaint village, but rather more about the lives lived within and the relationships between the people. Yes, there are still ghosts walking the streets of Rowan Vale, but they are more dramatic than many of the people. I also really enjoy that each book in the series seems to focus on a different inhabitant of the village and we do not really have one primary character we follow.
In this installment we follow Clara as she copes with new changes in her life. She has been in Rowan Vale for 15 years and has established a life with her husband Jack and three sons. However, she is struggling to cope with hormonal changes and weight gain. She also wants to establish some thing in life she can pass on to her sons, but with all the things going on in her life, she is struggling to find time for herself. Her husband, Jack, is incredibly supportive but is also finding work/ life balance to be a struggle.
On the other hand, when Clara first came to Rowan Vale, she realized she could see the ghost known as Aubrey. When Agnes, another ghost of the town realizes this, she asks someone to warn Clara off and almost threatens to make her leave if she reveals her secret. There is more drama in this book and , in my opinion, mean spirit and control, than in the others of this series. I was flabbergasted by Agnes and the way she tries to manipulate everyone around her to the point it was almost off-putting. I still give this book 4* but I do hope we get back to more cozy themes rather than dwelling in the drama and unacceptable behaviors.
Third in the Rowan Vale series and still just as cozy and contemplative as the others. I find this series to be less about the ghosts and quaint village, but rather more about the lives lived within and the relationships between the people. Yes, there are still ghosts walking the streets of Rowan Vale, but they are more dramatic than many of the people. I also really enjoy that each book in the series seems to focus on a different inhabitant of the village and we do not really have one primary character we follow.
In this installment we follow Clara as she copes with new changes in her life. She has been in Rowan Vale for 15 years and has established a life with her husband Jack and three sons. However, she is struggling to cope with hormonal changes and weight gain. She also wants to establish some thing in life she can pass on to her sons, but with all the things going on in her life, she is struggling to find time for herself. Her husband, Jack, is incredibly supportive but is also finding work/ life balance to be a struggle.
On the other hand, when Clara first came to Rowan Vale, she realized she could see the ghost known as Aubrey. When Agnes, another ghost of the town realizes this, she asks someone to warn Clara off and almost threatens to make her leave if she reveals her secret. There is more drama in this book and , in my opinion, mean spirit and control, than in the others of this series. I was flabbergasted by Agnes and the way she tries to manipulate everyone around her to the point it was almost off-putting. I still give this book 4* but I do hope we get back to more cozy themes rather than dwelling in the drama and unacceptable behaviors.
September 20, 2025
In this seasonal instalment of the Ghosts of Rowan Vale we spend time at Honeywell House. The home of Clara, Jack and their noisy brood. It is also home to the Model of the Village they live in Rowan Vale, complete with it’s ghosts. We find Clara at a crossroads in life, in her early 40’s yearning for some independence from home life and the chance to earn some money to help with the finances but also with her hormones bashing at her self esteem and energy levels. Meanwhile, Jack is keen to understand why his wife is struggling and feels a bit shut out, particularly as she seems to be sharing her thoughts with Callie and not him. As the story continues we find secrets and lies that have been held not just between Clara and Jack but the inimitable ghosts at the Hall Agnes and Aubrey, ones that will change their futures and how they view each other.
I loved returning to Rowan Vale. The characters both alive and ghostly are relatable. Even the old codgers and pompous souls have well meaning hearts of gold and their true selves are on show in this story of the importance of found family and true love. There are scenes from the past and present that warm hearts as well as ones that break hearts. If you aren’t familiar with Rowan Vale I thoroughly suggest you visit and familiarise yourself with it’s unique inhabitants. Christmas in Rowan Vale is well worth a visit and Honeywell House may become a favourite haunt.
I loved returning to Rowan Vale. The characters both alive and ghostly are relatable. Even the old codgers and pompous souls have well meaning hearts of gold and their true selves are on show in this story of the importance of found family and true love. There are scenes from the past and present that warm hearts as well as ones that break hearts. If you aren’t familiar with Rowan Vale I thoroughly suggest you visit and familiarise yourself with it’s unique inhabitants. Christmas in Rowan Vale is well worth a visit and Honeywell House may become a favourite haunt.
December 15, 2025
I have never wanted to hug a ghost as much as I wanted to hug Aubrey while reading this. The first 50% of this book has too much bemoaning of perimenopause (I wanted to shake Clara until she stopped whining) and was hard to push through. I'm glad I did though, to get to the real plot of the book - the backstory of Aubrey Windom (maybe my favorite character) and the secret descendant who has lived in Rowan Vale for 15 years!
Aubrey finally gets a living descendant who can see him in this installment of the series. Agnes proves to be an even more a stiff, backstabbing selfish cow than I already thought her to be. Can I pay one of the other ghosts to just shake her HARD to a few minutes? Maybe some ectoplasm will snap back into place in her brain. Laurie proves he's Agnes' bitch yet again. Reverend Alexander finally gets confronted by Aubrey with surprising results. All of this leads to a lesson in forgiveness, a proposal and a spectral family reunion at Christmastime.
The book needs to get the main meat of the story - Clara and Aubrey finding out about each other and the repercussions of that - much sooner. It didn't snag my attention until halfway through. My tip - start reading at about 50% of the book and read the last half where all the action happens with the characters you actually care about. Now I need Callie and Brody to at least TRY To solve the mystery of why these ghosts can't move on in this one cursed town.
Aubrey finally gets a living descendant who can see him in this installment of the series. Agnes proves to be an even more a stiff, backstabbing selfish cow than I already thought her to be. Can I pay one of the other ghosts to just shake her HARD to a few minutes? Maybe some ectoplasm will snap back into place in her brain. Laurie proves he's Agnes' bitch yet again. Reverend Alexander finally gets confronted by Aubrey with surprising results. All of this leads to a lesson in forgiveness, a proposal and a spectral family reunion at Christmastime.
The book needs to get the main meat of the story - Clara and Aubrey finding out about each other and the repercussions of that - much sooner. It didn't snag my attention until halfway through. My tip - start reading at about 50% of the book and read the last half where all the action happens with the characters you actually care about. Now I need Callie and Brody to at least TRY To solve the mystery of why these ghosts can't move on in this one cursed town.
August 12, 2025
Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House is a delightful blend of festive warmth, gentle humour, and ghostly charm. Sharon Booth has created a world that feels both magical and familiar, where the twinkling lights of Rowan Vale illuminate not just the village, but the hearts of its residents—living and otherwise.
Clara’s story is beautifully relatable: a woman navigating motherhood, identity, and the quiet ache of dreams deferred. Her journey toward rediscovery is tender and empowering, and her relationship with Jack adds emotional depth that feels earned and real. The paranormal twist—courtesy of the spirited duo, Agnes and Aubrey—is whimsical without ever tipping into absurdity. Their antics bring levity and a touch of mischief that perfectly balances the more grounded emotional themes.
Booth’s writing is warm and inviting, with a seasonal atmosphere that wraps around you like a favourite scarf. The Dickensian weekend, the village market, and the gentle unfolding of secrets all contribute to a story that’s as comforting as a mug of mulled wine by the fire.
Fans of cozy fiction, found family, and a sprinkle of supernatural sparkle will adore this heartwarming tale. It’s a festive escape with soul—and one I’ll be recommending all season long.
My thanks to Sharon Booth, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Clara’s story is beautifully relatable: a woman navigating motherhood, identity, and the quiet ache of dreams deferred. Her journey toward rediscovery is tender and empowering, and her relationship with Jack adds emotional depth that feels earned and real. The paranormal twist—courtesy of the spirited duo, Agnes and Aubrey—is whimsical without ever tipping into absurdity. Their antics bring levity and a touch of mischief that perfectly balances the more grounded emotional themes.
Booth’s writing is warm and inviting, with a seasonal atmosphere that wraps around you like a favourite scarf. The Dickensian weekend, the village market, and the gentle unfolding of secrets all contribute to a story that’s as comforting as a mug of mulled wine by the fire.
Fans of cozy fiction, found family, and a sprinkle of supernatural sparkle will adore this heartwarming tale. It’s a festive escape with soul—and one I’ll be recommending all season long.
My thanks to Sharon Booth, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 18, 2025
Enjoyable and interesting
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From the publisher: “The next instalment in this cosy, wonderfully romantic series with a magical twist! Snow is falling and festive lights are twinkling in beautiful Rowan Vale, the Cotswold living history village, where tourists mingle unknowingly with the ghosts of Christmas past...”
Yes, that blurb tells you nothing, but in the third of this ghostly, uplifting romantic series, stay-at-home mum Clara is trying to find her own purpose in the village now that her boys are all in school, but a long-held secret might get in the way of Clara even staying in the village. Meanwhile, tensions build between the ghosts Aubrey and Agnes, as Agnes’s careful plans to protect Aubrey seem to be doing more harm than good.
I enjoyed this, and I came in cold so I knew nothing. However, I felt that the idea that the village is haunted yet only certain villagers can see ghosts might foreshadow only minor interactions between the dead and the living, but the plot worked well within these limits. I think there is a slight lack of integrity in world-building in how some of the ghosts seem to grow and change as if they’re still alive, and not the dead, and there’s no explanation of why ghosts even exist. Interesting but there are other examples of cozy haunted villages.
—
From the publisher: “The next instalment in this cosy, wonderfully romantic series with a magical twist! Snow is falling and festive lights are twinkling in beautiful Rowan Vale, the Cotswold living history village, where tourists mingle unknowingly with the ghosts of Christmas past...”
Yes, that blurb tells you nothing, but in the third of this ghostly, uplifting romantic series, stay-at-home mum Clara is trying to find her own purpose in the village now that her boys are all in school, but a long-held secret might get in the way of Clara even staying in the village. Meanwhile, tensions build between the ghosts Aubrey and Agnes, as Agnes’s careful plans to protect Aubrey seem to be doing more harm than good.
I enjoyed this, and I came in cold so I knew nothing. However, I felt that the idea that the village is haunted yet only certain villagers can see ghosts might foreshadow only minor interactions between the dead and the living, but the plot worked well within these limits. I think there is a slight lack of integrity in world-building in how some of the ghosts seem to grow and change as if they’re still alive, and not the dead, and there’s no explanation of why ghosts even exist. Interesting but there are other examples of cozy haunted villages.
December 20, 2025
In the third book in this cozy series from Sharon Booth, readers follow wife, shop owner, and mother of three Clara as she and her family prepare for the holidays in Rowan Vale, where ghosts walk among the living. Clara and Jack’s relationship has never been more tenuous, and the relationship between Agnes and Aubrey, ghosts over at Harling Hall, are fighting over the upcoming Dickens-themed weekend in the village. This fight means Clara might have to reveal her own secret -- one she’s kept from Jack for their entire marriage, and it might ruin everything they’ve built together. A brilliant continuation of this unique and cozy series, readers will love the emotional complications ahead of Clara, Aubrey, and Agnes and the secrets they reveal, and the depth of detail in the characters’ backstories is absolutely fantastic. The details in the setting and in the characters’ conflicts and narratives really pull readers into the story, and the holiday timing also adds another layer of description readers will love. Beautifully written and packed with vibrant settings and complex characters, fans of the series will love the latest instalment from Sharon Booth as they discover Clara’s secrets and a new side to Harling Hall’s resident ghosts.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.
August 25, 2025
Will their Christmas be too eventful?!🎁
4.5 🌟 stars
Yes, I like a good novel set at Christmas time with all the shiny trappings, carols, festivals and community goodwill. This story has that but it's more focused on family drama and finding a way to mesh blood and found family, be they ghost or human (or a mix!). Clara and Jack, the caretakers of Rowan Vale's model village, have been secondary characters previously in the series and take center stage here, along with ghosts Aubrey and Agnes, in this engaging third book set in the month of December.
Clara's malaise and lack of Christmas spirit at the start turn into a major shakeup for her family. This and the secret she's been holding in ever since she met Jack fifteen years earlier threaten to totally derail Clara's world. I found the plot a good one and the way love, friendship and the importance of family dominate the characters and action make this a sweet, inspirational choice for a holiday read. Clara and Jack's youngest son Freddie with his constant demands was especially appealing.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4.5 🌟 stars
Yes, I like a good novel set at Christmas time with all the shiny trappings, carols, festivals and community goodwill. This story has that but it's more focused on family drama and finding a way to mesh blood and found family, be they ghost or human (or a mix!). Clara and Jack, the caretakers of Rowan Vale's model village, have been secondary characters previously in the series and take center stage here, along with ghosts Aubrey and Agnes, in this engaging third book set in the month of December.
Clara's malaise and lack of Christmas spirit at the start turn into a major shakeup for her family. This and the secret she's been holding in ever since she met Jack fifteen years earlier threaten to totally derail Clara's world. I found the plot a good one and the way love, friendship and the importance of family dominate the characters and action make this a sweet, inspirational choice for a holiday read. Clara and Jack's youngest son Freddie with his constant demands was especially appealing.
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
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