Snow crunches underfoot, lights twinkle on the lakes, and in the little village of Thimblebury, midwife Zoe is hoping for more than one Christmas miracle…
Christmas has crept up on village midwife, Zoe Padbury. The little village of Thimblebury is having a baby boom and suddenly there’s only a week to go. She had visions of magic moments beneath the mistletoe with her new boyfriend, Alex, but with all the babies being born and her grumpy new boss at the surgery, their first Christmas together isn’t quite going to plan.
Still, Zoe feels happier and more in love than ever before, and when her old friend, Georgia, moves to the village, it feels like the icing on her Christmas cake. Georgia’s own baby is due at any minute, and Zoe is determined to give her the love and attention she gives all her expectant mums. But when she pays Georgia a home visit, she can’t shake the feeling that she is hiding something…
Zoe is determined to find out what’s wrong, even though Alex thinks she shouldn’t interfere. Zoe needs to put her old friend first, but Alex’s behaviour is reminding her that there is still so much she doesn’t know about him… As long-held secrets unravel, will Zoe and Alex be able to keep their own festive magic alive?
Warm your heart with this romantic Christmas read which will remind you that hope and healing are possible at the busiest time of year.
Tilly Tennant was born in Dorset, the oldest of four children, but now lives in Staffordshire with a family of her own. After years of dismal and disastrous jobs, including paper plate stacking, shop girl, newspaper promotions and waitressing (she never could carry a bowl of soup without spilling a bit), she decided to indulge her passion for the written word by embarking on a degree in English and creative writing, graduating in 2009 with first class honours. She wrote her first novel in 2007 during her first summer break at university and has not stopped writing since. She also works as a freelance fiction editor, and considers herself very lucky that this enables her to read many wonderful books before the rest of the world gets them.
Tilly is represented by the wonderful, gorgeous Peta Nightingale at LAW.
(Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC!)
Coming into book two without reading book one was no problem at all—the author does a great job keeping readers in the loop about the residents of Thimblebury.
Our main characters are midwife Zoe and widower Alex, who are newly dating. Alex’s pregnant daughter Billie is also front and center, and with just three weeks until Christmas (and plenty of snow!), the town is buzzing. Add in the retirement of the town’s GP, the arrival of Emilia with her pregnant sister Georgia (Zoe’s childhood best friend), and a husband hiding a secret—and you’ve got a full, engaging cast.
Of course, no Christmas story is complete without a little chaos. A lovely snowstorm on Christmas Eve sets the stage for the perfect holiday… until the lights go out and babies start arriving! I loved how the story balanced warmth, humor, and real emotion—especially since all the characters lend so well together a town I would definitely hang out at the store with Magnus and Geoff, they would make for such great conversation over a cuppa.
My favorite part is small but poignant “… this requirement to make everything perfect (at Christmas ) regardless of how anyone might be feeling is unhealthy.” Understanding some residents reasons for not getting too excited about Christmas.
I could definitely spend more time in Thimblebury with this fabulous cast, because I love a gentle rom-com that leaves you smiling. Such a thoughtful touch amid the cozy setting.
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this lovely book
it was great being back in the village of thimblebury and to catch up with zoe the midwife there and all the other characters that i have come to know.... it sounds like a great place to live
its just before christmas and zoe is catching up with her many pregnant women on her list.... theres a new doctor in their surgery one that at the moment isnt participating in the group lunches that zoe has known her since childhood and was best friends with her sister does seem a bit strange but she cant quite find out what the matter is.....
georgia the best friend is heavy pregnant and living with her sister the new doctor though secrecy abounds as to why and the georgia boyfriend hasnt made the best of friends with anyone in the village
but its zoe relationship that has her happy... alex is turning into a really nice boyfriend and his daughter who is pregnant is another happy addition that zoe never saw coming
as christmas approaches and the snow makes itself known what could go wrong....
aww this story has all the charm of call the midwife and christmas all rolled into one... with snow galore... all the mysteries abound with who will win the prize of best gingerbread competition and who gets on with the new people moved into the village.... its a great read
This was so wonderful! I didn’t really know what to expect when I started this but was so pleasantly surprised. This is the second book in the Village Midwife series but I understood everything perfectly even though I haven’t read it (very tempted to do that now though). The author does a lovely job of explaining the background of the plot and the relationships. This cozy christmasy book follows Zoe -the new Midwife in Thimblebury- who is balancing her job and her new relationship with Alex during the christmas season. We get some chaos when an old friend moves into town and it turns out she’s pregnant and having some trouble with her husband. I was surprised by how excited I was to find out how Zoe would handle everything and found myself wanting to keep reading during my day. The author did an amazing job at creating this sweet little town with a tight knitted community while still adding enough tension between some of the characters to make it interesting. I especially loved the gingerbread house competition, the vibes were so cute. I am definetly ready for christmas thanks to this lovely book!! Thanks you so much to Netgalley for allowing me to read this as an arc, I will definetly check out more of Tennants Books.
I definitely did not realize this was book 2 in a series until I began. While it might have been nice to know some of the background, it absolutely made no difference that I just “dropped in”. The book was everything you would want from a cozy Christmas book- snowy scenery, new babies arriving, the beginnings of a new romance. Four stars and I will be looking for others in this series! Thanks so much to Tilly Tennant and publishers for this free advance readers copy!
I really enjoyed this new book by one of my favorite author.. Tilly Tennant! This is such a beautiful Christmas read! I didn’t read the first book in the series but this was absolutely not a problem to understand the story. This book was beautifully written, very smooth to read. I can’t wait to read another book my Tilly Tennant! She is really one of the best author I know!
I absolutely devoured this totally wonderful book.
I couldn't read it fast enough and now totally feel at home with Thimblebury and it's varied cast of characters. And catching up with Zoe again was a pure delight, along with Alex, Billie, Connie, Victor, Lavender and Ottilie amongst others.
At the centre of this story is the new doctor at the practice, who happens to be the older sister to Zoe's childhood best friend who she hadn't seen for many years. Georgia is heavily pregnant, is staying with Emilia and there are things about their situation that raise well church bells for Zoe. But she can't put her finger on why.
It's lovely to catch up with some of the other expectant mums that we met in the previous book, and that I feel we will see more of in what I am hoping and assuming is a next book. For I can't help but think that there has to be at least one more book to this series and I already can't believe I will have to wait for it!
Set in the run up to Christmas, was have the fun of a Gingerbread House competition which everyone in the village gets involved in, and we discover a few people may have hidden talents.
And the last quarter or so of the book was totally and utterly unputdownable and I had to read it in one, there is drama, there is emotion, I was choked up at times, and its utterly heartwarming and totally sums up the spirit of Christmas. Just perfect.
I'm completely loving this series and this was a fabulous second book in it. More please!
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Zoe Padbury is the village midwife in Thimblebury, and she is never happier than when she’s helping her expectant mums-to-be.
With her new-found relationship with Alex going really well, she’s mindful of his daughter, Billie, who is still struggling with her pregnancy since losing her partner.
Zoe is overjoyed when her old primary school friend, Georgia, moves to the village with her sister, who also happens to be the new doctor.
With Lavender feeling the loss of Fliss, who has now gone off on her travels since retiring from the surgery, will she come to terms with the new GP?
This is such a fun series. I love the characters, everyone in the village makes me smile, even grumpy Flo!
It might only be September, but this book has put me in the Christmas mood. The village church with its carol service and Christmas Day service is delightful. The descriptive writing with the sound of feet crunching through the snow, all took me to past Christmas Days.
I love the relationship between Zoe and Alex, and look forward to reading more of their story. Billie is a complex and haunted character, but I can’t wait to see where her story is going to take me.
The characters all feel like one big family - not necessarily a happy family, but a family/village that comes together for each other.
I finished this book with a tear in my eye, but a big smile on my face too.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
If you want to read a feel good from beginning to end without even daring to put it down, then you are going to want to read, Tilly Tennant’s latest book, Christmas for the Village Midwife.
In this utterly heartwarming story Zoe Padbury is a busy midwife in the lovely village of Thimblebury. She works along with Ollie Oakcraft, whom we met in Tennant’s lovely Village Nurse series. As this is the second book in the Village Midwife series, so we have several familiar characters.
Now is the Christmas season and the weather is quickly going from bad to worse. Zoe’s relationship with her boyfriend Alex is going along nicely, and his daughter Billie’s pregnancy is progressing smoothly. However, when an old friend, Georgia, becomes one of Zoe’s patients, her challenging circumstances make Zoe worry. She wonders how involved she should get with Georgia beyond her role as midwife.
Meanwhile, Zoe find herself in increasingly drawn to the warmth and kindness of the people in Thimblebury. If you want to see how she first fell in love with the village, you might enjoy reading the first book, The Village Midwife. This second book had a delightful ending, one that first filled me with angst but left me with a smile.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Zoe Padbury, a resident of the charming village of Thimblebury, is thrilled to be living there. The village is experiencing a baby boom, and Christmas is just a week away. Zoe is swamped with work, making the Christmas season fly by. It’s also her first Christmas with her new boyfriend, Alex.
However, when Zoe is visited by her old friend Georgia, she senses something amiss. Georgia’s sudden appearance in Thimblebury, so close to Christmas, raises questions. Zoe is determined to uncover the truth behind Georgia’s presence and the secrets she’s hiding.
“Christmas for the Village Midwife,” a captivating novel by Tilly Tennant, transports readers to the enchanting village of Thimblebury. Tennant’s exceptional writing skills draw readers into the story, immersing them in the magical atmosphere.
Zoe and Alex’s unwavering determination to preserve the Christmas spirit is truly inspiring. The twinkling lights and the village’s festive decorations create a warm and inviting ambiance, making me eager to put up my Christmas tree. It’s never too early to embrace the Christmas season, and this remarkable story has set the perfect tone for the holiday season. I highly recommend this incredible read; I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I’ve read nearly everything Tilly Tennant has written, and I always expect warmth, wit, and a touch of magic—but Christmas for the Village Midwife absolutely outdid itself. This book didn’t just deliver festive charm; it wrapped me in a blanket of emotional depth, community spirit, and quiet resilience that lingered long after the final page.
Zoe Padbury, our beloved midwife, returns to Thimblebury with more than just a stethoscope and a smile, she brings a fierce loyalty to her patients, a tender vulnerability in her relationship with Alex, and a deep intuition that makes her more than just a medical professional. She’s the emotional heartbeat of the village, and watching her navigate a baby boom, a grumpy new boss, and the mysterious arrival of her old friend Georgia felt like slipping into a storybook that knows exactly how to tug your heartstrings.
What makes this book sing is Tennant’s gift for layering tension beneath twinkling lights. Georgia’s storyline is quietly haunting, and Zoe’s determination to uncover the truth, even when it risks her relationship, felt so raw and real. There’s a moment where Zoe questions whether love means stepping back or leaning in, and it hit me like a snowball to the chest. Tennant doesn’t shy away from the messiness of friendship, the fragility of trust, or the bittersweet ache of secrets kept too long.
The village itself is a character in its own right, snowy lanes, mistletoe moments, and a church scene that had me blinking back tears. It’s not just festive fluff; it’s a celebration of chosen family, of showing up for each other when it counts. And the ending? It’s not just satisfying, it’s earned. Every emotional beat, every flicker of doubt, every spark of joy builds to a finale that feels like a warm hug and a gentle nudge toward hope.
If you love stories that balance romance with real stakes, and holiday cheer with emotional grit, this is the one. Tilly Tennant has once again proven why she’s one of my absolute favorite authors, her stories don’t just entertain, they matter. And this one? It’s a glittering gem in her crown.
I’ll be rereading this every December. And probably in July. And maybe next week.
This is the second book in the village midwife series and it was great to catch up with old characters and meet some new ones.
Zoe has settled in well and is enjoying her job as the village midwife and has plenty of expectant mothers to deal with. She soon finds herself with a new patient her old friend Georgia who has moved into the village but things are not quite as they seem.
This book had plenty of festive magic and showed the true spirit of Christmas is not presents but the love of family, friends and community spirit.
I enjoyed the romance of the book but there was plenty of other themes which gave plenty of depth to the book and allowed the focus to be on other characters.
The church and the ending were truly magical and showed Zoe is now truly part of the village and brought a tear to my eye.
I can’t wait to find out what happens next in the series as there is lots of open ending’s.(no spoilers)
Thanks to NetGalley, Tilly Tennant and Bookouture for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
The Village Midwife #2: Christmas for the Village Midwife by Tilly Tennant
I couldn't find my review of the first book, but as I delved into this one, the story of Zoe Padbury in the charming village of Thimblebury, nestled in the Lake District, came rushing back to me. Book two unfolds just three weeks before Christmas, showcasing the vibrant changes sweeping through the village while allowing us to reconnect with the characters we adore.
While some parts of the story move at a slower pace, the narrative is undeniably heartfelt. It brims with drama, featuring a delightful snowstorm emergency on Christmas Eve, the arrival of a childhood friend, and an abundance of babies coming into the world under the care of this midwife. There’s an engaging gingerbread competition, a marriage facing challenges, and important decisions that will forever impact someone’s life. This book is a compelling continuation of Zoe's journey, capturing the essence and warmth of village life during the holiday season.
My thoughts: Christmas for the Village Midwife is a light, heartwarming story that makes for a fun Christmas read. I enjoyed the gingerbread competition….it had me smiling and giggling. The characters are endearing and lovely. My favorites, of course, are Zoe and Alex. It was fun catching up with some of the characters from the first book. Though the story seemed to be slow in some parts, it was such a heartfelt read, I wanted to read on and on to find out what was going to happen. The ending of the story was gripping and intense. I recommend reading the first book in the series before this one. It will help you know all the main characters better. I enjoyed reading this feel-good Christmas story.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
What a magical time to be in Thimblebury. I loved this instalment about Zoe the midwife. Watching her relationship with Alex grow and deepen was beautiful, and seeing her relationship with Billie strengthen was nice, in fact just seeing Billie grow in confidence and self worth was so nice to see. This girl has a lot to unpack and I do hope we get her story in her own words at some point. I love her connection to her dad, how she isn’t afraid to show how much she loves him.
The snowy scenes were majestic and I felt like I was there, and now I really want my own white Christmas, however maybe without the drama of a Christmas Eve birth and a night sleeping in the church. Zoe is truly dedicated to her jobs and really cares for her patients, this comes through strongly.
I can’t wait for the next instalment, and will Ottilie finally have her baby?
A baby boom, Christmas coming, too, Village midwife, Zoe, has so much to do. A retirement, a new colleague and romance, too, A heartwarming read I recommend to you!
Rekindling friendships from times long past Catching up on happenings together at last. But somehow there feels like a mystery, too, What should she do, Zoe hasn't a clue!
Christmas celebrations in the community Bring people together for all to see. But get ready for dramas and events unfold Ensuring no one is left out in the cold!
Such a gorgeous read, with festivities, too, New life, new hopes and dreams coming true. There are plenty of surprises along the way Making it a fabulous read in which to spend your day!
For my copy of this fabulous book I say thank you As I share with you this, my honest review.
Fliss often looked as if she’d got up with two minutes to spare for work to discover someone had burned all her hairbrushes during the night.
Corrine lifted her eyebrows so high in disbelief they might have left her head entirely,
if Lucifer himself had wandered in wearing a pair of Speedos and asking for a bag of ice to cool down, she wouldn’t have been a bit surprised.
The only time I see all the heathens in church is today when there’s mulled wine afterwards.
My Review:
I have enjoyed this perceptively written and heartfelt series, populated with quirky and original villagers for the midwife and the clinic staff to serve. Ms. Tennant deftly traverses multiple family dramas, workplace tension, weather snafus, holiday complications, addictions, and competition pettiness, all with an easy-to-read, amusing, and engaging writing style.
It was a pure delight to catch up with old characters and meet some new. There is a ginger bread house competition that the whole community gets involved in and plenty of other Christmas activities to get you in the spirit. Centre stage in the story is a old friend of Zoe's who has come to town and is heavily pregnant but Zoe is rightfully suspicious that more is going on. There is a lot happening for Zoe and it felt like she was forgetting about herself a little bit. I read the entire book so fast because I couldn't get enough of what was going on for the characters that I feel like are my friends and I am hoping that I can read more about them in future books. Fingers crossed for more in this feel good series.
Christmas for the Village Midwife by Tilly Tennant ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This cozy Christmas novel is book 2 of the series. I suggest reading them in order. This second book we learn more about Zoe as she balances her new patients and a budding romance. Back in Thimblebury. The Christmas Eve snowstorm puts Zoe and a very pregnant woman in danger.
As you read this book you will feel all warm and cozy as it snows outside. What's Christmas without snow , gingerbread and friends around a fire.
Pre-order your copy today for a September 19th release date. You definitely don't want to miss out on this book in time for the holidays.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy for my honest opinions and reviews.
Christmas for the Village Midwife captures the magic of small-town life during the holiday season, with characters that feel real and relatable. The midwife’s journey is both touching and uplifting, making it easy to get swept up in her world.
The cozy village setting and festive atmosphere really shine, and Tennant has a way of making you feel like you’re right there in the middle of twinkling lights and snowy streets. While the pacing dragged a little in places, the warmth of the story and the emotional depth of the characters more than made up for it.
A lovely seasonal read perfect for curling up with on a winter’s night, especially if you enjoy feel-good holiday romances.
This book is the second in the series. I haven’t read book one, which wasn’t an issue at all. However, I would like to read it now after enjoying this book so much!
The story is centred around a midwife who lives and works in the idyllic village of Thimblebury in the Lake District. It’s Christmas time, it’s snowing and the villagers are winding down for the festivities. But it wouldn’t be a Christmas book without an emergency would it?
A perfect book to snuggle up with and get you into the Christmas spirit. Loved it and can’t wait to read more from the author.
Thank you to @netgalley for this digital arc in return for an honest review.
Absolutely loved the latest instalment of this series and enjoyed being back in the village of Thimblebury. It was great to be reunited with old characters and to be introduced to new ones.
This instalment was set around the festive season and delved a bit deeper into Zoe’s story and although it was a heartwarming read it also covered some more serious themes making it so much more than just a cosy Christmas read.
Looking forward to seeing what’s in store next for the patients and residents of Thimblebury.
Zoe Padbury, a resident of the charming village of Thimblebury, is thrilled to be living there. The village is experiencing a baby boom, and Christmas is just a week away. Zoe is swamped with work, making the Christmas season fly by. It’s also her first Christmas with her new boyfriend, Alex.
However, when Zoe is visited by her old friend Georgia, she senses something amiss. Georgia’s sudden appearance in Thimblebury, so close to Christmas, raises questions. Zoe is determined to uncover the truth behind Georgia’s presence and the secrets she’s hiding.
“Christmas for the Village Midwife,” a captivating novel by Tilly Tennant, transports readers to the enchanting village of Thimblebury. Tennant’s exceptional writing skills draw readers into the story, immersing them in the magical atmosphere.
Zoe and Alex’s unwavering determination to preserve the Christmas spirit is truly inspiring. The twinkling lights and the village’s festive decorations create a warm and inviting ambiance, making me eager to put up my Christmas tree. It’s never too early to embrace the Christmas season, and this remarkable story has set the perfect tone for the holiday season. I highly recommend this incredible read; I thoroughly enjoyed it.
*KindleU* Getting through that one was a bit of a huge drag. Cant quite give it one star because it was entertaining enough but there was nothing even remotely fun or wow or exciting or even really cute about this one. The first of the series was much better. The Christmas vibe was sweet but it didn’t really work very well, especially when it’s all very very midwife. Although I guess I should have seen that coming based on the title of the book! Not a fan of this one, glad I can pick up a different book now.
What a beautiful Christmas read! So first I had no idea this was the 2nd book of a series buuuut great thing is that you can read it as a standalone but I will be readying book one lol. This was very much a heart warming book and I enjoyed every bit of it. I finished this in one sitting thats how much I enjoyed this story. The writing style was great. MC was great and I really liked all of the secondary characters.
This was unputdownable, great characters, great plot and a very well written story. It’s Winter and nearly Christmas and the village midwife Zoe, a new doctor arrives in the village and relationships are blooming. This is an easy to follow read, even though it’s the second in this series. I’m looking forward to the others though. A lovely heartwarming read set at Christmas. 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
Christmas for the Village Midwife is book two in The Village Midwife series. Zoe has been kept busy with her new patients. There was one very pregnant and to make matters harder they were having a Christmas Eve snowstorm. Reading made my heart pound, and palms sweat just a bit. .I connected with the characters and want to know what is next in all their lives. Thank you NetGalley, Tilly Tennant and Bookouture for the copy of Christmas for the Village Midwife. This is my personal review.
What a delightful book this was, it was such an easy read and anyone wanting to get cosy in the run up to christmas this is the book for you.
This is the second midwife book but we have already met some of the characters in a previous book so its always nice to have the familure characters and to see how their lives are evolving, I am already looking forward to reading the third (if there is one)
A lovely new story from this small village. We follow Zoe and newish boyfriend Alex, as well as the full village community in this lovely Christmas story. Definitely beat to have read the full series, follow the holiday season with the new doctor at the clinic as well. A cozy read.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review