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Little Village School #4
A Lesson in Love
The fourth Little Village School novel.
Love is in the air in the little village of Barton-in-the-Dale. Anyone can see that Ashley Underwood and Emmet O'Malley are made for each other. They've just got to admit it to themselves . . . But as the saying goes, the course of true love never did run smooth.
While romance blossoms on one side of the village, an angry young boy struggles to believe in love. But when tragedy strikes, he learns that comfort and care can come from the most unexpected of places.
Meanwhile, head teacher Elisabeth Stirling faces a new challenge for the start of the school year. An eccentric teacher joins the staff, and there's also a worrying case of potential negligence to answer. In the village too, a puritanical new vicar stirs up trouble. But as always, mixed in with the drama there's plenty of gossip, laughter, friendship - and love - in Barton-in-the-Dale.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2014
49 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Gervase Phinn
100 books173 followersGervase Phinn (born 27 December 1946, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England) is an English author and educator. After a career as a teacher he became a schools inspector.
He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.
In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.
He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.
He is now a freelance lecturer, broadcaster and writer, a consultant for the Open University, Honorary Fellow of St. John's College, York, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of the University of Leicester, Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) of The University of Hull and the Fellow and Visiting Professor of Education at The University of Teesside.
In 2005 the highest academic award of Sheffield Hallam University, Doctor of the University (D.Univ.) was conferred upon him by the Chancellor, Professor Lord Robert Winston. In 2006 he became President of The School Library Association.
He has published five volumes of memoir, collections of poetry and a number of books about education. He has a particular interest in children's literature and literacy.
He is married with four grown-up children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 6, 2016
The book I had was a hard cover edition with this cover.
Having read the three other Little Village School books a few months back, I was delighted when I saw this one on the library shelf. It came with me and I started reading it in the car before I even arrived home. Bad luck for the other books already waiting to be read. I enjoyed coming back to Barton-in-the-Dale and getting re-acquainted with its delightfully quirky characters. I loved some of the truisms that come from Bridget O Conner handed down from her grandmother Mullarkey. ‘Those who gossip with you are likely to gossip about you.’ And ‘those who talk most often don’t have anything to say.’ I could have quoted others as the book is peppered with them.
An amusing feature is the way Mrs Sloughthwaite, the shopkeeper and local gossip, gets her words wrong, telling her customer when discussing horoscopes ‘ Well you can be septical about it’ and talking of ‘the psychotic I consult’. Later on she announces the ‘psychotic’ has ‘the gift of extra century perception.’ Other examples always provide a chuckle.
This is a charming book. Once started there was no way I was putting this book down till I finished it. I fell in love with this feel good novel that shows both the good and bad sides of people, the character traits that annoy and the way people interact and open their hearts to others. To some people there are a couple of things that may seem a little too good, but I was just happy to go along with it. A joyful read and one I would heartily recommend, though I suggest you read the earlier books in the series first. Although the author does fill in gaps from previous books, to get the full enjoyement you need to read them all in order to understand and appreciate the characters and enjoy getting to know this special place and its inhabitants.
Having read the three other Little Village School books a few months back, I was delighted when I saw this one on the library shelf. It came with me and I started reading it in the car before I even arrived home. Bad luck for the other books already waiting to be read. I enjoyed coming back to Barton-in-the-Dale and getting re-acquainted with its delightfully quirky characters. I loved some of the truisms that come from Bridget O Conner handed down from her grandmother Mullarkey. ‘Those who gossip with you are likely to gossip about you.’ And ‘those who talk most often don’t have anything to say.’ I could have quoted others as the book is peppered with them.
An amusing feature is the way Mrs Sloughthwaite, the shopkeeper and local gossip, gets her words wrong, telling her customer when discussing horoscopes ‘ Well you can be septical about it’ and talking of ‘the psychotic I consult’. Later on she announces the ‘psychotic’ has ‘the gift of extra century perception.’ Other examples always provide a chuckle.
This is a charming book. Once started there was no way I was putting this book down till I finished it. I fell in love with this feel good novel that shows both the good and bad sides of people, the character traits that annoy and the way people interact and open their hearts to others. To some people there are a couple of things that may seem a little too good, but I was just happy to go along with it. A joyful read and one I would heartily recommend, though I suggest you read the earlier books in the series first. Although the author does fill in gaps from previous books, to get the full enjoyement you need to read them all in order to understand and appreciate the characters and enjoy getting to know this special place and its inhabitants.
September 24, 2021
This lovely series of Little Village School books reminds me a lot of a British version of Leave it to Beaver. Such treasures these books are.
At first I assumed the title “A Lesson in Love” was related to the new Mr. & Mrs. Sterling, but as the book progressed I’m realizing it is more related to others. The congregation learning to love their paster and he learning to be loving and gentle with his flock. Ashley and Emmet are learning to overcome their miscommunications as they work on a budding love. And, finally, of greatest interest to me, is dear Robbie who is learning to love himself and to allow himself to be loved. “For love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I loved reading this one with a dear friend, Elizabeth L.
At first I assumed the title “A Lesson in Love” was related to the new Mr. & Mrs. Sterling, but as the book progressed I’m realizing it is more related to others. The congregation learning to love their paster and he learning to be loving and gentle with his flock. Ashley and Emmet are learning to overcome their miscommunications as they work on a budding love. And, finally, of greatest interest to me, is dear Robbie who is learning to love himself and to allow himself to be loved. “For love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
I loved reading this one with a dear friend, Elizabeth L.
June 21, 2019
The Story starts strong and ends strong for me falling flat in the middle compared to the last book I really enjoyed.
The main story of this book is of Ashley and Emmet who are meant to be. Just life throws many obstacles in there way. You want to scream at them that it's so obvious they are made for each other.
I still enjoyed Elisabeth and Micheal I could read About the pair of them all day. How she is with the children and staff is just brilliant. Micheal really does see everything in his job too.
It kind of ended for me so I'm interested to see how Book 5 plays out.
The main story of this book is of Ashley and Emmet who are meant to be. Just life throws many obstacles in there way. You want to scream at them that it's so obvious they are made for each other.
I still enjoyed Elisabeth and Micheal I could read About the pair of them all day. How she is with the children and staff is just brilliant. Micheal really does see everything in his job too.
It kind of ended for me so I'm interested to see how Book 5 plays out.
February 5, 2018
Again an enjoyable instalment in the series, easy read and fun to follow their stories.
February 20, 2017
Having now completed this entire series, I felt I could review them as a whole. I don't have a favourite as I thought all 4 had their merits and more dull bits.
It was like reading a tame version of Emmerdale. The characters are amusing and the storylines interesting yet tame. There's no unpleasantness. A nice mellow read.
It was like reading a tame version of Emmerdale. The characters are amusing and the storylines interesting yet tame. There's no unpleasantness. A nice mellow read.
August 30, 2025
Lekker boek over het wel en wee in een Engels dorpje met de nodige roddels en ontwikkelingen.
September 30, 2023
It's been a long time since I read a book from this series, so I couldn't resist this one!
In Barton-in-the-Dale, Elisabeth Stirling, head of the local school has much on her plate. New staff to settle in, and to ensure that children of varied capabilities are all in the right place getting the best education possible. In the village, there's a new vicar who seems to be of the 'fire and brimstone' variety and, of course, there are all the usual village goings-on.
I'm rather fond of a 'gossipy' kind of book in a village setting and this is just delightful. I've missed out two books, jumping from 1st to 4th but I know that I can catch up without losing anything. Bursting with well developed characters with lots going on, I really enjoyed this one and recommend the series. For me, 4.5*.
In Barton-in-the-Dale, Elisabeth Stirling, head of the local school has much on her plate. New staff to settle in, and to ensure that children of varied capabilities are all in the right place getting the best education possible. In the village, there's a new vicar who seems to be of the 'fire and brimstone' variety and, of course, there are all the usual village goings-on.
I'm rather fond of a 'gossipy' kind of book in a village setting and this is just delightful. I've missed out two books, jumping from 1st to 4th but I know that I can catch up without losing anything. Bursting with well developed characters with lots going on, I really enjoyed this one and recommend the series. For me, 4.5*.
October 1, 2016
This book was a disappointment because I enjoyed the previous books in the series, finding them a gentle reflection on village life. This book, though, did not measure up. The heroine, Elizabeth Stirling, was always saintly but has now become such a goody two shoes that she is totally unlikable. I kept hoping that she would slip up and let out a massive expletive just to prove that she is human. The author seems to have no shades of grey in his writing. The middle classes are reasonable, intelligent and self controlled, the working classes are all rough around the edges and have been put on the earth to take care of the menial, manual jobs that shore up society. His efforts to prove that he values all sections of society verge on inverted snobbery and his efforts to value the eccentric has turned his characters into caricatures. I thank my lucky stars he never inspected my school, where we actually valued the average as well as the gifted and the challenged. A bit more reality next time please, and a bit less emphasis on precocious children who seem to be able to master Latin and physics but fall short on basic manners.
Read
March 15, 2015I love The Little Village School and I didn't know another one was coming out so it was a nice surprise to spot it in Sainsburys yesterday and then download to my Kindle later. I really enjoyed reading this but I'm sad it's finished. Especially because the ending makes me suspect there won't be a 5th book in the series. Hope I'm wrong!
July 8, 2015
Light and charming tale of school and village life in 'God's own country', adding current topical issues for good measure.
October 24, 2018
Book 4 in the series be sad to finish them the last page made me feel it was the last but still have one more to read
September 24, 2021
My friend Shiloah who I read this book with gave an excellent review and I can't add much more to what she said...
So many lessons in love.. Robbie learning to love himself and trust his foster parents, Ashely and Emmet learning to love each other, The new Vicar and the village learning to accept each other, even poor Mr. Jolly learning what he needs to love himself, and last but certainly not least: Danny just being Danny loving and healing everyone he comes in contact with.
So many lessons in love.. Robbie learning to love himself and trust his foster parents, Ashely and Emmet learning to love each other, The new Vicar and the village learning to accept each other, even poor Mr. Jolly learning what he needs to love himself, and last but certainly not least: Danny just being Danny loving and healing everyone he comes in contact with.
August 31, 2025
Was supposed to go to bed early, but instead I kept reading and ended up having a happy cry at the end.
September 30, 2023
Too overly sentimental for my taste.
And I find some of the story hard to take e.g. not having a replacement for a teacher organised by the last week of the school holidays, especially when the school knew the old deputy head was to retire 6 months before at least.
And I find some of the story hard to take e.g. not having a replacement for a teacher organised by the last week of the school holidays, especially when the school knew the old deputy head was to retire 6 months before at least.
November 18, 2019
Charming as always
July 22, 2016
I really enjoyed this series and am sorry that this is the last one currently available. Please Gervase write some more!! The little village setting is brought to life through its wonderfully colourful characters; from the school with its head teacher (now Mrs Sterling), staff and extraordinary pupils, the general store with Mrs Sloughthwaite and her gossiping customers, Limebeck House - residence of the local aristocracy and of course the church. Everything and more you would hope still exists in a quintessentially English, tight-knit rural community
May 13, 2017
A story where everything ends in happiness......this is an unrealistic novel.....about love and happiness........but it makes you hopeful and above all smile........!!! The center of the story is the village school with dedicated teachers and over/under enthusiastic pupils. But the most important lesson that it teaches is compassion towards each other and specially towards children. It teaches you the fact that it is only love and patience that can bring a positive change in students and not strict rules.....!!! It is indeed a lesson in love....!!!
January 29, 2018
A pleasant holiday read, but spoilt by editing poorly done - author has the same novel witticism coming from more than one person; the storekeeper is afflicted with a fairly extreme case of Malapropism, but various other characters also seem afflicted.
In the previous book Emmett describes the late Rowena as “the mother of Roisin” his daughter, and when the leap to “his wife” is made we find that they were never married, but on page 249 of this book reference is made to his wedding to Rowena.
In the previous book Emmett describes the late Rowena as “the mother of Roisin” his daughter, and when the leap to “his wife” is made we find that they were never married, but on page 249 of this book reference is made to his wedding to Rowena.
June 12, 2015
So this was the fourth in the Barton in the Dale village series. Light and enjoyable. However, I found this the least satisfying of the novels- some of the strands were a bit weak, and the book seemed to finish in a rush. Have not read a series of books like this since going through a few of the No 1 Detective Agency books- similar ease of reading and humour. Been good for me!
January 10, 2016
I popped into my local book shop and had a lovely surprise when i saw that the latest in the little school series was out. i couldn't wait to start it! I was really happy to find I enjoyed it just as much as previous instalments. The perfect book to curl up with, and I hope there will be more from Barton in the Dale soon.
May 14, 2015
Delightful, full of Yorkshire humour...I chuckled my way quickly through this "I can't put it down" tale of a Yorkshire village, its school and shop and all the many characters who made up this truly excellent book. Another one of Gervase Phinn's master pieces.
June 22, 2017
I really struggled to like this book and in the end gave up on it. I've read most of Mr Phinn's stories on the school inspector and really enjoyed them. This one, I just couldn't get to grips with. Sorry Mr Phinn, I did try!
September 10, 2017
These are entertaining, gentle stories, and I always enjoy them. I wouldn't say this one was one of his best, maybe he's used all the best and funniest tales, but its still worth a read. You do need to read the series in order to follow the individual stories and developments.
July 25, 2015
Gervase has taken on Miss Read's mantle with his little school series set in the Yorkshire Dales. Pleasant story revisiting the previous characters.
September 24, 2015
Too sentimental by far!
November 29, 2015
Another cosy read - the end felt like a sign-off but I understand there's to be another one
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January 4, 2016A lovely depiction of life in the Yorkshire Dales.
January 30, 2016
Another really well written story about life in the village and at the school. .. I so hope that this isn't the last in this series....
August 15, 2016
A lovely little cozy book. Would definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews