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Home for Winter
Serena Meadows and her twin sister, Luna, are identical in appearance —but the similarity ends there. Luna always had a mean streak and, as a teenager, her selfishness culminated in an almighty betrayal from which Serena thought she’d never recover.
Years later the twins are reunited by tragedy and Luna is a changed woman. The arrogance and spite of her youth are gone and, at a time when Serena really needs support, Luna sets aside her own life to come to the rescue. But her generosity is not what it seems and before long she does something so devastating that her past conduct pales into insignificance.
Distraught once more, Serena and her vicar boyfriend, Will, move to a country parish for a fresh start, but Luna casts a long shadow over their dream of a happy family life. Serena wants nothing to do with her sister, but while Luna has the upper hand, it’s impossible for her to move on.
These twins, torn apart by bad blood, discover that you can’t choose your relatives—and sometimes you can’t escape them either.
Years later the twins are reunited by tragedy and Luna is a changed woman. The arrogance and spite of her youth are gone and, at a time when Serena really needs support, Luna sets aside her own life to come to the rescue. But her generosity is not what it seems and before long she does something so devastating that her past conduct pales into insignificance.
Distraught once more, Serena and her vicar boyfriend, Will, move to a country parish for a fresh start, but Luna casts a long shadow over their dream of a happy family life. Serena wants nothing to do with her sister, but while Luna has the upper hand, it’s impossible for her to move on.
These twins, torn apart by bad blood, discover that you can’t choose your relatives—and sometimes you can’t escape them either.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2016
588 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Boxall
11 books184 followersRebecca Boxall was born in East Sussex in 1977 and grew up in a bustling vicarage always filled with family, friends and parishioners. She now lives by the sea in Jersey with her husband, children and cat. She read English at the University of Warwick before training as a lawyer and also studied Creative Writing with The Writer's Bureau. She was nominated for the Romantic Novel Awards in 2020.
Rebecca's books have all become bestsellers, two of them reaching No. 1 on the UK Kindle charts, proving popular with readers interested in seasonal novels that are feel-good but touch on some serious issues too. For more information please visit www.facebook.com/christmasatthevicarage or www.rebeccaboxall.co.uk.
About Christmas at the Vicarage:
"I was inspired by Rosamunde Pilcher, my favourite author, whose books I've re-read again and again. There's something so gentle and soothing about her books and I wanted to try to write something similarly feel-good. They always say write about what you know and so I decided to focus on vicarage life as I grew up in a village parish as the daughter of an eccentric vicar. When my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer it was the final push I needed to write a book based on life at a vicarage, with a character inspired by him (the vicar, of course!). He read the book in draft but sadly died before it was published."
Rebecca's books have all become bestsellers, two of them reaching No. 1 on the UK Kindle charts, proving popular with readers interested in seasonal novels that are feel-good but touch on some serious issues too. For more information please visit www.facebook.com/christmasatthevicarage or www.rebeccaboxall.co.uk.
About Christmas at the Vicarage:
"I was inspired by Rosamunde Pilcher, my favourite author, whose books I've re-read again and again. There's something so gentle and soothing about her books and I wanted to try to write something similarly feel-good. They always say write about what you know and so I decided to focus on vicarage life as I grew up in a village parish as the daughter of an eccentric vicar. When my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer it was the final push I needed to write a book based on life at a vicarage, with a character inspired by him (the vicar, of course!). He read the book in draft but sadly died before it was published."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
December 20, 2016
Serena and Luna are identical twins, but while they look exactly alike their characters couldn't be more different. Serena is kind and thoughtful and Luna is difficult and sometimes incredibly mean. She's selfish and she manages to hurt her sister plenty of times. Eventually she betrays her in a way that breaks Serena's heart.
Serena's boyfriend Will is a vicar. They move to a rural village to start over. There they open their house for those who need it. Finally their days are filled with company and sometimes happiness again and they can start to heal. They need to find their place in the village, there's a whole new way of life they have to get used to, and an alleged curse on the house is keeping Serena busy. When Serena and Will finally feel like they can breathe a little again Luna disrupts their lives once more. Will Serena be able to overcome yet another hurdle or will her sister be able to destroy her this time?
Home for Winter is a wonderful original story. I immediately loved Serena, she's calm, levelheaded and she's kind and caring. She opens her home for two people who need a place to stay and deserve a second chance to find happiness. While what Serena has been through is awful she's still there for others and I loved that about her character. Fortunately she's found a warmhearted man to share her life with. Will is always there to support her. She needs an ally, someone who always has her back and that's what their relationship provides. They're obviously made for each other and I enjoyed reading about their daily life.
Luna is unstable and she doesn't care about the damage she causes, she does whatever she likes. She doesn't want Serena to have anything she doesn't have. I often felt bad for Serena and it broke my heart to see what Luna did to her. Fortunately Serena is strong and she can deal with a lot. Rebecca Boxall alternates Serena's life in the present with a chronological account of what happened to her before she moved to the countryside. Luna is always an uncertain factor, she's someone who disrupts and destroys. That makes the story interesting and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I knew something big was about to happen, but I had no idea what it would be. I love stories about sisters and Home for Winter is definitely interesting enough to make it a really good one.
Rebecca Boxall writes about life in a parish and she does this in a way that makes her story great for both readers who are and aren't religious. I enjoyed reading about the visitors of the house, the inhabitants of the village and their annual events and the countryside way of life. Rebecca Boxall's descriptions are vivid and thorough. I could almost taste, hear, feel and smell everything she writes about and that's what I loved most about this book. I enjoyed reading this fantastic winter story very much.
Serena's boyfriend Will is a vicar. They move to a rural village to start over. There they open their house for those who need it. Finally their days are filled with company and sometimes happiness again and they can start to heal. They need to find their place in the village, there's a whole new way of life they have to get used to, and an alleged curse on the house is keeping Serena busy. When Serena and Will finally feel like they can breathe a little again Luna disrupts their lives once more. Will Serena be able to overcome yet another hurdle or will her sister be able to destroy her this time?
Home for Winter is a wonderful original story. I immediately loved Serena, she's calm, levelheaded and she's kind and caring. She opens her home for two people who need a place to stay and deserve a second chance to find happiness. While what Serena has been through is awful she's still there for others and I loved that about her character. Fortunately she's found a warmhearted man to share her life with. Will is always there to support her. She needs an ally, someone who always has her back and that's what their relationship provides. They're obviously made for each other and I enjoyed reading about their daily life.
Luna is unstable and she doesn't care about the damage she causes, she does whatever she likes. She doesn't want Serena to have anything she doesn't have. I often felt bad for Serena and it broke my heart to see what Luna did to her. Fortunately Serena is strong and she can deal with a lot. Rebecca Boxall alternates Serena's life in the present with a chronological account of what happened to her before she moved to the countryside. Luna is always an uncertain factor, she's someone who disrupts and destroys. That makes the story interesting and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I knew something big was about to happen, but I had no idea what it would be. I love stories about sisters and Home for Winter is definitely interesting enough to make it a really good one.
Rebecca Boxall writes about life in a parish and she does this in a way that makes her story great for both readers who are and aren't religious. I enjoyed reading about the visitors of the house, the inhabitants of the village and their annual events and the countryside way of life. Rebecca Boxall's descriptions are vivid and thorough. I could almost taste, hear, feel and smell everything she writes about and that's what I loved most about this book. I enjoyed reading this fantastic winter story very much.
September 6, 2022
Well this certainly isn't your stereotypical cheery Christmas book.
The whole twin story line was really good and made this book!
The whole twin story line was really good and made this book!
August 18, 2019
I was expecting more
If you're looking for a story that's somewhat predictable, with not much in the way of twists or revelations, this book is for you. I found myself wanting more, however. The one twist came way too late in the book, after I'd lost all interest in Serena's and Will's lives.
The peripheral characters were just that. The author tried to flesh them out but none of it seemed to work for me. I know there is an audience for this read, but I'm obviously not it.
If you're looking for a story that's somewhat predictable, with not much in the way of twists or revelations, this book is for you. I found myself wanting more, however. The one twist came way too late in the book, after I'd lost all interest in Serena's and Will's lives.
The peripheral characters were just that. The author tried to flesh them out but none of it seemed to work for me. I know there is an audience for this read, but I'm obviously not it.
February 5, 2017
This is the 2nd book I've read by this author and both got 5 stars.
Great read great characters and a lovely twist towards the end
Great read great characters and a lovely twist towards the end
January 4, 2017
For me this book turned out to be quite a surprise. I was obviously interested enough to start reading the book but I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. It was such a heartwarming book about life, loves, friends and family but also gave a little bit on mystery that had me not wanting to put it down. For me, Home for Winter, really showed two main points: while your life may take some unexpected twists in the end you may end up far better than planned and some people really do end up becoming the family you never expected.
October 21, 2017
Interesting storyline
Warm and engaging book which uses time flashbacks and sub plots to provide a modern and relevant text covering several issues. Very enjoyable.
Warm and engaging book which uses time flashbacks and sub plots to provide a modern and relevant text covering several issues. Very enjoyable.
October 22, 2017
Perfect holiday read
I really enjoyed this book, it was really nice to read a book that you could not wait to pick up but was not all swearing etc. Well done to Rebecca Boxall
I really enjoyed this book, it was really nice to read a book that you could not wait to pick up but was not all swearing etc. Well done to Rebecca Boxall
November 14, 2016
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union publishing and Rebecca Boxall for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I love stories that are different from the norm and this book ticked that box for me. As it had bits about parish life and faith running through the book that you didn't find very often. Which i found really interesting.
This book holds the readers attention from the beginning to the end as it is not just a love story but has lots of drama in it as well.
The characters in the book are all interesting as they have their own secrets and lives.
The descriptions of the countryside were really inviting. I love the British countryside and always find it so calming and healing.
The book is set in two different times the past and the present. But it flows so well that I didn't feel confused by it at all.
Serena and Luna are identical twins. But Serena has never forgiven Luna for a betrayal that happened when they were children.
Years later however Serena and Luna are reunited again due to a family tragedy. Luna is a changed person and when Serena needs help and support Luna drops everything to come to her rescue. But is this as good as it seems? Has Luna really put her old ways behind her? Or is Luna plotting something sinister? Something that you can never come back from?
Serena and vicor boyfriend Will. Move to a country parish for a fresh start. But is Luna truly left in the past? Or is she a nasty shadow that hangs over a happily ever after that Serena so desperately wants?
Lots of drama and family drama in this book that is very interesting. It always has a nice Christmassy feel and a romance story running through it.
I hope you enjoy this book. Happy reading everyone
I love stories that are different from the norm and this book ticked that box for me. As it had bits about parish life and faith running through the book that you didn't find very often. Which i found really interesting.
This book holds the readers attention from the beginning to the end as it is not just a love story but has lots of drama in it as well.
The characters in the book are all interesting as they have their own secrets and lives.
The descriptions of the countryside were really inviting. I love the British countryside and always find it so calming and healing.
The book is set in two different times the past and the present. But it flows so well that I didn't feel confused by it at all.
Serena and Luna are identical twins. But Serena has never forgiven Luna for a betrayal that happened when they were children.
Years later however Serena and Luna are reunited again due to a family tragedy. Luna is a changed person and when Serena needs help and support Luna drops everything to come to her rescue. But is this as good as it seems? Has Luna really put her old ways behind her? Or is Luna plotting something sinister? Something that you can never come back from?
Serena and vicor boyfriend Will. Move to a country parish for a fresh start. But is Luna truly left in the past? Or is she a nasty shadow that hangs over a happily ever after that Serena so desperately wants?
Lots of drama and family drama in this book that is very interesting. It always has a nice Christmassy feel and a romance story running through it.
I hope you enjoy this book. Happy reading everyone
February 7, 2017
This book was ridiculously disappointing. From the blurb I read, I thought this was going to be Christian fiction with a Christmas setting...not so much. This story was more like a bad Lifetime movie. I agree with a previous reviewer that if I hadn't received this in exchange for a review I would have stopped reading it way before the ending.
***I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
***I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2016
Like her previous book, you get into it straight away and love the characters immediately. A lovely story with a few shockers along the way.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope I can look forward to another in 2017.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope I can look forward to another in 2017.
December 28, 2016
Possibly the most unlikely plot I have ever read but a pleasant enough Christmas read.
Possibly the most unlikely plot I have ever read, but a pleasant enough Christmas read. Only worth 99p though or get as Prime freebie.
Possibly the most unlikely plot I have ever read, but a pleasant enough Christmas read. Only worth 99p though or get as Prime freebie.
December 28, 2016
My wife thoroughly enjoyed this kept her quiet for a few hours
January 4, 2017
Enjoyable easy read
A good enjoyable read. As the characters are up to date you can relate to them as indivduals .a must read
A good enjoyable read. As the characters are up to date you can relate to them as indivduals .a must read
February 3, 2017
Nope! Next!
November 14, 2017
A fun read
It was a little hard to follow in the beginning but became more enjoyable & a very good read! I would recommend this book!
It was a little hard to follow in the beginning but became more enjoyable & a very good read! I would recommend this book!
June 1, 2018
The story of Winter!!!
A lovely story with back flashes to add to the "plot" Will and Serena move to a lovely village hoping to start a new life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story with its many great and varied characters and their sadness and happiness.
Highly recommend
A lovely story with back flashes to add to the "plot" Will and Serena move to a lovely village hoping to start a new life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story with its many great and varied characters and their sadness and happiness.
Highly recommend
November 21, 2016
Serena and Will have just moved into the vicarage in a Sussex village and are hoping to settle well into the Parish and make new friends and move on with their lives - but soon upon arrival they hear stories about the nursery being haunted and that no-one living there has been able to have children. Serena is very upset and we soon realise that something has happened and moving parish is supposed to be a new beginning for both of them.
Serena has an identical twin sister Luna who she is estranged from and various chapters go back in time to parts of their lives to fill in the back story. As children Luna was always the more gregarious twin and always wanted her own way and anything that Serena had! When Luna goes too far they fall out and have nothing to do with each other for years but after a family tragedy they become reconciled and it seems that her old jealous ways have disappeared for good....but have they or will she do something far worse than anything she has done before!
A great story - I loved the friendships that they made, taking in people in need even though they had their own problems and the village characters were great in true village style and the story worked well with the flashbacks filling in the history - definitely worth reading
Serena has an identical twin sister Luna who she is estranged from and various chapters go back in time to parts of their lives to fill in the back story. As children Luna was always the more gregarious twin and always wanted her own way and anything that Serena had! When Luna goes too far they fall out and have nothing to do with each other for years but after a family tragedy they become reconciled and it seems that her old jealous ways have disappeared for good....but have they or will she do something far worse than anything she has done before!
A great story - I loved the friendships that they made, taking in people in need even though they had their own problems and the village characters were great in true village style and the story worked well with the flashbacks filling in the history - definitely worth reading
December 7, 2016
Serena Meadows is an identical twin to Luna in looks but total opposites in personality. Home for Winter tells the story of the relationship of the two sisters and how different they are from one another. Serena is quiet, peaceful, kind, considerate, caring and willing to help others while Luna is spiteful, selfish, scheming and rather wicked.
Serena and Will, her partner, a vicar live in a new village and work hard to make a new start and a new home. It all comes right when the Home for Winter is finally ready and Serena's mother brings Winter back to Serena and Will.
The story jumps from one time to another in Serena's life as the story develops and it isn't until close to the end that it all makes perfect sense and is really a great story.
I want to thank Rebecca Boxall, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the copy of Home for Winter that I won in Kindle format.
Serena and Will, her partner, a vicar live in a new village and work hard to make a new start and a new home. It all comes right when the Home for Winter is finally ready and Serena's mother brings Winter back to Serena and Will.
The story jumps from one time to another in Serena's life as the story develops and it isn't until close to the end that it all makes perfect sense and is really a great story.
I want to thank Rebecca Boxall, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the copy of Home for Winter that I won in Kindle format.
December 28, 2016
g for this ARC I received in return for an honest review.
I read the blurb to this and thought it sounded ok but it was a slow read for me. The book has alternate chapters jumping from present time in serena's life as the vicars partner and past years with previous boyfriends and her current partner but eeking out information little by little of her sister, Luna.
I struggled with this book as I found it slow going, far too many characters to keep track of and why! and a fairly unbelievable storyline I'm afraid.
The book picked up pace at around 70% and I read those quickly but it took me nearly a week to finish this when most books take me a matter of a couple of days.
I read the blurb to this and thought it sounded ok but it was a slow read for me. The book has alternate chapters jumping from present time in serena's life as the vicars partner and past years with previous boyfriends and her current partner but eeking out information little by little of her sister, Luna.
I struggled with this book as I found it slow going, far too many characters to keep track of and why! and a fairly unbelievable storyline I'm afraid.
The book picked up pace at around 70% and I read those quickly but it took me nearly a week to finish this when most books take me a matter of a couple of days.
December 23, 2016
The chapters go from current to the past of the sisters. Good twin vs. bad twin!! What an evil sister Luna is, while Serena is the sweet caring sister. Family mystery with a little bit of charm thrown in.
Being a segregate for ones sister and stealing the baby is down right awful.... not to mention the other horrible things Luna did to Serena. My love for Winter was immediate! Great book I highly recommend!!!
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Being a segregate for ones sister and stealing the baby is down right awful.... not to mention the other horrible things Luna did to Serena. My love for Winter was immediate! Great book I highly recommend!!!
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2016
well written fast read (it's fairly short) with some very good characters in Will, Luna, and Serena. I enjoyed this more than I expected to, in part because Boxall hit a sweet spot with her setting and plot. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC- try this one if you'd like a story of family issues that is ultimately very positive.
Currently reading
November 11, 2016In compliance with FTC guidelines, I have won this book through the Goodreads Giveaways.
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again
February 3, 2017
Another lovely seasonal story from Rebecca Boxall.
This book tells the story of Serena, a twin to Luna - identical in looks but totally different personalities. Serena longs to be a mother, but struggles to recover from failed IVF treatments.
I really enjoyed this book.
This book tells the story of Serena, a twin to Luna - identical in looks but totally different personalities. Serena longs to be a mother, but struggles to recover from failed IVF treatments.
I really enjoyed this book.
March 5, 2017
Home for Winter
I thoroughly enjoyed Will and Serena's story. The characters were believable and the story kept me enthralled. I liked the author's style of writing and couldn't wait to hear the whole story.
I thoroughly enjoyed Will and Serena's story. The characters were believable and the story kept me enthralled. I liked the author's style of writing and couldn't wait to hear the whole story.
January 13, 2018
A Great Read
Loved it, couldn't put it down. The character's were all so very different and this made a nice change. It wasn't corney nor overzealous where the character's were concerned
Loved it, couldn't put it down. The character's were all so very different and this made a nice change. It wasn't corney nor overzealous where the character's were concerned
December 30, 2016
Great re
A very good book with a few surprising twists. Enjoyed reading it very much. Would recommended to other readers .
A very good book with a few surprising twists. Enjoyed reading it very much. Would recommended to other readers .
January 9, 2017
Interesting and sad
February 16, 2017
A nice book - flowed nicely and the characters were easy to read about. Plot was good and engaging and happy to have read it.
March 12, 2017
Winter
I really enjoyed this book, I'm on holiday, It only took a couple hours to read but would recommend it as an easy to read book. Enjoyable - but where was forgiveness?
I really enjoyed this book, I'm on holiday, It only took a couple hours to read but would recommend it as an easy to read book. Enjoyable - but where was forgiveness?
January 8, 2018
Lovely story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews