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Wynbridge #5
Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair
When Anna takes on the role of companion to the owner of Wynthorpe Hall, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, she has no idea that her life is set to change beyond all recognition.
A confirmed ‘bah humbug’ when it comes to Christmas, Anna is amazed to find herself quickly immersed in the eccentric household, and when youngest son Jamie unexpectedly arrives home it soon becomes obvious that her personal feelings are going all out to compromise her professional persona.
Jamie, struggling to come to terms with life back in the Fens, makes a pact with Anna – she has to teach him to fall back in love with Wynthorpe Hall, while he helps her fall back in love with Christmas. But will it all prove too much for Anna, or can the family of Wynthorpe Hall warm her heart once and for all...?
Join Anna for a festive journey festooned with sleigh rides and silver bells and help her discover her happy-ever-after.
~*~
A confirmed ‘bah humbug’ when it comes to Christmas, Anna is amazed to find herself quickly immersed in the eccentric household, and when youngest son Jamie unexpectedly arrives home it soon becomes obvious that her personal feelings are going all out to compromise her professional persona.
Jamie, struggling to come to terms with life back in the Fens, makes a pact with Anna – she has to teach him to fall back in love with Wynthorpe Hall, while he helps her fall back in love with Christmas. But will it all prove too much for Anna, or can the family of Wynthorpe Hall warm her heart once and for all...?
Join Anna for a festive journey festooned with sleigh rides and silver bells and help her discover her happy-ever-after.
~*~
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2017
152 people are currently reading
2000 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Swain
31 books1,212 followersAlthough passionate about writing from an early age, Heidi Swain gained a degree in Literature, flirted briefly with a newspaper career, married and had two children before she finally plucked up the courage to join a creative writing class and take her literary ambitions seriously.
A lover of Galaxy bars, vintage paraphernalia and the odd bottle of fizz, she now writes contemporary fiction and enjoys the company of a whole host of feisty female characters.
Heidi can be found at the keyboard at all hours of the day and night and quite often scribbling longhand in her car during her lunch break. She lives in stunning south Norfolk with her wonderful son and daughter and a mischievous cat called Storm.
A lover of Galaxy bars, vintage paraphernalia and the odd bottle of fizz, she now writes contemporary fiction and enjoys the company of a whole host of feisty female characters.
Heidi can be found at the keyboard at all hours of the day and night and quite often scribbling longhand in her car during her lunch break. She lives in stunning south Norfolk with her wonderful son and daughter and a mischievous cat called Storm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
December 26, 2017
I loved the setting for this one, but the love story fell a bit flat for me. The book overall kept me well entertained, as I liked the characters, the plot and the landscape and especially the hall! But the budding romance between Anna and Jamie just felt rushed and boring and not very real to me. It felt like insta love, but the characters try to hold off. And then it all gets settled within a couple of pages in the end.
Obviously the ending to such a story is predictable, but it didn't give me that warm and happy feeling, but instead left me uninterested in their lovestory.
Some of the problems the characters had were just resolved way too easily for how big of a problem they were made out in the beginning.
I'll go for 3,5* as I still enjoyed the story over all!
Obviously the ending to such a story is predictable, but it didn't give me that warm and happy feeling, but instead left me uninterested in their lovestory.
Some of the problems the characters had were just resolved way too easily for how big of a problem they were made out in the beginning.
I'll go for 3,5* as I still enjoyed the story over all!
January 21, 2018
Oh my gods, Heidi has done it again, another amazing delightful and heartfelt story that I just fell in love with and completely got lost in. She has such a way with words that her style of writing is truly magical which draws you in from the very first page.
It literally melted my heart from start to finish. I enjoyed every little moment, the characters were a delight and I loved getting to know them all.
Heidi set the scene and location perfectly, I really felt like I could just step straight into the story at Wynthorpe Hall, becoming involved and inmurst myself with all of the wonderful characters, Christmas festivities and traditions.
I really didn't want the story to end or to say bye to the characters and I'm already looking forward to reading Heidi's other books so as I can indulge myself her wonderful stories and delightful characters again.
It literally melted my heart from start to finish. I enjoyed every little moment, the characters were a delight and I loved getting to know them all.
Heidi set the scene and location perfectly, I really felt like I could just step straight into the story at Wynthorpe Hall, becoming involved and inmurst myself with all of the wonderful characters, Christmas festivities and traditions.
I really didn't want the story to end or to say bye to the characters and I'm already looking forward to reading Heidi's other books so as I can indulge myself her wonderful stories and delightful characters again.
October 28, 2022
Dieses Buch habe ich eigentlich gar nicht kaufen wollen, aber dieses Cover hat mich dann doch überzeugt und ich kann nur sagen, dass ich so froh bin, dass ich diesem Buch eine Chance gegeben habe, denn es war so schön. So heimelig. So cozy. Einfach zum Verlieben. Die Familie kann man nur ins Herz schließen und Wynthorpe Hall ist wie ein Traum aus dem man nicht aufwachen möchte. Die Liebesgeschichte ist eher eine Nebenhandlung, aber trotzdem fand ich es total süß. Es war eines meiner liebsten Weihnachtsbücher dieses Jahr und ich kann es nur jeden an Weihnachten ans Herz legen. Ein Jahreshighlight.
5 Sterne
5 Sterne
November 10, 2025
Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair
3✨
3✨
December 27, 2023
*Momentous Changes.*
This is book 5 of the 9 standalones based in Wynbridge - it is worth reading in order as there may be slight spoilers
Nothing for Anna has been the same ever since her mother passed away around Christmas time when she was eight years old. Sadly her father took to the bottle and Christmas was always ruined. So when she got older she decided that Christmas was not for her. With that in mind she takes a job at Wynthorpe Hall just outside of Wynbridge. She only took the job as a companion to the owner as she recovers from surgery as they said Christmas would be low key. Little does she know it will be the life changing experience she never knew existed.
So as with Heidi Swain books the stories are mostly predictable but in a nice way and easy to read with a few colourful characters, misunderstandings, assumptions and jumping to the complete wrong conclusions with comedy and bittersweet moments, I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
This is book 5 of the 9 standalones based in Wynbridge - it is worth reading in order as there may be slight spoilers
Nothing for Anna has been the same ever since her mother passed away around Christmas time when she was eight years old. Sadly her father took to the bottle and Christmas was always ruined. So when she got older she decided that Christmas was not for her. With that in mind she takes a job at Wynthorpe Hall just outside of Wynbridge. She only took the job as a companion to the owner as she recovers from surgery as they said Christmas would be low key. Little does she know it will be the life changing experience she never knew existed.
So as with Heidi Swain books the stories are mostly predictable but in a nice way and easy to read with a few colourful characters, misunderstandings, assumptions and jumping to the complete wrong conclusions with comedy and bittersweet moments, I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
December 31, 2020
Read this if you want to get into the Christmas cozy vibes fuelled with familial tensions. But a cottage with seasonal magic of Christmas, it was a delightful read and one of my absolute favorites of this year.
December 10, 2021
Hmm. I wanted to enjoy this for the cosy Christmas romance it promised to be, but it fell flat for me. I found the main character judgemental and stuffy, the love interest first bland and then uncomfortably pushy, and the chemistry between them a bit lacklustre. I also felt like the spectacular set pieces I’d expect from a Christmas romance were rushed through and glossed over. There’s not really a lot of page time spent on either the Christmas events or the romance at all, and an awful lot of time spent on artificially padding the plot with indecisive waffling from the heroine or various characters saying “I can’t talk about that now, I’ll explain later” for very unconvincing reasons. The extended cast of characters were charming enough, but there were obviously a lot of cameos and references to other books in the series that I didn’t get, as a newcomer to this author. The plot felt contrived and too easily resolved without any action or even real decision making on the part of the heroine, who also did very little to deserve how much everyone instantly adored her. And the characterisation of the villains, such as they were, made me roll my eyes. A selfish brother who’s actually secretly wonderful but got manipulated into behaving selfishly by a bitchy two dimensional gold digger girlfriend? Yeesh. Even the confrontation with these two was over almost before it began.
All in all, this didn’t delight me, though there were fun parts. I think my favourite character was Angus, the father of the household, even though everyone’s eye rolling at his “antics” was way out of proportion with his actual behaviour (who gets kicked out of hospital for playing card games with the other patients??). He was kind, and entertaining, and drove a lot of the strongest emotional moments of the book.
Content warning for repeated casual comments about calories and portion sizes and body size from the main character, which were pretty mild but repetitive and annoying. Why do romance writers think their heroines’ diets are interesting???
All in all, this didn’t delight me, though there were fun parts. I think my favourite character was Angus, the father of the household, even though everyone’s eye rolling at his “antics” was way out of proportion with his actual behaviour (who gets kicked out of hospital for playing card games with the other patients??). He was kind, and entertaining, and drove a lot of the strongest emotional moments of the book.
Content warning for repeated casual comments about calories and portion sizes and body size from the main character, which were pretty mild but repetitive and annoying. Why do romance writers think their heroines’ diets are interesting???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2017
Well Heidi has certainly written an amazing book here each time I never think she can beat how well the last book was written but each time she has. This book was totally charming and full of Christmas and romance and sparkle. Loved it from the first page and didn't want to put it down at all. Love going back to the same village and hearing more about new people and such a warm read I highly recommend this book. Anna has always avoided Christmas after loosing her mum at Christmas and will always find a job that will keep her busy and forget about Christmas. This year is set to be different though as she gets a job at Wynthorpe Hall as companion to the owner. The son Jamie arrives home at the hall and her own personal feelings are going all out to compromise her professional persona. Jamie struggles being back at home and they make a pact that he falls back in love with the hall and she agrees to fall back in love with Christmas. Can she do this or do things get in the way and can she be happy and stay or does she end up leaving as she's unsure of falling in love.
December 24, 2018
Totally loved it, really good plot and likable characters. The story of Anna who takes a job as a companion and soon realises that she can't hide from the past she has been running away from.
January 14, 2020
Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells was an incredibly charming and comforting read from page one. When I started reading this, I was looking for a book that wouldn’t cause too many emotions and would be something that I could just get lost in; not too different than when you watch a favorite movie for the 54th time.
After reading Sleigh Rides, I sincerely can’t wait to pick up the first book in the series, The Cherry Tree Café. The characters are reminiscent of a small town that you’d find here, in the US in the south, perhaps. But, Sleigh Rides takes place in the Fens in eastern England.
I’ll admit that my geographical knowledge of this area is tantamount to my knowledge of, say, raising farm animals (I don’t think I’ve ever even been on a farm). However, I feel like Swain does an amazing job bringing the reader into her world and characters without having to have any previous knowledge of some of the various colloquialisms and terms.
Each book in the series follows different main characters, but I believe we get to see previous characters in this book. So, it’s a really beautiful world that makes me feel like I’m watching an episode of Andy Griffith… There’s the main character, there’s the problem, then a lovely solution to tie it all up.
The characters in Sleigh Rides didn’t seem too parsed out all in all. Anna, our main character has the most growth and development. However, it’s not like this is a book that takes you on a huge emotional journey. So, her growth is pretty concise and cleanly done.
I highly recommend this series for anyone who wants a little bit of romance, quirky side-characters, and some sweet story-telling.
After reading Sleigh Rides, I sincerely can’t wait to pick up the first book in the series, The Cherry Tree Café. The characters are reminiscent of a small town that you’d find here, in the US in the south, perhaps. But, Sleigh Rides takes place in the Fens in eastern England.
I’ll admit that my geographical knowledge of this area is tantamount to my knowledge of, say, raising farm animals (I don’t think I’ve ever even been on a farm). However, I feel like Swain does an amazing job bringing the reader into her world and characters without having to have any previous knowledge of some of the various colloquialisms and terms.
Each book in the series follows different main characters, but I believe we get to see previous characters in this book. So, it’s a really beautiful world that makes me feel like I’m watching an episode of Andy Griffith… There’s the main character, there’s the problem, then a lovely solution to tie it all up.
The characters in Sleigh Rides didn’t seem too parsed out all in all. Anna, our main character has the most growth and development. However, it’s not like this is a book that takes you on a huge emotional journey. So, her growth is pretty concise and cleanly done.
I highly recommend this series for anyone who wants a little bit of romance, quirky side-characters, and some sweet story-telling.
December 21, 2017
Anna does all she can to avoid Christmas and when the job as a companion comes up at Wynthorpe Hall it is perfect. She is met with a very warm welcome from the owners and also the staff, in fact at times it is hard to see a difference between staff and family as they all just seem to bimble along in a wonderful warm way, everyone helps out with whatever is required. Anna trying to be professional, unknowingly lets her guard down and fits right in.
Oh my goodness, this is such a deliciously warm, snugly and cosy read. The characters are as welcoming to the reader as they are to Anna on her arrival. As the story unfolds you get to meet all the characters and all their quirky ways and also their friendly and open warmth as you read about how they arrived at the Hall, what they do and their relationships with each other. But there is also a serious side to the story that involves the owners three sons who you will meet further in, Christopher, Archie and Jamie. They have different lives and responsibilities and the story line takes in various problems and run in between them in its stride.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I followed Anna and the other characters to the run up to Christmas at the Hall, there antics are hilarious at times and I found myself reading with a daft grin on my face. A book that I could not put down, very well paced with a brilliantly written cast.
This is my first experience of reading this author, yes I am kicking myself for this, I will definitely be reading more.
If you want a heartwarming festive treat, then this is the book to read. It is a book that was comfortable and relaxing and is ideal for readers who like a festive fiction, women’s fiction and romance.
Oh my goodness, this is such a deliciously warm, snugly and cosy read. The characters are as welcoming to the reader as they are to Anna on her arrival. As the story unfolds you get to meet all the characters and all their quirky ways and also their friendly and open warmth as you read about how they arrived at the Hall, what they do and their relationships with each other. But there is also a serious side to the story that involves the owners three sons who you will meet further in, Christopher, Archie and Jamie. They have different lives and responsibilities and the story line takes in various problems and run in between them in its stride.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I followed Anna and the other characters to the run up to Christmas at the Hall, there antics are hilarious at times and I found myself reading with a daft grin on my face. A book that I could not put down, very well paced with a brilliantly written cast.
This is my first experience of reading this author, yes I am kicking myself for this, I will definitely be reading more.
If you want a heartwarming festive treat, then this is the book to read. It is a book that was comfortable and relaxing and is ideal for readers who like a festive fiction, women’s fiction and romance.
October 31, 2022
"Apfelpunsch und Winterleuchten" ist nicht mein erstes Weihnachtsbuch der Autorin und es wird definitiv auch nicht das letzte Buch sein.
Anna hasst Weihnachten und nimmt daher jedes Jahr einen Job über die Weihnachtszeit, um sich von den negativen Erinnerungen abzulenken. Diesmal landet sie auf dem Herrenhaus Wynthorpe Hall in dem kleinen Ort Wynbridge und ausgerechnet hier gibt es ganz viel Weihnachten. Jamie, der jüngste Sohn, ihrer Arbeitsgeber macht es sich daher zur Aufgabe, sie von den schönen Seiten von Weihnachten zu überzeugen.
Ich fand die Geschichte rund um das Herrenhaus sehr unterhaltsam. Anna war eine sympathische Protagonist, auch wenn sie manchmal ein wenig distanziert und kühl wirkt. Jamie ist ein netter Kerl, der ein wenig mit seinem Erbe rund um das Herrenhaus hadert. Zusammen haben sich die beiden wirklich sehr gut ergänzt und ihre warmen Seiten zum Vorschein gebracht.
Das Setting war wirklich wunderschön und es gibt einiges an Weihnachtsstimmung mit Märkten und Weihnachtsfeiern. Manchmal hätte ich mir aber noch ein bisschen mehr Weihnachtsfeeling gewünscht.
Anna hasst Weihnachten und nimmt daher jedes Jahr einen Job über die Weihnachtszeit, um sich von den negativen Erinnerungen abzulenken. Diesmal landet sie auf dem Herrenhaus Wynthorpe Hall in dem kleinen Ort Wynbridge und ausgerechnet hier gibt es ganz viel Weihnachten. Jamie, der jüngste Sohn, ihrer Arbeitsgeber macht es sich daher zur Aufgabe, sie von den schönen Seiten von Weihnachten zu überzeugen.
Ich fand die Geschichte rund um das Herrenhaus sehr unterhaltsam. Anna war eine sympathische Protagonist, auch wenn sie manchmal ein wenig distanziert und kühl wirkt. Jamie ist ein netter Kerl, der ein wenig mit seinem Erbe rund um das Herrenhaus hadert. Zusammen haben sich die beiden wirklich sehr gut ergänzt und ihre warmen Seiten zum Vorschein gebracht.
Das Setting war wirklich wunderschön und es gibt einiges an Weihnachtsstimmung mit Märkten und Weihnachtsfeiern. Manchmal hätte ich mir aber noch ein bisschen mehr Weihnachtsfeeling gewünscht.
December 15, 2019
One of my favourite of Heidi's stories, a real feel-good read that was perfect for this time of year.
October 20, 2022
For me, there are certain books that just grab me and I know after the first chapter that it is going to be something special and will stay with me for a while. I know that my copy of this book will, in years to come, become dog-eared and well read. This book was so special that I know I am going to read this book every Christmas. For me it is one of THOSE books.
I have read other Heidi Swain books and they are all brilliant books to read. To me though, this was my favourite. As with the other books, we are re-introduced to characters from her other books which are set in this idyllic village. I always really love this in books. It feels like you are visiting old friends!
I was just pulled into this lovely world at Wynthorpe Hall and all its characters. They are all unique in their own way but I felt particular affection for Angus. Loveable Angus, the patriarch of the family who takes broken Anna under their wings.
I couldn’t get enough of this beautifully written story and felt genuinely sad when the ride was over.
I have read other Heidi Swain books and they are all brilliant books to read. To me though, this was my favourite. As with the other books, we are re-introduced to characters from her other books which are set in this idyllic village. I always really love this in books. It feels like you are visiting old friends!
I was just pulled into this lovely world at Wynthorpe Hall and all its characters. They are all unique in their own way but I felt particular affection for Angus. Loveable Angus, the patriarch of the family who takes broken Anna under their wings.
I couldn’t get enough of this beautifully written story and felt genuinely sad when the ride was over.
March 28, 2022
Perfect Christmas book.
December 26, 2020
3.5- This book follows the main character of Anna, who takes on the role of companion to Catherine, the owner of Wynthorpe Hall over the Christmas period. Anna does not celebrate Christmas for a reason which is revealed later in the book. We follow Anna’s experiences at the hall, and her meeting with Catherine’s son Jamie, who has returned to the hall from travelling. The two of them make a pact, Anna will help Jamie fall in love with the hall again, and he will make her fall in love with Christmas again.
I loved Anna and all of the characters at Wynthorpe Hall, and found this to be a feel good festive romance which was easy to read. I loved where this was set and the hall and surrounding area is described very well. I think this was my first Heidi Swain book and it won’t be my last as I love how she sets the scene and fell in love with all of the characters she has created. A cozy little festive read which I enjoyed 😊
I loved Anna and all of the characters at Wynthorpe Hall, and found this to be a feel good festive romance which was easy to read. I loved where this was set and the hall and surrounding area is described very well. I think this was my first Heidi Swain book and it won’t be my last as I love how she sets the scene and fell in love with all of the characters she has created. A cozy little festive read which I enjoyed 😊
January 2, 2018
What a lovely happy story great for a Christmas holiday read
December 12, 2021
this one was just ok. maybe i did not pay enough attention to it, but i don't think it's the best christmas book out there...
December 17, 2022
Anna takes on the role of a companion to the owner of Wynthorpe Hall just outside of Wynbridge and has no idea that her life is about to change.
Anna doesn't celebrate Christmas due to past experiences as a child, but then finds herself surprisingly immersed. She meets Jamie, the youngest son. They make a deal - Jamie will help Anna enjoy Christmas again and she'll help Jamie fall in love with Wynthorpe Hall again.
I loved this cute and cosy story. There was a whole mix of emotions throughout and it was so nice to go through Anna and Jamie's journey with them. Most of the characters were all lovely and I especially loved Angus, with his quirky ways. Then you got Elise, who tried to ruin everything, but definitely got what she deserved.
Anna doesn't celebrate Christmas due to past experiences as a child, but then finds herself surprisingly immersed. She meets Jamie, the youngest son. They make a deal - Jamie will help Anna enjoy Christmas again and she'll help Jamie fall in love with Wynthorpe Hall again.
I loved this cute and cosy story. There was a whole mix of emotions throughout and it was so nice to go through Anna and Jamie's journey with them. Most of the characters were all lovely and I especially loved Angus, with his quirky ways. Then you got Elise, who tried to ruin everything, but definitely got what she deserved.
October 5, 2023
Such a gorgeous Christmas book!
I love the residents of the Hall, so entertaining and inspiring, it was a pleasure to spend time here amongst them all ❤️
Anna really has such a sad background, you find yourself willing her on to find her Christmas spirit once more.
Some fabulous little twists to the story kept me avidly turning the pages.
Oh how I would love to visit this beautiful place at Christmas 🎄
I love the residents of the Hall, so entertaining and inspiring, it was a pleasure to spend time here amongst them all ❤️
Anna really has such a sad background, you find yourself willing her on to find her Christmas spirit once more.
Some fabulous little twists to the story kept me avidly turning the pages.
Oh how I would love to visit this beautiful place at Christmas 🎄
November 20, 2019
I loved the pagan elements that were respectfully included in the story, but found Jamie's behaviour quite controlling, and the portrayal of Elise really unfeminist - a hackneyed, clichéd 'bitchy' villainess which was really disappointing
January 7, 2018
Loved all the characters.. not so much the love story. Wish they would’ve done more with it. Sweet book though
December 16, 2019
Yawn
I kept waiting for something interesting to happen. sorry but I found it really dull and lacking any real depth
I kept waiting for something interesting to happen. sorry but I found it really dull and lacking any real depth
July 27, 2025
When Christmas rolls around, Anna wants to be busy, and somewhere where there are not a lot of celebrations going on. Her mother died on Christmas, so it is a painful day for her. She takes on the role of companion to the owner of Wynthorpe Hall, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, and she is assured that there will be no Christmas celebrations, but they lied to her. She soon learns her job is to do whatever they ask, and it includes planning events. When the youngest son, Jamie arrives home it soon becomes obvious that her personal feelings are going all out to compromise her professional persona. She is instantly attracted to him, and he to her, but she has another job lined up for as soon as her contract ends. Jamie is not sure if he wants to take over Wynthrope Hall as his mother wants, so he makes a pact with Anna. He will get her to fall in love with Christmas and she will get him to fall in love with Wynthorpe Hall. Which of them will win their bet?
This was a fun story full of festivities, great characters, and storylines. It is the 5th book in a series, but it can be read easily as a standalone. I have read a couple of others in this series, but out of order and I still enjoy them. I love the setting of Wynbridge and all the winter events. There are some eccentric characters, including Jamie's father, who ends up in the hospital at one point doing something that he shouldn't have been doing. The romance between Jamie and Anna had a bit of an insta-love feel, but they did prance around one another for awhile before anyone admits to their feelings. There is a should I or should I not feel to the romance storyline as well, with Anna not wanting to fall for him. Will they become a couple or not. I enjoyed this story and will go back and read the ones I missed along the way.
This was a fun story full of festivities, great characters, and storylines. It is the 5th book in a series, but it can be read easily as a standalone. I have read a couple of others in this series, but out of order and I still enjoy them. I love the setting of Wynbridge and all the winter events. There are some eccentric characters, including Jamie's father, who ends up in the hospital at one point doing something that he shouldn't have been doing. The romance between Jamie and Anna had a bit of an insta-love feel, but they did prance around one another for awhile before anyone admits to their feelings. There is a should I or should I not feel to the romance storyline as well, with Anna not wanting to fall for him. Will they become a couple or not. I enjoyed this story and will go back and read the ones I missed along the way.
February 9, 2022
I know that the Christmas season is over but I wanted to continue my journey through the Wynbridge series and thought listening to a Christmas book wouldn’t be too bad as it’s still bitterly cold here.
Anna is well and truly a Christmas grinch but once you get to know her and her back story you can understand why. It seems to be that every miserable thing that life could throw at her always coincided with Christmas or more precisely, Christmas Day. Is it any wonder that she wants to stay clear of the festive music, mince pies and jolly old Saint Nick?
When Anna agrees to take the job at Wynbridge Hall I don’t think she understood what she was letting herself in for and it was highly entertaining to watch her juggle the locals and the gossip. Catherine and Angus are not your typical Lord and Lady of the manor. The pair are simply made for each other and have not only created a beautiful home but they play a vital role in the community. Family is at the core of this house and Anna soon realises that this invitation is extended to anyone that shows up at Wynthorpe Hall. I loved Angus and his enthusiasm for all things Christmas, he reminded me of a big teddy bear with a heart of gold!
Once again this story was filled to the brim with loveable characters, mischief and of course romance. I did like the steamy chemistry between Anna and Jamie. The flirty innuendos often had me giggling and I had to take me hat off to Anna for some of her comebacks. On a few occasions I felt so much sympathy for Anna but she handled herself and any obstacles with grace and professionalism.
Overall this was a heart warming, cosy read. All I need now is to book myself into somewhere like Wynthorpe Hall and experience a community Christmas!
Anna is well and truly a Christmas grinch but once you get to know her and her back story you can understand why. It seems to be that every miserable thing that life could throw at her always coincided with Christmas or more precisely, Christmas Day. Is it any wonder that she wants to stay clear of the festive music, mince pies and jolly old Saint Nick?
When Anna agrees to take the job at Wynbridge Hall I don’t think she understood what she was letting herself in for and it was highly entertaining to watch her juggle the locals and the gossip. Catherine and Angus are not your typical Lord and Lady of the manor. The pair are simply made for each other and have not only created a beautiful home but they play a vital role in the community. Family is at the core of this house and Anna soon realises that this invitation is extended to anyone that shows up at Wynthorpe Hall. I loved Angus and his enthusiasm for all things Christmas, he reminded me of a big teddy bear with a heart of gold!
Once again this story was filled to the brim with loveable characters, mischief and of course romance. I did like the steamy chemistry between Anna and Jamie. The flirty innuendos often had me giggling and I had to take me hat off to Anna for some of her comebacks. On a few occasions I felt so much sympathy for Anna but she handled herself and any obstacles with grace and professionalism.
Overall this was a heart warming, cosy read. All I need now is to book myself into somewhere like Wynthorpe Hall and experience a community Christmas!
October 24, 2017
Oh Heidi, you’ve done it again!
Anna takes a job as a carer at Wynthorpe Hall in an attempt to escape everything festive as this time of year holds many bad memories and experiences for her. A woman who lives like a nomad, lives for work and likes to live an insular life to protect herself from any attachments for fear of being hurt.
What she doesn’t expect is to be completely taken in by heart and Home by the eccentric family, nor does she expect her heart to thaw by their youngest son Jamie...can Anna remain as aloof as she has become accustomed to?
I read my first Swain book last year (Mincepies & Mistletoe at the Christmas Market), and to be honest it was my first foray into a fluffy Christmas read. And boy did it change my reading habits! I’m now a huge fan.
The characters are all flawed, relatable and utterly lovely. I love the feel good factor that Swain gives you in reading her books. She writes in such a down to earth way that you can’t help but devour the story. I love how she’s brought back previous characters from The Cherry Tree Cafe and her other books.
I’m in love with Wynbridge. If I could move there I would.
For anyone who wants to escape into a world of happy festive fun, I can’t recommend this enough. My Christmases will now always have a Heidi Swain book in them.
Anna takes a job as a carer at Wynthorpe Hall in an attempt to escape everything festive as this time of year holds many bad memories and experiences for her. A woman who lives like a nomad, lives for work and likes to live an insular life to protect herself from any attachments for fear of being hurt.
What she doesn’t expect is to be completely taken in by heart and Home by the eccentric family, nor does she expect her heart to thaw by their youngest son Jamie...can Anna remain as aloof as she has become accustomed to?
I read my first Swain book last year (Mincepies & Mistletoe at the Christmas Market), and to be honest it was my first foray into a fluffy Christmas read. And boy did it change my reading habits! I’m now a huge fan.
The characters are all flawed, relatable and utterly lovely. I love the feel good factor that Swain gives you in reading her books. She writes in such a down to earth way that you can’t help but devour the story. I love how she’s brought back previous characters from The Cherry Tree Cafe and her other books.
I’m in love with Wynbridge. If I could move there I would.
For anyone who wants to escape into a world of happy festive fun, I can’t recommend this enough. My Christmases will now always have a Heidi Swain book in them.
January 1, 2020
Sleigh Rides And Silver Bells At The Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain is a delightful festive offering as we make a return visit to Wynbridge. This can be read as a stand-alone but I enjoyed catching up with familiar faces.
A wonderful warm atmosphere pervades the whole novel and the reader feels included in the welcome. The lost, the lonely and the hurting find a place to call home as huge hearts open their lives and their hearts to heal the vulnerable.
Christmas is a magical time of year but it can also be a time where painful memories are magnified. Shutting one’s heart away can make for a lonely life. We need to open our hearts and let the embers of friendship burst into life.
Families reunite for the festive season. This can produce some interesting dynamics.
The village community pulls together as a disaster threatens to derail Christmas.
The richest people are not those with the most money but those with the biggest hearts as the reader witnesses love in action.
I adore all Heidi Swain’s novels. They are wonderfully warm and welcoming, and always leave me smiling. Do not wait another year to read this book, it’s a great read for any time of year.
Heidi Swain’s books are not just for Christmas but perfect all year round.
A wonderful warm atmosphere pervades the whole novel and the reader feels included in the welcome. The lost, the lonely and the hurting find a place to call home as huge hearts open their lives and their hearts to heal the vulnerable.
Christmas is a magical time of year but it can also be a time where painful memories are magnified. Shutting one’s heart away can make for a lonely life. We need to open our hearts and let the embers of friendship burst into life.
Families reunite for the festive season. This can produce some interesting dynamics.
The village community pulls together as a disaster threatens to derail Christmas.
The richest people are not those with the most money but those with the biggest hearts as the reader witnesses love in action.
I adore all Heidi Swain’s novels. They are wonderfully warm and welcoming, and always leave me smiling. Do not wait another year to read this book, it’s a great read for any time of year.
Heidi Swain’s books are not just for Christmas but perfect all year round.
January 1, 2020
In this book, we meet Anna. She has taken on the role of companion to the owner of Wynthorpe Hall. She has landed this job before Christmas, with plans to leave before the day arrives. She hates everything about Christmas but that all changes. She meets youngest son Jamie, who together, come up with a plan - make Anna fall in love with Christmas again, and Jamie to fall in love with Wynthorpe Hall again.
This book definitely gave me the fuzzie feels!! I LOVE Heidi's writing, the way she creates the characters, settings etc. Honestly I want to go live in Wynbridge, it's so magical 😍 I really loved Anna. Having lost my own mum, I related to alot of the feelings she had, & it was all written beautifully. A reccuring theme in Heidi's books, but something I love, is the support of a community. How they've been brought together through bad situation, yet make a family out of it ❤️
It really is a heart-warming, feel good book and it was soo magical. At times definitely nearly cried!! I'm unfortunately missing the first book, but I have Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland to start tonight, then The Christmas Wish List, so I get to transport to Wynbridge once again!! 💕
This book definitely gave me the fuzzie feels!! I LOVE Heidi's writing, the way she creates the characters, settings etc. Honestly I want to go live in Wynbridge, it's so magical 😍 I really loved Anna. Having lost my own mum, I related to alot of the feelings she had, & it was all written beautifully. A reccuring theme in Heidi's books, but something I love, is the support of a community. How they've been brought together through bad situation, yet make a family out of it ❤️
It really is a heart-warming, feel good book and it was soo magical. At times definitely nearly cried!! I'm unfortunately missing the first book, but I have Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland to start tonight, then The Christmas Wish List, so I get to transport to Wynbridge once again!! 💕
December 28, 2017
This was really fluffy and cute! I very rarely reach for contemporaries or "slice-of-life" so this was a very pleasant surprise. Much like the narrator, I kind of fell in love with all the residents of Wynthorpe Hall, can Angus be my uncle or something please???
Because I don't typically read these sorts of stories, I admit I found some moments a bit trite and, for lack of a better word, cliché. I found the insta-love a bit eye-roll inducing but the rest of the plot was so sweet and entertaining that I found myself not caring too much. A nice, cozy festive read. :)
Because I don't typically read these sorts of stories, I admit I found some moments a bit trite and, for lack of a better word, cliché. I found the insta-love a bit eye-roll inducing but the rest of the plot was so sweet and entertaining that I found myself not caring too much. A nice, cozy festive read. :)
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