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The Holley Sisters of Thornthwaite #1
A Vicarage Christmas
Welcome to Thornwaite, a quaint village tucked up in England’s beautiful but rainy Lake District… where homecomings happen and surprises are in store for the four Holley sisters… Anna Holley, the third of four sisters, has always felt a little bit forgotten. A family tragedy when she was a child had her retreating deep into shyness, and social anxiety kept her on the fringes of the cozy chaos of the busy vicarage. After several years away from home, Anna returns for Christmas... and an important announcement from her father. As much as she once loved the village, coming back is hard and puts Anna's social capabilities to the test. Avoiding her sisters’ bossy questions, she heads out to the local pub one night, and meets a handsome stranger nursing a pint. Somehow, unburdened by expectations, Simon seems like the perfect person to spill all her secrets to—including a hopeless, long-held crush on her sister’s boyfriend. Confident she’ll never see him again, Anna returns home… only to discover the next day that Simon is actually her father’s new curate! Anna is beyond mortified, but Simon won’t let her retreat into her usual shyness—and for once Anna is forced to confront the past, and all the fears and feelings she’d tried so long to hide. But with his own heartache that needs to heal, can Simon help Anna to make this the most magical Christmas either of them have known?
180 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2017
974 people are currently reading
972 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hewitt
875 books1,694 followersKate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.
Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
December 28, 2022
Quaint village Christmas romance.🎄⛪
This book features Anna and Simon. Anna returns home to Thornthwaite England for Christmas after avoiding it for years. She's one of the four sisters who are part of this series. Anna meets Simon at a pub, thought she'll never see him again, and shared her life stories with this stranger who lent an ear. To her surprise, Simon is in town for work and will be closer to her than she realizes!
Again, the cover got me interested. This was a very sweet but boring story. I thought about returning it but I hate doing that since my Library paid for this loan via Hoopla. I don't see myself continuing to book 2.
This book features Anna and Simon. Anna returns home to Thornthwaite England for Christmas after avoiding it for years. She's one of the four sisters who are part of this series. Anna meets Simon at a pub, thought she'll never see him again, and shared her life stories with this stranger who lent an ear. To her surprise, Simon is in town for work and will be closer to her than she realizes!
Again, the cover got me interested. This was a very sweet but boring story. I thought about returning it but I hate doing that since my Library paid for this loan via Hoopla. I don't see myself continuing to book 2.
December 31, 2023
Very slow paced, but lovely little story 🎄😉🤗
October 1, 2017
Anna Holley is the third daughter of the Vicar of Thornwaite, a quaint village tucked up in England’s beautiful but rainy Lake District. She has returned home to her family just in time for the holidays but is a bit worried that her family will finally notice her stutter and anxiety issues. Anna had begun her social shyness back as a child after the loss of her brother but she's done her best to keep it hidden over the years and is afraid visiting the busy Vicarage will bring out her secret.
When things become a bit overwhelming for Anna with her homecoming she heads out for a walk where she finds herself heading to the local pub when it's too cold to wander around outside. At the pub Anna meets Simon who stands out in the pub crowd about as much as Anna herself does. Before Anna knows it she finds herself unburdening herself of her worries to Simon who seems to be an amazing listener. The next day brings quite a surprise for Anna though, Simon who Anna thought she would not see again happens to be there to take over the position as Vicar from Anna's father.
A Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt is the first book in the Holley Sisters of Thornwaite series. This first book centers around Anna but I'm sure the others that will follow will be focusing on the other girls that you get glimpses of in this first read. The series seems to be a very clean romance series focusing on the daughters of the town Vicar or at least it was that way in this first book. Anna being a very shy girl obviously hadn't much experience so it was rather a sweet read with her as the lead.
This one was a very quick read coming in at just over one hundred pages so at that length I would say it's one that I wouldn't have minded to be a bit longer and give more depth to Anna and Simon's story. With introducing the whole family and setting in this first book it seemed it all flew by rather quickly and ended quite quickly. Hopefully the next few books will go a bit deeper but otherwise it was a nice story.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
When things become a bit overwhelming for Anna with her homecoming she heads out for a walk where she finds herself heading to the local pub when it's too cold to wander around outside. At the pub Anna meets Simon who stands out in the pub crowd about as much as Anna herself does. Before Anna knows it she finds herself unburdening herself of her worries to Simon who seems to be an amazing listener. The next day brings quite a surprise for Anna though, Simon who Anna thought she would not see again happens to be there to take over the position as Vicar from Anna's father.
A Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt is the first book in the Holley Sisters of Thornwaite series. This first book centers around Anna but I'm sure the others that will follow will be focusing on the other girls that you get glimpses of in this first read. The series seems to be a very clean romance series focusing on the daughters of the town Vicar or at least it was that way in this first book. Anna being a very shy girl obviously hadn't much experience so it was rather a sweet read with her as the lead.
This one was a very quick read coming in at just over one hundred pages so at that length I would say it's one that I wouldn't have minded to be a bit longer and give more depth to Anna and Simon's story. With introducing the whole family and setting in this first book it seemed it all flew by rather quickly and ended quite quickly. Hopefully the next few books will go a bit deeper but otherwise it was a nice story.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
October 20, 2017
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
A Vicarage Christmas, is a novella of only 121 pages long and the first in a series of books about the Holley Sisters. In book one we meet Anna Holley, returning to her family home to Thornthwaite, Lake District, for 10 days over Christmas.
Anna is one of four daughters of Roger (local vicar), and Ruth Holley. She lives and works in Manchester and doesn’t often return to Thornthwaite. The place makes her feel claustrophobic and relive painful memories of her brother Jamie’s death, when they were children.
She also suffers from social anxiety, something that she tries to hide from her family, who are quite full on, and the vicarage is always full of people coming and going. It’s one one of these days when the house is full that Anna feels she needs to get out for a while, where she meets stranger Simon. For some reason Anna opens her heart to him about her life and how she feels. Unfortunately, Simon turns out to be her father’s new Curate.
With her social anxiety already taking over her, she feels even more inner turmoil when she realises that she is going to have to spend time with the one person who knows her secrets. Though Simon has had to deal with his own issues in his past he wants to help Anna, but will she let anyone in to help her?
Anna is a lovely young woman who has burdened herself with blame for her brother’s death and believes that everyone else feels the same, including her family. It was after his death that she became withdrawn, shy and started stammering. Away from Thronthwaite she feels free as people don’t know her, or her past, so returning to her family home is a big deal for her.
Simon is a man with a big heart. He didn’t know who Anna was when she opened up to him, and when he finally made the connection it was too late. He felt awful for putting her in that situation and making her feel more anxious, but he also felt a pull towards her and wants to help her feel less alone.
A Vicarage Christmas is a sweet festive read. With it only being quite short the book jumps straight into the story and drags you into the Holley’s lives. The whole family are lovely, though they also all seem to be hiding their own problems from one another. As this book is the first in a series, you know that each secret is going to be revealed over the course of time.
I can’t wait to read book two, out in January, as I sat and read Anna’s story in one sitting and I look forward to meeting her other sisters in more depth, and see what the future has in store for Anna too.
A Vicarage Christmas, is a novella of only 121 pages long and the first in a series of books about the Holley Sisters. In book one we meet Anna Holley, returning to her family home to Thornthwaite, Lake District, for 10 days over Christmas.
Anna is one of four daughters of Roger (local vicar), and Ruth Holley. She lives and works in Manchester and doesn’t often return to Thornthwaite. The place makes her feel claustrophobic and relive painful memories of her brother Jamie’s death, when they were children.
She also suffers from social anxiety, something that she tries to hide from her family, who are quite full on, and the vicarage is always full of people coming and going. It’s one one of these days when the house is full that Anna feels she needs to get out for a while, where she meets stranger Simon. For some reason Anna opens her heart to him about her life and how she feels. Unfortunately, Simon turns out to be her father’s new Curate.
With her social anxiety already taking over her, she feels even more inner turmoil when she realises that she is going to have to spend time with the one person who knows her secrets. Though Simon has had to deal with his own issues in his past he wants to help Anna, but will she let anyone in to help her?
Anna is a lovely young woman who has burdened herself with blame for her brother’s death and believes that everyone else feels the same, including her family. It was after his death that she became withdrawn, shy and started stammering. Away from Thronthwaite she feels free as people don’t know her, or her past, so returning to her family home is a big deal for her.
Simon is a man with a big heart. He didn’t know who Anna was when she opened up to him, and when he finally made the connection it was too late. He felt awful for putting her in that situation and making her feel more anxious, but he also felt a pull towards her and wants to help her feel less alone.
A Vicarage Christmas is a sweet festive read. With it only being quite short the book jumps straight into the story and drags you into the Holley’s lives. The whole family are lovely, though they also all seem to be hiding their own problems from one another. As this book is the first in a series, you know that each secret is going to be revealed over the course of time.
I can’t wait to read book two, out in January, as I sat and read Anna’s story in one sitting and I look forward to meeting her other sisters in more depth, and see what the future has in store for Anna too.
December 25, 2017
This book is a really short one. With just over 120 pages, I felt like it was the perfect novel to pick up and finish on Christmas Eve itself. I just felt like reading something Christmas-y and doing it in one sitting.
I loved the way our MC, Anna, has social anxiety. It's portrayed pretty good - or at least according to me, but I don't have any history with social anxiety so I could be wrong - and felt genuine. She struggled with her family, the people who know her from growing up. Being the vicar's daughter obviously has a huge impact on her and her anxiety so it's admirable that she tries to put up with everyone trying to fuss over her.
However. It just felt weird that she was at easy with Simon pretty quickly. Sure, she had a bit of a struggle. A bit. A whole lot less than with everybody else, which - to me - felt weird. I know I just said her social anxiety felt genuine and it did, but not when it came to Simon.
As for the reason I picked up A Vicarage Christmas... I didn't feel all Christmas-y while reading. It was a hard read, one nearing a darker side and it didn't feel all fluffy and romantic, not even at the end. Seeing the cover, I really did expect it so be just that but I guess I fooled myself.
The most annoying thing about this novel, though, is the obvious lack of editing. Words missing, swapped out with other words, punctuation not making sense. If there's one thing I cannot handle, it's that exact thing...
2 / 5!
Kathy
I loved the way our MC, Anna, has social anxiety. It's portrayed pretty good - or at least according to me, but I don't have any history with social anxiety so I could be wrong - and felt genuine. She struggled with her family, the people who know her from growing up. Being the vicar's daughter obviously has a huge impact on her and her anxiety so it's admirable that she tries to put up with everyone trying to fuss over her.
"We're all broken, Anna. That's the nature of being human."
However. It just felt weird that she was at easy with Simon pretty quickly. Sure, she had a bit of a struggle. A bit. A whole lot less than with everybody else, which - to me - felt weird. I know I just said her social anxiety felt genuine and it did, but not when it came to Simon.
As for the reason I picked up A Vicarage Christmas... I didn't feel all Christmas-y while reading. It was a hard read, one nearing a darker side and it didn't feel all fluffy and romantic, not even at the end. Seeing the cover, I really did expect it so be just that but I guess I fooled myself.
The most annoying thing about this novel, though, is the obvious lack of editing. Words missing, swapped out with other words, punctuation not making sense. If there's one thing I cannot handle, it's that exact thing...
There's no point being mired in guilt. It only destroys us.
2 / 5!
Kathy
October 4, 2017
Loved the cover of the book to begin with. Imagine a snowy Christmas in the vicarage in the Lake District. Anna comes home to spend Christmas with her family. If it was only the family she probably could cope. But being a vicars daughter there's the extended church family. Thing's aren't as they should be. Follow Anna as we find out why this is her 1st Christmas home in years. Stuck in the family the odd one out. Hates social settings, has no man and no one. Could a Christmas at home this year change all that for the better or the worse. Lovely characters. Could relate to Anna the main character and her social anxiety. Sounded like a beautiful village, made more so idyllic in the winter snow. Book is charming. Well written and a delight to read.
December 20, 2021
3.5 stars. So…I guess you really have to continue with the series to get a complete ending here…
November 15, 2019
Anna has come home to the family vicarage in Thornthwaite in the Lake District. Anna has social anxiety and avoids groups of people as much as possible so coming home at Christmas with all the social events is a particular ordeal. In addition, everyone else in her family seems so settled, so happy with their lives whereas Anna feels there is something wrong with it all, something connected to the tragic death of her brother Jamie. When her sister Rachel announces she is dating the local veterinary Dan, a man that Anna has had a crush on ever since they were at school together, it all becomes too much and Anna escapes to the local 'rough' pub where she meets Simon. Somehow Anna feels able to spill some of her fears and anxieties to this stranger in the pub, knowing they will never meet again ...
As each of the family members breaks some life-changing news over the Christmas holiday, can Anna let go of her fears and embrace love?
Perfect holiday reading as I lay on the beach reading about a cold, snowy Christmas in England.
As each of the family members breaks some life-changing news over the Christmas holiday, can Anna let go of her fears and embrace love?
Perfect holiday reading as I lay on the beach reading about a cold, snowy Christmas in England.
December 12, 2019
A Vicarage Christmas is the first book in the Holley Sisters of Thornthwaite series. Am assuming each one centres on each sister. This one focus on Anna but does leave you very intrigued about the other three sisters, so will be looking forward to finding out more about their stories, whilst catching up with the main characters in this one.
There couldn’t be a more perfect time to pick up this book with being in the month of December, though to be fair you could read it at any time of year. You get the whole sense of Christmas and I love how it is centred around the vicarage which is the family home. The story goes more deeper than that though. It’s about family and learning to face your own demons.
This was a wonderful light hearted read that just goes that little bit deeper. I so enjoyed Anna and Simon’s characters as well as Anna’s parents. You get a real homely feel whilst reading the story and I wanted to jump right in and be part of the family, enjoying their famous Sunday roast with them.
A Vicarage Christmas is a lovely and endearing read that has left me very much looking forward to the rest in the series. I love the Christmas vibe which doesn’t take away from the story itself as well as it being about family and romance. What else could you possibly want? Great read.
There couldn’t be a more perfect time to pick up this book with being in the month of December, though to be fair you could read it at any time of year. You get the whole sense of Christmas and I love how it is centred around the vicarage which is the family home. The story goes more deeper than that though. It’s about family and learning to face your own demons.
This was a wonderful light hearted read that just goes that little bit deeper. I so enjoyed Anna and Simon’s characters as well as Anna’s parents. You get a real homely feel whilst reading the story and I wanted to jump right in and be part of the family, enjoying their famous Sunday roast with them.
A Vicarage Christmas is a lovely and endearing read that has left me very much looking forward to the rest in the series. I love the Christmas vibe which doesn’t take away from the story itself as well as it being about family and romance. What else could you possibly want? Great read.
October 31, 2017
This was an excellent short story and the cover sold it to me so much as so pretty. Was very well written and had you wanting to read more to see what happens. Set in a beautiful small village in the Lake District. Anna comes home to spend Christmas with her family in the vicarage she hasn't been home for many years as she could never face it after loosing her brother and she blamed herself and thought the family blamed her to. She goes into the pub to have a drink and so unlike her meets a guy and opens up to him about her life not knowing at the time who he was. She learns her dad is leaving her beautiful home at the vicarage and the guy she met at the pub will be moving in and how does she cope when she learns this and can she finally let go of the past and move forward and find love or not. Perfect Christmas read and full of families and romance as her two sisters are there to and one is expecting a baby but how does she feel about it and one gets engaged and how does she feel. A simple beautiful read.
December 7, 2019
This was a charming little book and with just over 170 pages, was a quick read too. Although it isn’t a full novel, it certainly covers a lot of ground; it’s a thought provoking yet fun Christmassy read.
December 15, 2018
This book was pure bliss. It was very short (just something over 170 pages), and yet it contained so much substance. The story was incredibly uplifting, and there was some serious character growth. I loved the village setting, not to mention all the characters (Anna who suffers from social anxiety, her love interest who feels guilty about his ex-fiancée's suicide and Anna's chaotic but well-meaning family). I can't wait to read the sequel.
October 13, 2017
The Blurb :
Welcome to Thornwaite, a quaint village tucked up in England’s beautiful but rainy Lake District… where homecomings happen and surprises are in store for the four Holley sisters…
Anna Holley, the third of four sisters, has always felt a little bit forgotten. A family tragedy when she was a child had her retreating deep into shyness, and social anxiety kept her on the fringes of the cozy chaos of the busy vicarage.
After several years away from home, Anna returns for Christmas... and an important announcement from her father. As much as she once loved the village, coming back is hard and puts Anna's social capabilities to the test.
Avoiding her sisters’ bossy questions, she heads out to the local pub one night, and meets a handsome stranger nursing a pint. Somehow, unburdened by expectations, Simon seems like the perfect person to spill all her secrets to—including a hopeless, long-held crush on her sister’s boyfriend. Confident she’ll never see him again, Anna returns home… only to discover the next day that Simon is actually her father’s new curate!
Anna is beyond mortified, but Simon won’t let her retreat into her usual shyness—and for once Anna is forced to confront the past, and all the fears and feelings she’d tried so long to hide. But with his own heartache that needs to heal, can Simon help Anna to make this the most magical Christmas either of them have known?
My Thoughts :
Having read and loved The willoughby close series by Kate Hewitt, I was intrigued when I heard she was writing a new series called The Holley Sister’s of Thornwaite.
We read about Anna Holley in this first book. She has a secret which we learn about very early on that even her family dont know about.
Anna meets Simon at the local pub and quickly finds herself unburdening her worries and secrets to Simon who is only too happy to listen. Thinking that she will never see Simon again, Anna gets the shock of her life when she finds out that Simon has taken over the position as the local Vicar from her father. Both charactors are likeable and easy to form a bond with, they were such a lovely couple and what better time than the Christmas season to form a relationship.
Once again Kate Hewitt decribes the countryside and surrounding perfectly just like a picture postcard. It sets the scene nicely for the rest of the series and I am looking forward to reading and learning more about the Holley family.
Welcome to Thornwaite, a quaint village tucked up in England’s beautiful but rainy Lake District… where homecomings happen and surprises are in store for the four Holley sisters…
Anna Holley, the third of four sisters, has always felt a little bit forgotten. A family tragedy when she was a child had her retreating deep into shyness, and social anxiety kept her on the fringes of the cozy chaos of the busy vicarage.
After several years away from home, Anna returns for Christmas... and an important announcement from her father. As much as she once loved the village, coming back is hard and puts Anna's social capabilities to the test.
Avoiding her sisters’ bossy questions, she heads out to the local pub one night, and meets a handsome stranger nursing a pint. Somehow, unburdened by expectations, Simon seems like the perfect person to spill all her secrets to—including a hopeless, long-held crush on her sister’s boyfriend. Confident she’ll never see him again, Anna returns home… only to discover the next day that Simon is actually her father’s new curate!
Anna is beyond mortified, but Simon won’t let her retreat into her usual shyness—and for once Anna is forced to confront the past, and all the fears and feelings she’d tried so long to hide. But with his own heartache that needs to heal, can Simon help Anna to make this the most magical Christmas either of them have known?
My Thoughts :
Having read and loved The willoughby close series by Kate Hewitt, I was intrigued when I heard she was writing a new series called The Holley Sister’s of Thornwaite.
We read about Anna Holley in this first book. She has a secret which we learn about very early on that even her family dont know about.
Anna meets Simon at the local pub and quickly finds herself unburdening her worries and secrets to Simon who is only too happy to listen. Thinking that she will never see Simon again, Anna gets the shock of her life when she finds out that Simon has taken over the position as the local Vicar from her father. Both charactors are likeable and easy to form a bond with, they were such a lovely couple and what better time than the Christmas season to form a relationship.
Once again Kate Hewitt decribes the countryside and surrounding perfectly just like a picture postcard. It sets the scene nicely for the rest of the series and I am looking forward to reading and learning more about the Holley family.
October 9, 2017
I have enjoyed books by Kate Hewitt before and this is the first in a new series so I’m delighted to get in at the beginning. A Vicarage Christmas is exactly what I expected it to be. A cosy, warm family reunion with some added angst and big decisions. Kate is a star at this type of story.
I immediately liked Anna, she is heading home for Christmas but dreads the idea. A family event from the past ways heavily on her shoulders and has prompted a whole anxiety complex. I could feel her frustration and pain when her stammer becomes apparent.
Hers is one of those families that has the whole caboodle at Christmas, mother hen and her brood, affable dad, siblings with partners and half the parish yet Anna still feels alone.
When she meets Simon in the local pub she thinks she has found a stranger she can confide in but life in a small village never runs to plan so there is more to him than meets the eye.
I enjoyed the location, a beautiful village in the Lake District, the festive traditions and the family interactions. A lovely book to get you into a Christmas mood that is light and easy to read. It does have some heart tugging moments to add to the realistic feel.
I’m looking forward to the next in the series which will feature one of Anna’s sisters.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Neverland Book Tours for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
I immediately liked Anna, she is heading home for Christmas but dreads the idea. A family event from the past ways heavily on her shoulders and has prompted a whole anxiety complex. I could feel her frustration and pain when her stammer becomes apparent.
Hers is one of those families that has the whole caboodle at Christmas, mother hen and her brood, affable dad, siblings with partners and half the parish yet Anna still feels alone.
When she meets Simon in the local pub she thinks she has found a stranger she can confide in but life in a small village never runs to plan so there is more to him than meets the eye.
I enjoyed the location, a beautiful village in the Lake District, the festive traditions and the family interactions. A lovely book to get you into a Christmas mood that is light and easy to read. It does have some heart tugging moments to add to the realistic feel.
I’m looking forward to the next in the series which will feature one of Anna’s sisters.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Neverland Book Tours for my copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
December 23, 2018
I'm so glad I picked up this sweet book to read the week before Christmas. I was swept away to a small village in England and immediately wrapped up in the Holley family's busy life. Roger and Ruth had a big life change ahead, as well as Esther (a pregnancy) and Rachel (an engagement). But the story that captured my heart for this book belonged to Anna (sweet and insecure) and Simon (a man after my heart!). I'm so glad they met, and throughout the last week of Christmas, found a way into each other's futures. Recommended for those who like quaint English villages and busy Christmases at the local Vicarage.
November 26, 2023
This book was adorable! I devoured it in a single day. I was expecting a light, fluffy Christmas romance, but I got so much more. The story beautifully represented the encumbrance of grief with the uncertain hopefulness of new love. It was much more of an emotional rollercoaster than I was anticipating. I felt transported to the small English village of Thorthwaite, where I got to spend a lovely, heartwarming Christmas with the Holley family as they navigated love, loss, grief, and new beginnings. I also couldn’t help but fall in love with Simon, the adorable curate who made my heart melt throughout the journey. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good Christmas romance, especially if you have a special place in your heart for all things English, as I do.
July 6, 2025
"4 out of 5 stars! Ever since a tragic accident took place when Anna was young, she has struggled with crippling anxiety and stuttering issues. So much so that she has tried her best, in various ways, to hide it from everyone, even though she hasn’t always been successful. She has stayed away from her close-knit hometown for the past three years because of her issues. However, at her parents’ request, she returns home for the Christmas holidays, and into a world of drama that begins the day she arrives home. That happens to also be the day that she meets Simon, a man who has just moved to her hometown, to whom she spills a majority of her secrets. Yet, Simon doesn’t stay a stranger for long, which leads Anna into a future she had never dreamed of for herself ... but is it the better path for her, or will it come at another cost?
This novel was not what I was expecting. In truth, it was a whole lot more than a bag of chips! ..."
Read more of this review and THREE TEASERS here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10hYiOcC1wva5884F-LJqj53qV0Dw_C9X/view?usp=drive_link
This novel was not what I was expecting. In truth, it was a whole lot more than a bag of chips! ..."
Read more of this review and THREE TEASERS here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10hYiOcC1wva5884F-LJqj53qV0Dw_C9X/view?usp=drive_link
November 23, 2017
A Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt is one of those books that I just flew through. Its addictive reading at its best and being fairly short, sated my thirst for a good Christmas novella. A piece of brilliant writing that had me enthralled right from the beginning. This book has so much more substance than a lot of Christmas novellas and explores difficult issues.
Anna has come home back to Thornthwaite after a considerable period of time spent living in Manchester. She's avoided coming home to the place where she is expected to be chatty, sociable and more like her sisters. Her father is the vicar after all and as Anna feared, the vicarage is full of people. However, Anna has a problem that she tries her best to hide. She suffers from extreme social anxiety around people she knows. People who will expect her to converse with them. At least in Manchester she has largely remained anonymous, keeping herself to herself mostly. However, a Christmas visit home to hear her father's big important announcement is almost more than Anna can bear. Meeting handsome stranger Simon allows Anna to open up about her difficulties and about her grief that is eating away at her. However, Anna is stunned to discover who Simon really is and again those feelings of helplessness come crashing down around her once more.
Having worked with lots of people suffering from social anxiety, I'd say Kate Hewitt has perfectly captured those feelings through her portrayal of Anna. She is a complicated character with many facets and despite being sure that she has kept her difficulties hidden well, there are those among her family who are quick to spot she is floundering on occasion. With Simon having the fuller picture about Anna and how she feels, he desperately wants to help. If only she'll let him. Simon has his own demons to fight and Anna doesn't realise it but they can help one another.
A Vicarage Christmas is a beautifully written, moving, thought provoking romance about the complexities of families, the impact of grief and the silence that sometimes follows. Its about the healing that love brings. A highly recommended read from me.
Anna has come home back to Thornthwaite after a considerable period of time spent living in Manchester. She's avoided coming home to the place where she is expected to be chatty, sociable and more like her sisters. Her father is the vicar after all and as Anna feared, the vicarage is full of people. However, Anna has a problem that she tries her best to hide. She suffers from extreme social anxiety around people she knows. People who will expect her to converse with them. At least in Manchester she has largely remained anonymous, keeping herself to herself mostly. However, a Christmas visit home to hear her father's big important announcement is almost more than Anna can bear. Meeting handsome stranger Simon allows Anna to open up about her difficulties and about her grief that is eating away at her. However, Anna is stunned to discover who Simon really is and again those feelings of helplessness come crashing down around her once more.
Having worked with lots of people suffering from social anxiety, I'd say Kate Hewitt has perfectly captured those feelings through her portrayal of Anna. She is a complicated character with many facets and despite being sure that she has kept her difficulties hidden well, there are those among her family who are quick to spot she is floundering on occasion. With Simon having the fuller picture about Anna and how she feels, he desperately wants to help. If only she'll let him. Simon has his own demons to fight and Anna doesn't realise it but they can help one another.
A Vicarage Christmas is a beautifully written, moving, thought provoking romance about the complexities of families, the impact of grief and the silence that sometimes follows. Its about the healing that love brings. A highly recommended read from me.
January 8, 2024
4 stars.
A short story about Anna, third daughter of the Vicar of Thornthwaite, who returns to her family home for Christmas for the first time in a few years. She suffers from .
This one is a quick read at only about 150 pages, which I read in about an hour, and has a bit of a Bridgerton-esque feel to it. I have a relatively early edition of the book I think, so while it says in the back that there are other books in the pipeline, there aren't full details available. The second seems to be about Esther and Will, so my guess is that the series will rotate around the siblings. In a way I'm a bit disappointed at that, given , but equally there aren't too many details here about the other sisters so I'm quite intrigued about that too. Primarily, why !
The one thing I didn't really like is the lack of a Christmassy atmosphere, the book is set at Christmas and the family do things like hang up stockings and open gifts, but other than that there isn't a very strong feel. Maybe in a book of this length it is difficult to be able to establish so many things, and as the first book in the series there is also the character introductions to incorporate.
A short story about Anna, third daughter of the Vicar of Thornthwaite, who returns to her family home for Christmas for the first time in a few years. She suffers from .
This one is a quick read at only about 150 pages, which I read in about an hour, and has a bit of a Bridgerton-esque feel to it. I have a relatively early edition of the book I think, so while it says in the back that there are other books in the pipeline, there aren't full details available. The second seems to be about Esther and Will, so my guess is that the series will rotate around the siblings. In a way I'm a bit disappointed at that, given , but equally there aren't too many details here about the other sisters so I'm quite intrigued about that too. Primarily, why !
The one thing I didn't really like is the lack of a Christmassy atmosphere, the book is set at Christmas and the family do things like hang up stockings and open gifts, but other than that there isn't a very strong feel. Maybe in a book of this length it is difficult to be able to establish so many things, and as the first book in the series there is also the character introductions to incorporate.
October 17, 2017
Prepare for a deeply emotional visit to England's Lake District. Vicar's daughter Anna expects to be overwhelmed by emotion when she returns to her childhood home in Thornthwaite for the Christmas holiday. Her family suffered a traumatic loss years ago, a loss they never really acknowledged and took steps to heal. The result has been social anxiety and a shameful sense of not fitting in to her family or her village life. Consequently, she hasn't returned home since leaving for university.
I love the way nothing is wasted in the telling of this story. Details are woven in as the plot moves forward and hints of ironic events to come are planted throughout. The description of the places and people made me feel like I was there, seeing the geography, the shops, pubs, inns, and homes. My emotions were drawn along with Anna's, sharing her feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, hopefulness, fear, joy, despair--it ran the gamut of emotions and I could feel Anna's weariness for going through so much in just a short span of time. I was happy to see Anna move past her fears and not let them keep her frozen in a dead-end present. She didn't deserve the drab existence she was previously willing to settle for.
If you enjoy emotional reads in quiet English country villages, give this book a try. I can't wait to read the upcoming stories about Anna's sisters.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my opinion in response.
I love the way nothing is wasted in the telling of this story. Details are woven in as the plot moves forward and hints of ironic events to come are planted throughout. The description of the places and people made me feel like I was there, seeing the geography, the shops, pubs, inns, and homes. My emotions were drawn along with Anna's, sharing her feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, hopefulness, fear, joy, despair--it ran the gamut of emotions and I could feel Anna's weariness for going through so much in just a short span of time. I was happy to see Anna move past her fears and not let them keep her frozen in a dead-end present. She didn't deserve the drab existence she was previously willing to settle for.
If you enjoy emotional reads in quiet English country villages, give this book a try. I can't wait to read the upcoming stories about Anna's sisters.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my opinion in response.
January 6, 2025
3.5 stars: A Vicarage Christmas is the first book in The Holley Sisters of Thornthwaite series. Anna Holley, the third of four sisters, has always been a bit shy and had social anxiety. A family tragedy when she was a child has kept her on the fringes of the cozy chaos of the busy vicarage. She has been living away, but comes home for Christmas and to hear her father's announcement. Feeling a bit awkward being back home and trying to get away from her sister's nosiness, she heads to the local pub where she meets a handsome stranger. She and Simon seem to hit it off, and for whatever reason, she shares some of her secrets and fears with him. It is the next day that she finds out that Simon is her father's new curate. Anna is mortified, but Simon won't let her retreat back into her own world. She moves out of her comfort zone for the first time in many years.
enjoyed this cozy romance set at Christmas time. The Holley family is delightful. They are loud, rambunctious and loving. Her parents want to make some changes and when they share it with their family, there are questions, concerns and surprises. I liked how they all supported each other and what is nosey to Anna is caring from her family. This was a quick listen with some predictability. It was a good introduction to the Holley family with an uplifting ending. The audiobook was narrated by Hannah Curtis. She does a nice job with the story and characters. I enjoyed listening to this one.
enjoyed this cozy romance set at Christmas time. The Holley family is delightful. They are loud, rambunctious and loving. Her parents want to make some changes and when they share it with their family, there are questions, concerns and surprises. I liked how they all supported each other and what is nosey to Anna is caring from her family. This was a quick listen with some predictability. It was a good introduction to the Holley family with an uplifting ending. The audiobook was narrated by Hannah Curtis. She does a nice job with the story and characters. I enjoyed listening to this one.
September 23, 2017
Book one of a new series from the extremely talented author Kate Hewitt. I really love Kate's writing style and have thoroughly enjoyed her previous books. So I was extremely excited to read this Christmas book and I am so glad that this is the first book in the brand new series as I am looking forward to catching up with the characters in this book in the next instalment.
Now I for one absolutely love the Lake District is is so picturesque and such a fabulous place for a book setting to take place. I would love to go to the lovely little village of Thornewaite as it sounds wonderful.
Anna has always felt a bit forgotten about and a tad overlooked in her big family of four sisters. Anna was a character that I felt an instant connection with because I know how it feel to have anxiety issues.
After a family tradgedy Anna has struggled with shyness and anxiety. Anna has been summoned to come back to Thornwaite as her father has news to tell everyone. This really puts Anna to the test and her anxiety and shyness become really bad. With her sisters keep asking her loads of questions that she doesn't want to answer. Anna finds herself in the local pub and unburdening herself to a stranger called Simon. Laying absolutely everything on the line. Including her helpless crush on her sisters boyfriend. Anna knows that she won't see Simon again so what's the problem?
The only issue is that the next morning Anna wakes up and realises that Simon is actually her fathers new Curate. Simon is determined to not let Anna return to her usual shyness and wants Anna to confront her demons, her past and her feelings that she has tried so hard to hide.
Simon has heartaches of her own that need to heal. Will Anna and Simon be able to set each other free from their pasts?
This is a really lovely book. That will be sure to make you smile. I simply loved it.
Now I for one absolutely love the Lake District is is so picturesque and such a fabulous place for a book setting to take place. I would love to go to the lovely little village of Thornewaite as it sounds wonderful.
Anna has always felt a bit forgotten about and a tad overlooked in her big family of four sisters. Anna was a character that I felt an instant connection with because I know how it feel to have anxiety issues.
After a family tradgedy Anna has struggled with shyness and anxiety. Anna has been summoned to come back to Thornwaite as her father has news to tell everyone. This really puts Anna to the test and her anxiety and shyness become really bad. With her sisters keep asking her loads of questions that she doesn't want to answer. Anna finds herself in the local pub and unburdening herself to a stranger called Simon. Laying absolutely everything on the line. Including her helpless crush on her sisters boyfriend. Anna knows that she won't see Simon again so what's the problem?
The only issue is that the next morning Anna wakes up and realises that Simon is actually her fathers new Curate. Simon is determined to not let Anna return to her usual shyness and wants Anna to confront her demons, her past and her feelings that she has tried so hard to hide.
Simon has heartaches of her own that need to heal. Will Anna and Simon be able to set each other free from their pasts?
This is a really lovely book. That will be sure to make you smile. I simply loved it.
October 18, 2017
If you enjoy sweet family centric mild dramas, with gentle romantic tones and the bonus of some life advice slipped in, you will enjoy spending the holidays with the Holley family. This year is bittersweet as several life altering announcements will be made.
Younger sister Anna Holley has not been home for Christmas in three years. She's always been the most shy of the vicar's daughters, even more so after a family tragedy. Coming home at the holidays, when it seems nothing ever changes, is a combination of comforting and unsettling.
When the house fills with happy parishioners, Anna feels the need for some space, even the solace found amongst strangers. She loves her family but being the focus of attention makes her very uncomfortable. She feels she has hidden her discomfort well for twenty years.
This book reminds us that everyone has secrets and everyone has fears. Sometimes when we think we are doing something to protect those we care about, we really are not helping anyone. There comes a time when we must go after our dreams if we are not just hiding from life.
This introduction to the Holley sisters shines a light on Anna while promising change coming for every member of the family. I am looking forward to future books in this series.
Younger sister Anna Holley has not been home for Christmas in three years. She's always been the most shy of the vicar's daughters, even more so after a family tragedy. Coming home at the holidays, when it seems nothing ever changes, is a combination of comforting and unsettling.
When the house fills with happy parishioners, Anna feels the need for some space, even the solace found amongst strangers. She loves her family but being the focus of attention makes her very uncomfortable. She feels she has hidden her discomfort well for twenty years.
This book reminds us that everyone has secrets and everyone has fears. Sometimes when we think we are doing something to protect those we care about, we really are not helping anyone. There comes a time when we must go after our dreams if we are not just hiding from life.
This introduction to the Holley sisters shines a light on Anna while promising change coming for every member of the family. I am looking forward to future books in this series.
December 17, 2018
Another not-too-bad cute Christmas story. It wasn't super deep and it was certainly predictable, but it was fun and uplifting. I enjoyed it! (Really need a half-star system here. It's closer to 3.5 stars.)
November 17, 2020
Now this was a lovely, swoon-worth contemporary Christmas romance novella, beautifully written. Yes, it was insta-love, but it didn't feel like it, the way it was written in such a slow burn way. No steamy scenes, but it didn't need them. Loved it!
December 31, 2022
Now that I’ve read this book, I’m ready to spend Christmas in England! I’m also interested in the rest of the series.
December 13, 2023
A cute story, like fleabag but cleaner. The whole ‘too damaged for love’ plot line is getting a bit old.. the third act break up is something I could do without in the future..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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