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Little Woodford #2

Trouble and Temptation in Little Woodford: Enjoy the feel-good drama, love and gossip of village life

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'Delicious... A cracking story. I absolutely loved it' Emma Lee-Potter . The market town of Little Woodford seems peaceful and beautiful, with its thriving high street, ancient church and immaculate allotments. But behind this facade, troubles are brewing. Olivia Laithwaite has come down in the world, thanks to her gambling husband. She hates the modern shoebox they've moved into and knows she must now humble herself to apply for a local job. Miranda Osborne has arrived with a flourish in Little Woodford and bought Olivia's beloved Grange. Now she starts to throw her weight around – objecting to everything, from the church bells to the local market stalls. It isn't long before the town is in turmoil. The second in Catherine Jones's wonderful series about the goings-on behind the facade of the market town of Little Woodford. Previously published as The Bells of Little Woodford .

414 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2019

12 people are currently reading
61 people want to read

About the author

Catherine Jones

11 books12 followers
Catherine Lace studied in different all girls schools from there until she left at eighteen. She joined the army, where she served eight years rose to the rank of Staff Captain. In the army, she met and married her husband. When she fell pregnant, the rules of the time meant that she had to leave. With three kids under four and a half, she was invited to help out with a magazine for army wives and she decide to want write.

Co-authored with a fellow army wife, she wrote a non-fiction book "Gumboots and Pearls" as Annie Jones. After it, she decided wrote romance novels. She wrote six Army romance novels as Catherine Jones, she said: "I loved being in the army. I love writing about it. I was in the army for eight years and I had a great time. I hope this is reflected in my books and I hope all my readers enjoy reading them." Her novel "Praise for Sisters in Arms", shortlisted for the 1999 Romantic Novelists' Association's Award. Now she decided change the type of romance novels and started to used the pseudonym of Kate Lace. Her novel "The Chalet Girl" was nominee to Romantic Novel of the Year Award Best.

She was elected the twenty-fourteenth Chairman (2007-2009) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and she was also the captain of the RNA "University Challenge - The Professionals" team which made it to the final of the 2005 series.

Her husband has left the army and their kids have grown up.

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5 stars
63 (37%)
4 stars
67 (40%)
3 stars
29 (17%)
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5 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Dale Harcombe.
Author 14 books416 followers
July 15, 2020
Three and a half stars.
After her husband’s gambling indiscretions, Olivia Laithwaite and her family, has been forced to move house. Having to leave the spacious Grange and move to a small modern three bedroom house in Little Woodford is a huge come down for her. And now it looks like she will still have to get a job to help them survive. Heather and her vicar husband Brian have their own issues with the bells of the old church which need serious attention and that is going to cost money the church does not have. What can they do about it? Bex is settling into the community after having moved there almost a year back after her husband died. Her stepdaughter Megan and her two sons seems to have settled well into school, so it seems all is going well for her. Until an unexpected occurrence throws her carefully laid plans into disarray. And then there are the newcomer, Miranda and Roderick Osborne, who have bought the Grange. Miranda manages within a short time to get most of the local townsfolk offside, with her attitudes and behaviour. When she starts attacking one of the town’s loved tradition’s with the bells it is a step too far? Can the town stop her plans to silence the bells permanently? Meanwhile Amy, who cleans for several people of the town manages to create her own brand of chaos, thanks to her gossip.
Having read the first book about Little Woodford I was keen to re-acquaint myself with the inhabitants. A story about friendship and looking out for each other, it also portrays the way gossip so easily spreads in a small place. The attitudes of one who thinks herself better than the locals is quickly exposed and produces some highly amusing moments when someone in the town makes their feelings clear. Heather, Belinda, Miles, Bex and Lizzie are very likable. Miranda, and gossip Amy not so much, though even Amy has some good qualities.
All in all, an enjoyable read that had me engaged as there is always plenty happening in Little Woodford, including a pantomime that unleashes some talent among the younger generation. And yet, manages to create its own issues as well. Perhaps the ending will a little too sudden about change for one person, but then it is pretty much a feel good story. Not a book that requires you to think deeply about issues but a pleasant diversion with interesting characters and a charming setting. An entertaining read.
Profile Image for Jane Hunt.
Author 3 books114 followers
April 11, 2019
If you love small town values and interactions, ‘The Bells of Little Woodford’, will appeal. The second book in the series, it reads well as a standalone, but it’s such a lovely series, read my review of ‘Little Woodford – The Secrets of a Small Town’ and enjoy this too.

Olivia, is coming to terms with her fall from grace, too involved in everyone else’s business and the town’s many organisations, her own family took second place, and now she has to pick up the pieces.

Losing her home is part of the price she has to pay, but the new owners seem determined to disrupt and dismantle everything important to the town unless someone stops them.

This story has a comforting, realistic ethos, the characters, values and peccadillos of the town, and it’s residents are recognisable and make this an enjoyable book to read. The plot is simple, but it reflects ordinary life in a small town. Coupled with the complex, easy to like or dislike characters this story is a wonderful escape.

Grab yourself a cup of tea, a slice of homemade cake and wallow in the camaraderie, gossip and ordinariness of Little Woodford.

Profile Image for booksofallkinds.
1,020 reviews174 followers
April 10, 2019
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley

THE BELLS OF LITTLE WOODFORD by Catherine Jones is as charming and wonderful as its cover and the perfect read to cosy up with in your comfiest chair and settle down for a good time.

Picturesque, quaint, and everything one would hope for in a village community, Little Woodford has a wonderful array of personalities which work together to make this beautiful slice of the countryside feel like home. While things cannot always be perfect, this is a community that watches out for each other as much as possible and there is always someone with a cup of tea ready for a chat. So when Olivia is forced to downsize her home and her place in the community due to her husband's actions, the village awaits the new arrivals at the Grange. But the newcomers are not exactly what everyone expected and things are about to change in Little Woodford, whether they like it or not!

With a great cast of characters that really encapsulate the small town community vibe, THE BELLS OF LITTLE WOODFORD drew me in immediately and I was whisked along effortlessly to the end of this enjoyable story. This is a sequel and while you do not have to read the first book to love this one, you may as well read both books for double the entertainment! There is drama, gossiping, friendship, and the whisper of love, and there was nothing about this book that I didn't enjoy.

Definitely a thumbs up for THE BELLS OF LITTLE WOODFORD by Catherine Jones!
Profile Image for Edel Waugh Salisbury.
652 reviews
April 4, 2019
This is the story of a little village called Little Woodford , it’s a quaint place where everyone knows their neighbors and even more so the gossip about them, adding to the charm of the story .
The story is told from a lot of the villagers perspectives but primarily from Bex’s point of view , Bex is a much loved resident , a widow and mother . I instantly loved her . In the story we have a whole host of interesting characters with colorful lives and traits . It’s safe to say life here is anything but boring and it becomes even less so with the arrival of new resident Miranda ( ice queen) and her adoring husband Roderick .
Miranda is an incredible nightmare of a new resident and does not give a hoot if anyone likes her or what she stands for , she is very opinionated and those opinions differ wildly from her neighbors adding to many tongue in cheek moments while reading this . . Now every story needs a villain and she most definitely wins this role hands down , she is insufferable and thrives upon disapproval .
If you had. It guessed already I loved this , from the setting of the story all the way to the end this was a delicious read , a truly heartwarming story . Read and enjoy !

I was lucky enough to receive this copy from the lovely people over at Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Katherine Hayward Pérez .
1,651 reviews77 followers
April 15, 2019
After having reviewed Catherine Jones' book Little Woodford, I was eager to get into The Bells of Little Woodford. Set in the same quaint rural town as the last book, this one takes us on a journey with memorable characters and a relaxing soothing pace. The visuals and character development are Catherine Jones' strengths and I really felt like I was there.

Olivia is a gossip and is always getting involved in other people's lives which is especially destructive in a small place like Little Woodford. For all its charm, there are secrets and intrigue. Olivia finds herself having to face up to reality when she is forced to sell up due to her husband's debts. With new neighbours moving. in, will things go well?

Read more if you want to find out. I think it's best to read the first book first to get character and setting background but The Bells of Little Woodford is a refreshing read alone.

Thanks to Catherine Jones and Head of Zeus for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review and my spot on the blog tour for this title.

4 stars.
Profile Image for Sharon.
595 reviews
March 23, 2019
This is a really cosy, charming story. I had no idea this was a follow up to a previous book, as this read so well as a stand-alone story.

The story centres around the inhabitants of Little Woodford, who are a close knit community. When the bell tower is discovered to need extensive and expensive repair, it is up to the vicar and his wife to try and find the funds.

We also have the added drama of a couple who move into the town and do their best to get fed backs up of the locals. The redults of this are some very funny incidents!

Thank you Head of Zeus and Netgalley for the arc of this book. This is my unpaid, unbiased review.

172 reviews
May 19, 2020
The next chapter of village life in Little Woodford. A new neighbour arrived to live in Olivia Laithwaite’s old home while she has to move to a new and very small house. This move causes issues with her family and the new owner of her old home causes trouble from the start. The bells are broken and that is how Miranda Osbourne wants it to stay. An easy read that jogs along in a comfortable manner. Perfect for a summers day reading in the garden.
Profile Image for Grace J Reviewerlady.
2,135 reviews104 followers
April 5, 2019
What a lovely warm and easy read! It's like settling down into a big fluffy cushion and totally relaxing.

Little Woodford is your quintessential English village; picturesque and peaceful. Like a swan gliding along the surface of the water, there is some mad paddling going on underneath by the movers and shakers. Olivia Lewthwaite has been one of the more influential residents, but with the sale of her house due to unfortunate circumstances, she loses her place in the hierarchy.

I had only read a few pages before I realised that this is the sequel to the first in series which I read and enjoyed last year. Whilst this is an entirely new story, it's wonderful to catch up with the lives of all the familiar characters along with making the acquaintance of a few new ones. This village consists of an array of residents which most small communities can boast: the nosy-parker, the gossip, the business owners and families of all ages and sizes. Living in a village myself (Scottish, not English) I really identified with the tale of the incomer who wanted to change everything - so true to life as we have someone like that near us! 

Beautifully written, this is a true-to-life and extremely satisfying novel which I have really enjoyed reading. I have been able to sink into it whilst laughing and revelling in the antics of the characters. A fabulous book - with a gorgeous cover - and one which I'm very happy to award five shining stars!

My thanks to publisher Head of Zeus for both my copy via NetGalley and for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. This is, of course, my honest, original and unbiased review.
Profile Image for ✨️ Louise  Allen ✨️.
147 reviews
May 31, 2025
A Charming and Thought-Provoking Read

Catherine Jones weaves an engaging tapestry of small-town life in The Bells of Little Woodford, where the clatter of gossip often drowns out the gentle truths hidden beneath the surface. At first glance, Miranda appears cold, distant—an outsider stirring unease—but as the layers peel back, it becomes heartbreakingly clear that she carries deep wounds unhealed from a troubled past. Her character reminds us that a person's rough edges are often scars, not inherent traits to be judged. 🌿💭

This elegant narrative encourages us not to judge others solely because they differ from us, resonating with the timeless lesson of empathy and understanding. In many ways, the series still evokes the warm familiarity of Jam And Jerusalem, echoing its celebration of quirky, endearing characters and the rich complexities within small communities. The gentle nudge to look beyond appearances and assumptions is as refreshing as it is necessary. 📚❤️

Jones masterfully captures the ebb and flow of village life—balancing warmth with realism, humour with poignancy. The characters are relatable, the setting inviting, and the themes illuminating. It's a book that gently nudges readers to embrace compassion, understanding that every individual carries their own story. A thoroughly enjoyable, insightful read that leaves a lasting impression. 📖✨
677 reviews3 followers
February 27, 2024
A cosy English village saga with some good characters. I did find Bex's behaviour a little puzzling - she seems to have got over her husband's death remarkable easily, and it also seems strange that she tells the whole village she's expecting a baby before she tells her mum! I could have done without the negative stereotyping of the cleaner too - stealing from her employers, snooping through their private belongings, lying and panicking that her son must be gay because he likes acting...I'm getting a bit fed up with novels presenting working class people as dishonest and stupid. On the plus side, it's great to see a vicar and vicar's wife who behave like real people - normally, fictional vicars are either deranged, evil, spineless or atheist, so it's a nice change to see one who resembles a real-life vicar instead!

Overall, this was a pleasant, light read. It is the second book in a series, but I didn't feel I was missing out by not having read the first, and it's interesting enough that I will read the fourth book in the series, which I picked up from the library at the same time as this one.
874 reviews13 followers
April 23, 2024
Well, that was an interesting and unexpected book to read. I read the blurb on the back of this book and I just wasn't sure, but how long can one woman be?
This is obviously the second book in this series and I've not read the first one. However, this did not matter one jot.
It has a cast of many and so if you can't get your head around a village full of people then this may not be the book for you. I also thought it was not the book for me. As I have said previously, wrong.
It's all about village life and the machinations therein. I hate to say, a bit like a soap as I don't watch any, but it's all about people lives. I was hooked as I'm so nosy. We follow many people in this book and what is going on in their lives, it was fascinating to have a peep behind their curtains. It's not just about people of a certain age as we read about all ages and it's written from their individual perspectives.
At just over 400 pages it's longer than some books but honestly? The pages just flew by. I've really surprised myself and thoroughly enjoyed this book. No sex, violence, gore, swearing or erotic scenes, just great story telling.
Profile Image for Cara.
852 reviews11 followers
May 15, 2019
I have never read a Catherine Jones book before, but I was intrigued by the title and the idea of the book, so I jumped right in. But I have to say that nothing quite prepared me for the story I was going to be wrapped up in.

So the story’s central focus the church bells of Little Woodford and the residents that love or loathe them. The main character is Olivia Lewthwaite and her husband are facing hard times after his gambling has damaged them financially, so now they are moving from their beloved Grange in the middle of Little Woodford, next to the bells that she played at the church every Sunday, to a nondescript new build. Olivia seems to be the heart of the village, and a formidable opponent, even though a reserved one, when the new owner of the Grange starts trouble.

This book was an absolute riot! The characters are were awesome! And the author's storytelling is fantastic! And I don’t think I will ever get over the shoe-gate saga!
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
432 reviews
September 14, 2019
Beauty, beliefs, bells, gossip,snobbery and of course a Baby.

A lovely tale of a traditional and typical English villiage with all its characters both old and new.
A delightful story with fun and laughter, but hidden feelings and needs which do of ourse all sort out. Loved it and recommend.
Profile Image for Zoe Adams.
904 reviews24 followers
July 16, 2023
This was better than the first book, but the time line was mad. Bex was apparently showing her pregnancy at just 3 months, but only to complete strangers, and not her mother! Other aspects of the time line just didn't work either - but even so, while silly, and a bit over the top, I still did enjoy this!
Profile Image for Justkeepreading.
1,871 reviews5 followers
April 4, 2019
Perfect book for an afternoon of cosy reading. This book is really lovely. I haven’t come across this author before. But I will defiantly look out for more in the future. I loved the writing style, the fabulous cast of characters and the wonderful storyline.
87 reviews
June 11, 2021
So many characters are introduced in the book that is hard to keep them all straight. Each has a story to tell that it almost sidetracks from the main story of the book. That being said it was a fun read and each character does add depth to the small town of Woodford.
68 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2019
This sequel really developed the characters and moved things on in sometimes unexpected directions. Definitely enjoyed it and hope there will be more
Profile Image for Meg Dean.
301 reviews10 followers
September 16, 2019
The setting is amazing!!!

It was good...not stellar but good!
15 reviews
October 24, 2020
Sequel to Little Woodford read last year. Cosy audio book to listen to on a very wet and miserable weekend about English village life
4 reviews
May 6, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The author brought people to life and I felt that I was living in this small village. Really missed this book after reading
3 reviews
August 8, 2021
Enjoyed this book - easy read, got involved with all the different characters. Perfect easy read for holiday.
102 reviews
November 13, 2021
Along the lines of Maeve Binchy. A quaint little read.
Profile Image for Sharlene Rowan.
327 reviews3 followers
January 4, 2023
A good follow on from #1 little Woodford. Would have liked the younger character plots developed more. Perhaps that's to come in the next book
134 reviews2 followers
October 6, 2022
The name caught me - I couldn't resist having a read.
I loved the way this author captures the feeling of English country life.
The dialogue and relationships between characters and of course the setting were wonderful.
I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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