Home and Hearths in Little Woodford

Little Woodford #3

by Catherine Jones

Gordon and Maxine's dreams of a blissful life of gardening, pub lunches and quiet retirement in the charming market town of Little Woodford are ruined when three very demanding members of their family come home.

First up is daughter Abi and her unassuming partner Marcus. Abi is determined to move back to Little Woodford and only the perfect house will do. What could be better than parking with Mum and Dad, while she drives local estate agents and builders mad?

Then comes Judith, Maxine's high-flying sister. A crisis has driven her, sobbing, to Little Woodford. Surely Gordon and Maxine have room for her to stay while she sorts things out?

Lastly, the mother-in-law from hell, Anthea, has a fall in her rambling old house. After a spell in hospital, it looks as if there is only one place she can go...

Never mind bliss, there is no peace to be had! Can Gordon and Maxine find a way to restore harmony in their home?

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2020

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Gaele]

Gordon and Maxine are now retired in the home of their dreams: one that they scrimped and saved to own and have things now JUST to their liking now that their difficult daughter is living in London. They’ve got a routine and a schedule, and frankly – don't give a damn who likes it or not. Between his golf and gardening and her watercolors club, book club and volunteering: their days are full, their nights are quiet, and they are content, thank you very much.

But quietly wandering through their days is not to be for these two with their daughter and her partner ‘staying for a bit’ as their new cottage in Little Woodford is undergoing renovations, Max’s sister is in the midst of a divorce, and finally, Gordon’s mother had a fall and needs full-time care. It’s not long before Max, having lost her quiet moments, her shed where she painted and any semblance of “help” around the house that she puts her foot down and leaves. Leaving Gordon and her daughter to manage cooking, cleaning and care for her mother-in-law. Unbeknownst to her, Max’s friends are pushing forward with her ‘sketches’ and getting together an exhibition to ‘show her ungrateful family’ that she has talent and skill, far beyond cooking, cleaning and caring.

Max and her frustrations with EVERYONE were easy to relate to, and her daughter’s snappish temperament, her husband’s need to ‘keep peace’ , her mother-in-law and her needs and judgment were straws that weighed heavily on her. And while we all know that we’d HOPE to have support and help when the chips are down, it’s often the woman of the house who has to make dramatic changes to demand her own space and respect before it is given. A little different, with funny and heartwarming moments in between the every-single ‘worst case scenario’ that happens, the story is a solid read and full of hope: a great escape to a small village where family and friends are often the saving grace in difficult times.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed

[Kathleen Gray]

What happens when everyone decides to descend upon empty nesters? Chaos! And love. Gordon and Maxine are happy with one another and with their hard won home in Little Woodford. At long last, it's going to be all about them. Until it's not. How can they refuse their daughter Abi and her partner Marcus a place to live while they find their own dream home? (Abi's really annoying, btw-you'll feel for Marcus). And if they can bunk in, why not Judith, whose life has imploded. (well, maybe she shouldn't have...and she's not particularly nice to Maxine.) And then there's Anthea, who is unpleasant at the best of times to Maxine and now that she's recovering from a fall (yes, she is cranky). Jones never piles on too much but honestly, I felt for Maxine and Gordon. You might recognize some of what happens from your own life. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Some good chuckles and groans from this one.

[Helene Atterbury]

A nice easy read

I just love this authoress and her writings and have yet to read a book by Catherine Jones or her pseudonyms that does not please. I enjoyed this book because I found I quickly got lost I the story and felt at one with the characters. The storyline had everything, family, humour, friendship, mystery to name a few. The relationships.had me gripped to the end wondering how things would turn out. Another well written book. Thank you. I look forward to continuing to follow and read further books by Catherine Jones.

[Susanne Baker]

A very pleasurable experience reading this fabulous book, I liked how all the family descended on poor Maxine, totally spoiling her idyllic lifestyle.
Her daughter was so irritating, and then along comes the mother in law from hell to add to the drama! What a difficult time for her, thank goodness for her friends and sister. It was fascinating watching the situations develop and I was intrigued to see how it would all become resolved.

[✨️ Louise Allen ✨️]

The Beauty of Small Talents: A Celebration of Everyday Brilliance

There are books that entertain, books that inspire, and then there are books that affirm—that remind us of the quiet, often overlooked brilliance in everyday lives. This is one such book.

At its heart is a message both profound and uplifting: every talent, no matter how small, is worthy of celebration. In a world that often magnifies grand gestures and dazzling achievements, this story beautifully highlights the quiet triumphs, the small but meaningful contributions that shape communities and bring people together.

Reading it stirred a familiar warmth—something akin to the spirit of Jam and Jerusalem, with its deep-rooted sense of camaraderie, resilience, and quiet joys woven into the fabric of daily life. Much like that beloved series, this book understands that the little things—be they a perfectly baked cake, a well-told story, or the unwavering kindness of a friend—are what truly matter.

Beautifully written, profoundly moving, and subtly humorous, it is a gentle but powerful reminder that we all have something to offer, and that every gift, no matter how modest, deserves to be cherished.

Absolutely five stars.
❤️✨️🐛

[Mona Chergui]

Thanks to Netgallery for providing a free e-book in return for an honest review.

This was a good easy read. I'd not read any books by Catherine Jones before, so I had no expectations.

I found the story engaging, and I really appreciated that it was women's fiction, but it was about family not just a 'love story'. I also liked that it was focused on an older couple. Often in the genre the older characters are portrayed as very old, often female and either very wise or psychic. Nothing wrong with that in itself, but I appreciated that this booked presented an older couple who were active, still in love (mostly) and not half way to death's door.

I think my favourite character was Judith, and I would have quite happily have pushed Abi off a cliff. She had zero redeeming qualities. Gordon I thought was too easily forgiven, but I am sure others will disagree with me.

3.5 out of 5 that I rounded up. It's not going to win any prizes, but it was a pleasant afternoon read that I enjoyed.

[Rona Nimmo]

Homes and Hearths in Little Woodford by Catherine Jones

Maxine and Gordon’s newly started retirement and future plans have just gone right out the window! Easy going, patient Maxine is descended upon by ailing difficult mother-in-law, divorcing sister, return of a difficult child and her partner and chaos rained down on their long worked for retirement and something has to give.

Great read , great humour loved the characters and seeing the not so likeable ones at times at least get their comeuppance! Cant wait to visit Little Woodford again.

[Zee Monodee]

OMG, I kept going, 'what else can go wrong for Maxine?' in this read...and the author would make something happen just down the line! Maxine - what a character! What patience, I should say. Loved this read because it was so easy to root for Maxine, to want the others to all get their well-deserved come-uppance. The slice of village life was also really lovely throughout. However, all the drama? Not for the faint-hearted (you'll secretly be wanting to slap Abi once or twice...or thrice...)

[Gem]

I absolutely adore the Woodford series....I've even pre ordered book 4 that comes out in December.
The storylines are so easy to follow and I love how the books follow the different family's in Woodford, but bring characters in from the other books (its hard to explain).
I could read Catherine Jones books for the rest of my days, and I'm going to re read the series....in order this time ❤

[Sally Coles]

Great to be back in Little Woodford and another lovely book in this series. Full of great characters, even if some slightly annoying, and plenty of humour with a good storyline making this a very enjoyable light read

[Nicola Whelan]

It’s a very good book to read. It had me ensconced from day 1. It was very easy to envisage the characters in the book and the story was very encapsulating. I would recommend this book to readers.

[Melanie Savill]

East fun read