Pommes d'amour au marché de Noël

Wynbridge #3

by Heidi Swain

Ruby a terminé ses études universitaires et rentre chez elle pour les vacances de Noël, dans le petit village de Wynbridge. Elle entend bien trouver suffisamment d'argent pour s'offrir un voyage autour du monde en janvier. Contre la volonté de son père, elle prend un stand au marché de Noël et décide d'en faire le plus joli stand de tous les temps. Un chalet illuminé de guirlandes, sur lequel on trouvera aussi bien des pommes d'amour que du gui et peut-être même un peu de vin chaud.
Mais l'ouverture d'un nouveau centre commercial tout près, menace le marché. Alors, avec tous les autres exposants, Ruby élabore un plan pour s'assurer que Wynbridge demeure la destination préférée des familles en quête de cadeaux de Noël.
La seule chose qui se trouve sur son chemin c'est son ex-amoureux, Steve. Effectivement, il est assez difficile d'essayer de sauver le monde quand le garçon en question travaille sur le stand d'en face, surtout lorsque Ruby se rend compte que ses sentiments pour lui sont toujours là...

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Holiday

480 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2016

About the author

Although 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.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was perfect book for December and Christmastime - lovely, sweet, friendly, little bit naive. I would love to actually visit this cute little town Wynbridge. This was exactly how i wanted my year to end - with happy ending ❤❄ And this book gave me festive feeling and hopeful and happy ending. 💫

[Jennifer (Jaye) (Hope everyone had a great Christmas, trying to reply to comments and keep being asked to log back in!!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Christmas Madness*

Ruby is going home to Wynbridge to stay with her parents for the holidays. She has finished university and enjoyed the experience. Coming home stirs up some painful memories. Steve the man that she made so many plans with that never materialised is living in Wynbridge. In her head she is so over him, is that the case?

Ruby has plans of her own and she is here to help out in the Christmas market to top up her funds for travelling around the world. Her father is less than impressed as she has a great degree and working on a market stall he feels it is beneath her. All that running along with the feud he has with Steve’s family who mainly run the market goes down like a lead balloon, not to mention he is responsible for what happens to the market and planning and trouble is afoot

Like with most of Heidi Swain’s books they are easy reads with a mix of misunderstandings, people jumping to conclusions and heartbreak, love as well as comedy characters

Will Ruby and Steve ever talk and hear each other out? Is there a spark simmering between them or is it well and truly over?

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous festive read!

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so disappointed that this book had to finish, I was enjoying it that much. It was such a pleasure to return to Wynbridge, to catch up with old friends from previous books, as well as being completely absorbed in this new story.

If you haven't read any of Heidi Swain's previous books, besides the fact you are missing out, it may please you to know that they all works as stand alones and this no exception. It features completely new characters, new families and a whole new focus, while also allowing you to see what is currently going on with residents of the town that have featured in previous books.

The writing is vivid and paints a brilliant picture of the story, and I could see the market square very clearly, along with all the other stall holders. I loved what Ruby was selling on her stall, and she is a breath of fresh air, in her return to the town, not that she is planning on staying long.

Ruby's market stall is opposite her ex-boyfriend's so they are in close contact a lot, but just how over each other are they really? I was undecided for a bit of the book as to what would happen between the pair of them, but that wasn't the storyline that really had me guessing.

That goes to just what exactly Ruby's dad is up to, as he really isn't acting himself, and no matter what Ruby does, she seems to be in his bad books. As more information about her dad is unveiled, I kept gasping, asI really couldn't believe the turns the story was taking, and had to keep reading to find out more!

This was a story that was full of the joys of not only Christmas, but also of a struggle to revitalise a market and the holiday in the town, where most custom is going to the new out of town retail park. I love a book where a community bands together for a common goal, and really liked the ideas Ruby was suggesting to bring a bit of oomph back into the old tired and tested town Christmas traditions.

Lizzie and Jemma from the Cherry Tree Cafe, are the ones providing the wares for the market stall, and I loved the descriptions of the various crafts on sale, and the bakes that Jemma kept making, made me very hungry and in need of a sugar fix.

I loved every moment of Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market, and with every book, I am more and more convinced that Heidi Swain is becoming a drop everything and just read the new book author for me. I am so enjoying her books, and this was a top addition to her catalogue.

[Hej__jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

"So süß und wohlig warm wie eine Tasse heiße Schokolade"

Das ist genau die richtige Beschreibung für diese zuckersüße Geschichte. Ich habe mich wirklich in diese Story verliebt und wollte gar nicht mehr aufhören zu lesen.
Warm, herzlich, weihnachtlich und mit einer ganz großen Portion Gefühl und Romantik geht es hier zur Sache. Eine Geschichte die mitten ins Herz trifft und die man definitiv nicht so schnell vergessen wird.

"Als ihre Freundinnen Hilfe brauchen, zögert Ruby nicht lange und eilt zurück in ihre verträumte Heimatstadt Wynbridge. Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt soll sie Leckereien aus dem beliebten Kirschblütencafé verkaufen – der perfekte Ferienjob! Zwischen duftenden Plätzchen und wärmendem Glühwein kann Ruby von ihrer Zukunft träumen. Doch dann taucht ihr Exfreund Steve am Nachbarstand auf, über den sie nie wirklich hinweggekommen ist. Und plötzlich fällt es ihr alles andere als leicht, sich auf die Köstlichkeiten in ihrer Auslage zu konzentrieren …"

Ruby hat mich direkt überzeugt. Sie ist ein bisschen wie ich und ich wünschte mir ich wäre noch ein bisschen mehr wie sie. Ruby möchte mehr aus ihrem Leben machen und weil sie erst einmal herausfinden muss was sie will, nimmt sie einen Ferienjob an. Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt verkauft sie allerhand Leckereien und nebenbei bandelt sie wieder mit ihrer einztigen großen Liebe Steve an.

Weihnachten kann so schön sein und noch schöner wird es mit dieser schönen und vor allem besinnlichen Geschichte über Liebe und Freundschaft. Ebenfalls ein großes Thema - Familie. Was ist Familie? Wer gehört alles dazu und wie definierst du Familie? All dies wird in dieser Geschichte ebenfalls aufgegriffen, beschrieben und angestoßen. So wird dies nicht nur ein Lesespaß für gemütliche Adventssonntage sondern auch ein Buch das tiefer geht und seine Spuren hinterlässt.

Definitiv 5 Sterne Wert 🙌

[Nicola Clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another excellent book by Heidi and lovely to go back to the lovely small town and hear more from the different people. Ruby has been at university but decides to head home and work on the local market selling things so she can save money for her travelling she wants to do. Her father is against her doing this and tries to stop her but does he and while she's working what else comes out that she isn't happy about. Can they sort everything out or are they not able to move forward. Very warming story with great characters.

[Ali Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice cosy little read and captured the atmosphere of Christmas markets perfectly. All the characters were likeable too.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mince Pies And Mistletoe At The Christmas Market by Heidi Swain is the perfect contemporary book to get you into the festive spirit. Christmas markets, Christmas tree auctions, festive fayre and frosts all add to the atmosphere as the reader sinks into the book.
This is my third trip to Wynbridge where a warm welcome is always guaranteed. As I open the book, it feels like I am coming home to Wynbridge along with the main character. New faces mingle with old as the reader is cocooned within the fold.
Community life is all encompassing as people come together to save their market. The good of the whole, memories and traditions must be fought for as the small traders take on the big corporations.
There is the Romeo and Juliet effect simmering in the background as two families have an age old feud to settle.
Heidi Swain always draws such delightful characters that lodge in my heart and make me smile and feel good.
Mince Pies And Mistletoe At The Christmas Market is a perfect read for any time of year but especially now as we approach the festive season. This book will get you in the mood for a good old fashioned nostalgic Christmas where you can believe in miracles. I loved it.

[Fabulous Book Fiend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: this is one of those proper heartwarming Christmas reads and definitely something that should be in your festive TBR! this is the third book set in the village of Wynbridge and I haven't actually read the first two but, let me tell you, that really didn't matter! So now you know that you can read this book without having read the first two! I will tell you though that if you are planning on reading either of Heidi Swain's previous novels, you should read them first because otherwise you will be spoiled by things that are revealed about the characters in this novel. Now that that's out the way, let me go into my thoughts a little more.

I loved the premise behind this novel, Ruby returns to Wynbridge and goes to work on a stall in the market for her friends who run the Cherry Tree Cafe. But her parents are against her doing this and she has just decided not to carry on with her masters. Returning to a home town around Christmas time is something that a lot of people will experience and so m ah readers will be able to relate to this. We also know that this can come with downs as well as ups and so this is also something readers will be able to relate to. The whole storyline is incredibly uplifting though. Ruby has to face a lot of stuff coming her way and the way she deals with it all is admirable and makes for really compelling reading.

I also loved the friendships in this story. Ruby has a lot of friends in Wynbridge and she makes a lot more over the course of the novel! I really loved the characters in this book, they are all so unique. I particularly love Ruby's closest friendship group, they are all so forgiving and so hardworking too, I really admired that about them. As I mentioned above one of the things I loved about Ruby wa that she never gives up and she is determined for things to go the right way, but she is also a romantic at heart and so I could really relate to her. She has an interesting relationship with her family and so that was fun to read about and of course there is her scandalous relationship past to contend with too!

I loved the setting of this book, I think this is partly because I grew up in a market town and so so much of this book felt so familiar to me and I could properly picture the market and the atmosphere of a town like this at Christmas. Even if you haven't been to a Christmas market before, this book will transport you there and transport you to a world of magical warmth, hard working people and proper festive spirit. I so enjoyed reading this book and I know you will too!

[Melanie Mole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heidi Swain has now become my favourite author. She really brings the characters and scenes to life in a way that makes you really believe that you are right there with them. I could almost smell and taste everything that she described as it was conveyed in exactly the right amount of detail. I actually wanted to be a character in this story! The fineness in which the personalities of the characters were written is astonishing, and the story kept my interest throughout. A fine example if a great piece of fiction. you rock Heidi!

[Lynn Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the author’s other books mainly because I didn’t take to Ruby. The characters Gemma, Lizzie and Amber from The Cherry Tree Cafe and Summer at Skylark Farm were funny and likeable whereas Ruby just came across as some sort of Wonder Woman that fixed everything and everybody. I didn’t really care whether she got with Steve or not in the end.

[Lisa Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely visit to Wynbridge. A lovely place that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy when I read about it.

Ruby is heading home after being finished with University, but only planning on a flying visit to help out her friends from The Cherry Tree Cafe on their stall. She's then roped in to helping the stallholders when the market becomes under threat. It doesn't help being distracted by, Steve, her ex though.

I really like the characters in Wynbridge and was so pleased for the happy ending of this one.

[Novelle Novels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and loved the mystery that ran through it.
Ruby was such a strong character and loved watching her fight for her community.

[John Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in the village of Wynbridge in East Anglia. Ruby has returned home from university just prior to Christmas, and is staying with her parents before jetting off on a, gap year break. Her dad works in the local council, and the village hosts an annual Christmas Market, but with a new retail park opening, many residents think that will hit the market this year. Ruby helps out at one of the stalls during the run up to Christmas, where she runs into Steve Dempster, her former boyfriend who is working in the stall opposite.
Now I am not going to tell you what happens next, although you may be able to work it out. I would say this book is more aimed at female readers, but I enjoyed it, simply because you were wondering how it was going to end. I believe there is a follow-up book released in time for this Christmas, so would be worth looking out for it.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Visit some Christmas locations like Wynbridge Booktrail with the LiteraryTravelAgency

Ah what a lovely festive read! I really had hoped Wynbridge was real as I was all ready to get on the bus and head there for a piece of the Christmas action. However this novel did make me buy mince pies and Ikea Glugg (Not keen on the mulled wine but wanted a Christmas drink)

I loved getting into the spirit of Christmas with the vivid descriptions of the market crafts and the cakes Jemma made, I was licking my lips. IT never got too sweet though as there was a serious story behind it too – the problem of modern day getting in the way of traditions with the retail park next door putting the market at risk.

The sense of community and their fight for a common cause is very nicely done and a hint of romance never hurts! A good feel novel to kick off your Christmas shopping if you’ve not done it already – and to visit a Christmas market if you have!

[Suzyq (Battle_0f_the_b0oks) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book filled with every Christmas hallmark trope. From small town community, snow, Christmas markets, family drama and romance. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I felt each idea was only touched upon. I would have liked for the book to have delved deeper into the story. Since I felt like I was only getting glimpses, I didn't quite connect with the characters. The romance felt juvenile and choppy, the drama felt lacklustre and over-the-top and the story rounded off a little too neatly for my liking.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I simply can't bring myself to give this book a lower rating (though I was tempted), as I just had too much fun reading it. I signed up for a cheesy christmas romance and that is exactly what I got! I just wished the final scene didn't feel so rushed and strange. As the "main" couple, it was difficult to feel the romance between Ruby and Steve sometimes. Still, would recommend if you're looking for a quick and fun Christmas read.

[Sharon Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely story and amazing characters you get totally sweeped away into this tiny village and everything that happens here a lovely read.

[Aimee Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, festive, well written read, although found it a little slow to start with.

[A Creative Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

(2.75⭐)
Boooon.... Petite relation d'amour/haine avec cette romance de Noël..
On va faire ça sous forme de liste..

Déjà ce que j'ai beaucoup aimé:
❤️Wynbridge, ce petit village bien trop cozy avec ses habitants qui se connaissent tous (mon truc pref dans les feel good/romances)
❤️Le marché de Noël qui reprend vie
❤️Le Cherry Tree Café 👌🏻 pâtisseries, kits de cuisines et créations fait main : OUI OUI OUI
❤️Le setting hivernal et Noëlesque à souhait
Bref... En gros j'ai adoré tout ce qui est setting et ambiance ^^

Ce qui m'a clairement saoulée:
😡C'est bien TROP LONG (480p en anglais... Tranquille guys, 300p max c'est cool pour une romance de Noël, non ?!)
😡Ruby qui est carrément stupide et qui ne voit RIEN de ce qu'il se passe autour d'elle (Réveille toiiii !! Ouvre les yeux !! Fais quelque chose !!)
😡Les personnages TOUS trop gentils, un peu c'est cool, trop...c'est trop !

Je vais quand même continuer à lire la saga Wynbridge (dans le désordre total, sinon c'pas drôle ein ^^) parce que vraiment je suis amoureuse de ce village ❤️

[Bookworm Blogger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I will ever tire of reading or listening to Heid Swain’s books. Her writing is so beautiful and her stories are just what I need to give me a pick me up. It was lovely to see Ruby take centre stage of this story. She briefly appeared in the first book of the series, The Cherry Tree Cafe, and was quickly whisked off to university.

From the moment Ruby stepped back into Wynbridge she started to make waves and tried to help the local market. Her determination to get the market bustling with customers was admirable, especially given how her father was perceived in the village. She had fresh ideas and instantly fitted in. I can imagine that standing up to her father must of been hard and she did it with such grace that even he found it hard to stay mad at her for too long. I liked how his story developed and the mystery surrounding his moods at the start. I actually found him quite comical by the end. Of all the other marketers I loved Gwen the most, especially when she saved the Christmas trees!

What is brilliant about this series is how you get glimpses of the previous characters. Jemma and Lizzie were more prominent in this book and I loved having them back. I found myself salivating over the delicious baked goods that Jemma made. It was also lovely to have Tom back and see him in his new role.

Our heartthrob of the book, Steve, certainly had my legs going like jelly. He was such a gentleman and the chemistry between him and Ruby was undeniable. Despite it being winter the heat was well and truly turned up! As always I was rooting for them to get back together and wanted both of them to swallow their pride and say how they felt.

The Christmas market at Wynbridge sounding beautiful. I got all the Christmassy vibes I wanted from this one and couldn’t get enough of the festive theme. This was the perfect book to listen to as the cold winter nights drew in and I look forward to my return to Wynbridge again.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book as an easy Christmas holiday read. I liked the cover with its trees and hills , but soon found that you cannot tell a book by its cover. I gradually realised that the book was set in the East Anglian Fens - there are no hills in the Fens ! However I did like the way in which the author showed that she did know about the area with a reference to an "obligatory change at Ely of course " which made me laugh out loud as I describe Ely station in winter as the coldest place in Christendom .
I liked the characters and for me an unusual plot with the conflict between the council and the market. I look forward to reading more books by this author as holiday reading.

[Tatevik]

Nope! Life is too short to finish this nonsense. Everything in this book was annoying - the plot, the saving-the-world characters, without whom Christmas won't happen.

This happens when I don't know what to read. I started Maugham's Christmas Holiday, hoping for magic holiday vibes. It turned out to be a story caught up between two world wars and depression. Not holiday-moody book at all. So I started the first holiday appealing book under hand.

How to say it politely and without offending people who liked this? NEXT PLEASE. AND SOMETHING WORTH MY TIME, IF I MAY ASK.

[zanaka59 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby a abandonné ses études et décide de rentrer chez ses parents pour les fêtes de noël, dans le petit village de Wynbridge.
Afin de pouvoir accomplir son rêve, partir en voyage, elle accepte d'aider ses amies en tenant leur petit stand au marché de noël pour vendre des pâtisseries et des décorations de noël. Elle entend bien faire de son petit stand un lieu de regroupement et de joie malgré l'accueil plutôt froid des autres commerçants.
Lorsqu'elle apprend que le marché du village est menacé par le nouveau centre commercial s'installant à proximité, Ruby décide de tout faire pour que le marché perdure même si pour cela, elle doit affronter son père. Elle établit un plan avec les autres commerçants et ils sont bien décidés à se battre. Si seulement Steve, son ex, ne faisait pas partie des commerçants. Pire, il est son voisin de stand. Affronter son père et la multinationale, c'est simple. Mais faire face à l'amour de sa vie l'ayant quitté il y a quatre ans, c'est plus compliqué.

J'ai adoré la partie concernant la survie du petit marché du village. Voir Ruby et ses amis chercher des idées pour sauver leurs petits commerces et le mystère entourant le comportement de son père était prenants.
L'histoire d'amour, par contre, m'a moins convaincu. Il y a eu trop de je t'aime mais on ne peut pas être ensemble, je ne t'aime plus, je te veux mais tu ne me veux plus, tu me veux mais moi pas.
Je m'attendais à mieux mais dans l'ensemble c'est une lecture sympa.

[Julie Zoulie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Petite romance de Noël qui aurait pu être sympa si le personnage de Ruby n’avait pas été aussi insupportable : immature, autocentrée, enfant-gâtée, amie en carton… Tout tourne autour d’elle, de sa petite personne, de ses petits problèmes, des ses idées « géniales »… on a envie de fermer le livre tellement c’est exaspérant ! C’est dommage car j’ai bien aimé la trame de l’histoire.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Christmas read. I love this series and being in Wynbridge. It’s always makes for a good read.

I like how it doesn’t matter which one you pick up you can read them as stand-alone and it’s like seeing old friends again.

Love a Christmas market story and always happy for a love story.

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought I had read this book a few years ago but, I was wrong. All the same another great book from Heidi.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75. Cute book. Liked the characters the storyline & the setting.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love my happy ever afters. Characters were a little annoying at times, but as always I knew it would end well so could just enjoy the story. Wish I had known about these books sooner and read them in order but there we go, nothing really lost in that!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

First on my list of Christmas novels and I loved it. Characters were so easy to love and even though you know there will be a happy ending it was fun to find out how it would happen. Completely got me into the Christmas mood and an getting more and more excited the closer it gets. Would definitely read this if you are looking for an easy read and looking to get into the festive spirit