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Christmas at the Keep
Et glædeligt gensyn med familien Chadwick
Det smukke landsted The Keep har altid været en varm og tryg rede for familien Chadwick, ikke mindst når livet byder på udfordringer. Det gælder også for de nuværende beboere.
Lulu har problemer i sit ægteskab og tager derfor med sin lille søn, Oliver, tilbage til The Keep. Her møder hun sin stedbror Freddie, der efter mange år som flådepræst kæmper med at beslutte, hvad han skal med sin karriere. Inden længe melder familiens enspænder, Ed, pludselig også sin ankomst.
Da året går på hæld, og sneen begynder at dale ned over det idylliske landskab, er en familiejul på The Keep måske lige netop dét, der skal til for at lette spændingerne og løfte sløret for en længe skjult hemmelighed …
Jul hos familien Chadwick fortsætter sagaen om familien i det idylliske Devon, hvor kærligheden blomstrer, og familien altid holder sammen i tykt og tyndt.
Det smukke landsted The Keep har altid været en varm og tryg rede for familien Chadwick, ikke mindst når livet byder på udfordringer. Det gælder også for de nuværende beboere.
Lulu har problemer i sit ægteskab og tager derfor med sin lille søn, Oliver, tilbage til The Keep. Her møder hun sin stedbror Freddie, der efter mange år som flådepræst kæmper med at beslutte, hvad han skal med sin karriere. Inden længe melder familiens enspænder, Ed, pludselig også sin ankomst.
Da året går på hæld, og sneen begynder at dale ned over det idylliske landskab, er en familiejul på The Keep måske lige netop dét, der skal til for at lette spændingerne og løfte sløret for en længe skjult hemmelighed …
Jul hos familien Chadwick fortsætter sagaen om familien i det idylliske Devon, hvor kærligheden blomstrer, og familien altid holder sammen i tykt og tyndt.
127 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2022
19 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Willett
66 books356 followersMarcia Willett began her career as a novelist when she was fifty years old. Since that first novel Marcia has written twenty more under her own name as well as a number of short stories. She has also written four books under the pseudonym "Willa Marsh", and is published in more than sixteen countries.
Marcia Willett's early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist - a decision she had never regretted.
Marcia Willett's early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist - a decision she had never regretted.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 26, 2025
Another nice little story but not really Christmassy. This is the author’s last book as she passed away June 2023. She began writing with encouragement from her husband but she lost him too and has written 41 other books.
December 8, 2025
Any time spent with the Chadwick family is a good time. A short and sweet holiday novella.
December 8, 2022
2,5 ⭐️, hvis jeg er i godt humør!!
December 21, 2023
Ok story but the title is very deceiving !!!
One page was about Christmas out of 129 pages.
Not a Christmas story at all. Very disappointing
One page was about Christmas out of 129 pages.
Not a Christmas story at all. Very disappointing
December 14, 2022
FInd anmeldelsen her: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmG5aF4L_...
Tusind tak til @ciceroforlag for anmeldereksemplaret!
“Jul hos familien Chadwick” af Marcia Willett er en lille fin julebog. Det er den fjerde bog i serien om familien Chadwick. Bøgerne kan dog sagtens læses uafhængigt af hinanden.
Lulu tager sin søn, Oliver, med til landstedet The Keep, fordi hun oplever problemer i sit ægteskab. Her møder hun stedbroderen, Freddie, der forsøger at finde ud af, hvad han skal med sit liv. Og så dukker Ed også op. Der er fyldt med hemmeligheder, men måske kan julen bringer dem alle tættere på hinanden.
Bogen er hurtigt læst. Tempoet er forholdsvist hurtigt og sproget er let og luftigt. Derudover er det en lille fin bog med få sider. Alligevel får du meget historie på de få sider.
Der er både en fordel og en ulempe i, at denne bog kun er 108 sider lang. Det er en lille bog, og der er meget historie at fortælle på de få sider. Derfor kan fortællingen føles en smule forhastet. Karaktererne kunne sagtens have været mere i fokus og mere i udvikling. Med det in mente, er der alligevel udvikling at find ei historie, og der er ikke det store drama, hvilket medfører, at karaktererne får meget plads.
Det kan være en fordel at have læst de foregående bøger i serien inden denne, da det giver en bedre forståelse for familiedynamikken og relationerne mellem de forskellige karakterer. Der er dog et stamtræ i bogen, der kan hjælpe lidt på dette.
Dette er en let og hyggelig julefortælling.
Skal der lidt mere julestemning ind i din december måned, men har du travlt med alt muligt andet? Så er “Jul hos familien Chadwick” af Marcia Willett den perfekte julebog til dig. Den er nemt og hurtigt læst, og så vil den få dig i julestemning med det samme.
Antal stjerner af 6: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tusind tak til @ciceroforlag for anmeldereksemplaret!
“Jul hos familien Chadwick” af Marcia Willett er en lille fin julebog. Det er den fjerde bog i serien om familien Chadwick. Bøgerne kan dog sagtens læses uafhængigt af hinanden.
Lulu tager sin søn, Oliver, med til landstedet The Keep, fordi hun oplever problemer i sit ægteskab. Her møder hun stedbroderen, Freddie, der forsøger at finde ud af, hvad han skal med sit liv. Og så dukker Ed også op. Der er fyldt med hemmeligheder, men måske kan julen bringer dem alle tættere på hinanden.
Bogen er hurtigt læst. Tempoet er forholdsvist hurtigt og sproget er let og luftigt. Derudover er det en lille fin bog med få sider. Alligevel får du meget historie på de få sider.
Der er både en fordel og en ulempe i, at denne bog kun er 108 sider lang. Det er en lille bog, og der er meget historie at fortælle på de få sider. Derfor kan fortællingen føles en smule forhastet. Karaktererne kunne sagtens have været mere i fokus og mere i udvikling. Med det in mente, er der alligevel udvikling at find ei historie, og der er ikke det store drama, hvilket medfører, at karaktererne får meget plads.
Det kan være en fordel at have læst de foregående bøger i serien inden denne, da det giver en bedre forståelse for familiedynamikken og relationerne mellem de forskellige karakterer. Der er dog et stamtræ i bogen, der kan hjælpe lidt på dette.
Dette er en let og hyggelig julefortælling.
Skal der lidt mere julestemning ind i din december måned, men har du travlt med alt muligt andet? Så er “Jul hos familien Chadwick” af Marcia Willett den perfekte julebog til dig. Den er nemt og hurtigt læst, og så vil den få dig i julestemning med det samme.
Antal stjerner af 6: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 19, 2024
When I was hunting around for Christmas novellas I was pleased to see Christmas at the Keep by Marcia Willett. I read some of Willett's books many years ago and enjoyed them, and I thought this short read sounded right up my street. I was correct, right from the point when I spotted the comprehensive family tree and then when I followed the Chadwick family from October to December as they navigated new arrivals, annoying so-called friends and the upcoming festive season at the Keep.
I didn't realise that the Chadwicks had appeared in four full-length novels. Had I read them then this book would have been a lovely catch-up but I haven't read them and now I want to! Sadly, Christmas at the Keep was Willett's final book but she's left a wonderful back catalogue to be explored. I thought this novella was a delight.
I didn't realise that the Chadwicks had appeared in four full-length novels. Had I read them then this book would have been a lovely catch-up but I haven't read them and now I want to! Sadly, Christmas at the Keep was Willett's final book but she's left a wonderful back catalogue to be explored. I thought this novella was a delight.
July 9, 2025
I used to read Marcia Willett all the time. Then life caught up with me, and somehow I forgot how much I enjoyed her stories.
In the library last week, I found this 2022 publication and decided to revisit a voice I once knew. I wasn't disappointed. Living a long way from home, it was lovely to immerse myself in a story set in the UK, with a family that share the usual dynamics we all know so well.
Christmas is the best time of year for a story, and this didn't disappoint. A family Christmas... with a little, or perhaps a lot of drama... this is definitely a read you can enjoy.
I'm set to revisit some of the many Marcia Willett stories I read years ago now, as I forgot just how much I enjoyed them. I'd definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys festive, family Christmas's, set in small town UK.
In the library last week, I found this 2022 publication and decided to revisit a voice I once knew. I wasn't disappointed. Living a long way from home, it was lovely to immerse myself in a story set in the UK, with a family that share the usual dynamics we all know so well.
Christmas is the best time of year for a story, and this didn't disappoint. A family Christmas... with a little, or perhaps a lot of drama... this is definitely a read you can enjoy.
I'm set to revisit some of the many Marcia Willett stories I read years ago now, as I forgot just how much I enjoyed them. I'd definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys festive, family Christmas's, set in small town UK.
November 21, 2022
This is a lovely Christmas story for fans of Marcia Willett and the Chadwicks. I’m thankful to have this last book of hers and so sorry to read about her death. Some of her books I reread annually.
I’d love to have learned where Sam and Lizzie are. It seemed odd to read a story set at the keep and they were never mentioned. Hal’s birthday with no mention of Kit felt the same though it’s easier to imagine her off with Jake in France.
I’m definitely going to miss this lovely author who gave me characters I love so much.
I’d love to have learned where Sam and Lizzie are. It seemed odd to read a story set at the keep and they were never mentioned. Hal’s birthday with no mention of Kit felt the same though it’s easier to imagine her off with Jake in France.
I’m definitely going to miss this lovely author who gave me characters I love so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2023
Love the Keep, please tell us more
Lovely to continue reading about the Chadwick’s, your writing takes us to the Keep, and I feel like I know it so well.
I love the Keep stories, the growing family, their trials and tribulations, please write more!
Many thanks for keeping me entertained by your many books, looking forward to your next one.
Lovely to continue reading about the Chadwick’s, your writing takes us to the Keep, and I feel like I know it so well.
I love the Keep stories, the growing family, their trials and tribulations, please write more!
Many thanks for keeping me entertained by your many books, looking forward to your next one.
October 21, 2022
Old Friends
I was so happy to find this latest book since I have all the others. There is just something about Marcia Willet's writing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's like catching up with family. Now I feel the urge to go back and read them all again. Satisfying!
I was so happy to find this latest book since I have all the others. There is just something about Marcia Willet's writing. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's like catching up with family. Now I feel the urge to go back and read them all again. Satisfying!
May 13, 2023
What a lovely book to complete the story of the Chadwick family. I can’t believe that Marcia has passed away. It seems like I have been reading her books forever. A superb author and one who will be very, very sadly missed. RIP Marcia thank you for all your wonderful stories. xxxx
November 20, 2023
Another great read
Chadwick series is wonderful I have enjoyed many Marcia. Gillett books they are all lovely and the local descriptions of all the places I knew growing up was great very nostalgic. The descriptions of nature are wonderful
Chadwick series is wonderful I have enjoyed many Marcia. Gillett books they are all lovely and the local descriptions of all the places I knew growing up was great very nostalgic. The descriptions of nature are wonderful
October 24, 2022
I think that to really appreciate this novella, you need to have read the whole Chadwick series. The Keep is sort of a central character ! It’s just wonderful reading.
November 6, 2022
Very disappointed with this instalment hope it’s not going to be the last
December 21, 2022
Very short. Underwhelming. Am I not in the christmassy mood or something??
February 22, 2023
A sweet novella to finish out the Chadwick story. I hate that there will be no more. Marcia Willett was an amazing author.
December 26, 2023
A superb Marcia Willett an instant classic
Short but sweet .This lets us visit the Keep once again and seen how the next generation are faring .
Short but sweet .This lets us visit the Keep once again and seen how the next generation are faring .
March 23, 2025
Taken in context, as the last work by Willett who was battling cancer, this novella has the same gentle light touch: friendships and families, amidst a treasured haven in the West Country.
January 2, 2026
a quick read, more like a short story.
Christmas, family, relationships all set in lovely Devon. A sweet story of love and learning to find your place.
Marcia Willett's last book, a gift
Christmas, family, relationships all set in lovely Devon. A sweet story of love and learning to find your place.
Marcia Willett's last book, a gift
December 6, 2023
“The hall is full of merriment. Hal and Freddie have brought in the Christmas tree. It stands tall in the corner, whilst Fliss, watching them, is holding the fairy lights in her hands. A log fire is burning in the huge hearth.”
Doesn’t that quote sound lovely? It appears on the back cover of Marcia Willett's novella, Christmas at the Keep.
Unfortunately, this quote appears all the way at the end, on page 126 out of the 129 in this book. I was expecting a book set at Christmas, but this was more a book about the run up to Christmas.
It starts in October and stays there for the first six chapters, then November is chapters seven to nine. It’s only the last chapter that is set in December. It’s not by any means a bad book. It’s just not the book that I was expecting it to be.
It is set at the Chadwick family home in Devon, known as The Keep. And we finally get to know Ed, Hal Chadwick’s younger son, who went off to the US earlier in the series and we haven’t heard much of since. I always felt bad for Ed, growing up in Salisbury with his mum and missing out on life at The Keep and not feeling a part of things when he was there.
At the end, I was very satisfied with Ed’s story and the book ends on a high note, which is lovely as this is Marcia Willett’s last book.
I plan to reread it in the coming November, when I’m sure I will enjoy it more now that I know not to expect it to be the most Christmassy of Christmas books.
Future Caro here... Well, I did read this one the following November with no expectations of cosy, Christmassy scenes and I was able to enjoy the book for all of the things it is instead of obsessing over all of the things that it isn’t.
It isn’t a Christmas book. There is one Christmas scene at the very end which is really more of a snapshot than a scene. But what it does do is offer some closure for a few lose ends that had developed within the Chadwick family. We learn more about Ed, Hal’s younger son.
With this book Marcia Willett created a sense of continuity. The Chadwick family home in the Devon countryside, so lovingly referred to as The Keep, carries on providing a home for family members and friends in need of refuge as it has always done.
While not being Christmassy in the ways I had expected with gifts, decorations, and descriptions of preparing food. It did leave me with a comforting feeling of wellbeing, as a good Christmas book should.
I think this book is best read after finishing the other four books in Marcia Willett’s Chadwick Family series.
If you are new to Marcia Willett, The Christmas Angel (a.k.a. The Christmas Angel ) is a lovely Christmassy book of hers. And if you are looking for something to read that is set predominantly in winter, but isn’t necessarily festive, I can recommend A Week in Winter .
Doesn’t that quote sound lovely? It appears on the back cover of Marcia Willett's novella, Christmas at the Keep.
Unfortunately, this quote appears all the way at the end, on page 126 out of the 129 in this book. I was expecting a book set at Christmas, but this was more a book about the run up to Christmas.
It starts in October and stays there for the first six chapters, then November is chapters seven to nine. It’s only the last chapter that is set in December. It’s not by any means a bad book. It’s just not the book that I was expecting it to be.
It is set at the Chadwick family home in Devon, known as The Keep. And we finally get to know Ed, Hal Chadwick’s younger son, who went off to the US earlier in the series and we haven’t heard much of since. I always felt bad for Ed, growing up in Salisbury with his mum and missing out on life at The Keep and not feeling a part of things when he was there.
At the end, I was very satisfied with Ed’s story and the book ends on a high note, which is lovely as this is Marcia Willett’s last book.
I plan to reread it in the coming November, when I’m sure I will enjoy it more now that I know not to expect it to be the most Christmassy of Christmas books.
Future Caro here... Well, I did read this one the following November with no expectations of cosy, Christmassy scenes and I was able to enjoy the book for all of the things it is instead of obsessing over all of the things that it isn’t.
It isn’t a Christmas book. There is one Christmas scene at the very end which is really more of a snapshot than a scene. But what it does do is offer some closure for a few lose ends that had developed within the Chadwick family. We learn more about Ed, Hal’s younger son.
With this book Marcia Willett created a sense of continuity. The Chadwick family home in the Devon countryside, so lovingly referred to as The Keep, carries on providing a home for family members and friends in need of refuge as it has always done.
While not being Christmassy in the ways I had expected with gifts, decorations, and descriptions of preparing food. It did leave me with a comforting feeling of wellbeing, as a good Christmas book should.
I think this book is best read after finishing the other four books in Marcia Willett’s Chadwick Family series.
If you are new to Marcia Willett, The Christmas Angel (a.k.a. The Christmas Angel ) is a lovely Christmassy book of hers. And if you are looking for something to read that is set predominantly in winter, but isn’t necessarily festive, I can recommend A Week in Winter .
August 8, 2024
Love her books
April 24, 2023
I loved the book especially when she talks about Covid and the hardest Christmas we ever had only being able to see our relatives for one day
August 14, 2023
So sad that this was the last time there will be a story about this family, have enjoyed them all over the years. Thank you Marcia.
December 28, 2023
It was a lovely end to the series. Such a shame there won't be any more books by Marcia as I've loved them all
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews