What do you think?
Rate this book
Little Woodville Cottage #1
Christmas at Snowdrop Cottage
Full of sparkling festive magic, Little Woodville is all set for Christmas…
Belle Nightingale hasn’t celebrated Christmas properly since she lost touch with her Gran and left the tiny village in the Cotswolds behind two decades ago.
Back in Little Woodville to sell the cottage she inherited, Belle finds herself wondering whether her own dreams have been pushed aside in her quest to please everyone else.
The cosy cottage, nostalgia and her tenant Sebastian’s ties to her own family, bring a lot of emotions to the surface. When the snow blankets the tiny village, will Belle decide it’s time to confront the past in a last attempt to bring her family back together?
Grab a hot chocolate and escape to the quaint Cotswolds village of Little Woodville.
Belle Nightingale hasn’t celebrated Christmas properly since she lost touch with her Gran and left the tiny village in the Cotswolds behind two decades ago.
Back in Little Woodville to sell the cottage she inherited, Belle finds herself wondering whether her own dreams have been pushed aside in her quest to please everyone else.
The cosy cottage, nostalgia and her tenant Sebastian’s ties to her own family, bring a lot of emotions to the surface. When the snow blankets the tiny village, will Belle decide it’s time to confront the past in a last attempt to bring her family back together?
Grab a hot chocolate and escape to the quaint Cotswolds village of Little Woodville.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2022
347 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
About the author
Helen Rolfe
58 books133 followersHelen Rolfe also writes as Helen J. Rolfe
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and relationships. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries around the world. So far, locations have included Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Connecticut, Bath and the Cotswolds. She also loves creating village settings or places with a small-town feel and a big sense of community.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia where she eventually turned her attentions back to the career she'd dreamt of when she was fourteen. She studied writing and journalism and wrote articles for women's health and fitness magazines. Helen began writing fiction in 2011 and hasn't missed the I.T. world one little bit... in fact she may just have found her dream job!
To learn more about Helen, find her at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
https://www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe/
Helen Rolfe writes contemporary women's fiction and enjoys weaving stories about family, friendship, secrets, and relationships. Characters often face challenges and must fight to overcome them, but above all, Helen's stories always have a happy ending.
Location is a big part of the adventure in Helen's books and she enjoys setting stories in different cities and countries around the world. So far, locations have included Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Connecticut, Bath and the Cotswolds. She also loves creating village settings or places with a small-town feel and a big sense of community.
Born and raised in the UK, Helen graduated from University with a business degree and began working in I.T. This job took her over to Australia where she eventually turned her attentions back to the career she'd dreamt of when she was fourteen. She studied writing and journalism and wrote articles for women's health and fitness magazines. Helen began writing fiction in 2011 and hasn't missed the I.T. world one little bit... in fact she may just have found her dream job!
To learn more about Helen, find her at:
www.helenjrolfe.com
https://www.facebook.com/helenjrolfew...
https://twitter.com/hjrolfe
https://www.instagram.com/helen_j_rolfe/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 29, 2023
I'd really rate this one a 3.5.
It was a cute semi-predictable Christmas story. Honestly didn't like the way it was written at times. But overall, not a bad read.
It was a cute semi-predictable Christmas story. Honestly didn't like the way it was written at times. But overall, not a bad read.
November 24, 2024
This was a lovely book and the characters real and you got to know them very well, it is a book about family relationships, the mistakes we make, how we rectify them and about taking chances and finding happiness in the most unexpected of places. Belle has returned to Little Woodville as her grandmother has left her a cottage, she has kept it for 10 years rented out to a man called Sebastian who she has never met. Her busy life in Cambridge along with her boyfriend who is pressuring her to sell Snowdrop Cottage never has a dull moment. Her mother walked out of the life of Belles Grandmother when Belle was just 10 years old, and all Belle remembers are the happy times she had at snowdrop cottage as a child with her grandma. She doesn’t like to upset her mother so never tries to investigate or change anything, that is until she has to go to Little Woodville to get Snowdrop Cottage on the market. What happens when she arrives is nothing like she expected it is not long before she knows a variety of characters all whom have an impact on her decision and the fact that Sebastian is far more interesting than the boyfriend she currently left behind in Cambridge. A predictable ending but nonetheless enjoyable
November 27, 2022
Lovely Christmas Read
I'm in Christmas book mode now, as we move into the Christmas season (it is almost December!) so I've read a few lately - great stress relief and good to build the atmosphere.
This is an excellent choice: yes, it has the Christmas romance following the usual pattern of misinterpretations and errors, but it has a wider story frame, incorporating family breakups, misunderstanding, omission, but of course true to the genre, there are Christmas developments along the way.
I liked and enjoyed this one, it has a little extra element to it, and is beautifully written.
(One quibble, or 2... 3 hours to cook a Xmas turkey for 10 people? Nah... And pubs in Ireland don't open Xmas day - v minor ref to this in the story, not significant, but... 😁)
Highly recommended (despite the odd quibble!)
Merry Christmas!
I'm in Christmas book mode now, as we move into the Christmas season (it is almost December!) so I've read a few lately - great stress relief and good to build the atmosphere.
This is an excellent choice: yes, it has the Christmas romance following the usual pattern of misinterpretations and errors, but it has a wider story frame, incorporating family breakups, misunderstanding, omission, but of course true to the genre, there are Christmas developments along the way.
I liked and enjoyed this one, it has a little extra element to it, and is beautifully written.
(One quibble, or 2... 3 hours to cook a Xmas turkey for 10 people? Nah... And pubs in Ireland don't open Xmas day - v minor ref to this in the story, not significant, but... 😁)
Highly recommended (despite the odd quibble!)
Merry Christmas!
January 4, 2023
What a delightful Christmas book. the granddaughter in the story is given the ownership of snowdrop Cottage in a small English village in the Cotswolds, She has had in her name for ten years when she and her longtime boyfriend plan to open their own Real Estate Office and she needs to sell it to get the money for her share of the investment. Because of her mother she is estranged from the "Gran" who gave her the cottage, so she decided she has to go to the Village to see what has to be done. She plans to be there for two weeks, but she falls in love with the village, the people she meets and especially the tenant that she is there to give notice of her intent to sell the house. As things progress and her feels for the tenant increase, she agrees to sell him the cottage, but he needs a year to raise the money. He and most of the people in the village love her "Gran" and so she decides she must go to see her, even if her mother disagrees. The grandma falls and end up in the hospital, but she has only broken her arms and the two reconnect with love. In the meantime, she has different feelings about the boyfriend and their proposed project. He then calls to tell her he has found a buyer who wants the cottage, or really just the land and double the money the cottage is worth. She doesn't want to sell to this buyer because she has agreed to to sell it to the tenant. At Christmas all the people who have no place to go come to the cottage for dinner, which the grandma started many years earlier and the tenant as continued. Thke boyfriend shows up unexpectedly and the girls breaks up with him and you know what happens, she and the tenant become an item. By the way, it is called "Snowdrop Cottage" because of thousand of snowdrops that come up every spring and has become a focal point for everyone in the village. Read this delightful Christmas story and you too will want to move or at least visit this village and the cottage.
January 23, 2024
A sweet romance and family reunion
Belle and her boyfriend were planning on opening a real estate business together but first Belle had to go back to Woodville to decide what to do with Snowdrop Cottage which her grandmother had put in her name ten years earlier. She hadn't seen her grandmother in twenty years because her mother had taken Belle away one Christmas and never returned. Belle had no idea why. The cottage had a handsome tenant but he couldn't afford to buy it. He appeared to have strong relationship with Belle's grandmother but wasn't willing to explain that connection. As Christmas grew closer, Belle became uncertain about her plans. She had always done what pleased others. Could she finally please herself?
This was a feel good read which I really enjoyed.
Belle and her boyfriend were planning on opening a real estate business together but first Belle had to go back to Woodville to decide what to do with Snowdrop Cottage which her grandmother had put in her name ten years earlier. She hadn't seen her grandmother in twenty years because her mother had taken Belle away one Christmas and never returned. Belle had no idea why. The cottage had a handsome tenant but he couldn't afford to buy it. He appeared to have strong relationship with Belle's grandmother but wasn't willing to explain that connection. As Christmas grew closer, Belle became uncertain about her plans. She had always done what pleased others. Could she finally please herself?
This was a feel good read which I really enjoyed.
January 1, 2024
To finish up my cozy Christmas reading, I borrowed this book from Prime Reading as well. I wanted to be sure I read something cozy, something that really needed Christmas as the setting. Something kind of escapist, aways from the humdrum of the real world.
I label this romance, but it's primarily a book about Belle rediscovering her connection to her grandmother, her childhood, and her own dreams and passions. I liked the friendship that developed between Belle and Sebastian.
There's some inconsistencies in this book. I couldn't decide how old the characters were when they were discussing the past; I felt like the timeline didn't really work out properly. Even so, I enjoyed this book overall.
I label this romance, but it's primarily a book about Belle rediscovering her connection to her grandmother, her childhood, and her own dreams and passions. I liked the friendship that developed between Belle and Sebastian.
There's some inconsistencies in this book. I couldn't decide how old the characters were when they were discussing the past; I felt like the timeline didn't really work out properly. Even so, I enjoyed this book overall.
December 5, 2023
This was an entertaining read. I loved the setting; Christmastime in a lovely tiny village in the Cotswolds. I did not connect with the characters as they seemed selfish and sometimes just so cruel to one another. The plotline was odd and there were situations that were unrealistic and not fully developed. This was especially true as the characters related, or did not relate, to one another.
This was an audiobook and I thought the voice the reader used for the protagonist was unpleasant and a bit whiny and the male protagonist's voice sounded angry. Reading the hard copy might have been more enjoyable.
This was an audiobook and I thought the voice the reader used for the protagonist was unpleasant and a bit whiny and the male protagonist's voice sounded angry. Reading the hard copy might have been more enjoyable.
November 21, 2022
enjoyable read
I loved this book for the most part, although it got a bit bogged down and unrealistic as it got to Christmas Eve when they were snowed in and Belle couldn’t drive out of the village, but others could drive in, including her Mother without warning, and then Anthony showed up out of the blue, complicating matters. However everything turned out well in the end and it was a satisfying read.
I loved this book for the most part, although it got a bit bogged down and unrealistic as it got to Christmas Eve when they were snowed in and Belle couldn’t drive out of the village, but others could drive in, including her Mother without warning, and then Anthony showed up out of the blue, complicating matters. However everything turned out well in the end and it was a satisfying read.
November 24, 2022
Another winner !
Helen is a master at characterisation, and she excels herself with this book. The ins and outs ,twists and turns keep the reader guessing almost to the last page. A lovely Christmassy story of relationships, feuds, misinterpretation and finally forgiveness.
Thank you Helen I loved it !!
Helen is a master at characterisation, and she excels herself with this book. The ins and outs ,twists and turns keep the reader guessing almost to the last page. A lovely Christmassy story of relationships, feuds, misinterpretation and finally forgiveness.
Thank you Helen I loved it !!
October 21, 2023
Christmas at snowdrop cottage
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. I kept thinking i knew some of the characters from a previous book i read called summer at forget me not cottage. Looking forward to more books set in Little Woodville. I highly recommend this book.
I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. I kept thinking i knew some of the characters from a previous book i read called summer at forget me not cottage. Looking forward to more books set in Little Woodville. I highly recommend this book.
October 22, 2022
So enjoyable
I really loved reading this book about Belle and Sebastian. Snowdrop Cottage was signed over to Belle by her gran the problem was there was a tennant living in the cottage so Belle had to give him notice so she could sell the cottage, but things didn't go as planned.
I really loved reading this book about Belle and Sebastian. Snowdrop Cottage was signed over to Belle by her gran the problem was there was a tennant living in the cottage so Belle had to give him notice so she could sell the cottage, but things didn't go as planned.
November 22, 2022
This was totally Christmas all wrapped up I read this in 2 days found it very hard to put down I was totally engrossed the storyline about Belle her estranged Gran and Sebastian the tenant was was totally enthralling wish there was a follow up .
December 10, 2022
Christmas is for family
One of the best stories I have read in a while. Keeps you guessing , but a most enjoyable book.
Impresses how important family really is and talking out any problems.
One of the best stories I have read in a while. Keeps you guessing , but a most enjoyable book.
Impresses how important family really is and talking out any problems.
December 27, 2022
Great Christmas read
I am a 68 year old man who can read any sort of story horror crime you make it I can read it, Just finished reading Christmas at showroom cottage great read hard to stop reading some great characters and lovely story
I am a 68 year old man who can read any sort of story horror crime you make it I can read it, Just finished reading Christmas at showroom cottage great read hard to stop reading some great characters and lovely story
December 30, 2022
Perfect Christmas read
Just the book to read on a grey winters day. Set in the Cotswolds this is a lovely easy story about ambition, a family who have been apart due to a misunderstanding. But most of all its about forgiveness, village community, love and understanding.
Just the book to read on a grey winters day. Set in the Cotswolds this is a lovely easy story about ambition, a family who have been apart due to a misunderstanding. But most of all its about forgiveness, village community, love and understanding.
March 6, 2023
A lovely family story
Liked the way this story is written, it is a family tale about relationships and troubles. There are break ups and reconciliation, new relationships and businesses. All made for a great read
Liked the way this story is written, it is a family tale about relationships and troubles. There are break ups and reconciliation, new relationships and businesses. All made for a great read
March 22, 2023
Christmas story at its best
Brilliant storyline. You want a happy ending then you're not sure if it will happen. You feel you know the characters and the location is so well described a really enjoyable read
Brilliant storyline. You want a happy ending then you're not sure if it will happen. You feel you know the characters and the location is so well described a really enjoyable read
April 23, 2024
Just wow!
This is my favourite so far from this author with Sebastian being my favourite character! I love the moodiness of him knowing he is gentle underneath, love the setting of the story!
This is my favourite so far from this author with Sebastian being my favourite character! I love the moodiness of him knowing he is gentle underneath, love the setting of the story!
October 2, 2024
Snowdrops and Christmas.
Nice romantic ending to a few problems in Belles life. A boyfriend, a new business, a long lost grandmother and a quaint cottage.
Nice easy read with family dramas that only coming together at Christmastime will sort out.
Nice romantic ending to a few problems in Belles life. A boyfriend, a new business, a long lost grandmother and a quaint cottage.
Nice easy read with family dramas that only coming together at Christmastime will sort out.
October 24, 2022
Wonderful
I loved this book. A wonderful Christmas story ,lots of family traditions and it felt all warm and cosy reading this
I loved this book. A wonderful Christmas story ,lots of family traditions and it felt all warm and cosy reading this
November 2, 2022
This was the perfect Christmas story!
November 21, 2022
Christmas romance
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A mix of Xmas, mystery, romance. A lovely read. I must find more books from this author
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A mix of Xmas, mystery, romance. A lovely read. I must find more books from this author
November 23, 2022
Christmas Snowdrop Cottage
I found this story very good. I w ill recommend it to my friends.
I give this book 5 stars. I look forward to the next book.
I found this story very good. I w ill recommend it to my friends.
I give this book 5 stars. I look forward to the next book.
November 30, 2022
Just what I needed..,brilliant
I’m in hospital at the moment, this book was so full of twist and turns,wonderful characters,I really enjoyed it,brilliant read.
I’m in hospital at the moment, this book was so full of twist and turns,wonderful characters,I really enjoyed it,brilliant read.
December 6, 2022
A good Christmas read. Knew how it would end but it didn't spoil my enjoyment at all. Good characters and a good story
December 7, 2022
fantastic festive read
The perfect book for the festive season. There’s a cottage, snow and of course romance! Can’t wait to read another book by this author!
The perfect book for the festive season. There’s a cottage, snow and of course romance! Can’t wait to read another book by this author!
December 9, 2022
Oh I adored the characters in this book and in some way we can all relate to them I'm sure. Its a beautiful festive read ♥️♥️♥️
December 11, 2022
So Enjoyable
Storytelling at its best!
Written with great warmth from start to finish I didn’t want it to end! I looked forward to reading at the end of a busy day!
Storytelling at its best!
Written with great warmth from start to finish I didn’t want it to end! I looked forward to reading at the end of a busy day!
December 13, 2022
So wholesome
December 15, 2022
A nice festive read
Loved the characters and storyline. Great heart warming festive read. Light enough for bedtime reading but interesting enough to keep you awake
Loved the characters and storyline. Great heart warming festive read. Light enough for bedtime reading but interesting enough to keep you awake
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews