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So This is Christmas by Helen Rolfe #Review

  Get in the festive spirit with Helen Rolfe's latest novel, So This is Christmas. It was published by Boldwood Books on August 24th. Care assistant Sophie loves the holidays, and nothing makes her feel more festive than helping 82-year-old resident Bea keep in touch with her old friend Greta. In their Christmas letters, the women update each other on their lives – Bea’s in the quiet residential home in London, Greta’s in the heart of Vienna and the grand Wynter Hotel. But everything changes when Bea passes away before Sophie’s had a chance to post this year’s letter. Devastated, Sophie struggles to imagine this Christmas without her dear friend. But then Sophie finds one last note from Bea – and this time, it’s not addressed to Greta. It’s to Sophie, telling her to go to Austria. Which is how Sophie finds herself in Vienna at Christmas, with the snow falling, and an important delivery to make… But when Sophie reaches the Wynter Hotel, there are surprises in store, and be...
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The Landlord of Hummingbird House by Jane Harvey #Review

 

I am delighted to feature Jane Harvey's The Landlord of Hummingbird House on the blog today and to be on the first day of its tour.


When April moves into Hummingbird House, she is intrigued by her mysterious landlord, Dai.

With a bruised heart and a distinct lack of furniture, she spends the summer getting to know the other occupants. As she smartens up her home and makes peace with her recent past, she befriends Paul, a solitary ex-chef, and Betty, an elderly lady who lives in the basement flat.

But Hummingbird House holds many secrets, and the relationships of the tenants are not as straightforward as they seem. April learns some shocking truths one eventful night, and realises that victims and villains can look the same.

The Landlord of Hummingbird House is a contemporary novel exploring unlikely friendships, unexpected love interests, and family relationships. Here, everyone is in need of a second chance - and appearances can be deceptive.


 My Thoughts

The strap line for this novel is 'First Impressions and Second Chances' and I feel that it sums it up perfectly. You see Hummingbird House through April's eyes as she settles into her new apartment and meets the other inhabitants. They are an interesting group, so different to each other. You are gradually fed details about their pasts and realise pretty soon that there is a secret whichApril is not privy to for most of the story. Well drawn and believable, I enjoyed getting to know the inhabitants of the house.

    In the background is a slow burning and gentle romance. April shows that she is a resilient character who is starting again after the break-up of her relationship. The story is nicely paced with enough intrigue to keep you hooked. There are some surprising moments, none more than the final line and certainly, you are left thinking that there is such a lot of potential to find out what happens next in Hummingbird House.

In short: Secrets and a gentle romance

About the Author

 

Jane Harvey is a pen name (shhh). She crafts fun fiction for the thinking woman, where she enjoys exploring unexpected friendships and writing happy endings. This is lucky, because in real life her (prize-winning) fiction is a little bleaker. She was born and raised on the island of Jersey, and lives with two males and a dog. She owns an admirable collection of animal vases and unusual lighting.

 You can follow Jane here: Instagram |  Facebook  |  Twitter 

Book links:  Amazon UK |   Amazon US

Thanks to Jane Harvey and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

 Check out the rest of the tour

 


 

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