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His Last Christmas Gift by Debra Borchert #Review

    His Last Christmas Gift by Debra Borchert will take you to a different country and season. It was published by Le Vin Press on 1st November 2025. Widowed, fired, and 50, Claire is one hot mess. This later in life romance hits like a snowball packed with grief and hope and mystery and the kind of second-chance that says, “I didn’t think I’d ever feel this again, and now I’m terrified, but… Hi.” Romance that’s frost melting off a windowpane. It’s “I forgot my heart could do this.” It’s love doesn’t have an expiration date. Twinkly lights, mulled wine and flaming crêpes so immerse you in Christmas markets—you’ll book a flight to France before the fares go up. A book club fiction favourite, Claire’s journey of self-discovery is perfect for fans of women’s fiction and stories about strong women over 50 navigating reinvention with inspiration, humour, with a delicious frosting of romance. “Give yourself the gift of a lush, romantic, French adventure and be swept away ...

Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern by Helen Rolfe #HeritageCoveno6 #Review

 

I am delighted to feature the sixth in Helen Rolfe's Heritage Cove series. Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern is a feelgood Christmas tale with some familiar characters. It was published by Boldwood Books on September 19th. 

A wonderful story of love, friendship and opening your mind and your heart to new possibilities that will enchant fans of Holly Martin and Heidi Swain.

The Copper Plough is at the heart of village life for the residents of Heritage Cove, and never more so than at Christmas, when the tree glows in the alcove and the smell of mulled wine carries out onto the street. So when new owners for the beloved pub arrive and decide to shake things up, not everyone welcomes the changes with open arms.

Local bakery owner Celeste is ready to keep an open mind. But she’s shocked to discover that one of the new landlords is Quinn, a former Navy sailor with whom she had a short but powerful romance years earlier.

Fate may have brought Quinn and Celeste back together, but life seems determined to keep them apart. Can the villagers learn to embrace the newcomers this Christmas? And will Quinn and Celeste find a way back to each other before snow falls over Heritage Cove?


My Thoughts

Each of the Heritage Cove stories can be read as a standalone, but it does help to have read some of the series if you are to understand the relationships between the characters. This story centres on Celeste and her mixed feelings when she is reunited with someone from her past. Driven by her career, she has made some hard decisions about her future which seem to block her from forming deeper relationships. She has a lot of thinking to do. Quinn has returned to the village but finds that he cannot leave some issues in the past. He needs the support of his family.

     The community of Heritage Cove are at the centre of the story. Concerned that the local pub is about to be taken over by newcomers, they have to tread a fine line between interference and giving advice. I'm not sure how the new publicans kept their patience at times! Barney is an important component in the village and has some health issues to cope with.The community pulls together to celebrate the festive season and it was  those parts that I enjoyed the most. Full of delicious Christmas sights and sounds, it is just the book to get you in the mood for some December celebrations. 

In short: Romance, friendship, family community all tied up with a huge Christmas bow.

 

About the Author

Helen Rolfe is the author of many bestselling contemporary women’s fiction titles, set in different locations from the Cotswolds to New York. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.

 You can follow Helen here: Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter   |   Instagram

  
 
Thanks to Helen Rolfe, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 
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