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The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop by Jill Steeples #Review

I am delighted to feature another novel by Jill Steeples set in the Cotswolds. The Cotswold Christmas Bookshop, a   festive story , was published on August 31st by Boldwood Books. Isla Stewart has a glittering publishing career in London, but when she’s unexpectedly made redundant, she faces an uncertain future. Licking her wounds, Isla heads home to the Cotswolds. Keeping her devastating redundancy a secret from her proud parents, she seeks refuge at Finch’s, the enchanting bookshop she worked in as a teenager. With the owners struggling with their health, Isla steps in to manage the shop hoping to convince them that the business has a future. Isla likes nothing more than chatting to people about books, but her safe haven is soon disturbed when she comes face-to-face with her first love, Charlie Brace, made worse by the arrival of Guy Madley, the incredibly handsome property consultant who has advice for owners Jon and Miriam. As Christmas approaches, Isla has decisions...
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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 before she returns to England, her life will have changed in ways she could never have imagined…


 My Thoughts

 

We are in full festive mood when we visit the Wynter Hotel in Vienna. Throughout, the story seems to shimmer with the Christmas lights and Vienna comes to life as it gives Sophie such inspiration and escape from everyday life. Enduring friendship is a major focus of the story, seen through the letters which Bea and Greta have exchanged. 

    Sophie feels a connection with Greta's family and shows through her actions, what a kind and thoughtful person she is. Life in Vienna could not be more different from Sophie's life in London, working in the residential care home where Bea lived. As events show, it turns out that Sophie has a connection with the Wynter family which she could not have guessed at and it turns out that her background holds a secret she has suppressed over the years. Her family dynamics have been difficult and strained following a traumatic event. Overall, this story has an optimistic and warm tone which coupled with Christmas, makes it such an uplifting experience.

In short: Past secrets and friendships formed.  

 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  |  Newsletter Sign Up  |  Bookbub

  
 Book links
 
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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