Heidi Swain is a must-read author for me especially at Christmas time. This year’s book takes us back to beautiful Wynthorpe Hall in Wynbridge, which has featured in at least two previous books.
About the book
When Paige turns up unannounced at Wynthorpe Hall, she discovers the place she knew when she was growing up has changed beyond all recognition. She’s only planning to stay for a short time, but is quickly pulled into local life.
One night while driving home after delivering library books and shopping to residents she stumbles across an isolated cottage and meets Albert, its elderly and rather grumpy owner. She quickly realises there’s more to Albert than meets the eye and the same can be said for the other man she can’t seem to help running into, handsome but brooding Brodie.
All three of them have a secret and a desire to hide away from the world, but with Christmas on the horizon, is that really the best way to celebrate the season?
My Thoughts
This book reeled me in with such an intriguing start. What was the huge mistake which Paige had made when working for a aid charity in Jordan? Her new friend Molly says that the universe ensures people are where they are meant to be exactly when they are meant to be there and although Paige didn’t expect to be in Wynbridge it seems that Molly was right, both for Paige and for some others.
Although she thought she had wanted a quiet Christmas alone to gather her thoughts after her unexpected return from Jordan, Paige is soon off to Wynthorpe Hall where she’s warmly welcomed by the residents. And that’s what Heidi’s books often feel like to me. I feel that as a reader I’m being welcomed back into a community I know so well. It was lovely to see mentions of The Cherry Tree Cafe, Skylark Farm and Wynter’s Trees to name but a few, as well as glimpses of the lives of characters from previous books.
Paige is one of life’s good people. She has a strong sense of justice and fairness and wants to do what she can to help others. So it’s not surprising she agreed to help with the volunteering at Wynthorpe. Even though it wasn’t in a war torn region, her work was just as important in its own way. I thought the idea of prescription and food deliveries around the neighbourhood was just brilliant. That was one of the few good things to come out of the pandemic – people being more aware and looking out for their neighbours. There’s a real sense of this community looking out for everyone.
People following their passions is so important in this book and I’m not just talking about love. Two different characters were made very miserable when parental disapproval meant they couldn’t follow the path to do something they loved. Both found their lives transformed when they finally were able to follow their dreams.
With secrets, community spirit, friendship and of course romance, A Christmas Celebration is an ideal book to help you get in the festive mood and to celebrate Christmas. Get yourself a mince-pie and some mulled wine and a copy of this heart-warming read.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for my review e-copy of the book from Netgalley.
A Christmas Celebration is available now from your usual book retailer.
About the Author
Heidi Swain is a Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author who writes feel good fiction with heart for Simon and Schuster. She releases two books a year (early summer and winter) and the stories all have a strong sense of community, family and friendship. She is currently writing books set in three different locations – the Fenland town of Wynbridge, Nightingale Square in Norwich and Wynmouth on the Norfolk coast.
Heidi lives in beautiful south Norfolk. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!
Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website heidiswain.co.uk/ or Twitter @Heidi_Swain
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