When I first saw A Very Vintage Christmas and read the blurb, I had a good feeling about this and I was in no way disappointed, other than by it having to end. I loved this story, and feel a little sad that I’ve already read it, as I think as far as Christmas stories go, this one is going to take some beating. Really hoping I’m not underwhelmed by other Christmas books I read this year now.

This book is about a young woman who runs her own vintage shop, and one day discovers a really old letter from a man to the love of his life in the pocket of a vintage coat. The story follows the impact discovering such a letter has on Dodie and those around her. Are a few words between loved ones many years ago enough to change the course of her own life as well as others? Read the book to find out.

What I loved about this book is that it wasn’t just a romance. I adore Christmas books, but as the years go on, it seems increasingly difficult to find Christmas books that aren’t just romances set in December. I read Christmas books for the magic, compassion, charity, hope, friendship, family, festive cheer, perhaps a little mulled wine, and I’m pleased to say this book had all of those things. Yes, this is a romance, but it is also so much more than that.

I loved Dodie, and would definitely have been friends with her. I’ve dyed my hair all sorts of colours over the years. My natural colour is a mix of mousy and ginger, but my own ginger has turned a shocking white these days, so now I’m quite boring and just dye it all ginger, to make up for mine having turned white and also so I don’t have contrasting roots like I used to with the more vibrant reds, pinks and purples I used to dye it. I attempted turquoise about a decade ago, but it faded to pale green and I ended up looking like Orville. Not one of my finer moments, but one I think Dodie would have been amused by.

I also appreciated Dodie disliking the word ‘babe’. I agree completely. The word makes me cringe and the husband is banned from calling me it under any circumstances. I’m feeling myself going the same way with ‘darling’, thanks to The Hotel Inspector.

I also related to Dodie’s anxiety and depression. Life is too short and precious, and it was actually the death of my grandma just under a year ago, that changed the course of my own future, as I realised I couldn’t live down in Cornwall forever. I’m no longer truly happy down here, and need to be nearer family and friends, so now have plans to move back up to Yorkshire when the husband leaves the Navy in about five years. Of course, I will aim to make the most of the few years I have left down here, but the dream of moving back up north is what drives me and keeps me going.

I loved Dodie’s grandma. What a fun character she was. She did make me giggle. I also loved Nick, the homeless man too. There really were some great characters in this book.

This book also brought back memories, as my dad had a Monkees album on LP, which I loved playing as a child. Such catchy tunes. Also, my mum won the Butlins leg competition too, but in Skegness when she was in her late thirties. I was very young at the time, and it was so funny in my eyes seeing complete strangers looking at my mum the next day, recognising her as the winner of the competition the previous night.

A Very Vintage Christmas made me laugh, cry, feel sad and also filled me with that happy warm fuzzy feeling inside. I do love a story that can put me through all the emotions and this was a delight to read. If you want a Christmas story with romance plus a whole lot more, then this is the book for you. If I could give this more than 5 stars I would.

What a simply delightful story, which surprised and pleased me in equal measure. It certainly is a book that encompasses the spirit of good will that is generally around in December, without being overtly Christmassy.

By which I mean, although its set in December, and Christmas does feature, its not the main focus. The focal point of the book is the letter that is found in a woolen coat that Dodie finds, while sorting out a new order of vintage clothes for her little shop.

She can't help but read it and is struck, as I am by just how romantic a story it tells, and Dodie becomes determined to reunite this letter with the family of either of the people involved. Only a few small things, she knows the address from 1944, only first names and the first letter of the lady's surname. Not an easy task!

Early in her search she meets Edward who against his better judgement ends up not only helping Dodie, but seems to keep bumping into her about town. Yet Dodie has a boyfriend, Ryan, although even early on I wasn't too convinced by their relationship.

There are three other characters of note for various reasons. Dodie's gran - every single time she was featured I was laughing, she is the sort of gran who continually has different classes on, seems to know everyone and yet feels slightly dotty at the same time!

Isla is Dodie's best friend, and is going through some big things herself. which I won't mention, as I am looking forward to getting to know her properly in Tilly Tennant's second Christmas book for this year.

Nick is the last character who is definitely worth mentioning, he pops up from time to time, but due to his situation, he gives a bit more of a serious / real tone to the book, reminding you that its not just Christmas decorations and presents at this time of year, but for others Christmas is a whole different ballgame.

A Very Vintage Wedding is such a wonderful book, that had me smiling, laughing at times, but also almost had me feeling emotional too. It has a great premise, and with Tilly Tennant special kind of writing magic you have a charming book, and I can't wait for A Cosy Candlelit Christmas.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Ever dance to your own drummer but refuse to learn a new beat? Tilly Tennant's Dodie is one of these people. Dodie loves old movies, vintage clothes, oldies music and does not seem to want to give up on a boyfriend that is past his expiration date. Sentimental of days gone by is why Dodie owns a vintage clothes store. Like a kid with a new toy all clothes are mended, washed, and made ready for another journey. The discovery of a love letter in the pocket of a green coat drives Dodie to pursue a mission to return it to a family member. Being a genealogist I was caught up in the steps taken to track clues with very little information other than the couple's first names -"Margaret and George". Cast of interesting characters make this pleasure to read. "A copy of this book was presented by Bookouture via NetGalley with no requirements for a review. "Comments here are my honest opinion."

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

In this story we follow Dodie, who lives in Bournemouth and works at a vintage store. One day she finds a love letter in one of the coats and finds to find it’s true owner.

She reads the letter and finds out when it was written, who wrote it and who it was for. There is also an address on it and Dodie goes there to find out more.

All she finds is moody Edward, who is not helping at all at first. However, he comes round and wants to help. Obviously that also means that these two get to spend a lot of time together. In my opinion there were sparks flying between them from the start and Tilly Tennant captured them beautifully. I think the two of them make a great team and by getting to know each other closer, they also develop feelings. Of course the are not aware of them at first and some misunderstandings and drama put some stones in the way too. Dodie has a boyfriend after all and Ed’s past plays a role as well.

Towards the end we find out, why Ed was hesitant and this adds a lot of tension and more excitement.

I really adored this storyline, because it included friendship, family, love, Christmas and a little mystery. The Christmas vibes are wonderfully portrayed and together with the story they create a magnificent atmosphere.

This was my first Christmas book of the season and it’s a fabulous start. It made me fall in love with Tilly Tennant’s and I’m really excited for Christmas already.

The storyline had me smiling throughout, gave me a warm feeling and the writing adds so many sparks. The description of Bournemouth, the different places and the setting in general is on point. I felt like being there with the characters. It’s not your typical women’s fiction book and I totally mean that in a positive way. There are so many themes covered in this story and I enjoyed every second of it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher, Bookouture, for this review copy which was provided in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Noelle at Bookouture for organising the Blog Blitz and allowing me to be part of it today!!

This is Book Number 1 of the Unforgettable Christmas series. It is also my first Tilly Tennant Book (*hangs head in shame!) and certainly won’t be my last!!

Set in the beautiful seaside town of Bournemouth, we meet Dodie Bright. Dodie loves anything vintage and this includes her vintage car, vintage clothes and matching vintage styled hair (although the colour can change slightly!) Dodie, unsurprisingly, owns a vintage clothes shop. One day, when sorting through clothes she won at an auction, Dodie finds, in the pocket of a fabulous green woollen coat, a letter dated June 1944. It is written from George to his sweetheart Margaret. Dodie is so moved by the letter, she decides to try and track down George or Margaret and return the letter to them.

This was a wonderful book! The story of George and Margaret, sweethearts through the war, is moving and the idea of the letter being a piece of history and Dodie wanting to return it to the rightful owners is original and captivating. Where would I begin to look if I had found the letter? Over 70 years have passed, it certainly won’t be easy! Dodie decides to try the address on the front of the letter and this is where she meets grumpy and unpredictable ex-solder Ed Willoughby. Ed agrees to help her, and despite Ed’s ‘mood swings’ they appear to get on well. I just kept my fingers crossed that something happened between them as they seemed to make the perfect couple. Although, as with a lot of these types of books, love never runs smoothly, particularly with Ed’s trouble past and Dodie’s useless boyfriend Ryan on the scene!

Dodie’s character is lovely – she’s one of those characters that you just fall in love with straight away. She just seemed to be nice to everyone – she’s always there for her best friend Isla, she gives food to the local homeless man, Nick and she even forgives Ryan for all the insensitive things he says to her. I love the setting of the book, with the Dorset coast being described magically, especially at night! I also love the way there are little references to films throughout the book (I counted 5 film titles!) I don’t know if this is unintentional or if it was all part of Dodie’s vintage character (as they were all ‘classic’ films!)

My own personal favourite was the reference to chips and gravy (when I read it, I said to my husband “I knew I wasn’t the only one who liked it!”. I may be a southern girl, but I have Lancashire roots and have been bought up with chips and gravy. My southern counterparts just don’t get it! If you wanted gravy from a chip shop when I was younger, you had to go home and make it!! (The chip shop also closed at 9 p.m., but that’s a whole different story!)

This is a truly wonderful story!! It certainly wasn’t the chick-lit romance that I expected! It’s a story of friendship, love, family and of course Christmas!! This is my 3rd Christmas book of the year and I’ve finally found a book so Christmassy that I’ve started to deck my hall with boughs of holly…..

Fabulous!! Five Big Fat Vintage Stars!!

From the beautiful festive cover to the believable characters, this book made me smile.

Dodie owns a vintage shop in Bournemouth, her life is happy with her best friend Isla, her very eccentric gran and her boyfriend Ryan. Dodie finds a love letter in the pocket of a old coat which was written during the war and she wants to find the owner and return the letter to them. She meets Edward who is now living at the address on the letter and he somehow ends up helping Dodie to discover the mysterious owner.

This was an easy enjoyable read, the characters are realistic, Dodie has a heart of gold and was very likeable as was her gran. This was a lovely read and I am looking forward to Tilly Tennant’s next book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For me this is one of those books that you should require you to turn your head off and just read with your heart. If you think too deeply you will let yourself be led astray and will miss out on feeling the happy, light warmth of a sweet holiday tale.

Kind hearted Dodie owns a vintage clothing shop . In a coat she finds a letter from 1944 and for some moved to find the original recipient or a family member. The hunt is half the fun, but the conclusion is dynomite. A perfect read any time of the year with a few lessons about forgiveness, kindness and . eating chips!

A cute, sweet romantic novel with colorful characters and a good message. Will appeal to rom-Com fans.

I love Tilly's books they are great cosy reads and this one is just as good as the rest. A fantastic read to snuggle down to this winter

This was a truly delightful, heartwarming story from start to finish with lots of Christmas cosy feeling moments throughout.  Lovely, likeable characters and the perfect location/setting which I thought was well described and I truly felt like I was there in Bournemouth. I even loved the idea of the Christmas charity dip, not sure I'd be brave enough to do it though.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing how each of their stories developed as the story progressed. I especially loved the connection between Dodie and Isla, that really is how best friends should be.

As for the letter that Dodie finds, and the secrets/mystery behind it, it was truly heartfelt and emotional, there may have been a tear or two and that's all I'm going to say as wouldn't want to let any spoilers out of the bag so to say.

The whole storyplot, the characters and everything about this book was all so very well written, which is no surprise as author Tilly never fails to deliver. Having read a few of her books to date, I can very much vouch for that. Just love her books.

On that note, I'm looking forward to reading her next book already.

Very enjoyable romantic light read,personally I would have liked the characters to have been more thought out and developed in the storyline,Ed character was very unstable in the plot more emphasis should have been placed there,as it does not make the character likeable at all,needed to be polished up for the reader.

Dodie was born too late, she loves old movies (particularly Jimmy Stewart movies) and vintage clothing. She even owns her own vintage clothing store. Pity that it’s not doing too well, if Dodie doesn’t start making a profit, she may have to shut down. One day, she finds a love letter in the pocket of an old coat she’s recently acquired. The letter is from World War II, from a soldier to his sweetheart. Dodie is so moved by the letter, she vows to track down the woman the letter was written to, and in doing so, finds a special love of her own. A sweet love story that made me long for a simpler time

What a fabulous book! I'm a huge fan of the Tilly Tennant books, shes's quickly becoming my favourite cosy writer! The first reason I was drawn to this book was the cover as it is just so beautiful.

The story is just lovely, As soon as I saw references to the movie Harvey I was hooked!
This is a movie I used to watch with my dad every year so it is quite sentimental to me.

I highly recommend this story if you're looking for a nice cosy read this winter!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am a massive fan of Tilly Tennant's books so jumped at the chance to get my hands on this brand new release!

The cover drew me straight in and after the first few pages I was hooked!  I love the writing style and the characters were just superb - the plot was brilliant and I loved the ending too - it really is the most delightful story!!

Tilly is definitely one of my favourite authors of this genre and her Christmas books are always spot on and this one was no exception - grab yourself a nice warm drink and curl up ready to feel all warm and cosy inside - no hesitation in giving this a massive five shiny stars!!

I have read a lot of her work and have always really enjoyed it. I adore the cover of this book, it reminds me of my childhood back in the 70s, traditional colours with no pink and purple baubles.

The storyline had me smiling throughout. it was a comfortable read, no nasties. i adored the quirkiness of it and the characters. While reading it, it made me feel all warm inside. I could imagine a warm fire and hot chocolate.

This really is another Tilly Treasure and one that will stay with me for some time

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book. I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good slow paced storyline with interesting characters. Well written and a bit different from the usual Christmas story.

An interesting and different story. Dodie the main character was fun and quirky. A good story that kept me interested and turning the pages. An easy and quick read. Not your typical romance but still very entertaining.