A Vicarage Christmas is book one in a new series by Kate Hewitt. The reader gets a lovely introduction to the Holley family and this story begins with Anna. My heart went out to Anna, I could totally understand how uncomfortable she was especially having to cope with her anxiety and shyness in certain situations. There is also a sadness to Anna that definitely pulled at my heart strings. Throughout the story you can see her finding herself with a more comfortable and assured personality emerging. This is in part down to her friendship with Simon, they begin to form a lovely friendship that helps both of them come to terms with their pasts.

Even though it's a short story you get a good feel for the characters and their situations. These characters have a lovely depth that just added to the overall story. A Vicarage Christmas moves pretty quickly mainly because of the length but it doesn't have that rushed feeling to it. The setting is lovely along with the village of Thornthwaite and Kate Hewitt has brought a beautiful place to life. I really enjoyed getting to know Anna and her sisters, I will be looking forward to reading their stories too!

Sweet and heart warming, a lovely Christmas treat!

Four stars from me!

With thanks to Brook Cottage Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I promise all my reviews won't be about Christmas. For now though, you'll have to bear with me. Because quite frankly - I'm a Christmas-junky. And this book has just the right amount of fluff, of vicarage (apparently that's a thing) and of course: of Christmas. Seriously, a vicarage Christmas. Apparently that's where it's at!



Quick disclaimer: I got the chance to read this book via Netgalley. All opinions are completely my own, though!

Story

Welcome to Thornwaite, a quaint village tucked up in England’s beautiful but rainy Lake District… where homecomings happen and surprises are in store for the four Holley sisters…

Anna Holley, the third of four sisters, has always felt a little bit forgotten. A family tragedy when she was a child had her retreating deep into shyness, and social anxiety kept her on the fringes of the cozy chaos of the busy vicarage.

After several years away from home, Anna returns for Christmas... and an important announcement from her father. As much as she once loved the village, coming back is hard and puts Anna's social capabilities to the test.

Avoiding her sisters’ bossy questions, she heads out to the local pub one night, and meets a handsome stranger nursing a pint. Somehow, unburdened by expectations, Simon seems like the perfect person to spill all her secrets to—including a hopeless, long-held crush on her sister’s boyfriend. Confident she’ll never see him again, Anna returns home… only to discover the next day that Simon is actually her father’s new curate!

Anna is beyond mortified, but Simon won’t let her retreat into her usual shyness—and for once Anna is forced to confront the past, and all the fears and feelings she’d tried so long to hide. But with his own heartache that needs to heal, can Simon help Anna to make this the most magical Christmas either of them have known?

Characters

Anna Holley has social anxiety and at the beginning of the book that made me go "YES". As the story went on, though, it was really clear that her anxiety was rooted in an underlying problem. And again, I went: YES.

The kind of trauma and guilt - again: it's something you see coming, but when it comes, boy does it hit you. And the thing about Simon? Wow. Again: you kinda see it coming. But it's so... Just wow.

Also - thank goodness that this book is the first concerning these sisters because I need to know what happens to her sisters!

BTW:

How she'd managed to disguise her social anxiety as mere shyness for twenty-two years was testament to how chaotic her family life was. It was easy to get lost in the noisy mix, and so often no one noticed she wasn't speaking at all.
Let it be clear: this one's definitely from Anna's perspective. Again: can't wait to see the other characters' take on this!

Narration

Just... Yes.

If you want an English bedroom: here you got it.

All her things were gone save for a few Famous Five books from her childhood, and a dusty blue ribbon for winning the high jump at her school's field day when she was thirteen that still hung from the mirror.
And you know that feeling when the people in the book do exactly what you need them to do and LIKE each other? Yes:

Even more alarmingly, she thought Simon felt it too, judging by the way his hand jerked a little as she took the bauble.
If you want the total awkwardness that kissing can be - this story has the most perfect description of that (how DOES that work? How do you know who leans forward, who initiaties, I still haven't figured this stuff out.)

And there's actual gems in there, like this one:

What point does guilt serve? To make us aware of our mistakes and failings, yes, but then surely we must move on. There is no point being mired in guilt. It only destroys us.
Words to live by, anybody?

Overall: 4,25/5

As should be clear, by now, I really liked this book. The only thing I wish were different, are the conditions in which I read it - we're having some of the warmest October days since people started measuring that stuff. And all I want now is Anna's Yorkshire Puddings, Ruth's chocolate mousse and all the Christmas food and fluffiness! Also, fires. I'm now desperately in need of an open fire.

Would I recommend this book? If you're wanting to read anything like a fluffy piece of Christmas-goodness? Then, yes. Abso-freaking-lutely.

-Saar

An easy read, fun Christmas story. This is the first in a new series, so I look forward to reading the stories of other characters. Anna and Simon are fun characters, with chemistry, emotion, and a feel-good story. Good Christmas read.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. The book cover made me want to read it and the characters and the plot made me so glad that I picked it. Anna was a wonderful main character, the author did a great job of showing many different sides to her, not just her shyness. At the beginning of the story she is returning home for Christmas after being gone for three years. Anna has a difficult time being home for several reasons so she finds herself escaping to a local pub the first night and there she meets Simon. I cannot imagine anyone not liking Simon, he was adorable.

The book goes through Anna's stay at home and the heartbreak and memories she must face while trying to enjoy the holiday season with her family. I found the story moving and the characters delightful. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

A poignant story that tugs at your heartstrings, "A Vicarage Christmas" is not your typical Christmas story. Oh yes… there is snow, there are Carols and even presents. In fact, it all the trimmings of Christmas. Yet, in that merriment is bittersweet.

Anna Holley, the third daughter of the vicar of Thornwaite has a painful secret and it is affecting her relationship with her three other sisters and her parents. She is so afraid to confide to them that she feels she would burst if she did. But, if she doesn't, then she is scared that her sanity will suffer.

Simon has secrets too. Being a transplant to Thornwaite, there is nothing there to remind him. But, he knows he has to tell Anna if there is going to be a future in their budding relationship. But, is he ready to spill his guts, so to speak.

A beautiful story of unconditional love. And the best of all, the Christmas message is subtle that it is almost sublime.

"A Vicarage Christmas" is Rated T for Teens. There are no sex scenes in this book.

A Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt starts a delightful new series, Holley Sisters of Thornwaite. While anxiety and stuttering may not seem as if it is a world crisis to most if you are the one dealing with it, it is important. Hence, Anna Holley’s problems are known early in the story as well as her desire to keep this secret even from her family. Coming home for Christmas, then sharing all her problems with an easy to talk to stranger, presents even more of a “problem” for Anna. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. The “stranger” Simon turns out to be someone she will see often. What a wonderful match they are.

Since this is the first book in the series, the community, the people, the Holley family are established. I always enjoy my visit to the British Isles with Kate Hewitt’s books with this adding to the pleasure. While I have never been there, her descriptions give a sense of place that makes me feel as if I have taken a mini-vacation there. The romance part of the story is easy with two likable characters finding each other. Not a long novella but a great introduction to the series.

Kate Hewitt writes such engaging and charming novels and A Vicarage Christmas is right there with an inviting story drawing out stirring emotions for the main characters and for those surrounding them.

Sadness and remorse fill the heart of Anna Holey as she returns to her home in Cumbria after a long, self-imposed absence. The home is warm and loud and loving but for Holly, it is a place of sadness that she cannot forget. Many years prior, her only brother was killed in a car accident and Holly feels that no one in her family continues to feel the deep emotions that she does. To her, her the incident surrounding her brother's death is never spoke of, never dealt with. She carries a burden within her that has tempered her life ever since.

On her first night in Cumbria she ventures to a local pub to escape the turmoil she feels at home and meets a man she instantly warms to and shares her woes to him. Simon is warm and friendly and draws Anna out of herself, if only for the time spent in the pub. It is later that she learns that he is the new curate for the church where Anna's father is the pastor. Will this knowledge send Anna away or is there more to Simon than meets the eye?

Wow this book is very deep and emotional. I was ugly crying 😭. Such a sad story.

It’s Christmas and Anna is home for the holiday season. This is her first time home in four years. She has stayed away for so long on purpose. She has a hard time dealing with her family and the village life.

The first night back is too much and she escapes to the local pub to breathe. There she meets a handsome stranger named Simon. After one too many ciders she spills all her depressing sad feelings. Knowing she will never see him again made it easy to confide in him.

The next day Anna goes to meet the new curate that will be working with her dad. Surprised she finds the new curate is Simon. Now fully embarrassed and hurt she gets angry with him. How will she make it through the season? Can Simon convince her he has her best interest at heart ❤️?

The characters are well-developed and are continuing to grow, as this is just the beginning for the Holley sisters. The next book will be about Esther. Which will allow us to grow with them. I am interested to find out more about the other secrets the sisters have.

Anna has some serious self-esteem issues on top of a lot of guilt she is carrying around. Simon has some guilt of his own as well. Together they may just have the strength they need to heal.

Break out the tissues ladies!! You’re in for a tear jerker. This book will grab you by the heart-strings and twist you up. It is a deep emotional read. So be prepared. I highly recommend this book for all you sentimental peeps!

A sweet story about a socially anxious heroine finding the strength to reach out and communicate with her family and her new love interest. This one's fairly short and it doesn't fully resolve the hero/heroine relationship - the ending is still very early days for them. I enjoyed the book, but would have liked to have seen a little more denouement. It is a series, so I assume the author will develop Anna's relationship as we see more of her sisters' lives unfold. The characters in this one are appealing, and I'm looking forward to seeing them in future novels. The plot was well-paced and the conflict came naturally out of the story. Recommended if you like heartfelt stories and slightly damaged heroes and heroines.

A wonderful emotional journey of a woman's homecoming after several years away. A tragedy years ago had a huge impact on every member of the Holley Family. Each of them dealt with it differently but it seems that Anna took it the hardest. This is a story of Anna facing the past and coming to terms with it as the future seems to be filled with changes. It's a great story with wonderfully descriptive writing. Definitely a book I recommend.

Kate Hewitt does emotional journeys so well and this is very evident in A Vicarage Christmas, which is a gorgeous romance between vicar’s daughter Anna and Simon, the new curate. Set in the beautiful Lakes District of north western England, this is a contemporary sweet romance.
I’ve done a lot of gushing over stories lately, but then I’ve read a lot of very satisfying and gushworth stories. This one is up there with the best. Simon, Anna and her family are beautifully developed characters with all the flaws that we see in real people.
I liked the way this story explored the themes of grief and guilt and the way they can play on human behaviour, but I think the thing I liked most about this book is that it delivers hope for both Anna and Simon.

I'm a daughter of the manse and a practising Christian so I always have to take a deep breath before reading anything set in the world of Church life. It makes me nervous when writers who clearly have no understanding of what it's all about attempt to set a romance novel in the manse/vicarage/rectory. So imagine my delight on reading A Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt, someone who clearly knows what she's writing about. I loved the relationship between Anna and Simon and I enjoyed them as characters. Yes, their relationship was a bit precipitate but it's a genre thing so I can forgive that. I thought Kate created a great atmosphere and setting and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series. This would be an ideal Christmas gift for someone who needs a bit of relaxation. (And were Simon and Anna's names chosen deliberately as nod to the Christmas story?)

Loved the cover of the book to begin with. Imagine a snowy Christmas in the vicarage in the Lake District. Anna comes home to spend Christmas with her family. If it was only the family she probably could cope. But being a vicars daughter there's the extended church family. Thing's aren't as they should be. Follow Anna as we find out why this is her 1st Christmas home in years. Stuck in the family the odd one out. Hates social settings, has no man and no one. Could a Christmas at home this year change all that for the better or the worse. Lovely characters. Could relate to Anna the main character and her social anxiety. Sounded like a beautiful village, made more so idyllic in the winter snow. Book is charming. Well written and a delight to read.

nna Holley is the third daughter of the Vicar of Thornwaite, a quaint village tucked up in England’s beautiful but rainy Lake District. She has returned home to her family just in time for the holidays but is a bit worried that her family will finally notice her stutter and anxiety issues. Anna had begun her social shyness back as a child after the loss of her brother but she’s done her best to keep it hidden over the years and is afraid visiting the busy Vicarage will bring out her secret.

When things become a bit overwhelming for Anna with her homecoming she heads out for a walk where she finds herself heading to the local pub when it’s too cold to wander around outside. At the pub Anna meets Simon who stands out in the pub crowd about as much as Anna herself does. Before Anna knows it she finds herself unburdening herself of her worries to Simon who seems to be an amazing listener. The next day brings quite a surprise for Anna though, Simon who Anna thought she would not see again happens to be there to take over the position as Vicar from Anna’s father.

A Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt is the first book in the Holley Sisters of Thornwaite series. This first book centers around Anna but I’m sure the others that will follow will be focusing on the other girls that you get glimpses of in this first read. The series seems to be a very clean romance series focusing on the daughters of the town Vicar or at least it was that way in this first book. Anna being a very shy girl obviously hadn’t much experience so it was rather a sweet read with her as the lead.

This one was a very quick read coming in at just over one hundred pages so at that length I would say it’s one that I wouldn’t have minded to be a bit longer and give more depth to Anna and Simon’s story. With introducing the whole family and setting in this first book it seemed it all flew by rather quickly and ended quite quickly. Hopefully the next few books will go a bit deeper but otherwise it was a nice story.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

While A Vicarage Christmas is as heartwarming as we know to expect from Kate Hewitt, it has something extra. The characters are so real and delightful with their very human flaws. It's impossible to read this sweet love story without it tugging at your heartstrings!

Kate Hewitt, you never cease to delight me with your books and wonderful characters! Whenever I see your name pop up on Netgalley I do a little happy dance! Thank you for giving us good, clean, well written stories to enjoy.

A emotionally sensitive, bittersweet story with just a hint of hope.