With such a delightful title and cover, I had to give Christmas at Fox Farm a go. I love Christmas books, and I really enjoyed this one.

Fox Farm was a wonderful setting, it felt like home, and the surrounding countryside of Yorkshire worked really well too. The snow made the book feel really Christmassy.

The characters were great. I really liked Jean and Daisy especially. I thought Daisy and Alex’s relationship was well portrayed, under so much stress it’s not surprising they had some difficulties!

I found the story slightly more stressful than what I’d choose - all the family drama (down to Sebastian completely) was a bit much for me. However, it worked well in the context of the rest of the plot, and I know most readers like more drama than me!

The story starts in the late autumn and goes all the way through to Christmas. It has lots of Christmas atmosphere and, of course, a happy ending.

Overall, this was a heartwarming, Christmassy romance. But it was also about family (or most of it) and friends pulling together in difficult times.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

When a medical emergency brings resident artist Daisy and plant nursery owner Alex together to save Fox Farm, will the stress of the situation and their pasts keep them from a future together?
The idyllic setting of Fox Farm in the Yorkshire Dales is the perfect backdrop for this festive novel about two people coming together to save a special place they love. While working together they have many arguments that drive a temporary wedge between them, but as they continue to work together they realize that the feelings they have for each other may be more than just friendship. Can they overcome the hardships they have faced in the past that threaten to keep them apart? Read this cozy holiday novel to find out!

Some things I loved:
The idyllic setting, and how art is incorporated into the farm.
The festive, if a bit harried, holiday atmosphere that starts at Halloween and runs up to Christmas day.
Neither of the main characters care much about material things/wealth.
Daisy is an artist in residence at the farm, and I loved all the mentions of her work and painting.
Daisy's walks through the Dales and around the farm for inspiration.
The quirky writer renting out a cottage on the farm and a hilarious scene that ensues.
Helen Pollard does a pretty good job with her details and making you feel like you are there.

The only thing that I personally wasn't a fan of were the arguments between the main characters. They definitely fit well into the story and of course we need some drama to keep things interesting, but it made me wonder if they would really be a healthy couple.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes relatively clean romances (there is some 'amorous activity' but it is not graphic or smutty), holiday romances, books set in the English countryside, books with a lot of low-key drama to keep it interesting, and books set on idyllic small farms.

I would definitely read more from this author!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The lovely book cover and title give a small hint of what the pages of this novel hold. The blurb indicates it will be an enemies - to - lovers type romance, but it is so much more than that. The setting, and descriptions of the area, homes, shops and characters are charming and create a perfect backdrop to the events in the story. The build-up to Christmas underpins the tale while the characters live through realistic situations; the family emotions and disagreements engendered by illness, ageing, inheritance and wills are presented in such a way that the reader is able to engage completely with the characters and plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and recommend it as a very good Christmas read; curl up with a mulled wine and mince pie by the fire and indulge yourself with this book!

#blogtour

As a Yorkshire lass living down in the South West of the UK, I’m pleased to say that I loved my virtual visit to the Yorkshire Dales thanks to Helen Pollard.

Although the title of the book mentions Christmas, this story starts in October as the usual life at Fox Farm takes an unexpected turn when Jean becomes ill.

Alex, her nephew and Daisy, the resident artist need to learn to work together to make Fox Farm viable for the future. There is a roller coaster ride of emotions for Alex and Daisy as some members of the workforce and family try to stop changes being made, whilst others are eager to help.

This was a lovely uplifting read, full of community spirit, friendship, festive cheer and learning to trust your own judgment. There are funny moments too, including the resident murder mystery author on a foggy night and with Daisy’s friend on a video call.

Happy to recommend and I look forward to reading more by Helen Pollard in the future.

Yorkshire, artist, rural, HEA, family, family-dynamics, friction, friendship, small-business, small-town, situational-humor, verbal-humor, stroke-recovery, loneliness, love*****

The publisher's blurb is a good place to start with this somewhat peaceful story that takes place from Halloween to Christmas at an artist retreat and local mainstay. The characters are all so well portrayed (especially the poisonous drip of a money mad cousin) and the situations the characters find themselves in ( hospitalized, lack of money issues) are all too believable. No spoilers though. This is the perfect book for a dingy weather weekend in uncertain times. I loved it (even though I usually prefer nonfiction or cozy mysteries)!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

It's been far too long since I last read a Helen Pollard book, and I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed them.

And this new setting of Fox Farm is just lovely. It's not an animal farm, or crop farm, but more a farm that has a cafe, and an art gallery that supports many local artists, run by the seemingly indestructible Jean.

Well until she falls ill, and her nephew Alex needs to step in and somehow keep things running no only with his own business, but with Fox Farm too, all the while trying to honor Jean's wishes, while keeping the other nephew Sebastian at bay, who is a nasty piece of work with no redeeming features.

And if Alex isn't busy enough with all of that, there is his fledgling friendship with the artist in residence Daisy, which is anything but simple!

Set to a backdrop of winter, starting with pumpkin carving and leading up to Christmas, you definitely get a feel for the season. It's also a good book to read early into your festive reading season, as it didn't really give me Christmassy vibes, but did give me smiling vibes.

Well apart from when it comes to Sebastian, that was more I want to punch him vibes! But it's a really easy to read, enjoyable story, that I could picture all so clearly. I enjoyed the writing, and loved the resolution, as well as the journey to get there.

A very pleasurable book, that has me longing to visit Fox Farm for myself.

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

This is not the usual “feel good” Christmas story. It is full of more conflict and angst than I believe I have ever encountered in a seasonal offering.

Jean is the owner of Fox Farms, a once thriving enterprise consisting of a café, a, pottery studio and a gallery/gift shop in the small village in the Yorkshire Dales (England). When this beloved septuagenarian experiences a severe stroke, the future of Fox Farms is in jeopardy. Alex, her devoted nephew, who has his own business, steps in to temporarily manage the Farm’s affairs and discovers that his aunt has been subsidizing the place out of her savings for the past two years. Daisy is a current artist-in-residence with a fondness for and loyalty to her patron that leads her to assist Alex in his efforts to turn the business around.

The above-referenced conflict becomes evident in multiple relationships. Alex is estranged from his mother, Jean’s sister-in-law. He and Daisy have repeated misunderstandings and have multiple conversations that are mean-spirited as each addresses their lack of trust and even respect. There is a second arrogant nephew that inserts himself into the situation with dubious motives. The staff at Fox Farms, unaware of the financial challenges, are unsettled by all the changes Alex is implementing. Finally, the stress Alex is under trying to manage two enterprises threatens his relationships in his own business and his connection with his aunt.

As Christmas approaches Fox Farms is transformed into a magical place complete with a huge Christmas tree, a grotto complete with Santa and his elf, a new gallery and an expanded café. Rather predictably, most of the troublesome aspects of the storyline are resolved by Christmas day and the future of Fox Farms, while still unpredictable, looks optimistic.

I found the pace of the book too slow for my taste. The character development was uneven and the dynamics between Alex and Daisy made me grit my teeth at times – they were accusatory and blaming in several conversations to the point of being cruel. I never felt their apologies were equal in measure to their attempts to protect themselves in their anger. I appreciated the Jean’s struggle to accept her new limitations as well as Alex’s attempts to support his aunt and still keep his own dream alive. The novel exemplifies the resiliency of the human spirit when faced with the unexpected challenges life often serves up.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I was immediately drawn in by the cover of the book and although I enjoyed the book, I expected a bit more Christmas. Since the story spans from Halloween to Christmas it took a bit of time in the book to get to the Christmas season. But the book did a fantastic job of transporting me to Fox Farm and by the end I wanted to schedule a visit for myself. A sweet holiday read.

Christmas at Fox Farm by Helen Pollard Leisurely paced story about family and friendships and holiday spirit. Alex and Daisy, a relatable couple who deserve all the happiness they find. Would be pleasant to visit Fox Farm at Christmas time. An enjoyable read.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I love this cover! This book takes place from Halloween right up to Christmas. I was expecting more of a Christmasy book. This was more about romance and family and how messy both can be. I really enjoyed it and it kept me turning the pages.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

A lovely festive story with a community feel good factor. Well written characters and just enough drama to keep you totally interested right to the end. Who doesn't love a festive story with a lovely ending.

A Magical, Festive Christmas…
A magical, festive Christmas at Fox Farm is hopefully on the cards. Can problems and issues be overcome so that the Christmas festivities everyone hopes for can take place? A heartwarming tale of life, loves, hope and dreams. Ideal escapism for the festive season.

An easy read with a festive wintery feel, this is a book you can pick up to escape in to. With a little bit of drama, a few boohiss baddies and a great sense of community you get all you'd expect from a Christmas romance. I did enjoy especially how down to earth and unmaterialistic the characters of Alex & Daisy are in the book, and the sassy & formidable Jean.

The magic of Christmas in a beautiful snow-white Yorkshire farm

Christmas at Fox Farm is a story about getting old, family love, and kindness bringing people together.

Daisy was an orphaned kid in the foster system and had never experienced a sense of home and belonging.

It all changed when she moved to Fox Farm and fell in love with the place and its community.

All was well until Jean, the farms' owner, suffered a stroke, and her nephew Alex assumed the running of the farm.

Alex's plans for the future of the farm could shatter Daisy's dreams of finally setting down, but, at the same time, she could help but be attracted to his kind soul and handsome looks.

The romance between Daisy and Alex builds slowly and on solid foundations. I love the wintery scenery, the countryside vibes, and how the story is infused with art.

Lovely Christmas read!

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 09/30/2021 as part of the book's blog tour*

A perfect festive read for getting you into the Chrostmas spirit.
Daisy is an artist in residence at the Fox Farm Gellery and cafe, when the much loved owner Jean falls unwell. Daisy is thrown together with Jean's nephew Alex to save the struggling Fox Farm while Jean recuperates.
It's a lovely story with brilliant characters that you can easily identify with.
The setting of the Yorshire Dale's is the perfect snowy christmas scene and absolutely ideal for such a heartwarming and family centred read.
The themes of family, love and chasing your dreams worked so well. I loved the way everything came together, the outcome was happy and left you pining for all the festive activities and ready for the Christmas season.
Thank you to netgalley, Helen Pollard and Bookouture for the ARC.

Loved this christmassy book, wonderful characters and storyline was great, both Daisy and Alex have had rough childhoods and find themselves drawn to each other in the fight to save fox farm which belongs to aunt Jean who is Alex's aunty, poor Jean suffers a stroke and Alex is trying to keep fox farm going for her while she is in hospital as well as see to his own business and all the while Sebastian is trying his best to get his Aunt Jean to sell her beloved home
Loved the book as was so descriptive and I felt like I was there with all the characters
Would highly recommend

Really enjoyed this bookmy first by Helen Pollard , great cast of characters and i wish there was a Fox Farm near me.

I enjoyed this story and the characters. It had a nice back and forth and of course a happy ending. Pollard always writes in a way to lift my spirits.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, the main characters Daisy and Alex have both endured sad childhoods and to enjoy all the ups and downs of their relationship, and others, has been an absolute pleasure. I would love to visit Fox Farm and meet the redoubtable Aunt Jean

I loved this book and was drawn into it very quickly. It was written in such a way as you almost felt you knew the characters. The story was well crafted and characters’ back stories built into the tale which was a story of family, friendship and of course, romance. There were some very funny moments and I finished with the thought that hard work and honesty goes a very long way in any situation. I’d definitely recommend this book for an evening of light reading to get into the Christmas spirit.