A Vicarage Christmas

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.

I enjoyed Vicarage Christmas by Kate Hewitt, book one in The Holley Sisters of Thornthwaite series. Anna has not returned home for many years for a variety of reasons. She is shy, stutters in public events, and being home reminds her of the events when her brother died. She escapes the Vicarage, walking to a nearby Pub where she encounters Simon. Simon, a newcomer to Thornthwaite, is an excellent listener and gets Anna to open up to him. He understands how Anna is feeling, as he experienced a similar situation. Simon recently changed careers, attending ministry school after being a teacher, and is about to join Anna’s father at the church. The more time these two spend together the more they become attracted to each other. It felt like Anna and Simon knew each other before their recent meeting. Anna knows she couldn’t be a proper Vicar’s wife is unsure that she should pursue the relationship. Yet, neither of them desire to stop seeing the other. We are introduced to Anna’s sisters as a way to set the stage for future books in this series. I loved reading this book and had trouble putting this book down, reading it in one day. Ms. Hewitt drew me in and did not let go until I read the last page. I definitely recommend this book to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

Anna has come home to the family vicarage in Thornthwaite in the Lake District. Anna has social anxiety and avoids groups of people as much as possible so coming home at Christmas with all the social events is a particular ordeal. In addition, everyone else in her family seems so settled, so happy with their lives whereas Anna feels there is something wrong with it all, something connected to the tragic death of her brother Jamie. When her sister Rachel announces she is dating the local veterinary Dan, a man that Anna has had a crush on ever since they were at school together, it all becomes too much and Anna escapes to the local 'rough' pub where she meets Simon. Somehow Anna feels able to spill some of her fears and anxieties to this stranger in the pub, knowing they will never meet again ... As each of the family members breaks some life-changing news over the Christmas holiday, can Anna let go of her fears and embrace love? Perfect holiday reading as I lay on the beach reading about a cold, snowy Christmas in England.