That Festive Feeling by Heidi Swain

 That Festive Feeling

 by Heidi Swain

That Festive Feeling by Heidi Swain 

was published on 12th October 2023 by Simon and Schuster.

My thanks to the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review and to Random Book Tours for inviting me to take part on the tour.

Synopsis

Holly has the place to herself this Christmas. It’s not her place, though – she is house-sitting for friends who live on Nightingale Square – just there to keep the place warm and cosy and only for long enough for her to sort her life out. Newly single and finding herself unsure about next steps for her career, she plans to hunker down and make some life decisions. To clear her mind, she sets off on early morning walks around a nearby lake and bumps into May, an older lady who is also new to the area, and her dapper Dachshund Monty. Quickly, a firm friendship blossoms. Then when Holly meets Bear, a rather large and rather attractive man, at the local pub, and his rescue dog Queenie, her stay at Nightingale Square suddenly feels even more appealing. As the community comes together for the season’s festivities, Holly must start thinking about where her life will take her next. Some big decisions need to be made, but distractions close to home make thinking about the future more tricky than ever… Will she get that festive feeling this Christmas… ?

My Review

What a wonderful book to read on a wet and windy autumnal afternoon , when the fire is lit and the twinkly lights are on to dispel the darkening skies.

This was everything it promised to be in the way of a warm, lovely hug of a book, that allows you to escape from the world for a while and imagine yourself in this wonderful Norwich Square.

The theme for the story is lovely, as Holly tries to find a future path for herself moving forwards from a recent disastrous past and I loved the idea of setting it around the production of a pantomime in a tight knit community , which is so Christmassy in itself.

Heidi's books have a way of enveloping you into the lives and homes of her characters through her descriptive writing and attention to detail. Consequently you feel as though you have been transported into their world and the group of friends they are with.. Yes there are many times you will want to shake Holly and Bear , but you will still love them to bits , along with Montie and Queenie.

This is a book that should find itself in every romantic's Christmas stocking who needs a little bit of love, romance and a sense of breaking away from the rat race for a while.

Right I'm off to dress in some bright colourful clothes and search the internet for quirky places to live !!!!!!!

About the Author

Heidi lives in beautiful south Norfolk with her family and a mischievous cat called Storm. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her TBR pile is always out of control !!!!!!!

( I can empathise with the latter !!!!!!!!!)