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Review: Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair

by Heidi Swain

sleigh rides and silver bells
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“I expect she was visiting the Wishing Tree.”
“What’s the Wishing Tree?”
-Page 89

Title: Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair
Author: Heidi Swain
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Book: stand alone BUT! also 5/7
Genre: Romance/Christmas
Found:  Book Fair
Rating: 4 Voodoos

When Anna takes on the role of companion to the owner of Wynthorpe Hall, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, she has no idea that her life is set to change beyond all recognition.

A confirmed ‘bah humbug’ when it comes to Christmas, Anna is amazed to find herself quickly immersed in the eccentric household, and when youngest son Jamie unexpectedly arrives home it soon becomes obvious that her personal feelings are going all out to compromise her professional persona.

Jamie, struggling to come to terms with life back in the Fens, makes a pact with Anna – she has to teach him to fall back in love with Wynthorpe Hall, while he helps her fall back in love with Christmas. But will it all prove too much for Anna, or can the family of Wynthorpe Hall warm her heart once and for all…?

Join Anna for a festive journey that is festooned with sleigh rides and silver bells and help her discover her happy ever after.

-Goodreads

I picked this book up at the book fair day 2. I tend to be a lot more free with book picking then – as it’s so much less crowded. This was a good random pick.

This book started off strong – so strong in fact, that I bought all Heidi Swains other books once I realised they were all linked!
Anna was fierce and sensible. She seemed quite masterful at avoiding obvious plot points and ok, she agreed to something quite a bit quicker than I expected, but there was mentioned of something that sort of covered that, even though it was almost out of the blue. And maybe even a throwaway sentence.

Then the rest of the book happened, all rather quickly! I know it’s a fluff book, but it fluffed right up! Though I read it a lot faster than I was anticipating!
I sort of hit a point with this book once it fluffed up, maybe after a break or after a coughflipforwardcough where the Britishness of it all seemed highly exaggerated. I’m not sure if my attitude changed or if I’ve just read too many american books.

Still, all the characters were interesting and there was little drama – which was really nice, especially in a fluff book. I DID read ahead on the last part because I needed to know if something happened and I couldn’t continue reading or I’d be late for work. It didn’t, so I was placated enough not to pine away all day.

I did get confused with the people in this book. They weren’t given the best introductions, but then this IS book 5 of [currently] 7 and I’m guessing even though they are sort of stand alone, these other people will have had better introductions along the line.
I’m disappointed that none of the newer ones are about Molly and her love interest. They might be background characters I suppose. Or in a future book! I liked Molly and the love interest could do with a redemption arc.

I was also sad this book ended where it did. These guys had some fantastic ideas and I wanted to read more about them. The new Christmas one might cover that though, so I’ve got my fingers crossed!!

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