Seasons Greetings! I’m dreaming of a Christmas kindle, stuffed with stories of Christmas love, Christmas hope, Christmas mishaps, Christmas parties and cookies and festivities! Let’s have a holly jolly reading Christmas. Santa’s helper suggests…
The Cornish Village School- Christmas Wishes
by Kitty Wilson
A festive feel-good romance!
JENA’S REVIEW
The Cornish Village School – Christmas Wishes by Kitty Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Get in the mood for Christmas with this sweet romance!
Author Kitty Wilson invites us to Penmerra School in Cornwall to meet up with charming characters who will warm your heart and hearth. I regret that I haven’t read the first three books in the series, but It was easy to catch up with all the friends. And the author quite skillfully weaves in any backstory that is needed.
So, let’s unwrap this Christmas tale and get to know the characters. With a school and church centering the story, there is a festive array of many wonderful folks. The book begins with octogenarian Edith and a surprise that will certainly shake your tinsel. We also get to see Vicar Dan and school assistant Alice in action. Dan is a casting dream come true and should be in a Hallmark movie. Alice is kind, sweet, and radiates happiness. Alice has had a crush on Dan for awhile, and he may feel the same way. Will they move beyond smiles and hopes, the “it’s not you, it’s me” stage?? Thank goodness for the Christmas season! Dan and Alice certainly need some Christmas magic.
As Dan and Alice glance and nudge, they also keep up with the village seasonal events. Alice is in charge of the Nativity Play and must also deal with the female curmudgeon of the PTA, Marion. I wasn’t sure if the power of Christmas was going to be enough to calm the PTA battles. Luscious Christmas cakes helped. The church choir also needs Alice’s angelic touch. Dan’s grandmother comes to town. The only character who seems to be relaxed and at ease is the Vicar’s cat.
In addition to the flurry of all the Christmas activities, this book is subtitled “Christmas Wishes”, and the heart of this book is the feeling that hope will triumph over hurt. You will smile and glow as you read about the quiet joy of giving and receiving a special Christmas gift, the perfect surprise date, or the children’s joy at Christingle. (Which I had never heard of!) Both Granny Annie and Alice have a thoughtful and grounded view of life, which is good to read about at this busy time of year.
Speaking as an American, my only wish for this story would have been for it to be a bit more descriptive of where Cornwall is and what makes it special. Perhaps the earlier books in the series featured more details about this area.
The book is a festive and readable frolic of humor, mishaps, family and love. At the beginning of the story Alice notes that life was becoming increasingly secular. How sad! Thank goodness for small villages where we can still enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas!
Thanks to the author and publisher Canelo for a review copy. This is my honest review.
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Author Kitty Wilson
Kitty Wilson has lived in Cornwall for the last twenty-five years having been dragged there, against her will, as a stroppy teen. She is now remarkably grateful to her parents for their foresight and wisdom – and that her own children aren’t as hideous.
She spends most of her time welded to the keyboard or hiding out at the beach and has a penchant for very loud music, equally loud dresses and romantic heroines who speak their mind.
About the Author
