Wednesday 18 October 2017

Emma's Review: Christmas at Hope Cottage by Lily Graham

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

When twenty-eight-year-old food writer Emma Halloway gets dumped then knocked off her bike, she’s broken in more ways than one, and returns to her family’s cosy cottage in the Yorkshire Dales. Emma hasn’t been back in some time, running from her crazy relatives and her childhood sweetheart, Jack Allen.

Emma’s grandmother is determined to bake her back to health and happiness, as the Halloways have done for generations. Surrounded by old friends and warm cinnamon buns, Emma starts to believe in her family’s special talents for healing again. But then in walks Jack with his sparkling hazel eyes, stirring up the family feud between them. 

As the twinkly lights are strung between the streetlamps, Emma remembers just why she fell for Jack in the first place... and why a Halloway should never date an Allen.

The infuriating new lodger, Sandro, doesn’t believe anyone should have to choose between love and family. With a little bit of Christmas magic, can Emma and Jack find a way to be together, or will Emma find herself heartbroken once more?

Amazon Affiliate Link: Kindle

Many thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for my copy of Christmas at Hope Cottage to review and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.

Prior to reading Christmas at Hope Cottage I had never read anything by author Lily Graham. The cover alone would make you want to read this Christmas book with such a gorgeous cottage as the focal point. I was expecting a Christmas themed romance story, and yes there was some romance but it wasn't the entire focus of the book. Instead our main character Emma Halloway is coming back to the village of Whistling in rural Yorkshire. Her family have been stalwarts of the community, amongst two or three other very important families, for decades but Emma escaped the village for a reason and doesn't really want to be coming back especially in the circumstances she finds herself presented with. The fact of the matter is she has no choice as the worst of days has befallen her and when times get tough you have to turn to your family members whether you want the support or not.

What set this book apart from anything I had read before was the element of magic present throughout. It wasn't magic in the sense of casting spells with magic wands but more so that Emma's family have this special sense of knowing just what a person needs to bring them back to themselves again or what is essential in making a favour/wish come true. The Galloway women have a talent for healing, and most of the villagers look upon them positively and search them out when they need something to come true be it some romance or even to make a crop grow or success in a job. The women can help things along with their creations in the form of recipes/remedies as in cakes or a simple meal to be taken. Something must be given to the women by the recipients to bury in exchange for what has been made no cash is ever accepted for their work.

Honestly upon picking up this book I would never have thought magic would have been such a strong dominant feature and maybe if I had known this I wouldn't have picked up the book. On reflection I am glad I did, I'll admit I am the biggest sceptic and would have found making up remedies from the very special book all a bit far fetched and over the top. The story could have descended into Practical Magic territory but instead here I felt it worked. I pushed the magic element aside and enjoyed the story for what it was and sought the deeper meaning behind the Galloway women's work. The fact that they brought happiness and joy to people through easy means meant so much to everyone that even the biggest of doubters would have been converted. Yes like with all the fairy-tales we have grown up reading that feature magic, there was a curse mentioned here. Some readers may roll their eyes at this but it was a clever tactic used to bind the story together and as Emma slowly starts to uncover the reasons behind the curse, and why things in her life mightn't be all plain sailing, I enjoyed how all the strands of the story started to mesh together to make a lovely read. The book wasn't overly focused on Christmas, it did get a mention more towards coming to the climax, but it didn't bother me that this wasn't the most Christmas themed book that I had ever read.

As mentioned when we first meet Emma she is having a very rough day. She awakes one morning to a note on the table saying her boyfriend Pete is breaking up with her. It's certainly not the start anyone would wish for. Compounding the fact her relationship is over, she rushes out the door on her bike and is knocked over by a van delivering a parcel to her which contains the book which in itself becomes a character in the story. Devastating injuries ensue leaving Emma helpless. I had never heard of what had happened to Emma before, all her senses disappeared along with broken limbs. It must have been so frightening for her and it made me realise how we take for granted those every day things. Despite Emma's world falling apart I thought throughout the book she was strong and brave. She knew herself it was a big risk going back to Whistling and that old memories would stir themselves and come to the forefront of her mind. On the other hand she was practical and knew she needed the help and support as she was so incapacitated. Going home to Hope Cottage and her grandmother Evie and Great Aunts Dot and Aggie was a big step for her but one she knew she needed to take. Little did she bargain for some life changing, life affirming experiences to occur.

Emma soon discovers life in some ways in Whistling has changed and in others has remained very much the same. Hope Cottage is familiar and reassuring and old bulldog Pennywort is still there. Evie was a real motherly character who could sense Emma was hurting in more ways than one but she never put pressure on her. Instead I felt Evie and the Aunts could see the path Emma needed to take but they weren't going to use their remedies on her. They knew Emma had to figure things out for herself. They offered subtle hints and guidance and I felt they were a great support system, a comfort blanket a such, as they always had been ever since they took Emma in when her parents died tragically.

There is a lot of history to the way the characters are in this story in the present and at times I thought I was missing out on bits but then they are slowly revealed. As the story moved on I could see why Emma was reluctant to return but I feel at some point or another we all have to confront what we dread/fear the most. Sexy Spaniard Sandro, a chef who is staying with Evie, made regular appearances and struck up a friendship with Emma. I wanted him to feature even more instead of another male figure who I couldn't warm to at all despite him playing a vital role in the overall plot. Sandro seemed other worldly and the ideal man anyone would wish to be with. There were a few twists and turns as the story drew to a conclusion and I could see how Emma was undergoing a transformation the further her recovery progressed. She was learning to accept herself and fight for what her heart wanted and not what was dictated by outside forces. Her fears of disappointment and her heart being continually crushed was something she was going to have to get over and move forward. Was she successful or did things all become too much? Well that is for you to discover.

Christmas at Hope Cottage was a very quick, easy read. I found myself flying through the chapters as they were short and this helped the flow of the story. I didn't think it lagged in any places and once I got over the fact there were remedies and magic as such an essential part of the plot I settled right into the story. I am glad I read this book. It was a nice taster of the writing of Lily Graham. It mightn’t be the most memorable book I have read this year but it was perfect to curl up with for a few hours. I would be interested to read more of Lily Graham's books to see if magic plays a part in those or to see what other directions she takes her writing in.

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