June 26, 2024 – My Sanctuary

URGENTLY WANTED: a nanny for Christmas. Seeking an adventurous nanny to work for the aristocratic Lord family at their country estate. Must love naughty dogs, mischievous children and have a high tolerance for Christmas chaos. Room and board provided.

Penny Windlesham is stunned when her long-term boyfriend suddenly dumps her, leaving her with a broken heart just in time for Christmas. At a loose end, she accepts a job as a short-term nanny to a family she’s never met. Climbing aboard a train bound for the Dorset countryside, a tear rolls down her cheek. Alone, working and amongst strangers… could her Christmas be any less magical?

As she crunches up the family’s frost-covered drive, Penny’s spirits lift when she glimpses her home for the next month: an enormous manor house, its windows glowing with firelight and festooned with twinkling holly. And, as she settles into her role caring for the adorable Lord children, she finds herself surrounded by a quirky cast of characters, including loveably frazzled Spanish chef Pilar and the children’s grouchy uncle, Lando Lord.

Despite Penny’s attempts to avoid him, the darkly handsome Lando seems to be everywhere – hanging around like Scrooge amidst the happy present-wrapping and gingerbread baking. Apparently he wasn’t always this way… is there some secret reason he’s so cranky at Christmas?

When Lando is commissioned to carve a beautiful new Nativity scene for the local church, Penny blushingly agrees to be his model, and a sudden spark flickers between them. But it’s not long before the past comes knocking, and Penny discovers exactly why Lando left his old life behind…

About The Author

My Review

This book follows Penny, recently single after a 10-year relationship, as she decides to spend the holiday season taking care of four-year-old twins for their slightly eccentric mother, Bunny, in a small town. The family includes recluse Uncle Lando, who spends his days woodworking after a breakdown. Both Penny and Lando are planning to leave the country for a fresh start, but could something new keep them there? The story is gentle and comforting, with larger-than-life characters and a Hallmark movie-like charm. Penny finds herself immersed in the quirky world of the Lords, including the endearing Spanish chef Pilar and the grumpy Uncle Lando, as she navigates her new role and the magic of the holiday season.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Cally, a devoted single mum, is stretched thin between caring for her clingy mother and her day job as a hairdresser with an always sympathetic ear. When her life in Liverpool is suddenly upended, she grabs her son Sam and jumps in the car to drive south for the holidays. Searching for a tiny speck of a village she once visited as a child, they nearly give up when a snowstorm hits, only to unexpectedly stumble across it: Welcome to Starshine Cove.

Amidst the welcoming – if slightly mad – locals, Cally finds some unexpected new friendships. But as the year draws to a close, she faces a tough decision: she and Sam can’t stay here forever, and the future looks a lot less jolly back home…

About The Author

My Review

This book follows Cally, a single mother to eighteen-year-old Sam, as she embarks on a journey to rediscover herself during the Christmas season. After her mother’s sudden departure with a new partner, Cally decides to take a trip to Starshine Cove, a place filled with childhood memories and magical experiences. In the picturesque coastal town, Cally immerses herself in the community, offering her hairdressing skills and getting involved in the lives of the locals. Amidst the beauty of winter and the enchanting caves, Cally unravels family secrets, finds unexpected friendship with widower Archie, and undergoes personal growth. The novel explores themes of healing, love, community, and the power of truth, offering readers a heartwarming and thought-provoking story filled with festive charm.

My Rating