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bibliophile90's review against another edition
4.0
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Coming Home to Glendale Hall is a great romance/women's fiction novel. The setting worked perfectly in this book. I loved that it was set in a small village in Scotland and that it was during Christmas. It really gave me a cozy feeling. I will not go too much into the plot of the story, because the synopsis gives a great summary of the story. This book was about family coming together and forgiveness. The main character Beth Williams has stayed away for ten years for a reason. But regardless of your issues with your family, you'll always come when they need you. This was also the case for Beth, she goes home with her daughter after being gone for ten years. I absolutely loved the relationship Beth had with her daughter Isabelle (Izzy). She was a single teen mom but did everything in her power to give Izzy a good life. Beth is very strong and independent and I loved her character a lot. When Drew – Beth’s first love is visiting as well, things get a bit complicated.
This book had so many great elements. It was just a well-rounded contemporary romance with strong aspects focusing on the community and family. All the characters were great and elevated the story. This book definitely made me feel good and smile. I was happy that the romance didn't overwhelm the story. The author gave the right amount to satisfy my romantic heart. I definitely didn't want the story to end, because I really enjoyed spending time with the characters and seeing them grow. Every character in this book went through major character development, which I loved a lot. I would've liked maybe a chapter or two told from Drew's POV, just to get an insight into his thoughts. But it wasn't something I needed to fully enjoy this book. I can't finish this review without mentioning that I love the cover, it really fits this book.
Coming Home to Glendale Hall is a great romance/women's fiction novel. The setting worked perfectly in this book. I loved that it was set in a small village in Scotland and that it was during Christmas. It really gave me a cozy feeling. I will not go too much into the plot of the story, because the synopsis gives a great summary of the story. This book was about family coming together and forgiveness. The main character Beth Williams has stayed away for ten years for a reason. But regardless of your issues with your family, you'll always come when they need you. This was also the case for Beth, she goes home with her daughter after being gone for ten years. I absolutely loved the relationship Beth had with her daughter Isabelle (Izzy). She was a single teen mom but did everything in her power to give Izzy a good life. Beth is very strong and independent and I loved her character a lot. When Drew – Beth’s first love is visiting as well, things get a bit complicated.
This book had so many great elements. It was just a well-rounded contemporary romance with strong aspects focusing on the community and family. All the characters were great and elevated the story. This book definitely made me feel good and smile. I was happy that the romance didn't overwhelm the story. The author gave the right amount to satisfy my romantic heart. I definitely didn't want the story to end, because I really enjoyed spending time with the characters and seeing them grow. Every character in this book went through major character development, which I loved a lot. I would've liked maybe a chapter or two told from Drew's POV, just to get an insight into his thoughts. But it wasn't something I needed to fully enjoy this book. I can't finish this review without mentioning that I love the cover, it really fits this book.
readdrinkandbehappy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sillyputtdee's review against another edition
3.0
Easy reading you can skim through... predictable and all things nicely tied up, definitely a feel good book
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
This one could have done with better editing. There where quite some typos, and even some boxes instead of spaces throughout the book - especially in the beginning and at about 3/4 through.
The characters worked well for me, and if anything might have been a bit too kind and too good. But I really enjoyed spending time with them.
The setting was a big plus for me as I love Scotland a lot, and I could definitely imagine being there and having a great Christmas.
The plot was a bit predictable, but they always are with this type of stories, so that isn't an actual criticism from me. What did annoy me a bit where small things like "let's exchange presents now as we don't see each other tomorrow" and then "see you tomorrow". Or being happy to have managed to get some time for an important meeting, when the date stays the exact same date... It wasn't too often and not big things, but it did have me sigh every so often, so that's why I go with 4* instead of 5.
All in all a really good christmassy story that could have been mostly perfect with a bit more editing.
(I have the paperback published by Herabooks)
The characters worked well for me, and if anything might have been a bit too kind and too good. But I really enjoyed spending time with them.
The setting was a big plus for me as I love Scotland a lot, and I could definitely imagine being there and having a great Christmas.
The plot was a bit predictable, but they always are with this type of stories, so that isn't an actual criticism from me. What did annoy me a bit where small things like "let's exchange presents now as we don't see each other tomorrow" and then "see you tomorrow". Or being happy to have managed to get some time for an important meeting, when the date stays the exact same date... It wasn't too often and not big things, but it did have me sigh every so often, so that's why I go with 4* instead of 5.
All in all a really good christmassy story that could have been mostly perfect with a bit more editing.
(I have the paperback published by Herabooks)
whatzoereadnext__'s review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing novel, heartwarming and entertaining. It's an excellent Christmas book and I loved it.
I liked the cast of characters, the atmosphere and the setting.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked the cast of characters, the atmosphere and the setting.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
books_over_everything's review against another edition
5.0
**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.**
Title Coming Home to Glendale Hall
Author Victoria Walters
Release Date September 25, 2019
Description from Amazon
Beth Williams hasn’t been home for ten years. When she fell pregnant at just sixteen, knowing that her family would never approve, she ran away from the imposing Scottish estate that had been her home, building a new life for herself and her daughter hundreds of miles away.
But when her father begs her to return home to see her gravely ill grandmother, Beth is apprehensive at the thought of seeing her family again. With her daughter Isabelle, now a feisty ten-year-old, in tow, she plans to cut her visit as short as she can whilst fulfilling her duty.
Beth has worked hard to leave her past behind her, living in London with Isabelle and working hard to be the best single mother she can be. Returning to the Glendale Hall estate means facing her strict and unaffectionate mother, formidable grandmother, as well her teenage boyfriend, Drew, who broke her heart and doesn’t know that he has a daughter.
But Beth is about to discover that everyone has their own version of the past, and the true story she thought she knew for the last ten years might well be a very different one to the truth. Will Beth be able to find it in her heart to forgive her mother and grandmother (and herself) for what happened ten years ago? Or will she end up running away all over again?
Your home isn’t a place, it’s the people you share it with.
Initial Thoughts
Now that my birthday is officially in the past (sigh, I love my birthday), I can officially begin reading Christmas books. This book sounded adorable and while it’s not YA, it sounded like a super cute read.
Some Things I Liked
Gilmore Girls vibes. I loved that this story reminded me of Gilmore Girls. A rich girl gets pregnant at 16 and feels like she needs to do everything for herself – sound familiar?
Love, Rosie vibes. Similarly, one of my favorite rom-coms is Love, Rosie and this book gave me all the same feelings.
The relationships. I loved that this book focused on the relationships between all fo the characters. I have read far too many Christmas books where everything is perfect and nobody seems to have any real problems. This book was riddled with real issues. I really enjoyed seeing how everything panned out and I thought that Beth’s relationship with her mother and grandmother was really interesting.
Harry Potter references. I loved all of the references in this story. They were subtle but I loved them all the same.
Final Thoughts
I read this book all in one sitting. I fell in love with the story. It was so cute and made me wish it was December. I loved every page.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendations for Further Reading
The Last Note by Grace McGinty – if you liked all of the feelings and slightly older characters in this story, give The Last Note book a try. It’s a bit more of a tear-jerker, but still has a ton of emotions and a really nice story.
The Christmas Countdown by Donna Ashcroft – if you like cute, Christmas rom-coms, check out this book.
Christmas at Frozen Falls by Kiley Dunbar – I literally just started this one, but it’s giving me all kinds of similar vibes. If you’re in the mood for something Christmas-y, pick up a copy of Christmas at Frozen Falls.
Title Coming Home to Glendale Hall
Author Victoria Walters
Release Date September 25, 2019
Description from Amazon
Beth Williams hasn’t been home for ten years. When she fell pregnant at just sixteen, knowing that her family would never approve, she ran away from the imposing Scottish estate that had been her home, building a new life for herself and her daughter hundreds of miles away.
But when her father begs her to return home to see her gravely ill grandmother, Beth is apprehensive at the thought of seeing her family again. With her daughter Isabelle, now a feisty ten-year-old, in tow, she plans to cut her visit as short as she can whilst fulfilling her duty.
Beth has worked hard to leave her past behind her, living in London with Isabelle and working hard to be the best single mother she can be. Returning to the Glendale Hall estate means facing her strict and unaffectionate mother, formidable grandmother, as well her teenage boyfriend, Drew, who broke her heart and doesn’t know that he has a daughter.
But Beth is about to discover that everyone has their own version of the past, and the true story she thought she knew for the last ten years might well be a very different one to the truth. Will Beth be able to find it in her heart to forgive her mother and grandmother (and herself) for what happened ten years ago? Or will she end up running away all over again?
Your home isn’t a place, it’s the people you share it with.
Initial Thoughts
Now that my birthday is officially in the past (sigh, I love my birthday), I can officially begin reading Christmas books. This book sounded adorable and while it’s not YA, it sounded like a super cute read.
Some Things I Liked
Gilmore Girls vibes. I loved that this story reminded me of Gilmore Girls. A rich girl gets pregnant at 16 and feels like she needs to do everything for herself – sound familiar?
Love, Rosie vibes. Similarly, one of my favorite rom-coms is Love, Rosie and this book gave me all the same feelings.
The relationships. I loved that this book focused on the relationships between all fo the characters. I have read far too many Christmas books where everything is perfect and nobody seems to have any real problems. This book was riddled with real issues. I really enjoyed seeing how everything panned out and I thought that Beth’s relationship with her mother and grandmother was really interesting.
Harry Potter references. I loved all of the references in this story. They were subtle but I loved them all the same.
Final Thoughts
I read this book all in one sitting. I fell in love with the story. It was so cute and made me wish it was December. I loved every page.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendations for Further Reading
The Last Note by Grace McGinty – if you liked all of the feelings and slightly older characters in this story, give The Last Note book a try. It’s a bit more of a tear-jerker, but still has a ton of emotions and a really nice story.
The Christmas Countdown by Donna Ashcroft – if you like cute, Christmas rom-coms, check out this book.
Christmas at Frozen Falls by Kiley Dunbar – I literally just started this one, but it’s giving me all kinds of similar vibes. If you’re in the mood for something Christmas-y, pick up a copy of Christmas at Frozen Falls.