sillyputtdee's review
3.0
Easy reading you can skim through... predictable and all things nicely tied up, definitely a feel good book
kitvaria_sarene's review
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
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
annarella's review
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
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.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
5.0
It may only be the middle of summer, but there’s always something so magical and cosy when reading a book set around winter time.
Glendale Hall is a wonderful property on picturesque grounds. It made me wonder how Beth had managed to stay away from it for so long, but then as we find out a bit more about what happened in the past to make her move away, I started to understand.
It was sad to see the decline of the small town that Beth finds herself returning to. Things have certainly changed since she was last there. One thing that hasn’t, is her friendship with Heather, her childhood friend. I enjoyed seeing the friendship between these two as it was so effortless and comfortable.
There’s lots going on within the story to do with Beth’s family, her childhood sweetheart and the decline within the small town. It all blends wonderfully together though making for an all engrossing read.
Coming Home To Glendale Hall is as gorgeous on the inside as it is on the outside. It promises so much and delivers it all and more. It’s a feel good, heart warming read bursting to the seams with family bonds, romance and hope and goodwill. Definitely one you need to add to your to be read file if you’re a fan of this genre.
My thanks to Hera Books, NetGalley and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Glendale Hall is a wonderful property on picturesque grounds. It made me wonder how Beth had managed to stay away from it for so long, but then as we find out a bit more about what happened in the past to make her move away, I started to understand.
It was sad to see the decline of the small town that Beth finds herself returning to. Things have certainly changed since she was last there. One thing that hasn’t, is her friendship with Heather, her childhood friend. I enjoyed seeing the friendship between these two as it was so effortless and comfortable.
There’s lots going on within the story to do with Beth’s family, her childhood sweetheart and the decline within the small town. It all blends wonderfully together though making for an all engrossing read.
Coming Home To Glendale Hall is as gorgeous on the inside as it is on the outside. It promises so much and delivers it all and more. It’s a feel good, heart warming read bursting to the seams with family bonds, romance and hope and goodwill. Definitely one you need to add to your to be read file if you’re a fan of this genre.
My thanks to Hera Books, NetGalley and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
clair_82's review against another edition
5.0
Coming Home to Glendale Hall is the perfect festive read…it has all the key components of an ideal Christmas book to me; a wonderful wintery setting (Glendale Hall and its village fit the bill perfectly), a cause to fight for, community spirit and just the right amount of romance!
I absolutely adored Coming Home to Glendale Hall right from the outset, Victoria Walter’s narrative transports the reader to Glendale and feeling like we already know Beth and her daughter Izzy. The book opens with Beth’s return to Glendale Hall, 10 years after she fled to London and never returned. Whilst her parents and grandmother have visited Beth and Izzy in London on occasion, it is clear from the outset that their relationship is, at best, strained. Beth and Izzy are back in Glendale for Christmas as it is feared that this will be Beth’s grandmother’s final Christmas as she is terminally ill and her health is deteriorating. Izzy is thoroughly excited to visit her mother’s childhood home and spend time in Scotland, although for Beth it brings back difficult memories that she has tried to bury for years – which are exacerbated when she unexpectedly bumps into Drew, her first love.
In addition to the family issues, Beth finds that the village is no longer the community that she left, it is now largely abandoned with developers circling around like vultures to purchase the vacant shops and convert them into flats. Beth is devastated that Glendale has seemingly lost its heart, its community spirit so she is determined to do something about it.
Coming Home to Glendale Hall is a beautiful heart-warming read with brilliant characters who come alive from the pages. Beth is a strong, independent woman who has raised Izzy alone in London, working just to make ends meet. Her relationship with Izzy is lovely, because it’s always been just them two their bond is very strong. Beth’s strength wavers a little bit when she comes back to Glendale Hall but she soon gives herself a talking to, reminding herself that she’s no longer the frightened 16-year-old who ran away all those years ago. Izzy is also a wonderful character who really brings the excitement of Christmas to life with her enthusiasm for all things festive…including tacky inflatables and gaudy tree decorations - much to Beth’s mother’s disgust! I also liked Beth’s grandmother who is trying to make amends for her actions 10 years ago which, at the time she did in good faith but now sees that there were alternatives.
Coming Home to Glendale Hall is the perfect book for curling up in front of a fire with a steaming hot chocolate on a cold day when you have no other plans so you can lose yourself in the narrative. Whilst this is a Christmas book, it is much more that that – its an exploration into family dynamics and putting to bed the past, realising that you cannot change it, only focus on the here and now. Another fabulous book from Victoria Walters!
I absolutely adored Coming Home to Glendale Hall right from the outset, Victoria Walter’s narrative transports the reader to Glendale and feeling like we already know Beth and her daughter Izzy. The book opens with Beth’s return to Glendale Hall, 10 years after she fled to London and never returned. Whilst her parents and grandmother have visited Beth and Izzy in London on occasion, it is clear from the outset that their relationship is, at best, strained. Beth and Izzy are back in Glendale for Christmas as it is feared that this will be Beth’s grandmother’s final Christmas as she is terminally ill and her health is deteriorating. Izzy is thoroughly excited to visit her mother’s childhood home and spend time in Scotland, although for Beth it brings back difficult memories that she has tried to bury for years – which are exacerbated when she unexpectedly bumps into Drew, her first love.
In addition to the family issues, Beth finds that the village is no longer the community that she left, it is now largely abandoned with developers circling around like vultures to purchase the vacant shops and convert them into flats. Beth is devastated that Glendale has seemingly lost its heart, its community spirit so she is determined to do something about it.
Coming Home to Glendale Hall is a beautiful heart-warming read with brilliant characters who come alive from the pages. Beth is a strong, independent woman who has raised Izzy alone in London, working just to make ends meet. Her relationship with Izzy is lovely, because it’s always been just them two their bond is very strong. Beth’s strength wavers a little bit when she comes back to Glendale Hall but she soon gives herself a talking to, reminding herself that she’s no longer the frightened 16-year-old who ran away all those years ago. Izzy is also a wonderful character who really brings the excitement of Christmas to life with her enthusiasm for all things festive…including tacky inflatables and gaudy tree decorations - much to Beth’s mother’s disgust! I also liked Beth’s grandmother who is trying to make amends for her actions 10 years ago which, at the time she did in good faith but now sees that there were alternatives.
Coming Home to Glendale Hall is the perfect book for curling up in front of a fire with a steaming hot chocolate on a cold day when you have no other plans so you can lose yourself in the narrative. Whilst this is a Christmas book, it is much more that that – its an exploration into family dynamics and putting to bed the past, realising that you cannot change it, only focus on the here and now. Another fabulous book from Victoria Walters!
reading_in_lala_land's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this! The storyline was good and I really enjoyed all the characters. It felt a bit long in spots but overall a really good read.