A huge thank-you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-arc of The Christmas Village (Somerset Lake #2) by Annie Rains.
The Christmas Village is the perfect book to kick-start your holiday reading!
In 2020 and 2021, I gobbled up so many Christmas books and enjoyed every second of seasonal cheer. Now, I’m excited to introduce you to another book that you’ll want to add to your holiday reading list. It was so much fun to dive into The Christmas Village. I sat and read by the light of my Christmas tree and let me tell you, it doesn’t get much cozier than that!
If you enjoy small towns, second chance romance, and holly jolly goodness, you will absolutely love The Christmas Village. It’s the sequel to The Summer Cottage, which I read and enjoyed thoroughly. But there’s no need to read that book first (unless you really want to get familiar with the town). It can definitely be read on its own and you won’t be missing a thing!
This might not be a long book, but every page is filled to the brim with copious amounts of good vibes and Christmas cheer!
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My honest review of The Christmas Village by Annie Rains.
Synopsis:
USA Today bestselling author Annie Rains returns to Somerset Lake, North Carolina, with a heartwarming Christmas story about a midwife and her ex-fiance who face high stakes when they must team up to compete in the neighborhood house decorating contest, in this trade paperback that will help get readers in the holiday spirit.
Once upon a Christmas, she gave him her heart. This year, he’ll have to win it back again . . .
When Lucy Hannigan returned to her childhood home in Somerset Lake, one of the first things she did was join the local book club. And thank goodness, because now that Lucy’s first Christmas without her mother is bearing down upon her, she can use all the help and support she can get. Especially when she has to take in a tenant and the only person interested is Miles Bruno, her ex-fiance.
Lucy’s friends keep teasing her about the way Miles is trying to make up for his mistakes but forgiving and forgetting isn’t coming easily to Lucy. With bills piling up and her mother’s finances in disarray, however, Lucy isn’t in any position to say no.
As the small town prepares for the holidays and competition heats up in the Merriest Lawn decorating contest, Lucy can’t help feeling like a Scrooge. Her mom loved the holidays and won the contest each year, but as much as Lucy would like to carry on the tradition, she isn’t sure she has it in her to deck the halls this holiday.
Yet when Miles shows up with tons of tinsel, dozens of decorations, and lots and lots of lights, Lucy begins to wonder if maybe the spirit of the season will finally mend her broken heart.
Content Warnings: (major) grief, (moderate) death of a parent
What do you get when you combine sweet small-town vibes with second-chance romance and Christmas cheer? You get The Christmas Village!
I had the privilege of reading The Summar Cottage (Somerset Lake #1) over the summer of 2021 and I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere and characters. There’s a certain charm to these books that I just can’t get enough of and I was thrilled to find out that the next story would be set during the holiday season!
Call it intuition, but I just had an inkling that this book would be about Lucy. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she lives on Christmas Lane. Okay, that’s exactly what it had to do with! Lucy was an instant favorite when I read the previous book, so I was thrilled to find out if she would get her happily-ever-after in this festive tale.
These characters are so dang likable it’s ridiculous! I can’t help but root for them as they stumble awkwardly through romantic encounters and deal with daily hardships. The book starts out with an intrusion in Lucy’s home (that winds up more humorous than anything else) but sets off a chain of events that would be tough for anyone to handle. From debt collectors to property vandalization to questioning the choices made by deceased family members. Thankfully, Lucy has Miles to lean on – or does she?
Miles is another likable character, but liking him comes with a few hiccups. I held a bit of a grudge against him from the get-go, knowing how he once treated Lucy. I felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop with his character the entire time I was reading. Sometimes he seemed a little too good to be true (and I think Lucy felt the same way) and sometimes he wound up saying the wrong thing (that made my distrust extend even further). But his good intentions are appreciated – and I love that he’s not afraid to have Christmas spirit!
This book would make an excellent movie, I think! It felt like a cheezy Christmas flick but had just enough depth and heart to it to make it stand out in the crowd. Sometimes holiday romances fall really flat for me, but this one didn’t at all! In fact, I can definitely see myself reading it again next year.
If you’re looking for something lighthearted and jovial with great emotional balance for this holiday season, you will definitely want to pick up The Christmas Village.
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Will you be reading The Christmas Village?
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Neely Moldovan says
Adding it to my holiday reading list! Love a holiday book so much. Like a warm hug.
Jaya Avendel says
Aww, this book sounds like it is packed with holiday spirit and the small town vibe that I love! Given that it is a little series set in the same town, I enjoy the idea that each new book will pick up a side character from the town and give them a story of their own.
Your reading experience of the characters is so relatable! I feel like I read the same way and root line by line.
Thanks for sharing! <3
Amanda says
This sounds like such a cute read! I am here for ALL the holiday reads this year!
Jenny in Neverland says
I love books that would make good movies because when I read, I always try and imagine which actors would play the characters so I have something concrete to picture in my head! This sounds like a lovely Christmassy read, great review!
Deborah says
What a timely book to read for the holidays! I have a soft spot for Christmassy books and I’m definitely adding this to my list! Great review!
Stephanie Whitman says
It’s such a cheery book and it made me feel so warm inside! π
Malia Reed says
Wow – 15 Christmas books in a year! I can’t wait for my winter break so I can start reading leisurely again! This sounds like a lovely book! Although, I will say, being in northern Indiana right now is really making The Summer Cottage sound like a fun escape from the grey, chilly weather!
Stephanie Whitman says
Haha, well I read somewhere between 10-20 books per month, so it just made sense to have an entire month dedicated to festive Christmas books π And I love the cold, so I’m all about all the winter vibes! Buuut you could always do a beachy read to escape if that sounds nicer for you!
Neely Moldovan says
well this sounds like something I need to grab! I love love love Christmas books!
Stephanie Whitman says
Me too!! I have so many on my list this year and I can’t wait to really dive in!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
I don’t think I’ve ever read a holiday book like this before! Usually, I just stick to movies. But after you described reading by the Christmas tree, now I want to do the same!
I'm All Booked Up says
The Christmas Village sounds so cute. We’ve also been in a holiday reading mood.