I really enjoyed reading this book and what it is like to look after a parish with all the good and bad things that can happen. Really looking forward to reading more of Fern’s books

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #TheNewcomer #netgalley

Anglea Whitehorn, the new vicar, and her family move to pendruggan to manage the church for 1 year. Whilst Simon, the origjnal vicar, anf family are abroad on a missionary. Whilst in Pendruggan Angela needs to differentiate friends from foe after a disaster strikes the family.

I had heard many good things about the authors writing and this book hence choosing to read this book as my first book of Fern Brittains.

Some research into this author has told me that this is her second book in the series. Although from other reviews it states that there is some characters who reoccur in this book from another book. You would not know this when reading and this book makes a great stand alone book, Something I think this author has got down to a fine art.

Once opening the book in the pre-logue you are told about the disaster/death to the family. You are thrown into the turmoil and emotions felt by Angela and her family. Providing you with feelings of empathy and wantingto help her find her way in reaching a happy ending with the sudden change to her life from the unexpected death.

The first, approximately, 10 chapters are about daily life in Pendruggan prior to the sudden death. In, approximately, chapter 10 Anglea receives a poison pen letter although nothing more is mentioned about this until abother is received in, approximately, chaprer 22. Again nothing is mentioned about this until later in the book when suddenly another character receives one. Once this happens you move from reading about daily life to finding out a lot of secrets in just a few chapters. Although i enjoyed reading about Pendruggan life i felt that the characters may have tried to find out about who sent the letters or even speak to others about them and join forces. Instead Anglea speaks to her husband and then shuts it away and forgets about it. Continuing with daily village life happens a little too much in this book and makes it have a slow start.

However the ending of the book shows the authors creativity and also shows how many raw emotions have been put into the writing of this part of the book. You find out who sent the posion pen letters, how life will continue with this knowledge and whether the death was accidental. Alongside other small grievances the characters have. If this emotion had been shown throughout this book would have grown in my estimations.

Have to confess that this was my first Fern Britton read and I loved it! Lovely characters and it made me want to go back to Cornwall asap too. I have bought a couple more of her books now and I know a few members of my family are waiting for me to finish them too - haha.

I love Fern Britton's stories about life in the fictional village of Pendruggon. This time, along with regulars such as the monosyllabic historian Piran, his long suffering girlfriend Helen and self appointed queen of the WI Audrey Tipton, we meet Reverend Angela Whitehorn, her hunky husband and teenage daughter. The appointment of Angela as temporary vicar while regular minister Simon is doing missionary work has ruffled quite a few feathers. Some of the locals don't like the fact that not only is she female, she also has very "modern" ideas. This all makes for a great story which melds humour, romance and heartbreak brilliantly. I hope the author plans to take us back to this Cornish fishing village again soon.

Review posted on Goodreads and Amazon

Another wonderful novel from Fern Britton, where we return in Spring to the delightful village of Pendruggan in Cornwall. A village where the community is at its heart, family and friendships are at its roots and incredible villagers are the foundation of the community of Pendruggan.

The book is based around Angela, the Newcomer to the village, her supportive husband Robert, her teenage daughter Faith, her very wonderful Aunt Mamie, and Mr Worthington the dog!

Angela has recently been ordained as a Vicar and has come to Pendruggan parish for a year to cover leave. Angela has dreamt of becoming ordained and worked so hard for so long and was so excited to be starting at the Parish. Angela brings positivity, courage, strength, faith and joy to Pendruggan.

The year brings ups and downs, happy times and sad times but above all it shows Angela what is important in her life and that all that matters is her family and their and her own happiness.

I thought I had worked out who was the mystery person was but I was so far out and did not for one minute suspect the real culprit.

I loved the Cornwall sayings, they were brilliant! The characters were all super – every character added to the story. I absolutely loved the quirky Queenie and Mamie – so many funny moments with them both which made me laugh so much. You could imagine sitting in a room with these two and you would not be able to stop laughing!

A great story which I thoroughly recommend. I look forward to Fern’s next book!

This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

Having only read The Beach Cabin by Fern Britton years before and finding it a light ‘holiday’ read I decided to give this a go. Fern’s books are nice light and easy reads set in Cornwall.

Simon, the village vicar and his wife Penny, along with their daughter have decide to go and work in Brazil for a year and leave the Cornish village of Pendruggan in the hands of the newly ordained vicar Angela Whitehorn. She takes over the reins along with her husband Robert, daughter and Aunt Mamie. Oh not forgetting Mr Worthington the dog!

Angela wants to make a real difference to the village and has lots of ideas to improve and involve all the community but she causes quite a stir with her changes as not all the people want changes or a ‘shake up’ of how things have been in the past. Angela soon receives poison a pen letter but this doesn’t deter her from her goal of being a good vicar.

Angela has always been one to fight back, and she has already brought a fresh wind into the village, supporting her female parishioners through good times and bad. But as the letters get increasingly more personal, Angela learns that the secrets are closer to home.

Aunt Mamie is a wonderful character with her tales of travel, meeting famous people and naughty child like behaviour.

As usual this book was filled with humorous episodes, but throughout the story there was a thread of sadness .

This another easy to read story from Fern.

I enjoyed this but it was really light on suspense and not really enough on the comedy or romance so I’m a bit confused about the genre. The Mamie story seemed a little pointless - no need for it to be the opener and then end in the way it did with a random, rushed sub-plot. Easy to read though, but I thought Angela lacked a bit of ballast, and it irritated me that she upped and left so easily when things weren’t as planned.

Another hit from Fern in the Pendruggan series. I have read all the earlier ones and it was a delight to revist old friends and to see how life was progressing for old friends from previous books.
Once you start reading a Fern Britton book it is hard to put it down , so be prepared to read long into the night if like me books are for escaping at bedtime.

Can't wait for the next installment about this community of old friends.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC and the chance to enjoy this before it was published.......it saved me waiting even longer to learn more about the Pendruggan community.

This new book by Fern Britton is a real page turner,I loved it.
The story is about a new vicar who has taken over a parish for one year to gain experience.
Angela ,the main character arrives with her husband,daughter and Aunt.She sets out to make lots of changes ,but the communityis not happy for her to do this.She soon receives a poison pen letter and one more.She has lots of meetings at the Vicarage to start clubs to bring the village together.

This book made me laugh and cry in parts but certainly well worth a read.
Would recommend this as a good holiday read.

I love reading about my homeland, Cornwall. This book did not disappoint. Great descriptions of location. Good to read about life in a Cornish village, even if it is imagined. Good holiday read. I am new to Fern Britton as an author.

Love Fern Britton books as they are always lovely stories in gorgeous locations and have a happy ending. This one is no exception, with some old well loved characters and new ones intertwined in the familiar surroundings. Perfect summer/chill out read which made me laugh and cry. Thank you for letting me review this book.

I love Fern Britton and this book did not disappoint. The location is delightful and the hidden family secrets give this book the edge on many other summer reads. An insight into life as a village vicar is eye opening. Fern at her best.

This was a mildly entertaining and unchallenging read. I have enjoyed the author’s previous books but in this one she has descended too far into cliche and predictability. The characters feel as they have been lifted from sitcoms such as The Vicar of Dibley and To The Manor Born, and you just know everyone will love the vicar and all will end well. I think it’s time for Britton to expand her repertoire a bit more.

What a thoroughly lovely book. My first read by Fern, and it won’t be my last. The story line was great, as where the different characters. The death of one character in particular had me in tears!! Would thoroughly recommend.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, independent review.

Reverend Angela is the newcomer to the village, tasked with looking after the Cornish parish while its vicar is away overseas. However, it’s her first parish and she causes a bit of a stir, suggesting changes immediately.

The intro of the book filled me with hope of what was to come. However, it then went a bit south. The storyline dragged a bit with not much exciting happening, with everything rushed right at the end.

There was a variety of characters in the village, but sadly no one that stood out much.

I did find that Fern’s descriptive writing did make it easy for me to picture the scenes, and the village.

It was my first time reading a book by Fern, so I was a little let down, but I will try to read a few more of her novels.

Loved this feelgood read from Fern. I love how she sets out the stall and takes you somewhere completely different.
The main character is a vicar that’s a cross between the Vicar of Dibley and the one on Gogglebox. Good heart but.... a bit complicated. If you like your love a bit messy and your family too then this is the holiday read for you. Full of oo -ah and oh moments. And a few didn’t see that coming bits too! An eye opener on small village life too. Hard to know who to trust hey. If you want to find out then make sure this is on your packing list this summer. You won’t be disappointed.

Light, fluffy and an easy read. I enjoyed the descriptions of Cornwall and village life it was everything I imagine it to be like.

I adore Fern as a story teller.
This story as an amazing cast of characters that you really feel for going through emotions as they do. A great plot.
A brilliant read.

First book I've read by this author & what a fabulous one it was. I was hooked from start to finish. A lovely tale of family, love & relationships all set in beautiful surroundings - perfect holiday read

As I live in Cornwall, I enjoy reading books based here and this one did not disappoint. The plot was a bit like Miss Marple meets the Vicar of Dibley with its gentle humour and intrigue, which kept me wanting to read more.

An easy going read with some interesting characters, this is the ideal book to read when you want some relaxing time to yourself.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.