It’s springtime in the Cornish village of Pendruggan and as the community comes together to say a fond farewell to parish vicar, Simon, and his wife, Penny for a year & a newcomer causes quite a stir. Newly ordained Reverand Angela Whitehorn comes to Cornwall to make a difference. With her husband, Robert, by her side, she sets about making changes – but it seems not everyone is happy for her to shake things up in the small parish, and soon Angela starts to receive anonymous poison pen letters.
With faith and friends by your side, even the most unlikely of new beginnings is possible.
Yet another well written book with great characters & a well paced story. The author’s books whilst taking you through a range of emotions also have a feel good factor. I love the inhabitants of Pendruggan & hope there are lots more books to come
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I did enjoy this very engrossing story. This was full of interesting characters and it was so true of village life. The feeling expressed about losing a loved one was certainly something I was able to relate to. The problems and insecurities of the new vicar, Angela were realistically described. There is a mystery concerning anonymous letters and I was surprised by the sender. As for the dog, Mr Worthington, I know a dog just like him, especially nosing in people’s bags! This was such a lovely story that I had to keep reading until the end. I hadn’t read any of the previous books in this series but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this book. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There's a certain addictive charm about all of Fern Britton's stories. The description of Cornwall and village life are part of this, but the uniqueness stems from her characters. She explores everyday situations and leaves behind the mundane, teasing out the courage, fear, passion and secrets, which hide behind their public face,

This story draws you in with a tragic event, before taking you back six months to the arrival of a newcomer to Pendruggan. Angela is a newly ordained vicar, Pendruggan is her first, albeit temporary parish, and she wants to succeed. You meet the village characters, some of which are familiar, and Angela's family. Her husband is a television political correspondent, on a temporary sabbatical from a career he loves, her daughter Faith, is much loved, but unhappy to be uprooted from her friends and the life she loves, Then there's Aunt Mamie. A wildcard, she is an important influence in Angela's life, and her maverick nature brings laughter and excitement to the village and its inhabitants.

The plot is fast-paced and easy reading, it has the ethos of a cozy mystery, with its cast of character and a mystery to solve, but it’s more than this. The complex characters are flawed and realistic and give the story emotional depth and interest. The plot is simple but believable, and its resolution authentic. There is a lovely medley of angst, faith, humour and poignancy. It’s an emotional journey for Angela and those who care about her and she leaves the village with memories that resonate.

A lovely book that is both entertaining and sincere.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK - Harper Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Great feel good read. Lovely story with brilliant characters. This book is well written and a pleasure to read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Another Cornish beauty from Fern. Just what I need to brighten up these dark cold winter days. Lovely characters, great setting as always.a great feel good pick me up book.

Fern never disappoints reading her books is like meeting up with an old friend and carrying on as if you have never been apart.
Beautiful story of love loss and new friends and memories that will last for ever.
As soon as you read the first page you are wrapped in a worm glow of happiness right to the very last page.

Welcome to the idyllic Cornish village of Pendruggan where at the start of the story we wave farewell to parish vicar Simon who is off to Brazil with wife Penny, and we say hello to new vicar Angela, her husband Robert, daughter Faith and Aunt Marnie.

Immersing herself in the community, Angela is shocked when she receives a poison pen letter, but as more letters arrive, she starts to look differently at her friends and neighbours. Who could be doing such a hurtful thing?

Although I liked all the characters in this book, Marnie completely and utterly stole my heart, she was larger than life, and had some wonderful tales to tell. It was also lovely to revisit some familiar faces from Fern’s previous book The Postcard.

This was a gorgeous story which contained lots of laughs, and a moment which made me choke back tears. Fern Britton is a beautiful storyteller weaving gold out of the words she spins onto the page.

The Newcomer is the third book I’ve read by fern Britton and is the one I’ve least liked, this is not to say it’s a bad novel it just didn’t hold my attention like the others did.
This book is based again in Pendruggan, Cornwall and sees a relief vicar come into the village, Angela Whitehorse, her husband Robert, daughter Faith and also her Aunt Mamie who I have to say was my favourite character along with Queenie.
The storyline was ok it started off great and somewhere between a third and two thirds of the way through it lost me as it didn’t seem to be moving anywhere which I’ve not experienced in any of the other novels I’ve read before. The ending ties everything together nicely though and on the whole I enjoyed it but it could have been so much better.
I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Cosy, warm reading. A delightful village saga.

I was just glancing in here, and straightaway there was a hook! I wasn't expecting that. A body had been found. How did she die? Was she killed?

Robert, and Angela, the new vicar, are from London. Reverend Angela Whitehorn, her husband, daughter Faith and aunt Mamie will be staying in the vicarage. This will be Angela's first gig as a vicar.

This was cosy, warm reading. A delightful village saga, coupled with a possible murder mystery. A lovely reading feast. I have read one of Fern Britton's fiction books before (The Postcard). That wasn't the first in the series and it didn't matter that I hadn't read any of the others. This also works as a standalone too. Very enjoyable and hooks you in right from the start. Intriguing.

Then the book goes back to six months ago-when Penny and Simon were at the vicarage. Simon and Penny and their 7 year old daughter Jenna will be going to Brazil for a year for Simon to do missionary work.

There's nothing better than sitting for a spare hour or two, a mug of steaming coffee in your hand, and reading this lovely book. With lovely atmospheric descriptions, it intrigues, and makes you smile too.

Fern has been a household name for years. Obviously she has a way with words-she's had to think on her feet on live TV. She tells her stories so expertly, you soon sink cosily into the pages. Interesting that I've just read a non fiction book where the author went to do missionary work abroad-Borneo-and then the vicar in this novel is also going to do missionary work far from home. Penny is thinking of some of the hardships they will encounter, animals, snakes etc.

Well-observed, with lovely, natural dialogue which moves the story along nicely. A sweet saga set in Cornwall. You do get a bit of background-there is a recap about some of the villagers-so it doesn't matter if you're reading it as a standalone. Or if you've read another in the series a long while ago-good to jog your memory.

Certain elements about it are just a little bit like the wonderful Vicar of Dibley-and in a good way-a new woman vicar comes to the village. She suggests a possible pets service-actually says she knows it sounds a bit Vicar of Dibley. Some of Mamie's tall tales reminded me of Nessa's in Gavin and Stacey-and that made me chuckle. A cosy village saga combined with mystery. Set against a beautiful backdrop.

A delightful, cosy read, bursting with warmth. Perfect for lazy weekends. With unexpected, and everyday happenings. Life in a seaside village; gossip, friendly chat, helping each other, confiding, lending a friendly ear. Beautifully told with warmth and emotion. This was really good, it kept me guessing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A great feel good holiday read. Read this in a couple of days as I got caught up in the characters. Never been to that part of the country, but felt transported there.

Coming back to Pendruggan is like coming home to a much loved holiday home. It really makes make want to go to Cornwall and soak up the atmosphere. Like any small village everyone knows too much about each other . Temporary vicar Angela and her dashing husband Robert have to try to fit in while each finding their feet in their new home. Angela wants to make a good impression but also mix things up and put her stamp on the village. Can she make new friends and bring the village together with her new ideas. I absolutely loved Angela, Robert and Faith especially Mamie who is such a larger than life character. A fantastic read

An ok read, but a little disappointing. I've enjoyed Fern Britton's other books, and this one sees a return to Pendruggan and a few familiar characters, however, the storyline of this one just didn't really do it for me. All felt a little convoluted and didn't really go anywhere.
I didn't not enjoy it, I just expected more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review.

The Newcomer by Fern Britton a four-star read that will welcome you in. This isn’t the first novel set in the great little Cornish village of Pendruggan but you don’t need to have read any of them as they do all tell a different story. You will feel like you are there in the village, the descriptions are so good you can picture everything so well. This one will suck you in as its not just how you imagine its going to be, there is a drama and darkness at times in the story, so don’t go in thinking its all sunny and right in Cornwall.

It's been some time since i have been to Cornwall and Fern Britton's books always bring back happy memories. It was a real pleasure to read 'The Newcomer', in which i thank Netgalley and the Publishers for my ARC. It is the sort of book whereby i enjoyed curling up in bed at night and let my mind drift along with the story. Loved the characters and the setting and made a welcome change to read a nice light read. I am not going to write what the story is about as i prefer one to read the book for themselves, but i do highly recommend.

This is the first story from Fern Britton I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was like being transported to rural Cornwall, a place I have never been but I would now very much like to visit.

The characters and their relationships are well developed and you get a feel for each of them throughout the story (Mamie is a particular favourite for me with all her tales).

Not everything is plain sailing for the new Vicar in Pendruggan and I like that there is an element of her having to overcome numerous obstacles rather than everything falling into place. It certainly helps make her a likeable character despite my thoughts that she is sometimes trying too hard to fit in.

This seemed a good intro to the village of Pendruggan and can easily stand alone from the normal stories. I didn't feel like I needed to know any more about the absent characters than was shared in the book.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read #TheNewcomer in return for an honest review.

Wow another great read from Fern Britton once again taking the reader to beautiful Cornwall
This novel contains lots of humour, mystery, suspense and heartwarming material
The reader can easily identify with Angela the new girl in a new job, we have all been there at some time
Angela has the idyllic life in the beautiful Pedruggan or does she?
There are times in our lives where we think everything is perfect only to realise we are missing the very obvious and Fern brings that to life through the eyes of Angela
Thank you for allowing me to read this book I have thouroughly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others😊

My third book by Fern Britton and my thanks to HarperCollins publishers and NetGalley for this ARC of The Newcomer. When I have overindulged in thrillers and police procedurals this is my comfort zone. Fern loves Cornwall where she lives part of her time. I too love Cornwall. This time the locale is Pendruggan, a village full of wonderful characters who will soon make the acquaintance of Reverend Angela Whitehorn, her handsome husband Robert, daughter Faith and Angela's aunt Mamie Buchanan. The resident vicar, Simon Canter and his family, are off to Brazil for a year. Pendruggan will be Angela's first parish following her ordination. Vicar of Pendruggan. Vicar for a year. What can go wrong....?

The scene is set for another delicious family saga as Angela works to fit in with the locals, including the local battle-axe Audrey Tipton and her henpecked husband Geoffrey. And then there's Helen and Piran and the delightful Queenie, an elderly, no-nonsense woman who runs the village shop. She and Mamie become close friends and Mamie knows how to sort out Queenie's arthritis with a spliff or two!

So much goes on here. There is love, drama, suspicion and great sadness, but above all this charming tale is uplifting. A lot of fun to read, curled up under a duvet with a cup of hot chocolate.

Thank you Fern. You've done it again!

This latest story from Fern Britton is set in the small coastal village of Pendruggan again, and recounts a year in the life of its inhabitants. It is the year in which the village gains a new vicar and her family (a temporary appointment while their well loved vicar goes off to work in Belize for a year). The new vicar arrives full of enthusiasm and ideas which meet with a variety of responses! Her family includes Aunt Mamie, a wonderfully larger than life character. A very enjoyable read, and a credible setting, perfect for the reader who enjoys escaping to Cornwall in their imagination.

When I first started this book, I thought Fern had changed genres, but as the story unfolded, all became clear. A good story about family, friends, community and the larger environment. I also like the way she brings other relevant issues into play, such as bullying and gender. A good well rounded story.

Loved this book. Amazing characters and so well written. Stunning sun lounger read. I would recommend this to anyone.