My first Fern Britton read, what a great book.
The Newcomer tells the story of Angela who moves to a Cornish village, with her family, to take on a temporary role as village vicar. It’s her first posting since being ordained and the villagers are an interesting bunch of characters whose personal stories unfold gradually.
Such an enjoyable read, where family secrets, friendships; old and young and community spirit is all included,
I really felt part of the village by the end of the book and the little bit of suspense kept me gripped and guessing all the way through....
I highly recommend this book, an enjoyable summer read.

An interesting holiday read set in Cornwall.
Not a very complicated book, but Pendruggan village is described well.
Thanks to Netgalley for an Arc.

Fern brings us a new Cornish tale and it is a delight. Great for the beach, or curled up by the fire. #netgalley

This is the first book I've read by Fern Britton and I see that The Newcomer has received some rave reviews., but mine will not be as effusive.
The story takes place in the village of Pendruggan and it started with a flourish - a body. Whose? I was hooked and thought I was in for a Miss Marple kind of read, especially when poison pen letters started to arrive. But the story didn't quite pan out that way: it was a little bit too "everyday" and slightly predictable, The Newcomer, I was discovering, is not a whodunnit. The reader was introduced to the Reverend Angela and her dashing, handsome husband, Robert and sulky daughter, a reluctant teenager, dragged away from London to a quiet backwater. So, then it seemed the story was taking a Vicar of Dibley direction. It is the first parish for Angela and she is desperate to make it work and comes up with all kinds of activities and initiatives to try and foster community spirit. There is the inevitable spanner-in-the-works character who doesn't like change - and that was very realistic. I laughed out loud at some of the lines at the beginning - the comments about the missionary position, the feisty behaviour of Angela's Aunt Mamie and her new friend, Queenie and (no spoilers) what they get up to... the naughty girls!!
And then the story turned into a kind of Archers and the suspicion that handsome Robert and pretty Helen, one of the villagers who befriends Angela, might be having an affair.
At times I was annoyed by Angela - she seemed a little wet. I know she is a vicar, but they are not all holier than thou. She showed a bit of spirit when near disaster happened at one of the village projects and shouts at her family, but this was the only bit of "oomph" she displayed. I like a feistier heroine.

I will probably be lynched by Fern Britton's fans for this review, but I have to say, after the first part of the story, I was disappointed and rather underwhelmed. There are some gorgeous descriptions of the countryside and the author obviously loves this part of the world, but I don't think I will be reading a sequel. Many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review and I am sorry that I can't bring myself to award more than three stars this time.

A lovely book set in Cornwall.
Angela is the new Vicar in Pendruggan, coming with her husband Robert and daughter Fern. There are changes to be made, but they are not always popular.
I'm not sure why Mamie had to go, she was such a character and her loss didnt improve the story.
Lovely descriptions of places and people.
Thank you for a review copy.

I have always wanted to read one of Fern Britton’s books, as the cover of her books look so inviting and bright and colourful. So i jumped at the chance when it came up on Netgalley.

This book is written beautifully and it is easy to read. The characters are well rounded yet believable and loveable. Angela the new vicar is loveable, with her travel stories. The setting really feels alive. And being a lover of Cornwall, i loved Pengruggan too.

I would definitely recommend this book as a great summer beach read. And i would recommend Fern Britton, i am definately going to buy and read one of her other books. Thanks Netgalley for giving me this chance to read such a lovely book.

A most interesting and delightful read of Cornish village life by the sea. The story centres on the newly appointed young lady vicar and her family put in charge of the village church. Her flock is made up of diverse and eccentric charters that give rise to many exciting and interesting situations as she sets out to empower the women of the parish. As she tends the sick and lifts up the oppressed friend ships and budding romance evolves too. What with the emergence of a poison pen writer and an unexpected death that could be a murder there is no lack of excitement and mystery. A most enjoyable and worthwhile read.

I was delighted to receive a review copy of Fern Britton's new book and I was thrilled with this welcome return to Pendruggan and its familiar cast of wonderful characters.

Fern Britton has written another compelling book about trust, marriage, being a parent, family, friendship, loss, and community living. "The Newcomer" was a hugely entertaining read, driven by the many eclectic characters that formed the basis of the story.

There was plenty of variety within the main plot and assorted subplots to hold and maintain my interest, along with all manner of fun and antics just waiting to be discovered. I loved re-establishing connections with all of the familiar faces especially Piran and Helen.

Although I have mentioned the familiar, this novel can certainly be read as a standalone, as it definitely was a whole new story, with new characters and different focal points. I really enjoyed reading "The Newcomer" and it was fascinating to see how a new family would be received into this usually welcoming sweet seaside village. I hope there will be more of Pendruggan in the future.

Highly recommended and a great beach read if this is one of your genres of choice.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from HarperCollins/ HarperFiction via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

A nice, cost read for summer. Not particularly brain taxing in terms of storyline but a good read nonetheless.

Typical of Fern.s earlier books. This is an ideal holiday read - not big on characterisation but a heart warming read.

A warm comfortable story with a bit of a mystery. Not too exciting or a page turner but like an old friend, pick them up, put them down but never forget them.

This is a perfect summer read, even if its rainy outside. It leaves you feeling happy and content.
Its the first of Brittons book I ve read, and now I realise I need to buy the others. A simple story thats an easy read

I loved this book. Fern writes such wonderful stories set in Cornwall which is also one of my favourite places to go on holiday.
This book didn’t disappoint, although it carried on from the last one she wrote but, you can read it as a stand alone novel.
I will be keeping my eye out for more of her books in the future.

"Blown in on the breeze and out again."
There is much to like in this story of a family transported briefly from the political heart of London to the different world of a village in Cornwall. The recently ordained vicar, Reverend Angela Whitehorn together with her handsome husband, Robert, teenage daughter, Faith, and larger than life Aunt Mamie took over the rectory and ministry in the village of Pendruggan whilst the regular incumbent took a one year Sabbatical in Brazil. Keen to prove her worth and with an eye on a good reputation to work wonders for a future permanent parish placement of her own, Angela throws herself into schemes to make a real mark on and difference to the community.with disastrous effects.

The Newcomer is easy to read. This is the first novel that I have read by Ms.Britton so my first introduction to Pendruggan. As a Cornish village it and it's inhabitants felt plausible - I live in Cornwall - and the changing weather was captured perfectly Fern Britton has a pleasant style allowing for a small breeze of Cornish air to blow in from the moor and the sea without going into extensive description, but her obsession with sandwiches and full meal disclosure did become a little wearing after a while. Her characters, whilst mostly lacking personal depth, are recognizable types and interact well. But it is Mamie the aunt, who is the real interest of the book, not only because of her eccentricities but also because of the way in which the book begins. It started with such promise but, for this reader, seemed to flounder towards the latter part of the story to the extent that almost everyone became unlikable and very irritating. Apart from Mamie..

My thanks to Netgalley through whom I was freely gifted a complimentary copy at my request. A lightweight escape to another place, a touch of jealousy and envy, of sadness and mystery, of guilt, of enjoying life and, sometimes, helping others. Pleasantly rambling without too much story, a tiny slice from the village's archive. Enjoyable, but not really recommended

This was my first book by Fern Britton and it was everything that I expected. I suspect there may be other books about the Cornish village of Pendruggan but you do not need to have read them to enjoy this book.
It is a pleasant read, ideal light holiday reading. The characters and village were brought to life on the page. And you warmed to the main character, Angela the newcomer from the book’s title.
If you like stories about villages and it’s varied inhabitants then you’ll love this.
My only negative was that I dislike knowing the ending at the beginning of the book. Particularly in this case as it then coloured my reading.
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for a copy to review.

Loved this book. Fern brings the characters to life in this lovely book. Even the way some of the dialect is written made the story more interesting. Well written story, easy to read and imagine you are in Pendruggan. Could read it again and still enjoy it.

This is the first book I’ve read by Fern Britton and I really enjoyed it.

Great characters, a beachside village setting, mysteries, friendships, romance, sadness and humour all wrapped up in one book.

I will be definitely be recommending this as a good summer holiday read to friends and family.

Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy in return for a honest review.

Absolutely loved this book!!
I've read one other book of Ferns, and I haven't been disappointed!!
Fern certainly knows how to get you thinking that you know her characters, and that you have known them for years!!
It had me laughing, getting angry especially with one particular character!! It also had me crying!!
This book is a lovely, cozy, heartwarming, summer read!!

Perfect Summer read.

This is the first book I have read of Fern's and certainly it won't be the last. I absolutely loved it..I understand it is part of a series of stories about the residents and visitors of Pendruggan and although I haven't read any of the other books it didn't impact on this book at all. However, I certainly will be going in search of more!

The newcomer in question was the vicar..a female one and her family. It was believable, light, full of heart (I cried at the end) and just the perfect read to curl up with and totally lose yourself in..I spent a few hours planning a visit to cornwall after as it evoked memories from holidays in the past and captured the very essence of a Cornish holiday.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Really lovely story from Fern, relatable and interesting characters. A lovely tale with a good paced plot, keeps you interested and wanting just one more chapter all the time. An enjoyable summer read with lots of heart.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion