A lovely book that I did not want to put down. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading a historical story set in mysterious surroundings.

What a wonderful book to read in the run up to Christmas. A book by Dilly Court is always one to approach with excitement. This beautiful historical novel, the first in the trilogy, certainly is a book to treasure and enjoy. I cannot wait to read the sequel. I certainly have no problem in highly recommending it!

The book is set in the 1860s, and begins when Daisy is cruelly jilted by her fiance Julian, and dismissed by his mother from her job as governess to a younger son.

Heartbroken, she returns home to live with her relations, and when they decide to retire to the countryside, in a village called Little Creek goes with her Aunt and Uncle, brother and his friend, Nicholas, a doctor.

Most of the people who live in Little Creek are living in harsh, squalid conditions, largely caused by the local Squire Tattersall who seeks to evict them. Daisy is determined to do whatever she can to help,
Great read and good characters.

The first flakes of snow are falling when Daisy Marshall, secretly engaged to her master's son Julian, finds herself jilted at the altar. Dismissed from her job as a governess she returns to London to live with her aunt and uncle but when they decide to retire to the small village of Little Creek, nestled on the coast of Essex, Daisy joins them. There she is warmly welcomed - but the village is poverty-stricken, most of the them are living in squalid conditions, suffering under a cruel landlord Squire Tattersall. And when cholera hits, the villagers are truly in dire straits. Determined to help, Daisy makes new friends in earnest doctor Nicholas and dashing smuggler Jay - but also dangerous new enemies, who threaten to destroy everything she's built.

I found the characters likeable and the story was compelling with lots of twists and turns, so much so that I often felt that the pages of the book turned themselves!
This was my first Dilly Court book, despite my sister (who is a massive fan) constantly recommending her books to me are great, and now I realise she was right – don’t tell my sister, but I wish I listened to her earlier!

I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the second instalment in the saga.

A fabulous read telling the story of Daisy Marshall and her family and friends. Daisy and Toby were brought up by their Aunt Eleanora and Uncle Sidney in London. Sidney decides to retire to Essex to a cottage left to his wife Eleanora. Toby is a Dr and stays in London, but Daisy loses her position as a governess and gets her heartbroken at the same time. Because of this Daisy goes to Essex with her Aunt and Uncle while she decides what to do with her life. Once in Essex things happen that change Daisy’s life forever. I’m glad that Dilly has two more books in this series coming out in 2020. I for one can’t wait to read them. I highly recommend this book

An absolutely brilliant book! But then that's no surprise from Dilly Court! Each and every one of her books are as brilliant as each other! I would advise any readers that haven't discovered Dilly Court to dive right in! You definitely won't be disappointed!!

What a wonderful tale.
Having enjoyed the Poldark series many years ago, this book recalled the stories of poor and rich, love and hate, good and evil, that I previously enjoyed.
I had not realised that this was part of a set, but it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone story too.

Heartwarming and unusual historical romance. Good characters,strong females and possibly a surprising choice.

Lovely warm romantic read. The first in a trilogy of which this book has introduced the characters which I am sure will appear in the next book. Easy to read and can’t wait for the next chapter.

I have not read anything by Dilly Court before so did not know what to expect but I loved the sound of the story. I was not dissapointed. The characters were very believable and there were many twists and turns in the storyline. It was a really great read and I shall certainly be looking for the next book in this series and also other books by this author.

★★★ 3.5 stars

I've not read Dilly Court before but I'm a huge fan of Catherine Cookson and while not in the same vein as one of Ms Cookson's rags to riches tales, THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING did promise something of a lovely historical read.

Daisy Marshall has been working as a governess for a wealthy family, the Carringtons, and is secretly engaged to their eldest son Julian. However, she receives a letter from Julian stating that he has a job offer as a diplomat in Paris and that unfortunately their union would not be one that would be accepted in society so therefore breaks it off with her. No sooner had she read these words than she was summoned by the master informing her that her charge, Timothy, is to be sent to boarding school and her services were no longer required. She was to leave immediately.

Daisy is devastated. She returns to the flat she lives in above the cobbler shop with her Aunt Eleanora, Uncle Sidney and brother Toby. But she has no time to settle back there as her aunt informs her that her uncle has sold the business and they are retiring to Little Creek in Essex. However, upon arrival it seems that Little Creek is far smaller than they expected - without even a carriage to take them to their new home! However, luck is at hand when Toby's friend Nick who studied medicine at the London Hospital arrives at the station to collect a parcel and offers to drive them to their new home of Creek Cottage.

Nick Neville has inherited both his father's medical practice in the village as well as the somewhat neglected Creek Hall. The cottage is not what Toby had envisaged as his new home and after a couple of nights with Nick up at Creek Hall, he decides to head back to London and take up a position he has been offered there at the London Hospital.

Poverty is rife in Little Creek, thanks to a most dastardly squire at Creek Manor who owns most of the country, including the village of Little Creek and the leasehold upon which Daisy's new home now stands. The squire Esmond Tattersall is a brute of a man who does nothing to maintain the damp-ridden cottages in the village while charging the tenants exorbitant rents for the privilege. However, Daisy also discovers that Nick's father was so far in debt to the squire that the repayments were beyond his ability to meet them...and now Nick is faced with the same adversity. If Nick does not come up with what's owing on the loan, plus an extortionate amount of interest, then Creek Hall will fall into the squire's hands. Daisy refuses to let that happen and devises a plan to ensure Nick keeps his ancestral home.

But she underestimates Esmond Tattersall. Having never met the squire, Daisy went in unprepared for his roving eye and wandering hands. When she confronted him, her disposition intrigued him...for no one had dared to do so before, lest they find themselves on the receiving end of his wrath or even homeless. But Daisy wasn't afraid of him and he found that attractive. So he pursued her, much to her disgust, but he was relentless in his attentions because when the squire wants something, he gets it. And he wants Daisy.

In his pursuit of Daisy, however fruitless, Tattersall invites them all to dine at Creek Manor. Aunt Eleanora was thrilled at the prospect and soon began hinting at what a wonderful catch the squire was. Daisy couldn't be more repulsed. But the squire has charmed her aunt and she wouldn't hear a bad word about him, believing Daisy to be unfair in her assessment of the man. Daisy soon realises to truly escape the repulsive squire, she must return to London and find work there.

Upon her return to London, Daisy sought out her brother Toby at his lodgings but was unable to raise him when she knocked. So she decided to call on him at work at the London Hospital but before she could do, the Sister on duty thought she was there to sign up as a probationary nurse and soon ushered her into an interview. Before long, Daisy found herself accepted as a probationary nurse at the London, to start Monday. She finds lodgings with another probationer at a nearby boarding house, where Toby finally tracks her down.

Then Nick finds he must return to London to obtain a proper paying job, for the village folk of Little Creek were so poor they could not pay him, and he needed money to be able to pay of Tattersall. He joins a practice in Harley Street as a private doctor to the more affluent in London. But he is not too busy that he can't take time out to see Daisy, and soon their friendship picks up from Little Creek and blossoms.

When a cholera outbreak in Little Creek calls Nick back to treat the sick and dying, Daisy soon questions if her loyalties lay with her village or her fledgling nursing career. And she also wonders about her growing feelings for Nick.

And then a stranger returns to Little Creek, bringing more trouble and excitement. And soon Daisy is caught between the kind-hearted and gentlemanly doctor, Nick, and the village bad boy, Jay, who was exiled from Little Creek some years before after a stint in prison. Not only that, but she also has the unwanted attentions of Tattersall to contend with.

Daisy must then decide if her life is in Little Creek or London?

A lovely story with a good mixture of characters - some of whom you love to hate and some you adore - THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING is the first in a new trilogy featuring Little Creek. Though I must say the title is a little misleading as it is not really a Christmas story as such...just a story that leads up and ends at Christmas.

Both compelling and heartwarming, THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING will draw you in and transcend you into 1867 that you won't want to leave. Personally, I would much rather the simple quiet life in Little Creek to the hustle and bustle of London.

Despite being drawn into the Victoria era both of village life and London, I found myself growing frustrated with Daisy on a number of occasions I could have happily throttled her myself. Then the tangent the story seemed to take towards the end which lead back to Little Creek once again (a somewhat long way around) which seemed to have come out of nowhere and so out of character of both Daisy and the story that I found it somewhat unbelievable. Added to that I was very disappointed in the surprising ending. I did not expect that at all and certainly didn't see that for Daisy.

However, despite my misgivings about the tangent which lead to the unexpected ending, I did enjoy THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING and I'm looking forward the follow up "A Village Scandal" (coming March 2020) and "The County Bride" (coming June 2020). At least we won't have to wait long for the trilogy to continue...though I do hope for a more satisfying outcome for those.

An enjoyable story perfect for historical fiction fans.

I would like to thank #DillyCourt, #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK for an ARC of #TheChristmasWedding in exchange for an honest review.

After Daisy gets jilted and then dismissed from her job she goes back home where she lives with her aunt and uncle but they decide to go and live in the country where they've Inherited a cottage As Daisy accompanies them they settle into life at Little creek but things don't quite work out for her and she experiences lots of difficulties until she finally finds happiness Lots of interesting characters and overall a good read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I loved following the different families and was surprised by the outcome of each of them.
I would definitely recommend and look forward to reading a follow up

This book brings the area of Little Creek to life. Follow the funny and sometimes courageous lives of the residents . A fun read and I hope it's the first one of many in this series.
A must read for me and recommended.

The wonderful Dilly Court leads us into Little Creek and introduces us to the locals, and Daisy who is kindness itself. Even when faced with dilemmas herself she still finds time to help others. Will she find the happiness she deserves ? Highly recommend. Can’t wait for the second in the saga, A village scandal.

Not my usual genre but a change from thrillers. An easy to read and enjoyable storyline with interesting characters. I would definitely read the next in the series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Another fantastic read from Dilly Court. Loved the characters and Christmas setting. Can't wait for the rest of the saga!

South coast sweeping saga starts here!

Young Daisy Marshall moves to a small town in Essex in the 1860's and finds all sorts of 'troubles' and a motley crew of residents - beautifully described. Ms Court is a fine writer.

I am not a big fan of this genre, but this book is perfect in the run up to Christmas. It has a warm glow at times.

Still not sure if I would continue the saga, but there are attractions. Maybe even a TV series if the remaining parts are as good?

Thanks to HarperCollins and Net Galley for the chance to read and review.

This was a really enjoyable story with an historical background. The author managed to make all the characters and the background come to life and it was easy to visualise everything. .A great feel good conclusion. I hope I manage to read the rest of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for a digital ARC of this book By Dilly Court.

I'm sure that fans of Dilly Court will be pleased with this new series. Daisy is a young woman who is resilient, resourceful and compassionate. The book has all the ingredients required for a good historical novel - an evil Lord of the Manor, an impoverished handsome young doctor, smugglers, families facing the workhouse after injury or illness and a Christmas romance.