This is a sequel to ‘Happiness for Beginners’ which I read back in April 2019. I loved that first book and all of the wonderful characters – both animal and human that were a major part of it – and I was delighted to meet up with many of them again in this fabulous festive book. The main character is Molly who runs Hope Farm, a place where children with various issues enjoy the day to day activities on offer and interact with a host of unusual and often hilarious animals. We meet again Anthony the anti-social sheep, Little Dog and many more but there also some new and endearing ones to get to know. In the last book Molly and Shelby fell in love. They are two very different people. He’s an acclaimed actor, always in the limelight while Molly is a farm girl, natural, lovely and very shy who shuns the trappings of social life. Here they encounter a number of issues that affect their very different lifestyles which tests their relationship. Will they overcome it and stay together or are they just too different? You will have to read on to find out. Lucas is Shelby’s teenage son who lives with Molly in her caravan on site. He and his father have serious bonding issues. During this book both Molly and Lucas face some very difficult situations which kept me turning the pages and reading long into the night to find out how it all resolved. I couldn’t stop thinking about the book in between reading times and that’s always a good indication as to how much I am loving it. Carole Matthews has some kind of magical touch that turns every character that she writes into a fully formed, real life person. All of them just leap off the page and I can’t help but believe that they are living, breathing people out there on that farm doing their thing rather than just characters in a book. I always feel a little bereft on leaving Carole’s books as it’s like leaving friends behind. I hope that she will perhaps write another book featuring Molly and Hope Farm to complete a wonderful trilogy. There is so much more to enjoy from these folks and their lives. I loved every minute I spent in their world. I’m sure you will too if you heed my recommendation and READ IT. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of the book in return for my honest review.

#ChristmasforBeginners is a brilliant, funny read to get you in the Christmas mood! 🎄🎅🏼🥰

The descriptions of farm life and the animal antics had me laughing out loud

The characters are strong, amusing and likeable 😃

The storyline is hughly addictive and exciting....very Christmassy 🎄🎅🏼🎄🎅🏼🎄🎅🏼

I love Carole Matthews’ books and have read them all so far. It really wouldn’t be Christmas without a Carole Matthews!

This is the festive sequel to ‘Happiness for Beginners’ so we return to Molly’s menagerie of animals at the new Hope Farm. As well as the characters familiar from the first book, we also meet some new people.

A fab read to really get you in the mood for Christmas!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Christmas for Beginners is more than just a festive romance. It has all the hallmarks of a classic 'will they won't they', with the heroine Mollie seemingly loved-up with soap star Shelby. But as the Hope Farm open day grows ever nearer, the perfect couple start to unravel. There's plenty of action for the other characters too, from Shelby's teenage son Lucas to Mollie's best friend Bev. And let's not forget about the Hot Mayor, Matt! What's great is that this is one book in a series, let's hope there's not long to wait for the next installment

Christmas for Beginners is a really enjoyable read, the festiveness is not pushed in your face so it's perfect for Autumn reading too.

I always love to sit and read a Carole Matthews book and this one didn't disappoint. The sequel to Happiness For Beginners, we return to Hope Farm, getting ready for Christmas. It's like visiting old friends. Loved visiting the farm and its host of animal characters. A perfect escape. A heartwarming, delightful festive read. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read Happiness for Beginners last year so it didn't take me long to get back into life on the farm with Molly and co. This story is based around a fund raiser that Molly organises in the hopes of raising more funds for Hope Farm. But, of course, with those mischievous animals up to their usual antics, and her trying to enjoy the festivities with her new family, not everything goes quite to plan.

Now this is the sequel to Happiness and whilst I don't necessarily think you need to read it first, you will miss out a bit on the backstory of the relationships between characters. For me it was nice to see them all again and I really enjoyed seeing how Molly is growing closer to Shelby and Lucas, and how they go about having a family Christmas together.

My favourite part of these books is hands down the farm. Right from the very beginning I could tell I was going to love the animals and their many different personalities, they're all delightfully quirky and individual. And their names are adorable (the alpacas!). The research Matthews put in on how a farm works, and how the animals live, was brilliant.

The reason this book is marked at a three when I did enjoy so much of it, is mostly down to the narration. It's just not a style I would normally read and it took me a while to get into (I remember having the same problem when I first read Happiness). Matthews writes in a very informal, chatty kind of manner. So it's all 'must get a hurry on, got loads more to do' before segueing into more chatter. It didn't really work for me because a lot is made over Molly being a recluse who hates talking to strangers - yet its written as though she's talking very easily to the reader, a stranger.

That niggle aside though this is a nice, festive book and fans of Matthews other books, particularly Happiness for Beginners, will find a lot to like here.

Many thanks to Little Brown Books and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely festive read. It was so nice to read the sequel to Happiness for Beginners and find out what happened to Molly, Lucas, Shelby and the naughty farm animals next. The storyline has a nice pace to it and there’s plenty of Christmas build up to get you ready! I did find myself getting frustrated with Molly and Shelby’s relationship, but pushed through that to a satisfying end.
Thanks to netgalley, the author and publishers for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A resounding 5 star book which takes us back to Hope Farm and all the characters, animal and human, therein. Although this is part of a series the book does stand on it's own as the first few chapters bring the reader up to speed with the essence of what has preceded it, maybe as someone new to Hope Farm, it also reminds others of us what has gone on before..

This is definitely an ideal Christmassy read with plenty of fun, laughter, love and romance to cosy up with over the festive period but it's not all plain sailing as there are a few dilemmas and dramas along the way. It is a book to totally immerse in, a perfect escape and I just hope that we can read more about Hope Farm and all those involved. Carole Matthews at her very best.

Another great read from Carole Matthews. Once I get into her books it is so hard to put them down again. It was lovely to catch up with Molly and Lucas again, and hear about the antics of all the animals on the farm. And this time we had a few added characters. Selby was not around much but that added to the great storyline I hope there is a follow on so we can follow all their lives.

Feeling all Christmassy after finishing this book today!
Long time fan of Carole Matthews so was delighted to receive a copy of her new book via NetGalley.
Set on a farm that supports kids with a range of problems, the story follows Molly as she negotiates first time love (and step parenting) a little later in life than she would have expected.
All of Carole’s characters, including the animals, are well written and this book is a very enjoyable Christmas read.
Thank you NetGalley and Carole!

Carole Matthews Christmas for Beginners. . I am a fan of Carole Matthew, loved the cover of this book and had read the first book in this series Happiness for Beginners. In Christmas for Beginners we are taken back to Hope Farm and Molly Baker. Christmas is approaching and there’s a lot going on around the farm and also with Molly and her friends. This book is full of Love, fun, and frolicks, it will make you feel every emotion reading this book. You will fall in love with the characters but equally there are certain characters that will frustrate the hell out of you. If you haven’t read Happiness for Beginners you can definitely read this as a stand alone book. Definitely hits the spot for that perfect Christmas, snuggle with a hot chocolate in your Xmas pjs read. Carole Matthews writes so perfectly that the characters are believable, strong and kind hearted but they come across as real because they each have there own personal struggles. The setting of Hope Farm is one of those places that you know you would love and want to support yourself but also one of those places that you wish there were more of. Probably one of the best, most heart warming Christmas reads i have read, didn’t want to put it down or for it to end and definitely can’t wait for the next instalment from Hope Farm because it will leave you wanting more. Hope everyone enjoys it as much as I so obviously did. Will definitely be recommending to friends and family.

Rescue animals and teenagers with attitude; mud and glamour; love and heartache. Read and enjoy a white Christmas at Hope Farm. As I haven’t read the previous book I can verify that this can be read as a standalone.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A wonderful escape to Hope Farm, in this sequel to Happiness to Beginners. It was lovely to be reacquainted with Molly, Lucas and the brilliantly funny animals, including the 3 anarchic alpacas and Anthony, the grumpy sheep. New characters add to the cosy feel of the story too. Just the perfect antidote to the worries of the world with the charm of Carole Matthews' writing. A lovely Christmas story.

We are back once again at Hope Farm and it was a pleasure to catch-up once again with Molly, Bev, Lucas and all the other characters and wonderful wonky animals.

This book was a joy to read. How can a book that starts with “One of the alpacas has eaten the Baby Jesus” not put a big smile on your face and get you in the mood for Christmas!

Thank you, Carole Matthews, for providing a few hours of pure escapism in these uncertain times.

Full of uplifting events humour and cosyness as well as observing mental health issues within characters and other topical issues all on a farm with the most humorous animals, in this treat of a book that will set readers up very nicely for Christmas.
Thank you to Carole Matthews for alerting Millie Seaward to my request to review and for her, subsequently accepting my request to review Christmas for Beginners.
Full review below

Molly, Lucas and alpacas are on Hope Farm, which the author informs is fictional but based on a real place called Animal Antiks that works with children and young adults with learning difficulties, mental health issues and autism and has a lot of praise for them. It is a lovely insight into another aspect of what Carole Matthews holds dear and what inspired her for her fictional Hope Farm.

From the opening line, which is terrific and unexpected, there is humour, especially with the Alpacas - Johnny Rotten, Tina Turner or Rod Stewart and they seem to have the personalities to match their names. There are many animals on the farm, each with their unique personalities and needs to be looked after.

The book is warm, heartfelt and witty and cosy enough without it being trite. There is the warmth of and excitement of the run up to Christmas that is then interwoven with the goals of the characters and their relationships and their issues, this also includes the vast array of animals on the farm too.

This is far from your usual working farm. It takes in challenging animals and also takes in teenagers who have behavioural difficulties, mental health issues or are autistic. It is set up for an interesting premise straight away.The first people are Shelby Dacre and his wayward son - Lucas who have had a hard time and struggling through grief and it was actor Shelby who helped Molly Baker with this farm, after she lost her original one. The book shows how lives can change for the better, even in what seems like the bleakest of circumstances. It is heartwarming and uplifting and the characterisation of Lucas - teenage boy is spot on. It is interesting getting to know all the characters and the way they relate to each other. It all comes across as natural and rooted in reality.

What really comes across in the book is a lot of care and love. Shelby's tv career and the challenges that come his way are also explored as are the issues with love and grief in Lucas, but nothing too heavy, it is essentially a cosy Christmas book. There is lots of humour throughout and some of it is particularly brave, but it all has a valid point and makes it such a fun book.

The Buckinghamshire scenery is depicted in an idyllic manner, which is simply divine of ancient woodland, but there is a small pocket that shows the concern of HS2 that reflects some opinions in England in present times. It's a brave decision, but it does have a place within the book and drifts into the story, momentarily in a way that flows well and without becoming too political. It also very nicely doesn't detract from the story of Christmas and the farm and the characters stories.

The book takes readers in to share the festive spirit and activities and right up to Christmas Day itself, which is lovely and also emotional. There are a few well-written emotive poems in the book, which is quite refreshing and adds a certain edge to it and a different way for the characters to express their thoughts and feelings about what goes on in the characters lives. The whole book leaves a lovely glow of warmth and Christmas spirit.

This is the second book in the series, following Happiness for Beginners. I really enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first. In parts it was a little bit sad! That said it is a lovely book and I read it within a day.

Going back to Hope Farm we return to Molly, Lucas, Shelby, Bev and Alan and the myriad of animals and students that occupy the farm. We join them a few months after the first book in the run up to Christmas time. Although it is a second book it could be read as a stand alone.

This book is the sequel to Happiness for Beginners. It can be read on its own, with the storyline very much being a standalone read. I have to shamefully admit that I haven’t read the previous book, but after reading this I will definitely be going back to!

We meet Molly Baker who runs Hope Farm. Hope Farm is full of rescued animals and children. The children attend during the day to escape the problems that many of them have at home, and they help tend to the animals as well as other activities. Molly lives at the farm in a caravan with her boyfriend’s teenage son, Lucas. Her boyfriend is soap star actor, Shelby Dacre, and whilst he financially supports her farm, his allergies and dislike for all things nature means he never spends very long there! It’s Christmas and the farm is working towards a fund-raising Open Day, complete with a real-life nativity scene and sequinned Santa, and they have enlisted the help of local Mayor, Matt Eastham to help the day run smoothly!

I’ll be completely honest and say I didn’t like this book…. I LOVED it!! The author has such an amazing way of writing so that she captures the essence of what the book is about in the first few chapters, and by that point you are well and truly hooked! The storyline flowed so well, and even though I hadn’t met any of the characters in the previous book, I felt like I’d known them forever! Molly is such a likeable and wonderful character. She’s definitely far happier in jeans and wellies than in a dress and heels, and her love for all things animal is a delight to see! Her relationship with Lucas is heart-warming, and she treats him as if he is her own child. Lucas is no walk in the park though, and being a hormonal teenager who hates his dad, brings Molly more problems than perhaps she should have to deal with. Whilst he is a bit ‘flighty’, I do love Shelby’s character though! He does unfortunately come across as the ‘baddie’ in more ways than one throughout the book, but it is obviously that he loves both Molly and Lucas in his own way!!

Sprinkled in amongst the turbulence of Molly, Lucas and Shelby’s storyline, is the delight of all the animals who live on the farm. I have giggled my way through the book at some of the antics these animals get up to, with wonderful images of sheep, pigs, horses and alpacas being chased across snowy fields far too many times!! I love the names that the author has bestowed upon some of the animals and they suited them perfectly! Tina Turner, Rod Stewart and Johnny Rotten are ideal names for the alpacas (don’t all alpacas look like them!). Add in Anthony the anti-social sheep, Little Dog, Harriet and Hilda the Donkeys, Ringo, Buzz Lightyear and Beyonce the Ponies, and of course who could forget Betty Bad Dog and I guarantee you will read this book with a big smile on your face!!

Molly’s story is also supported by the perfect array of friends she has around her! I love Bev and Alan, even though they did make me teary throughout their story, and everyone should definitely have a Bev shaped best friend in their life! The Mayor, Matt Eastham was an absolute joy to meet and I loved the interest he took in Molly and her farm, and also couldn’t help thinking how well-suited Molly and him would be if Molly wasn’t involved with Shelby! All of these characters, plus many more, made this book a wonderful read!!

It is, of course, a Christmas book and there are certainly enough festivities to keep you going until March! With everything going on in our lives at the moment, this book will bring you a big Christmas sized helping of escapism to brighten our lives. If you are anything like me, you will forget everything going on around you whilst you are transported off to Hope Farm!! This book is definitely up there on my favourite books of the year list!! Full of love, laughter, happiness and sadness, I was genuinely gutted to finish this book and behind all the loveliness that it contained!! It is a fabulous, festive read by an amazing author which I would wholeheartedly recommend!!!

Christmas for Beginners is a return to Hope Farm. I has not read the first book in this series 'Happiness for Beginners' and I didn't feel that this hindered my experience at all with this festive treat.

The beginning of the book introduces the reader to a vast array of animal characters (and yes they really are true characters) which I must admit was a little daunting as there seemed so many of them. They all have such fab names including the alpacas (Johnny Rotten, Tina Turner and Rod Stewart) I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to keep up with remembering all of them, but this was not really a requirement to enjoy the great storyline. I absolutely loved the connection between Molly and Lucas and felt for Lucas with his running issues with his dad.

There was just so much to enjoy in this book, the running relationships, friendships and Christmas plans. I really hope that there will be a follow on book from this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publishers for giving me the chance to read and review this lovely book!

We first met Molly in Happiness for Beginners and her wonderful eclectic mix of animals and children on Hope Farm.

The farm having had to be moved has reinvented itself with more vim and vigour than before and with a new more spacious caravan with indoor facilities, Molly is starting to feel more at home here than ever before. Even Shelby Dacre, well known actor's son Lucas seems to be thriving in such a place. It is a shame that the relationship between Shelby and Molly is not thriving.

Knowing that Molly is somewhat reliant on the funds provided by her boyfriend, she does not want to become beholden to Shelby and wants to look at a way of raising funds, to keep the farm the special place it has become for all waifs and strays be it animal or human.

An Open Day in the run up to Christmas with a full nativity seems to be the way to go, along with stalls, Christmas delights and of course a rather camp sequinned Santa. Molly cannot think of anything worse than having to interact with all of these other people, she is most happy interacting with the animals or challenged children. But she knows that she needs to face some of her own challenges if she is going to make a success of the day, the farm and hopefully her relationship with Shelby.

However, Shelby is facing his own challenges and it sees his career take a different path and if Molly wants to continue with her relationship some changes will need to be made. And what of Lucas in all of this, surely his feelings need to be considered?

As Christmas approaches and the thought of a lovely family time seems to be disappearing across the horizon, Molly has enough to deal with, teenage angst, domestic abuse, sickness, some misbehaved alpacas, an anti social sheep and a couple of turkeys. It seems that perhaps the hope at the farm and for Molly is no longer there.

Only some Christmas magic is going to help.

This is a wonderful follow up to Happiness for Beginners and I felt I was transported back to the farm and simply picked up where I left of as if I was part of the family. This is the beauty of Carole Matthew's books, I was swept away with some real difficult issues but with an abundance of love and interesting characters I was going to have a magnificent second visit. Carole please can I come and visit Molly and Hope Farm again?

Perfect for anyone who wants a real lift in this difficult times and if you can pick up Happiness for Beginners first you are going to have the best time at Hope Farm and I am jealous that you get to discover it all for the first time.

This is the first Carole Matthews book I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've now realised it's a sequel to Happiness for Beginners (which I haven't read) but that didn't hinder my experience. I loved Molly and resonated with her independence and her mischievous animals really did keep me entertained. This had the right amount of romance, the right amount of family drama and the right amount of laughs. A 5 star read.