Member Review
Review by
Stina S, Reviewer
★★★★ 4.5 stars
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Tracy Rees' delightful tale HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH previously titled "The Little Book of Secrets" .
This is my second book by Tracy Rees, the first being an historical fiction "The House at Silvermoor" which totally loved. So I was excited by the prospect of another foray into her world, albeit somewhat different, not really knowing what to expect. Women's fiction is generally not my genre of choice but there has been the odd one that I have enjoyed...this being one of them. Although I did find the title somewhat of a mouthful and as it conjured up images of secrets being unearthed and maybe a little gossiping going on, what it actually entailed was something vastly different. Misleading descriptions are a bit of a pet hate of mine, so while I didn't know what to expect entirely, I guess I was kind of expecting something different. Having said that, HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH was a thoroughly delightful journey into Hopley and its residents...but especially Gwen and Jarvis.
The setting for this story begins in a picturesque little village I envisioned to be something you would see in an episode of Midsomer Murders...but without the murder. It is adorably quaint filled with a mix of characters to charm and delight the reader and the beautiful historic church that is at the heart of the story.
Having lost her parents two years previously, Gwen Stanley moved in with her aunt Mary who had offered her a home more than likely out of obligation rather than any desire to help the grieving young woman. Aunt Mary was positively awful bringing a depressing air of doom over everything she touched and every word she uttered. She did nothing to help Gwen get over the loss of her beloved parents instead belittling her at every turn, complaining whenever Gwen did a good turn and basically sucked the life out of her niece...and not to mention the reader. I honestly dreaded Gwen going home every evening to Aunt Mary's bitter unhappiness and doom and gloom view of the world.
It was one Sunday during the church service that the Vicar Dave shared his idea with the sleepy congregation to raise funds for the much needed roof repairs to keep St Domneva's going and to remain at the heart of the village. But unless he raise a substantial amount then nothing can save the little church. That's when he comes up with his rather extraordinary idea that brings two unlikely people together to help raise the much needed funds.
Gwen was immediately enamoured with the idea of trawling through the church's visitor's book, taking in its history and its secrets, in a bid to seek out donors to help save their little church. However, Gwen is terminally shy and hadn't thought much beyond the thought of losing herself to the little book's secrets...like phoning other people. Jarvis Millwood, a twenty seven year old art school dropout, has done nothing with his life since returning from a prestigious art school in London. But when he heard Vicar Dave put his unusual call out for volunteers, a seed was planted in Jarvis' head that began to form as he harboured his own reasons for wanting to peruse the visitor's book. Vicar Dave was apprehensive about leaving these two misfits in charge thinking he may have just made a huge error of judgement concerning St Dom's future.
At first Gwen was horrified that she had to share the prized visitor's book with another as she was looking forward to delving into it herself. She wasn't comfortable with other people and as socially inept as she was, Jarvis took her discomfort and her way of doing things in his stride. They are complete opposites, and yet in some ways quite similar, thrown together with their own reasons for wanting to participate in this little venture. Both unsatisfied with their lack lustre lives, the visitor book gives them hope and together they find themselves not only helping the church raise their much-needed funds, but they also find themselves along the way.
And two of the most unlikely people soon find themselves becoming the best of friends. Their journey becomes one of self discovery as Gwen steps out of her comfort zone in which she's been hiding for the past two years and Jarvis discovers a new appreciation for the love he had and thought he'd lost. Together they hope, dream and encourage one another to be the best version of themselves.
I can't say much more without giving the rest of the story away but it is a delightfully enjoyable read that could easily be read in one sitting if you are a fast reader or savoured by those who like to take their time. Either way, the journey you will find yourself on with Gwen and Jarvis will be one that charms and delights you.
Told in the third person narrative from the alternating perspectives of Gwen and Jarvis (mainly) and Vicar Dave (on occasion), HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH (somewhat of a mouthful) is a feel-good tale that is contemporary with a little romance thrown in. The narration is smooth and light with no melodramatic tension to weigh the reader down.
My only complaint is really the change in title. It really is a mouthful and the original title of "The Little Book of Secrets" I felt was more apt to the story, though it does allude to secrets being kept within the book when in actual fact it is not the case at all. So a tad misleading on that front. But still, an enjoyable foray into this little English village.
For a light and easy read, HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH is just the ticket to bring a feel-good smile to your day. The perfect weekend read.
I look forward to the second Hopley book in October wondering what Ms Rees has in store for us then.
I would like to thank #TracyRees, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #HiddenSecretsAtTheLittleVillageChurch in exchange for an honest review.
I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Tracy Rees' delightful tale HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH previously titled "The Little Book of Secrets" .
This is my second book by Tracy Rees, the first being an historical fiction "The House at Silvermoor" which totally loved. So I was excited by the prospect of another foray into her world, albeit somewhat different, not really knowing what to expect. Women's fiction is generally not my genre of choice but there has been the odd one that I have enjoyed...this being one of them. Although I did find the title somewhat of a mouthful and as it conjured up images of secrets being unearthed and maybe a little gossiping going on, what it actually entailed was something vastly different. Misleading descriptions are a bit of a pet hate of mine, so while I didn't know what to expect entirely, I guess I was kind of expecting something different. Having said that, HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH was a thoroughly delightful journey into Hopley and its residents...but especially Gwen and Jarvis.
The setting for this story begins in a picturesque little village I envisioned to be something you would see in an episode of Midsomer Murders...but without the murder. It is adorably quaint filled with a mix of characters to charm and delight the reader and the beautiful historic church that is at the heart of the story.
Having lost her parents two years previously, Gwen Stanley moved in with her aunt Mary who had offered her a home more than likely out of obligation rather than any desire to help the grieving young woman. Aunt Mary was positively awful bringing a depressing air of doom over everything she touched and every word she uttered. She did nothing to help Gwen get over the loss of her beloved parents instead belittling her at every turn, complaining whenever Gwen did a good turn and basically sucked the life out of her niece...and not to mention the reader. I honestly dreaded Gwen going home every evening to Aunt Mary's bitter unhappiness and doom and gloom view of the world.
It was one Sunday during the church service that the Vicar Dave shared his idea with the sleepy congregation to raise funds for the much needed roof repairs to keep St Domneva's going and to remain at the heart of the village. But unless he raise a substantial amount then nothing can save the little church. That's when he comes up with his rather extraordinary idea that brings two unlikely people together to help raise the much needed funds.
Gwen was immediately enamoured with the idea of trawling through the church's visitor's book, taking in its history and its secrets, in a bid to seek out donors to help save their little church. However, Gwen is terminally shy and hadn't thought much beyond the thought of losing herself to the little book's secrets...like phoning other people. Jarvis Millwood, a twenty seven year old art school dropout, has done nothing with his life since returning from a prestigious art school in London. But when he heard Vicar Dave put his unusual call out for volunteers, a seed was planted in Jarvis' head that began to form as he harboured his own reasons for wanting to peruse the visitor's book. Vicar Dave was apprehensive about leaving these two misfits in charge thinking he may have just made a huge error of judgement concerning St Dom's future.
At first Gwen was horrified that she had to share the prized visitor's book with another as she was looking forward to delving into it herself. She wasn't comfortable with other people and as socially inept as she was, Jarvis took her discomfort and her way of doing things in his stride. They are complete opposites, and yet in some ways quite similar, thrown together with their own reasons for wanting to participate in this little venture. Both unsatisfied with their lack lustre lives, the visitor book gives them hope and together they find themselves not only helping the church raise their much-needed funds, but they also find themselves along the way.
And two of the most unlikely people soon find themselves becoming the best of friends. Their journey becomes one of self discovery as Gwen steps out of her comfort zone in which she's been hiding for the past two years and Jarvis discovers a new appreciation for the love he had and thought he'd lost. Together they hope, dream and encourage one another to be the best version of themselves.
I can't say much more without giving the rest of the story away but it is a delightfully enjoyable read that could easily be read in one sitting if you are a fast reader or savoured by those who like to take their time. Either way, the journey you will find yourself on with Gwen and Jarvis will be one that charms and delights you.
Told in the third person narrative from the alternating perspectives of Gwen and Jarvis (mainly) and Vicar Dave (on occasion), HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH (somewhat of a mouthful) is a feel-good tale that is contemporary with a little romance thrown in. The narration is smooth and light with no melodramatic tension to weigh the reader down.
My only complaint is really the change in title. It really is a mouthful and the original title of "The Little Book of Secrets" I felt was more apt to the story, though it does allude to secrets being kept within the book when in actual fact it is not the case at all. So a tad misleading on that front. But still, an enjoyable foray into this little English village.
For a light and easy read, HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH is just the ticket to bring a feel-good smile to your day. The perfect weekend read.
I look forward to the second Hopley book in October wondering what Ms Rees has in store for us then.
I would like to thank #TracyRees, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #HiddenSecretsAtTheLittleVillageChurch in exchange for an honest review.
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