The Newcomer

When I’m having a bad or gloomy day, I know I can count on Fern Britton to bring me out of my slump, so I was delighted to be able to read her newest book on one of the coldest and snowiest days of the year. In the middle of my mid winter slump I was transported to springtime in Cornwall, heaven! This book begins with the departure of a much-loved vicar and the arrival of his replacement, Angela Whitehorn and her husband, Robert. Not everyone takes kindly to Angela’s more progressive ideas for the village and she begins receiving a series a nasty letters. When she refuses to back down, it becomes obvious that her anonymous tormentor will stop at nothing, including spilling secrets no one wants made public. The idea of faith and feminism together is unique, Britton doesn’t go over the top with the religious aspect of her story, just presents it in a quiet and steady fashion and as a backdrop to a wider story

This was a delightful story of life in a typical Cornish village. A good storyline and great characters with a big feel good factor. I still miss my years living in Cornwall and this story takes me back again.. Loved it!

Reverend Angel Whitehorn arrives with her husband and daughter to the small village of Pendruggan in Cornwall as caretaker whilst the present vicar and his family go to Brazil for a year.
It her first placement and she wants so much to be welcomed but as in village there are strong characters already in place. The family are joined by Angela's aunt who is a vibrant character to say the least.
Anglea starts making footsteps into the community and then the poisonous letters start arriving. Who is behind them and who doesn't want her there? Who knows her secrets and those of her parishioners?
This is the book to curl up with and not put down to the last page and will not disappoint..

Fern has produced another hit in her Pendruggan series. Whilst Simon the vicar and his family go to Brazil for a year, newly ordained Angela Whitehorn and her family take up residence in the vicarage. Aunt Mamie, with her wonderful travel tales and meetings with famous people was a well drawn character and it was easy to forget her fate as described in the prologue. Angela was a mixture of a strong woman doing a job she loved, a wife with insecurities and a mother with a teenage daughter growing up too fast.
As usual the book was filled with humourous episodes, but throughout the story there was a thread of sadness and it was not until I read the acknowledgements at the end that the reason became apparent.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Pendruggan and cannot wait for the next instalment.

I have just finishied reading this book. I have laughed and cried, tried to puzzle out who was ‘doing what’, was concerned that I could see an affair about to start. In fact I fully engaged with this story of a vicar, and her family, beginning her first parish in a Cornish village. The vicar’s ups and downs and, particularly, her tussles with the village battle ax brought me firmly on her side and longing to see what would happen next.
This is a very easy read which is full of, obviously, carefully crafted characters and their interactions. I absolutely loved it and felt I had to share snippets with the family with whom I am on holiday!
I thoroughly recommend it and have, already, been telling people that they must read it

Angela is determined to leave her mark on the village where she is to be the vicar for a year . Not everything turns out as planned, and her family's happiness is put in jeopardy .Really enjoyable book, characters well written, some laugh out loud moments, some sad . Fern Britton has written another best seller.

This is the 2nd Fern Britton booked I've read and just as good as the first.

Angela Whitehorn goes to Pendruggan in Cornwall for a year as a newly ordained vicar along with her husband and daughter. She's taking over from Simon who's going to Brazil for a year.

Angela hopes to make some good additions to the community but is met with opposition from Audrey Tipton who believes she commands everything in the village.

Was absolutely thrilled to get Fern Britton's new book having devoured all her others. Immediately I was immersed in Pendruggan and delighted in all its characters. A engaging story woven around the newcomer Angela and her family and very lively Aunt Mamie when they come to look after the parish for a year. Angela gets stuck in to village life initiating some new ideas much to the consternation of the very upstanding Audrey! Things go a little awry when Angela recieves some unpleasant mail and a villager befalls an unfortunate accident, and things in her family aren't as they seem. There are some hilarious moments between Queenie and Mamie. The story takes you full circle from its opening pages. Another excellent book, which I thoroughly enjoyed...it was one that I was sad to finish. Highly recommend

Fern Britton never ceases to amaze me when she writes about this fictional village. By page two I am in the story line watching the people as if they were my family
This book follows the story of a newly qualified vicar and her family as they take on the task of holding together a small village,Pendrugan by looking after the church and its family whilst the current vicar works in Brazil for a year
Angela,Robert and faith move in to caretake the church and vicarage. Shortly followed by Mamie, Angela's slightly excentric aunt, her dad passed away years before but her mum died leaving her with just Mamie and her little family
Angela is a part of the story that I feel Fern most in,the emotion so raw at time at the loss of her mother and the way a village encompasses her and takes her in as their own also mimics Ferns real life and that is what comes through in this story raw emotion, extreme love for her husband ( very handsome like Fern's) and her child
It's because of that emotion that I think I have loved this book more than any other she has written, I loved all them but I felt connected to Angela the vicar and I fell in love with this village in Cornwall
I cannot sing my praises enough for this fabulous book

Revisiting the village of Pendruggan with Fern is like enveloping oneself in a huge comfort blanket. As with the previous books, of which this is the third I have read, they stand one their own without the need to have read the others in the series. *It's like coming home and revisiting old friends in this enjoyable easy gentle read. Each one of the books focuses on a different inhabitant on this Cornish village, this time it is the turn of the locum vicar whilst the usual incumbent is on a sabbatical. There is the usual mix of fun, laughter, sadness, problems, traumas plus a little crime within a small community with all the quirkiness that makes up a country village.

Fern's writing draws you into this close knit community and is perfect for a holiday read either curled up in front of a log burner or relaxing in the sun.

I love being transported to Cornwall by Fern Britton’s books, her descriptions of the locations and village life are bliss for me.

This book was full of every emotion, and the characters were so real to life I could relate to them all , we all know some of them in our lives.

Angela Whitetorn is the newly ordained vicar who will look after the parish of Pendruggan for a year. Robert her dashing husband and Faith her teenage daughter accompany her. Angela’s Aunt Marnie joins the family and adds fun and eccentricity to the family. Angela is determined to leave her mark on the village but finds this a struggle with lots of obstacles being put in her way.

When she receives unpleasant letters her life and happiness is put in the balance? But who could be behind them? Can someone really dislike her so much? These questions had me guessing but I still was shocked to find out the culprit.

It was only when I read the finishing pages of the book the beginning of the story became clear to me, a very clever and original concept which tied up the loose ends perfectly.

This book will transport you to Cornish village life and you will feel part of the community without ever leaving home. A lovely gentle read.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this fantastic book

A Wonderful Visit with Old and New Friends, 5 Stars 🌟

In Ms Fern Britton’s latest book The Newcomer, Reverend Simon Canter and his wife Penny are taking a year-long placement in Brazil, leaving the parish of Pendruggan needing a temporary Reverend, welcome Reverend Angela Whitehorn, her husband Robert, daughter Faith and colourful Aunt Mamie.

This secondment is Angela’s first placement since becoming fully ordained and she is desperate to make a good lasting impression; including introducing a host of new activities/clubs to the villagers, which isn’t initially well received by everyone in the village. Although it isn’t long that amongst the many new activities including the Running Club, Animal Blessings, the Pendruggan Association of Ladies and of course the Big Village Pond Dig that both the villagers (and readers alike) full in love with the newest albeit temporary addition to their village.

I don’t want to include any spoilers but the book opens with a life-changing traumatic event which we are then gently guided through the events that culminate to that fateful night. As always when exploring so many characters you can expect laughter and tears and Ms Britton has covered the subjects addressed with her own uniquely sympathetic and sensitive style.

Although this book is part of a ‘series’ it is possible to read as a standalone in its own right. However, I will warn you that once you visit the wonderful fictional village of Pendruggan it is like visiting with old friends (both the wonderful and quirky) and you will find yourself wanting to visit again and again, making this latest addition a definite must read for all fans of Ms Britton’s writing both new and old!

For your information, I received my copy as an ARC however, this does not influence my opinions as all opinions are my own.

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.

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.

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.

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

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😊

I love Fern Britton's books - they are so heartwarming and cosy. This novel returned to Pendruggen and it was like meeting old friends again. It was great to meet some new characters and lovely to catch up with some from previous novels. However, I think this novel could also be enjoyed as a standalone book although I would recommend Fern's previous books too.

I really liked the character Angela and was rooting for her throughout the book. There are a fantastic cast of supporting characters too. I particularly loved Angela's Aunt Mamie with her outrageous stories of her flamboyant life which made me laugh.

A delightful light hearted feelgood novel about family, relationships, friendship, community spirit, secrets and love. Perfect for a lazy weekend. I was sad to finish it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Super characters in a beautiful setting. A lovely can’t put it down read! I was down in Cornwall with the temporary vicar and her family. I didn’t want it to end!

Brilliant, easy read book. Was a perfect read for my Easter holiday; a bit of a mystery, lovable characters (well, at least most of them) and set in a lovely little village.

We return to the Cornish village of Pendruggan just as a new vicar arrives on the scene. When I say new vicar I mean it in every sense of the word because Reverand Angela Whitehorn is newly ordained and starting a year-long placement in her first ever Parish.

Of course, Angela is nervous about her new placement. She has big shoes to fill, due to the much loved and recently departed vicar. Everyone adores Reverand Simon so Angela is bound to ruffle a few feathers in the close-knit community.

However, Angela has a great support team behind her in the form of husband Robert and daughter Faith. Then there is the wonderful Aunt Mamie and adorable Irish Wolfhound Mr. Worthington.

I read an interview where Fern was asked if Mamie was based on Joanna Lumley. She replied diplomatically that if her characters resembled real people it was never intentional. However, once this was in my head the character Mamie was Joanna Lumley. (Not the lovely actress of course but Patsy the character she played in Absolutely Fabulous). Whoever else would light up a cigarette in church, fall into the freezing sea fully clothed or go on a drug finding mission with a fellow pensioner? I need a Mamie in my life with her amazing anecdotes about meeting famous people, her glamour, her acid tongue, her refusal to grow old and her mahoosive heart!

I love Fern’s depiction of the more mature characters, I think this really makes her books stand out in an overcrowded field. Mamie and Queenie strike up an unlikely friendship and their zest for life and refusal to be invisible is so inspirational. They provide humour and pathos to the storyline and it just wouldn’t be the same without them.

The book is a breath of fresh air. The goings on in a tiny Cornish village will have you gripped from the very first page. The characters just come to life before your eyes, the description of the setting is realistic and beautifully portrayed and the plot is thoroughly entertaining.

Yet again Fern has written another outstanding page-turner.

Absolutely brilliant. My first book by Fern and was presently surprised. It’s always great reading a book based in UK and especially Cornwall. The characters were believable and true to life as a Church Ministers wife!! I loved how all the characters were described even if some were annoying. Although I love a happy ending this book went in a different direction but all the same brilliant. Thanks Fern.