Friends of Bookends recommend Winter Without You by Beth Good

Love good book recommendations from fellow readers? Us too! That’s why we started Friends of Bookends! We asked our reader panel what they thought of Beth Good’s charming festive read Winter Without You. This is what they said . . .

 

Jen R

Isn’t it great to discover a new author!  Especially one as versatile as Beth Good, who has  created this lovely, romantic, Christmassy story. She writes using pseudonyms and in different genres and this feel-good story is satisfying and easy to read and enjoy.

“Lovely, romantic, Christmassy story”

Hannah inherits a house in the wilds of Cornwall. Unfortunately it is the same house the nearby farmer and alleged playboy desires and he has a good reason for thinking it is his. Hannah, recently arrived from Greece and mourning the loss of her husband, is wondering how she will manage her pregnancy; when her house becomes a refuge for neighbours in need. She becomes the fete organiser, which keeps her busy, and discovers more about her grandmother, who she did not know existed prior to her inheriting the house.

The book charts the development of  different relationships and has the happy ending which one anticipates throughout the book.

I read this over a weekend, wrapped in a fluffy blanket, glancing out from time to time and reaching for the chocolates. It is an engaging read, with believable characters and all ends well. Enjoy your Christmas read!

Angela N

I do love a good, girly read – emphasis on the word ‘good.’ Unfortunately, over the years I have read too many books where ‘chick-lit’ is code for ‘unbelievable characters in contrived situations.’ So when I do find a good, girly read my cynical
heart does a little jig of joy. Thanks to Beth Good and Winter Without You, I spent many a happy hour getting in the
winter spirit.

Recently bereaved Hannah Clitheroe has inherited a ramshackle old Cornish house from the Granny she never knew; but this
contrived situation is the only thing this book has in common with lesser tomes. 

“Beth Good is a writer who recognises
that readers need depth to a story and characters that they can quickly warm to.”

In fact, my favourite thing about Winter Without You was the madcap cast of characters, including: Camper-van dwelling
rat-catcher Lizzie; a boxful of cats; two geese; a tortoise and Hannah’s neighbour Raphael (who believes the house
rightfully belongs to him.)

“Deeply satisfying and as comforting as a woolly blanket on a cold Winter’s night.”

Raphael’s reputation in the small town of Pethporro is akin to that of a troll living under a bridge…Albeit a very attractive troll with his own tractor. It won’t spoil anything if I tell you that, under Raphael’s trollish exterior, there is a more caring and sensitive person. You just know with books like this that Baddies like Raphael have hidden depths and that Hannah will ultimately find her happy ending. It’s part of what makes this book deeply satisfying and as comforting as a woolly blanket on a cold Winter’s night.

Find out more about the Friends of Bookends reader panel…