Anyone who knows me will be aware that I love Christmas; Christmas films, Christmas stories, decorations, the lot. So I was thrilled to see this year's Christmas books beginning to emerge. It is fitting that this first one I have read this year is by one of my favourite authors too. What was even more exciting was to find as I finished this book that there is a sequel on the way. Can't wait!

This story is set in the lead up to Christmas in Bournemouth, where the main female character, Dodie, lover of all things vintage, runs a vintage store. She loves the thrill of sorting through new deliveries of articles she has bought from various sources. However, what she discovers in the pocket of a lovely old coat leads her into an adventure as she tries to trace the owner and uncover their story.

In the book, we meet a selection of interesting and sometimes surprising characters. Principal amongst these are Dodie's wacky gran, who never ceases to amaze Dodie or the reader with her choice of activities. She was a great source of amusement, in contrast to Dodie's boyfriend, Ryan, who just made me cringe. But then there's Ed, who Dodie meets by chance in her quest, and finds a friendship developing. He's a much nicer man, although obviously troubled by his past. Dodie's best friend Isla is also in the story, but relatively briefly. There is more of her to come it seems in the sequel.

I very much enjoyed this book; I was hooked from the start. It is a little more than the run of the mill Christmas romance, with an air of mystery running through its pages. There are some really strong characters dealing with serious issues of their own. Bournemouth itself comes out well, sounding like a fun place to be at that time of year. Altogether a charming and heartwarming tale; just what I expect from Tilly Tennant.

Dodie is a fan of old black and white from films, is caring and generous and owns a vintage clothes store in Bournemouth. She is close to her family, her best friend and cares for the homeless as well as having a boyfriend. Her life seems settled and calm until she finds an old love letter in the pocket of a donated coat. The adventures she subsequently has lead her to friendship and ultimately to love. Dodie is a lovely character and Ed's problems with depression etc after coming out of the army are sensitivity dealt with, although they are resolved rather unrealistically quickly in my opinion. I do have a hankering for a stylish vintage coat to keep me cosy this winter after finishing the book, Oxfam online here I come!

An enjoyable read centred around a vintage clothes shop and the hunt for the people in a letter found in the pocket of an old coat.

I didn't think the first chapter was necessary (and had to read it twice to get into the book) but apart from that this was a fun, interesting and fast read.

Didn't feel Christmassy until towards the end - my first Christmas book of 2017!

A Very Vintage Christmas is a well written romance. I enjoyed the plot, characters and the setting. I recommend this to readers who enjoy an escape into romance.

This is the first book I’ve read by Tilly Tennant and I absolutely loved it! I was drawn in during the first few pages – which is what I always look for in a good book – but I was even more pleased when I discovered that it was set in Bournemouth, one of my favourite places. The storyline was really interesting; Dodie sells vintage clothes and finds an old letter, dating back to the 1940s, in a coat pocket. She then sets out to find living relatives of the letter’s recipient and, of course, there’s a great love interest along the way. Tilly has a wonderful writing style and I will definitely be reading more of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

Overall verdict: a lovely, entertaining read and some really good characterisation that points beyond the chick-lit genre by author Tilly Tennant. A bit thin on the Christmas Tinsel, but warms you heart & soul nevertheless.

I liked the story a lot, though I felt Christmas to be rather sidelined. It was there, like low, pleasant background music, but I would have preferred more volume.

Still, aside from this "complaint", this is a really nice book.

Dodie, a lovely, warm-hearted and quirky girl-next-door, runs a vintage clothes shop in Bournemouth. She is struggling a bit to make ends meet, but is not willing to give up on her dreams. She has a boyfriend (sort of), but they seem to be a world-apart.
One day she finds a love-letter in the pocket of one a vintage coat purchased at an auction. The letter dates from 1944 and Dodie is so touched by it as well as the possible fates of the lovers that she decides to try and find the family whom it may belong.
During this "quest" she meets Ed, who agrees to help, and kinds as he seems, he has a past to deal with.
The only serious hitch of the story is Dodie's boyfriend Ryan, who is as obnoxious and uncaring as she is lovely & I just couldn't believe there were any stakes to their almost non-existent relationship. The ensuing "drama" about Dodie needing to choose between 2 men felt fake and out of proportions.
The character I really took a shine to was Dodie's best friend, Isla, and I am happy to see that she gets her own Christmas story in A Cosy Candlelit Christmas.

How can anyone say they didn't throughly enjoy this book. Well written, cute, caring and Christmas all wrapped up in charm. I want to be Friend with Dodie. If you love old movies you will relate to the entire story. Charming.

Dodie loves old things including old black and white films especially those featuring James Stewart. Her passion is her vintage clothes shop which takes up most of her time. The remainder being used to help out her friends and family. Her life is suddenly taken over by a quest to find the owner of a WWII love letter she finds in the pocket of a coat. I loved this story and it's setting by the sea in Bournemouth. I definitely wanted Dodie to find her happy ending.

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Dodie is true to herself when it comes to her personality. She is the epitome of vintage. She loves everything old so it makes sense she will open up her own vintage shop. Dodie is “dating” someone but her heart isn’t into it. But once she finds the war-time love letter she knows the owner would want it and needs to track down the owner.

This is a sweet story. It doesn’t have a lot of Christmas feel, I guess more of a winter feel, until the end but that doesn’t take away from the charm of the story. Dodie is an adorable character with so much charm it is hard not to like her. Great background characters like Gran as well.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for sharing. I've already ordered several copies for my library. Patrons will love it!

Another fantastic book by Tilly Tennant! I have loved all her books and each one somehow manages to be better than the last. I was so eager to read this that I even read it in September, which is usually much too early for Christmas books for me, but I couldn't resist. Absolutely loved Dodie, the main character, and the story was just so gorgeous - an old love letter that Dodie wants to return to it's rightful owner. I loved Ed and the unraveling mystery behind the love letter and the pace with which Dodie uncovered the clues was just perfect! Brilliant little twist at the end that I didn't see coming either. Fantastic. Can't wait to read Isla's story in the next book now!

A very good Christmas read. A good storyline, quirky characters. A good book to curl up with on a cold winter's night.

I was interested in this book as I live all things vintage, and this book was no exception.
A romantic story, finding the couple from the old love letter, with a twist along the way.
Easy to read and likeable characters.
First book I've read by this author so very much looking forward to the next book!

I was a bit disappointed in this story. It kept plodding along and then in the last few pages it was done.

I have enjoyed some of Ms. Tennant's books in the past. This one did not disappoint either. Entertaining read.

This was the loveliest of Christmas stories. Dodie Bright runs her own shop - Forget Me Not Vintage Fashion - and embraces the lifestyle associated with it. She's absorbed in James Stewart movies and can't resist snaffling items of stock bought into the shop for her own wardrobe. She's a lovely person, genuine and kind, taking care of her elderly (and a bit nutty) Gran and a homeless guy that she has befriended. She's an excellent best friend to Isla and a somewhat half-hearted girlfriend to Ryan. From the moment I sat down with this book I loved her character and was so keen to see what would happen to her.
When Dodie and Isla unpack an auction lot of vintage items that arrives at the store Dodie tries on a beauitful green woolen coat and happens to put her hands in the pocket. A giveaway crinkle draws out an old love letter. Dodie can't forget the words on the page and she becomes determined to try and put together the pieces of Margaret and George's story. Her search brings her to meet Ed, and, despite her boyfriend, she becomes drawn to the man who is also interested in her letter and her search.
The two strands of the story become firmly entwined and the echoes down the years of lost love are pivotal to the story, just as much as Dodie's modern day life. The wartime romance permeates the book and adds a complexity to the story. It's not a simple romance however. Dodie's relationships with the two main women in her life (Gran and Isla) are very important to her and this comes across in Tilly Tennant's writing. I thoroughly enjoyed how they were written. I'd love to have had Dodie's anxiety and depression developed a little more, it's mentioned as the reason for her dropping out of university but I would like to have seen more of an impact from her recovery from this, and read more about what she actually went through.
This was a lovely read. It moved me emotionally, made me laugh and was a compelling read. Christmas pervades the novel and I could almost smell the mulled wine at times. There are many worse ways to spend a cozy afternoon this festive season and I'm really looking forward to Isla's story.

Dodie owns a vintage clothing store and, while trying on an old coat, she finds a circa WWII love letter in the pocket. This sets in motion a sweet love story and a mystery all in one and tied up with a pretty Christmas bow!

A very heart-warming and delightful Christmas story. A loving war-time letter from George to Margaret leads to an emotional reunion and romance in the present. In addition, the story features a good for nothing boyfriend, a quirky Gran, and a reminder that there are those among us that are less fortunate.

What a simply delightful story, which surprised and pleased me in equal measure. It certainly is a book that encompasses the spirit of good will that is generally around in December, without being overtly Christmassy.

By which I mean, although its set in December, and Christmas does feature, its not the main focus. The focal point of the book is the letter that is found in a woolen coat that Dodie finds, while sorting out a new order of vintage clothes for her little shop.

She can't help but read it and is struck, as I am by just how romantic a story it tells, and Dodie becomes determined to reunite this letter with the family of either of the people involved. Only a few small things, she knows the address from 1944, only first names and the first letter of the lady's surname. Not an easy task!

Early in her search she meets Edward who against his better judgement ends up not only helping Dodie, but seems to keep bumping into her about town. Yet Dodie has a boyfriend, Ryan, although even early on I wasn't too convinced by their relationship.

There are three other characters of note for various reasons. Dodie's gran - every single time she was featured I was laughing, she is the sort of gran who continually has different classes on, seems to know everyone and yet feels slightly dotty at the same time!

Isla is Dodie's best friend, and is going through some big things herself. which I won't mention, as I am looking forward to getting to know her properly in Tilly Tennant's second Christmas book for this year.

Nick is the last character who is definitely worth mentioning, he pops up from time to time, but due to his situation, he gives a bit more of a serious / real tone to the book, reminding you that its not just Christmas decorations and presents at this time of year, but for others Christmas is a whole different ballgame.

A Very Vintage Wedding is such a wonderful book, that had me smiling, laughing at times, but also almost had me feeling emotional too. It has a great premise, and with Tilly Tennant special kind of writing magic you have a charming book, and I can't wait for A Cosy Candlelit Christmas.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

In this story we follow Dodie, who lives in Bournemouth and works at a vintage store. One day she finds a love letter in one of the coats and finds to find it’s true owner.

She reads the letter and finds out when it was written, who wrote it and who it was for. There is also an address on it and Dodie goes there to find out more.

All she finds is moody Edward, who is not helping at all at first. However, he comes round and wants to help. Obviously that also means that these two get to spend a lot of time together. In my opinion there were sparks flying between them from the start and Tilly Tennant captured them beautifully. I think the two of them make a great team and by getting to know each other closer, they also develop feelings. Of course the are not aware of them at first and some misunderstandings and drama put some stones in the way too. Dodie has a boyfriend after all and Ed’s past plays a role as well.

Towards the end we find out, why Ed was hesitant and this adds a lot of tension and more excitement.

I really adored this storyline, because it included friendship, family, love, Christmas and a little mystery. The Christmas vibes are wonderfully portrayed and together with the story they create a magnificent atmosphere.

This was my first Christmas book of the season and it’s a fabulous start. It made me fall in love with Tilly Tennant’s and I’m really excited for Christmas already.

The storyline had me smiling throughout, gave me a warm feeling and the writing adds so many sparks. The description of Bournemouth, the different places and the setting in general is on point. I felt like being there with the characters. It’s not your typical women’s fiction book and I totally mean that in a positive way. There are so many themes covered in this story and I enjoyed every second of it.