The Gingerbread Christmas Village by Kiley Dunbar is a wonderful and festive contemporary fiction that I truly enjoyed.

I have enjoyed Ms, Dunbar’s books in the past, so of course I wanted to read this gem. (And I have to mention that I love, love, love gingerbread…like big time.)

I loved the concepts of friends, community, hope, promise, love, kindness, and evoking the spirit of what the Christmas season can bring. It was so nice to read something uplifting and positive. It was also very awesome to be able to follow along with a MC in her 60s, Margi. She was relatable, likable, and realistic, adorable, imperfect, and oh so funny and…did I say awesome already? One couldn’t help but be a fan in her corner. As a female reader nearing 40, it is hard to find books where the MC is the rightful star of the show that is middle-aged. I loved this.

I loved the whole cast of characters in the little village of Wheaton in the Cotswolds. Sure it is picturesque and quaint, but the author holds no punches in that it is just like any small town, and you are what you make of it. I loved the inhabitants and the transformations that overtake this village physically and also within each person. I loved Patrick, Izz, Lucy, Fern, Shell, Sully, Leo…and I can go on and on. Yes, this is a Christmas book, but I think it can easily be enjoyed at any time of the year.

The ending was perfect, and I would love to see another book to follow. I really feel these characters have more in them and more to say…it would be very exciting.

I finished the book feeling warm, cheery, hopeful, and smiling.

Another home run from Ms. Dunbar.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Hera Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/31/23.

This was such a great warm cozy read. I loved how it focused on a older protagonist which unfortunately you don't see to much of anymore.Without giving to much away it had a beautiful storyline, great cast of characters, and beautiful scenery. I loved every moment and I know our readers will too! Kiley's books are such a treat! Looking forward to her next title!

A wonderful, feel-good book that I very much enjoyed reading while having tropical temperatures here in the NL.

It took me a bit to warm to this story, but with when Lucy (who is able to read Margi as a children's picture book) enters the story things take off with a different speed.
Indeed, aging women (dye the hair, don't dye the hair) and even those who are not yet considered middle age are burdened with other do's and don'ts about their appearances (Drop a Dress Size for Christmas)...
Just do as you please and don't let others dictate how to behave (be noisily or even mischievously) or how to look (frog green nail polish, anyone? Makes my day!).

Often I make a point of inclusion or diversity when it lacks in a book I read, but in this case I was happily surprised by the variety (for want of a better word) of people being part of the community of this small town. Without all of this being emphasized as a theme of the book. Instead, simply them being there.

I'm hoping The Gingerbread Christmas Village to be the first in a series. For that, all we need is a character being a chronic or disabled :)

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

A lovely read . A little slow to get going but got better and better.. A lovely story of tradition and pulling together as a community. I loved the difference in generations over dating and crowd funding . Made me laugh. The way peoples attitudes changed especially the headmaster Leo was great. Nice setting in the Cotswolds. I love the gingerbread measurements. Read it.

4.5 stars

Kiley Dunbar is an auto-buy author for me so imagine my delight to get my hands on an early copy of her latest book!

I went into this story blind and was DELIGHTED that it feature an older heroine! How refreshing that Margi, in her mid-60s, isn't relegated to be a supporting character but is the leading lady of this story. And a vibrant leading lady at that -- she may have misplaced her spark when we first meet her but she gets it back. Not a spoiler as it's a HEA type of book.

Lovely Christmassy book that's definitely a feel-good read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hera Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Hera Books.