Member Reviews

Helen Rolfe will charm and enchant her readers with her magical new novel, Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern.

The Copper Plough is more than just a pub for the community of Heritage Cove. It is the beating heart of the village and never more so than at Christmas time with the tree glowing in the alcove and the delightful smell of mulled wine lingering in the air. However, it looks like things are about to change when the pub is sold and the new owners make it clear that they have no interest in maintaining local traditions – much to the community’s chagrin!

Local bakery owner Celeste fully intends to keep an open mind – until she realises that one of the owners is somebody from her past she had rather hoped never to see ever again. Celeste and former navy sailor Quinn had had a short but very powerful fling that neither one of them had ever forgotten – or got over. Fate has brought the two of them together again. But are they ready to take a chance on their feelings for one another? Or are they just going to let bygones be bygones?

Can the old and the new learn to exist peacefully side by side at Heritage Cove? Will Celeste and Quinn find their way back to each other? Or will this be a miserable Christmas for the entire village?

Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern is a gorgeous festive treat that will put you in the Yuletide spirit whether you read it on a beach with a fruity cocktail or curled up by a roaring fire with a huge mug of cocoa. Hopeful, heartwarming and wonderfully romantic, this spellbinding tale of second chances, renewal and love is sure to make you laugh and cry.

A perfect wintertime escape, Helen Rolfe is sure to brighten everyone’s holiday season with her latest novel, Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern.

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Helen is such a great talent, i have read and or listened to all of her books. The character development and emotions are wonderfully put together. Highly recommended.

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Fun holiday romance in a charming small town. Sweet story, didn't totally grab me, but I enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC!

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Celeste, an independent businesswoman, enjoys her life surrounded by family and friends in her close-knit community. A chance encounter with Quinn leads to a short-lived fling, leaving both content with their brief time together. However, when the local pub undergoes changes and a beloved community member falls ill, tensions rise. Quinn returns, hoping to reconnect with Celeste, but she keeps him at arm's length due to his troubled past and her own uncertainties. Despite facing bleak moments and emotional rollercoasters, the heartwarming bond between Celeste and Quinn, supported by their friends and community, shines through, offering hope and healing. The story beautifully portrays Quinn's struggles with PTSD and the power of love and support in overcoming obstacles.

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If you are looking for a Hallmark Christmas Movie with the perfect amount of holiday romance, here it is!!! Quick read with a lot of small town Christmas magic.

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Favorite Quote:

Family comes in all shapes and sizes. And maybe this is the shape of ours. I can’t see anything else I want more.

My Review:

I enjoy this author’s work, her writing is entertaining and easy to slot myself into. I often felt as if I was sitting at a table while sipping a libation and watching it occur. The characters were realistically constructed and worth investing in and caring for. Each one was uniquely quirked and flawed, yet knowable and endearing. I look forward to returning to this series for more of the same.

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Now, I've got to be honest. Any book that starts out by featuring the phrase "stirred something in her" on the first page - I'm going to be a bit weary about. Especially if that's followed by, quite possibly, the most over-the-top meet-cute to ever be written.
(By over-the-top I'm not referring to big drama or huge coincidences, by the way - although pastries do get thrown around. It's more so that the set up of it all is quite ... Well, I guess you'll just have to read it to figure that out)
Luckily, that is quickly followed by a really entertaining read, one where you quickly fall for the variety of characters. And, in my case, one where you have to suppress the urge to go and buy the rest of this series. With just the right amount of 'but of course' and miscommunications that are actually fun to follow along, Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern makes for the perfect Christmas break read!

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This was a great, cozy Christmas romance book with a small town warm community feel. While this is the 6th book in the Heritage Cove series, it can be read as a stand alone, as I did. Rolfe has a great writing style that makes me want to read the other works in the series.

Helen Rolfe addresses some harder topics in very sensitive and creative ways. Topics such as not having children.

The main characters have so much growth to do but it is done very tastefully. Quinn wants to make his mark on the small town but not in a negative way. He has been to Heritage Cove before and was looking forward to coming back. Celeste is a kind soul and passionate baker. She has a lovely personality and great support having her sister and niece close by, while also being surrounded by friends and a close community.

Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a digital arc of this title in exchange for an honest review

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a easy book to follow of a village dedicated to its locals they open their arm to newcomers of the local pub who have stories to tell of there own a christmas story with a happy ending as always

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I loved this book. I loved the charming town and the realistic romance. I read this in one sitting it was such as great book! I can't wait to read the next in the series.
I just reviewed Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern by Helen Rolfe. #ChristmasNightsattheStarandLantern #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

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In this Christmas romance, we find that the previous owners of the pub that is now to be known as the Star and Lantern have sold the pub to a new pair who they think will fit in as well as they had. This new pair happens to be Quinn and his brother. Quinn has previously been to the town on a brief stint while on leave from the Navy. During that time, he had met Celeste, who had just started her bakery with her sister. Now that they are both in the same town and there indefinitely, will they be able to start a real romance, or was it just a quick fling all those years ago? This was an entertaining and festive romance centered around the holidays in this quaint town.

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I am really enjoying all the Christmas books and reads of late and this one didn't disappoint. A story of love, friendship and of course Christmas in a lovely village and at the heart of the town, the pub! Will fate bring two people back together during this Christmas season?

A lovely, cosy read set amongst a lovely village background and centring around the village pub. An easy and fun read, heart-warming with great characters and a lovely romance story to top it off. The descriptions of the village and the pub really took me there and I do like that in a book.

Fun, enjoyable and entertaining read that was warm and cosy and best of all Christmassy.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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In Heritage Cove The Copper Plough is a beloved pub and the hearth of the village. However things are about to change,, when new owners take over the pub and introduce changes. The whole town is very curious about the new owners and the plans for their beloved pub. But nobody will be more surprised than Celeste, the local bakery owner. One of the new landlords turns out to be Quinn, a former Navy sailor with whom she had shared a brief no string attached romance years ago.. As Christmas approaches, Heritage Cove must learn to embrace the newcomers, and Quinn and Celeste must find their way back to each other or find a way to be just friends.
Well this was an extreme slow burn. Don’t dive into this book expecting a romantic story. It is there, but more in the background. It’s not what drives this book. No this is a story about, trauma, community and friendship. The romance between the two main characters is a side storyline and doesn’t really engage the reader.
This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone without any problem. I had never visited Heritage Cove before, but I can’t wait to check out the other books in the series. Cause this story was full of community and friendship. A warm hug on a cold winters night!

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Book Review: Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The Copper Plough, a beloved pub at the heart of Heritage Cove, is cherished by the village residents, especially during Christmas. However, when new owners take over the pub and introduce changes, not everyone welcomes them with open arms. Celeste, the local bakery owner, is willing to give the newcomers a chance. To her surprise, one of the new landlords turns out to be Quinn, a former Navy sailor with whom she had shared a brief yet intense romance years ago. Despite their unexpected reunion, fate seems determined to keep them apart. As Christmas approaches, Heritage Cove must learn to embrace the newcomers, and Quinn and Celeste must find their way back to each other before snow falls over the village.

Firstly, it's impossible not to mention the adorable and festive cover of Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern. It perfectly captures the holiday spirit and sets the tone for a cozy read. With high hopes for this book, I delved into the story, but I have to admit that it didn't fully captivate me as I had anticipated.

That being said, there are certainly many positive aspects to appreciate. The small-town setting of Heritage Cove is described vividly, making it easy to envision the charming streets adorned with Christmas lights and the cozy warmth emanating from the Copper Plough. Rolfe's writing skillfully creates an atmosphere that invites readers to immerse themselves in this festive world.

The characters in Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern are likable and relatable. Celeste, as a bakery owner, exudes warmth and kindness, making her an endearing protagonist. The supporting characters add depth to the story and contribute to the sense of community in Heritage Cove. Rolfe has crafted a diverse cast that adds color and authenticity to the narrative.

However, despite these positive elements, I found myself not fully invested in the story. While it was sweet and cozy, I didn't experience the emotional connection I had hoped for. The romance between Celeste and Quinn felt somewhat predictable and lacked the depth needed to truly engage me as a reader. Additionally, certain plot points felt rushed or resolved too conveniently.

In conclusion, Christmas Nights at the Star and Lantern offers a charming tale of love, friendship, and embracing new beginnings during the festive season. The book delivers on its promise of a cozy read with a likable cast of characters and a picturesque setting. However, for readers seeking a more profound emotional connection or unexpected twists, this novel may not fully satisfy those desires. Despite my personal reservations, it's important to remember that reading experiences vary greatly, and what may not resonate with one reader could delight another.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

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A lovely Christmassy book.

The story is set in the pretty village of Heritage Cove. The pub in the village has been sold and there’s a lot of speculation about what will happen to it. Will it be changed completely?
Celeste owns the local bakery with her sister. When the new owners of the pub move in she’s surprised 1 of them is Quinn, a former navy sailor, who she had a holiday romance with a few years ago.
Will they pick up where they left off? Or will things be different now that Quinn is here to stay? Will the villagers accept the newcomers and any change that might happen?

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The Copper Plough, a cherished pub at the heart of Heritage Cove, undergoes changes with new owners arriving just in time for Christmas. While some residents are resistant to the alterations, local bakery owner Celeste is willing to keep an open mind. To her surprise, one of the new landlords is Quinn, a former Navy sailor with whom she shared a short but impactful romance years ago. Fate brings Quinn and Celeste back together, but life presents obstacles to their rekindled connection. The novel weaves a heartwarming tale of love, community, and the magic of Christmas in Heritage Cove, exploring whether the villagers can embrace the changes and if Quinn and Celeste can find their way back to each other amid the festive season.

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I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cozy, heartwarming Christmas book!

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I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. The cover is very cute.
A slow paced relaxing romance. Very light hearted and takes place during Christmas time. The characters were nice and I enjoyed the over all book. I have read a few books from this author and have enjoyed all of them.

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Aaah, what a lovely read, I really felt part of the village and the community. Light the fire, snuggle up and enjoy

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Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for this advance copy. This is book number 6 in the heritage cove series but can definitely be read as a standalone. I love this series so it was a pleasure to have been accepted to read this one and loved that we could catch up with a book fav Celeste!

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