If you have read earlier books in the series, you will recognise several characters and welcome being able to follow how their stories continue. Added to this, Poppy takes centre stage. She is a determined young woman who has returned to the village and set up a dress shop of pre-loved clothes. You realise from this that she is keen to merge sustainable issues with her life as a business woman. At first, business is struggling but somehow she keeps going, supported by her grandfather.

In contrast to Poppy’s more solitary life, Will proves to have a complicated home life. Family dynamics are complex and he has his work cut out trying to cope with his two teenage daughters. You sense that they have consumed his life since the breakup of his marriage and that he is struggling to find room for himself. Will has issues from his marriage, as well as from his working life as a well known footballer and manager, to come to terms with. Poppy has to work out whether she wants to be involved in his difficult life and whether heart or head will win. The community of Roseford emerges to help Poppy when disaster strikes and friendships are a great source of support. This makes for a feel good, escapist romantic read which fits perfectly into the series.

In short:follow your heart

I do love me some Christmas Romance stories and this is no exception. It's got warmth and togetherness. Feel good with the right mix of drama. Recommended.

As always with Fay’s stories this is delightful, and whilst a romantic read, also focuses on family, friendships, community and of course Christmas. There’s plenty of drama and emotion, the sensitive issues balanced so nicely along with humour and the lightheartedness too. Recommend the series.

Polly's holiday season takes a turn for the worse when the ceiling of her beloved preloved clothing shop collapses. Amidst the chaos, she meets Will Sutherland, the new owner of Parson’s Grange. Despite their rocky start, they find themselves drawn together as they navigate Christmas markets, a Yuletide Ball, and unexpected snowfalls. Polly's struggle to keep her boutique afloat resonates deeply, especially as she forms an unexpected bond with Will, who is dealing with his own challenges. Their developing romance, amidst family dynamics and holiday festivities, adds warmth and depth to the story. With its perfect blend of light and dark moments, this heartwarming tale captures the essence of Christmas and leaves readers feeling uplifted and hopeful. It's a series that promises many more delightful reads to come.

A lovely easy book to read keeps your interest all way through telling the life of a ex footballer and a young lady in a dress shop in a village telling the story of different classes of peoples life

Despite having a rather limited interest in football, I really enjoyed this cosy offering from Keenan. And I was totally there with the Gareth Southgate reference!

Even though this book is set at winter, I don’t think the writer makes it too festive. I quite liked this as I have read several Christmas books recently, so this was more of a winter romance story with the added bonus of returning to Roseford – a series I have really enjoyed.

Yet, these books can be read individually, although I liked the passing reference to characters from previous books. In this story, the focus is on Polly and her second hand clothes store – a great concept and one that is certainly on trend. Re-fashioning pre-loved clothes, Polly’s business is just about ticking along nicely… until the shop roof falls in on itself… on top of a customer.

This customer is none other than Will. Ex-footballer, a bit of a hunk and a new arrival to Roseford. As soon as I saw the writer’s dedication, I could not but imagine this character as a mirror image of Gareth Southgate. (Readers, check his picture out to see exactly what I mean.) He has an interesting backstory – inevitably football – but I don’t think Keenan presents this in a way that alienates non-footy fans – for this I was grateful. Will is struggling with the move to Roseford as not only has his new-build not been exactly popular with the locals, his daughters are in a spin from his recent divorce. Added to that, Will has some emotional baggage that he needs to confront and it is his connection with Polly that allows him to unburden at last.

Although there is an undeniable attraction between Polly and Will, fate seems to try and keep them apart. Supporting his elder daughters during a difficult time, Polly is aware of the need to tread carefully. Furthermore, the appearance of Will’s ex-wife reveals a different side to Will’s character that Polly is not sure if she wants to be a part of.

I liked seeing how Polly runs her business. Not everything is perfect for her and her business struggles made her character even more realistic. When she starts to receive more orders through her online shop, I felt the same satisfaction that Polly did, particularly after the disastrous opening scenes with the roof collapsing. Like the other Roseford books, it ends with Polly’s business on the up once more and I hope that should the writer return to this series, we see more of Polly in future.

A great read if you are after a sweet, uncomplicated story that will encourage you to snuggle beneath the blankets and enjoy a lovely romance between a footballer and retailer.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

yes yes yes YES a big YES for this wonderful winter chicklit book by Fay Keenan! I loved everything about this book. The winter and magic atmosphere, the main characters, the story in itself, the romance even though love is not always easy when you have a family to think about. This book is really good, it desevers its 4 stars I am giving and even a little more than 4 stars! 4 stars and a half! If you are looking for a cozy winter / christmas chicklit book, I am sure you will love this one!

This is book four in this wonderful series and what a great read it is. A 5 star book and one to be read and enjoyed.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

A big thank you to Rachel Gilbey and the publisher for issuing me with my review copy of the book and for inviting me to take part on the blog tour. This review is my own and hasn’t been influenced in any way.

I haven’t actually read a Fay Keenan book before and I’m not sure why as they have absolutely everything I look for in a book! Roseford Village sounds like the perfect village setting which I am particularly fond of along with a lovely variety of characters with intertwined stories that work wonderfully together.

Although this is a series, each book focuses on a different character within the village (so I have some catching up to do!) and in this story we focus on Polly who owns Polly’s Preloved clothes shop and to say things aren’t going well is an understatement. Her business is doing okay but unfortunately we can’t say the same for her roof! With buckets dotted around her shop, we know it is only a matter of time before something bad happens and unfortunately it does when the roof collapse and lands on newcomer, Will, a new addition to the village who has moved into the newly built mansion Parson’s Grange with his 2 daughters.

Despite Polly and Will getting off to a slightly damp start, it is lovely to follow them as they slowly become friends. Will is still dealing with the absence of this wife who recently left him for another man after they had moved into the village so he is in definite need of friendship despite the frostiness of his eldest daughter towards Polly.

I love this wonderfully written slow burner and read over a few days as I wanted to cling onto Roseford Village for a while longer. Luckily I have the other books in the series to catch up on!

I have read a fair few books by this author and really enjoyed it.

This was a lovely addition. Poor polly has a terrible day when her poor crumbling roof of her second hand clothes shop falls on top of a new resident to town who also happens to be an ex England football manager.

She feels terrible but luckily he speaks to her and all is sorted they become very close after the break up of his marriage a few years before and one of his daughters tries to push them together. Would that be such a bad thing.

Gradually they do come together can they live happily ever after.

As always with Fay’s stories this is delightful, and whilst a romantic read, also focuses on family, friendships, community and of course Christmas. There’s plenty of drama and emotion, the sensitive issues balanced so nicely along with humour and lightheartedness too.

I adored Polly and Will’s story in Winter Wishes at Roseford Reloved, the chemistry between them both was there to see (to read) from the very beginning and to watch them become friends and see their relationship develop is always my favourite part of reading romantic stories.

This is very much a feel good read, full of hope, romance and so very uplifting. I thoroughly recommend this and the previous books, as I can confirm this is a series that I’m very much excited whenever there’s a new book out and I’m hoping for more to come.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Winter Wishes at Roseford Reloved by Fay Keenan

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When the ceiling of preloved clothing shop Roseford Reloved falls in at the height of Christmas season, owner Polly Parrott is in despair. She can see her fortunes draining away as quickly as the water is pouring through her roof. What makes it worse is that standing right underneath the deluge is Will Sutherland, sporting hero and new owner of Parson’s Grange, the new modern mansion in Roseford. Polly and Will’s first meeting is about as far from a success as it can be, but over a festive season of Christmas markets, a Yuletide Ball and inconvenient snowfalls, can they forge a friendship or even more, despite their unpromising beginning? Or will the complications in both of their lives end their romance before it even begins? 

My Opinion

This book is part of a series but could easily be read as a standalone. For me I thought that this was a feel-good book with a lot going on. Whilst it was lovely being back in Roseford with some familiar characters, it was great to meet some new characters in this lovely, festive read.

Keenan has added another great book to this series. When I see that there is an upcoming addition to this series there is no hesitation, I know that I have to read it.

Rating 4/5

I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

Roseford Village sounds like such a beautiful, picturesque place and through the authors wonderful style of writing, i honestly felt as though i was there, experiencing all of the Wintery goodness!

This was such an easy book to read and i soon became engrossed in the story. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened in the story and so i read it in a couple of settings!!

Polly was such a wonderful character and i really enjoyed becoming immersed in her story.

Winter Wishes At Roseford Reloved was such a wonderful, Christmassy, heartwarming, festive, romantic story and i really enjoyed every single delicious second of it………….

A sporting hero and new local, too,
Will has already upset quite a few -
His new mansion plans and construction
Especially causing local ructions!

What an inauspicious start
When Polly's shop ceiling falls apart!
Pouring water and plaster over Will
Thank goodness looks don't kill!

As a first encounter it really was bad
As the state it left him in made him mad.
However will Christmas celebrations and more
Give them a fresh chance romance to explore?

Whilst it is great to catch up on characters who
I first met in other books in this set, too,
I believe this will work as a standalone read
Though probably then the previous books you'll need!

A story with family dilemmas, romance and surprises, too,
That I highly recommend to you!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you -
As I share with you my honest review.

I love Roseford, it's such an absolute delight to visit, the people see so friendly and I love the sense of community spirit.

Were you rooting for Polly and Will throughout? I was, they were made for each other and the chemistry between them was so obvious to everyone else...apart from them! It was great to catch up with some of the characters from previous books too - it's always nice to know they're doing well.

Roseford Reloved is a heartwarming festive read, full of Christmas spirit, hope, family and friendships.

Fay Keenan is a brilliant writer.

Fay brings Roseford Village and the characters that live there to life. You can easily imagine what it's like to be part of the community and feel involved with everyone who lives there.

A really lovely story, with a bit of glamour thrown in by a new ex Footballer who has moved to the village and is divorced, a father and very handsome!

Absolutely loved this book

Polly Parrott faces a holiday disaster when the ceiling of her preloved clothing shop collapses during the Christmas season. As her fortunes seem to crumble along with the building, she discovers Will Sutherland, the new owner of Parson’s Grange, standing amidst the chaos. Their initial meeting is far from ideal, but as they navigate Christmas markets, a Yuletide Ball, and unexpected snowfalls, the two find themselves drawn together. The novel weaves a festive tale of friendship and potential romance, exploring whether Polly and Will can overcome the complications in their lives and turn their unpromising start into a lasting connection amid the holiday cheer of Roseford.

From the very beginning of this lovely book, I really took poor Polly to my heart – her boutique selling re-loved dresses is barely ticking over, surviving only through additional on-line sales, and the current problem with the roof might just be the end of her dream. And when the leak soaks Will, a celebrity who’s just moved to the area – a former football manager, living in the modern mansion that’s just a bit out of place in the traditional village of Roseford – it looks as if she might just be facing a court case too.

But one of his two daughters, Maeve, convinces him that he’s rather over-reacted – although the other, Harriet, remains distinctly hostile, even as an unexpected friendship begins to develop between Will and Polly. And Will certainly has more than his share of life’s baggage, searching for purpose after the premature end of his career, but made lighter by the sunshine Polly brings into his life – there’s a really strong chemistry between them (once his initial grumpiness passes – but he does have a lot on his plate…!) and their developing romance was one I entirely believed in.

There’s a nice focus on family – Harriet’s continuing bad behaviour, post-divorce complications – and on friendship too as much-loved characters from the earlier books make welcome cameo appearances. And it’s almost Christmas – and that’s the season Roseford was made for, with all the festive occasions and snowfall and emotional touches that you could possibly hope for. There’s a perfect balance between light and dark too – a few serious issues sensitively handled, but plenty to make you smile.

Heartwarming, hopeful, uplifting, romantic – and just a thoroughly lovely read. This is a series I’m very much enjoying – and I hope there will be many more books to come.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

A return to Roseford and this time to a preloved boutique. On the whole an enjoyable read, however, not my favourite of Fay Keenan's.

A return to Roseford, this time to Polly's Preloved clothes shop, which, although becoming successful, is in a building that could do with some repairs. Torrential rain leads to a roof disaster and an inauspicious meeting with Will, former professional football and now coach. Despite the disastrous meeting, there is a positive connection between the two but many conflicts to their romance. I love the Roseford community, the gentle romance and the realistic conflicts in Polly and Will's relationship.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.