A Christmas and what it’s really about…

Synopsis

Two old friends. One snowy village. A Christmas they’ll never forget.

Ivy thought she had Christmas all wrapped up: a peaceful December in her cosy Devon cottage, just her bouncy rescue pup and kind-hearted neighbour Fred for company.

But when a stranger appears on her doorstep asking for shelter, Ivy makes a split-second decision that turns her plans upside down – and sets the whole village of Brambleton buzzing. Who is he? What is he running from? Why does Ivy feel such a powerful urge to help him?

As the snow begins to fall, and secrets start to thaw, Ivy and Fred team up to help their newfound neighbour. Soon Ivy realises that the magic of Christmas has sparked more than just opening her door to a stranger – it has given her the courage to open her heart to love.

Join Ivy in this feel-good festive escape about community, kindness, and discovering that it’s never too late to get your happy ending.

My review

Ivy has always done good, and now as a retired vicar, she enjoys the peaceful setup to Christmas, with her rescue but very active pup and he r friend and neighbour Fred. However, even in a little village like Brambleton there is always something to gossip and complain about, and Ivy is not only used to it, but she also tries to stay out of all the drama, but always keeping her heart and passion for her home. Her heart, which is always telling to never look away from someone in need. Always, even when there is a complete stranger standing on her doorstep, asking for shelter. Ivy is intrigued and wants to know more about this man who now is staying in her shed and doing the odd jobs for her. Even if not everyone is happy with the presumed arrival of strangers on a dinghy, Ivy and Fred join forces to help Omar out as much as they can. Because is helping people not what Christmas is all about? And the more Ivy is helping out, the more Ivy starts to learn to open up her heart, no matter how scary that may sound!

It is very often that when the theme of a story is Christmas, the focus is on romance, with yes of course, room and space for other things, but mainly on main characters and the road to their happily ever after.

But in this book, the focus is mainly on the real meaning of Christmas, what it truly means to show kindness, and be kind to others. Of course there is room for emotional growth too, but for me it felt like the author wants to make us understand again what Christmas is about and that doing good is always a good choice.

At the start of the book, it is clear that many years ago, Ivy went through a serious heartbreak, and that caused her to guard her heart for further disappointment. We don’t learn immediately what has happened to her. But I liked it treading how even that heartbreak didn’t cause Ivy to give up on her beliefs, and didn’t become bitter around others.

Now, I have to admit, while I also always try to be the helping hand, I don’t know if I could or would go so far as Ivy does. If there would be a stranger at my door, I would close that door as soon as possible. I would be terrified and perhaps I have read too many thrillers, but I would definitely go for the worst – case – scenario.

However, her actions in this situation, shows that she truly acts upon her beliefs. Of course she is not that gullible person, as she is still wary of who Omar truly is. But she just cannot leave Omar out there, on his own…

Not only her actions warmed my heart, but also Fred’s. He is Ivy’s best friend, and he for sure is sceptic with Omar’s stay. But he also manages to see beyond what’s on the surface, and he also takes Omar’s story and fate to heart.

It is not easy to be in a corner on your own, as Ivy and Fred do, against several people of Brambleton. While it is wrong to judge Omar in this case, I could in a way also understand these people. 

Because aren’t we all a bit scared of the new? And haven’t we all heard nasty stories? But it is so important to not judge people as all the same, because nobody is the same. And it doesn’t matter where you come from, what your religion is, or what you skin colour is, everyone deserves to be respected.

Omar’s arrival is also the start of an emotional rollercoaster – journey for Ivy. Her heart has been closed off for so long, that it is difficult for her to understand what her feelings truly are. Especially towards, well, you can take a guess, right? 😊

When I say it’s a journey, it is a real journey. Because just when she thinks she has it figured out, something happens, making her doubt everything and especially herself all over again. And that is also understandable, because if she would be wrong, it would jeopardize everything…

I found this truly a heartwarming story, showing not only the importance of kindness, but also the importance of acceptance, the importance of the truth, the importance of courage and the importance of love. All this is wrapped in a lovely Christmas story!