Loved the book! I enjoyed seeing Deimante,the lollipop lady, make an appearance in the book. I loved Madge’s story and learning all the secrets she kept hidden for so long. She was definitely one of my favorite parts. I found Charlie hard to like, especially in the beginning. After learning the truth about Dominic, I would have thought Charlie would never want to see him again. Having all her belongings put into garbage bags wasn’t enough humiliation, she had to keep calling, texting and emailing him. I kind of liked her at the end, until Dominic shows up. Her reaction to him was crazy and if Daisy wasn’t there, I’m not sure what would have happened. I loved the story, characters and writing style. Daisy was very amusing, especially for the reason behind her getting fired as a flight attendant. Out of the whole book, the part I remember most is the badger scene. It was so funny and couldn’t believe they put it in their car. I was waiting for it to wake up and go crazy while Charlie and Daisy were driving. Then there was their dad’s reaction to finding a badger in the shed.

The book was a fun read. I loved reading about the characters. They were each a bit crazy. Kate kept her dad’s ashes in the utility with the stray cats and constantly talked to him. There are no words for Granny Vivienne and her acting.

I definitely recommend the book. I can’t wait to read more books by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Aria and the author, Julie Houston, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

Talk about having a bad day! Charlie is on her way home only to find out that her boss/boyfriend is still in fact married and gets blindsided by his wife who locks out of her/their apartment and sees that she is fired from the job she loved and was expecting a promotion at. With a few garbage bags with her things little tossed in she has nowhere to go so with little choice, she heads home to her family in the home she grew up in a few hours away.
I had a hard time getting into this as first. I did not like Charlie much. I could not understand how an intelligent, astute woman can spend so much time with someone, both professionally and in a personal relationship and be clueless that he is still currently married. Not a hint, a clue? That she could be so condescending to those around her is a defense mechanism, but still rude and unlikable. Then again it just the beginning so I went with it because I wanted better for her. I wanted her to get out of her own way, be able to see who and what is real and be proud of herself.
Then there is Madge. She is one very interesting woman and I am so very glad I got to know her. Her life and love story were both breathtaking and heartbreaking. Everyone should make sure they learn of their parents, grandparents and if lucky enough great-grandparents history. It is so important, and surprisingly they are all real whole people with whole lives other than being our elders. Don’t wait until it is too late.
Finally getting learning all about their family history, each other and themselves helps to close out a lovely, funny, sweet and enjoyable read.

This was my first book by this author, It will surely not be my last!!

Thank you to Net Galley and Aria for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Julie Houston has written a heart-warming family story that had me laughing out loud so many times. It was a thrill to meet Charlie Maddison, an architect who returns to her childhood roots in Westenbury after finding out that her boyfriend is a married father of three. Charlie's sister Daisy is home as well, a landscape gardener who is looking to make a name for herself and be near her family.

Their 94 year-old-great-grandmother Madge is in a care facility and it's there that she tells the girls that she has owned an abandoned property, Holly Close Farm for over sixty years. She agrees to sell it to some distant family members if Charlie and Daisy oversee the renovations. She also tells the girls that she's giving them a cottage on the same property.

Over the Christmas holidays, the sisters start to uncover the history of their family, how Madge came to own the farm and the heart-break that their great-grandmother refused to speak of until now. It all goes back to the Second World War, a lovely romance with a handsome pilot, the jealousy of a man who didn't understand that Madge was not interested in marrying him, how Madge learned that she was betrayed by the man professing to love her.

Along the way Charlie learns to open her heart to love again and Madge shares her story with the family as they all learn that true love never dies.

There is also a fascinating character who just happens to be a badger and bring so much lightness and fun to the book. Lots of out-loud laughter. Can't wait to read more from Ms. Houston and soon!

Charlie (Charlotte) loved her life in London, working as an architect and project manager, her loving boyfriend, posh flat and the brash, flash and glamor of the city – until she didn’t. The firm she worked for was owned by her boyfriend’s wife and father-in-law, the apartment was not his, the money she’d spent to go ‘half in’ on the rent was used for her boyfriend’s kids treats and the five bin bags are all packed outside the door. Having pushed off her friends for her relationship and work, her only opportunity is to return to her parents’ home in Yorkshire, where she discovers her paternal grandmother diva-ing it up while her flat is under renovation, her younger sister back home after being sacked from her ‘air hostess’ job, her mother more interested in her own pottery creations and her veterinarian father in and out only to return with odd smells clinging and a general air of ‘absentmindedness’ about him. She’s got no interest in being home -planning a week to settle and find a new position and flat in London, certain that her ex will call with huge plans of reconciliation and requiring her back immediately.

But no one figured on her maternal great-grandmother Madge, and a huge secret that she had to share that also involved a small abandoned farm, a wartime romance, a chance for both Charlie and her sister Daisy to take first steps into their own careers – Charlie to project manage and design the renovations of the newly-sold farm an a cottage expansion left to her and her sister – as Daisy managed the landscape design. Of course with the house comes the story of how it came to be, with a few faded photographs behind a locked wardrobe drawer at Madge’s cottage, the secrets are coming to light, slowly, as Madge shares her history, her wartime work and the tales of her life, including the death of her husband Arthur. In between all of this, we have Daisy finding a new romance in one of the builders, a quick fling for Charlie with a boy she crushed on in lower sixth form and the subsequent unmasking of his ‘wild parties’, a comatose badger and a man who keeps popping up and looking positively yummy.

Oh this was a fun one, from insets of moments that are positively hilarious to the rather more sobering choices (or lack of them) offered to Madge as a young woman, the tragedy of Arthur and the story of James, and how all of the pieces came together, not always neatly, to tell the tale. From the outrageous grandmohers (Vivienne the ‘artiste’ and Nancy the ‘snob’) to the utter inability for any of these women to actually MAKE a meal (and referring to sprouts as soggy green bastards!), not to mention their long suffering father and his realization that they had stuffed a comatose badger with two broken legs into his shed, the story doesn’t get mired in the ‘tragic’ moments, or even allow anyone to actually wallow in sadness – with hysterically funny moments of utter outrageous behavior, unadulterated love and a penchant for show tunes to illustrate a moment.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-ahZ/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Two romances for the price of one! It took me at least until I was a quarter of the way in to get into this book as I struggled to remember which character was which but by the end my heart was full of hope!

Charlie goes home to family following a disastrous break-up which also leads to her losing her job as an architect, only to find she is able to renovate an old family property belonging to her great-grandmother (Madge).

As Charlie sets about drawing up plans for Holly Close Farm, she and her sister Daisy spend time with Madge who reminisces about her past. The story flits between present and past with both Charlie and Madge's stories which lead to a stunning ending - Madge's wartime story in particular was a real heart wrencher but at the same time just beautiful. Whilst I ultimately found it a sad story I did think the author gave a sense of hope and it was a very fitting ending.

I didn't feel a real connection to Charlie but I enjoyed reading about how her character grew throughout the story, initially she just wanted to be back with her ex and I hoped she'd pull through and find love elsewhere.

Overall I would recommend this, a very nostalgic and enjoyable read that had me laughing too in places which I wasn't expecting!

My many thanks to Aria and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes facts can grab you - an anekdote, a story, something that happened long ago. Apparently, when that happens to Julie Houston, she turns it into a book. And, well... Now Coming Home to Holly Close Farm has grabbed me.

The story
Charlie Maddison loves being an architect in London, but when she finds out her boyfriend, Dominic is actually married, she runs back to the beautiful countryside of Westenbury and her parents. Charlie's sister Daisy, a landscape gardener, is also back home in desperate need of company and some fun.

Their great-grandmother, Madge – now in her early nineties – reveals she has a house, Holly Close Farm, mysteriously abandoned over sixty years ago, and persuades the girls to project manage its renovation.

As work gets underway, the sisters start uncovering their family's history, and the dark secrets that are hidden at the Farm. A heart-breaking tale of wartime romance, jealousy and betrayal slowly emerges, but with a moral at its end: true love can withstand any obstacle, and, before long, Charlie dares to believe in love again too...

The opinion
This book actually tells two stories. The first, that of Charlie and Daisy, both thwarted by love, back home with their parents, and not necessarily too happy about it. Let's be real - once you've moved out, I don't know too many people that would be happy to move back in. Or too many parents that would want to give up their re-found freedom, honestly.

There's a second layer to Coming Home to Holly Close Farm, though, and that's the part that really brings the entire thing to live. As the sisters start to built both their great-grandmother's house and their lives back up, they also discover the story of exactly who Madge, their great-grandmother is.

Something I pay specific attention to when reading any book that focuses on family, is to what extent the author manages to make these relations feel real. Not just bickering, but the love, the stupid jokes, the long-standing annoyances... It's the combination of all those things that, for me, makes a semi-well-functioning family. And, as I also said about Julie Houston's A Village Affair, she manages to get that just right.

Another thing I'm learning Houston does incredibly well, is the opening to her books. I mean, you know... Charlie tries to go home, to find out her boyfriend's apartment has had the locks changed. By his wife. Whom she didn't know existed. Oh, and who owns the apartment. And the company Charlie's working for. Talk about having a bad day, right?

My favourite thing about this book probably wasn't even the writing style - although that pulled me write into the story. It wasn't the descriptions of the beautiful Holly Close Farm either, although I definitely would go visit there. It wasn't even the full range of characters, their development throughout the story or the way so much thought was clearly put into the parallels between Charlie's and Madge's story line.

No, probably my favourite thing from Coming Home to Holly Close Farm? The ending. Because it felt so right for the story, so respectful towards my two favourite characters... Honestly, just for that ending - I'd advise you to read the entire thing ;)

The rating: 5/5
I absolutely loved this book. It's more of a serious read than I was expecting from the description, but in the most positive way. The characters were well developed, there were definitely a couple of twists and turns I did not see coming... And by the end? Well, let's just say I had a bit of dust in my eyes...

-Saar

This is such a warm story with a beautiful love story from the past making the reader go through the stages of love themselves. I loved my first time reading this author.

While I enjoyed most of the book, the central character 'Charlie' was a little off=putting. It took too long for her to realize that an affair with a married man is a dead end street. Just wrong. The back story of her great-grandmother and her war-time romance was the best part of this book!.

Coming Home to Holly Close Farm, Julie Houston

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: general fiction (adult), women's fiction

Once more, women's fiction. Why, why alienate men? They read books like this too.

Anyway, I've loved all Julie's past stories, but this one wasn't a great fit for me. It could well be living circumstances, I'm between homes, living in my daughter's conservatory so getting “lost” in a book hasn't been easy. I may reread this at a later day and feel very differently.
Its full of the usual realistic characters and events, and peppered with Julie's trademark subtle humour. I'm always nervous when a book promises to make me “laugh out loud” as too often I fond that really means the forced, very unfunny humour I hate. Julie's style isn't that, is much more soft and clever humour, not pushed-in-your-face stuff .
So, the story, its kind of in two parts, and I found I loved Madge and her backstory more than I enjoyed the current time romance. Madge had such a tragic past, I loved her stoic, never give in mindset, but found it hard to believe no-one knew about Holly Close Farm, how a property so valuable would have no evidence that family would have picked up on linking her to it. No bills from the council? No demands for utilities etc? It's possible but a bit hard to believe given that now I seem to get bills from the council in numerous duplicates constantly! Her daughter Nancy was a bit weird, and I couldn't see her missing out on any stray info that would lead to reward for her.
I wanted to like Charlie, felt so much for her over Dominic, sadly things like that happen, and people can be horribly plausible about absences. I just found it hard to really feel for her after that, she's a little too me, me , me for my taste. Like I said, maybe its my mindset, and I'll feel differently at a later date.

Stars: Three, a good story, great characters, but fell a bit short for me of Julie's others five star reads.

Arc via Netgalley

Julie Houston has done it again.

Charlie Maddison is newly single, fired, evicted, and headed back to Westenbury to live with her parents. While she pines for the life she had in London, her great-grandmother, Madge, entices her with the revelation of Holly Close Farm, a secret home she’s left abandoned for over sixty years. Soon, Charlie’s using her architecture experience to project manage its renovation with her sister, Daisy. However, as the house takes shape, Madge reveals secrets of a wartime romance that rock their family.

Houston is a master of the explosive opening. In the first scene, Charlie is attempting to enter her apartment only to discover her key no longer works. What follows is a brilliant confrontation between Charlie and her boyfriend’s wife— someone she had no knowledge of. It’s shocking, uncomfortable, and sets Charlie off as a confident, if overwhelmed, character. At this point, she’s hit bottom and is intensely vulnerable, but it ultimately makes her a character whose growth the reader can truly champion.

But she doesn’t get all the attention. Madge has been keeping some large secrets for a long time, and the story dips frequently into her point of view when discussing the past. It’s effective, with Houston weaving an expert story of war and love effortlessly with the present-day. It helps that she takes no issue with making her characters go through hell. Madge and her true love, James, deal with social class issues, scandal, deception, and murder— not to mention the war. With a lesser writer, this might feel melodramatic, but Houston has a remarkable ability to ground her characters in reality, even at the most dramatic of times. The payoff is extraordinary. Rarely has a last chapter felt so satisfying.

Of course, for anyone who has ever read a Houston book before, it should be noted that her wonderful style of humor is still on display. A reindeer costume, a theatrically trained grandmother, and a stunned badger all make appearances. Perhaps because of the high stakes found in most of the book, these jokes and clever asides are particularly effective. They cut tension and always serve to further the relationships between the characters. The funniest bits, mostly taking place around a kitchen table, do some of the best work establishing this as a real family piece.

At its base, Coming Home to Holly Close Farm is a story of romance, family, and second chances. In all respects, it works. The throughlines of Charlie and Madge buck and flow, creating dual beautifully heartwarming stories.

I liked this story and I liked reading this heartwarming and good book.
It was heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time, some parts funny and some parts emotional.
i liked the style of writing and I liked the cast of characters.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Aria and Netgalley for this ARC

An excellent book. I was pulled immediately into the plot and couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Excellent book! Loved the characters and it was a great storyline. I would highly recommend this book.

Wow! What a great book. The historical ramifications and story of love translated across all generations was amazing.

This book has me torn in two, I loved it, and I didn’t. The story is told from Charlie’s POV as well as her great grandmother Madges POV. It tells the story of Charlie, forced to move back home after finding out her boyfriend, and boss, is married with children, is given the opportunity to project manage the renovation of her Great grandmother’s old house, which has been kept secret for 60 years. There is a tragic love story from the past, which we learn from Madge, which was heartbreakingly beautifully written and I loved reading about what happened all those years ago. What I didn’t enjoy was Charlie, she is not a nice person, the way she speaks to her sister, talking down to her, despite the fact SHE was the one who was sleeping with a married man. She came across as being so full of herself and was hard to like.

If I could rate the book by splitting up the two stories....Madge’s story would get 5 stars....Charlie’s 2