Great follow up and an enjoyable read. Nice to reconnect with the characters and spend the Christmas period with them. A good follow up from the last instalment. Recommended.

The perfect book to escape in and enjoy some festive cheer. It's fun and full of light hearted Christmas sparkling lights and more dramatic change for the family.

what a lovely story. enjoyed finding all about the inn and all the different characters. Will have to search for some more Kate Hewitt books.

Great festive season rom com for Christmas time. The characters were very loveable and the storyline was amazing

I loved the first book in this series and loved reading this, the second book in the series just as much. Christmas at Bluebell Cottage is just perfect and cosy. Or is it? Ellie has settled in to the life she and her family has built here at Bluebell Cottage but is that all about to change with the news of financial problems looming?

I love this series and find that I can immerse myself into the story of Ellie and her family. As always the books are so well written and so easy to read but have the substance I want from a good book. And the ending was a bit of a twist I didn't see coming. Also the book actually covers and deals with all the problems a family can and does have which makes it so real.

I really enjoyed this continuation of the first book and hope to see what happens in the next book.

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

I enjoyed this family story. This isn't my first book by Kate Hewitt, and will not be the last. She never disappoints. This book is well written.

Going in to this I did not realize that it's actually the second book in a series, and I had not read the first book. While I don't think that you *have* to read book one first, I do recommend it.

That being said, this was a cozy read. Not groundbreaking by any means but just a heartwarming holiday book. It did feel slow here and there and I wasn't too much of a fan of the ending, but overall I had a good time with it.

Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane is a heart-warming holiday novel filled with Christmas cheer, relationship woes and multiple family dynamics. I very much enjoyed reading this book. The characters and plot were engaging and I kept wanting to know more. Even at the end I wanted to know more. What happens afterwards?

If you love holiday fireside reads, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane by Kate Hewitt

⭐⭐/5 Stars

As the snowflakes dance in the air and the twinkling lights adorn the streets, Ellie eagerly anticipates the arrival of Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane. However, beneath the enchanting facade of holiday cheer lies a troubling truth - Ellie's beloved inn is on the brink of closure. In "Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane" by Kate Hewitt, readers embark on a journey filled with the magic of Christmas, but unfortunately, this festive tale fails to deliver on its promises.

One cannot help but notice the alluring cover of this book, which entices readers with a sense of warmth and holiday spirit. The picturesque setting of the Welsh village adds a touch of charm, providing a glimmer of hope for an engaging story. Regrettably, these elements are merely superficial, serving as the high points of an otherwise lackluster narrative.

From the start, it becomes evident that this book struggles to maintain its momentum. The plot feels stagnant and fails to captivate readers' attention. What should have been an exciting and heartwarming tale about saving a beloved inn turns into a tedious and uneventful journey. The pacing is sluggish, making it a challenging read that requires considerable effort to persevere through.

Character development is another significant letdown in "Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane." The cast of characters lacks depth and fails to evoke any emotional connection from readers. Ellie, the protagonist, is disappointingly one-dimensional, and her struggles to save the inn feel forced and lacking in authenticity. The supporting characters fall flat, failing to leave a lasting impression or contribute meaningfully to the overall story.

Despite these shortcomings, there are some redeeming qualities within this narrative. Hewitt skillfully captures the essence of a Welsh village during the holiday season, painting a vivid picture of a charming and idyllic setting. The author's attention to detail in describing the festive decorations and culinary delights adds a touch of warmth to an otherwise cold and lackluster story.

In conclusion, "Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane" by Kate Hewitt falls short of its potential. While the cover and setting initially hold promise, the book ultimately fails to deliver an engaging and heartwarming holiday tale. The lackluster plot, sluggish pacing, and underdeveloped characters make this book a tedious read that may leave readers feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. If you are seeking a truly enchanting Christmas story, it is best to look elsewhere.

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

Didn't love this book as much as the first in the series but still a worthy festive read. M .

Christmas at the Inn in Bluebell Lane by Kate Hewitt is a lovely winter read that surprised me a couple of times.

I really enjoyed that there's a couple of story lines, and different things going on for the people in teh family. Every one of them felt like a fully fleshed out person, and had their own goals and agency, which made it easy to get hooked onto this story.

Another big plus for me is how this book doesn't always go down the road you expect. I've read quite a few Christmas stories set around an Inn, but this stood out instead of feeling like the same thing for the twentieth Rome, especially in the second half.

I loved how normal and down to earth most of these characters are, no drama just for drama's sake. Life might throw a spanner, but that's how life is! I like that so much better than the friction for a story coming from people just misunderstanding things and never talking about it. These characters are flawed and don't always get along perfectly, but they do so in a very relatable and realistic fashion.

There's quite some serious topics strewn in with the warmth of the story, and I felt all of them handled well. From loss, health issues, a marriage at breaking point to kids having troubles at or with school, it felt like a natural part of the story and added more layers to the characters.

What I didn't like as much was how you definitely noticed this is a book from a series. There's quite a bit of reminders of what happened before, which is fine if you jump onto a story some way through. However I would have liked some more resolution. Almost all the arcs are still open, and while I do understand how a bit of a cliffhanger is great to pull people along to the next book, I usually enjoy overarching plots staying open, but smaller arcs getting closure.

Another slight sore point, my netgalley ARC is 368 pages, but the actual books ends on page 250. So that's almost half the book again in advertising for other books and snippets. I confess I was a bit disappointed when I ran into the end while I thought some more of that closure I was anticipating was coming up.

The worst book by the author till now the characters are confusing and even the writing style has become more confusing, the concentration on Bluebell Inn has completely vanished except for Ellie's sections which get overpowered and outnumbered by Sarah and Gwen which has made the book very boring and does not catch and hold the reader's attention

This was a very festive read and the way the family came together was lovely, it was the second book in the series and I hadn't read the first so I was a little out of sorts with some of the things referred to.

Maybe Netgalley could say if it is part of a series, thanks.

In "Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane," the author captures the magic of Christmas as the snow falls, and lights twinkle, and the family drama comes to light.
While Ellie tries to save her husband's family inn from bankruptcy, her sister-in-law Sarah is struggling in her marriage and the mother -in-law Gwen is rekindling an old friendship. As if all this wasn't enough they've all decided to keep the inn open for Christmas in the hopes of this being enough to keep the Bluebell Inn afloat.
Throughout the book we get the perspective of all three women through their personal struggles as well as the struggles of keeping things afloat in time for the holidays.

Despite this being the second book in a series, I had no trouble following the plot, which speaks to the author's ability to create a standalone story within a larger narrative. This book is perfect for those who cherish the holiday spirit and appreciate heartwarming tales. It's a delightful and heartwarming read that captures the essence of the season and the power of family bonds

Loved the book, a real Xmas read with snow, gifts, trees, ups and downs of family life. Characters reaching turning point in their lives with realisation of their personalities. But it ended really abruptly, 1/4 of the book dedicated to the authors others books, not quite sure how that fits in

A pleasant easy to read book. I understand its part of a series, but I read it as a stand alone. Hopefully there will be another book in the series.

There are three strong female characters in the novel, who take turns to tell the story.The author swaps the three points of view.
All the main characters are loveable so I enjoyed their company a lot. The all have their worries and obstacles in their lives, but the story ends on a hopeful note - if a little abruptly. There might be a sequel on the way... But if not, the readers can finish each storyline as they wish.
I spent really enjoyable hours at the Inn on Bluebell Lane, and can wholeheartedly recommend to everyone who likes reading about everyday people with everyday problems.

A lovely Christmas story involving a family run bed and breakfast thats doing its best to stay afloat. Who knew running an inn would be so cumbersome and stressful?! Ellie and Matthew and their four children have left Connecticut to live with Matthew’s mum in a small Welsh village. It’s been about two years since they’ve helped Gwen run the inn, a vision Gwen and her late husband started some twenty years ago.

Things are a bit strained financially, but Ellie has a plan to be open for Christmas week, when they’re usually closed. During the week, she plans fun activities for families to enjoy Christmas away from home, but with the comforts of home. The entire family, including Matthew’s sister, Nand her children, are involved in the Christmassy affair.

Life does not stop for the inn though. The older children are getting into mischief of their own at school. Two are studying for their GCSEs, one very intent on studying as much as she can during every waking moment and the other nonchalantly going through her day. The boys, however, just might be involved in bullying incidents at school.

There’s also the challenges couples experience throughout their lives. How their relationships change through the years and how having kids affects that dynamic. Do we appreciate our spouses enough? Do we express how much we respect them?

This story has offered many avenues to consider my own relationships with my husband and child. Am I making the right choices in how I respond to their needs? Do I love them as they need to be loved? I really appreciate how Matthew and Ellie are able to talk to one another and how they involve their children in their family decision making. Albeit my family is much smaller and our decisions don’t involve moving to another country across the pond, I do take to heart how they’re able to discuss what’s going on and how they each feel about the decisions.

Special thanks for Barbour Books and NetGalley for access to this title. I give this book 5 out of 5 tiaras! All comments are my own and I enjoy focusing on what I gather from the stories I read. I’ll admit though, Barbour Books is among my favorite publishers!

Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane by Kate Hewitt is a well-written spirited pre-Christmas read that centres around a family dealing with many abrupt changes, traumas and trials. This novel covers various life stages with potential issues from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent. I was totally invested in each character and unable to put this book down!

The tone of this second offering of the Bluebell Lane series is a little sombre at times. It reflects on life’s unexpected curveballs. I felt sadness, frustration and concern for the characters as they dealt with numerous heartaches and setbacks. The topics are not light. For this story deals with some serious issues such as mid-life crises, marital dissatisfaction, self-harm, bullying, fear of new relationships, spousal grief and health issues— to name a few. But the positives are rekindling of love and rediscovering passions that include both personal and professional.

I loved reconnecting with the family members of Bluebell Lane. In the first book, Michael, Ellie and their children moved from United States to Wales. They have been there now for two years. A lot has happened in that time since Michael’s job redundancy. He came home to help his mother run the Inn. Although they have all managed the huge adjustments of moving across the sea from one country to another, and the Inn has survived under their care, things aren’t as great as they could be. The latest word from his sister Sarah, the accountant, is that the finances of the business are not good. They are barely getting by. If they wish to continue, they must find a solution.

Ellie decides to have a family meeting to put their heads together. They come up with a viable plan that involves keeping the Inn open over Christmas and offering some special holiday activities. Ellie has arranged for a publicity feature but the photographer and journalist will be arriving in two weeks. There’s a sense of panic to make it happen in time. They all must pitch in to create a mock up of a gorgeous festive setting: special family events, attractive trimmings and delicious Christmas foods.

They all work together for the Inn’s Christmas makeover and have a little extra help from an old friend of Gwen’s late husband. John is back visiting his daughter and waiting on the birth of his first grandchild. But in the mean-time he’s eager to get involved in a project. Using his landscape experience and woodcarving talents he adds some extra sparkle to the Inn. And while he’s there, a few subtle sparks ignite between Gwen and him as well. But are either of them ready to move on from their late partners? There is a gentle and suggestive nod to what might come in the future.

Although this story shows how trying to save the Inn brings the family together in unity for a while, there is trouble brewing underneath. There’s serious discord in Sarah and Nathan’s relationship and their children are having great difficulties, too. This part of the story was quite heartbreaking. As for Ellie and Michael, there’s an unexpected surprise that will alter their family. In fact, there will be lots of shifts in each household with jobs, schools, professions and even for the Inn. How will they all manage?

Even though other events occur that shake things up even more, Christmas and honesty are the magic ingredients that bring healing and happiness to them all. I enjoyed Kate Hewitt’s Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane and heartily recommend it. This is a great addition to the first novel and offers a positive open ending. Hopefully there are more stories coming from this interesting family! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.

EXCERPT: Gwen stepped closer, slipping on the spectacles she wore on a chain around her neck to read the text. Her forehead furrowed as she scanned the lines, muttering under her breath, which, despite everything, made Ellie smile. 'Better days . . . shabby . . . datedness!' She glanced at Ellie, looking affronted. 'I don't think the inn is dated. Not anymore.'
'Well, we didn't change that much in the end, with the renovations, did we?' Ellie replied, trying to be pragmatic. 'Some new linens and another bathroom, but the carpet runner in the hall, for example, is still the same.'
Gwen drew herself up. 'Yes, and that's an antique! But antiques aren't dated.
Her mother-in-law looked so put out that, improbably, Ellie found her lips twitching and she gave a sudden, surprising guffaw of laughter.
Gwen's eyebrows rose, and for a second she looked as icily imperious as a queen, only to suddenly collapse into giggles, which made Ellie laugh again, even harder this time.
Soon they were both laughing, tears streaming from their eyes, hands wrapped around their middles. Ellie wasn't even sure what they were laughing about, or if there was anything to laugh about in the first place. All she knew was it felt to laugh, like a muscle that had needed to be stretched - it hurt, just a little, but it also brought relief.

ABOUT 'CHRISTMAS AT THE INN ON BLUEBELL LANE': As the snow begins to fall and the lights twinkle, Ellie realizes Christmas has finally come to the Inn on Bluebell Lane. But as she watches the guests arrive, she hopes this won’t be her family’s last winter in this magical place…

It’s been two years since Ellie and her family left their lives in America behind and moved to a small Welsh village to run her husband’s family inn. Having fought to save it from disrepair, Ellie is shocked when her sister-in-law, Sarah , breaks the news that the inn is facing financial trouble and might have to close after Christmas, a thought that breaks all their hearts.

Turning to her mother-in-law, Ellie sees tears sparkling in Gwen ’s eyes. But then Ellie has an a celebratory Christmas week for guests and locals with all the festive trimmings — an unforgettable experience, and her family’s last chance to save the inn.

With Christmas drawing closer, the family are busier than ever. Gwen bakes enough mince pies to feed the whole country, while Ellie adds mistletoe to every room, and her husband Matthew turns the garden into a winter wonderland.

But there are troubles ahead no one could expect. And as Bluebell Lane twinkles against the frost, Ellie marvels that the inn has never looked prettier. But will it be enough to save this beautiful place her family has grown to love?

MY THOUGHTS: This is another delightful read in the Inn at Bluebell Lane series. It is now two years since Matthew and Ellie and their four children moved to a small village in Wales. Slowly the family had settled in with Matthew and Ellie helping to refurbish and manage the Inn. But now, not all is going well. The Inn isn't doing as well as it had been hoped - in fact, it is in dire financial straits; Matthew is keeping a secret from everyone; Jess, 15, is having a seemingly never-ending round of friendship and boy dramas; Ben, 13, is neglecting his schoolwork and heading into trouble; Josh, 10, is anxious about starting at a new school; and Ava, 6, has health issues. On top of that, all is not well in Sarah and Nathan's house either, with Nathan becoming increasingly distant from his family, Mairi stressing about her GCSEs, and Oliver getting into trouble at school. Sarah doesn't know what to deal with first!

There is a lot of tension in this storyline - with marital discord, financial difficulties and trouble with the children, yet at the same time it is heartwarming to see how everyone pulls together to try and save the Inn and to support one another.

This is an easy and enjoyable read which would make a wonderful Christmas gift along with the first book, The Inn on Bluebell Lane, and the author has left the way open for another book to be written in the series.

The only thing that disappointed me is that the book takes up only 76% of the Kindle edition; the remaining 24% taken up by promotion of the author's other books. I felt just a little cheated.

⭐⭐⭐.8

#ChristmasattheInnonBluebellLane #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Kate is the USA Today-bestselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.

She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.

Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Christmas at The Inn at Bluebell Lane by Kate Hewitt for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.