This is the second in the Bluebell Lane series, of which I'm yet to read the first. It did read as a standalone, but I think I'd like to start from the beginning for more context.

Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane is a cosy, festive fiction read that's full of heart and a family coming together to save the inn they've strived to keep as part of the community.

Wales is beautiful and the perfect scenario for this gorgeous festive feast.

It's heartwarming, full of joy and festive spirit. The characters are real, their struggle relatable in this ever changing financial climate we're faced with.

Highly enjoyable, easy to read.

Ellie and Matthew Davis, along with their 4 children, moved to South Wales to help Matthew’s mother, Gwen, renovate the Bluebell Inn, a bed and breakfast. Ellie’s sister-in-law, Sarah, has been reviewing the books and has deduced that the B&B will be bankrupt in 6 months unless they can find a way to make more money.

Instead of closing the inn for the week of Christmas, Ellie thinks it would be great to open it for Christmas week and add all kinds of festive decorations, games, music, and food. So, all of the family members pitch in to help get it ready in time. But as the day arrives to welcome their guests, something else arrives and doesn’t stop coming.

The story shows readers a glimpse into each of the character’s lives and the trials and tribulations they are all facing. It’s all down to earth and not unlike all of us may have faced in life. This is what gives the story that touch of reality.

I enjoyed the story and was rooting for all of the characters. I think readers will find this a satisfying book to read to get them ready for the Christmas holidays. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What a wonderful family to have around you especially one that needs the extra help and push to survive. Loved this book, so well written and the characters are great. Everyone needs to read this lovely Christmas time tale. Well worth 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

I love spending time with this family. Their ups and downs. Their family togetherness and their independence.

Since I last left the family, they are still in Wales running the Bluebell Inn and things might not be as secure as they’d hope so they are back to trying to bolster the inn to be profitable.

While I’m not a mom dealing with everything on top of her kids, I can really relate to Ellie trying to rally the troops and bring perfection to her corner of the world.

And I know I keep saying I’m not ready for winter or Christmas, most of this book takes place leading up to the holiday and is about people and family. It’s such a nice break from my spooky reads.

I root for them all to succeed and can’t wait to read the next installment of this great series. This is definitely the heartwarming book to bring you into the Christmas season.

Apparently this is the second book in a series.

In the previous book Ellie and Matthew and their two children left the US to come to Wales and help Matthew's mother Gwen run his family's inn. After some tensions Gwen and Ellie are getting on well, until Gwen's daughter Sarah informs them that the inn is running at a loss and unless they do something drastic they will have to close. Meanwhile Matthew has a secret.

Sarah has her own problems, her husband seems to be working longer and longer hours, he pays her and the children no attention and when she asks for his help, or asks him to call when he is going to be late he accuses her of nagging. Added to which her highly intelligent daughter is stressing about her GCSEs.

Finally, after being widowed for longer than she was married, Gwen has met up with an old friend of her husband's that she hasn't seen since her husband died. Newly retired and also widowed, he has moved to the area to be closer to his daughter who is expecting a baby.

Can Ellie, Gwen and Sarah find a new income stream to save the inn?

I'll be honest, this just didn't grab me and I have to say I didn't really see the point when I had finished it, unless of course there is a triumphant third book in the offing. Otherwise it was a bit ... so what? Also, all the male characters were not portrayed in a particularly positive way.

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

Available on Kindle Unlimited.

This was such a sweet and heartwarming book. I loved seeing the family come together to try to save the Inn. The best part about it all was that I could imagine the inn in my mind. I imagined this magical place where no matter who you were, you were welcomed. It was cozy and always smelled of baked goods and Christmas scents.

There was, however, more to this book than just saving the inn. Ellie and Sarah’s lives look very different by the end of the book. Each has their own family change or potential change that they must work through. That may mean moving back to the states for Ellie and her family, and it may mean that Nathan and Sarah split up.

The thing is, and it’s something I don’t really love, but if there is another installment I could get behind, is that the end of the book was left a little open. We did see the family having a wonderful, much needed Christmas together. And that was beautiful, something I wish I could have.

A beautiful and welcoming addition to Christmas joys this year. The Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane is about working together, accepting who others are and knowing they may not be the ones needing to change, but it may be ourselves. Change is inevitable, it's not always easy, but it's a guarantee it's going to happen.
This glorious holiday read will open all your senses to festiveness of the season. I had a hard time putting this one down. Filled with all the holiday descriptions in this special little inn, the Inn on Bluebell Lane. I sure wish I could visit this small Welsh village. It may not have all the trappings of the big-name fancy places you could choose to stay but it would be my choice for a comfortable, cozy and down to earth sounding stay. The characters are relatable and sound so realistic, sure it sounds like some of them are not having an easy time of it, but I do believe in the miracle of Christmas. With the ending it makes me think there will be at least one more to round out this series and I'll be first in line to read it.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

What a lovely, heartfelt Christmas story. It's sweet, emotional and entertaining, The book is beautifully written with amazing characters. I adored the family bonds and how they all worked together. I loved this book. I would have picked this book from the cover alone, so festive and pretty!

It’s been two years since Ellie, her husband Matthew and their four children have moved from the USA to live in Wales and help Matthew’s mother run the Bluebell Inn which his mother has been running for a number of years . Things however aren’t going as well as they would like and something needs to be done to improve the financial troubles of the Inn. Along with trying to come up with ideas to get more people booking, the family also have their own family problems . They aren’t the only ones however and Sarah who is Ellie’s sister in law has her own problems . Gwen , Matthew and Sarah’s mother is doing her best to help everyone and a friend from her past has come back into her life . Will this friendship grow into something more ?
It has been an absolute pleasure being back at the Bluebell Inn and catching up with everyone we met in book 1. In spite of this book having a Christmas title it’s so much more than a Christmas read . It shows how important families are and how they all try to help each other during difficult times . An easy but well written read that I thoroughly enjoyed . I also must mention the gorgeous cover which really gave me a lovely Christmas feel as soon as I saw it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When faced with obstacles, adding a dose of creativity can turn problems into unforeseen opportunities. Ellie's family restored the Inn on Bluebell Lane to its former glory but instead of ringing in holiday celebrations they are facing bankruptcy. Ellie refuses to give up and creates a Christmas event at the Inn.

While wrapping up her list, Ellie's husband puts a pending offer on the table that will change their lives. Will Ellie's family help her realize that holding on too tightly to the past can prohibit her from embracing the future? What will the happen to the Bluebell Inn, you'll have to read Kate Hewitt's Christmas tale to find out for yourself.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #ChristmasattheInnonBluebellLane in exchange for an honest review. Hewitt brilliantly captures family dynamics while confronting challenging circumstances.

✨My Thoughts✨

I enjoyed the first book in this series so much and I couldn’t wait to get back to Bluebell Lane and it’s Christmas which is even better.

You can absolutely read this as standalone as the author recaps what happened in book 1 right away.

It’s two years after the family moved from a America to a little village in rural Wales, Ellie thought the Family Inn was doing well because it offered something unique but her accountant and sister in law Sarah says it’s running at huge loss and will have to close soon, what can they do to stop this happen happening?.

What follows is the perfect feel good Christmas read that’s filled to the brim with heartwarming family moments that will make your heart so full.

It also had a few unexpected twists that I didn’t see coming which surprised me a little but I liked how things worked out in the end actually and it even had a teeny little cliffhanger, so maybe we’ll get another book?.

If you are someone that likes light and fun Christmas reads then this one might not be for you. I’ve read books by this author before and enjoyed them. This one was okay. I felt like I was missing parts of the story since I didn’t read book one so I definitely recommend reading it first. It is very well written. The author does a fabulous job at that. It was just a little too realistic for my taste I guess. Reading is an escape from problems, not to read more about them. This family couldn’t catch a break.

Change is afoot at the Bluebell Lane Inn.
I wasn’t expecting all the story curves Hewitt threw into the mix. Some are better than others.
The inn is struggling and that has to be a constant grind trying to keep it afloat.
However, Matt has some big news and Gwen receives a Blast from her past.
One character was a real shit and I was very disappointed in that person.
Life is in flux and the author left me hanging with what is going to occur next!

Ellie and her family have uprooted their lives in America to live in a picturesque Welsh village, where they have now resided for the past two years taking care of her husband’s family inn. After working hard to turn the inn around, Ellie thinks the inn has been on the up, until her sister-in-law breaks the news that the inn is facing significant financial trouble and will be forced to close its doors for good after Christmas if things don’t turn around. The one problem is, Christmas is only a few weeks away. It’s all hands on deck to devise and execute a plan to save the Inn on Bluebell Lane before it’s too late. Will their hard work and efforts be enough to save the Inn, or will it all be in vain as the Inn on Bluebell Lane sees its last Christmas?

This is the first book I have read by Kate Hewitt and although this book is the second in a series, I did not feel at a loss having not read the first, although it may have helped provide some additional background information! This novel provided the key details of what happened in the first book, allowing me to understand what was going on and connect with the characters in their struggles, although my connection to the characters may have been stronger having read the first. That being said, I felt the characters were well developed and written and I still felt myself connecting with them and empathizing with their very raw real-life struggles. I do feel that some plot points were left open, or only briefly touched on as if the author was trying to bring in too many different aspects of conflict without providing too many details. For example (spoiler) I was left a little confused why Nathan left and it felt very sudden without a lot of supporting reasons, which I suppose does happen in real life as well. In addition, the ending left me wanting more, as I was attached to the characters and want to know what happens, although I suppose this leaves it open for another book! Overall, I enjoyed this book as it emphasizes the importance of coming together as a family and resilience towards whatever life throws at you. This is the perfect, cozy heart-warming Christmas read that had me wishing I was reading it while watching the snowfall while staying at the Inn!

I read this book as an ARC and I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, and Kate Hewitt for allowing me to read Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane prior to its release in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane is a cosy festive story that is set in a picturesque Welsh village. This is the second book in the series and centers around Ellie and her family including her mother in law and sister in law coming together to save the inn from closing after being in financial trouble for two years. From baking pie in the kitchen, to decorating the rooms and turning the gardens into a winter wonderland, the entire household puts in efforts to make this Christmas a special one for their guests. But will it be enough to save the inn?

This is a beautifully written story that truly captures the essence of the holiday season. The relationships between the characters with their own personal struggles and their determination to overcome them is the highlight of this cosy,hopeful and heatwarming Christmas story. While the end was not what I was expecting, it was still a quick, entertaining read.

Thank you @bookouture for having me on the #booksontour and @netalley for providing me with a digital ARC to read and review. The book is out today.

"Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane" by Kate Hewitt is a heartwarming novel about three generations of women saving their family inn. They host a Christmas event, but a snowstorm and personal challenges test their resilience. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Ellie, Sarah, and Gwen, which gives a good insight into their personal struggles and feelings.

Its message of hope and new beginnings make this a sweet read, a perfect fireside companion.
Definitely worth a read.
My thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of the book for my unbiased review.

It was already two years since Ellie, her husband Matthew and their four children had moved to Wales from the US, to help Matthew's mum Gwen with the inn on Bluebell Lane, which had been in his family for as long as he could remember. With his father having been gone for twenty years, and Gwen running the inn alone, it had needed some care to keep it from falling into ruin. Ellie was proud of all they had done, so was completely taken unawares when her sister-in-law, Sarah, had approached Ellie with the news the financial situation of the inn was dire. They'd be lucky to survive until the other side of Christmas.

Ellie was determined to save the inn and came up with an idea for a special Christmas week for families who wouldn't have to do anything except relax. With advertising and promotions, it looked like Ellie's idea would work, as first one family, then another booked into the inn for the week over Christmas. Soon they were fully booked...

But there was trouble within the family for Sarah and her children, and Matthew was holding something close to his chest. What would be the outcome for the inn the whole family had grown to love so dearly?

Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane is the 2nd in The Inn on Bluebell Lane series by Kate Hewitt and it was a delightful read. I could picture the softly falling snow; the beautiful Christmas tree as the family decorated it; Mabel, Sarah and Mairie's beloved horse; the excitement of Christmas morning - all combined to give me a very pleasurable read which I highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Ellie and her family have lived in the picturesque Welsh village for two years. She moved there from America to run the inn that belonged to her husband's family. The Inn is in financial trouble and will probably have to close after Christmas. The thought of the Inn closing is heartbreaking for the whole family. Ellie decides to do everything she possibly can to save the Inn. She decides to celebrate Christmas like never before. It’s all hands on deck, with her mother-in-law, Gwen in the kitchen baking pies. Her sister-in-law Sarah decorating all the rooms and Ellie’s husband Matthew turns the outdoor gardens into a winter wonderland. But will all their efforts be enough to save the Inn or will this be their last Christmas there?

Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane by author Kate Hewitt, was a wonderful escape back to Bluebell Lane. I absolutely loved how the entire family worked together for the Inn and how it brought them closer to each other. I could feel the snowflakes on my eyelashes as I walked through the winter wonderland. Hewitt describes all the sights, sounds and feels of Christmas so beautifully, that you actually feel like you are sitting in the cozy Inn. This festive story is an absolute must read this holiday season. Wow, just wow, there is so much to love about this story. This heart-warming book would make a great Christmas gift for yourself, family and friends. I loved everything about this book and I highly recommend it.

This is the first book I’ve read by Kate Hewitt, and although it’s the second in a series, the recap is comprehensive enough to understand who is who and what is what. However, maybe this has put me at a disadvantage as I didn’t get fully bought in to most of the characters (except for Gwen, who I’m absolutely rooting for). I loved the premise of this book, and the three different relationships that we peek into but the plot itself felt somewhat rushed and finished with an unsatisfying ending- I need to know what happens to all of these people after I’ve invested in them thus far (and even more, I need to know what Gwen replied!).

Christmas at the Inn on Bluebell Lane by Kate Hewitt is a heartwarming holiday tale set in a charming Welsh village. Ellie and her family have left their American lives behind to run the family inn, facing financial troubles that threaten its closure after Christmas. Determined to save it, they embark on a festive journey to create an unforgettable Christmas week for guests and locals. While the book stands alone, it benefits from reading the series from the beginning. The story emphasizes the importance of family, community, and the resilience to face life's challenges, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a cozy and heartwarming holiday read that captures the essence of Christmas magic.