Book Review - The Christmas Fayre on Holly Field by Lilac Mills

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Title: The Christmas Fayre on Holly Field

Author: Lilac Mills

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Canelo Romance

Publication Date: 17th August 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Foxmore’s inaugural Christmas fayre will be the toast of the town – or the downfall of their relationship...

Harriet is facing her second Christmas on her own since her husband walked out. With little child support, she’s struggling to manage financially.

When Owen, a passionate environmentalist and popular blogger, overhears Harriet bemoaning her situation, he challenges her to only buy second-hand until Christmas. What she doesn’t know is that Owen is reporting her journey anonymously to all his followers…

Though the challenge is proving successful, it’s not without its troubles. Can Harriet really keep her children and bank balance happy this way? How will she react when she finds her life documented online?

A festive romance with buckets of heart, for fans of Holly Martin, Jessica Redland and Sue Moorcroft.

I delved straight into this, shortly after finishing the first book in the Foxmore Village series, so happy to be back in this charming Welsh village. I do believe it can easily though be read as a standalone as the heart of this story are brand new characters, although we do see a small bit of Rowena from the previous book, it's more just because she lives in the same village. 

I loved getting to know Harriet and Owen in this latest story, and their first meeting leads to Owen (who is new in town), challenging Harriet that she won't be able to even last a week without buying something new.  Harriet raises the stakes and says she can make it until Christmas without buying anything brand new - preloved is fine. 

The fact she has two children including Sara who is 11 and just gone into secondary school, and rather likes asking for new things, especially when there is a birthday party coming up for Darlene, in a rather impressive venue - makes things all the more interesting for Harriet. 

This will certainly make you think about whether you should always buy things new, and in terms of Christmas presents, well I loved seeing how the challenge unfolded. 

Oh and Owen is a freelancer environmental writer, lives in a van, and may or may not have decided to write a series of blog posts about this challenge for his followers, without mentioning it to Harriet first! 

Once again this has a strong message to do with how everyone can do their bit to make the world a better place, and its clear these are themes that are dear to the author's heart. 

I couldn't get enough of this book, I loved all the characters, I am loving the village and especially some of the more memorable personalities in the village. 

Although there is a Christmas Fayre, this isn't what I'd call a particularly festive read and can easily be read at any time of the year, and should be as the message is valid all year around. 

I really hope this isn't the last we will see of Foxmore as I want more! 

Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.