Jemima Jones is driving home to her family's magical hill-top farm for Christmas…
And on arrival, she soon learns that her dad has been keeping a secret – all is not as it seems, and Hollybush Farm is struggling to make ends meet! Worried about losing the childhood home she loves, Jemima must pull on her winter wellies and get stuck in.
Amid the chaos of chasing after escaping sheep and organising the Christmas tractor run, Jemima begins documenting her slice of farming life on social media. As she builds a supportive online following, she also forms an offline connection in the shape of charming, retired rugby player Llew, her very own Santa's helper.
With a sprinkle of festive cheer and a dash of goodwill, might the community pull together to help save the farm in time for Christmas?
What did I think?
It's been a while since I last read a Jo Thomas book so I was delighted to remedy that by reading her latest novel, Christmas at Hollybush Farm. As well as being full of charm and community spirit, it highlights the real plight faced by modern-day farmers and really made me see the sale of farm land in a different light.
Jem has stood by her dad through thick and thin and that's not about to change any time soon. When she returns to her childhood home of Hollybush Farm with her partner Matthew it's both to celebrate Christmas and a potential engagement. I adored Jem from the start and took an instant dislike to Matthew as he seems to want to control everything in his life, including Jem. Good luck with that, mate! Jem is no pushover!
When it becomes clear that Jem has to stay longer than planned, Matthew can't get out of there quick enough. I thought this would mean that my negativity and dislike towards some of the characters was over but there's more to come. I'm getting angry just thinking about the annoying dog woman who thinks that because she has a dog she can walk it wherever she likes, including the sheep pens on private property. I was (and still am) FUMING! I have the same issue at home with people walking their dogs on my front lawn and using my planter as a toilet but I'm the person in the wrong for banging on the window!
I applaud Jo Thomas for highlighting a very real issue that all farmers face as supermarkets want their products cheaper and they struggle to make ends meet. I have noticed the loss of so much farm land in my own area over the last couple of years and there's plans for more to be turned into housing and even a solar farm. It's not that the farmers are making money from selling their land, it's either sell some of their land or lose their whole farm. It's so very sad and so very real.
The way the whole community comes together to save not just the farm but the village cafe will melt even the hardest of hearts. This fabulous novel is so much more than a festive, heartwarming read though; it's relevant, thought-provoking and unforgettable. Very highly recommended.
I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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