Charlotte Patcham’s dream job running the Bath Physick Garden has turned into a nightmare: the underfunded garden has become a target for vandals, and her career and her social life are succumbing to mildew.
So why does she hesitate to take the job of Head Gardener at Hampshire’s famous Tillingford Hall? Could it be because her lying, thieving, cheating ex, Sebastian Seaton-Smyth, has also returned to work there after he left Tillingford Hall in disgrace?
But when fate pushes Charlie towards Tillingford Hall can she learn to work alongside Seb so they can get everything ready for the public in time for the opening Christmas concert?
And could Steve Silver, the foxy tree surgeon, be the kind of steady man Charlie could take to spend Christmas with her parents, or might Charlie and Seb reignite their sparkle in time?
What did I think?
Christmas at Tillingford Hall is the second book in the Tillingford Hall series but it is the first one that I have read. Whilst I would have benefited from reading the first book, it works perfectly well as a standalone. I think even though events from the first book are mentioned, I would still like to read Summer at Tillingford Hall to discover Alice and Guy's story.
Charlotte is nursing a broken heart after discovering her boyfriend Seb has been cheating on her so the last thing she needs is to keep running into him every day. Charlotte really values her friends though and she returns to Tillingford Hall to help Alice and Guy bring life back to the walled garden. Unfortunately for Charlie, Seb has also returned to Tillingford Hall as Guy has forgiven him for what he did in the summer but Charlie can't do the same.
I loved Charlie and her enthusiasm for gardening. I can totally understand that she wants nothing to do with Seb but as times goes on she learns more of his story and the ice around her heart starts to thaw. I really didn't like Steve the tree surgeon though; he's the type of guy who calls his girlfriend 'Princess' because he can't remember her name. Charlie likes the attention at first but there's a dark and dangerous side to Steve...
Although Christmas at Tillingford Hall is a Christmas story, there are some serious and powerful topics covered including abusive relationships, addiction and forgiveness. Flora Dunn covers these issues with sensitivity and respect and it makes the characters more realistic and relatable.
Heartwarming, uplifting and entertaining, Christmas at Tillingford Hall is a fun and thought-provoking festive romcom. Any reader would be delighted to find this under their tree.
I received a gifted paperback from the author and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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