REVIEW: Hidden Secrets at the Little Village Church by Tracy Rees

Hidden Secrets at the Little Village Church (Hopley Village #1) by Tracy Rees
(previously titled "The Little Book of Secrets")

Genre: Contemporary fiction, Chick Lit, Women's Fiction

Read: 7th May 2021

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Published: 7th May 2021

★★★★ 4.5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

‘This may just have saved my life…’ The hurried scribble in the dusty church visitors’ book catches Gwen’s eye. Just like that, she is drawn into a mystery at the heart of the pretty village of Hopley, but nothing is what is seems…

When tragedy strikes, twenty-six-year-old Gwen Stanley finds herself suddenly jobless and heartbroken. With nowhere to turn, she retreats to Hopley, a crumbling little village deep in the heart of the English countryside. Wandering the winding lanes and daydreaming about what could have been, Gwen feels lost for the first time in her life.

Until one day she pushes through the creaking doors of a tiny stone church at the edge of the village, empty and forgotten by nearly everyone. There she stumbles on a book full of local secrets and is instantly drawn into the mystery of who could have left them there, and why.

When she’s unexpectedly joined by handsome local artist Jarvis, Gwen is caught off-guard. He seems just as fascinated by what’s in the book as she is… but why? Can she trust Jarvis’s motives really are what he says they are? And are the butterfly flutters she feels whenever they’re together because she’s one step closer to learning the book’s secrets… or might the little village church actually hold the key to healing Gwen’s poor, trampled heart?

An utterly unputdownable story – pure joy from the first page to the last. Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Heidi Swain, and anybody longing for the ultimate feel-good escapist read!

MY REVIEW:

I am excited to be taking part in the #BooksOnTour #BlogTour for Tracy Rees' delightful tale HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH (previously titled "The Little Book of Secrets").

This is my second book by Tracy Rees, the first being an historical fiction "The House at Silvermoor" which totally loved. So I was excited by the prospect of another foray into her world, albeit somewhat different, not really knowing what to expect. Women's fiction is generally not my genre of choice but there has been the odd one that I have enjoyed...this being one of them. Although I did find the title somewhat of a mouthful and as it conjured up images of secrets being unearthed and maybe a little gossiping going on, what it actually entailed was something vastly different. Misleading descriptions are a bit of a pet hate of mine, so while I didn't know what to expect entirely, I guess I was kind of expecting something different. Having said that, HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH was a thoroughly delightful journey into Hopley and its residents...but especially Gwen and Jarvis.

The setting for this story begins in a picturesque little village I envisioned to be something you would see in an episode of Midsomer Murders...but without the murder. It is adorably quaint filled with a mix of characters to charm and delight the reader and the beautiful historic church that is at the heart of the story.

Having lost her parents two years previously, Gwen Stanley moved in with her aunt Mary who had offered her a home more than likely out of obligation rather than any desire to help the grieving young woman. Aunt Mary was positively awful bringing a depressing air of doom over everything she touched and every word she uttered. She did nothing to help Gwen get over the loss of her beloved parents instead belittling her at every turn, complaining whenever Gwen did a good turn and basically sucked the life out of her niece...and not to mention the reader. I honestly dreaded Gwen going home every evening to Aunt Mary's bitter unhappiness and doom and gloom view of the world.

It was one Sunday during the church service that the Vicar Dave shared his idea with the sleepy congregation to raise funds for the much needed roof repairs to keep St Domneva's going and to remain at the heart of the village. But unless he raise a substantial amount then nothing can save the little church. That's when he comes up with his rather extraordinary idea that brings two unlikely people together to help raise the much needed funds.

Gwen was immediately enamoured with the idea of trawling through the church's visitor's book, taking in its history and its secrets, in a bid to seek out donors to help save their little church. However, Gwen is terminally shy and hadn't thought much beyond the thought of losing herself to the little book's secrets...like phoning other people. Jarvis Millwood, a twenty seven year old art school dropout, has done nothing with his life since returning from a prestigious art school in London. But when he heard Vicar Dave put his unusual call out for volunteers, a seed was planted in Jarvis' head that began to form as he harboured his own reasons for wanting to peruse the visitor's book. Vicar Dave was apprehensive about leaving these two misfits in charge thinking he may have just made a huge error of judgement concerning St Dom's future.

At first Gwen was horrified that she had to share the prized visitor's book with another as she was looking forward to delving into it herself. She wasn't comfortable with other people and as socially inept as she was, Jarvis took her discomfort and her way of doing things in his stride. They are complete opposites, and yet in some ways quite similar, thrown together with their own reasons for wanting to participate in this little venture. Both unsatisfied with their lack lustre lives, the visitor book gives them hope and together they find themselves not only helping the church raise their much-needed funds, but they also find themselves along the way. 

And two of the most unlikely people soon find themselves becoming the best of friends. Their journey becomes one of self discovery as Gwen steps out of her comfort zone in which she's been hiding for the past two years and Jarvis discovers a new appreciation for the love he had and thought he'd lost. Together they hope, dream and encourage one another to be the best version of themselves.

I can't say much more without giving the rest of the story away but it is a delightfully enjoyable read that could easily be read in one sitting if you are a fast reader or savoured by those who like to take their time. Either way, the journey you will find yourself on with Gwen and Jarvis will be one that charms and delights you.

Told in the third person narrative from the alternating perspectives of Gwen and Jarvis (mainly) and Vicar Dave (on occasion), HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH (somewhat of a mouthful) is a feel-good tale that is contemporary with a little romance thrown in. The narration is smooth and light with no melodramatic tension to weigh the reader down. 

My only complaint is really the change in title. It really is a mouthful and the original title of "The Little Book of Secrets" I felt was more apt to the story, though it does allude to secrets being kept within the book when in actual fact it is not the case at all. So a tad misleading on that front. But still, an enjoyable foray into this little English village.

For a light and easy read, HIDDEN SECRETS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE CHURCH is just the ticket to bring a feel-good smile to your day. The perfect weekend read.

I look forward to the second Hopley book in October wondering what Ms Rees has in store for us then.

I would like to thank #TracyRees, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #HiddenSecretsAtTheLittleVillageChurch in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Tracy Rees was the winner of the Richard and Judy 'Search for a Bestseller' Competition and her books are paperback, ebook and audio bestsellers. A Cambridge graduate, she had a successful eight-year career in nonfiction publishing and a second career practising and teaching humanistic counselling before becoming a writer.

She lives in Wales. 

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The House at Silvermoor by Tracy Rees (ARC)

The House at Silvermoor by Tracy Rees

Genre: Historical fiction

Read: 1st April 2020

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon

(publication date: 2nd April 2020)

★★★★★ 5 stars

I am taking part in the blog tour for THE HOUSE AT SILVERMOOR by Tracy Rees and published by Quercus on 2nd April 2020.

A rags to riches story in the vein of Catherine Cookson, THE HOUSE AT SILVERMOOR is my first book by Tracy Rees and having devoured this one I am eager to read more.

Set in Yorkshire at the turn of the 20th century, Tommy and Josie are little more than children when they meet. Both are from mining communities in neighbouring villages that rival the other with nothing more than the knowledge that their paths had already been mapped out for them by generations of tradition. For Tommy, it's to go underground as a miner - for Josie, it's to be the wife and mother of a miner. Together they form an unlikely friendship, chasing dreams, asking questions and sharing secrets...as we follow their journey from children into young adults.

At the age of 12, Tommy Green leaves school to begin work at the mine where his father and brothers work, and where his brother had died before him. But Tommy yearns for an education, to learn more than just what's expected of him. On his final day of school, he asks the schoolmaster what he may do to further his education, but the schoolmaster just shrugs his queries off as shirking his responsibilities to his family of miners. And so down the mine Tommy goes. But surely there is something more than this life? What's wrong with wanting to better yourself? What's wrong with wanting something different rather than what's expected? 

Tommy found himself fascinated with the Sedgewick family who lived at Silvermoor, and who owned the mines in which the village worked. Ever since his 5th birthday when the villagers were invited to attend the christening party of their newest addition Lord Walter, Tommy has felt an affinity to the family. He even secretly imagined that he was the long lost son of the Earl who would take him under his wing and that he would live at Silvermoor. But it was just a dream.

It was on one Sunday afternoon when Tommy was out walking, instead of attending church with his family, that he found himself near the village of Arden and the silent halls of Heston Manor, where the feared Barridges had once lived before the death of their heir. Winthrop Barridge, a cruel and hateful man many feared, owned the mines of Arden and ran them with a brutal hand. He was in a daydream when he came across a pretty young slip of a girl with the blackest eyes and the reddest hair he had ever seen picking bluebells and violets for her sister's wedding. Her name was Josie.

At 11 years old, Josie Westgate knows she is nothing special. Her ma reminds her of that fact daily, should she ever get any ideas above her station. She is one of four daughters and one son, the second youngest with little Tansy the last of them all. On the day she meets Tommy, her ma sent her out to pick violets for her older sister Alice's hair for her wedding. At this time of year there was only one place she knew to find them...and that was in Heston Manor grounds. After collecting the violets she gathered some bluebells for herself until a surprise appearance by the gamekeeper in which he bullies her and tramples on those she held in her shaking hands. 

In Tommy, Josie finds a kindred spirit. He comes to her rescue and warns her to steer clear of Heston grounds, for even in the village of Grindley folk knew not to cross paths with the Barridge's gamekeeper. Every Sunday, the two meet in the lanes between their villages to walk, talk and dream of a better life beyond that which is expected of them.

For both Tommy and Josie, life couldn't be more different and yet still be the same. Both are from mining families in mining communities living hand to mouth. And yet that is where the similarities end. Tommy is from a loving family with thirteen mouths to feed but they are happy. Josie is from a bitter and disparate family who have mainly daughters that cannot earn a living down the mines to keep food on their table...and a secret that threatens to destroy everything she has ever known.

One night, Josie is shocked to discover that her parents intend to send her down the mines and her dear friend Miss Embry knocks on Tommy's door in the middle of the night, begging for his help. After her father locks her in the coal shed and the house soon goes off to sleep, Tommy deftly opens the shed to rescue Josie and they run off into the night.

As fate intervenes and a chance encounter with a stranger at Heston Manor, Tommy and Josie find themselves at Silvermoor on a promise from one of the family. They are welcomed with open arms, given food and warmth and a place to sleep as both their stories take on different turns. Although Tommy remains down the pits, Josie is taken into service in York but spends many weeks and months back at Silvermoor with Lady Coralie, for whom she is now a lady's maid. 

And all the while, both Tommy and Josie await for his chance at a different life... Will it come? Or will Tommy be destined to remain down the pits forever? And die the same death as his brother before him?

Told solely from Tommy and Josie's perspectives, THE HOUSE AT SILVERMOOR is a beautifully written tale weaves both their stories together with an expert hand. As readers we watch those stories unfold as Tommy and Josie overcome heartache, tragedy and loss to find love, happiness and contentment. From Grindley and Arden to Silvermoor, York...and beyond!

Beginning in 1897 through to 1905, THE HOUSE AT SILVERMOOR is a captivating journey at the turn of the century surrounding the South Yorkshire mining community and the house at the centre of it all - Silvermoor. It is a sweeping tale of love, loss and family that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

There is so much to just love about this book with plenty you'll love to hate and even more you'll love to love. A novel to get swept away in, to lose yourself for a day, to just enjoy the journey and to savour it once it's over. THE HOUSE AT SILVERMOOR is everything and more. It is a must for fans of historical fiction. It is Catherine Cookson of the 21st century.

I would like to thank #TracyRees, #NetGalley and #Quercus for an ARC of #TheHouseAtSilvermoor in exchange for an honest review.