What do you think?
Rate this book
The Chestnut Tree
Treat yourself to this wonderfully funny and romantic short story by Jo Thomas, kindle bestselling author of The Oyster Catcher, available exclusively in ebook.
When Ellie Russet leaves home and her restaurant in the wake of disaster to housesit in the Kent countryside, the last thing she wants to do is cook for a living - ever again.
Ellie's new neighbour, Daniel Fender, is struggling to make ends meet as a furniture maker. Could the answer to his problems lie in the chestnut orchard at the bottom of the garden?
Only Ellie can help Daniel unlock the delicious secret that will bring them the fresh starts they need. And as autumn approaches, romance will blossom amid the glowing embers of the chestnut fire...
*Contains an exclusive extract from Jo's brand-new novel, THE OLIVE BRANCH, out February 2015*
When Ellie Russet leaves home and her restaurant in the wake of disaster to housesit in the Kent countryside, the last thing she wants to do is cook for a living - ever again.
Ellie's new neighbour, Daniel Fender, is struggling to make ends meet as a furniture maker. Could the answer to his problems lie in the chestnut orchard at the bottom of the garden?
Only Ellie can help Daniel unlock the delicious secret that will bring them the fresh starts they need. And as autumn approaches, romance will blossom amid the glowing embers of the chestnut fire...
*Contains an exclusive extract from Jo's brand-new novel, THE OLIVE BRANCH, out February 2015*
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2014
40 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Jo Thomas
62 books540 followershttps://www.facebook.com/pg/JoThomasA...
Hello, I’m Jo Thomas. I write romances about food, love, family and fun and believe every story should have a happy ending. Welcome to my world.
Hello, I’m Jo Thomas. I write romances about food, love, family and fun and believe every story should have a happy ending. Welcome to my world.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 20, 2022
A very unusual topic, filled with the author's trademark warmth, sense of place and romance. Would read anything by Jo Thomas.
March 11, 2017
Out of all three novellas so far this is definitely my favourite i loved it!! And i really wish i could read more about Ellie Daniel and Cinders because i think there is still so much more to their story!! The book center's around Ellie who has recently lost her business a restaurant and is looking after her aunts dog Maurice while shes incapacitated with a broken foot, anyway Cinders Ellies beloved cat decides to run off and while looking for him she stumbles into Daniel new owner of the chestnut farm a friendship quickily blooms and romance starts to sizzle as they work together to enter some chestnut liquir into the autumn auction. Its a really great story couldnt stop reading it and i really hope theres a follow up story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2017
Fab story, shame it wasn't.a complete book
January 1, 2023
A lovely story.
March 17, 2023
Another wonderful read from Jo Thomas! Loved the characters, loved the plot. The only negative was, it was too short! I could read on for a few more chapters
January 5, 2025
Short and sweet. Always nice to read some short stories for a change. Enjoyed it. 3☆
March 15, 2021
lovely short story
October 31, 2014
Oh my, what a sweet short story! I so want to read Jo's "The Oyster Catcher", and it's for sure my next PB read but I still have few books to read for my upcoming blog tours, and so I thought that I treat myself to this little gem. OK, I'm blabbing, aren't I?
I was immediately sucked into this sweet, charming story about Ellie moving shortly to the countryside, just to babysit her Aunt's dog and house, and bringing with herself her cat and memories of her beloved restaurant destroyed in fire. She doesn't plan on cooking EVER again, or on meeting new neighbours.
There are some secrets to be revealed, some people to open themselves for help, squirrels, lovely dogs and a lot of chestnuts. It's written in a brilliant, lovely, warm way, with a lot of heart and feeling. It made me curl on my coach, under the duvet, with a cup of very hot chocolate - it was really the perfect place to read this story. Jo Thomas has packed this little book with great, very expressive characters, interesting plot, realistic dialogues and beautiful setting. She has also managed to make the characters growing and developing, which is, I guess, not so easy in such a short book. The pace was great, there was not a flat moment and maybe it is not full of turns or twists, but it still have me hooked to the pages and I enjoyed the story very, very much.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
I was immediately sucked into this sweet, charming story about Ellie moving shortly to the countryside, just to babysit her Aunt's dog and house, and bringing with herself her cat and memories of her beloved restaurant destroyed in fire. She doesn't plan on cooking EVER again, or on meeting new neighbours.
There are some secrets to be revealed, some people to open themselves for help, squirrels, lovely dogs and a lot of chestnuts. It's written in a brilliant, lovely, warm way, with a lot of heart and feeling. It made me curl on my coach, under the duvet, with a cup of very hot chocolate - it was really the perfect place to read this story. Jo Thomas has packed this little book with great, very expressive characters, interesting plot, realistic dialogues and beautiful setting. She has also managed to make the characters growing and developing, which is, I guess, not so easy in such a short book. The pace was great, there was not a flat moment and maybe it is not full of turns or twists, but it still have me hooked to the pages and I enjoyed the story very, very much.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
November 7, 2014
At just 81 pages, this novella is short and sweet with loveable characters, both human and animal.
That’s not to say that it is perfect. As it is so short, there really wasn’t much development and the plot overall was extremely predictable but I think that’s all part of the charm of this kind of story, and besides the cover gives a lot away before you’ve even started reading.
The writing style was simplistic but suited the story well so I’m looking forward to reading Jo Thomas’ novel The Oyster Catcher soon. I am recently getting into more contemporary adult fiction and I think that Jo Thomas is a great author.
I loved the cooking theme throughout this story and it made me want to get into the kitchen! If there was ever a book that needed a recipe book companion, this is the one.
This story really does bring about all of the images of autumn: the crisp red leaves, the chestnuts, the roaring fires, the country fairs. It is a great little book to just curl up in front of the fire with on a chilly day.
Overall I would definitely recommend this short read. It’s short, sweet and charming which is sometimes just what you need!
That’s not to say that it is perfect. As it is so short, there really wasn’t much development and the plot overall was extremely predictable but I think that’s all part of the charm of this kind of story, and besides the cover gives a lot away before you’ve even started reading.
The writing style was simplistic but suited the story well so I’m looking forward to reading Jo Thomas’ novel The Oyster Catcher soon. I am recently getting into more contemporary adult fiction and I think that Jo Thomas is a great author.
I loved the cooking theme throughout this story and it made me want to get into the kitchen! If there was ever a book that needed a recipe book companion, this is the one.
This story really does bring about all of the images of autumn: the crisp red leaves, the chestnuts, the roaring fires, the country fairs. It is a great little book to just curl up in front of the fire with on a chilly day.
Overall I would definitely recommend this short read. It’s short, sweet and charming which is sometimes just what you need!
November 4, 2014
I started this story as soon as I finished The Oyster Catcher, also by Jo Thomas. The themes in both are very similar: outsider girl meets outsider boy and they try to integrate into the local community. Being from a tiny village myself I can completely relate- we too have a few 'blow-ins' from towns and cities; some happily throw themselves into village life whilst others we barely see! Suspicion of newcomers is therefore entirely natural in small knit communities, an idea apparent in both of Thomas's stories.
The Chestnut Tree is a cute short story, a perfect read for a chilly autumn day. It is wonderfully descriptive, and you can see and hear the crisp autumn leaves as if you are walking through the chestnut woods yourself. Ellie is sweet, Daniel is adorable, and yet again Jo's use of animals as characters really made me smile.
5/5 stars: I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Jo Thomas in the future!
*It was a lovely surprise to receive a copy of this book alongside my review copy of The Oyster Catcher, cheers bookbridgr!*
The Chestnut Tree is a cute short story, a perfect read for a chilly autumn day. It is wonderfully descriptive, and you can see and hear the crisp autumn leaves as if you are walking through the chestnut woods yourself. Ellie is sweet, Daniel is adorable, and yet again Jo's use of animals as characters really made me smile.
5/5 stars: I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Jo Thomas in the future!
*It was a lovely surprise to receive a copy of this book alongside my review copy of The Oyster Catcher, cheers bookbridgr!*
October 25, 2014
A short story by Jo Thomas - a lovely little read for an autumnal evening while snuggled in an armchair. Some delicious descriptions that delight the senses coupled with a warm narrative.
September 24, 2015
Loved this short story
I have enjoyed everything I have read by Jo Thomas and this lovely little story is no exception. Such a heartwarming story, perfect for this time of year.
I have enjoyed everything I have read by Jo Thomas and this lovely little story is no exception. Such a heartwarming story, perfect for this time of year.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews