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Snowflakes over Moondance Cottage

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When Jess Rigby lost her dad, the family coped in different ways, alone in their grief. Now, her mum seems to be going off the rails and her sister, Isla, who moved to France, is now back and determined to get the old family home on the market. But the last thing Jess wants this Christmas is for renovations to start on the house. It's sure to stir up old memories she's desperate to forget. And to make things worse, Isla seems to have hired the most obnoxious builder in the world to do the work. Jess could ignore the fact that women seem to be putty in his hands. But what she finds harder to ignore is the frisson she gets every time she squeezes past him in the mess that is now their beloved family home! Soon, the house begins to give up its secrets, some of them shocking. Can the family finally start talking and find a way to move on from the past this Christmas?

Rosie Green is the author of the much-loved, best-selling novellas in the LITTLE DUCK POND CAFE series. This is her first full-length Christmas book.

READERS HAVE COMPLETELY FALLEN IN LOVE with Rosie Green's LITTLE DUCK POND CAFE series:

'A heart-warming story and one to make your heart sing. The perfect book to get cosy on the sofa with and lose yourself . . . can't wait for the next instalment. Please, Rosie, do not stop writing about the girls and Sunnybrook!' - Zoe, Goodreads

'Worth waiting for! I have loved every one of the Little Duck Pond Cafe books and this was just as good' - Mrs T, Amazon

'A captivating read. Really reels you in and the characters are so believable. This author is so good at what she does. Roll on the next episode!' - Jules King, Amazon

'Loved this book! The author keeps you hooked with the storyline and characters you care about. Looking forward to the next instalment.' - Lesley T, Amazon

'A can't-put-it-down read. Another brilliant episode of these wonderful stories.' - Sue S, Amazon

'Another beautiful little book I couldn't put down. It's so lovely to return to the Little Duck Pond Cafe once again and catch up with all the friends there.' - Sue, Amazon

'Light-hearted, funny, with just enough tension. I really enjoyed this book, as I have with the whole series.' - Karen, Amazon

'Fabulous! What a great read - kept me hooked from start to finish. I love the visits to the Little Duck Pond Cafe and can't wait for the next book.' - Miss Leica Waldron, Amazon

'I love this series so much! And with this latest instalment, I'm in love with it and the inhabitants of Sunnybrook even more!' - Karen Mace, Amazon

'Each instalment is like visiting your best friends. It's such a delightful series, with stories that are light and dark, full of the highs and lows of life and love in a glorious village in the English countryside. As always, author Rosie Green injects much warmth and charm within the storyline and you feel very much involved in village life. I hope the author continues to revisit the Little Duck Pond Cafe as I feel she has so much more to give to her readers.' - Adele, Amazon






240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2019

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Rosie Green

62 books349 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Dash fan .
1,533 reviews716 followers
December 14, 2019
5☆ A Heart Warming, Uplifting and Poignant Christmas Romance.

Snowflakes over Moondance Cottage is a heart warming, uplifting and poignant Christmas Romance.

Right from the very start I was Captivated by Jess and her painful story.
She used to be really close to her Big Sis Isla but since their Dad went missing, Isla moved to France to be with her boyfriend.

But after hardly any contact Isla is back causing a scene.
Isla also fails to tell Jess she's selling their Dad's Home and a hunky builder has already started bulldozing down the walls, much to Jess dismay.

Jess really hasn't had it easy, and what with her sis being home, her mum acting weird and a hunky builder that's causing Jess quiet a stir in more ways than one, it no wonder she's struggling.

But is this a chance for them all to forgive and move on?

Snowflakes over Moondance Cottage is an Engrossing, Captivating and Poignant Story about Family, Forgiveness, Loss, Grief, Moving On, Relationships, Romance, secrets and drama.
The Characters are beautifully written, relatable and very endearing.
I just want to say how much I Adore the gorgeous cover it's so festive.
Rosie Green is one of my favourite Authors and as always this book will Touch your heart, have you smiling, and leave you wanting more!

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.



My Review is also on my Blog Website:-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...
Profile Image for Berit☀️✨ .
2,097 reviews15.6k followers
December 11, 2019
Emotional and entertaining with a festive feel! Rosie Green has written a beautiful story that hit me right in the heart. I went in expecting a heartwarming Christmas romance and got so much more. It was heartwarming, there was a romance, and it does take place around Christmas, but this book was more focused on grief and the bonds of family. Sisters Jess and Isla Lost their father over three years ago and they are both contending with their grief but in very different ways. When Isla returns from France she feels it is time to renovate and sell the family home. Jess is determined to not let this happen especially at Christmas. But soon she finds herself not only dealing with a mother who has been acting strangely, but a rude contractor that makes her heart pitter patter a bit faster. What follows is a lovely story that will make you smile, cry, and want to hug your loved ones A little tighter.

I really loved getting to know these sisters better. Jess was easier to Like, but as I got to know Isla The better I liked her. This book really made me reflect on my own family and made me grateful my parents have already moved out of the family home. As depressing as the subject matter might sound, this book really had a lot of hope and heart in it. Another enchanting story from this fabulous author. A stunning story of family peppered with romance and holiday cheer!

*** Big thanks to the author for my copy of this book ***
Profile Image for Zoe.
2,421 reviews341 followers
December 2, 2019
Encouraging, warm, and emotive!

Snowflakes over Moondance Cottage is an amusing, tender tale that takes us to the town of Lower Luckworth and into the life of the kindhearted, lonely Jess Thornton as she juggles a demanding sister, a mother who seems lost, a handsome contractor, and a life without the father she loves dearly.

The writing is heartfelt and light. The characters are grieving, flawed, genuine, and sentimental. And the plot is a delightful blend of humour, heart, family, friendship, attraction, chemistry, support, misunderstandings, secrets, tender moments, and magical surprises.

Overall, Snowflakes over Moondance Cottage is an amusing, uplifting, festive tale by Green that is an adorable mix of sweet romance, family drama, and holiday cheer.

Thank you to Rosie Green and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,999 reviews232 followers
November 14, 2019
Reading the blurb for this book, I knew that it was going to be an emotional roller coaster of a read. To lose a loved one and then to also prepare yourself for the sale of the family home, I could feel my eyes fill up before I had even embarked on reading the story.

Jess and her sister Isla couldn’t be anymore different in personalities. It did take me a little longer to warm to Isla, but as I got to know her better, I could feel myself softening towards her.

Not only is Jess still grieving for her dad, she also has to keep an eye on her mum who has been acting quite odd. My heart went out to this family as we find out more about how their loss came about. Some parts really are quite emotional yet so heart warming.

Whilst there is the hope of romance, this is definitely a story about family and the relationships within it. It’s also about loss and how each person deals with it. You also get the wonderful festive spirit coming through and it being the most magical time of the year.

Snowflakes Over Moondance Cottage has it all. A home makeover, family, romance, loss. I think I cried as much as I smiled whilst reading it. There is something very personal about this story that affected me more deeply than I had imagined it would. The characters’ feelings and emotions didn’t just wash over me, they soaked into me. A heartfelt and endearing read that will pull on your heartstrings.

My thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Profile Image for Carla.
7,832 reviews183 followers
December 8, 2019
This book is labeled as a romance, but there is so much more to it than that. This is a story of a family that was torn apart by infidelity, then again by tragedy. It deals with how people cope with loss, sometimes unsuccessfully making the wrong choices. Jess and her sister Isla, have inherited their father's cottage after his death. Neither are living in it, so Isla takes it upon herself to hire someone to modernize it so they can sell it. Jess is not happy as she was not consulted about this situation. She is not very kind to Seb Morgan, the contractor. She is still dealing with her feelings about her family and decides it is time to take charge. She begins glass blowing in her dad's workshop, something they did together. This puts her in the path of Seb and they begin to have feelings for each other. Their mother is a bit of a mess. She keeps seeing their dad everywhere and has taken to painting portraits of him, some rather abstract. She talks about him all the time as if he is still alive and the girls are quite worried about her. I must say that the characters were very real to me. I could imagine these people dealing with the terrible things that had happened in their lives. Even the secondary characters played important roles in the story. The plot was very well-developed and the story was well-written. There is some angst in this story, not only between Jess and Seb, but also with Isla. I do not want to ruin the book for you, but suffice it to say that it evoked several emotions in me while I was reading. My feelings toward the characters changed constantly as I got to know them better, what had happened in their lives and what was happening in the present. The only character that I disliked until the end was Seb's ex-wife Aleksandra. She was a self-centered, mean, b...... I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, the honesty, the sharing, the emotion and of course the happy ending. Well done Rosie Green. I received a copy of this book from Rachel's Random Resources upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,402 reviews578 followers
November 19, 2019
I've been completely rocked by the amazingness of this ending to the book - I mean the rest of it is of course rather special too and I can't say anything else about the end section but wow it was worth it!

At times this is can be a fairly emotional and with a lot more depth to the characters than you may anticipate from the festive cover and title. Which just adds to the story's awesomeness.

I was completely hooked on the Rigby family, all of whom are still reeling from events three years ago. And we see how they all deal with their grief, while at the same time although not being present their dad is larger than life.

There is a potential for new love, if only an ex wasn't in the way, and just nothing seems smooth sailing for any of the characters. They are all really relatable too and I enjoyed getting to know them all.

And if you are wanting a sprinkling of Christmas magic well there is definitely some of that present.

This is really a tricky book to review as a lot of what I'd like to mention, I can't without revealing key things.

Suffice to say this is a book that I adored reading, the author is as talented as always, with her fluent writing, great characters and a setting and back story too that I found utterly enticing.

I really did just enjoy every single second of this book.

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Joan.
2,209 reviews
Read
December 30, 2019
dnf at 18%

From earlier moments in the book, I was expecting the mother to be getting on in years, but no. She’s not yet sixty, yet she’s portrayed as someone in her dotage!

White hair, ‘looks good for her age’...FFS! She’s not old!

And another story with hints of dementia. Meh. I give up.
July 20, 2020
Snowflakes Over Moondance Cottage is a sweet and emotional read that is more about family affairs than romance. It’s so beautifully written that the wonderful characters take you on their journeys through a emotional roller-coaster of revelations and family healing.

Jess is heartbroken and struggling to move on after the death of her father. In addition to grieving for his death, she has never come to terms with the separation of her parents and this seems to have caused damage to her relationship with her mother and sister (Isla). She cannot even bear to live in the cottage that was left to her and Isla and it’s now standing empty…that is until Isla decides she wants to sell it.

Yes there is a hint of romance and sexual tension in the book between Jess and the builder and this gives the book a romantic feel but for me the main plot was the healing and coming together of Jess’s family and the backdrop of Christmas makes it so much more special. For me Christmas is massively about family and getting together and that is the message this book really promotes. It’s about friendship, forgiveness and moving forward in life after tragedy.

Despite having some heavy themes and a multitude of emotions, Snowflakes Over Moondance Cottage is a real festive, uplifting novel that cannot fail to warm the coldest of hearts.
Profile Image for Booklover BEV.
1,761 reviews52 followers
November 28, 2021
A beautiful Christmas read with a Christmas feeling that I so enjoyed from start to finish. Do recommend to readers. will be reading more from this author, Moondance Cottage is enchanting.
Profile Image for booksofallkinds.
1,021 reviews175 followers
December 3, 2019
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser.

A story that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, SNOWFLAKES OVER MOONDANCE COTTAGE by Rosie Green is sure to captivate you from beginning to end.

Jess is dealing with a lot after the loss of her dad and worrying about her mother so the last thing she needs is her sister arriving back from France looking for their family home to be redecorated and put up for sale. But unfortunately, that is the situation that Jess finds herself in. Not only does Jess have to deal with all of her emotions as they begin to go through all of their dad's belongings, but she has to deal with a handsome but very irritating builder who is getting right up her nose. And as the renovation continues, unexpected revelations begin to come to the surface, and as Jess and her family try to wade through their grief, will the possibility of love shine a little light into her sadness?

This book is definitely a tear-jerker but you will find plenty of reasons to smile too. Loss and grief are very sensitively and realistically handled, and watching Jess and her family deal with everything really broke my heart. The characters are well-rounded and while it did take me a while to like Isla, I instantly connected with Jess and wanted her to feel a little magic of the festive season.

SNOWFLAKES OVER MOONDANCE COTTAGE by Rosie Green is an emotional story about family and losing your way, and I cannot wait to read more from Rosie Green.
Profile Image for Jane Hunt.
Author 3 books117 followers
December 2, 2019
A lovely story with a festive backdrop. Family drama and romantic comedy are beautifully interwoven, in this tale, which features two sisters, a mother who is lost in grief, and a father who went away to sea and never came back.

There are family secrets, hard truths and many misunderstandings, which have been ignored until now. The time is right for the family to rebuild, Jess is living a half-life, her mother is distracted, and now Isla is back, and being so defensive.

Can Jess keep her family together? Can she face Christmas again, and why does she feel so attracted to the sexy builder who is destroying all her childhood memories?

A poignant, heartfelt story, with believable, flawed characters, full of angst and hidden depths. The slow-burning and sweet attraction between Jess and Seb is tested with a myriad of internal and external conflicts.

An emotional and realistic family drama. The resolution is in keeping with the story and brings this festive family story to a lovely conclusion.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nicole.
4,307 reviews54 followers
December 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this one. It's definitely one that will you get you into the holiday spirit. It also shows you the miracles that do happen during the Christmas season. My heart breaks for Jess and her family. They're still coping with a tragic loss. This holiday season they slowly make their way to their new normal. I enjoyed watching Jess get close again with her sister and mom. Jess is on a roller coaster of emotions in this one. A new love interest and few bombshells about her family. It's going to be a Christmas she will never forget. I really liked Seb too. Bella and Seb were cute together. Some of my favorite parts of the book. This is one book you don't want to miss!!
Profile Image for Stephanie Dagg.
Author 82 books52 followers
February 20, 2020
I am such a fan of this author! Her books are always beautifully written and uplifting, but not always plain sailing. There’s lots of emotional ups and downs – Rosie Green knows how to tug on our heartstrings!
This novel sees love, loss, friendship, family loyalty and tensions, and that’s just for starters, so combined with a versatile and interesting plot you never know what the next page will bring.
Jess and Isla are wonderful characters, very different and neither of them perfect, but they muddle through. Isla perhaps takes a little time to warm to, whereas Jess, with her heart on her sleeve, is someone we would like as a friend as soon as we meet her.
This book is easy and totally delightful to read. It has a festive background and setting and makes for a perfect read in the run-up to Christmas.
Profile Image for Trish Palmer.
23 reviews
November 30, 2020
CHRISTMAS DREAMS

I love all your books. Tonight you have brought hope and excitement to me. It is 2020 and as we all know a very difficult year for us all. Decorations are up but I didn't want to bother with the main tree. Tomorrow I am going to get a real one, first time for many years Happy Christmas and blessings for 2021. Xx
17 reviews
October 3, 2020
Enjoyable read

Lovely read and scenes able to be painted in my mind. Read over a couple of nights and enjoyed the plot lines. Can recommend if you want a good easy read that you keep picking up.
3 reviews
January 1, 2021
Magic and miracles!

I absolutely loved this novel, a lights, feel good read intertwined with some tragic events that made me emotional attach to the characters, especially Jess and Isla! Really lovey festive read, thank you for this wonderful book!
Profile Image for Kirsty Farmer.
126 reviews
January 17, 2021
I do like a Rosie Green book. This is a stand alone story away from the Little duck pond series, but it is based on the same premise. A lovely feel good story, and great for Christmas 🎄. The only reason why it got 4 stars, is because it took a while to get going.
Profile Image for Joanna Butler.
23 reviews
March 7, 2021
Fabulous heart rending book

Oh what a story full of twists and turns of family relationships and love and deceit 0it kept me guessing till the last page how did this author ever suffer rejection by publishers one of the best storytellers of our time
Profile Image for Lorna.
13 reviews
April 25, 2021
Lovely, gentle bit of escapism

Needed something light and heart warming and that's exactly what I got with Moondance Cottage. Have not read any of then author's previous work but plan to based on this book.
10 reviews
February 29, 2020
Loved it

I didn’t want to put this book down. Sad and happy and I couldn’t wait to see how it all worked out ,even though I didn’t want it to finish
14 reviews
September 20, 2020
Brilliant

Enjoyed every minute of reading this book. Count wait to pick it up and found it very hard to put down. A real heart warming story with romance in as well. Lovely book.
2 reviews
October 31, 2020
Christmas Magic!

Definitely recommend this book, couldn't put it down. Well written and makes the reader eager to read the next chapter
Profile Image for Sam.
528 reviews4 followers
November 26, 2020
Another fab book written by Rosie Green with a true understanding of bereavement. I absolutely loved this book, so a big thumbs up from me.
358 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2021
Great read

Loved this and looking forward to more .
Great characters and interesting storyline. Well worth reading. Some good twists too .
Profile Image for Debra.
211 reviews1 follower
November 26, 2023
This was a lovely story. I always enjoy Rosie Green stories.
87 reviews3 followers
April 22, 2021
When Jess Rigby lost her dad, the family coped in different ways, alone in their grief. Now, her mum seems to be going off the rails and her sister, Isla, who moved to France, is now back and determined to get the old family home on the market. But the last thing Jess wants this Christmas is for renovations to start on the house. It's sure to stir up old memories she's desperate to forget. And to make things worse, Isla seems to have hired the most obnoxious builder in the world to do the work. Jess could ignore the fact that women seem to be putty in his hands. But what she finds harder to ignore is the frisson she gets every time she squeezes past him in the mess that is now their beloved family home! Soon, the house begins to give up its secrets, some of them shocking. Can the family finally start talking and find a way to move on from the past this Christmas?

As this is Rosie's first attempt at a full length Christmas story I really think she needs to write me a few more 7-8 should do it! hahahaha. Rosie green is a go to author for me, I love her style of writing and I know I am getting a couple of hours of pure escapism. I wont spoil it for anyone but please read this book, you'll love it I promise xx
11 reviews
January 29, 2020
Aww fantastic book!! I thought I had predicted the story so was totally surprised with the ending 😀
Profile Image for Adele.
831 reviews
December 6, 2019
This is the first standalone novel I've read by Rosie Green and it has the same captivation as her novellas. From the first page I was welcomed into a family coming to terms with a loss that seems never ending but sadly life has to go on and Jess with her sister, Isla and mother Patricia were coping in their own ways.
When Jess finds out her sister Isla has arranged renovations to be undertaken on their old family home she is distraught for all the memories being demolished by a builder who seems to have no idea in the sentiments he's destroying. Jess is annoyed with Isla but when she turns up unexpected from her home and business in Paris alarm bells start ringing in Jess' head. Why has Isla started renovating the house? Why has she returned home? What is Isla hiding?
Jess is also concerned with the recent decline in her mother's health and is worried that the not knowing what has happened to her father is eating away at them all.
Trying to find a light at the end of the dark tunnel they are all in Jess decides to revisit a craft she enjoyed doing with her father. The whole process of creating something beautiful appears to bring Jess closer to her father's memories and she starts to feel a certain thankfulness for the moments she shared with her father. However, working in the studio at the old family home brings her into the close working environment with Seb the builder. Jess soon realises her first impressions of Seb were not a true reflection of his character and there is more to Seb than meets the eye and a chemistry soon fizzles between them.
Snowflakes Over Moondance Cottage is everything you want in a festive read. I was charmed and invested by the story and felt the emotions expressed with the loss the girls have faced. Moondance Cottage sounded so idyllic and I could totally understand Jess' anguish with the building work. The storyline was real and relatable, it will pull at your heart strings and leave you with a satisfied glow of warmth, love and above all else hope.
Profile Image for Tiziana Langone.
872 reviews11 followers
December 18, 2019
A perfect story with lots of love and Christmas magic!

Jess Rigby is a bit surprised when suddenly her sister Isla seems to be back from France. Since the loss of their father there is a distance between them, as they and their mother grieve separately.
But Jess is just shocked when Isla decided all by herself to renovate their old house, Moondance Cottage, to sell it as soon as possible.
And when she meets the builder responsible for the renovations, Seb, she instantly dislikes him. But also she feels an attraction to him, almost impossible to resist!

Cleaning up the house means also discovering well kept secrets and trying to make amends with the family.
But nothing is as easy as is seems!
Reading the synopsis, I was already a big fan of it. But little did I know that this book would be just perfectly amazing!

Jess was never able to grieve properly over the loss of her father, making it very hard for her to digest the renovations and the selling of the house with so many memories.
But as she has no other choice, she slowly gives her pain a place and even start to honor her father by creating again baubles for Christmas, as she and her dad used to do before.
And getting to know Seb makes her wonder if there is more possible for the two of them.

This is not a simple Christmas love story. In my opinion it’s a story about a great loss, grief and family. 
The whole Rigby family has to find a way to bond again and putting their past behind them.
Everybody is doing their very best, trying to look after each other and telling the truth to each other.
What better way to re-find family again over the Christmas period, doing activities they used to loved.
And always rely on some Christmas Magic to make everything just more than perfect!
 
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews