The Winter That Made Us by Kate Field

 

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Accent Press Ltd (20 Sept. 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1786156180
• ISBN-13: 978-1786156181
• Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 1.6 x 12.9 cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

When Tess finds herself unexpectedly alone and back in Ribblemill, the childhood village she thought she’d escaped, she’s sure she can survive a temporary stay. She’s spent a lifetime making the best of things, hasn’t she?

Determined to throw herself into village life, Tess starts a choir and gathers a team of volunteers to restore the walled garden at Ramblings, the local stately home. Everything could be perfect, if she weren’t sharing a cottage and a cat with a man whose manner is more prickly than the nettles she’s removing…

As winter approaches, Tess finds herself putting down her own roots as fast as she’s pulling them up in the garden. But the ghosts of the past hover close by, and Tess must face them if she’s to discover whether home is where her heart has been all along.

 

Review

The Winter That Made Us is the story of Tess and Noah, both vulnerable, both trying to make the best of things.  Tess has returned to Ribblemill, her home village, for a year and finds herself renting and sharing Cobweb Cottage with Noah. Tess is very polished on the outside; perfect hair, perfect make-up, feminine dresses and shoes, and a smile always on her her face.  On the inside however, cracks are starting to appear, she isn’t happy, she is in a job she doesn’t like and her perfect life is falling about around her, but she doesn’t want to shatter the illusion of perfection, let people see the real her.  Noah has his own troubles, trying to get his life back on track after an accident and is the complete opposite to Tess; prickly, rough around the edges and prefers solitude.  But sometimes opposites attract, and maybe they can help each other past their troubles.

This is such a wonderful book with many layers that keep the story entertaining.  There is love, loss, community spirit, family friendship and accepting who you are.  I really enjoyed the sense of community and everyone’s willingness to help others, and to muck in when needed.  Kate Field really brought the village and it’s inhabitants to life with her descriptive prose and attention to detail. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Tess and Noah develop, as their barriers were lowered and feelings shown. There were two catalysts that enabled this change in their relationship, a kitten called Morag and a little boy being fostered in the village. Both Morag and Kyle bring out a softer side to both Tess and Noah, and there are many scenes that bring a lump to your throat in these relationships.

The Winter That Made Us is the first book I have read by Kate Field, but it won’t be the last.  This is a well written, warm and witty book and an absolute joy to read.  At only two hundred pages it also a book that you can read in one sitting and completely loose yourself in for a few hours.  So go on and grab yourself a quiet corner, a drink and fall into this charming book.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my review of The Winter That Made Us. If you enjoyed it please share and like on social media.  I really appreciate all your support x