Title:  Christmas at the Dog & Duck
Series:
Author:  Jill Steeples
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  October 1, 2016
Publisher:  Aria
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Ellie Browne has left behind her high-flying job in London to return to the charming Buckinghamshire village of Little Leyton. Working shifts at The Dog and Duck and running her own doggy-day-care business, Ellie’s looking for a much simpler way of life and a good old fashioned Christmas.

But Little Leyton’s landscape is changing; Johnny Tay, Ellie’s ex, wants to pick up where they left off; sultry property developer Max Golding, has moved into the village and is ruffling feathers; and rumour has it that the pub, which holds a special place in Ellie’s heart, might be sold. Suddenly, life’s looking a whole lot more complicated.

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas at the Dog & Duck.  No true spoilers, promise.

While Christmas at the Dog & Duck is a delightful story of returning home, a small close knit community and the village pub which is almost a character in itself during this story… I will be blunt though.  This is not what I consider a Christmas story.  The majority of the events within this one take place months before the holiday and wrap up around Christmas.  Am I nit-picking?  Yes, perhaps you may think so.  Yet with Christmas the first word in the title, I don’t think it’s uncommon to expect the entire story to be set at Christmas time.

Now, having said that – I did really enjoy this story.  I have a special fondness for the village pub or the local neighborhood bar.  No, I’m not going to start singing the “Cheers” tv theme.  Yet, these buildings/businesses/meeting places do indeed become an intricate part of the community they are set down among.  It’s easy to believe they take on a life of their own – and why so many people who call this pub home away from home are truly concerned for its future.

Ellie is a charming young lady who is doing her best with what life’s offering at the moment.  Life changes constantly, and among the rumors, mystery, and close community it was fun to watch the slow burn of the developing relationship with Max.  Rumors can’t always be believed, gossip often changes fact into fiction so learning the true future of the pub was a compelling journey.  One that I completely enjoyed.

I would recommend Christmas at the Dog & Duck.  It’s a charming story of new love, a tight community and it all wraps up in Christmas magic.  What’s not to enjoy about all that?

*I received an e-ARC Christmas at the Dog & Duck from the publisher, Aria and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available for the Kindle