***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Fans of Katie Fforde, Phillipa Ashley and The Vicar of Dibley will love this heartwarming and witty new novel from Julie Houston.Three devoted sisters... One complicated family. When Rosa Quinn left her childhood home in Westenbury, she never expected to return over a decade later as the village vicar. But after a health scare and catching her boyfriend cheating, Rosa jumps at the chance to start over and live closer to her triplet sisters Eva and Hannah. But Rosa's isn't the only old face in the village, and when her role in the parish throws her into the path of her ex, she begins to wonder if she's made a terrible mistake. Meanwhile, Eva and Hannah face their own troubles, as secrets about their family threaten to emerge. Can Rosa make a life for herself in Westenbury? Or will the sisters discover you can't run away from the past? Praise for Julie Houston's books: 'A warm, funny story of sisters and the secrets they keep' Sheila O'Flanagan 'Warm, funny and well written, with a page turning plot, this book has everything! I loved it!' Katie Fforde 'Julie Houston at her best - heartfelt and hilarious' Sandy Barker 'Laugh-out-loud hilarious and heartwarming!' Mandy Baggot 'This book is an absolute gigglefest with characters you'll fall in love with!' Katie Ginger
The Village Vicar by Julie Houston is a lovely story mostly about three sisters with some family drama, small-town drama, and a bit of romance.
Story Recap:
Rosa Quinn is returning to her home village as the vicar. She’s been away for years, and never expected to return, especially as the vicar! She had a high-powered job in finance, and after a health scare, she re-evaluated her life and became a vicar.
Rosa also wants to be closer to her sisters, Eva and Hannah who are her triplet siblings and they grew up very close. Eva is a dentist, married to another dentist who is bored with her marriage, and Hannah is single, but dating a married man. Each of these sisters has a lot going on, but the book is mainly about Rosa.
My Thoughts:
I love a good book about sisters and this one fit the bill. I loved that they are triplets and yet they each have separate and very distinct personalities. Rosa is my favorite sister and the book is mainly about her. She’s had a tough time with a bad health scare and a cheating husband, but she’s optimistic and ready to serve the village as the vicar.
The pacing was good. It did take a bit to get into, but the pace picked up soon after and the rest of the book flew by. I also enjoyed the sister’s interactions, as they felt authentic to me. I hope to get a book about Hannah, as I enjoyed her character and would like to know more about her and Eva.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Village Vicar to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Julie Houston
Julie lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire where her novels are set, and her only claims to fame are that she teaches part-time at ‘Bridget Jones’ author Helen Fielding’s old junior school and her neighbour is ‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne Harris. After University, where she studied Education and English Literature, she taught for many years as a junior school teacher. As a newly qualified teacher, broke and paying off her first mortgage, she would spend every long summer holiday working on different Kibbutzim in Israel. After teaching for a few years she decided to go to New Zealand to work and taught in Auckland for a year before coming back to this country. She now teaches just two days a week, and still loves the buzz of teaching junior-aged children. She has been a magistrate for the past nineteen years, and, when not distracted by Ebay, Twitter and Ancestry, spends much of her time writing. Julie is married, has a twenty-four-year-old son and twenty-one-year-old daughter and a ridiculous Cockerpoo called Lincoln. She runs and swims because she’s been told it’s good for her, but would really prefer a glass of wine, a sun lounger and a jolly good book - preferably with Matthew Mcconaughay in attendance.
She hates skiing, gets sick on boats and wouldn’t go pot-holing or paddy diving if her life depended on it.
I love a good sisters book as well, Wendy. I have not read this one, but will have to see if I can get my hands on it. A trilogy would be even better. Wonderful review.
Women’s fiction isn’t necessarily my go-to genre but I love that it’s a book featuring sisters, especially since their interactions felt authentic. I don’t think that’s always easy to write. Thanks for sharing!
I have read one or two books by Julie Houston, but was disappointed by the amount of language or sex (can’t remember which, maybe both). What about this one?
I love a good sisters book as well, Wendy. I have not read this one, but will have to see if I can get my hands on it. A trilogy would be even better. Wonderful review.
This sounds lovely and I love books about families – especially when it involves sisters!
I don’t think I’ve read a story with triplets. The sisters different lives, but now all living close does sound like a good set up.
Triplets…that is cool. So glad you had fun with this one.
Thank you, Kimberly
I’ve now added this one to my TBR, and can’t wait to read it! Good to know it starts off slow but the pace picks up.
I hope you enjoy it, Lucy!
Thanks Lucy!!
I haven’t read a book on triplet siblings. Sounds really good. Amazing review!
Thank you, Yesha!
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with grown up triplets. This does sound a wonderful read.
It’s the first book I’ve read with grown up triplets too
I like a book featuring sisters. Sounds like a fun one.
Thank you, Rachel.
Excellent review! I like the cover, too!
Thank you, Jolene. That cover is gorgeous.
I like books about sisters too and this sounds like a nice one, glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you
This sounds like I need to add it to my Wishlist.
It’s a good one. I hope you enjoy it if you get the chance to get to i.
Women’s fiction isn’t necessarily my go-to genre but I love that it’s a book featuring sisters, especially since their interactions felt authentic. I don’t think that’s always easy to write. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Stephanie
Lovely review Wendy! It’s always great when the interactions between the characters are authentic. I’m glad the rest of the book flew by!
Thank you!
I have read one or two books by Julie Houston, but was disappointed by the amount of language or sex (can’t remember which, maybe both). What about this one?
This was much more about the sisters and their relationships so not much sex in this one.
This sounds like a fun read. I rarely select books that aren’t work…not sure why. Guess I should lighten up every once in a while.
Thank you, Anne
Sounds good! I’ve read a series about a Vicarage and 4 sisters by Kate Hewitt that was lovely.
Oh that sounds so good!
Great review, Wendy! It sounds so good!
Thank you, Cindy
Excellent review Wendy! This one sounds perfect for me!🤗📚💜
I think you’d enjoy it, Susan!
Oh, wow, triplets – you don’t see that often in books or real life. That alone makes me interested enough to read the book. Excellent review!
It was interesting to see life through the eyes of triplets.
This sounds great. I love dynamics between sisters.
Me too! Thanks, Janette
Great review, I love books about families too 😊
Thank you, Jenny!