On my continuing search for gentle reads, I came across this autobiographical novel set in a fictional village, and I settled into the feel-good nature of it.

The novel has got quirky small-town folks and some truly laugh-out-loud moments along with cozier ones, sprinkled with poignancy. For real, one of the most empathetic scenes had me blinking back tears. There's also a little thread of romance woven into Jack's school year.

Granted, not every minute here is full of warm fuzzies, including Jack's face-off with a bigoted parent who has a problem with a new international student who gets admitted into the school. On the lighter side, I might have done a bit of blushing at some (chuckle-worthy) potty-mouthing from one of the little schoolchildren, though Jack is obliged to bleep-out the child's choice word for the reader's sake.

There's a fortune-telling scene that I admittedly skipped—not my thing. And a brief moment that's meant to be a light one refers to two men looking like minstrels, due to their faces being blackened after they fix a boiler. The reference wasn't funny to me, but again, the moment was brief, and there's no actual blackface in the story.

Overall, I found this to be relaxing reading about a lead who enjoys his chosen, valuable vocation. And the ending of the story is downright beautiful.

As this is the first book in a series, I plan on checking out more of it. ( )

Not usually my kind of book but I'm intending to read this series. Told perhaps with a little artistic license (it's not possible for the narrator to know what others are thinking) this makes for a novel that feels part storytelling and part memoir. As sad at times as it is humorous in others. I want to say this is a pleasant read though I don't think that does the book justice. For those who like books a little biographical in nature, perhaps, this is a much warmer tone of fiction. ( )

1977, North Yorkshire. Jack Sheffield is the newly appointed headmaster of a small village primary school. The book chronicles his first year as he comes to grips with his new role. Chapter headings include what was officially entered into the school logbook with the real story told in the chapter. His fellow cast includes Ruby the 20 stone caretaker with spelling issues, a secretary who worships Margaret Thatcher, a singing cowboy, and a five-year-old boy with a colourful vocabulary! This is not to mention the distraction of the lovely Beth Henderson. Village life sounds both lovely and entertaining. Would sit well on the shelf next to James Herriot's books. Enjoyed. ( )

Just a lovely book that reminded me how much I enjoyed reading about daily life in Yorkshire. I'm glad I've discovered another series set in this beautiful part of the world. ( )

Somewhat in the style of James Herriot or Gervase Phinn, this is a fictional account (almost certainly based heavily on personal experience) of a young headmaster in his first year at a small Yorkshire school in the late 1970s. I thought it very well written, giving a great impression of what life was like in a village environment. There are some colourful characters who seem believable, if caricatured, and some delightful children. It's written in the first person, with one or two very funny moments and others that are extremely moving. There's a low-key romance too, when Jack meets the attractive Beth Henderson. Very enjoyable, and recommended. Four and a half stars, really. ( )