Let the Bells Ring Out By Milly Johnson

‘Let the Bells Ring Out’ is the latest book by Milly Johnson.

The Yorkshire Belle is a glamorous steam train all decked out for an escapist festive getaway. It is not supposed to be where a group of people, all trying to get to their destinations for the holidays, will spend their Christmas. Seven people, each with their own hopes and dreams, secrets and sorrows, board the train as strangers, but as the snow keeps falling and they realise they are going nowhere fast, they are forced to slow down and embrace the present.

I’ve spent my Christmas curled up with this story and it truly made for heartwarming and festive reading that warmed that the cockles of my heart.

The story revolves around seven people who are all at a crossroads in their lives and this chance upon meeting where they end up spending Christmas on a mysterious and luxurious steam engine when they become stranded there during a bad snowstorm.

Grace and Frank are a married couple who are at loggerheads and their Christmas trip is make or break for the couple, Frank is an optimistic character who really shines in the story, taking over as leader of the group thriving and making food for everyone. Whilst Grace is a bit of a tortured soul who’s unhappy with life. Roo’s ex is now married to her ex best friend who’s pregnant and Roo doesn’t know where to go in life, now she’s single and homeless. Elizabeth is an elegant lady who’s set to be married to Gregory, but it seems to be more of a marriage of convenience than love, but it seems that her taxi driver Vincent has taken a shine to her and he’s in a place where he’s wanting to settle down. Even though Tim dresses as Santa Claus, he’s far from jolly, he’s a grumpy man who get riled particularly when outspoken Roo challenges him. Even though Jane is an older woman, she’s young at heart with dreams of travelling the world but is grieving the loss of her husband.

I loved the magic of this story, the beautiful descriptions of the glorious train and its opulent surroundings that swept myself and the passengers away. The mix of personalities are fantastic from quiet to fiery there was rarely a quiet moment with the story as the people got to know each other confined in the small space at Christmas time when they were wanting to be somewhere else instead of stranded on a train with strangers.

Another quirky and warm addition to the story is the inclusion of a local radio DJ that the people listened to called BBC Radio Brian, Bernard Brian Cosgrove, his dulcet tones accompanies them on the trip as he regales them with stories of nostalgia and facts about Christmas and life. I thought this added some magic to the story.

Wonderfully written and packed with warmth and charm, ‘Let the Bells Ring Out’ is the perfect story to get absorbed in whatever the season. A story about new friendships, grief, loss and chance encounters, another glorious book from Milly.

You can buy ‘Let the Bells Ring Out’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.