Almost a year to the day since we last gathered together, we were delighted to reunite with the wonderful Veronica Henry – this time in a new venue, celebrating another captivating publication. Presented by Leckford Estate in partnership with us at Tea Leaves & Reads, the evening felt special from the very start.
Guests arrived via a picturesque drive lined with delicate snowdrops and it was still daylight when we got there! The setting couldn’t have been more fitting for Veronica’s latest novel, The Invitation, which is set largely in a beautiful manor house in Somerset. The sense of place, so central to Veronica’s storytelling, felt wonderfully echoed in our surroundings and expertly teased out in conversation with Nikki’s fabulous questions and Veronica’s insightful answers.
We were warmly welcomed by the team at The Longstock Park Farm Shop, where the Farm Shop was open for browsing and the café was serving hot and cold drinks (and wine!) as guests mingled before the talk. The venue itself was simply beautiful – relaxed, atmospheric and perfectly suited to an intimate evening of books and conversation.
A particularly magical moment came when Nikki Moore read an extract from The Invitation, describing the grandeur and charm of Foxwood Manor. There is always something special about hearing one author bring another’s words to life — and the passage transported us all straight into Veronica’s world.
The evening was filled with warmth, laughter and thoughtful conversation, a true celebration of storytelling and community. We are so grateful to the staff at The Longstock Park Farm Shop for hosting us so generously, to Veronica Henry and Nikki Moore for their time and talent, to our incredible volunteers for their help behind the scenes, and of course to all the wonderful book lovers who joined us and made the evening such a success. Read on to discover more about Veronica’s The Invitation and Nikki Moore’s upcoming release… 📚
The sweeping new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Veronica Henry, set between post-war London and the enchanting Foxwood Manor in the rolling Somerset countryside. Filled with secret love affairs, heartbreak and friendship, expect surprises on every page.
Nikki Moore is a multi-published, award-nominated romance author who writes under several pen names and had commercial success with her novel The Last Charm, writing as Ella Allbright. Owned by a husband, large family and two naughty beagles, she drinks too much coffee, buys far too many books and spends her nights wondering how a sentient village would behave. Nikki’s debut fantasy novel, writing as Bella Brightside, publishes in March 2026.
Escape to beautiful Provence with the dazzlingly romantic novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Veronica Henry! Gorgeously romantic, sweet as French pastries and the perfect read!
One night to fall in love.
One summer to change everything…
Featured Socials
Purchase the Books
Choose to purchase the books alone or in a cosy book box of treats. Pop into our Bookshop to browse in the peaceful setting of The Fairground or shop online.
No responses yet