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Coming Home to Maple Lodge by Alison Sherlock #Review

  I am delighted to feature the first in Alison Sherlock's new series set in the Corswolds. Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge was published by Boldwood Books on June 20th. A family and hotel in desperate need of help… Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads. With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the com...

My Map of You by Isabelle Broom

    My Map of You strikes me as the ultimate summer read. Mainly set on the Greek island of sun drenched Zakynthos, we follow Holly, a rather emotionally detached young woman, after she has found out that she inherited a house there, from an aunt who she had never met and was unaware of. We find out the reasons why Holly has built an invisible wall around herself and uncover family secrets along the way. 

    The supporting cast of characters are warm and varied. There is a romance to unravel but what is interesting is that all of the characters are flawed and completely human. You can see the principal characters grow and develop, especially Holly who gains a greater understanding of her place in life. For me, the settings steal the show. Metropolitan London is a good contrast to the shimmering island of Zakynthos which is described in such detail. The pace of the story never flags and for an escapist read, this fits the bill.

In short: a descriptive, evocative, heart warming summer read. 

My thanks to the publisher, Penguin Random House, for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
     

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