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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...

One Last Summer by Victoria Connelly #Review


 Welcome to today's stop on the tour to celebrate Victoria Connelly's emotional novel, One Last Summer.
 
They have the whole summer ahead of them. Is it enough to rekindle the friendship they once shared?


Harriet Greenleaf dreams of spending the summer in a beautiful ancient priory on the Somerset coast with her two best friends—but her dream is bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s a chance to reconnect three lives that have drifted apart; on the other, she has a devastating secret to share that will change everything between them forever.

First to arrive is Audrey—the workaholic who’s heading for a heart attack unless she slows down and makes time for herself. Then Lisa, the happy-go-lucky flirt who’s always struggled to commit to anyone—or anything. Ever the optimist, can Harriet remind them of the joy in their lives and the importance of celebrating good friendship before it’s gone?


Through the highs and lows of a long, glorious summer, these three women will rediscover what it means to be there for each other—before they face the hardest of goodbyes.


My Thoughts

This is a moving and poignant read which still provides the reader with a hopeful and enjoyable read. You feel invested in the story and I particularly enjoyed how you got to know all the women in the novel who all had their own story going on. It is a thought provoking story and deals with some difficult issues of terminal illness and saying goodbye. However, it always retains  a sense of the love and friendship between the friends.

    Hannah is a wonderful character who is never mawkish or self- indulgent. It feels like a credible story. With a wonderful setting and beautifully written prose, it is an engrossing read which you can't put down. Despite the sadness, there are also some funny moments and a feeling of timelessness and life carrying on. 

In short: A moving and compassionate story of love and friendship.
About the Author 


Victoria Connelly studied English literature at Worcester University, got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and now lives in rural Suffolk with her artist husband, a young springer spaniel and a flock of ex-battery hens.

She is the author of two bestselling series, Austen Addicts and The Book Lovers, as well as many other novels and novellas. Her first published novel, Flights of Angels, was made into a film in 2008 by Ziegler Films in Germany. The Runaway Actress was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Romantic Comedy Novel award.

Ms Connelly loves books, films, walking, historic buildings and animals. If she isn’t at her keyboard writing, she can usually be found in her garden, with either a trowel in her hand or a hen on her lap.

Her website is www.victoriaconnelly.com  and readers can follow her on Twitter @VictoriaDarcy and on Instagram @VictoriaConnellyAuthor.

Book links: Amazon UK  |  Amazon US

Thanks to Victoria Connelly, and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

                                                         Check out the rest of the tour!


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