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A Perfect Devon Farmhouse by Debbie Morrison #Review

  A Perfect Devon Farmhouse by Debbie Morrison was published by Prosperina Press  on 28 Jan. 2025.   Escape to the coastal village of Brambleton with this heartwarming love story filled with intrigue and rural charm ‘Heartwarming, emotional and full of community spirit. I couldn't put it down’ Amanda Prowse Clare’s life has just been turned upside down. Yesterday she was a successful London lawyer, about to travel the world on a well-deserved sabbatical. Now she’s back in her childhood home in rural north Devon, after the sudden death of her mother. Brambleton is a picture-perfect seaside village, where everyone knows your name and where secrets don’t stay behind closed doors for long. Clare left it behind for a reason along with an old flame she wants to leave firmly in the past. Yet, as she gradually learns to collect eggs from unruly chickens, make apple cider on frosty mornings, and look after her mother’s tearaway dog, she begins to fall under the spell of...

The Summer Island Festival by Rachel Burton #Review

 

I am delighted to feature a lovely Summer read on the blog today. Rachel Burton's The Summer Island Festival was published on 4th March. 


When Willow walks out on her own wedding, there's only one place she can go...

Growing up in the island village of Seaview, Willow always dreamed of a bigger life. Then her childhood sweetheart Luc betrayed her and she ran, resolving never to look back. Now, twelve years on, her glamorous London life is a mess and the island is her only option.

But she's not the only one back for the summer. Luc is now a world-famous heartthrob musician, and he's finally come home to headline the Isle of Wight's annual music festival.

As Willow untangles her messy past, she stumbles on a secret that could destroy her family, the island's fragile community - and her second chance at love...

My Thoughts

Set on the Isle of Wight, there is a great sense of place throughout the story. Willow and Luc were brought up on the island and it has had a major influence on their lives. Willow has spent years after University avoiding her background and comes to realise that she has been shaped according to others' wishes. There are plenty of secrets hidden in the past which are slowly uncovered. Some of these stem from their parents' youth in the 1980's when they were heavily involved in the music scene. 

    I enjoyed the dips into the past which absolutely held the flavour of the times. There are plenty of cameo characters who are all well drawn and with plenty of romance in the background, it feels like a gorgeous Summer read. As Willow and Luc try to come to terms with what they want their futures to be, you are left with a strong sense of family and home, with enduring friendship bonds.

In short: Starting over and moving on.  

About the Author


Rachel Burton has been making up stories for as long as she can remember and always dreamed of being a writer until life somehow got in the way. After reading for a degree in Classics and another in English Literature she accidentally fell into a career in law, but eventually managed to write her first book on her lunch breaks.

She has spent most of her life between Cambridge and London but now lives in Yorkshire with her husband and their three cats. She loves yoga, ice hockey, tea, The Beatles, dresses with pockets and very tall romantic heroes.

Find her on Twitter & Instagram as @RachelBWriter or follow her blog at rachelburtonwrites.com. She is always happy to talk books, writing, music, cats and how the weather in Yorkshire is rubbish. She is mostly dreaming of her next holiday....

You can follow Rachel here: Twitter  |  Facebook   |  Website

Book links: Amazon UK 

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


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