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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...
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A Season for Love by Ally Sinclair #Review

 You are invited to take part in this Regency Season of love and romance...set in the 21st Century with some very modern characters and issues. A Season for Love by Ally Sinclair was published on 12th January by Hera Books. 

Can old-fashioned courtship survive in today's dating world?

When Emma Love’s mother retires, it is time for her to take the reins of the family dating agency and build on its success. And she has a fresh new idea: to host a Jane Austen-style Regency Season of glamourous events where potential lovers can actually take the time to get to know each other in person, with no apps in between.

Emma has no intention of becoming romantically involved herself, of course; she is a matchmaker on the hunt for the perfect partner for ladies like Annie (who thought she had missed her chance at love a long time ago), Jane (recently divorced and nervously stepping into her new life) and wild child Lydia (more interested in hooking up than finding Mr Darcy).

As the Season unfolds, there is only one fly in Emma’s ointment – the irritating Mr Knight, with his casual attitude and gentle cynicism. Why is she allowing him to ruffle her calm, ordered life and why can’t she stop thinking about him? She is far too sensible to take a chance on love – isn’t she?

Jane Austen meets Sophie Kinsella in this laugh-out-loud, captivating romantic comedy.

 

My Thoughts

This read was such fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole premise of a modern take on the Regency ritual of the Season and it fitted perfectly with the characters and situations. I was rooting for all of the participants in the Season and loved the variety of the characters and their situations. There was plenty of humour, but also some slightly darker issues and the backgrounds of all the characters really added to the story.

    Emma, the Matchmaker, is the ultimate control freak in many ways but you soon realise that this is all part of her desire to live up to her mother's expectations and in many ways, live up to her mother's high standards in the business. Annie, Lydia and Jane are all friends before the story starts and on the face of it, three fairly ordinary school teachers. However, you soon see their 'off duty' characters and begin to understand how they all support each other.  I loved a lot of the dialogue between the couples and the friends and any fans of Bridgerton will love the faint echoes of the story. I also enjoyed the faint nods to Jane Austen's novels themselves, ever on the lookout for Mr Darcy, Mr Knightley, and even a sighting of Mr Bingley. Thoroughly recommended, I can't wait for the next Season, which I believe may have a festive flavour.

In short: humour, romance and great charm

About the Author


 

Ally grew up on the North Yorkshire coast and now lives with her husband in Worcestershire, at least until she can persuade him to give into her yearning to live somewhere nearer the sea. No kids, no pets. She sometimes manages to keep a pot plant alive. Briefly. She has been writing professionally since 2013, and is also published as Alison May and, in collaboration, as Juliet Bell. Ally is a former Chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and currently works as an associate lecturer for the Open University.

 You can follow Ally here: Twitter @/MsAllySinclair 

  |  Twitter @MsAlisonMay  |  Facebook Ally Sinclair 

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Book links:  Amazon UK  |  Apple  |  Hive 

Thanks to Ally Sinclair, Hera Books 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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