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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...

The Impossible Search for the Perfect Man by Debbie Howells #Review

 

Happy Publication Day to Debbie Howells on the publication of her novel, The Impossible Search fir the Perfect Man

 
Imagine for a moment, your husband leaves you. Then through a bizarre twist of events, you find yourself working with the girl he’s left you for – and even worse, she's pregnant...

Louisa’s not really up to any more complicated relationships. Right now, she doesn’t need them. She has good friends. Okay, so one has a screwed-up husband and the other a very strange horoscope habit. Not to mention her ex-husband’s new girlfriend, who Louisa has somehow found herself giving relationship counselling to. She doesn’t need anyone else with problems in her life right now.

It would be nice, wouldn’t it? To find a straightforward man, who isn’t remotely messed up. Now there’s a thought... But does such a man even exist?

She thinks not. But, she resolves, a life of helping other people find their happy-ever-afters is still something. But then handsome vet Marcus walks into her life. And everything changes…

Set in the Hampshire countryside against a background of horses and vets, this is a story about friendship and love, and life's way of throwing in the unexpected...


 My Thoughts

You become quite involved in Louisa’s life during this heartwarming story as you follow her journey from shattered marriage, onwards. There is a degree of wry humour to be found in the characters who all have their own quirks and personalities and the animals are equally as endearing. The vets practice where she works offers lots of potential in the story to introduce new characters and by the end, you feel you know them so well.

    Louisa’s family seem rather cold  at first but you see how circumstances change and Louisa begins to see things differently. As per the title, there are plenty of pairings for you to compare as each of Louisa’s friends search for their special person. Marriages are also under the microscope, some more successful than others and a fair few engagements. Most of all, in the story, I appreciated Louisa with her self deprecating manner and ability to see the humour behind events. There is plenty of kindness to offset certain selfish behaviour which leaves you with a feeling of goodwill and the thought that there seems to be the right person for everyone. You might have to kiss a few toads on the way!

In short: warm witty writing




About the Author

 

Debbie Howells’s first novel, a psychological thriller, The Bones of You was a Sunday Times bestseller for Macmillan. Four more bestsellers followed, including most recently The Vow, published by Avon. Fulfilling her dream of writing women’s fiction, she has found a home with Boldwood and her first title with them, The Life You Left Behind, was published in February 2022.


You can follow Debbie here: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

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Book link: Purchase Link

 

Thanks to Debbie Howells, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

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