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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...

Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital by Jo Barlett #Review

 

Jo Bartlett's new series continues with Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital. It was published by Boldwood Books on April 3rd. You can read my reviews of the others in the series here: Welcome to the Cornish Country Hospital and Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital and A Sound Family at the Cornish Country Hospital Lessons in Love at the Cornish Country Hospital
A lost love...

A&E Nurse Amy Spencer lives a very ordinary life in Port Kara. She loves her job at the hospital and has a great group of friends, but there is something or someone, missing from her life. Amy’s tried dating but no one ever compares with the one boy that got away –Lijah Byrne.

A surprise arrival...

Lijah’s life since he left Port Kara has been what dreams are made of. But lately Lijah has started to feel hollow –the fame and celebrity he once craved now makes him feel trapped. The only place he’s ever felt safe is Port Kara...so maybe it’s time to go back home?

A reunion written in the stars.

When Amy bumps into Lijah again, she only sees the boy she once loved with all her heart. But their lives areso different now. Amy knows a rekindling of their past love will end in heartbreak, but she can’t give up her second chance to be with the man she loves.


 My Thoughts

This is a real 'will they, won't they? plot with Amy's attitude towards herself and Lijah at odds throughout the story. Amy is a very competent and caring nurse with the great qualities of empathy, loyalty and kindness toward others. However, her view of herself is on the floor, partly due to how others , including her brother, have treated her. Consequently, her instinct is to hide away and just try to please everyone. Lijah has always seen her differently and despite his fame and fortune, finds himself longing for the stability of his former friends and his family back in Cornwall.

    Running alongside Amy and Lijah's story, we follow Gwen's agonies as she struggles to face up to some potentially serious health symptoms. She has appeared in both the Cornish Country Hospital and the Cornish Midwife series and always shown her bright, bubbly side. Despite being the oldest, she has shown the others how to grasp hold of life and have fun. As she is faced with potentially losing that side of life, Gwen realises just what her life means to her. This is a great addition to the series, with familiar faces appearing and going through some seismic life changes themselves. Full of warmth and heart, this is a lovely series to settle into.

In short: Can love find a way?

 


About the Author

Jo Bartlett was born a stone’s throw from the English Channel and still lives near the sea in Kent, with her family, so close to the South Eastern edge of England that they're very nearly French. It's probably why so many of her books are set near the sea too. Jo has made up stories for as long as she can remember, but never really took it any further, until a catalyst called cancer gave her the impetus to follow her dreams.

Since having her debut novel published in 2015, Jo has had numerous bestsellers in the UK, the USA, Australia and Canada, including a UK Top 10. Jo writes contemporary women’s fiction, with stories that focus on love, friendship, family and community. Since joining Boldwood Books in 2021, Jo has had twelve bestselling novels across The Cornish Midwife and Cornish Country Hospital series.

 

You can follow Jo here: Facebook  |  Twitter   |  Instagram   |  Newsletter sign up  |  Bookbub profile 

 Purchase links 

Thanks to Jo Bartlett, 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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