We are back to Cornwall to the community of Port Agnes with Jo Bartlett. Letting Go of Yesterday, the first in a new series, was published by Boldwood on November 9th.
Sometimes the only way forward… is to go back.
When Rowan Bellamy’s marriage collapses in spectacular
style, she retreats with her two children, Bella and Theo, to the last place
she ever wanted to return—her windswept Cornish hometown of Port Agnes. Taking
the headteacher role at the local primary school is the easy part. Facing
village gossip, curious neighbours, and old flames? Not so much.
Especially when one of those flames turns out to be Nathan
Lark — the boy who broke her heart and the man who now has a reputation as
bruised as her own. With his young nephew Leo a pupil in Rowan’s school, she
and Nathan are thrown into each other’s lives once more. And whether she likes
it or not, the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore.
As salty sea air begins to soothe old wounds and Port Agnes
slowly feels like home again, Rowan must decide if she’s brave enough to let go
of the past and open her heart one more time.
My Thoughts
When Rowan realises that she has to leave the cloistered setting at her private school and return to be the headteacher at the primary school in her hometown of Port Agnes, both she and her children find their lives have been turned upside down. Her marriage has ended in a completely unexpected way and the details of her break up are being keep away from her children, family and friends. Rowan shows resilience and courage as she steps into a new future and rethinks her priorities. It is not all smooth sailing and she has to help both her children come to terms with the changes and to find new friends and a sense of belonging.
You often feel that Rowan puts others before herself and how she supports her ex-husband is a case in point. This affects her friendship with Nathan who she has met up with again. I enjoyed meeting a few familiar faces from other books set near Port Agnes. It gives you the feeling that this is a dynamic community and adds to the sense of warmth and security. Fresh starts and second chances are central themes which flow from the characters.
In short: second chances and starting over
About the Author
Jo Bartlett is the bestselling author of over nineteen
women’s fiction titles. She fits her writing in between her two day jobs as an
educational consultant and university lecturer and lives with her family and
three dogs on the Kent coast.
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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