Guest Review: Heartcross Castle by Christie Barlow

Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what

A second chance…

When her grandfather Marley passes away Grace Power discovers she’s been left the beautiful but crumbling estate of Heartcross Castle. As a single mum of three, Grace has no idea what she’s going to do with it – but who can say no to a roof over their kids’ heads and a chance to get away from past hurts?

And a forever home

Heartcross Castle is full of secrets – especially a lost security deposit box that holds the truth to everything… But when celebrity chef Andrew Glossop sets his eyes on the castle and, to make matters worse, mistakes Grace as the new housekeeper, Grace tells him there is absolutely NO CHANCE he is getting his hands on her home.

 

Devastated to have got it so wrong, Andrew will do anything to make it up to her – but is she willing to listen?

Review: This is book 7 in the Love Heart Lane Series by this author. Each book in the series is set in the Scottish highland village of Heartcross. There are several recurring characters in the collection, but each story adds a new character or characters and can be read as a standalone. I have been following the growing series from the beginning and have found each story quick to read and entertaining. As with the preceding book in the series, I listened to the well-narrated audio version.

In this latest story we meet Grace Power and her three young sons. As a teenager, Grace had run away from Heartcross Castle, where she was living with her grandfather who had brought her up following the death of her mother. Never having seen her grandfather since that day, she is amazed to find that he had bequeathed her the castle on his death. However, she is incredibly relieved to be able to escape with her boys from her abusive partner and put a roof over their heads. On arrival at the castle, she is dismayed to find it in a poor state and surprised to find celebrity chef Andrew Glossop living in the once servants’ quarters. After a turbulent start, Grace and Andrew gradually become closer, and, along with Grace’s old friends from the village, begin to restore the castle and grounds to their former glory. Grace also discovers some things about her grandfather’s past that she did not know along the way.

I have very much enjoyed this latest book in the series. It has so much going for it, with a strong female lead, a stunning setting, a handsome man waiting in the wings and the sense of community in the village that regular readers of the series will recognise. I really admired Grace and her determination to look after her boys. She was even prepared to take on the formidable Andrew if necessary. However, I was glad that he turned out to be more flexible than she expected, and I loved the way in which he respected the boys. The story about how her grandfather had come to own the castle was very moving in itself. I can highly recommend this truly heartwarming book, and indeed all the books in this series, to other readers.

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