Guest Review: Starting Over in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson

onnie Llewelyn is the beating heart of the magical seaside village of Starshine Cove. She runs the local cafe, and is everybody's friend – always on hand with a kind smile, a listening ear and a freshly-baked scone.

Since losing her beloved husband five years ago, she's been busy raising her children, supporting her extended family and staying positive. Now, as her kids fly the nest, she finds herself wondering what her own future might look like.

When a face from the past unexpectedly arrives in Starshine, could meeting Zack again give her a second chance at love? Will Connie be brave enough to take a risk on living life for herself?

Review: This is the fourth book in the Starshine Cove series from Debbie Johnson. Stories in this series are set in the strangely magical Dorset seaside village of Starshine Cove, which draws in visitors who then never want to leave, meaning that the population grows with each successive book. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

This story centres on Connie, a character who has lived in Starshine Cove for many years and has featured in these books from the start. Connie is an amazing cook who runs the cafe in the village while raising a family and being on hand to help anybody who needs assistance or even just a listening ear. Having been widowed five years ago, she is now finding life a bit empty as her children are leaving the nest to follow their own paths. However, a surprise encounter with a face from her past in the shape of Zack has her recalling how she arrived in the village all those years ago and wondering if it is too late to consider opening her heart to love once again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and especially learning more about one of the key inhabitants of the village. I feel as though I have got to know the villagers as I have read each book in turn, and Connie has always struck me as someone I would love to sit down and chat with. Learning about Connie’s past was quite painful at times and, typically of Debbie Johnson’s writing, I experienced both laughter and tears as I read. The wonderful power of community came across once again in this book as it has in previous stories about this village. As well as enjoying Connie’s story, I also liked meeting Zack, a strong personality with a surprising secret. I am hoping that there will be further additions to this amazing series; it is wonderful to have somewhere like Starshine Cove to escape to once in a while.

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Guest Review: A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft by Jessica Redland

New friends, new life, new love…

Single dad, Joel Grainger, is devoted to his little girl, Imogen, doing all he can to be a key part of her life. But with Imogen’s mum being ever more difficult and Joel’s job suddenly in doubt, he’s worried that everything is about to change. Joel has given everything to Imogen, and he doesn’t regret it, but maybe he’s lost himself along the way…

Since her dad’s heart-breaking dementia diagnosis, Poppy Wells has been struggling and desperately needs a break. An opportunity to stay in gorgeous Whisperwood Farmhouse nestled in the Yorkshire Wolds and a stone’s throw away from Bumblebee Barn couldn’t be more perfect. Finally able to breathe, Poppy begins to see a new life ahead, a place where she can heal her broken heart and be part of something special. But can she ever leave her beloved dad to get the happiness she craves?

When Poppy and Joel meet there’s an instant connection. But with both of them at a crossroads, a future together seems impossible. Can they find the strength to overcome their challenges to secure their forever home together?

I have been a fan of Jessica Redland’s books for some time now, enjoying the various collections of stories she has published. This latest book is part of the Honeybee Barn collection, with stories set in the Yorkshire Wolds. There are a number of familiar faces from previous series in this book, but this is still a standalone story for those who are perhaps new to this author.

The central characters in this story are Joel Grainger, a divorced dad trying to get better access to his daughter Imogen, and accountant and beekeeper Poppy Wells, who is finding life stressful fitting work around visiting her dad who is in advanced stages of dementia. When concerned friends finally persuade Poppy that she needs a break, she books a stay in Whisperwood Farmhouse in the Yorkshire Wolds, which is also close to Honeybee Barn. Poppy instantly falls in love with the farmhouse and the area in general and sees an opportunity to begin a new life there where she can keep bees and make products from their honey. A chance meeting with Joel, who is also considering a new start, and acknowledgement of an instant attraction between them has has the pair wondering whether they could have a future together in this lovely part of the country.

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to other readers. It is full to the brim with love, friendship and a sense of community. Poppy and Joel were both appealing characters, each of them going through hard times. As well as the heartbreaking time Poppy was having watching as her dad’s health deteriorated, there were other stresses in her life. Similarly, Joel was having a tough time, fighting with his ex-wife over access to Imogen at the same time as worrying over other family members and the security of his job. It was heartwarming to watch them find solace in each other. Having already read many of Jessica Redland’s other books, I enjoyed meeting up with lots of characters that I recognised from previous storylines. Once again, I was struck by the beauty of the setting for the book, while the farmhouse where Poppy was staying sounded really enchanting.

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Guest Review: Something in the Air by Helen Rolfe

A surprise arrival

Working with the Whistlestop River air ambulance is Nadia's whole world. She adores her job and the team – they’re family. But when a baby is abandoned on the steps of the base, Nadia is forced to confront events from her past she’d rather forget.

A difficult change

Hudson is trying to get his life back on track after his divorce. It’s not easy juggling his work as a patient and family liaison officer and being the primary parent for his children. He wouldn’t change it for the world. But when his teenage son’s behaviour spirals out of control, Hudson begins to wonder if he can really be there for everyone who needs him…

A chance for something special?

Nadia and Hudson have always been friends, but the arrival of baby Lena pushes them closer than ever, and as their feelings start to grow, they’ll have to decide – do they have space for love when their families need them? And could they put themselves and each other first, just this once?

Review: This is the third book in The Skylarks series from this author, with stories set in the Dorset town of Whistlestop River, concerning the activities of the air ambulance crew stationed there. While the stories feature a number of returning members of the helicopter crew and helpers, each book focuses on one or more characters in particular. The author has helpfully listed the main characters and their roles at the beginning of the book. Although part of a series, every book can be read as a standalone.

This third story in the series centres on operational support officer Nadia, and patient and family liaison nurse Hudson. Nadia has been working with the air ambulance team for some time and is happy with her life there, considering her colleagues as family. However, when a newborn baby is abandoned on the doorstep of the base, it brings back memories of a life she had before she moved to Whistlestop River - a life that none of the others know about. On the plus side, the arrival of the baby in their lives brings friends Nadia and Hudson closer together and makes them acknowledge that they might become more than friends. Since his divorce, Hudson has been struggling to look after his two children and at the same cope with his demanding job, but wonders if now he might be able to find time for himself as well.

Having read and enjoyed the other books in this series, I was eagerly anticipating the release of this third book. I was not disappointed. Once again, I found myself engrossed in the story about the air ambulance service and the hard-working crew and support personnel. It was interesting to learn a bit more about the characters from previous stories, in particular Nadia’s past life that she had kept secret until now. It was moving to learn the details of what she had experienced from a young age. Hudson, on the other hand, was having a tough time in the present with a rebellious teenager and a difficult ex. I felt that both Nadia and Hudson deserved a happy future and was willing them to get together. I can highly recommend this book and, indeed, this series.

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Guest Review: An Almost Perfect Summer by Jill Mansell

Nick is the most intriguing man Nella has met in a while. He's a 9 in the looks department (no one gets a 10), he makes her laugh, and he keeps her company when she ends up in A&E. But they live hundreds of miles apart.

Then Nella loses her job. There's a perfect role on offer at a Cotswolds holiday retreat. The catch is that her boss would be Nick. And that makes Nick the one man she can't risk falling in love with.

While Nella struggles with her feelings, a Hollywood star has found a haven at the retreat. Lizzie's sworn off people - especially men - until her friendly new neighbours entice her out of her shell. Maybe she needs a flirtation - with gorgeous Nick, perhaps? Not with taciturn local Matthew, though, who definitely isn't a member of her fan club. Then an astonishing secret revealed changes everything . . .

Review: I can’t believe another year has passed and it’s time to read Jill Mansell’s latest book again. It is always a highlight to look forward to in the time after the Christmas celebrations are over. This new book is set in the Cotswolds, a lovely part of England, and features a development of luxury holiday homes that sound absolutely fabulous.

Among the many characters in this story, two women take centre stage. The first is Nella, who we meet as she is visiting the village of Starbourne, where she spent her childhood living with her grandfather. Following a nasty accident, she meets Nick, owner of luxury holiday accommodation in the village, who is looking for a concierge to run the complex. Although being attracted to Nick and eminently qualified for the job, Nella decides that she is happy in her current position and the two part company. However, when her situation unexpectedly changes, she later takes on the concierge job and moves back to the village. The other central female character is Lizzie, an English actress currently living in Los Angeles. When her latest film is completed, she decides to take a few months off and books into one of Nick’s houses in Starbourne while writing her autobiography. As Lizzie is settling into the village, she encounters a few of the locals, one of whom is widower Matthew. Unfortunately, their relationship starts off badly, but all that changes when a secret gets out and an unbelievable coincidence is revealed.

Oh my goodness what a lot happened in this book and what an amazing cast of interesting, well-developed characters. There was romance, drama, friendships renewed and new friendships formed galore; certainly never a dull moment for the protagonists or the reader. I loved the idea of the luxury development where there was someone on call to source any requirements, and in such a lovely country setting. As you can probably tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and do not hesitate to recommend it. This feel-good story can’t fail to dispel any post-Christmas blues.

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