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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