Book Review: Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow

Synopsis:

Welcome to Love Heart Lane…

When Flick Simons returns to the cosy village of Heartcross she only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.

When a winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land is swept away. As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…

My Review:

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for allowing me to read and review this wonderful story by the amazing Christie Barlow.  Ahhhh my squishy heart is all full of love for this book right now!  

The book cover is a welcome delight to gaze at during these cold winter months! I am a huge fan of Christie's books and without even reading the synopsis I just knew straight away I was in for a treat.

The story features Flick who after hearing some sad news decides it's time to return to her home village of Heartcross situated in the Scottish Highlands.  The journey to Heartcross for Flick is an awful one through a winter storm and waiting on the other side of the bridge to the village are painful memories that Flick would rather not face especially one man in particular, Fergus Campbell.

As a reader we are not aware of Flick's past and the pain that comes with visiting Heartcross but it soon becomes clear and it just made me warm to Flick so much more.  I really liked the character of Fergus too, a quiet and mysterious character but you could totally tell that behind the barriers he puts up deep down there is a soft, caring and loveable side to him.

After a destructing winter storm which passes through the village causing chaos and leaving behind a broken swept away bridge that connects the village to the main land.  The villagers have to work together to ration food and keep morale up while they wait for help in the form of a temporary bridge to be constructed.

Flick uses this distraction to help her settle back into village life making new friends and mending past friendships that she left behind when she moved to London.  When the snow disappears and it's time for Flick to leave her homely village again, does she want to and will she?

I absolutely adore this story, I love Christie's fabulous writing and how she can make you feel so involved in village life and have you feeling like have known the characters forever.
I enjoyed all the little twists and heart warming moments.

This is most definitely one of those books that you rush through to get to the end and before you know it you are there but you haven't mentally prepared yourself for the story to end and leave the village and all the lovely people there but it's ok because we can return to Heartcross real soon in Christie's next instalment 'Foxglove Farm' YAY! I am counting down the days for this and June cannot come quick enough!

  

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Book Review: Kitty's Countryside Dream by Christie Barlow

Synopsis: 

New home.. New life. New beginning. Love affairs can blossom in the most unlikely places...

When Kitty inherits Bluebell Lodge from her grandmother, a farm in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, it's time for fresh air and a fresh start. Up to her elbows in chickens and ponies, Kitty soon realises there's an awful lot to learn about farming. Still, at least the locals seem friendly, not least her handsome neighbour Tom...

But just as Kitty is beginning to find her feet, and the possibility of love, the discovery of a long-hidden diary, by a mysterious character called Violet changes everything. Who is Violet and what is her message for Kitty? 

As Kitty fills in the lost pieces of her family jigsaw and discovers some shocking revelations, will her countryside dream and blossoming relationship fall to pieces? When it comes to life in the country, nothing is ever quite as it seems...

My Review!

First off I wanted to say what a beautiful cover this book has, really does invite you in for a perfect read for a sunny day! This book has everything you need for a feel good read but it had lots more that I just wasn't expecting.

We follow Kitty who after sadly loosing her mum has ended up in Staffordshire after inheriting Bluebell Lodge from her grandmother. A grandmother she didn't even know existed! 

Kitty who is now the owner of a chicken farm soon gets to work and finds out life on a farm is a lot harder than she first thought especially after having a disastrous first day where Paddy the rooster stole her homemade cheese and pickle sandwich!

I really liked all the characters in the book, Tom and Jeannine who work on the farm, Jeannine's brother Robin and Lucinda who owns the local bakery and makes the most delicious cakes ever! Oh and not forgetting Dotty!! 

I loved the community and how welcoming everyone was to Kitty, Bluebell Lodge was described so well that it made me wish it was a real place that I could visit, especially during the annual Easter egg hunt!

I really enjoyed the scenes between Kitty and Tom, the 'will they' 'won't they' had me on the edge of my seat and throughout many of their scenes I wanted to knock their heads together. 

As Kitty gets involved with the farm she soon finds out more about her grandmother, and after coming across a hidden diary written by someone unknown to Kitty called Violet, she decides to work her way through the pages to uncover hidden secrets about her family and who the mysterious Violet could be. 

On many occasions throughout the book my jaw would drop after another bombshell would hit, sometimes when reading you can see the twists coming or you look out for them but I must say I didn't find that to be the case with this story there were quite a few secrets jumping out that I had to stop and think about it all to piece the jigsaw together. 

This is another brilliant story from Christie Barlow, it had everything you need, humour, love, family and a few twists thrown in for good measure.

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Book Review: Evie's Year of Taking Chances by Christie Barlow

Synopsis:

Evie’s job has always been her safe haven. As a librarian in the little town of Becton she loses herself in books - after all it’s far easier to read about other people’s problems than set about solving her own.

Then, one birthday, everything is turned upside down. A mysterious parcel containing a beautiful book with a poignant inscription arrives for Evie. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Evie and she’s inspired to try and find her real mother. 

Evie’s search leads her to meet handsome author Noah Jones. Charming and intelligent, Noah seems the perfect catch but what Evie doesn’t realise is that he is hiding something – a key to Evie’s past. 

As Evie gets closer to Noah and discovering her mother, she must take a giant leap of faith. Can she embrace the new and make this her year of taking chances? And if she does, will she get her heart broken? 

My Review:

Wow! This book is one big roller-coaster of emotions! We meet Evie, who works in the local library (my dream job!!) She is also part of a book club, the book club takes place in the local café where they have tea and cake (what is not to love?!)

It's Evie's Birthday and the day always makes her think of her biological mother and her childhood. On her Birthday Evie decides it's time to make a start in searching for her real mother. I really felt for Evie when she was awaiting contact on the search and when she finally got to meet her mother, I just love the twists throughout.

I really liked all the characters in the book, Evie's best friend Clara who moves in with her and has a wardrobe to die for! Aiden a newbie who is working at the library and Irene who is Evie's adoptive mother. Even the other characters who played small but important parts to the story, I felt I got to know them so well and by the end I felt part of the gang!

This book kept me guessing right until the very end which I love, so many things happen at the beginning which you don't find out until the very end of the book causing me to have so many 'OMG' moments making me rush through the book just wanting to find out all the answers. 

Lastly.. Noah... Oh Noah... What's not to love?! I love that Evie takes a chance and you get to see their relationship blossom. Evie is such a lovely character you want nothing but good things to happen for her.

I really enjoyed the ending, so much so that I had a big smile on my face when I turned the last page. Definitely a must read!!

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