Today it is my pleasure to bring you my review of Clover Cottage by Christie Barlow as part of her fabulous blog tour!

A page-turning new cosy novel in the bestselling Love Heart Lane series – perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Phillipa Ashley and Milly Johnson!

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

When Vet Rory Scott inherits ramshackle Clover Cottage in the quaint village of Heartcross, Allie MacDonald just knows this is their happy ever after. A place to call home with the man she loves – it’s her dream come true!

Until Rory drops a bombshell. He loves Allie but he has dreams of his own to follow – to live and work in Africa. Clover Cottage will have to wait just a little longer…

Allie can’t imagine life without Rory, but she loves him too much to hold him back. And as he embarks on his adventure, Allie begins to rethink her own plans. She loves Rory and knows she wants him in her life, but maybe she can follow her own dreams too?

And always there, nestled in the beautiful village of Heartcross, surrounded by the people she loves, will be the place that will always bring them back to each other. Their forever home, Clover Cottage.

Clover Cottage is the third novel in the Love Heart Lane series, but I must make a confession – I haven’t read Foxglove Farm.  I can however confirm that Clover Cottage can be read as a standalone, although I will be going back to read Foxglove Farm as soon as I can! If you are new to Love Heart Lane series, and would like my views on Love Heart Lane, the first novel in the series, then check out my review here.

Allie MacDonald is a very content woman.  She has a job she enjoys, a hobby that she loves and a man she adores.  When her boyfriend Rory inherits Clover Cottage, she feels that everything is finally falling into place.  Whilst it might take them some time turning the cottage into their dream home, she feels secure that their future lies in the village of Heartcross.

Rory Scott is a local vet with big dreams.  Dreams that specifically include Africa.  He adores his girlfriend Allie, and he knows he’s meant to be with her.  But he can’t shake off his need to experience more than their village of Heartcross is able to offer.  When he unexpectedly inherits Clover Cottage, all he feels is an heavy burden, one that he does not know how to unload.

Allie and Rory are clearly made for each other.  Their love and support for each is clear.  However I could not help but feel for Allie, who is ready for their relationship to take the next step.  Whilst Rory has not hidden from her the fact that he wanted to go to Africa after he finished university, he has not made it clear to her that this is a dream he still clings to.

I loved returning to Heartcross – it’s an idyllic village full of good people.  It was nice to revisit characters I have met before, and it was great to be able to learn more about both Allie and Rory.  Both characters are pushed out of their comfort zone, and forced to look at what they want for themselves individually, and as a couple.  I really did feel for Allie – I felt like she was blindsided by Rory’s dreams, but equally I didn’t think she had ever really spent enough time contemplating what she wanted for herself.  Following their journey as individuals and as a couple was great – Christie Barlow really captures them both as well rounded, loving characters who are just trying to find their way in life.

This is such a lovely novel.  I’m more than happy to recommend it as a standalone, or as a full series – in these turbulent times outside of books it may be the time to immerse yourself in a light-hearted series of novels to keep you occupied!  So, introduce yourselves to the inhabitants of Love Heart Lane whilst you spend some time social distancing, hopefully with a glass of wine in hand!

Rating: 📖 📖 📖 📖

Thank you to Christie Barlow and the lovely Rachel at Rachels Random Resources for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour, and for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Purchase Links

UK – Amazon UK

US – Amazon US

Author Bio

Christie Barlow is the international bestselling author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty’s Countryside Dream, Lizzie’s Christmas Escape, Evie’s Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane and Foxglove Farm. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada & Australia.

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being.

Instagram: christie_barlow

Website: www.christiebarlow.com

Twitter: @ChristieJBarlow

Facebook: Christie Barlow author

 

Today it is my pleasure to bring you my review of A Springtime to Remember by Lucy Coleman.

Let Lucy Coleman transport you to glorious, sun-drenched France, for the perfect feel-good read. Paris and the Palace of Versailles have always meant a lot to TV producer Lexie. Her grandma Viv spent a year there, but her adventures and memories were never discussed, and Lexie has long wondered why they were a family secret.

When work presents the perfect excuse to spend Springtime in Versailles, Lexie delves into Viv’s old diaries and scrapbooks, and with the help of handsome interpreter Ronan, she is soon learning more about the characters that tend to the magnificent gardens, now and in the past.

In amongst the beauty and splendour of the French countryside, a story of lost love, rivalry and tragedy unfolds. Can Lexie and Ronan right the wrongs of the past, and will France play its tricks on them both before Lexie has to go home? Will this truly be a Springtime to Remember…?

A Springtime to Remember is not my first Lucy Coleman novel…I was lucky enough to read Magic Under The Mistletoe  back at Christmas which I loved, so I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of this!

Lexie Winters is a TV presenter with aspirations to become a TV producer, and a successful one.  As part of her climb up the career ladder, she decides to take the risky path of creating her own TV series exploring the Palace of Versailles and its gardens.  She has a very personal attachment to France and the Palace of Versailles, as her grandmother spent a year there in her youth, something she never discussed upon her return.  Following her death, Lexie is keen to find out about the year that shaped her grandmothers future.

Ronan O’Byrne is an interpreter brought in to assist Lexie with her interviews for her TV project.  In the background he has a project of his own, researching for his third book about the gardens of Versailles during different periods in history.  He also has a very personal interest in the history of the Palace of Versailles, a place where his grandfather worked and lived for a period in his younger years.

This novel is all about the setting.  I have not yet been fortunate enough to visit the Palace of Versailles, but Lucy Coleman’s descriptions were vivid – I really felt like I was right there with Lexie as she walked through the halls and the gardens, taking in her surroundings steeped in history.  The French setting is exquisite – Lucy captures it all beautifully and I loved it.

Lexie and Ronan’s burgeoning relationship works perfectly within the setting.  Getting to know each other whilst they each seek answers to their own family histories – they really compliment each other whilst they grapple with their own personal discoveries, providing love and support when it is most needed.

This is a story of family, it is a story of love and it is the story of the exploration of personal history.  Its a beautiful story, in a beautiful setting and I am very happy to recommend it to you all!

Rating: 📖 📖 📖 📖

Thank you to Lucy Coleman and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to be a part of this fabulous blog tour, and for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Author Bio

From interior designer to author, Linn B. Halton – who also writes under the pen name of Lucy Coleman – says ‘it’s been a fantastic journey!’

Linn is the bestselling author of more than a dozen novels – including Summer on the Italian Lakes, Snowflakes over Holly Cove, The French Adventure and A Cottage in the Country. She is represented by Sara Keane of the Keane Kataria Literary Agency.

When she’s not writing, or spending time with the family, she’s either upcycling furniture, working in the garden, or practising Tai Chi.

Living in Coed Duon in the Welsh Valleys with her ‘rock’, Lawrence, and gorgeous Bengal cat Ziggy, she is an eternal romantic.

Linn is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the SoA and writes feel-good, uplifting novels about life, love and relationships.

Social Media Links

Website: http://lucycolemanromance.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LucyColemanAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LucyColemanauth