December | 2022 | Chapter and Cake

Today it is my pleasure to bring you my review of New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse by Christie Barlow, which is book 9 in the Love Heart Lane series.

‘A letter, a goodbye, and a baby girl whose name will begin with “L”…’

When Heartcross’ resident clairvoyant tells Molly McKendrick to expect a whole lot of scandal and upset to blow in with the approaching winter storm, Molly doesn’t know what to think.

With a baby on the way any week now, and Christmas not far off, the last thing Molly needs is drama, but when she crosses paths with Bree, a sixteen-year-old homeless girl, and takes her in from the cold, secrets from the past flood the present and Molly, her partner Cam, and their son George, are soon experiencing a holiday season filled with unexpected festive surprises…

Imagine my excitement when I found myself in possession of New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse so soon after receiving The New Doctor at Peony Practice!

New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse brings back to us some beloved characters, Molly and Cam, so that we can find out what happens to them next. First featured in Primrose Park, it was wonderful to come back to these lovely characters to find out what happened to them and their lovely son George.

Heavily pregnant Molly is keen to give back to the community, so whilst trying to help Sam at the homeless hostel Molly crosses paths with Bree, a young homeless girl. With Cam working hard at the Old Bakehouse, a baby on the way and now a young girl to help, Molly finds herself in a turmoil. With a snow storm thrown into the mix, there is plenty of drama in Heartcross!

Yet another excellent addition to the Love Heart Lane series, and with an opportunity to revisit characters, I am more than happy to recommend New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse. Christie Barlow certainly knows how to write books that feel like a warm hug – it just makes me want to move to Heartcross and immerse myself in such a lovely community! Definitely go and grab yourself a copy, and cosy up with a blanket and glass of wine and lose yourself in Heartcross!

Thank you to Netgalley, One More Chapter and Christie Barlow for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Love Heart Lane series

Love Heart Lane (Book One)

Foxglove Farm (Book Two)

Clover Cottage (Book Three)

Starcross Manor (Book Four)

The Lake House (Book Five)

Primrose Park (Book Six)

Heartcross Castle (Book Seven)

The New Doctor at Peony Practice (Book Eight)

Today it is my pleasure to bring you my review of The New Doctor at Peony Practice by Christie Barlow, book eight in the Love Heart Lane series.

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

All’s fair in love and…medicine?

Dr Katie O’Neil has only been in Heartcross a few hours when she finds herself already ruffling feathers – not least with medical school nemesis and new colleague Ben Sanders.

Katie’s the woman Ben loves to hate and until now he’d hoped he’d never set eyes on her again but now she’s back – and living next door!

When a charity boat race down the River Heart puts the two in direct competition, sparks fly. The winner takes it all, but who will it be? And will their prize be far more than they were expecting…

It always pleases me when when Christie Barlow releases another novel in the wonderful Love Heart Lane series. Heartcross is full of a wonderful community of characters, so it is certainly no hardship to revisit them all!

The New Doctor at Peony Practice focuses on Dr Katie O’Neil and Dr Ben Sanders, and it quickly becomes apparent that they have met before! Having gone to medical school together, Ben is more than a little dismayed when he discovers that his new colleague at Peony Practice is none other than his nemesis, Katie!

It immediately becomes clear that there are sparks flying between the two of them, and that there really is a fine line between love and hate. With Katie integrating herself in the Heartcross community by immediately arranging a charity boat race, Ben can do very little but get swept up along with her plans. With both Ben and Katie having complicated pasts, maybe they need each, along with their vibrant community, to help them both move on.

The New Doctor at Peony Practice gives us the opportunity to revisit many beloved characters, whilst also introducing Ben and Katie into the Heartcross fold. This is a love story of course; but it’s also emotional, witty and fun. It is most definitely a worthy addition to the Love Heart Lane series! So I am more than happy to recommend this to you all, and if you haven’t already, I suggest you make a start on the rest of this series!