Chasing Dreams at Hedgehog Hollow - Jessica Redland

 

Samantha has a secret. Returning home from her dream honeymoon to the normality of running her beloved Hedgehog Hollow rescue centre, she's ready for the next chapter of her life with Josh. Or is she? Samantha is hiding something which could forever change the dreams they shared and bring their happy ever after crashing to the ground.

Lauren has given up on love. Twenty-six years ago the love of her life, Shaun, left her a note and was never seen again. Two painful divorces later she still can't face opening up to anyone. But little does Lauren know that the closure she's dreamt of for all these years may be closer than she thinks, and perhaps the only way to let new love in is to forgive and forget.

Samantha and Lauren will need the love and support from the Hedgehog Hollow family more than ever. After all, some dreams are worth chasing...

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/36XRT2Y

My Review:

As a big fan of Jessica Redland generally but also of this series, it’s great to be back with all our friends (human and animal) at Hedgehog Hollow. Another great instalment of the series and it’s sadly the penultimate one – I don’t want this series to end! All good things though and Jessica had ensured there is plenty of storylines to see us through and tie things up for all involved.

Although you could read this as a standalone book, I cannot recommend starting the whole series as well as you really get to know and understand all the characters, living through their ups and downs, celebrations and commiserations.

For this visit we get to hear more of Lauren’s story and I have to say it is definitely not what I expected. We get some answers, make some life changing discoveries and really get to understand Lauren a lot more. There are some twists and turns (as always) but plenty of lovely surprises as well throughout this book. We do catch up with Samantha but, for me, it is a refreshing change to focus on someone else as well. They are a fantastic cast of characters and support each other in many different ways.

Jessica has such a way of drawing you into the lives of her characters, I feel like they are a bunch of my friends who I get to visit and catch up with. It’s just as if we could jump in the car to visit the hedgehogs!

As sad as it will be I cannot wait to see everyone for the last book in the series. I highly recommend this book, treat yourself and surround yourself with great characters, interesting storylines and cute hedgehog fun.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Author Bio:

Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JessicaRedlandAuthor

Twitter https://twitter.com/JessicaRedland

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessicaredlandauthor/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JessicaRedlandNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-redland

The Little Bookshop by the Sea - Eliza J. Scott

 

Welcome to the Happy Hartes Bookshop in Micklewick Bay on the beautiful North Yorkshire Coast!

The Happy Hartes Bookshop has been a part of bookworm Florrie Appleton’s life as far back as she can remember. From the evocative smell of the books, to working alongside her beloved Mr H and his black Labrador, Gerty, there’s no wonder she calls it her happy place.

Living in a town she loves, with her family and group of close-knit friends nearby, life is sweet. Until one dreadful Monday morning, when everything is turned upside down and things are changed forever.

Devastated, Florrie finds herself thrown into an unexpected situation with handsome stranger, Ed Harte, owner of a pair of twinkly navy-blue eyes and a smile that has the knack of making mischief with her insides.

Despite being fresh out of a relationship, Florrie quickly finds herself falling for him, but she’s torn, reluctant to give her heart to someone who seems intent on not sticking around.

While her heart’s doing battle with her head, Florrie soon finds herself privy to a secret with Ed involving a heart-wrenching twist they could never have imagined.

Will love find a way to bring them together, or are they destined to go their separate ways?

Purchase Links

UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09YMMBQCY

US:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YMMBQCY

My Review:

Oh my heart! Thank you Eliza for this lovely story.. I was engrossed from start to finish and I’m so happy we get more in a series – so many fab characters I already can’t wait to see more of.

I am a huge fan of all of this authors books, the settings are always so idyllic and make me want to move and make friends with all the brilliant characters we meet. Happy Hartes Bookshop in Micklewick Bay on the North Yorkshire Coast is now top of my list for fictional places to live (and what I wouldn’t give to work in the bookshop!)

When Florrie’s world is tipped upside down before she is able to help Mr H reconnect with his long lost Grandson, a chance encounter leads to surprising news and exciting prospects. Florrie is desperate to honour Mr H and ensure the bookshop stays put. An unexpected revelation leads to Florrie having to believe in herself a little more and also put trust in someone who is still a virtual stranger. Can she put her trust in Ed?

I love Florrie, how she cares for those in her life and she is completely happy with the life she’s leading and the home she’s created. Her passion and devotion to the book shop is evident from the off. The spark between her and Ed is clear from the start and of course we want the romance, but as always obstacles can put a stop to any potential love interests.

Well written with funny, light hearted moments as well as emotional, heart felt ones. I love Florrie’s group of friends she hangs out with – Jasmine, Stella, Maggie and Lark, they have her back and support her with everything.

I will recommend this one wholeheartedly, it’s a fantastic read and a great start to a series!

 Author Bio:

Eliza lives in the North Yorkshire countryside with her family. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her kindle or working in her garden, fighting a losing battle against the weeds.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming romance stories with relatable female characters. Her books will always have a happy ending.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: @elizajscott

Facebook: @elizajscottauthor

 

Jingle Bells in June, Little Duck Pond Café - Rosie Green

 

Mackenzie Morris, newest recruit at the Little Duck Pond Café, is the perfect addition to the team. But beneath her smiles, Kenzie is hiding a dark secret. It’s the reason she fled to Sunnybrook, desperate for a fresh start that would help to lay the ghosts that haunt her.

The challenge of turning her hobby into a business is a welcome distraction, and to her relief, she finds that her range of quirky pottery mugs and vases appear to be in demand. Alone and scared when she arrived, she’s slowly making friends and starting to feel as if she belongs. Meeting a lovely guy called Aidan seems to confirm this and it looks as if love might be on the horizon.
But then Kenzie makes a devastating discovery that threatens to crush her new-found happiness. Aidan is the one person she yearns to confide in. He’s also the one person who can never know the truth . . .

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3jDyibP

My Review:
A series I wait for with baited breath – I always look forward to a return visit to our old friends at the Little Duck Pond Café. Rosie has created such a wonderful array of characters, it’s a pleasure to meet a new character and discover their story.

In this visit to Sunnybrook we meet Mackenzie, and it’s not an exaggeration to say I was hooked from the moment I started reading to the end (in a very short time!) Kenzie’s story is interesting, I was behind her from the start and was hoping all would go well for her, even if she didn’t have the confidence in herself at all.

This story has some serious, deeper plot points that shocked me when revealed but work really well as part of the overall story. Rosie writes with empathy and sensitivity, as always, and it really warmed my heart when everything starts to work out.

Shocks, drama, heart wrenching trauma but still someone finding their place, someone believing in themselves again and finding support in unexpected places.

I don’t want to give anything away for this one but I will add that don’t expect this to be a festive story, the title is clever but isn’t an indication of when this story is set.

Another hit, unputdownable book from Rosie, I will always champion anyone to read this series, I simply love it.

Author Bio:

Rosie’s series of novellas is centred around life in a country village cafe. Look out for ‘Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake’, a sunshine-filled drama full of fun and mystery, out in June 2022 and including the return of character favourites, Ruby and Hudson.

Follow Rosie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88