Lean On Me - Beth Moran

 

Lean On Me

From No. 1 bestselling author Beth Moran comes a story about family, friendship and community.

As Faith tries on her future mother-in-law’s wedding dress in preparation for her own wedding, her tears are not of joy. The hideous frock is nicknamed ‘The Ghost Web’ by Faith’s best friend Marilyn, who can’t understand why Faith would even consider wearing it. But there’s a lot Marilyn doesn’t know about Faith – not the least of which is that Faith is just the latest of the names she has called herself.

Faith and her brother Sam survived a traumatic childhood which included having to change their names to hide from the past, but surviving has left scars. Faith’s generous fiancé Perry doesn’t just promise to be a partner, he offers freedom and security, and enough kindness to keep Faith squashing down any doubts on what ‘being in love’ really means.

It’s not until she meets an extraordinary group of women at the Grace Chapel choir, that things start to become crystal clear. As choir-leader extraordinaire, the indomitable Hester, holds a mirror up to her ragtag group of singers, all with their own burdens and insecurities, and teaches them to see how magnificent they are, so Faith can dare to dream of a future where she and Sam can stop running and she might even be ready to accept the love that she deserves.

Number 1 bestselling author Beth Moran is back with her trademark ingredients of wisdom and warmth, heartbreak and hearts soaring. Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Philippa Ashley and Jenny Colgan.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/leanonmesocial

My Review:

I have enjoyed Beth Moran’s books previously; all have been well written, interesting, and often culminate in a story with deep, meaningful themes alongside moments of light relief. Quite a combination to pull together but Beth Moran does so successfully every time. Also helps they are set locally too. 

Lean on Me was a good read, interesting characters, descriptive settings that really triggered my imagination.

Faith’s history was tough to learn about, so much hurt and pain, coupled with the difficulties and support she needed to provide for her brother. No wonder she sought out stability, someone that could be solid and dependable. I enjoyed her friendship with Marilyn – everyone needs a Marilyn – but also the blossoming friendships formed via the choir; for me that was the best part of the story, more so than any romantic element. Everyone in the choir was in need of something, some support or a way of empowering themselves and together as a unit they discovered was the best way of doing that.

There are some awfully sad times within this story which I don’t think I was prepared for but there are some funny, lighter hearted moments thanks to the choir’s antics that provide some balance.

Including themes of addiction, abuse and violence, this is book that explores types of relationships, family we have and family we choose, it incorporates grief, love and being true to yourself.

An eye opening, heartachingly difficult read that will take you through many emotions. Would recommend! 

Author Bio:

Beth Moran initially worked as a biochemist and then taught antenatal classes before becoming an author. She loves to write contemporary women’s fiction set in and around Sherwood Forest, where she lives with her family.

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We Are Family - Beth Moran

 

Thirty-three-year-old Ruth Henderson and her daughter Maggie have some hard choices to make. Following the tragic death of Maggie’s father, they are left with a mountain of debt and broken hearts. So, despite her vow never to return home after the fall-out from her teenage pregnancy, Ruth can’t see any option other than for the two of them to move back in with her parents.

Going home means many things – finally confronting her estranged father, navigating her mother’s desperate need to make everything ok despite the wobbles in her own marriage, not to mention helping a still-grieving Maggie to settle into a new school, find new friends, and stop expressing her emotions through her ever-changing hair colour.

What Ruth needs are friends, but she abandoned her childhood ones when she left all those years ago. Luckily for Ruth, they haven’t abandoned her. Slowly she lets herself be embraced by a group of women who have always had her back – even when she didn’t know it. And as the grief and shock recede, Ruth can even begin to imagine sharing her life with someone other than just Maggie – if Maggie will let her.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/wearefamilysocial

My Review:

Reading Beth Moran books is a treat, always enjoyable and as they are set around where I live, I feel a special connection to them.. almost as if I am within them all.

Widow Ruth must move back in with her parents with her teenage daughter Maggie due to her late husband amassing debts she was unaware of. It is not what anyone was expecting and it’s difficult as the relationship with her parents is difficult, at best.

Also, moving back to the place where her first love and heartbreak took place is overwhelming, (especially given his new celebrity status) her lack of skills or qualifications leads to a struggle with work and her teenage daughter needs her.

Slowly but surely, we see Ruth’s life start to change, her outlook become more positive and she allows herself to become part of the community she once left behind. She meets a group of friends and sees that nobody has the perfect life, everyone is struggling and it’s fine to need the help and support of others.

Shocks, revelations, ups and downs along the way; I thoroughly enjoyed We Are Family and how Beth wrote a story full of heart, laughs and lows, where we see importance of friendships but also rediscovering yourself.

I always look forward to another Beth Moran book, but I highly recommend every book so far!

Author Bio:

Beth Moran is the award winning author of ten contemporary fiction novels, including the top ten bestseller Just the Way You Are and #1 bestseller Let It Snow. Her books are set in and around Sherwood Forest, where she can be found most mornings walking with her spaniel Murphy. She has the privilege of also being a foster carer to teenagers, and enjoys nothing better than curling up with a pot of tea and a good story.

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Let It Snow - Beth Moran

 

When your heart's broken, all roads lead home...

After the end of a long-term relationship, local weather girl Bea Armstrong has been avoiding her family, and their inevitable ‘I-told-you-sos.’ But with Christmas fast approaching, she is finally on her way home to Charis House, the school in Sherwood Forest that her mum and dad run in their old family home. And to top it all off, the insufferable Henry Fairfax – who her parents have always wanted her to marry – has also been invited.

Relief comes in the shape of a last minute interview for her dream job. There are just a few minor problems… The interview is in Scotland, Bea has no car, and the snow is falling already. The only solution is for Henry to drive her – could this Christmas get any worse…

But during an unforgettable two day interview, a stay in a log cabin and a nightmare journey through the snow, Henry turns out to be nothing like she thought.  And when Bea’s first love and recent ex shows up, Bea has a difficult choice to make…

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/39tHspS

My Review:

A light hearted, fun and festive read that will entertain in many ways. I must admit, that living close to Sherwood Forest myself added to my interest as it I could really place myself in the setting. I even loved the Mansfield mention too!

We meet weather girl (fanatic) Bea Armstrong who is wanting to make her own way in the world and within her career whilst also determining who her heart belongs too – a long time love who consistently let her down or a surprising someone who has been in front of her all along.

Going home for Christmas is a family holiday nightmare for Bea, it has been planned like a military operation for reasons unknown to Bea, but she risks her mother’s wrath as whilst she wants to be with family an opportunity arises she cannot miss. Heading off for the interview of a lifetime with an unlikely ally, Bea soon discovers the parts of herself she’d long forgotten and following many incidents, she realises where her passion, and talent, lies.

A wide variety of characters that are funny and quirky in their own way, I enjoyed getting to know more about them all.

Cosy and cute, a perfect read this Christmas time. 

Author Bio:

Beth Moran is the bestselling author of romantic novels including Christmas Every Day and Just The Way You Are. She regularly features on BBC Radio Nottingham and is a trustee of the national women’s network Free Range Chicks. She lives on the outskirts of Sherwood Forest.

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