Hope Falls is a book that many people have fallen in love with. Em and her friends, Rachel and Tori, have been saving up for years to spend the summer break at the lakeside cottage used in the movie adaptation.
But then Tori’s rich father cuts her off so Em and Rachel resort to staying with another person off the waitlist. And the Alex who was just as much a Hope Falls fan as them, turns out to be a guy.
As the women explore their picturesque surroundings and bond with their new housemate, Em is also deciding whether she should go into the patchwork business and Rachel’s over-zealous boyfriend Jeremy is trying to keep tabs on her at the wifi-less location.
A story about friends, reflection, and living like your favourite characters.
Hailey thinks she is finally having her happily ever after but she learns she is wrong. So she swears off men and her search for love just as Gabe arrives at Wynthorpe Hall. He is the new woodsman and he and Hailey hit it off right away, although they both have baggage from their past to face.
This quickly became my favourite Heidi Swan novel. The characters are engaging and likable. I especially liked Hailey, she is feisty and funny and I loved seeing her character develop throughout the novel.
Another favourite character is Angus. He’s the owner of Wynthorpe Hall and Hailey’s boss. Angus kept me entertained as he organised a Winter Wonderland at The Hall, with his crazy and sometimes ridiculous ideas (including hiring reindeers).
There are many more characters that kept me glued to the pages and that, if you read Heidi Swain’s previous novels, you’d already be familiar with.
The beautiful and atmospheric setting got me right into the Christmas spirit and the story is heart-warming and engrossing. Unsurprisingly, Heidi Swain has created another brilliant and entertaining novel, the perfect read for this Christmas season. (NP)
Kate’s divorce is being finalised and she can’t wait to put as much distance as possible between her and her husband of eight years, David. She leaves London and her job to move to Norwich, in a beautiful house in Nightingale Square. Her intentions of being alone are quickly changed by her neighbours who welcome her with open arms and quickly become her friends and family.
Kate is fascinated by Prosperous Place, the large mansion by the square, and when news spreads that some developers want to build flats in there, Kate and her neighbours must find a way to stop them.
This was a highly enjoyable novel, with an atmospheric setting and captivating stories. I really liked the characters who are engaging and realistic and I loved reading about their sense of community and their stories. Funny, heartwarming, and refreshing, this is the perfect read to add to your summer list. (NP)
Ruby has decided not to continue at university and has returned home for Christmas. Despite her father’s objections, she offers to run a market stall for the Cherry Tree Cafe owners. When she finds out that the market at Wynbridge is struggling, she’s determined to do what she can to draw customers back from the new retail precinct.
Even if that means going up against her dad, who is on the local council. Meanwhile, with her ex, Steve, working nearby on his family’s stall, Ruby realises she isn’t quite over him yet.
This is a cosy read with a wintery festive atmosphere about locals banding together to save a beloved institution. It’s inspired me to go back and read some of the earlier books in the series to find out more about the other Wynbridge locals.
