Guest Review: The Village Green Bookshop by Rachael Lucas

Frustrated that she spends all her time as either a mum to a football-obsessed teenager or a wife to a workaholic husband, Hannah wants something for herself. When the chance comes to take over the Post Office in Little Maudley, a charming Cotswold village, Hannah grabs it with both hands.

But village life is not so picture-perfect after all: Hannah finds herself an outsider in this tight-knit community where the height of your hedge is a gossip-worthy subject. Even her idea to introduce a small bookshop to the Post Office causes a stir. At least Ben seems to have found his place as he joins the local football team, coached by ex-professional Jake Lovatt. But a shocking secret from their past threatens to uproot the new life they’ve made for themselves, and has drastic consequences . . .

Review: This is Rachael Lucas’s second book set in the charming Cotswolds village of Little Maudley, following on from The Telephone Box Library. It features some of the characters from the previous book in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone story. I found it a quick and easy read, and will be looking forward to any other books that are added to the series in the future.

The story features Hannah, who has grown rather dissatisfied with her life in the suburbs of Manchester, where her husband is always at work and her teenage son, Ben, is in danger of straying off the straight and narrow. When she is given the opportunity to take over the shop in the quiet Cotswolds village of Little Maudley, she decides that this move could be just what she and her family need. Fortunately, both husband and son support her. Hannah absolutely loves the peaceful rural atmosphere, quickly getting used to the different pace of life and the typical features of village life. She has some suggestions for changes in the village shop, the main one being the establishment of an area selling books, since the telephone box library is overflowing with donations. Football-mad Ben also takes well to his new environment, particularly since he is able to join the local football team which is being coached by former England player Jake. Jake soon recognises Ben’s talent as a player, at the same time being attracted to his mother. 

I enjoyed this light heartwarming story, with its attractive setting. It has an interesting cast of characters, including a few that you typically find in any small community like Little Maudley. I felt sorry for Hannah being left at home on her own so much and could feel her joy at seeing a way forward when she is offered the move to the country, but I also wanted to give her a push to assert herself. Ben was a dream of a teenager, so easy going about everything. I think I liked Jake most of all the characters. Not only was he handsome, but he was very kind and patient with his players and his family.  The story does cover some more serious issues, but none was examined in depth. I felt that the ending to the story was predictable, but I enjoyed the journey and can recommend this as a cosy, feel-good read.

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