Wednesday 28 September 2022

Guest Review: New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse by Christie Barlow

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…


Review: This is book 9 in the Love Heart Lane series, stories set in and around the small village of Heartcross in the Scottish highlands. I have been following the series from the start and am enjoying learning more about the residents and newcomers to the village with each new book. Each story can be read as a standalone, even although they are all linked. This book has a map of the village at the beginning, useful for setting events in context. This story of the residents of the Old Bakehouse captured my imagination from the start, and for me was a quick and easy read.


The main characters in this story, which is set just before Christmas, are Molly and Cam, who live in the Old Bakehouse with their son, George. Cam is a skilled baker and is running a successful business. Vet Molly is helping out while on maternity leave, with her baby due any time. While delivering leftover baked goods from the shop to the local homeless shelter one evening, Molly meets a young girl, Bree, who has been living on the streets. Although Molly has never met her before, Bree feels somehow familiar to her. When Molly takes Bree in, it transpires that she is not the only one to feel some kind of link and a surprising history is revealed, filling in gaps in Molly’s past as well as that of the bakery.


 I very much enjoyed this latest story in the Love Heart Lane series. There is a lot going on in the lives of Molly and Cam over and above Christmas preparations. Although Molly played a central role in an earlier book in the series, this story gave a new insight into the character. Her meeting up with homeless Bree sparked off an investigation into a mystery that I found intriguing and enjoyed watching as it was gradually unravelled. Since the story is set partly in a bakery, there is mention of some mouth-watering breads and pastries, as well as some delicious sounding chocolate confections. Once more, I can recommend this ever-growing series of books.


To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US

No comments:

Post a Comment