Melanie knows she’s been running away... But maybe there really is no place like home 🌈
For the last seven years Mel has been hiding; from life, from her friends and from those who love her the most - her family. But being at home in her beloved Lake District has been far too painful for Mel to contemplate. Because seven years ago, Mel lost everything and she’s never been able to banish the dark clouds that follow her.
When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she's been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.
Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.
And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain? 🌧️☀️
Review: This is the fourth book in Jessica Redland’s Escape to the Lakes series, stories in this series being set in the Lake District, primarily in the vicinity of the town of Keswick. Having read the previous books in the series, I was hoping to meet up again with some familiar characters, and indeed there were quite a few. This and the previous books could be read as standalone stories, as any important links to other parts are explained where required. A helpful list of recurring characters is included at the beginning of the book.
This story centres on Mel, a troubled lady who has spent the last seven years living on her own far away from her family and home in the Lake District village of Willowdale. Her decision to leave behind the life she loved followed a tragic event which left her bewildered and unable to cope with the familiar people and places around her. However, when she is persuaded to attend a family gathering in Willowdale, she realises that it may be time for her to move back to her home village. She is glad that she made that decision when she lands a dream job planning the renovation of Willowdale Hall, and living on the premises. There she also has the opportunity to help with the alpacas and horses who live on the estate. As she settles into village life, making new friends and spending time with her family again, Mel finds that the dark clouds in her mind are gradually clearing. The really big obstacle in her life is meeting up with Flynn, the man who was always the love of her life. Can he let her back into his heart and forgive her for leaving him behind without explanation all those years ago?
This was a very emotional but heart-warming story that I can thoroughly recommend. It was full of family and friendship helping to provide hope for the future. Mel is such a lost soul, and, as her backstory gradually unfolds, it is hard not to shed more than a few tears for her. She had been through a dreadful time, causing her to literally run away from her situation. I loved her large family who were willing to offer her support and then the new friends she made who were there for her as well. Quite apart from them, there was the lovely Flynn, who was destined, it seemed, to come back into her life. I am bursting to tell you all that he did for Mel, but no spoilers, it’s all there in the book. As always, I loved the setting for this story. The glory of the Lake District scenery is brought to life in Jessica Redland’s writing. I could easily picture the lake with the mountains rising up behind, and better still with an alpaca lying in the water humming to itself. Even if you have not read any of the other books in this series, give this one a try; I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
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