Guest Review: Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Cafe by Jessica Redland

Welcome to Whitsborough Bay, a place where hopes and dreams really do come true... ✨

Life at the Chocolate Pot Café has never been sweeter for Tara Porter. Nestled on Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay, her café is thriving, her friendships are close, her foster parents are back where they belong—and she’s finally let herself fall in love with artist Jed Ferguson.

For Jed, returning from Australia feels like coming home in every sense. His teenage daughters have settled, his gallery opening is a success, and with Tara by his side, the future looks full of promise.

But the past can’t stay at bay forever.

When Tara’s estranged foster sister reappears, old wounds resurface. And when Jed is reunited with twelve year old Aaron - a boy he once believed was his son - secrets unravel and loyalties are tested.

Now Tara and Jed must decide whether facing the past will shatter everything they’ve built—or hope it gives them the strength and courage to dream again.

Review: I am an avid reader of Jessica Redland’s books, and was pleased to see that in this new release, I will be returning to the fictional Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay, and Castle Street, where the independent shops sell all manner of goods. This book is a sequel to Jessica’s earlier book, Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot Cafe. However, there is no need to have read the earlier book, since this one begins with a detailed cast of recurring characters and past events are explained in the text where necessary. This story can be read as a standalone.

The main characters in the book are Tara Porter, who owns the chocolate pot cafe, and Jed Ferguson, a single father and artist who owns the gallery across the road from the cafe. Tara lives above the cafe with her adorable house rabbit. As well as running her successful business, she likes to help people in any way she can. She and Jed have been in a strong relationship for some time, but their busy lives sometimes get in the way. However, suddenly things become even more complicated as Jed’s ex-wife reappears from Australia with her children in tow at the same time as Tara’s foster sister, who betrayed her in the worst possible manner, resurfaces. Tara and Jed wonder what impact these arrivals will have on their lives.

It was great to return to Whitsborough Bay and catch up with its inhabitants, Tara and Jed in particular. I have to admit that I was glad of the cast of characters at the beginning of this book. This story had so many threads to it - never a dull moment. Jed’s ex-wife was an absolutely incredible woman, dragging family back and forwards to Australia. I was afraid that Jed might not be strong enough to reject her latest suggestions. The tale of what happened with Tara’s foster sister was shocking and saddening and would increase any reader’s respect for Tara herself. I think this is one of Jessica Redland’s best books so far. It has multiple aspects, being full of romance, drama and humour, and that sense of community always found in Whitsborough Bay. If you’re not familiar with this author’s books, this would be a good place to start.

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Guest Review: Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland

It's the most wonderful time of the year at Bay Books, and a new love story is being written in the stars... ✨

Nestled amongst the comforting shelves of her beloved Bay Books, Lily Appleton finds the peace and quiet she needs. But with Christmas just around the corner, Lily has to find an extra pair of hands to help her share the bookish magic.

After selling his business, Lars Jóhannsson is feeling lost. A job at Bay Books would give him the space he needs to contemplate his next move, but returning would mean confronting a painful past he's been avoiding. He’s also fairly sure he’s the one person Lily would never want to see again.

Lily is torn. Lars could be the perfect fit for Bay Books, but he once rejected her friendship and the hurt still lingers. But working together, Lily discovers a vulnerability that Lars has kept hidden away, along with a few surprising secrets. And as the Christmas season sprinkles its magic, Lily discovers the warmth of renewed friendship and the joy of heartwarming traditions from Lars’s Icelandic roots.

Review: I knew from the minute I saw the title of Jessica Redland’s latest book that she was taking readers back to the North Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay, the setting for many of her earlier novels that I have read and enjoyed. I was excited to return to the cobbled street with its independent shops selling a range of goods from handmade chocolates to wedding dresses, many of which have been the focus of one of Jessica’s books. I love the book’s bright Christmassy cover as well; a sign of a truly festive story within.

This story features Bay Books, owned and run jointly by Lily Appleton and her father, Marcus. When Marcus has to take some time off for an operation in the run up to Christmas, their busiest time of year, Lily has to find somebody to fill in for him. Of all the applicants for the job, Lars Jóhannsson stands out as the most suitable. However, Lily is unsure about employing Lars as they have an unfortunate past history and he is afraid that the bookshop will stir up distressing memories for him. When they start working together in the shop, Lily discovers that Lars is not the person she remembers but a far more likeable and sensitive person altogether. He eventually opens up to her about his family history, explaining his treatment of her many years ago. She is fascinated by his tales of Christmas traditions in his father’s native Iceland and recognises their potential for utilisation in the bookshop. Most surprising of all is the secret that Lars has been keeping from everyone in the town for years.

I absolutely loved being taken back to Whitsborough Bay and reconnecting with some familiar faces and places in this wintry book. Bay Books sounds such a marvellous bookshop, crammed to the rafters almost literally with books on every topic and with the kind of customer service that I love to encounter when shopping. Lily and Marcus have built up a wonderful team. The shop is so well described by the author that I could almost smell that aroma you get when walking into a bookshop. From the start, I took to Lily and hoped she and Lars would be able to get past what had happened in earlier years. I was happy that they not only worked well together, but that they formed a friendship and more. I very much enjoyed learning a bit about Icelandic customs connected with Christmas and books in particular. This would make a great book for reading on a cold winter’s day in front of a warm fire.

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Guest Review: The Best is Yet to Come by Jessica Redland

Emma is having a fresh start.

After a successful teaching career, an exciting new chapter awaits Emma – helping her fiancé Grayson run one of Beatrix Potter's farms. While imagining days spent supporting Grayson with his dream, working the land and helping with the animals, Emma harvests a dream of her own – to set up an alpaca-walking business around the farm.

But working together isn’t as easy as Emma expected. Soon her dreams are in tatters and, broken-hearted, she must start over yet again.

When Oliver, Rosie and the team at Willowdale Hall welcome Emma with open arms, she can't believe her luck. But starting a new business in a new place is a daunting prospect, especially when it comes with unexpected obstacles. With a reserved, prickly groundskeeper as a partner, rapidly changing family dynamics to contend with, and time running out to get her new career off the ground, Emma may have bitten off more than she can chew.

But even though things are not going to plan just yet, the best is yet to come for Emma, if she can just take a leap of faith and follow her heart...

Review: This is the third book in Jessica Redland’s Escape to the Lakes series, a collection of stories set in the beautiful Lake District. Having enjoyed the previous books in the series, I am looking forward to meeting up again with the characters I got to know in those stories. Each book in the series is a standalone, but I would recommend reading them in order to get full enjoyment. I love the bright and colourful covers of this series of books, and I think this is the best so far. It certainly gives a big clue as to what might happen in the story.

The central character in this story is Emma, who is leaving behind her long and happy career in teaching to join her fiancé in his dream job of running one of Beatrix Potter’s tenant farms in the Lake District. Looking for a new start for herself, Emma decides to set up an alpaca walking business based on the farm. However, before long, she finds herself homeless and broken-hearted as her fiancé decides to go it alone. Luckily, she has the support of a wonderful family and her long time best friend, and with their help she is able to establish her business at Willowdale Hall, home of her half-brother Oliver and his girlfriend Rosie. The only drawback is that she must work with handyman Killian, who at first seemed unfriendly and unapproachable, to set up a home for her alpaca herd. However, as Emma deals with family upsets and pressures of timing, she realises that Killian is not the gruff individual she suspected, but someone who could help and encourage her to achieve her dreams.

This is a wonderful addition to the Escape to the Lakes series of books and I recommend both this book and the entire series to other readers. The characters have their ups and downs just as in real life but there is a message of hope throughout. The settings, both at the farm Emma briefly shared with her fiancé and at Willowdale Hall, are of course idyllic; the writing easily conjured up the majestic scenery in my mind. Emma is an interesting character, not easily daunted by events in her past or present. I felt for her as she was certainly unlucky in love, having been in long-term relationships with men who were not as they seemed. I was hoping that she might have more luck with the lovely Killian, and look forward to hearing more about him in future books in this series. I loved the way in which Emma was supported by her extended family and, particularly, her loyal friend Rachael, who were always ready to rally round and help in any way they could. This story is definitely a must for anyone who, like me, is fascinated by alpacas. Emma’s herd plays a big part in the story, and the author has included lots of information about alpacas as Emma learns how to look after them. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series and hoping to meet up with the gorgeous alpacas again.

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Guest Review: A Breath of Fresh Air by Jessica Redland

Rosie feels like there's something missing in her life.

She loves her job as the manager of Willowdale Hall Riding Stables, caring for the horses and teaching children to ride, and she loves the home she shares with her mother in the beautiful Lake District. But she can't help wondering how her life might look if things had been different. What if her father had been around to help care for her mother? And what if she'd found someone special herself?

When Hubert Cranleigh - the owner of Willowdale Hall - is taken ill, his son Oliver steps into the breach. Brooding and distant, Rosie is furious when he claims not to know who she is. Especially when they have a history.

Rosie's life is about to be turned upside down, but with the New Year comes new opportunities. What Rosie feels is missing from her life might be closer than she thinks, and with more significant consequences than she could ever have imagined...

Review: This is the second book in the Escape to the Lakes series from Jessica Redland. The storyline is set once again in the fictional village of Willowdale on the shores of Derwent Water, one of the larger bodies of water in the picturesque Lake District. It was good to revisit the village where the first book in the series was set and to meet up with some familiar characters. Although this story can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first book in the series before this one to give complete enjoyment. The book has a beautiful cover recognisable as a typical Lake District scene.

The story this time brings to the fore Rosie, a character who featured in the last book  She lives and works on the Willowdale Hall estate, where she looks after the horses and runs the riding school. She has lived all her life with her mother in a cottage on the estate, but has never known the identity of her father. When Hubert Cranleigh, who lives in the hall, has a riding accident near to Christmas, his son, Oliver, returns home. Rosie and Oliver grew up together and had a relationship in the past, but he now pretends not to know her and keeps his distance. When his father dies and the future of the hall and its riding school is in doubt, many surprises come to light for both Rosie and Oliver. 

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it, especially to lovers of the Lake District. I must mention, though, that the book ends on a cliffhanger, which I was not expecting; I will be keenly waiting for the next book in the series to solve the mystery and hope it won’t be too long a wait. I loved the characters in this story, with the exception of Hubert Cranleigh, a very unlikeable character. Oliver was a bit of a contradiction - quite unlikeable to start with but the opposite by the end. I was quite prepared to dislike him but then he began to show another side to his character. Rosie and her mum were just as lovely as in the last book; I loved their relationship, and the way in which Rosie looked after her mum in particular. I liked the way in which Rosie and Oliver’s history was revealed in a series of flashbacks dotted throughout the book; I think that worked well to explain their current relationship. I am very much looking forward to the next story in this series, not only because of the cliffhanger but also because I am enjoying following the events in this village and the lives of the characters who live there. 

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Guest Review: Summer Nights at the Starfish Cafe by Jessica Redland

Welcome back to The Starfish Café for a glorious summer, but with a few dark clouds on the horizon...

A new beginning...

As her summer wedding to Jake approaches, Hollie is excited for their new beginning as a family. But when some unexpected news threatens the future she and Jake had hoped for, Hollie will need to find the strength to overcome heartache once more.

A fragile heart….

Single mum, Kerry, loves her job at The Starfish Café, but behind the brave smiles and laughter with customers there is a sadness deep within. So when someone from her past re-appears in her life, Kerry can either hide away or face her demons and try to finally move on from her heartbreak.

A summer to remember…

For Hollie and Kerry it promises to be an emotional rollercoaster of a summer, but the community at The Starfish Café will always be there to help them through - after all, with courage nothing is impossible…

Review: This is the final book in the Starfish Cafe Series by Jessica Redland. The stories in this series feature the staff and customers of this establishment, which is set on the outskirts of the North Yorkshire coastal town of Whitsburgh Bay, the setting of many of Jessica’s other books. At the beginning of the book there is a very useful list of recurring characters, with details of how they fit into the series. In common with the other books in this series, this one features a striking cover that makes you want to set off for the seaside and enjoy a peaceful evening looking out over the water while enjoying a treat from the cafe. 

This story centres predominantly on Hollie, owner of the Starfish Cafe, and Kerry, a part-time member of staff and single mother of four. Hollie is looking forward to her forthcoming wedding to Jake and a wonderful honeymoon in Italy. However, the couple are dismayed when their happy future is jeopardised by distressing events, including the unwelcome reappearance of a figure from the past. In the case of Kerry, the reader learns about her past and her busy life in the present looking after her four lively children. Someone from her past also makes an appearance, making her worry how this will affect her and her children’s lives. It promises to be an eventful summer for both of the ladies, where they may well need the support of their friends and colleagues.

I very much enjoyed this highly emotional story and am sad to be saying goodbye to the characters I have got to know through the books in this series. I liked that individual chapters were told from either Hollie’s or Kerry’s perspective. It has been wonderful following Hollie and Jake through their growing relationship since book 1. They are both strong characters and deserved a happy future after their previous trials and tribulations. It was frustrating to find that there was more heartache in store for them. I liked learning more about Kerry, and became really immersed in her story to the extent of positively disliking the person from her past who decided to come out from the woodwork. Of course, there are many other familiar faces in the story and one little dog who was central to Hollie and Jake’s relationship. I like the fact that the author rounds off the story with an epilogue that gives the reader a peek into the future for each of the main characters. This book would undoubtedly make a lovely summer read; it could be read as a standalone, but I can recommend the whole 3-book series.

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Guest Review: Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Barn by Jessica Redland

Welcome to Bumblebee Barn, home to wonderful animals, stunning views and spectacular sunsets - and resident young farmer, Barney.

While Barney loves his life at Bumblebee Barn - a farm that has been in his family for generations - he's struggling to find someone to share it with. The early mornings quad biking through muddy fields and the long hours looking after the crops and animals are proving to be a deterrent to finding love.

So when his sister, Fizz - desperate for Barney to find his soulmate - sees an advert for Love on the Farm, a new reality TV show to help farmers find love, he has nothing to lose by applying. After all, he isn't meeting anyone suitable down the traditional route and surely he won't be picked anyway...?

Thrown into the chaos of reality TV, Barney could never have expected that his whole life would be turned upside down, with buried secrets to be uncovered and his heart on the line. With his family and friends rooting for him, could the magic of Bumblebee Barn heal his broken heart and help him find love on the farm?

Review: I have read all of Jessica Redland’s books, and particularly enjoyed her Hedgehog Hollow series; I know I was not the only reader to feel the loss when the series ended. It was nice, therefore, to discover that the rescue centre and some of its staff were to play a part in this new book, which is a standalone story set in the same area of the Yorkshire Wolds. The book has a really attractive cover showing Bumblebee Barn and the two central characters on a lovely summer’s day. I quickly devoured this new work and would rank it one of my favourites from this author. 

This is the story of Barney and Amber, how they met and what happened next. Barney is a farmer at Bumblebee Barn, a farm that has been in the family for many generations and which was passed onto him by his grandfather. Amber is a television producer, working on a variety of programmes, including a successful series on countryside life. Barney has been unsuccessful in finding a girlfriend who is willing to fit into his lifestyle and is persuaded to take part in a reality TV series aimed at finding partners for farmers like him. Much against her principles, Amber is going to be the producer on the show, which has been sold to her as having a family-friendly format. Things do not go as planned, and Barney finds himself becoming attracted to Amber, and she to him. She is far too professional to allow this mutual attraction to interfere with her job, but what will happen when filming is over?

I absolutely loved this romantic love story and can definitely recommend it. Who could fail to be attracted to handsome but lonely farmer Barney who is working so hard to keep the family farm going? He was so patient and understanding throughout this story, no matter what was thrown at him. Amber was also a lovely character, doing her best under difficult circumstances. I liked the way in which the story was told, with each chapter being narrated by one or other of the pair, putting across their own point of view. Of course, I loved to be returning to Hedgehog Hollow and meeting up with Fizz and Samantha again, not to forget a few spiny creatures. This is a wonderful new tale from Jessica Redland; I’m only sorry it’s a standalone as I would love to know what the future holds for this lovely couple. 

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Guest Review: Spring Tides at the Starfish Cafe by Jessica Redland

Welcome back to the Starfish Café - where you will find stunning views, delicious food and lifelong friendships.

A new season...

As winter turns to spring, Hollie - owner of The Starfish Café - is feeling content as she settles into her new life with her loving boyfriend, Jake, and their adorable dog Pickle.

But when an unwelcome visitor threatens the future of her café, Hollie must stay strong to protect her family's legacy...

A leap of faith...

Emerging from an unhappy relationship, Tori finds herself with nowhere to stay and nobody to talk to. The long-hidden secrets of her past weigh heavily on her until a chance encounter with Finley, struggling to come to terms with his own secrets, provides an opportunity to open up.

Can she find the strength to stop hiding from her past and face up to her family? Especially when that would mean letting her guard down and learning to trust again...

A fresh start...?

Little do Hollie and Tori know that their lives are about to collide at The Starfish Café and they may be able to help each other with a fresh start. After all, with good friends in your life, nothing is impossible...

Review: This is the second book in the Starfish Cafe series, following on from Snowflakes Over the Starfish Cafe. In common with many of Jessica Redland’s books, the story is set on the Yorkshire coast, in and around the fictional seaside town of Whitsborough Bay. There are many recurring characters in her books, which give them a warm feel that I very much enjoy. This book begins with a list of characters returning from the last book in the series, with details of their places in the story. It could be read as a standalone, but I feel it would be much better to read the books one after the other as the storylines are very much interlinked. 

In this book, the author continues the story of Hollie and Jake. Hollie owns and manages the Starfish Cafe in addition to running a craft business and training with the RNLI. Jake is a nurse at the local hospital, aspiring photographer and RNLI crew member. After an emotional start, they are now happy with their life together. However, their peaceful existence is suddenly threatened by an unscrupulous local businessman who it seems will go to any lengths to buy the cafe. In the meantime, Hollie has met and befriended a new customer, interior designer Tori, who has her own troubles with a relationship that has turned sour and family problems. However, when Tori meets Jake’s friend Finley, also emerging from a failed romantic partnership, it seems that they may be able to help each other. 

I really enjoyed this continuing saga of the Starfish Cafe and the people involved with the business  It was great to catch up with Hollie and Jake and find out how their relationship had developed. They are both such likeable characters who are bound to have any reader cheering them on to succeed. The introduction of a dangerous man who is bent on having the cafe for himself gave the story an unusually edgy feel and had me, along with Hollie and Jake, trying to work out his motive. I found myself worried about just how far he would go before he was stopped. Once again, the wonderful community spirit of Whitsborough Bay shone through as friends rallied around to help. I was intrigued by Tori’s story; she is from a very unorthodox family to say the least and has fought hard to establish her own identity. I am looking forward to discovering if there is more about her and Finley in the next book in the series. I can recommend this series of books to other readers; it would be a marvellous introduction for those unfamiliar with Jessica Redland’s work.  

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Guest Review: A Wedding at Hedgehog Hollow by Jessica Redland

It's time for the wedding we've all been waiting for...

Life at Hedgehog Hollow is never dull, although Samantha hopes that the new year ahead will be a little less chaotic as she prepares to marry the love of her life, Josh. But disaster strikes when she checks the rescue centre's bank account after the festive season and discovers it has been emptied. Who would do such a thing, and why? With the future of Hedgehog Hollow now in jeopardy, planning a wedding has lost its shine.

Phoebe is desperate to escape the shadow of her family, infamously known for their attacks on Samantha's beloved rescue centre. Could the kindness of the Hedgehog Hollow team be the chance she needs for a fresh start, or will her family's secrets continue to drag her back?

Review: This is the fourth book in Jessica Redland’s Hedgehog Hollow series, which follows the fortunes of Samantha Wishaw and the hedgehog rescue centre she has established at Hedgehog Hollow farm in the Yorkshire Wolds. As a fan of Jessica Redland, I have been following this series from book one and looking forward to the next instalment as soon as I have finished the last. The cast of recurring characters grows with every book and I am enjoying watching each of them develop. All of the books, including this one, can be read as a standalone, but they make a wonderful continuing saga if read in sequence. If you haven’t read the earlier books, or can’t remember what has gone before, the author has helpfully started this book with a recap and some character details.

This story brings to the fore Phoebe, a student who has been helping out with the accounts for Hedgehog Hollow. Samantha and the other volunteers at the rescue centre know little about her, but the secrets she has tried to keep hidden slowly emerge after money is stolen from the charity’s account. Samantha has been looking forward to her upcoming wedding to Josh, but all thoughts of those plans have to be put to one side as she tries to help Phoebe escape the clutches of her no-good family and work out how to keep the rescue centre running with no funds. Meanwhile, Samantha is wondering whether her strained relationships with her mother and cousin might be easing as her wedding day approaches.

I really enjoyed this latest book in this series, and can highly recommend it to other readers. It is certainly a fast moving and emotional story, with never a dull moment for the characters and scary situations for some of them. The storyline contains many serious topics including fraud, drug dealing and abuse; some of the descriptions were hard to read and left me feeling anxious for the characters. However, these dark episodes are balanced by the lighter moments where friendship and love shine through. The story had me in tears many times, sometimes happy ones and other times sad. Through all of this, the story always returns to the peaceful surroundings of Hedgehog Hollow with its many spiny lodgers, and, in this case, the promise of a grand wedding. At the end of the book, the author has added some useful facts about hedgehogs and what to do if you encounter one.

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Guest Review: The Secret to Happiness by Jessica Redland

Danniella is running from her past, so when she arrives at the beautiful seaside resort of Whitsborough Bay, the last thing on her mind is making friends. After all, they might find out her secrets…

Alison is fun, caring and doesn't take herself too seriously. But beneath the front, she is a lost soul, stuck in a terrible relationship, with body confidence issues and no family to support her. All she really needs is a friend.

Karen's romance has taken a back seat to her fitness business. But she doesn’t want to give up on love quite yet. If only those mysterious texts would stop coming through…

When the women meet at their local bootcamp, a deep friendship blossoms. And soon they realise that the secret to happiness is where they least expected to find it…

Review: I have been enjoying catching up with Jessica Redland’s catalogue of books, having been introduced to her writing relatively recently. Many of her books, including this one, are set in the fictional Yorkshire seaside town of Whitsborough Bay. All of her stories are standalone, but many characters pop up in more than one book. I’m sure that I’m not alone in enjoying getting reacquainted with characters from previous stories. As with many of Jessica’s books, I listened to the audio version of this one, read very ably by Lucy Brownhill.

This story centres on three women who meet up in Whitsborough Bay, brought together by a local boot camp. Daniella is a stranger to the town, who is running away from a traumatic event in her past. Alison is a local resident who is becoming increasingly unhappy with her life, and in particular her relationship with a long-time partner who seems now to take every opportunity to demoralize her. Karen is a local fitness instructor who is building a business with her fiancé, but who is beginning to wonder where the romance in their life has gone and what he is hiding from her. As Karen establishes her boot camp and welcomes the others into the group, the women find friendship as well as support in their struggles to rediscover happiness in their lives.

I can highly recommend this book filled with true friendship and its power to support even the most troubled soul. It is quite an emotional read, with some shocking revelations, but with its fair share of humour and romance. I loved that the three central characters are really life-like, with the sort of problems that anyone could experience. My heart ached for each of them at different stages in the story, and I felt so relieved for them that the others were there to lend support. This is another well-written story from Jessica Redland that many will find a heartwarming read, probably shedding a few tears along the way.

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