Guest Review: Come Rain or Shine by Sarah Bennett

Juniper Meadows is home to much of his extended family, not to mention the many local businesses that operate on the estate, so there’s no time to sit back and enjoy the view. Juniper Meadows is a full-time job, and that doesn’t leave much time for romance…

Tasha Blake’s career leaves no time for romance either – much to her mother’s chagrin. Tasha’s sister Danni has kindly provided two grandchildren, but Victoria Blake is keen for more! When her job takes her to Juniper Meadows for an extended project, the slower pace of life, the beauty of the countryside and the warmth of the Travers family, soon has Tasha in its thrall, and the future Lord of the Manor Rhys Travers is rather easy on the eye too.

As the busyness of life on the estate sweeps Tasha and Rhys along, they are both able to ignore the secrets and silences that are growing between them. But when the future of Juniper Meadows hangs in the balance, loyalties and love are tested to breaking point. When the chips are down, can Rhys and Tasha see a future together, come rain or shine…

Review: This is the third book in the Juniper Meadows series from this author. Stories in this series are set on the Juniper Meadows estate in the Cotswolds. The exclusive hotel, once the ancestral seat of the Travers family, the farm and camp site are run by two generations of the current family, who now reside in the large farmhouse or elsewhere on the estate. Each book has focused on a particular member of the large, extended family, although all of them feature to a greater or lesser extent. Although the books in this series can be read in isolation, I would recommend reading them in order to build up a complete picture of this interesting family.

This story centres on Rhys Travers, heir apparent to the family title, and a newcomer to the estate, Tasha Blake. Tasha has been sent by her boss to work undercover as the estate’s camp site manager and report back to him on activities within the family business as a whole. However, she is surprised to find herself welcomed into the family as more than an employee, and realises that she is forming a relationship with Rhys. She also discovers that she enjoys the job and the slower pace of life in the country. Being suspicious of her boss’s motives, Tasha is unwilling to report to him, but the problem remains of how to explain to Rhys and his family that she has been deceiving them. It looks as though she is in a no-win situation and may lose both her new job and man she has come to love.

I am really enjoying this series from Sarah Bennett; her books are always full of warmth and romance coupled with interesting characters and real-life situations. In this story, it was good to see the character of Rhys brought to the fore. He has struggled with the knowledge that he will one day inherit the estate, with the attendant responsibilities, and employing someone to take some pressure off him was a great idea. I wasn’t sure that I liked Tasha to begin with but she grew on me as the story progressed. She had her own problems of course, her mother with her strange ideas being one of them. I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series and wondering who will take centre stage.

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Guest Review: Where We Belong by Sarah Bennett

On paper, Hope Travers has an idyllic life.

Living in a bustling farmhouse with her mum, aunt and uncles, cousin and too many dogs to count, surrounded by the breath-taking Cotswolds countryside, she knows she is privileged and protected.

But all families have secrets, and the Travers family are no exception. Their farmhouse sits in the grounds of the Juniper Meadows estate, passed down through the generations and now being made to pay its own way with a myriad of businesses and projects. When a construction crew uncover what appear to be historical ruins, the history of the Travers family is put under ever closer scrutiny as a dig gets underway.

Hope may have found a blossoming romance with local archaeologist Cameron Ferguson who is running the dig, but when things start to go wrong around the estate and family secrets begin to be revealed, Hope wonders if she’s made a big mistake in digging up the past.

Review: This book marks the start of a new series from successful author Sarah Bennett. I have enjoyed several of her previous collections and sat down to read, looking forward to meeting some new characters and locations. As anticipated, I found myself quickly immersed in the story, set in a small Cotswolds village.

The story centres on the Travers family, owners of Stourton Hall, now a luxury hotel and spa renamed Juniper Meadows. The family, including Hope, her mother and aunt, as well as her uncles and cousin, all live in a large farmhouse on the estate, where outbuildings also house a gin distillery and workshops. Seeking some independence, Hope is keen to move out of the farmhouse, but construction of her new house elsewhere on the estate is stopped when ancient artefacts are discovered at the site. Archaeologist and lecturer Cameron Ferguson is called in to examine the finds and he subsequently sets up a dig. When strange and upsetting things begin to happen around the estate and even family relationships become strained, Hope wishes that she had never instigated the investigations into the past. The family trust that the upset caused by the various events will not ruin the thriving relationship developing between Hope and Cameron.

I can highly recommend this most enjoyable book and I am already looking forward to the next one in this series. I liked that the main storyline regarding the archaeological finds ran alongside a mystery regarding the unfortunate events taking place on the estate and who was behind it all. Apart from that person and one other, I loved all the characters in the story, and was definitely attracted to the handsome Cameron. The situation where all the family members live and work together sounds so comfortable, but I could understand Hope wishing move into her own accommodation at least. The book ends with a promise of more excitement at Juniper Meadows.

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Guest Review: Love Blooms at Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett

Bestselling author Alex Nelson is slowly coming apart at the seams after a failed marriage and an abrupt change in career leave him at a crossroads in life. When an unexpected opportunity arises to escape to the idyllic village of Mermaids Point, he’s hot on the heels of his brother, Tom, who has recently moved there. Buying a rundown bookshop might be just his latest harebrained scheme, but Alex has never been one to do things by halves.

After spending her early years caring for her mother, Ivy Fisher is finally ready to start living her own life. But when the impossibly charming, impossibly good-looking Alex Nelson swoops in and snatches her dream out from under her nose, it really is the last straw. Forced by circumstances to spend more time with him, Ivy finally gets a peek of the real man beneath the confident exterior, and she likes what she sees.

But just when things are starting to come together for them, Ivy is reminded why men can never be trusted. Is Alex who he says he is, or is he using Mermaids Point as nothing more than research fodder for his next bestseller?

Review: This is the fourth book in a series about events in the lives of people living in the lovely seaside town of Mermaids Point. In the first three books, readers have got to know several recurring characters, as well as newcomers, who are always welcomed in by the caring community. All of the books can be read as stand-clones, but I would advise reading them all in order, as they make up an enjoyable and satisfying saga. The author has thoughtfully provided at the beginning of the book a list of characters and their place in the stories as an aide memoire for returning readers and a guide for those new to the series. In common with earlier books in the series, this one has an attractive and inviting cover depicting the story’s setting. As anticipated, I was drawn into this latest story from the very beginning and eagerly followed events therein.

This is the story of writer Alex Nelson, a relatively new visitor to Mermaids Point, and local girl Ivy Fisher, who has just lost her mother after a long illness. Alex has met seamstress and craft enthusiast Ivy on previous visits to the town and has found himself intrigued and attracted to her. He is also drawn to the warm and peaceful atmosphere of Mermaids Point itself. Looking for a new start near to his brother who has taken over as Mermaids Point’s GP, Alex sets his sights on the town’s rundown bookshop, which is currently for sale. However, he has no idea that Ivy had plans for the building. She is disappointed not to be in a position to buy the shop, but she and Alex reach an agreement to run their businesses together there. It looks as though there may be more than a business relationship developing between the pair, but a revelation about Alex’s past makes Ivy suspect that she may not know the real man at all. 

As with the previous three books in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and found it a quick and easy read, not wishing to put it down until its conclusion. Once again, I was pulled into the lives of the characters and attracted to the town itself, with its welcoming feel. The story this time had Alex and Ivy centre stage, with some but not a great deal of involvement from other recurring characters. I felt for Ivy with difficulties caused by her estranged father heaped on top of her grief, but I also felt that Alex would be there to shield her when needed - what a supportive character. Even with lots going on in his life, he was so considerate of her needs. Just as in her other books, Sarah Bennett has succeeded in drawing the reader into the world of her characters, feeling their every emotion. I can’t wait to find out what she has in store next for the inhabitants of Mermaids Point.

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Guest Review: Christmas Surprises at Mermaids Point by Sarah Bennett

Christmas is a time for love, laughter, families and friends, and in Mermaids Point, everyone is getting ready for the festive season.

For Nerissa and Tom, this will be their first Christmas as a couple, but making sure they have time for each other, whilst blending their families, will take some careful planning. What festive traditions will they make their own?

Laurie and Jake are flat out running Laurie’s seafront café, packaging up orders of mince pies, sausage rolls and other delectable Christmas goodies, as well as finding time for Jake’s journalism.  But when Jake’s mum offers them an unexpected gift, their plans are turned upside down.

Alex can’t help but be charmed by beautiful and talented Ivy, but he’s still recovering from his ex-wife’s betrayal and has a secret life he’s not ready to share with anyone yet. But as the Christmas spirit starts weaving its magic, Alex may find himself ready for love sooner than he imagines.

For Andrew, nothing is more important than family. As friends and family gather beneath his roof it's a time for reflection about what the future might hold.

As far as Nick is concerned, pop sensation Aurora Storm is the ‘one that got away’. After they shared a brief holiday fling, he has been thinking about her ever since. Is Christmas the perfect time to finally reach out to her, or is love at first sight just in fairy-tales?

Review: This novella is the third part in the Mermaids Point series from this author. The books in the series are set in a small seaside town of the same name and feature mainly recurring characters. They are, however, all standalone reads. I enjoyed the first two books in the series and found this one, like them, a quick and absorbing story. As the title suggests, the story is set in the run up to Christmas, and I looked forward to discovering how the season was celebrated in Mermaids Point. I must mention the book’s gorgeous cover - such a lovely illustration of the town all decked out for a snowy celebration. 

The story sees the characters readers of the previous books will recognise preparing for the festive season. Cafe owner Laurie is up to her eyes in orders for mince pies. Her journalist boyfriend Jake is busy writing his novel. Laurie’s parents are looking forward to hosting friends and family for the big day but wondering what the future will look like when their children leave home. Laurie’s brother Nick is thinking about the girl he shared some magical time with over the summer and wondering what she is doing now. The town’s doctor, Tom, and partner Nerissa are preparing for their first Christmas together, while Tom’s brother Alex is visiting, taking a break from the big city, writing and the attentions of his ex-wife. Alex is also hoping to reconnect with local girl Ivy, who has her own worries and hopes for the future.

This was a short, but nonetheless enjoyable, visit to Mermaids Point to catch up with familiar characters and what is going on in their lives as they look forward to Christmas. A wealth of topics are included within the pages of this book and there was promise of exciting future developments for some of the characters that I look forward to discovering in future parts of the series. Once again, I found myself wishing that the town was real; I can imagine standing on the seafront, breathing in the salty air and enjoying the Christmas sights and smells. I can certainly recommend this short book to readers of this series as well as those new to the town. I was glad to find that there will be more books about Mermaids Point and its residents next year; I’ll be on the lookout for those. 

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