Guest Review: One Night at the Château by Veronica Henry

One night to fall in love.

One summer to change everything...

Over the last few months, Connie's whole world has fallen apart. Her husband's run off with an older woman, the magazine she works for has gone bust and she's having to sell the family home. So when her beloved godmother, Lismay, begs her to help run the beautiful Château Villette, it couldn't come at a better time...

No one knows the château quite like Connie. She spent a blissful summer there in her twenties, learning to cook delicious French food for the guests, ironing the lavender-scented sheets - and trying to resist the very handsome neighbour, Remy.

As soon as she arrives, it's clear that the château is close to crumbling and Connie knows she's going to have her work cut out. Could it be the fresh start she didn't even know she needed - and will she find a way to save the château, before it's too late?

I was keen to read this latest book from Veronica Henry as soon as I read its synopsis. I thought the idea of a French château with a history and an added helping of romance sounded just up my street. I have enjoyed many of this author’s books, so I was expecting to find another triumph in this title. I was not disappointed.

The story centres on two women, each of whom end up at different times living in the beautiful Château Villette in Provence. The first one to live in the château is Lismay. She and her husband bought the house on a whim while on holiday in the area in 1985 with the idea of doing it up and running it as a guest house, which they achieved with great success. The other main character is Lismay’s god-daughter Connie. When her godmother asks Connie many years later if she would look after the château for a while, the timing is perfect for her. Connie’s life is at a turning point, her husband having left her, her job having come to an end and her future looking uncertain. Connie is also familiar with how things are run at Château Villette, having spent a summer working there as a girl. Unfortunately, Connie finds that Lismay has let things slide, recent visitors to the château having left less than complimentary reviews. As she sets to, determined to restore the building and the business to its former glory, she meets up again with neighbour Remy. He is keen to rekindle their relationship from that summer long ago, but does she have time for romance when she feels she must save the château?

This was a marvellous book, filled with interesting characters and with a glorious setting. I thought the story was cleverly told, describing the way in which Lismay approached the renovation of the château and the stumbling blocks she had to overcome, and then many years later Connie working to recreate what her godmother had achieved, but also considering how expectations of guests have changed in the intervening period. They are both strong women with the determination required for the task. There are, of course, many other characters in the story. I loved the local women who helped Connie and had their own tales to tell. Then there is the dashingly handsome Remy running the vineyard next door and desperate to woo Connie; I can imagine it was difficult to turn him down. This is definitely a book I can recommend to any reader who would like to escape into the French countryside for a while in the opulent surroundings of a château and watch as two amazing women turn it around.

To order your copy now, just click here!

Guest Review: The Secret Beach by Veronica Henry

Nikki finally owns the little coastguard cottage of her dreams - and it's a few steps away from the hidden beach that means so much to her.

But when a handwritten note lands on her doorstep, she realises it's only a matter of time before the heartbreaking truth of her past is uncovered.

Twenty years ago, her whole world was turned upside-down when a terrible storm rolled into the small seaside town of Speedwell.

Ever since that night, Nikki has been keeping a secret. One she knows has the potential to destroy the lives of those she loves most.

Because as sure as the tide turns, there are no secrets in a small town...

Review: I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this new book from Veronica Henry, one of my favourite authors. The title suggests that once again I will be treated to a story set by the sea and I am already anticipating imagining the sound of the waves as I read. This book is set in the small Cornish seaside town of Speedwell, where 20 years previously the lives of the inhabitants had been turned upside down by a tragic summer storm, an event which is commemorated annually in the town.

The story centres on Nikki, who has finally had the opportunity to buy the coastguard cottage she has had her eye on for many years. Although in need of a large dose of TLC, the cosy cottage is in a marvellous position set high above a small cove that is hidden from view and accessed only by a precarious set of steps. The lovely beach below is associated with memories of an earlier time in Nikki’s life and a guilty secret she has kept for over twenty years. Her happiness at moving into her dream home and meeting up with her handsome new neighbour is marred by the arrival of an anonymous note. Someone apparently knows her secret, but who, and moreover what will happen if the truth comes out?

I can highly recommend this latest book from Veronica Henry. Its pages are populated with a cast of strong characters and filled with details of their lives, past and present. The story flits between present day and what happened to Nikki and her family twenty years ago. This is not my favourite form of narrative, but it was used to good effect here. Alongside the drama, there is also plenty of romance. I liked Nikki’s next door neighbour very much. He was very supportive and non-judgemental as well as easy on the eye. Nikki’s secret emerges slowly as the story progresses and the potential consequences of its being revealed become clear. I liked the way in which the reader is kept guessing as to the identity of the writer of the anonymous note; I certainly didn’t work it out. Although the book has an idyllic setting by the sea, there are copious reminders of its dangers.

To order your copy now, just cick here!

Guest Review: The Impulse Purchase by Veronica Henry

Sometimes you have to let your heart rule your head . . .

Cherry, Maggie and Rose are mother, daughter and granddaughter, each with their own hopes, dreams and even sorrows. They have always been close, so when, in a moment of impulse, Cherry buys a gorgeous but rundown pub in the village she grew up in, it soon becomes a family affair.

All three women uproot themselves and move to Rushbrook, deep in the heart of Somerset, to take over The Swan and restore it to its former glory. Cherry is at the helm, Maggie is in charge of the kitchen, and Rose tends the picturesque garden that leads down to the river.

Before long, the locals are delighted to find the beating heart of the village is back, bringing all kinds of surprises through the door.

Could Cherry's impulse purchase change all their lives - and bring everyone the happiness they're searching for?

Escape to the glorious Somerset countryside with this joyful and uplifting story of family, love and hope.

Review: I have been looking forward to a new book from Veronica Henry, an author whose works never fail to please me. In common with many of her books, this one has a lovely cover which promises a visit to a rural riverside setting in the country. That is exactly what I got, in a compelling and inspiring story, which had me lost in its pages every time I sat down to read. 

This is the story of women from three generations of the same family who set out to achieve the seemingly impossible and learn a lot about themselves in the process. Grandmother Cherry, fast approaching 70 years of age, on an impulse buys a rundown pub in Rushbrook, the small Somerset village where she grew up, and where that same pub used to be the heart of the village. Daughter Maggie has become disillusioned with the business she has been running for many years and decides to join her mother in bringing the pub back to life, focusing on her specialist area - culinary matters. Granddaughter Rose brings the horticultural skills she learned from her great grandmother to the venture. Although Cherry’s partner disapproves of the idea, the three women, along with Rose’s small daughter Gertie, move to the village and begin the refurbishment of the pub and its riverside garden, setting themselves an incredibly short deadline for its completion. Their efforts touch the lives of many local people as well as changing all of their own lives into the bargain. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing story of what can be achieved with determination, even in later years of life. I liked and admired all three women, each at difficult points in their life, suffering family losses and looking for direction. The characters that they met along the way while involved in their project were also likeable and believable. However, I felt a little sorry for Cherry’s partner, who is just about to retire and looking forward to setting out on new adventures with her when she drops the bombshell that she has bought a pub; he is sure that she will fail in her new enterprise and makes his feelings known. I loved that each chapter in the book is told from different perspectives, from the point of view of one of the central female characters, or one of the local women who feature in the story. The pub’s setting sounds absolutely idyllic, with its garden that stretches down to the river with swans gliding past; I could easily see myself sitting there enjoying a glass of something to accompany some of the delicious food coming out of the newly refurbished kitchen. I have no hesitation in recommending this heartwarming summery story to other readers; if new to Veronica Henry, then this would be a great place to start.

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

Guest Review: A Day at the Beach Hut by Veronica Henry

On a shimmering summer's day on the coast, the waves are calling, the picnic basket is packed, and change is in the air....

A family enjoy their last holiday at a much-loved beach hut. The tide brings in an old face - and a new temptation - while a writer's retreat is shaken up by a surprise arrival. The simple pleasures of the seaside compete with the Instagram dream, a couple's future is turned upside down and a celebratory evening takes a stormy turn. And as the sun sets, an unexpected romance is simmering....

From a windswept breakfast while the surf's up, to a romantic seafood dinner under the stars, enjoy a little taste of the seaside - wherever you are.

This uplifting collection of eight original short stories and more than 50 delicious recipes will transport you to the golden sands of Everdene for a perfect day at the beach hut.

Review: I have read and enjoyed all of the Beach Hut series of stories from Veronica Henry. I love the seaside, and these books always manage to transport me to a sandy beach with the sound of the waves in the background. I was intrigued to find that this new offering is slightly different in that it contains a series of short stories centred on the beach huts featured in the earlier books plus some recipes and some recollections of the author’s experiences on visits to the seaside. 

The book progresses through a whole day on the beach, from breakfast time to evening, with reminiscences, a short story and several recipes related to the story at each stage. The stories are set in the fictional seaside town of Everdene, with its row of colourful beach huts which feature in all of the Beach Hut series. Several characters appear in more than one story, bringing the book together nicely. The recipes include breakfast dishes, picnic food, treats and snacks, a birthday banquet (also with party playlist), seafood suppers, family favourites, and a romantic dinner for two. There are even lists of Veronica’s 10 classic beach reads, her 10 best beach hut board games, her top 10 beach movies and top 10 favourite ice creams.

I have very much enjoyed reading this book. It contains all you need for a day at the beach or a stay in a colourful  beach hut. The stories are varied in content, but all equally entertaining. I liked that fact that the same character might crop up in more than one story and I was very jealous that most of them had the opportunity to stay in one of the cosy little huts. Veronica’s tales of her visits to the beach are a nice addition to the book. The recipes sound absolutely delicious; I have already tried out the banana pancakes, which were easy to prepare and made a lovely brunch. I would recommend this book; whether you buy it as a work of fiction or a recipe book, I’m sure you will not be disappointed.

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

Guest Review: A Wedding at the Beach Hut by Veronica Henry

Escape to Everdene Sands, where the sun is shining - but is the tide about to turn?

Robyn and Jake are planning their dream wedding at the family beach hut in Devon. A picnic by the turquoise waves, endless sparkling rosé and dancing barefoot on the golden sand . . .

But Robyn is more unsettled than excited. She can't stop thinking about the box she was given on her eighteenth birthday, and the secrets it contains. Will opening it reveal the truth about her history - and break the hearts of the people she loves most?

As the big day arrives, can everyone let go of the past and step into a bright new future?

Review: How nice to be back in the little Devon seaside town of Everdene, with its line of beach huts down by the shore. Veronica Henry has charmed me with many books centred on these little home from homes and I feel full of anticipation at the thought of beginning another such story. Add to that the promise of a wedding in such an idyllic setting, and I couldn’t wait to get started.

The story centres primarily on Robyn, who is preparing for motherhood and her marriage to Jake. Plans are going ahead for the small wedding to be celebrated at Jake’s family’s beach hut; it promises to be a happy and informal day. However, Robyn has other things on her mind as well. There are some secrets about her past, clues to which are contained in a box she has been keeping unopened for most of her adult life. It suddenly seems important to her to open the box and discover those clues, but she is uncertain of the consequences for herself and others if she does.

I have read and loved all of Veronica Henry’s beach hut stories, but this is undoubtedly the most emotional one so far. Robyn’s story is so moving that it had me in tears several times. The book is really well written, dealing as it does not only with the wedding aspect, but also with the history of other marriages and with relationships past and present. It is filled with strong, lifelike characters and with totally believable situations. As you can probably tell, I loved this book and would highly recommend it to other readers; fans of Veronica Henry will of course be drawn to it, and those new to this author will undoubtedly look for more of her work afterwards.

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

Guest Review: The Honeycote Series by Veronica Henry

Homemade mulled wine, freshly baked mince pies and plenty of Christmas cheer...

It's the most wonderful time of the year, they say. And in the little Cotswolds village of Honeycote, the festive season looks set to bring people more than a few surprises under the tree.

As Lucy Liddiard plans the festive lunch for her nearest and dearest, she has little idea of the dramas about to play out before the crackers are pulled and the corks popped. She knows the family brewery, Honeycote Ales, has seen better days. She knows her husband, Mickey, is an incorrigible flirt. But does she realise how close both are edging towards disaster?

As the nights draw in, garlands deck the halls and the carols ring out, there are secrets and lies, love and lust all waiting to be unwrapped.

Welcome to Honeycote, and a Christmas no one will ever forget...

** A Country Christmas was originally published as 'Honeycote' **

Irresistibly good fun and bursting with heart, A Country Christmas is the first book in the Honeycote trio, followed by A Country Life and A Country Wedding. Each can be read as a standalone, or they can be read as a series.

Review: As a relatively recent, but now confirmed, fan of Veronica Henry’s books, I have been promising myself for some time to catch up on some of her older works. Hence, I chose the trilogy of books set in the lovely Gloucestershire village of Honeycote. The books are, in order, A Country Christmas, A Country Life and A Country Wedding, although they were known by different names originally.

Central to all parts of the trilogy is the Liddiard family, who have lived in Honeycote House for generations, running the brewery that produces Honeycote Ales. At the beginning of the first book, the occupiers of the house are Mickey, wife Lucy and their children. Unfortunately, Mickey is not to be trusted with money or the local ladies, and his neglect of the business is causing the brewery to run into trouble. Son Patrick is also a bit of a ladies man and is not really paying enough attention to troubles at the brewery. A big employer in the local area, it is essential for the village as well as the Liddiard family that the business stays afloat. As the story progresses through the books, new characters are introduced who settle in the village and are woven into the picture, becoming major players in the drama and sometimes potential investors in the brewery. There is certainly plenty of drama throughout the narrative, with major incidents as well as romance.

This is a marvellous saga, spread over the three titles. The books definitely must be read in order to gain full benefit of the ongoing story. New characters pop up as the story progresses, each with a really interesting back story and all arriving in the village of Honeycote for different reasons. I can’t say that I found all of the characters likeable; some were far too fond of using others to satisfy their own needs and there was certainly rather a lot of cheating within the various marriages. However, these situations are true to real life. I can wholeheartedly recommend the series to other readers, but it is definitely worth reading all three books, and in order, to appreciate the whole story and have everything slot into place.

To order A Country Christmas just click here

To order A Country Life just click here

To order A Country Wedding just click here

Guest Review: A Home From Home by Veronica Henry

Sunshine, cider and family secrets...

Dragonfly Farm has been a home and a haven for generations of Melchiors - arch rivals to the Culbones, the wealthy family who live on the other side of the river. Life there is dictated by the seasons and cider-making, and everyone falls under its spell.

For cousins Tabitha and Georgia, it has always been a home from home. When a tragedy befalls their beloved Great-Uncle Matthew, it seems the place where they've always belonged might now belong to them...

But the will reveals that a third of the farm has also been left to a Culbone. Gabriel has no idea why he's been included, or what his connection to the farm - or the Melchiors - can be.

As the first apples start to fall for the cider harvest, will Dragonfly Farm begin to give up its secrets?

A Home from Home is the very best of Veronica Henry's storytelling - gorgeous scenes you wish you could step into, a cast of characters who feel like friends, and an irresistibly feel-good family drama crossing three generations.

Review: Being a huge Veronica Henry fan, I was looking forward with great anticipation to her latest novel. This one turned out to be quite a family saga, with lots of back stories for the characters; definitely one of those books it is difficult to put down.

The main story concerns Dragonfly Farm, not a farm with animals or crops, but just the farmhouse, outbuildings and apple orchards. It is rather run down to look at, but there have obviously been many happy times for the Melchior family, who have lived there for generations, in recent times producing a very palatable cider. As we join the story, great uncle Matthew, the last of the older generation, has died, and his will has caused quite a stir amongst his surviving relatives. Tabitha, who has lived at the farm for years, and her cousin Georgia, who looks on the place as a second home, find that, as they hoped, Matthew has left them the farm, but has also left an equal share to someone they have never heard of, Gabriel Culbone. His very name is enough to raise hackles, as the Melchiors and the Culbones have long been at loggerheads following an incident a few generations ago. When all parties start digging into the past to find out Gabriel’s connection with the farm, there emerge all manner of revelations. 

As I expected, I really enjoyed this book. Events spanned long periods of time, although the main focus was on the present and what was going to happen to the farm. It certainly kept me guessing until the end. I liked the fact that there was an air of mystery mixed with romance; so many secrets binding together the two families. I can recommend this book, with its strong, mainly likeable, characters and a surprise round every corner to Veronica Henry fans and those new to her work alike. 

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

Guest Review: Christmas at the Beach Hut by Veronica Henry

Everyone adores Christmas . . .

Especially Lizzy Kingham. But this year, she is feeling unloved and underappreciated by her family. The present-buying, decorating and food shopping have all been left to her. So she wonders ... what would happen if she ran away and left them to it?

Lizzy heads to her favourite place: a beach hut on the golden sands of Everdene. There she meets an unlikely collection of new friends, all running away from something. But the spirit of Christmas gets under Lizzy's skin: soon the fairy lights are twinkling and the scent of mulled wine mingles with the sea air.

Back at Pepperpot Cottage, her family are desperate to find her. For Christmas isn't Christmas without Lizzy. Can they track her down in time and convince her she means the world to them, every day of the year?

The brand new novel from the Sunday Times top-ten bestselling author of A Family Recipe and The Beach Hut. Bursting with love, hope, forgiveness - and plenty of Christmas cheer!

Review: How lovely to be transported back to the little seaside town of Everdene with its line of beach huts along the top of the sand. Fans of Veronica Henry will undoubtedly, like me, be familiar with the setting after reading her earlier novels, The Beach Hut and The Beach Hut Next Door. Being an ardent reader of Veronica's books and a lover of Christmas stories, this one was always a must read for me. Even so, I was not prepared with the way in which this festive tale pulled me in and had me lost to the real world from start to finish, a journey of just a few hours, with a few tears along the way. 

The story centres on Lizzy Kingham, a busy mother of twin teenagers who loves the hustle and bustle of Christmas and making it perfect for everyone every year. This year is different though, she seems weighed down by a series of events and suddenly feels fed up with being what she sees as taken for granted and put upon by her family. Very much out of character, she leaves them all to it and heads off to Everdene and the beach hut owned by her friend where they spent a glorious summer in their late teens. However, the peaceful and restful solitary Christmas she expects there turns out to be a little different from her imaginings as she meets up with some others also escaping from their lives for various reasons. 

I have already read quite a few festive stories this year, but I think this has to be my favourite so far. I found this a really compelling story that was at once heartwarming and heart-rending. Many busy mums will identify with Lizzy and her feelings of being under appreciated. As Lizzy and her family found in the story, many women could understand the desire to run away from the situation. The other people she meets at the beach are also in situations that readers can recognise. That's what makes this such a good read - all the characters and their situations are believable. Of course, the beach huts sound absolutely gorgeous, equipped as they are with all mod cons; definitely not a bad place to spend Christmas, or any other time of the year come to that. Needless to say, I would recommend this 5 star read to all. It would certainly make a great addition to a Christmas stocking. 

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

UK Giveaway & Event Vlog: Milly Johnson Penny Parkes & Veronica Henry

I've been hitting lots of milestones all over the place recently, I passed 400 subscribers over on my BookTube channel and hit 1000 followers over on Instagram as well as it being my 2nd anniversary on BookTube and just getting to hang out with some of my awesome UK blogger friends recently, can you tell I love talking books on the internet?

So I hosted a US only giveaway over on my BookTube channel and now its the turn on the UK only giveaway on here-yey!

I recently attended an event with wonderful authors Milly Johnson, Penny Parkes and Veronica Henry in Waterstones Cheltenham. I made a video about it over on my channel and decided to do a giveaway of books by these authors! So here are the books you can win...

(signed copy)

(signed copy)

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

To enter, go and leave me a comment on the video below! For extra entries you can tweet about the giveaway and/or leave me a comment on this blog post-simple!

This giveaway is UK only and closes on 1st October at Midnight.

Any other questions, just ask on here or on any of my social media platforms!