BLOG TOUR: Christmas at Hollybush Farm - Jo Thomas

Jemima Jones is driving home to her family's magical hill-top farm for Christmas…

And on arrival, she soon learns that her dad has been keeping a secret – all is not as it seems, and Hollybush Farm is struggling to make ends meet! Worried about losing the childhood home she loves, Jemima must pull on her winter wellies and get stuck in.

Amid the chaos of chasing after escaping sheep and organising the Christmas tractor run, Jemima begins documenting her slice of farming life on social media. As she builds a supportive online following, she also forms an offline connection in the shape of charming, retired rugby player Llew, her very own Santa's helper.

With a sprinkle of festive cheer and a dash of goodwill, might the community pull together to help save the farm in time for Christmas?

 

What did I think?

It's been a while since I last read a Jo Thomas book so I was delighted to remedy that by reading her latest novel, Christmas at Hollybush Farm.  As well as being full of charm and community spirit, it highlights the real plight faced by modern-day farmers and really made me see the sale of farm land in a different light.

Jem has stood by her dad through thick and thin and that's not about to change any time soon.  When she returns to her childhood home of Hollybush Farm with her partner Matthew it's both to celebrate Christmas and a potential engagement.  I adored Jem from the start and took an instant dislike to Matthew as he seems to want to control everything in his life, including Jem.  Good luck with that, mate!  Jem is no pushover!

When it becomes clear that Jem has to stay longer than planned, Matthew can't get out of there quick enough.  I thought this would mean that my negativity and dislike towards some of the characters was over but there's more to come.  I'm getting angry just thinking about the annoying dog woman who thinks that because she has a dog she can walk it wherever she likes, including the sheep pens on private property.  I was (and still am) FUMING!  I have the same issue at home with people walking their dogs on my front lawn and using my planter as a toilet but I'm the person in the wrong for banging on the window! 

I applaud Jo Thomas for highlighting a very real issue that all farmers face as supermarkets want their products cheaper and they struggle to make ends meet.  I have noticed the loss of so much farm land in my own area over the last couple of years and there's plans for more to be turned into housing and even a solar farm.  It's not that the farmers are making money from selling their land, it's either sell some of their land or lose their whole farm.  It's so very sad and so very real.

The way the whole community comes together to save not just the farm but the village cafe will melt even the hardest of hearts.  This fabulous novel is so much more than a festive, heartwarming read though; it's relevant, thought-provoking and unforgettable.  Very highly recommended.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: The Bad Women (The Brampton Village Mysteries Book 2) - Jennie Ensor

It is a new year and the Covid pandemic is a distant memory for the residents of Wilton Close. If only the sudden death of neighbour Tara Sanderson wasn’t still haunting some of them. But Tara is very much alive in memories, and consciences – in particular, those of friends Ashley Khan, Elspeth Chambers and Clare ‘Bird Woman’ Titchfield.

Then a young woman from a nearby caravan park is found dead in a local quarry. Police conclude it was suicide; she was gravely ill when she died. But is there more to the tragic death than meets the eye?

Attempting to lay ghosts to rest, Ashley becomes obsessed with solving the mystery, finding an unlikely ally in the local police. Her friends insist on helping, too. Clare must make amends after she carelessly let the local vicar snatch her drawing of the scene of Tara’s death. Elspeth seeks atonement for her role in Tara’s unfortunate demise – while doing her best to quell suspicions that the three friends are guilty of a heinous crime.

The trio find themselves trailing the young woman’s suspected killers, pitching them against powerful men determined to keep their own secrets hidden. To stand a chance of defeating their adversaries, the women must find a courage beyond their imagination.

 

What did I think?

I am delighted that Jennie Ensor has written a sequel to The Bad Neighbour as I loved it and I couldn't wait to visit Brampton Village again in The Bad Women.

Elspeth, Ashley and Clare are trying to put the death of their neighbour Tara behind them but Tara is as relentlessly annoying in death as she was in life.  The three women know exactly what happened to Tara and they are never going to have any peace until the threat of discovery no longer hangs over them.  That might be sooner rather than later with a new detective in town...

There are more suspicious deaths in Brampton for the police to investigate with a little help from Brampton's very own bad women.  The writing is exquisite and the plot twists and turns beautifully to keep the reader on their toes.  I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see how it was all going to pan out (and to discover why there were chillies on the cover) and I absolutely loved it.

The Bad Women is an intelligent and menacing psychological thriller that is completely unputdownable and unmissable.  A very highly recommended read.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Aspasia - Florence Wetzel

“In an idyllic Cretan village, a darkness lurks. A brilliantly unsettling yet compelling read.” C. Fitton, author of Her Dead Boyfriend

A peaceful mountain village in 1990s Crete. Katerina is an American woman who lives a tranquil life with her husband Dimitris and their daughter Aspasia. But when Dimitris leaves to work on a cargo ship, a terrible secret shatters Katerina’s world. Suddenly, life in the village turns claustrophobic, threatening both Aspasia’s safety and Katerina’s sanity.

Drawing inspiration from Sophocles' timeless play Antigone, Aspasia is a gripping tale of two shocking crimes. The novel delves into the depths of a mother's love and the extraordinary lengths one woman will go to safeguard her child.

 

What did I think?

I almost didn't read Aspasia as I'm not familiar with Sophocles' play Antigone but you don't need to know anything about Antigone to read Aspasia as I think it's brilliant.  

There are some difficult subjects broached in Aspasia and, although difficult to read, they are very sensitively and respectfully portrayed.  These disturbing events lead to a mother plotting revenge to ensure the safety of her daughter. 

My heart went out to Katerina as she is left to deal with things on her own while her husband is working away.  The village is a close-knit community and Katerina will always be an outsider so she has to be very cunning when planning her vengeance.  There are some surprisingly humorous scenes that perfectly balance the serious nature of the story.

The characters are so well developed that I could visualise them in my head and I could even imagine the picturesque village in Crete.  For such a short book (221 pages), it just shows the quality of Florence Wetzel's writing to be able to describe such vivid scenes with her carefully selected and beautifully crafted words. 

Dark and disturbing but so beautifully written, Aspasia is a hidden gem of a thriller and I would highly recommend that you discover it for yourself.

I received a gifted paperback to take part in The Love Books Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: The Missing Links of Tannadee - Maurice Gray

In this funny, uplifting novel, cocky billionaire Gordon Weever aims to become a clan chief in the Scottish Highlands. He has none of the credentials needed to claim the title, but he has no intention of letting that stop him, so he sets about creating his own credentials. He also plans to see off his rival and hires a pair of crooks to help him. The crooks though have problems of their own, only a little dog can help them. They need to get their hands on that dog, and an increasingly desperate Weever needs to get his hands on something that passes for real credentials. Standing in the way of Weever and the crooks is a plucky band of villagers who tackle them head on. 

What did I think?

The Missing Links of Tannadee is the second book in The Tannadee series, although I didn't realise this when I picked it up but you can definitely read it as a standalone as I really enjoyed it.

There is so much going on to entertain the reader from start to finish from a rescued dog that two bumbling crooks want to get their hands on to an entitled billionaire who fabricates his family history so he can become clan chief.  I didn't expect to find it so funny and I giggled and sniggered many times.

I loved all of the characters and naturally there were some I loved to hate but they are so well-developed that they virtually pop out of the page.  Gordon the billionaire is very annoying but I did laugh a lot at his antics and the two crooks are hilarious as they make Harry and Marv from Home Alone look smart.

Very entertaining and incredibly funny, The Missing Links of Tannadee has lots of laughs instore for its readers,  What a fabulous virtual visit to the Scottish Highlands!

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: Best Summer Ever - Heidi Swain

Summer is in full swing when Daisy drives back into Wynmouth in her almost-clapped-out car, having left both her most recent job and the man her parents thought she was going to marry. Coming home could be just what she needs to move her life on.

At Wynbrook Manor, things are in disarray. Owner Algy isn’t getting any younger, and Daisy’s mum Janet, housekeeper at the manor, spends her days running around after him, while Daisy’s dad Robin, the gardener, has been let down by the person he had lined up to take care of the new cut-flower garden.

As Daisy tries to find her place at Wynbrook and in the village, she’s drawn to summer visitor Josh. But when he turns out to be not the person he appears to be, will the spark between them fizzle out? And with it, the chances of this turning into the best summer ever?

 

What did I think?

It wouldn't be Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer without a Heidi Swain book and the Best Summer Ever is her latest novel that is jam-packed with sunshine and romance.  I'm a huge fan of Heidi Swain books so it will come as no surprise to say that I loved Best Summer Ever.  I'm planning to read it again already - that's how much I loved it!

Daisy is well-named as her dad is a gardener and Daisy has a love of flowers too.  Daisy's life hasn't exactly gone to plan as she sets off home to Norfolk after breaking up with her boyfriend Laurence.  What makes it even worse is that Daisy's parents loved Laurence but what Daisy seems to forget is that they love her more.

To lessen the blow of her surprise return to the parental abode, Daisy decides to pop into the local pub to ask for work but also to calm her nerves after almost running over an American tourist.  The tourist, Josh, provides the love interest but with secrets and misunderstandings aplenty there's very much a will they/won't they about this blossoming romance.

I absolutely adored this gorgeous book from start to finish.  Just looking at the beautiful cover brings a smile to my face as I recollect my virtual visit to the fictional seaside town of Wynmouth.  I love how Heidi Swain's books are all standalones but often see a return to some of her fictional towns and villages so fans of her books really feel as if they're visiting a favourite destination.

Best Summer Ever is the perfect feel-good book to warm your heart and banish the winter blues.  Make sure you don't miss this fabulous heartwarming romance that is worth every single one of the five stars I have awarded it.  Very highly recommended.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Poison Pen Letters (The Village Detectives Book 2) - Fiona Walker

We regret to announce the tragic death of Phoebe Fredericks… 

When crime novelist Phoebe opens the post and receives an invitation to her own funeral, she’s horrified. Not least because the date of her death is marked as tomorrow. 

Deciding it’s nothing more than a prank from an enemy from her past, she determines to put it to the back of her mind. 

But the next morning, when her completely infuriating postman (who likes to think himself her no.1 literary critic) rings her doorbell, a parcel of poisoned pen-nibs explodes in his face. 

Forced to confront the fact her correspondence is more RIP than RSVP, Phoebe realises someone must want her dead. 

Together with the newly-formed Village Detectives – Juno, Mil and Felix – Phoebe resolves to find out who is behind the poison pen letters before they strike again and her fate is signed, sealed and delivered! 

A totally hilarious, modern cozy crime mystery, from million-copy bestselling author Fiona  Walker, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janet Evanovich and Janice Hallett. 

What did I think?

I didn't realise that The Poison Pen Letters is the second book in a series when I first started reading it, so you can totally read it as a standalone as I really enjoyed it.  It's a cosy mystery but it also has a bit of a comedy crime caper about it so be prepared to laugh a lot along the way.

I loved my virtual visit to the picturesque village of Inkbury and Fiona Walker's vivid writing drew a beautiful picture in my mind.  Of course the village may look lovely on the outside but something evil is lurking beneath the surface and one of the villagers ends up dead...but was that person the intended victim?

Author Phoebe Fredericks has been targeted with disturbing poison pen letters that would have had me running for the hills but her friends, the Village Detectives, are determined to find out who is writing them.  Phoebe has quite a list of people she has fallen out with in the past so the detectives, led by Juno, have their work cut out for them and a road trip is on the cards.

Juno is a fabulous character; it's so refreshing to have a middle-aged protagonist and she reminded me of an older Bridget Jones, especially when her mother tries to set her up with an eligible bachelor.  Juno did provide a lot of the laughs for me and I want to read the first book now just to see what she gets up to before this book.

As funny as it is cosy, The Poison Pen Letters is a witty and compelling mystery that entertained and surprised me.  I will definitely be picking up the first book in the series and I will be keeping an eye out for more visits to Inkbury.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase link: https://mybook.to/poisonpensocial

About the author:

Fiona Walker is the million copy bestselling author of joyously funny romantic comedies. Most  recently published by Head of Zeus, she will be turning to cozy crime for Boldwood. The first in her new Village Detectives series, The Art of Murder, will be published in May 2024. 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fionawalkeruk 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fionawalkeruk 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionawalkeruk/ 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/FionaWalkerNews 

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/fiona-walker 

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BLOG TOUR: New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Cafe - Julie Haworth

New Beginnings at The Cosy Cat Café tells the story of Tori who, after being dumped and left stranded by her long-term boyfriend Ryan on a trip of a lifetime to Asia, returns home to the sleepy Sussex village of Blossom Heath with her tail between her legs and her dreams shattered. Donning her frilly apron to help her Mum, Joyce, behind the counter at The Cosy Cup Café, Tori starts to believe – with the help of a hunky fireman and a clowder of rescue cats - that perhaps the secret to her future happiness might lie closer to home than she ever thought possible.

 

If you love your romance with a side order of cake, cats and cosy community dynamics, this is the purrfect uplifting, feel-good read from the winner of the RNA Katie Fforde Debut Novel of the Year 2023.

 

What did I think?

This gorgeous novel is the purrfect pick-me-up that warmed my heart and uplifted my spirits.  It's a fabulous book in its own right and can be read and enjoyed as a standalone but it's even better if you've visited Blossom Heath before in Julie Haworth's delightful debut novel, Always By Your Side.  It was so lovely to see some of the characters I'd met before and it felt like catching up with old friends.

New Beginnings at The Cosy Cat Café is Tori's story and it's not going quite how she planned.  I was so upset (and mad) for her when her boyfriend Ryan decided he 'wasn't a relationship guy'...perhaps he should have mentioned that a tiny bit earlier during the four years of their relationship.  What a snake!

Tori returns home to Blossom Heath to help her mum in her cafe and her visit to Asia inspires her to change the cafe into a cat cafe.  With the help of the wonderful community, Tori's dreams are sure to become a reality and maybe the man she's really supposed to spend her life with is just around the corner.

There's a lot going on in the book to keep the reader interested and entertained from start to finish.  I think I read it far too fast, devouring every word as if it was the last book I'd ever read, so I do plan to read it again when I next fancy a trip to Blossom Heath.

Uplifting, heartwarming and simply delightful, New Beginnings at The Cosy Cat Café is a real gem of a book and it is one I will treasure.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Philosophy of Love - Rebecca Ryan

What is love? Is it something spiritual or wholly physical? Can our feelings be explained and quantified? Or are we all actually two halves of a whole?

Ask Alice and Luke and you’d receive vastly different answers.

Despite her world having been recently dismantled by a messy break-up, Alice would tell you that love is the most important – albeit ineffable – human experiences. But when she once again crosses paths with her old school nemesis, Luke, he challenges this. Luke is a scientist and he’s certain love can be measured and explained – just like everything else.

So the two decide to make a bet: they’ll each venture back into dating and if one of them falls in love, Alice wins, if not, then Luke does.

But can anyone win when you’re playing with emotions?

 

What did I think?

I absolutely loved Rebecca Ryan's debut novel, My (extra)Ordinary Life, so I was very excited to read her new book, The Philosophy of Love.  Well, just imagine my delight when I found out that it was set just a few miles down the road in Easington Colliery.  What a lovely surprise!

After breaking up with her boyfriend, who was also her boss, Alice suddenly finds herself homeless and unemployed.  So, she packs her meagre belongings and leaves London to live with her parents in a little village in County Durham.  It's not long before Alice bumps into her old schoolfriend Luke and the sexual tension between them virtually sizzles off the page, although neither of them can see it; they're too busy trying to win a bet about love.

The chemistry between Alice and Luke is like a smouldering candle just waiting for a little draught of air to ignite it, but the last place that Alice thinks to look for love is right in front of her.  Of course it would have been a very short story if she had fallen for Luke right away!

As well as the wonderful romance, there's a really strong sense of family and community in the book as the villagers all come together to save their local community centre.  I loved how Alice's family all rallied around her, along with her friends new and old.  Village life in the north-east is depicted beautifully in this book as well as the warmth and friendliness of the people in the region.

Rebecca Ryan admits to using a lot of artistic license to recreate Easington for her readers and her writing is so wonderfully vivid that it really brings the village to life.  Whilst I understand the need to change and embellish some things in the village, it's a shame that the names of a north-east landmark and university were changed.  It didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book at all though, it's just that I get a kick out of seeing places I know in print. 

                  

Funny, flirty and completely captivating, The Philosophy of Love is filled with north-eastern charm and wit and it delighted me from start to finish.  Rebecca Ryan is certainly one to watch and I definitely consider myself a fan.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: Return to Half Moon Farm - Holly Hepburn

Discover the beautiful, escapist new novel from beloved author, Holly Hepburn...

When Daisy’s mother falls ill she is forced to return home. With her twin sons in tow, she moves back to Half Moon Farm, her family’s ancient hop farm.  

But a new life in the Kent countryside isn’t necessarily as idyllic as it might seem. Daisy’s relationship with her mother is complicated and the tumbledown farm isn’t the only thing that needs rebuilding. Daisy and her sons must adjust to life with estranged family, a leaking roof, and no WiFi.

Luckily for Daisy, she might yet find some distraction in silver fox farmer, Drew, or in the haughty heir to the nearby estate, Kit, who she can’t seem to avoid.

Daisy must learn to juggle her new life, the boys, and the daunting task of updating the farm. But there are secrets lurking in her family’s past that might throw everything into further disarray…

 

What did I think?

Return to Half Moon Farm is a truly gorgeous Holly Hepburn novel.  It's like a modern day fairy tale with a castle and an earl's brother instead of a prince and I absolutely loved it.

Divorcée Daisy and her twin boys are temporarily moving to the picturesque village of Mistlethorpe to look after her estranged mother.  The last thing Daisy is looking for is romance but there are two love interests vying for her attention: mistletoe farmer Drew and spare to the heir Kit.  Which one, if any, will win her heart?

There's also the mystery of a long standing family feud between the Moons of Half Moon Farm and the Devereauxs of Winterbourne Castle.  As Daisy gets to know Kit Devereaux she might just get to the bottom of why the two families fell out all those years ago.  I absolutely adored how this mystery was woven seamlessly into the storyline, even though my heart was breaking as the past was gradually revealed.

I love how Holly Hepburn writes magical romances that aren't just filled with moonlight and roses but also real life challenges.  Daisy is trying to rebuild her relationship with her mum whilst juggling the school run and work commitments.  The wonderfully relatable characters are far from perfect and I really enjoyed getting to know them during my virtual visit to Mistlethorpe.

Heartwarming and uplifting, Return to Half Moon Farm is a magical romance that swept me off my feet from the very first page.  It's perfect escapism and I highly recommend it.

I received an ARC for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: The Perfect Christmas Village - Bella Osborne

When Christmas-hating Sam moves to Holly Cross, he thinks he's found the perfect home, until he discovers that, each year, Holly Cross transforms into the most Christmassy village in the whole country...

Blythe is just one sale away from being Real Estate Agent of the Month, so she twists the truth to sell a home to city boy Sam, who is looking for the perfect house in the perfect location. Little does he know he's just bought a cottage in the middle of the most Christmassy village in the country. And if there's one thing Sam loathes, it's Christmas.

Sam's arrival puts Holly Cross's chance to win the title of Britain's Most Perfect Christmas Village now in jeopardy, and the villagers are soon up in arms. Meanwhile, Sam is in his own personal hell surrounded by fairy lights and everyone is looking to Blythe to fix things.

But as the festive season looms, maybe there's more than just Christmas in Holly Cross for Sam to fall in love with...

 

What did I think?

I didn't think it was possible to feel festive in October but The Perfect Christmas Village is so full of Christmas spirit that it was impossible to resist (virtually) joining in and I absolutely adored this wonderful book.

Blythe doesn't make the best first impression on me, although she has her reasons for being so competitive at work, and everyone knows that you take what an estate agent says with a pinch of salt.  So Sam only has himself to blame when he finds himself living in the most Christmassy village in Britain, as he really should have done his due diligence before signing on the dotted line.

I know some people can't understand other people who don't like Christmas but it's usually for a very good, and very personal, reason.  Blythe really annoyed me when she kept pushing Sam and making fun of him although she does redeem herself in the most heartwarming way that had me reaching for my tissues to dry my tears.

The community spirit of Holly Cross leaps out of the page and envelops the reader in a huge hug.  I felt as if I was part of this wonderful community and I really cared about what happened to them.  I also loved Turpin the cat and his ability to find new hiding positions - I think he is quite like Sam and just wants to hide away from the community Christmas spirit.

Fabulously festive and wonderfully uplifting, The Perfect Christmas Village is a delightful feelgood novel that completely warmed my heart.  I simply can't recommend it highly enough and I am already planning to visit Holly Cross again next year.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written nine best-selling romantic comedies, two best-selling bookclub reads and won the RNA Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year Award. 

Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in Warwickshire, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on social media.

Social Media Links – 

Twitter - https://twitter.com/osborne_bella  

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TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bellaosborneauthor 

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BLOG TOUR: The Bad Neighbour - Jennie Ensor

In March 2020, the Covid pandemic hits the sleepy English village of Brampton. At the start of lockdown, local busybody Tara Sanderson sets up a community group to help vulnerable residents through the crisis. Elderly Elspeth Chambers, her longstanding neighbour and friend, accepts Tara’s offer to buy food and collect medicine for her.

But it isn’t long before neighbourliness and community spirit turn sour. Tensions arise when Tara becomes jealous of Elspeth’s emerging friendship with Ashley Khan, a recent arrival in Wilton Close.

Suspecting there is more to Tara’s hostility toward them than meets the eye, Ashley and Elspeth start to uncover their neighbour’s long-buried secrets, and realise that Tara is capable of almost anything...

 

What did I think?

I've been a fan of Jennie Ensor's books since I read her stunning debut, Blind Side, in 2016 and her fifth novel, The Bad Neighbour, is just as stunning.  Set during the Covid-19 pandemic, the reader is part of the Brampton community as they come to terms with lockdown and whilst the majority of people will do anything to help others, there's always one who will simply help themself.

It gave me chills reading about this dark time in our recent history and I relived the fear and confusion that many of us felt through the exquisite characters that Jennie Ensor has created.  The sense of community that we all saw in our own cities, towns and villages is portrayed beautifully but the plot darkens when one neighbour isn't as community minded as she appears.

Tara is a character that everyone will love to hate; she is so selfish, jealous, petty and scarily dangerous.  Tara gives the outward appearance that she is helping her elderly neighbour, Elspeth, but she doesn't want to do it for nothing and reading about her antics made my blood positively boil.  Just when you think she can't do anything worse...she outdoes herself.

Deliciously dark and hugely entertaining, The Bad Neighbour is a beautifully written, compelling read that I couldn't put down.  Filled with drama and tension, as well as a brilliant cast of characters, it would make a fantastic TV series.  I absolutely loved it!  Very highly recommended

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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The Sixpenny Orphan - Glenda Young

'Please, sir, take us both. We only have each other. We don't know how to live apart.'

After the death of their parents, sisters Poppy and Rose are taken in by widow Nellie Harper. But whilst they have a roof over their heads, the young orphans are unloved, unwanted, and always hungry, with only one pair of boots between them. Keen to make money, Nellie hatches a plan to sell the girls to the mysterious Mr Scurrfield. But when the day comes for them to leave, Scurrfield reveals he will take only one of the sisters - and he will decide which it will be on the turn of a sixpence.

Ten years later, Poppy is married with three children. Not a day goes by when she doesn't think about Rose, but after many years of searching, Poppy has accepted that her sister is lost to her. That is until a letter suddenly arrives, revealing Rose's fate and breaking Poppy's heart. Determined to be reunited with her beloved sister, Poppy sets out to bring Rose home.

 

What did I think?

It is always a pleasure to read a Glenda Young novel and The Sixpenny Orphan is no exception.  I absolutely love these sagas set just after World War I in the coal mining village of Ryhope in Sunderland.  The past is brought vividly to life through the warm and evocative writing of natural storyteller, Glenda Young.

This book starts in 1909 when orphans Poppy and Rose are children living in the farming community of Ryhope with Nellie the knocker upper.  I didn't even know such a role existed but in the days before alarm clocks, the coalminers needed somebody to wake them up before their shift at the pit.  Nellie has plans to turn the girls from a burden into a commodity but when a man from Sunderland turns up to buy them, he will only take Rose.

Oh my heart broke for these two girls.  They have had so much heartache in their short life since the death of their parents and then living in such awful conditions with a woman who doesn't care about them.  Splitting them up is devastating for both Poppy and Rose but we really see what Poppy is made of when she hatches a plan to bring Rose home as the book jumps forward ten years to 1919.

This is a novel that entertains from start to finish.  The characters are so realistic and the scenery so vivid that I could picture it clearly in my mind.  Of course it helps a little that I know Ryhope well but I can't walk through the village now without replaying scenes in my head from Glenda's fantastic novels.

There is so much to love about this book: the wonderful characters and the challenges they face, the entertaining and compelling storyline and the jam tarts that I could almost taste.  Even the dedication page gave me a lump in my throat!  The dirty and cramped living conditions in a coalmining village must have been awful, but the resilience and fierce determination of Glenda's female characters completely warms your heart.

The Sixpenny Orphan is such a heartwarming, heartbreaking and entertaining read that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.  I used to say I wasn't a saga reader but then I discovered Glenda Young's novels: this is not just a saga, this is a Glenda Young saga and it's simply wonderful.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Glenda Young credits her local library in the village of Ryhope, where she grew up, for giving her a love of books. She still lives close by in Sunderland and often gets her ideas for her stories on long bike rides along the coast. The novels are inspired by Glenda’s love of soap opera, and are dramatic with lots of action and wonderful female characters. There’s a lot of warmth and humour too. 

A life-long fan of Coronation Street, Glenda runs two hugely popular fan websites including the Coronation Street Blog since 2007 and the original fan website www.corrie.net, online since 1995. Glenda is also the creator of the first ever weekly soap opera, ‘Riverside’ which appears in The People’s Friend, the longest running women’s magazine in the world. 

As well as her gritty sagas, Glenda writes a fun, cosy crime series set in a Scarborough B&B. Glenda has had short fiction published in Take a Break, My Weekly, The People’s Friend and Best and in 2019 was a finalist in the Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais Comedy Award.

For updates on what Glenda is working on, visit her website glendayoungbooks.com and to find out more find her on Facebook @GlendaYoungAuthor Twitter @flaming_nora and Tiktok @glenda_young_author

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