I’m back doing a few more blog tours and reviews this month and am kicking it all off with this book, the latest one by Jessica Redland. Many thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for having me on the tour and sending me a copy of the book to review.
The Book: 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…
Escape to the Lake District with million-copy bestseller Jessica Redland, for an uplifting story of family, friendship and love.
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/TheBestIsYetToCome
The Review: Alpaca walking businesses have appeared over the past few years, seemingly out of nowhere. I even saw some alpaca (possibly llamas) in a car park at a retail park a few years ago, clearly having a break from their travels. It was the most random sight! However, given this surge in these businesses it makes sense for Emma, in this book, to want to do the same especially when she has a farm set in beautiful surroundings, to set said business. This sounds idyllic but as any business owner knows it’s not easy getting started and Emma, unfortunately, is off to a bumpier start than most.
I’ve not read any for a while but I love Jessica Redland’s books. They are always, and this one is no exception, brilliantly written and filled with a cast of very realistic characters. I completely emphathised with Emma’s situation and her struggle to deal with it and I was glad it happened. It’s not a nice thing to ever experience but it shows how easy it is to not see things for what they are when you’re not in the best position to see them in. Might sound vague but I’m trying to avoid spoilers.
Change and challenges are always tricky but they can be managed/dealt with/overcome (delete as appropriate!) and Emma deals with hers in a way that is likely to be familiar to many. I love it when characters have realistic issues to deal with and don’t just do the equivalent of waving a magic wand and suddenly all is well. It’s good to see people in books facing challenges that could happen to any one of us, and that’s what happens her.
This is book 3 in a series and while it possibly helps to have read the previous books it’s not essential. I’ve not read them and didn’t feel I was missing out on any back story at all. I will probably go back and read them later, but this book definitely works as a stand alone. Unsurprisingly this is another cracking read from Jessica Redland and one worth picking up if you want good characters, gorgeous settings and a feel good cosy read.
The Author:
Jessica Redland is the million-copy bestselling author of novels, including the Hedgehog Hollow and Escape to the Lakes series. Inspired by her hometown of Scarborough and the Lake District, she writes uplifting women’s fiction of love, friendship and community.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaRedlandAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaRedland
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaredlandauthor/
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JessicaRedlandNews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-redland
