From the blurb: A feel-good story of new beginnings set in a gorgeous country village, perfect for fans of Katie Fforde and Milly Johnson. After losing her job in New York, Amber Green isn’t looking forward to visiting her godmother in the sleepy village of Cranbridge. With its empty lanes and rundown shops, it’s hardly a place to mend her lonely heart. But when Amber discovers that Cranbridge Stores, owned by her godmother Cathy and son Josh, is under threat of financial ruin, she realises that her skills as a window dresser might just be able to help save the struggling shop. When disaster strikes, Amber and Josh must unite to save both the shop and the village from flooding. Can Cranbridge Stores become the heart of the village once more? And as the village begins to come back to life, perhaps Amber will discover a reason to stay… Oh be still my DIY loving heart...Who doesn't like a good makeover story? Fascinated and mesmerised we watch these programs and think we could do as well- just a lick of paint here and there, a few cushions, a fireplace, and a gingham table cloth...Nah, better leave it to experts :) Seriously, I love this series. It is sweet, relaxing, and heartwarming, like a cuppa on a cold and windy November day. It's all about community spirit and lovely friendships, finding a place where we belong and people we belong with. en's parents decided to move to New Zealand, so when she is made redundant by her New York employer, Amber doesn't feel she has a place she'd call a home. Her parents are more than happy to welcome her on their brandnew farm, but would like Amber to visit her godmother Cathy in England. cathy has had a few very tough years. First, her husband Todd passed away, then she had cancer treatment. Cathy's son Josh feels their family shop could do with some serious modernising, but his mum, stuck in her grief, stubbornly refuses to change things. Enter Amber..and what an entrance it is! Some books start with a bang, this one starts with a tumble into the local river...Amber is a lovely, kind-hearted girl and it's impossible not to wish her all the happiness in the world. But is she really just passing through this picturesque village or is there a chance that Amber can help this lovely, peaceful place get a push towards revival? The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts is the first book in Alson Sherlock's Riverside Lane series which focuses on four friends (Amber, Lucy, Belle and Molly) who live in a little village called Cranbridge. The protagonists are very likeable (although Josh could have been a teeny-tiny bit less grumpy and more proactive) and there's a large cast of secondary characters, including Grandma Tilly (she will steal your heart), Dodgy Del, Stanley and many others- don't worry, somehow it doesn't get overwhelming, you just get a nice glimpse of this supportive community. It was nice to come back to this series and re-read the first book. And now I'm off to the second book! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the review copy. Author Bio
Alison Sherlock is the author of the bestselling Willow Tree Hall books. Alison enjoyed reading and writing stories from an early age and gave up office life to follow her dream. Her new series for Boldwood is set in a fictional Cotswold village and the first title was published in July 2020. Comments are closed.
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