Published By: Canelo
Pages: 320
Released On: 19/10/2023
Taking over the Flower Shed studio at Halesmere, Alice is looking to mend her heart through horticulture after the end of her ten-year marriage. She isn’t looking for romance, especially not with brash young tree surgeon, Zac.
Zac has his own past he’s trying to move on from, and he’s only staying at Halesmere until the new year. But when their circumstances change in a way that shocks them both, they have to decide if they can share a future that already binds them.
Will the magic of Halesmere work once more to bring love to two lost souls?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the previous book in this series – Snowfall Over Halesmere House – and so was thrilled to see there was a new one.
Having missed the first in the series (not set at Christmas) and reading the second (set at Christmas), I knew I liked her writing whether it be festive or otherwise, and this fits squarely in the middle. Set at Christmas, for the most part, but not focussed solely on the festivities.
You can read this without having read the first two book – as I did with book two – because it is its own story. But it was enjoyable to spot some of the characters I’d fallen in love with before.
No spoilers here but the relationship between Alice and her dad was lovely to read. As someone who no longer has their dad, it was really lovely to read about how much they mean to each other, and it really made me smile, even if I was sad at some points.
Once again, I absolutely adored the location and the community. That’s all I want in life. I want the land and the animals and the cottage and the small neighbourhood and the handsome men. Is that too much to ask? The setting almost becomes a character in itself as it is so beautiful.
I really loved Alice. She’s been through some difficult times and she’s not perfect, but for me she was the perfect character. So charming and gorgeous and vulnerable and I was by her side throughout. Zac was meant to be the charming dashing hero and yes he was all of that. He just sounded so gorgeous and I would like one for Christmas please. There are other characters such as Alice’s aunt Sandy, and Zac’s dad Neil, but they really work around the main two. I was supportive and enjoying Alice and Zac’s story from the very start to the very ened.
Yes it is a happy, cosy, romantic, fabulous story but it hits on some difficult subjects, such as pregnancy and miscarriage, grief, loneliness, and heartbreak, which makes it all real, and Suzanne has handled it so sensitively that they help compliment the good times in the story.
Okay, I know I’ve only read two of the three in the series, but it is really a fabulous series, and really comforting. I don’t know if Suzanne is planning any more in the series but I sure hope she is, as I want to continue this story. I’ve grown to love the characters like they’re real. I’m invested in their stories and I want to continue exploring it with them.
Books By Your Bedside 