Sunshine After the Rain – Jessica Redland

Published By: Boldwood
Pages: 372
Released On: 15/05/2025

For the last seven years Mel has been hiding; from life, from her friends and from those who love her the most – her family. But being at home in her beloved Lake District has been far too painful for Mel to contemplate. Because seven years ago, Mel lost everything and she’s never been able to banish the dark clouds that follow her.

When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she’s been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.

Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.

And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain?

*****

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I have read a lot of Jessica’s books – 11 I believe – and I love all of them but there’s something about this series that puts it above the rest, maybe it’s the Lake District setting, which I love.

I love that our protagonist is an older woman – I’m not talking old, she’s in her fifties I think – but normally with these kind of happily-ever-after books we focus on young women and couples. So it was refreshing to see a woman in her later years still want to explore new things and still want love.

You don’t have to have read the previous books to understand this one, they’re perfectly enjoyable as they are. But I have read the others and it’s nice to see characters from them in the background. It shows that whilst each book focusses on one person or one couple, there is this huge sense of community. Just because we’ve finished one story doesn’t mean we have to abandon those characters.

Whilst Jessica’s books are the epitome of feel-good, she doesn’t hide away from the difficult topics: death, grief, loss, divorce, platonic and familial relationship difficulties; it had me in tears at a few moments, some sad but also some out of happiness.

Jessica’s books always cheer me up, even when I didn’t realise I needed it. They’re so uplifting and cosy and heartwarming. Some may say a bit cheesy because it doesn’t happen in real life but that’s what I love. Real life can be a bit shit if we’re honest, and her books help me to escape for a few hours. I always know I’m going to love her books.

I have recommended every book of hers I’ve read to friends and family and I plan to continue. Her stories light up the room, you can’t help but feel warmer for reading them. And once again, I want to move to the Lake District – particularly the fictional locations Jessica has created – and join this community because it just sounds like a perfect life.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Jessica had plans to make this a long series and I really hope she does because I absolutely love them.