Published By: Boldwood
Pages: 392
Released On: 08/01/2026
When she unexpectedly loses her husband, Yvonne Kellerman’s world turns quiet and grey. Five years on, her days are filled with the gentle chatter of her loyal parrot, Trevor, and the comfort of her crafting table—but she can’t shake the feeling that life is slipping her by and Yvonne feels lost and lonelier than ever.
When she joins the local crafting club at Willowdale Village Hall, Yvonne expects nothing more than a few afternoons of sewing. Instead, amongst the other local crafters, she discovers friendship, laughter and a renewed appreciation for her gorgeous Lake District home. It’s a reminder that she isn’t alone and, with each new stitch, her confidence returns, and so does her belief that it’s never too late for fresh starts and new beginnings.
When a familiar face from her past reappears, Yvonne finds herself standing at a crossroads: will she protect her heart, or embrace the chance to love—and truly live—again?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
This is book five in Jessica’s “Lakes” series, the previous being:
– The Start of Something Wonderful
– A Breath of Fresh Air
– The Best is Yet to Come
– Sunshine After the Rain
It is also my 15th book of hers, and I am yet to not enjoy one.
There are 50 chapters which is roughly 7 pages per chapter, with some shorter and some longer, but overall it’s a nice balance.
Oh how I loved Yvonne. She was so sad and lonely but hard working, passionate, and so kind. She was only 59 but she came across as much older, like a traditional squat, kind, permed grey hair kind of grandma-type, and even though I knew she wasn’t, I couldn’t get that image out of my head.
There are a number of other characters and they’re all good, but because I am terrible with names, I did get a bit confused a couple of times but overall they were all very well written and did wonders to support Yvonne’s story.
This is a bit of a departure to the others in this series. The previous books have focussed on younger characters in their 20s and 30s, with some older background characters. But in this one, the main group of characters are 50s at the youngest, and it was really interesting to see how Jessica’s writing has transcended that age gap.
There are a lot of serious topics touched upon, but I won’t spoil them, but Jessica hasn’t shied away from touching upon those topics, particularly those that the older generation must face. But she’s done what she does every time which is be honest and sensitive about those darker parts of life, but she keeps the tone happy and uplifting and positive.
Where this also differs is that the other books in this series are romance novels. Other stuff happens too but at the crux of it, it is a love story. And don’t get me wrong, there is a sprinkle of romance in this one, but it’s more about the characters finding themselves, living with grief, loneliness, a sense of self and community, moving on, friendships, and relationships.
There were a lot more twists and turns than I was expecting. I relate twists and surprises to thrillers or crime novels, not uplifting, romance novels, so that was an interesting addition.
I really did enjoy it, don’t get me wrong, I love Jessica’s work and always will and this is just as good as her previous ones. My one note is it didn’t ]feel like part of the series. The previous four, you felt they were in the same world but this one felt a bit more distant, and I think it’s because there’s not as many cameos by pre-existing characters, which would have helped it blend into the series a bit more.
Jessica once told me that she plans this series to be a rather long one, and I am thrilled by that because I could, and often do, lose myself in this world and community she has created in the Lake District.
Books By Your Bedside 