Rather too silly for my middle aged taste. Maybe appeal to a younger audience with its light and fluffy style.

I didn't know what the make of this book series, but I was surprised how easy they were to read and before I knew it I had finished this small piece of this series. Each character is different and I felt that they were also very relatable, in different ways whether is it loss or worry they each trigger something which most people have expereinced. I can't wait to read the next one in this 6 part series to see how their stories end up.

I really enjoyed all the books in the reading group series. I like that in each book we meet a different lady and we get to see these characters more in depth.

This month we meet Serena and her book club book is Jane Eyre. Serena is a head teacher and when a parent (Mr Winchester) comes to her because he is worried about his daughter she agrees to help keep an eye on her, this leads to them both getting to know one another!

This is a lovely novella and a great addition to the series

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The idea behind this series of books is a sound one. I didn't come into it until April (this one is the fourth in a series of at what I anticipate to be least twelve novellas) and although I really would have liked to have started at January, I did't feel that I'd missed out because it worked fine as a stand-alone. Though it's a quick read, it's a spritely and pacey one, and with plenty going on to drive the story forward, it felt more like a full length novel.

The author skilfully mirrored Jayne Eyre, bringing the older story into a modern setting and giving it a fresh twist, whilst not claiming to be a re-make. I also liked the way the characters are similar, though they also reflect the present day.

The whole thing is a thoroughly enjoyable quick read.

"The Reading Group: April" is probably my favourite part of the series right now. I enjoyed it immensely and I think that with every part the characters feel much more developed, complex and the story is this little better than the previous one. In April it is Serena's story and she's chosen "Jane Eyre" for the Reading Group, so you can immediately ask - is she going to find her Mr Rochester?

Serena was close to my heart as we both are teachers and I could see that she's maybe not over - passionate about her job but that she really likes it and that she has heart for her students and her job. I immediately liked her, she was strong - minded but also vulnerable and the way she coped with her life after her husband's death was just so uplifting, giving hope that it really can be better sometime.

This lovely short story squeezes between the pages many, many issues. It is about family dynamics and feeling unappreciated and under - valued by your own family, it's about mental health and children being made victims of parents' misunderstandings. It's about finding what you want to do with your life and finding peace with grief. Again, I truly liked how the author took elements of "Jane Eyre" and adapted for "Reading Group". There were moments that the story dragged on a bit and there were moments that some of the events felt too rushed but altogether this novella had the right pace and the right amount of events happening. Altogether, it was a lovely, light quick read that don't forget about the importance of friendship. Recommended!

5☆+  Review

Another Fabulous book by Della.
I absolutely love the reading group books and they are just going from strength to strength!
I loved the storyline in April I feel this is her best book yet!

This book focuses on loss, new beginnings, family bonds, illness and new relationships.

Serena is this month's book club host and she's struggling to find her feet after the loss of her husband.
The group decide that this month's book should be Jane Eyre.

Serena soon realises that she shares alot in common to Jane, but will she find her Mr Rochester or is it just not meant to be?

Serena is the head teacher of Poppins School, It is here we meet Mr Winchester.
He is concerned about he's daughter Hannah's health. He is going through a messy divorce and he's ex is not making things easy.

Serena is intrigued by Mr Winchester, she is very concerned for Hannah so she agrees to keep an eye on her at school.
However that concern and intrigue ends up going a little further when they go to the cinema together!!

Maybe he will soon become her Mr Rochester??

Things are not easy for them both, especially as Hannah is a pupil in her school and he has a very Crazy Ex wife!!! Who is determined to make he's life as difficult as possible.

Serena's niece Dodie turns up after arguing with her mother.
She is the breath of fresh air Serena needs as she persuades Serena to follow her heart and have some fun!
Go get her Mr Rochester!

Not long after Dodie returns home she gets a call from her Sister saying Dodie has been rushed into hospital and it's not looking good.
Serena does no more and rushes to her sisters side.

It just shows that regardless of family drama you are always there for each other no matter what.

Serena doesn't have it easy within her family. She is the middle child and constantly feels like she has to work harder than her sisters as they have medical professional jobs and Serena is "just" a headteacher.

To me whenever Serena speaks to her sisters they always seem to be little her and make her feel under valued. I don't believe they necessarily mean to do it but it made me feel really annoyed.

Serena isn't having much luck at the moment. Things just keep going wrong. Especially when she hears Mr Winchester is getting back with he's Ex!!

Is this the end for Serena or is it too late for her to have a happy ending?

Serena is the main character of the book and she's strong, independent, but lacks confidence in the love department.
I  loved her character and was willing her to win her happy ending.

I loved all the characters and I really hope May brings a whole new story. Maybe even more romance. I would love to see what lies ahead for Serena and Dodie.

My only criticism was it ENDED FAR TOO QUICKLY!!!!
I wanted more!!

Good light hearted read with a likeable main character. There was a lot of assumed history in this book I thought so I'm not sure if it should have been read as part of a series of books in turn? Still enjoyable thiugh

I loved the first one that I read in this series and realised that I'd missed a few. So I've just bought the missing ones and look forward to catching up with the ladies of the reading group. This month they are reading Jane Eyre - I love the idea of a reading group and really must try to read more classics.

Serena is a head teacher and this follows her month tackling school issues and a new romance.

I loved the characters and can't wait to read more. It's a quick read being a novella in a series- but a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.

Short fluffy feel good easy read. Felt more like a short story than a book, character and plot development were a little shallow and things just happened for no really coherent reason to support a plot device. Never the less I did finish it and it gave me shiny happy Bowden clad ladies to think about as I fell asleep after reading it !

Excellent book! Great characters and a brilliant storyline. I would highly recommend this book.