Well it was an absolute pleasure to visit Derbyshire where lies Bluebell Castle. This is the second of the series based on this historic castle and it was certainly like catching up with old friends from the very first page.

This story focuses on Ingraine Ludworth, who is the sister of Baronet Arthur. She is very determined to renovate the castle gardens to their former glory with a very tight deadline. Realising the job may be bigger than she thought she enlists the help of the gorgeous Will Talbot, famous gardener extraordinaire. The drama in the story starts even before Will is introduced! I won’t go into plot specifics however I will say that that this story is packed with family tension, blossoming relationships and some very amusing moments. It was great to catch up with Arthur, Lucie and the rest of the Ludworth family. I would be straight there for tea and cake if I could. The setting of the story is written in so much detail Sarah has you vividly imagining every scene 😊

I adore Sarah’s writing, she has my emotions all over the place whilst engrossed in this story. One moment I’m full of happiness, the next it’s frustration as you want the characters lives to all work out in the end. I was eager to find any opportunity to pick up my kindle and dive into the world of Bluebell Castle. The sense of family is so strong in this story you know they have each other’s backs ❤️

I for one can’t wait for the next instalment of the series to reconnect with these beautiful characters and setting. I give ‘Sunshine Over Bluebell Castle’ 5*/5*

Thank you so much to HQ Digital for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley.

This is the second book in a series,although I did not read the first book it is still easy to follow the character's.Now this book is about Iggly and her quest to rebuild the castle garden,and enters bad boy Will.
A summer romance read,it was difficult getting into the story line at the begining,as a lot of description about gardens where you get sidetracked from the storyline but once you get passed that then the going is fine.

I described the first in this trigoligy from Sarah Bennett as Antiques Roadshow meets Downton Abbey - now Alan Titchmarsh has turned up and the Chelsea Flower Show is going to have competition!

Expect of course it isn't Alan Titchmarsh but Will Talbot, a lad from the wrong side who found the right side from the kindness of neighbour who sparked his interest in gardening and landscaping and has led to him being one of the most popular 'men about town'. 

Trouble is Will doesn't want to play the PR, Social Media game anymore and wants to go back to getting his hands dirty. 

When Iggy Ludworth dreams about gardeners it is always Will Talbot not just for the sophisticated good looks but the vision he has. Iggy is struggling with the vision of the gardens for Bluebell Castle. She decides to contact him and send him some photos of what she thinks he could help with.

The photos and the offer of the work comes at the right time for Will.

Escaping to a castle seems the perfect place to hide from the media. Even if his disappearance still makes for news. 

Ensconced in the castle and the gardens and already feeling like part of the Ludworth family, especially with Iggy. Will finds that this is all he ever wanted to do - get his hands dirty with his love of gardening and turning an idea into reality whilst sharing it all with that someone special.  

When a surprise visitor turns up and disrupts the harmonious atmosphere in the castle it seems that perhaps a castle is not the best place to hide for any of the family. 

What I love about this second book is whilst the main plot line focuses on Iggy's, Arthur her brother was the main protagonist in the first book they are not forgotten and sidelined as they can be in such series of book by other authors. Arthur and Lucie are very much a part of the book as they are a part of the castle as well as the pack of dogs that seem to greet every visitor with vigour and enthusiasm. Tristan, Iggy's brother, their Aunt and Uncle, Morgana and Lancelot are there as well and they all have their parts to play and are not merely two dimensional added characters. 

I almost feel like I could step into the castle and be apart of the renovation, the history and also its  future. 

This has to be my favourite series so far from this author and if you are looking for escapist reads that take you away, where it may not all be rosy but at least some people get their comeuppance and others get their happily ever afters then you need to by this series of books. 

I am so looking forward to returning to the Bluebell Castle series later in the year.

I would like to thank netgalley and HQ Digital for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

It's Iggy's turn!

Iggy is helping her brothers to save their ancestral home, Camland Castle. She loves the gardens and sets out to rescue them by employing a celebrity gardener with some disastrous results.

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect sumer read.

Iggy and her two twin brothers run Bluebell castle which Arthur the eldest male inherited from their father. Iggy is technically the eldest but being female prevented her from inheriting- something she really isn’t bothered about as Arthur has the headache of keeping the place going. A chance finding of a work of art has put things on a better footing and they are working hard towards getting things ready for the august bank holiday when they hope to be able to open to visitors. Matt is a celebrity gardener- or at least he was until things took off and now misses getting his hands dirty as he spends most of his time designing and chatting to clients rather than what he loves- the groundwork. He has teamed up with a reality star which is convenient for both of them to not only keep admirers away but to give them much needed coverage- something Matt is now getting very tired of. Iggy would love Matt to help with the castle garden but after a phone call he is far too busy and sounds above such things. can they get things ready in time and can Matt get back to the work he so loves? A highly enjoyable read with a smile- perfect for the summer
(Links as psrt of blog tour)

Fun and frothy, this is a perfect summer read that delights in every page. Lovely characters and a nice storyline, it warms the heart.

I had really loved the first book in this series so when I saw it on NetGalley, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. This book concentrates on Iggy, which took me by surprise as I thought the story would be a continuation of Lucie and Arthur. However, I ended up loving the character of Iggy and how she deals with her own problems. This is a quick read and has me looking forward to the next instalment, which I can only imagine will focus on the last Ludworth sibling - Tristan.

The second book in this series set at Bluebell Castle.

Iggie is working on restoring the gardens, and is struggling to get everything finished in time for the grand opening.
Celebrity gardener Will wants to escape his life in London and actually get back to some real gardening. When he turns up at the castle, Iggy is not what he expected. The more time they spend together, the more they fall for each other, but will her interfering mother and his past drive them apart?

A fun and entertaining read, full of mainly likeable characters.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Sunshine Over Bluebell Castle is the second book in the Bluebell Castle series. Here’s what I said about the first book in the series:” Spring Skies over Bluebell Castle will make you smile. If I were at Bluebell castle, I would be vying for Arthur’s attention, too! He is a fine fellow. I may still have a chance to win him, as there are two more books planned in this series. Good news- so start reading this book and enjoy your visit to Bluebell Castle.”

I hope you took my advice and did read the first book in the series, because now we are on to Book 2, which is billed as, “the bestselling and fantastically feel-good holiday romance for 2019!” Arthur and Lucie are now engaged, so I can no longer dream about sweet Arthur. But I did love getting to know his sister, “Iggy”, Igraine. As you may recall, most of the aristocratic Ludworths who reside at Camland Castle (fondly called Bluebell Castle) are named after Arthurian characters.

The Ludworths are moving forward with their vision of making the Castle solvent. It’s up to Iggy to get the vast gardens at the castle ready for public viewing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the divine Will Talbot, award-winning landscaper and TV personality, who also features in Iggy’s romantic dreams, could help her?

Not only will you have a delightful summer visit to Bluebell Castle, but you will get to spy on Iggy and Will as they tiptoe through the tulips together. Readers will also enjoy the preparations for a big event at the Castle, and getting to know some of the other characters, such as Lancelot, Connie and a surprise visitor a bit better.

Author Susan Bennet is well known for her various happily ever after series, and the Bluebell Castle series continues to give us what we love- real characters, spectacular settings, and swoon-worthy love scenes and interesting storylines that open us to new ideas. Enjoy the second book in the series and then we’ll be on to book 3!