I wish this town was real because I would move there without a hesitation!
I love the characters. The romance and adventures that they had were ones that brought laughter and tears to my eyes.
I enjoyed this book a lot and hope to continue reading from this author.
I hope it turns into a series because I def would stay up all night reading!

Really enjoyed my first Lisa Swift book. I’m a teacher and sometimes find books where schools are involved a little far fetched or unbelievable, but most of this was pretty spot on, luckily I’ve never encountered such an evil head Governor though! The main character Nell is strong and likeable and I enjoyed watching her stories and relationships unfold throughout the book. There was enough intrigue to keep me wanting to read more and every character in it was interesting and made me want to visit Leyholme. I’ll be looking out for more
books by this author.
Thank you to netgalley, the author and the publishers for gifting me a copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased review.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a nice feel good easy read with great characters and great location, hopefully this will turn into a series.

I absolutely adore Lisa's work, and this certainly made my reading experience a happy one. I laughed so much, The cover is gorgeous, the characters are very likeable with a strong modern male in the mix.
This is a book which made me smile, made me have a tear in my eye, but most of all, this book made me want more.
A heartwarming gem of a book and all made in Yorkshire.

After a slow start to the book, which was needed so that you really knew the characters and their back stories properly, suddenly the book became simply amazing! Completely took me by surprise, I mean there were hints throughout that you didn't have all the information even as a reader seeing multiple characters lives, but I didn't see that coming until perhaps last last possibly minute.

I'm not even sure I want to tell you what the book is about, or any details, as I know I went in blind and was richly rewarded for it.

I literally picked to read this due to the fact it had school in the title (and I loved books set in schools even as a kid), and knowing that Lisa Swift also writes as Mary Jayne Baker, so knew I'd be able to trust the writing. I hadn't really acknowledged the blurb at least until after I'd started reading!

There are some completely memorable characters:

Ryan - as the school governor that is a thorn in poor Xander's side. I was so frustrated whenever that bully appeared, and he seemed to hate Xander. Xander being the male lead, rather unsure of himself and his new position as acting head, full of nerves, he really is very cute, unlikely but none the less lovely person.

Colin the sheep who only makes a few cameos, but we meet early into the book and always made me smile.

Red the border setter, along with his 4 year old Millie are an adorable pairing, Red is rather mischievous and Millie is just adorable. I loved her mum Stevie's friendships both with Nell, the new reception teacher and also a new friendship with her dog walker Deb.

Stevie is so brave and inspirational, I really took to her, and enjoyed any pages she was present on. You definitely need to keep an eye out for her back story, its painful but the way it is written about, is just right,

And then there is Nell, who has moved to this village, bought frankly a wreck of a farmhouse to live in and renovate and initially knows no one there. Her vision for World Book Day was spot on, and I loved how the whole school embraced it.

Oh there are so many deep issues in this book, and it means all these characters are well rounded, living and breathing humans who you could possibly find in your local pub.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and delighted to see a different angle to this author's writing arsenal which is becoming rather impressive.

Thank you to Hera and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Fabulous book. The story of Nell. After a relationship breakdown, she moved to Leyholme to start at the local school. This book has twists and turns, as Nell is hiding secrets when she starts work at this school. The head of the school is also dealing with personal issues. Other characters too are dealing with their issues. Things reach a head when the head realises that Nell has lied. What happens next and what has Nell lies about will be a shock. Kept me hooked.

This was the first book that I have read from this author and it did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It follows Nell, who resigns from her previous prestigious teaching job (due to a bad breakup caused by her cheating fiance!), who moves to a village school and buys a rundown farmhouse, because that is all that she can afford. From there, we see Nell settle into village living, making friendships, and teaching at a small school. She loves her students and meets a fellow teacher named Xander Scott, who is a fidgety, insecure, awkward man. Friendship ensues and we see Xander grow as a person throughout the book. What I liked most about this book was the storyline, the likeable and believeable characters, the twists and turns of the storyline (hello - secrets!) and the ending was the sweetest. Go and read this book - you will be glad you did!

Thanks #netgalley for the ARC of this book. I am happy I took a chance on a book by an author that I have never read before but now am a fan of! #theschoolofstartingover #chicklit #romance

I loved this book. I generally like stories about close-knit communities where people are there for each other and this novel offers just that setting. It also offers a very loveable set of characters including a pet sheep Colin. The story begins like a sweet romance, but later on some serious issues appear giving the story more depth than you find in your average chick lit.
It is a well-paced story very well written. I love the humour and the emotions in it. It is good to read about people who love, respect and appreciate each other.
This is the first novel I have read by the author, but I will check out her other books as well.

The beautiful cover just beckons you inside the pages to discover the charms of a host of characters living in the Yorkshire village of Leyholme. Nell Shackleton has bought the ramshackle Humblebee Farm cottage and will be the new Reception teacher at the primary school.
Xander is the acting deputy head and a socially awkward but extremely endearing man who is missing teaching his Year 3 class and battling with confidence issues.
There is a horrid Chair of Governors Ryan Theakston and some jolly teachers and parents including Stevie Madeleine and her daughter Milly. The cast is not limited to humans and there is a lot of animal love for dogs Red and Life and sheep Colin!
We follow the ups and downs of life and love through the relationships between characters with mostly very funny highlights and plenty of soul searching and sadder moments all topped off with burgeoning romances.
I love the warmth of this book, it's uplifting nature, it's essence of goodness in a real world that can be grim, so that reading it is a hot chocolate on a cold night, a warm bath for aching limbs and the fluffiest blanket you can find.
As a primary teacher myself I loved the fact that this story is based in a village school and on events that are believable but funny.

Gorgeous. I love a good male character, and Xander is a brilliant example of a modern man, strong and vulnerable to boot. Utterly loved this book from start to finish. Hilarious, packed full of Yorkshire joy, sorrow and the stuff of real life, with stories and characters I have sown into my heart for safekeeping. Brilliant. More please Lisa ♥️

4.5 stars

With a title that sums up this story perfectly, we’re whisked off to the little Yorkshire village of Leyholme where in true Yorkshire style, the residents are as welcoming as they are stubborn and provide plenty of merriment along the way.

“Are you honestly telling me that Xander – our Xander, Xander Scott, who can barely speak to the opposite sex without having a panic attack – is a major village sex symbol?”

It’s always refreshing to find characters who break the mould a little and that’s exactly what we get from the school’s interim headteacher, Xander with his awkward charm and quieter nature. The very opposite to the school’s newest teacher, Nell who, despite harbouring her own secrets, lights up any room she walks into and has no problem calling a spade a spade. And they bounce of one another perfectly.

“ ...it means a lot that you’d wrestle a semi-feral toddler just to help me out.”

But it’s not all about Nell and Xander because there’s Colin the sheep, widowed single mum, Stevie and her amble down the romantic path with dog-walker, Deb and Xander’s mum who is fighting her own struggles, and for all the moments of lightness and humour, there are those that are heartfelt, tugging on your heartstrings as you share the lower points in these characters lives.

“You made me new.”

If you’re after a feel-good summer romance filled with love and laughter, then The School of Starting Over is the book for you.

Wow oh wow! She's done it again.
I am literally sat with tears streaming down my cheeks from this absolutely gorgeous and heartwarming story.
This is a book which has touched my heart on so many levels. This is an absolutely gorgeous read and I highly recommend this goes on everyone's TBR.
It's no secret that I am a huge fan of this author, I have nothing negative to say about any of her work at all. This is a truly magical story, with a range of characters who are loveable from the very beginning.
I haven't been able to put this one down, I've laughed and I've cried but this is a perfect read. Lisa Swift is an absolute queen of perfect reads. I am already impatiently awaiting the next one.
A definite five star star rating, although this absolutely magical and gorgeous read should be rated a lot higher than five stars. It is truly heartwarming and perfect.