Member Reviews
Jo Bartlett is quickly becoming one of my go to authors for uplifting and warm-hearted reads. I love her writing style - so engaging and natural at storytelling.
This next instalment of the Cornish Midwife stories was just wonderful - full of emotion and sensitively covered issues, and who can resist a good wedding story.
It was lovely catching up with Anna, Ella and the midwives again plus the wonderful community of Port Agnes.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
After reading the previous book, The Cornish Midwife, I was delighted to see this book advertised on NetGalley. I really enjoyed the first book and couldn't wait to see what the residents of Port Agnes were up to.
We catch up with Anna who is still busily in charge of the local midwifery unit, and we again meet a host of amazing midwifes, their partners and family's and all the ladies in need of care from the team. It is a very close nit community who all rally around to help each other. This proves true when a devastating fire threatens to cancel Anna and Brae's wedding and her friends, and neighbours pull out all he stops to make sure it can go ahead.
I think I actually enjoyed this book more than the first, I felt like I got to understand more about Anna and what made her the way she can be somewhat self deprecating. These are also joined by lots of funny moments making it a very enjoyable read. Especially her friends and work mates Elle and Jess.
*Trigger* I think I should point out there maybe triggers in here for some ladies as the topic of IVF and infertility is mentioned often and the heartbreak some of these ladies go through trying to conceive,
Expected publication date is 1st July 2021.
Thanks to Netgalley a.nd Boldwood Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Having really enjoyed the first The Cornish Midwife book in the series I was delighted to be chosen to read this one and it didn't disappoint. It's equally as good as the first about the midwives in the delightful little town of Port Agnes in Cornwall. Brae and Anna are due to get married but it seems that everything is conspriring against them. It was lovely too to catch glimpses of the stories of the other midwives (does this mean there are more books to come?!) and to catch up with Ella's story.
Smashing book!
Great new book about the Cornish Midwives and the town of Port Agnes. Heartwarming story about their quest to have their own babies. and you will smile at the perfect Cornish wedding. Enjoy!!
As an overall story I enjoyed this more than the first book in the series because you got to see so many different characters and stories than in the first (although the main story was Anna and Brae we also got more of Dan & Ella, Jess, and Bobby & Toni). I love Brae so much as a character, my heart broke a little for him the first book when Ella wasn't interested in him so I was incredibly happy to see him so happy with Anna. And the fact that Anna loves him so much made me love her more than I already did - although I could have done with less of her constant comments that she didn't deserve Brae. The way everyone came together at the end to help them get their wedding to happen was so sweet. One of the more unexpected, but memorable storylines was Tamara's birth and baby story. At first I was so disappointed in her for the way she rejected the baby because of her cleft lip, but when you learned more about why she reacted that way it made sense (and how great was her husband through the whole thing?!). I am very much looking forward to finding out what is going on with Bobby and Toni and what Jess's ex wants (if he's just trying to get in touch to tell her he's going to be having a baby with his new girlfriend I will reach through the pages of the book and smack him). I also loved how IVF, sperm donors, fostering, and adoption is handled in this book. These topics are not usually given the respect they deserve in novels, especially romance novels. Very much looking forward to the next book in this series!
Brilliant second Instalment in the midwife series. Great to see the characters old and now. Hope Jo continues this series of books as they are very enjoyable
Highly recommended
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book on the series and could not wait to read this one. It did not disappoint! Anna and Brae are approach their wedding, but there are plenty of dramas to come before the big day. Once again I was draw into the story and wanted to know what happens. A huge amount of storyline for one book, but it all fits and keeps you reading and hoping all will be well. Thank you.
I honestly thought that the previous book would have provided all the drama these midwives could ever need, but within the first chapter of this book I was clearly proved wrong.
Nothing like a dramatic opening to a book to draw you in and keep you hooked, and it perfectly set up some fabulous storylines for this latest edition of the Cornish Midwife soap opera. Well it feels as though it could easily translate to a soap on the small scheme, as we get to know so many of the midwives at the Port Agnes unit.
And it is becoming more and more clear how well regarded these midwifes are within their local community. For this new standalone story, the focus is on Anna, and her desire to have her own child, as well as hopefully marrying Brae the man of her dreams.
And for the last section of the book I was sitting open mouthed at the community spirit shown in Port Agnes, with a lump in my throat at the emotion of it all, as well as impressed at how much more drama could be included before ending the book incredibly happy and with a smile on my face.
While also knowing I can't wait for the next book in the series as this is a series, that has definitely got under my skin and into my heart and I need more.
Oh and what of the midwifery, there are some great moments with those, and seeing how Anna handled one expectant mother in particular really gave me the feels and I just loved her all the more for it.
Oh and I'm completely and utterly in love with Brae, he is absolutely wonderful, wish I could have him all to myself! Was also really happy to catch up with Ella and Dan, as well as seeing more from Jess and Toni, one of which I'm sure will be the heroine next!!
A charming and heartwarming read set in the gorgeous Port Agnes - I loved it!
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
This book had everything; sweet, heartwarming moments but it also dealt with important themes; such as infertility and grief. Told from the perspective of three women (Anna, Ella and Jess) from the midwifery unit in Port Agnes going through different stages in their lives.
Anna, marrying the love of her life Brae but wishing her parents were still alive to meet him and also desperately trying to have a baby. Anna struggled the most as she was undoubtedly the main character, as at aged forty, she was told that it was highly unlikely for her to become pregnant. And Jo Bartlett addressed the topic perfectly, showing that to be a mother you don’t have to give birth yourself, there are plenty of options.
Ella, who was stood up on the day of her wedding and although her perspective didn’t always come up, Ella’s narrative showed how time does heal as originally she never wanted to get married, after her heartbreak became viral, but eventually she decides she does want to marry her now-boyfriend, Dan. But what I loved about Ella was that she was always there for Anna and pulled out all of the stops to ensure that she was still able to get married, after an accident.
Jess’s perspective came up the least, which was a shame as I would have liked to see what happened to her in the end. Desperate for her own child, but being told she’d never be able to have her own baby, her husband walks and leaves her. Going down the route off fostering, Jess realises she really does want to foster, as she was in foster care as a child, and she didn’t have the best experience. Bartlett manages to express this throughout the book, without making it too dark as the whole book just had a complete heartwarming theme and an easy feel.
Addressing important topics without making it too dark or deep can be a hard task, but Bartlett has achieved that easily. One thing I would have liked to see at the end was how Jess got on as we see her start the process, but I would have liked more. A sequel to this book would also go down well although not necessary, but as the characters were so loveable, you just don’t want to say goodbye to them!
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A feel good follow up book that did not disappoint!
This is a story of love, friendship, family and hope.
An easy to read novel with a bit of escapism that gives a happy feel good feeling
This is 2nd book in a sewusl but you can easily read it as a stand alone story.
Thanks to #NetGalleyfl for the advance copy in return for an honest review
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.
Midwife Anna, is getting married, venue and the dress are ready/picked. For her Brae is everything that Anna wanted in her husband and she can’t wait to start a family.
As the big day approaches, she’s not pregnant. She receives a call, her perfect day looks like it’s not happening.
She thinks it’s a sign that she’s rushing things.
Her midwife friends won’t let her put the wedding on hold, and they and the community join forces to make sure the wedding does go ahead as planned.
The one thing Anna’s wanted is a family of her own, and she realises, even if shes got a baby or not, she’s already got her family.
Loved It
Anna and Brae are getting married, but it seems like the universe is conspiring against them. But with her best friend by her side and along with the whole village this wedding is happening no matter what!
The second in this series and just as delightful as the first.
After reading, and thoroughly enjoying, the first book in this series I was really looking forward to reading this and seeing what has happened to the characters since we last met. I was somewhat disappointed with this as I found it to be quite repetitive. We all know Brae is a great guy but to be told this every time he is mentioned got a bit monotonous. I felt as though it was just 'padding'. To be honest I was told he was so great so many times I was expecting a big twist.
Again with Anna, there was a lot of repetition with her back story which needn't have been there.
The parts of the story which I would have liked more depth were just skimmed over and I felt the ending was rushed.
A sweet, clean & satisfying romantic story. Anna, at nearly 40 years of age, has found the man of her dreams, Brae. She has been alone for several years after the deaths of both her parents & wants desperately to have her own family again. Anna is a midwife & has many friends, both coworkers & neighbors who are very supportive when her dream wedding encounters an unexpected stumbling block. This is a perfect beach read & I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes a light romance with characters who have good intentions for all around them.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author Jo Bartlett & the publisher Boldwood Books for granting my request to read this very charming book. This is entirely my own opinion.
I really enjoyed the first book and the one was a good sequel. Loved to read about the characters again! Loved all the interacting stories too.
A feel good follow up book that did not disappoint! It's such a well written and thought out book and you find yourself completely drawn in. Grab a blanket and a cuppa and enjoy the ride.
A nice read. Some parts felt very similar to the first book. I liked the learning about the midwife led unit . All the characters were lovely. Anna was a great character . Glad she found love. Her husband to be was so loving and understanding. All the midwives were friendly. I liked how they raised money for the lifeboat. Hard for a midwife to struggle to get pregant. A lovely ending
A wonderful story of love, friendship, family and hope. It gives you a wonderful happy feeling inside;that everyone in the village are prepared to step in to save the day it also shows that friends can be your family just as much as your family themselves
I loved the first Cornish midwife book so was excited to see what comes next. This was the perfect follow up and get like visiting old friends in a familiar setting. Beautiful
I received an advance copy of, A Summer Wedding For The Cornish Midwife, by Jo Barlett. This is a great beach read, about friendship, love, and babies. Very heartwarming book.