I had very high hopes for this story, fuelled by the idea that it was a book to share with family and friends. Given the family content, it seemed natural that I would share with my daughter. As soon as I started reading, I knew I had made the right decision. Cherry and her daughter Maggie share a beautifully close relationship which extends to Maggie’s daughter, Rose, and her daughter, Gertie. 4 generations of women with matching strong characters yet differing interests and views of life. Sharing the grandparent mantle is Cherry’s life partner, Mike. The book opens as Mike is celebrating his forthcoming retirement from his role as an Art Professor, and as Cherry spots Mike in a compromising conversation with a former student, a sequence of events is set in motion.
The setting of rural Rushbrook is perfect for this story, I could certainly imagine the Church with Reverend Matt, as well as the pub with the river running past the bottom of the beer garden. Having visited the Southwest of England, last October, I saw first-hand how villages lose their sparkle when the local pub ceases to be the central hub for everyone. Cherry and the girls breathed new life into Rushbrook. Not just the tired pub, but to the local community as well
This is a gorgeous book, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The characters are brought to life with Veronica Henry’s wonderful descriptions and took on their own personas in my mind. I like to pick a favourite character, when I review a book, but I am finding it impossible to choose. The three fabulous women are all beautifully developed, presenting an awe-inspiring team to be reckoned with. However, the supporting cast is equally fabulous, and I must give special mentions to Russel and Chloe. I enjoyed following their stories and the transformations that encountering these women brought about.
Finishing this book was bittersweet, it was a joy to see the perfect conclusions to the various stories, but I felt like I was leaving behind some treasured friends. I hope you read, enjoy and share this book, it certainly provided us with a much-needed escape.

The term, a warm hug of a book, is a phrase that has a tendency to be overused when it comes to women’s fiction on the lighter end of the scale but with this new story from the wonderful Veronica Henry that is certainly what I got and I loved every minute of this fabulous read. The Impulse Purchase lures you in and embraces you and will make you want to read it in one sitting if at all possible. It’s a real visual and sensual story and very descriptive which only added to the overall good feeling I got whilst reading. I really felt like I was there with the main characters as they navigated a new and uncertain path to a hopeful and positive future.

The descriptions of the food, their surroundings and nature all really helped the themes being explored come across really well. What delighted me even more was that characters from one of the author’s previous books, A Home from Home, were present too and it was like revisiting old friends. Something was niggling away at me that the names and setting were familiar and then when I double checked it was only then that I remembered where I had read about them before. That’s not to say the inclusion of these characters means you would have had to have read the above-mentioned book. That’s not the case at all but really given how captivating the writing of Veronica Henry is you really should read it and in fact everything she has previously written.

The Impulse Purchase tells the story of Cherry, her daughter and her granddaughter and given the title you can guess a spur of the moment buy leads to a major life change for Cherry, Maggie and Rose. I had expected the book would then fall into a kind of fight to keep the pub open and transform its fortunes kind of read. Instead alongside the changes they put in place, the story focuses on the more human, emotional and personal side of things and I think overall it was all the better for it. I’ll admit it took me perhaps a quarter of the book to really have set in my mind as to who was who and how they were connected to each other and what their various backstories and present situations were. I felt there were things left unsaid regarding connections etc. that the reader was left to fill in the blanks for awhile until things became clearer. But once I had things straight in my head I was really able to embrace and delve into the story of three women taking a chance, puting themselves out there and going out on a limb to do something good and in the process it will hopefully help them to come to terms with some things.

Cherry, the matriarch, holds the story together, she was wonderfully written. Someone who is always there for her family and would do anything if they were in trouble but you sense she has lost just a little bit of herself along the way. She has been with her partner Mike for nearly fifty years and now that he is retiring from his work as an art professor another big milestone of change has arrived. Cherry is deep and always listens to her instincts. She knows when something is wrong or when the time is right to just go for it. Seeing something she wished she had never have at Mike’s retirement party spurs something on deep inside Cherry and before you know it she has bought the pub in her old home village of Rushbrook.

The Swan holds so many precious memories for Cherry and her family and now with her mother having recently passed away and the family home Wisteria House sold, Cherry clinging to one last connection to the village or really given her talent for buying rundown houses and transforming them does she view this as just another challenge? Will this be the most surprising metamorphosis for all involved? Has Cherry’s impulse purchase come at the right time both for her and the two most important women in her life?C herry is impulsive and spontaneous, full of boundless energy and enthusiasm but I felt deep down as much as she portrayed this and loved changing things there was a part of her that wasn’t 100% happy with Mike and that staying quiet and not admitting if there were any problems would only prove detrimental if not acted upon.

Maggie is the complete opposite to her mother. She is organised and exacting and runs a very successful PR business that specialises in promoting food. But recently she is becoming disenchanted with her work especially when the girl she had employed upped and left her taking her strategies and an important client with her. Maggie wonders what she is killing herself working for if this is only going to happen. Having lost her soulmate well before his time she is still trying to make sense of the mess inside her. She writes to Frank as a way of expressing how she is feeling which is a great way of getting things down on paper but she can’t say these things out loud to either Cherry or her daughter Rose. I loved this description of how Maggie felt her life was going. It’s said that she felt like she was driving around with the handbrake on, terrified to release it in case life ran away with her. I think this sums up brilliantly how we all feel at one point or another. The question is are we brave enough to release the brake and see where life takes us especially as we emerge from the most uncertain, scary and nerve wracking two years that we have experienced in our lifetime. Cherry is presenting a golden opportunity to start a new venture together, to bring about the renaissance of The Swan but at the same time will a rejuvenation occur in the three women?

Rose was the most complex character of all and I thought she was always so down on herself and just too harsh. She suffers from anxiety and the trauma of her Dad’s death plays heavily on her mind and it affects how she operates on a daily basis. She is so wary and her confidence is at an all time low. Knowing that life can knock you off your feet at any point she is tries hard to get back up again but she really needs to accept that you are not a bad person if you are not coping. She finds herself sucked into a dark world that you have no control over, especially when she goes against the rules at a charity organisation that she works at. She has a young daughter who keeps her going but really she needs to dig deep and that you are allowed to have some that makes you feel safe and happy. That you can given time move forward following terrible loss.

To be honest, I found Rose a very frustrating character. There was so much sadness surrounding her heart that although she was brilliantly written and the way she was feeling was expertly portrayed perhaps it was just the feelings she inspired in me that I wanted to give her a good shake and say come on now you need to move on a bit. Her reaction to the incident at the Soul Bowl charity I thought was way over the top but maybe she reacted that way given her state of mind. Rose was a divisive character for me and I thinks she would inspire great debate amongst any group that would read this book.

Chloe is a young girl whose story I won’t go into detail about but suffice to say she is dealing with her own family struggles and the pub gives her a new lifeline and an opportunity to try and fix what is broken. I loved Chloe for her rawness and vulnerability but also her willingness to try and put right a wrong not of her making that she must navigate each day of her life. All in all this is gorgeous, uplifting read from Veronica Henry and a story that I enjoyed very much. Yes, there is some romance included and for one character I was surprised at their ending because the way it was written I really had expected it to venture in another direction.

The story highlights how when working together the three women can show each other that underneath it all they are strong and capable despite the things that life can throw at them. That through supporting each other with fierce strength, energy and determination that the pub may be turn out to be a success and whilst journeying to this point they learned so much about themselves in the process. I definitely want more from this setting in future books and even more from these characters with perhaps a few additions I certainly feel there is room for more to come. But in the meantime do make The Impulse Purchase a read you buy as soon as possible. If you choose it on impulse you won’t be disappointed.

I always enjoy getting lost in Veronica's books. I once again fell in love with the characters and the development of them throughout the book. Cherry, Maggie and Rose were wonderful people and you only ever wanted the best for them. I loved the journey of overcoming loss, struggles and finding themselves as they bought and developed the local pub. A wonderful curl up read.

I loved this book so much, I am a big fan of Veronica's books and this was just as good as all of her other books. This story follows Cherry, Maggie and Rose who are all related to each other Mother, daughter and grand daughter. They are all very close to one another so when Cherry makes an impulse purchase, they all decide to get stuck in and help make a go of things. As the story goes on we learn more about each of the women and what their dreams are, I feel as though each of the women someone will be able to relate to, you can never imagine how quickly your life can change so it is best to grab the bull by it's horns and go for it as you never know what is around the corner. All three women inspired me, I loved reading their stories and felt satisfied at the end. A comforting read.

This is a really lovely feel good book which centres around three generations of strong women. After the death of her mother Cherry, at 70, is delighted when her husband is retiring but after a chance hidden meeting she witnesses with him and an ex student of his she decides an impulse purchase is needed to change her life.

Cherry buys the local pub in the village she has grown up in. She brings along her daughter and granddaughter and involves them in the business with her.

The chapters are from each of the women and centres around them as a family and the community based around the pub which they are bringing back to life.

It was an uplift and enjoyable read which I would recommend. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes you have to let your heart rule your head. That’s certainly what Cherry, Maggie and Rose: mother, daughter and granddaughter are doing. They each have their own hopes, dreams and sorrows and have never been closer. So when Cherry decides to buy a rundown pub in the village she grew up in, they all decide to muck in together and nice their lives down to Somerset to return The Swan to its former glory. This is a story of love, faculties and hope. It’s well written with some great characters and has charm in abundance. Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author for the chance to review.

I am a big fan of Veronica Henry books and this one proved to be utterly enjoyable.

We follow the story of three ladies mainly, Cherry, Maggie and Rose. Mother, daughter and grand daughter. Cherry's mother has recently passed away and she goes to the town where she grew up to finalise the sale of her parents' house. It is while she is in the village that she decides to purchase a pub. After all she has history in this place and feels that she could add a lot to it.

However her husband Mike isn't too impressed as he has just retired.

Then there is Maggie, a widow. She runs a PR/ marketing firm and a girl who she mentored turns out to have stolen her best client.

Lastly is Rose who has a daughter Gertie. She failed her exams as they occurred just after her father died and she is trying to get her life back on track, which seems more conceivable now as Gertie is about to start school.

There are other minor characters that are introduced and they flesh out the book nicely.

What a joy to brighten up the wintry days. A heartwarming story with the characters realising ambitions and finding love and fulfilment within the realms of finding a new venture. Three strong ladies heading up the reinventing of a village pub and changing lives in the process

This is just too twee for me, it’s like watching the cheesiest Hallmark film. The plot is generally good, but the characters and the decisions/way they speak with each other is often ridiculous, and often just don’t make sense.

If you enjoy the cheesy Hallmark films then this is right up your street and you’ll love it, but for me, it was all just a bit too much…

My thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Veronica Henry’s books, each one I read lifts my spirits and makes me happy. This new one was no exception it was so interesting and sweet. This was slightly different to her other books which didn’t matter as it was still a great read. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Cherry, Maggie and Rose, ( along with Rose’s young daughter Gertie), are in in different stages of their lives, but in their own way are looking for something more. The three generations of women come together to run a pub and begin to bloom in the idyllic village setting, This is a warm, optimistic story about the need to follow your dreams and understand what is most important in life. There is plenty of humour and heart and I loved the multiple points of view, both from the three main characters, but also from other women in the village. It’s hopeful and joyful and leaves you with a warm glow in your heart!

I loved this book, and so wanted to be a part of the family. They may have had their ups and downs but generally they were there for one another, and it was heartwarming to be a part of that world even for the short amount of time it took me to read the book. I devoured it!
It’s the story of Cherry, Maggie and Rose, who are a mother, daughter and granddaughter who take over the running of their former village pub. Each have their own stories within the main story, which sounds complicated when describing it here, but it was not. The story flowed beautifully and I was sad when it came to an end.
I’ve read some of this authors work before, and expected to enjoy it. However, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did.

Thanks to Orion Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review

I wasn't sure about selecting to read this book as it sounded too much like a lengthened version of magazine fiction but I needed something comforting and non taxing after a few gritty reads. Do you know I really enjoyed it! A real bit of countryside English escapism with huge doses of romance thrown in for good measure. This book would suit women of all ages as it covers every generation. A must recommended tonic for any time, but especially winter evenings!

I have been looking forward to a new book from Veronica Henry, an author whose works never fail to please me. In common with many of her books, this one has a lovely cover which promises a visit to a rural riverside setting in the country. That is exactly what I got, in a compelling and inspiring story, which had me lost in its pages every time I sat down to read.



This is the story of women from three generations of the same family who set out to achieve the seemingly impossible and learn a lot about themselves in the process. Grandmother Cherry, fast approaching 70 years of age, on an impulse buys a rundown pub in Rushbrook, the small Somerset village where she grew up, and where that same pub used to be the heart of the village. Daughter Maggie has become disillusioned with the business she has been running for many years and decides to join her mother in bringing the pub back to life, focusing on her specialist area - culinary matters. Granddaughter Rose brings the horticultural skills she learned from her great grandmother to the venture. Although Cherry’s partner disapproves of the idea, the three women, along with Rose’s small daughter Gertie, move to the village and begin the refurbishment of the pub and its riverside garden, setting themselves an incredibly short deadline for its completion. Their efforts touch the lives of many local people as well as changing all of their own lives into the bargain.



I thoroughly enjoyed this amazing story of what can be achieved with determination, even in later years of life. I liked and admired all three women, each at difficult points in their life, suffering family losses and looking for direction. The characters that they met along the way while involved in their project were also likeable and believable. However, I felt a little sorry for Cherry’s partner, who is just about to retire and looking forward to setting out on new adventures with her when she drops the bombshell that she has bought a pub; he is sure that she will fail in her new enterprise and makes his feelings known. I loved that each chapter in the book is told from different perspectives, from the point of view of one of the central female characters, or one of the local women who feature in the story. The pub’s setting sounds absolutely idyllic, with its garden that stretches down to the river with swans gliding past; I could easily see myself sitting there enjoying a glass of something to accompany some of the delicious food coming out of the newly refurbished kitchen. I have no hesitation in recommending this heartwarming summery story to other readers; if new to Veronica Henry, then this would be a great place to start.

Another winner from Veronica Henry.
In a moment of impulse Cherry buys the run down local pub
..The females in the family go about restoring and getting it up and running not without problems.
A nice happy light read.

This is a lovely three-generational story about three women who take over a country pub - but will relaunching it help solve the life challenges each faces? Cherry has always been impulsive so when she learns The Swan in her childhood village of Rushbrook is up for sale she snaps it up without consulting her life partner, Mike, causing tension between them. Her daughter, Maggie, a widow, takes on the kitchen and the PR - but will this fresh venture allow her to move on from her grief over husband Frank's death? Maggie's daughter Rose, single mother of little Gertie, has been lost since her father died - helping at the pub may give her a new direction in life.
This is a really charming story peopled with lovely characters who complement each other perfectly. Locals and incomers bring an extra dimension to the main narrative, which holds its course steadily as we learn about each women's past and travel with them on to a hopefully bright and better future.
It's a feast for the senses, too, with its descriptions of nature, art and fine food - all enough to make your mouth water.
Themes of family, relationships and new beginnings are all woven into the narrative, but for me the most impelling was the strong sense of homecoming, as Cherry, Maggie and Rose work together to ensure not just the pub, but the community of Rushbrook survives for another generation.

What if a moment's impulse buy could change your family's life? Stability for future generations, a steady income and a happy home. But at what cost?

Cherry's husband Mike has always been the leader in their relationship but when a bombshell drops at his retirement party Cherry thinks over their years together and starts to question every aspect of their lives. These events coincide with the need to return to her parents' home following the recent death of her mum and it's whilst dealing with the formalities of clearing the house that Cherry is reminded of something her mum once said to her; a reminder that although she's a partner, mum, and grandmother she shouldn't forget the importance of doing something just for herself occasionally. To not lose track of her own dreams and passions. Which is how Cherry ends up buying the Swan pub, the place she spent many hours in her youth either working or socialising.

This is a lovely book which reminds us that although we each have a "position" within our life and family we are also individuals with our own personal ambitions and desires. Cherry, daughter Maggie and granddaughter Rose all go through a bit of a life laundry when Cherry makes her impulse purchase: out with the old, in with the new and a re-evaluation of what's important. In places it is inspirational and in others it makes you realise how lucky you are to have all that you do. It may not be as much as someone else but are you happy with your lot? If not, can you change things in order to achieve your goals? But when you weigh everything up in life what do you value the most?

Veronica Henry has written yet another extremely readable book. Its storyline flows easily from the pages yet gets you thinking about all that's important in your life. The characters make you want to be part of their world and be a better person both for yourself and for others. The setting is beautiful although at heart I think I'm more of a townie than a country village person when I'm truly honest with myself. Which is exactly what this book is all about: honesty. With others, but most importantly with ourselves.

My thanks to the publisher who kindly allowed me the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication via NetGalley.

One of my favourite light fiction authors, Veronica Henry has a lovely warmth and depth to her books and she manages to deal with a wide variety of different issues with a gentle touch and a genuine sense of caring. There's always a general feeling of good humour and so much hope. I know that I'm guaranteed to feel better for reading on of her stories and I love this new series.

Cherry is known for buying property based on her gut instinct but her newest acquisition could cause more issues than she could foresee. She has bought the run down Swan pub in the village of Rushbrook where she grew up. With the help of her daughter Maggie and granddaughter Rose she is hoping to restore The Swan to its former glory. All three women are at a crossroads in their lives and this could be just what they need to move forward.
Can they restore the pub and their lives or have they bitten off more than they can chew.
So beautifully written it totally drew me into the characters' lives and I was rooting for them all the way through.

I really wanted to love this but 25% in nothing much had really happened, and I didn't really fancy reading about a bland middle aged woman, I really hoped this would be a really warm family saga but I just thought it was a bunch of privileged home counties family's. Not my thing at all.