The three main characters in this novel are women, all related to each other: in fact they are all from the same family. Cherry is Maggie’s mother, and Maggie is Rose’s mother, making Cherry her maternal grandmother. For the majority of the story they live together in the small Somerset village in Rushbrook very near to their ancestral family home which has just been sold to another couple who used to know the family, a doctor and his wife, Cherry’s parents.
Cherry returns to her family home to say goodbye to the house she loves so much. Selling it was definitely an emotional decision, but unquestionably the right move. She returns to the village pub, The Swan, a place she also loves. As a family they had patronised the pub regularly and as a teenager she had even worked there as a waitress. She had heard that the pub had stopped serving food, but when she stepped inside she is shocked to see how badly the once pristine interior has deteriorated. Of course she will not judge the publican. His wife is terminally ill, the Chef has walked out on him and he is totally overwhelmed. Then he tells her he is selling up to the local entrepreneur, a property developer and Cherry is beside herself, and on an impulse, offers to buy the pub as a going concern. The deal is done as quickly as possible and Cherry invites Maggie and Rose to join her renovating and finally, just two weeks later, to opening up.
After a frantic fortnight the opening night is a sensational success. The builders have done an amazing transformation and the three ladies have worked out who will do what. Cherry is the owner, overseeing and welcoming the visitors, Maggie is in charge of the kitchen and Rose is responsible for restoring the once pretty gardens. They have it nailed. They have interviewed new staff, all locals, and even helped decorate the quaint pub. They have even renamed the premises ‘The Three Swans’ in honour of their partnership. The locals are delighted not to lose their village pub and to enjoy freshly harvested foods, all with a Rushbrook footprint.
I really liked this quirky and unique novel about a family restoring a rundown pub, bought by the family matriarch on an impulse. I admired the story itself, gentle and most beautifully told with richly drawn and diverse characters. I couldn’t stop turning the pages, anxious to see what would happen next. I savoured the way the three ladies cooperated and had the skills and determination to drive them through the renovations and I rejoiced in their successes. But best of all I loved the individual stories of each and every character. My two favourite characters were Rose and Chloe because I watched them both develop in confidence and I appreciated their honesty and empathy. In fact there was no character I really disliked. I loved the Epilogue which drove the story to a lovely and satisfying ending. You are in for a real treat when you read this story.
I received this enjoyable novel through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Orion, in return for an honest review. All the opinions are my own with no influence from other parties. It is going to go on my list as highly readable and I can see the story will be a great success. I feel sad now I have finished it. I’d love there to be a sequel.

A fairly typical book of its genre. Easy to read, good story and great feelgood factor. What more can you want ?
Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the advance copy of this book.