Member Reviews

Starting Over At Primrose Woods By Jill Steeples
Pub Date 1st Feb 2022
She has the home of her dreams – a picturesque cottage just walking distance from her beloved Primrose Woods. She has a job she adores, great friends, and most exciting of all – a wedding dress hanging in her wardrobe ready to be worn. So why does she feel so lonely…
Lizzie Baker loves her job at the Treetops café in Primrose Woods, and she loves being a grandmother even more. If only she could face her fear of flying and see her granddaughter in person rather than on a screen.
Rhianna West is head over heels for her boyfriend Jay. She wishes he could see her more regularly. His excuses are starting to wear thin, and Rhi's dreams for the future are beginning to fade.
Can the fun and friendships, the picture-perfect scenery and rolling seasons in Primrose Woods help the women find the happy endings they deserve? After all, anything is possible if you dare to dream…
I loved the Dog and Duck series of books by Jill Steeples, so I was looking forward to reading the first book of her latest series.
Starting Over At Primrose Woods is a well-written, light-hearted, uplifting story; this romantic novel is an easy, relaxing read with delightful characters and a perfect English countryside setting.
I look forward to seeing what happens next at Primrose Woods.
Grab yourself a copy and enjoy.

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Thank you to #boldwoodbooks @book&tonic @netgalley for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts…
Cozy. Three women, three different age groups, three different life experiences and three plot lines in one book. I like those movies and books where the characters start of separate from each other, and then they weave into each other’s stories and lives. This book was set-up like that, bringing the three women together, eventually. The writing was choppy at times, where some dialogues felt awkward and sometimes seemed naive for the characters’ ages. Overall, the book was a quick, small-town, feel-good and cozy read. It was a good palate cleanser, where the reader was reminded that one bad experience should not completely derail a dream. And, there was Lady, the cute springer spaniel.

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Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really like this authors books.
It was a cute story with lovely characters. I really enjoyed. This was a 3.5 stars for me.

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Abbey is just weeks away from marrying her longtime boyfriend Jason. Worn out from wedding planning, worried that she no longer fits or even likes her dress, and frustrated with the lack of time she gets to spend with him after his long work hours, she spends more and more time at Primrose Woods, her favorite park around the corner.
Rhianna is in a new relationship with Jay, but she's getting sick of his excuses why they can't spend more time together. Everyone else is suspicious of him, should she be too?
Lizzie is a waitress at the park's cafe. Lonely after the death of her husband and her only daughter moving out of the country, working at the cafe is the only thing lately that makes her happy. When an unexpected pregnancy causes her daughter to cancel their summer visit, Lizzie is more depressed than ever.
After coincidence brings these women together their lives start to change.
This was a cozy, clean, laid-back romance, more a story of friendship than anything. I loved the character of park ranger Sam and his troublemaking dog Lady. I was disappointed there wasn't more of a happy ending with Rhi and Luke, but I understand where he was coming from.
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

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This was the perfect pick up I needed oh what a lovely read.

Excited to know it's a new series, such wonderful characters, unlikely friendships and different generations, a total joyful community where they all look out and care for each other.

Thank you Boldwood for introducing me to this fabulous author, I am now off to the Dog And Duck.

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Abby is about to get married to her fiancé Jason but finds out he has been cheating on her just before the wedding so she throws him out.
Rhianna is in love with Jay who she also works with but then finds out he isn't single like he told her and is actually about to get married and his name is Jason ! Once she finishes it with him she sets of to find Abby to apologise as she feels so guilty even though she didn't know, Abby wants to hate her but does listen and they unexpectedly become friends
There are other lovely characters you get to meet but won't go into detail so as not to spoil the story
A lovely read

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Pick up this book if you are having bad days or need a bit of sunshine in your life.

This is a cozy romantic novel, with likable characters, no big dramas, just a perfect English countryside and really nice people. A light-hearted and uplifting read, the start of a series you will be tempted to follow.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this Advance Reading Copy.

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Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Life seems good for Abbey, having the home she loves, a gorgeous cottage, not far from the place she loves going for walks in, Primrose Woods, as well as a job she enjoys doing and fabulous friends. But, the most exciting bit is, there’s a wedding dress in her wardrobe just waiting for her to wear it. Even after all this, why is Abbey feeling like she’s alone?

For Lizzie, she works at Treetops café in Primrose Woods, which she also loves doing along with being a grandmother. But, there’s something stopping her seeing her grandchild in person, and that is her fear of flying.

Rhianna is in love, with Jay, her boyfriend. But wants to see more of him, the reasons he tells her for this not happening are beginning to get a bit tiring, making her think whether they have a future together at all and how much longer to wait.

So, can the surrounding of the scenery and Primrose Woods possibly be enough to make these women get their happy endings?

A fabulous read and can’t wait for the next book.

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I really enjoyed the Dog & Duke series so I was excited to read something else from this author!

It's no big mystery what is going on with Jason and I was so glad when Abbey figures it all out and gives him the boot. I also enjoyed Rhi's response when she finds out the truth for herself. The fact that this guy keeps coming around trying to get Abbey back just shows how self-centered he is. I think he is truly surprised that she refuses to forgive him and go ahead with the wedding. What makes you hate him the most is that Abbey is such a wonderful, loving person and he treated her horribly. The good news is that Jason is very quickly and thoroughly outshined by Sam (who really is Abbey is perfect match). I was glad that Abbey talked to him about what Lizzie had said about his track record rather than just cutting off contact with him - a great example of what happens when adults actually communicate with one another!

Speaking of Lizzie, I enjoyed her story a lot. Everyone supporting her with her goal to overcome her fear of flying so she could visit her daughter in Australia was so sweet, especially since they didn't downplay her fear or make her feel stupid for feeling that way. And Lizzie's growing relationship with Abbey's father was more understated than Abbey and Sam, but still nice to see unfold.

I liked Rhi, but found her storyline to be the least interesting of the three. And I got a little annoyed with Luke for sending her some mixed messages (I know it was most likely a self-preservation thing, but still he should have been upfront with her).

A solid 3.5 stars!

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Thank you #netgalley for letting me read this ARC, Jill Steeples is a new Author to me and I am delighted to be on the Boldwood Blog tour for this book.

I found this book and it's characters refreshing and inspiring.

One bad experience can lead to a world of good things. That's basically what the take away from this book is.

Abbey Carter lives at Wishwell Cottage with her Fiance Jason, also known as Jay, her father Bill who is a widower also lives close by.

The wedding date is drawing close but the sudden discovery of her man's infidelity sends Abbeys world crashing down. She sends him packing and builds a new life for herself.

Her love for walks lead her to meet Lizzie a widower who works at the Cafe and Sam and his Springer Spaniel.

She also makes friends with Rhi who curiously is the woman her ex had an affair with.

Rhi realises she has a soft spot for an ex work colleague who comes to see her.

They end up having quiz nights and all 6 of them bond and become really great friends.

Can Abbey reopen her heart to love? Will Sam finally fall in love after guarding himself for so many years?
Will Rhi carve out a path for herself ?
Is there love after the loss of a spouse?

Its an incredibly serendipitous story.

I could identify with a number of scenarios and felt at home with the characters.

Lady the Springer Spaniel is the star of the show.

I recommend reading this book for its feel good inspiration.

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A lovely feel good story across the generations, set in a quiet countryside but with so much to see and do. Everything is very well described and you can picture yourself being in the settings. It sounds like an idyllic pace to live. 5 stars and I recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

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Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Boldwood Books for the advance read of this beautiful title.
A lovely cosy light hearted easy read. The story flowed well. Sounds like it's the start of a series so I can't wait for the next one already ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Warm light hearted reading, gentle and feel good.
Abbey's life is about to change as she prepares for her wedding near Primrose Woods. Being able to walk and find peace in the woods is the bonus of village country life for Abbey, after she moved to her cottage.
There is a lovely sense of peace in this book. Likeable characters and familiar places. This is a treat and a real pleasure to read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the opportunity to read early.

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A very lovely read..

Beautifully written, touching stories of different characters - loved each of the character.

4.5 stars for making me feel good!

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This was such a fun and refreshing read! This is one of those books that you pick up when you need a pick me up and a break from the world! The story takes place in Primrose Woods but you don't get to know just a couple people you get to follow along as a few people find their own second chance! But the characters are all easy to relate to! Really a sweet and charming story! With wonderful characters and a heartwarming story you can't help but get lost in the pages!

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A perfect read for taking your mind off the world. Uplifting, funny and relatable. A really enjoyable book with great characters. Such a lovely cover too really draws the eye. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

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I absolutely loved this story, an excellent example of perfect escapism and finding friendships and love whatever your age, a very warming book

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Liked that this book didn't just focus on one person but four. Abbey her dad Bill, Lizzie Rhi, Sam and Luke. Abbey's world was turned upside down when she discovered her boyfriend had cheated on her

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This is the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last.

After the breakup of her relationship, can Abbey learn to trust again? Lizzie desperately wants to visit her daughter in Australia but will her fear of flying scupper her plans? Rhianna has discovered something unsavory about her boyfriend, can she put right the wrong she has inadvertently caused?

An enjoyable story with great characters which was an easy and entertaining read.

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I received an ARC of Starting Over at Primrose Woods, by Jill Steeples. This was a sweet story. This book centered around Primrose Woods, and the lovely people living there.

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