Heading Home to Lavender Cottage is the first book in a brand new series for Alison Sherlock and what a lovely story it is. Beautiful descriptions of the area, loveable characters and community spirit are all loaded into the novel. Harriet has to close her business down in London and return to the place she considered home - her late aunt and uncles cottage - with the sad task of preparing it for sale to clear her business debts. That is, until she discovers someone wants to develop the land which includes the lavender fields her uncle used to tend. She sets out on a mission to save the fields but can she find a way? Can't wait to revisit Cranfield

Harriet is heading home to her aunt and uncles house. Tasked with cleaning it up to sell on. However when she finds out that the develoment is going to destroy the gorgeous lavender fields. She knows she has to do everything in her power to protect it. So decides to fight the development people. Of course a love story unfolds between Harriet and the developers son. A nice story however a bit predictable

After realising her own business is no longer financially viable, Harriet heads back to Cranfield, to the former home of her Aunt and Uncle. She is tasked with selling the property, but when she discovers a developer is keen to destroy the lavender fields her uncle took so much time to care for, she decides she has to find a way to save them. What follows is her fight against the destruction and a blossoming love story with developer's son Joe.

A sweet story, even if predictable, with some interesting characters and beautiful scenery. It is set up perfectly for a continuing series, which I will be sure to look out for.

This was such a sweet, easy read. I enjoyed this one immensely. The characters were all lovely and I loved the setting of the book. I hope there is more to come in this series. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Whilst it’s technically not part of this author’s Riverside Lane series, we do see a return to the area around the village of Cranbridge when Harriet Colgan returns to the nearby village of Cranfield. I’ve read the Riverside Lane series and enjoyed them all, and it was great to see some of the characters from those books return in this one. Harriet is a lovely character, and you immediately connect with her when she returns to Cranfield to sort out her late aunt and uncle’s affairs and to sell their cottage. Harriet stayed with them often since a young child, and her descriptions of the little village and her uncle’s lavender fields was just delightful!
The book moved at a lovely pace, introducing us to Harriet’s friends and the other villagers. We also meet Joe Randall who is there to oversee the purchase of the land where the lavender fields are so it can be sold for industrial units. It’s such a shame that Joe is initially seen as the big-baddie-businessman as he is such a nice character, but we all know where these stories are heading so hold off on hating him too early! The storyline flowed along well, capturing all the emotions and dramas which occurred. I loved the lavender fields and the old railway, and these gave great images of what the little village was like as I read!

It's quite an emotional read, particularly with how much Cranfield meant to Harriet and why it did. There are lots of examples of love, family and friendships, and there is a strong theme of understanding and second chances running throughout. Filled with likeable characters, the village of Cranfield has won me over and I hope there are more books from this area to carry on their stories! This book is the perfect read for that little bit of escapism! Would recommend!

Stunning red haired Harriet heads back to her childhood retreat, the small English village of Cranfield, after the death of her Aunt and Uncle, and the failure of her beauty business. Being the black sheep of her family, Harriet spent a lot of time with her Aunt & Uncle in Cranfield and is devastated that she will now need to sell off their home to pay her debts. When it is discovered that the lavender fields her Uncle lovingly cared for may be flattened by Joe Russell, a profit focused business man, Harriet brings the local community together to prove that the lavender fields are precious and deserve to stay.

This was a story of determination and community spirit, along with a slow burn romance (very mild). I did feel that the final misunderstanding between the leads wasnt necessary to the story, as the storyline did go back and forth a lot in the final chapters.

My favourite aspect of the book was the detailed descriptions of the scenery; the sunsets, sunrises and lavender fields in particular. I could really see each of the characters and this allowed me to truly engage with the story.

Ultimately, I'm very happy to have read the story and will take a further look at this authors works.

This was a lovely read. Every time I smell lavender now I’ll think of this book, and lavender field?! Who knew? Guess what’s on my summer visiting list now?
Harriet and Joe were great characters, I enjoyed seeing them learn to let go of the past and open themselves up to the possibility to a future. Seeing the whole community come together and be inspired was beautiful. Two lavender fields have helped create a community, to give jobs, income and hope to all in the village, I can’t wait to see them go from strength to strength. Will Joe and Harriet get married? Will it be in the lavender fields? I just want to know.

Cute but cloying and predictable. Typical plot of nasty developer vs sweet small town girl defending a business/farm/inheritance etc. A bit overdone in the world of romcom fiction. Harriet’s family seemed even more evil than the developers.

What a wonderful, warm story and the start of a new series, I'm so looking forward to reading about future happenings in the lovely village of Cranfield

With nowhere else to go, Harriet Colgan has returned to the sleepy village of Cranfield to sell her beloved aunt and uncle’s cottage, the only place she ever called home.

When she arrives at Lavender Cottage, Harriet discovers plans to replace the beautiful lavender fields, her uncle’s pride and joy, with an industrial warehouse.

With time on her hands, she realises she must fight to protect her family’s legacy and the village of Cranfield as well.

Workaholic businessman Joe Randall was expecting an easy purchase of the lavender fields. But suddenly his quiet life is disrupted by protests from angry locals, organised by Harriet.

Can Harriet show Joe that there’s more to life than just work? And can Joe change his mind and help Harriet save the lavender fields?

Over a long, hot summer, and with the help of a stray dog, perhaps Harriet and Joe can find their way home too.

Such a cute story full of hopes, dreams, love, and second chances. I devoured this book in one sitting, it reminded me of a Milly Johnson read, a one-click author of mine.

Harriett goes to her aunt and uncle cottage to get it ready to sell, as she needs money to pay her debts, but finds out the lavender fields her uncle loved are being removed. loved the characters and the setting.

What a lovely story.You just wanted to visit the Lavender fields. Harriet the main character went to sell her aunt and uncles home and it led to love and proving herself. She had wealthy parents but she wanted to prove herself. It was a happy feel good book . Loved it.. Perfect ending

The story starts of with Harriet rushing home from the London. With the memories of her failed business along with her unsupportive parents voices ringing in her ears, the village of Cranbridge should be her refugee. Expect it isn't.

What was once her happy place with her late beloved aunt and uncle is full of memories. Now with the knowledge she needs to sell their cottage to pay her business debts, she runs into Joe, a businessman.

Their worlds collide when it's revealed that Joe's fathers business wants to buy the lavender fields behind the cottage. Problem is they mean a lot to Harriet and she'll do anything to keep them alive.

Now with her best friends beside her, could this be a start of of Joe help in the fight to keep the lavender fields, Lavender Cottage who Harriet doesn't want to sell and maybe falling for each other in the process?

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgallery for early access to Alison Sherlock's January release.

A quick, easy and cute read that was lighthearted and fluffy. I loved it and I loved the characters. I couldn't put it down

This was an absolutely wonderful read. It was difficult to put down. I loved the characters. Despite all the trials and tribulations Harriet carried on regardless with her goal to save the Lavender fields. The village had some wonderful people in it who all supported each other. Now that's a place I would love to live. A perfect read for these cold winter nights.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. A story of hope, dreams and finding love.

Harriet goes to Cranfield, her Uncle and Aunts cottage, after she shuts her beauty salon in London. She has to get the cottage ready to sell, as she’s got debts from the salon closure to pay off.

Ever since she can remember, Her uncle looked after the beautiful lavender fields which are next to the cottage. Harriet learns that the land will be sold in order to build a warehouse, and she’s absolutely devastated.

So she begins a protest against the person who is looking to buy the land.

As she has a lot of love and passion for the fields, she wins the first protest and along with that, Joe’s heart too, the businessman trying to purchase the land.

But, will Harriet make her dreams come true, and find love?

All the characters were lovely and am looking forward to the next book.

I recommend this book.

The community spirit of the tiny village, the romance between the lead pair, the firm friendships old and new, all of it was heartwarming and a very happy reading experience.

Harriet is the perennial under achiever in her family and finds herself headed to Lavender Cottage, the home of her aunt and uncle where she always found love and support. Now, dealing with her grief of them passing, she discovers plans to replace the beautiful lavender fields with an industrial warehouse. Harriet is determined to stop it and in doing so finds love and unites the tiny village. A nice story about friendship and love, and how grief is handled differently by different people and dealing with it can't be avoided forever.

I apologise to anyone who was awoken by my squeal when I saw that Alison Sherlock had a new series out. What a way it’ll be to start the new year.

This book had everything I have come to expect from Alison’s stories: humour, sadness, tenderness, friendship, love and hope. Her books always evoke this sense of community that I lust after so much. The small village out in the countryside. It doesn’t matter how many times I read books with this setting, it never loses its appeal.

I adore the smell of lavender (it reminds me of my late Nan), it’s one of my favourite herbs, and I love that it was a star of this book. The way it’s written and given the time and attention it deserves…well, you can practically smell it lifting off the page.

One thing I really liked was the idea of failure - stay with me here. A lot of fiction, be it books or film or TV, every new business idea is a success. There’s never struggles for money or confidence, but that’s impractical and insulting to those who try hard to make it a success. This book shows that whilst things can be tough, it’s never impossible.

She creates some truly delicious characters. There are many supporting characters but, unsurprisingly, the best ones for me are Harriet and Joe. They seemed so natural and worked off each other so well. I already have a Joe in my life, but he is my cousin, so a completely different arrangement, so therefore I need THIS Joe in my life. Plus that group of friends. And a beautiful cosy cottage. And lavender. It’s all wrapped up perfectly in a beautiful little parcel that I want to spend every day unwrapping.

I love her description of grief. We have literal grief of bereavements, the grief of losing a job or a business, grief of losing a home, and grief of losing yourself. She’s got the note just right. It’s sensitive and given enough time but it’s not overwhelmingly sad. At its heart it’s about love - romantic and platonic - and joy and passion, and most importantly hope.

I truly hope this will be a long series as I think I could live in Cranfield forever.

An amazing book full of hope dreams and love . Harriet after she close her beauty salon in London she travels to her late uncle's and aunt's cottage at Cranfield so she can get ready the house for sale so she can pay her debts . Her uncle always took care of the beautiful lavender fields next to the cottage and when she learns that they town want to sell them so they will built a warehouse she is devastated . Then she starts a protest againts the businessman who want to purchase the land . With her love and passion about the field she wins the first round and the heart of Joe . Will she be able to make her dreams come true and find her forever love ?
I loved all the side characters and looking for the next book of the series .
I received this book from netgalley and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .