I am a massive fan of Jessica Redland’s writing and I have read all of her books to date. I can honestly say that they are all fantastic and there is not a bad one amongst them.

Having had such outstanding success with all six books in her Hedgehog Hollow series, the pressure was on for Jessica to bring us something equally gorgeous in her next book.
So, does Healing Hearts At Bumblebee Barn, continue the trend of superb reads from Jessica Redland?
Well, yes indeed, it certainly does!

Healing Hearts At Bumblebee Barn is set in the beauty of the Yorkshire Wolds.
Bumblebee Barn is in close proximity to Hedgehog Hollow, and a number of characters overlap from Hedgehog Hollow, which thrilled me to bits.
Don’t get me wrong, Healing Hearts At Bumblebee Barn is a completely stand alone story and you don’t have to have read the Hedgehog Hollow series to follow this story. Seriously though, If you haven’t read Hedgehog Hollow, you absolutely should.

In my humble opinion, JR has played a blinder. There was an audible outcry, when she decided to end Hedgehog Hollow. What she has done with Bumblebee Barn is very clever. Lovers of Hedgehog Hollow will be treated to little glimpses into the lives of some of our much loved Hedgehog Hollow characters, while simultaneously being immersed into a new story and new people at Bumblebee Barn.

I was incredibly excited to get my paws on a copy of Healing Hearts At Bumblebee Barn.
The first thing that jumps out at you, is the pretty cover. Shallow as I am, I would buy a book purely on that alone.

So, what about the story itself?
As always, JR creates a perfect setting. Bumblebee Barn is idyllic and so beautifully described, that it is easy to picture the story with vivid clarity in your mind.

The two main characters are Barney and Amber.
Amber arrives at Bumblebee Barn to make a reality tv show where lonely farmers try to find love.
I liked Amber a lot. She is honest and loyal. She loves her family and has a gentle soul.

Barney runs Bumblebee Barn. He loves his life, but he aches to find the love of his life and to settle down with a family of his own.

I do have a question for you Jessica Redland. Is Barney based on anyone you know in the real world? If he is, please have that man wrapped and delivered to my door!

Barney, or Farmer Hottie as he is nicknamed, is just gorgeous. Strong, handsome, loyal and kind, you just can’t help falling a little bit in love with him.

The story is easy to get into. I was hooked quickly and keenly read to the end. Although I didn’t want to leave Bumblebee Barn, I was desperate to know how the story would work out.

As always, in any book by Jessica Redland, there are some darker and tougher subjects covered in Healing Hearts At Bumblebee Barn.
Written with skill and knowledge, these more serious storylines will tug at your heart strings and leave a lump in your throat.

There is of course plenty of light to balance the shade.
On more than one occasion, this story made me properly belly laugh.

Healing Hearts At Bumblebee Barn is another joyful read from Jessica Redland. Yes you will be bounced around on an emotional spin cycle, but ultimately you will be left with that squishy feeling that tells you what you’ve just read has touched your heart.

So pop on your wellies and take a romp in the countryside with Farmer Barney, Amber and a whole host of engaging characters.

An outstanding five stars from me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Netgalley, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for a digital arc of this title.

As per usual Jessica Redland has knocked this one out of the park. I loved every bit of it. I always have a soft spot for Jessica's characters, they become my friends by the end of the books, and the fact that they pop up often in other books means they are never forgotten.

A great story which kept me hooked you can read my full review on my blog

HEALING HEARTS at Bumblebee Barn
by Jessica Redland
Welcome to Bumblebee Barn, home to wonderful animals, stunning views and spectacular sunsets - and young resident farmer Barney.
While Barney loves his life at Bumblebee Barn - a farm that has been in his family for generations - he's struggling to find someone to share it with.
So when his sister, Fizz, sees an advert for Love on the Farm, a new reality TV show to help farmers find love, he has nothing to lose by applying.
With his family and friends rooting for him, could the magic of Bumblebee Barn heal his broken heart and help him find love on the farm?
How do you follow the Starfish Cafe and those wonderful stories from Hedgehog Hollow, you, of course, follow them with another thoughtful, uplifting, emotional, heartwarming standalone story?
HEALING HEARTS at Bumblebee Barn is another exhibit of the strength of heart and feelings that Jessica enthuses into all of her stories.
The plot was imaginative and original, with fabulous characters. Jessica has this magic way of expressing the characters' emotions, making it easy to bond with them and their situations. The story engaged me and kept my attention till the last page.
It was also lovely to catch up with a few familiar faces from the Hedgehog Hollow series ( as this is standalone, if you still haven't read the Hedgehog Series first, I would have to ask why not? but I must say not doing so does not spoil this story in any way).
Jessica's writing goes from strength to strength, and I am excited to see what comes next from this talented lady.
I am happy to recommend it and all of Jessica's backlog; if you like this genre, you will be captivated by them.
I want to thank Publishers Boldwood Books, author Jessica Redland and Rachel's Random Resources for a spot on tour and a copy to read and review.

This beautiful story feels like a hug in the clouds or a nice warm bath in the snow. I was captivated from the start and I have a bit of a book crush on Barney. Barney is running Bumblebee Barn and looking for love, so when his sister Fizz signs him up for a tv show to find love, he is cautious yet I feel like he can't help but be a little optimistic. But what are the consequences of putting your heart on the line? Will Barney find his true love? With some heartbreaking moments my heart shattered and at times you could feel so much love it was all my heart could take. I have to say my favourite relationship was the sibling one between Barney and Fizz. I could feel how deeply Fizz cared for her brother and this made me cry. A captivating novel that has all my love. Jessica Redland is a brilliant writer and if you haven't read any of her books then you're missing out. This one is my favourite of hers and I highly urge you to read it!

Oh my! I loved Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Barn. Having met Barney during the Hedgehog Hollow series, I felt as though I knew him and was willing him on to find love after all his previous dabbling! You do not need to read the Hedgehog Hollow series as this book is focused on Barney. (But it's also a great series of you fancy it!). I'd love to see the sunrises and sunsets at the Barn.... I have seen many in North Yorkshire and at Scarborough, Filey - Jessica's descriptions are glorious. I'd really love this to be the first in a new series - I feel there more to come from Joel, Milo and Zara!!

I am a massive Jessica Redland fan and jumped at the chance to read her new release. A wonderful story where we meet new characters and get to spend some time with some well loved characters from Hedgehog Hollow as well.

Barney takes centre stage for this story and although we've met him through Fizz, this is where we get to know about the history of the farm and see why he now feels he's ready for a shot at love.

This story is brimming with love and friendship and it was one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading from beginning to end.

I loved Jessica Redlands Hedgehog Hollow series and couldn’t wait to delve into this book. Whilst not a continuation of Hedgehog Hollow we are still treated to seeing some of the characters from that series we have come to know and love.

Bumblebee Barn focuses on Fizz’s brother Barney, our Lonely farmer and Amber a tv producer. Fizz convinced her brother to sign for a reality TV show called ‘Love in the Farm’ who are looking for farmers in Yorkshire. At the other end of the country Amber has been asked to produce the show but she initially says no until she discovers her sister Sophie has landed a lead role in a show being filmed in Yorkshire. We just know that Barney and Amber are being set up to be our lovers in this story.

And what a story they create. It was nice slow burner of a romance and I loved watching their relationship develop.

I really hope this is a start of new spin off series from Ms Redland as there are few characters I would love to see get their own story.

3.5⭐ rounded up

Featuring ~ dual 1st person POV, small town, farm life, reality tv show, cheating, abortion, loss of a family member, slow burn, no steamage

Barney & Amber
Sweet, sweet Barney ~ if I wasn't married, and a little younger, I'd hop across the pond in a heartbeat and live on the farm with him. He's like the sweetest, most compassionate person ever.
Amber is just as sweet. I was rooting for these two from the get go.

What I enjoyed the most:
~ the family dynamics for both of them. They were really close with their families and had great respect for each other. I even liked grumpy old Grandad.
~ the atmospheric descriptions of the countryside.
~ no main character drama
~ even though I haven't read them ~ the tie in from Jessica's other series that follows Hedgehog Hollow.

I liked that the story had some sad elements of loss, along with how the farm name Bumblebee Barn came about, that really made the story come together as a whole. We have behind the scenes reality tv show drama that I can totally picture as being what really happens.

Most characters were very lovable, but there's always a few that could use a poke with a pitchfork. I was happy that the author made some from both genders unlikable instead of just going with one or the other.

Overall, this was just fine for me. I thought I've read slow burn before but this is the slowest burn of my entire reading life. Maybe it's the authors writing style, but the journey for love took a lot longer than I would have liked. I think it's more on the general/women's/cozy fiction side as opposed to romance. I did find it to be well written though. The cover is cute too. With that said I do feel invested in Barney and Amber and would be delighted to read more about them if this is the beginning of a series.

Although there is some overlap with the characters of the Hedgehog Hollow series, this book is primarily about farmer Barney and his lack of luck in finding lasting love. Taking part in a reality show is taking him out of his comfort zone, but he is hopeful that it may bring good results. Producer Amber is determined t keep things professional with Barney and how the show is portrayed, but new directors have different ideas about what constitutes an interesting reality show. Barney and Amber both have to deal with people from past relationships. A great read!

Another wonderful read by Jessica Redland. I was so happy to find out that Barney was getting his own story. He always seemed so sweet when he appeared in the Hedgehog Hollow books. Healing Hearts ay Bumblebee Farm has all of Jessica's wit, warmth and compassion of her previous book. Not to mention some absolutely heartbreaking storylines. This book reminded me why I hate reality TV so much. Barney and Amber's story warmed my heart so much and I hope it's not the last that we hear from them. Please tell me that we're getting Milo's story next?

Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Barn by Jessica Redland

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

While Barney loves his life at Bumblebee Barn - a farm that has been in his family for generations - he's struggling to find someone to share it with. The early mornings quad biking through muddy fields and the long hours looking after the crops and animals are proving to be a deterrent to finding love.

So when his sister, Fizz - desperate for Barney to find his soulmate - sees an advert for Love on the Farm, a new reality TV show to help farmers find love, he has nothing to lose by applying. After all, he isn't meeting anyone suitable down the traditional route and surely he won't be picked anyway...?

Thrown into the chaos of reality TV, Barney could never have expected that his whole life would be turned upside down, with buried secrets to be uncovered and his heart on the line. With his family and friends rooting for him, could the magic of Bumblebee Barn heal his broken heart and help him find love on the farm?

My Opinion

Jessica Redland writes beautiful books and this is no exception. This was a lovely book to read, whilst written as a standalone there were some familiar characters. From the off, you will be hooked. Barney's sister is determined that he is going to find a wife so she encourages him to take part in a TV show - will he meet someone suitable?

A nice, relaxing, slow-burn romance. Highly recommended for fans of Jessica Redland.

Rating: 4/5

I absolutely adored this new stand-alone novel from Jessica Redland and I cannot recommend it enough.
One of my favourite parts is that the main focus is on Barney – the main, male protagonist. Of course there is Amber, the female love interest however it’s rare in the books I read that the spotlight falls more onto the male. It was so refreshing to have a character like Barney – who wants to settle down and fill his home with a family and love. He’s such a sweetheart and genuinely lovely guy who deserves what he wants. He adores his family and his friends.
I also loved Amber – smart and kind and fiercely protective over her sibling. Her love of nature, wildlife, animals and the countryside really shines through her personality and makes her so endearing. She is definitely someone I would love to be friends with.
Both Amber and Barney are hiding a terrible family secret that affects and impacts a lot of their decisions and choices in life, as well as their well-being. When Barney is a contestant on a reality TV show produced by Amber (called Love on the Farm), they become friends and form a strong bond.
The plot was so enjoyable and I was so excited to see where it would lead that I couldn’t put it down. I became totally invested in Barney and Amber and their friendship and support for each other that I was smitten. I was desperate to learn more about their secrets and backgrounds and wanted them both to be happy in their lives.
I adored this new novel from Jessica and cannot wait for you guys to enjoy it to.

Romance is not my go to genre but ever since I discovered Jessica Redlands books I make an exception. I loved everything about Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Barn. I loved the characters, the storyline and the concept. It had everything I have come to expect from Jessica Redland and I could not put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

Another wonderful read from Jessica Redland. This is a stand alone novel, however, some characters from the Hedgehog Hollow series pop up and its great to hear whats going on there.

This book is told from Barney and Amber's point of view. Barney has been persuaded by his sister to take part in a reality TV show looking for love and Amber is the producer.

There is so much in this book. Both of them have been hurt and their hearts need healing. Add into this family dynamics, loss, dealing with trauma from the past, and unscrupulous people and you have a fantastic story. There is fun, heartbreak, romance and healing.

This is one I would highly recommend. Thank you Jessica for another fantastic book.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources and Boldwood Books for my gifted ARC and spot on the tour.

An engaging and heartwarming story with a few characters from Hedgehog Hollow to make the story even better. Betrayal, grief, family drama, friendship and romance are all explored in this lovely story, giving reality TV's contemporary theme a new and original slant. I love the characters and how they develop throughout the story. The setting is easy to visualise, and the mix of humour, poignancy and romance makes this a resonating read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Jessica Redland has hit the perfect balance with this - it has the familiarity of a Hedgehog Hollow book giving fans a longed for update but it's also an entirely new and different story. I really took to new characters Amber and Barney, and loved the filming and dating show aspect. And, that's what I particularly enjoy with this author that the romances are contemporary but also refreshingly heart-warming and PG romance. All-in-all a brilliant standalone story that I totally recommend.

When Jessica brought her Hedgehog Hollow series to a close, I was one of countless readers who felt a loss at saying goodbye to the gorgeous characters that had been created. I know that it was a difficult decision to close the series, but it was the right one. We then move to Bumblebee Barn which aptly refers to healing hearts and this was the best tonic for anyone mourning the end of the hedgehogs. Written as a standalone book, there are some cameos from familiar characters and the opportunity to ensure that life is moving in the direction that we all imagined.
Surprisingly, I found myself again reading a book with a reality TV theme. I am not a fan, but I’m wondering whether it’s a book genre that I should embrace. We meet young farmer Barney who has been rather unlucky in love but that may have something to do with his choice of girlfriend. Several things that they all have in common are being blonde, high-maintenance, and disinterested in farming life. Barney’s sister, Fizz wants nothing more than for him to find happiness, so she persuades him to enter into a new, farming-related, dating show.
This brings us to Amber, a hard-working television producer, she specialises in shows set in the countryside. For a mixture of reasons, she takes the job after being reassured that this reality show is different to anything that she’s seen before; there will be no manipulation of events. Amber has her own reasons for disliking the reality format and ironically, that is one of the reasons that she takes the job.
With a supporting cast made up of lovable, likeable, and distinctly detestable characters, the scene is set for love to hopefully find a way to reach Barney. I laughed, I groaned, and I became a little tearful as the story unfolded. Jessica really is an incredibly skilled author, and her army of fans is well-earned.
Barney and Amber have both had several false starts in the race to find love, but they remained hopeful that there was someone out there for each of them. As much as I adored Barney, I was particularly drawn to Amber. She had suffered terrible betrayals and had certainly placed her trust in the wrong men. Her unyielding love for her family, and in particular her sister, was the reason that her heart had been broken in the past, yet she never questioned her loyalty.
This is billed as a standalone story, but I am hoping that we may return to Bumblebee Barn and see what’s happening and discover more beautiful sunsets and sunrises. I loved this escape and cannot recommend it highly enough.

Just love this first book in Jessica Redland's new series. Heartwarming and heartfelt, I completely fell in love with Barney and Amber and their families. Just gorgeous.

Barney loves his life at his family’s farm, Bumblebee Barn, but there is just one thing missing, someone to share it with. Feeling lonely and struggling with finding his perfect match he is ready to try anything to meet her. So his sister, Fizz, signs him up to a new reality show, Finding Love on a Farm. The experience doesn’t turn out how he expects but does it help deal with his past ready to open him up to finding love after all?

I really enjoyed this book and the characters of Barney and Amber, producer of the show. The story is told from both of their perspectives. Through this we get to see how each of the characters not only deal with the filming of the show and the obstacles that keep being thrown at it, but also how the show, if not what they expected, is helping them to deal with and heal from their past.

This book is designed as a standalone and fantastic, but I believe there are character crossovers from one of Jessica’s previous series, Hedgehog Hollow. This is the first of Jessica’s books that I have read and I can’t wait to read more. And after it’s mention in this book, I think I’ll be starting with the Hedgehog Hollow series.

This book was great escapism and a way to bring some sunshine to these dull and dreary winter days.

Being a big fan of Jessica Redland, I was thrilled to hear her new book was out. I loved her Hedgehog Hollow series and while Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Barn is a standalone, it has some characters in common. The main character here is Barney, whose sister is Fizz – an important person in the Hedgehog Hollow books – so it’s great to be able to follow some of your old friends (and hedgehogs!), while meeting new ones.
The chapters are written from the viewpoints of Barney and Amber.
Barney is in his early thirties and a farmer in the Yorkshire Wolds, where he lives with his two Border Collies, Bear and Harley. His farming lifestyle seems incompatible with long-term relationships and at the start of the novel, we meet his girlfriend Olivia, though it seems it’s going to be another temporary thing. Barney’s dream of settling down and starting a family seems a long way away…
Amber is 34 years old and a television producer of Countryside Calendar. Her father and brother Brad are actors, her mother is a TV presenter and her little sister Sophie (23) is just returning to acting after a break following a traumatic event.
When Fizz suggests Barney apply to go on a new reality TV show about farmers looking for love, he isn’t keen initially, but he is persuaded to give it a go. Meanwhile, Amber is offered a chance to work on a new reality TV show called Love On The Farm.
I really enjoyed getting to know the new characters in this story. Barney is a real sweetheart, I love how devoted he is to the farm (I love the names of the fields!) and you’re rooting for him from the start. His family are lovely, but so too are the film crew – Amber, Zara and Matt – though the same can’t be said of those above them…
The story is really easy to get into and the characters were soon happily living in my head, as I followed their lives. Even though it’s a good-sized book of around 400 pages, I enjoyed it so much that I kept going to my Kindle and I read it in a few days.
It hit the perfect balance in every way – it’s well-paced, fun with some serious bits (sob), has just the right amount of characters, a good sprinkle of flashbacks and enough action and interest to hold your attention throughout.
Another triumph from Jessica Redland!