I really wanted to enjoy this book, but I struggled to get into it. The characters felt flat and did not catch my attention, and the narrative never drew me in.

Cute read, but I still prefer to read books than listen to them!

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Narrated by Claire Morgan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story by Lilac Mills ⭐⭐⭐

This book is a hot chocolate
Sweet. Warm. Cosy.

If like me you enjoy a grumpy old man softens story then you'll enjoy going on this adventure with Nessa and George. Both nosey as each other

Nessa Millbrook purchases a cottage in Applewell, a rural Welsh town near the coast. Everyone is welcoming except next door neighbor George Nightingale. Nessa reaches out to George in neighborly ways leaving him a cake and inviting him over for tea. His curmudgeonly behaviors are actually a cover. He doesn’t want to be friendly as someone will know his secret, he is a hoarder. This is a very sweet story with mild heat. George reciprocates her kindness in odd and proper ways. As a retired nurse she understands his issue better than some. I’m not sure this book tackles true hoarders mentality issues. I liked the characters and the audiobook was an easy listen. I enjoyed the narration by Claire Morgan very much. Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for the audiobook and I am leaving a voluntary review.

This is such a sweet and adorable story. When Nessa, a retired nurse, moves next door to George, a hoarder, they don't instantly hit it off, but they are both instantly curious about each other.

I've seen the TV shows about hoarders, so it was easy to visualise George's home. Set in Wales, 2 miles from the coast! It sounds like a lovely place to live. I am looking forward to reading the next books set there.

I listened to this on audiobook and loved the narrator. She definitely brought the characters to life with her gorgeous Welsh accent.

Very cute book. I was not entirely sure at the beginning of this book if I wanted to continue but something made me continue it. I loved that the characters were older and atypical for a romance. George was a strong character and I loved the dip into a hoarding personality. Nessa and George were an adorable couple, though I could have used a bit more depth from Nessa. The book was well-read in a British accent- thanks NetGalley for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a bright and uplifting book to listen to! I feel like there are so many romances out there with younger main characters that I find so much joy when I find one with people who are more middle aged.

Nessa’s retired life sounds like a dream to me. Walking to the beach when the weathers nice, check. Reading curled up on the couch when it’s raining, check. Baking and socializing with friends when she can, check. But of course the one thing she really wants to do is to bring her neighbor George out of his shell.

George. Sweet sweet George. This poor man has had such a lonely solitary life. Partly because he was bullied as a child and now because he is a hoarder to the extreme. I loved how he slowly opened up and started trusting Nessa as she wriggled her way into his good graces. Their relationship blooming was just so sweet to read and I absolutely adored them together.

I really enjoyed the narrator and I think she did an excellent job! I can’t wait to pick up more books by Lilac Mills and read them because this was just so good!

Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio for an advance audio version of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This really was a delightful and light-hearted read! It was a book that really cheered you up, but at the same time addressed serious issues about hoarding and dealing with grief.
I really enjoyed Nessa's character, she was kind but down to earth and you really wanted the best for her. George, although rough around the edges is really likeable, and I liked that as it was told from the characters perspective, you really got to know them well.
I thought the setting was gorgeous and friendly, being from Wales myself, I really liked that it was set here and really felt the community feel of the village was quite realistic.
A gorgeous, sunny read, I'm glad to have discovered this author!

This was a sweet love story of two people finding each other later in life, giving hope that it's never too late to find that person for you. Working together is stronger, and working through some difficult problems together can only make you stronger. What a perfect feel-good read by the cottage!

Thank you, NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio, for my audiobook!

I liked the writing and how the story didn’t stale at all, just kept pushing through and intrigued me with the diverse cast of characters their interactions.
I was so intrigued by the premise of this book and it honestly was so much better than I expected it to be it is an incredible read/listen!

Nessa Millbrook has just bought a home in Applewell to enjoy her retirement in. She is eager to settle in and make her home her own and meet her neighbors in the quant rural village. One neighbor, George Nightingale, is proving hard to get to know. George is a hoarder and keeps this fact hidden from all the nosy villagers by rarely leaving his house and keeping social interactions to the bare minimum. Nessa becomes enamored with George and makes it her mission to crack his hard exterior and get to know him. Thankfully, Nessa is quite determined and does not give up on the quirky man next door. After a series of events, Nessa and George realize that they both need each other and quickly, their new friendship becomes romantic. This is a sweet story of finding love later in life and learning to let go of the past. The audiobook was a delightful experience that enhanced the story.

This book is so charming and wholesome. I really want to buy the physical copy when it comes out! The cover is one of my favorites ive seen and i cant wait to recommend this to everyone i know!

Cute story about learning how to let go of things (literally) and trusting others while finding new love.

Waste Not, Want Not in Applewell by Lilac Mills
Narrated by Claire Morgan

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Saga Egmont Audio and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

George can’t throw anything away. But he’s in danger of throwing away this opportunity to be loved…

George Nightingale is a hoarder with a house full of junk. For years he’s kept it a secret, rarely leaving his house and keeping social interactions to a minimum, but his carefully balanced system is now under threat…

Nessa Millbrook can’t wait to get settled into her new home in quaint, rural Applewell. Everyone in the village is so friendly – except her neighbour, George, who wants nothing to do with her. But Nessa isn’t one to back down from a challenge and she’s determined to win George over.

The years have taught George to shield his heart and trust no one. Yet Nessa keeps reaching out to him – does he have the courage to take a chance, and reach back?

My Opinion

This is a lovely, heart-warming tale. George is a hoarder and Nessa cannot stand to see things untidy, can they take a chance on each other? The residents of Applewell all look out for each other and it was nice to see how they come together when one of the residents is in need. Lilac Mills has written a book that deals with loneliness, mental health and hoarding in a delicate manner.

This is the first book in a new series - I have already read later books in the series so I knew that I would enjoy this visit to Applewell. This is a well-written book that worked well with Claire Morgan narrating. A lovely read and I hope that I can visit Applewell again shortly.

Rating 4/5

This was such a lovely audiobook - set in a Welsh village by the sea (which I actually want to move to now!) Fifty something Nessa arrives in Applewell and is keen to settle in. She makes cakes for her new neighbours as a gift to get to know them. One of these neighbours happens to be George. George is grumpy and standoffish and avoids Nessa at alll costs - he is also drop dead gorgeous!
He also has a secret he wants to keep hidden! This is such a heartwarming and uplifting audiobook that pulls you in and keeps you interested right through to the end. The narrator Claire Morgan does a sterling job with this audiobook. I would love to listen to more of Lilac Mills audiobooks! Thank you Netgalley and Saga Egmont audiobooks.