I have read a few books by Jessica Redland and so far this is my favourite and I'm so glad it's the start of a new series.
I loved all the characters, they all have their own personalities and stories but they mould together perfectly this was such a sweet romance i adored so much and I can't wait for the sequel.

This novel is a testament to the power of love, friendship, and the magic of new beginnings.

Redland's writing is a breath of fresh air, infused with warmth and sincerity. Her ability to create vivid settings and relatable characters is truly commendable. As the story unfolds, you'll find yourself immersed in the picturesque landscapes of Lake District, a place that feels so real it could be your own backyard. The small-town charm is palpable, making it easy to get lost in the daily lives and aspirations of the characters.

The pacing of the story is spot-on, keeping you engaged from beginning to end. The author skillfully navigates between different character perspectives, allowing you to see the world through their eyes and connect with their individual journeys. As their lives become intertwined, you'll find yourself rooting for their happiness, celebrating their successes, and sympathizing with their challenges.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Boldwood Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

"The Start of Something Wonderful" by Jessica Redland is a joyful and inspirational tale about second chances and fresh beginnings. Jessica Redland is one of my favorite authors. I fell in love with her characters and the place of the action., cafe, seaside, greenery and people of the town. I would strongly suggest this to anyone interested in romance books.

I absolutely love Jessica Redland and this book was no exception I just fall in love with her characters. Highly recommend this to anyone.

Jessica Redland’s “The Start of Something Wonderful” is a heartwarming and uplifting novel that captivates readers with its endearing characters and relatable themes of second chances and new beginnings. Earning its well-deserved four-star rating, this book is a delightful read that promises the start of an enchanting series.

Redland’s writing style is warm and engaging, enveloping readers in the comforting embrace of the story’s coastal setting and heartwarming characters.

The strength of “The Start of Something Wonderful” lies in its well-developed characters and relatable themes.

The book’s exploration of themes such as starting anew, finding one’s passion, and forming meaningful connections resonates with readers seeking stories of hope and positivity. The gentle pace of the narrative mirrors the healing process and the gradual transformation that Lori undergoes, allowing readers to connect with her on an emotional level.

Redland’s portrayal of the coastal town is vivid and inviting, adding to the overall charm of the book. The descriptions of the cafe and the seaside scenery create an immersive reading experience that captures the essence of a picturesque coastal community.

In conclusion, “The Start of Something Wonderful” by Jessica Redland is a heartwarming and engaging novel that celebrates the power of new beginnings, friendship, and finding love when least expected. With its endearing characters, relatable themes, and evocative setting, the book easily earns its four-star rating. If you’re looking for a feel-good read that promises a series filled with warmth and charm, “The Start of Something Wonderful” is a delightful choice. Prepare to be swept away by the enchanting world of Wynmouth and to eagerly anticipate the continuation of this heartwarming series.

I am a big fan of Jessica Redlands books and I really quickly got into this one. It starts with poor Autumn not only losing her beloved Grandfather but also her job, with nothing to keep her in the UK she heads back to her family home in Paris hoping to find her creative spark as an illustrator again. Unfortunately when she is there another ghost from her past appears. However this one broke her heart many years ago and he says that he made a mistake. Autumn will not let the same thing happen again so she decides to visit a penpal Rosie and her mother in the Lake District to escape her past and try to find her present.

As with all Jessica's books the characters are warm and real. She is never afraid to shy away from sadness and real life events in her books but you know that there will be happiness also. Autumn has had a really horrible time and I was willing her to find happiness in her life and also regain her creativity.

I have not visited the Lake District and this book along with a great story made me want to visit, especially the house where Beatrix Potter wrote. This is a perfect book to curl up with and escape to the stunning setting with well developed characters which you get to know and want to know more about quite quickly.

When Autumn meets Dane unexpectedly I was hopeful that he would also bring her some joy, it is a book about new beginnings, friendships and family which I really became immersed in and I look forward to reading more in this the series.

Another great Jessica Redland book.
This book was emotional in places handling topic of death and ectopic pregnancies which may be hard for some readers however Jessica Redland handles it in her usual sensitive and delicate way. Whilst being emotional, it was also very heart-warming.
If you're creative, whether that's writing, drawing or even stitching, I'm sure you'll find plenty of inspiration in this book, I know I certainly did. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Autumn Laine is at a crossroads in her life. Since the death of her beloved grandfather, she lost her job as an illustrator and after spending time with her parents in Montmartre district of Paris, needs to get away from her ex-BFF/boyfriend who returned to his parents home next door. Autumn has been penpals with Rosie for over twenty years. They have shared their ups and downs and always been there for each other, but never met. Rosie invites Autumn to her home in The Lake District in the UK, and she decides to take her up on the offer. She will be able to spend time in the places where her idol, Beatrix Potter, did her illustrations and hopefully it will inspire her to get back to her work. Shortly after arriving, she meets Dane, a cyclist who ran her over. He is in the Lake District dealing with his own problems. They strike up a friendship and end up inspiring each other as well as helping one another to deal with their issues and problems. Will the Lake District heal them both? Will they be able to be more than just friends?

The Start of Something Wonderful is the first book in a new series by Jessica Redland. I loved the setting and went online to check out images of the area, so gorgeous. Autumn has a lot of baggage and secrets that she needs to deal with if she wants to move on in her life. I felt for her as I learned about her past. I loved the friendship between Rosie and Autumn. I had penpals growing up (people I met at girl guide camp, ones the teachers set up) but I never continued those friendships after a year or so, so that really intrigued me. Of course with technology the way it is today, emails would be more the norm. There were two men in this book that played a role in Autumn's life: Etienne her ex and Dane, the man who ran her down with his bike. Etienne was frustrating for sure. He had been in and out of Autumn's life for years and as I learned his story, I felt bad that things had never worked out for him and Autumn, but he still made me angry at times. Dane was a sweetheart, ever helpful and kind. As Autumn and Dane began working together, you could see sparks, but could they overcome their issues. As with all of Jessica Redland's books, there are real issues in this book. There is a lot that people will be able to relate to personally or from someone they know. There were lost of emotional highs and lows, but the story ends on an uplifting note and I was happy to see the journey the characters went on. Another enjoyable story by this auto-read author for me that I highly recommend.

Such a gorgeous book.
The Lake District is beautiful and the rain definitely reminded me of a holiday there, non stop rain but glorious green space and hills. Dane was a very gorgeous main male character, Rosie a great friend and I look forward to reading her story next and maybe delving deeper into Alice’s past too.
Autumns character was good but she did get over Etienne a bit quickly for my liking.
Overall this was a great book and I do look forward to getting into another series.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I think this book is very aptly named as I think it’s going to be a series, in which case it definitely is the start of something wonderful.

Who couldn’t love a book set in the glorious landscape around Derwent Water in the Lake District, especially with all the Beatrix Potter references?

This is for the most part a very gentle story, perfect to cosy up with on an autumn evening. It has everything you could wish for: a creative protagonist, a dashing Frenchman and a less-dashing-but-you-love-him-more-anyway English guy who is a thoroughly good egg and happens to have his own creative streak.

This is my third Jessica Redland book and I zipped through it as I did the other two and then regretted it the moment I turned to the last page. Hopefully the second in the series will be along very soon.

Though I was sad to see Jessica Redland’s Hedgehog series end I am delighted to see a new series beginning with the first in the series “The Start of Something Wonderful.” Full of a heartwarming story, hope, laughter, friendships, love, laughter and so much more. Small town vibes with such a cozy feel to it that you’ll just love. Autumn Laine was very close to her Grandad . When she loses him and her illustrator job she’s broken. She accepts her parents offer of visiting them in Paris. She hasn’t been back since a breakup many years ago. Though she’s an artist the artistic community of Montmartre just doesn’t feel right either. Though trying to avoid it a ghost from her past resurfaces, an old boyfriend who she had an extensive past with. As we read about their backstory, we get a clear understanding of their previous relationship. Autumn is an illustrator of greeting cards but has lost her mojo after her grandfather’s death. Upon meeting a new man their friendship progresses rather quickly as her encourages her with her artistic abilities and they may collaborate on a project. When her old flame is once again interested i rekindling things and her new beau wants to take it to the next level, how will she choose. I really loved the references to the Beatrix Potter illustrations, her gardens and home. The mentions of the many woodland animals and all the other animals was a welcome addition to the story. Warm and pleasant, I loved this story and its characters and look forward to many more additions to this series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh what a lovely start to a new series set in the Lake District I am really looking forward to the next one even though I have only just finished this one !
Autumn and Rosie have been penpals for 24 years but never met. After her grandad dies and she is made redundant at the same time Rosie invites Autumn to come and stay with her and her mum for a while while she works out what she is going to do next
Autumn is an artist but unfortunately she is having trouble getting inspiration, does she go back to France to her parents or does she find peace in the lakes and stay ?

Wow! I'm literally lost for words and don't know how to describe how much I enjoyed and fell in love with this story by the legendary Jessica Redland who is such a talented writer. In this book we follow the story of Autumn who is really having a hard time after her beloved grandfather passed away and on the same day she loses her job. Too make matters worse her ex is back in town. So when her penpal Rosie asks Autumn to stay with her for a while Autumn jumps at the chance. Rosie and Autumn have never actually met but have been penpals for twenty four years. While at Rosies she has a chance encounter with the hunky Dane but will she open her heart up to love again? This book has some wonderful characters who are down to earth and refreshing. It gave me all the feels and I really loved the idea of friendship with a penpal for years but who you had never met. This book is the perfect start of a series that I already know I love and I am eagerly anticipating the next book.

Jessica Redland has captured a 24 year friendship through letters between Autumn and Rosie perfectly. When everything hit the fan for Autumn and the pair finally met I felt a lump in my throat. The differences I. The twists and turns are gripping and it is very well paced. I felt the heartbreaks and the joys as if I was part of it all. I will be recommending this book and will be keeping my eye out for more books by this fantastic author.

Jessica Redland- The Start Of Something Wonderful.
Escape To The Lakes - book 1

This is the start of a brand new series from million copy selling author, Jessica Redland.
Previously, her books have been based in Yorkshire, and have been Yorkshire to the core.

This new series moves east and is set in the beautiful Lake District.

For Autumn Laine (love the name) life has lost it’s sparkle.
She lost her job, her beloved grandad died and some time out, staying in Paris with her parents doesn’t go well after a face from Autumn’s past shows up.

In a bid to get away and find herself again, Autumn flees to The Lake District to stay with her best friend Rosie. The only catch is, that despite being friends for over twenty years, the pair have never actually met.

Autumn is a massive fan of Beatrix Potter, so the pull from the lakes is even stronger for her.

Once settled at Rosie’s house, Autumn sets out to explore the area.
A collision with a man and a bike brings Dane into the story.
He is also dealing with his own life traumas.

Together the pair form a blossoming friendship that could maybe lead to more. That is, as long as the past doesn’t show up and pull Autumn in a different direction.

The first thing that you can’t help but notice with this book, is of course the cover.
As with all of JR’s books, it’s very pretty and to me, it vividly conjures up the sights and smells of actually standing by that lake.
I appreciate that this sounds a little (or a lot) bonkers, but this is the first book where I have actually been able to ‘feel’ the cover.
When everyone has stopped laughing at my madness, I’ll share my thoughts on what’s inside this gorgeous book.

I found the story easy to get into. The characters are all well defined and it quickly felt like I’d known them forever.

Autumn was instantly likeable. She’s been through a lot, and I was fully invested in her journey to rediscover her sparkle and to find herself once more.
Dane is also a likeable fellow. Kind and caring, with his own journey to happiness that he needs to travel.

There is a wonderful cast of characters in this story. They are all beautifully written and well crafted.
I’m very much looking forward to getting to know them better as this series progresses.

I must mention the setting of the story. Jessica Redland has captured the natural beauty of The Lake District perfectly.
The village of Willowdale and it’s community is drawn with exquisite clarity and warmth.
The author’s love for The Lake District shines through in her writing and gives her setting something quite special.

#TheStartOfSomethingWonderful is of course a charming story in itself. But woven into the fabric of the book, is a very heartfelt tribute to Beatrix Potter.
JR has expertly brought the two together.

One thing that I believe Jessica Redland excels at, is the sheer depth of research that she puts into her books. Whether it’s the RNLI, Hedgehog rescue, Parisian life and language or Beatrix Potter, JR’s research is extensive and thorough.

To sum up, #TheStartOfSomethingWonderful is a gentle romp through the Lakes, with many twists and turns along the way. It has characters and a setting that you will fall in love with. And a big chunk of Beatrix Potter at it’s heart.
#JessicaRedland has created another outstanding piece of writing.
It has a slightly different vibe to her other books, but I mean that in a good way.
#TheStartOfSomethingWonderful feels fresh and exciting, while still retaining everything that JR does best.
It’s a book with warmth, humour, a big heart, romance that will make you melt and at the end you will be full of all the feels and keen to read what comes next.

Is this the start of something wonderful?
I think that it quite possibly is.
Another credit to you Jessica Redland.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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

I am an avid reader of Jessica Redland’s books, she is one of my very favourite authors in this genre. I adore her Whitsborough Bay novels and was looking forward to starting this first book in her new series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially as, at the heart of it is the friendship between the two penpals, cultivated for a quarter century.
Jessica Redland never fails to develop interesting storylines set in wonderful places and populated by fully-formed, interesting characters. Having spent many years of my childhood tramping the fells of the Lake District in all weathers I loved being able to picture the settings, developed by the author’s descriptions.
This truly is ‘the start of something wonderful’ and I am looking forward to the books to come in this series.

I loved this book. I was a little hesitant at first having become quite attached to the Whitsborough Bay books, but I was quickly won over. There’s a few things happening at the beginning of the book which set the scene perfectly for the remainder of it. I enjoyed the parts set in Paris but loved the Lake District scenes. The descriptions were brilliant. I’ve been to the Lake District before, but over 20 years ago so not recent, but reading this book brought it all back to life again. I also really enjoyed the parts involving Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s farm and other information about her life. If you’ve never seen the 2006 film, Miss Potter, it should be top of your list, it’s a fabulous film.

I do enjoy watching characters develop over the course of a book and in this one, it was a joy to watch this happen with Autumn. To help understand how she got the point she is in at the beginning of the book there are some flashbacks in the story that provide a lot of insight. I liked all of the characters in this book, bar one. I just couldn’t warm to him at all, given how he’d behaved. However, the remaining ones, as I’ve said, I liked. The all have their own issues or concerns in their lives, which is so realistic given no one has the perfect life. But also the way these were handled was spot on, they were issues that they were dealing with or trying to overcome but also issues that any one of us could have. I like some realism in my stories and this one definitely delivers.

I loved this book. It’s a brilliant addition to the others Jessica Redland already has, and is the beginning of a new series. I’m so excited to see where it goes next, and meet and get to know more new characters.

The Start of Something Wonderful really lives up to its name! It’s a new start for our heroine Autumn, and a wonderful start to a brand new series (I think) by the amazing Jessica Redland.

Autumn is such a sweet character but is carrying secrets that hold her back. Being part French and part English, she chose to stay, and base herself, in England with her grandparents where she developed a love of art. When her beloved grandfather passes and Autumn loses her job designing greetings cards, she decides to spend some time in The Lakes with her long term penpal. IS this the start of something wonderful for Autumn?

I have only visited once but there is no way time in the Lakes could fail to make someone heal and feel revived and energised. It’s such a beautiful part of England and Jessica Redland captures it perfectly. Her love and passion for the area really comes through in her vivid description - almost as though it is a character rather than just as a place. She has embodied the whole healing and relaxing quality of the area beautifully. It’s hard not to feel inspired to visit after reading this book.

As is the expected from Jessica, I became fully immersed in Autumn’s world. She is such a dear character and I just wanted to take her under my wing and make everything alright for her. I felt all of her emotions throughout her journey to healing and took every step alongside her.

The Start of Something Wonderful is an emotional, yet joyful read and I adored every minute of it.

I've always found Jessica's books to be incredibly heartwarming and thus was no exception. Set in the Lake District, Jessica managed to transport me effortlessly to stunning view after stunning view. I loved the growing relationship between Dane and Autumn as they really did fizz together. I'd recommend thi to those who like warm, gentle, feel good romances set in stunning locations.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Autumn and her pen friend of 24 years, Rosie.

When Autumn is at a low point in her life she decides now is the time to meet her pen friend face to face, for the first time after 24 years of writing letters to each other. They have developed a very strong friendship, supporting each other through life’s ups and downs.

Autumn arrives at Rosie’s house in the Lake District, where Rosie lives with her mother who has a form of PTSD following an accident many years earlier.

It isn’t long before Rosie meets her potential love interest, Dean. He literally bumps into her.

All three main characters have previous relationships they need to move on from.

Walking in the shoes of Beatrix Potter, the reason Rosie got into illustration, helps her to gain back her drawing mojo and find herself.

It was lovely reading the references to Potter’s books and the area she lived in. I have been to the Lake District many times but never visited her house. I feel the need to now!

And ‘that’ poem! Had me in tears!

A wonderful, emotional but uplifting start to a new series and I look forward to what happens next.