High Tides And Summer Skies by Jennifer Bohnet is a very charming contemporary novel that will warm your heart.
Whilst being set in present day in the Dartmouth area, there are also ties to the past in the form of World War II and practicing for D-Day. This took place at Slapton Lees leading up to Torcross. The location was familiar to me as I had holidayed there as a teen. This helped to bring the novel to life for me, along with Jennifer Bohnet’s marvellous descriptions.
Tragedies in the past still touch lives in the present. A life has been blighted by guilt over circumstances she could not change as a child. Silence has been kept but lives only heal when mouths open.
The novel shows you are never too old to have a new beginning.
A wool shop for over sixty years is in need of a make-over. This is mirrored in lives too.
Delving into the past, searching for roots, produces some amazing ties. Long-ago written letters provide comfort in present day.
The small town has a wonderful community feel. Townspeople come together to support each other.
All the characters were delightfully drawn, likable and realistic. They warmed my heart as I witnessed their interactions and lives started to bud, blossom and bloom.
High Tides And Summer Skies was perfectly charming. I absolutely loved it and look forward to more from Jennifer Bohnet.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I have read a few Jennifer Bohnet books now and they have all been beautiful stories and this was no different. I love the mix of generations in this story with both Mattie and Katie looking for the fresh starts they both deserve. This story has such wonderfully written sweet narrative, with a mix of humour, friendship and romance. I found this such an easy room to escape into for a few hours, a perfect summer read I think you will just adore.

High Tides & Summer Skies by Jennifer Bohnet

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

Blurb

As time ebbs and flows over the summer both Katie Teague and her godmother Mattie Cranford discover their lives are at a crossroads Mattie shackled to the family wool shop for over 50 years, feels life has passed her by. She dreams of seeing the world and shaking off a lifetime of regrets. When Katie is made redundant, Mattie seizes the moment and asks Katie to move back to her home town of Dartmouth and breathe new life into the rundown wool shop and to her surprise Katie agrees. As Katie settles back into the rhythm of Devon life and renovating the shop, Mattie sets off on a luxury cruise. But the arrival of Katie’s ex-boyfriend with an unexpected dream job offer threatens to unsettle the calm waters. Will she sacrifice the shop and Mattie’s happiness - or her own career?

Previously published as Shadows of Conflict

My Opinion

Firstly I have to say that I really appreciate the fact that this was set in a wool shop, I was reading this around knitting myself a jumper. Following Mattie's decision to step back from the shop it was nice to watch as Katie grew into owning the wool shop.

This is another lovely book from Jennifer Bohnet - I have yet to be disappointed by one of her books. This would make for a lovely holiday read.

Rating: 4/5

It was lovely to return to Dartmouth, albeit retrospectively, and meet such lovely new characters. Katie and Mattie were perfect leading ladies, as we followed their stories. Mattie had devoted more than 50 years of her life to A Good Yarn, the family’s knitting shop. Now ready to take life a little more easily, she decides to hand over the reins to her goddaughter, Katie. As Mattie has never married, being dedicated to the shop, she has no children of her own and tragically, no nieces or nephews as we discover.
Katie is made redundant from a job that she loves and at the same time, her love life dips into limbo. Despite only intending to visit briefly, Katie finds herself being attracted to the offer of taking over the shop from Mattie. Her memories are filled with happy times at A Good Yarn, and she realises that she could start over there.
Throw in some complications like a lifelong best friend and Mattie’s jealous relation, and there’s plenty going on. If I was pressed to pick a favourite part, it would probably be related to Mattie’s cruise adventure. Jennifer Bohnet writes romance for all ages and certainly doesn’t shy away from characters with a few extra miles on their clocks.
I absolutely adored Katie’s story arc, as she evolved from a career-driven woman into a much softer yet stronger businesswoman. I was rooting for her from the opening chapters and silently urging her to make what I thought were the right decisions.
There is much joy in this story, tempered with some bittersweet memories, but I can promise that you’ll be left feeling both joyous and uplifted. Highly recommended.

Lovely summer read about change of direction for both of the main characters.. Great young and old perspective with Mattie and Katie. Lovely setting described beautifully. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

I love knitting and was delighted to discover it to be one of the themes of this book. There was much more to it, though. I enjoyed the two main characters and their age difference as it meant that the book could have multiple levels of interest. It looked at the difficulties of Katie and Maddie - both facing their own challenges but able to support one another amidst them. I enjoyed the descriptions of the Dartmouth scenery and felt called to visit this part of the world.
Lovely read.

Another lovely book from Jennifer Bohnet!
Easy reading, warm hearted story, and great for a holiday read!
Mattie is feeling she needs a change from running the wool shop she has worked in all her life, it’s time for a holiday and perhaps some travel. She tries to persuade her goddaughter Katie to take on the shop when Katie is made redundant from her job in Bristol. There is work to be done to bring the shop up to date, with a refresh of paint and new ideas. Will Katie rise to the challenge?
The story is woven around Dartmouth, Devon, knitting and cream teas!!
Really loved the characters, the storyline and the background history, the writing flows beautifully, thoroughly enjoyable!!
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the early read!!

A Jennifer Bohnet book is always a treat so I jumped at the chance to read this. I devoured it in a day!

A lovely story set in Dartmouth, wonderful characters and some glimpses of people from other books.

Definitely recommended!

What a lovely gem of a book. Great characters, super setting and an excellent storyline with the wool shop at its heart.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Mattie has lived in Dartmouth her whole life and now that she’s reached a certain age wants to see what’s outside of Dartmouth,

Also looking for a change is Katie, she’s just lost her job, and feels that her belief in her boyfriend isn't what it was.

For quite a long time, Mattie has run the yarn shop, which has been in her family for ages, and now she’s done. When Katie visits her, Mattie, gives her the chance to run it her way, making changes as she thinks will help bring in more customers. While she can make her plans for a trip away.

For her first trip, Mattie goes on a luxury cruise, she meets Henri, soon a friendship is formed between them leading to romance. Back in Dartmouth, Katie, is having problems when making changes in order to re-open the store. Someone is doing whatever they can to sabotage all her good work. But, she’s got Leo to help her.

I liked settings in this book, as well as the small island that Mattie and Henri visit.

I highly recommend this book.

High Tides and Summer Skies will have you trying to read it in one sitting. As you relax into this easy read, you will feel transported to the location of Dartmouth. Having visited this area many years ago, I can certainly see everywhere in my minds eye as the author explains things so well. The characters will grow on you as you get to know them better.
Yes it is perhaps a little predictable in places but it’s a lovely tale of friendships and learning what is important in life. How to approach issues from your past and learn to move past them. I learnt a lot of history throughout this read, but it mixes into the story well and is an important part of it.
So get ready to loose yourself for a few hours with Mattie, Katie, Bert and friends new and old.

Mattie is in a rut, restless, she feels as if her life has passed her by. With her goddaughter's help, can she start a new chapter of her life?

I love reading about bucket lists and chasing dreams, it takes such courage to completely change your life path.

This was a sweet story about love, family, and taking chances, whatever your age.

The characters were believable and likeable, and the subplots woven throughout added interest.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review. This review will also be posted to my Instagram account (@kathleenryderauthor), as well as to my blog (daydreamsinthedesert.com) closer to the release date.

Those who are looking for a relaxing summer read may very well enjoy this title. It is an easy read with good settings and characters, just the thing for a lazy afternoon.

Readers meet Mattie and Katie. Mattie is of a certain age and looking to expand her world from Dartmouth, where she has lived her whole life. Katie is looking for a change after losing a job and no longer having faith in her boyfriend. Each will shake their life up with what readers will hope are good results.

Mattie has run her family’s yarn shop for years but has had enough. She offers Katie the opportunity to make of it what she can, while Mattie plans her first trip away.

Mattie goes on a luxury cruise where she meets Henri and has the beginnings of a romance. Katie, meanwhile, faces challenges in getting the store up and running; who is sabotaging her? Good thing that Leo is around to offer support.

I liked the descriptions of the settings in this book. I especially enjoyed visiting the small island that Mattie and Henri went to (where they heard the chanting).

In some ways, this story is predictable but, then again, predictable sometimes is just what I want. Recommended for when a reader wants a nice story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Having loved Jennifer's last book I had to read this one by her. Katie is a girl out on her luck when she is fired from a job and finds herself back in Dartmouth. As the new owner of A Good Yarn she finds herself in the middle of a battle for the store as her godmother disappears on holiday.

Jennifer is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors and this book is no different. Now I'm off to hunt her other books.

This was a fabulous story . A bit Marcia Willet in writing because it was set in Devon and that is a compliant not a criticism . It was a lovely story of a wool shop and it ‘s old and new owners. True love. Lots of clotted cream , a gorgeous dog and a story coming full circle You also had the ups and downs of the Second World War and the Americans. Absolutely brilliant. I think readers should be aware it is a re release under a new tittle. I really loved it.

A lovely story about family, love and moving on even later in life. Great characters and stories weaved throughout. I enjoyed the history as well as the romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity read High Tides and Summer Skies by Jennifer Bohnet. I always enjoy Ms. Bohnet's work; this was lovely with characters I enjoyed spending time with.

I loved loved this refreshing read.
Very well written and with lovable characters.
A story about forgiveness and second chances?! What more could one want!
Characters that were flawed with past hurts and hidden secrets. Those were what kept me turning the pages.
Patrick got on my nerves though. To me, he's very selfish where Katie's concerned.
I loved Katie but Mattie was my favorite character. My heart went out to Mattie. I admired her bc she did what had to be done where her mother was concerned. I felt she deserved every bit of a holiday. I enjoyed taking it with her.
Dear Mattie such an overthinker just like me. I can so relate to you in that area.
I love how Katie tells Mattie that if long distance relationships are meant to bethen they'll work out. In in other words stop worrying and trying to control things that most likely won't work anyway.
It's all in God's timing not ours. Timing is everything
Another reason I enjoyed this book so much was because I got to "visit" a place I've never been before and learned something about the 2nd World War.
The cover is simply gorgeous and made me want to read it.
5 stars for a well written novel. I highly recommend it
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.