Member Reviews

In From the Cold by Sarah Bennett is a heartwarming tale set against the backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside, where secrets, family ties, and the transformative power of love take center stage. Ben Lawson's life is upended on the day of his father's funeral when a stranger claims to be his sister, unveiling a web of deceit that had shrouded his past. Venturing to Juniper Meadows, Ben crosses paths with Amelia Riley, and as they navigate their shared histories, a sweet and genuine romance blossoms. The novel beautifully explores how adversity and loss can bring people together, offering a heartwarming journey of reconciliation and self-acceptance. While balancing family drama and romance, the story captivates with its relatable characters and picturesque seasonal transitions.

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Amelia Riley and Ben Lawson are welcomed back.
I loved where we belong, and in from the cold captures family relationships with skeletons in the closet that have kept Ben and Hope Travers apart.
Juniper Meadows in the Cotwolds is a truly wonderful place and the author has captured the writing to see that you enjoy every moment in every chapter, that's so full of wholesome goodness.
Loved it.

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Ben Lawson and Amelia Riley both have fathers with hidden truths.

Ben's life takes a dramatic turn when a woman claiming to be his sister shows up at his father's funeral, leading him to uncover a web of lies that has shaped his existence. In search of answers, he visits Juniper Meadows, an ancestral estate owned by his long-lost relatives, the Travers family.

Amelia, on the other hand, has her own reasons for being connected to the Travers family and is determined to set the past right. As Ben and Amelia's paths cross, they are drawn to each other, but their complicated family histories threaten to complicate their budding relationship.

An engaging exploration of love, identity, and the power of uncovering long-held secrets.

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I have been a fan of Sarah's since her mermaid series and I'm absoutely loving the Juniper Meadows series.

Amelia, you couldn't help but love her in the first book so I'm so glad she's got her own book. That girl has been through so much and deserves happiness. In this book she really does come alive and finds a backbone as she says enough is enough. She's a fighter in this book and she deserves happiness.

So can that come in the form of the gorgeous Ben, the long lost brother of Hope. After discovering the worse kind of betrayal he changes his life around. But can this kind hearted man find love and happiness in the place of his maternal family.

This is another fab book by Sarah and the fellow up to Where We Belong. I strongly recommend you read that one before this or you'll be lost.

Can't wait for book three.

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The storyline plot of this book really interested me and I could relate to both female lead characters Hope and Amelia a little bit of both of them reminded me of myself allowing me to connect immediately with the storylines . A nice balance of family drama and romance — I found the family situation believable as our family experienced something similar. The romance was nice — but a little fast for my standards but it was a nice addition to the story but I was happy that the family relationships were a bigger part of the story, but I would’ve liked to have seen more development of the family characters and relationships with Ben . I liked all the characters and realized that this is book 2 in a series but it is ok as a stand alone as well. I would be interested to try some more of this authors books in the future . Recommended .

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I have read other novels by Sarah Bennett and really enjoyed them. I did enjoys In From the Cold a lot, but having not read the previous book in the series I definitely felt like I was missing some information on past events that would have helped to understand what was going on here a little better. For example, what exactly happened that made Stevie leave Ben behind as a child? It seemed that this was explained in the previous book and because of that the author didn't want to repeat it again here. I liked Ben and Amelia a lot as both a couple and as individuals. They truly understood one another and you get the feeling that they will always be there for each other. I was glad that Amelia voiced some concerns about how quickly their relationship developed because it was quick (the book - including the epilogue - occurs over the course of just a few months). The only thing I wish had been brought up for these characters was the idea of therapy or counseling - they both went through difficult childhoods and had a lot of stress/pressure placed upon them by the more recent events. And although Amelia does reach a new understanding with her mother, she has no closure with her father and I can only see that causing problems for her later on.

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I preferred this book to the first book however I think there perhaps should have been more written about the relationship with family members.

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I enjoyed this novel about a man finding his maternal family he didn't know he had. And a woman overcoming issues caused by her father. A part of a series, this would be better in order but was fine alone. My only complaint was the resolution happens way too quickly/easily which felt opposed to how the characters behaved the rest of the time. A time more slowly resolving would have been better.

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Isn’t it interesting that it’s often a loss of some sort that brings people together?

It’s a funeral in this case that brings together estranged siblings, Ben Lawson and Hope Travers. Lies and secrets had kept them apart, but hope and love will bring them together…and there’s not a more welcoming place than Juniper Meadows.

Let author Sarah Bennett whisk you away to the Cotswolds to spend time with the Travers family. You’ll love this emotional story about two estranged siblings and their journey through family secrets to come to terms with the past and eventually to self-acceptance. As you can suspect, there’s a love interest and a sweet, slow-burning romance. Amelia Riley and Ben Lawson find their way to each other because of a similar past and both want to move on with their life after navigating the wake of secrets their fathers left. Can they help each other come in from the cold? or will stubbornness stand between them?

They say timing is everything and it couldn’t be truer for the love interests in this story! Just as Ben is ready to forge a bridge to link his past and his future with his found family, Amelia is planning to leave. Are they meant to be in each other’s life for a reason or a season? You’ll have to find out.

You’ll read about long-lost relatives, the Cotswold countryside, ancestral estates and family who really look out for each other. I loved the autumn-to-winter setting (Halloween) and felt that although I came in this late (I didn’t read book 1), I didn’t feel that I missed too much. This book about love, kindness, and secrets warmed my heart and left me wanting to spend more time in Juniper Meadows.

I was gifted this book by Boldwood Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

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Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Ben could not believe that his father kept a secret from him. He learns that he has more family and is intrigued. This opens his eyes to many things. I liked this book.

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After enjoying the first book in this new series by Sarah Bennett I was looking forward to the second instalment. And I wasn't disappointed.

A lovely story, chance to catch up with the family at Juniper Meadows and discover family secrets.

I really hope there will be a third book in the series, with Rhys at the centre....

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In From the Cold is a sweet and wholesome romance from Sarah Bennett. Interesting characters and storylines come together to build a novel filled with family and community that will welcome you with open arms. Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan and Pamela Kelley. Four stars!

*I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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So lovely to be back at Juniper Meadow . You felt for the main character Ben. I cried at times. Amelia was a stubborn character at times . Following Ben was lovely and how he rediscovered himself. At times we do put pressure on our children. I was glad the solicitor got dealt with. It was a great second story but can be read alone. I loved it. A very neat ending

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So as much as this looks like a Christmas book I would put it more into the fall/build up to Christmas category. Which is perfect because this book comes out September 21 and I know I love reading cozy books in the run up to the holidays.
I so thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a second in a series, but the recap at the beginning gives you enough details you can absolutely read this without reading the first. However if you are into sweet love stories maybe read the first one because it sounds so lovely, I’m going to go back and read it.
Amelia is trying to put her and her mothers lives back together after her fathers criminal actions, paired with reckless gambling have left the two woman in dire straits.
Ben has lost his father, the only family he had left, until a sister he had never heard of turns up at his dads funeral and offers him a spot in a family waiting to welcome him with open arms.
I cannot wait to see what @sarah_bennettauthor adds next to this series.
Thank you to @netgalley and @bookandttonic for providing me a copy in exchange for a review.
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #infromthecold #fallreads #cozybooks #lovestory #winterreads #christmas #bookworm #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookaddict #booksandsweaters #booklovers #readersofinstagram #readersgonnaread

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Totally loved this second book in the Juniper Meadows series!!! Can’t wait for the next one! I am gripped!!
This story is around brother Ben Lawson that Hope Travers never knew existed, his visits to the Juniper Meadows estate, and getting to know his family he never knew. Sensitively written around families with complex history and how that can be dealt with. Many of the characters from the first book are here, with more layers and drama to their stories. The romance is an enchanting slow burner before the fireworks set in, it’s touching and real. Gorgeous autumnal ambiance and detail.
Always love a Sarah Bennett book, and this is totally brilliant!! Escape to the English countryside for a proper taste of the autumn!!
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the early read, much appreciated and hugely recommended!!

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What a wonderful time of year to return to Juniper Meadows, I love this series and Christmas is such a special time especially for Amelia and Ben and I'm looking forward to more adventures with the Travers family soon

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“In from the Cold” was a welcome return to the arms of all the lovely characters living at Juniper Meadows for me. It is a heartwarming and soothing tale of kindness, love and loyalty. It also serves as a reminder that we should support the path that those we love choose to take, with pride and happiness for them, holding our own worries and expectations back. As a parent, it is something that is hard to do. In this book we see what loyalty to a parent’s wishes, expectations or needs has done to several of the main characters.

When Hope discovers that her father has died she decides to reach out to her estranged brother, Ben. Secrets and lies over the years meant that neither sibling was aware of the other’s existence. Hope’s sweet nature and curiosity mean Ben decides to visit her home and family. As anyone who has read the first book in this delightful series can imagine, the welcome he receives from all at Juniper Meadows is wonderful, somewhat overwhelming but compelling. He is able to make decisions about his future without pressure but with the support of new friends and family.

I loved reading Ben’s story. As it unfolds and we are reintroduced to the extended Travers family it is hard to put the book down, looking to see what new beginnings and potential happy ever afters might arise. I look forward to visiting Juniper Meadows in the future, as am certain there are still more stories to tell and hearts to heal.

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This talented author has written a cannot put down novel. Intrigue and mystery. Secrets and red herrings. Realistic characters keep the story moving quickly. Thanks to Netgalley.

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