Member Reviews
Now I haven't quite finished this one but I'm loving every page so far. I got a little thrown by the first chapter ending and us going back six months but I soon caught back up again. Boy is Arron a selfish A****** I can't believe the way he treated Erin! But I do love her way of reacting to it and the fact that her friends are so supportive, it seems to be a theme in the books I'm reading at the moment brilliantly supportive friends. I've gotten angry on Erin's behalf multiple times so far because of Arron, I think he's definitely the worst bit of everyone's ex-boyfriends bundled together, brilliant character creation from the author there! But then again all the main cast of this book so far are really well formed, you can definitely read them and see people you know in them.
I'm so invested in what's happening to Erin and if she'll manage to get her dream sorted, that I keep breaking off from writing this to read a bit more.
I've really enjoyed the writing style, I haven't read anything by Freya Kennedy before but I can see myself picking some more of her books up in the future.
Erin seems to have it all: head chef job at the Ivy Inn, boyfriend Aaron, and her best friend Jo as co-worker. But when Aaron moves out without a word, Erin's life unravels. When fate provides an unexpected opportunity, Erin must find the courage to chase the future she truly wants.
This book opens with a chaotic situation, then goes back in time by six months. I find this storytelling approach disorienting. I wish the author could have found a more exciting way to open the book without skipping ahead in the action. Also, calling Erin's boyfriend Aaron is very confusing for people who listen to ebooks through text-to-speech, whether because they're visually impaired or for other reasons. It took me a while to figure out that the characters were two separate people.
The book focuses more on emotions and character development than on plot, giving it a leisurely pace with warm-hearted friendships.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
On a cold December day, the residents of Ivy Lane are gathered for a wedding – an opportunity to set the scene and introduce the key characters, or to meet friends once more if you’ve already spent time there, along with a touch of very unexpected drama. But not all the individuals are identified – and it’s such a very clever and highly original way to start a story, that then moves back to six months earlier.
Erin returns from a busy shift as head chef to an empty flat – boyfriend Aaron having moved out in her absence, leaving her heartbroken and wondering what went wrong. After many tears and a bit of introspection, surrounded by the most supportive of friends – who are also all the most contented of couples – an opportunity arises to turn her life around and try something very different, a dream she’s had for so many years. And with that same support from the people around her – her chosen family, when her own fail to be there for her – she finds the bravery to turn things around and move her life in a new and exciting direction.
Erin was a character I really loved – she very quickly gained a place in my heart with her quiet determination to embrace the new start she’s been offered, coupled with a wry humour when things didn’t always go smoothly and life threw new obstacles in her path. But perhaps the real joy of this book is the community around her, ensuring that she never needs to feel she’s doing it all alone. The residents of Ivy Lane are the most wonderful community – some are already close friends, some become so – perfectly drawn, often a little quirky, and drawn from across the generations. And while Erin rebuilds her life, surrounded by all that warmth and support, another unexpected love story begins to develop – and I adored every single moment.
I’ve spent time in Ivy Lane before, and really loved it there – but if you haven’t, you’ll have no problems settling in and feel at home in an instant. Libby and Noah’s bookshop, the bakery, the shop now run by Lorcan (with Harry refusing to completely retire, still regaling everyone with his diatribes about anything and everything), the village pub – there’s the most wonderful sense of place. And this really is the loveliest story of second chances and following your dreams, beautifully written, filled with warmth and love and heart. And that wedding scene that started the book? Well, it also gives the book the most perfect ending – and won’t fail to bring a tear to your eye.
This book is a total delight – heartwarming, charming, moving and romantic, with the loveliest touches of humour and the most wonderful community filled with individuals who’ll soon feel like your closest of friends. Highly recommended – I really loved it.
Not a bad read, but it took awhile to get into it. I liked the characters and the positive, empowering message, but I could do without the crassness at times.
There are other books in the Ivy Lane series, which I haven't read. I think this one can easily be read as a standalone, although I wish I had read the other books!
Erin is happy doing her job as a head chef and in her relationship with her boyfriend, Aaron. Until one day she comes home and there is no Aaron. No note, no explanation.
So, she throws herself into work and as her friends from Ivy Lane support her and give her the care that she needs, an idea starts to sprout.....can she take a huge chance?
This was a sweet read and I enjoyed it. I would like to know what happens next though, it finished on a bit of a cliff-hanger! The secondary characters were gorgeous and added so much to the story. I really loved that the Ivy Lane shop owners were so supportive of each other, it was a real community. I admit it, I got emotionally invested :)
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.
Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.
I enjoyed reading this book.
One day Erin’s life changed when her boyfriend vanishes, without a word or warning or giving any reason why.
She tries to think of anything that must have happened leading up to this event, but can’t think of anything. But, she just wants to carry on doing her job, that as Head Chef ant the Ivy Inn, and not have her friends feeling sorry for her.
She is thinking of what to do next, when she gets a chance to do something different, but will she go after her dream?
The story is about how those living in a small community come together when their friends need help, in good times and bad.
The food featured in the story made your mouth water.
I highly recommend this book.
"Don't Stop Believing" by Freya Kennedy is a captivating romantic comedy that transports readers to the enchanting world of Ivy Lane, where hopes and dreams flourish against all odds.
Erin Donohue's life takes an unexpected turn when her boyfriend Aaron vanishes without a trace, leaving her bewildered and heartbroken. Freya Kennedy skillfully navigates Erin's emotional turmoil, taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride from despair to self-discovery. Erin's resilience and determination to rebuild her life make her a relatable and endearing character.
The Ivy Lane community, filled with supportive friends and quirky neighbors, adds depth and charm to the story, emphasizing the importance of community and camaraderie in pursuing one's dreams.
Kennedy's writing is infused with humor and heart, making the book a delightful and engaging read. As Erin embarks on a journey to rediscover her own path to happiness, readers are inspired to believe in second chances and follow their dreams.
In "Don't Stop Believing," Freya Kennedy delivers a feel-good story that tugs at the heartstrings and reminds us that it's never too late to chase our dreams and find our own happy endings. This novel is a perfect choice for fans of heartwarming rom-coms, offering a dose of optimism and romance that lingers long after the final page.
I would not exactly describe this book as a romance or romantic comedy but there is romance in the book. More a story of one's path, and the intertwingling relationships along the way. The story, characters and journey pulled me in. I really loved the relatable characters and following Erin on her journey. I was left with a positive and cozy feeling.
Here you will find:
- Supportive fiends
- References to yummy sweets
- New Beginnings
- Cutting Old Ties
- No Spice
A lovely heartwarming and soothing read. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Net Galley for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this book, can't wait to read more by this authorcin the future. They have a great writing style that keeps you hooked till the end of the book.
I would like to thank netgalley for giving me this opportunity to read Don't Stop Believing in exchange for an honest review. Once again, another story that could have been a five out of five, but the third person just completely ruined it. I don't like not being able to see the main character's POV because that's how you connect with and understand them. However, I did enjoy the story about the women of Ivy Lane. But I do think the plot was dragged out a lot in quite a few places. I definitely think Freya Kennedy has the potential, but I really can't get over the third person. That's why I unfortunately had to DNF the book at about 50–70%.
An enjoyable pit stop back at ivy lane. It was really nice to catch up with old characters. It was also nice to meet some new ones. I enjoyed this installment of the series. It can also be read on its own
Erin is the Head Chef at the Ivy Inn, she loves her job but things at home aren't going so well.
She is wondering what to do next when an opportunity presents itself, however can she realise her dream?
This is the first book in the Ivy Lane series that I've read., however this didn't affect my enjoyment of the book and I've just added Libby's story to my TBR list. This is a book about the power of community and friends, Erin needs all the help that she can get in her times of trouble, although she still has time to try to help others. Featuring heavily on scrumptious sounding food that made me raid the biscuit barrel it is a slow-burn story, but this gives you time to see the story developing and hope that there will be a happy ending for all.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.
Don't Stop Believing, I enjoyed the story on the whole about the women of Ivy Lane. However, my only complaint is the plot was dragged a bit at places.
I was delighted to see the third installment from this brilliant series and it was so lovely to catch up with everyone on Ivy Lane. I find Freya's story so easy to read and there is a flow to every book that brings such comfort to the reader. I loved how she developed the story between Flora and Harry in this one. Older residents on Ivy Lane but so in tune with the younger generation. It was lovely to see them so happy and ready to take on the world.
Libby, the owner of the bookstore is getting to grips with her new challenge and you just know the baby is going to make an entrance. Noah of course so solid but yet crumbles when Libby goes in to labour.
It was really nice to Head Chef Erin develop with the help of her friends on the lane. Her family really as she feels closer to all of them more so than her biological family. Boyfriend Aaron showed his true colours quite early on and she finds a strength she didn't know she had from somewhere to pick herself up and carry on.
Jo and Lorcan are happy together.
Loved it and loved the community feel to Ivy Lane.
A great story. Ivy lane is amazing . It is a story of following your dreams even when the world seems against you. You felt for Erin at the beginning but she was so strong . I loved the friendships, the food parts. The love between Flora and Harry made you tingle. You could taste the treacle scones and chilled cider. Parents have a lot to answer for. I read it one go. A feel good read with a lovely ending
This is a lovely and heartwarming story of friendship and found family with a lovely little twist at the end that I wasn't expecting. However, it was a very slow read and I do prefer more of a page turner personally. A lovely story none-the-less.
I hadn’t read any other books about Ivy Lane before but that really didn’t matter. Erin Donohue is the Head Chef at the Ivy Inn and lives with boyfriend Aaron. She comes home one night after a shift and finds that Aaron has gone, taking all of his belongings with him. She then decides that she’s not going to wallow in self pity, and with her fabulous friends, she embarks on a new adventure.
I don’t like what happening due the book, it was like i already read it, it was a little that i already know what happening..
Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
3,5* A lovely and nice reading, perfect for a cozy afternoon inside.
A new chapter in the Ivy lane serie.
Erin is the head chef at The Ivy Inn, but her dream is to open a patisserie. When her three year long relationship suddenly ends with no further warning, and a shop in the lane is put up for sale, she feels like it's a sign that's the right moment to follow her dream.
What I enjoyed in this book is the familiar and friendly setting. All the secondary character play a part in this book and it wouldn't be the same without them.
I also appreciated that for once the female main character doesn't relay on a male figure, she has her friend to support her, but there's no knight in a shining armor coming to save the day. There's plenty of romance just not the usual one we're accustomed to about the main character.
I liked the fact that she takes her time to go through her feeling and keep focused on work, though the overthinking is a little too much sometimes...
What left me a little bittersweet is the just under your nose thing, a little too unreal and forced even if left on the side...
I’m on the blog tour.
Enjoyed the first two books in the Ivy Lane series and this is an excellent addition. Nice to find out what is happening to everyone a few months on from book 2. Not a book to read when dieting - so many cakes are mentioned. An enjoyable read full of excellent characters.
This was my first book by Freda Kennedy and it was delightful. Though I believe it is part of a series, I read it as a stand alone and thoroughly enjoyed it. Erin is the Head Chef at the Ivy Inn. She has recently been dumped by her longtime boyfriend Aaron. Her parents are sorry to see him go and think she should work to get him back. They have no respect for her professional accomplishments. Her friends on Ivy Lane, however, rally around her and she takes on a major new career challenge. I loved the sense of community in on Ivy Lane. The story is cozy and has a few unexpected twists. What I especially liked was Erin’s ability to succeed on her own without the need of a man to rescue her. I thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.