#blogtour

Rosie feels she has a pretty good life. She lives with her Mum and runs the Willowdale Hall Riding Stables. She loves teaching children to ride horses. However, when her boss, the mostly grumpy Hubert Cranleigh has an accident, she finds herself facing the one person she had never wanted to see again and their arrival threatens not only her livelihood but also her home.

I have quickly grown to love the worlds that Jessica Redland creates. There is something a little magical about them. A Breath of Fresh Air is the second in the Escape to the Lakes series. I have not read the first book (not sure how this happened,) and if you find yourself in the same situation, A Breath of Fresh Air can be read as a standalone.


Rosie is a lovely character with a lot of warmth and passion. When everything she holds dear is threatened, she does all she can to save it.

Oliver. Oh, Oliver. Is there more to him than meets the eye? Well, it's something I hope you'll find out for yourself. I can't talk too much without giving things away.

The setting is beautiful and vivid. I could feel myself there.

The plot moves well and I devoured this book in almost one sitting, like I do with a lot of Jessica Redland's novels. Even with new characters, it's like I am visiting friends.

There's some serious themes tackled, such as mental health and having experienced some of the issues within this book, I think it was done with much sensitivity.

I am also really hoping that this isn't the last we see of Rosie, Oliver, Autumn, Dane and Alice especially with how the book ended. When you read, you'll understand what I mean.

Another wonderful, warm novel from Jessica Redland that's full of love, humour and friendship. It teaches us that things aren't always as they seem and that everything you want may be in front of you all along.

EXCERPT: 'I'm deflecting because . . .' She looked around for Toffee who, presumably sensing Mam was getting distressed, rose from her position behind the sofa and placed her head on Mam's lap.
As Mam caressed Toffee's hair and ears, she visibly relaxed. 'I've decided it's time.'
'For what?' I asked biting into a sausage roll.
'To tell you the truth about your father.'

ABOUT 'A BREATH OF FRESH AIR': Rosie feels like there's something missing in her life.

She loves her job as the manager of Willowdale Hall Riding Stables, caring for the horses and teaching children to ride, and she loves the home she shares with her mother in the beautiful Lake District. But she can't help wondering how her life might look if things had been different. What if her father had been around to help care for her mother? And what if she'd found someone special herself?

When Hubert Cranleigh - the owner of Willowdale Hall - is taken ill, his son Oliver steps into the breach. Brooding and distant, Rosie is furious when he claims not to know who she is. Especially when they have a history.

Rosie's life is about to be turned upside down, but with the New Year comes new opportunities. What Rosie feels is missing from her life might be closer than she thinks, and with more significant consequences than she could ever have imagined...

MY THOUGHTS: Jessica Redland! How could you finish this on such a cliffhanger! I need to know what Rosie knows. I need to know who C is! Have you been dropping hints along the way and I have missed the significance of them? Or is this going to be a bolt out of the blue? I hope you are hard at work on Escape to the Lakes #3. I need answers!

A Breath of Fresh Air is Alice and Rosie's story. We first met them in Escape to the Lakes #1 The Start of Something Wonderful, which focused on Rosie's friend Autumn, an as yet unpublished author and illustrator of children's books.

I had all the emotions reading this. Rosie has never known her father and has lived her whole life in Willowdale. At school she was subjected to bullying. She's had to deal with her mother's PTSD, and had her heart broken. She has always felt like an outsider, her only friend a childhood penpal, Autumn, who has recently moved to the village.

Despite having been bullied, Rosie is a strong and compassionate character. She loves her work as manager of a riding stable and living at Horseshoe Cottage with her mam. She has a great sense of humor (she belongs to a pub quiz team called Numpties who are usually last or close to it) but other than the pub quiz nights, doesn't have much of a social life. Her employer is a rude and arrogant man whom she privately calls 'his lordship.' His unexpected death brings about a whole world of change for Rosie and she feels her comfortable existence is under threat, especially when her first love Oliver (it ended badly) returns to her life.

There are quite a few mysteries in A Breath of Fresh Air: who is the 'green man'?; who is Rosie's father?; and there's also a mystery surrounding Oliver which I am not going into for fear of spoilers.

I enjoyed this read greatly. It is full of love and caring. Secrets are revealed along with true feelings. And at least some of the mysteries are solved.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#ABreathofFreshAir #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: I was born in Teesside but now live in Scarborough on the stunning North Yorkshire Coast. My home inspired the creation of the fictional seaside town of Whitsborough Bay where I set many of my books.

I live with my husband, our teenage daughter and sprocker spaniel, Ella. I'm a self-confessed stationery addict with a ridiculously large collection of notepads who loves chocolate (although it doesn't love me), hedgehogs, 80s music, collectible teddy bears and lighthouses.

Other than a career detour into retail to set up and run my own teddy bear shop (the inspiration for novel Bear With Me), I've always worked in HR, specialising in resourcing, coaching and L&D. Writing always had to take a back seat to the day job until June 2020 when I left the world of HR to become a full-time author. I'm so very grateful to anyone who has bought or borrowed my books in whatever format, helping me fulfil a long-held dream of writing full-time. I still can't believe I get to spend every day chatting to my fictional friends and making stuff up.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books vis NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of A Breath of Fresh Air by Jessica Redland for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Fresh air... Folks who care...
Family history... Helps solve a mystery...
Two teen romances... Given second chances...
Folks fate tore apart ... Get a fresh start!
Great read ... Just what I need!

All her friends now seem to be in a pair
But for Rosie her Mum is in need of care.
She has no partner with whom to share
Maybe because past hurt makes her beware?

When his Lordship is seriously injured in a fall
His son, Oliver, returns to Willowdale Hall.
He hasn't been back for a decade or two
Rosie is unsure just what he'll decide to do.

A story where Rosie's Mum has secrets to reveal
Including Rosie's father's name she chose to conceal.
Oliver also has secrets of his own, too,
And reasons for all he put Rosie through.

A great read with mysteries and family histories,
A great community, friendships and unity,
Secrets uncovered and answers discovered,
And new chances for heartwarming romances!

I'm really enjoying this series, the community and more
But need the next book now to explore!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

A Breath Of Fresh Air written by Jessica Redland is the second book in the Escape To The Lakes series. Prior to requesting this book, I had no clue it was the second book in the series. To me this book started off a bit slow, maybe because I hadn't read the first book, but then it started picking up pace. I had never read a book by Jessica Redland before this one, but it certainly won't be my last. I fell in love with the setting, and even the characters. This book was so uplifting in so many ways, the energy from the characters was immaculate. I truly enjoyed how the characters helped each other out in the time of need. Despite this book going between then and now, there's some misunderstandings from the first book that I had missed since I didn't read it. The characters were easy to follow, but the arguments and the misunderstandings between them were very evident. I loved this book, but the cliffhanger at the end needs me wanting book three immediately, but before starting book three, I need to go back and read the first book to understand all the baggage the characters are carrying around on their shoulders. A Breath Of Fresh Air is Rosie and her mom's story, but it also shows parts of Rosie and Oliver, characters from the first book i'm assuming.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND BOLDWOOD BOOKS FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!

Absolutely EXCELLENT. I adored returning to the lakes. Jessica Redland writes so perfectly and compassionately about serious topics. Cannot wait for the next instalment!

Book two in this series set in the Lake District. I really enjoyed book one, Autumn and Danes story, but enjoyed Rosie and Oliver’s story more, perhaps because the supporting characters are now known to me. As usual in Jessica’s stories, the plot has many twists and turns, sensitive subjects are handled sympathetically and the research Jessica puts into her stories shows in a beautifully curated book. Within this book, Rosie’s mums health issues are explained fully , and the mystery of the green man becomes clear. Rosie’s mum also gets the help she needs to start the healing process
Characters are well developed , and this is a book which draws the reader in from the start and you don’t want it to end
Highly Recommended, a brilliant read and an exciting cliffhanger to the next book at the end. This cliffhanger is not part of the main book , so if you don’t want to know , don’t read it !
Many Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Jessica Redland for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

This is a gorgeous visit to the lakes and a great second book in the new series from Jessica Redland.
Rosie and her mum have eachother and the beautiful home in the Lakes but is it enough? Secrets, heartbreak and memories from the past keep rising to the surface and both of them need to understand what has happened to be able to move on.
As always Jessica Redland has written and emotional and heartfelt story full of love- Rosie and her mum have a wonderful relationship and this definitely felt like the backbone to the story - with their love and support for eachother flowing through each page.

Wow, what a beautiful instalment to another fantastic series! I really enjoyed Autumn and Dane's story, but Rosie and Oliver's has just been breath-taking! The love and the pain interwoven within both of their lives caused for such an enthralling and devastating read. Reading Rosie's school flashbacks created such a huge connection for me, as my school life was a difficult time as well and being able to connect to characters personally is always one of my favourite parts of reading. Rosie and Oliver's story was complex to say the least but when secrets unravelled, Oliver's story made a lot more sense and broke my heart slightly. But it ended beautifully and I was so happy to see them finally living their happy beginnings. I was very excited to get back into the mystery of Rosie's mam's accident and the green man, but never would have guessed the plot twist that came with it! Just when you thought these stories couldn't link up any more, the last bomb dropped just well and truly tied their connections together. How about that cliff-hanger too!? I can't wait for book 3 to see the next mystery unravel!

With former penfriend Autumn now living nearby, Rosie has the support and friendship she’s always been lacking – although she has a particularly close relationship with her mother, unable to leave the Willowdale estate after a traumatic event that impacted her mental health. Although she’d like to know more, she’s never pushed her mother to reveal the identity of her father – for each other, they’re enough. And she has a real attachment to the horses she cares for at the stables and riding school – although its owner, Hubert Cranleigh, living in isolation at the Hall, can sometimes be both difficult and demanding. But they can live with that – he’s allowed them to live in their cottage on the estate, and Rosie is doing a job she loves.

The stability of their lives is disrupted by an unfortunate event, the arrival of Hubert’s son Oliver, and the possibility of change. He was once her childhood friend, but it’s a friendship that fell apart in their teens – when he became part of “the Populars” at school, and Rosie struggled with bullying and isolation. They became closer again, but he left for university in the wake of an argument, and hasn’t returned in the intervening years – and it’s particularly hurtful when he apparently doesn’t recognise her when they first meet again.

The story moves seamlessly backwards and forwards in time, as we discover what really went on in those childhood years – and a number of other dramatic secrets are uncovered, unsettling everyone while the uncertainties about the future remain ever present. It’s a particularly involving story, with a number of unfolding threads – and with the strong emotional content that the author always handles so very well. I really must mention the excellent sense of place throughout the story too – her love for the Lakes comes through in every setting and vista she describes so vividly.

Rosie and her mother are both sympathetic and likeable – but all the character development is really excellent, as truths are revealed and back stories explained. There’s a lovely focus on friendship – the warm support from Autumn (someone I already loved from the first book in the series, but this book can most certainly be read as a standalone), the tentative bridge-building with Oliver, and I really enjoyed the quiz nights at the local pub – and family, as Rosie seeks to protect her mother from the devastation that eviction from their home would cause.

There’s always a particular warmth about the author’s writing – her characters become friends, and you really grow to care about them. And she’s a wonderful storyteller, whether it’s life’s dramas or those special moments that touch you to the heart. A book I very much enjoyed – and I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.

This is the second book in Jessica’s Escape to the Lakes series. I read the first one when it came out and absolutely loved it, and I have been looking forward to this story ever since.

In the first book, the main character featured was Autumn who moved to the Lake District and met her penpal Rosie. This book is Rosie’s story, so you meet already familiar characters, but have a different focus. It can be read as a standalone, but I’d definitely recommend reading the first book before, so you know the whole picture (and because The Start of Something Wonderful is a great read too!). We continue to see Autumn throughout, so you get to see what’s happening in her life too.

The story is told in first person from Rosie’s view. She is thirty-six, lives with her mother Alice and is single. She works full-time as the manager of the local riding school, which she loves, but seeing Autumn in her new relationship (and other happy couples) causes her to question if she would be happier in a relationship herself. Having no family besides her mother also makes her think about her life and who her father was.

It's really easy to get into the story, I was hooked straight away and wanted to know what was going to happen. I always love revisiting characters from previous books, as it’s like catching up with old friends over coffee and Jessica Redland is excellent at making her characters completely real and believable.

I enjoyed the scenes set at the riding stables. I learned to ride at the age of 48 and the novel brought back some nice memories, including the smell of the stables which I had forgotten about until reading Jessica’s words. There are a couple of lovely dogs in the story too.

Another aspect I enjoyed was The Hardy Herdwick pub’s Thursday night quiz with landlord and quiz master Arnie leading the proceedings. I loved following the quiz nights, especially when I got some of the answers right!

I always love the settings in Jessica Redland’s books and here we have the beautiful Lake District which I have only visited once in the 1990s, but it’s great to travel there again via this series and I can always picture everything so easily with Jessica’s evocative writing.

The estate where Rosie and her mother live is owned by Hubert Cranleigh and in this book, we meet his grandson Oliver, who is nearly thirty-six. He has history with Rosie, but appears not to recognise her when he sees her again. I loved how this book answered some questions from the first one. We find out more about the Cranleigh family, as well as discovering about Rosie’s background and her mother Alice’s life before.

Overall, this is another excellent read and I can’t fault it. Over the last couple of years, Jessica Redland has become my favourite author and I now can’t wait for Book 3 in this series.

I love a Jessica Redland book & this was brilliant. The second book in the series & continued the story in the lakes, focusing on the life of Rosie & her mam. So much has happened in their lives, but they continue their day-to-day life running the stables at Willowdale Hall.
So much happens & the book is left on a cliffhanger! Please hurry up with the next in the series, please.

This is the second book in the Escape to the Lakes series by Jessica Redland. The author writes such brilliant books, I especially loved her hedgehog series. Another animal series would be most welcome. Recently I read her cat Christmas book, recommended. As you can probably see by my words, I really enjoy this author's writing. The author's books are uplifting, full of energy, love, and community. I really enjoyed the setting of Willowdale Hall Riding Stables, the horses all sounded so lovely. Riding anyone? I want to visit Willowdale Hall, the lovely estate along with Willowdale Hall Riding Stables on the property Rosie and her mom live on. I liked the characters a lot in this book, except for one, not too nice person. This is Rosie and her moms' story but also Rosie and Oliver's story. This is about how Rosie and Oliver meet again after some years. There book has such a connection between past and present, it's evident right away. Some mistakes and misunderstandings in the past are still influencing present happenings. The story is full of love, compassion, understandings, helping others in their time of need and you know the characters will continue to be there in the future for each other when help is needed. Some big secrets are revealed, and I think that's good, it explains a lot and helps the characters to progress in life. There is a cliff hanger at the very end, and I can't wait to read the next book to see how this is revolved.

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

This is the 2nd book in the Lake District trilogy and the main character in this one is Rosie who we met in book 1. We read about Rosie's current day life and also her earlier years. Throughout that time her love interest is Oliver, the son of the estate owner, Hubert Cranleigh, who she and her mum work for. Hubert isn't a nice man and it also took me a while to like Oliver who has treated Rosie badly in both past and present times. He was initially very unpleasant but I tended to like him more as the book progressed. I loved all the rest of the characters and the story had me enthralled. I didn't want it to end. Speaking of the ending, it did finish on a huge cliffhanger but that's fine by me as my appetite is thoroughly whetted for book 3. I can't wait to see what else is in store for these characters. Another fabulous story from Jessica who never lets me down. I adore her books. My thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC which I happily and voluntarily review.

What can I say about this latest offering from Jessica? Absolutely loved it! Certainly more deserving than the five stars that I can award it.

This such a fantastic book, emotional, heartbreaking but also heartwarming and joyful in places. It is the second book in the Willowdale series
Ot can be read as a standalone novel but I would definitely recommend starting at the beginning of the series as the first book is amazing.
This book follows Rosie and her Mother Alice who we met in the first book. We are introduced to some new characters including Oliver, the Owner of Willowdale. We also catch up with Autumn and Dale who are the protagonists in the first book.
There was a lot of drama in this book, it was a real emotional rollercoaster of a read but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The ending though! I really need to read the next part of the series to find out the answers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood books for my ARC.

Escape to the picturesque Lake District with Jessica Redland's latest novel, A Breath of Fresh Air.

Follow Rosie, who's in charge of managing the stables on a majestic estate, and her mother Alice. But when the estate's owner Hubert falls ill, his son Oliver takes over and everything is put at risk.

It's a story of finding hope and turning things around in the New Year.

Jessica's writing draws readers in, making them feel like they're part of the story. Don't miss out on this wonderful breath of fresh air – get your copy today!

This is the second title in the Willowdale series and follows on the story of pen-pals, and now best friends, Rosie and Autumn. A Breath of Fresh Air focuses on Rosie's story, who starts to question her life choices and future path once her friends start settling down. Rosie has always been content being single, living with her beloved mum and running the Willowdale Hall riding stables - but is it really enough for her? Has Rosie put others' needs before her own for long enough?

What I really enjoy about Jessica Redland's books is that they don't dwell too much on the romantic side of things (as in real life). There's big helpings of family, friends and relationships, and the stories feature real life situations and challenges.

This is a great book for a new year read, full of positivity but with plenty to sink your teeth into,

Another great installment of Escape to the Lakes by Jessica Redland. This is the second volume from this series and continues the story of Rosie and her Mam and keeps us up to date with Autumn from the first book.

I enjoyed the deep dive into Alice's story and finding some answers about her history. Alice has a sad past and Redland manages to tell her story in such a believable way, it's heart wrenching! The rekindling of Rosie's connection with her childhood friend Oliver is equally fascinating and has twists and turns along the way too.

The descriptive writing makes this cosy read a great start to the New Year and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger leaving the reader waiting for the next volume.

Firstly, this may be the second instalment in a series but please be assured that you can read this as a standalone story. Jessica is a wonderful storyteller who gently recaps as she weaves her magic. Of course, I would definitely recommend catching up if you can.
When we first met Rosie, it was as the penfriend and ultimately best friend of Autumn. Rosie lived with her mother acting as her carer as she battled with mental health issues. Rosie was raised exclusively by her mother and has never been given the identity of her father and is mostly contented with that situation.

Like most girls, I grew up with a passion for horses and like many, that passion gave way to other interests. However, I still wish that I had followed my childhood dreams as Rosie’s job sees her running the local riding school. I found real pleasure in reading about the details of the horses and riders. Sadly, I’ll probably never ride again, but loved living vicariously through Rosie’s story.

The other side to this story is Willowdale Hall and its often-unpleasant owner, Hubert Cranleigh often referred to as ‘His Lordship’, by Rosie and her mother. Despite being singularly grumpy and impossible, he has shown kindness to them, and they have enjoyed a home and regular employment for years. After being taken ill, Hubert’s son, Oliver arrives and memories of their childhood friendship conflict Rosie’s thoughts.

This is another massive story that scoops up many of the loose ends from the last book yet introduces threads that will take us into the next instalment effortlessly. There’s a comfort in Jessica Redland’s writing that assures the reader that despite an often-bleak landscape, there will be sunny skies ahead. The skill with which we revisit characters from an earlier instalment is finely honed and I thoroughly enjoyed quiz nights.

The setting is my happy place, and the character development is excellent. If this is your first book from Jessica or if you are a devoted fan, I can promise that you will be thrilled that you chose to take a breath of fresh air.

Miss Redland, what are you doing to me? I need a followup ASAP!!! That cliffhanger!!! I really enjoyed A Breath of Fresh Air. I liked Rosie when we were introduced to her in the previous book so I was excited to read her story. Like with all of Jessica's books, there's heartache but it's always done with such tact. I had my suspicions about a certain plot twist since the previous book. It took me a little while to warm to Oliver but once I heard his back story my heart broke for him. These characters came to life for me and I'm sad to leave them behind, if only for a little while. I'll be very impatiently waiting for the the next release.