A feel good, cozy romance. An easy read, perfect for a summers day.

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley UK for a free ebook in exchange of an honest review.

What a lovely, charming and cosy book about friendship and new beginnings. I love the setting and the small town of Padcock as it really does set the scene. The characters are heart-warming and charming and I loved the relationships and how they developed within the story.

This is certainly a feel good read which will make you smile, laugh and be happy. It is an uplifting and cheerful read that will lift your spirits fore sure.

Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Matilda’s Summer of New Beginnings by Kirsty Ferry is a delightful and heartwarming story about self-discovery, friendship, and second chances. Matilda Matthews, an aspiring artist, is struggling with a series of setbacks—her dreams of showcasing her artwork in a prestigious London exhibition seem to be slipping away after being dumped and watching a rival succeed. In a bid to regain her confidence, Matilda attends a birthday party in the charming village of Padcock, where two famous artists will be attending.

The peaceful village offers her more than she expected, as she begins to develop a deeper connection with Jay, the charming barman at the local inn. When an unexpected bombshell turns her world upside down, Matilda finds herself becoming more attached to Padcock’s quiet charm and Jay’s warm presence. As she reflects on her ambitions, she starts to question whether her dreams of London are truly what will make her happy or if a simpler life, and love with Jay, might be the answer she’s been searching for all along.

Ferry’s writing is warm and inviting, capturing the essence of a small village life while exploring the deeper themes of following one's heart and finding happiness where you least expect it. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the slow-burn romance between Matilda and Jay is both sweet and satisfying. Matilda’s Summer of New Beginnings is the perfect escape for readers who enjoy stories about personal growth, romance, and the joy of new beginnings.

Matilda’s Summer of New Beginnings by Kirsty Ferry is a heartwarming, feel-good romance about finding love and success when you least expect it. Matilda Matthews, reeling from a breakup and a career setback, retreats to the charming village of Padcock for a fresh start. Surrounded by quirky villagers, including the irresistibly charming Jay, she begins to question whether her big city dreams are worth pursuing. With a blend of self-discovery, artistic inspiration, and a blossoming romance, this is a perfect read for those seeking a delightful escape and a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life are right in front of us.

A Brilliant series, which draws you in and makes you want to immerse yourself in the world and visit this fantastic place.

Thank you for the chance to read and review.

In "Matilda's Summer of New Beginnings" by Kirsty Ferry, readers are invited into the vibrant yet challenging world of Matilda Matthews, a young woman grappling with heartbreak and disappointment. Matilda's aspirations of becoming a successful artist are momentarily derailed when she experiences the sting of rejection—both in her personal life and within her professional realm. After being unceremoniously dumped via text and witnessing a rival’s artistic breakthrough in a prestigious London exhibition, Matilda finds herself trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and despair. However, it is through a seemingly simple invitation to a birthday party in the picturesque village of Padcock that her journey of transformation begins. The allure of Padcock is not merely its idyllic setting, but also the presence of two renowned artists whose insights could provide the guidance Matilda desperately craves. This trip becomes a pivotal moment in her life, as it not only offers a distraction from her woes but also serves as a catalyst for her personal growth. The introduction of Jay, her best friend's older brother and the charming barman at the local Spatchcock Inn, adds an intriguing layer to Matilda's experience. Jay’s support and encouragement propel her to embrace her dreams with renewed vigor, demonstrating the importance of friendship and community in overcoming life's challenges. As Matilda immerses herself in the tranquil rhythms of village life, she begins to reassess her ambitions and what truly brings her joy. The unexpected bombshell that further entangles her with the village and with Jay forces Matilda to confront her feelings and the reality of her aspirations. The contrast between the chaotic, competitive world of London and the serene, supportive environment of Padcock prompts her to reflect on her values and long-term happiness. This narrative beautifully illustrates the theme of self-discovery, where Matilda learns that fulfillment may not always align with societal expectations or traditional definitions of success. The story ultimately raises profound questions about the nature of dreams and happiness. Is Matilda's pursuit of a career in the bustling art scene of London truly what she desires, or has her time in Padcock opened her eyes to a different path—that of a simpler, yet more fulfilling life? Through her evolving relationship with Jay, the novel explores the potential for love and connection in unexpected places, suggesting that sometimes the answers we seek lie not in the hustle of our ambitions, but in the warmth of human relationships. Kirsty Ferry masterfully crafts a narrative that resonates with anyone who has faced setbacks and sought to redefine their dreams. Matilda's journey is a reminder that while life's challenges may feel insurmountable, they often lead us to surprising revelations about ourselves. In the end, "Matilda's Summer of New Beginnings" is not just about pursuing artistic dreams; it is about embracing change, finding resilience, and discovering where true happiness resides.

While this was a cute, easy read, it didn't have a hold on me. The plot felt thin and the disagreement with the friend at the beginning (and throughout) was rather confusing and perhaps not as big of a deal as it was made out to be. It made Matilda seem selfish, which may have been the point to see her grow, but it just feel flat for me. I have a mild curiosity for the rest of the series.

*thanks NetGalley and to the author for providing an advance e-reader copy.

I love this series about Padcock, definitely a place you would want to live, and this latest book doesn't disappoint. Full of humour and warmth with great characters it is definitely a real feelgood book. Perfect beach read

Matilda is in the art world and goes to stay in Padcock with friends, after a relationship breakdown. She dreams of having an exhibition of her own, but needs to gain confidence and start to embrace life. Her best friends brother, Jay, opens her eyes to being happy again. I loved the setting, which made you want to move in and the characters are really interesting. I will look out for more by Kirsty Ferry

My first book by Kirsty Ferry.
Loved this story from start to finish. Set in the village of Padcock, which sounds like a lovely place to live! It features characters from the author’s other books about Padcock, but works also as a stand alone novel. I loved the story of how a young artist found her own way in the art world and whether she found love on the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it

This was a great book. I connected with the characters. I felt engrossed with the plot. I would read another book by this author.

I haven’t read the previous books in the series however I don’t feel this was a problem and found this easy to read as a a standalone book. Matilda has just split up with her boyfriend and goes to stay in Padcock with her friend Rosie whose family lives there. Matilda isn’t sure where she wants her career to go but is enjoying being in Padcock especially spending time with Rosie’s Brother Jay. This book takes us on a journey on the relationships that develop during her stay, her career and decisions she makes, along with her part in the community of Padcock where the villagers have made her feel so welcome.
A warm, easy to read story and I will certainly be reading the other books in the series in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Choc Lit/Joffe books for an advance copy with the opinions all my own.

This was a fun, light, enjoyable read. It had a very obvious British feel and reminded me a bit of Bridget Jones. Not a whole lot of drama, but nicely-paced with original characters. Basically a romance, but mostly clean and wholesome. Expected ending, but it's that type of book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cozy, heartwarming book. I really enjoyed it!

Matilda lives with her best friend Rosie in a London Flat. She is an aspiring artist who doesn't seem to be able to get ahead. Meanwhile, her life-long friend Adrien has an opportunity to exhibit his art work in a new gallery. After hearing this news along with being dumped by her boyfriend, Matilda needs a change of scenery. She goes to Padcock with Rosie to celebrate her brother's birthday. Jay is turning 30 years old and a big party is planned for him. Matilda has known Jay for years and years, but she is now admitting to herself that she has feelings for him. Does he feel the same about her? Does Padcock offer her an opportunity for a new life? She loves the people and the quaintness of the town and of course Jay lives and works there. I liked this novel so much, that I will now read the first three novels in the Padcock series. I am sure I will get to know some of the other characters who appeared in this book much better. I am anxious to do just that.

Enjoyable cozy story, plenty of emotions all in a lovely setting. I didn't realise it was part of a series and can be read as a stand-alone. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

I just couldn't get into this book and since I would have marked it as less than three stars, I didn't post about it on my socials.

Anyone who dedicates a book to their family and dog is *chef's kiss*.

I read this as a standalone (since I didn't realize this was part of a series) and was able to jump in.

This is a cozy read, uplifting, second chance vibe.

Slow burn, small town feel good book. Great for a book club.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely LOVE small town cozy romances and Matilda’s Summer of New Beginnings delivered!

Matilda was dumped in the worst way possible, by text message.. This story follows her as she makes decisions about the trajectory of her life now.

This is technically a part of a series, but I read it as a stand alone and enjoyed it all the same.

I thoroughly enjoyed this advance reader copy and would recommend it to anyone who loves cozy romance and second chances.

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

This is the story of Matilda who is an artist, and has dreams that she wants to fulfill, her friend Damien who she’s known since childhood is also an artist and they have always tried to prove to each other that they can do better.

But after Damien, in his bid to do better than her, takes it too far, Matilda decides to go away from London.

She travels to Padcock, the place where Jay lives the village where her flatmate and best friends brother Jay lives.

Will being in the village and taking part in their events help Matilda to make her dreams come true and whether a life in London is what she really wants?

I loved the characters and I loved the village of Padcock.

I recommend this book.