This book was such a wonderful read from an author I hadn’t come across before but will definitely keep an eye on from now on. The story is heartwarming, uplifting, and thoroughly engaging. Set in a picturesque and idyllic setting, it’s beautifully written with a smooth and natural style. The characters feel authentic and relatable, and their experiences are both believable and emotionally resonant. A book I can wholeheartedly recommend!

A lovely heartwarming read. It's written so beautifully and is all about friendships, close families, love, grief .

This book made me cry. Knowing that a loved one is going to die and being unable to do anything about it resonated so much with me. The characters were believable and I would thoroughly recommend this book.

This was a sweet and cozy book set in France which was a lovely setting. It follows several characters but each of them was interesting and I like how they were all woven together. The story is very gentle but tackles some trickier themes such as death. I enjoyed it but found it a bit too ‘perfect’ in places. It was a nice winter’s read.

A beautifully written story about friendship, grief and love. I enjoyed this book from start to finish. I was only a few chapters in and I was fully immersed in the story. With thanks to Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review. Highly recommended.

Two people going on a journey….a journey that can change their lives.
Loss
Love
Grief
Second chances
A beautiful story about finding your way.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I did not enjoy this book as it had far too many POVs. I am not a big fan of books with more than 2 POVs but also I found the characters to be a bit dull, didn't see the spark in the romance and just felt it dragged on a bit.

I really enjoyed this with each character becoming linked to the next through friendships and relationships this deals with some heavy topics but does it in such a well written way highly recommend.

I enjoyed The Making of Us. It was a quick, easy read, that I read in one sitting.

I loved the cute French setting, and the characters were likable.
The storyline was sweet, but a little boring in parts.
I liked that it was told from a few different perspectives. My favourite perspective was Fay. Her story felt more real to me.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but not overly memorable.

3 Stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Debbie Howells for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A charming story about love and fate! When I turned the last page, I quite honestly wanted to cry because this was out-of-this world amazing.
 
The storyline was just oh so perfect! My favorite thing about it was the beautiful reminder that no matter what, no matter how many signs you ignore, fate will always step in and show you something you have no choice but to acknowledge. It’s like the red string theory; it’s beautiful and emotional and heartfelt. It warmed my heart in so many ways.
 
While I loved this, I’m rating it a 4.5 because it just doesn’t quite feel like a five-star read, but I may come back and change my mind! I’m very indecisive about these things.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮!

It is a moment that will change everything. But Ned is heading to see his dying mother, and Stevie is returning to France to escape a terrible loss in her past. Neither of them can think about that tiny flame that just flickered between them.

But then their paths keep crossing, leading them both to the same beautiful community garden in a small French village; run by a mysterious old man named Zeke – a man with many of his own secrets.

As it becomes clear that fate is going to keep bringing them together – the two of them have to ask – are they ready for a happy-ever-after? Do they even know how to find it?

As the seeds grow into plants and flowers all around them, Stevie begins to wonders if Zeke – and his garden – might just have the answers…


I really enjoyed this story. Cannot wait to read more from the author. Will recommend to others.

Captivating from the first word this is a great big emotional roller coaster of a book that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. As always it is beautifully written and I for one didn’t want it to end. Couldn’t recommend it enough

I lovely, heart warming story set in France. I laughed at the way foreigners were depict and enjoyed this lovely story. Happy and sad in equal measure.

This was an emotional page turner about friendship, family, farming and the fragility of life.

It is a book about different people whose lives are connected in a roundabout sort of way. I loved all of the characters and how the author has made them into something real. There are no airs around any of them. They could be friends or even your neighbours.

The village setting was good and the author captured succinctly the French’s feelings about the English and other visitors.

I loved that this book gives me food for thought and brings back memories of loved ones gone past.

This is a book I highly recommend.

Debbie Howells has written a moving story of why we are better together. Stevie and Ned meet on a flight to France. It is a case of bad timing or will their path's cross for good?

I loved that this was just not a love story but also a story of community and formed family. Zeke and his community garden plots added such a richness to this story that I think elevated the book.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Possible triggers: Sudden loss, parental loss, cancer diagnosis

I loved this story. It touched my heart, brought tears to my eyes, made me smile, and warmed my heart. I fell in love with the characters especially Ned and Stevie. I cheered them on as they discovered themselves and their friendship.

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. This book was phenomenal from the very first page and I found myself reading it late at night when I was wide awake and I could not put it down. It's written so beautifully and is all about friendships, close families, love, grief .. Loved it so much!! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this widget - I will recommend it to everyone.

First we meet Stevie who has lost both parents in a plane crash. After sorting out everything she feels lost. She is at the airport going to France where she went on holiday with her parents when she was younger. She is terrified to fly.
She meets Ned and finds he is also on the flight sitting next to her. She gives him the boom she is reading when they land in France.
Ned is going to his Mother's birthday party. He is an aspiring musician but feels his parents disapprove.
He and his sister discover their mother is ill and doesnt have long left. Ned cdecides to spend as much time as he can sith her.
This story is told in 4 pov. Stevie, Ned also Fay who has a holiday home there and has always been the dutiful wife but wants something for herself now and Zeke who has the allotments he is also living with a tragedy.
Gradually these people's lives intertwine..
I really loved the characters and the way the story flowed and the way people helped one another. It was heartwarming to see them grow.
I liked Olivier and Nicole and also the way Nicole rescued Merlot the abused dog.
I liked the multiple pov. The book reflected hope, love and a sense of belonging. It was also tinged with sadness.
I really loved this book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley.

Debbie Howells is a fantastic writer and The Making of Us proved to me yet again why I keep returning to her books. This is such a beautiful tale, full of heartbreak, loss, being true to yourself, grasping at the life you are given. I couldn’t put this down, it’s had a hold of my heart abd wouldn’t let me go.

I appreciated the multiple point of views used by the author, as I always adore seeing the story for multiple perspectives as well as getting it to the heart of the characters more too. This was a joy to read, literally, a it put hope back into my heart and lately I’ve really needed that’s.

The Making of Us is a story full of heart, seizing new chances, loveand of hope. Debbie Howell’sgivesus a story that is moving abd deals with challenging issues abs she treats them with such sensitivity and feeling. Simply beautiful.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Little choices can have a huge impact,
This brilliant read portrays that fact.
It follows folk who didn't know each other
But links grow readers soon discover.

A flight to escape grief and memories, too,
A journey to make a start that is new.
Looking for happy thoughts from the past
Hoping to move on to the future at last.

A stranger's hand to hold on the flight
Somehow that feels just so right.
When fate brings them together once more
Maybe they'll be things they need to explore.

A story where links develop, new friends and more
A sense of community and life twists to explore.
A truly heartwarming read despite grief and heartbreak
Making the most of opportunities you can take.

A story of life, full of its twists and turns, too,
Sharing joy, grief, feelings and possibilities that are new.
A moving, emotional and uplifting read
A look at how experiences help in times of need.

For my copy of this brilliant book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.