*4 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

A very interesting read with interesting characters. Bertha wasn't a very nice person, especially to her three children. Cathy was able to tolerate her more than anyone because Bertha was such a manipulator and very hurtful in the things she would say and do. But Cathy was grateful for Bertha's antics, especially when Guy turned up. By the end of the book you will understand why Bertha turned out the way she did. I thought the ending was nice. Would recommend.

A touching exploration of love, grief and the search for personal redemption. The story centers around the Walker family but mostly Cathy and Alfie, who embark on a journey of self-discovery in the aftermath of profound life changes. Alfie struggles to maintain his own identity and happiness while trying to ensure Cathy’s happiness.
The narrative is full of emotional depth, the complexities of human relationships and tackles difficult subjects. Each character lends something to this story of hope and healing, even Bertha.
I was completely immersed in this heartfelt story and felt a connection to the characters and their struggles. Everyone needs a sanctuary whether it’s emotional peace, a physical place or both.
This book will stay with me for a long time. One of the best books I’ve read this year!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cathy has found sanctuary from a past trauma living on boyfriend Alfie's family farm. When Alfie buys Cathy a gift and some mysterious portraits are discovered, Cathy decides to try to discover who the artist is, and who the women in the artworks are. Subsequently, she discovers truths about Alfie's controlling mother Bertha.

I love this author's work, but found this book harder to get into. I found it oppressive at times which cleverly reflected Cathy's feelings, but made it harder to read. I wasn't expecting the twist during the book, and did feel the conclusion to the twist and the book was a little rushed. A definite family saga, I'm glad I read the book as Patricia Dixon is a must-read author for me, but this isn't one of my favourites of her books.

This is a thought provoking read that addresses lots of real life issues and brings them to the fore including talking about a real life event that happened in a very sensitive way as this is introduced to us as part of one of the characters back story.

There are lots of sub stories intertwined within this read which are well put together and make this an engaging read

‼️Out today ‼️. Sypnosis - Haunted by a past trauma, Cathy yearns for sanctuary away from city life. She finds it with her boyfriend Alfie, at Blacksheep Farm, a haven in the Peaks of Derbyshire.
But their peace is blighted by Bertha, the cold-hearted matriarch of Alfie’s family, who is hell-bent on keeping control of the farm – and her children.
When a collection of hidden portraits is found by Alfie, Cathy is drawn to their mysterious beauty and embarks on a quest to return them to their owner. But her journey threatens to unearth long-buried secrets and tear her new life apart.
As she delves deeper into the past, Cathy confronts the manipulative hold of Bertha, as well as a secret linked to Bertha’s past…. ‼️ MY THOUGHTS ‼️. Don’t let this little gem of a book fool you when you first start reading it. I was thinking ok, I know where this is going to play out, a nice cosy read …. Eh well no!! I couldnt put it down and it was not the straightforward storyline I expected. There was sadness, happiness & excitement … oh and heart in mouth moments!!
I got so excited half way through, I messaged the author at an ungodly hour 🤣🫣. Definitely in my ‘I won’t forget this book’ list! Remember @trishydauthor Cathy needs another book 🤣❤️. #Patriciadixon #bookstagram #followback #myself #likes #bloodhound #bloodhoundbooks

I usually really enjoy this authors books and am surprised that Sanctuary didn't quite hit the mark with me. I felt the story got off to a very slow start so it took me a while to become fully immersed in it, and whilst I did like this read, it didn't wow me or become the page turner I hoped for. I had difficulty liking and relating to the characters initially, and hated one with a passion. The story centres around a family farm, its occupants and their relationships with each other. I think this can be best described as a family saga that is full of tension, lies, secrets and atmosphere. The story does pick up pace in the second half and goes off in a surprising direction although at times I felt the story was a little to long and could have been shorterned without losing anything from the plot. The ending really suits the story and gives good closure. Not my favourite book by this author although I'd probably still recommend it.

3 stars

Sanctuary by Patricia Dixon was a book that will have you gripped from the beginning till the very end. It is gripping contemporary novel about secrets and escaping your fears. Cathy is haunted by a past trauma, and yearns for sanctuary away from city life. She has finally found it with her boyfriend Alfie, at Blacksheep Farm, a haven in the Peaks of Derbyshire.

Sadly this does not last and their peace is blighted by Bertha, the cold-hearted matriarch of Alfie’s family, who is hell-bent on keeping control of the farm and her children.

A collection of hidden portraits is found by Alfie, Cathy is drawn to their mysterious beauty and embarks on a quest to return them to their owner. This is a journey that threatens to unearth long-buried secrets and tear her new life apart. WoW...........

As Cathy delves deeper, she confronts the manipulative hold of Bertha, as well as a secret linked to Bertha's past….....

Will Cathy’s pursuit of the truth expose them all to the very darkness she is seeking to escape?

Or

Could it bring hope and rewrite the story for everyone at Blacksheep Farm?

This book was so good I ended up reading it in 1 day....I loved it

This was such a a disappointment as her other books have been so good. This one was so slow to get going and I really didn't like the story of the characters much. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

As much as I tried, I just couldn’t get into this book like I have done with so many other reads from this author. You cannot ignore the oppressive atmosphere that Dixon establishes from the very beginning of the novel and, whilst it is pivotal to the narrative itself, found it dragged the story down too much and made for a very slow read.

I thought Dixon’s writing style was still very much top-notch but it was the plot itself that I struggled with. The cover reminded me of one of Dixon’s previous novels and I guess I was anticipating something that was equally heart-warming. But this never came. Instead, we follow Cathy and Alfie who are merely existing, living under the domineering and cruel matriarch of the family – Bertha. She is literally the wicked witch of the North and everything that comes out of her mouth is vitriolic. She is a nightmare yet, Cathy and Alfie seem beholden to her on Blacksheep Farm. They are unable to move out due to various reasons and Bertha has a magical forcefield over them, ensuring her son and his partner remain at her beck and call on a dying farm.

These characters are simply existing and it is like a chess game, waiting for the next person’s move. Undoubtedly, Dixon’s characterisation is particularly powerful as I felt the shivers that Cathy experienced every time she had to confront Bertha. Like Alfie’s siblings, I quickly grew to despise Bertha but was always curious about what hatred she would spew next! It was definitely a love-hate relationship with this character, although I can’t say I ever sympathised with her, even at the very end of the novel.

For me, there was too much going on in this narrative. I thought it would be a family drama but it is so stagnant on the farm that the plot did not hold my interest. Then the significance of the discovered paintings made me wonder if Dixon would follow her tried and tested psychological thriller roots; again, this never fully developed. The holiday of a lifetime is glossed over and I didn’t feel Guy’s character was fully exploited to his potential. Instead, we, like the characters, remain trapped at the farm with Bertha, Cathy and Alfie.

Whilst the farm is their sanctuary, it symbolises a prison that the characters need to escape from. Despite their attempts, Bertha always manages to bring them back under her control. I really wished for the characters to show strength like Albie and Ann, and was especially frustrated by Cathy’s constant pleasantries, even when it is clear that Bertha is taking advantage of her.

I liked the reference made to the bumble bee and the significance of it to Manchester. I thought it interesting how parallels could be made with the situation at Blacksheep Farm and thought this added an extra layer to the story. Furthermore, it is a part of Cathy’s past, making her less like a Bronte character and more similar to Bertha than she originally realises.

Overall, this was a well written story but not one that grabbed me. I felt overpowered by Bertha’s character and found it to be too much of an oppressive story.

With thanks to Bloodhound books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Patricia Dixpn has such a beautiful way with words. It makes her books so emotional in tune, and somehow personal. It lends itself to any book or set of characters she dreams up. She's one of very few who I think gets it spot on every time. To the point I always wonder myself, far to often, of Patricia's own story! And thinking she must have something in her life that helped her become so emotionally aware. And this is a strength. Certainly when it comes to writing emotionally gripping novels.
I wanted to know more about the characters. And my opinions went up and down throughout of certain ones! But a story they all had.
I could sense exactly the scenery around the farm and it gave a great depth to the story.

Well this story was definitely a real page-turner. I was completely invested in this storyline from the first chapter. The Walker family were all such different characters, all with their own intriguing backgrounds with Bertha “the mother” being the central point. My opinion of her varied throughout the entire book making me angry and tearful, you’ll see as soon as you read it, what a character!! Any story featuring a dog always melts my heart so i knew it was going to be a winner. Be warned, all the housework and any other chores will have to wait as soon as you pick up this book, it will certainly take you on an emotional rollercoaster. The talented author has once again produced a masterpiece, thank you for writing this for us Patricia!! It’s 6 ⭐️’s from me.

Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

This is a powerful book, a sweeping family saga in which secrets are gradually revealed and history impacts the present. It covers hard hitting topics and the cast of characters are complex. An emotive story from an expert storyteller.

Set in Derbyshire, Black Sheep Farm is cobtrolled and ruled by Bertha. her son Alfie and his girlfriend Cathy have found a collection of portraits and Alfie and Cathy soon find there are many secrets about the farm and Bertha.

This is a chilling read with some dark aspects but there are a dew heartfelt moments which made me love this read more than I thought I would.

Cathy is a great character and Bertha is a total contrast.

I loved it

This book was a good story! It had a lot of emotion and feelings here, and it was written in a beautiful writing style by this author. I really enjoyed the characters in this book, and the pacing is pretty good! I enjoyed it and it was a quick read!!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

A beautifully written chilling novel that will give you everything you want and more. Secrets to uncover galore in this!! Loved it !!

Secret's and escaping your fears
A gripping novel.
In the peaks of Derbyshire, Black Sheep Farm is Cathy's sanctuary her very own wuthering heights, along with her boyfriend Alfie who's hard face mam Bertha won't let them forget she owns the farm, with a hidden secret on the farm.
A collection of portraits are found by Alfie and Cathy has to delve into the past.
This unique author has once again wrote from the heartache remarkable book, that makes it unputdownable in its own right. Touching compelling characters with engaging plots, are all rolled into this book.
Will you uncover the dark truth before everything is torn apart? Chilling dynamic and more.
I loved it