Book Review: Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy

Georgina Troy’s Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm is a delightful addition to her uplifting Hollyhock Farm series, set against the picturesque backdrop of Jersey. With its charming characters, heartfelt themes, and a perfect blend of romance and resilience, this book is a warm, feel-good read.

The story follows siblings Zac and Lettie Torel as they navigate the challenges of running their family farm. When an insurance setback threatens their plans, they decide to host a summer wellness festival to raise the funds they need. Enter Melody, a spirited yoga instructor from Edinburgh, whose enthusiasm and fresh ideas breathe new life into their plans. However, as sparks fly between Zac and Melody, her hidden past threatens to disrupt the budding connection.

Troy masterfully balances the lighthearted joys of rural life with the deeper emotional struggles of her characters. Zac’s determination to support his sister and Melody’s quest for a fresh start create a rich emotional core that draws readers in. The setting, vividly described with Troy’s trademark attention to detail, adds a layer of escapism, making Jersey feel like a character in its own right.

The book is peppered with heartwarming moments, community spirit, and the kind of romance that feels both authentic and swoon-worthy. Fans of the series will enjoy revisiting Hollyhock Farm, while newcomers will be charmed by its welcoming atmosphere.

With its themes of second chances, family, and personal growth, Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm is a perfect pick for fans of women’s fiction and contemporary romance. It’s a celebration of resilience, love, and the magic of new beginnings—ideal for curling up with on a cozy afternoon or taking along on a sunny getaway.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for an uplifting, escapist read with a heartwarming message.

I was very much looking forward to reading Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm, I read the first book in the series Welcome to Hollyhock Farm and was excited to dive back into Georgina Troy’s beautifully created world again. Just like the first in the series this is a fantastic book and I was sad for it to come to an end.

Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm Can be read as a stand-alone story, although it follows on from the first , everything you need is explained and you wouldn’t be lost at all if you chose to just read this story. (Although I would suggest reading the first just because why would you want to miss out on another great read, trust me if you read this you’ll want to read the first anyway! )

Georgina always writes likeable characters that I end up loving and rooting for, it’s hard not to spur Zack and Lettie on I want the farm to succeed. This is full of humour and some very funny moments, balanced well between very emotional scenes (abortion and domestic abuse) but these are handled expertly and very sensitively. Georgina is a particularly talented author balancing the dark with the light.

Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm is a book about community, friendship, working together, well-being and new beginnings. I am definitely hoping for another book in the series I can’t wait to see how the characters lives and relationships have moved forward.

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

Great to pick up with some of the characters that we have met before. Although saying that, this could quite easily stand alone.

Lovely setting, made me want to visit Jersey again.

Did find it a little repetitive when Patsy and Melody kept telling the family that they were willing to help!

Cosy up and imagine you’re in the Jersey sunshine!

Lovely book, I liked the strong female characters, the friendships, the love and laughter. Jersey sounds gorgeous and a place to visit.
I really enjoyed the story and loved watching Melody’s strength return, her grandmothers character was awesome and then of course Zac too. I would like to read another about Lettie and some of her stories would be good too. I think this could be a good series.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for and honest review.

In the latest instalment in the Hollyhock Farm series, readers join Lettie and Zac after Lettie has taken over the farm, and Zac wants to help because the insurance company will not pay for a barn restoration before winter hits. Having to raise the money themselves, Zac and Lettie decide to hold a wellness festival in the short time remaining before the season ends, and new recruit and yoga teacher Melody comes with a drive to succeed, drama, and baggage not made apparent upon her arrival. As her friendship with Zac and involvement with the festival grows, her past might catch up with her and affect the entire village and the festival. With a great cast of characters who continue to grow and develop from book one in the series, the new challenges of the wellness festival and the other personal issues really add to the atmosphere of the Torrels’ farm on Jersey and the stakes in the series. The characters are well-written and are the emotional heart of the novel, and readers will love seeing relationships grow and develop over the course of the book. Enjoyable and well-written with beautiful descriptions and a charming location, fans of cozy modern fiction in the English countryside will love this continuation of the Hollyhock Farm series.

*4 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

Interesting read and good characters. Some relationships are meant to be, and some aren't. I liked the ending.

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

This was a cozy, heartwarming, wonderful book. I really loved reading it!

“Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm” by Georgina Troy is a beautifully uplifting story that combines romance, resilience, and the charm of island life. Set on the enchanting island of Jersey, the book captures the heart of a small community coming together to save a family farm. Zac and Melody’s blossoming romance is sweet, tender, and filled with hope, making it a delightful journey for readers.

The vivid descriptions of Hollyhock Farm and the idyllic surroundings immerse you in the story, creating a sense of warmth and escapism. The characters are well-rounded and relatable, each bringing their own depth and growth to the narrative. Melody’s arrival and her connection with Zac feel natural and heartfelt, while the festival planning adds an engaging and hopeful backdrop to their love story.

This novel is a perfect feel-good read for fans of contemporary romance and second-chance themes. Georgina Troy masterfully weaves together love, friendship, and the power of community, leaving readers with a heartwarming and satisfying experience. A must-read for anyone seeking a charming, positive, and inspiring story!

This was a good read. I enjoyed the well developed characters. There was light romance but the story centered around the farm.

Uplifting, heartwarming and well plotted, I loved the setting and the plot made me smile and root for the characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

i love everything about this series, it’s like coming home to old friends and catching up on their lives. The author has a way of writing which makes you feel like you are part of the story and I love it
can’t wait for next instalment

I really enjoy this book. It feels like a Hallmark movie
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the book

Having read the first book in the series, I was looking forward to reading the second one and it was nice to read about Zac's story.

Melody and her grandmother come to Lettie and Zac's farm to lend a hand but Melody is from Edinburgh and there is a particular reason why she is not in a tearing hurry to get back to Scotland. There is a mystery that surrounds her and Zac is determined to get to the bottom of why she quite often appears to be so sad.

When I read Lettie's story in the first book, I wondered if her brother was going to be featured in the future and I am glad that he was. These siblings (and their parents) are just so NICE, that you want nothing but good things to happen to them, always.

Due to the insurance company not covering the repairs to their barn, the siblings decide to hold a Wellness Festival. Between the two of them and the helpers, there are enough skills to make the festival a success, however, Melody's past comes back to haunt her.

I like that this was a lighthearted story, but that it didn't shy away from issues that crop up either.

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

I hadn’t read the first book in the Hollyhock Farm series before I picked up Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm, but luckily this didn’t affect my enjoyment of this story in the least. The book stands on its own two feet as a fun, romantic interlude set on the beautiful island of Jersey.

The Torels need to raise some money quickly to complete repairs to their barn roof before winter sets in, but how are they going to do that? They can’t hold a Glastonbury-esque music festival, as it might upset the animals, so they settle upon the idea of a wellness festival instead, helped along by their new guest, Melody, who is a yoga teacher. It doesn’t take much time for Melody and Zac, working in close proximity, to start having feelings for each other.

This is a gentle story, set on an idyllic farm on the gorgeous island of Jersey. Of course, there would not be a story if the path of true love ran smoothly and both Melody and Zac have previous relationship baggage to overcome. Melody’s, in particular, raises a pretty ugly barrier to their relationship which provides a bug dose of tension in an otherwise undemanding story. A lot of people think this kind of romance novel is superficial easy reading, but this author does a great job of showing how this type of book can tackle some very serious subjects without sacrificing any of its warmth and charm. It is a delicate balance to be struck, because no one wants to be seen to be trivialising issues, and this author treads the line well.

I enjoyed the development of the characters in this novel, especially Melody who has to recover her sense of self and her confidence throughout the story. Forgiveness, particularly of oneself, is a big theme in this story which works really well. Set it alongside a welcoming and close knit community, a cosy rural vibe and the beautiful setting of the Channel Islands and you can see how this book is going to have a lot of appeal to romance fans. A book with things to say without being too demanding.

Festival season has come to Hollyhock Farm…

Since his sister Lettie took over their parents' farm on the beautiful island of Jersey at the start of the year, Zac Torel's life has changed completely. Zac loves Hollyhock Farm, and he's determined to help Lettie succeed, but when their insurance company refuses to pay for the restoration of one of their barns in time for winter, the clock is ticking for the Torels to raise the money themselves.

The siblings decide to host a wellness festival, but with the summer already well underway, they've got their work cut out to get everything ready before the season ends. Lettie recruits the help of Melody, a yoga teacher from Edinburgh. New to the island, Melody is determined to shake things up and make a success of Lettie’s festival.

But Melody has come to Jersey with more baggage than her small backpack implies. And as her friendship with Zac grows, will her past catch up with her?

Love it. Will recommend to others

3.5 stars. Thanks to Boldwood Books for the widget. I read the first one of Hollyhock Farm and couldn't wait to go back to Hollyhock Farm with the story of Zack and Melody. This was such a cute easy read. Zack and Melody are trying to help Lettie but together a wellness festival to raise money for the roof of one of the barns. This is all about insta love but in such a cute and clean way. I cant wait to read more about Hollyhock Farm.

Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm by Georgia Troy ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Although this is book 2 in the series, and it can stand alone, I recommend you read the book 1 first.

Zac and his sister Lettie need to raise funds to make repair on the farm. Soon Melody and her grandma move in. Giving Zac and Melody a second chance to rekindle their love story. Along the way they are faced with some troubling issues that will put their relationship to the test. Can they find away past these issues or will it destroy them.
Fast easy read that will warm you as the nights get colder.

Book 2 was better than the first but I still feel you should read book 1 first. I'm hoping the series will continue and the author will write book 3.

This is the second book in this series, I haven’t read the first one, but got into this cozy romcom very easily. The book is set on Hollyhock Farm, Lottie and Zac have taken over the farm, but need to get extra money to fix the barn roof. Melody has come to help with her grandmother. Will love blossom between Melody and Zac?
The book is read in both of the main characters Zac and Melody, both are wonderful people and really make this a feel good read. The farm is a perfect setting for the story too. Easy 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

It took be a little bit of time to fully submerge myself into this story but once I was in I was fully invested.
The characters really grow on you through the book, Zac and Lettie and their parents, Melody and her grandmother, plus other friends along the way. I love the sense of family, which extends out to all their friends, old and new.
It’s not your typical romance story, it deals sympathetically with some serious issues, and resolves them in a very real way. Everyone also being very respectful of each others pasts as they move into their new futures.
The author describes the island so well, you will see the farm, the coast, the festival set up in the barns.
All in all a lovely read which I would recommend.

this is the second book in a series but can be read as a standalone. lovely setting and great characters. enjoyed the story very much.