My first Emma Davies. Definitely not the last.

I love the characters. Especially Maggie and Seth. Their relationship started with dislike and it was a great thing to see it develop from totally opposite to lovers of the cottage.

It was a emotional read. One that showed me that the power and the importance of the cottages that Seth is renovating and opening with the help of a team that touched my heart and would stay there for, I don;t know how long.

I would definitely love to see the aftermath of the opening. The stories and the future of these cottages.

This is a quaint heartwarming and charming read. It's my first book by this author so I never knew what her style was.
Firstly, I found it a little odd how we wasn't introduced to the characters in detail like many other authors do. It's almost like there's something missing in the novel, like the prologue or something.... As time goes on the story gets better and it less abrupt.
Maddie is one of the main characters and lives her high flying stressful London job behind to head for this cottage. There's also Seth who is on the same project as Madddie but they have such different ideas on the renovations at hand. It was interesting to see how they got along at the beginning and later on.
It's an easy read, heartwarming and perfect for a getaway.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me this book to read.

I have really enjoyed Emma Davies other books and was looking forward to reading this one. I was not disappointed. It is a story of new beginnings, grief, friendship, community spirit and romance.

I was quickly drawn into the story which flowed easily and loved the interaction between Maddie and Seth. I enjoyed the quirky cast of surrounding characters too. Magical setting with gorgeous descriptions of the surroundings. I loved the family history and back story to the farm and its buildings.

A lovely easy read, perfect for a winter afternoon snuggled on the settee with a cuppa. Heartwarming and uplifting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A nice, light read that will take you to the English Countryside and introduce you to a rag-tag group of people. My only wish for this book was for a little bit of explanation about the incident that lead Maddie to flee London at the beginning of the book, otherwise it was a nice read

Tucked into a corner in Shropshire, the opportunity for Madeline Porter to reclaim her career and succeed at marketing and managing a new and growing corporate retreat site are just what she needs. After a disastrous event in London, and leaving her firm under a cloud, the unexpected and wholly welcome chance to start anew, even in this remote area, is welcome. Yet, the more she discovers, the more the situation becomes fraught with tensions, secrets and an owner who appears to dislike her and her ideas just on principle. No mobile signal, horrible broadband, dogs, dust, dirt, ramshackle outbuildings and a garden that seems to have taken over – her linen and power suits are just not made for this.

Seth, the owner and his crew: Clara the gardener and Tom the thatcher are a tight group – almost secretive in their conversations and Maddie always feels a bit out of the circle. It’s obvious that their friendships are solid, and Maddie thinks that there is something there between Clara and Seth – despite the rather confusing statements from Clara that ‘she owes Seth everything”. When he won’t explain things to her, and the people around him fob her off with a “he’ll have to tell you”, she’s torn between wanting to ‘fit in” and deciding that this isn’t the project for her. And then, slowly she starts to see Seth’s vision for Joy’s Acre, and buoyed up by an off-the-cuff mushrooms on toast and latte, a wi-fi connection and a most unusual barmaid, she’s invigorated and starts to plan. Yes, her ideas are too ‘London’ and far from the vision Seth has, and she’s not happy that every idea she has is shut down, but when she understands (after far too much time in my opinion) the story of Joy’s Acres, the unique history of the farm and repeated ‘we’re meant to be here as different as we all are’ comments from the others all starts to give her a new vision, and the group as a whole some thoughts of how things might be……

Oh the angst and secrets are rife in this one: from Maddie’s own as she left London as a pariah and this job is her ‘chance’ to revise her reputation to the many secrets and sorrows on Seth’s shoulders and his ongoing tug of war with Agatha, a bull-terrier of a woman who is financing the renovations, interested in a return on her money and seemingly nothing else. Clara, the beautiful and talented gardener and her obvious attachment to Seth, and Tom the thatcher, with one foot in the tradition and his handwork, another in the world of bands, music, women and pubs. Lastly there is Trixie, the barmaid who combines a forthright approach to life with a can-do attitude that asks for little more than respect and freedom, and returns so much more. When you add in Bonnie and Clyde, two very friendly and active dogs, Rumpus a marmalade cat with an attachment to Maddie that is unusual (for him) and a budget that is non-existent after Agatha’s heavy-handed demands that aren’t met – they are up against it with just a few weeks to finish one of the cottages and open for business.

Not unlike the first I’d read from Davies (Lucy’s Book Club for the Lost and Found) there is a solid sense of family and community here: in this, the community becomes the four working on the farm, trying to honor it’s unique history as a place of refuge, care and beauty for those who may need it most. Seth’s overwhelming need to make a difference in an effort to assuage guilt, have brought them together: his connection with Clara and his sudden disappearance for a trip to London just as things are moving forward just add more layers to the past and present sense of ‘difference’ that this farm will make for everyone who works there. Solid characters, moments of laughter, poignancy and sadness all surround the farm and the people who are inhabiting and restoring the property, each emotion works to enhance and enlighten them all, but especially Maddie as she comes to feel as if Joy’s Acre, and those who came before, have welcomed her into this little piece of paradise. A lovely story that is engaging, heartwarming and perfect for an escape.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9C3/”> </a> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

5☆ A  Charming & Heartwarming Read

The Little Cottage on the Hill is a beautifully Enchanting read. It had Humour, passion, emotion, friendships, new beginnings.

From the first few pages of reading this book I was captivated and knew it was going to be a special read.

Maddie has given up her life in London to start a new venture. She has arrived at Seth's Cottages in order to generate money and make them a sucess.

However the start doesn't quiet go according to plan.
You see Seth is used to living on his own. He doesn't want Maddie there poking her nose in.

You see what Seth failed to leave out was the actual state of the cottages. They hadn't been finished. No way was they of luxury finesse that Maddie was led to believe. She is horrified. But that is not going to stop her making the Cottages a roaring success.

She just has to convince Seth!
Easier said than done!

I loved Maddie's and Seth's relationship it was full of sarcastic banter yet deep down you could feel a subtle hint of softness and Romance.

I loved all the quirky characters that Maddie met. They just added to the Charm of the book.

The Little Cottage on the Hill  is a beautiful Romantic read. I fell in love with the Characters and the Charm of the Cottages. This is certainly one to watch out for. I really hope there will be a second book.

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I loved the way this book started, it made me really curious about Maddie and also the reason for her driving through the countryside.

After a scandal Maddie leaves London and arrives at this rundown farm, where she starts her new job. The owner of the farm is called Seth. He is very moody and secretive, but also attractive and passionate. The farm is very important to him. Reasons for that lie in the past and Maddie is slowly discovering them. Working together brings them closer, but Seth is very reserved and not sharing a lot. On top of that there is the gardener Clara, who seems to have a special connection to him.

Maddie slowly discovers the truth, but the path is rocky and her past comes back to haunt her.

I liked Seth and Maddie together. They had chemistry and banter, even if it was difficult in the beginning. The way the storyline is great, flows wonderfully and keeps the reader hooked. Underneath it all there are a lot of feelings, emotions and also a softness and of course some romance.

I think the farm had a lot of charm and the characters (most of them anyway) give it its unique touch. The setting of the book is beautiful and sweet, it came to life through Emma Davies' writing and so did the plot. Her writing is engaging, cute, fun, fresh and lively.

The story is about love, grief, secrets, passion, strength and romance. A lovely read full of fantastic elements, I loved it!

The cover drew me in and the story held me. The cover shows a lovely English cottage with flowers overflowing. , the subtitile is a gorgeous feel-good romance to escape with. Maddie had a high pressure job in London but left under less than stellar circumstances. She is interviewed for and offered a job in the English countryside to help market and plan the remodel of some Victorian cottages for a vacation retreat. She and Seth do not communicate very well so she doesn't understand some of the decisions he makes. As they work together and sort through all of their emotions and feelings, Maddie finds that she really enjoys living and working in the country. She also loves working with Seth, Clara, Tom and Trixie and all of their idiosyncrasies..

led and very touching. After reading it things that had previously happened, words spoken and actions taken made an awful lot more sense.

Overall The Little Cottage on the Hill although not my favourite so far from Emma Davies was a lovely, pleasant read. It provided a few hours of escape from the my hectic world as I delved into Maddie and Seth's story. Some aspects of the storyline may have been predictable and others may have needed that little extra something but undoubtedly the reader is rooting for a positive, happy outcome for all involved. To see whether the characters were strong enough to resolve the issues facing them you will have to pick up this book to discover the answer.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. I really loved this book. I could not read it fast enough. I love how Maddie gets herself in over ahead and takes a job that is not completely honest about what her job duties were when she was hired. Seth who is the curmudgeon owner of the property had his own issues to deal with. Both start on different sides of the fence in making this property profitable. In the end, they find a way to work through the issues before them and their love for each other. I would love for this story to continue with the other characters of the book. This story has so much more to give, it would be a major travesty for it to end here!!

I’m a huge fan of all Emma Davies books, and this did not disappoint whatsoever!
Cottage on the Hill is a feel-good read, and is a reminder that things aren’t always how they seem, particularly on first impressions. I loved the character transformations and the sense of teamwork and friendship we are shown throughout. You won’t be able to stop the occasional tear or smile that sneaks on your face while reading. There is something for everyone including a bit of historical fiction. Recommended!

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Emma Davies, and Bookouture for an ARC to read and honestly review**

What a wonderful read Emma Davies has created here – it was heart-warming and pure escapism at it’s best. This is only the second book I’ve read by Emma but she’s quickly becoming a firm favourite of mine – I need to read her other books as soon as I can!

Maddie finds herself in the Shropshire countryside with a new job that wasn’t what she expected – a far cry from her previous job in London. I loved Maddie right from the start, she’s funny and determined to help Seth to do things her way. The relationship between Maddie and Seth was fun to watch grow as they get to know each other – Maddie is determined to rip out all the history and create a workspace for professionals, much to Seth’s horror.

I adored reading about the farm and the history it holds – I felt the back story was a little different to some of the reads that are out now. There is also a fair amount of information about thatching and how to create a new roof. I enjoyed this as thatching is something that seems to be dying out, it would be a shame for the craft to disappear.

I loved the characters – Clara, Trixie and Tom, they really added to the story and I just loved reading about the garden Clara created as well as the fabulous food Trixie cooks. Made me hungry just reading about it! And of course I can’t forget about the wonderful Bonnie, Clyde and Rumpus, they brightened up any part of the book they were in I found!

I loved the setting of Shropshire – I’m always a huge fan of being transported into the countryside, I just love it. I could really picture what the farm looked like with Emma’s fabulous descriptions.

I hope this is the start of a series as I would love to read more about Maddie and Seth as well as seeing how the farm expands and evolves. It was a wonderful, endearing and heart-warming read which was just what I needed.

Delightful odd woman out rom-com chick lit. Maddie isn't aware, when she takes the job, that Little Acre Farm is in no way ready to host upscale guests. She's also licking her wounds from a bad thing in London. Not a good combo but she's young (26) and determined to make a go of things. Seth, the owner, is really quite the snot as the story starts. However, as you might expect, things liven up and well, there's a little romance going. This is really more about Maddie finding herself (and getting over herself) than it is about the Maddie-Seth thing but that's why I liked it so much. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a fast fun read.

Emma Davies is a queen of light-hearted reads. I have loved all of her books that I have read so far, and I think that I will always enjoy them.

Maddie is feisty character from the start, she may have got to Joy’s Acre under a dark cloud but she doesn’t let that get in the way of what she’s employed to do. I liked her, and I really hope that we get more from her.

Seth isn’t as grumpy as he makes out to be. I found him funny, witty, and a little charming. With his secrets, he’s a great character. The chemistry between him and Maddie is electric, and it works extremely well. Even when they argue.

The characters that appear throughout the book, especially Clara and Trixie are promising characters. I’d like to see more about them maybe as we didn’t really get to know them in the way we got to know Seth and Maddie.

Written well, we are instantly thrown in with the characters. You get their feelings, their anxieties, everything instantly and I love how Emma Davies does that. The development of the book has left plenty of room for a follow up, I’m intrigued to see if they get Joy’s Acre up and running and the success that it promises to be.

I give this book a 4/5. I liked Maddie, Seth, the setting, and the storyline.

A wonderfully uplifting enjoyable read to make you smile. Maddie arrives from London to take up her new position as Development and Marketing manager for a set of rural cottages and business area. Her designer clothes and London presence of mind are far from the dilapidated, rundown buildings and mud stewn area she arrives to. Add to that a boss who doesn’t want her ideas as he firmly has his own and fireworks are likely to happen. Emma always delivers. Characters so well described that you wish that you had them as neighbours or friends. A plot that although you may think you know where it is going, you aren’t quite sure how it will get there. An interesting story with wonderful descriptions to leave you with a smile.

3.75 quaint stars 🌟🌟🌟.75

Well now I want to go visit this little cottage on the hill, it certainly was charming! This book was a fun easy read but definitely light on the romance.....

The characters in this book were people you’d want to meet, maybe when on vacation at this little cottage.... however as likable as they were, they weren’t as well developed as I would have liked.... especially Seth and Maddie the two main characters.... the book starts out rather abruptly almost like the prologue was left out.... I just would’ve appreciated more of a backstory on both of them....

Maddie fled her high-pressure London job and headed to the country to help restore Joy’s Acre.... Seth is the owner and Maddie and he have very different ideas for the renovation.... it was fun watching these two along with Clara, Trixie, and Thomas, reach some agreement on the renovation.... and I learned a lot about roof Thatching!(Something I hope I never need to put into practice)

This was a fun easy read perfect for a little getaway....

*** i’d like to thank the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book ***

What a quaint little book! I have to admit that I wasn't really keen on the first part of the book as it seemed quite the way away from the usual writing style of Emma Davies', a style which I have come to love. Thankfully the further into the storyline I got, the more the author seemed to go back to her usual way of story telling, which meant that I was able to enjoy the rest of the novel. Personally, I really don't think that this author needs to change the way she writes at all!

I was very relieved when I found myself being unable to put the book down. Emma Davies really knows how to capture her readers hearts with every word she writes. Me and Maddie didn't see eye to eye at first, let's just say that I didn't like her at all. I thought she came across as such a jumped up, self-absorbed woman and, whilst I began to resign myself to the fact that this character wasn't going to be changing anytime soon; she actually did! I know, I know - I was shocked too. I was convinced that this leopard wasn't going to change its spots, yet Maddie made me completely change my opinion of her, finishing the book actually liking her! Why doesn't this sort of stuff happen in real life?!

Poor Seth is such a troubled man. If you take him by first impressions, you would probably think that he was a rude, obnoxious and bad-tempered man. Honestly? You would be right! I thought it too at first yet there was a little piece of me that refused to give up hope. A man like Seth had to have been through hell to end up being that bad tempered!

Whilst I hold my hands up and say that the first part of the book wasn't my cup of tea at all, I could not be more happier to say that the rest of the book was like walking on cloud 9. Everything about the storyline and the characters just seemed to work, the more of the book I read. The heart-warming friendships actually brought tears to my eyes because of what lengths certain characters went to, to save the ones they held dear. It's things like that which get you thinking, eh?

'The Little Cottage on the Hill' is a touching, thought-provoking novel which had me grinning like the Cheshire Cat. If you ever find yourself doubting your abilities when it comes to jumping over the hurdles in life, remember that everyone has to start from somewhere. Whilst bricks and thatching may crumble and come loose, Emma Davies' novel reminded me that a lot of things can be fixed with a little TLC, a few wooden spars, and a good daffy of love and support. Or in my case, by reading a book which managed to hug me from the inside out. I absolutely adore this author!

Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour.  I loved Emma's last book Lucy's Village Book Club so I was very excited to start this one. 

Maddie has fled London after a scandal at her previous job. At first I couldn't stand Maddie. She was so worried about messing up her nails or her hair or her car I wondered what the hell she was doing at Joy Acre. It soon became clear that the Joy Acre that Maddie had been sold was not quite the reality. As the story progressed Maddie became more relaxed and ultimately quite likeable. Her ideas were very good and I can see why she was hired for the job. 

When we first meet Seth he's quite rude. I wasn't sure about him at first but I did find him more likeable than Maddie. As the story progress we understand why Seth acts the way he does. Seth's vision for Joy Acre was perfect for the surroundings. Seth has been through a lot and I can't imagine his pain. 

I really liked Tom, Clara and Trixie. Tom seemed like a bit of a Jack the lad but with a good heart. Clara is very protective of Seth and when we find out why it's completely understandable. Trixie is a straight talking kinda girl. I think we'd really get on and I was very envious of the food that she made for everyone. 

While there was some romance in this book. It was slow burning and not really the main focus of the story. The story was about Joy Acre with a dash of romance. 

This book was a treat to read. After a long day at work I enjoyed sitting down with a cuppa and this story. The setting is beautiful and it gave me hope that this winter will soon be over and spring will be here before we know it.  My only slight gripe about this book is that it ended quite suddenly for me. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to these characters. I could easily see this being a series and returning to Joy Acre would be a very welcome trip.

I do love me a little local literature and with The Little Cottage On The Hill not only being by a local Shropshire Lass but also set in the county, I couldn't resist taking a look. And I'm very glad a did as what I found was a really fun, heart-warming story of second chances, peppered with a sprinkling of feel good romance.

From the minute I met Maddie I was uncertain how I felt about her. You could already see the makings of conflict, the oh too perfectly poised and coiffed woman in the wild setting of the Shropshire countryside - it was a clash just waiting to happen. Introduce a surly outdoors type in Seth who was angry to make her acquaintance and far from prepared for her ideas for his farm and you knew exactly where this story was heading. But oh it was such fun getting there.

Maddie is an out and out city type, hired to breathe some life into a planned-to-be state of the arr meeting and conference venue. She has never seen the site, recruited remotely from the safety of the city. What she finds when she arrives at Joy's Acre is far from the site of her dreams and from the sounds of Seth's vision for the place, it will never come close. Caught in the middle of a conflict between Seth and his not so silent partner, Maddie still dreams that she can totally transform the site but she needs to make some sacrifices along the way. How many and how far it will push her from her dream of a fresh start remains to be seen.

Despite my initial misgivings about Maddie, she's an easy person not to like, especially when pushed out of her comfort zone, she really did grow on me quite quickly. It is clear from the off that something has happened, something to force these new beginnings on her, and that she is running from her past as fast as her fancy convertible will carry her. She has grand designs for Joy Acres that would impress Kevin McCloud but everything she suggests seems out of kilter. She is all clean lines and bright sterile design whereas Joy's Acre is more about tradition and heritage. The stick out like a sort thumb in this environment and some of her mistakes did make me chuckle. But there is something also vulnerable and endearing about her that made me want to see her come good, not least because of the clear chemistry with Seth.

Now Seth - he's a dark horse. It was hard to place him initially, and I'll be honest, I had visions of a much older man than he turned out to be. The way in which his character contrasts with Maddie's is a pure delight - it makes for what turns out to be a deliciously slow dance of will they won't they. He is secretive, reserved and again there is clearly something that he is not telling Maddie, a secret that she, and us as readers, must wait to learn. He is charming, in his own gruff way, and every bit as stubborn as Maddie appears to be. But of you are a country girl at heart, like what I am, then you cannot help but fall  in love with his vision for Joy's Acre, and understand his need to preserve the heritage of the old place.

As the story progresses you learn more of the farm's beginnings and the stroy which Seth is trying to preserve. There is so much beauty and romance in this story alone that you will start to see another side to Seth, just as Maddie does in the story. Parts of it, especially when they truth about Seth and his friends is revealed, may bring a tear to the eye, but as many elements will make you smile and chuckle. It's one of those kinds of story.  

This isn't all about Seth and Maddie though and you'll find as that Joy's Acre is a magnet for the 'waifs and strays' so to speak. Clara, Trixie and Tom are brilliant characters who all have their own stories, their own reasons to be drawn to the farm and their stories, Clara's especially will definitely move you. This really is a story of second chances, of the power of family and friendship, but also of enduring love. If this doesn't give you a warm and fuzzy feeling inside then I don't know what will.

I'm also hoping there is a recipe book to accompany at some point as I have to be honest, some of Trixie's dishes sound delicious. Not that I cook, but it's the thought that counts ...