This is such a beautiful, heart-warming book.

Lucy is a wonderful character. She’s a little different to others her age, she loves staying in, and really loves to knit. I loved hearing about the characters that she knits, like knitted Poldark! She has a heart of gold, but lacks confidence. I found it so interesting reading about her workplace, which seemed to be very sexist! As the story develops, she grows in confidence, and this even has an effect on her working life. Her relationship with her rather gorgeous new male neighbour, George, gives us many laugh-out-loud moments, and it’s a joy to see how it all pans out. George changes through the course of the novel too, as his softer side is revealed to us.

Brenda, her friend and neighbour, is a delight. She’s wise and clever, with a hint of magic about her, but she’s growing old and confused. Lucy is a wonderful friend to her, but they both have lots to offer each other in terms of the friendship.

A little black cat plays a small, but very important role in the book, and I loved the addition of him to the story.

Hard to believe that this is a debut novel, it’s very well written.

Heart-warming, funny, and a joy to read. This is a story that will make you smile, and stay with you after you’ve finished it.

NetGalley has given me the opportunities to review books and this one was read a few months ago,and my review unfortunately is coming alittle late .This is uncommon for me,as I do review my books within three weeks.
This book is a  charming heartwarming story of two women's desire to seek freindship and comfort...they are best freinds and a locket helps Lucy discover true love..
Dimentia is a sad illness that I've personally seen in family members,so I could relate to Brenda's challenges coping with her own dimentia..
Ive always had a special place in my heart when it comes to the elderly, so before reading this book and I saw an elderly person was in this book, I  requested this book and found it  a touching story and couldnt put it down.

A totally wonderful read, some lovely characters and a truly magical story, I loved it, perfect from beginning to end

I liked this book!  It is charming, quirky and romantic.  The writing is well done.  The characters are well developed and loveable.   Not your typical story and I love that.   I am grateful that netgalley giftes me the arc. the opinions are my own. .

This is a sweet story both touching and romantic.  It will make great holiday reading, but a little too sweet for me.

This debut novel by Jenni Kerr is quirky, amusing and has a ditzy, engaging heroine who is surrounded by a great cast of characters. When Mr Right appears on the scene, Lucy, our heroine, takes a long time to realise that the man she desires is actually on her doorstep. 
Lucy's older friend Brenda is a wonderful character who plays a definitive part in focussing Lucy's attention on her attractive male neighbour. Brenda's efforts are aided and abetted by a homeless cat.
A charming story that will delight its readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for supplying a review copy.

When I started to read this book I was unsure about it at first. But, I grew to love Lucy as she was so NICE. (I know my English teacher always said not to use the word "nice" as there is always a better one.. But sometimes there really isn't) I found the writing humourous and although the storyline seemed a bit silly at times it didn't matter because there was such a feel good factor to it.

This was such a lovely story, i got completely swept up in it. It is quite unusual to have a book where the main relationship is focused on a friendship between a 25 year old women and a 79 year old woman. 

Quite heart warming and delightful. Loved it.

A nice romcom with a touch of magic. I loved the friendship between young woman and old lady which brought its rewards to both of them.

A fun, light story. I enjoyed the characters, and the story was well paced and a quick read. If you like books like Britt-Marie Was Here that focus on the changes one person can make for others, you will likely enjoy this.

Heart warming and refreshing.  This book actually made me cry.  Absolutely loved it would recommend it to anyone totally different to everything else I’ve read recently.

An enjoyable light hearted read about Lucy who's best friend is her 79year old neighbour. With her friend's help, Lucy falls in love with her new neighbour George.

An inspiring romance.
A hopeful, refreshing love story which follows a young woman- Lucy Baker- who is forced to find her way in a world of people who don't understand her. She has one true friend, who also happens to be her neighbour: a seventy-nine year old woman, Brenda.

I describe it as refreshing because Lucy Baker doesn't change for those who can't see her sparkle. She's not always valued yet, she doesn't pity herself, she makes it work. She gives them reason to listen: she finds her true voice with the help of a kind neighbour and a generous sprinkle of magic.

Oftentimes funny, sometimes disastrous, you never really know what to expect in the next chapter.
I recommend this read if you are in need of a cheerful companion or, a good laugh. Massively uplifting.

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

I was very excited when I saw the authors name and couldn’t wait to start her debut novel.

The story follows Lucy Baker, a 25-year-old, who prefers knitting and reading to going out. Her neighbour Brenda is 79 years old. I loved the bond and the friendship they had. Jenni Keer captured it beautifully.

Brenda’s life changes, when she is diagnosed with dementia, but she is determined to help Lucy find love. She gives her the locket that has helped her. 

Lucy had to open herself up, her life took a turn, she got more confident throughout the book. It was great to read about this development. 
Also, George moves in next door and adds a lot to the story. 

It’s a heart-warming story full of friendship, courage, love and sweet moments. 

I really enjoyed it, I hope there will be more from Jenni Keer.

Jenni Keer you should be ashamed of yourself – you made me cry! What a beautiful, warm, funny, uplifting, heartwarming, sad, poignant, lovely story, this is.  I particularly enjoyed the ‘otherness’ in it and Brenda was especially delightful. Not a straightforward chicklit, the hint of magic gave this book an added extra which really brought the story to life.

Highly recommended.

What a lovely heartwarming book. 

Lucy is a kind soul, if a little lacking in confidence. Her neighbour Brenda is a colourful character who may or may not be a little bit magic. When Brenda gives her a locket which urges Lucy to do some spells to help her win the new neighbour George's heart.

There were some lovely touches in this book. I especially liked the office awkward/sexist guy Adam was a really nice guy at heart, despite his clumsiness and sexist comments. The feud between Danny and Adam was fun. Likewise, I liked that Sam was painted as a nuanced character.

If you're looking for something to keep you company on a chilly winter night, this would be just the thing.
I got a review copy of this book from Netgalley. I had met the author as we both belong to the same professional organisation.

What a lovely story of different ages and backgrounds.  I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was full of laughs and sadness but I would highly recommend this.

Ralph Waldo Emerson famously stated <b> " Life is a journey not a destination"</b>.     This addage has been applied to so many things and I'm adding Jenni Keer's novel to the list.   It not only applies to the type of story she told but it was in keeping with the theme of her debut novel The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker.   In this story the destination was the happily ever after ending she delivered but the journey was delightfully filled with twists and turns, magic, a beautiful friendship and a couple of social issues thrown in for good measure.

To me, the hero of this story was the friendship.   Lucy and her  best friend Brenda have a great time together.  Not only are they neighbours but they share meals, laughs and even have similar hobbies.   What's less conventional about this friendship is that Lucy's in her mid twenties whilst Brenda is about to celebrate her 80th bitrthday.  Lucy is shy and old fashioned.  Brenda is outgoing,  a free spirit with a knack for alternative therapies and perhaps a few magical qualities.   Yet these two girls gelled and I loved the way they looked out for each  other; each helping the other through some of lifes biggest challenges

Every now and then I like to settle down with a light and lovely story, one with a bit of romance, some characters who feel like much loved friends, and a hunky main man.    As author Jenni Keer was quoted as saying  “I’m a fan of the happy-ever-after and my books follow what I call the ‘Four Weddings’ formula: laughs, tears and a girl who always gets her man.”     Sure, that won't work for all readers but The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker ticked all those boxes and it worked for me. 

My thanks go to the author, Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars on Goodreads

What a delightful book, I loved it!! The characters were all lovable, and I just loved them all!! Such a beautiful story, about a young lady 'Lucy' and her Nextdoor neighbour 'Brenda'!! Their relationship is very special!! The new neighbour 'George' moves in Nextdoor to Lucy on the other side, a 'stray' cat appears, then the story begins!!!!! Wonderful read!!!!!

An Sweet story of a mismatched pair of close friends one young, one older. The older friend has Dementia and wants to help her friend find love.