Lucy is a gem, but so many of her family and co-workers either don't see her quiet sparkle, or take advantage of her giving nature.   Lucy quietly  rises to meet all challenges, be it a crisis at work, an ailing friend, a slippery stray cat that refuses to be rescued, or her difficult (but handsome) new neighbour.  The writing is light and airy and easy on the eyes and heart.  This is definitely  a cozy, rainy day read for someone who wants to kick back and have a pleasant,  comfy escape, with a hint of adventure, magic and romance to while away the hours.

I had heard about this book a lot from different authors on Facebook and really liked the feedback and wanted to read it and certainly didn't let me down and can't wait to read more by this author now. It's full of friendship, romance, families, mystery and plenty of learning how to gain your own confidence to be a better person.  It's simply a fantastic read and didn't want it to end at all amazing and teaches you so much.  
Lucy has lived in Lancaster road for a number of years and someone new is moving in and she sees him and learns he's called George but he clearly doesn't want to know anyone. Her mother turns up she has always felt as if her mother is prouder of her sister as she has a high flying job and a husband and family and Lucy hasn't so she puts her down. She's having a party and would love for Lucy to have a man with her but she really isn't sure as she is more interested in her knitting and she's just started a new job and really wants this to work as its in a toy factory. Her neighbour Brenda listens to Lucy's problems and one day gives her a necklace saying it's time she had it and will help her build her confidence up and as long as she follows the instructions it gives her she may get the man she wants as she has admitted her heart skips a beat when she sees George. A stray cat turns up on George's door but he says he can't take it in as allergic to it but he says Lucy will have to take it and she says she can't as she can't have them in her rented flat.  She's really trying to make work be right for her and she feels with the necklace on she is gaining confidence. She sees the cat about and wonders where it is staying and learns it is with George and can she look after it while he's away with work. She's given a key and she's also trying to follow the instructions from the necklace and she really believes it's magic. Poor Brenda gets diagnosed with dementia and she really tries to look after her and she has a new boss at work and thinks she will loose her job.  She also learns her sister is struggling so she goes to see her and gets George to check in on Brenda. She is so gaining in her confidence but can she keep her job and please her mother and make her proud and can she find the romance she longs for.  Will she finally learn that it's her that's gained the confidence and it's not down to the necklace can she believe in herself. She will also get heartbreak along the way as well. 
A fantastic read that is worth far more than five stars and a great easy read to highly recommend it to anyone.

Now this is the sort of reading I can't get enough of, because The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker is about a cat, knitting and a gorgeous George next door! 

Four stars for this lovely story that made laugh out loud several times, but wasn't over the top hilarious (for which I am grateful, I can't stand it when characters are trying too hard to be funny). Therefore it deserves to be on my for-a-rainy-day shelf on Goodreads.

All the residents from Lancaster Road had their own voice and the book was very gentle, so today my motto will be: Be Kind Always.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

Having never read any of this authors work, I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was such as amazing book. I loved Lucy, and the way she cared about Brenda, and could sympathise with her lack of confidence. I loved the sprinkling of magic, and watching Lucy try and capture the heart of the somewhat brooding George was at times hilarious. But the underlying message the book had concerned the friendship between the 25 year old Lucy and 79 year old Brenda was beautifully told and as a reader you can tell how it’s going to end, but it didn’t make it less devastating. 

A beautifully written book filled with love, laughter, tears and friendship.

Loved this book Lucy Baker a young woman in her twenties prefers reading playing with cats rather then engaging in life.Brenda her elderly neighbor suffering from dementia but still engaged in the world wants Lucy to enjoy life.A wonderful read drew me right into their world.Highky recommend.#netgalley#avonuk

Thanks for the early review copy!

I recommend this book to fans of adult fiction. I picked this because of the cover. It was well done with interesting characters.

The world is such a dark and scary place nowadays, that’s why I loved this sweet story about love and taking chances. Lucy Baker is a young woman who prefers a safe, quiet life on her own and rarely goes out anywhere. Her neighbor, Brenda, is 79 and suffering from dementia, but she’s still full of life, and she wants to see Lucy find the same kind of happiness she had. Brenda encourages Lucy to step outside her comfort zone and join the real world, even as Lucy resists. The real beauty of this story is the friendship between these two women, it made me smile and gave me hope that the good in people still exists