Well what a heartwarming and cosy read this is! In Love Heart Lane we meet Flick as she returns to the village she grew up in. However it isn’t all plain sailing and when disaster strikes Flick finds herself right in the middle of things. Now one of the wonderful things about this story is that the villagers really come together and there is a real sense of community spirit. So you get that extra warmth and uplifting vibe the more the story progresses.

Flick is a very interesting character, if I’m honest I wasn’t sure about her to begin with but Christie Barlow did a wonderful job of bringing her character to life. Revealing her personality bit by bit and showing her vulnerability, her flaws but also her strength and love for the people she cares about. There is a brilliant mix of characters who all bring something to the story. Let’s just say by the end of the book I had got quite attached to all of them so you can guess how happy I was to discover that this book is part of a new series. There were the possibilities of second chances, new beginnings and a lovely dose of hope!

Love Heart Lane is a story filled with friendships, community spirit and even a little bit of romance!

I was lucky enough to be provided with a copy of Love Heart Lane as part of a blog tour. I absolutely DEVOURED this book, I couldn’t get enough!

To open this book you’re immediately introduced to Flick, she’s a Scottish woman living in London, who’s about to ask her dragon boss for some time off so she can go home to Scotland for her nan’s funeral.

Soon Flick is back home, greeted by a snow storm and immediate drama in the shape of her Ex-boyfriend, who she hasn’t seen since she ran away 8 years before… and he still hasn’t forgiven her!

So much goes on in this book.. Flick has to rebuild plenty of relationships that she destroyed from leaving suddenly so many years before. Her nan has just passed away.. the Tea shop her nan and mum ran together has been shut down for months due to her mum being the sole carer/worker. Theres a huge snow storm AND the town bridge collapses – cutting off the village from civilisation… and supplies! However, nothing felt overcomplicated and the writing style flowed brilliantly from one disaster to the next.

There are also tons of surprises with this book, and I honestly loved each and every character. Some were developed a lot more than others, yet this left me intrigued as to where the follow on books will head. Everything was tied up wonderfully and I honestly just want to dive right into the second book!

My ONLY niggle in this book… is that it opens with Flick requesting time off for her Grandma’s funeral… yet this isn’t mentioned again. However, you quickly get swept up in the other dramas that Flick and her friends and family have to encounter so all is forgiven! (Almost haha)

I don’t want to give too much away because it really is a book worth reading and discovering for yourself. Whether you’re a die-hard Romance fan or just looking for your next beach read – Love Heart Lane is a perfect addition to your bookshelf!

Overall: 5***** – A light-hearted, feel good romance. I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. I can’t wait to revisit Love Heart Lane! Absolutely recommended!

Felicity ‘Flick’ Simons is fed up with her life in London, her boyfriend had just moved out and her job no longer brings her the joy it used to, so when the sad news of her grandmother passing reaches her she heads home to Heartcross.

She’s nervous having not been back in eight years, having she left so suddenly. There’s one person she especially she’s scared to run into her ex, who’s heart she broke all those years ago, Fergus Campbell.
She is struggling to fit back in, when a winter storm blows in the village is cut off from the outside world, the villagers must band together to save the town. But will Felicity get her happy ever after and be able to put the past behind her?

So this is very much a new to me writer and I’m glad to be starting at the beginning of a new series.

This is a sweet and heart warming story with some very emotional moments, that I won’t deny had me sniffling a little.

At it’s heart, Love Heart Lane is a love story but it also about a close knit community which I think a lot of us would love to be apart of, especially as they band together when tragedy strikes.

I have to be honest it took me a little bit of time to warm up to Felicity, just because I felt like constantly racked with guilt over literally everything. I just wanted to tell her not to be so hard on herself! She really grows through the book, gaining confidence and letting go of the past.

I would have like to see a bit more of the Scottish dialect in there, just because it is set in the Scottish Highlands, just to give it that bit more authenticity.

I’d recommend Love Heart Lane to anyone who loves a heart warming and emotional tale with a good helping of drama.

When you look at the cover, you see a peaceful little village in the mountains where everything runs smoothly. I think really is like this untill the weather gods interfere and turn everything upside down. 

But when the villagers join forces and it's proven once again that friends will remain friends whatever happened in the past, there is always that ray of sunshine that will help you pull through. 

Felicity certainly becomes the local heroine but what about her own private happiness?

This story is filled with emotions. One minute you are gasping, the next you have a huge smile on your face. 

How much drama can happen in a short period of time in a small village? A lot, it seems, but hey it's fiction so why not? 

I for one enjoyed it thoroughly and I hope I will soon be able to read the next part. 

The author's fluent writing style makes you forget everything around you and it's as if you become one of the villagers yourself. Loved it! 5 stars.

Thank you, Christie Barlow and RachelsRandomResources.

A heartwarming and heartbreaking story full of hope and second chances!

I am such a sucker for a small town romance especially when it’s set in the UK! This is the first book in the Heart Lane series and it is indeed full of heart! Christie Barlow has a way of making words come to life, enveloping you in the story completely... by the end of the book I felt as though I was friends with these characters and had visited this small charming Scottish town....

Felicity returns home after 8 years.... when she gets home she is greeted by a blizzard and a torrential rain storm that leaves the town isolated... this tragic act of nature brings the community together... being cut off from the rest of the world causes some problems you never think of... in the midst of all this Felicity runs into her long lost love Fergus Who is less than thrilled to see her.... so will the small village of Heart Cross Capture Felicity’s heart again? And will felicity and Fergus find their way back home to each other?

A brilliantly told tale that will tug at your heart strings, Full of so many wonderful characters and heartwarming scenes... there is also some tragedy in this book that I wasn’t necessarily expecting, but I thought it was handled well and it added additional depth to the story.... I absolutely cannot wait to see what these characters get up to next!

A lovely story that will fill your whole heart with hope and love! Recommend!

🎵 Music Running through my mind!
*** this is the song that ran through my head throughout this book, doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the story, but I will be pairing my books with songs going forward!

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
'Cause I’m going to make this place your home
Home: Philip Phillips 2012

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OTg1n95--KE

*** many thanks to Harper Impulse for my copy of this book ***

Love Heart Lane is a lovely, cosy story best served with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, cashmere socks and a warm, soft blanket. Even if you haven't got those things to hand, you'll feel like you have when you read Love Heart Lane!

Perfect for these dark, cold January days, this tale of family, friendship and community is written with love and warmth, and is the perfect escape. Christie's writing is so evocative that I shivered when I was reading the snowy scenes at the beginning. Fergus soon melted my heart though!

The themes of heartbreak and loss also runs through the book, and we learn that tragedy can pull a community together, as well as tear it apart.

It truly is a heartwarming book, and it's the first in a series, so I'm looking forward to reading more and getting to know the residents of Heartcross even better.

I love when books go beyond the main story, especially in romance. This story went beyond the romance and the characters and found a way to incorporate all of the characters, the town and the setting. I really like when books do that especially since a lot of romance novels do not.

Overall I loved this book and loved the cover too.

Firstly, I would like to thank Rachel Gilbey for organising this blog tour. As soon as I knew a new series was coming out from Christie Barlow I new I had to get my hands on a copy as quickly as possible.
Well as the blurb says Welcome to Love Heart Lane and what an absolutely brilliant setting we have for this story. Love Heart Lane is in the beautiful village of Heartcross in the Scottish highlands and here there is plenty of drama. It all starts with snow which is very apt at this moment in time and the arrival of Felicity, who is back home to face up to what she left behind. Her arrival home is met with mixed emotions from many of the locals and lots has changed. Felicity needs to get herself together to help sort out the village of Heartcross before everything is lost. Just when things seem to be calming down, the snow has stopped and his melting and friends are welcoming Felicity back with warm hugs heavy winds and rain appear leaving the village stranded as the only connection to Heartcross collapses. All the locals must pull together but they need a strong leader to guide them!
Felicity has an eventful welcome back to the village and not just with the locals and the weather but also with a certain handsome man she left behind and still loves. Christie has really excelled in her writing if that is even possible as her last book was just amazing and had me in tears. Love Heart Lane has my emotions all over the place too.
A brilliant read filled read full of hope, love and friendship. I am excited for what is next in the series.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It is such a heart-warming love story, but isn't without it's drama and heart-break.
Felicity (AKA Flick) is a very likeable, but conflicted, character. When we meet her she is living in London, but is not exactly loving life in the capital any more. When she receives news that her beloved Grandmother has passed away, she takes immediate leave from her job (which she is loving less and less as time goes on) and jumps on a flight home to Scotland. She has no idea how the village are going to react to her return, but she is worried about one person in particular. We realise that Fergus is an ex and that Flick moved to London quite hastily some years previous, but we're not sure why for quite a lot of the book. This intrigued me immensely and certainly adds suspense to the story. I found Fergus' reaction to her return totally believable considering the manner in which she left and the fact that she had made no attempt to stay in touch for such a long time. I also found Flick's reaction to the fact that Fergus moved on very believable too. It's funny how some people can be so jealous of others moving on even when circumstances have given them little choice but to do so. It's human nature to want what we want, when we want it, but life is rarely that simple. However, I loved Flick's friendship with Esme and how she managed to change her outlook on life without even trying. Grief is complicated and none of us know how we would react in certain situations unless we have experienced them. Flick has obviously been consumed by her grief for a long time, but Esme opens her eyes to a more positive future. I know this all sounds quite vague, but you'll just have to read it for yourself to find out what I'm talking about! (If you haven't already).
I loved how her closest friends just welcomed Flick back without question (even though one of them wasn't going to make it too easy initially!). The best of friends are just like that. Time and distance makes no odds to true friendship.
I loved the setting and the inspiring community spirit shared amongst the residents of Heartcross.
I pretty much loved all of the characters to be honest.
I loved the whole things from start to finish and I am SO looking forward to catching up with them all again in the next book.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via Netgalley.

With the snow gently falling and everyone snuggled around the fire, it is the perfect time to read some winter cozies and I have the perfect one for you today – Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow.

Felicity “Flick” Simons is a bit fed up with her London retail job, more than a bit homesick for the Scottish highlands she has left behind and feeling like a loner in London despite being surrounded by throngs of people. When she receives the devastating news of her grandmother’s death, she decides that it is past time to travel home to Scotland for a few weeks no matter the reasons she left it all behind nearly a decade ago. However, her arrival home is anything except welcoming as she lands in her village in the middle of one of the worst snow storms in ages followed by a torrential rain storm that washes out the town’s bridge, cutting it off from the civilization and supplies that lie on the other side of the river. An avalanche of emotional and physical needs swarm Flick as she is forced to confront the loss of her grandmother, the closure of their family’s tea shop, the life and love she gave up so many years ago, the friends she once left behind and a village that must cope with a dwindling supply of food and coal. Can Felicity set aside her personal angst and lead her community forward? Will it be enough to save her tiny village?

Love Heart Lane is a wonderful book about community, resilience of the heart, friends and neighbors who rally together to help one another in a time of great need. While there is romance, and it is referenced often, this book is not a “rom-com” as it is billed. There is a lot of tragedy, death, and heartbreak, some of which is dealt with realistically and some of which is brushed over a little too easily – which can be somewhat expected in a cozy. However, what Love Heart Lane does have in abundance is hope and friendship and messages of second chances which, I like to believe, is something we all need to believe can be a reality for us all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Love Heart Lane and recommend it for those who enjoy a heartwarming, cozy read. This is the first book in a series and I’m truly looking forward to the next so I can catch up with the delightful characters whom I’ve come to know and adore.

I’m grateful to @HarperImpulse, #Netgalley and #ChristieBarlow for my copy of Love Heart Lane available now.

Felicity Simons returns home to the Scottish Highlands after 8 years. Her departure was, in retrospect, very sudden and she burned a few bridges, to be honest. So it's not a wonder that her return, that was prompted by her beloved grandma's death, is not very welcome, especially by the one person that she cares about - and it's the person she's broken his heart. Felicity has a lot of fences to mend, especially with her friends, who couldn't understand why she didn't stay in touch with them. Being back, Felicity quickly realises that her hearts belong again to Heartcross. But will she be given a second chance?

There is a lot happening in Love Heart Lane for such a small place but I adored this village. The setting was beautifully idyllic but also dangerous, and so different. I've been reading the book at the same time when here, not far from where I live, there were incredibly heavy snowfalls, and the catastrophe alarm has already been introduced, so it was easy to imagine how Love Heart Lane looked like.

There is a whole cats of characters in the novel, and they are all lovely, warm and welcoming, probably sometimes too lovely, the small conflicts and misunderstandings weren't too twisty. But the author for sure knows how to bring them all to life, and she brilliantly described how easily they all pulled together at the time of crisis. And I really liked the gang, the way their friendship survived, the way how they were around each other.

It was an absolutely lovely, nice read guys, that started in such a brilliant way. I thought, yes, I'm really into something great. And it was still an absolutely lovely, nice read until we reached the moment with the bridge. As of this moment I couldn't stand Felicity. I know she was the main character but I had a feeling that every second word is either Felicity or Flick. Felicity this, Flick that. And of course Felicity was everywhere and she was able to do anything, starting with helping by the labour, through being chosen unanimously as a spokesperson for the village, finding Esme (of course!!!), finding herself in all the crucial moments in the right places and organizing everything smoothly and hassle - free. Well, I think I could take it but not the way she was crowding Fergus and his family - because it felt like this. I was wondering, hell, woman, who has given you the right to act like this? To decide over Fergus's will? To impose yourself? To not give him a choice? Those things simply annoyed me, spoiled the book for me and made me not to really care about the characters and what's going to happen. It was also impossible not to spot what was in the heart of the book: community, because it was also mentioned on every second page. I love books where the community feeling is so brilliantly overwhelming, where people support each other, but I also like to deduce it by myself, I don't need to have it all the time mentioned. But yes, I liked how close knit the villagers were and how the pub and the tea shop were the places to be, to meet and to enjoy the company.

So really, if it weren't for Felicity, I think I would totally adore this book. Shame. However, I am in minority here, guys, as all the other reviewers are RAVING about this book, so no matter what please do not feel put out by me and simply read this novel. It's light - hearted and fast - paced and if you're like this kind of read it'll give you the warm fuzzies. The narrative flows and it's very easy to read. And the cover is simply gorgeous! It deserves a standing ovation.

This is a sweet romance with charming characters and a unique setting. While fairly formulaic as most light romances are, the simple sweetness reels you in and holding your breath waiting for the characters to reach their happy ending.

I was so thrilled to be able to review the latest book from Christie Barlow and more than that, the first in a NEW series, set in the fictional Scottish village of Heartcross.

The book is set in a picturesque Winter wonderland, where the small rural village is home to an array of characters that all provide a strong cast, both for this story and for future books in the series. I always enjoy how Christie Barlow's signature is building an interesting community around her stories, weaving in feisty, fun and adorable characters in escapist settings.

Felicity (Flick) is returning to her family home, the cottage and village tearoom run by her Mum, after the death of her beloved Grandmother; yet all is not as perfect as she remembers it. On top of her grief and a series of shocks, Flick has to come face to face with her old friends, particularly her ex, who she chose to leave behind some years ago. Inevitably this brings difficult confrontations and proves you can't run away from your past forever.

At times honestly I was frustrated by Flick- she seems to act on impulse often without properly considering others in her choices, she can be obstinate, single-minded and lacked empathy on occasions which was vexing. This was an unusual experience for me in this genre as I usually find it easy to route for the protagonist. However, as the story developed you see that beneath these frustrating flaws she has good intentions and cares, she also has had a considerable amount of heartache that goes some way to explaining her defensive/clumsy approach under pressure.

There is much drama: snow, a village crisis, storms, and unexpected arrivals, plenty to keep you turning the pages and drawn in to the community. Because that is ultimately what this book is about, community, isolation, friendship and belonging; that you can always be a part of something much bigger if only you allow yourself to be vulnerable.

I truly enjoyed this book, such a lovely heartwarming story.
Felicity Simons, flees to London from the village of Heartcross after miscarriages resulting in her being unable to have a baby through no fault of her own. She is unable to cope and thinking that Fergus the boy she was destined to marry, grew up with and loved with all of her heart wanted the children she couldn't give him, felt it was her only way out. Little knowing that all Fergus wanted and cared about was her and their happiness.
Fast-forward 8 years later and after learning her beloved grandmother Bonnie had died decides to make the long journey back. When she arrives everywhere is covered in snow. She makes it into the village when a few days later a terrible snow storm hits the village, the bridge suddenly collapses leaving the village cut off from the outside world.
Fergus has not only got a little daughter Esme but is angry and hurt with Flick leaving him. Felicity has to win his trust back and also those of the childhood friends left behind. There is a lot of bridge building to be made both relationships, friendship and literal.
Delivering babies, pooling together food and feeding the villagers is only a small part of this story.
Much much more keeps you enthralled. With the unfolding of love and smiles.
Thank you, NetGalley for the chance to read this lovely book.

I chose to participate in today’s Book Tour because it sounded like such a sweet and sad story that I just wanted to know what happened!

Story overview
Felicity starts this story waiting to speak to her manager to get some time off just after the new year. Given that she works in a department store, this is when sales are rife and it's super busy.

Felicity's dreading having to ask for time off since the new management isn't people focused. Surprisingly, she manages to get time off, but only because her grandmother had just passed away.

Meanwhile, as the day continues we learn about her now ex-boyfriend. She's kicked him out of her apartment and is mentally preparing for the trip to her Scottish hometown of Heartcross.

While Felicity travels home she's wracked with heartache on account of Fergus, her childhood sweetheart. However, we don't have long to wait to see what kid of reception she gets from him. Since she unexpectedly runs into him within hours of getting home in the middle of a blizzard.

Their greeting is even colder than Felicity imagined it might be. But then again, she did run away more than 8 years previously. And this it the first time they are seeing each other since then.

My thoughts
At this point, reading about how cold Fergus is towards Felicity. It had me wondering what she could possibly have done to him that was so awful that he held onto his grudge that long. Throughout the book I was wracking my brain to try and figure it out. In response to my patience I was slowly drip fed the answers I was starving for. And boy was I surprised!

I was treated to a lot of heartache, quite a few arguments, tension between friends, a runaway child, disaster and a community spirit that left me emotionally exhausted. With an ending that felt like it really brought the story together.

At times you can reach the end of a story and it feels like the author has rushed a relationship, just to get the happily ever after. But this one didn't feel like that, which is great.

Instead, it felt like the natural progression of friendships that finished things off in the perfect way. Without being over the top JUST to get that happily every after. Because of this I'm super eager for the sequel Foxglove Farm to come out!

Love Heart Lane gave me the warm and fuzzies. What a cute story. There is a town to save, a man to love and a little girl to cherish.

Felicity Simons knows where she belongs. Her heart has always been in one place and belongs to one man, but when times got too tough she ran away. The future she saw was not the one she had planned. Felicity moves to London and left her small town in Scotland behind. Her cute cosy town was swapped for a flat in the big city. Her family tearoom job was exchanged for a department store. She’s dating a guy that isn’t the right one but at least she has her best friend Polly.

Felicity returns to her hometown in Scotland after her grandmother passes. It’s years later and the town has moved on without her. Felicity realised how much she’s missed home and everything that goes with it. She has some bridges to mend and some hearts to fill.

I really enjoyed this book. The whole town came to life. It was more than a second chance romance. It’s about acceptance and community. Felicity is a great leading lady and the town won me over. I really like Alfie’s character. He is misunderstood by Felicity and she never really saw who he was, but author Christie Barlow hints of his story.

This is my first story by this author and it won’t be my last. 5 out of 5. *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a Netgalley read.

I'm absolutely over the moon to find a new series with all the ingredients you need to totally fall in love with the story and the characters. Love Heart Lane is such an idyllic setting, in the highlands of Scotland. Totally remote in snowstorms but with a wonderful community spirit when they need to pull together.

Felicity has returned after a long spell and we are left to wonder what happened between her and Fergus when they were younger. She feels a bit left out with all her old friends, but the lure of Love Heart Lane soon has her wanting to belong all over again.

She weaves her way into everyone's hearts again when she finds herself in charge of overcoming adversity when the snow starts to thaw.

A beautifully woven story that has me hoping the next book in the series is going to be released very soon..

Really enjoyed this book! I completely felt like I was part of the community of Heartcross from reading it. I loved the depth of the main male character Fergus and it was him that I really felt invested in. Felicity had her moments, but Fergus was the one I was really rooting for to have his happy ever after.

I loved the setting of the Scottish village and could clearly see it in my mind throughout the book.

If you're a fan of Debbie MacComber's novels, I think you will love this!

A wonderful new series by a favourite author!!!

Chick Lit at it's finest...I want to live in this book!

#HappyPublicationDay

This is a great beginning to a new series. It's a lightand cheery read about finding and keeping love, being part of a community and having great friends. If you like novels about small villages and the lives of the occupants , then thisbook is for you.