What a delightful read.

There are lots of things I liked about this book, the main being the cozy feeling it gave me every time I picked it up to read. I enjoyed the journey the main characters had to go through, they come from almost polar opposites but delve a little deeper and they share similar fears. Maddison comes home to set down roots, whilst Connor wants nothing more than to work hard and prove to his mean, late father that he is worthy of the family business. Both think they are failing miserably, but it is through each other that they find their true worth.

Don’t get me wrong, not all aspects of the story are perfect, Maddison annoyed me when she was ready to leave before the hard work began, but without that character flaw, there would be no story. The antics of the secondary characters, Amy, Jessie, and Georgie, did sometimes strike me as a little petulant, immature, maybe I’m getting old.

On the whole, I would recommend to my friends as a story to lose yourself in over a weekend on Sunflower Island.

Many thanks to #Netgalley and #Bookouture for allowing me to read an advance copy of #TheLittleGuesthouseOfNewBeginnings.

Donna Ashcroft's new book The Little Guesthouse of New Beginnings, which has the most gorgeous, inviting cover, takes us to the beautiful setting of Sunflower Island. The island is a special and unique place whose inhabitants are full of warmth, support and people who always offer dedicated friendship in challenging times. This book was an utter joy to read from start to finish, it just gave you that warm, feel good feeling inside. From the opening chapter as Madison Skylar gets her first glimpse of the island whilst returning home on the ferry I just felt this story was one that was going to be so enjoyable and that the characters, setting and plot would very much find a place in my heart and they most certainly did.

At the time of reading I really did enjoy Donna's first two books set in Castle Cove but this new story blew this out of the water and I feel the author has really moved on in terms of her writing. The descriptions were fantastic and I loved how everything was more or less how most of the cards were laid out on the table within the first few chapters. There was no beating around the bush, pussy footing around the issues that would feature in the book instead things were laid bare for us to digest fairly early on and I loved that this happened.

I didn't feel there were any filler chapters or plot-lines just to bulk up the word count, instead there was no shying away from the issues at hand. The reader knew more or less from the outset what was at the heart of the problems facing the two main characters Madison and Connor and it's how they deal with their issues and overcome their fears and worries that make for an excellent read which I read in more or less one sitting. Yes the book did have more than one angle with The Hideaway Guesthouse falling into desperate times as The Lake Lodge Hotel is constantly undercutting their prices and trying to put them out of business. But this wasn't the sole focus of the book and I was ever so glad because I have read this storyline so many times before. Instead a more human, personal side to the story was explored and although both Madison and Connor were very frustrating at times for different reasons and yes the ending may have been slightly predictable, still I was rooting for a positive outcome and thoroughly enjoyed the journey to reach that point.

Madison is a person who herself would admit is not the most perfect person. She has plenty of faults and character traits that could led to her downfall. Although she may outwardly present herself as confident as she travels the world solo seeking something that has eluded her since childhood, deep down she is not a happy person. She is restless and needs to finally establish some firm roots. So this sees her returning to Sunflower Island and to the guesthouse where her aunt and uncle reared her following the tragic death of her parents who were diplomats. Madison has become accustomed to being pushed from pillar to post as her parents relocated many times and Aunt Sandy and Uncle Jack afforded her the opportunity to settle down and live a normal life. Yet Madison left the island when she was old enough and only returned for brief visits, she has gained a reputation for coming and going as she pleases. In fact Madison is constantly running and as we move through the book the reasons for fleeing and escaping become ever more apparent.

Madison never permanently connected with people because she thought she would be safer. But safe from what? To be honest there were times when I understood Madison's viewpoint and others where I just wanted to shake her and say stop with the pity party and feeling all sorry for yourself. You are reading deeply into things and taking things up wrong when really there is no issue at all. You see things that aren't always there because you want to and then in turn I felt she wanted people to chase after her almost pleading in a way that she should stay on the island for good. The island had so much to offer but Madison couldn't see through her firmly established opinions and beliefs that people would embrace her with open arms. Madison needed to prove herself and her worth and by attempting to change the fortunes of the guesthouse maybe she could achieve this. Unfortunately there are one or two things that Dee and Amy who work there and who are friends with her haven't mentioned yet. Will these up scuttle everything and will the brilliant ideas Madison have prove to be futile and all for nothing? Or will it in fact be the makings of her? Only time would tell?

As for Connor, he was such a complicated character. Infuriating, vulnerable but loveable in equal measure. I totally got his viewpoint and stance as similar to Madison his upbringing really affected the person he was today. When Madison arrives back on the island he dismisses her as frivolous and uncommitted and she really rubs him up the wrong way. He can't stand that she never stays in one place and is always leaving the island. He feels he can never get close to her, there is no point as she will be gone. But undeniably there was a chemistry and attraction between the pair and the reader wonders can it develop into something more given they are working in close proximity together? Connor is renovating the guesthouse café and also starts to help Madison with some of her own entrepreneurial ideas. Madison becomes determined to reach beneath that shell that Connor has constructed around himself. To make him understand that there is more than one viewpoint in life and that his opinions and stances on certain situations and events are not always right. That he really needs to embrace a new side of life. Instead of keeping pushing forward with no distractions he should sit back and relax a little. Working himself into the ground to prove a point to a person who won't be there to see it will do no good for you at all in the end. That holding back and not connecting with people will only make for a miserable way of life. Not connecting with people or making time for them will only prove detrimental to both his personal and professional well being.

I thought Connor was a brilliantly written character and I loved the inner turmoil he was wresting with as was Madison. In ways they were quite similar and then in others they were polar opposites but you wondered whether the qualities each person lacked and the other person had would help them gel together and work as a team? Or were they both just too stubborn for anything to work out? I thought all the strands of the story developed so well and at a great pace. There were no significant lulls or times when I thought nothing is happening. Every scene and little plot moved the story forward and in fact I wanted the book to last even longer. I did think the final few scenes were ever so slightly rushed and a chapter or two more would have been ideal as it just felt a bit too abrupt.

The Little Guesthouse of New Beginnings was a charming, warm and wonderful book and I really hope that Donna Ashcroft is hard at work on another book set on the island. There were so many other characters who got brief mentions and together with all the brilliant names of the various shops and business there is undoubtedly a lot more tales to come from Sunflower Island.

This is a story about coming home and finding yourself. Madison and Connor both have issues they need to work through. Will they be able to help each other? Will they each let their past define their future? Sometimes it’s hard to shake your past and realize that that is where it belongs, in the past. In this story Madison finds a great friend in a stranger, Stanley, who comes to the scene with just the talents he needs to help in a tricky situation. Poor Jesse, he doesn’t have a clue, but once he sees the light, it’ll be a different story. I would love to hang out with the folks on Sunflower Island. I would definitely stay at The Hideway and I would absolutely go to Laura’s ice cream shop! I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

The story of Madison, back on the island after spending years abroad because she ahs always felt she is in the way. Everyone expects her to leave again but she wants to stay and help, especially after finding out her Aunt and Uncle's business is struggling.

Will she finally get Connor to be her friend, or more?

I loved the settign of the book and hope this is a series and we get to find out what Finn's story is next!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

I would like to thank Bookouture for asking me to review this book and to be apart of the blog tour.
The cover for this book is just lovely. It is so inviting. I adore Donna Ashcroft's books and this was is amazing.
Madison has been travelling the the world and trying to escape some feelings she has that are linked to her past. She arrives home wanting a change but not sure how or where she fits in in her local community. Her aunt and uncle have put their guesthouse up for sale, Madison who does not no this does realise it needs help and decides this is what she can do to help her aunt and uncle, although it is not easy. Madison had feelings for Connor from when she was younger and their past is not a great one with some misunderstood opinions of each other.
As the story unfolds a lovely romance plays out in a beautiful setting. I just loved the Sunflowers, our wedding flower, so that element really spoke to my heart and made the location just that little bit more magical.
Highly recommended.

A light read, okay plot and characters and was an enjoyable story until the end. I felt the characters took too long to warm up to and Connor never really changed I felt , always remained judgemental even tight to the end and didn’t learn , not truly. I found the ending unsatisfying and didn’t resolve how madison had felt all her life and it was just swept under the rug. I was enjoying it mostly up until the end and now I’m annoyed and frustrated

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I recieved an early preview copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Maddie has travelled the world, feeling like she doesn't have anywhere to call home.
She decides to return to the Guesthouse which is run by her Aunt and Uncle, as she has finally decided to try and settle down. She finds that her Aunt and Uncle are on holiday, and business is quiet. She decides to revamp the place, to try and improve business. She discovers that not everyone is happy to see her, and the expect her to leave again, especially Connor the builder.
I did not really like the characters. Lizzie and her friend Amy were immature, and Connor was unlikeable. I thought that the book was fairly predictable in places. I thought that the book was alright in places, it's middle of the road for me, not very bad, but not fantastic. This is only my opinion though.

Such a great story of how someone can turn another person around and how a small town is there for each other. Madison arrives at The Sunshine Hideaway. Which is owned by her Aunt and Uncle. They have gone on a cruise and she was there to surprise them. She has decided that after 5 years of traveling that she wants to be here and make this her home. She wants to add Yoga and walks on trails to activities at the Hideaway. We do know from the beginning that her Aunt and Uncle plan on selling and her Aunt had a heart attack. But Dee and Connor are not to tell her. Connor grew up with a father who had never shown love and everything was work, work and work. Now Connor is in the same mindframe but Madison is trying to show him he needs time for fun.Madison has had a crush on him since she was 15 but he always made her feel like a nuisance. You can see that he has feelings but he doesn't want to. She keeps working her way into his life and showing him there is more to just working.

A lovely feel good summer read. Transports you right into the story for a journey with the characters. Great story and a fab read

I was so so excited to read this as it is right up my street and my goodness I was not disappointed, There is a whole bunch of characters in this and it didn't take me long to familiarise myself with them all and know who was who and I loved them all. The little guesthouse sounded absolutely beautiful and I really would love to visit it sometime. This was a story I couldn't predict, I just didn't know how it would end. A beautiful hint of romance too. Delightful!

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
FABULOUS read a great plot good characters with a feel good factor well worth a read.

Madison is a wanderer, she has been travelling around the world for 5 years but decides to go home. She has family, an aunt and uncle who run a guest house and Madision goes back to see them.

Whilst there she sees a man she has had a thing for since she was 15 and they have to work together to refurbish the guest house whilst trying to fight their attraction to each other.

This was a good read, really enjoyed it.

Madison grew up around the world thanks to the fact that her dad was a diplomat but she always considered Sunflower Island home. She's come back for a bit and discovers that the guesthouse really needs a refresh. Filled with ideas, she works with her old and unrequieted love Connor (and this goes both ways!) and her friend Amy, she works to not only restore it but also to set it up for success. Well, there's something she didn't know about the guesthouse and that might be a problem for the future. It's a nice story even though Madison is awfully young for all of this and seems immature at times (which isn't fair since she's only 23). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A pleasant read.

Madison has had a nomadic life but the one place she calls home is Sunflower Island, and she is now returning there to her aunt and uncles guesthouse. They are away on holiday and she is shocked at how rundown it had become, with the help of her friends Amy and Connor, who had already been tasked with decorating it, she determines to restore it to its former glory and make it into a wellness centre...... but will her young crush on Connor be rekindled?

A lovely book in a gorgeous setting, I always find books by this author very easy to read and I raced through this one, perfect summer read for the beach

What a cute cover - really eye catching and inviting to read.

I didn't fully engage with the book, it's a pleasant read and a sweet concept but I just didn't get into it as much as I hoped I would.

Sunflower Island sounds lovely, a real quaint holiday destination. I appreciated the backstory we were given, felt like we were told an awful lot in those first couple of chapters.

Main character Madison is just OK; I found her a little annoying and selfish in many ways if I'm honest. Her concern is finding what is right for her and not anyone else around her, friends or family wise. I think they romance was fairly predictable - sweet but nothing substantial. I didn't care much for Connor - thought he was overly grumpy and belligerent at times. I really didn't see that much chemistry between the two characters.

I knew what would happen, there was no big surprise or twist to throw a reader off. I think it is fine for a quick summer read by the pool.

I really enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend it. It has a great story line, excellent main characters and it is a real page turner. I read this book in one sitting and the hours just flew by!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This was the perfect read for me as was laid up in bed with the flu and this made me smile and think of summer.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Madison Skylar truly has a chance to come home. That home is Sunflower Island at the Sunshine Hideaway. This could be the second chance she needs. More than that, she just might have a second chance with Connor Robertson. Madison has always been free and open, but returning home just might give her a chance at happiness with Connor. Meanwhile, with his help, and that of another old friend, Amy Walters, they work hard at restoring the Hideaway retreat.

Madison's aunt and uncle own the retreat but are away on vacation. She does what she can to restore it to its former glory, and beyond. The only hardship Madison has while working with Connor, who works hard as a builder, is fighting the attraction she has to him. Connor is looking for something too, and perhaps he has found it in Madison, if only she can let her wanderlust go.

After reading a few psychological thrillers lately, it was a real boon to read such a pleasant story. Not only did I just love Madison, Connor was a terrific character, a man who truly deserved to be loved. Madison is just so good for Connor and I loved watching their relationship grow. I also enjoyed characters such as Amy, Dee and Jesse.

I really enjoyed this book by Donna Ashcroft. It was a delightful read. On a very personal note: I read at least a book a day, most days two. This book, however, took much longer due to some serious issues. Admittedly, at first I bemoaned the length of time it took to read it, but every time I reopened it, it really was like coming home. It is nice to read a book that brings real comfort. I look forward to reading much more from this author.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Loved this book. Great plot, characters and setting. I highly recommend this book. This author always serves up a good red.

I fell in love with the cover then I fell in love in love with book.
It's heartwarming, engaging and entertaining.
I love the well devised plot, the fleshed out characters and the setting.
I will surely read other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine