Cover Image: Starlight Over Bluebell Castle

Starlight Over Bluebell Castle

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Member Reviews

I needed some well written escapism, heartwarming and fun to read. This book matched all the parameters and I truly enjoyed it.
I liked the well plotted and entertaining plot, rooted for the fleshed out cast of characters, appreciated the festive atmosphere and the setting.
Can't wait to read the next instalment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

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Starlight Over Bluebell Castle by Sarah Bennett is the most delightful contemporary tale of castles and romance. The reader sinks into the novel and is cocooned within the story. Bluebell Castle is a place where you can begin to believe in fairy tales.
The book is a perfect read on a grey, gloomy autumnal day as its atmosphere will brighten up the reader’s heart. Set in the Derbyshire Dales in the run up to Christmas, the reader eagerly anticipates the snow and the excitement to come.
Christmas is a time for dreams to come true. Planning the perfect Christmas ignites the reader’s heart with warmth.
There is a wonderful, welcoming feel to the whole novel. They “had a knack of absorbing people into their family.” Even the reader feels included.
Life is not always easy. There are the themes of loss and broken marriages but there are also restoration and new beginnings.
Sarah Bennett has once again created some wonderful characters. It was so easy to empathise with Jess, a busy mum of two delightful but active small boys. Jess was realistically drawn – not perfect with her hang ups over body image but so easy to relate to. What woman doesn’t look in the mirror and criticise herself?
I adored Starlight Over Bluebell Castle. It had all the elements to make it a wonderful read to light up a grey day. It is just perfect.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

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The third book in the Bluebell Castle series by Sarah Bennett is titled Starlight Over Bluebell Castle. A story about a second chance at love and the magic of a winter wonderland. This is the first book in the series that I have read and I can't wait to read the rest of the Bluebell Castle series. A lovely Christmas story with vivid characters and a magical winter setting that is perfect for romance. Starlight Over Bluebell Castle is a lovely holiday romance that is easy to get lost in. A story that is sure to warm your heart and stay with you long after reading.

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Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect escapist read.

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It is rare when the last book of a series is the best of the lot, but that just happens to be the case in this particular series. I knew I would sit with this one as soon as I had it on my kindle so I delayed downloading it as much as I could(since I have so many other, older books pending). When I finally did do it, I read it in two sittings. This last bit only happened because of the natural course of night time and sleep requirements trumped reading. Otherwise, it is definitely a one-sitting read.

I have seen the changes in the course of the lives of the two elder of the triplets, while eagerly looking forward to the last one. Tristan has no stake in the legacy of their father, the title or worry for money. He always knew he was not the heir, and he had a steady job in London when his father passed. He came to join his siblings to help with the monetary situation and to lend a hand any way he could. This set him apart from his siblings, for me at least. By the time the previous instalment ended, Tristan had an idea and to implement the plan, someone from his past joins him in working out the situation. This collaboration and the changes to their lives forms the basis of this story. It is a standard formula, but still brilliant to read. It has all the right kind of situations, written with a dash of humour and adorable characters. The characters range from the elderly aunt Morgana all the way down to an infant.

I am not claiming this book was uniquely different, but the author did a great job of taking the usual narrative and making it fresher, colourful and definitely vivid. There is no mystery hidden in this one, no ulterior motive like in the previous two cases but the storyline does not suffer for it. I would have even loved more planning scenes and how the vacation packages were put together in more in-depth detail.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

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This conclusion to the Bluebell Castle series is the story of Tristan and Jess. After her divorce Jess gets a second chance at love with Tristan. Though I did not like this one as much as the others in the series, it was still a very nice Christmas story. I am still not a fan of the cover artwork and I hope her next series moves away from the childish drawings on the cover. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

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I have read and reviewed the two previous books in the Bluebell Castle series and absolutely loved them so there was no doubt in my mind I just had to read the third and final book in the series.

I could relate to Jess on such a personal level after her marriage breaking down and how she ended up at Bluebell Castle (obviously I don’t live in a castle ha!) Her journey of rediscovering who is is and what she wants in life was inspiring and I was cheerleading her character from the first page to the very last!

It was such a pleasure to be back in the company of the whole Ludworth family and this gorgeous setting. It was like going for a well overdue catch up with old friends. I won’t go into the plot in too much detail but this story focuses more on Tristan and Jess in the festive season. The chemistry between these two characters just radiates from the pages and I found myself just flying through this beautiful story ❤️ I also loved Eli and Issac, Jess’s two wonderful sons.

This is certainly the series for you if you want to curl up with a comfort read that will have you on a rollercoaster of emotions. As I’ve said before, Sarah’s writing has you feeling the story as I was completely invested. I give ‘Starlight Over Bluebell Castle’ 5*/5* 😊

Thank you to HQ Digital for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley.

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This is the third part of the Bluebell Castle trilogy from Sarah Bennett. The stories deal with the lives of the Ludworth family, whose ancestral Derbyshire home has been nicknamed Bluebell castle due to the stunning display of these flowers in the grounds each spring. Each part of this trilogy can be read as a stand-alone, but I would recommend reading each in turn, as they make a wonderful set. As I expected, having read several books by Sarah Bennett, once I began reading this current Bluebell Castle story I was hooked.

Each part of this series has centred on one member of the youngest generation of the Ludworth family, triplets Arthur, Igraine and Tristan. This time it’s the turn of Tristan to be in the limelight. In previous parts, readers have learned of the family’s struggle to secure the future of their home following the death of the triplets’ father and the financial difficulties he left behind. A year on finds Tristan using his events management experience to try to establish the castle as a luxury Christmas vacation venue and to turn the grounds into a winter wonderland. In need of an assistant, he turns to one-time colleague and romantic interest Jess, whose marriage has broken down and is facing an uncertain future. Jess and her two young sons soon find themselves ensconced in the castle where she uses her skills to help Tristan in his attempts to fulfil his dream. As she is drawn further and further into the family and nearer to Tristan, Jess wonders how she will be able to leave once the festivities are over and she has to find another job.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is full of warmth and romance, to say nothing of Christmas magic. Having read the other parts of the trilogy, it was lovely to return to the familiar Ludworth family home and meet up with the inhabitants once more. They are all such likeable characters and so welcoming to everyone; I would certainly like to experience one of their luxury Christmas breaks where it seems every wish a guest could possibly have can be granted. I am really going to miss Bluebell Castle and will undoubtedly go back and read all the parts of the trilogy again. This part would make an excellent Christmas gift for a friend, or just for yourself!

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A lovely story that rounded out the trilogy of Arthur, Iggy and Tristan. Can be read as a stand-alone but is best with the other fabulous Bluebell castle books.

I really identified with Jess and her gorgeous little boys... Jess faces the age-old situation of not feeling good enough.

I really enjoy this author’s writing - i was transported to the Derbyshire castle and was really absorbed into the story.

5* as a strong conclusion, 4* standalone

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Once again, thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from start to finish, couldn’t put it down. Intrigued, had to continue with it to know what happens. A really lovely Christmas read. The story of Jess and how she makes a fresh start in a place she doesn’t know. Would definitely recommend it to all. Loved all the characters in the book. Can’t wait for the next one.

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Jessica Ridley and Tristan Ludworth were colleagues once upon a time, each with a crush on the other, unbeknownst to them. But in one night everything changes when her brother passes away and she gets married to Steve, her brother’s best friend. Fast forward a number of years and both of their lives are changing yet again. Jessica and Steve are getting divorced, very amicably, and Jessica has resigned to move in with her parents. Tristan is moving back to Bluebell Castle to oversee a huge Christmas project there. When he finds out that Jessica is also leaving and probably in need of a job, he offers her the position of his assistant in organizing this Christmas event.

Neither of them ever got over their feelings for each other from year ago, and being in constant contact with each other made them consider all the possibilities of what could and could not be.

I love Bluebell Castle and the Christmas magic that they wrought with the Christmas market and opening their home to paying guests over the holidays. Jessica and Tristan are both wonderful characters. Each on had something to prove to themselves and to others. I enjoyed seeing them grow together and become closer and eventually fall in love. It was great to revisit Tristan’s family as well.

It was a great read, quick, and fun, and left me with a very warm-hearted feeling.

I received an advanced copy of the book from Netgalley to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I enjoyed everything about this trilogy and everything about getting to know the Ludworth clan. The story of Tristan and Jess is a great bookend for this trilogy. I wish there was a map of the castle and the grounds, but trying to imagine the setting was fun. Jess is the perfect partner for Tristan. Both are down to earth and caring for those around them. I loved how the rest of the family immediately took to Jess and her boys. I didn't want this to end. I'm tempted to petition for stories about the rest of the household!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy.

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A most enjoyable story. Christmas, family, friends, romance, all in an idyllic setting. Perfect read for a relaxing evening.

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Read this gorgeous beauty in less than 24 hours. Just like all of Sarah’s books, this is a fantastic read. Definitely worthy of five stars. I absolutely loved it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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When Jessica Ridley first starts to work for a living she meets Tristan Ludworth for the first time. They work together and get on really well. The office gossips sway and moon over Tristan, handsome and confident; he catches the eyes of all the unattached girls. At an office function Tristan asks her to dance and they spend time together in happy conversation. When Jessica goes to the ladies room she overhears two of the office girls being catty about her and saying Tristan is only being kind and lumpy Jessica is clinging on to him and embarrassing him. She is mortified. She leaves straight away and things are never the same between them again, although they still maintain a good working relationship.
Jessica eventually goes on to marry Steve, her brother’s best friend, and they have two small boys. Yet more time passes by until Tristan leaves the firm temporarily when his father passes away and goes back to Derbyshire to help his brother and sister take over the care of their ancestral home, Bluebell Castle up in Derbyshire.
Jessica is reunited when Tristan returns to the office to resign permanently; coincidentally it is Jessica’s last day at work. She has split up with Steve and plans to move back home. Tristan has decided to stay in Derbyshire. He has ideas to help his brother Arthur make the castle a tourist and event attraction. He needs help to organise the upcoming Christmas and New Year events at the castle and, as he and Jessica chat at their now joint leaving party, he thinks how she would be the greatest of additions for the castle team. He reasons that her organisational skills are second to none and they once worked together happily. Impulsively he offers her a temporary job. She asks for time to think about it and the next morning the deal is a done deal. Even her ex Steve agrees that it will give her thinking time and space away from their parents who are trying to get them back together.
Up in Derbyshire Jessica and the boys are welcomed warmly. She can’t wait to get to work. She really loves her job and the boys love their new home. This is the story of what happens next – a magical Christmas story full of laughter, friendship and possibly more. I really enjoyed this story, the third in the Bluebell Castle series. I have read Emma’s early novels and was very pleased to receive a copy of this one for review. She is an accomplished storyteller and her characterisation is skilled and full of relatable characters. Her stories are heart-warming romances, all told with flair. I could easily visualise the beautiful settings in the novel and loved the welcoming and supportive Ludworth family and their support network, full of old-fashioned charm and eagerness to please.
I received this book through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher HQ Digital in return for an honest review. Thank you most sincerely for my copy. I recommend this as a lovely Christmassy romantic read, perfect to warm your heart and pure escapism.

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I would like to thank netgalley and HQ Digital for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely ending to the trilogy.

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This is the final book in the Bluebell Castle series, and is a lovely festive ending to the series.
It's a nice and easy read, plenty of romance. The previous characters from the other books appear in this book, and it's good to find out if everyone has their happy endings.
It's difficult to not give away any spoilers, but this is a very enjoyable read. I can't wait to read more books by Sarah Bennett, and I hope that there are more series in the future, as she writes them very well.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

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Fabulous festive read!! Loved this book! This is the story of Jess and her journey from her first job after university to an opportunity in a castle in Derbyshire. The description of the family lives are brilliant and real. I very much enjoyed Sarah's use of language which really bring the characters and places to life in your mind. Great read for this time of year and especially around Christmas! Need to read more from Sarah Bennett!

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This has to be my favourite in the series and it forms the perfect final novel in the trilogy. I almost feel as if I have visited the Castle and met all the characters, they are so vividly drawn. Jess gets your sympathy from the beginning. She seems so down to earth and caring. Set in the build up to Christmas, you get to share in the festive feel of the preparations in the castle. Tristan emerges as a central character and you learn a lot more about him. This is one of those books which I couldn't wait to read and I wasn't disappointed- far from it. What a warm, lovely series this has been!

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

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I loved this book!

It was another great story that continued the ups and down at Bluebell Castle, I really enjoyed the two previous books so as soon as this one landed on my Kindle I was straight in to read it!

I thought that the plot was great, it had the perfect mix - it was a heart-warming, romantic read and one I thoroughly enjoyed, I savoured every page.

Characters are great and are told with really good details, you almost feel as though you are there with them! It is 5 stars from me for this one, it is a great addition to the series and really looking forward to read what she releases next - very highly recommended!

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