I love how every time I read a Katie Fforde book I come away having learnt about a new profession or craft. In the case of A Springtime Affair it is weaving on looms, which I can honestly say is something I have never considered or given any thought to in the past. Yet in this novel it sounded really lovely and something that if I ever had time to take up a craft could be interesting to look into - silk weaving that is due to being allergic to wool!

I enjoyed Helena and Jago's newfound friendship, Jago sounds like a real keeper, he is just so caring towards Helena and animals, I really enjoyed their dynamic, and I was also really impressed with Helena's special skill, which doesn't seem to give her much pleasure but does have some interesting applications.

Then there is Helena's mum Gilly, who is a real feeder, there is a lot of food in this book - and she is being pressured by her son, Martin, to sell her B&B and use most of the money on funding Martin a new house. Which Gilly isn't really sure about, and then she meets slick tongued property valuer Leo, and they really hit it off.

There is a lot of various plot lines weaved into this merry tale, and I really enjoyed all of them, and seeing just what is in Jago and Leo's pasts. And there is the new hobby that Gilly becomes interested in, which was exhilarating to read about.

This is just what I have come to expect from the author, a warm and cosy story that I really did enjoy.

Thank you to Cornerstone and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily..

A sumptuously, gratifying comfort read. This book doesn’t disappoint. Adorable characters, some twists and turns and a satisfying ending. Books don’t get much better than Katie Ffordes and this one lives up to its predecessors. Fabulous read. I just wish I could read it all again for the first time.

Thank you Netgalley

I really enjoyed this book but was a bit disappointed with the end. I felt it ended a bit abruptly. However I would recommend reading it especially if you are a fan of Katie Fforde

Good storyline. great charcters, the story flowed really well, and it was a fun read. I sat and read this in the garden and it was a great way to while away an afternoon.

I loved the book. I read it, sat in the garden in the sun. The nearest thing to a holiday read during lockdown. Thank you so much

I enjoy Katie Fforde's writing even if this book made me hungry all the time! What better was to enjoy it than with a biscuit or three ;) I did prefer Helena's storyline a little but enjoyed them both and was rooting for both women to get their happy endings.

I loved this book by Katie Fforde, as I always do with her books. A great read that I read in only a few days during lockdown.

An entertaining and easy read.

Not my personal favourite genre but this is an okay and fun read. The characters were, well ... just nice and there was a lot of mindless tittle tattle about home baking, crafts and love affairs but in a way this is all part of the charm. Slightly unrealistic and chauvinistic approach so not, in my opinion, realistic or representative of modern society but as a bit of light hearted escapism it's fine.

Loved this book, another cracker from Katie Fforde. A tale of how mother & daughter can both find love when they least expect it

Loved this story, well written, great characters and twists to the story I was unable to predict. The reader was drawn into the story instantly and I had a few very enjoyable hours reading it . Would recommend to anyone.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House UK and Katie Fforde for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

I adored this book from start to finish. I've been a big fan of Katie Ffordes work for years and she never fails to draw me in.
The cover is so pretty and the characters well written

I really enjoyed this book. I found it charming and a lovely tale to get my teeth in. I will definitely read more from this author.

Kate Fforfe never fails to please. Her books are always well written and easy to read and this is no exception.
Gilly, a divorcee in her 50's runs a B&B in her home to make ends meet, it is her pride and joy and she takes great pride it. Is she going to have to give it up though as her son wishes?
Her daughter Helena, a talented weaver is about to lose her work space to a redevelopment.
The story tells how both women find a new romance and how these grow and develop overcoming difficulties to do so. There are family squabbles, some dirty deeds and some laughs along the way.
An unread Kate Fforfe is always a good find and this is no exception.

It seemed to take me a while to get into this book, the synopsis somewhat mis-led me, but the more I read of it the more you really got into it and by the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I have been a big fan of reading romance by Katie Fforde for ages and so when I knew A Springtime Affair was coming out I knew I had to read and review it.
I adore the cover designs for Katie's books they are so lovely and she has a whole range of stationery and hA Springtime Affair is a romance with family issues that feature as part of the plot and is a light and easy read. Gilly has worked hard for her B&B which is also the family home and when it is suggested that she sells to downsize she is determined that she will not lose her lovely home and job she adores. However, on meeting estate agent Leo she may just change her mind. Meanwhile, her daughter, Helena a craftswoman who has no time for love finds herself in a relationship of sorts with her landlord but he who needs her to move out and finds somewhere else to live and have her loom. homeware which is just amazing, follow the link below to her website find out more.
I found these two romances delightful to read. The added family dramas give the story added depth and the conflict keeps the pages turning as you want to find out what the outcome might be. This is one of those books that you know a happy ending will come but not in what shape it will be in.
I adored this read. Katie Fforde is an author for me who I know just what I am going to get when I open the pages of her books and I am never disappointed.

The story of Gilly and her daughter Helena. Both have new men in their lives, but they seem to be keeping secrets.
An enjoyable read, that was nicely paced, with a few surprises!

I've wanted to read author Katie Fforde for ages and this was pretty much exactly what I was expecting - a warm, cosy read focused on romance, family and friendships. This provided two romances for the price of one, but it was actually the family element as opposed to the romance that I really enjoyed.

This was a story of new beginnings for the two main characters, mother and daughter, Gilly and Helena. Gilly is a fifty- something woman running a B&B business after a difficult (marriage and) divorce have left her fighting to keep hold of her much- loved family home, much to the disappointment of her son who introduces her to estate agent Leo in a bid to get her to sell up. At the same time, talented weaver Helena, also running her own small business, is embarking on a budding relationship with her new landlord. But, will either of them get their happily ever after?

For me the heroine of the story was Gilly and the romantic perspective of a mature, self-deprecating female as opposed to an optimistic, love-struck twenty-something was really refreshing for me. The author perfectly and sympathetically captured the conflicting emotions and reactions, of both Gilly and her two adult children, to Gilly's first romantic encounter as a mature and single lady. I was also fascinated by her son's selfishness in believing his mother no longer had dreams and a life of her own to live, instead wanting her to devote herself (and her finances) to looking after his own family. As such it was great to see Gilly embracing a new life, post-divorce and children, running a business, dating not one but two handsome gentlemen and taking up new hobbies such as gliding.

In fact, I always love an entrepreneurial subtext to any story, one of strong, independent women doing it for themselves and running their own successful small businesses. And, this didn't disappoint on that front as I particularly enjoyed reading about the day-to-day running of Gilly's B&B and Helena travelling around the country to sell her woven crafts at various fairs.

All-in-all there's nothing not to like about this book - it's the sort of book that you can just relax into and enjoy. However, that said it definitely falls into the good read rather than must-read category. There's enough going on and enough intrigue from a cast of likeable characters to maintain interest and enjoyment throughout but it lacks a little of the extra spark needed for a full five-stars.

An excellent fun read during difficult times. Such a perfect story with so many easy plots to follow and keep you interested. There's a lovely mum who's made a b & b business she loves from her family home, there's a rogue who's after her money, a potential lover and friend who you just want her to notice. Her daughter is off men for life but has a budding romance on her doorstep...but is he who he says he is? A brother and sister in law with designs on Mum's house but will they get what they want? Lovely stuff, utterly wonderful to lose yourself in and a typical Katie Fforde read, she never fails to deliver!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review

Light and enjoyable read, with lots of characters of all ages. Nice commentary on family life and the interaction between different generations. A comforting read in difficult times when escapism is important,

Likeable characters, lovely descriptions of settings, pleasant story.
A perfect summer read. Nothing very surprising or taxing, but a complete delight, nevertheless.