I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. The complexity and the little twists and turns in it made it a quick read without being boring and formulaic. I loved Emily's character development, the strength she found to overcome some overwhelming obstacles. and the return to Glendale Hall! LOVE this one!

I enjoyed Coming Home to Glendale Hall very much, so when I saw this sequel, I naturally snapped it up. I’m so glad I did.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading New Beginnings at Glendale Hall, as with the previous book, it was very relaxing. Although plenty of difficulties occurred for Emily (and some of the people around her), it never felt miserable or upsetting. The pace of the story was great - it took place over months, and didn’t have people falling in love within days, which I do get a little sick of sometimes. The character development was also really good, as well as seeing favourite characters from the previous book, I enjoyed seeing Emily come into her own, as well as start learning to accept help from those who love her.

Overall, this was a very pleasing story, with well rounded characters, and a good dash of romance. Lots of cake too, of course!

I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are (as always) my own.

Emily Prescott, expert baker, is in a dwindling relationship with firefighter boyfriend when she finds out he cheated on her. She doesn’t know how to handle the complicated mess of her life, so she flees to her childhood home in Scotland to serve as bridesmaid and make the wedding cake for her friend Beth’s wedding. The drama intensifies as even more issues come to light.

This is an enjoyable and relaxing read that gives me all the feelings I wish for in a book of this genre. I loved that this story has such a light, happy and sometimes funny vibe to it. There are patches of life wisdom scattered about, which I find an added bonus. I feel drawn in by plenty of descriptions of life in Glendale, which reminds me of rural life of my childhood in northern Norway. I always seem to enjoy stories set in Scotland. There’s just something about descriptions of relationships and the rural community feel that that appeals to me so much.

Beth Williams, bride and small town power house, is working to breathe new life into the community using her grandmother’s inheritance. She has chosen to make her wedding a major community rally to both make the wedding perfect and to add business and activity to the Glendale area.

I am pleased to see Emily has support of her close Scottish friends and family at a time when she feels life is tough and she doesn’t know what the next step is. There is a whole cast of background characters in this story who are all Emily’s friends and family. Most important is commitment phobic boyfriend Greg, who fortunately goes through a major development throughout and is essential to the plot. Also vital to this story is handsome minister Brodie Stewart. His presence intensifies the drama and complications even more.

I really appreciate how the writing relates a cozy vibe despite the complexities and drama of the plot. Relaxing summery weather descriptions add to a relaxed holiday feel. Wedding preparations get a distinct place in the story. We get to follow planning of the color scheme, bridesmaid’s dresses and wedding cake as well as the outdoor arrangement of flowers and lights on the gazebo in the grounds of Glendale Hall.

This was an enjoyable and relaxing read, just as I was expecting. I would recommend it to fans of Victoria Walters and readers of romance woman’s fiction. This is book 2 in the Glendale Hall series. I read it as a standalone, which worked out just fine, and will be on the lookout for future installments.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Hera, for this ARC in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

First of all, I just want to say how completely in love I am with the cover of ‘New Beginnings at Glendale Hall’ The colours just burst off the cover 😍

Even though I haven’t read the first book in the Glendale series (well not yet!) this didn’t affect me getting to know the different characters and I wasn’t at all confused. So this just confirms for me that you can read this series in order or as standalone novels.

We meet Emily who has found out that her boyfriend Greg has cheated on her. There is so much more to their relationship problems but I won’t go into any further details as this would give away some of the plot. The setting of Glendale in Scotland sounds idyllic and I would actually love to visit (if this was a real place) The Glendale Hall and it’s surrounding grounds is the perfect setting for this story. Emily has some very tough decisions to make in her life but will she choose what’s right for her?

Emily is such an endearing person, when reading this story I wanted what was best for her. I felt sorry for her for how she was treat by Greg. The friendship between Emily and Beth just radiates from the pages even though they live far apart they are there for each other no matter what ❤️ I also loved Molly, she is so supportive for Emily. We just can’t forget the lovely and gorgeous Reverend Brodie (swoon!)

If you want to curl up warm with a good book then this is the one for you. Victoria’s narrative is so detailed you feel like you are there with Emily and the gang. I am definitely going to be reading the first in the series very soon. Victoria is an author that is definitely on my radar. I give ‘New Beginnings at Glendale Hall’ 5*/5* 😊

Thank you to Hera Books for an advance copy of this book via Netgalley.

New beginnings are indeed at the very heart of my first read by Victoria Walters, and with a likeable bunch of characters and some real and difficult issues mingled in amongst the overall feel-good factor, I’d call it a success.

“When life gives you lemons, then just make the best damn lemonade that you can.”

Having read the blurb, it was pretty clear there would be some form of angst of the love-triangle variety. Not for everyone, its not a plot I’m fond of but it worked and worked well—it wasn’t overplayed, drawn out or frustrating with the spotlight shining more on Emily starting over, focussing on herself and her dreams despite the curveballs she’s thrown. All whilst being supported by a fun bunch of friends and family and Glendale’s gorgeous vicar, Brodie.

“I must warn you. I’m a minister who drinks, as well as being young with a cracking sense of humour.”

Whether it’s coincidence I don’t know, but there’s lovely little village near Inverness called Brodie that also has a stately home/castle and in my head that was Glendale adding another little layer to my enjoyment of this story. And, having discovered this was actually Victoria Walters’ second outing to this lovely highland village, I can definitely say New Beginnings at Glendale Hall can easily be read as a stand-alone, and with a writing voice which worked for me, I’ll be checking out more from her in the future.

Well before I start gushing too much let me just point out that she’s only gone and done it again!! I just LOVE THIS AUTHOR!!
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💭My Thoughts💭⠀
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This was one of my highly anticipated reads of the year and my gosh, it did not disappoint. ⠀
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I am a huge fan of Vicky’s books and New Beginnings at Glendale Hall was just pure perfection. ⠀
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I was instantly drawn to Emily’s character and how she always puts others first before her own happiness. I absolutely sobbed when she found out about Greg’s deceitful behaviour and I just wanted to give her a hug.⠀
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Then she heads off to the beautiful Glendale Hall and that beautiful stately home seems to work it’s magic, because Emily finds family in the friends she makes there. Emily starts to make some of her dreams become a reality and starts putting herself first. ⠀
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I personally think Emily is an absolute legend, she’s really been put through a lot but she just keeps on going and never lets it get to her. ⠀
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Then there’s Brodie!! There are no words to describe how wonderful he is, he’s the perfect man. ⠀
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This book is beautifully written and I read it in a day. I laughed, I cried A LOT but mostly my heart was warmed by this story, full of community spirit and true friendships. I have a gaping hole left where this book was and I actually feel devastated that I’ve finished it.⠀
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The ending is left as a bit of a cliffhanger and I sincerely hope there will be a sequel to this absolutely gorgeous book!!! I don’t think I’ll be alone in wanting to find out what happens next, and I’m not ready for my visits to Glendale Hall to be over. ⠀
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ easy stars from me ⠀

This is the first title that I have read by Victoria Walters but I will definitely read more! This was a heartwarming quick read with lovely characters that developed nicely. There were a few unexpected surprises in the book and I am looking forward to any potential follow up titles.

I had read the first Glendale Book in the series last year so was delighted to be approved to read this one. However, this book can be read as a standalone so don't worry if you missed out on the first one (though I thoroughly recommend it!) This book is just as good and I loved the character development in it. It also has ups and downs which makes it relatable and interesting. Would certainly recommend it as a must-read in 2020!

Couldn’t wait to read this book as I absolutely loved coming home to Glendale hall! And new beginnings at Glendale hall was even better! Lovely to be back in Scotland and to be reunited with Beth and her family and to see the progression of various relationships! Emily is the main character this time and is such a likeable, lovely soul who deserves so much more than Greg could offer her,her story unfolds gradually with a few unexpected surprises on the way but leads to great things with her bakery, baby and Brodie! A great book that draws you in would highly recommend, would love to see another book back at Glendale in the future!
Thank you net galley for this early read

Have just finished reading this fabulous book, couldn’t put it down. The story of Emily and how after having her heart broken and things not going to plan with her boyfriend heads to Glendale for her friends wedding. Here, in the midst of friends and doing what she loves she finds time to think things through. She also finds herself receiving the one piece of good news she’s always wanted.
On going back home, things come to a head and her relationship takes a bad turn, after having a helping hand from her employer/friend/mentor she heads once again to Glendale to attend another wedding and to start a new chapter in her life, once again with the help of family/friends. Definitely recommend this book, you won’t be disappointed.

Coming Home to Glendale Hall was my first book by Victoria Walters, which focused on single parent Beth who got a second chance at love with her first boyfriend Drew. This time we follow Emily's story, who is Beth's friend, and how she tries to put back her life after everything falling apart. She is getting ready to travel to Glendale to attend Beth and Drew's wedding and bake their wedding cake, but decided to leave earlier than planned after she discovers that her boyfriend Greg cheated on her. It was really great to be back in Glendale, a small town in the Scottish Highlands, and get reacquainted with my favorite characters from the previous book. This book was about friends and family, chasing your dreams, and finding love when you least expect it. Emily was so lucky with the group of people around her that had her back no matter what. There were a lot of difficult decisions she had to make, and I was happy that she had people around her that could give her advise and support.

This book like the previous one was very heartwarming and a feel-good romance. The pacing was great and I loved that the author took the time to tell Emily's story. I felt like I was in Glendale together with the characters, and I really enjoyed spending time with all of them. The characters were great and they really elevated the story. My favorite thing about this book was the setting and the community of Glendale. It just felt very peaceful and it made me feel very cozy. This book is so much more than a romance novel. For me the romance in this book was not the most important thing that was highlighted. This book was Emily's journey to self-discovery and believing that anything is possible. That was so much more important than her finding love again. There are so many things in this book that people can relate to, which I loved. I really enjoy this author's writing, and I look forward to reading more of books.