This is the 5th book in the Love Heart Lane series, in which all the stories are set in the Scottish highlands village of Heartcross. In addition to the recurring characters who live and work in the village, each book features newcomers, who discover the charms of the area and usually remain. I have read all the previous books in the series and always look forward to meeting up with familiar and new characters in each story. All books in the series can be read as standalones. I was quickly immersed in this book and all too quickly finished it.

The central character in this story is Ella Jackson, who has been left demoralised and in dire circumstances after being conned by a cunning fraudster. Luckily, her good friend Callie finds her a position in the new exclusive restaurant in Heartcross, where she herself is restaurant manager. Once she settles into the village, Ella quickly makes friends with many of the villagers, including once famous singer Dolores and water taxi operator Roman. To help showcase the new restaurant and boost its reputation, Ella gets involved in organising a concert starring Dolores and some of her contemporaries and finds that she may have a future in events planning. Meanwhile, she becomes closer to Roman and it looks as if romance may be in the air.

I really enjoyed this latest instalment in the continuing Love Heart Lane series and would highly recommend it along with the other books. I liked the new characters introduced in this story; both Ella and Roman showed great strength and determination in the face of great personal challenges. Although a few of the villagers I have come to know from previous books in the series made an appearance here, I would have liked to see a bit more of them, but that did not spoil my enjoyment of the book. I was happy to learn that another book in the series will be out soon, with more in the pipeline; definitely titles to look out for.

I was really quite excited when I saw this book was available for download as I have absolutely loved the series so far.
This one was good, but I felt it missed something, but not sure what.
I think that I missed the camaraderie of a few more of the villagers that usually leave me with a warm glow.
A few were in it, but not as much as I have enjoyed in previous books.
I did like the story, very much, and the beginning was excellent.
I thought that it was going to end a little bit differently too.
All in all, another great chapter in the Heartcross village.

The Lake House -Christie Barlow.
Publication date- 31st December 2020

Thank you to @onemorechapterhc @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for this Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute read, about friendship and a community coming together.

I found this easy to read and read in one sitting.

This is the 5th book in a series and I plan to read from the beginning.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
#thelakehouse #netgalley #onemorechapter📚 #netgalleyreview #bookreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog

It is always good to be back in Heartcross, and this was no exception. Christie Barlow has once again penned a tale that I couldn't put down and loved every second of.

But yet although I was interested in Ella's story, really loved Roman on first sight, it is Dolores who is without a doubt the star of this book.

Well that and The Lake House restaurant itself is rather key to the whole story too, and as always it was lovely to catch up with all the familiar faces from the previous books in the series. But don't worry if you haven't read them, this is an all new story and can easily be read as a standalone.

Ella moves to Heartcross when she needs a fresh start and from the moment she arrives is shocked how welcoming and friendly everyone is. She also very quickly gets to know her neighbour Dolores who although I've said she is the star of the book, I really don't want to discuss as her story is on the whole so joyous, you may as well enjoy it fresh!

Oh and Roman, our gorgeous boatman, who Ella senses isn't being entirely open initially, but whether you will piece it together before finding out the answer is another matter.

And if you want a villain, then the man which has caused Ella to retreat to Heartcross is certainly someone you can enjoy hating!

I just love this fabulous sense of community, I felt right at home within pages of starting the book, and could barely put it down over the afternoon I read it in. It's just Christie Barlow writing another brilliant book, what more could a girl want, other than the next book already!

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I'll be honest, I started out while reading this book wondering just how anyone could be as naive as Ella. When you read the book you will understand why, but let's say she falls victim to possibly the oldest trick in the conman's book, and as a result her life, and her debts start to spiral out of control. When she is offered a lifeline by her old friend from university she grabs at it, little knowing how her life is about to change and that's not just because she is moving hundreds of miles away from her home in Cheshire to Heartcross.

Now if you have read any of this series at all, you will know that Heartcross is quite a special place and it soon casts its spell on those who visit, especially if they go there with an issue or, in Ella's case, nursing a broken heart. In spite of wanting to shake her at times, a testament to the author's skill in creating the character, I did grow to like Ella very quickly and because I am not completely heartless, did feel for her and her situation. But is becomes clear very quickly that moving north to stay with her friend Callie is the best decision she could ever have made. Heartcross is a village full of appeal and this time the 'appeal' comes in the shape of Roman. There is an instant, and obvious, attraction between the pair but, in the way of all good stories, it's not all plain sailing and both of them have cause to be hesitant when it comes to moving on with their new friendship.

What I love about these books is the real sense of community that Christie Barlow has created. In each story she reveals just a little more a bout one or more of the residents, allowing us to get to know them just that little bit better and providing readers with such a wonderful cast of characters to spend time with. For me, this time around, that spotlight really does fall on Callie and Ella's downstairs neighbour, Dolores. Now there is a very good reason for that and if you read the book dedication you will understand why, but I have to say that Dolores is possibly my favourite of all of the characters. In her nineties she is full of life and full of spirit and it is partly her story and her history with the eponymous Lake House, that a large proportion of the story revolves around. I would love to be like Dolores when I get to ninety! What a gal. She gives us laughter and she gives the story real heart, and Ms Barlow has done a brilliant job of bringing her to life.

Yes, this is a love story, and like all good love stories, there are a few bumps in the road along the way but it was lovely watching Ella and Roman slowly overcome them. The sense of place you get from reading the book is brilliant and although Heartcross may be fictional, dang it, you really do feel as though you are there in the heart of the village as you read, the author has created such an authentic feeling. But this is not just a boy meets girl story, it is a story of overcoming your demons, second chances and of having a chance to relive a beautiful and vibrant past. Recreating the golden age of the Lake House restaurant not only gives the community something special, it gives readers a chance to witness a heartfelt and beautifully emotional reunion that really did have the tears flowing. I loved it.

If you love the Love Heart Lane/Heartcross series then you are going to love this book. I adored Dolores and I loved that sense of yesteryear brought back to life in present day Heartcross in a story that sees our protagonist Ella transform from a simpering mess into a strong and vibrant woman right before our eyes. In a time when we need good cheer, positivity and a reason to smile, Christie Barlow has delivered all of this and more. Definitely recommended.

Ella Johnson's boyfriend goes to work one day and does not return. She calls the police and they inform her that he was a fraud. He has taken her inheritance, her savings account and run all of her credit cards to the limit. Her friend Callie from Scotland comes and rescues her and takes her back to a wonderful little town. Ella will be a waitress at a restaurant. As soon as she gets to the town everyone treats her like she has always lived there. Along the way she meets the gorgeous Roman.
A wonderful feel good story. I loved this book.

First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As we all know by now, I'm a sucker for rom-coms. Add in a con man who absconds with all of Ella's inheritance and you've got me hooked! From the start, Ella's story is fraught with misadventures. Her picture perfect relationship turns out to be a scam - her fiance has disappeared as well as all her money. Her friend Callie invites her to live with her in Heartcross and work at the recently reopened The Lake House.

Upon her first day in town, she bumps into Roman, the handsome water taxi driver. However, it appears that Roman has baggage that he is not willing to share. As business at The Lake House continues to drop, will Ella be able to boost business and determine where her relationship with Roman will go?

On another note, it was only after I finished reading this book that I discovered it was part of a series. Christie wrote the story so well that I did not feel confused or lost. This was perfect as a stand-alone!

One of the notes of a series is the opportunity to have a central location and common characters to give continuity, but with a fresh perspective from new one as the series develops . The risk is that the stories can become stale and repetitive.
I am pleased to say that this is certainly not the case with this new episode and it kept me hooked all the way through. With well - written characters and a storyline that had unexpected twists and turns, all surrounded by a fantastic location, I could become totally immersed in the book. Turn off the TV, close the curtains, make yourself a hot drink (or a dram if you prefer) and settle down to be transported to Scotland and the wonderful location of Heartcross.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

An idyllic Scottish village setting, delightful characters, local heartthrob, failing business and fresh starts - what's not to like? This was a heartwarming and super sweet story about love, friendship and community. Like many romance novels it's a bit predictable and unrealistic eg somehow Ella single-handedly organises a large-scale celebrity event in just two weeks. But, that said it's a lovely easy-going read. It's also apparently the fifth book in the (Love Heart Lane) series although it won't matter if, like me, you haven't read any of the others.

Oh my gosh, folks! This right here is definitely a new fav of mine! Sooo good. It just got better and better with every turn of the page! For starters, lovely cover art! And although this is apparently part of a series, that I have never read before this, I still managed to understand everything very well. It was basically a stand alone novel in its own right and I loved it from front cover, to back cover. First thing that got me really interested after the cover art, was actually the dedication page. It was really bold and direct of the author to dedicate the book to her ex and I can appreciate that in every sense. Well done! Strong woman. Also, the beginning breakup that happens to kick off the rest of the plot is so unique and I’ve personally never read one like that before. Another well done! The whole concept of The Lake House and the unusual details taken to the usual used romance tropes were a real treat and very refreshing! I hungered for more with every page turn. Very well written, solid plot. Executed perfectly. 5/5 stars on the Goodreads scale, and will also be earning a sacred spot in my personal library once it comes out in paperback officially. One of the best I’ve read this year. And that’s all I got to say about that. Until next time, happy reading. -Caroline

The magic of Heartcross is at work again in this brilliant 5th instalment in the Love Heart Lane series. Ella has had her share of bad luck in the last 6 months and moving to Heartcross to live with her best friend Callie, is just what she needs to rebuild her life.
Meeting up with familiar faces in the village was lovely and reminded me of how Christie Barlow is able to capture our emotions and take us away from reality into her world of heartwarming people and places.
Ella and Roman had great chemistry from the start and Delores was brilliant, with her zest for life. I’d have loved to sit down with a piece of Victoria sandwich and listen to her stories.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another brilliant book my Christie.

Ella parents die unexpectedly, following their death she is left a substantial sum of money. Her She boyfriend Alex who tells her he is a doctor turns out to be a conman and she only realised when he goes out to work and never comes back. Ella is in a really bad place and her best friend Callie persuades her to move to Heartcross to get herself back on track Callie let’s her live with her and finds her a job at the Lake House restaurant. All the residents of Heartcross make Ella feel like one of them and she decides to stay.

Normally the stories start in Heartcross, but not this time. The author takes to England for the prologue, but soon we jump on a train to Scotland where the real fun begins.
Fun is what I call this series. The books have everything they need to entertain the readers: a fair amount of romance, mixed with some drama and humour and a lot of friendship.
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. That’s very true. You have to try and leave the bad things behind and look forward to the future, but honestly what is lemonade without some sugar? And that’s taken care of by friends who support you through and through and that special one.
Every cloud has a silver lining. It seems like Ella’s were black and she did not really see a way out, but that’s what Heartcross does: turning someone’s life around, making the clouds disappear and making you smile like you never smiled before.
Once you arrive in the little village, you never want to leave and honestly who would want to? It’s a place where you are accepted, loved and found happiness. It sounds like heaven on earth. 😊
This was part 5 of the series and I still cannot get enough. Book 6? Yes, please. Any time. 5 stars.

Thank you, Christie Barlow and One More Chapter

This is a super sweet, clean story. I hesitate to call it a romance because honestly, the story is not about romance at all. It’s more about finding yourself and believing in yourself and the power of friendship to help you recover your confidence.

Ella is gutted at the beginning of this book and it’s her friendship with Callie that is the real star of this show. Callie moves her to Heartcross to live with her and the town quickly adopts her. Ella really finds her feet again in this eccentric town. There are lots of side characters that were so interesting they deserve their own book.

Roman is an intriguing character as the love interest for Ella, but you don’t really feel much chemistry between them and there’s nary a kiss until the end of the book.

Overall, a very cozy read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and One More Chapter and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

Life in Heartcross has welcomed Ella who definitely needs a friendly face and some friends. Can the local water taxi hero be the one to help? Who has a secret? The book has a lovely community feel, who wouldn't want to live there. This book will warm your heart and wrap you up in the glow of friendship.

This is a lovely it-takes-a-village feel good book! Ella's had a really tough go of it lately. Not only did her parents die, her rotten rotten fiance ran off with her inheritance AND ran up all her bills. She's rescued by her friend Callie, who takes her to the delightful village of Heartcross, outside Inverness. She gets a job at the Lake House restaurant, which is only reachable by the boat piloted by...Roman. These two build a nice relationship as everyone works together to modernize, publicize, and essentially save the place. There are delightful characters (Delores is a standout) and it's just so....positive in outlook. This might be the fifth in the series but it's just fine as a standalone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Perfect relaxing happy read.

I was sent an electronic advanced readers copy of The Lake House by Christie Barlow from NetGalley and the publisher and I am so appreciative. I really enjoyed reading this romance novel.
Ella is really down on her luck at the beginning of the story. Her parents recently passed away and the man she thought she was going to marry turns out to be a thieving, manipulative liar. Needing a fresh start she leaves her city life behind and moves to a small town in Scotland with her best friend Callie.
Immediately Ella starts making friends and finding her place in Heartcross. I thought the author did a great job of developing Ella's character - she is so lovable and readers can really root for her success. Ella meets Roman, the most eligible bachelor in Heartcross, and they click instantly.
The plot revolves around the restaurant Ella works at called The Lake House. Business is alarmingly slow and Ella, Roman, Callie and the owner, Flynn, brainstorm ways to restore The Lake House to its former glory.
My favourite character is Dolores! She's so eccentric and inspiring, it was satisfying to see her get her happy ending as well.
This book is the 5th in the series and while I do think it is able to stand alone, I would recommend readers start from the beginning in order to be fully invested in the story and the characters to fully enjoy the Love Heart Lane experience.
I'm rating this book 4/5. It's an enjoyably charming, light read with a happy ending for everyone.

I must confess to being late to the Love Heart Lane series, I have no idea how it passed me by! I certainly won’t miss another one and will make a point of reading the stories so far.
This magical book has a little bit of every ingredient required to produce a perfect, romantic story.
The community of Love Heart Lane are simply gorgeous, and a rather heartbroken and embarrassed Ella finds that they are just what she needs. Having endured a humiliating deception, she heads north to Scotland to begin the difficult task of restoring some order to her shattered life.
Ella’s best friend, Callie, is the perfect support for her change of pace; she’s even found her a waitressing job in the formerly exclusive Lake House restaurant. Their downstairs neighbour, Dolores, is a beautiful but ageing songbird who remembers The Lake House in its prime.
The Lake House is located on a small island and is only accessible via a boat. Thank goodness for boat-taxi pilot, Roman. Ella and Roman feel an immediate spark of attraction but Ella is still raw from her own experience and Roman is trying to juggle his sailing job with a tearaway daughter. The timing is all wrong.
This is a charming story and I finished it in one sitting. I was sad when I read the final sentence as I wasn’t ready to leave the lovely characters, featured in this romantic tale.
Christie Barlow has created a village, that many of us would love to visit, with a wonderful array of characters and friendships to envy.
I heartily recommend this book and I can’t wait to catch up on the rest of the series as soon as my TBR pile is looking a little less ominous!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I absolutely love this series of books by Christie Barlow . They are set in the beautiful Scottish village of Heartcross.

Each book has a different main character, and this time it’s Ella, whose had an awful twelve months, first losing her parents after that she’s lost her home, business and inheritance.

So then her good friend Callie invites her to stay with her in Heartcross, for six months . There she has a job and a place to stay.
Will this be the fresh start Ella needs?

So brilliantly written. It was good to meet up with past characters and along the way meet some new ones.. The story flowed smoothly and it was such a joy to read.

Can’t wait for the next one.

Recommend this series.

Thank you Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for this e-book copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
This is the fifth book in the Love Heart Lane series! I have read some of the other books in this series and was completely taken in by the characters, storylines, and the fictional setting in the Scottish village of Heartcross! So when I saw that there was another book in this series, I immediately requested a copy! Again author Ms. Christie Barlow created a story that touch my heart. I was so excited to join some of my favorite characters in Heartcross. I loved how the villagers were willing to take in an outsider wholeheartedly and without reserve. Ella was a very down to earth character, who fell prey to a scammer at a time of great vulnbility. Roman was such a sweetheart, who was trying to make the best out of the past mistakes that were still haunting him in the present. Ella and Roman's relationship was very sweet! Delores was such the life of the party character, who also was the heartbeat among the villagers. The author did an amazing job of showing the power of relationships in all forms, which help us in our greatest times of need. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next installment in this series!