This is an excerpt of the book review on my blog https://trails-of-tales.com/

......‘The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts‘ is your quintessential happy story. Indeed, I would call it a neatly wrapped package as it has all the elements I would want in my ideal comfortable book. There are

A sufficient number of twists
Some homely humor
Warm, relatable secondary characters.
Deep and emotional personal growth journeys of each of the main characters.
Crackling chemistry between the Hero and Heroine which is NOT hurried along. The relaxed pace was one of my favourite parts.
The setting of the plot in Cranbridge Village is interesting because the village had been given a life of itself. And just as the Hero and Heroine discover that there are layers to their lives they never realised, the village too reveals itself layer by layer. Initially, Cranbridge village seems to be stagnant and sleepy. It looks as if it is falling apart at the seams. Slowly, a community starts to become visible with much more in common that apparent.

Undoubtedly, Cranbridge village was a good choice to set Amber and Josh’s story in. I was impressed with how the author Alison Sherlock portrayed it. Instead of just showing the village as a big, pretty painting, Sherlock took us to the magnified details, one by one....

......I really am unable to find any cons in ‘The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts‘. It is a story for everyone regardless of which genre you prefer.

The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts is an adorable, uplifting book that will have you emotionally invested in a fictional grocery store far more than is rational.

Honestly, I may reread this book this fall as it was the perfect autumn, life makeover combined with a love story. Reading how this shop, this village, and these two people come together to recreate their lives is inspiring as well as entertaining.

I devoured this book and finished feeling like I could tackle any project and be happy about it. Can you believe I actually put away the freaking laundry? Yep, you heard me, I washed it, folded it, and put it away. That is the power of literature, my friends.

In the beginning, I wanted Amber to just start working with Josh and updating the shop, but I understand the need to build up a story. The characters were so wonderfully crafted, and a large part of that was the backstory. Alison Sherlock crafted a story with people I was invested in, but I was so anxious for the rehabbing to start that I got impatient. That is not the book’s fault, in fact, it’s because I liked the story and wanted more faster.

Anyway, any fan of contemporary romance will eat this book up in no time. Can easily be read in a day and happily at that. Enjoy reading and let me know if it gets you as excited for fall as I am.

Cute summer romance, if you love any book by Jenny Colgan, you will love this one. A good choice for someone who want a light book about identity quest and who wants to giggle a little. Perfect book for the beach and to relax in a stressfull period.

I wish I could go into detail about why this story is such an uplifting read, but I can't because it would mean too many spoilers.

Suffice it to say, that the romance is as lovely as you's expect, the characters are engaging, and the village will steal your heart.

Ready for a shopping jaunt to a charming English village shop? Then "The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts" is your cuppa! After her New York job ends, Amber plans a short stay to visit with her godmother in Cranbridge, but her stay lengthens as she makes new friends and finds purpose in the little English village. With her new partner Josh, Amber transforms the sad little shop into a cheerful and welcoming place, drawing in the villagers and neighboring farmers and crafters. When tragedy threatens the village, residents work together to help and support each other, and the shop becomes a haven for many of the "lonely hearts". As you might expect, love is always in the offing!

Although sadness prevails at the outset, this novel soon draws in the reader, inviting one to mentally step inside the shop and view its transformation. Hearts are uplifted and friendships develop as autumn turns towards the winter holidays. The characters are realistic and readers can identify with their emotions and thoughts. The village setting provides a fitting backdrop, just like a pretty but dusty canvas, as the action plays out to reveal true hidden colors and nuances. This is truly a novel that will lead readers to recall the goodness within people.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Loved this book it was a really easy read and I was gripped by it read it in 24 hours. Amazing characters and little village. Will definetley look out for more by this author.

The village shop for lonely hearts us a sweet story about loneliness, friendship and community.
This is the first book in a series about Riverside Lane in the village if Cranbridge.
The main characters, Amber and Josh are likeable. The other characters in the village are sweet and added to the story. Being set in the autumn this book us ideal to curl up by the fireside with a hot drink.

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.

At a loose end after being made redundant from her fancy job in New York, Amber agrees to visit her godmother in the quiet village of Cranbridge. It's only meant to be a stop on her way to live with her parents, newly emigrated to New Zealand. Her godmother's general store is overstocked and struggling, and the entire village has a feeling of desolation, but it might be the perfect place for Amber to get back on her feet.

Amber and Josh were adorable. From a rather unfortunate meet-cute to shenanigans renovating the store and mutual pining, I loved the way they saw the best in each other and gave the other a reason to be their best selves. They each start the story deeply unhappy but find happiness and fulfilment in the life they build together. It's incredibly wholesome.

There are so many things I really liked in this book: the friendships Amber made with Belle and Molly, the growing sense of community in Cranbridge, the snarky side characters all with a heart of gold, and the thought and care put into the shop renovations. It did feel a tad tell-not-show at the start and end, but that's a minor quibble in a lovely book. I can't help but hope we return to Cranbridge soon.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley; all opinions are my own

I was so disappointed in this book…… Disappointed I finished it, disappointed the next book isn’t available to read and disappointed I have had to let go of some of the loveliest characters I have ever had the pleasure to read and care about.

From the moment Amber turns up in Cranbridge it’s clear this isn’t the place she remembers fondly from her childhood. A once thriving community it has become quiet and without soul. The shop is an overstocked mess and the villagers are now preferring the supermarket. But as Amber and Josh set to work transforming the shop a bigger transformation happens in both Amber and the community. Friendships are formed, loneliness is conquered, old bullies are faced and romance is blossoming just as the autumn leaves are falling to the ground.

But as soon as Amber and Josh start making headway with the shop a flood threatens to destroy everything they have worked so hard for. This is just the time for the community to pull together.

What I loved most about this book is the characters. The author really conveyed how loneliness affects them in different ways and how small changes can really make a difference. Amber was an easy protagonist to warm to. Insecure but strangely confident at the same time she slips quietly in to your conscious and you really root for her. Even the smaller characters that don’t appear often have a big impact due to their big personalities and equally big hearts.

With a slow burn romance, gentle pace and some eclectic characters this will wrap you in warmth like one of Grandma Tilly’s blankets. And like Cranbridge stores this had everything I never knew I needed.

P.S I really hope to see Dodgy Del appear in future books as every village needs a character like him.

I have been a fan of Alison's work for a little while now. I read the synopsis for 'The Village Shop For Lonely Hearts' and I couldn't wait to start reading. Without further ado, I grabbed my Kindle, grabbed a cup of tea, pushed the dog off my seat and settled down to read. Oh boy ' The Village Shop For Lonely Hearts' was another cracking read from Alison Sherlock. I ADORED reading 'The Village Shop For Lonely Hearts' but more about that in a bit.
I took to Amber Green from the start and it didn't take me long to feel as though she had become a good friend of mine. In fact, between you and me, reading about Amber felt like I was reading about myself. No I have never been to New York and I certainly didn't work there but it was more Amber's history that I identified with. Like Amber, I was bullied as a child at school and I ended up thinking that what the bullies were saying must be true and so I kept bullying myself in a way as their comments went on a 24/7 negative internal dialogue loop in my kind. Like Amber, I have little confidence and I also have issues stepping outside of my comfort zone. The more I learnt about Amber, the stronger the shiver that went up my spine. Anyway that's enough of me so back to my review I do go. Amber is a canny lass as the saying goes. She is really lovely, kind, compassionate, caring, hard working, tenacious, friendly and occasionally stubborn. I kept everything crossed that things would work out well for her in the end and that she would get the happy ever after ending that she so deserved. Does Amber get her happy ever after ending? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are going to have to read the book for yourself to find out as I am not going to tell you.
I was drawn into this story from the moment I read the synopsis, never mind from when I started to read the book itself. To say that reading 'The Village Shop For Lonely Hearts' became addictive seems like a huge understatement. I found that I simply couldn't put the book down for any length of time. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I immersed myself so deeply into the story that I managed to shut out all other distractions and focus solely on the story. Now this is rare for me because I usually have the attention span of a gnat and I am easily distracted but not in this case. I think part of the reason that I flew through the book was the fact that I had taken to Amber and most of the other characters so well that I cared about them and I cared about what happened to them.
'The Village Shop For Lonely Hearts' is superbly written. This is actually the first book in 'The Riverside Lane' series. I am absolutely thrilled about this as I adored this book. Alison grabbed my attention from the start and drew me into the story. Alison has an easy going writing style that reads more like a chat between friends than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. I think that the author has done a lot of research into how bullying can affect people in their adult years. On more than one occasion I felt myself nodding in agreement with what the author had written about Amber, as I shared similar feelings or I recognised the behaviours etc. I really did feel as though I was part of the story which is all thanks to Alison's very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I adored reading 'The Village Shop For Lonely Hearts' and I wholeheartedly recommend this book to other readers. I will be reading more of Alison's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

This is the sort of book you just want to cuddle up with and have a hot chocolate on the go whilst its windy outside.
The autumn vibes are just wonderful in this. We meet Amber who has stopped off on her way to new Zealand after loosing her job in New York. Whilst she doesn't plan on stopping long, it might be nice to spend some time with her godmother and fix the overwhelming loneliness she is feeling.

We also meet Josh, he runs the shop after leaving his career behind to help his mother in the aftermath of the death of his dad and her diagnosis of cancer. The shop is failing and he can't bring himself to tell his mother just how dire things are. Amber is happy to help with her skills as a window dresser but can something so little really help? When a flood hits the village and is threatening the shop, Can Amber and Josh save it and the community?

Well - i thought this was a wonderful read. It had a wonderful small village feel with an array of interesting characters, alot of whom were set in their ways. I enjoyed getting to discover them and learn the history of the store too. Amber was so likeable - quiet and lacking in alot of self confidence because she was really wonderfully creative, caring and passionate. She just needed the right support and that came in the form of the community.

A heart warming read that takes the reader to the heart of a lonely village as we follow the journey as it comes back together. A simply delightful read.

This was a book I really enjoyed, but I will whisper that I did find it just a little bit slow at the beginning. Amber looks around the village of Cranbridge, sees how dead it looks, and really doesn’t want to be there – and if I’m honest, however well drawn it was, neither did I really. But I’m so glad I kept going – by halfway it had picked up really nicely, as Josh and Amber grew a bit closer and worked together to revive the fortunes of the village shop. It was all extremely well done, as the author slowly breathed life into both the setting and the characters.

I’m always a real fan of a book that focuses on a community and the individuals within it – I thought this book particularly hit its stride in the last third, as the community pulled together in adversity, and by the end I thoroughly loved it. The characterisation is excellent – the sparse customers become strong and engaging characters, the relationship between Amber and Joss gains momentum, and I really enjoyed the themes of loneliness and fresh starts.The romance is real and believable, and I also really enjoyed the focus on friendship and support.

There’s such a strong sense of place to this book – the village itself and the river that runs through it, the pub and the warring couple who run it (the food they serve was a lovely touch!), the newspaper offices who move into the empty shop next door. Cranbridge Stores itself is particularly well described, and it almost becomes another character as we watch its transformation after years of sad neglect.

The drama that draws the village together is particularly well written – plenty of threat and danger that made the pages turn faster. And I must add that the closing scenes are a particular triumph – both heartwarming and emotional.

I see this book is the first in a planned series, and it really does introduce and establish both the characters and the setting quite perfectly. I’ll be looking forward to reading more…

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

Amber Green thought she had what she wanted when she lived in a shared flat in New York and worked as a window dresser in Saks.

Life in the UK has gone on without her and her parents are now sheep farmers in New Zealand. It's a choice she can't quite understand the reasoning behind but she has yet to find her own real happy. She wants a romantic relationship and her room in a shabby apartment with people she doesn't get on with is getting her down.

When she loses her job she has no idea what to do. She loves New York and Saks but was feeling lonely despite that.

Visiting her godmother in the sleepy village of Cranbridge was not part of her plans, but her mum wants her to see how she is and Amber has not seen her in years. Amber wants to join her parents in their new life adventure in New Zealand. But life, and Cranbridge, has other plans for her...

Cathy and Josh live at Cranbridge Stores, the only general store in the village. The pale sandstone buildings and quaint feel of the surroundings are so different from what Amber knows but she decides to follow through with the plan. Meanwhile she catches up with Cathy and Josh.

The biggest challenge comes when they have to revamp the shop which is cluttered and its future is at stake. Can they save the shop and village before it is too late?


Cosy and heartfelt, The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts is not the first book I have reviewed by Alison Sherlock, as I have also reviewewed some oof the Willow Tree Hal books l and Escape to the Country.

I think it's the one I liked the most because of the shop and characters. Even Willow Tree Hall gets a mention which was nice.

I liked Amber, she went from shy to more confident and was also caring and considerate.

Cathy was honest and kind as well as hospitable and it was great to witness her catch up with Alison. Her mother is a real character too and I liked how warmly Amber was welcomed in general, but especially by her.

Josh was the same but also troubled in some ways and caught between the reality of his life and his broken dreams.

I found the novel had a lot of closely placed repeated words at the beginning which could have been replaced with a better alternative to make the plot reel me in more. I felt New York, and Alison's life there, was downplayed. I wanted it to be more emotional and exciting and I felt it was only glossed over.

Maybe more of an insight into her home life there and the conflicts with her flat mates and how that made her feel as well as how good the job at Saks made her feel, or just her reactions to city life would have complemented the story well.

I identified with Amber as to how sometimes we feel lonely in life but in contrast to her I am happy to be married.

The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts is a realistic book about how a change can sometimes lead to a new experience and also how life sometimes deals you a hand you don't expect. But I was proud of all the characters for what they achieved.

I was cheering the renovation of the shop and Amber on but would have liked to have seen her lack of confidence demonstrated better, it was glossed over too.

A novel about changes, challenges and opportunities that is feelgood and the kind that is good for autumn and winter days. It is a novel that feels rushed in parts though.

Thanks to Alison Sherlock ., Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars.

I really hope to find out what happens in the other Riverside Lane books.

This book is everything you want in a cozy romantic novel that takes place in a village.

The beginning of the novel is slow. It takes its time building to a romance, but while this is building, the relationships and dynamics with other characters and these are characters that are well developed for a shorter story, and bring so much life to not only the village, but also to our protagonist.

This moment is splendid in tone. It's not all fluff - so don't expect that. The lives of these characters are real, and some moments and memories are hard and sad, but it's that reality of these characters' lives that make the book so great.

I am so happy this is the first book in a new series - the characters in Cranbridge are brilliant and I can't wait to read more about their lives and antics! Mind you, maybe someone should ensure there's a guard rail on the pedestrian river crossing to help prevent Amber and Josh or anyone else falling in in future!

This really is a feel-good read to put a smile on your face, it certainly did on mine. The change in the whole community as Amber and Josh help sort out the Cranbridge Stores is brilliantly portrayed and believable. There's a fantastic mix of characters, most of whom you learn to love, especially as they all come together for both the flood and Christmas market. It is a heartwarming story of community, self-evaluation, using your talents to help others and romance written with Alison Sherlock's usual skill in bringing everything to life within the pages of her books. It is so easy to imagine the characters and setting, the antics and activities as they are so well portrayed. I really enjoyed escaping into this story and can't wait to read more about Cranbridge folk in future. I have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending this as a delightful read to escape into.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after thoroughly enjoying reading this fantastic read.

We meet Amber as she arrives in Cranbridge to stop off with her Godmother for a few days, before heading out to New Zealand to join her parents who have recently moved there. However, when Amber arrives in Cranbridge it's not the place she expected and it becomes clear that things are not right with the village and perhaps she might be able to help, in a small way.

I really enjoyed this story and particularly the development of Amber's character as the story progressed. At the start of the story she is lacking in confidence and a bit bruised from losing her job and having to return from New York but as the story progresses and she takes on new challenges we get to see her flourish in this village. 

I also liked Josh, it was clear he wanted to help his mother but also felt resentful at the way his life had changed, and it was nice to see him realise a few things about himself and what he wanted his future to look like. There was an equally good supporting cast in the friends that Amber makes, Josh's grandmother and one or two others. Between them and the steady rhythm of the story it made for a very cosy and comforting read and one in which I really cared, not only about the main characters but also some of the others as well. There were mentions of the village being empty and needing brought back to life and becoming a proper community again and the book was a part of that, reading it made me feel like I was also a member of that community.

This is not the first Alison Sherlock book I've read and it certainly won't be the last, she is fast becoming a favourite author of mine. I couldn't put this book down and read it in a day. It's a very cosy read but also realistic, it shows what ordinary lives are like and what it's like to be lonely and lacking in confidence and also what it's like to have people support you rather than pull you down. There is a lot of warmth in this story and that's exactly what is needed at the moment. I know there are more books to come, set in this village, and I can't wait to read them.

This delightful book is perfect for a relaxing read and is the perfect example of a gorgeous cosy romance. It's one of those books that leaves you with a smile on your face, it's a hug in a book.

The book is set in Cranbridge, a cosy village that's seen better times. The shops have seen better times and the sense of community spirit has never been so low. When Amber leaves New York to visit her godmother in Cranbridge, she never imagined the impact a sleepy village would have on her future. Working in her godmother's shop there's more than a little happiness to be found at home.

This is a gorgeous romance that had you rooting for the characters from the start. Amber's lacking confidence and the move to Cranbridge is perfect for her to find herself and show her talents without fear of being judged.

Josh is also building his confidence and trying to save his family's shop. His and Amber's initial meeting was definitely memorable and a good laugh. I was rooting for him to have success and make the changes to the shop he was being stopped from doing. The characters in the village were a delight to read and their stories became equally as important as the main characters.

Though it took me a couple of chapters to initially get into the book, this is a light-hearted read perfect for autumn. With well-written characters and a plot that whisks you away, there's not much you can't love about this book. I will be looking out for books by Alison Sherlock in the future.

4.5 stars.

This was my first book by Alison Sherlock but it definitely won’t be my last because I think I had a smile on my face for pretty much the entire book.

I thought the location was picture-perfect, and with the little bridges over the river, added to me having lived on the edge of the Cotswolds some time ago, gave me Bourton-On-The-Water vibes. The store itself was cramped and stuffed with lots of apparently useless things, but I got very excited as the work began to transform the store into a quintessentially pretty village store. The addition of the little tractor just added to the image. I also loved the verandah outside the front of the store, where people could relax while looking at the river which dissected the village.

The burgeoning relationship between Amber and Josh delicately progressed, almost as a secondary story to that of the community in the village. I loved how in times of trouble everyone rallied round, and I found myself loving the characters in the village, especially adorable Stanley, and Grandma Tilly. I am really looking forward to returning to Cranbridge again, in book two of the Riverside Lane series.

This book was an autumnal delight, perfect for curling up with a hot drink.

I enjoyed this cute little story! I felt like it had all the elements that I like in a light romance - friends to lovers, awkward encounters, feeling uncertainty, family involvement... etc. I felt that the author created a really sweet setting and I felt like I was in the book at times, in the shop with Amber!! I honestly feel like any story I can feel connected to the character like that is a good story.

Character wise: Amber was great! I liked how she was so obviously talented and amazing but she lacked confidence and had to kind of find herself again. I enjoyed every single part of the story when Amber is thinking and creating and improving the shop. I like any kind of home decor or renovation style thing so it was really fun to decorate the shop with Amber. It kind of felt like a game!

Josh was a good character as well. I enjoyed his banter with Amber and the other characters. His moodiness and grumpiness made his relationship with Amber more fun. I like when characters start off kind of unlikable and then change throughout the story. Josh is a guy that everyone needs in their life! He was supportive, caring, honest, and brave! He was a fun character to read about.

My biggest complaint about the book was that things were repeated a lot. For example, Josh and Amber renovating the store. It seemed like every single time it was brought up, the same kind of sentence about Josh's father or mother was mentioned. The story was not SO complex that I needed to be constantly reminded of peoples feelings and intentions. So that brought it down for me.

Overall though, I liked the story. It was really character driven and I enjoyed the characters so I was pretty happy with it! It was cute and light. A little longer than I was expecting but still went by quickly! I will be checking out more books written by Alison Sherlock in the future!!