This is my third journey to the little village of Cranbridge. Whilst it is part of a series, it can however be read as a standalone book. This book focusses on Belle, who lives and works at the village pub, run by her aunt and uncle. We find early on in the book that it’s threatened with closure due to financial difficulties Belle’s aunt and uncle finds themselves in. My heart sank with this as every village should have a pub and what would poor Belle do if she lost her job and home. I loved Belle’s character in the previous books, so it was great to find out more about her in this one. We also get introduced to a new character, Pete Kennedy, who returns home after working abroad.

I found myself hooked into Belle’s storyline very early in the book. It was lovely to return to the village and I enjoyed seeing all the characters again which I’ve already met, and meeting new ones. Pete Kennedy is the new hottie in the village, but one who is hiding a family secret. I did like his character, and thought he became more and more likeable as the book moved on. I have to admit he moved me to tears in his relationship with his late father’s old friend and thought this was so heart-warming! The storyline flowed well, and whilst it’s pretty easy to guess where it’s heading, I really enjoyed following Belle and Pete’s storyline.

If you’re looking for a heart-warming, emotional and light-hearted read, then look no further! This book is absolutely perfect for snuggling down with a blanket during the cold autumn evenings. The storyline does take you right through autumn, Halloween, Christmas and New Year, and it was felt very seasonal and festive throughout! I love this little village and the community spirit and friendship that flows through it is so wonderful! I would definitely recommend grabbing yourself a copy and enjoying the loveliness it brings!

This is the third book in the series, but seeing as I thoroughly enjoyed it without having read the previous two books, I am delighted to say that it works perfectly as a stand-alone. The previous books would allow the reader to have a little background knowledge of the characters, and previous storylines, but it doesn't prevent any enjoyment for this if, like me, you have not read anything by this author previously.

The writing style allows this to be a great book for escapism, with the strong community spirit and friendships running through the plot, this was a classic heartwarming story. There are some subjects discussed that some may find upsetting (drug use, loss of home, grief, and loneliness) but they are handled sensitively enough not to make it hard going;

After reading The Village Inn of Secret Dreams, I will be on the lookout for more books from this series, and any future work by this author! Recommended reading!

It was a joy to return to Cranbridge, it’s such a warm and welcoming village to spend time in. While there have been previous books set here each can be read as a stand alone, they don’t necessarily need to be read in order, (though it does help avoid spoilers). This time we follow Belle’s story as the Inn is sold and she tries to work out what her future holds and whether she is able to stay in Cranbridge.

It’s well known in the village that the Inn is in need of serious help so it’s not a surprise when it’s put up for sale. Who buys it is a surprise, and their plans for the Inn are even more unexpected. Pete decides he knows best having had some business owning experience in Singapore, where he’s been working for the past few years, but Belle disagrees and, unsurprisingly, things don’t run smoothly.

While it wasn’t unexpected that Pete and Belle were going to clash over their viewpoints on the Inn, it was interesting watching them argue and seeing the character development over the course of the story. Pete has to readjust to living in the village having been away, and Belle wants to stay in the one place that has given her peace. As well as the existing cast of characters from the previous books we have a few new ones that add another dimension to the story.

Being set in the autumn the story goes through to the New Year, and that brings snow to the village which brings a new challenge. This is when this village really shows what it’s like and it’s times like that that I wished I lived there too. I love the idea of getting coffee from the shop and sitting on the veranda in the morning and popping into the Inn for an occasional drink in the evening. It’s such a peaceful place, for the most part, with the water running through the middle of the main street, that it makes the whole read, mostly peaceful. Though even when the arguments hit there is still a background atmosphere of support and friendship. I enjoyed my return to the village and seeing what happened to the Black Swan Inn, and Pete and Belle. It was lovely to catch up with some characters, meet new ones and see the village continue to be strong and supportive and a lovely place to live, and work.

I have been a fan of Alison’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I especially like the ‘The Riverside Lane Series’. ‘The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams’ is the third book in the series and it is another cracker. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams’ but more about that in a bit.
It literally didn’t take me long to get into this story. As soon as I started to read, I felt as though I had been reunited with old friends in the residents of ‘Riverside Lane’. I especially liked the characters of Belle and of Pete. I had my own theories as to what fate had in store for them both and I had to keep reading to discover if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. I found that reading ‘The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams’ became seriously addictive. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there reading over an hour and many chapters later. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the story. All too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to say farewell to the residents of Riverside Lane. ‘The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams’ was a delight to read and a very enjoyable story.
‘The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams’ is superbly written and you can say the same about all of Alison’s books. I love the way in which she grabs the reader’s attention and she reels the reader in from the start. I love Alison’s very easy going and warm writing style. In fact as soon as you start reading one of her books, you know that you are going to be among friends and that you can relax. Alison described Riverside Lane so vividly that it came alive and she made it sound so lovely that I was all set to pack a bag and go for a visit! I love the way in which Alison makes the reader feel as thought they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action. Reading this book felt like ‘a hug from a mug of hot chocolate’ in that the story left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly 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*.

I was so excited to return to Cranbridge and see what the locals had been getting up to, its so comforting picking up a book when you can clearly picture the village layout and know a few of the characters that you will bump into along the way.

We have Amber and Jake at the shop, Lucy and Tom at the village hub and then we have Belle at the Black Swan Inn who is the focus of this book. If you've read the previous books then you will know that the Inn isn't in the best of knick... it's pretty run down, the food is terrible and is known by the locals as The Mucky Duck, but it's now looking like the Inn may be serving its final pints. Belle's aunt and uncle are selling the Black Swan as they just can't justify the cost of keeping it open any more which has Belle panicking about the future, what will she do, where will she go?

Cue Pete... Jake's younger brother, who together were Belle's best friends when she first came to stay in Cranbridge many years ago. But as they've grown older the distance has also grown and after Jake and Pete's father died a few years back, Pete ran away to Singapore. For Belle, Pete's leaving was so much more, she's harbouring feelings that are a bit stronger than friendship and after kissing him shortly after the funeral they haven't spoken, so imagine her shock at him offering to buy the Black Swan...

As they worked together (well... or not) to renovate the Black Swan Inn it was clear that they both had very different ideas of what would be successful, and let's just say, the proof was in the tasting! The final product sounds so cosy and inviting though and I'd love to have a local like The Black Swan somewhere near me.

I got well and truly lost in this book, as with everyone else in the village it is so obvious that Belle's feelings are mutual but she's too scared to voice these to the one guy that really matters to her. A bit like Pete being too afraid to mention his dad's letter to any of his family. It was great to see them both eventually put aside their differences and become a team, and that Christmas day scene was just so magical! Although the New Year's Eve party may just have topped it....

I loved returning to Cranbridge to find out how all the characters were getting on and to see what Belle's story was going to be about. She's always been quite an interesting person, with her own quirks and vulnerabilities. As the story develops, you see her begin to face up to them and grow up a little.

The local community is central to the village once more and the local pub, The Black Swan, is set to come into its own. There are lots of good messages about looking out for each other and shopping locally which gives the whole novel a warm and inclusive tone. I am sure there are one or two more characters who can feature in their own story. As the name suggests, there are some secrets to uncover and the odd surprise as well. Family and friendship are still key and I am hoping that some more empty shops will be found to let the series grow!

In short: great characters and a community feel
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

It was a real treat to return to Cranbridge and catch up with the residents. I have loved my previous visits and was hopeful for this latest trip. I’m delighted to say that I had an absolute blast. This gorgeous story has it all. Besides catching up with Josh, Amber, Tom and the rest of the gang, we learned a little more about some of the other residents.

From the first book, I was drawn to the somewhat enigmatic Belle. Named after a Disney Princess, she is the polar opposite, as far as her dress style goes. Her passion for black clothing and her distrust of love, make her the perfect protagonist for this story. Learning more about her background, and how she came to Cranbridge, her attitude is easy to understand.

A new character is Pete Kennedy, brother of Josh who we first met in book one, he’s handsome, successful and not in the market for any kind of relationship. He sees Belle as his little sister/best friend. Thankfully, they are agreed on this point and able to work together to restore the fortunes of The Black Swan.

This story is simply joyous; there are some wonderful characters in Cranbridge, Dodgy Del, Ned and Grandma Tilly, to name a few, bring some of the best storylines and help remind us of the value of community. Even Keith gets a mention!

I would love to live in a village like Cranbridge, I think it sounds quite charming and there is a real spirit of community. Something that is so often missing from our busy lives. I spent many years living in a mountain town in Colorado. I loved the feeling that comes from knowing most of the people and having support from all quarters. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s how I imagine this gorgeous village would feel.

Alison Sherlock’s ‘The Village Inn of Secret Dreams’ is cosy and charming escapist bliss. While there are previous books in this series, the story is self contained so as to not require much recapping. I loved the relationship between Belle and Pete, which could be firey at times. Jt they were evenly matched and we see both of them develop as they grapple with their pasts.

Great follow up to the others in the series and lovely to see the other characters pop in and out. This is Belle's story and I loved watching her relationship with Pete develop. When he makes a rash decision regarding the village pub, however, not only is their relationship put to the test but so is the future of the pub. With lovely rural descriptions and a winter setting this book is just perfect for curling up on the sofa with.

The Village Inn of Secret Dreams by Alison Sherlock
Pub Date 30 September 2021
Brand NEW from the bestselling author of The Village Shop For Lonely Hearts.
After escaping her parents' unhappy marriage to sleepy Cranbridge a long time ago, Belle Clarke dreams of staying at The Black Swan Inn forever.
But with the rundown Inn threatened with closure, Belle may be forced to leave unless a buyer can be found … quickly.
So, when her oldest friend Pete Kennedy returns from working abroad with a plan to save the Inn, Belle should be overjoyed. The trouble is, Pete has some rather radical ideas for the renovation, which Belle disagrees with.
But when a snowstorm hits, Belle and Pete are forced to put aside their differences and work together to help the village.
Can Belle realise her dreams to stay in Cranbridge, and can Pete ever stop running from his past?
As they try to save The Black Swan Inn, secrets are revealed, and just maybe they'll finally find out how they really feel about each other.
The Village Inn of Secret Dreams is another passionate and emotional read from Alison Sherlock. It's been delightful being back in Cranbridge with its well-known faces, and I liked getting to know more about Belle this time. I enjoyed her relationships with the girls, even if she was still so reluctant to trust anyone. Although this story touches on complex matters such as grief, poverty, and loneliness, they are all handled sensitively.
A cosy, captivating story with fabulous characters, which I found enjoyable and entertaining.
I want to thank NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Author Alison Sherlock for a pre-publication copy to review.

This is a great book to read at this time of the year, while being all cosy indoors. The story is about Belle and Pete, who are forced to spend time together during a snow storm and they try to help save The Black Swan Inn, which is in Cranbridge. Pete is just home after being in Singapore and is not really keen to stay in Cranbridge for long, but will he change his mind? How will Belle and Pete get on with each other? I loved the characters in this book, even though they were a bit annoying sometimes. I liked that they showed what life is really like. I also enjoyed the village community and the way everyone helped each other out.

This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will now go and look for her other books to read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really do rather like it in Cranbridge – the village shop that Josh and Amber made such a success of restoring, the village hub that Tom and Lucy created, the river running through the centre, the community that gather at the seating on the verandah. And that lovely community also gather at the village pub, The Black Swan – although it’s distinctly neglected, the welcome there’s not always the warmest one, the food leaves a lot to be desired, and the landlords are constantly at each others’ throats. And when they finally decide they’ve had enough, and the pub goes up for sale, everyone wonders what might happen next – especially Belle, as it’s been her home for a long time.

Josh’s brother Pete comes to the rescue – he fled the village after their father’s death, and never planned to stay permanently, but can see that the pub has real possibilities and has ideas about how it could be improved. There’s a bit of history between him and Belle, and a frisson of attraction – but their ideas about the pub’s future are rather different. It does look as if he’ll only do it up and then move on again – there’s a big secret that makes him less than comfortable to be back in Cranbridge.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Pete and Belle. She’s always been a little bit spiky, but we find out the reasons why – and there’s a touch of sadness about her as her future looks less than secure. Their exchanges as they clash over Pete’s plans to create a Michelin-starred restaurant spark and fizz – and we see things from Pete’s point of view too, as he wrestles with his feelings for her and works through his own discomfort over the secret he’s keeping. They go from friends to enemies, and then back to friends and something more – the outcome’s never really in any real doubt, but I did enjoy the journey. And I also really liked seeing the pub’s transformation – although it might not have been the best idea inviting a restaurant critic to opening night with a new and untested chef and a space that’s still rather less than customer-friendly. Thank goodness for Dodgy Del – and his extended family!

The friendships developed in the previous books were ever present – but don’t worry if this is your first visit to Cranbridge, you’ll feel at home very quickly. The author is an accomplished storyteller, the humour is gentle and well-handled, and so is the emotional content – and all the characters, however peripheral to the story, are really well drawn. And as well as all the problems around communication, there’s a really nice focus on loneliness and isolation and the kindness of others that warms the heart, along with the support of friends and the importance of family. And yes, the snow starts to fall and there’s a perfect touch of Christmas too.

It’s really was a lovely read – and I’ll be looking forward to another visit to Cranbridge in the not-too-distant future.

Such a gorgeous book!
It was fantastic to revisit this wonderful community.
I adore a book where a transformation takes place and in this fabulous book we get to see two fantastic transformations!
Perfect autumn/winter read!
I’m desperate to go visit The Black Swan for a burger 🍔 now!

A really good read. Made me want to carry on and I’ll be searching out more by this author. Well done on a good book.

After escaping her parents’ unhappy marriage to sleepy Cranbridge a long time ago, Belle Clarke dreams of staying at The Black Swan Inn forever.

But with the rundown Inn threatened with closure, Belle may be forced to leave, unless a buyer can be found … quickly.

So, when her oldest friend Pete Kennedy returns from working abroad with a plan to save the Inn, Belle should be overjoyed. The trouble is, Pete has some rather radical ideas for the renovation which Belle disagrees with.

But when a snowstorm hits, Belle and Pete are forced to put aside their differences and work together to help the village.

Can Belle realise her dreams to stay in Cranbridge and can Pete ever stop running from his past?

As they try to save The Black Swan Inn, secrets are revealed and just maybe they’ll finally find out how they really feel about each other.

The Village Inn of Secret Dreams was an utterly charming read and left me feeling giddy and smiling from ear to ear. This book is perfect for those readers who are a fan of Hallmark movies and looking to escape to a charming English village with delightful characters. The book's cover can be a little deceptive because it makes it out to be a Christmas book when in my opinion, it really wasn't. The book's last quarter does take place over the Christmas holidays and has that festive feel to it. But most of the book takes place in October, and for me, it felt more like a fall romance read, which I loved because there aren't too many fallish romance books out there.

This book has a delightful cast of characters, who are quirky, fun, and you can't help but like. Belle and Pete are charming and endearing, and I loved reading this story from both of their perspectives. At the beginning of the book, Belle is prickly and closed off. Her parents mistreated her, affecting how she saw herself and how she interacted with those around her. It was lovely watching as Belle started to grow in confidence and learn to open her heart not only to Pete but also to her friends.

The romance in this book is sweet and heartfelt. If you are a fan of friends to lovers or stuck together tropes, you should give this book a try. I'm struggling to figure out the right words to explain why I loved the relationship between Pete and Belle so much. I think that's because I am too busy thinking of how happy and, dare I say, "love stuck" their relationship made me feel. Their relationship has this natural and believable progression to it. I didn't get that unrealistic feeling that you sometimes get with romance books. Alison made me believe that their love was genuine and something that could be possible in real life.

Sticking with that "Hallmark" feel, the village of Cranbridge has that picturesque quality to it. Alison paints a picture of this village with beautiful tiny cottages, green hills, cute shops, and wonderful quirky villagers. However, Alison also adds depth to her story by shining light on a serious issue that exists within many communities. This issue is around people struggling to make ends meet, especially seniors. When the weather turned unseasonable cold and snow started to fall in abundance, Pete and a few other main characters realized that there are seniors in Cranbridge who can't afford to heat their homes or are unable to leave their homes in the snow. The community comes together to help those in need by checking in on them and bringing food.

Alison did such a great job capturing my attention right from the first chapter and keeping me enchanted right until the very end. There is something so wonderful about reading a book that leaves you feeling so happy; it's a lovely escapism read for anyone looking to leave a wacky world behind for a few hours.

Get ready to 'fall' in love with Alison Sherlock's latest novel, The Village Inn of Secret Dreams.

Thank you, Boldwood Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Village Inn of Secret Dreams is third in the Riverside Lane series. I've only read the second and this one, and while I feel like it'd behoove me to read the first because of the quality of the series, I don't think anyone would be too lost if they didn't.

Alison Sherlock writes wonderful characters full of heart and soul. This story was a delightful read that I couldn't put down once I started!

Cranbridge is a wonderful setting for these stories, as I love all the people I read about. I can't wait to read more from Alison Sherlock!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book! My review will be live on October 2, 2021 at the given link.

A really enjoyable adorable quick and easy read with an uplifting feel. I enjoyed it from start to finish

I thought this was just ok. Very predictable. Did not hold my interest. I felt there was no depth to the story.

I've read all the previous books set in Cranbridge and loved this one every bit as much. It was lovely reading Belle and Pete's story involving the Inn, and also having all the characters from the other books around as it was like reading about familiar friends. A lovely village setting and a community pulling together at Christmas to help vulnerable neighbours. A lovely read.

As we delve further into Cranberry village life, we welcome Pete Kennedy home who says he's only staying a while. He had background with Belle, who works at her aunt and uncle's ailing inn. It looks like they're going to have to sell up. A spur of the moment decision means Pete is staying a bit longer. Belle is devastated about the plans for the inn.

This is a wonderful, feelgood love story in a beautiful village. The characters are so believable and real! I loved it ❤️