Although we have met her in previous books, Midwife Jess is the focus of this fourth entry in the Cornish Midwife series. It must be awful to live with the thought that everyone you love, will leave you sooner or later, and Jess is afraid to fully give her heart to anyone, other than a newborn that comes into her care. An absent father that gets back in touch after 20 plus years, and a manipulative ex seem to blind her to the love that is in front of her.

The 4th book in this series is more captivating than the 3rd however I still have yet to read books 1 & 2 so you can easily read as a stand alone! Such a welcome return to Port Agnes, Cornwall where I again found myself a part of the Midwifery team this time shadowing Jess. Jess suffered a difficult childhood and finds herself unable to have children so she takes you on the highs and lows of becoming a foster parent. Jess’s life is far from plain sailing as her troubled past exposes her to relationship challenges. Jess finds herself developing feelings for Dexter and his son Riley. However can she learn to trust and love again as she finds herself a foster parent to baby Teddy which in turn brings her ex Dom back into her life again. As friendships grow and babies are born in Port Agnes be prepared for late nights with a book that you will find hard to put down as you become a part of the roller coaster ride with Jess, Dexter and the delightful midwifery team. I welcome the next book and a big thank you to Boldwood Books and #NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book by Jo Bartlett.

Another fabulous book in the Cornish Midwife series. An boy did it not disappoint. All the midwifes are so easy to love and as you get into the story you begin to feel as if you know them. Jess one of the midwifes who’s had a rollercoaster of a year what with a marriage break up amongst other heartbreak, has decided that she wants to become a foster mother. She has always wanted to be a mum but unfortunately it never happened and she has sooo much love to share. However one morning she opens her front door to a bundle of joy. She then has the rollercoaster of surprise, love, friendship as well as trying to find out who does her bundle of joy really belong to. Fantastic cannot wit for the next instalment

I love this series by Jo Bartlett and this spring instalment didn't disappoint.

Important at at times difficult themes explored so well and with a backdrop of community and love. I really like how these novels don't shy away from real life situations.

Can't wait for the next book!

I'm loving this series and I'm always glad to to travel to Port Agnes and catch up with the characters.
This is an heart-wrenching story and, even if it's sometimes repetitive, I couldn't stop reading hoping the best for Jess.
There's hope, there's friendship, and grief. These are elements that always made me appreciated this series.
I can't wait to read the next book.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have been loving this series so jumped at the chance to revisit the lovely ladies in Port Agnes and I was not disappointed. After a bit of a reading slump this book captured me and left me keen to keep picking up my book.


As Jess continues her journey into fostering whilst getting to know more of the charming Dexter, Anna is edging closer to maternity leave and the arrival of her twins. A story packed with emotional highs and lows, where we get to know we midwives and also spend time with our favourites.

This story held my attention from first to last page and has totally recaptured my love of reading. A truly superb read, to curl up with as we are once again welcomed into this wonderful community.

Wow what a story. This is the fourth book in The Cornish Midwife series and boy this is a emotional rollercoaster. Jess comes back home after her marriage falls apart and decides to become a foster parent until one day someone leaves a surprise on her doorstep. You need to read this to find out what Jess does next. Although this is book four in this series it is a definite standalone.

I thought Jo had hit the emotions hard with the previous book; A Winter’s Wish for the Cornish Midwife, but she does it again with this book. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for the tissues while reading this, I did on a few occasions! I also found myself holding my breath for a few chapters while we were at Ocean’s Cove, that is a pretty intense experience I can tell you!

The multitude of characters in this book is just as welcoming as in the previous books, there are a lot of midwives but I love how much you get to know them all throughout the books. Because of this if doesn’t feel like there are too many characters, but instead it gives a sense of community and a friendship network that you feel part of. I always look forward to returning to Port Agnes and finding out what’s happening with everyone.​

A Spring Surprise is based around Jess, who hasn’t had the best couple of years recently - in fact she’s not had the best of luck for a very long while but things started looking up in the previous book with her starting to process to become a foster parent. She had started to develop a friendship with her previous social worker Dexter and I was so excited to see where this path would take her - it looked so promising and like most of the midwives she really does deserve a happy ending!​

There are a lot of ups and downs in this book and it’s safe to say it’s far from plain sailing but throughout it all I really wanted the best for Jess and felt for her on a lot of levels. Riley is also just the cutest little boy and I can just picture the sandcastle scene so clearly - and his utter joy when they didn’t get washed away!​

Another cracking instalment from Jo and I’m already ready and waiting for book 5! I’m also looking forward to hearing more from Gwen one day maybe? Although I think my interest has been peaked by Izzy at the moment…

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily.
This is the fourth book in the series, and although I haven't read any of the others it was easy to read this book as a standalone novel. The story centres around Jess and her first experience of fostering and includes all a reader could expect from a book based in a midwifery practice (relationships and birthing stories). However I thought that there were 2 issues where realism was suspended; the first related to the frequent references to Madeline and Dexter discussing Jess, even though Dexter was no longer working with Madeline - this would be completely unprofessional - and the other was Jess' obsession with running away with Teddy even though the vetting process for fostering would have uncovered this personal characteristic and support would have been given before the risk of placing a foster child had been undertaken. This makes the book a pleasant, light read rather than one which fully engages the reader.

My thoughts
I really enjoyed reading about Jess’s story. She was such a warm-hearted character that I felt such sympathy for everything she had been through. The setting of Port Agnes seemed idyllic but there was such a lot going on, I never knew what was going to happen next to Jess. There were so many plot twists - I couldn’t wait to go back to the book each day to read the next chapters. It really came across how much Jess loved her job and the mothers and babies she cared for. Jess really did have a heart of gold despite all she had suffered. Her friends gave the book a real community feel, that you would expect to find in a small town. I really liked that the plot was slightly different from what I had expected. There was some discussion of difficult issues, but they were very sensitively handled. I must add that I had not read the previous books in the series, but I did not need to have. I will however be looking forward to reading the other books. A perfect January escape. With thanks to Boldwood Books, Rachel’s Random Resources for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

This book has an engaging blend of community, drama and emotion. The characters are relatable and easy to like. The team dynamic is believably written and the balance of angst, friendship, humour and romance immersive, so that the reader feels integral to the story.

This story focuses on midwife Jess who has a tragic backstory that has left her with trust issues. Her story is heartbreaking and heartwarming and she is admirable and easy to empathise with. There are sub plots featuring the other midwives that feature in previous books but its possible to read and enjoy this story as a standalone.

This is one of the best books in the series so far and I can't wait for the next one.

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Fans of the Cornish Midwife series will not be disappointed with the latest installment in the series A Spring Surprise for the Cornish Midwife.

Midwife Jess knows she’ll never have a baby of her own, but she’s determined to still be a mum. So Jess decides to foster, providing love and support for children who desperately need it – something Jess never had as a child when she was in foster care.

Jess loves caring for the precious babies who come into her life, but letting them go again breaks her heart every time - can she really be a mum after all?

But then Jess finds a surprise on her doorstep – a newborn baby! As the search for the missing mum begins, Jess cares for the precious babe day and night. She desperately wants to reunite mum and baby, but knows that when the day comes, her own heart will shatter.

I loved, loved, loved this book even though it did break my heart at times. Be sure to have a box of tissues nearby; you will definitely need it. I was so excited to read this book because I adore Jess and could wait to watch as she started her journey as a foster mom. Jo has done an excellent job with this series. Each book is fresh and heartfelt, and even after four books, I still feel engaged with the characters and plot, and I'm just so excited to see what will happen next.

This book starts with Jess anxiously waiting for her first assignment as a foster mom while avoiding calls and texts from her ex-husband and Dexter (her love interest in this book). Thank goodness she has her job as a midwife and her friends to help keep her grounded. Jess's life takes an expected turn when she opens her front door to find a newborn baby on her doorstep. Everyone agrees that Jess should look after the baby until the mom can be found. But the longer Jess cares for the baby, the more she realizes letting little Teddy go will break her heart. If life wasn't complicated enough for Jess, she has an ex-husband that doesn't understand the meaning of no, her job is SUPER busy, her estranged father is trying to reconnect with her, and she can't figure out where she stands with Dexter (are they friends, lovers, or just acquaintances).

A lot is going on in this book, as you probably could tell from my brief synopsis above. I have to say that Jo does a fantastic job at ensuring that her readers can follow along with the story (and the side stories) without getting lost or feeling overwhelmed. I never once felt like I couldn't keep up with all that was going on, and there were plenty of times that I found myself on the edge of my seat and wanted to know what would happen next. This book does have it all; it has mystery, love, friendship, action, and heartbreak. I lost count of the number of times I found myself saying "no way" while reading this book.

Once again, I found myself loving the midwifery parts of this book. I just found it so fascinating, and I was in awe at what these women and men do. The amount of compassion, cool-headedness, and bravery that these midwives demonstrate is just amazing. The midwife scenes are just so real and raw and I loved being there with them.

The relationship between Jess and Dexter has a friends-to-lover trope feel to it. These two characters met in the previous book. Dexter was the social worker who oversaw assessing and helping Jess get ready to be a foster mom. It was easy to see that these two had that instant connection. But they are reluctant to act upon those feelings because they both have a lot going on in their lives, both personally and professionally. I liked how Jo didn't rush these two into a romantic relationship, their time as friends really helped build up that chemistry and that anticipation of whether they will get together or won't they.

Fans of the series will love seeing what the other characters have been up to. Anna and Toni are expecting, Ella is busy planning her wedding, and old friends return to Port Agnes. So get ready to laugh, cry, and fall in love with this wonderful cast of characters.

Spring Surprise for the Cornish Midwife is a beautiful heartfelt read that you won't be able to put down.

Thank you, Boldwood Books and Rachel Random Resources, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Spring Surprise for the Cornish Midwife by Jo Bartlett
MY REVIEW
Jess Kennedy is 29 and after a difficult life, she is now happy being a midwife in Port Agnes in Cornwall. She just been approved for foster care when baby boy appears on her doorstep. Jess has had to deal with infertility and has reluctantly accepted she will never be a mother, but with baby Teddy to look after, she wonders if that situation could change.
To further complicate matters, her ex-husband Dom keeps messaging her and she is becoming close to a man called Dexter and his stepson Riley.
Of course, you’ll have to read the book to discover what happens – and I recommend you do.
This is the fourth novel in The Cornish Midwives series, but it was the first one I have read and it works perfectly well as a standalone book. It features so many lovely characters and I really enjoyed the great camaraderie between the midwives.
There are lots of exciting “adventures” along the way too – more than I expected for this kind of book, which kept me reading and held my interest throughout.
Jess can be really infuriating, I was shouting at her (in my head!) several times, telling her to make a different decision – but that shows how engaged I was in the story and that I cared about the characters and what was going to happen to them.
It was an enjoyable read, easy to get into and well written.

This was a heartwarming story. It was realistic and heartbreaking with what Jess goes through.

Jess and her passion for her work teaches us the work of midwives. Jess had a tough start since the age of 10 which is impacting her future and all the decisions she takes. She finds a baby at her doorstep and that leads to all the pain, heartbreak and love from there.

Jess at times felt too much with being self depreciating and taking wrong decisions and at times thar felt repetitive and long. Dexter and Riley are characters I totally adored. The other characters were pretty amazing too.

This was a nice read with all about foster care, adoption, love, loss and community. The setting and descriptions were good with strong bonds.

Thank you @rachel Random Resources for having me on the book tour.

It’s lovely to return to a series that you’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I will say that I have really enjoyed each ‘Cornish Midwife’ book but this one to me is a standout favourite.
A Spring Surprise for The Cornish Midwife is full of drama, surprise and heart-breaking sentiment. There are moments of joy coupled with times of anguish. Your emotions will be pulled in every direction with this one.
This time we focus on Jess and her plans to foster children in need following the breakup of her marriage. Working with the team at the maternity unit means she is fully supported and has friends who need her as much as she needs them. Whilst we follow Jess’ story we do get to catch up with previous characters which I love. That being said you could read this as a standalone book though (I would recommend reading the other books in this series).
I really liked Jess, down to earth, kind, caring and deserving of some happiness. She has been through so much it seems like its her turn for something good to happen. I won’t give any spoilers but after this rollercoaster read, I really felt every emotion Jess did. I did not like
As always it sounds lovely in Port Agnes and makes me want to run away to Cornwall myself. I am so keen to see what happens next. Jo Bartlett has created a brilliant community of characters, with well written storylines that will keep you invested from start to finish.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This is the fourth book in the series but each book is a stand alone as they each feature a different midwife. The author has done a lot of research on the day to day duties of midwives as evidenced in the story. This is a bit heartbreaking as a strong attachment is made but it is unable to continue.
It's about wanting to do what you know is right even though you know your own heart will shatter in the process.

Pub Date 04 Jan 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

READ MY REVIEW

Cover: Still a bit too cartoonish, but it’s okay!

The fourth installment of the Cornish Midwife series is here. I really appreciated the third book (A Winter Wish for the Cornish Midwife), so jumping at the chance to lay my hands on A Spring Surprise for the Cornish Midwife has been a straightforward decision.

This time, the focus is on Jess. I already got to learn something about her in the previous book—a good way to introduce the sequel, that was clever—and here the spotlight is all hers. Other POVs are interspersed within the book, offering a glimpse of their lives and a break from the main storyline.

Choosing the MC-on-rotation format helps new readers understand what’s going on, which is a big feat in itself. I’m always wary when I have to start a series midway; infodumps disguised as recaps or being unable to keep track of who does what is a genuine issue, one that makes me grit my teeth. Bartlett seems to share my opinion on this because everything flows in a beautiful way. Thank you!

Story-wise, A Spring Surprise for the Cornish Midwife is another gem. Bartlett knows how to write and has a firm grasp on her characters, MCs and side characters both. They all have a unique voice, they’re very human, considering, and they’re also consistent through two books—I haven’t read the first two installments, unfortunately, so I can’t comment further.

My compliments to the editor who worked on this book, too. Good job 😀

Flaws? Maybe the complexity of the plot is a bit too much. The Jess-Dexter-Dom triangle (I’m using this term in a very loose way) could have worked better if one of them had a straightforward background. Putting together different sets of problems might be overwhelming after a while.

4 stars on GR.

A Spring Surprise For the Cornish Midwife
by: Jo Bartlett
Boldwood Books

This fourth installment in The Cornish Midwife Series tenderly takes readers once again into the lives of the midwives at the Port Agnes Midwifery Unit. With her signature warm and compassionate writing style, Bartlett shares the story of Jess - her life, loves, and longings.
Even though she has known much heartache in her life, Jess shows amazing strength and endurance through adversity. Although she cannot have children herself, Jess excels as a sensitive and supportive midwife to her patients. She also eagerly anticipates becoming a foster carer after gaining approval through the assessment process. Finding a newborn baby on her doorstep was a momentous event in her life and led to an emotionally charged journey.
With sensitivity, Bartlett gives insight into the both the sad and joyous situations with pregnancy, birth, and parenting faced by midwives in their careers. Her way with words allows us to feel the intense feelings involved in bringing babies into the world, keeping them safe and healthy, and making sure they are always in safe surroundings. The storyline also twists through an intense, suspenseful rescue scenario on the cliffs, as well as Jess's moving relationship complications and resolutions.
This is my first book to read in the series, and I found it to work well as a standalone book. Readers would appreciate, however, reading the books in order for the full, gratifying experience that this exemplary series offers.
Thank you to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for the advance reader's copy and the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
#ASpringSurpriseForTheCornishMidwife #NetGalley

As for me, a mother of 3 children, this book has become a real treasure. I love A Spring Surprise For The Cornish Midwife so much! Amazing start for New Year!
Dreams always come true, the main thing is to want it very much!
Jess dreamed to be a mom, but her dream would never have come true if her desire were less than this dream. She is an amazing woman, who is always ready to help, kind and sympathetic. She had a rough childhood, unsuccessful marriage and worst of all, Jess could not have children. It seemed that happiness did not wait for Jess, until she has found a surprise at her doorstep in one fine morning. Would she be able to free herself from the burden of the past, her childhood and would she allow herself to be happy?
Jess is a midwife. It's great, that the author showed so realistic what it would mean to be pregnant and the mother of a newborn. Reading these moments, I felt that I was reliving those unique emotions when my children just came into this World. Wonderful!
I will definitely recommend this book to book lovers who enjoy reading women's fiction and romance, who prefer well-written books.
Thanks to Jo Bartlett, Bolwood Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

There's something so special about this lovely series that even before picking up the book I know, instinctively, that I am returning to meet up again with treasured friends.

A Spring Surprise for the Cornish Midwife continues the story about the lives of the community midwives who work in the tiny seaside village of Port Agnes. Those readers who who have followed the series will be aware that midwife Jess can never have a baby of her own and that she's recently been accepted as a foster carer. Imagine the shock and surprise when Jess wakes one morning to find a newborn baby on her doorstep! This wonderful coincidence works on so many levels and without revealing any spoilers it starts Jess on a whole new way of life.

A Spring Surprise for the Cornish Midwife is both emotional and dramatic, heartwarming and life affirming and I can only say again how much this series has caught my both my heart and my imagination and whilst each story compliments those which have gone before it is perfectly possible to read each book as a standalone story. The author has certainly captured the magic of this little corner of Cornwall as she instills in all her characters both a love of the place and the charm of its people. I can't wait to see where we go to next in book #5 of the Cornish Midwives series.