I love this series, totally invested in the characters and can’t wait for the next instalment. Picking up these books is like having a coffee with friends

I sometimes forget to write reviews, this is one of them but did i love this book- yes i did and neeeded to know what happens next. I wish i had the whole set to read from the start..... here goes
Book no10. can read solo or together but i would advise read all of love heart lane series NOW. 
Jinny leaves her crazy busy lifestyle of her job and against her fathers wishes all the way to Scotland for a job interview she knows nothing about. Journalist to chutney maker- what can go wrong?
One of the local residents Gabe, helps her out as he is the beekeeper and shows her a thing or two along with how to find love again. 
I always love returning to love heart lane, and this is another one of those.

I absolutely love the Love Heart Lane series; it is one of my favourites. Every time I get lost in the village of Heartcross and its latest story, and this time was no exception. 

Jinny moves to Bumblebee cottage in Heartcross to become the new honey and chutney maker after she quits her job as a journalist. Swapping city life for country life she is ready to learn the ropes from beekeeper Gabe, but that’s not all she learns. Unable to leave her journalistic skills behind she does some digging on the secretive Gabe and uncovers a secret that links to her own life too. 

As with all of the Love Heart Lane series, the newbie, in this case Jinny, is welcomed into the village with open arms from the start and is soon part of the community. She is a lovable character and is able to make friends and settle into this new way of life easily. 

One of my favourite things about the series is that we get to catch up with previous characters of the series and it feels like returning home. However, this shouldn’t put you off as it can be read as a standalone, as can all the series, but I urge you to read them all.

Christie’s writing always makes these books so easy to read and get completely lost it, and you can’t help but smile. 

I loved it and can’t wait to return to Heartcross again soon.

There was quite a bit that annoyed me about this book, hence the 2 star rating.  I enjoy a light-hearted, easy read romcom novel, but I like my female protagonists to be strong, independent feminists.

However, Jinny is a young woman who has been funded by her father, doesn’t like the fact that she hasn’t been given respect or responsibility, but has stayed, despite apparently going against her morals at her father’s behest.

So far, so frustratingly anti-feminist.

She then ups sticks and travels to Scotland based on a job advert to take over a company that makes honey and chutney.  This would be understandable if she had a secret passion or hobby for bee-keeping or chutney making.  But she doesn’t.  She has no idea and doesn’t like bees …. so it’s a good job there’s a lovely looking bloke (Gabe) to save her every time she mucks up *eye roll*

I was hoping for an undemanding and fun read, but found myself hating the two main characters.  

I know I am in the minority, because so many people loved this book, however, it didn’t meet the expectations I had.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series, it’s no secret so now it’s at book number 10, I wonder what new character or storyline we can have but Christie Barlow never fails to deliver a book that is engaging and entertaining. 
Jinny is intrigued by Heartcross so uproots her life to become a beekeeper (with no experience). She soon settles into village life, our favourite characters as on hand to welcome her, as they do with all newcomers. Jinny soon realises there is more going on than meets the eye and is determined to get to the bottom of things. 
Romance is always at the core of these stories and I enjoy seeing how it blossoms for the characters, it’s never smooth sailing but I always have hope. 
A great addition to the series!

I loved this story about trying to simplify life, getting close to Mother Earth, and being in the kitchen. Likable characters and chutney cooking abound. I felt like this book was an auntie welcoming me in with a smile and a hug.

After leaving her fathers journalist/media company after a disagreement over journalistic integrity, Jinny finds herself applying for a making chutney at Bumblebee cottage. A bit of a change in direction comes as a refreshing new start. Gabe is a welcome diversion. It was great getting to know a new character and another book in the Love Heart Lane series.
This is such a heartwarming series and a great escape into another world!

We're back at the Bakehouse / Bee's Knees Honey and Chutneys businesses with Jinny, a journalist on a tabloid owned by her father being pushed too far, pushing back at last and deciding to make her own way in life. A chat with best friend Jay (a friend of a friend of other characters in the series) and she's applying for a job as chutney and honey maker, even though she has never made chutney and is afraid of bees. Fortunately, she gets the job, and along with it, hunky Gabe, beekeeper and man of mystery. What makes him hate journalists so much? Can Jinny learn to do a full day's work without causing a flood or other horror? And who will win the Summer Fair produce competition. Some interesting plot points here, cleverly done, that all work out beautifully, of course, and another good one in the series.

The Hidden Secrets of Bumblebee Cottage by Christie Barlow

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When Jinny Birdwhistle is pushed over the edge one time too many times and quits her job as a tabloid journalist, an impromptu – and rather unconventional – job search leads her to a new house, car, and career making honey and chutney in the small Scottish village of Heartcross. And with handsome beekeeper Gabe Warner to help her learn the ropes, she’s ready to embrace ‘country girl life’ and leave the past behind her.

…uncovers an old secret

Yet there’s more to strong and silent Gabe than meets the eye and though Jinny planned to leave her journalistic instincts in London, she can’t help doing a little digging. Now, as she uncovers a mystery that links to her own history, Jinny realises that you can’t outrun the truth and the only way to move forward is to face the past. But now that she’s at home in Heartcross, she won’t have to do it alone…

My Opinion

I have read a few books in this series but each has worked well as a standalone - it is always nice to return to Heartcross and catch up with the residents.  This was a lovely, easy read, just perfect for a weekend escape. Jinny quits her job as a journalist and needs to find a new job and somewhere to live, she is intrigued by the thought of moving to Heartcross and becoming a beekeeper. This was an enjoyable read with secrets to be discovered. 

Rating 4/5

This was an enjoyable read although, for me personally, the start was a little slow (could have just been my frame of mind) and I felt like the end wrapped up very quickly. Always good to visit Heartcross and the people in it, but this was also a good stand alone read.

The Hidden Secrets of Bumblebee Cottage takes us back to the beautiful setting of Heartcross for the 10th story of the “Love Heart Lane” series.

I cannot get enough of Heartcross and fall in love with the setting and the people that bit more every-time I go back!  I really wish this was a real place as I love escaping into this literary world.

This story had me right from the beginning - I would love to eat cheese in a Job Interview and mysterious Gabe was the Beekeeper I never knew I needed.

My Top 5 things from this book:

•Heartcross 
•Eating cheese in a Job Interview 
•Happily Ever After
•Community Spirit
•Cosy Read

“Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what”

Another book in the Love Heart Lane series. Really enjoyable book and series. I love the village and the characters. Enjoyed learning a bit about bee keeping on my way through the book. A very good book and enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This is book 10 in the Loveheart Lane series but can easily be read as a standalone novel although I have to be honest, if I had started with this book I probably wouldn't have bothered with the rest of the series.  This is my least favourite of the ones I've read and for ages I couldn't get into the book - had to leave it, read something else, and go back again.

The last third of the book was the best.

Where can I start, I was really Looking forward to another Visit to Love Heart Lane and the Village of Heartcross, to visit old friend and new.

The Story's  main Character Jinny Had escaped her old job as a journalist in the big smoke and was looking for a new challenge, she was flicking though and saw an article in the paper advertising a job in the small town of Heartcross. She left London for an interview which could change her life, little did she know she would also have a lot of selects coming out along the way. She then meets a Game who she is working with and little did she know how connected there stores were.

I so look forward to reading The Love Heart Lane series and I always hate finshing then as they are always sooo good. I am really looking forward to another visit to Heartcross soon and visiting old friend and new.

Thank you net galley for a early copy for an honest review

Jinny has decided enough is enough when her dad who is her boss and the owner of a newspaper wants her to dig up dirt and unflattering photos of an actress so she tells him where he can stick his job and leaves
While she is sitting in the pub with her best friend she comes across an advert for someone to take over a chutney and honey producing business which comes with aptly named accomodation Bumblebee cottage. Even though she knows nothing about making chutney and is scared of flying insects she decided to go for it using her mum's maiden name so she can make a new start and unbelievably gets the job
Can she make a success of it or will her previous job come back to haunt her ?
Loved it

Another simply wonderful and addictive read from Christie Barlow, perfectly paced, adorable characters and community, it’s always a joy to be back in Heartcross. A beautiful, heartwarming and thought provoking at times tale, what  a wonderful addition to the series

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in return for an honest opinion

The latest in the series from Christie Barlow, and again a book that is a delight to read, one you can’t wait to read but don’t want it to ever finish as it’s so cosy . 
I need to move to Heartcross right now! 
What a wonderful community that the author has made for us to follow. 
So looking forward to the next one 🥰

This book is part of the Love Heart Lane series of books. It can be read as a standalone novel but it is such a fantastic series that I recommend reading them if you haven't already so.
This book features Jinny who is a new character and Gabe the beekeeper. The book also features Molly and Cam who have been in a couple of the other books. We also catch up with most of the other previous characters at the Heartcross Fair. 
I had an early preview copy of this book and I was reading it on a wintry day. This book however is very Summery and would be perfect for reading on holiday or in the garden. It is the perfect escapism. 
This is a fantastic feel-good read, but there was also a mystery surrounding Gabe to be solved. I really enjoyed reading this book and ii can't wait for the next two books in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

The Hidden Secrets of Bumblebee Cottage is book ten in the Love Heart Lane series and Christie Barlow just gets better and better. This book has another stunning cover and once again a wonderful feel good story awaits you. Without doubt, this is my favourite ever series and I hope it continues for many a year to come. I’m fast running out of adjectives and phrases to describe just how good the Love Heart Lane series but I’ll try my best. This is a book you will want to read in one sitting as the characters and setting are so warm and inviting and it’s like returning to old friends and catching up after a brief absence. The stories are still fresh and welcoming and are in no danger of becoming stale or of plots being rehashed. You can tell that Christie loves writing about Heartcross and all the various characters both old and new and this book as with all the others deserves all the praise and success in the world.

Jinny is the new character we meet this time around as well as plenty of old familiar and welcome faces whom I love to see each time I return to Heartcross. This very special village in Scotland (albeit sadly fictional) has captured many a readers heart including mine. Jinny is preparing to disappoint her father and leave his newspaper empire where she was a journalist. She will suffer the consequences as she can’t bear the lack of warmth, compassion and basic human skills that exist within the world as her father is determined to get every top story by any means possible. Jinny has morals and to continue with unethical stories finally makes her quit. Straight away, I thought fair play to her for being brave and standing up for herself and realising this was not the long term life that she desired. But what would her next step be? The weight is lifted off her shoulders and she feels liberated if a little afraid as to what direction her new life will now take. She wants to better herself  and hopes to find a job that will fulfil her with happiness and contentment.

Near to the beginning, there was a brilliant summarisation of all the previous books, the characters and the setting and this was a great way to introduce new readers and would instantly make you want to go back and read everything and this was all done in a simple and considered manner as Jinny decides where she wishes to go. She wants a slower pace of life and a job that is nice and she sees an ad for a rental and business opportunity. Bee’s Knees is a small business in Heartcross that makes honey and chutney. Jinny has no clue about either product but is willing to give things a go and she may have told a teeny lie or two when Molly interviews her. 

Jinny feels apprehensive but also there is a good vibe coming from Molly and Cam at The Old Bakehouse next door to Bumblebee Cottage and she knows she should give everything a go even if the thought of bees terrifies her. I loved how she really stepped outside of her comfort zone but it was almost as if Heartcross was calling to her drawing her. The sense of community is there in spades and the residents always look out for one another. Jinny is a hard worker, someone who is organised and always delivers on time but has she taken on more than she can handle with this new business? With only a few months to prove herself to Cam and Molly she has a lot to learn but someone will be there by her side to help her navigate the tentative new waters.

Gabe is the beekeeper at the cottage. He tends to the land the hives and really it is the most idyllic setting with the cottage, a magical garden, a bridge, stream, orchard, greenhouse and vegetable garden and Jinny can see how much love and care Dixie (Cam’s grandmother) put into it right up until her death. Jinny knows she has to continue the legacy but feels like a fish out of water. Gabe is a supportive friend and good teacher even if when they first meet there is a funny incident with a bee but there is a secretive element to him to that for the life of me I couldn’t get to the bottom of until the point of reveal came. He dislikes social media and journalists and lucky for Jinny she has kept this bit about her secret. For as she starts to get closer to Gabe as they work together to get a start on all the Christmas orders for chutneys she realises that Gabe is struggling with something. Will he trust her enough to open up to her? What will happen when he discovers the truth of her background? Will he feel cheated and betrayed?

Heartcross really does bring out the best in Jinny and I adored reading how she went about learning the processes and about the different ingredients for making all the chutneys (the descriptions of which were mouth-watering) and she also wanted to boost the profile of the business through Instagram with her new and inventive ideas and the Heartcross Fair was a lovely addition to the story also. But what I really loved was the mystery element to the story as in what was Gabe’s story that made him dwell on the past so much? Jinny helped lift his spirits but when the truth comes out will that still be the case? I loved the looking back into the past element as secrets were revealed and connections were established. My attention was held with every turn of the page and I wanted to know exactly what had happened in the past that it was impacting on the present so much? But this special little village is a place where people rally together in anyone’s time of need and one where problems can be mended. Will this prove to be true for Jinny and Gabe or will the truth prove too difficult to surmount?

As with every book that I have read in this series I wish that Heartcross and its residents were real instead of fictional as when you finish reading you look up and think and realise that in fact you are back in the real world and no longer inhabit the books fictional setting even though you very much wish to do so. Christie has a real talent of getting inside the characters heads making the reader really connect with them and care about them. You are sad to leave them behind but know that thankfully two books a year are now published and the wait for the next instalment won’t be too long. Don’t worry if you are new to the series as each book is easily read as a standalone but trust me whatever book you start with you’ll love it and want to go back and read them all. I envy you if you are this person getting to read them all in one fell swoop. For that is what you will want to do. The Hidden Secrets of Bumblebee Cottage was delicious and enthralling and all you want is more as it makes you feel full and complete as stories by this fabulously talented author always do. Two more books will be published in 2023. A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse is published in May and A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor is published in September. I hope I will be able to get my hands on them in advance of publication day as I’m not that good at waiting patiently when it comes to brilliant books.

Welcome back to the Love Heart Lane series and the lovely village of Heartcross.  Catch up with some of your favourite characters from previous entries in this series, and meet Jinny and Gabe, the main characters of this book.  Both are keeping secrets and escaping from events of the past, but are definitely drawn to each other and their work at Bumblebee Cottage.