This book was hard to get into and stay interested in. I didn’t like how Greg and Andrew put Seren down all the time. The pacing was slow and I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I couldn’t imagine the surroundings well either and I didn’t finish the book. This is a shame as I wanted to like it but it just wasn’t for me.

Thanks to Jane Lovering, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

3 stars

I loved all the characters in this story. Seren is a complicated character who is choosing to avoid anything she is unsure of and who is leading a fairly solitary life. Not that she is without interaction with others. The old people who come to the drop in centre which Seren helps to run, are in some ways, ignored by most of society and sent off to the day care. They find Seren and Ned ready to listen to them and show them respect. There is plenty of humour attached to all of them. Each has his or her own foibles and individual quirks. Seren needs all the patience she can muster.

It is clear from the beginning that there is more to Ned than meets the eye. It transpires that both Seren and Ned have had some traumatic events in their past. The drop in centre is as much a haven for them as for visitors. Of course, my favourite character has to be Kez, the gorgeous collie who comes to live with Seren. She is incorrigible and as sharp as a tack. Friendship, facing up to the past and taking life at the pace that is comfortable are all threads in this romcom. There are some touching and emotional moments to offset the humour. It all feels very believable and down to earth.

in short: Facing fears and moving on
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

The Recipe for Happiness is another heartwarming and charming love story by Jane Lovering.

Goodness, Jane knows how to write a heartwarming love story that just hits you in the heart. Jane has this amazing ability to write stories that have you feeling all these wonderful emotions. You find yourself laughing one moment, and then the next, your heart is pitter-pattering in swoony excitement. I also adore the unexpected twists or moments Jane throws into her stories; I always find myself saying “no way” and frantically turning the page so I can find out what happens next. This book is just so easy to sink into. The story wraps around you like a cozy blanket; you never want to leave it. Jane includes lush and vivid descriptions of Yorkshire that had me feeling like I was there or, more specifically, wishing I was there. I also adore the recipes at the beginning of each chapter; it was a fun extra bit to put into the book.
Seren’s character instantly felt real to me. Her vulnerabilities and insecurities resonate with you; you just know that her character is about to go on a journey of tremendous growth. I adored watching Seren come out of her shell, do things that make her scared, and make new friends (some of them furry) along the way. Kez, the adorable and clever collie, might have stolen my heart, and I love the warmth and humour this furry guy brought to the story.
The romance in this book is sweet and charming. Seren and Ned’s relationship starts as colleagues, moves to friendships, and ends in a gooey romance. I like Ned’s character and could instantly see that he was going to be a good fit for Seren. Also loved that there was this bit of mystery surrounding Ned. Clearly, there is more to this man than he is letting on, but it takes Seren a bit to finally undercover the truth. But I love guessing his secrets with Seren. I enjoyed watching these two get closer to each other and slowly develop that romantic relationship I know they are fated to have.
The Recipe for Happiness is bursting with humour, love, charm, and so many unforgettable moments.
Thank you, Boldwood Books and Rachel Random Resources, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wasn't sure I would like this when I first started reading but how wrong was I? A real heartwarming tale with fabulous characters.

I rejoiced in this beautifully written book and sat down and read from the first page to the last in one mammoth sitting. The characters are superbly relateable and face issues that most can easily relate too. As usual my favourite characters are of the four legged variety and Kez instantly wrapped his paws around my heart and never let go. I have a bit of agoraphobia myself so I honestly felt for Seren. I loved that the book is a romance with plenty of lighthearted humour but it's also empathetic with a few serious and emotional issues wrapped up in between. I smiled alot and laughed while crying.

The dating agency Seren's brother signed her up for
Suggests she 'gets a life' so she can add more
To help them find her the perfect match
Or they'll drop her - that's the catch!

However, Seren isn't sure what she can do
She loves her job but needs hobbies and friends, too.
She hates going anywhere she doesn't know
So she stays home and new places doesn't go.

When her brother sets her up to help a friend out
With dog training, she certainly had her doubt.
She never expected to end up with the abandoned Kez
Who obviously cares for her and does as she says!

This border collie and new co-worker, Ned, too
Have her daring to venture to some places that are new.
But both have their secrets and problems to face
Why does she fear for her safety when in a new place?

Revelations, secrets, surprises and romance
All are possible when you give love a chance.
But finding about the past can help to discover
What triggers reactions so you can support each other.

An elderly community, who want to live life to the full,
A day centre and recipes that certainly aren't dull.
I like the way recipes are shared in Seren's voice
Giving you options and lots of choice.

A gorgeous story filled with recipes and feelings
A heartwarming story of love and healing.
For my complementary copy, I say a huge thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

A first for me, being a newbie to Jane Lovering books I was excited to see how this read would pan out and I was not disappointed at all.
I loved it from start to finish, a book that I was reluctant to put down.
The characters are ‘normal’ and by that I mean, relatable and comfortable. They are they type of people I’d love to be around and I really liked them. Seren is a creature of comfort, seeking comfort over challenge but she decides it could be time for a change. Change comes initially in the form of Kez, a super clever Collie and Ned.
The more we learn about Seren, the more we understand her reluctance to face her fears and put herself out there. With the right support around her, can she finally be the Seren she longs to be and potentially find romance where she hopes she will find it.
Warm, tender and a read that gives your emotions a big squeeze. I really loved the added recipes too! It may be my first but it won’t be my last.

The Recipe for Happiness by Jane Lovering

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When Seren’s brother Andrew signs her up to Yorkshire Dating, only for them to recommend that she ‘gets a life’ before they find her a match, Seren has to admit that they may have a point.   She loves her job cooking at an elder day centre and her little flat, but it’s fair to say her life is a little short of hobbies and friends. Since she was young Seren has felt safer close to home, but now she’s a thirty-something divorcee, it’s time for a change. Change arrives in the shape of alarmingly clever collie Kez, who Seren offers to take in ‘temporarily’, and kind but mysterious new colleague Ned. But as Ned and Kez tempt Seren out of her shell, it means facing her fears. And when Andrew finally reveals the secrets of their childhood, Seren’s need for safety suddenly makes sense. A problem shared is a problem halved, and with friends by her side, Seren might be able to get a life that she loves at last. 

My Opinion

Jane Lovering is now a must read for me, they never fail to leave me smiling. Seren works as a cook at the local day care centre for the elderly, living above the centre she doesn't get out much - even a dating site rejected her. This book was such a lovely read as both Seren and Ned were relatable characters. As the pair become closer, Seren begins to wonder if there could be something between them.

To add to the enjoyment of this book, Jane has put some recipes between the chapters. A great, heart-warming read.

Rating: 4/5

Seren’s brother is concerned about how small her world has become – not quite agoraphobic, but desperately uncomfortable when forced outside her daily routine working as a cook at Pickering’s daycare centre for the elderly and the small flat that comes with the job, she’s exhausted the possibilities of on-line dating (even they’ve suggested she should get a life, with just TV and reading making it impossible to find her a match). And that’s how she finds herself distinctly out of her comfort zone, at Dungeons and Dragons evenings with a large group of hairy and tattooed bikers, then committed to helping out her brother’s dog trainer friend. That’s how Kez comes into her life – an abandoned border collie who needs a temporary home, and who she keeps hidden (as much as she possibly can – Kez sometimes makes that difficult…) from “the management” at the centre.

And a dog, of course, as well as being great company and someone to care for, needs exercise and time outdoors – and she’s helped with that by her lovely co-worker Ned, who begins to show possibilities of becoming rather more than a friend. But he’s a bit of a mystery too – working as a handyman when he’s clearly capable of more, she thinks he might be homeless and sleeping in his car, perhaps even recently released from prison. His full story slowly emerges – as does Seren’s – along with the reasons that they’re both such damaged people, finding the support they need in each other. And they really do need to pull together as the centre is threatened with closure – it’s a lifeline for the individuals who spend their days there, and the open day that’s increasingly looking to be a washout might be their last chance to save it.

I just adored this book – the two individuals at its centre who entirely won my heart (and, of course, the lovely Kez), but also the wider cast of wonderfully drawn characters. There’s plenty of humour, both gentle and laugh-out-loud – the author has a style that’s entirely her own, that I unfailingly love – but the more emotional content is just perfect too, the whole book infused with warmth and filled with love. I so enjoyed the interactions at the day centre, the way she drew the individuals so superbly, the sadness that many of them were dumped there by their families or left to be collected like unwanted parcels – the story of Mimi, uncommunicative and rigid in her chair near the garden, particularly tugged at the heartstrings and was just beautifully handled. The Yorkshire setting is, of course, as perfectly drawn as ever – and there are recipes in this one too, written by Seren, filled with her quirky asides and observations, and never containing nuts or anything remotely exotic that the folk at the day centre would find entirely unacceptable.

This was another wonderful read from an author who never disappoints – and yes, you’ve guessed it, it might just be my new favourite. Go on, add it to your reading list – you’re going to love it too!

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood books for access to this arc.

One of the things I like about Lovering's books is that, for the most part, the characters are basically good people. Very few villains here to worry about popping out of the woodwork. Then there’s Kez the wonder dog who is very well trained and obedient but just not for people he can probably sense don’t really love him. He knows Seren and Ned love him as well as the clients at the daycare center, and the heavy metal band members who play D&D with Andrew and Greg before they save the day, so to speak.

Seren is a woman who knows she has a fear but therapy, though nice and helpful for a few other issues in her life, didn’t identify it much less solve it. It might possibly have contributed to the breakup of her marriage – okay her husband complained about being her ‘carer’. She is happy where she is and doing what she does so she doesn’t dwell on it too much. When Ned starts to ask her about her childhood after the death of both her parents on the same day, after which she and her older brother went to live with a repressed and emotionally cold aunt, Seren denies any problems there but she is also puzzled as she realizes how much she doesn’t remember.

Ned is pretty much a wonderful guy and hero from early in the book. It’s easy to see he’s interested in Seren beyond the scrumptious scones and biscuits she bakes. It’s also clear from his verbal evasions that Ned’s got Something in His Past, too. What that is takes a while to be revealed but, as obviously caring as Ned is, it makes perfect sense and (in 2023) is very timely.

The Revelation of why Seren fears what she does is not as bad as I feared it would be. I guessed one thing that her brother has kept from her and can understand why she doesn’t remember the other things. It’s made clear how much of a loving brother-sister bond Seren and Andrew have, the care he took in taking over her guardianship while he was still young, and that the therapy he paid for was to help her. Why he couldn’t realize that the therapy hadn’t delved into the root cause and spoken up earlier, well … that was puzzling. Kudos for having Seren and Ned realize that just knowing what has caused their issues isn’t enough to solve them.

The lovely Yorkshire moors and the tiny market town they live in are front and center in the story. I appreciate that the older characters aren’t for laughs and are given personalities and strengths. Hopefully Andrew and Seren can continue moving forward from The Past Issues. Kez has found a home he respects. And Seren and Ned appear to have a bright future ahead of them. B

This book is a fairly quick easy read. It's a bit of a mixed bag story wise but certainly worth giving it a go.

Jane Lovering’s books never fail to make me smile. Even the dedication for this one made me laugh!

Encouraged by her older brother to try online dating which results in not a single match makes Seren realise just how small her world is. She’s not exactly agoraphobic but is content with her routines and not stepping out of them. I felt for her when she said that perhaps she should get a life, find some hobbies beyond watching TV and reading. It was lovely watching her broaden her horizons and come out her shell encouraged by Kez and new co-worker Ned.

Kez is a border collie which Seren accidentally finds herself looking after and trying to hide in her tiny flat. I’ve never owned a dog and don’t think I ever would but I did, it would be a Border Collie, the same breed as Kez. As is so often the case in real life, this was hugely beneficial to them both. Kez had someone who genuinely cared for and looked after him and in turn, encouraged Seren to be a bit braver than normal. Dogs need to be exercised each day of course so even though Seren didn’t particularly enjoy the great outdoors, she has no option.

Jane Lovering writes so well about her characters’ innermost thoughts and feelings that I always am completely on the side her heroines and Seren was no exception. She feels very real and relatable. Ned was also a lovely character and I wondered what his backstory was as I read, why this caring and capable man had left London for a handyman’s job in Yorkshire. I was very intrigued to find out the pasts of both Seren and Ned and of course to find out if they just might be right for each other.

I also enjoyed the recipes scattered throughout the book, written in Seren’s quirky, cheerful style. Even those were funny. For example the recipe for Bolognese sauce (aka mince-and-awful-veg) suggests including the “bits of veg that are lurking in the bottom of the fridge and looking a bit wrinkly and like they want using up”. I quite fancy making the Earl Grey scones actually.

The Recipe for Happiness is another gorgeous read from Jane Lovering. It made me smile, it gave me a lump in my throat and it left me feeling happy.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. I liked Seren and Ned, the main characters, though I thought some of their dialogue was a bit flat a times. Loved Kez the dog, and all the older characters who attended the day centre. The back story behind Seren's phobia was interesting. It wasn't nice the way Seren's brother suggested she was uninteresting and kept trying to force her to take up a new hobby. Working 6 days a week doesn't give you much time for hobbies! I felt a bit more was needed at the end. I was expecting an epilogue, given my Kindle was only at 92%, but instead I got an excerpt from another of Lovering's books. That's fine, but I would have liked an epilogue. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Recipe for Happiness by Jane Lovering.

This is a great heartwarming story about how friends and animals can change your life in a good way. Seren is a divorced thirty something young woman who works for an elderly day care center. She has grown accustomed to work and home with nothing in between. Her brother Andrew, has signed her up to find a match on a dating site. They however feel that she needs to have more experience in life. Here comes Ned who is the new handy man and bus driver for the day care center., and his adorable collie Kez. Ned and Seren seem to have more in common than they initially realize. Seren starts to feel a connection with Ned and a trust forms between them. As things progress, Andrew tells Seren some things about their past that she was unaware of but it puts things into perspective for her. Ned becomes closer to a Seren and the two begin to help each other through the challenges that their pasts have created in order to move forward with their future. Jane Lovering is well known for her romantic fiction novels and her ability to write story’s that are compelling and beautiful with characters that are very well developed make me feel as though I am a part of the book. I honestly can see myself in there while reading because the descriptions are perfect. This was. Ot my first book by Lovering and it won’t be my last….I hope.

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Brought up by her elder brother Andrew Seren enjoys her job at an elderly day care centre, however feels as if there is always something holding her back. The arrival of Ned, minibus driver and general handyman plus Kez, a rescue collie, shakes up her life and starts to broaden her very restricted life.
Every so often I come across a book that affects me in a surprising way. Seren's almost agoraphobia severely restricts her ability to travel anywhere new, plus Ned's mysterious background (ex-con living wild?) are the keystone of the story, but the wonderful cast of elderly visitors to the centre (some of them not much older than myself) really add to the feel of the book. As the story progresses both their backgrounds become clearer and their mutual attraction grows, but you are left wondering whether they will actually get together. This is certainly one of the books that I've enjoyed most so far this year, definitely worth reading if you like something a bit different.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influenced my review of the book and I have already pre-ordered it as I enjoyed it so much

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

I read this in one sitting.

It was lovely to see that each chapter started with a recipe.

Both Seren and Andrew’s childhood wasn’t the best, but whereas Andrew is getting on with his life, the same can’t be said for Seren.

She is a cook in an elderly home and lives above it.

When Ned joins, she feels that he’s got some issues too, and they both help each other work through them.

I recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this story. loved the characters and the setting, especially loved the dog. I read it in one sitting.

If there’s one word that I can use to describe Jane’s writing, it would have to be atmospheric. Her books immediately transport me to the fictional world that she has created, and I instantly feel at home. So, this time I found myself at an elder day centre in Pickering, Yorkshire, baking treats for the service users.
The characters at the centre were wonderful and I loved meeting them and their idiosyncrasies. Our protagonist, Seren, is complicated and that is exactly what I love about Jane’s writing. There are always curve balls to dodge and Seren is a particularly big one. She has no knowledge of the reason why, but she has a fear of travelling on unknown roads to unknown places. This leaves her with a rather small life.
With encouragement from her brother and his partner, she agrees to try online dating but creating her profile leads to issues as it becomes clear that she needs to get a life. Duly tasked, she embarks on a dog training adventure that leads to her temporarily fostering a very clever Collie named Kez.
Of course, this is romantic fiction and there’s the rather mysterious Ned helping out at the centre. Seren cannot understand what his carefully guarded past is hiding, but she knows that she’s drawn to him and maybe even trusts him.
This is another wonderful book from Jane, and I absolutely loved every minute. From the wonderful service users at the day centre to the Dungeons and Dragons rock band, there’s a lot packed into this story. But it’s the humanity that shines through. The gentle blooming of Mimi, the kindness of Ned, and Seren’s brother, Andrew, finding the strength to share with her some family secrets. All told with a careful hand and an abundance of empathy.
Of course, as I have come to expect from Jane’s books, Yorkshire plays out as an additional character. It’s easy to see Jane’s love for her home county and her descriptions left me picturing the sweeping landscapes and beautiful walks. I could almost hear the streams tinkling nearby.
I think this may well be a new favourite book from one of my absolute favourite authors.

Seren really wants to open her own cooking school. For some reason she has a fear of being left behind. While cooking at a elder center she meets Ned and adopts a dog too. Can she get past whatever is holding her back?
I liked the story but it was also a bit depressing and sad.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and the publisher for the early copy

I really enjoyed this gentle little thinker of a book.

Seren is quite happy working as a cook in a respite facility for the elderly. That she lives onsite as well and doesn't have a LOT of friends who are under 80, doesn't concern her much. She is frightened of going too far from home and so she tells herself that she is perfectly fine as she is.

Her brother Andrew is happily coupled up and when he suggests to Seren that she really needs to go out and find herself a partner, she doesn't take it well. He introduces her to some friends of his and they play games but it isn't really her thing. She joins an online dating agency and they tell her she is too boring.

Ned is the handyman who works with Seren, but even though he is perfectly nice, she feels like there are things about him that she just doesn't know.

The story of these two damaged people is the basis of this story. It is not angst filled by any means, there were also laughs to be had in this book as well, some of them loud chuckles and others wry grins.

Hard to categorise, but it felt like these two were really special just because they were such genuine human beings, flaws and all.

Of course, the star of the show was Kez, the border collie. Completely adorable and very, very smart :)

Also appreciated the recipes! If only all recipe books were written like this :)

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.