Alison really has a gift for story telling, creating characters and a community that I really come to care about and making me wish I could be there with them.
I loved Ryan right from the start, but Katy less so. She came across as rather cold and perhaps clinical. Once we hear why she is that way and she actually starts opening up to the people in Cranfield it's impossible not to love her and all her brilliant business ideas that make it seem like anything is possible. I loved reconnecting with characters we had met in book 1 of this series, but reading book 1 before this book is definitely not a must.
I hope there will be a book 3, 4 ... 5 in this series. I can't get enough of these books!!!

This is a beautifully written heartwarming story that holds your attention from the first page until the last. It's a sweet small town romance that was a joy to read. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I received a complimentary copy from Boldwood Books via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

New Beginnings On Railway Lane - Alison Sherlock.

This is book two in Alison Sherlock’s Railway Lane series. It can be read as a standalone story, but I’d always suggest reading in order to get the best from any book.

#NewBeginningsOnRailwayLane takes us on a delightful trip back to the small town of Cranfield.

There is a business to save and hearts to be mended.

I took to Katy and Ryan straight away. And I loved their back stories being shared in the first couple of chapters.
Their journey together was a slow burn, but utterly captivating and gorgeous.

I always enjoy a book by Alison Sherlock. Her books are always brimming with warmth and love.

#NewBeginningsOnRailwayLane is a thoroughly feel good and warm hearted read, that won’t fail to make you smile.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for a digital arc of thia title.

Thank you to Rachel at Rachels Random Resources for my invitation to the blog tour and to Boldwood books for my e book in return for a fair and honest review.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and was delighted to see a return to Cranfield.

This time we met Ryan, son of Bob and him and his brother Ethan have returned home after their mother has left their father for another man.

As the blurb says Ryan was a chef who has lost his way due to an incident that lost him his job. Ethan has placed an advert for someone to come and sort out the place. Katy is also down on her luck in her private life and professionally. She is used to managing hotels but applies for the job one evening when she has had a few too many wines.

Priding herself on her professionalism she heads to Cranfield to what she thinks will be a boutique hotel and she is a little more than surprised when she finds out the job entails.

She takes the job because she is moved by Bob’s plight and she knows she can make a difference. So high heels in hand she returns to Cranfield.

Although her patience is tested on more than one occasion with Bob’s reluctance to part with anything.

I liked Katy she is like a tortoise she has made a shell to protect herself from the hurt and disappointment she has suffered in her life. She is very efficient and experienced in sorting out hotels and although the old railway station is not a hotel, she is unfazed by the task. She is also empathetic of what Bob is going through due to her own upbringing.

As the book progresses things start to fall into place and Ryan and Katy start to look at life a little differently.

It was lovely to return to Cranfield and also meet up with some of the characters from book one. Warm and hopeful this book grabs you like a big hug, Katy discovers that finding friendships and meaning in life may change her for good.

A gorgeous book that will make you feel all cosy as the couple begin to find their feet aided by the lovely inhabitants and each other.

A 5 star read for me *****

New Beginnings on Railway Lane opens on Katy, closed-off career woman, being made redundant and applying for a ridiculous job offer for "the most organised person in the world" (whilst drunk, of course). The job at hand is helping a family to bring their closed train station back to its former glory. Will Katy regret accepting this job offer, or will her life change for the better?

Those of you who know me will know that I'm a sucker for a community coming together to save a business. Those people will also know that I love a business woman who opens her heart and discovers a new life for herself. All of this is to say that this book targeted what I like in a book exactly, and pulled it off. I adored this book.

As well as the tropes, I also adored the characters. Katy and Ryan's relationship was so adorable, and the way it progressed made me really happy. Eddie and Bob were the classic wholesome old men you get in romance novels, and made me smile throughout. And Katy's gaggle of girlfriends made in her new life were perfection, and exactly what I would wish for myself. Also, I can't possibly mention the characters I love whilst excluding Paddington. I'm a sucker for a doggo, especially such an adorable one as him<3

So, overall, this book was perfection for me. It wasn't an intense read, and if you're a fan of deeper books then this probably wouldn't be for you, but if you're looking for something light and wholesome then look no further because this was lovely.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Sweet and enjoyable

Workaholic Katy Smith is made redundant at the 5-star hotel she managed and achieved great heights. With the industry in a slump, Katy doesn’t find good job opportunities despite her glowing career graph. Drunk and sad, she applies for a job at random to find out that it’s neither a hotel nor an active railway station. But a job is a job, isn’t it?
Ryan enjoyed success as a chef in Rome before his career ended in a wreck. Back home, he has to deal with the mess of his parents’ broken marriage and his confidence issues. Katy’s arrival seems to have sorted the place but what about his career and future?
Can the two find a new beginning in the sleepy small town?
The story comes in the limited third-person POV of Katy and Ryan.

My Thoughts:
I quite enjoyed book one in the series and hoped this would deliver on the same level. Fortunately, it almost succeeds. While I did like the first book better, this one is charming in its own way.
Katy and Ryan are well-defined characters with their own burdens and issues. Bob’s character arc is well done, and I like the change we see by the end (even if it feels a little abrupt, as we don’t get his POV).
The side characters are often present and add to the small-town atmosphere. Harriet is more confident and happy in this one. Flora and Libby stay true to their characters. The adorable golden retriever, Paddington, also appears more than once.
My issue is with the info dump in the initial chapters. We get Katy’s life story in her first chapter and Ryan’s in his. Reading their backstories in the first and second chapters of the book feels like an overload. While some information is necessary, the rest isn’t. Furthermore, some details are repeated a few times as the characters converse with others. Removing the repetitions from the beginning would tighten the narration.
The plotline, as such, is predictable. But that’s why I read small-town romances (this is a clean romance with a few kisses), so no complaints. Moreover, it’s nice to see how Katy’s professional expertise brings better opportunities for the village without destroying its natural beauty.
The book deals with themes like family, relationships, home, love, friendship, self-confidence, etc. While most of them were handled well, I did wish for a little more depth in Katy’s relationship with her mother towards the end.
I suspect we’ll have to wait for Ethan’s book to fully sort out the family dynamics and past secrets. While there is a satisfactory resolution here, we also know there are a couple of loose ends.
I like that there are no third-act breakups or misunderstandings. The book sustains the feel-good vibes throughout.

To summarize, New Beginnings on Railway Lane is a cute, sweet, and light-hearted romance with strong supporting characters and a charming setting. This works great as a standalone but will be more enjoyable if you read book one.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Splitting with her partner and losing her job, too,
Workaholic Katy isn't sure what to do.
A bottle of wine, a drunken, online application,
Gets her a new job at a rundown railway station!

The family living there are in dire straits
With a wife who has left and hoarding that can't wait.
Maybe this job is a twist of fate
And Katy can get things into a better state?

She's by nature a fixer and quickly starts
Sorting the debris and clutter apart.
But what is one man's dross is another's gold
But can she help prevent the station needing to be sold?

A heartwarming read with folks who need to heal
A home that needs reviving and new skills to reveal.
A place that is welcoming with lots to do
And new friends who prove to be supporting and true.

A lovely story full of new opportunities and chances
There's even the possibility of some romances!
Can this prove to be the fresh start so many need?
To find out for yourself this book you should read!

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I am so ecstatic to be back in Cranfield, I have eagerly been waiting for Ryan, Katy and the Railway since the last book. I’m so happy that it was even better than I hoped for. Alison’s writing is wonderful and draws you into the community and characters, her descriptions of Cranfield just make me want to move there.

The story as always is full of great humour, fun, slow burn romance and a wonderful interesting community, I was delighted to see an appearance by Dodgy Del again, he’s so hilarious! Watching Ryan and Katy develop, get over their pasts and come together slowly, not being scared eventually to be vulnerable was so wonderful.

I was so drawn to the old train station so much and I loved that the majority of the book set there. It was great to see the return of characters from Heading Home to Lavender Cottage , especially as they only live down the lane, so it seemed so natural we should seethed, but loved seeing them and their lives. I am definitely hoping the next book is about Ethan and Libby , but I also want Flora too, so many great characters I need to read their stories too.

This is a wonderful story about family, in whatever form that comes in, it’s a beautiful, warm and uplifting read, one I thoroughly recommend along with the first book in the series if you haven’t already read it, because although this can be read as a stand-alone, I always think you get the best experience reading the whole series and why would you want to miss out on so much joy.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Having enjoyed Alisons previous books, I couldn’t wait to read New Beginnings on Railway Lane. Whilst you can read as a standalone, there are crossovers with previous books in terms of village and some of the characters. I am a huge fan of books that have strong friendships, welcoming communities and books where you can feel like you are part of things. If you have read previous books you will revisit old friends and catch up with their lives, but this time we focus on newcomer, Katy, who drunkenly takes on a position without actually realising what it entails.

A typical city girl, she is so far removed from her comfort zone, I admire her tenacity at agreeing to stick things out. As the story progresses and she gets involved with the railway station, makes friends and builds on connections, Katy soon finds the countryside might be more worthwhile than she ever imagines.

A story about family, or creating your own family, supporting those who are in need and accepting support right back. I enjoyed the transformation in Katy, how much she changed but how much it was really what she needed. I thought it was clever that she didn’t quite lose sight of herself so much and that she brought her passion to the projects she aimed to create.

It is warm, cosy and uplifting. A real feel good romance, that draws us in from the start and has us engrossed right until the very end. Characters who feel like friends, a village setting that I wish I could visit.

As always, I will keenly await another book, and another catch up with wonderful book friends.

Thank you to Alison Sherlock, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for granting an ARC for my review.

This was a super cute read with feel good vibes which include all the following tropes:
- Opposites Attract
- Inner Healing and Growth
- City vs. Country
- Slow Burn Romance
- No spice, but swoon worthy romance and flirting
- Found family / home

I devoured this book within 3 days and really enjoyed Katy and Ryan’s story. I am left with warm thoughts and a smile when I think of this book. I really loved the community and all Railway Lane had to offer. I would recommended this book to others.

I found this book about starting over so charming! I am a big fan of small town romances and the town couldn't get much smaller than Cranfield.

Katy is in between things in her life - a job, a boyfriend, an apartment. Ever since her father left their family, Katy maintains strict control of her life - her emotions, her surroundings. However, one night of too much wine leads her to apply for what she thinks is a job at a hotel, but is really to organize the railway station in Cranfield.

Ryan is in between things in his life - a job and a home. Ever since his mother left their family, Ryan's father let the railway station (where he lives) get cluttered and is determined to fix an old steam engine. Concerned about his father, Ryan is surprised that his brother advertised for someone to help clean up the railway station.

Katy wasn't planning on staying once she realized 1) this was not a hotel and 2) it was in the country, but she feels touched by Ryan's father's grief and finds herself agreeing to help for one week.

After a bumpy start, Katy and Ryan come up with the idea to open a coffee shp in the station's former waiting room. Now all Ryan has to do is convince Katy to stay...for good.

Such a cute and sweet read! I adored the characters and sense of community. Highly recommended!

New Beginnings on Railway Lane by Alison Sherlock

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

Blurb

When high flying, workaholic Katy Smith is suddenly made redundant, she needs to find a job fast!

After mistakenly answering an advert online, she quickly realises that the rundown railway station in sleepy Cranfield isn’t the 5-star London hotels she’s used to working in!

But a job’s a job. Right?

Chef Ryan Connelly is having a crisis of confidence after his Italian dream turns sour.

Returning home to try to pick up the pieces of his parents broken marriage, he soon discovers that his family home, the railway station, is close to financial ruin
Can Katy use all of her skills and find a way to save the railway station?

And can Ryan rediscover his passion of cooking once more?

As winter in Cranfield begins to sprinkle its magic, perhaps Katy and Ryan can find their very own new beginning on Railway Lane.

My Opinion

I have read a few books by Alison Sherlock and now I start to get excited when there is an upcoming release. This is the sequel to Heading Home to Lavender Cottage but it could easily be read as a standalone. Katy has recently been made redundant and is in need of a new start - what better chance than moving away to start a new job. While Katy is out of her comfort zone, can she learn to enjoy living in Cranfield?

This is such a sweet romance and it was lovely to see the development of Katy and Ryan. This is a series that I am enjoying so far and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series to get to know some more of the characters that live in Cranfield.

Rating: 4/5

In book 2 of the series, we return to the village of Cranfield, England to learn more about the old train station and the family who own it. As we saw at the end of book 1, Bob the train enthusiasts wife left him, leaving behind an unexpectedly high mortgage and a horde of train memorabilia.

In a last ditch effort, Bob's son Ethan places an advert online to find someone to sort through his father's belongings, then leaves town and hands the responsibility to his brother Ryan, a successful chef in Italy. He never expects for the advert to be successful; but then he meets Katy. A manager for 5 star hotels who was recently made redundant, she's reluctant to consider a job outside of London. However after meeting Bob and realising the extent of the issue, she agrees to stay for a week and do what she can.

Together, Ryan and Katy work to reinvigorate the old railway station and bring life back into their pocket of Cranfield. But as Katy's reasons to stay grow longer, will she and Ryan discover that there is more to life than career progression?

Thank you to Author Alison Sherlock, @bookandtonic & @netgalley for providing. I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and couldn't wait to continue the series.

This a sweet, clean romance and is far more a focus on what people will do for love (in this case, for ones family). Watching the MCs grow together and build a life that brought them joy was really lovely to see, as was the strengthening of the wider community through their choices.

I loved that the setting for the majority of the book was the old train station itself and the surrounding buildings. It was such a fun way to incorporate the characters from book 1 who only live down the lane and so became frequent faces as they passed through. I would love to see books focusing on Ryan/Libby or Flora next!!

Look out for publication tomorrow on June 16th 🥳

Katy looses her job and finds herself answering an ad late one night after drinking too much. It’s a little outside her comfort zone. She’s a London girl and this town is out in the country. It’s only for a short time so maybe she won’t miss the city.
It’s a lovely book set in a quaint sounding little town. Just the place to visit. I loved it!
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Netgalley for the early copy

A gorgeous story of love and second chances. Katy and Ryan were wonderful lead characters - both at a crossroads in their lives, their meeting was definitely fortuitous. I loved the slow build of the chemistry between them and the other characters involved in the story were wonderful additions. The railway itself sounded the perfect setting and linking with the idyllic village of Cranfield was a nice reminder of previous books and settings in the series.

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

Katy has always worked throughout her life. But suddenly she’s made redundant from her job working in a hotel.

Whilst looking online for other vacancies she replied to a Job advertisement and attends the interview in the village of Cranfield, which wasn’t what she was expecting.

The position is to clear out the station, which closed down a good while ago, but since then it’s been home to the Connolly family.

As she’s never said no to what she’s been asked to do, she accepts the post.

Ryan has come back home to Cranfield from Rome where he worked as a chef, but he’s hiding something.

Will they both be able to clear the many boxes of stuff in the station, and in the process think of how to save it from being taken from the family?

It was lovey to see how the community comes together to help others in times of need. The characters got through the hard times, opened up about their past and of course there was romance.

I recommend this book.

Meeting Katy was like taking a step back into a different reading style, to when I enjoyed stories about women who dressed to impress, and the labels meant more than the wearer. Thankfully, it was only a reminder and Katy soon adopted the style of the other Cranfield residents.
Katy’s character was perfect for this story, and I simply loved her metamorphosis as she evolved from paragon of fashion to one of the girls. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with power dressing, but there’s a time and a place, in my world.
We first visited the railway station at Cranfield during the Lavender Cottage book. Still reeling from his wife’s departure, Bob Connolly has thrown all his attention into restoring an old steam engine, but with finances at crisis levels, he may lose everything unless a miracle happens.
His two sons, Ryan and Ethan are determined to figure out a way of saving the station, but Ethan’s idea of advertising for someone to help organise may have been a step too far.
Guarding a secret, Italian chef Ryan can’t bring himself to cook the food that he is renowned for, choosing instead to churn out British staples involving meat and two veg. Ryan soon finds himself abandoned by Ethan and left to work alongside Katy in a bid to clear out the station’s booking office. Initially, they are forced to accommodate Bob’s tendency to hoard, but an accident leads to a change of heart.
The atmosphere evoked by Alison’s writing just draws me into the places that are described. I could easily imagine the waiting room and the railway memorabilia on the walls. If you’ve read any of the previous books, you’ll be thrilled to know that Dodgy Del makes another hilarious appearance, bringing more chaos with him.
As Katy discovers the joy of female friends, Ryan slowly tries his hand at cooking again. The end results are quite magical, and I would love to explore the changes at Railway Lane.
This gorgeous story is the perfect addition to the Cranfield series and certainly sets the tone for another book

A sweet romance. We go from London to the countryside with our overworking protagonist. The destination may be a shock but has potential. She discovers friends and family. Entertaining to watch the growth of the main characters. I haven't read the first one of this series, but know I would also enjoy it. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

this is the third book in this series, really enjoyed the story, loved the characters, will definitely go back and read the first two books.

Another hit from author Alison Sherlock! Honestly, these books being so warm and full of life really add comfort and warm feels to my day.
I love the sense of new beginnings, community and friendship that come with each new book. Can't wait for the next one.
My thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review