Cover Image: Starting Over at Halesmere House

Starting Over at Halesmere House

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Member Reviews

Alice is trying to heal her broken heart by taking over the Flower Shed studio at Halesmere after the end of her ten-year marriage. She isn't looking for romance, especially not with brash young tree surgeon, Zac. However, when their circumstances change unexpectedly, they must decide if they can share a future that already binds them. A heartwarming tale of love, healing, and the power of second chances.

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Alice sells her late father's haulage company to pursue a new horticultural business in Haselmere. Despite her friend's encouragement to start dating, Alice is wary after being hurt in a past relationship. Her new life at Pear Tree Barn introduces her to unexpected challenges like escaped sheep and a gruff neighbor, leading to flirtation and intrigue. The book, set mostly at Christmas, balances festive elements with a focus on personal growth and community. While part of a series, it stands alone as a heartwarming story with relatable characters and themes of family, love, and overcoming adversity. The author sensitively addresses difficult topics like pregnancy loss and grief, adding depth to the narrative. Readers will be drawn to the charming setting and engaging characters, hoping for more stories in the series.

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A cute love story. Alice opens up a store Flower Shed. Community helps each other. Then the romance with the tree surgeon Zac.
Thanks to publisher Canelo Romance and NetGalley for the ARC.

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This was a fun romance. I liked the plot and the characters were a lot of fun. Very much recommend this book.

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Really charming story, gorgeous setting, very well written, flowed well, great characters that i could really connect too, and it was a lovely read.

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Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The third installment in the 'Love in the Lakes' series and what a charm it was to read.

Set in Cumbria, the story follows Alice and Zac, two people on a journey to heal themselves in Hazelmere, who end up going on a 'not' date and end up in finding solice in one another.

I absolutely adored this book, I loved the authors style of writing, the beautiful descriptions of the landscape had my imagination running wild, and Cook was also able to weave important topics throughout (cheating, miscarriage, infertility) so gently that it complimented the story well and added purpose to the characters.

I look forward to reading more books by this author. It was a delight to read.

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I absolutely adore this series, Halesmere house feels like home. The characters are likeable and across the series, the ones who appear in all three books have become like friends.

This was such a heartwarming and sweet, closed door romance and such a cozy read, with a touch of found family (as there tends to be at Halesmere house)

I loved Alice and Zac, I love that they gave love a chance, and I loved the unexpected surprise element too!

I just wish there was more to come in this truly delightful series.

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Wow, what a great book. Great characters and lovely storyline. Well worth reading 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

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As Alice is planning a totally new start she sell’s her late father’s haulage company and moves up to Haselmere where she is hoping to start a new horticultural business. Her friend is keen for her to start dating but she’s been recently burned by someone now playing happy families elsewhere. She doesn’t need anyone.
Her new home of Pear Tree Barn is very different and her life growing flowers will be a far cry from driving an articulated lorry but she’s ready, nearly. After her first encounter with escaped sheep and a gruff neighbour which rapidly turns to flirting it looks like her life might be taking a very interesting three point turn.
Once again Susanne Snow has found the perfect combination of second chance romancers that are loveable and exasperating. The background and the supporting cast make the reader jealous not to be experiencing this life. It doesn’t shy away from grief over losing loved ones and a failed marriage but does give hope that life is actually worth living and there are adventures out there for everyone. There’s the promise of Christmas too which again speaks of new beginnings with all the trimmings.

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Didn't enjoy this one at all. I gave up as I was bored. Glad it's the last in this series as it seems tired. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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I knew this would be a cozy read and just expected it to be easy to read and a pleasant story……however, after a few chapters I became so underwhelmed and bored I quickly moved half way, still felt the same and then read the last few pages. Still a fan of the right cozy read at the right time, but not this one.Thank you Netgalley for the A.R.C.

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Cute and cozy read with some of my favorite tropes and lovable enough characters that I had a good time reading it, loved the setting and the adorable feel of it all, it just lacked some angst for my taste

NetGalley provided me this ARC in exchange of my honest opinion, thank you

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Wow, such a lovely story.
Alice and Zac were unexpectedly thrown together in circumstances they didn’t expect.
Falling in love when they didn’t think it was what they wanted or what they could fit in their lives.
Will be great to have another installment in this story that continues this wonderful love story.

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This is a delightful, warm and cosy read. Suzanne always writes such heart warming books and never fails to disappoint. Another fabulous book which sadly is the last in this series.

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Just not enjoyable for me. Alice spends all her time sulking or whining, even to herself. Admitting she married her second serious boyfriend and hasn’t dated much but isn’t interested in dating, fine. Stay single, no forcing yourself to date then. But no of course her life isn’t complete without the partner and family. It just felt trite and inauthentic. The whole thing with the lorry not fitting down her new home road, but then the removal men show up in…a lorry. Oh also her friend Kelly was annoyingly pushy. Stay out of peoples business Kelly.

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This book is part of a series but makes a perfectly good stand alone if you haven't read the previous books. A story of two people both trying to start their lives again after dealing with tragedies in their past, neither one is looking to start a relationship but a friendship soon ensues. A lovely enjoyable emotional story. Thanks netgalley for an advanced copy for my review.

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I have been looking for upbeat and positive books recently and I've found it in the Love in the Lakes series. I've read the other two in the series and was thrilled to see another, Starting Over at Halesmere House.
I do suggest reading this series in order as the books do build off of each other and we also see new characters being introduced in each book.
This is a bit different than a lot of romances as our female lead is the older one in this relationship.
I have long enjoyed this author's work for its clean and encouraging writing.
Alice is ready to move on in life after a bad series of events. She believes starting a new business at Halesmere House, where she has moved will be a wonderful fresh start. Once there she meets tree surgeon Zac who is also staying there to help owner, Mac. He also has a past he's trying to move on from and neither are looking for a romance.
Zac and Alice enjoy each other's company but know nothing lasting can come of it as Zac is only there temporarily. Zac will be moving after Christmas starting a new job in Scotland.
I feel as though the author draws you into the story making you a part of it. The descriptions of the scenery are fabulous. The characters are fun and relatable.
Emotional and sweet! I hope the series will continue as I really enjoy reading about these characters.

Pub Date: 19 Oct 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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I'm reading tons of heartwarming and cute stories as it's not the best of time. This was a good one and it worked its magic making me smile.
Good storytelling, lovely characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading the previous two books in this series and this didn’t disappoint me either.

Back at Halesmere House, we meet up with our friends as well as meet two new friends.

Alice, after she’s lost her Dad, sold the family business and having faced personal loss and marriage breakup, moves from to Halesmere House from Sheffield to start her own business

Zac, is currently staying there, helping Max out with some. He also has a past.

They both meet and enjoy the others company and know that it’s not going to last as Zac is moving away after Christmas to Scotland.

After he leaves, Alice discovers something which not only is a shock to her but, also to Zac when he comes back to visit after three months.

I loved reading this well-written book, with relatable characters, and will miss catching up with them.

The author pulls you into her stories, making you turn the pages to know what happens next. Can’t wait to see what she brings out next.

I highly recommend this book.

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A gentle romance. I felt there could have been a bit more to the story though. I didn't feel the angst, there wasn't much action, and to be honest the ending was very predictable. I liked the main characters, Alice and Zac, and I liked the secondary characters, along with the setting. A nice read, but not a memorable one. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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