i love how Jo’s book make me feel, they are like a hug in a book, it’s like reading about family members you get so invested in their lives.
i loved this book and am already looking forward to the next instalment

An excellent return to a lovely location - the characters are very well written and the location sounds adorable. The book isn't afraid to discuss difficult subjects and treats them seriously, I look forward to the next instalment.

This book does cover some serious subjects, dementia and its affects on both those suffering with it and those around them, loss and narcissistic exes. It also gives an idea of the stresses that those who work in the NHS go through. But don't let this put you off, it also has a small community feel and supportive friends and colleagues., plus romance both old and new. In this the second part of the series Esther is getting over her failed relationship with Lucas when her best friend Danni's brother Joe, who she had known for years, has returned from years spent in Australia. It isn't essential to read the first book in the series, however I had and enjoyed it and it set the scene for this one which enabled me to enjoy it more. Despite - or because of - the emotional journey I really enjoyed this book and hope that there will be another book in this wonderful part of the world.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

3 Stars
One Liner: Couldn’t vibe with it

Esther Hamilton is getting her life back together after splitting with a horrible ex. She works as a nurse at the Cornish Country Hospital, where her best friend Danni is a doctor. She loves her new job and new life and has no intention of falling in love. Danni’s brother Joe Carter is newly single and arrives in the town. He is a friend Esther wouldn’t want to lose. But with Joe being there for her at the hospital and when navigating her parent’s troubled marriage, Esther has to make some tough decisions.
Caroline, Esther’s mom, is going through a difficult phase. She wants to make the most of her life, but her reliable and rock-solid husband has other ideas. Moreover, Caroline can’t help but think their marriage has fizzled out. Soon, she finds her life and marriage spiraling out of control.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Esther and Caroline.

My Thoughts:
Here’s another new author I wanted to tick off my list. The premise (the official blurb doesn’t mention Caroline’s POV) felt like a feel-good novel with romance, so I gave it a shot.
I didn’t expect the book to have two full-fledged stories and the mother and daughter’s tracks in parallel. Though it could be off-guard, I managed to adjust my expectations and see where it would lead.
The info dump on Caroline’s POV (second chapter) didn’t help either. And the very instant the other (third-party) character was introduced, my brain screamed a red flag. It only got worse. Moreover, there’s too much repetition (about her thoughts, her wants, her desires, etc.). I empathized more with her situation when I wasn’t reading her POV. Go figure!
Esther’s track also has repetition. Still, it involves other characters and has some decent banter. Esther’s friendship with Danni is really well done. Oh, this book possibly has spoilers for the first in the series. I didn’t read that, so can’t say for sure.
There really isn’t much romance in this one. I would classify it as contemporary fiction. Esther and Joe’s relationship doesn’t come alive on the page. There is too much focus on Caroline, and each time I get a little into Esther’s track, there’s a POV shift, taking me back to what Caroline wants. Not that I support Patrick (I don’t agree with it). His arc wasn’t compelling, either.
Another issue was how the other character pretty much vanished after the crucial incident. We never know their intentions or how the whole thing affected that person (if it did). I don’t want to wait for another book to know that (if it will even be tackled). The same goes for Lucas, though at least there’s a single-line brush-off to justify his sudden absence.
The major good thing about the book is how Esther cared for her patients. That also got into her trouble, but she refused to treat them as mere patients. She’s the kind of nurse one would want to have if they went into a hospital in an emergency.
The book also deals with dementia, personal loss, misunderstandings, mental health issues, taking chances, aspects of infidelity, second chances, etc. And oh, there is a mention of suicide.

To summarize, Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital has its moments, though it didn’t work for me. It should have, but somehow, it didn’t. Do check the other reviews before you decide.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
*****
other links will be updated later

Bittersweet, heartbreaking and loveable. All words that realistically describe this book at different points along it's journey. Wonderful characters in a book that takes you on an up and down journey.

The Cornish Country Hospital is a really good read. It was personally my first time reading Jo Bartlett so I am new to the universe and her writing which I enjoyed. I decided to pick up the book as a grey’s anatomy fan and I was not disappointed. A really sweet story, lovable characters would definetely recommend. Huge thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this book

How fantastic to be back at St Piran’s with Danni and Esther along with a cast of wonderful characters. I totally got lost amongst the pages living my life with them all. I absolutely love this series of books and cannot wait for the next one. Well done Jo Bartlett keep them coming,
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was a pleasure.

The Cornish Country Hospital is part of a close knit community.

Quite a few aspects of this book bothered me. Possibly/likely UK hospitals are run differently than those in the US. It seemed to me that in this book, nurses are handling aspects of social work in addition to nursing. Aren't nurses busy enough; caring for their patients and looking out for their medical needs? I'm quite curious to see what Cornish nurses think about Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital.

I know the book wanted me to empathize with Esther, but she really drove me crazy.

Many thanks to NetGalley. I've never read any of Jo Bartlett's books before, so thank you for introducing me to this author. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital (ebook) in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is 26 Mar 2024.

Perhaps because of previous experiences with medical facilities, I was somewhat hesitant to pick up Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital. Contrary to the warm cover and title, how many bright spots could there possibly be in a book that uses an accident and emergency department as a backdrop? However, I'm genuinely glad I did, because author Jo Bartlett has managed one of the most charming, heartfelt novels of the year.

At its core are a daughter and mother, Esther and Caroline. Esther, a young nurse in the A&E department, has put a pause on dating after a nasty breakup only to have her swoon-worthy best friend's brother, Joe, suddenly turn up from Australia. Caroline, after retiring, spends her days volunteering at the hospital and desperately seeking more adventure in her life—something her husband, Patrick, is hesitant to help with. Bartlett masterfully weaves these stories together by alternating perspectives as these two struggle with personal drama and, of course, love in its different stages.

There is certainly plenty of medical-based action, with patients constantly passing through, and Bartlett presents a well-researched portrayal of multiple illnesses, ranging from chronic kidney disease to dementia. It's serious, sometimes even life-and-death, material. This is perhaps most effectively showcased when Bartlett explores one of the potential dangers facing medical professionals after one patient suffers a particularly traumatic experience that leaves them unable to fully process reality. Esther's personal turmoil as she grapples with how best to help them results in one of the most compelling moments of the book.

All of this isn't to suggest there's not plenty of fun in these pages. As Esther struggles with going for what she really wants and Caroline risks everything for happiness, Bartlett manages to find levity from an absolutely lovely set of hospital workers, volunteers, and even patients. Perhaps because of the emotionally charged background, even the subtlest of laughs lands harder. It's a sweet reminder that there's a lot of joy to be found in a place many people rightfully find uncomfortable.

Though Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital is the second in what I hope is a very long series, it works as a standalone novel. While it's hard to believe I'm saying this, I can't wait for my next trip to the hospital—the Cornish Country Hospital, anyway.

Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital, the story is sweet, fun and teu drama comes from a stalker and emotions from yearning for love. I enjoyed this story as much as I did the 1st book in this series, can be read as standalones.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

In this book, the story is about Esther, who ended her relationship with fiancé Lucas. She doesn’t want to be in another relationship and would rather put herself first. But, then Danni informs her that Joe is coming to visit from Australia, and will be working at the hospital for a short period of time.

Esther is finding herself beginning to like him more than a friend, but as Joe is only here for a short time, will she remain friends or tell him how she feels?

We also read about her parents, Patrick and Caroline, who are now retired, but their lives aren’t as Caroline had hoped they would be. Will they begin to start doing the things they planned to, before it’s too late?

The story covers how dementia affects a persons life.

I highly recommend this book.

Awww absolutely love the Cornish midwife saga so really enjoyed this book as it merges the old characters with new, fabulous!!

Personally, I could find just one small problem with this book and that was the tale of Caroline story. Everything else was really great and well worth a read. Jo's books always give a good read and so does this one. I still give it 5 stars so it shows i recommend you read this.

Thanks to Netgalley, author and publisher for this ARC

We are back at the Cornish County Hospital with inspirational characters and a community of caring and loving residents.

After Esther's breakup with her controlling rex, she starts to rebuild her life with the help of her best friend Danni, when Danni's brother arrives after living in Australia and sparks fly!

Esther is also becoming concerned at the distance developing between her normally fun and loving parents and a patient she treated after the death of his sister, has become fixated on her and waiting to pounce.

A great read once again by Jo Bartlett!

I found this one so much harder to get into that pan the first. I enjoyed Esther and Danni and their story. To see them continue on with life after Esther’s engagement was broken off and move forward in their friendship and relationships was nice.

However, Caroline’s sorry was much more random and unrelated and I found myself skimming her chapters more and more.

Back in the Cornish Country hospital for book No 2, loved being back with everyone in the second book of the series.
This story is about Esther and Joe. When Joe comes back from living in Australia to spend the summer with his sister and Esther’s best friend Danni they realise that there might be more than just friendship.
When an accident on the beach brings Dillon into their lives it takes on a sinister turn.
We also meet up with Esther parents Caroline and Patrick as they try to adjust to life in retirement.
A beautiful book full of love, family and friendship.
Jo never lets us down.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC of this book.

Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed this book, really liked the characters and the storyline. Would recommend.

Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital is a sweet romance about a community of friends who support one another through hard times. Esther is an emergency room nurse who wants to support her patients, but gets caught in a pickle when her support is misconstrued. Esther's mother loves her husband but recent changes in the way he treats her has her eye being cast over a man who volunteers with her. Joe has moved to town but will be heading back to Australia soon. Will he and Esther come to an understanding before then?

This book has charming characters and a sweet story. There is mild peril but it doesn't get your heart pounding because you just know there will be a happy ending.

For me, this book started slow. I didn't realize when I picked it up, but it's the second book in a series. I think if I had had a better grasp on what happened in the previous book, I would have been able to jump in faster. That being said, a lot of the beginning of the book was rehashing what had happened in the last book, but it just didn't make sense to me. I kept feeling left out.

All in all, I enjoyed the characters and the story. I wouldn't mind reading more from this author about these sweet people. One thing I really appreciated was that it painted adultery in a bad light. It seems like many in our culture these days are praising adultery without considering the practical complications of such an immoral choice. I like that about this book.

I can recommend this book.

As soon as this book was available to download I couldn’t get it onto my kindle quick enough and started reading it that day!

This story focuses on Esther who is best friend to Danni who we met in the first book of the series. Esther is a nurse in the A+E department of St Piran’s hospital. We also get to know a lot more about Esther’s parents story too so I loved that there was backstories for more than one character. Though it wasn’t confusing at all.

Also can I have my own Joe please!? Danni’s brother turns up from Australia and there’s a lot of chemistry going on but with who?

I always adore Jo’s narrative it just pulls you in from the very first word and you are always sad when you finish her books. It only took me a few days to read it because I didn’t want to put it down. It’s another hit and Jo has once again knocked it out of the park.

I really hope there’s a lot more to come from St Piran’s hospital and all the characters there because I’m so not ready to say goodbye to them just yet! I highly recommend you grab a copy of this stunning book set in a beautiful location. It’s full of friendship, family, and most of all love 💖

Once I finished this book I seen I was mentioned in the acknowledgments and I cried! This made my day 🥹

Thank you to Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A beautiful story based in Cornwall. Esther has recently broken up with her ex partner who treated her badly. She’s a dedicated nurse who works in an A&E dept, and is looking forward to a single life. Her best friend and colleague’s brother Joe returns home from Australia and neither Joe or Esther are looking for romance but due to a tragedy this brings many people together including Esther’s parents. This book covers friendships and family problems, I would highly recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley for inviting me to read and review this lovely book.