Cover Image: A New Dawn at Owl's Lodge

A New Dawn at Owl's Lodge

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

The novel is set in the scenic Yorkshire Wolds and centers on Zara, a producer's assistant with a wandering lifestyle, and Snowy, a reclusive man living at Owl's Lodge who homeschools his son and cares for injured owls. Despite their contrasting backgrounds and initial tension, they find a common bond in their shared passion for caring for animals.

As their friendship deepens, they both confront their emotional struggles—Zara with her unresolved family issues and Snowy with his reclusive tendencies. The evolving relationship between them allows the author to explore themes of love, loss, and the healing power of connection.

The story stands out for its authentic characters, set against a beautiful countryside backdrop with a cast of charming supporting characters. It ultimately serves as a reminder of the potential for transformation through human connection and shows that even in moments of isolation, new beginnings can emerge.

Was this review helpful?

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This heart-warming romance follows Zara, a TV producer’s assistant and Snowy, an ex-Olympian. Zara is working on a new project where they are documenting animal rescue centres in the area. During filming an injured Owl is brought into the centre, with little knowledge of
Owl’s they decide to speak to the owners of Owl’s barn.

Zara falls in love with the owl and travels to Owl’s barn to see if the injured Owl can be treated and recover. She is met with a frosty welcome from the owner Snowy, but something about the place and the mysterious man draws her to return.

Snowy keeps himself hidden away after a terrible past in the press, however with his son growing up without the company of other children, he must weigh up the options to give his son the best in life.

Will the Owl survive? What will develop between Zara and Snowy?

This romance is heart-warming as both Zara and Snowy have things in their past which they need to work through. The way they help each other to see that past mistakes were not their fault, helps them to move on and may even lead to happiness.

Snowy’s son is an adorable character and adds an uplifting feel to the storyline, and along with his Pops, helps the main characters realise that the emotions they are feeling may be just what they need.

I only realised when starting to read that I had read other of this authors books situated in the Hedgehog rescue centre and Bumblebee Farm, which was lovely as all the books have been just as heart-warming.

Overall, a heart-warming romance where one meeting may change the lives of two people forever.

Was this review helpful?

This book was really sweet and pulled at my heart strings. It touched on some sensitive topics really well, had a beautiful setting, and I learned so much about owls! I loved the characters as well. A sweet book!

Was this review helpful?

The thing is with a Jessica Redland book it that it flows so beautifully that you really don't notice that you are reading. Brilliant characters, amazing sounding locations and all wrapped up in a wonderful story. Superb. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

Was this review helpful?

Fallen Olympian meets a girl trying to figure out her place in the world. He is a recluse and determined to stay that way. She is light and carefree and determined to make the most of life.sparks are sure to fly. Sweet book that touches on some sensitive topics in a delicate way.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. It was such a treat to be back with all the characters again. I loved reading about all the owls a d hedgehogs. This had a christmassey feel to it which as the weather has been so cold lately added to the story. Worth much more than 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me 5he opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I love, Love, LOVED this book so so much! I have no words to describe how totally awesome it is.

i mean it's back within the world of Hedgehog Hollow and Bumblebee Barn, but totally reads as a standalone, as the focus is on all new characters. But for the Jessica Redland mega fans amongst us, it has so many familiar faces that you won't be able to stop smiling.

Well apart from when you are reading the far more serious in tone back stories especially for Snowy. Snowy intrigued me from the start, and I loved finding out every little detail about him and his family. Not to mention the gymnastics he is involved in, and of course the Owl Rescue he runs.

I loved reading all about the various types of Owl in the UK, and seeing the work Snowy, his son Harrison and grandpa Eddie do at the rescue. But he is rather reclusive, until Zara steps into his life with an injured owl.

Zara is Amber's assistant and has a troubled relationship with her family. She is clearly an animal lover, and is loving the fact that she has a room of her own at Bumblebee Barn

I am convinced by this point that the author isn't just a hedgehog lover but a lover of all Wildlife as I fell for the owls in the same way I fell in the past for the hedgehogs. She is doing wonders for the awareness of wildlife rescue up and down the UK, and should be commended for it, just from including the various animals into her books.

I really hope that there will be more books set in this part of the Yorkshire Wolds as I am enjoying them so much. And I just want to see more animals too!

A wonderful story of rediscovering the world around you, and of a very sweet romance between two incredibly well suited people.

Tough topics are dealt with sensitively and this is ultimately a heartwarming wonderful story. More please!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

A beatuitful uplifing story that shows the best in people. A few characters recognided from a previous book but a whole different and engaging vibe.

Was this review helpful?

🏅🤸An injured owl for good luck or fate?🌄👨‍👦

Kudos to Jessica Redland for this heartwarming story. The characters are fully fleshed out, with a former Olympic medalist single dad mired in his past and a young woman who has a difficult relationship with her mother and star rugby player oldest brother. An injured owl needing care at Owl's Lodge brings Snowy and Zara into initial contact and a common love of woodland creatures and gymnastics plays into their budding relationship.

I loved Redland's Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Barn and her Hedgehog Hollow series; this romance brings back some of those earlier characters and introduces Snowy, his budding gymnast son Harrison (what a sunny boy who loves his dad to pieces), Snowy's supportive grandad, plus Zara's somewhat dysfunctional family. There's no throwaway character in the bunch and the ensemble makes for a great story with lots of plot movement and addressing some important issues like alcoholism.

A lovely reading experience for me in all respects, but especially in the way Snowy starts as a guilty ridden recluse and, with Zara's help, moves on to a fuller life for him and his son.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

I read this book whilst on holiday in a remote part of England where I could hear Owls at night which was an unexpected bonus! What a great tale this was but then I've come to expect that of Jessica Redland's work. I've been introduced to, and fallen in love with, hedgehogs, bees and now Owls thanks to her wonderful books. I loved the main characters in this, Snowy (Nathan), Zara and 9 year old Harrington. The two adults have had difficult lives thus far and have many issues to resolve which keeps the plot moving and fascinating. I liked that they each narrated their chapters and these were short which is something I love as it makes me want to read on just a little more at the end of each. I especially love that this author never resorts to the use of bad language or graphic scenes. When an author writes this well there is no need and what we get instead is a wonderful tale with believable characters whose lives, struggles and friendships make for very happy reading. I also learned a lot about Owls that I found very entertaining. My thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Jessica Redland for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

On some level Zara could be me. She felt relatable and familiar. i was so invested in this story, Zara meets Snowy, he's less than welcoming but there's a connection; can they move forward from their pasts?

Was this review helpful?

A New Dawn at Owl's Lodge by Jessica Redland follows Bumblebee Barn. Even though I had only read one other book by this author, "Finding Love at Hedgehog Hollow," I enjoyed it very much. The author's writing style is impressive, and it's evident how much research has been done to write this book, especially on the topics of gymnastics and owls. The story covers some challenging themes such as mental health, alcoholism, and death, but they are written in a sensitive and respectful way that has a significant impact on the story.

The novel centres around the lives of two characters named Zara and Snowy. Both of them have challenging family backgrounds and other obstacles to overcome. The romantic relationship between them is captivating and sweet. The story is told from a dual perspective, which allows us to see both characters' points of view. I found it interesting to read about the growth and development of Snowy's character as he overcomes his grief and guilt of his past with the love and understanding of a new love. Zara is a delightful character who brings joy, happiness, and a live-in-the-moment type of love. Additionally, the characters Harrison and his grandpa were both adorable and gave an extra layer of the love story.

Just like my last review of this author's book his one is again a totally enjoyable read that pulled at your heartstrings. This book is a heartwarming story of friendship, family, dreams, broken dreams, relationships, second chances and love. It will make you laugh and it will make you shed a tear or two but most of all it will make you keep reading to the end.

Was this review helpful?

A really lovely tender book that treats some difficult topics with respect and kindness. A gentle romance and beautiful descriptions of owls and their rehabilitation into the wild. What's not to like?

Was this review helpful?

It's always good to read a new book by Jessica Redland. I'm not sure if this is the start of a new series or a one off but it's welcome either way.
Owl's Lodge is an owl sanctuary and has also been a sanctuary for Snowy as he recovers from a traumatic part of his life. He lives with his grandfather and young son but soon he has to venture into the world again if only for his son's sake.
Zara is a production assistant and visiting Hedgehog Hollow another sanctuary when and injured owl is brought in. Through this she meets Snowy and although he seems a bit abrupt at first she has the feeling that she felt a connection between them.
I loved this book especially when old favourites from Hedgehog Hollow and Bumblebee Farm made appearances in parts of the book.
It's a tentative love story between two people who have been hurt in the past and find it hard to trust again.
Jessica Redland's books have taught me so much about wildlife. I know what to do if I ever found an injured Hedgehog or owl. I never knew there were so many types of owls in the UK. I absolutely love her books.

Was this review helpful?

A delightful book that doesn’t disappoint. The characters were very likeable and there were a lot of hard hitting topics that were addressed really well. I think the only thing that was missing for me was the description of the setting. I’ve read the books set in the Lake District and they beautifully described the location, and I only wish that the same had been done for this stunning part of the world.

Was this review helpful?

Wow what a treat to be back to visit bumblebee farm and hedgehog hollow and also have a whole new set of characters and places as well as returning to old favourites in this new series from this fabulous author.

The story and characters were engaging and covered a lot of difficult topics such as mental health and death in a very sensitive way and brought them out in the open.

Loved the descriptions of the owls and the beautiful setting.

Can’t wait to read the next instalment of this series.

Was this review helpful?

Jessica Redlands is a brilliant writer. Her books transport you to wherever they are set and her characters described so well that you become invested in them. This book can be read as a stand alone book but has some of the same main characters and setting as Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Farm, this book follows the story of Zara, but touches on characters that we met in the bumblebee farm book. This is an uplifting story full of hope.

Relax with a cuppa and I guarantee you won't put this book down until the end,

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book so much! I just love Snowy, Harrison and we can’t forget grandad, just such adorable characters and the fact that Snowy looks after and takes care of the owls and helps them recover and his hair just happens to be white he couldn’t have a better nickname.

Snowy has been through a lot and with Zara’s help they both help each other out and Snowy in turn helps Zara out. It’s just a wonderful story and it reminds us that we should be kind to one another and not judge each other as no one really knows what another person is going through and vice versa.

I would highly recommend reading this book especially if you have read about Bumblebee Farm this is the stunning second book in the series and I just loved it! Such a heartwarming and beautiful book.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!

Was this review helpful?

This is a heartwarming tale that delicately weaves together themes of love, loss, and the transformative power of connection. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Yorkshire Wolds countryside, this novel invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and second chances.

At the center of the story are two characters, Zara and Snowy, who couldn't be more different yet find themselves drawn together by fate. Zara, a spirited producer's assistant with a nomadic lifestyle, grapples with unresolved family issues and unrequited love. In contrast, Snowy leads a solitary existence at Owl's Lodge, homeschooling his son and tending to injured owls, but harbors his own doubts and regrets.

Their initial encounter is fraught with tension, but as they navigate their shared passion for caring for animals, a tender friendship blooms. Redland skillfully portrays the complexities of human emotion, capturing the hesitancy and vulnerability that comes with opening up to others. Through heartfelt dialogue and poignant moments, she explores the healing power of companionship and the importance of letting go of the past to embrace the future.

What sets this novel apart is Redland's ability to infuse warmth and authenticity into her characters, making them feel like old friends. From the idyllic countryside setting to the charming cast of supporting characters, every aspect of the story is imbued with a sense of sincerity and depth.

Through the intertwining stories of Zara and Snowy, Redland reminds us that life is full of unexpected possibilities, and that sometimes all it takes is a single moment of connection to spark a new beginning.

In a world where we often feel isolated and disconnected, this novel serves as a poignant reminder of the power of human connection to heal and transform.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book, as I have loved all of Jessica Redland's other books. I love learning more information about topics, in this case owls, alcoholics & gymnastics. The two main characters were lovely & all of the supporting characters as well. I especially loved Snowy's grandfather. I would have loved for Zara's relationship with her brother to be repaired in the end, but life doesn't always work out that way. Keep writing these wonderful books please! They are so easy to follow & make me happy!

Was this review helpful?