Heart warming. Heart felt. Life affirming.

Sadly I think I prefer Debbie as a thriller author. But wish her lots of luck with this release.

With thanks to Boldwood books and Netgalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Making Of Us’ written by Debbie Howells in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Stevie is waiting at the airport for her flight to Limoges in France when her attention is drawn to a good-looking young man. Ever since her parents died in a plane crash Stevie has been terrified of flying and when seated on the plane she grabs the hand of the person sitting next to her, and surprisingly it’s the same young man she saw earlier whose name is Ned. It could be coincidence but Stevie feels that meeting Ned is meant to be.

‘The Making Of Us’ is a life-affirming novel that although lives sadly have to come to an end there’s more to living than just existing. The story is centred on the village of Correze in South West France where the inhabitants intermingle and help each other. The main characters are Stevie, Ned, Fay who’s living alone in her French home, and Zeke who’s in charge of the communal allotment. It’s a gentle story that starts with four strangers and ends with them showing love and caring for one other. It’s a beautiful novel that I admit brought tears to my eyes more than once and although fairly slow in pace I couldn’t stop reading until I knew how it was going to end. This is a heart-warming novel that’s beautifully written and I loved every minute of it.

This book follows the lives of four strangers whose paths cross in a small French village. Each of them is in search of personal fulfillment and contentment, and they find solace and a sense of community within the village. As with the author’s previous work, *The Last Days of You and Me*, the themes of love, loss, grief, and second chances play a central role in the story.

The characters—Stevie, Fay, Ned, and Zeke—are all grappling with life’s challenges. Stevie is mourning the loss of her parents after a plane crash and trying to rebuild her life. Fay has retreated to her summer home to reassess her failing marriage, feeling as though she has lost herself by prioritizing her family for too long. Ned, an aspiring musician, returns home to care for his dying mother while struggling to find his footing in his career. Zeke, along with his mysterious garden, becomes a pivotal connection in their lives, offering a metaphorical bridge between them.

The novel weaves together their individual stories through alternating perspectives, blending moments of sadness with warmth, insight, and compassion as they each confront their challenges in love and life. The community and the characters’ intertwined journeys become a source of healing and reflection, providing readers with a sense of hope despite the struggles faced by them.

This one took me a while to get into , i think due to the mutiple pov's

This book is a bout grief ,love and finding your way. however it was a MEH for me
With thanks to Netgalley and the author

Thank you to Boldwood books and NetGalley for the E-ARC of this title.
This book weaves the story of 4 strangers all on intersecting pathways. Each person searching for a source of contentment in their lives. They find that in a small town bound together by the sense of community and the generosity of others.
The essence of this book is living a life of abundance. An abundance of generosity, kindness, and love. Each character's life is in a state of change and instability, all of them seeking refuge and peace.
Gardening is weaved throughout the book as a metaphor for the seasons of life. The black weeds growing fast and wrecking havoc, symbolizing illness and death While the the flowers and produce representing a new beginning and even life after death.

This book started slow as the author introduced each character, but by 50%, I was heavily invested in each character and how they were all fated to meet each other. This book was a beautiful and thoughtful passage of time. It reminded me to slow down and enjoy each moment while we have it. We can all use that reminder.

Debbie Howells is a go to author for me, I don’t need to read the blurb, I just need to read the book as, in my experience, they are all fabulous. This one is no exception.

With a beautiful setting of rural France in the summertime, Debbie depicts the countryside and its characters so vividly the reader is transported into their lives. This book has a totally gorgeous range of believable characters you find you really care about: Stevie, a young woman still reeling from a family loss and trying to find herself; Ned, a budding musician; Zeke, an elderly member of the community with a thriving allotment, hiding away from facing his own history; Fay, a wife and a mother who needs now to find herself and Remy, a local resident and fellow allotment owner.

The author is brilliantly skilled at entwining her characters lives and there are always a few unpredictable turns that I don’t foresee. What I really enjoy though is that through what can seem like a simple story, the reader finds their views on life and it’s value and purpose challenged.

Debbie Howells never shies away from difficult subjects, showing real understanding, I would guess from personal experience, tackling challenging areas with empathy, sensitivity and feeling.

Another glorious read, thank you.

A book about grief and love and finding your way. The multiple POVs threw me a bit, and was a little clunky. Still an interesting read. Stevie and Ned had a lot to go through and discover about themselves.

Stick with it as the start is a little slow but necessary to build the backgrounds of each character. On her way to France where she and her family vacationed, Stevie is seated next to a gorgeous stranger (Ned) who helps her with her fear of flying. Ned's on his way to visit with his family after a nasty breakup, only to find out that there's tragedy forthcoming.

A local called Zeke, who runs a community garden space, manages to help bring them together. The examples of true community (which seem to be rare these days) were heartwarming, and Zeke seemed like the wise grandfather figure everyone wants (needs?) in their life.

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Debbie Howells for the eARC.

With thanks to Netgalley and the author

Sadly The making of us wasn't for me, it didn't hold my attention and I didn't care that much about the characters.

From reading the blurb I thought this was a romance book. But rather than just telling the story of Stevie and Ned this book tells the story of several people living in a small town in the french country side whose lives are all interwoven. I really enjoyed reading this book and all it's different subplots. I liked the various characters and how they all were there for one another when needs arose.
A very entertaining book told from multiple perspectives.

I love books like this where disparate characters are gradually brought together, each with strong storylines.
This book is based around a rural village in France, and the impact the individuals have on each other's lives.
It's heartwarming and authentic.
Highly recommended.

This just wasn't the book for me. I couldn't get interested enough to keep reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Stevie and Ned are fated to meet when they end up sitting together on a flight. Their love story is at the heart of the book but we also meet lots of other characters along the way. This is a heartwarming read about love, loss and self discovery.

Stevie and Ned meet on a plane going to France. Both have their personal reasons for going there and have some emotional scars. They separate at the airport but fate brings them together again at a time that they can both support each other. A really lovely read.

Like her previous novel (The Last Days of You and Me) this storyline addresses love, loss, grief and second chances as the lives of four people converge in a small charming French village. The novel explores all these issues with the author’s signature warmth, sensitivity, and compassion.

While the story has an undertone of sadness and struggle, it also offers insight and wisdom in facing challenges in love and life. Stevie is trying to get her life back on track after tragically losing her parents in a plane crash. Fay has fled to her summer home while she sorts out her feelings about her failing marriage as she realizes she has sacrificed her own needs for her family. Ned has been struggling to launch his music career but returns home to spend time with his dying mother. Zeke and his mysterious garden become a pivotal point in all their lives. The author artfully weaves together their stories and their intertwining relationships through chapters of alternating perspectives.

Overall, I found The Making of Us heart-felt and engaging.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

ARC Review: *The Making of Us* by Debbie Howells

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

*The Making of Us* by Debbie Howells is the kind of book that lingers with you long after you’ve read the last page. It’s a poignant and heartfelt story about love, loss, and the serendipitous moments that bring people together when they need it most.

Stevie and Ned are two strangers whose lives are forever changed when they share a fleeting, but powerful moment aboard a plane. Stevie is escaping her past and heading to France, while Ned is on his way to see his dying mother. Both are dealing with their own heavy baggage, but that brief touch of hands in the air sparks something neither of them can ignore.

Their paths continue to cross in the most unexpected ways, eventually leading them to a beautiful community garden in a small French village, run by the enigmatic Zeke. The garden, with its blooming flowers and deep-rooted secrets, becomes the backdrop to a slow, tender journey of healing and rediscovery for both Stevie and Ned.

*Microtropes:* *Serendipity*, *Strangers to Lovers*, *Grief Healing*, *Small Town Charm*, *Magical Realism*, *French Countryside*, *Slow Burn Romance*, and *Aging Mentor with Wisdom*.

Debbie Howells weaves a narrative rich with emotion and depth. The lush setting of the French village and Zeke’s mysterious garden acts as a metaphor for growth, healing, and the possibility of new beginnings. The writing is immersive and beautifully descriptive, making you feel like you’re right there with Stevie and Ned, watching flowers bloom and hearts heal.

Stevie and Ned’s relationship grows organically, just like the plants in Zeke’s garden. There’s a gentle slow burn to their romance, a sense of fate working its magic, and the beauty of two broken people finding solace in each other. But it’s not just about romance—*The Making of Us* explores themes of grief, self-discovery, and the power of community, all while keeping you deeply invested in the characters' journeys.

If you’re a fan of Lucy Diamond’s warm-hearted stories or Nicholas Sparks’ tales of love and fate, you’ll adore *The Making of Us*. It’s a book that feels like a comforting embrace, reminding us that even after the hardest of losses, life has a way of surprising us with new beginnings.

A heartwarming, beautifully written novel that will make you believe in the magic of second chances and the transformative power of love. Perfect for curling up with on a cozy afternoon. 🌿❤️🌸

Highly recommended for fans of uplifting, emotional reads!

This was one of those stories that sticks with you long after you've finished reading. Stevie and Ned cross paths on a flight and, while they both feel a connection, don't think they'll meet again. These starcrossed lovers are fated to see each other again, though. Sigh. Definitely worth the read!

Stevie is a nervous flyer, who provides comfort on a flight to France. Despite there being a connection between them, their meeting seems destined to be a one off, with Stevie still grieving for her parents and Ned dealing with a difficult relationship with his parents. But fate has other ideas! This was a gorgeous read! I loved the different character story arcs and how they weaved in and out of each other, in uncontrived ways. There was humour and sadness and poignancy and a satisfying ending, which all contributed to a delicious read!

I just truly love Debbie Howells writing. Her newest novel, The Making of Us was a wonderful book! A five star read!

I received a free copy of, The Making of Us, by Debbie Howells, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Stevie is deathly afraid of flying but she has to fly, on the plane she clutches the passenger next to her hand, and feels a spark, Ned is flying to visit his mom who is not doing well. Stevie and Ned keep running into each other in France. This was a cute story, I enjoyed the sparks between Stevie and Ned. Stevie is braver then she thinks she is.