This is the latest book by Jessica Redland in the Bumblebee Barn Collection. It is centered around Joel and Poppy, two people who don't know each other and even live miles apart, Poppy lives in Gloucestershire and Joel in West Yorkshire.
When single dad Joel loses his job he is devastated, he thought HR were going to offer him a new position allowing him to spend more time with his daughter, but no the firm is being bought out, leaving him with a big decision to make about what to do next.
Meanwhile Poppy is feeling emotionally drained with looking after her beehives, visiting her dad in the care home, missing her mum dearly and just keeping on top of everyday tasks like gardening.
Joel's daughter, Imogen, is to be bridesmaid at his best friends Barney's marriage to Amber in March. Barney runs Bumblebee Barn, a farm with sheep, goats, horses, hens as well as growing crops. Amber is a television producer, her job features countryside calender, and wildlife rescue centres. Joel has also just found out that his ex is pregnant with twins due in July. He's not totally worried about that, but more upset that he can't spend more time with Imogen.
Meanwhile Poppy is finding it emotionally draining with her dad, he doesn't recognise her anymore and when the manager of his care home suggests a holiday to give her sometime to herself she eventually decides that maybe she will take a short break.
What happens next you must read to find out, it's got romance and heartbreaking moments as you find out the future for Poppy and Joel, as well as their families and friends.

As always a book by Jessica Redland is always easy to get into, with likeable characters that you can't help but care for and an interesting storyline right from the first few pages. I really enjoyed reading it and you will definitely need tissues at the end, with both touching moments and sadness.
A well deserved five-star read from me.

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A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft is the third and final book in the Bumblebee Barn series. I really loved the Hedgehog Hollow series and to have a meet up with some of the characters in that series as well was such a treat. Closing out both of the series has such a finality to them, but I am greatly looking forward to whatever the author will have for us next.
I loved all of the books in this series, but I think this one had a little something extra to it. The book really resonated with me. A romantic meet cute with substance I'd call it. A charming romance but both members of the romance had issues they had to take care of. What I really loved seeing was how they both were there for each other in their time of need. The book really dealt with some serious issues, and I love how respectfully the author addressed them. One of the issues is a family member having dementia. Dementia presents itself differently for each person. We dealt with it in our family, it is really a thief. The beekeeping aspect was such a fun one to see especially as it gave our character a way to feel such a close bond with her father. Heartwarming, charming and charismatic characters make this a read more than once book

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
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A meet-cute romance mingled with heavy subject matters! Poppy’s character was such a surprise with her many talents and interests! Poppy and Joel made the perfect match as they supported each other through all the heavy trials they were facing. I thought the quote, “Every day do something that scares you” by Eleanor Roosevelt was a great theme for helping Poppy get through the stresses of her life. I was glad the story ended with a HEA!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my copy of A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft by Jessica Redland in exchange for an honest review. It publishes January 22, 2025.
Yet another stunner from Jessica Redland. We get to return to this delightful universe that she has so lovingly created with this new installment.
We get a close up on Joel, and a close up on Poppy.
Something I really appreciated about both of their points of view, is that they both were relatable, and we’re going through really tough things. I found my heart going out to both of them, and cheering them on in every step!
I highly recommend this one!

Such a delightful story! I always enjoy Jessica Redland's books, and this one was no exception. It had all the charm and heart I've come to expect, with a wonderful storyline that kept me hooked.

Broken hearted Poppy has an opportunity to stay in Whisperwood Farmhouse, only to consider a new beginning and a great place to heal, even to find happiness. Joel, a single dad, maybe the answer.
Heartwarming story about life struggles and unexpected breakthroughs.
I really enjoyed the story, its quite emotional.

This is a wonderful, emotional story from Jessica Redland and I’ve loved seeing Poppy’s story entwining with those familiar faces from Bumble Bee Farm and Hedgehog Hollow.
It was obvious that there was that sense of belonging Poppy needed now that her family had changed following her mums death and dad’s diagnosis - her whole life changed. Jessica Redland has written the dementia storyline so sensitively and although so sad, it was lovely seeing Poppy accept she needed to take care of herself.
I loved the way the whole of the Bumblebee farm community reached out to Poppy and helped her to heal and take time for herself. Meeting Joel an added bonus.

What a treat it was to return to Yorkshire and catch up with the lovely characters we have met in so many of Jessica’s books. From Hedgehog Hollow to the Bumblebee Barn, we have been introduced to a whole host of characters who now feel like friends.
This time, the central characters are Poppy and, at long last, Joel. Since meeting Joel on our first visit to Bumblebee Barn, I have been hoping to see him as a central character. Clearly, the old adage of ‘everything coming to those who wait’ has a modicum of truth. Joel has had a number of false starts in his search for romance and yet continues to throw his hat into the proverbial ring, seeking his personal happy ever after. Of course, we already know that he’s one of the good guys, but as he sets his sights on Poppy, it’s impossible not to hope for a happy ever after for him. Of course, Jessica holds the reins, so don’t assume anything will be easily won.
Poppy’s story really resonated with me, as I have first-hand experience of parents struggling with different forms of dementia. The gentle way that Jessica guides us through Poppy’s turmoil surrounding the guilt that comes with visiting and the utter pointless feeling of those visits, I felt seen and heard at the same time. I also felt less guilty after reading the advice about over-visiting.
From Joel and Poppy’s initial meeting to their eventual discussions surrounding their futures, Jessica handled their individual stories with her usual caring control and enough hope that I simply couldn’t stop reading.
When Jessica Redland moved on from her Hedgehog Hollow series, she introduced us to an extended network that kept us in touch with the hedgehogs but moved us away from them being the central characters. A good move, I felt, as it was clearly time for the readers to move on. So, with new characters and a brand-new location, this new series was born. Albeit a short series as it was only ever planned for three books, and this is the final instalment.
I loved the effortless way that, via a series of weddings, lots of loose ends were tied in very neat bows without feeling too sweet or over the top. If you want to know who made it to the altar, then you’re going to have to read this book for yourself.

A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft is another joyous read from Jessica Redland. We meet Joel and Poppy, two strangers who are each dealing with a lot in their lives. A meeting at Whisperwood Farm brings them together, but can they make their future work? As always with Jessica Redland, there's a whole army of supporting characters, some loveable and some not so much. She's not afraid to write about difficult situations and circumstances either, which gives the story a lot of depth.

Joel and Poppy are both struggling with the weight of their responsibilities, but when their paths cross, sparks fly. A cozy farmhouse, a heartwarming connection, and a journey of self-discovery make this romance both touching and hopeful. A perfect blend of love, family, and finding happiness when life feels uncertain.

I loved this story it was a great read and very difficult to put down. The story of Joel and his daughter was very touching and made for a difficult read at times. Poppy's trip to Whisperwood Farmhouse was just the break she needed to get some time for herself after giving so much support to her family members. Although heartbreaking at times it was also heartwarming and helps you to understand that despite what life throws at you there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Reading a book by Jessica Redland is like catching up with old friends. I'm always a bit bereft when I've finished one. A forever Home at Honey Bee Croft was as expected, a well written story with hugely likeable characters (and some not so likeable ones) but also tinged with sadness. Jessica dealt with the issue of dementia very well. It was a bit if a heartbreaking read at times. I thoroughly enjoyed by time with Poppy and Joel and I'll look forward to the next adventure. Also, I've said it before and I'm saying it again, can we have Milo's story please?

🌾🐝Great, sweet romance in the Yorkshire countryside🌄

4.5🌟 stars
I loved the romance of how factory shift supervisor Joel and accountant/beekeeper Poppy found each other by pure chance and reconnected the same way. And the return of many of the characters from the earlier books in this series and the Hedgehog Hollow series. It's well-written and the community author Jessica Redland has built to support the two leads heartwarming. And boy do they need support as they are both going through really emotional and hard times.

My only niggle had to do with the number of serious issues these two leads had to face before achieving their HEA. At one point, I just found Joel's situation so hopeless and depressing. Maybe a few less challenges for this beleaguered pair: that would have been preferable to me.

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

Review shared on 1/14/25 with Waterstones, Goodreads and Barnes & Noble. To be shared with kobo, Google Play and Bookbub after publication.

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

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

It was great to meet up with old friends from previous books and find out what was happening in their lives, as well as meet new ones.

The story is told in alternative chapters by Poppy and Joel who were lovely and both had their own issues to deal with.

The setting was beautifully described and made you wish you were there.

The story covered issues like stalking, dementia and mental health problems, these were sensitively covered which showed that the author has researched everything well.

I think you will need to have a box of tissues handy as the story will make you cry and laugh in places.

It’s sad that this is the last book in the series, but the author has given a perfect ending.

I can’t wait to see what comes next.

I highly recommend this book.

A gorgeous 5⭐️ read from the wonderful Jessica Redland. I am obsessed with the Bumblebee Barn series and I say it with each of Jessica's books but this might be my favourite.

Poppy and Joel's journeys are one of courage and searching and I am 100% here for it.

Can't wait to read another beauty from Jessica.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Joel lives his younger daughter Imogen but her mum who’s moved in with more children and a husband is always trying to make life difficult for him micro managing his time with his daughter.
Poppy is struggling with life her mum died and her dad is in a home with dementia and nom.onger knows who she is. She decides that time away is needed when it all,gets to much and goes to Bumblebee Farm. She meets new friends and ends up at a wedding where she meets the best man and things click into place.
Great story seeing Joel and Poppy navigate their lives into something that shows them both to do something every day that scares you.
Great to catch up with all the clan at Bumblebee Farm and Hedgehog Hollow, love how these books seamlessly run or can also be read as a standalone story.

This is book 3 in the Bumblebee Barn series and the main characters in this book are single dad Joel and Poppy who is struggling with her dad’s dementia, moving on without feeling guilty and juggling work with visits to her dad. Joel and his ex partner Tilly struggle to agree on when he can see their daughter Imogen and this is on top of wondering if his job is in danger. Poppy gets the opportunity to have a break and stay at Whisperwood Farmhouse near Bumblebee Barn and through being invited to a local wedding meets Joel. There is an instant attraction but can anything come of it? This is such a lovely read that as well as having plenty of love and romance also covers some very serious issues like dementia, grief and custody. Heartwarming as well as heartbreaking with some very realistic characters and a beautiful setting. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

This was another really good book by this author.
Poppy and Joel have some life’s challenges and find romance along the way. It was nice to see some other characters we’ve already met in previous books.
It’s a hard to put down put book and one you won’t want to end

Such a lovely story. I always love Jessica Redland books, they are always such a lovely read. This one was no different, great story.

Well what can I say except I love, love, loved this one.
I’ve loved all the books I’ve read by this author and this is no exception.
It’s book 3 in the series and it’s wonderful to revisit characters that have been central to other books, but also focus on those who had smaller roles and those new to the story.
The characters are likeable and so well developed throughout the book. The author describes the settings so well that you will feel like you have been there and visited these places.
The book does deal with some difficult issues, like mental health problems, stalking and dementia. Each topical is discussed sensitively and with care, clearly the author has researched everything she has included.

You will definitely need your tissues towards the end of this one, in a couple of places!

I’m sad to see it’s the end of the series, but everything is summed up nicely and I cannot wait to see what the author brings us next.