Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sarah Hope for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Welcome to Pennycress Inn coming out January 11, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I thought it was a really fun, cozy book. I love the setting. I thought Laura was a relatable character. She had some struggles to get through. I thought the Inn was a new start for her. I know she’s know Jackson for a while, but it did feel a little rushed. I would like more of a slow burn. I would read more books in this series though.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozies!

Newly divorced and making her own way in the world Laura is doing something that she has always dreamt of doing for herself, that is running an inn. From her first steps inside and finding the previous owner had just left it and gone, she is thinking that maybe this is going to be a bigger job than she first thought. When she finds out that a friend of her brother (Jackson) lives just next door, she also wonders if her parents have sent him to spy on her and to tell them what she's doing. Her parents do think that this is too big a task for her on her own and have told her this so many times and everyone seems to think that she wasn't capable of doing anything remotely successful. But before long she realises more worryingly, that almost everyone in the village is either ignoring her or turning their back on her and refusing to talk to her, serve her in the shops or even do any repairs for her. But why, what has she done to cause this. She is eventually glad that Jackson lives next-door and can help her with tasks such as repairs to her washing machine, but why is everyone giving her the cold shoulder?
No matter what she does everyone shuns her or ignores her completely, does it have anything to do with the previous tenant of the inn? But whatever the reason she has to make the inn work, she definitely doesn't want to go back and live with her parents again, the main reason being she would be close to her ex, and she definitely doesn't want that!
A sweet and easy to read book, and I was immediately drawn into the storyline,the characters are very likeable and you can't help but care about them. I was wondering what it was that had caused the villagers to shun Laura, no spoilers but you sort of understand when you find out. Set in a lovely location in the Cotswolds with cute cottages aplenty. This certainly is a book that keeps you turning the pages. I really enjoyed reading it. A well deserved five-star read from me.

#Boldwoodbooks
#netgalley
#welcometopennycressinn

I genuinely enjoy reading new authors, and Sarah Hope certainly provided me with everything I could hope for in a book. With romance, new challenges, and an opportunity to introduce some marvellous new characters, I was definitely on board and raring to go.
Meadowfield was easy to imagine as I have spent some time exploring the Cotswolds and it could have easily been based on a number of gorgeous villages. What was even more fun to imagine was Jackson, no longer her brother's annoying friend but now a handsome man who lived right next door.
Laura’s determination to manage the hotel’s renovations alone was admirable but flawed. Without the help of local tradespeople, she faced a massive challenge, and despite her clear abilities, some jobs were too large for her to tackle alone. Asking for help was a real issue for her and it was obvious that her reluctance was influenced by the ghosts of her failed marriage.
I really enjoyed getting to know Laura, and despite her need to overcome several obstacles, she was more than capable of re-launching the quaint and characterful hotel. She was certainly a rare breed, as her ability to forge ahead despite the challenges she had to face made for some entertaining moments.
Whilst I could understand her reluctance to lean too heavily on her neighbour, I found myself willing her to overcome her stubbornness and reach out to Jackson for at least an occasional kind word. It felt obvious to me that he actually wanted to help and would not feel obliged to offer his handyman services.
There’s an ensemble cast who I expect will appear more as the series continues, and I would rather let you discover them yourself and see who you like or don’t!
An excellent start to a promising new series.

Welcome to Pennycress Inn is the start of a brand-new romance series from Sarah Hope, an author I can recommend as I've read her books before,
A nice light read but it does have some important bits in it too. A book that'll have the afternoon zipping by before you know it. I was engrossed in it, loved the characters and the setting of the English countryside is magical.
This left me with a smile on my face and I can highly recommend it. Can't wait to read the others in this new series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

After getting divorced, Laura decided to go after her longtime dream of owning an inn, by using her proceeds from selling their house. Unbeknownst to her, her brother’s best friend had moved to the same town and lives next door, messing with her plans to get away from everyone and prove that she can make it on her own. This is a good, quick read about rebuilding yourself and learning to trust again.

Pennycress Inn is going to be another, thoroughly enjoyable series from Sarah Hope, and she is fast becoming a must-read author for me. Laura is our protagonist and I found her brave, independent and a woman who knows just what she wants. I loved her spirit, as she makes a new life for herself, taking on a new business challenge which proves a little - well a lot - more complex than she originally thought.

I'm not sure that I'd have been as strong as she was when the villagers turned out to be a little hostile, and I admired this from her. She's proving that if you have the drive and determination, you can do anything you put your mind to, and overcome the obstacles in your way.

There is humour, romance, tears, laughter and sheep (yes you read that right - sheep), along the way and if you need a fun, cosy book to get you through these dull January days, then get yourself a copy, grab a cup of your favourite hot drink and curl up on the sofa in front of the fire and disappear to the village of Meadowfield for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for the opportunity to read and review Welcome to Pennycress Inn by Sarah Hope.

Y'all know I love a cozy English small-town romance. There is just something about them that makes me feel like I am being wrapped in a cozy blanket. I am new to Sarah's books, which is great because I adored this book, and now I have her entire backlist to read and enjoy. This story is perfect for those bookworms who love Jill Steeples, Sarah Bennett, and Maxine Morrey's books. This is a heartwarming and charming romance that is so easy to sink into. I love a good renovation story because I know the renovation is going to be a source of chaos and a reason for the two MCs to spend more time together. Poor Laura dreams of starting over after her divorce and cannot wait to open up the cozy Inn she bought. The problem is that the Inn is a little more run-down than she realizes, and for some reason, the townspeople seem to be hell-bent on running her out of town. Laura is determined to make it on her own and doesn't want any help from her family (who think she made a huge mistake and will fail) or her gorgeous neighbour Jackson, who is also her brother's best friend. The renovation parts of this book added that extra entertainment element to the story. It was great watching Laura learn that she is capable of succeeding in this new venture and that it's okay to ask for help when she needs it. The small-town parts of this book were a bit different from other romances I have read. Normally, the townspeople are incredibly welcoming and quirky, and I love watching the heroine interact and create bonds with the people in town. That wasn't the case in this story. We don't really get to connect with the townspeople until the latter half of the book. In the first bit of this book, we see a group of people who are determined to make Laura's life hell, and she doesn't understand why. I'm not going to give away any spoilers, so you will have to read this book to find out what all the drama is about and how it all gets sorted out.

Laura was a great character, and I enjoyed spending time with her. Her excitement and passion for opening up the Inn are contagious, and you cannot help but want her to succeed. Laura's journey is one that is filled with highs and lows. We see her when she feels like she cannot go on and wants to give up, but Jackson is there to help her push through those tough times. Those low moments showed Laura that she doesn't have to do this on her own and that being too independent is not a good thing.

The romance in this book is sweet, and my heart fluttering at times. You will love the blooming romance between Laura and Jackson if you like a good brother's best friend trope. As we watch Laura and Jackson navigate through these new feelings, they are aware that Laura's brother may not approve of their relationship, which becomes a hurdle they have to overcome as the story progresses. I liked these two together. They have been friends of sorts since they were kids, so they already have this connection with each other. I like the chemistry between them. It felt real and believable.

Welcome to Pennycress Inn is a charming romance with a lot of heart.

Laura has purchased the Pennycress Inn following a difficult two years following her divorce. Moving to the village of Meadowfield in the Cotswolds is the new start she craves. Needless to say things don’t go quite as planned. Various issues with the property, seemingly hostile villagers and her brother’s best friend living right next door. The friend she had quite the teenage crush on. A fun and engaging read with likeable characters.

Welcome to Pennycress Inn is the first of a new series by Sarah Hope, a new to me author. The story has a fun setting of an English village and the renovation of an inn. Laura purchased the inn after falling in love with it. She needs a fresh start after a divorce and this is perfect, being a couple hours away from her family and fulfilling a longtime dream. What she didn't expect was to find her brother's best mate living next door. Jackson is an old crush and a great family friend, also her only friend in a village of unfriendly people. Laura runs into a plethora of problems with the inn, a place that is supposed to be ready to open. This one has lots of ups and downs, frustration, and dilemmas. But it has also has some romance and some fun family events. I am looking forward to more in the series.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.

Deciding to follow her dreams
Laura buys an inn - but all is not as it seems!
She's not confident in DIY and is shocked to discover
Local tradesmen are all too busy - try another!

When a neighbour comes round to call
She just can't believe who it is at all.
Jackson was her brother's best friend
He's the last person with whom time she'd like to spend!

A teenage crush she should have outgrown by now
Seems to be refreshed somehow.
She's determined to be independent and so
Declines his offers to help with a firm, "No!"

Why do the villagers seem unfriendly to her?
She's sure she's not done anything to give them a scare!
But with a sheep causing havoc and so much to do
Can she get things sorted and see her way through?

A gentle, funny and lovely read,
A gorgeous book to escape into, just what I need!
I really enjoyed it and have to say
I hope you will do too some day!

For my copy of this fabulous book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion. This is a nice cosy easy read and that is meant in a complimentary way. The lead character Laura decides to make a fresh start in her life after her divorce by buying an Inn. She faces several challenges before she's even unpacked her bags. Her family don't really think she's made the best decision, the locals don't seem particularly friendly and the Inn itself might be a little more in need of tlc than she realised. With many challenges ahead, will Laura battle on or bail out? Definitely worth a read.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this first book in a new series.

After living with her parents after her relationship ended, Laura wants to prove to her family that she can have a job she loves doing just like her brother and sister who have good careers and happy married lives.

She buys Pennycress Inn in the village of Meadowfield and is looking forward to welcoming guests. But, that’s not that straightforward as there’s a lot of work needed to be done like the roof tiles and walls that need attention.

Not only that, but, the local people aren’t that welcoming and she thinks that moving here was a wrong decision.

Laura makes friends with Jackson, who is a chef, but is he really that nice? Also, what is the reason that the villagers are unfriendly?

Will Laura make the Inn a success?

I highly recommend this book.

It took a bit for me to start getting into the story as her family irritated me so much I almost didn’t finish the book, overall I enjoyed the story and her discovering herself.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a nice easy read and I liked Laura as a character.
The setting was lovely and I really felt I was there thanks to the great descriptive writing.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Hope and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

The beginning of a new series by Sarah Hope Welcome to Pennycress Inn gives us Laura who has just gotten divorced. This gives her the chance to start over again and she decides to buy Pennycress Inn in Cotswold. She doesn’t have any experience owning an Inn and she soon discovers that the one she bought is in a sadder condition than she thought it was going to be.
She starts to work on the state of the inn, and she soon finds out her brother’s friend Jackson lives next door, and he agrees to help her spruce up the inn.
This is an excellent start to a new series, and I am eager to read the next book in The Pennycress Inn Series.
Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Hope and Boldwood Books. This is my personal review.

after her divorce, Laura purchases the pennycress inn in a small village. as she tackles the renovations, she learns a lot about herself.

This is a heartwarming romance and journey of self-discovery set in the charming Cotswolds village of Meadowfield. The story follows 38-year-old Laura, who takes a leap of faith by purchasing a run-down inn, the Pennycress Inn. As she tackles its renovation, Laura also embarks on a path of personal growth, confronting her fears and doubts.

The village comes alive with vivid descriptions and a lively cast of characters, including a resistant community and mischief-making sheep. The budding romance between Laura and Jackson, a supportive and charming chef, is sweet and genuine, complementing Laura’s journey. Their chemistry and Jackson’s encouragement of Laura’s dreams make their connection especially heartwarming.

The book masterfully balances the challenges of restoring the inn with Laura’s personal triumphs and an intriguing mystery about the villagers’ initial resistance to her plans. It’s a feel-good novel with humor, depth, and a satisfying resolution, making it a perfect read for fans of cozy and empowering romance.

This author’s books have the ability to simultaneously make you unable to stop reading while wishing you could bury the book somewhere deep underground where it can't be found. Compelling and didn’t want it to end!

3.5/5⭐️
Post-divorce, Laura embarks on a new chapter in life and becomes the new owner of the Pennycress Inn in the small town of Meadowfield. She is looking for a fresh start away from her overbearing family and to prove to herself that she is capable and independent.

To her surprise, Jackson, her brother’s best friend, is her neighbour. Despite her insistence to be fully independent and to rely on herself, Jackson worms himself into her life.

Soon, she discovers that she is hated by the town and I really felt sorry for her when the truth was revealed! Thank God for Jackson who was always there for her. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite enjoy the love triangle element which was irritating and difficult to read.

This was such a fun and lighthearted read. I was invested from the first chapter and finished it in a day. A nice reminder that you can do anything you put your mind to. Exactly what I needed for my first read of the year!