Enjoyable and easy read. Loved the characters in the book, they are all very likeable. Would recommend this.

Joe Bartlett is a fantastic writer and this book was no exception. Everything she writes. I fully enjoy pick this book up and three hours later realised I haven’t moved and was still reading. A real gripping page turning book.

3.5 stars

Not my favourite by this author unfortunately and I was really looking forward to reading Amy’s story too! For me, it didn’t get going until about 70% through. For most of the book it was supposed to be where Amy and Lijah were secretly together at this point but throughout most of the chapters they were apart? As well as that, I felt that there was just too many descriptions and paragraphs about the past and it just seemed a little repetitive.

Book Review: Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital by Jo Bartlett
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Jo Bartlett returns with another emotionally rich, heartwarming installment in her beloved Cornish Country Hospital series—and Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital might just be her most moving story yet.

Set in the charming seaside town of Port Kara, the novel follows nurse Amy Spencer, whose steady life is suddenly shaken by the return of Lijah Byrne—the boy she once loved and never quite got over. Now a celebrity dealing with his own emotional burnout, Lijah seeks solace in the place that once grounded him, only to come face-to-face with his past... and a second chance at something real.

This book is a beautiful blend of romance, nostalgia, and emotional healing. Amy is such a relatable and grounded heroine, and Lijah brings both charisma and vulnerability to the page. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the emotional complexity—the ache of what was lost and the hope of what could be—that truly makes their reunion shine.

Bartlett excels at writing warm, community-driven fiction, and the Cornish setting is as cozy and evocative as ever. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll absolutely root for Amy and Lijah to find their way back to each other. The hospital backdrop adds an extra layer of authenticity, and fans of Grey’s Anatomy or Doc Martin will feel right at home.

Verdict: Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital is a tender, feel-good romance about rediscovering love, finding peace with the past, and the people and places that bring us home. Another heartfelt triumph from Jo Bartlett.

I was gutted when the Cornish Midwives series ended, but the Cornish Country Hospital has definitely made up for that – especially as we still get to hear about some of the characters we had got to know previously. This book is a case in point - and perfect for those who want to follow the fortunes of some of the midwives and their friends, family and colleagues in the newer setting of St Piran's. A great read – and hoping for a follow-up very soon

4.5 stars
I read this story immediately after book 4 and that may have influenced my rating. Perhaps if I had waited a few months it would have been a 5 star story for me.

I love the community feeling I get from all of the books in this series. Amy and Lijah were both really nice characters and fame had definitely not gone to Lijah's head, which was nice to see. I am not a fan of celebrities so that had worried me.

The quiet life and the way the people at and around the hospital are there for one another is so touching and uplifting; it makes me wanting to go back there again and again. Please add another book or ten to this series!

This is a heartwarming narrative set in the cozy Cornish Country Hospital.
The story revolves around Amy and Lijah, childhood sweethearts whose paths diverged when Lijah left town to pursue his music career. Fast forward to the present, and while he's now famous, something’s missing — he’s not feeling like himself, and you can probably guess where it’s heading.
This book is a great fit for fans of second-chance romance and medical dramas.
Personally, while I enjoyed the cozy setting and appreciated the characters and hospital drama, the romance wasn’t quite my usual taste — but I can still see why so many readers love it.

Detective Jack Warr is haunted by the gruesome legacy of serial killer Rodney Middleton and reeling from a series of events that has left him deep in depression. Refusing the Met-offered counselling service, Jack instead finds solace instead through renewing a dangerous friendship with the artist and master forger, Adam Border.

When a body is discovered nailed to a giant cross in a framer's shop, Jack feels a connection to the case even though it is not in his jurisdiction. But is his involvement that of a detective or witness?

I have said it before and I'll just keep shouting it from the rooftops, I adore Jo Bartlett! This cosy small town is the perfect setting for St Piran's hospital and I love the spirit of community it has.

This book had two main stories, Amy and Lijah (Elijah) teenhood boyfriend and girlfriend with a second chance at romance after Lijah comes back for a bit of rest and recuperation.
And Gwen's side story, Gwen is beloved to everyone and is a crossover character from another series by Jo. Gwen has some health troubles and is fearing the worst.

I loved the little scenes of dramatic tension, not to give spoilers but there were a few - edge of your seat, hold your breath moments, moments where if it were a tv show the dramatic music would be pumping.

And of course the ending was happy, it's what I love and expect from a gorgeous comfort read like this. It was the perfect read to help cure the slump I was in. Thank you Jo, for another fantastic book, I can't wait for the next one!

Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital by Jo Bartlett

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A&E Nurse Amy Spencer lives a very ordinary life in Port Kara. She loves her job at the hospital and has a great group of friends, but there is something or someone missing from her life. Amy’s tried dating but no one ever compares with the one boy that got away – Lijah Byrne.

A surprise arrival…

Lijah’s life since he left Port Kara has been what dreams are made of. But lately Lijah has started to feel hollow – the fame and celebrity he once craved now makes him feel trapped. The only place he’s ever felt safe is Port Kara… so maybe it’s time to go back home?

A reunion written in the stars.

When Amy bumps into Lijah again, she only sees the boy she once loved with all her heart. But their lives are so different now. Amy knows a rekindling of their past love will end in heartbreak, but she can’t give up her second chance to be with the man she loves.

My Opinion

This is a series that I am definitely not reading in order but I have had no issues following the plot. Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital was a sweet and enjoyable read. I have read a few books by Jo Bartlett and I really like the writing style so I will definitely be returning.

Rating 4/5

This is Book 5 in The Cornish Country Hospital Series and is also the first book I've read by Jo.

Oh my goodness, I loved it... it seriously reminded me of Casulty!

We have medical procedures, we have love, we have nasty accidents, drama, various medical conditions, hatred plus cute dogs!... it's like a roller coaster ride!

The story mainly follows Amy and Lijah - two childhood sweethearts who only broke up so Lijah could pursue his singing career... there's a back story, but I won't go into it...

Lijah returns home after losing his mum, and Amy is still there, now working as an A&E nurse.

Amongst the love drama of these two (who I absolutely adore!), Jo has also woven lots of mini dramas in with different characters from the hospital (like any good medical drama does!)

We see Gwen, we meet Gary, Ellen, CamI, Albie... all having various conditions and complaints which break up the 'will they/won't they' Amy and Lijah storyline nicely.

It's a beautifully written book, and I want to go back and read the other 4 now as this was just fantastic!

I love this series. Imagine Grey’s Anatomy, Casualty or Chicago Med in a book and you have this series.

This book follows the story of Amy, an emergency nurse, Gwen who manages the hospital’s shop and a host of other characters with enough drama to keep readers entertained.

As always, there is the celebration of love and community. This also delves deeper into what comes with growing old, loneliness and family dynamics.

There were reappearances from previous characters and it was good to catch up with them.
I enjoyed reading and I had my heart racing about Gwen and hoping everything will be all right. I love how sensitive the author was in dealing with this.

I loved the climax and how everything came together for Amy and Lijah and Nathan.

Amy and Lijah’s story was a bit slow and Amy’s attitude and indecisiveness were frustrating for me but the stories of all the other characters more than made up for it.

I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with this in her latest book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun chick lit novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I always look forward to a Jo Bartlett book and this, the next instalment in the Cornish Country Hospital series is another brilliant read from her.
Emotional, heartwarming and inspiring, this has been a welcome back to the community of Port Kara, and I’ve loved it.
Amy and Lijah have such a deep connection but their lives have grown so far apart, can they rekindle that love and friendship from before?
Gwen has always been a favourite character of mine and to have her story in this instalment has been brilliant. Emotions run high as Gwen and Barry’s marriage and love is tested, and I must admit Gwen’s story had me in tears many times as we follow her through the most testing of times.

In this fifth installment, A&E nurse Amy Spencer, a compassionate and likable heroine, finds her life upended when Lijah Byrne—the one who got away—returns to Port Kara. Once a promising musician whose star once shone brightly, Lijah now grapples with the hollowness of fame and a longing to reconnect with his roots. Their rekindled connection is layered with bittersweet nostalgia, as both characters struggle to reconcile past love with their very different present lives.

Set against the evocative backdrop of a charming Cornish town and its bustling hospital, the narrative seamlessly blends the drama of everyday medical emergencies with the personal challenges of love, loss, and self-discovery. I appreciate the warmth and authenticity of the characters, whose relationships—whether among friends or within family—feel genuine and deeply human. While some may find the romance storyline familiar, I love its uplifting humor, emotional depth, and a sense of community that makes Port Kara feel like home.

This book delivers both comfort and catharsis, making it a delightful read whether you’re returning to the series or joining it for the first time.

Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital is the fifth Cornish Country Hospital novel. I haven't read the previous four books in the series but I will definitely going back to the beginning.

Childhood sweethearts Amy and Lijah, now a nurse and a musician respectively, are reunited when Lijah comes back home to take a break and reevaluate his life. Lijah has always been Amy's one who got away but they are so different now. As they come back together, Lijah and Amy realize there is still that spark between then.

Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital is a great second chance romance. I love the characters and the setting. I'm sure many of the characters I met along the way were featured in previous books, and it would be nice to get to know them in the proper order. The author wrote this story with realism, and it's very emotional in places.

Should you ever need to visit the A&E Department at St Piran’s Hospital, Amy’s just the nurse you’d hope to find at your bedside, caring and capable – but, at a personal level, she’s far more lacking in confidence, unlucky in her romantic relationships, particularly undermined by her brother’s constant jibes. The love of her younger life was Lijah – always a talented musician, but who reluctantly left her behind when he became a global star. And now he’s back at Port Kara – the only place that ever felt like home – struggling with his song-writing, still feeling the impact of his much-loved mother’s death, needing to make difficult decisions about his future. And he’s never forgotten Amy – when their paths cross again, and despite the fact that the world’s media are watching his every move, they both begin to wonder whether they might be allowed a second chance at happiness.

That’s the primary storyline – and both individuals are so beautifully drawn and developed, and exceptionally likeable, the challenges they face very real as are the many obstacles they need to overcome. I also particularly liked Lijah’s friend and roadie, Nick, who’d been at his side since the start of his career, making timely interventions and most definitely one of life’s good guys. Unlike Amy’s brother Nathan – who finds himself in the middle of one of the book’s several dramatic heart-in-mouth situations, all as wonderfully written as ever.

As always, there are the day-to-day crises encountered in every busy A&E Department – difficult moments in people’s lives when the hard-pressed staff, a team of close friends, are able to make a real difference. And the progress of Amy and Elijah’s relationship certainly isn’t the only emotionally compelling storyline – there was one in particular, the health concerns of a long-standing member of the team, that might have touched me even more deeply. A further long running storyline, affecting individuals I’d taken to my heart when their stories were told in earlier books, also became particularly challenging – and with a potentially heartbreaking outcome.

Something I really love about these books is the way the author makes you feel entirely involved in her characters’ lives – she never shies away from the difficult issues, but handles them with particular sensitivity and compassion and the perfect emotional touch. And this really was an excellent addition to this lovely series – a love story that I really believed in for Amy and Lijah, littered with obstacles, but layered with a number of other equally strong and well developed storylines. Perhaps, and only because of the other storylines, this one might just be best read as part of the continuing series – but, as always, this was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and that I’d very much recommend to others.

Amy loves her challenging role as an A&E nurse working at St Piran’s hospital, her natural affinity for people, and her need to care and nurture makes her ideal for this area of nursing. However, Amy always feels like there is someone missing from her life. Lijah Byrne is a global musician who returns to his home town of Port Kara to recharge and find the space to make some difficult decisions. Amy and Lijah, once childhood sweethearts, have some unfinished business together and it is this relationship which forms the basis of another cosy story which takes us back into the heart of this lovely, fictional Cornish town.

Beautifully written, this little corner of Cornwall comes alive as we follow the fates and fortunes of those characters who call this place home. It’s very much a story of light and shade with characters having their share of worry and some facing difficult choices but through it all a strong sense of both community and friendship comes across. Being in Port Kara is always such a joy, this little bit of Cornwall now feels so familiar that it is like returning to a much loved home and I thoroughly enjoy catching up with all the characters who make these cosy stories such a joy to read.

Whilst this now the fifth book in the Cornish Country Hospital series it is possible to read as a standalone story, however, it does make sense to read this lovely series from the beginning so that you can get to know and love the characters who make this such a successful series.

Another fabulous instalment with book 5 of this beautiful series. This time sees us getting more of an insight into the character of Gwen. This story really resonates with me as I have been going through the same health diagnosis and was also good to see this condition talked about in a book as it is something that isn’t widely discussed. As with all this authors books all issues are discussed sensitively and with comparison. I don’t want to say more here for fear of spoilers.

The other aspect of this story features amy connecting with an old flame who has returned to port Kara

This was a heartwarming. And uplifting story which was heartbreaking in places and contained engaging characters and a relatable storyline.

Although this could be read as a standalone I would recommend reading the series in order for full enjoyment and can’t wait to read what happens next.

I enjoyed this welcome return to the Cornish Country Hospital. With both new and familiar characters, the story focuses on Amy and her first love and rock star, Lijah. Gwen also features. There are second-chance romance and health dramas that quickly immerse you in the lives of this Cornish community. It's an emotional read because, as always with this author, you invest in the characters, but the balance of ups and downs is satisfying. It's another lovely book in this series, full of heartwarming moments and challenges.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.