I absolutely loved this book with its cozy uplifting feel good vibes. Set in the beautiful Cotswolds and the best thing is this is the first book in a brand new series. I cannot wait to read the next instalment.
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

ARC Review: *Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge* by Alison Sherlock
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars – cozy, heartfelt, and full of charm)

Welcome to the Cotswolds, where leaves are falling, hearts are healing, and home is found in the unlikeliest of places.

Alison Sherlock begins a brand-new series with a golden-hued, soul-soothing romance set in the heart of autumn at the charming (but crumbling) Maple Tree Lodge Hotel. When brooding architect **Ben Jackson** inherits a struggling family hotel and *even more* emotional baggage, the last person he expects to butt heads—and maybe hearts—with is his sister’s best friend and sunshine-in-human-form **Lily Watson**.

Ben wants sleek, modern, and practical. Lily dreams in soft edges, warm wood, and fairy lights. He’s determined to hold the hotel together. She’s determined to bring it back to life.

Their clashing visions and shared mission to restore Maple Tree Lodge give way to something far deeper—shared late-night conversations, soft moments, and the stirring realization that *maybe the missing piece in their lives isn’t a design choice, but each other*.

This one has all the ingredients of a perfect feel-good read:
🍁 Grumpy x Sunshine
🍁 Opposites Attract
🍁 Found Family
🍁 Small Town Drama
🍁 Cozy Autumn Vibes
🍁 Slow-Burn Romance
🍁 Home Renovation Shenanigans (with romantic tension in every paint-splattered moment)

Sherlock does what she does best—crafting stories with warmth, wit, and characters who quietly burrow into your heart. Lily is a heroine you want to be best friends with. Ben is the guarded man whose soft side peeks out in stolen glances and unexpected tenderness. And Maple Tree Lodge? It’s the kind of place you wish you could book a room in—immediately.

This book is a hug in story form, full of cinnamon-scented hope and the quiet magic of finding where you truly belong.

*Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the enchanting ARC—I’ll happily be checking back in for future books in this series!* 🧡

I really liked the first book in this new series, Maple Tree Lodge sounds fantastic and the characters are feel good ready. When Ben has to take over the lodge after his father dies, he wants to change it into a new hotel as it’s not making money. Lily his sisters friends who’s also an interior designer comes along and changes the place. They are ready to welcome new guests now. It’s a great cozy read that leaves a fuzzy feeling, can’t wait to read on to see what happens. An easy 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Lovely feel good book. Loved all the characters and the beautiful setting that the story was set in. Would definitely recommend this book.

I enjoyed Coming Home To Maple Tree Lodge, it was an easy to get into, cosy read. Beautiful setting, I would love to visit!

A cozy read reminiscent of a Hallmark movie.
The main characters were fun to get to know. Each one is facing their own personal challenges as they try to go forward in life.
The setting sounds so beautiful… I want to be there!
If you enjoy reading enemies to lovers troupe, you will enjoy reading this book.
This is the first book I have read by author Alison Sherlock. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Thanks to all for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I just finished Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge, and I have to say—it was a cozy, feel-good read that hit all the right notes for me. The Cotswolds setting was charming, and the warm, autumn atmosphere made it easy to get swept up in the story. I felt like I was right there among the golden leaves and rustic charm of the old lodge.

Lily was such a relatable character—creative, determined, and just trying to prove herself in a world that doesn’t always take her seriously. Watching her navigate the renovation project while dealing with her complicated feelings toward Ben was both frustrating and sweet (in the best way). The tension between them—creative and otherwise—was fun to read, and I loved seeing how their ideas clashed, then slowly started to blend.

Ben took a little while to warm up to, but once his walls came down, he really grew on me. His grief and pressure to save the hotel added depth to what could have been just a typical enemies-to-lovers story.

The only reason I didn’t give it a full five stars is that some of the conflicts—especially the family drama—wrapped up a little too neatly for me. But honestly, sometimes a bit of predictability is part of the charm in books like this.

If you’re looking for a cozy romance with heart, humor, and a beautiful setting, Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge is well worth the visit.

The story follows Lily, a career-focused interior designer whose life takes a turn when she loses her job and finds herself helping her best friend Hannah at her family’s lakeside hotel. There, she meets Hannah’s brother, Ben—an architect with a more reserved, minimalist style. Sparks fly and tensions rise as Lily’s bold design ideas clash with Ben’s vision, but it’s clear their friction masks deeper feelings.

The emotional core of the book is balanced well with lighthearted moments, particularly surrounding the hotel’s revival and community events like the lovely lantern festival, which adds a magical touch to the story. The setting, with its serene lake and surrounding woods, is beautifully atmospheric, making it easy to imagine curling up by a fire with one of Frankie’s cocktails in hand.

Lily’s journey—learning to let go of family pressure and redefining success on her own terms—is relatable and satisfying. Ben’s dynamic with his family, especially after the loss of their father, adds depth and warmth. The inclusion of Lily and Hannah’s other friends, as well as Ben’s, hints at future stories in the series, something fans will definitely look forward to. This is a heartwarming, small-town romance filled with charm, scenic beauty, and a cast of likable characters.

Lily has no roots. She has lived a life with her parents travelling from country to country, wherever her dad's job has taken them. She is now an interior designer living in London and has just lost her job.
A stroke of luck is brought to her by her friend Hannah as her brother Ben is looking for someone to redesign the rooms in his failing hotel, Maple Tree Lodge.
I am so happy that this book is the start of a new series because then I can visit the characters again and discover how they are all progressing.
I really enjoyed this story and didn't want it to end so I hope it's not too long until the next one. The hotel and the grounds and the lake all sound amazing. My only question is,how do I book a room?

'Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge' is a new story set in the world of Cranley/Cranbridge, with characters and locations from other books mentioned, but this can be read as a standalone. Main character Lily had a nomadic childhood following her parents around the world - this has left her driven but also slow to trust. She has worked hard at her interior design career before being unfairly made redundant from a top London designer. Friend Hannah throws her lifeline - designing the interiors for her family's hotel. Lily hopes this job will be the first step in launching her own design company, but when she arrives at Maple Tree Lodge things are not quite as she expected. The family are in mourning and can't agree on their next steps to save the business ... A great read for fans of Sarah Bennet and Bella Osborne. Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC, this has not affected my review.

This was a very nice, very easy to get into cozy romance. I love that kind of thing in between heavier reads. I thought this was perfectly fine. Didn’t reinvent the wheel but that’s fine!

when a book pulls you in and makes you feel at home amongst its pages then its truly something special. and if you haven't read anything by Alison before then you need to. she knows how to write these novels that create a special place for you to be. the envelope you in.
this book brings us to Maple Tree Lodge. its not doing do well right now. after the death of their father it is now lft, and up to Ben to try and make it work. in steps his sister Hannah who involves her friend Lily to help. shes major career focused and think helping her front with their hotel design could be a major boost. but the two version Lily and Ben have for the hotel dont exactly match and soon the two clash. but they have to save the hotel, its all that matters so work together they must. and soon they learn more from each other than they could have imagined. and they find out there is way more to love about each other too.
from the scenery to the scenes this book told such a gorgeous story. even the front cover took me right in to the vibes of the book.
the family we are given in Ben and Hannah was such a sweet touch. and how they bounced off eachother and showed Lily alot of love too.
there is definitely more that could come from a few characters in this book too. and i mean that as a biiiig hint Alison!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

The Maple Tree Lodge is a Cotswolds hotel that has been in the Jackson family for five generations. It is rundown and in the middle of a renovation that grandad Walter is strictly against but grandson Ben knows is necessary. He is an architect who came back to look after the hotel, and is frustrated by the daily arguments with his grandfather. He is also grieving for his father who died last year.

Lily Wilson is an interior designer who has just been fired by a snooty celebrity designer without talent. She desperately needs work, so when her friend Hannah who happens to be Ben's sister, asks her to help decorate Maple Tree Lodge she hastily says yes but omits to tell her of her job loss. She and Ben immediately clash over the decor (Ben prefers stark minimalism) but not for very long.

The Jackson family is very warm and embraces Lily wholeheartedly, giving her free board and accomodation. There are grandmother Dotty, mother Faye and her friend Frankie. Also an appearance make Hannah and Lily's friends Beth and Ella and Ben's friends Alex and Jake, and it is incredibly obvious that those people are being set up for romances in further books, or else we wouldn't get so much background on them and learn Jake is a chef when the hotel needs a chef.

Lily is a career woman whose family moved around a lot in her youth so she never really had time to form lasting friendships. Hannah, Beth and Ella, who come for a visit, is all she has and she realises she needs a better work life balance and make more time for her friends. She is starting to fall in love, not just with Ben but life in the bosom of a big family and a gorgeous hotel in quiet surroundings, so when a former colleague makes her an enticing job offer, she is in a dilemma as to what to do.

It's all very predictable and more tell than show (especially the romance), light-hearted, gentle and easy to read, without any surprises, with Dodgy Del providing the comic relief. The description of the hotel and grounds is enticing, and I love a good renovation and decorating project. The story is told over the seasons of autumn and winter, and while I doubt very much that a lantern festival can turn round a hotel's future, it is atmospheric and shows off the hotel's surroundings with the lake very well. Recommended as a pick-me-up after something heavier. This has been my first book by this author but would like to read the sequels in this series.

Alison Sherlock’s Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge is a heartwarming tale set in the picturesque Cotswolds, weaving themes of family, love, and personal growth. The story centers on Ben Jackson, an architect who inherits his family's struggling hotel, Maple Tree Lodge, after his father's sudden passing. Facing financial ruin, Ben is determined to renovate the lodge to save his family's legacy. Enter Lily Watson, an interior designer and Ben's sister's best friend, who sees the lodge as an opportunity to prove herself professionally. However, Lily's vision of a cozy, country-style hotel clashes with Ben's minimalist, modern approach, leading to creative tensions and unexpected sparks between them.

As autumn casts its enchanting spell over Maple Tree Lodge, the narrative unfolds with charm and emotional depth. Sherlock's storytelling is filled with engaging characters and vivid setting, which creates a comforting escape. The dynamic between Ben and Lily evolves naturally, offering a blend of humor, conflict, and romance that kept me invested throughout their journey. The feel-good atmosphere and relatable characters are amazing and one of the best parts of the novel.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Sweet and cozy; low-stakes romance

The Jackson family has lived in Maple Tree Lodge for over a century. However, the hotel was never a success. After his father’s death, architect Ben Jackson discovers the place is on the brink of ruin. He has to do something to keep his family afloat.
Interior designer Lily Watson, Ben’s sister’s friend, is roped in for an urgent renovation. She is happy as this gives her a chance to earn money and prove her worth to her high-achieving parents.
However, with Ben and Lily’s ideas for the renovation being the complete opposite, the project won’t be easy! And of course, the fireworks between them could complicate things or simplify them. Can the two help each other in the process?
The story comes in Lily and Ben’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
Since I enjoyed the previous series by the author, I was excited to read this one. It is set in the same region, a fictional setting in the UK countryside, close to London. A few characters from the other series make a guest appearance here. Only one of them has a slightly prominent role… Dodgy Del! Yeah, though here, he seems to be less prone to causing trouble.
This is a low-stakes romance with very little angst or drama. If you are into intense love stories, this may not work for you. But if you want something hopeful, lighthearted, and cozy, you will enjoy the book.
The writing is mostly ‘tell’ with very little ‘show’. Also, there’s an infodump right at the beginning (this seems to be the author’s writing style). Still, the book has a good pace. I could finish 70% in a single sitting.
Though we have some heavy themes like the death of a parent, tensions in the family, a heroine with reinforced walls, financial concerns, etc., they don’t feel overwhelming. The feel-good vibes are strong and ensure there’s a sense of hope from start to finish.
Family and friendships are the core of the plot. I loved all members of the Jackson family as well as the friends of the MCs. Two pairs for the next books have been hinted at, and there’s one person left. We’ll have to wait and see how that goes. So, this is also bound to be a four-book series set in the beautiful Maple Tree Lodge.
The remote setting of the lodge nestled in the woods with a lake close by and hundreds of ancient trees feels like the best place to be! I enjoyed the descriptions of the interiors of the lodge and the nature around it. Since the story happens over four-six months, we can see the seasonal changes as well.

To summarize, Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge is a cozy and heartwarming story about finding your place in the world and having a supportive family. It works well as a breather between heavier reads.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge by Alison Sherlock is a cozy romance that perfectly captures the enemies-to-lovers trope.
This is my first book by the author and This book hits all the marks for fans of small-town romance and cozy fiction.
The pacing keeps you engaged without rushing the relationship development. Watching the inn and characters come together is genuinely satisfying. It has the perfect Hallmark movie feel.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Maple Tree Lodge has been in the Jackson family for over a century, however after Ben's dad passed away and he came back home, the family don't realise how serious things are.
Lily is a career orientated woman, who wants to be top of the game in interior design, after losing her job, ashamed to tell anyone, she is invited by her best friend to come to Maple Tree Lodge to help design the rooms, because of the company she was working for. Not telling anyone she arrives under the guise of still being employed by the top company.
Can Lily and Ben save Maple Tree Lodge and agree on what's right for the place. Can Lily come to feel at home in a loving family, when she has struggled so much with her own family.
This book is a warm and cosy read, that draws you in and makes you want to stay at Maple Tree Lodge!

Lily moves to help her friend Hannah renovate Maple Tree lodge, but Lily and Hannah's brother Ben have different ideas about the renovation. can they work together?

A gorgeous and warm read. Who wouldn’t want to smush down into the leather sofas and warm themselves by the fire looking at the gorgeous views. Lily was a nomad, she had lived all over the world but had never found home. She kept herself at an emotional distance from her friends. Working as a junior interior designer for a soulless company who ripped off her ideas ended suddenly when days before her two year anniversary there she was let go of. Telling no one she is offered a job to help renovate her friends family hotel. Tasked to make it neutral and corporate she works on a plan to ensure its homely and cosy and thankfully Ben the hotel owner and brother of Hannah one of her best friends agrees. Sparks fly and Lily begins to feel what home is. Gorgeous cosy read. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a feel-good read that was heartwarming and also relatable as the characters each had their own stuff to deal with. Someone else said this could be a Hallmark movie and I'm inclined to agree!