Oh this was a hard hitting read! A couple of moments that made me gasp and an ending that I loved, I'm sorry to hear there won't be any more visits here for us readers.

Another fantastic instalment from Joe Bartlett. I feel like I know the characters like they are family it was lovely to be introduced to a new couple.

This subject matter was very dear to my heart which made it an extra special.

Eden Grainger has returned to Port Kara with her young son, Teddie, after leaving behind a difficult and damaging relationship. Starting fresh as an A&E nurse, she’s determined to give Teddie—who is on the autism spectrum—the stability and love he deserves. Life isn’t simple, though. Eden is also working to repair her strained relationship with her mother, whose alcoholism defined much of her childhood.

At St Piran’s Hospital, Eden meets Drew Redford, a pathologist who values routine and order. Drew has high-functioning autism himself, and his understanding of Teddie quickly creates a bridge between them. What begins as a friendship slowly deepens into something more, though both Eden and Drew carry scars from the past that make them hesitant to trust. When Eden’s ex suddenly reappears, the fragile balance she’s found is put at risk.

This story was heartwarming, tender, and deeply human. Jo Bartlett handles the subject of autism with sensitivity, weaving it naturally into both Teddie’s and Drew’s stories. The romance is a sweet, believable slow burn that left me rooting for Eden and Drew to find happiness together. I also loved the sense of community, the coastal Cornish setting, and the familiar faces from the series that add so much warmth.

Heartbreaking at times but ultimately uplifting, this installment shows exactly why Jo Bartlett’s Cornish Country Hospital books have become such comfort reads for me. Perfect for fans of medical romance, character-driven stories, and second chances.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Jo Bartlett for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Publication date: September 23, 2025.

Great to be back at the Cornish Country Hospital and meeting friends old and new. Eden is an A&E nurse she loves her job and her colleagues but is still reserved around them.
Drew works in the morgue and prefers the dead, he has high functioning autism but his harsh upbringing means he dosnt trust people. Eden has an autistic son and appreciates the insight Drew gives her.
Brilliant book and can’t wait for more in this series.

A beautifully written, heartwarming story that perfectly captures the charm of Cornwall and the close-knit community at St. Piran’s. Jo Bartlett delivers another emotional and uplifting read about love, healing, and second chances. I laughed, cried, and didn’t want it to end.

This was a good story including people on the spectrum of autism. Eden is a single mom, working in an ER as a nurse. She balances work, home and dealing with her son's challenges. I liked the parallel to Drew. Truly was not a style of book that I typically enjoy, but it was well written. I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my honest review.

🏥 Mending Hearts at the Cornish Country Hospital ~ Jo Bartlett 🩺

My third and final book in August was this return to St Piran’s hospital in the next instalment of the Cornish Country Hospital’s saga. It’s several years since I first discovered these series - first the Cornish Midwife series and then this one - and Jo Bartlett is still one my very top go-to authors for such a perfect blend of drama, relationships and escapism.

A huge thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Jo Bartlett for inviting me to read this one early - I was so happy to read it and thoroughly enjoyed.

This book tells the story of Eden, an A&E nurse and single mother newly returned to her home town, and Drew, a pathologist in the hospital juggling some challenges of his own, as they meet and get to know each other to the backdrop of the usual St Piran’s and Port Kara cast of characters and Cornish coastal scenery. I love the intersecting of stories and characters from previous books in this series, and the gentle unraveling of individuals’ stories as the books progress.

This story was actually one of my favourites so far, following Eden navigating life with her young son Teddie and exploring themes of childhood and adulthood autism as it progressed.

Another Jo Bartlett story I’ve really enjoyed from a little world that’s become a complete comfort series for me - this is out September 23rd :)

I really enjoy how the Cornish hospital series touches on real life problems such as chronic illness and neurodiversity to name but two. Add to it an unusual love story and making new friends this is a feel good read.

This is a sweet and heartwarming story with a very slow burn romance. The three main characters, Eden, her little boy, Teddie and Pathologist, Drew are all endearing people. Drew and Teddie both have autism and it was informative to read more about that condition. The romance between Eden and Drew was very hesitant due to their insecurities from past experiences but they matched well and I enjoyed their journey. I would have liked a bit more hospital drama as I felt it did drag a bit in places but overall a gentle, easy read. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my review.

Book six.
In the Cornish Country Hospital, A&E nurse Eden Grainger is mending her heart from her ex Jesse.
Working at the St Piran's Hospital Port Kara.
Drew Redford Pathologist keeps himself to himself, there's a kindred connection but they both remain with caution.
Till Edens little boy Teddie brings them together.
The warmth in this story draws you on, and your learning about companionship and love through an autistic child that has an almighty touch to the whole book.
I loved reading this one like all the others in the series the author always adds that magic touch for her readers.
Absolutely will need tissues.

After leaving a mentally abusive relationship Eden Grainger is beginning to feel safe in Port Kara. As an A&E nurse Eden sometimes sees the worst of humanity but going home to her 4 year old son Teddie is what gets her through her shift. Teddie has ASD but he communicates in his own special way and Eden wouldn’t be without him.
Drew Redford is a pathologist at the hospital and is happy with his own company and likes things done in a certain way.
When Eden and Teddie bump into Drew, he instantly recognises Teddie’s condition as Drew himself is on the ASD spectrum.
As they begin to spend more time together Eden and Drew grow closer but both are cautious. Having both had difficult upbringings they are wary of being hurt again.
If they are to move forward they will each need to face their daemons and learn to trust again but when Eden’s ex rears his head everything they are beginning to build could come tumbling down.
This is a lovely, warm-hearted story with family and love at its heart. Although it is part of a series set in Port Kara you can read it on its own without feeling you have missed anything. Although the whole series are very good, this is my favourite so far.

I had not read any of the Cornish Country Hospital series before this one but was able to read it as a stand-alone story.

Eden has returned to her parents’ home in Port Kara with her autistic son, Teddie for a fresh start after leaving a toxic relationship. She has started a new role as an A & E nurse at the hospital and is seeking to forge a better relationship with her mother - a recovering alcoholic whose illness dominated her childhood.

Drew, a pathologist, craves routine - he had a difficult childhood and has high-functioning autism.

They are drawn together b6 Eden’s desire to understand her son better - a friendship quickly develops but each will need to take risks if their relationship is to develop. This is complicated by her ex’s reappearance.

An enjoyable read - if a little ponderous at times. I felt the author showed a good understanding of autism and the demands it places on those caring for or involved with such individuals.

Another enjoyable read in this series. Like the midwives before this, it's great to get to know a cast of characters and I'm hoping this won't be the last as there are definitely things I'd like to know more about some of the people who have been featured to a lesser extent so far.

I did it again, I chose a book that is part of a series. Do not let that deter you from reading the latest heartfelt instalment in Jo Bartlett's Cornish Country Hospital series. It is a heartwarming and sweet story, with wonderful characters. Bartlett does a terrific job of demonstrating living with autism.
I found many sections of the book to be very explanatory and repetitive at times. This made it too slow for me. If you like slow-burning romance, you will love this!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mending Hearts at the Cornish Country Hospital was a wonderfully heartwarming read with two lovely main characters and a very sweet romance.

The book focuses on Eden, a woman who left her previous abusive relationship with her autistic son and is now trying to rebuild her life back at her parents, working as a nurse in a hospital in Cornwall. She meets Drew, a pathologist with autism who helps her find love again and helps build an understanding with Eden and her son. It’s all very sweet.

I really liked Eden and Drew. Eden is kind and sweet, trying her best despite her struggles and Drew is patient and understanding even though it’s hard for him to let people in given his family history.

The story is great for the most part. I loved the slow burn romance between Eden and Drew. It took its time and didn’t rush anything and they worked well together. I did find the ending of the story to be a little bit rushed. It was a logical way to end the story but I feel like it could have been built up a little more and it was resolved very quickly. Other than that, I thought the book was very good.

I enjoyed Mending Hearts at the Cornish Country Hospital. It was a very sweet read with the characters having to deal with some very realistic issues. The characters work well together and I completely bought their romance, but I also liked Eden’s relationship with her family. It isn’t always perfect, or even great, but it felt very realistic and that made me sympathise more with her.

A cute slow burn romance following a&e nurse Eden and her special needs son Teddie as they move to Port Kara to escape her ex. 
A lovely book, tackling some sensitive subjects with care.
Will definitely read more of this authors books, highly recommend

Another great book from Jo Bartlett and a great addition to this brilliant series set in Port Kara featuring the hospital, the staff, their friends and family and of course the patients. Eden Grainger is an A&E nurse and also mother to autistic son Teddie. She has found a safe haven for Teddie and herself after finding the strength to leave her troubled ex Jesse. Her own upbringing hasn’t been plain sailing. She finds friendship with pathologist Drew Redford, who has high functioning autism and has been helping her to understand Teddie’s autism. Eden is very wary of acting on her growing feelings towards Drew in case they are not reciprocated and then the friendship is lost. However, events and an unexpected unwelcome visitor has them being honest and open about how they really feel. I work with SEN students, many of whom are on the spectrum, and Jo covers and explores this topic very sensitively. As well as some tricky moments this has some hilarious ones too, mainly involving Gwen and her innuendos! This is heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure with a great cast of characters, a sense of community and a very engaging storyline. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

So good to be back at the Cornish Country Hospital, I have thoroughly enjoyed previous books in this series and this one was another enjoyable read for me. This time the author tackled the subject of a single mum bringing up a child with special needs (a subject close to my heart, as I am a Grandmother of a child with special needs), it was lovingly written, especially around a sensitive subject. Another success from Jo Bartlett

so happy to be back at the cornish hospital this time following Eden and Drews story what starts as a friendship could it be more. you will just have to read and find out. Jo Bartlett writes about sensitive storylines in heart warming way. Thank you

“Mending Hearts at the Cornish Country Hospital” was a slow burn. A very slow burn. It’s a lovely little romance novel about a single mom with a special needs little boy and a man who understands too well what she is going through.

As a mom to a kid with special needs, I appreciated the care taken when talking about autism and the impact it has on the family and how the mother feels. I could relate to Eden in so many ways.

That aside, the story felt just too slow for me and I felt like the author felt like she had to introduce some drama in the second to last chapter which lasted all of 10 pages. It felt forced and kind of anti climactic. Sweet story and good character development. Just not for me.