**We were gifted an e-copy of this book in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own**
Well it’s been quite a while since I’ve shown my blog some love, despite my best intentions life has somehow swept me away and it’s been months rather than weeks! Having said that there was no way I could miss participating in the blog tour for the Christie Barlow’s latest book in the Love Heart Lane series as it’s one of my all time favourites! Released on the last day of 2021 Heartcross Castle has already proved popular with readers and today I have the pleasure of sharing my opinion of the 7th book in this fantastic series with you. Thanks to the lovely Rachel for inviting me to take part on this publication tour.
About The Book
Love Heart Lane – where friends are there for you no matter what…
A second chance…
When her grandfather Marley passes away Grace Power discovers she’s been left the beautiful but crumbling estate of Heartcross Castle. As a single mum of three, Grace has no idea what she’s going to do with it – but who can say no to a roof over their kids’ heads and a chance to get away from past hurts?
And a forever home Heartcross Castle is full of secrets – especially a lost security deposit box that holds the truth to everything… But when celebrity chef Andrew Glossop sets his eyes on the castle and, to make matters worse, mistakes Grace as the new housekeeper, Grace tells him there is absolutely NO CHANCE he is getting his hands on her home.
Devastated to have got it so wrong, Andrew will do anything to make it up to her – but is she willing to listen?
Review
Runaway Grace has spent many years away from her home of Heartcross, a stunning village nestled in the Scottish highlands, but when her Grandfather passes away she knows it’s time to swallow her pride and return.
Having been only sixteen when she fled the safety of her family home things are bound to be different ten years on, not least the fact she has her three beautiful boys in tow. Grace had hoped that away from Heartcross she could achieve the life and independence she desperately craved, but the man she’d pinned her dreams upon quickly turned the magic she envisioned into a living nightmare. Isolated from friends and family Grace is living her life hour to hour barely scraping by and constantly in fear so when she discovers she is the sole beneficiary of her Grandfather’s castle she knows it’s now or never if she is ever going to escape the clutches of her abusive fiancé and protect her children.
Nervous about how the people she left behind will react Grace arrives back in Heartcross and soon realises it’s the least of her worries as she discovers her once luxurious home has seen better days. Upon her return she also discovers that part of the castle has been long-term rented to Celebrity chef Andrew Glossop by her Grandfather, but the pair don’t quite hit it off when the gorgeous chef mistakes Grace for ‘the help’! With an obnoxious neighbour and a run down castle on her hands Grace wonders if she has made a huge mistake coming home, but will the villagers welcome her or not?
The Love Heart Lane Series is one of my all-time favourites and somehow Christie manages to up her game for each new release by adding even more characters to her already diverse cast. Although this book can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone you do cross paths with many of the people from the previous books and it definitely would enrich your reading experience to have enjoyed the previous novels – in my opinion anyway!
Heartcross Castle is yet another book filled with relatable, flawed characters that create such a wonderful sense of community that for me it genuinely feels like coming home when I throw myself into each new story. Whilst the underlying story in this book is the tension and romance between Grace and the gorgeous Andrew, Heartcross Castle is much more than your average romance book. Not only does the strong community spirit I’ve already mention drip from the pages, but it deals with much bigger issues including friendship, acceptance, death, abuse, healing, regret and making amends to name but a few.
I personally find Christie’s writing style so easy to read and enjoy which made this book a delight to read and meant I flew through it so quickly I was left wanting more! I can’t wait for the next in this fantastic series to be released so I can dive right back into Heartcross and catch up with my fictional friends. If you haven’t already had the pleasure of reading any of this series I can’t recommend them enough.
TW: Domestic abuse/violence, discussion of miscarriage
About The Author
Christie Barlow is the author of ten bestselling romantic comedies including A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane and Clover Cottage. She lives in a ramshackle cottage in a quaint village in the heart of Staffordshire with her four children and two dogs.
Her writing career has come as a lovely surprise when Christie decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. Christie’s dream was to become a writer and the book she wrote to prove a point went on to become a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
When Christie isn’t writing she enjoys playing the piano, is a keen gardener and loves to paint and upcycle furniture. Christie is an ambassador for the @ZuriProject alongside Patron of the charity, Emmerdale’s Bhasker Patel. They raise money and awareness for communities in Uganda.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Heartcross Castle is available to purchase now from Amazon*
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT SOME OF THE OTHER STOPS ON THE HEARTCROSS CASTLE TOUR!
Fraser’s Fun House 