The Little Village of New Starts
Donna Ashcroft
Rating: 4 stars
Sometimes turning everything upside down feels just right...
Evie Stuart is playing it safe. She lives on her family's remote farm in the Scottish Highlands and never ventures beyond the local village of Lockton. The most unpredictable events in her life are the antics of Miss Daisy, her grandmother Agnes's pygmy goat. She's learned that bad things happen when she's impulsive, and she's determined not to get burned again.
Callum Ryder is exactly the opposite of what Evie wants in her ordered world. Six foot two of reckless energy with twinkling eyes and a dangerously charming smile, he's a trill-seeking American firefighter with no idea how to slow down. Callum enters Lockton like a whirlwind, fleeing his problems in New York City in search of the truth about his Scottish family.
Yet the pair might have more in common than they think... When the well-meaning Agnes persuades her to help Callum find his grandfather, Evie finds herself being challenged more than she has in years: from swimming in the fabled Bonnie Lochan to exploring an ancient castle and even entering the village jam-making competitions. Turns out it's easy for Evie and Callum to connect when they let go of their fears and enjoy the most surprising summer of their lives.
But getting close to Callum soon starts to look like it might ruin everything for Evie: she's heading for a disaster exactly like the one that destroyed her a year ago when she fell for the wrong man and let him change her life. Maybe a fresh start isn't going to be so simple after all... Is the safe haven Evie's built about to crumble down around her?
A totally charming and moving story about being true to yourself, the power of new beginnings, and one magical summer that changes everything. Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson, Carolyn Brown and Phillipa Ashley.
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I was really looking forward to reading this new novel by Donna Ashcroft. The cover caught my eye immediately and just looked so inviting that I couldn't wait to dive in and start reading all about Evie and Callum. In particular I love the ombre sunset sky and the colourful flowers along the top of the cover.
As mentioned this story focuses on Callum and Evie's life and relationship. Both of the characters had been heartbroken but in very different ways. Callum has come over from New York for 4 weeks to try and find his grandfather who he believes lives in Lockton, in the Highlands, which is where Evie's families farm is situated. Evie has decided to hide out on her parents farm for the foreseeable future after being humiliated by the man who she thought was The One.
The pair join forces when Callum asks Evie for her help to find his grandfather, and I believe he's in for the shock of his life when he finds out who it is! I must admit, I had a bit of an inkling about 30% into the novel as to who it could be but the book kept you guessing and on the edge of your seat wanting to find out who the mystery grandfather could be.
I did enjoy this novel, it was quite emotional in places and not all that lighthearted but it was a pleasant read nonetheless. I took a while to warm to Evie, as her character seemed quite cold on more than one occasion, however the more you read about her past the more you understand why she acts like she does and why she finds it so hard to trust anyone. Callum, again I wasn't sure on at the start. Simply because of his background and what he had been through himself. Even so, I believe I liked his character more than Evie as he seemed so kind and fun.
Overall, a nice book to read to pass the time. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel via Netgalley, which I have reviewed honestly.
I was really looking forward to reading this new novel by Donna Ashcroft. The cover caught my eye immediately and just looked so inviting that I couldn't wait to dive in and start reading all about Evie and Callum. In particular I love the ombre sunset sky and the colourful flowers along the top of the cover.
As mentioned this story focuses on Callum and Evie's life and relationship. Both of the characters had been heartbroken but in very different ways. Callum has come over from New York for 4 weeks to try and find his grandfather who he believes lives in Lockton, in the Highlands, which is where Evie's families farm is situated. Evie has decided to hide out on her parents farm for the foreseeable future after being humiliated by the man who she thought was The One.
The pair join forces when Callum asks Evie for her help to find his grandfather, and I believe he's in for the shock of his life when he finds out who it is! I must admit, I had a bit of an inkling about 30% into the novel as to who it could be but the book kept you guessing and on the edge of your seat wanting to find out who the mystery grandfather could be.
I did enjoy this novel, it was quite emotional in places and not all that lighthearted but it was a pleasant read nonetheless. I took a while to warm to Evie, as her character seemed quite cold on more than one occasion, however the more you read about her past the more you understand why she acts like she does and why she finds it so hard to trust anyone. Callum, again I wasn't sure on at the start. Simply because of his background and what he had been through himself. Even so, I believe I liked his character more than Evie as he seemed so kind and fun.
Overall, a nice book to read to pass the time. Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read an advance copy of this novel via Netgalley, which I have reviewed honestly.
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