Secrets at the Maple Syrup Farm by Rebecca Raisin

Secrets at the Maple Syrup Farm by Rebecca Raisin

Published: 17th July 2015

Publisher: Carina UK

Pages: 384

Available on Kindle

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Blurb

Secrets...we all have them.

Clay’s inheritance of Maple Syrup Farm came at the perfect time. Leaving city life behind he headed for maple-tree surrounded Ashford, Connecticut. Getting the farm in working order again might be back breaking work – but it seems to be the only way for Clay to finally forget about the girl who once broke his heart…

Lucy’s had enough of rules and the stress of planning her life down to the very last detail. Looking for an adventure she stumbles upon Maple Syrup Farm and its gorgeously gruff owner. This could be the perfect place to hide out…!

But the tranquillity and warmth of Maple Tree Farm is enough to heal even the most battered of hearts. There are very few problems in life that can’t be cheered up by maple syrup!

Review

Secrets at the Maple Syrup Farm is another fabulous read from Rebecca Raisin who is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. She has an amazing ability to write magical stories which instantly capture your heart and this one is no exception.

In this book we meet Lucy who has spent the last few years devotedly caring for her ill mother and spending every spare moment working to keep a roof over their heads. Lucy’s mother begs Lucy to go out into the world and experience life for a year, so she can develop her passion of panting and hopefully apply for the prestigious Van Gogh Institute in Paris. Reluctantly Lucy agrees and catches the first bus she finds which takes her to Ashford, that wonderful town Rebecca Raisin fans have all grown to love. Aboard the bus Lucy meets Ashford resident CeeCee who mentions Lucy may be able to earn some money at the local maple syrup farm. At the farm Lucy meets Clay, the mostly silent and brooding handsome owner of the farm. Despite a rough start Lucy begins to fall for the charms of the maple trees, the town of Ashford and a certain gorgeous farmer.

I loved being back in Ashford, it sounds like the perfect little American town with The Gingerbread Café at the heart of it and everything else you might need located within easy reach. The community spirit which flows through this town is overwhelming as everyone seems to get along and pull together when needed, making this book a joy to read. Not mention another festival is celebrated, which I have adored from previous books, the food descriptions are to die for! This time it’s a maple syrup festival to celebrate the new harvest and my goodness the food they cook up sounds utterly delicious!

The dynamic between the lovely caring Lucy and the gruff but extremely hot Clay was brilliant. I just loved how they bickered with each other like a couple of teenagers, pretending to dislike each other but secretly hoping the other person likes them back and something will happen. It was a joy to read and all the way through I was wanting that magical moment to happen…and when it did it was perfect.

The thing I love most about Rebecca’s writing is the way she includes her previous characters into each new book, so while reading it’s just like going on a holiday to catch up with old friends. It was lovely in this book to catch up with Lil, CeeCee, Missy and Becca and find out how they are all doing and new character Lucy just fitted in so well with them.

Secrets of the Maple Syrup Farm is a lovely tale of friendship, community, romance, opportunities and of course finding out all the secrets hidden within the Maple Syrup Farm. I have loved returning to Ashford and all its inhabitants and eagerly await Rebecca’s next novel, where hopefully the characters will return. This book gets a rating of 5/5 easily, it’s just lovely.

Thank you to Carina UK and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy.