This was the first book by Lucy Diamond that I have read,
actually the first book I’ve actually finished this year and I loved it.
This story is based around Lilian and Eddie Jones and their
bed and breakfast Mulberry House. We learn that they want to retire from
running the B&B and how they do not want to sell the house that has been
their family home for over forty years but want one of their three sons Hugh,
David or Charlie to take over, which one will it be?
The story is told from the perspective of women in the
family which I love as they are all great characters which are easily
distinguishable from each other. Each of
the women has their own issues which they deal with as the story progresses.
Lilian first comes across as a bit mean to the wives but think she just wants
the best for her sons. The worry from her husband’s health and the stress of
running the B&B seem to have got to her, by the end she seems a lot
happier.
Alicia is married to
Hugh and she is about to turn forty, which is causing her to want some
excitement in her life, which doesn’t turn out exactly as she plans. Emma is
married to David. She is desperate for a baby and he has just lost his job. He
seeks refuge at the B&B and this causes Emma to consider giving in to
temptation, but will she?
Finally there is Izzy who has just met Charlie the youngest
son. She wants to give in to his flirting but is running from her past; when it
all catches up with her will she give in to Charlie’s advances?
I loved all of the characters in this book as they are
believable and all have their own issues to resolve. This book flows really well and it’s easy to
follow the story even from the four different viewpoints of the women. I would love there to be a sequel as I would
love to know what each character was doing a year down the line. I was hooked from the first page and
definitely want to read some more of Lucy’s novels.
