Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow
Published: 11th January 2019
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Available on Kindle
Rating: 5/5
Blurb
Welcome to Love Heart Lane…
When Flick Simons returns to the small village of Heartcross she
only expected to stay for a few days. The white-washed cottages of Love Heart
Lane might be her home, but the place holds too many painful memories, and of
one man in particular – Fergus Campbell.
When a
winter storm sweeps in, the only bridge connecting the village to the main land
is swept away! As the villagers pull together, Flick finds herself welcomed
back by the friends she once left behind. And as the snow begins to melt, maybe
there is a chance that Fergus’s heart will thaw too…
Review
I’m a huge Christie Barlow fan and Love Heart Lane sounded
like the perfect read for those post-Christmas blues we can sometimes feel. It
was the perfect uplifting novel and I think my new favourite novel by Ms. Barlow
so far.
After leaving her home eight years ago in a whirlwind of heartbreak
Flick Simons reluctantly returns to the small Scottish village of Heartcross to
visit her mum who is struggling after the death of Flick’s grandmother. Coming
home to Love Heart Lane has left Flick with a mixture of emotions including
guilt, regret and uncertainty as she tries to make amends with those she left
behind. Maybe her actions were selfish eight years ago when she left behind
partner Fergus, but I really felt for her when she must face him again and
learns his life has moved on without her.
A freak winter storm breaks the only bridge into the village
soon after Flick arrives, leaving her and the rest of the village stranded from
the nearest town. Needing something to do to stop herself brooding about the
past Flick volunteers herself as village spokesperson and begins a campaign to
get supplies to the village. Her well meaning actions don’t always lead to the
desired results and as Flick finds herself falling for Fergus all over again,
she wonders if he’ll ever find it in his heart to forgive her.
I connected with Flick straight away as a main character. Yes,
she has her flaws mainly being she’s selfish and doesn’t always think how her
actions will affect others; but given that she’s lived by herself for eight
years then that’s understandable. I loved reading about her interactions with
young Esme and I think these were my favourite parts of the novel as showed Flick
at her best. The other characters added some depth to the novel and I loved seeing
how much they all welcomed Flick back home.
I found Love Heart Lane an uplifting and inspiring novel
with an over-whelming sense of community spirit throughout. The story develops
at a good pace and some unexpected plot twists add some drama to this
delightful tale. I think this is Christie Barlow’s best novel yet and I was
gutted when I finished Love Heart Lane and Ihad to leave Flick and her friends
behind. Luckily Christie Barlow is writing another book based in Heartcross and
I for one cannot wait to read it.
About the Author
Christie Barlow is the
author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a
Playground Mother, Kitty's Countryside Dream, Lizzie's Christmas Escape, Evie's
Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm
and Love Heart Lane. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she
decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show
them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to
prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA & Australia.
Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being as well as Literary Editor for www.mamalifemagazine.co.uk bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the book world.
website www.christiebarlow.com
Twitter @ChristieJBarlow
Facebook page Christie
Barlow author
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