Lucy Baker is a reserved, knitting-obsessed 25-year-old, hoping to make her mark on the world but unsure how to go about it. Lucy shares a wonderful friendship with Brenda, her kind and eccentric elderly neighbour. When they gain a new neighbour in serious, handsome George, Brenda gives Lucy a mysterious locket which helped Brenda find her true love many years ago. With the help of the locket, Lucy is thrust into new and exciting challenges with family, friends, work, and love.

This is a lovely heart-warming book about friendship, love, and gaining confidence to go after your dreams. Lucy is a very likable character, kind and caring but with recognisable flaws which inhibit her ability to have the life she desires. Brenda is a brilliantly written character, with a cheeky sense of humour and interesting tales to tell of her past.

There is a feeling of bittersweet throughout the story, with Brenda being diagnosed with dementia, and Lucy determined to do her best to care for her good friend. And while there is the distress and sadness of Brenda’s illness, there are always smiles and hope.

I enjoyed the sense of magic and mystery surrounding the locket which Lucy uses, along with the power of her belief, to propel her into the life of her dreams.

This is lovely story, full of heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Firstly, it has to be said, if this book doesn’t leave you with a very strong desire to start researching the purchase of your very own locket then I don’t believe you! I know I want one now for sure. This story starts weaving its personal magic into the very first page. The characters are warm and well-drawn, and you find yourself just wishing that a house would come up for sale on Lancaster road so that you could move in and be a permanent part of it all. The sensations of the seasons are carefully penned and at no point does life in Lucy’s world seem boring or dull. The universe seems to expand and contract around Lucy and yet her own personality conjures up its own funny, unique and final say on anything the universe tries to tell her. Thank goodness ‘the universe is cleverer than we give it credit for.’ Her heartfelt and haphazard approach to her quest to be her best and ‘embrace a bolder version of herself’ is so totally charming and effortlessly endearing. Just like the less experienced, but totally devoted celebrity, on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ you can’t help but cheer her on and think she is way more representative of yourself than the glitterball champ could ever be.
Jenni Keer is wonderfully witty, has a way with words and leaves some hilarious visual images in the brain that leave you chuckling into your chocolat chaud of an evening. Her one liners weave something magical around your feet the same way that Scratbag, the moggy that mooches in and out of Lucy’s life, might wind his way around your legs. I too am often ‘a lost woman in need of companionship’ and this lovely story was a wonderful way to wile away a restful hour or two with my sofa and slippers. The tag line of the tale that ‘sometimes a little something can mean everything’ is a sentiment that rings true with this brilliantly crafted and gripping story; one that any booklover craving some time with a good book can relate to.
Time spent in Lucy Baker’s company has a poignancy to it too; loneliness, sibling rivalry, parent-child relationships and the attachment that never dies even when a loved one is no longer present, are topics that the writer steers us through. The friendship we witness in the world of our heroine helps us to take courage in our own relationships and to never give up on people. The story is a shot of courage and confidence that will give you a welcome boost on the cusp of this new year. True love is the hero of the hour – the most admirable of goals and the capacity for which resides within each of us and must surely start with ourselves. Spending time with this lovely story is like a relaxing warm bath – you will come away feeling rested and restored, rebooted and revitalised and with a warm glow all of your own.
Coffee Cup Conversations and Teapot Talking Points:
If you and I dear reader were sitting down together today, settled around a cosy fire with our knitting in our laps, having both read the book, here are a few of the points we could mull over together.
Have you ever struck up an unusual friendship?
Lucy’s friendship with Brenda is at the heart of the story, a centrifugal force that magnetises us as a reader to Lucy and her journey. I love that the two of them ‘look to the other for qualities they wish to possess’ and I thought that this was a wonderful hope and dream to carry out into my own world as I aim to make new friendships and relate to those around me. Welcoming others into our lives, just as they are, making room for their own strengths to shine and for us to warm and complement each other with our own uniqueness is a stunning and deeply profound thought for the year ahead. Growing our own self-awareness and encouraging others in discovering themselves and extending love to us all equally, is what makes life worth living.
Lucy loves knitting – have you had any experience with this eternally popular craft?
I loved reading about the different creations that Lucy knits. I was reminded of my childhood knitting projects where I made knitted different characters such as scarecrows and even a roman in a toga. I remembered one particular school homework where I had to knit a version of myself. The little doll was actually quite good – but getting the hair just right was tricky – I put so much in that she really did have a wild look about her. Something about that doll made my own mother hoot with laughter and must have struck a chord as she kept that doll in the sitting room for years.

Are there any of life’s disasters that you can now look back at and see the funny side?
Brenda urges Lucy to ‘look back and laugh at life in order to move on.’ The old refrains to ‘always look on the bright side of life’ and not to ‘look back in anger’ feel like real British values to me – our good old Blighty sense of humour helps in the best of times and the worst of times. It’s a challenge that I feel the author frisbeed over to my feet as part of the story and I am going to give laughing at life’s banana skins a little go. I really believe that there is power in lightening up – and there is strength in shrugging off the pains of the past. Yes, it is important to acknowledge the truth of difficult emotions, but there is also a time to let go in order to move on up.

I received this book free from the publisher in return for my review.

There are many special things about this book -nicely knitted celebrities - who would have thought it?! The fact that Lucy's best friend is a lady old enough to be her mum, and to be honest, is probably nicer than her mum, for a start. The locket that her friend gives her to help her find love. And her grumpy 'allergic to everything' new neighbour George.

George is a bit of an anti-hero, to start with at least - blocking the road with his removals van and then refusing to take in a stray cat that turns up in his house. But as time goes on, and perhaps with a little bit of magic, this story becomes charming and I really enjoyed it. It's not a taxing read - it's easy to pick up again if you haven't read it for a couple of days. Perfect for a holiday or. long train journey.

This is such a beautiful, heart-warming book.

Lucy is a wonderful character. She’s a little different to others her age, she loves staying in, and really loves to knit. I loved hearing about the characters that she knits, like knitted Poldark! She has a heart of gold, but lacks confidence. I found it so interesting reading about her workplace, which seemed to be very sexist! As the story develops, she grows in confidence, and this even has an effect on her working life. Her relationship with her rather gorgeous new male neighbour, George, gives us many laugh-out-loud moments, and it’s a joy to see how it all pans out. George changes through the course of the novel too, as his softer side is revealed to us.

Brenda, her friend and neighbour, is a delight. She’s wise and clever, with a hint of magic about her, but she’s growing old and confused. Lucy is a wonderful friend to her, but they both have lots to offer each other in terms of the friendship.

A little black cat plays a small, but very important role in the book, and I loved the addition of him to the story.

Hard to believe that this is a debut novel, it’s very well written.

Heart-warming, funny, and a joy to read. This is a story that will make you smile, and stay with you after you’ve finished it.

NetGalley has given me the opportunities to review books and this one was read a few months ago,and my review unfortunately is coming alittle late .This is uncommon for me,as I do review my books within three weeks.
This book is a charming heartwarming story of two women's desire to seek freindship and comfort...they are best freinds and a locket helps Lucy discover true love..
Dimentia is a sad illness that I've personally seen in family members,so I could relate to Brenda's challenges coping with her own dimentia..
Ive always had a special place in my heart when it comes to the elderly, so before reading this book and I saw an elderly person was in this book, I requested this book and found it a touching story and couldnt put it down.

A totally wonderful read, some lovely characters and a truly magical story, I loved it, perfect from beginning to end

I liked this book! It is charming, quirky and romantic. The writing is well done. The characters are well developed and loveable. Not your typical story and I love that. I am grateful that netgalley giftes me the arc. the opinions are my own. .

This debut novel by Jenni Kerr is quirky, amusing and has a ditzy, engaging heroine who is surrounded by a great cast of characters. When Mr Right appears on the scene, Lucy, our heroine, takes a long time to realise that the man she desires is actually on her doorstep.
Lucy's older friend Brenda is a wonderful character who plays a definitive part in focussing Lucy's attention on her attractive male neighbour. Brenda's efforts are aided and abetted by a homeless cat.
A charming story that will delight its readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for supplying a review copy.

When I started to read this book I was unsure about it at first. But, I grew to love Lucy as she was so NICE. (I know my English teacher always said not to use the word "nice" as there is always a better one.. But sometimes there really isn't) I found the writing humourous and although the storyline seemed a bit silly at times it didn't matter because there was such a feel good factor to it.

This was such a lovely story, i got completely swept up in it. It is quite unusual to have a book where the main relationship is focused on a friendship between a 25 year old women and a 79 year old woman.

Quite heart warming and delightful. Loved it.

A nice romcom with a touch of magic. I loved the friendship between young woman and old lady which brought its rewards to both of them.

A fun, light story. I enjoyed the characters, and the story was well paced and a quick read. If you like books like Britt-Marie Was Here that focus on the changes one person can make for others, you will likely enjoy this.

Heart warming and refreshing. This book actually made me cry. Absolutely loved it would recommend it to anyone totally different to everything else I’ve read recently.

An enjoyable light hearted read about Lucy who's best friend is her 79year old neighbour. With her friend's help, Lucy falls in love with her new neighbour George.

An inspiring romance.
A hopeful, refreshing love story which follows a young woman- Lucy Baker- who is forced to find her way in a world of people who don't understand her. She has one true friend, who also happens to be her neighbour: a seventy-nine year old woman, Brenda.

I describe it as refreshing because Lucy Baker doesn't change for those who can't see her sparkle. She's not always valued yet, she doesn't pity herself, she makes it work. She gives them reason to listen: she finds her true voice with the help of a kind neighbour and a generous sprinkle of magic.

Oftentimes funny, sometimes disastrous, you never really know what to expect in the next chapter.
I recommend this read if you are in need of a cheerful companion or, a good laugh. Massively uplifting.

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I was very excited when I saw the authors name and couldn’t wait to start her debut novel.

The story follows Lucy Baker, a 25-year-old, who prefers knitting and reading to going out. Her neighbour Brenda is 79 years old. I loved the bond and the friendship they had. Jenni Keer captured it beautifully.

Brenda’s life changes, when she is diagnosed with dementia, but she is determined to help Lucy find love. She gives her the locket that has helped her.

Lucy had to open herself up, her life took a turn, she got more confident throughout the book. It was great to read about this development.
Also, George moves in next door and adds a lot to the story.

It’s a heart-warming story full of friendship, courage, love and sweet moments.

I really enjoyed it, I hope there will be more from Jenni Keer.

Jenni Keer you should be ashamed of yourself – you made me cry! What a beautiful, warm, funny, uplifting, heartwarming, sad, poignant, lovely story, this is. I particularly enjoyed the ‘otherness’ in it and Brenda was especially delightful. Not a straightforward chicklit, the hint of magic gave this book an added extra which really brought the story to life.

Highly recommended.

What a lovely heartwarming book.

Lucy is a kind soul, if a little lacking in confidence. Her neighbour Brenda is a colourful character who may or may not be a little bit magic. When Brenda gives her a locket which urges Lucy to do some spells to help her win the new neighbour George's heart.

There were some lovely touches in this book. I especially liked the office awkward/sexist guy Adam was a really nice guy at heart, despite his clumsiness and sexist comments. The feud between Danny and Adam was fun. Likewise, I liked that Sam was painted as a nuanced character.

If you're looking for something to keep you company on a chilly winter night, this would be just the thing.
I got a review copy of this book from Netgalley. I had met the author as we both belong to the same professional organisation.

What a lovely story of different ages and backgrounds. I thoroughly enjoyed this, it was full of laughs and sadness but I would highly recommend this.

Ralph Waldo Emerson famously stated <b> " Life is a journey not a destination"</b>.     This addage has been applied to so many things and I'm adding Jenni Keer's novel to the list.   It not only applies to the type of story she told but it was in keeping with the theme of her debut novel The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker.   In this story the destination was the happily ever after ending she delivered but the journey was delightfully filled with twists and turns, magic, a beautiful friendship and a couple of social issues thrown in for good measure.

To me, the hero of this story was the friendship.   Lucy and her  best friend Brenda have a great time together.  Not only are they neighbours but they share meals, laughs and even have similar hobbies.   What's less conventional about this friendship is that Lucy's in her mid twenties whilst Brenda is about to celebrate her 80th bitrthday.  Lucy is shy and old fashioned.  Brenda is outgoing,  a free spirit with a knack for alternative therapies and perhaps a few magical qualities.   Yet these two girls gelled and I loved the way they looked out for each  other; each helping the other through some of lifes biggest challenges

Every now and then I like to settle down with a light and lovely story, one with a bit of romance, some characters who feel like much loved friends, and a hunky main man.    As author Jenni Keer was quoted as saying  “I’m a fan of the happy-ever-after and my books follow what I call the ‘Four Weddings’ formula: laughs, tears and a girl who always gets her man.”     Sure, that won't work for all readers but The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker ticked all those boxes and it worked for me.

My thanks go to the author, Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars on Goodreads