Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect sumer read.

I had read and loved the previous book, The House at Hope Corner, so I was looking forward to this one and I wasn't disappointed. Well written with a wonderful setting and lovely characters who I could easily identify with. I love the community spirit and would love to live in Hope Corner or somewhere like this.

I think this book could be easily be read as a standalone novel but would recommend starting with The House at Hope Corner.

I have read all of Emma's other books and highly recommend them all as they are a delight to read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Having read and loved The House at Hope Corner I was really looking forward to reading The Beekeeper's Cottage.

I wasn't disappointed at all. The story focussed on Ned and Flora's neighbour Grace and her story. I loved every moment of the book and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

I adore books by Emma Davies. The settings are so beautifully drawn that you really feel as though you know the area and the characters are wonderful.
Grace is starting a new chapter of her life and when Amos turns up he seems to hold the key to smoothing out the difficulties and making the future look rosier. But he never stays in one place long, he seems to know where and when he is needed, then he moves on. Will Grace manage to get him to stay?!
I was so sorry to get to the end of this one!

Buzzing with a hint of mystery, this lovely tale of moving on is a delight to read.

The first thing I loved about this story was the setting. The way both Grace’s cottage and Flora’s flower farm were described made me feel so happy and so at home, I immediately warmed to the characters within.

I had no idea this was the second book in a series, the first of which was Flora’s story. I shall definitely be looking that one out as even though this book has their story all wrapped up and thriving, it will be nice to read the story of how they got there. I also believe there was a short novella which introduced us to Amos, one of our main characters here so I will also be looking that up.

Speaking of Amos, I liked him right away. He had a way of knowing just where and when he was needed, not asking for anything in return, other than a place to lay his head, be it under a roof or under the stars. The image of him sleeping in Grace’s garden made me feel just as safe and content as it did Grace herself.

I loved how Grace interacted with her bees. Such misunderstood creatures but so beautiful and hard-working, they are just like Amos. They don’t bother anyone unless annoyed and they work so hard for their queen. I especially liked the way Grace talked to them, seeking advice and solace from her wretch of a husband, I’m so glad he got his comeuppance.

I like Emma Davies’ style of writing, her descriptions are spot on, so much so I can picture everything and everyone in such details, right down to Amos’ red Doc Martens.

I also enjoyed the fact the main characters were slightly older than the usual romantic novels featuring couples in their twenties or thirties. It just proves life and love don’t end at thirty-five.

I hope to see more from Emma Davies in the future.

This was my first read of an Emma Davies novel & I absolutely loved it. Having not read the prequel The House on Hope Corner I had not met any of the characters before, that said it really didn't matter, as this could be a standalone story. The author soon draws you in & you learn to love the main character Grace, but what is the mysterious Amos' history, the reader is left longing to find out. I had conjured all sorts of conclusions to his story, but not the actual one. I do hope that the author writes a follow on for the reader to discover what further adventures Grace & Amos have, as I for one will definitely read it

A big thank you to Noelle Holten and Bookouture for issuing me with my review copy of the book and for inviting me to participate on the blog tour.

The Beekeeper's Cottage not only has a beautiful cover but is also a beautifully written book that I was genuinely sad to finish. As soon as I saw the cover, I knew I wanted to read as soon as possible and I certainly did. It was the perfect company to a long car journey home from Cornwall (I wasn't driving!).

The characters for me are what make this book so special. They are people you would genuinely like to meet and be life long friends with. The first character we meet is the mysterious Amos. Although just passing through, he decides to stay in Hope Corner and immediately makes an impression on Grace who is dealing with her own issues involving her husband and the horrible possibility of losing her beloved home.

With help from her best friend Flora (from The House on Hope Corner) who runs the local farm with her family they all band together to help to turn the cottage into a Bed and Breakfast.

This is the beauty of this book. The friendships and hope that each character brings gave me a tear to my eye. Also reading about the blossoming friendship between Grace and Amos had me wanting them to realise what everyone else can see. I will leave it a secret as to how things turn out.......

I can't recommend this book enough along with the authors entire back catalogue!

Emma Davies Rights such engaging stories full of so much charm and whimsy. This book is a follow-up to “The House on Hope Corner”, but it could absolutely be read as a standalone. It was so fun to revisit Flora, Ned, Fraser, and Hannah. It was so lovely to see that all the flowers are blooming at Hope Blooms Farm. In this story we get to know there beekeeping neighbor Grace and a newcomer Amos. Such a beautiful story full of friendship and hope with a sprinkling of romance. The bees play a small but mighty part in the story and I have to admit they are an interesting creature that I enjoyed learning about.

Grace has finally decided to leave her philandering famous husband Paul. Paul is not handling it very well and threatens to take away her beloved cottage. Grace will do just about anything to hold onto her home, this leads to some scheming and a questionable deal with Paul. Grace was such a great character I loved her friendship with her neighbors and her interactions with Amos. Amos was a bit of a mystery and I could not help but wonder what he was running from. Emma Davies descriptive writing really brought these characters, the setting, and the story to life. I surely hope there is another story involving this wonderful cast of characters.

*** many thanks to Bookouture for my copy of this book ***

Such a gentle read that completely absorbs you
There is so much to love- the gorgeous setting, the wonderful characters and the excellent writing style
A perfect book filled with hope and friendship

I have been a fan of Emma's work for quite a while now. I have read each and every one of her books and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them. In fact they are a delight to read. I couldn't wait to grab a copy of 'The Beekeeper's Cottage'. I read this book as soon as I could and I can definitely say that it is another delightful read, which I thoroughly enjoyed but more about that in a bit.
I really did feel for Grace. Grace was in a very unhappy marriage to a husband, who has frequently been unfaithful to her. The marriage breaks down and she shoos her husband out of the house. Grace views her home as being her safe haven and she absolutely loves where she lives. I feel similarly about where I live. She is a beekeeper and the bees certainly keep her occupied and in a way they are a kind of therapy for her. Her safe haven is under threat because one day a property developer turns up on her doorstep. Grace panics and flees to her neighbours, where she blurts out her problems. She is overheard by Amos, who is visiting her neighbour. Amos is a bit of a free spirit and a bit enigmatic at the same time. Amos is very curious about beekeeping and Grace agrees to teach him how to be a beekeeper and in return Amos agrees to help turn her safe haven into a guesthouse. They start to grow closer and a great friendship emerges. Grace tries to unravel the mystery of Amos and she tries to get him to talk about his past. Does she succeed in unravelling the mystery? Does she save her cottage? Does she get the happy ever after ending that she so deserves? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
'The Beekeepers Cottage' is one heck of a read. It didn't take me long at all to get into the story and to take to the characters of Amos and Grace. As soon as I started to read the book, I just knew that I was going to enjoy it. Reading this story became seriously addictive and I felt as though I was an addict who was constantly in need of her next fix. If I had to put the book down for any reason, then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. It was as if the book had developed a hold over me and I didn't want to risk breaking that hold. I lost all track of time whilst reading the book. I thought that I had only been reading for about half an hour, but when I looked up to check, I was staggered to realise that I had been reading for well over an hour. I soon reached the end of the book and I was sad to say goodbye to Amos and Grace.
'The Beekeeper's Cottage' is extremely well written but then I wouldn't expect anything else from Emma Davies. She draws you into the story from the first word onwards and she keeps your attention all the way through the book by keeping the story fresh and keeping the characters so likeable. Emma uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself. I ended up quite jealous of Grace because I developed a soft spot for Amos myself.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Beekeeper's Cottage' and I would definitely recommend Emma and her books to other readers. I can't wait to read more from Emma Davies. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.

We are introduced to Grace just as she is about to end her marriage of thirty years to an abrasive, insufferable, philandering husband. No longer interested in fighting this lost cause, she has reached the point where her courage must overcome her lack of confidence. Grace’s only interests lie in fighting to keep her beloved cottage and her cherished bees.

Amos has spent years wandering; allowing his intuition to guide him to where he feels he might make a positive change in someone’s life, silently seeking deliverance at every opportunity. He finds himself offering his trade skills at Hope Corner where he is welcomed with sincere cheer at his impeccable timing but also, with a few raised eyebrows and wonder at how he did show up, seemingly out of nowhere.

With enthusiastic encouragement and gentle nudging from her friends, Grace is persuaded to turn her talent for design, and love of entertaining into a career, and starts making plans to open up her cottage as a bed and breakfast…with a bit of a buzz - offering her guests the unique opportunity to learn about beekeeping.

As Amos starts the renovations and spends more time with Grace, a deeper sense of connection begins to bond them together. Can Grace finally find unconditional love with this mysterious, nomadic gentleman who seems so genuine, yet is so very vague about himself? Will Amos finally be able to trust someone to love him once he reveals what haunts him and has kept him from getting too close to anyone?

Reading The Beekeeper’s Cottage is like inhaling deep breaths of the glorious fragrance of all the brightly coloured flowers that Emma Davies beautifully describes. It immerses you in the slowed down pace of quaint, country living, and surrounds you with lovely personalities you wish you knew.

The Beekeeper’s Cottage is a lovely romantic read. It is a heart-warming journey of the pursuit of dreams, finding forgiveness, seeking redemption, and full of that eternal spring of hope.

I highly recommend this as one of this summer’s feel-good, must-reads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the read of Emma Davies’, The Beekeeper’s Cottage.

The opinions expressed in my reviews are my very own.

I read this book in one day, in one sitting and although COMPLETELY (I cannot stress that enough) out of my comfort zone I adored every second of it.
I love any read featuring bees, that was what drew me to the book to begin with. But it was so much more than that.
Featuring brilliant friend, a beautiful setting, sprinkling of mystery and heaps of wholesomeness. This was a brilliant read and I will definitely check out more of the genre.
This brilliant light pallet cleanser will leaving you feeling warm and fuzzy.

This is a beautiful story about second chances and finding love in middle age. A really lovely summer read.

Thank you to Bookoutre and Netgalley for the arc of this boom and for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

There was so much I loved about this book that I hardly know where to start. If you read The House at Hope Corner, the backdrop and many of the characters will already be familiar – but, although it was good to see how their lives have moved on, there’s no problem at all should this be your first encounter. Grace was a strong character, on the periphery of the earlier story, who really intrigued me, and it was so good to see her take centre stage. And then, there’s Amos – I’d met him before, but I’d forgotten how much he’d impressed me with his quiet strength and serenity.

The story is really excellent, and so well told – Grace’s fear over losing her home as her marriage disintegrates, her lying and cheating husband who thinks he can pull the wool over everyone’s eyes, the support of her friends and neighbours, and her own efforts to make it a happy ending. Amos is there for her in so many ways, their attraction growing with a warmth that brought tears to my eyes – but this is his story too, with revelations and surprises about the reasons for his itinerant life. This book positively radiates warmth – the glorious summer itself, the scent of flowers and the humming of the bees, its vivid setting, but also with its very real depiction of love and caring, as they take their cautious steps towards a second chance romance.

At times, the book is very funny – and there’s really a nice lightness and gentle humour throughout. But it also explores the darker side of relationships, where you want nothing more than for some to have their rightful comeuppance. It explores the notion of “home” – and very beautifully, from the human perspectives of its main characters and drawing on analogies with the lives of the bees. And there’s a tremendous authenticity about this book’s emotional content, as you share the thoughts of both Grace and Amos and yearn for them to share them with each other. Then there are some people who behave very badly indeed – and there are others who surprise you in the loveliest ways.

This book really was the most perfect summer read, but with a depth that made it such a satisfying read – and I don’t think the author’s writing, which I’ve always enjoyed, has ever been better. I really loved this book, and recommend it most highly.

(Copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

What a fantastic book!
When I read it I didn’t know it was the second book in a series but I felt I knew some of the characters, Amos and Flora in particular and yes I had read about them.
The setting, characters, and story completely draw the reader in . I can thoroughly recommend this story- well done Emma!
Thank you to Netgalley, BookOutre, and Emma Davies for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Yay, we are back in Hope Corner again, and this time the story concentrates on Grace.

Grace lives next door to Flora and Ned (and Ned's parents), on a flower farm. Grace keeps bees and she is finely in tune with them, in a way that very few others are. One day Amos comes to work on Flora and Ned's farm, in return for food and board. He is keeping a secret that keeps him on the move constantly, but he can't resist a damsel in distress and Grace is in need of some help.

I absolutely adored this book! I love how all the characters are described, and it was so nice to meet up with Flora and Ned once more and get to know Grace better. Her husband Paul was suitably horrid and the author did a great job of characterising him as well! The friendships between them all and even the bond that formed between Maria and Grace, brought tears to my eyes.

All told, this was a beautiful read and I would love to go back to Hope Corner at some point again, just to see what happens with them all.

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

A lovely gentle summery easy read! The descriptions of hope corner and beekeepers cottage transport you to an idyllic landscape of a picture perfect rural setting with fields of beautiful blooms and bee hives!
The added romance that blossoms between grace and Amos makes for a lovely feel good read as these two lost souls seek out and find each other, each getting a second chance at love!
Thank you net galley for this early read

This was my first foray into Emma Davies writing, and it most certainly will not be my last. She was able to spin a beautifully written love story amongst the gorgeous back drop of Hope Corner.

When Amos first showed up unexpectedly to Hope Corner, I was immediately drawn to his quiet and brooding character. He didn't offer up much to his story at first, so I knew with time, all things would be revealed. Amos seemed to also have the innate ability to always be in the right place at the right time, which is exactly what Flora and her family (including Grace) needed.

I couldn't help but feel sorry for Grace because her husband Paul really was a piece of work. Following his incessant extramarital affairs and the constant fear of being around him, Grace decides to ask for a divorce with the stipulation that she is going her beloved cottage that has become her sanctuary with its gorgeous flowers and bees.

Of course Paul could careless about Grace's feelings and wants to sell the cottage anyways. He finally comes to a compromise of sorts and decides to make a game out of the scenario. If Grace can host an exclusive business party at the cottage and win him the contract with these clients, the cottage would be hers. Grace enlists the help of Amos, Flora, and Ned to ensure that the cottage will be spectacular. It's during that this time that Grace truly understands what is most important to her.

This is one of those books that makes you want to curl up on the couch with an oversized blanket and a cup of hot tea while being embraced in the warmth and love this book has to offer.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

Four years I have been waiting for this story The Beekeeper's Cottage to be told. That's the length of time since I read Emma Davies' absolute gem of a novella Merry Mistletoe which introduced us to the character of Amos Fry. If you haven't read that short story than I suggest you do so as it will really give you a flavour as to why Amos is such a special character that just has this most wonderful aura and sense of calm and serenity surrounding him. He struck such a chord with me that I was gutted the way everything was very much left on a cliffhanger in Merry Mistletoe and I was desperate to know more about him and his circumstances. Well finally the time has come and many books later Amos has reappeared and as always he wants to help people but hopefully now we will get some decisive answers to the innumerable questions I have always had about this character.

Amos is an enigma, a free spirit, a wanderer and someone who keeps his cards close to his chest which really makes for an intriguing character and one you want to get to know better. With no fixed abode, Amos is transient roaming from place to place and venturing to many places where some unknown source or inner feeling may call him. He has been travelling for so long on a quest only he knows the motivations for but with his arrival at Hope Corner Farm will his story come full circle? Just why has this little oasis of beauty beckoned him? Who is in need of help and why?

We return to Hope Corner Farm and to characters who have become familiar in Emma's previous book The House at Hope Corner. It was lovely to catch up with Flora, Ned, Hannah and Fraser and I thought the way their strand of the story was utilised was excellent. They are the people that give Amos a place to stay in return for some work that needs doing. They have ambitious plans to extend their flower farm and will grab any opportunities of help that are extended. But it is not the residents of the farm that really catch Amos' attention, although he does strike up a close bond with them. No it is their next door neighbour Grace. A woman similar to Amos in so many ways, which only become apparent the further we delve into the story.

Grace has been dealt a lot of blows recently and she has come to realise she needs to value each thing in her life as they may not always be there. She has reached the difficult decision that her marriage to Paul must come to an end. She can no longer tolerate the affairs or the state of perpetual fear or of being on edge that she feels around him. When Paul is confronted and a divorce sought, he plays his trump card. Grace's beloved cottage that she has spent so much time building up and tending to the gardens and her beloved bees are to be sold. Grace if not already in a state of distress is blindsided and filled with anger and sadness. What can she do to stop her beloved home being lost to her forever?

Grace was very much in tune with nature and her surroundings as was Amos. But her confidence and vitality has been sucked out of her due to Paul's overbearing and domineering personality. There was a rawness and vulnerability to her that was in danger of being exploited. Now is a turning point in her life and the decisions she makes will have a profound effect on the path her future takes. Amos soon realises it is Grace he is meant to help. He has to trust his instincts and over time draw things out from Grace, to help her unload her burdens. He understands that this will not come easy but will take, patience and consideration and that's what I love about Amos.

Amos is not your typical male character out to seek love and then ensues a lot of will they won't they for the remainder of the book, his journey is a different one as he seeks to assuage his guilt. For what we don't know but Grace never puts him under intense pressure to reveal all although she does question him. I knew when the time was exactly right that the revelations would come and at last Amos' truth would be told. But while I waited to reach that pivotal point I was more than content to read about Grace and how she would rectify the error of giving up her life, her hopes, dreams and aspirations to make Paul's life and career in TV a major success.

To many it would seem the arrival of a stranger on the doorstep of Hope Farm and his subsequent immersion into their lives would be very strange. How can you allow a person you had never met before to become so deeply involved in your personal life? Grace believes that she should be feeling anxiety and unrest with Amos there at every turn but instead he is a form of solace and comfort and it all feels so natural and as if everything was meant to turn out this way. As a reader, I thought the same but given I had gotten to know Amos in the previous story I felt I had a good understanding of this character already and I knew that his intentions were always worthwhile and genuine. Ok, there is an air of magic and allurement surrounding Amos and at times you do have to suspend your disbelief that he gets things even before the characters do. How does he do this? But really it all added to my fascination with this man and for Grace I'm sure she felt the same.

Sometimes, we can't explain things or pinpoint why we feel a certain way and therefore we are better just to go with the flow. Amos was leading Grace in a direction he felt was positive for her to ultimately try and save her house and she just had to trust her instincts as he himself had done for so long. Amos always turns negatives into positives and he gives people the nudge/inspiration they didn't know they needed. Anyone would want Amos by their side but at the same time he likes to retain the sense of mystery around him. He had built up an outer shell that no one had broken yet because he hadn't reached that pointed or met the right person to do so. I think he felt fearful of releasing so much emotion that he had bottled up for so long and that he would much rather deflect attention on to others. He did this by helping them which was so kind, thoughtful and brave to do but when would he let someone return the favour and do the same for him? Why did this need to happen in the first place? What had set him on the long road he had been travelling and would Grace be the one to get through a chink in his armour?

The plot of The Beekeeper's Cottage moves along at a nice and easy pace gradually culminating in many revelations and not one of them was a disappointment. In fact finally acknowledging everything allowed the reader to gain an even deeper understanding and appreciation of the character of Amos. I did enjoy Grace's character too as she became the catalyst for doors to be opened into Amos' soul. In the beginning, I think both Grace and Amos were lost in different ways and needed guidance, advice, support and to find kindred spirits who would be in tune with each other. But Paul has lots of dirty deeds up his sleeve and Grace has to try and battle both with her emotions and with the man who has created so much discomfort, anger and pain in her life.

Will Paul be successful in taking the cottage away from Grace and therefore brutally crushing what she has clung to for so long? Will the truth finally set Amos free and will he find the love he so desperately deserves? All will be revealed in this wonderful book that has more than done Amos' story justice. Yes, I may have been slightly apprehensive before beginning this story as I had built up Amos' character so much in my head and I didn't want the truth behind his story to be one big let down and a major fail but rest assured the wait was more than worth it. Thank you Emma Davies for deeply pleasing this reader and concluding this story so wonderfully which began with Merry Mistletoe.

This is such a lovely book that I keep thinking about the characters weeks after finishing it. It's the kind of book that seemlessly incorporates everything a good book should - a mysterious hero who appears from nowhere, a browbeaten wife who fights back, supportive villagers and a scenic setting, not to mention bees. This is the very essence of summer distilled into a book that you won't want to finish. I loved it.