Helena is the archetypal Katie Fforde heroine, a self-employed weaver she is about to be turfed out of her studio in a barn by her wicked property developer landlord, or so she thinks until she meets him (a total meet-cute involving a kitten). Her landlord Jago turns out to be an ethical property developer who wants to convert the barn into affordable housing (dreamy sigh). Helena and Jago cook up the romantic comedy staple, fake romance, to stop friends and family nagging them about being single, but as always life starts to imitate fiction.

Meanwhile, Helena's saintly mother Gilly, who has run a fabulous B&B in the Cotswolds single-handedly since her bullying husband left her, meets a charming estate agent called Leo just at the time that her son Martin and his wife Cressida are trying to persuade her to sell the B&B and use the money to help them buy a larger house with a granny annex. As Gilly is around my age (early to mid 50s) I feel indignant on her behalf, heck I'm still waiting to be a grown-up!

This was charming quintessential Katie Fforde from start to finish, no surprises but glorious gentle romance set in the idyllic English countryside with craft fairs and eccentric old ladies (not Gilly). However, fair warning, Gilly likes to feed people and unless you have a very strong will you could end up piling on the pounds because reading about all the biscuits and cakes and breakfasts that she feeds her family and guests will make you ravenous, I swear that's why I put shortbread on this week's Ocado shop. Loved it and perfect reading during COVID-19 lockdown.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I always look forward to a new Katie Fforde book and this one doesn't disappoint.
There are 2 main characters, Gilly who runs a b&b and her daughter, Helena, who is a weaver. Helena is needing to find premises after being given notice from her mysterious landlord, Jago, Whilst trying to produce enough woven stock for an upcoming show.
Gilly has settled after her divorce running a B&B in her home. She loves catering for guests and meeting new people. Then she meets Leo sweeps her feet. Is he too good to be true?
Mix in other family members who have their own agenda and a classic Katie Fforde story enfolds.
Just right to curl up with and escape.

A Springtime Affair is one of those books you can easily lose yourself in for a few hours. It has great characters and the story unfolds well at a steady pace. A very enjoyable novel. Thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK and the author for the chance to review.

Yet another fantastic book by Katie Fforde! I don't know how she does it! I loved the intergenerational themes in this book, as well as the romance. For me, it struck the perfect balance. If you are a fan of Katie or love books by Carole Matthews, this is a must-read!

The book starts with Hannah helping her landlord Jago to rescue his kitten, but is also about her mother Gilly, who owns a bed and breakfast. The book explores their new relationships, and discovers all is not as it seems.

Problems begin when Hannah’s brother and sister in law try to guilt trip their mother into selling her bed and breakfast, which has been her home for many years. The two are ambitious and determined that Gilly sells up and helps them to buy an expensive house where she can have a granny annex.

I like the humorous, friendly tone of the story, characters are well drawn and mainly warm hearted, especially Hannah and Gilly who have a close mother and daughter relationship. The story unfolds at a steady pace which keeps you interested all the way through. Characters are likeable, with a couple of ‘villains’ thrown in to make an enjoyable, light-hearted romantic read. I will be looking out for other books by this author.

A Springtime Affair by Katie Fforde a five-star read that will leave a spring in your step. As always Katie Fforde has created a sweet, romantic story with just the right amount of funny that it just meanders along at a lovely relaxed pace and makes a great read to while away a few hours especially in this time where life seems to be going crazy around our ears. Relax and enjoy the ride and enjoy meeting Gilly, her lovely family and the fantabulous characters this author has made.

This is a delightful story, with not one but two romances to enjoy. Whilst weaver Helena is developing her friendship and feelings for builder Jago, her mother Gilly is venturing back into the dating world with not one but two interested men. There’s smart property valuer Leo, and her staid accountant William. Who will prove the more suitable, and will her children approve of her choice?

As with all Katie Fforde’s books, the characters are well created, with depth and feelings attributed to make them readable and believable. The story flowed nicely, with purpose, and without the unnecessary padding that some books seem to feel necessary. There was enough for me to feel involved in the story, to care about what happens to the characters and to glory in their highs and commiserate with their lows.

Thoroughly enjoyable read, a page turner to while away the lockdown!

I just love Katie Fforde books. Heartwarming and romantic with enough peril to make you keep on reading. I read this during the corona virus lockdown and it was the perfect escapism I needed.

Helena is busy with her career, making blankets and throws on her loom for her next exhibition, she definitely hasn’t got time for a boyfriend despite her best friends attempts to persuade her otherwise. She meets her landlord when he needs her help and they decide to be friends but help each other out when they need a social partner. Her mother Gilly has a dashing new man friend, Leo, who Helena has seen before. I definitely got drawn into this enjoyable story, another Katie Fforde classic. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Effortless reading with a satisfactory end.

Two generations, mother Gilly and daughter Helena, are the main characters, in this delightful book.

Gilly, has turned her family home into a successful B&B when she's approached by Leo, a charismatic and extremely attractive man who offers to value her property. While Gilly has no intention of selling, Leo becomes very persuasive and attentive. Gilly hasn't lived to aged 50 without gaining some life experience and starts to recognise that Leo might be too good to be true.

Helena's an artisan weaver and after receiving notice to vacate her home combined work studio, she's unsuccessfully searching for new premises that'll house her massive looms Then her landlord Jago makes her an offer she can't refuse.

It was welcome change to have an older woman as a main character. I preferred Gilly, she had more 'get up an go' and managed to diplomatically deal with her obnoxious money grabbing son and daughter-in-law.

Word of warning: these people drink a LOT of tea.
ARC supplied by NetGalley, this review is my honest opinion and completely unbiased.

I am a big fan of rom-coms, I love the escapism they offer. Their predictability is not an issue, this only adds to the light and easy enjoyment. However, this one just didn't do it for me. I felt it lacked substance and any actual storyline.
I felt for a novel set in a modern age the male characters held extremely draconian opinions when it came to the female protagonists. This in particular, along with the constant referencing to Gilly as an old granny in her early 50s, really grated on me throughout.
This is the first book I have read by Katie Fforde, although I probably won't rush to read another I haven't been completely put off. But I'd more than likely start with some of her older work.

I am a huge fan of Katie Fforde’s books and have read them all; some many times over as my favourite ones are the reading equivalent of comfort food (Paradise Fields, Highland Fling, Wild Designs and Artistic Licence).
In A Springtime Affair two threads are woven together – the stories of Gilly, who runs a boutique B&B, and her daughter Helena, a weaver. It is refreshing in a work of romantic fiction to have a main character who is older. When Gilly’s son, Martin, encourages her to sell up, it is sobering to realise that she is in her fifties, not in her eighties, running her own successful business, and not ready for the rocking chair just yet.
Having survived an abusive relationship and acrimonious divorce, Gilly has turned the home she loves into a successful B&B; she enjoys making everything just right for her guests, and is always cooking and baking shortbread. Out of the blue, her son suggests that Gilly sells her property and lives in his granny annexe, so that she would be available to babysit her grand-daughter. The sheer selfishness and greed of this plan beggars belief. I can’t believe she is even willing to consider it. However, Gilly only wants the best for her children, and does wonder if she should agree, and then she could also help Helena get her foot on the property ladder.
Unlike Martin, Helena would never dream of agreeing to this; she is an independent woman making a living as a craftsperson. When property consultant Leo turns up, Gilly is flattered by his attention to begin with, until she comes to her senses and finds out that he is in league with Martin. Alarm bells begin to ring when Helena (who is a super-recogniser) tells her where she has seen Leo before.
Jago is Helena’s landlord; she helps him rescue a kitten, and, as neither of them is looking for romance, they agree to be each other’s plus-one to stop their friends matchmaking. Of course, this is a Katie Fforde novel so we all know how it will end; the interesting part is how we get there.
A Springtime Affair is well written with believable characters and realistic dialogue. I really loved William’s eccentric aunts – they are great fun and added so much humour to the story.
For each novel, Katie has always researched some craft or occupation for her main characters; this time it was weaving, and we also learned a bit about gliding and running a B&B. This helps to make them more interesting, and other writers now seem to be following her lead (I read one recently about artisan gin, and another about being a museum curator).
I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Springtime Affair and, as always, look forward to her new book early next year. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy in a exchange for an honest review.

I've read plenty of Katie Fforde in the past so knew what to expect and safe to say, I wasn't disappointed! I wanted a cosy, heartwarming tale and that's what I got! However, the ending came rather abruptly...it wasn't a disappointment or a shock ending but I did have to scroll through my kindle to ensure I hadn't missed anything!

Light And Delightful....
A light and delightful read from Katie Fforde - life, loves, family and friendships are all explored in this gentle and easy going tale. Well developed characters, a likeable protagonist, a colourful supporting cast and an engaging storyline although, for me, the ending fell just a little short. As expected from this author, however, the book provides some often much needed solace and escapism. Very enjoyable and an all round relaxing read.

I have read many Katie Fforde novels, and this one doesn’t disappoint. There are no huge surprises, but it is a lovely feel good read, which is perfect in these uncertain times. I particularly liked that one of the main characters, Gilly, is in her fifties. So much more interesting for us more mature readers to identify with, rather than the romantic lead being of the younger generation. The descriptions of food are wonderful: I am now off to bake cheese scones, something I haven’t made for a long time!

A Springtime Affair by Katie Fforde was just the lighthearted read I wanted on a sunny afternoon in the garden during lockdown. An interesting, if predictable, storyline (not necessarily a bad thing). Helena, a struggling artist and Jago, the handsome available man quickly develop their love-interest and this is nicely enhanced by Helena’s mum’s parallel romance triangle. A good old romp with a cad, a good guy, the eccentric aunts and a nice little conclusion. What’s not to love!

Love all books by this author and this one nails it too! Love the characters and all their interactions! It was a fast pace book and I couldn’t put it down.

A beautiful romance that kept me on my toes the whole time. The storyline was exceptional and the characters engaging and believable.

A new Katie Fforde book is always a treat and this is no exception. You know exactly what to expect and it delivers. In times like the present, with the fear and terror in the world, it is the perfect form of escapism.

This book is about Helena, a weaver, who is about to be evicted by her landlord, Jago. It's also about her mother, Gilly, who runs a Bed and Breakfast although her son (and Helena's brother) wants her to downsize and pass on some of the family wealth. Basically, this is a world where nothing truly bad can happen and everyone seems to live extremely comfortably, even on the salary of a weaver. Credible? I don't know. Comforting? Absolutely. The various romances are so clearly signposted from the start that there isn't really much tension, so the story meanders to its inevitable conclusion quite happily. If you're looking for excitement, this isn't for you. However, as a comfort read, it's pretty good.

Overall, this isn't my favourite of Katie Fforde's books but it is jolly and upbeat and a welcome relief from the real world right now.

I love a Katie Fforde novel, she seems to bring the characters to life in a way quite unlike anyone else. I’ve read all but one of her books and they just keep getting better and better