Member Reviews
Starcross Manor is a captivating and delightful read that is a great for the summer to read by the pool. Characters you instantly connect with and a story that' keeps you reading because you invest in the characters.
Another gem of a story in this totally fabulous series.
Starcross Manor is easily a standalone and I feel this is the first time we have really got to know Julia, and her faithful colleague Eleni, in Julia's B&B.
Flynn we are introduced to briefly at the end of Clover Cottage and he is a difficult to try to describe. We initially are shown from Julia all the reasons we shouldn't trust Flynn, as they have had run ins in the past, but every time we see him, he seems like a really nice guy.
And Starcross Manor, now that is a hotel I would love to check into, it sounds lush, pure luxury with a wonderful array of facilities, yet it is because Starcross Manor that is being turned into a hotel and not retirement homes as the Heartcross community believe that causes all the main conflict in this story, let by Julia who is scared her B&B could be in danger.
From the first few pages, I felt instantly at home in this book. It was wonderful to be back in Heartcross, and to catch up with Isla, Felicity , and Allie from the previous books, catching up with old friends, and seeing how everyone was doing.
Christie Barlow had a stroke of genius when she cam up with this Love Heart Lane series, the books are all so warm and cosy to read, while full of realistic characters you can't help but care for and root for, and they are just fabulous stories.
This is exactly the sort of book I needed at the point I read it, it was able to take my mind off real life for the precious hours I was absorbed between the pages, and I already can't wait for the next book in the series. Please Christie Barlow, write faster, I need more!
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy and for granting my wish.
When Julia Coleman meets Flynn Carter again in the cosy village of Heartcross it can only mean trouble. Flynn might be rich, brooding and sexy, but Julia knows first-hand he’s ruthless and she plans to watch his every move.
Felt so good to be back with friends.
Flynn is back in Heartcross and Julia thought that’s be the last place he’d come back to.
Then she discovers Flynn’s plans to build a beautiful Starcross Manor instead of what she and the rest of the villagers thought the old building would be.
Julia fears that as Flynn’s new hotel will ruin not only her dreams….. but could also finish off the businesses of the community residents in Heartcross for good. Businesses that each person has built over the years.
As Julia knows what happened in the past and believes that to be true, but Flynn, on the other hand makes Julia aware that he’s not the man she thinks he is.
So he plans to convince the residents that he’s changed, will he be able to convince Julia too???
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, can’t wait for the next one in the series.
Recommend it.
This is book #4 in the Love Heart Lane series. Whilst it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone book. We return to the little Scottish village of Heartcross where the story focusses on Julia Coleman who own the village’s Bed and Breakfast. When mysterious Flynn Carter returns to the village, Julia is keen to find out what his plans are in renovating Starcross Manor. Julia and Flynn’s paths have crossed some years before and she certainly makes it clear that she still doesn’t trust him. Has Flynn changed since they last met though?
I have loved this series so far so was very happy to return to Heartcross. The village sounds like the perfect place to live with its heart-warming community spirit and scenic views. Each book of the series has introduced us to different members of the village and this time it was the turn of Julia Coleman. Her Bed and Breakfast sounds absolutely delightful and I found my mouth watering at every mention of a full Scottish breakfast, cooked by Julia’s assistant and friend, Eleni.
Julia is a lovely character, although I did feel a little bit sorry for her at the beginning of the book. She was weeks off her 40th birthday, yet she seems to spend all her time and energy running her Bed and Breakfast, with no time in her life for any romance. You would think when drop dead gorgeous Flynn Carter turns up that things might change romantically for Julia, but unfortunately it looks like her luck may change in other ways (and not good ones!) Whilst he does manage to get her pulse racing, it is obvious that she still bears grudges over what has happened in the past! I personally would have forgiven Flynn for anything as he was hotter than a summer’s day!!! His character was everything you could want – kind, charming, good looking and of course…rich! I was however, in a dilemma over whether he could be trusted, as Julia seemed a good judge of character, and my opinion of him changed throughout the book!!
The storyline had me hooked from page one and once started I found it very difficult to put down! As with the other books of the series, the whole village and the characters who lived there filled the storyline with warmth, love and the friendships that were built between all the villagers. The author has such a special way of enveloping the reader into the love and friendships that come from these characters, making you feel like you’ve known them forever! Of course, it’s obvious where the storyline will end up, but it was a fun and enthralling journey to get there! The pace of the book was perfect, holding my attention throughout the story and I fell in love with the book well before I had got to the end! This is definitely my favourite book of the series so far, and I can’t wait to catch up with the villagers again in any forthcoming books of the series! This wasn’t just a fun romantic read; it was also a book full of new beginnings and second chances!! Would definitely recommend!! Fab, fab, fab!!!
Another absolutely gorgeous read by a fantastic author.
I have devoured this book in just one sitting and it has been a delight to curl up with.
Who would you believe when something devastating happens? Would it be one of your best friends or the soon husband to be? I guess we all would stand by the friend and wish all the worst possible things to happen to the instigator of the hurt and humiliation. And then you run into that man again ...
It must be really great to be part of a small village, filled with friends who don't hesitate to step in and help when one of their own has a problem. They also close ranks when the future of their businesses is in danger. But sometimes something that looked really bad at first sight, can become heaven on earth.
Who needs a millionaire when you have found love? Unless he is a millionaire of course ;)
I loved this book. I am off now, packing my suitcase and travelling to Starcross Manor. Well, I wish. That's what happens when authors can write in such a way that you really believe those places exist. I will content myself with visits through the pages of this excellent series. 5 stars.
Thank you, Christie Barlow and Rachel's Random Resources