What a cute read! I was looking for books to read for my recent trip to coincide with each of our stops. One of the stops was Invergordon, and The Little Village of New Starts completely worked. Ashcroft really captures the Scottish highlands in this fun romance that touches on a lot of really deep ideas- running from pain, hiding from a past, trying to be safe from pain. It really gave an added layer to the story and I really enjoyed it.

I received a digital arc of this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I've read a few books by Donna Ashcroft before and really enjoyed them. This was no different - there's a lot of characters to get your head around and remember but the storyline is good. There's the added mystery of discovering who LM is! I guessed right - did you?

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #thelittlevillageofnewstarts #netgalley

Evie Stuart has returned to the Highlands from Edinburgh. After a relationship with Liam where she found out he was married with a baby on the way. Since then Evie hasn't been able to stand the village grapevine and has locked herself away in her bedroom on the family farm. Until the new hot toddy Callim arrives for a four week stay in the families yurt. Will Evie manage to keep herself locked away?

I have previously read Donna's book "If everyday was Christmas." Which I thoroughly enjoyed therefore new I wanted to read all the other books from Donna.

It was very difficult to find out the order to read Donna's books in. However after recognising Lilleth from the previous book I read. I did some research and found this was actually the first book in the series. However you would not know this when reading it and this book makes a great stand alone book, Something I think this author has got down to a fine art.

This book is an easy read. The pace gets ramped up in the second half. It does have a hint of a predictable ending although a further twist is added in as we. Which is a nice touch to prevent it being solely the predictable ending.

This book does exactly what it says on the tin. A lovely light read whisking you away to a the Scottish Highlands. With the beautiful descriptions Which tell you your swimming in the Lochan too. The characters all have amazing souls which you feel drawn into with every breath they take.

However I did feel that Evie suddenly let her guard down, with very little effort, about a quarter of the way through. This went against the information we had been given about her attempts to stay safe. She then went back to having her guard up again although nothing bad had happened. It felt like it had mistakenly been added at that point.

A twisting drama with fantastic, humorous characters and a warm heartwarming atmosphere. The writing was great, and the descriptions were vivid, this book was a lot of fun from start to end.

I love Donna Ashcroft books they are always so warm and inviting and this one is no exception. Set in the beautiful scenery of Scotland it is a love story with a bit more that draws you in from the first pages. Perfect summer escapism.

Nice little read but a bit slow without a lot of excitement. I've read other books by Donna that I've given 4 stars to, so my 3 star rating shouldn't put anyone off. Donna writes nice and easy chick-lits, it just so happens this one wasn't my favourite.

I really enjoyed this book - a perfect summer romance read. Set in a perfect location in beautiful Scotland this is the story of Callum and Evie set on her family farm. I really liked all of the characters in the book, particularly Nana Agnes. Well written, the story flows beautifully.

A perfect easy read, ideal for a summer holiday or cosy afternoon on the sofa.

I've always wanted to return to Scotland one day. I last went as a teenager, so my memories are very blurred and vague. Some things stand out due to family reminisces, but I'm sure I didn't appreciate my surroundings' beauty back then, which is why I wish to return. This book only served to fuel that desire due to Miss Ashcroft's excellent writing.

The setting was fantastic, which only served to bring out the characters' life, or perhaps it was the other way around. Whichever way it worked, the author brought the characters to life, all in their unique way. Evie is almost a hermit; she shies away from people and only ventures out when she thinks nobody else is around. She believes everyone is talking about her and her mistakes when, in reality, they aren't. So she avoids social contact until Callum practically falls into her life. He's also trying to forget his past mistakes (although the error is only his guilt, making it seem like a mistake). Thrown together on a mission to find Callum's long lost grandfather, they let go of the things holding them back and challenge each other's fears.

I loved Evie's grandmother Agnes too. Rather than being just a secondary character to complement the main characters, she has her own story to tell. She is also instrumental in the theme of second chances, proving they can come at any age.

This story was an enjoyable adventure and even held a few surprises along the way, which this genre is not known for. That's one of the beauties of chick-lit for me, and I like being sure of a happy ending. This tale had that and so much more, so it's a big thumbs up from me.

A gorgeous read that has been a wonderful and much needed escape from reality. Engaging characters in this book and beautifully described setting that transport you to another world. This is a great read and i devoured it in one sitting, I’m a sucker for a love story and was rooting for the characters in this book from quite early on. Utterly charming!!

I really enjoyed this book all the way through. It had a really good plot, great main characters and really keeps you hooked on the plot. I would highly recommend this book.

Oh my this was such a beautiful read. I didn’t want this to end I loved it that much. Everything in this is just stunning. Loved these characters!

What a charming read! Delightful beach reading.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ah, this book was so good. Reading it was like coming home; it had such a good feeling to it, like a warm hug each time I picked the book up & began to read.
Such a lovely story that evolved throughout the book, great characters & so well written. It captivated me from the very beginning & held my attention throughout. This is definitely one of the best books I have read in a long time.
Wonderful descriptions of the highlands, I could almost feel the water from the lochan lapping around my ankles, the sunshine on my face & smell the heather (or perhaps smell the jam - who knew you could make watermelon jam?!)
I absolutely loved this book, the very perfect summer read.
This book is what five stars is all about. Perfection.

The Little Village of New Starts by Donna Ashcroft is one of the best light hearted stories of love I have ever read! A village of quirky villagers, an American fireighter, a family ran farm where they rent out yurts to visitors, a red-headed beauty hiding with a broken heart, a curmudgeon of an old man, a goat and a talking bird are just a few of the characters in the book. This book was a delightful read!

What a wonderful book set in Scotland- with an adorable pygmy goat as one of the leading characters! A really warm read where you quickly get to know the characters and feel a part of the story. Evie starts to allow small chinks in the armour she's built around herself and Callum also needs a bit of heart warming comfort to overcome personal difficulties. You easily lose yourself amongst the pages.

A great story, some wonderful characters and a few twists and turns. Sheer escapism and heartwarming
Nice easy reading!
Thank you to Netgalley, Bookoutre, and Donna Ashcroft for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

What a lovely story! I enjoyed reading this book a lot!!! Everything feels cozy and exciting in this book. You never get bored. There is so much going on on this little piece of heaven of Scotland! This book is all about second chances and getting over the pain of the past and finding happiness and love again. It's beautifuly written and the characters are all very lovable. Perfect summer read! I recommend it!!!! 4 stars out of 5 for me!

A great rad, the story of Callum and Evie.

Callum is in Scotland trying to track down his grandfather, the only family he has left.

Evie is hiding away on her family farm, after getting her heart broken.

As Evie and her family help Callum find his family she steps out of her comfort zone and starts to fall for him, but what will happen when it is time for him to return to his home in America?

Loved the character of Evies nan Agnes!

What a lovely warm fun book. I loved the character that was Evie's grandmother Agnes. Who tries to set Evie up with any man that comes into within a metre of the village. Some lovely warm characters with the right amount of spitefulness not to spoil it too much. A very charming book which made me smile and feel all fuzzy. Well done Donna Ashcroft a real hit.
Thank you NetGalley xxx

This is a story about loss, letting go and learning to love again. The interesting thing about this is that is shows loss in different ways and different forms for different characters, but the underlying message is the same.

There's a mystery to solve, a bit of drama, a thoroughly nasty business rival, and a whole lot of romance.
Oh, and a goat.

Pure escapism.