Provided in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity.

New Starts is exactly what it says on the jam pot - which is no bad thing. Are you looking for romance (check x 2) are you looking for quaint Scottish village life (check), are you looking for lots of whiskey drinking and jam eating (c-c-c-check!)? Then this is the read for you.

The trope explored here is two people hiding from trauma in their past (loss, a failed relationship filled with deception) and how important it is to be open to love and life. Whilst there were some parts which I felt were rushed (Evie held back from openness and romance consistently until suddenly from one page to the next her whole demeanour shifted - would have been nice to see some reasoning for that, or a slower transition) and sometimes that negates from the emotional payoff. However there’s also a charming cast of supporting characters to make up for it. The couple of plot twists written in are hugely obvious from almost the very start, but that doesn’t really detract from the read.

New Starts’s toast and jam is charm and this is present in spades. A quarantine read that is gentle, sweet and easy going - just what I was looking for. Perfect with a dram of Whiskey and a slow Sunday indoors.

Having loved other books by Donna Ashcroft (I loved the Christmas Countdown) I was excited to preview her latest novel, The Little Village of New Starts.

Although the book starts well with an interesting premise, the plotlines get a little thin and too many, and some are more interesting than others.

The pacing of the main mystery isn't really given the time it deserves for readers to explore (though the ending is quite sweet) which is a shame as it had lots of potential.

The setting of the Scottish Highlands was great and Agnes was definitely the standout character of this novel; I would have loved to have learned more about her! Evie and Callum's story was also lovely, if a little predictable.

Overall I'd say this is a good novel to while away a couple of hours, but unfortunately this is not one of Ashcroft's strongest in terms of plot and pacing. But if you're looking for a good beach read, this would do the job nicely.

Thanks kindly to Netgalley, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to its publication. Views and opinions are entirely my own.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This bought a smile to my face in these difficult times, feel good read, great characters and good storyline.

Oh what a lovely book. Really enjoyed this story and hope we might see more of the characters as I really liked them.

This was such an enjoyable read from Donna, that I couldn't dare put it down until I had finished the whole book. Evie is such a lovely character that I loved from the get-go and I only wished a lifetime of happiness for her, after finding out her background towards why she had secluded herself to her family farm, away from everybody else.

Callum, a New York Firefighter, was a delightful male lead and I really loved following his journey to finding his Grandfather, along with reading the letters this mystery man had sent Callum's Grandmother all those years ago. It was a devastating love story and I was a little late figuring out who the mystery man was, but it clicked just before the big reveal and I was so pleased with the outcome.

Evie and Callum had a connection from the very beginning, however they had a lot of baggage to deal with by themselves, before allowing each other in and I can confidently say, those two were definitely meant to have met and it couldn't have been at a better time!

I also fell in love with the Lockton locals and the place itself, it was an absolute pleasure to visit. Well done, Donna, on another stunning book, I can't wait to see what you have for us next!

Evie lives on a farm in the Scottish Highlands and doesn't leave the farm after a dreadful experience. Callum is an American firefighter trying to find his Scottish grandfather. He rents a yurt on the farm and keeps on bumping into Evie

Evie Stuart has been hiding away at her family farm in the Scottish Highlands since things turned bad in Edinburgh. She is keeping a low profile avoid the villagers and any gatherings of people and helping her grandmother take care of the farm’s yurts which they rent out to tourists. Their latest guest, Callum Ryder, a New York firefighter, is tall and hunky. Just the sort of trouble Evie is hoping to avoid but her grandmother keeps finding reasons to push them together. Atmospheric and fun, I really enjoyed visiting Lockton and all the characters that live there. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Evie lives in a small village in Scotland. She lives on a farm with Mam, Da and Nan, as well as Miss Daisy. These are her mother, father, grandmother Agnes and her goat, Daisy.

A year ago, Evie fell completely in love. She moved too quickly and found that the rat was a married man. Since then, she has hidden on her family farm, seldom going into the village. She believes that everyone is laughing at her.

In point of fact, nearly everyone in the village cares about her, wants the best for her and feels badly that she was deceived. Evie seemed to imagine she is the center of the universe. It took me awhile to warm up to her.

Callum is a fireman from New York City. He has come to the village to try and find his grandfather. After her death, he found remarkable letters which were sent to his late grandmother. The man writing the letters had the soul of a poet and the heart of a man who had found true love.

Because he is alone in the world, Callum has come to Scotland to see if he might actually have a member of his family. He stays at the farm in one of the yurts rented out to tourists. He spends time with Evie, Grandma Agnes and the goat. He loves every minute of his time there. He is an athlete who bicycles, hikes, swims and generally spends his energy in physical activities.

The Scottish countryside is beautiful. The villagers are friendly, very nosy, but friendly. It is evident that Callum’s search will be an interesting one.

Evie and Callum are thrown together by Grandma Agnes. She is trying to get Evie to realize that her life must move forward. And Callum is gorgeous, intelligent, kind and funny. He would be perfect to help Evie move on.

This is a story filled with wonderful characters. Ms Ashcroft has created people who are devoted to one another. Evie’s family, the villagers and the farmers in the area are all complete people.

There are secondary plots which add interest to the story. Grandma Agnes and her plan for Fergus, a neighbor was the storyline which I liked the best. She is a brave and courageous woman who cares deeply for all the people in her life. She also has determined that life is short and she intends to live in the way best suited to her. And she is a very funny character.

The search for Callum’s grandfather takes a back seat to the growing attraction between Evie and Callum. But it is always in the background waiting for the solution. The solution will not come as a surprise, but it still is an interesting journey.

I enjoyed this book.

I received the book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

what a fantastic book, I couldn't stop reading it and was sorry when I got to the end - I wanted more. It would be lovely if there was a second book set in the same Highland village.

Evie has lost her confidence after a relationship went wrong and has gone back home to live on her parents farm where, apart from helping with the yurts, she wants to hide away. Callum is from America and is a firefighter who has rented one of the yurts for a month while he looks for someone his grandmother knew many years ago.

Both Evie and Callum have trouble trusting people but with nana Agnes throwing them together will they be able to let go of the past and look towards the future.

What did I love about the book, first the village and surrounding countryside, which sounded wonderful. You couldn't not love nana Agnes who made me laugh with her antics. Plus, the supporting characters all had stories of their own, which together with Evie and Callum made an interesting book that I would have no hesitation in recommending.

A wonderful feel good romance set in Scotland. When Evie organizes her family's yurts for the new renters, she takes a quick break to have a swim before going to the airport to pick up one of the new ones. Suddenly, she hears a noise, and hides in the bushes. When she watches the hunky man strip, she doesn't speak until he is almost bare. Callum has come to Scotland, following letters written to his grandmother 50 years ago. He is hoping to find his grandfather, who he never knew. Sparks fly, and both have issues to overcome of course, but found this one hard to put down. Highly enjoyed it, and hope her friend Meg has a story coming soon.

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

Donna Ashcroft is a new author for me and I will be adding her to my recommended author list.

I found this hard to put down. It's one of those books that sucks you in and you can actually visualise the surroundings of the idyllic Lockton in the Scottish Highlands. Following Evie who has retreated home after a bad relationship, and the American Callum searching for his grandfather. Totally fell in love with the characters especially Nana Agnes. If you want a feel good book and a summer read I'd recommend this one. I would love to see a follow-up to this book; and a book with Evie's Christmas obsessed friend Meg.

Despite some initial reservations about the likability of the main character, Evie, I absolutely loved this book. The Scottish setting was beautiful and Calum's engagement with the landscape and the people he met was heartwarming. His character was well-developed with a interesting backstory that explained some aspects of his personality and motivation for his visit to Scotland. Evie, however, I was less convinced by but loved the way she changed with Calum. The star of the book was Nana Agnes - the kind of grandparent we would all like to have but also hope that we will be and I willing her on every step of the way. The secondary plot, with Calum's mystery letters, was lovely and the poetry of L.M's writing was beautiful, making it all too likely that the letters would have survived over time - who wouldn't keep such beautiful letters? If you're looking for a great read this summer then this will certainly fit the bill.

Enjoyed reading this lovely book.
Evie - who after failed relationship/betrayal is living on the farm with her parents and Nanna leading a life shut away from getting involved with people.
Along comes Callum who rents a Yurt on her parents farm. He’s there’ to trace someone his grandmother met years ago and to pass on something from her. He too is dealing with incidents that happened in his life, the loss he’s been through.
Slowly Evie begins to start living with the help of her Nanna and Callum.
Surprises, shocks and revelations. Couldn’t put it down. Recommend it

Raise your hand if your heart has never been broken! Hmmm, don't see to many hand here, so I know you know what I am talking about when I say that the thing you want most at that moment is to bask in the love of your family and, in the meantime, continue to build a high sturdy wall around your heart.

You never want to be hurt again, so you decide that love is not for you anymore. Then someone comes along and starts scratching at that wall and even when the cracks become bigger, you still do not want to take a chance. You still don't have enough trust.

There are two options : fight or flight. Which one would you choose...?

The author has created some very likeable characters. Nana Agnes is great. She definitely goes for the 'fight' option but in a very loveable way. Fergus is grumpy, more in favour of the 'flight' option, but his heart is thawing. 

It's nice to see the changes in both Callum and Evie. Which option did they pick? That is something if won't reveal :)

Donna Ashcroft always writes the cutest stories that pull your heartstrings in every possible way, but also make you go 'ooooowwww'. If you are charmed by these ingredients too, make sure to add this book to your list. :) 5 stars

Thank you, Donna Ashcroft and Bookouture

This was an uplifting, heartwarming book. I read it in one day. Evie has had some recent heartbreak and so has retreated to her family's farm in Scotland where she feels safe spending her days with her goat, Miss Daisy, and helping her family with the yurts they rent out to vacationers. Everything in Evie's life is nice and predictable, as she prefers, until Callum shows up to stay in a yurt for a month. Callum is an American firefighter trying to solve a mystery about his family's past and recover from his own trauma. He's also everything Evie is trying to avoid. Callum is unpredictable, outgoing, and a lover of adventure. The two find themselves together more than not and begin to realize that, despite outward appearances, they may be more of a match than they thought.

The Little Village of New Starts is a fun, well-written book. It reads like a movie in the best of ways. The setting of Scotland cannot be beat. The cast is full of great characters, including Evie's Nana who is hysterical. I had a hard time putting this one down. I gave the book one 4 stars. I loved it but did find some of the very un-American things Callum would say or do sometimes slightly distracting as they were out of character; however, it wasn't too extreme and did not detract from the story. A great read and an author I would be happy to return to again.

This is such a gorgeous and cute read which has been a wonderful escape from reality. I love this author so was extremely excited about a new read.
I've loved the characters in this book and the beautiful setting this is set in. This is a great read.
I have devoured this in one sitting, Ashcroft has pulled me into the pages and made me desperate to see what was going to play out.
I am a sucker for a love story and was rooting for the characters in this book from quite early on. Definitely a five star read which I highly recommend.

Two broken people, a cast of quirky and loveable characters, and a lovely village in the Scotland is the recipe for this satisfying and enjoyable read.,,I look forward to seeing more of this author.

Evie Stuart’s life in the Scottish Highlands is calm, quiet and orderly, and she likes it that way. Then Callum Ryder blows into her village from New York. On the surface the two of them have almost nothing in common, but Evie’s grandmother has a plan. While helping Callum find his own grandmother, she plots to bring the two lonely people together

This is such a good read. I loved Evie and Callum, and as a fellow Scot, I loved the setting. My favourite character has to be Nana Agnes! She’s hilarious. It had a lot going on in the story, with great character development. A must read in these dark days