Love Emma’s books, great characters storylines and environment. Totally get pulled into the story, love how I am. Books are always read one one sitting and this one was spot on

Lovely collection of four short stories all linking together. Great characters and setting makes this a lovely warmhearted read as always by this author who is one of my favourites

Emma Davies is one of my new favorite authors. I really like her smooth easy read writing style. Applewood Farm is a great place to be. Loved it.

Four stories in one, but all connected, with favourite characters dipping in and out, this is a lovely compilation. The farm features throughout, and draws the various stories together, and serving as a backdrop.

Running through three of the stories is a faint seam of otherworldliness, which adds a flavour of the paranormal to spice up events. The fourth deviates from this - instead, the main female character has a disability that is central to the plot, and I think this was my favourite out of the four.

I loved the friendship between the women, their new ventures, and if course the romances which bookended the whole thing.

This was a wonderful, compelling collection of stories that I really enjoyed.
The setting is truly charming and captures your heart instantly. Each story was the perfect length, and although they were short in length, the detail throughout each was wonderful.

A truly enjoyable read that I would happily recommend to others.

This collection of stories has compelling characters, and it was nice to have these books all in one volume. The setting is charming. Each of stories are the right length to read during times when you need something shorter and entertaining to read. I was disappointed that there was foul language in this book. The writing was great, and it wasn’t needed in the book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This is a collection of four different novellas, and for the first time, I probably would have preferred reading them separately. They are very distinct pieces of work, although the location of the stories is in and around the Appleyard. There is a twinge of magic, the unexplained version that is threaded through every tale.
I was not sure I would like the book when I was halfway through the first story. By the time I reached the third story, however, I was well acquainted with the characters and therefore felt better invested in it all. The first introduces us to the Appleyard of the book title fame and the precarious state it finds itself in. We have the current owner drowning in grief and struggling to keep things running when a mysterious stranger decides to play cupid (as well as several other roles). I would have loved it if this character later tied in with some future narrative, but that was not to be. There is a happily ever after at the end of each story, and this was no exception.
The second brings to the forefront a family of new parents embarking on a big challenge. It is filled with a lot of activity, and people are constantly doing something or discovering something.
The third is of a married family with two children. The wife is harbouring a secret, something she feels would be required in some time. It was very entertaining to watch her put it together. The entire enterprise felt like something that would be fun to watch come together.
The last was my favourite. It ties up quite neatly with the last unattached person left, finding a new beginning.
This is a light read, with characters to root for. The collection also offers multiple variations of happily ever after for the couples involved.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Such a feel good and heartwarming book set within 4 seasons, with each season depicting a new couples story. Very interconnected and lovely to see the characters from each season reappearing in this English village story. 5 stars

Down a winding lane lined with strawberry trees and wildflowers lies Appleyard Farm, a beautiful orchard in the English countryside.
This story is told in 4 parts, 1 for each season of the year and each season is focused on 1 main character who also has a relationship with the others from the other seasons. How they all work together and are friends.
It starts out with Freya who lives on the farm when her father suddenly dies and she has to sell the farm. She wanted this to be her home. Then someone from her past brings some spark to her eyes and a glimmer of hope.
I loved how everyone was there for each other and helping them reach their dreams and goals.

Its books like this one which makes me feel so honoured to have the gift of reading. Its books like this which just highlights why Emma Davies is one of my all-time favourite authors. Its books like this which give me hope, allow me to escape, and help prove that, despite uncertain times and uncertain measures, life can be pretty darn good if you just…..live.

Freya is learning how to run Appleyard Farm without her dad. Things haven’t been the same since he passed away and her confidence and self belief have hit rock bottom.

Merry found herself chasing a new dream whilst also chasing newly found motherhood and newly found paintings. Oh, and not only that, she moved house and put her dream into reality.

Willow was too scared to hope incase life threw her a curveball….or ten. Afterall, it did throw her husband one which could have potentially lost them everything. Thankfully Willow wasn’t afraid of hard work.

This novel isn’t just about three ladies battling with their confidence. In fact, the males featured in the story do their own fair share of questioning their own motives. Truth be told, the book is about empowerment. Picking each other up. Supporting dreams. Being that shoulder to cry on. Holding down the fort at a moments notice. Coming together as a community, choosing to put their own lives at risk to save villagers livelihoods. Giving each other hope.

‘A Year at Appleyard Farm’ is the perfect escapism. The ideal pick me up. A guardian angel in book form. Its three therapists disguised as characters, that you didn’t even know you needed. Its a reminder that hard times aren’t forever.

This novel is Emma Davies through and through, and then some. I just loved how in tune she was with her characters and her storyline, especially the way that she spoke her truth and told the story from her heart. The storyline was beautifully written and an absolute joy to read – if you read just one book this year, please make it ‘A Year at Appleyard Farm’. You won’t regret it

Four seasons, four women and four stories about rekindling old love, finding new love, friendships, forgiveness, aspirations, dreams, premonitions, new beginnings, all bound together by a bit of magic, psychic intuition and an apple orchard, the Appleyard Farm. All four leading ladies of the four stories, Freya (Winter), Merry (Spring), Willow (Summer) and Laura (Autumn) are strong, smart, talented, beautiful women who are brave to take a leap of faith when it comes to turning their dreams into a reality. The magic of winter and mistletoe brings Freya back to her old love Sam and the happily ever after she has always dreamed of (with some help from a fairy godfather 😉). The promise of spring sees Merry and her husband Tom take on the task of renovating their newly acquired house and shop with the help of Merry's psychic intuition and some 'ghostly' inspiration. Summer finds Willow making new plans to safeguard her and her family's future, with her delectable icecreams and cordials, after dark premonitions hint at a disaster waiting to happen. Autumn has new beginnings and changes in store (personal and romantic) for both Stephen (Sam's previously despicable elder brother) and Laura, who has isolated herself from society because of her hearing loss and a tragic past. All four stories have one connecting factor, Freya and her apple orchard and since it all begins at the Appleyard Farm, it is only fitting that all the characters come together to end it there.

With beautiful, colourful settings filled with  delectable fruits and berries, fragrant flowers and mistletoes, ice creams and cordials, cozy villages and beautiful, charming and lovable characters, this book was a delight to read and it really surprised me. I had expected to read a simple cozy romance but it turned out to much more.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Emma Davies for the e-Arc of the book. It took me a while to finish reading this book but it was worth it.

The book was published on 3rd September, 2020.

This was originally released in four parts- but collected here in a wonderful collection of all 4 seasons in one book. A new book from Emma Davies is always a real treat. You fall in love with the characters straight away, taking in their fears, friendships and challenges. Freya has recently lost her father and thinks she is about to lose her farm aswell. She is determined to make a success of her farewell at the Mistletoe fair. She has history with the brothers from a neighbouring farm and their history slowly reveals itself. It felt like meeting new friends and hoping things were going to turn a corner for everyone. It has a really cosy feel to it, along with a few tense moments to keep you turning the pages to see if they will work their way through.

A Year at Appleyard Farm was originally published as four separate stories based on the seasons.
This combined version begins with Christmas approaching and Freya is dreading it. Her beloved dad has died and left her with a house and business she needs to sell. Gentle giant Amos Fry (who we have met in other Emma Davies books) arrives to help smooth the transition and helps Freya to face the past as well as look forward to the future.
In the other parts or seasons, Freya's best friend Merry and Tom are setting up a new home and business while coping with a newborn, Freya's apple orchard and Merry's shop have a new work contact in their old friend Willow, and finally Freya's ex gets a chance at redemption.
There is a beautiful warmth to Emma's writing and the use of the seasons makes it so easy to identify with the events of the books: the hope for snow, spring changes, long summers and crisp autumn days all clearly evoke a recognition from the reader.
The weather descriptions are rich and vivid as are the emotional highs and lows of the characters. The change in seasons represents the beginnings and ends of different parts of life, the inevitability of change. Love and loss are key themes throughout all sections of the book as well as the anxiety about change which often proves unfounded.
The plot is engaging, full of human interest with characters that are realistic and easy to empathise with.  I loved meeting Amos again as he is such a wonderful character. Every parent will enjoy the hilarity of Freya being in charge of baby Robyn, explosive poo and all!
A Year at Appleyard Farm is a rich and warm novel that would be a perfect beach read or great to snuggle down with under a winter blanket.

A collection of stories that cover the four seasons. Each deals with a different set of characters but there is a common theme of second chances. I love Emma Davie's longer novels but this collection of stories were just as good. The characters were compelling and the relationships depicted were touching. Really loved this.

Such a sweet story told in four parts. A Year at Appleyard Farm is a book about all types of love; the love between partners, between friends, and within a community. It's also set in the beautiful English countryside, which I always love. If you need a heart-warming, feel-good story... this is it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Emma Davies for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this title.

Previously released as four short stories, covering the four seasons all combined into one book to lose yourself in. 

Staring in Winter we meet the main characters who feature throughout all four seasons; Freya and Sam. 

Having only recently lost her father, Freya is now struggling to keep hold of Appleyard Farm and it looks like she is going to have to sell to her nearest neighbours, brothers Sam and Stephen. Trouble is there is a lot of history with these three.

As Christmas is looming, Freya throws herself into her mistletoe sales quite literally and it looks like she will be spending her last Christmas alone at Appleyard Farm but a guardian angel seems to be working for Freya and all the history becomes present and it seems that perhaps that and Freya and the farm have a different future. 

Moving into Spring, whilst Freya's story still runs it is in the main dominated by her friend Merry. Embarking on a new adventure in moving, staring up a new business and bringing up a little baby, Merry throws herself into it all. 

But the house and shop she has bought has a history and there is something about it all which is seeming into Merry and she has visions of how things should be. The house and it's previous occupant had a colourful if not sad past and Merry wants to pay tribute to them forever and it seems the house is going to give up all its secrets. 

As Summer bursts onto the page, Merry has her dream life up and running, Freya is settling into something different and Willow, another of Freya's friends appears and she has a plan of her own. 

Willow was picked on as a child because of her mother's strong sixth sense and it seems Willow has inherited it. When a bad dream affects all parts of her life and her husband seems to be drifting away, Willow knows she needs a back up plan - and that plan is ice cream. 

What could be better than using ingredients that Freya is growing at her farm as well as foraging in the fields around where she lives, producing glorious products and selling it all in Merry's shop. As the dreams change, Willow realises she has been carrying something else and it seems that all she hopes is about to come true. 

Autumn arrives just as Summer fades and it seems that we are back full circle to Freya and Appleyard Farm, but with relationships progressing, it has suddenly become infectious and love is blossoming in all seasons. Laura thought her love had blossomed and died but she was fascinated by Freya's regular visits to the graveyard and in turn Freya was fascinated by the wreaths that Laura leaves by the gravestones. 

Could the two of them have a potential future together, can Laura provide the decorations that Freya needs and can Freya prove that love can blossom once again?

This is a wonderful book to get completely lost in and experience all four seasons in one day because you will not want to put it down. Emma Davies writes some wonderful stories and they cover so much in emotional depth and are certainly not all fluffy and frothy. A book to be read at any time of the year - because you know no matter what happens the seasons will come round again and again, and next time it might be just the season for you!

This is the perfect book to read when you want to feel good and smile. Four lovely novellas set in four different seasons that talk about second changes, new beginnings, growing up.
They uplifting, heartwarming and cosy stories that made me smile, root for the characters and wish to be there sharing the joy of living and the beauty of the moment.
My favorite was Spring as it’s a sweet and life affirming story but all of them are a highly enjoyable and engrossing read.
Merry, Freya, Sam, Amos and all the other characters are relatable, likeable and well thought.
The author is a good storyteller and each story kept me hooked making smile and root for the characters.
I started this book a bit wary but after a bit I was hooked and read it in one setting as I was loving what I read.
An excellent book that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A Year At AppleYard Farm by Emma Davies is a book that was originally published as four novellas. Now all the four books are seperated by seasons but with each story connected to Freya and Appleyard Farm.

This is a change for me, I usually tend to lean towards thrillers and darker books, but this time I thought I would give A Year At Appleyard Farm a go. I am so glad I did, I loved the lighter read that somehow had me glued to the book. I enjoyed the season theme, with Winter being the beginning with Freya and Sam. As the seasons change we are introduced to different characters with Freya and Sam still weaved into each season along with Appleyard Farm. This particular year sees changes for some, in relationships, homes and jobs too.We see people needing help to allow them to move forward from their past. I really liked how the recurring themes were friendship, love and relationships with all the emotions these bring, we even experience a bit of drama which is always good!

Reading this book made me feel like I had a new set of friends the writing was that good and the characters, especially Freya and Sam where brilliantly developed, you could almost sense the growth as you read further into the stories.The fact that it is set in Somerset is a perfect choice for me, I love the area and was almost reminiscing with the descriptions of it. In conclusion a perfect read for this time of year. I am looking forward to reading more Emma Davies books for sure. Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for my place on this blog tour and the copy of this lovely book to write this review.

I never read blurbs anymore as I told before. The cover is what has to convince me whether I pick a book or not and believe it or not when I love the cover I usually love the book too.

So I was in for a nice surprise when I prepared this post. Not 1, not 2 but for short stories were bundled in one volume!

As soon as I started reading, I knew something was familiar. And indeed, I reviewed part 1 about 5 years ago, but under a different title (Merry Mistletoe). I looked it up and I remembered that I felt there was something missing: either an epilogue or a sequel. Well, whoohoo, the author must have heard me and gave me not 1 but 3 more stories.

This book is about love, friendship and family. We laugh and cry with the main characters and we are allowed to witness their dreams come through and their darkest clouds getting the brightest silver lining. 

Get comfortable and savor the 500+ pages of this delicious book. 4 stars.

Thank you, Emma Davies and Bookouture.

Four seasons of fabulous stories. Emma Davies has seamlessly spun together four heartwarming tales. Winter brings us Freya, mistletoe, magic, and second chances. Spring brings us Mary, curses, inspiration, and new beginnings. Summer brings us Willow, ice cream, premonitions, and change. Autumn brings us Laura, flowers, weddings, and new love. Four delightful stories bound together by delightful characters and a charming apple farm.

Freya really was the thread that held all the stories together and I really liked her as a character. The setting of this small town and this gorgeous apple farm was perfect. I generally don’t like short stories/Novellas but I liked how these were all woven together. Freya, Mary, Willow, and Laura were all smart strong spunky women we would all love for a friend. All the colorful side characters added so much texture to the stories. There were also lots of yummy treats in the story. I especially loved Willow’s ice cream, I am seriously craving some right now. A lovely story for all seasons.

This book in emojis 🎄 🍎 🖌 👶🏼 🍨 🍓 💐 🐕‍🦺

*** Big thank you to Bookouture for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***