Oh this book of stories was so delightful. I really enjoyed how to book went through seasons and featured different families but keep the characters from the other seasons. I have a love of magical realism and I thoroughly enjoy that being in this book. Emma Davies did it again! Such a great feel good read.

This book is written in four seasonal parts, with each part telling a different couples story. It is beautifully written book about friendship and second chances.

In this touching story by Emma Davies, we have four separate stories that show how love and second chances change the lives of several people.

Winter

Freya Sherbourne lost her father several months ago, and she has decided that she needs to sell her orchard and perhaps go to work for her friend Merry. However, a stranger named Amos that she gave a place to lay his head changed her life in remarkable ways. She is currently living with her boyfriend, but they are drifting apart. For now, it is time for Freya to sell her wares at a local fare. This certainly will be her very last season. However, Freya finds herself in competition with Sam Henderson in more ways than one. The two shared a past, but there is more. Freya also shared a past with Sam's brother Stephen, and she cannot stand the sight of the man.

This touching story was a great read and a perfect start to this collection of stories. I loved Amos and how his insights played into Freya's future.

Spring

Merry and Tom are getting a fresh start. They are new parents to baby Robyn and are moving into a new home. They had been running a small hotel, but now they hope to begin a new business, one that will be called Five Penny House. However, the house needs a lot of work. What is more is that it is said to be cursed. With friends Freya and Sam, Merry and Tom try to ignore that rumor and are greatly looking forward to the hard work ahead.

However, as a new mother, Merry has some serious concerns. Her long friendship with Freya helps her to cope with those issues, especially when a very serious event takes place that could be utterly devastating. Just like Freya had Amos while her life was changing, someone appears in Merry's life. Her name is Cora and her insights are quite valuable.

Summer

Willow's strawberry fields are doing quite well. She imagines that she can grow her business even more than it is, especially if she can get her husband Jude to help her. However, as close as they are, along with being the parents of twin girls, there is something that seems to be drawing Jude away. Just as sensitive as the first two stories, this one has an air of mystery about it. Jude has secrets, and Willow begins to worry about the future of their land.

However, Willow is not alone with things changing as she has good friends Merry and Freya right by her side. Hopefully Willow will not end up at cross purposes with Jude. This story was just as sensitive as the first two and I enjoyed their conflict but especially the resolution.

Autumn

Stephen has finally gotten back into the good graces with his brother Sam and also with Freya. Sam and Freya are about to get married. While Stephen will be serving as the best man, Freya will still need a lot of help. She finds someone that fits the bill and her name is Laura. However, Laura is reticent and with very good reason.

Meanwhile, one day while on his bike, Stephen runs (literally) into Laura. He soon learns that she is deaf, and then so does Freya. Laura had a very traumatic past and very recent events might thrust her into a larger crowd than she is prepared to handle. While Freya and Laura begin to work together, there is a situation that throws Stephen and Laura together. If love at first sight is real, then Stephen has been struck. This doesn't mean that things will be easy for him and Laura, however.

I especially loved this story because in the first one in this collection, Stephen was all but despicable. I loved the fact that he became a changed man and I loved watching him fall for Laura, despite their apparent obstacles.

Concluding thoughts

When this book came up for review, there was no doubt that I would read it. I have read several books by Emma Davies so I knew that I would be in for something special. She writes a great mix of women's fiction and romance, and I even read a mystery by her. Well, with this collection of stories, I got just what I bargained for: an excellent read. One that was utterly compelling.

I loved the sensitivity of each story, the realness of the characters, the drama and conflicts, as well as the infusion of special characters like Amos and Cora. All in all, this book gave me the reader a very warm feel throughout. Although each story was only just over a hundred pages or so each, they all felt complete to me. Of course, they all tied together, and this only raised the level of continuity and completeness. I never did read this book in its previous publication, so to get the chance to do so now made my heart sing. It is a wonderful demonstration of love, family and friendship that captivated my attention from beginning to end.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

A story of three friends: Freya, Merry and Willow. The book is set into 4 parts, so instead of reading novellas you have it all in the same space. I prefer that myself. A good story overall, and one I recommend. Easy read.

I’ve yet to find a story from Emma Davies that I don’t like: each one leaves me with a smile, hope and some new characters to love. This book, a compilation of four stories that are tied together by our first heroine, Freya, all bring light, friendship and new possibilities to the forefront.



Told over the span of a year, each section focuses on Freya or one of her friends and brings the sense of the seasonal changes and glories that are offered. From Freya finding new direction and reconnecting with her first (and only) love, to her friend Merry’s expanding family and new challenges with a village store that brings everything together and gives new hope and happiness to the home she and her husband bought – we’ve traversed trials and found a sense of place and the scenery, ever-changing, around them.


Summer brings us Willow and her little family as she tries to plan for changes to her strawberry farm and the items she can create. Adding a new opportunity that will take off with Merry, we deal with her own insecurities, trouble with her father-in-law and her mysterious and possibly magical recipe book with her own special brand of ‘knowing’. Lastly, we have Laura, she’s isolated herself after her husband’s death while working at another local farm. She’s found her own ‘community’ along her little lane, and slowly both Freya and her soon-to-be brother-in-law help her to find new friends, opportunities and hope, just when she thought all was lost.


Davies creates communities with disparate people and brings them together – each working their own magic, dealing with issues, and growing and changing in common causes, with plenty of people to get to know. It’s the true meaning of ‘village life’ when they band together to uplift, protect, and enjoy one another – allowing us a chance to escape and smile.


I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.


Review first appeared at <a href=” http://iam-indeed.com/appleyard-emma-davies/” <a> I am, Indeed </a>

I loved reading this book and how it was arranged into seasons. It wasn't until afterwards that I read that it was originally published as 4 stories. It made sense of how complete each part felt. I'd be interested to read more from this author, especially as I learnt that some of the other books delve into the stories of the characters that I met in this one. I always enjoy stories that I can read more about if I enjoyed one book.

Thank you NetGalley, Emma Davies, and Bookouture for the ARC copy of A Year at Appleyard Farm. This is my personal review.
This book was an amazing set of four stories in one book. Each story is set in a different season--- summer- autumn- winter and spring.
Freya holds the story together as she lets us in to her life – we meet her friends – tells about romance- and what has made everyone happy in their lives. It is about life and new beginnings.
Go and spend time with Freya and her friends because it is time well spent. You will be so glad you did!

An entertaining and well written romance. Good plot and believable characters. Romance readers will enjoy this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

This book was originally published AS 4 short stories. But i am so happy they made IT into one book. This book is a sweet romance book. I loved the Main characters. No i fell in love with them and enjoyed spending time with them. This book is also about loss, second chances and a lot more. And It also gave men small town vibes that my heart always crave. So snuggle up under your favorite blanket and be ready to meet the sweet families in this book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest review

Emma Davies is a new author for me but as soon as I picked up A Year at Appleyard Farm I knew it was definitely a book fir me. I found it impossible to put down and completely devoured it. I like how the book is divided into seasons with each season focusing on a different couple. It starts in winter with Freya and Sam and although new characters are introduced these two main characters keep feeding in throughout the chapters. It’s beautifully written with some great characters and gives a real sense of village life. It’s a story of love, friendship, relationships and hope with the odd bit if drama thrown in for good measure. I completely joyous five star read and I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

Loved the story and characters, yet again gives a feel good factor. So pleased I have the rest of the books in this series to read

Today I'm pleased to share my five star review for this gorgeous romance novel by a new author to me. Thank you to Bookouture for a digital review copy via NetGalley, my thoughts are my own and not influenced by the free copy. The book is being published in the UK today.

After reading some dark thrillers and historical fiction novels recently, I needed to find something to make me smile and this book certainly did that.

As I said above, I haven't read any books by Emma Davies before, but I will be looking out for them in the future. This book was originally published as four novellas - each set in a different season of the year but always linked to Appleyard Farm and Freya.

The four sections all feature different stories but link together perfectly. For the main characters, this is a year of huge changes in relationships, jobs and homes. Some need to let go of their past, whilst others need to help them. The book is all about friendships and leaves the reader feeling warm inside. I loved the development of the characters, especially Freya and Laura. Emma Davies brought the Somerset area and the characters (including a large dog) to life beautifully for me.

A 5 star read for me - this was a virtual hug in a book, perfect for an autumn evening snuggled up with a dog and a hot chocolate.

A wonderful series of interlinked stories. Really enjoyed these sweet romances.. Loved this one!

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

Great story and very well written, it really was a year at this farm and was a pleasure to read. The emotions and twists and turns made this very enjoyable . I would recommend reading this to enjoy it as I have done. Well done Emma Davies, you are getting 5 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for this ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a wonderful book! The story inside is as beautiful as the cover. It is four different novellas that are well written and hold your attention. Once you start reading you don't want to stop. This is a heartwarming book tat you don't want to miss. Thank you Bookouture via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this beautiful book. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Year at Appleyard Farm was originally produced as 4 separate novellas, each set in a different season and focusing on a different set of characters, although set in the same village.

We mainly focus on friends, Freya, Willow and Merry as they each live through various events in their lives during the changing seasons.

I really loved Freya’s stories, probably my favourite of them all and loved being reunited with Amos (who is in the absolutely beautiful Beekeeper’s Cottage – one of my favourite books of 2019). Of the different seasons, I loved Autumn the most as I think it wraps things up well for the characters that we have come to know and love (although some I think it takes a while to warm to….!) and I was left feeling warm with a big smile on my face.

As the stories focus mainly on Freya, we get to know her a lot better and I felt a lovely warmth with her and the hardships she had encountered.

Emma Davies writes with warmth and it is evident in her books that she cares about her characters and their development and makes you feel as though you are reading about people that you would genuinely love to meet and become friends with.

Another lovely winner from Emma Davies that leaves you wanting more!

A gorgeous story that I loved reading, I loved the friendship between Freya, Willow and Merry.

I felt as I read that I expected the stories to feel as if they flowed together more fluidly now they've been released as one book. However once I reached 70% and the focus returned to Freya & Sam, I became totally wrapped up in the story again.

A story with many levels and dynamics, set in a wonderful location of Appleyard Farm. I was drawn to Laura who was introduced at the end of this book and would love to get to know her better in a future story.

This is actually 4 books in one, which was a little bit confusing. But I still really enjoyed the book. The characters were relatable and the plot was interesting.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'A Year At Appleyard Farm' by Emma Davies

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 3rd September 2020

This is the second book that I have read by this author. It was previously published as four short stories: Merry Mistletoe, Spring Fever, Gooseberry Fool, and Blackberry Way. It most definitely will not be my last!!!

I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful cover, interesting title & intriguing blurb. I have also read another book by her called 'My Husbands lie' which I enjoyed so am hoping this will be just as good. It is also different to the typical crime genre I normally read so it looked like a good opportunity to expand my genres. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 4 parts (Each season) and 60 chapters which are quite short so that you can read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

The book is written in third person perspective from several characters points of views. I enjoy books like this as you can see more of the big picture and what several of the characters are doing and feeling.

It is set in England which is always a bonus for me due to living Wales and visiting many places in England I sometimes recognise the places in the book and can picture it even better.

Rather than this book be 4 books that run smoothly into each other it is more a collection of 4 books . Because of this I shall give smaller reviews to each Novella and then an overall mini review for the whole book.

The first part of the book is 'Winter' and the book on its own is aptly named 'Merry Mistletoe' (Tales From Appleyard #1).

Description....
Sherbourne Mistletoe has been prized and sold at the annual Mistletoe Fair for over a hundred years; but could this year possibly be the last? With her father’s sudden death and debts mounting up it looks as though Freya’s only hope for the future is to sell her beloved family home. And to make matters worse, the only contenders to buy Appleyard Farm, are the people she’d least like to sell it to – her rival growers, the Henderson brothers, who seem always to make life so difficult for her. It’s magical stuff though, mistletoe, and the arrival of the mysterious Amos Fry, brings a glimmer of hope that might just mean Freya can fall in love with Christmas all over again.

My thoughts....

What an absolutely fabulous start to what is essentially a series. A light hearted page turner that kept me hooked from page one to the fantastic ending. Packed with laughter, tears, twists, turns, love, loss, tears, friendship and some Christmas magic this is a perfect story to snuggle up on your sofa and read, especially at Christmas.

Excellent strong characters, I think it is great how strong Freya is throughout and how she kept going even though she wanted to just give in. Absolutely loved Amos and Sam!!! Hated Gareth and Stephen although Stephen did shock me!

During the end there was a shocking revelation which I did not expect! I'd got it all wrong in regards to what had happened in the past and it was quite a twist!!

A light hearted and easy read which was beautifully written with fantastic descriptions which really put me in the story.

Overall a perfect, relaxing Christmas tale.

92 pages

Rated 5/5. I LOVED IT

The second part of this book is 'Spring'. The book in its own is again aptly named 'Spring Fever' (Tales From Appleyard #2).

Description...

Life is about to get very exciting for Merry and Tom – a new baby, a wonderful new home, and a fresh business venture to get off the ground. Five Penny House is just the place to make their dreams come true, and so what if the locals think the place is cursed? Merry’s not about to let a little thing like that bother her…

For Freya and Sam too, spring heralds the beginning of their new life together at her beloved Appleyard orchard. There are plans to make and a lot of hard work needed if they’re ever to reverse its failing fortunes, but as long as they have each other, what could possibly go wrong?

Then the rain starts to fall – and keeps on falling – and the new beginning both couples dream of begins to slip from their grasp. For Merry and Tom it now looks like the start of their worst nightmare. But sometimes help can arrive from the most unexpected places…

My thoughts....

In this book we get to delve into Merry and Tom's lifes. We 'met them' in Merry Mistletoe and I'm glad to see them again as although they weren't mentioned that much in 'Merry Mistletoe' what I did read of them made me want to 'meet' them again.

In this book I really missed Amos's mysterious character from 'Merry Mistletoe' and would love to read more about him, who he was, where he came from, etc. In fact I think I would actually enjoy reading a whole book on him alone..... Hint hint Emma 😂. I think the Mary Poppin's comparison to him is completely accurate!!!

Moving onto this storyline I would say that this had more drama in than 'Merry Mistletoe' and kept me turning the pages slightly faster due to what was going on.

I really enjoyed getting to know the characters betters especially Merry and Tom while still having the previous books characters around. I loved the addition to Cora who I would class as Amos's female equivalent to a certain extent.

Very well written, flowed beautifully and loved the storyline overall.

Overall a page turning Spring based book that is packed with drama, mystery and friendship.

112 pages

Rated 5/5 ( I loved it)

The third part of this novel is 'Summer' and the individual book is called 'Gooseberry Fool' (Tales From Appleyard #3).

Description...

Willow’s strawberry fields are bursting with fruit and open for business. This heralds the start of a long hot summer, and for Willow the chance to reap the rewards of all her hard work; but Willow is not the only one with a project. It seems that her husband, Jude, has plans of his own and when Willow has a horrifying glimpse of the future he is proposing for their land, she knows she must come up with something to make him change his mind, and fast…

With help from her friends, Freya and Merry, Willow builds her love of all things fruity into a brilliant new business venture. But will she have enough time to get Willowberries Nectar off the ground before Jude sets the seal on the biggest deal of his life…?

Thoughts....

In this 'book: we get to meet new characters Willow who is friends with Freya and her husband Jude. A very easy, smooth page turner filled with love, twists, laughter and tears. I really enjoyed reading more about Willow and Jude and their business ventured. I love the fact that Freya and Merry are constants in the book and how their friendships have developed throughout.

Overall another lovely page turner, perfect to read in the garden.

106 pages

Rated 4/5. I enjoyed it.

The final 'book' is Autumn and on its own was called 'Blackberry Way' (Tales From Appleyard #4).

Description....


Laura Ashcombe wasn’t always a forager, but no-one knows the lanes and fields around Much Marlowes like she does. As autumn settles in, her kitchen is filled with tempting blackberry and coconut cream truffles and the heady perfume of quinces; Laura can go for days without seeing a soul, and that’s just the way she likes it…

For Freya and Sam the next few weeks will be the busiest of their year as the harvest comes to Appleyard – and also the happiest, as they plan for their wedding. If only Freya had more hours in the day… She’s bursting with ideas for a harvest-inspired theme, but seriously short on help to make it happen. So when she spots the most beautiful floral decorations in the churchyard, she’s desperate to find out who made them…

Stephen Henderson is finally beginning to get his life and business back on track, with his brother Sam’s help, but when his life quite literally collides with Laura’s it awakens in him something he’s never felt before…

Suddenly, it seems, Laura is surrounded by people; but there’s a reason she likes being on her own, and revisiting that past is something she couldn't bear to do. Can the warm and mellow season bring about a change in Laura, or will her heart always remain as cold as winter?

My thoughts....

I must admit I'm quite sad that I have come to the end of the Tales From Appleyard Farm series. I have enjoyed getting to know all the characters and all their unique storylines and businesses.

'Blackberry Way' was a very easy and very smooth, heartwarming read. Absolutely perfect to curl up with in the garden while the trees change colour around you. I loved meeting Laura and watching Stephen's character develop and strengthen. Fantastic descriptions that really put me in this page turning story. Absolutely loved it and a perfect ending to the Appleyard Farm series. Well done Emma, a fantastic success!!!

121 pages

Rated 5/5 . I loved it!!

To sum up my thoughts of the whole book...

Confession time!! I was actually daunted when I started reading this book when I realised it was over 500 pages but I completely devoured it!!!

An absolutely fantastic heart warming book filled with drama, secrets, romance, flowers, fruits and everything that makes a perfect relaxing easy page turner!!! I would love to see this as a movie and also to read more about all the amazing characters that I have grown to love. Amazing settings which are perfect for the stories and loves of the characters.

Each 'book' can be read as a standalone.

Genres covered include Romance.

I could not recommend this book enough!!!

516 pages.

This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED IT ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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This is my First read by this English author. The book is setup in four parts: Summer,Autumn, Winter and Spring. The 4 sections were originally each a short book of its own.

Within each story, Freya learns and embraces life; friends, romance and what really is important to be happy.

Find a cozy spot and get involved with Freya and the goings on at Applegate Farm.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for letting me read and review this book.