Member Reviews
I have loved all of the books set in Heartcross and this latest one has not disappointed. Great characters, a wonderful feel good factor and the descriptions of the setting are excellent. Can’t wait for the next installment of life in this close knit community.
How wonderful to return to Heartcross, at Christmas with a lovely winter wedding, I have loved reading all the books in this series but Christmas time is so special and this story was so full of emotion and wonderful, warm feelings
The fact that I’m always drawn towards Christmas-themed stories isn’t news to anyone. And while I always expect a Hallmark-movie type romance, this story was a delightful surprise in that it wasn’t as straightforward as your typical Christmas romance.
Libby isn’t your typical FMC. While her career is thriving and she’s on the verge of taking on a new and incredible new job, she’s also basically given up on love. And she has a very good reason for it; someone that was important to her made her feel like she wasn’t whole in the worst way possible.
Guy isn’t looking for love. He is heartbroken and sad, and going through the motions for the sake of his adorable daughter, Holly.
When Libby and Guy meet, it’s clear that the sparks are almost instantaneous. In addition to the sizzling attraction, the tension is palpable. But, there’s so much that they don’t know about each other.
Watching Gus and Libby find their way to each other was equal parts frustrating and sweet. They’re so supportive of each other and when they trust the other enough to let them in, it’s incredible how much understanding there is between them.
P.s. I don’t think I could ever forgive Lydia for what she did.
TW: infertility, cheating by OW
I read this book in less than 24 hours. We return to the new beautiful village of Heartcross for an unforgettable winter wedding. Libby Carter has always loved weddings, she’s a fashion designer but also super organised and when her brother Flynn asks her to step in to help him out she jumps at the chance to plan the perfect winter wedding at Starcross Manor. It’s a heartwarming novel of love, family and friendship and I devoured every page. We meet some new characters and alongside some of our old favourites, this adds up to be a fabulous festive novel that I can highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.
I've had this series as a TBR for a while now and have upcoming books as a pre order. I was so shocked to be granted access to the latest book in this series.
When her brother is left with a huge problem there's only one person that can help Libby. Find herself back in Heartcross and the dreamy Starcross Manor can she pull off the wedding of the century for two lucky competition winners? Oh then there's Guy, the hot mysterious videographer who wants to be anywhere but Heartcross this Christmas.
This is the unmissable new book in the brand new series by Christie.
I absolutely adore this series of books. I want to live there, be struck by the Heartcross curse!
This is my favourite so far, but I say that after each book.
I loved it, Libby and Guy were such brilliant characters.
Thanks to the publisher for the early copy, I give my honest opinion.
Highly recommended.
I love all of the books so far in this series as does our readers so I’m beyond excited to acquire the next book in the series! I love the fashion designer aspect as I also have a background in fashion in addition to the work I do today and I also love the wedding planning aspect as well. I’m very excited to see how Libby and gorgeous single dad Guy hit it off and Are on the road to their own happily ever after. These books are like a warm cozy hug and I am definitely ready for another dose of StarCross Manor.
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Having read all of the previous Love Heart Lane series I was delighted to receive a copy of this latest one (you could definitely read it as a standalone though). Nice to see some old friends come back in this lovely Christmas read.
I do love visiting Heartcross and all the wonderful residents that I have met throughout this marvellous series. This time, the focus was on Fashion Designer Libby Carter and wildlife filmmaker, Guy Hart, as they step in to create a marketing campaign for Libby’s brother, Flynn, and his hotel, Starcross Manor. We’ve met Flynn before and already know that he’s totally in love with his fiancée, Julia.
In a bid to make Starcross Manor Scotland’s number one wedding venue, Flynn has dreamed up a competition with the prize being an all-expenses paid dream wedding at the hotel. The brief is quite simple: Libby is to take on the role of Wedding Planner- in the wake of the departure of previous incumbent, Jenny - and Guy is to follow Libby and the happy couple, recording everything and producing a promotional video. It all sounds quite simple until the prize winners arrive and the dreams of a romantic wedding are somewhat challenged.
As I’ve come to expect from previous visits to Heartcross, this was a gorgeous, warm, and romantic story. It offered everything that I could hope for, including some appearances from characters of earlier books. Of course, this book can be enjoyed as a standalone story, but I can highly recommend the entire series.
I just loved Libby and Guy, the synopsis alone told me that there would be chemistry between them, but you could almost hear the zings coming off the pages. Of course, nothing is simple, and there are secrets to reveal and a rather nasty case of emotional blackmail to overcome. One thing I knew, without a doubt, is that the journey towards a happy ever after may be tricky, but the payoff would be exquisite.
This was another gorgeous and uplifting read in the Love Heart Lane series, this time featuring fashion designer Libby and photographer Guy who are working together to help Libby’s brother Flynn promote the wedding services at Starcross Manor. I loved the vibe between Libby and Guy that was there from the start and how they both have some negative feelings towards weddings and the storyline with the bride and groom added some great wtf moments. Although the ending was predictable it did not take anything away from my enjoyment of this, it’s one of those feel good books that you know will guarantee a happy ending and just provide some wonderful escapism with great characters and a stunning setting. 9/10
Who would have thought that I would read a Christmas story in the middle of Summer? I sure didn’t think I ever would, but when @christie_barlow comes out with a new book in the Love Heart Lane series and I can read it early, then I definitely will read it no matter the time of year!
I thoroughly enjoy this series and ‘A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor’ was no exception. There’s the fantastic setting we all know and love (I wish I could live there honestly!), new characters that are fun to get to know and trusty old characters that bring the village to life.
There’s just something about these books that keeps me coming back to them over and over and I can’t get enough!
Oh my. I loved this. Fabulous to be back at Starcross Manor. The story was magical with the snow but there were sad points and some unbelievable twists which you did not see. You had a lovely love element . There is so much I want to say but it will spoil the story for you.. I love little girls and their innocence over Christmas and mummies and daddies.. You meet old and new characters. The ending is ace. Read it.
I was super excited when Christie Barlow's new novel landed in my inbox and I wasn't disappointed. I absolutely adored this book!
A Christmas novel is always a delight for me and this ticked all the boxes for the ideal seasonal read - romance, warmth and a perfect winter setting.
I fell in love with all the characters and the plot was delivered beautifully.
Again, the cover art of this book is stunning and suits the wintery theme perfectly.
A fantastically light and easy read, Heartcross is the perfect place to escape to for a few hours. I'm excitedly awaiting the next in the Love Heart Lane series.
Thank you One More Chapter and NetGalley ffor this ARC. What’s not to like about HeartCross. This may be my favourite story yet - Libby and Guy are loveable characters with their own stories to tell. Old characters reappear and are just as loveable as before. I love a good Christmas book especially on a wet august day it gave me the perfect excuse to snugly up and demolish this great read!
I do love this series. It's my little go to oasis of calm and good cheer in amongst all the dark and dreadful murders I am usually reading about. There is something warm and welcoming about these books and, it's true what they say - once you visit (read about) Heartcross, you won't want to leave. This time it is Libby Carter under the spotlight, younger sister of Flynn, owner of Starcross Manor. So far, she's the one person who has been able to visit Heartcross without being caught entirely under its magnetic spell. With a new job about to start in New York City, she steps into the breach to help out Flynn when Starcross Manor's wedding planner quits with no notice, little knowing how much five short weeks might change her vision of the future.
Now we, the readers, are no fools. There is simply no way that Libby will leave Heartcross without it printing itself upon her heart. And when she meets her new and temporary colleague, photographer and film maker, Guy, it's fair to say that there is an instant, and mutual attraction. But like all good love stories, it's not going to be a smooth path to romance, and nobody writes this better than Christie Barlow. She creates character's you feel instantly connected to, and with both Libby and Guy I was quickly engaged in their stories. Not just the will they won't they aspect of it all - it is all hearts and flowers in Heartcross after all. Quite literally in this case given they are both employed to deliver the perfect wedding for Flynn's competition winners. But they both have emotional backstories which drew me in, although Libby's is known far more quickly than Guy's. the more we learn of them, and their reluctance to trust themselves to love again, the more you can see they are quite obviously a perfect match. There are one or two little parts of Guy's life which endear him to Libby even more, and if you don't finish this book at least loving pickle, there is something wrong with you.
Not only do you get brilliant camaraderie in this series, with all of the usual Love Heart Lane characters standing by to create that overwhelming sense of community that infuses the books, but you also get comedy. Suffice to say that the couple that have won the competition are not exactly what Flynn had been expecting. Couldn't be further from that if they tried to be honest. It adds some comedic moments to the book, as well as the touches of drama and misunderstanding that we have come to expect. The course of true love does not run smoothly - for anyone in this book - and there are things afoot that nobody could have seen coming. But it all comes good in the end - wouldn't be the same series without a happy ending. Whether it is the one you might have been expecting ... Well, read the book and see for yourselves.
Fun, romantic and with that wonderful sense of community, friendship and love that makes this series so special, fans are going to love it. Christmas may have come early, but it's a snow covered, picture perfect story that really brought a smile to my face. Recommended.
Another in this sweet series but a fine stand alone. A good story with some mystery and romance with good characters. An enjoyable weekend read.
A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor by C. Barlow, published by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter is a sweet romantic read, written in diary style tells it the story of Libby and Guy.
Set in Scotland, beautiful, rugged Scotland gives it all the feels. A great read, 4,5 stars.
What’s not to love about a Heartcross based story and I say this everytime, i want to live there!!
This time it’s Christmas & we’re based at Starcross Manor as Flynn is launching a wedding competition, his sister Libby is off to New York in the new year to follow her dream, Libby has had a bit of a tough time over the last few years and a Christmas spent with family is what she needs.
I enjoy these books, it’s nice to revisit the characters who feature in all the stories.
Another great one!! Looking forward to the next,
Yet again another wonderful visit to the welcoming, friendly picturesque Scottish village of Heartcross this time in all its majestic wintery glory!
A feeling of coming home when you are reunited with the wonderfully diverse familiar characters and their evolving storylines!
Based around Starcross Manor but incorporating many other village locations you can really feel yourself being absorbed into the community as you progress through the book!
Planning a wonderful winter wedding at Starcross Manor should be plain sailing for Libby, however things don’t go to plan and during the course of wedding planning, foul play is detected, but with a cunning plan all is not lost and Libby along with the wonderfully generous local community pulls off the most amazing winter wedding ever to be seen and in doing so finds herself falling in love with life, work balance and the most amazing man!
Such a beautifully written, atmospheric wintery love story!
Would highly recommend
Thank you NetGalley for this early read.
Another entertaining read to be added to this series. As always the author provides us with images that we can see in our heads and returning to Heartcross is like returning home to see old friends! An enjoyable read, I am looking forward to the new part of the series already.