Member Reviews

This is a cosy book with some sensitively approached difficult topics.

The loss of Isla's father threw her and her family for a loop and she never expected to receive the news she does. As the reader I wasn't expecting this turn of events either and I felt like I was living the results with Isla.

My dad has recently been diagnosed with Skin cancer so this book was incredibly relatable in some way and when she admits to Aidan that her head was whirring and she was expecting the worst, that's what I think my dad must be feeling right now.

This book was romantic, heartwarming, emotional, funny and absolutely stunning. I have friends that are family so the found family trope of this book is spot on.

All in all a very relatable book with some difficult but sensitively approached topics and some giggles along the way! Loved it.

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Thank you netgalley and boldwood books for the opportunity to read this book. What can i say about it well having read the first 2 previously i couldn't wait to get stuck back in to the lovely people at the cornish country hospital. This book meets new characters which have appeared loosely in the first two you can read this as a standalone but i would read the previous books if you don't want spoils as some of the characters reappear throughout. This book gives you a big hug across every page and leaves you needing to find out what happens. I look forward to returning soon thank you again.

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Jo Bartlett - you can't do that to a reader! To say this this has been an emotional roller coaster would be an understatement.

I was totally and utterly invested in Isla, Aidan and Jase's stories, and was on the verge of tears multiple times during he story.

I feel like I have totally been through the wringer with this one, but feeling the depth of emotion I feel for these characters is the sign of an excellent author.

The writing in this is top notch, and Gwen is of course on hand to add in some humorous touches and imagery.

I loved meeting Jase's family, Aidan on the other hand has far trickier obstacles to overcome.

And then there is Isla, the star of this book and actually Jo Bartlett... I'm not sure you should be allowed to throw that much stuff at one poor character. Isla is lovely and doesn't deserve the hand, her author has dealt her, even if it does make for a gripping and enticing story.

This is a series that is going from strength to strength and this is another totally fabulous book in it. Bring on the next one.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily

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Jo Bartlett has done it again.... providing us with a book that simply made my heart so happy!
Beautiful characters, and a wonderful storyline. LOVE!

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Although initially the Cornish hospital hadn’t quite captivated me in the same way the Cornish midwife series did I have still thoroughly enjoy each visit to St Piran’s and was pleased to discover another in the series.
Once again Jo Bartlett brings readers into the friendships and relationships within the hospital staff. This time we follow the ups & downs in the lives of two of the nurses, Aidan & Isla as Isla offers to be egg donor for Aidan and his partner, Jase.
This is a heartwarming story of friendship and overcoming adversity and of course experiencing the sparks of the potential of new romance.
I did enjoy reading this book, but it was my least favourite of the series so far.

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This is a heartwarming and emotionally rich instalment in Jo Bartlett's Cornish Country Hospital series, delivering a perfect blend of friendship, love, and resilience in the face of adversity. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Cornwall, this novel weaves a tale of personal tragedy, hope, and the unique ways that human connections can heal even the deepest wounds.

The story centres around Isla Marlowe, a woman struggling to find a meaningful way to honor her late father. Isla’s journey leads her to an act of extraordinary generosity—offering to help Aidan Kennedy and his husband Jase start the family they’ve always dreamed of.

Bartlett tackles the sensitive and often underrepresented theme of surrogacy for a same-sex couple with care, compassion, and realism, giving Aidan and Jase’s story depth as they face societal and personal challenges. Their longing for a child is touching, and the joy that Isla brings them is deeply moving.

However, the novel doesn’t shy away from the difficulties that come with such a selfless act. When Isla faces an unexpected crisis, her own vulnerabilities are laid bare, and the story takes a compelling turn as she grapples with her greatest fear. This is where Bartlett's writing truly shines—capturing the emotional turmoil of her characters with authenticity and grace. Isla’s internal struggle is palpable, and her journey toward healing is both relatable and inspiring.

One of the standout themes of the novel is the idea of “found family”—the notion that friends can become the family you choose, a poignant message in a world where traditional family structures can sometimes fall short. Isla, Aidan, and Jase form an unbreakable bond that transcends bloodlines, embodying the novel’s message of unconditional love and support.

Bartlett's writing is both warm and tender, making you feel as though you are a part of this close-knit community. Fans of Grey's Anatomy will appreciate the medical setting and the way the characters' personal lives intersect with their professional ones, but what sets this book apart is its emphasis on community and connection rather than high-octane drama. The stakes are emotional, and they hit home.

The Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital is more than just a story about surrogacy and loss—it’s a celebration of kindness, courage, and the power of a chosen family.

For fans of uplifting, emotional stories with strong characters, this book is a gem. You’ll fall in love with Isla’s journey and root for Aidan and Jase every step of the way.

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Really enjoying this series. Some very difficult subjects handled sensitively and with compassion. Isla, Aidan and Jace’s story this time along with a catch up with the Brilliant staff/ community at St Pirans . An emotional rollercoaster of a book, the reader becomes involved in the lives of the characters.
Highly Recommended
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Jo Bartlett for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

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A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital is the 2nd book in the series, but it is the first I have read. I had no problem following the story, but will go back and read the first one. Isla Marlowe is still grieving since the death of her father. She wants to do something to honour his memory and knowing that her colleague, Aiden is looking for an egg donor and surrogate so he and his husband can have a baby, she decides to give them a gift. She undergoes the questionnaires, and health testing to donate her eggs to the couple, but she gets bad news and everything is put on hold. This pause has Aiden rethinking the plan.

I enjoyed this story and meeting all these characters. Besides her grandmother, Isla is alone in the UK. Her mother and sister moved to Canada, so she doesn't have a lot of family. Enter her friends and colleagues. When she needs support and love, they are there for her, even though she has a tough time letting them do it. She wants to work everything out for herself, and often regrets her actions afterwards. This was a wonderful story of found family, but even more it touches on gay couples wanting to have children and the struggle they go through. I also deals with grief, fear of illness, surrogacy, family not supporting a gay marriage, friendship and supporting one another. Isla has a lot to go through and deal with, and with the support of that found family, is able to make decisions and move forward with her life. There is a small romance that is secondary to the main plot, but plays a role in Isla's growth and new beginnings. I enjoyed this story with it's uplifting ending and will watch for more in this series.

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I absolutely adore this series. Its very clever how the author addresses serious and complicated situations, but it keeps the books light hearted and feelgood. It's no doubt managed by the brilliant characters and community created.
This book is a breath of fresh air, addressing illness, surrogacy and trickier routes to having a baby. I really hope we follow these characters further in their journey, as I feel we're only just getting started.

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Heartfelt, hopeful and emotional, A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital by Jo Bartlett is a book that will have even the most jaded and cynical of readers shedding plenty of tears.

The death of her beloved father had devastated Isla Marlowe. Her dad was a kind, caring and compassionate man willing to do whatever it took to help out his fellow humans. Now that he’s passed, Isla wants to do something to honour her father and she thinks that she might just have found the perfect way to do it – even if she is sure that not everybody will understand or approve of the course of action she is willing to take.

Aidan Kennedy and his husband Jase would love nothing more than to have a family of their own. However, the path ahead is fraught with difficulties and challenges. Some people think that they shouldn’t even try and then there is the greatest obstacle of all: finding the right woman to help them on this journey to parenthood. Having had plenty of disappointments, Aidan and Jase can see their dream slowly slipping away from them – until they meet Isla and they finally believe that there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

However, Isla’s resolve is tested and she ends up putting Aidan and Jase’s dreams on hold. Desperate to find someone who will understand her and listen to her problems, Isla is about to find a port in a storm in the most unlikely of places and realise that her found family can help her to heal and look forward to a future she never thought she had.

Jo Bartlett tackles sensitive subjects with compassion, understanding and flair in her latest novel, A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital. Full of characters readers can see themselves in, heart-wrenching pathos and dramatic intensity, this layered, nuanced and compelling tale of renewal, new beginnings and the healing power of love is a book that is hard to put down which will linger long after the last page is turned.

Jo Bartlett’s writing continues to go from strength to strength and A Found Family at the Cornish County Hospital is a thought-provoking, compelling and enjoyable tale readers will want to recommend to all their friends and family.

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Jo Bartlett delivers a heartwarming, emotional rollercoaster in this book which is perfect if you’re into small-town hospital vibes mixed with personal dramas and sweet romances. Set in a close-knit community, the story centers on Isla Marlowe, an A&E nurse trying to honor her late father, and Aidan, navigating the emotional journey to fatherhood alongside his husband. The trope of found family plays a huge role in the story, and I loved seeing the growing bonds between various characters.

The pacing is smooth, though there are moments that feel a tad predictable. However, Bartlett’s portrayal of grief, friendship, and unexpected love truly shines. The medical setting is not overdone, making this more of a character-driven narrative than a hospital drama. Fans of contemporary women’s fiction and romance will find this book comforting yet emotionally engaging.

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this is a hug in a book, i love the way this author makes you so involved with the characters lives: this book has all the feels and i can’t wait into the next instalment

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Another compelling, hear wrenching, poignant and emotionally charged novel by Jo Bartlett.
It talks about delicate issues and I loved how the author did it and the empathy.
Well done, recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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The author takes the reader to a Cornish Hospital for a third book in this series (the first two books are also excellent). The friendships that develops with the staff and the beautiful scenery. I really felt that I was drawn in to the lives of the characters ( which I loved). It had a very warm and caring feel about it which made it unputdownable. Being an ex nurse I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as it has a feel good factor and an easy read.

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A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital is the third book in a series written by Jo Bartlett. Although, being a part of the new series, the book can be easily read standalone. It is a heartwarming story with an emotional opening chapter, where Isla is celebrating the sixtieth birthday of her beloved and lost father. The reader can see how strong the relationship between them was and how important the family could be. The book also touches the infertility problems and how it can be distressful, explains the possible solutions, which also aren’t that easy to achieve. The process created to resolve these problems isn’t that easy, includes lots of the interviews, programs, tests, lots of questions and dilemmas. The book is written in a hopeful tone, looking positively in the future, showing that the family is not only about the blood ties. The charming and memorable characters, interesting plot placed in Cornwall. Definitely recommended for a summer or holiday read, especially for the fans of medical dramas like ER or The Grey’s Anatomy or New Amsterdam.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for ARC copy of this book for providing the honest review.

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This is the third book in the Cornish Country Hospital series, however it can be read as a standalone. Isla has lost her father and she wants to do something to honour his memory so she wants to help someone have a family. In come Aiden and Jase, can they all get what they want at St Pirans?

Jo Bartlett has totally knocked it out of the park with this stunning story. I adored being back at St Pirans Hospital, it’s just such a a familiar place to me with their staff and setting. If you want Grey’s Anatomy vibes then this is the book for you. Isla is a sweetheart she’s wholesome, brave, beautiful and empathetic. She’s a nurse so it’s just her default setting. Aiden is also her colleague so they are already firm friends.

Jo just pulls you into a whole new world with a beautiful Cornish setting and her free flowing narrative that has you engrossed in the characters journey. I just love this series so much I can’t even describe it. Also thank you Jo for my name in the acknowledgements that made me cry! 🥹

I highly recommend you grab a copy of this book and get lost in another world full of friendship, family, and love too. I can’t wait to see what Jo writes next because whatever she writes I’ll read it! 🥰💖

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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This series just gets better and better. It’s like Grey’s Anatomy with all the doctors, nurses and their private lives and dramas but then even better. For someone that has seen 18 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy that really says something about how good this series is.

I really loved this book. I was moved to tears on multiple occasions but still the overall feeling I got from this book was a heartwarming one. The three main characters Isla, Aidan and Jase were simply wonderful and I quickly came to care about them all as if they were my family or close friends and felt all their highs and lows. I loved the relationship Isla had with her grandparents and Jase’s family was the best! There were some really difficult topics dealt with in this book, but all with such care and compassion that it wasn’t hard to read, just really really moving.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

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The cast of characters increases as we follow the desire of Aiden and his partner to become parents. Aidan is part of the team in A & E, so has deep friendships with the staff there. His colleague, Isla, surprises them with her offer of help but you soon find out that this is not a spur of the moment offer. Her reasons for helping go right back into her childhood. This is as much Isla's story as Aidan's and as their lives get more and more woven together, they come to realise that family is not just about blood ties.

Although the characters are under extreme stress, no one more than Isla, and has some upsetting aspects, the tone of the book is always looking to the future and about feeling hopeful. As ever, the team at the Hospital are supportive friends. Links to characters met in the Cornish Midwife series are still there and life goes on for all the characters. For some, it is positive but not for everyone.

In short: Forging family ties and offering support.

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Loved this latest book in the Cornish Country Hospital series. Full of emotion and memorable characters, Jo Bartlett has absolutely brought us another lovely story

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This was such a heartwarming and feel good book and just what I wanted to read in the lovely sunshine. This story really put me through the motions, going from squealing with joy to my heart absolutely breaking for the characters. I absolutely adored this and really hope there is a sequel in the works! Rated 4.5 stars

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