Member Reviews

Welcome to Pennycress Inn is the first of a new series by Sarah Hope, a new to me author. The story has a fun setting of an English village and the renovation of an inn. Laura purchased the inn after falling in love with it. She needs a fresh start after a divorce and this is perfect, being a couple hours away from her family and fulfilling a longtime dream. What she didn't expect was to find her brother's best mate living next door. Jackson is an old crush and a great family friend, also her only friend in a village of unfriendly people. Laura runs into a plethora of problems with the inn, a place that is supposed to be ready to open. This one has lots of ups and downs, frustration, and dilemmas. But it has also has some romance and some fun family events. I am looking forward to more in the series.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.

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Deciding to follow her dreams
Laura buys an inn - but all is not as it seems!
She's not confident in DIY and is shocked to discover
Local tradesmen are all too busy - try another!

When a neighbour comes round to call
She just can't believe who it is at all.
Jackson was her brother's best friend
He's the last person with whom time she'd like to spend!

A teenage crush she should have outgrown by now
Seems to be refreshed somehow.
She's determined to be independent and so
Declines his offers to help with a firm, "No!"

Why do the villagers seem unfriendly to her?
She's sure she's not done anything to give them a scare!
But with a sheep causing havoc and so much to do
Can she get things sorted and see her way through?

A gentle, funny and lovely read,
A gorgeous book to escape into, just what I need!
I really enjoyed it and have to say
I hope you will do too some day!

For my copy of this fabulous book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

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Thank you netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion. This is a nice cosy easy read and that is meant in a complimentary way. The lead character Laura decides to make a fresh start in her life after her divorce by buying an Inn. She faces several challenges before she's even unpacked her bags. Her family don't really think she's made the best decision, the locals don't seem particularly friendly and the Inn itself might be a little more in need of tlc than she realised. With many challenges ahead, will Laura battle on or bail out? Definitely worth a read.

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Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this first book in a new series.

After living with her parents after her relationship ended, Laura wants to prove to her family that she can have a job she loves doing just like her brother and sister who have good careers and happy married lives.

She buys Pennycress Inn in the village of Meadowfield and is looking forward to welcoming guests. But, that’s not that straightforward as there’s a lot of work needed to be done like the roof tiles and walls that need attention.

Not only that, but, the local people aren’t that welcoming and she thinks that moving here was a wrong decision.

Laura makes friends with Jackson, who is a chef, but is he really that nice? Also, what is the reason that the villagers are unfriendly?

Will Laura make the Inn a success?

I highly recommend this book.

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It took a bit for me to start getting into the story as her family irritated me so much I almost didn’t finish the book, overall I enjoyed the story and her discovering herself.

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I really enjoyed this book, it was a nice easy read and I liked Laura as a character.
The setting was lovely and I really felt I was there thanks to the great descriptive writing.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Hope and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

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The beginning of a new series by Sarah Hope Welcome to Pennycress Inn gives us Laura who has just gotten divorced. This gives her the chance to start over again and she decides to buy Pennycress Inn in Cotswold. She doesn’t have any experience owning an Inn and she soon discovers that the one she bought is in a sadder condition than she thought it was going to be.
She starts to work on the state of the inn, and she soon finds out her brother’s friend Jackson lives next door, and he agrees to help her spruce up the inn.
This is an excellent start to a new series, and I am eager to read the next book in The Pennycress Inn Series.
Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Hope and Boldwood Books. This is my personal review.

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after her divorce, Laura purchases the pennycress inn in a small village. as she tackles the renovations, she learns a lot about herself.

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This is a heartwarming romance and journey of self-discovery set in the charming Cotswolds village of Meadowfield. The story follows 38-year-old Laura, who takes a leap of faith by purchasing a run-down inn, the Pennycress Inn. As she tackles its renovation, Laura also embarks on a path of personal growth, confronting her fears and doubts.

The village comes alive with vivid descriptions and a lively cast of characters, including a resistant community and mischief-making sheep. The budding romance between Laura and Jackson, a supportive and charming chef, is sweet and genuine, complementing Laura’s journey. Their chemistry and Jackson’s encouragement of Laura’s dreams make their connection especially heartwarming.

The book masterfully balances the challenges of restoring the inn with Laura’s personal triumphs and an intriguing mystery about the villagers’ initial resistance to her plans. It’s a feel-good novel with humor, depth, and a satisfying resolution, making it a perfect read for fans of cozy and empowering romance.

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This author’s books have the ability to simultaneously make you unable to stop reading while wishing you could bury the book somewhere deep underground where it can't be found. Compelling and didn’t want it to end!

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3.5/5⭐️
Post-divorce, Laura embarks on a new chapter in life and becomes the new owner of the Pennycress Inn in the small town of Meadowfield. She is looking for a fresh start away from her overbearing family and to prove to herself that she is capable and independent.

To her surprise, Jackson, her brother’s best friend, is her neighbour. Despite her insistence to be fully independent and to rely on herself, Jackson worms himself into her life.

Soon, she discovers that she is hated by the town and I really felt sorry for her when the truth was revealed! Thank God for Jackson who was always there for her. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite enjoy the love triangle element which was irritating and difficult to read.

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This was such a fun and lighthearted read. I was invested from the first chapter and finished it in a day. A nice reminder that you can do anything you put your mind to. Exactly what I needed for my first read of the year!

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I love Sarah's books. They are easy to read and this was no exception. Pennycress Inn sounds the most idyllic setting and I had everything crossed for Laura. Her relationship with Jackson is the perfect slow burn needed for this book. I'm excited for what comes next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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After divorcing her husband Laura decides to have a fresh start and buys an inn in a Cotswolds village, the Pennycross Inn despite only a cursory inspection and no previous experience in running one. On arriving she finds that it's in a poorer condition than she remembered and all the locals are giving her the cold shoulder. She is also surprised to find that her brother's best friend Jackson, who she has known and fancied for years, is living next door.
I do enjoy stories set in small communities and this one is no exception. It also shows the downside of living in them if you aren't accepted by the locals, which Laura is struggling to understand why. There is a simmering attraction between the two, however there is competition in the shape of the local estate agent. It was good to see how Laura, despite all the obstacles in the way, begins to get the Inn ready for visitors, with the help of Jackson. Throw in a ex-husband who won't keep out of her life, an over-protective family and the end result was a story that I did enjoy and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

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A perfect read to finish this year. A lovely story . I'm looking forward to the next in this series as I want to find out what happens next. The author really paints a great picture of how things went wrong at the inn and how the locals can turn against a newcomer. A feisty lady who wants to turn her life around. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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This is the first book in this new series and it’s going to be a good one. Laura is divorced and at 38 she decides to buy an Inn in a small village. Her family are not that supportive of her decision, but she’s determined to do it. When things start breaking in the house she thinks it might have been a mistake, but her brothers friend Jackson lives next door and is willing to help.
I enjoyed reading this book and looking forward to see what happens in Pennycrest Inn. It’s a feel good read that leaves you wanting more. The main characters are very likeable and it’s an easy quick read in one sitting. A great 4 star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

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I found this a lovely easy read with likeable characters, an engaging storyline and a beautiful setting. After her divorce Laura is determined to start again and prove to everyone, including herself, that she is capable of making something of herself. She purchases Pennycress Inn with high hopes. Unfortunately she didn’t realise that there was so much work to be done, how the community would react to her and who her next door neighbour would turn out to be! For me the characters were realistic and I loved how their interactions were described. Laura and her family came across as a typical family of parents, siblings and their own families. I thought it flowed well with just enough drama alongside romance to keep you entertained. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

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I enjoyed this book so much that once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. It’s so heartwarming with great characters and I look forward to the next one in the series.

I would highly recommend reading this if you like a good heartwarming book.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

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**Welcome to Pennycress Inn by Sarah Hope**

Laura is determined to prove herself after her divorce. Buying the beautiful Pennycress Inn in the idyllic Cotswolds village of Meadowfield could be just the opportunity she needs.

However, getting the inn ready for its first guests proves to be easier said than done! With crumbling walls, dangerous woodwork, loose roof tiles, unfriendly locals, and even errant sheep, Laura soon fears she may have made the wrong choice.

As she stands at the threshold of her new home she opens the door with a hopeful smile, she is surprised to find that it is Jackson, a family friend from her past. Jackson has been her brother's good friend since her childhood and is her new neighbour. A wave of mixed emotions washed over her; this unexpected reunion suggested that her fresh start might not unfold as she had imagined. She couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that the villagers seemed to harbour a strange resistance toward her. Why was it that she felt so unwelcome in what was supposed to be a new chapter of her life?

Though I found the chemistry lacking and the romance not quite as engaging as I would like, the story is a quick and easy read. Laura can sometimes be frustrating, but the book maintains a clean romance.

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This is the first book I have read by Sarah but it won’t be the last. I loved it. I can always tell after reading a few pages if I am going to enjoy a book and this didn’t disappoint. Laura has just bought an inn. She had been staying with her parents following her divorce and wanted to do something for herself and show her family she can make a life for herself. She has successful siblings and she thinks they don’t think she can survive on her own. She is surprised to meet her new neighbour,her brothers best friend and her one time crush when they were younger. She is not happy to start with but she needs Jackson’s help as the Inn isn’t up to scratch. Firstly her washing machine breaks down,first person is going to come but when she gives her address they are suddenly very busy and the same scenario follows each phone call, so no one will come and help her. She finds the residents in the village are very cold towards her and won’t engage with her which she can’t understand. Jackson is fairly new to the village and everyone is friendly towards him. Laura and Jackson have history when they were younger and there is a spark between them.You must read the book to find out how Laura progresses with the inn and how her and Jackson move forward, A easy read,leaving you wanting more. I hope there is a follow up.

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