I received this e-book before it was published to read and review from Tule Publishing. I have never heard of author Kate Hewitt. This is the second book in this series Willoughby Close. I did read the first one in this series A Cotswold Christmas. The reason I read it I didn't want to be lost before I even started this book Meet me at Willoughby Close. With that being said to read this book Meet Me at Willoughby Close I feel you don't have to read the first book in this series. They make a few points from the first book in this second book but not enough to confuse you. I actually like this book and didn't want to put it down. I read it within a 24 hour period which was surprising with it being a holiday. I definitely recommend this book. You will love the character such as Ellie, Abby, Oliver just to name a few. The book flowed very well and I didn't feel their where any dull parts to the book. I especially the car ride everyone took with Marmite. I laughed out loud through that whole part. It was great. I definitely would encourage you to read this book Meet Me at Willoughby Close and the series The Willoughby Close series. Can't wait for the third book in this series to come out.

Another lovely book in the Willoughby Close series. It's a nice short story that is perfect for a bit of escapism.

I enjoyed this book very much because, despite two of the most emotionally crippled and communications challleged protagonists I've read, well, maybe ever, the author managed to make it all rather charming in a very dysfunctional, very British way. There were several places I laughed out loud; Marmite the dog was a terrific foil for our painfully insecure heroine and her angry tween daughter. And Ellie, when she wasn't swirling in a turmoil of insecurity and low self worth, was very funny. Bringing some relief from all that were a host of interesting, sympathetic secondary characters that I came to care about.

But Oliver & Ellie were the focus and it was extruciating to go through the ups & downs of will she/won't she? Does he or doesn't he? with them. Until the very end they were incapable of having an honest conversation, even with themselves - I wanted to shake them both. It's not my favorite conflict for a book, but it was handled well and thankfully they both grew and changed enough to get out of their own way by the end.

Ellie and her daughter Abby are on the way to their new home. It is a cottage in Willoughby Close. Ellie has decided that she and Abby need to start a new life.

Abby is 11 years old and has been bullied in school for the last several years. She has become closed off and has almost no confidence in herself. Ellie wants to find a place that will be more supportive for Abby.

Ellie is divorced from a husband who was never a real husband. He never worked and he cheated on her. He has never taken an interest in Abby nor has he devoted any time to her. He has recently taken off on a trip to Australia. Ellie will be starting as an administrative assistant at Oxford University. There is an entire new world opening up for her and she is looking forward to it. She is hoping for rainbows and unicorns. Unfortunately, life is generally lacking in rainbows and unicorns.

Her first assignment at her new job is to be a typist for a professor who is writing a book about children in the Victorian Era. Oliver Venables is a man who has become so immersed in his job that he has little time or connection to anyone or anything other than work.

Ellie and Oliver are two people who have so many inner demons it is painful to see. Each of them lack any confidence in their ability to have any kind of relationship with another human being. Ellie does not even feel confident in being able to help Abby past the bullying.

I liked Ellie and Oliver and I hoped for the best for both of them. Abby is a terrific kid who when she is given the opportunity, shows that she is much smarter than she has ever let anyone see. All 3 of these people made me want to keep turning the pages in order to see what will happen next.

The plot is driven by human beings acting like human beings. No one is perfect, no one is powerful and everyone is very believable.

I have recently discovered Kate Hewitt and her writing. It is evident she has been looking at people and finding them very interesting. She treats everyone tenderly. Whether they deserve it or not. Not everyone is likable.

This is a part of a series, but it is perfect as a stand alone read. We are superficially introduced to the lead character in the next book, and it is evident her story will be an interesting one.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

Really liked this story. Ellie, a young divorced mother of an 11 year old daughter, move from northern England to work at Oxford. Lots of baggage, including a deadbeat father and the daughter struggling from being bullied. Ellie works with Oliver, a stuffy professor, who has baggage of his own. Between the two of them they slowly begin to work together towards a HEA. I liked the characters, the story line and the writing of this one, and had a hard time putting the book down. Very easy and interesting to read, and I eagerly await the next book in the series coming out soon. Highly recommend this book and author.

I would like to thank Kate Hewitt, Tule Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ellie’s adult life has been about making the best of crappy circumstances. Getting pregnant at seventeen, dropping out of school, marrying a deadbeat husband, divorcing a deadbeat husband, trying to be a good single mother. She wouldn’t change it for the world; Abby is her everything. It comes to a point, however, when she needs a change. She moves to the Cotswolds, enrolls Abby in a new school, where hopefully her daughter will make friends and not get bullied, and begins a new job as an administrative assistant for the history faculty at Oxford. One thing that hadn’t been part of her plan for a fresh start: a love life. Her attraction to her boss, Dr. Oliver Venables, surprises her so much that she denies it for quite some time. But seeing him every day…getting to know him… She can’t resist wondering what it would be like to love someone so unlike her ex-husband, someone she could trust… And to her utter shock, Abby encourages her to find out.


While reading this, I visited Hewitt’s website, because I was curious about her and about the first book of this series, the characters of which make brief appearances here (but don’t worry, it completely stands alone). I noticed two things: 1) she was raised in America and moved to England as an adult, and 2) her work is marketed as an “intensely emotional read.” Nothing wrong with either of those—but they made me view the book in a different light. “You shouldn’t judge a book by its author,” snaps the harpies. I’m not; my perception was altered, is all. “How?” they snarl. “How could it possibly matter?” Well, I’ll tell you.

Going in blind to all but the synopsis, I soon realized this was the most British-sounding book I’d ever read. I thought I had a good grasp on Britishisms (Sophie Kinsella! Sherlock!), but it seemed like I was looking up a term or a phrase on every other page. Which is fine—I was fascinated to learn more about the culture. I was like, “Wow, this must be what British fiction looks like before it’s edited for the American market! Cool!” And then I found out the author was raised in America. Now, I know nothing but a few general statements about Hewitt’s life, so making these assumptions is completely absurd. I know that, and I know she has to know volumes more about life in Britain than I do. But knowing she didn’t grow up talking like this, knowing at some point, probably not too many years ago, all of it had been foreign to her, too… It smeared my perception of the novel with a sense of spectacle, a sense of emptiness, of falsehood. It could be that she was fully immersed in writing through the voice of a young British mother. It could be that she’s honestly adapted to British culture and this is how she thinks and speaks now. But I couldn’t help feeling…fooled.

I wonder if I’d have felt this way if I’d read the previous installment first. It was about an American woman taking holiday in the Cotswolds and finding love. Huh.

Next, I cannot agree that this book was an “intensely emotional read,” and that heightens the sense of false advertising. I thought it was definitely emotional, but it was hardly intense. In my mind, “intense” is almost synonymous with “dramatic,” which tends to have bad connotations, but it’s not always a bad thing. If nobody liked dramatic and intense and over-the-top, comic book and fantasy films would not be dominating the film industry right now, and shows like Sherlock and Game of Thrones wouldn’t be so popular. But no, I found this narrative light and down-to-earth and heart-warming—all good things! As someone who tends to blow things far out of proportion (example: my reviews), I admire how she kept the story grounded to a point of realism, and yet kept it from being boring. Not what I would describe, though, as an “intensely emotional read.”

Or even particularly romantic, for that matter. This book was caught between romance and women’s fiction, as often happens these days. It’s practically become its own hybrid genre. I loved that Oliver veered from the typical overly confident, overly sexualized alpha male hero. I loved that he had doubts, that he wasn’t good at being social, that he reverted to a bitingly stern persona when he was uncomfortable. His arc, however, began as meek and timid and ended as…well, a little bit more bull-by-the-horns, anyway. He didn’t seem to gain much confidence; he mostly became impatient with himself, and there’s where I had a problem with his character—and a similar problem with the plot. Ellie and Oliver’s entire relationship was one gigantic misunderstanding—or perhaps, more accurately, a string of them. I expected them to reach a point where they knew each other well enough to know, or at least be suspicious, when one of their attitudes takes a startling one-eighty, and think, “Oh, man, something’s wrong. I really need to talk to him/her.” Instead, they took everything at face value, mostly out of cowardice (both were terrified things wouldn’t work out perfectly; because, of course, everything had up to that point—not), and allowed themselves to silently wallow in miserable uncertainty. Oliver never reached the point where he swallowed his pride and declared his feelings—almost a couple of times, but almost doesn’t count—but Ellie managed it…and then reverted to willfully misunderstanding and not asking for clarification. It became really frustrating, and now I think on it, Abby is probably the character who gained the most emotional maturity throughout the course of the story. And she’s eleven.

I liked Ellie better as a mother than as a single lady. Abby was always, always first in her thoughts, as it should be, and I’m glad Ellie was strong enough to give Nathan (her ex) what he deserved; it’s not easy saying no to something that’s familiar, to something you’ve loved your whole life. But he wasn’t healthy for them, and she recognized that.

I liked the characters as people, even if I didn’t always like their actions. However, the plot was even more unfortunate than an overused cliché of misunderstandings. As a whole it was predictable and riddled with convenient devices. Lady Stokeley (despite being my second-favorite character, next to Abby) was a convenient babysitter when Ellie needed someone to watch Abby. Jace, while providing a contrast to Oliver type-wise, was a convenient Mr. Fix-it for Ellie and also a babysitter. Jeannie, another woman working in the history department, was conveniently nosy. Actually, now that I think on it, I’m not sure what purpose her character served. Jemima, either; she conveniently provided Ellie with the misunderstanding that Oliver was married. Sure, Ellie forged a connection with her emotionally, but it wasn’t necessary. All of the other children and mothers were conveniently assholes. I’m not dismissing bullies, god knows the world is full of them, but surely not EVERYone ignored/disliked Abby and Ellie. They only made a small effort to become part of the community. And the one mother/daughter pairing that was given a name (belying their significance) conveniently moved next door, making it easier for Ellie and Abby to reconcile with them…suddenly, off-screen. Lastly, Marmite, their very flatulent dog, was used to introduce Lady Stokeley and create sexual tension between Ellie and Oliver. (If you don’t trust your dog to stay close and behave, maybe you should put the leash on BEFORE leaving the house.) (Also, they joked about his name, which is a reference I didn’t understand, even after I looked it up. I think the substance he’s named after is stinky, and that’s the joke? I have no idea.)

But for all that, Hewitt’s writing style is very good. The pace was great (until I got frustrated with Ellie and Oliver continually underestimating one another), and the story flowed so smoothly that the hours flew by while I was reading.

Overall… Hewitt appears to be very talented at constructing a narrative, if not telling it.

Enjoyed the book, but wasn't enthralled by it. It was quite an emotional book to read. I hadn't read the 1st in the series, and hate when you jump in like this. But i'm definately going to go back now ande read the 1st in the series and come back to this book then. Which may increase my rating.

A Cotswold Christmas introduced this series, but you can certainly read Willoughby Close as a standalone. Willoughby Close is a little collection of charming cottages on a large estate of a lovely royal-ish elderly lady. I have a feeling a collection of charming people will inhabit them all by the time the series is finished!

For now, we meet Ellie and her daughter Abby. Ellie has a new job at the University, and Abby is looking forward to making a fresh start where friends are concerned.

I so love how Hewitt wrote professor Oliver — the guy Ellie works for. He’s nerdy and introverted and stays true to himself. Hewitt did a phenomenal job developing Ellie, as well. Ellie is a little nervous and quirky, and she’s quite unsure of herself most of the time. That could be annoying, but not here. Hewitt made her real and relatable. I like Ellie’s mom side and her romantic side – she appears to the reader as a whole fleshed out character with different facets – just like a pal in real life!

I also really like how the new neighbors moved in and they’ll be the focus of the next book in the series. And how the Close’s superintendent is a flirt! This is a fun read that touches on some harrowing issues in just the right way.

https://randombookmuses.com/2017/01/11/review-meet-me-at-willoughby-close-by-kate-hewitt/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1878315046

I've really enjoyed my return to Wychwood-on-Lea and to the area of Willoughby Close. I first encountered the setting in the first book of this series, A Cotswold Christmas, but you don't need to have read it to enjoy this one. They are both completely standalone, although there are a couple of recurring characters.

I loved the story of Ellie and her daughter Abbie who have moved to Willoughby Close in search of a new life. Abby is 11, was bullied at her old school for being a bit of a nerd, and now she is dreading her new school. She never really has friends and Ellie is very worried about her.

Ellie had Abby very young, is divorced from her cheating husband, who has moved to Australia, and is looking forward to settling into her new home and job. She hadn't counted on Oliver being her new boss. Oliver is a rather stuffy Oxford professor and is socially awkward.

I really felt a part of the story, and Abby was my favourite character. I loved seeing her come out of her shell a bit with two unlikely friendships, one with the Lady in the big house at Willoughby Close, and the other with Tobias, who is Oliver's nephew. She is a reasonably mature for her age, and I love some of her nerdish tendencies, and also the way she interacts with her mother.

It is obvious who the romance in this book will be between, but it takes the majority of the book to build up to anything, with the tension increasing, but neither Oliver or Ellie wanting, or daring to acknowledge their feelings.

Meet Me at Willoughby Close is a lovely enjoyable book, in a series that I'm starting to really get into. I am liking the way the stories are coming across, and already looking forward to the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tule Publishing for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This is the second book in the Willoughby Close and I loved this one as much as the first. They are completely standalone stories so you needn't have read the first to enjoy this one. In this story Ellie Mathews and her daughter Abby have moved to Wychwood-on-Lea to start fresh. Ellie to finally break all ties with her ex and Abby to get away from the cruel kids at school. At first it doesn't seem like much has changed but slowly they both start to make friends and settle into the small community. Ellie is aware of the attraction between Oliver Venables and herself but for now he's her boss so she keeps things friends only. Really getting to know the slightly nerdy Oliver is wonderful. What will happen when she's no longer working for him??

These characters are fun and the story is very entertaining. I would definitely recommend this one.

Couldn't finish this book. The story is good but there are to many "English" terms in it for me.

This is such a sweet and charming read! I absolutely ADORE these types of chick lit reads that take place in England (and really, any other faraway place from where I live) because I feel like I am able to visit somewhere I have never been. With that, I truly felt like I was at Wychwood-on-Lea. The authors use of description is perfect and appears spot on for the time and season. Moreover, the English mannerisms and use of language is so cute (and different for me because I live in the US) that is very hard not to be charmed. Squee!! So cute and fun!

In this particular novel readers will meet Ellie who, despite having to overcome some problems in life, moves to a place she has never been for a fresh start with her daughter. Taking a job at a local University Ellie doesn't expect to meet a broody yet, sexy man who also happens to be her boss. But Ellie still has some soul searching to do and romance was not on her agenda. So, what could have ultimately been a pure romance novel, is turned into a beautiful chick lit novel where growing up, overcoming obstacles, and more is more apparent. Readers will likely see real human emotions in this book and will certainly fall hard for these charming characters.

Kate Hewitt is a new author to me, but I can see why many readers enjoy her novels. They are real, honest, and well written. I can't wait to see where the author takes us next.

Meet Me at Willoughby Close might be a love story but its also a story about starting over, learning to make friends, learning to build a new life in a place that is so far from the familiar and learning to be happy. When Ellie and her daughter Abby moves to Willoughby they both wanted to start anew but it doesn't translate as easily as they hoped for. As they settle in, both mother and daughter realize that sometimes, friends can be found in the most unusual of circumstances and home is really where the heart is.

This book has all the charms of all those small town British novels, with very unique characters, a steadily paced plot and a lot of heart when it comes to the things that matter. Ellie and Oliver may not be a typical romance couple but its their awkward pursuit of happily ever after that kind of resonates with readers.

This was a lovely return to Wychwood-on-Lea in a new series featuring the people who live in Willoughby Close.

Ellie wanted a new start for her daughter Abby who has been having a very tough time at school. She thinks moving to a quaint little cottage in a beautiful setting is going to solve all their problems. She's taken a job typing up notes for Oliver who is writing a book about the Victorian perception of children. Initially she finds him quite aloof- but there is a definate spark in the air.

I loved the way the characters developed and Abby blossomed making friendships in unusual areas with the lady at the big house and Oliver's nephew. They give her a new found confidence. A trip to Cornwall was an added bonus- and I could just imagine the house on the Lizard Peninsula and the amazing walks they'd be going on.

It was such a lovely warm book- easy to lose yourself in and devour in a couple of days. I can't wait for the next books in the series and wondering who we are going to meet.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc from Net Galley

DNF @ 50%

I'll be brief. I am all for setting up a story, but by the halfway mark, I am expecting things to have moved along a lot more than they have (in that almost nothing has happened), as well as having my interest held with the odd occurence, and revelation here and there...

My mind is wandering and my interest waning, sadly there is just not enough I can find in a positive vein to encourage me to carry on reading. It's a shame as I quite enjoyed the first book of the series.

ARC provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

“Meet Me At Willoughby Close” is another sweet romance by Kate Hewitt that makes readers believe that dreams can come true.

The story of single mom Ellie Matthews and her daughter Abby, “Meet Me At Willoughby Close” brings readers to Wychwood-on-Lea, a charming place at the Cotswold and a train’s ride away from Oxford. Told via the POV of Ellie and her love interest, the sexy and irritatingly inscrutable Oliver Venables, reading “Meet Me At Willoughby Close” felt like reading a fairytale.

Hewitt’s writing style which is quiet and almost like a whisper is endearing. And though we know that Wychwood-on-Lea is a fictional place, it also encourages readers to visit the real Cotswolds and live the fairytale even just for a short while.

Short and sweet, “Meet Me At Willoughby Close” is a great afternoon read when you just want to relax. It is Rated T for Teens. There are no sex scenes in this book, but it is implied that it happened.

This is another great heartwarming romance by this very talented author. It is the second in the series and I confess I haven’t read the first on yet, though I now intend doing so! It still works well as a standalone, in my opinion.

The heroine for this story is divorced single Mum, Ellie Matthews who has moved to Willoughby Close hoping for a fresh start for both herself and her eleven year old daughter, Abby. Abby is in her final year at Primary School but is having a dreadful time with bullying that hasn’t been sorted, even though it has been going on for years (shame on that school!!). Ellie wants to give her daughter a better opportunity to make friends well away from their Manchester home and has been successful in getting a secretarial position working in the History department of Oxford University, despite the comments and attitudes of her parents and older sister who don’t really want them to move so far away.

Oliver Venables is a professor in the History department and, after the unexpected departure of his PA, he’s been allocated Ellie to work with. After some unanticipated difficulties with start dates and his introverted demeanour, things don’t look too promising. However, Ellie is so warm hearted, she can melt even the most frozen of hearts and both start to be attracted to each other, despite themselves and their wariness. With more obstacles to be overcome, can they overcome their very real fears to find happiness together?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There are a plethora of well developed, intriguing characters who are brought to life in the story. You’ll get to meet members of the nobility, people who like to act as if they should be and others who have no such aspirations in the story. I love the community of Willoughby Close and thoroughly enjoyed this story. The character and relationship development is superb, making this a superb story to escape into. I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates ‘clean’, well crafted romances with brilliant characters and an enthralling plot. I can’t wait to read more from this author and from this series!

Many thanks to the publishers who gifted me a copy of this book through NetGalley without any obligations. This is my honest review after choosing to read it!

A wonderful love story between two lonely and socially insecure people, with a touch of humor and one of the best beta heroes that I’ve had the pleasure to read recently.
I loved the English setting and perhaps this factor and a certain psychological approach to both characters – we have extended access to their (particularly the heroine) feelings, emotions and motivations in a very down-to-earth way – contribute to make this story so distinctly refreshing and different from the mainstream American romance.
I’ve read other reviews here and I admit that the slowness of this clean and sweet romance will not appeal to every reader, but it really worked for me. It all made sense what with the heroine’s failed marriage and the hero’s familial background.
The hero is such an endearing character… and we, readers, feel with the heroine how she reacts to him and falls for him. Evoking “The Age of Innocence” and Wharton/Scorsese’s universe is really pertinent because there is a lot of simmering attraction, longing, unfulfilled desire (a hand almost touching a waist, an aborted kiss) in Kate Hewitt’s story.
I also liked the secondary characters that change and grow and have dynamic relations.
Some parts were really funny, namely those involving the farting dog, the preteens awkwardness or the hero’s inadequacies.

A sweet, delightful story of new places, and new beginnings. Meet Me At Willoughby Close (Willoughby Close, Book 2) by Kate Hewitt gives us Ellie and her daughter moving to Wychwood-on-Lea. Early on the reader sees the cause and the hopefulness the move will provide. The story moves at a somewhat slow pace, just like everyday life is everywhere. Surprisingly, by the time it is finished, the changes in Oliver, Ellie and Abby are remarkable. For that reason alone, I can recommend the book.

The sense of place and time are excellent. I half expected my own shoes to be wet with the rainy winter English weather. The dual perspectives helped me to find sympathy for these two emotionally challenged people who moved at a snail’s pace towards each other. This is so much more realistic than the common instant love in many romance books. In fact, Meet Me At Willoughby Close is more of a character study with the characters finally finding their place in life. Charming.

From mean girls, to an uncertain new romance and even a gassy dog. This story has all of the elements to hold your interest.

Ellie Matthews and her daughter Abby moved to Willoughby Close to start their lives over. At first they don't know what to expect, but as they get settled in, life starts taking shape. They find friends in unexpected places when they were about to give up the search. Ellie also fights the growing attraction she has for her new boss, Oliver Venables. Will Ellie let down her guard enough to allow this new romance to happen?

I enjoyed this book a lot. I liked seeing Ellie and Abby get the second chance they deserved. They author did a good job with creating a believable new life for them both. I also enjoyed catching up with the characters from the first book. This is a fun series filled with love, drama and laughs.

This was a delightful book. It was quick and easy to read, and had lots of charm. I loved the characters, found the storyline pleasing, and loved the setting.

Ellie and her daughter Abby move to a small village when they need a new start. Ellie is still trying to recover from a failed marriage, and Abby has been suffering some bullying in her school. Unfortunately, Ellie's temporary new boss seems determined to dislike her, and Abby isn't treated any better in her new school. Just as they are about to despair of finding something better in this new start, Oliver, Ellie's boss, shows another side, and his nephew and Abby become friends.

Suddenly Ellie and Abby are again hopeful that this new village will be a place where they can find happiness.

I wanted the best for these characters, and enjoyed reading their story. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in return for an honest review.

I adored Meet Me At Willoughby Close, which sees two shy and emotionally insecure people finding love in spite of all manner of road blocks along the way. I loved Ellie's hopeful optimism and Oliver's worries as to whether his book might be a bit dry or whether perhaps Ellie really just wanted them to be friends. These two are truly endearing characters! Throw Allie's eleven year-old daughter into the mix with her worldly wise comments along the way, then add Marmite the farting dog and you have the recipe for a delightful story which will tug at your heartstrings one moment and have you chuckling out loud the next.

I really enjoyed this book, it was light and refreshing but still dealt with the concerns and issues that everyone has around moving to a new area, meeting people and possibly starting a new relationship. These were all handled well and were quite realistic and true to life. I did feel the uncertainty between Ellie and Oliver went on a little too long but that may just be me and even with that it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the story.

The characters were very well-written and came to life clearly and easily which was good because this is a very character driven book. Although location is important it doesn’t feature heavily so the characters and the storyline have a lot of work to do and they do it brilliantly.

While this sounds like any other romantic story it is actually more than that, there is that side to it but it also has the extra depth that makes it more than a simple romance with a happy ever after. Although it may seem obvious where the story is headed the actual journey to that potential ending is what makes this book as good as it is.

Alhough the Cotswold Christmas is the prequel to this book you can read this as a stand alone so while I would recommend that one too it is not essential for understanding this book at all.

I would definitely recommend this book and others by this author. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series coming out.

Ellie and Abby are settling in to Wychwood-on-Lea - although it has not started as planned! The cottage in Willoughby Close is cute...but would help if they had beds to sleep on! School for Abby doesn't seem to be going well either and the mothers at the gate are certainly not welcoming Ellie and having missed an email Ellie arrives a couple of days late for her new job......her boss Oliver is a bit chilly!

Gradually though things start to look up - Oliver's nephew Tobias befriends Abby and that brings a new friendship between Oliver and Ellie - maybe things aren't going to be as bad as they first seemed!

It is lovely to be back in Willoughby Close and see how Ellie and Abby are progressing and looking forward to the next books in the series

Ellie Matthews is ready to take control of her life and make a fresh start for herself and her daughter. A divorced, single Mum, she had Abby young and relied on her family more than she wanted. Between that, and the fact that her daughter Abby is bullied in school, Ellie takes a job in the history department at Oxford University and moves to Willoughby Close in Wychwood-on-Lea.
Ellie continually second-guesses herself as she leaves her daughter at home and reports for her first day, finding herself unexpectedly assigned as History Professor Oliver Venable's personal assistant as he works to finish his book.
Oliver isn't quite sure what to make of Ellie, as she seems entirely different from anyone he has known before. Ellie is surprised to find that her boss is not only stand-offish, but also quite attractive.
These two come from different places and experiences, but are similarly socially inept and uncomfortable with emotion, but soon start to find common ground. Ellie and Abby find that once they let go of the past, that they have a the chance to chart a new direction and make new friends in the process.
I really enjoyed the way both the main and secondary characters developed and how they drove the story forward. The characters felt as if they were real people with real emotions and made me feel that I was reading a story about people I could be neighbors with.
This is part of a new series set at Willoughby Close, but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I am looking forward to meeting the next residents that move to Willoughby Close and learning their story.

The Blurb :
Ellie Matthews has come to Wychwood-on-Lea to find a new start for her and her daughter Abby. But, life there doesn’t start out as idyllic as she had hoped. While Ellie loves her cute cottage in Willoughby Close, the Yummy Mummies at the primary school seem intent on giving her the cold shoulder, Abby has trouble fitting in, and her boss, Oliver Venables, is both surprisingly sexy and irritatingly inscrutable.
But miracles can happen in the most unexpected places, and in small, yet wonderful ways. Slowly, Ellie and Abby find themselves making friends and experiencing the everyday magic of Willoughby Close. When Oliver’s nephew, Tobias, befriends Abby, the four of them start to feel like family… and Ellie begins to see the kindness and warmth beneath Oliver’s chilly exterior, which awakens both her longing and fear.
Ellie knows all about disappointment, and the pain of trying too hard for nothing, while Oliver has his own hurts and secrets to deal with. When the past comes rollicking back to remind both of them of their weaknesses and failings, will they be able to overcome their fears and find their own happy ending?

My Thoughts :
Having read the first book in the Willoughby Close series and throughly enjoyed it, I was looking forward to the second installment.
It was so familiar being back in wychwood-on-Lea, and although Ellie and Abby are new charactors it was nice to have the mention of past charactors throughout the book.
I was instantly drawn to Ellie and Abby, they had their own personalities that came into their own as the story progressed. They had a second chance to be happy and they took it. Kate Hewitt writes with great imagination and warmth. I particularly loved the scene when Ellie and Oliver took Marmite for his late night walk in the woods, the decriptions were vivid and I could feel the leaves crunching under my feet in the moonlight cold air. It gave me goosebumps at how I put myself into their place.
I really enjoyed getting to know Lady Stokely aswell, she was definitely an added bonus to the story. This was very well paced with a nice flow. I also enjoyed getting the story from oliver's perspective aswell. Very nicely done. Looking forward to book 3.

I really enjoyed reading this. It was light hearted and funny. I could relate a lot to thw characters, especially Ellie. Woupd happily read another in the series.

"Meet Me at Willoughby Close" is the second book in the Willoughby Close series and I'd say you COULD read it as a stand - alone, however I'd suggest you to better read the previous novella as well - "A Cotswolds Christmas" introduces us to the general idea of the series and it gives a lot of background information that I feel you need to fully enjoy the next books.

"Meet Me at Willoughby Close" introduces us to new characters, although some of the old ones that we already know from "A Cotswolds Christmas" enter the scenes of this book as well. So we have Ellie and her daughter Abby who are now moving to Cotswolds to start afresh. Ellie is divorced, and Abby is an eleven - year - old girl who was bullied at her old school for being a bit of a nerd. She's of course worried to start at new school and Ellie is worried about her. Also, Ellie's biggest dream is to find a friend - for her and her daughter - at the new place.
I think the most colourful and believable character was Abby. She was just like a real 11 - year - old and it hurt so much to see how scared she is to start at new school, but also uplifting to see how brave she was. She had a great connection to her mum and I liked their interactions, she had kept her wits about her much better than her mother. I loved Ellie as a mother, because her daughter Abby was always first, no matter what, and maybe Ellie has forgotten she has her own life to live and concentrated too much on Abby, but she was a great mother in my opinion. I loved how she developed in this story, how she started to learn what it is she wants from life, proving that it's never too late to pursue your own needs and also finally showing Nathan the doors. I also liked that Oliver was not your typical muscle - flexing alpha - male hero. So it was like this - I liked the main characters as people, even though their actions didn't work for me so much. However, some of the background characters, I really wasn't sure what their presence should make for.

Basically there was nothing wrong with this book. It is only, as I always read two books at the same time, I've read it when reading one of the most amazing, touching books ever, so "Meet Me at Willoughby Close" had a lot to live up to. I just had a feeling that actually not a lot is happening in this story. The blossoming romance between the characters was a little incomprehensible to me, there was no built - up to it, it felt too forced and I wasn't sure if the male character is really as interested as the heroine. If you're looking for the sparkles and sizzling chemistry than sorry, but it's not there. It seems as if it is a blend of random situations for me, as if the author wanted to fill the pages. The majority of the story is about Ellie and Oliver wanting but not daring (or not wanting) to acknowledge that they have feelings towards each other - with more emphasis on Oliver, to be honest, so maybe this is why I had a feeling it is so forced, that Ellie somehow pushed him for those feelings and it just seemed like a one huge misunderstanding. They didn't seem to know each other enough, they weren't comfortable in each other's company and they didn't know how to talk to each other about what's happening. And really, it was Abby (who's eleven) who was the most mature in this relationship. It was also a rather predictable read and there were many clichéd situations and things were happening very conveniently for the characters - they always found babysitters/time/excuse.

But altogether, "Meet Me at Willoughby Close" was an enjoyable book and I am looking forward to the next part. It was about new beginnings and about letting the past go, about finding your own comfort zones and not those that others would like to see you in. The author touches upon some burning issues, such like bullying and , in general, difficult teenagers' lives. I for sure liked it better than the first book in the series, however I am still missing this "something" that makes a book exceptional and that Kate Hewitt has already showed me she's capable to put into her stories. But she managed to make this book very charming and believable, if we forget about some situations and the characters to develop - slowly but steadily. There were also elements of dramatic, melodramatic experiences but they so didn't sit with me. They just looked over - dramatic, too forced and somehow unrealistic. However Kate Hewitt's writing style is lovely, warm and inviting and her characters are down - to - earth. Maybe they are not the most complex ones but they have qualities and features that made them to stand out. I am already looking to the next story in the series.

Ellie is a woman who never had the chance to find out who she is or what she wants from life. Falling pregnant at 17 and marrying childhood best friend Nathan, she made the best she could out of the situation. Always feeling overshadowed by her mum and sister she moves miles away to Oxford with 10 year old daughter Abby and family dog Marmite, needing a fresh start for them both. They are the first residents in Willoughby Close.

The emotional hook for me in this story was Abby. The effects of bullying in her previous school are all too real and yet despite this, there’s a sense of how strong she is. I felt Abby bolstered her mum, giving her permission to let go and enjoy life. I so wanted Year 6 to work out for her … The relationship that grows between Abby and Lady Stokeley is heartwarming.

Oliver and Ellie’s worlds are far apart (think the theme in Pretty Woman) giving conflict to the ‘will they won’t they.’ Oliver’s sister doesn’t help matters either. Neither of our leads are confident enough or have enough experience in reading between the lines … although I just knew that Oliver’s gruff exterior hid a soft centre 🙂 I must admit the romance was a bit drawn out for me.

I have to mention Marmite. 1/2 Golden Retriever and 1/2 Rottweiler, he brings a smile to some tense situations.

If you’re looking for a sweet and gentle romance, then this may just be the story for you.

Ellie and her daughter Abby are moving to Wychwood-on-Lea. Ellie broke up with Abby's deadbeat father, who bought a one way ticket to Australia. With nobody holding her back anymore Ellie needs a fresh start. The fact that Abby is having a rough time at school made the decision to move away even easier. Ellie found a job at the History department and she found a nice looking cottage where they can live together with Marmite, their dog. Ellie and Abby only took the necessary things that fit into their car, like clothes and books, with them and the rest will be bought in time.

Oliver is a professor who works for the History department. His PA suddenly had to quit her job because her sister had a stroke. This left Oliver in a tight spot. He's writing a book about children in the Victorian era and he needs an assistant. When Ellie walks into his office, he's wondering if she'll do well. Oliver didn't expect Ellie to look so good and he's a little thrown by her appearance. He has enough on his plate already with his sister, Jemima, who is struggling after her ex-husband committed suicide and he's trying to be there for his nephew Tobias.

Ellie is a true optimist. Even after everything that she went through she still looks on the bright side of life. Her family isn't helping much since they expect her to fail. I connected with Ellie straight away. She's so much stronger than she gives herself credit for. I admired her positive thinking and the way she looks at life. When she has to start at the university and is being asked to do another job than she expects, Ellie adjusts immediately and gets to work. Ellie became a mother at a young age but has always done everything in her power to be the best possible parent she can be for Abby. I loved how she and her daughter are a team and they clearly love each other very much.

Abby is such a great girl. She's only eleven but she feels like an old soul. She was bullied at her previous school and because of this she wants to be as invisible as possible. Abby loves to read and thinks of herself as a nerd. I found her adorable and it warmed my heart when she found a kindred spirit in the old Lady Stokely. Lady Stokely, who is actually their landlord, makes Abby come out of her shell. Even with the age difference they connect on a deeper level.

Oliver grew up in a stiff family where children should not be seen or heard. He always felt like the odd one out. Oliver finds people difficult. He's a strong socializer. This results in awkward situations on various occasions. Oliver is adorable and I couldn't help but smile about his inner dialogue. He wants to say the right words and do the right things, but he ends up doing the exact opposite. I liked reading about his journey to cope with his feelings and the way he slowly manages to let Ellie in.

Willoughby Close is part of a small town and it sounds charming, welcoming and warm. I could easily picture myself living there. I would have loved to be Ellie and Abby's new neighbor. Meet Me at Willoughby Close is a heartwarming story about two different people who are so right for each other. Ellie and Oliver slowly opened up to one another and this made the story very believable and realistic. Kate Hewitt has an easy flowing writing style. I finished her story almost in one sitting. This is the first time I've read one of her books but she's already got me hooked. I can't resist coming back to Willoughby Close again and again.

Sometimes packing up and starting over, fresh, somewhere far away is the only way to kick start your life – or protect your child. Ellie and her daughter, Abby have set out on an adventure. A new town, new home, new school, new job. And maybe it’s asking a lot for all of that to move smoothly without any bumps along the way. As a young, divorced mother, Ellie has been suffocating under the doom saying of her parents back home. Their lack of belief in her abilities as a person and a mother hurts to the quick, and it’s time to prove them wrong. Abby has been experiencing trouble at school, bullying because she’s different in her likes and activities from many of the other kids. Looking for that fresh start they’ve moved far from home, and now are setting up their new lives – slowly, but still on their own.

Unfortunately, their new lives hit road bumps almost immediately. When Ellie’s position as a secretary at university is suddenly changed both in start date and in position, she’s taken by surprise. Oliver, her new boss, is chilly and distant and Ellie has visions of failing before she even starts. But Ellie is a lot stronger than even she believes – and no one is taking this fresh start away from them. She buckles down, does the job well, and learns how to fit in with her new home. In time things begin to look brighter, and perhaps finally happiness is on the horizon – if the past doesn’t mess it all up.

Meet Me At Willoughby Close is a charming, slow burner romance between unlikely people. This story reminds us to look beyond what the surface shows and find the person underneath before giving up on them. I really liked Ellie, she’s been overlooked her entire life, not quite good enough in other people’s opinions. She’s breaking out, learning how to be herself for herself and out to proved those that had put her down as so very wrong. It takes guts to uproot yourself and start over, that’s a strength that many see as a weakness, unfortunately.

While Oliver and Ellie, again on the surface, may seem like an unlikely pairing they actually fit well, bringing out the best in each other. I liked them together, and although they will face difficulties, they stick and that matters.

I’m enjoying this series and would definitely recommend this story to any Romance reader who enjoys a solid story, engaging characters and a story that simply feels good.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Whether she is writing romance, contemporary women’s fiction or historical novels, USA Today best-selling author Kate Hewitt is a writer I trust implicitly to deliver a poignant, compelling and highly emotional tale and she certainly does not disappoint with her latest charmer, Meet Me at Willoughby Close!

Moving to the rural idyll of Wychwood-on-Lea was meant to be a fresh start for single mother Ellie Matthews and her daughter Abby. This picturesque village was the new beginning which the mother and daughter had been desperate for, however, on arrival, they quickly realise that the cosy and bucolic picture which they had built up for themselves was not going to materialize so easily. Although Ellie and Abby are living in a charming cottage, the Yummy Mummies at the local school have not exactly welcomed them with open arms, Abby is having trouble fitting in at school and Ellie’s new boss, Oliver Venables, is infuriating, demanding…and as sexy as hell!

Despite the fact that the odds seem to be stacked against them, Ellie is not about to give up on her rural dream quite so easily. Luckily for her and Abby, the charming village quickly begins to work its magic on them. Ellie soon begins to feel like she’s found somewhere she can belong and Abby befriends Tobias, who just happens to be Oliver’s nephew. As the two children begin to spend more and more together, the adults start getting closer and their relationship is soon in danger of veering from professional into very personal! Thrown together by fate, circumstance and their two charges, Ellie and Oliver’s feelings quickly develop into something deeper, but are they ready to throw caution to the wind, put their hearts on the line and grab this unexpected chance at happiness?

The past had taught Ellie and Oliver that the only way they can stop themselves from getting hurt is to build solid walls around both their hearts. But just when their defenses begin to crumble, a cruel reminder from the past comes back to haunt them with a vengeance. What are they to do? Will they continue to lead a safe, but ultimately unfulfilling life out of fear that they will end up getting hurt again? Or are they finally ready to face their demons in order to get the happy ending which they truly deserve?

Meet Me at Willoughby Close is a lovely, heartwarming and uplifting read that is just perfect for curling up with on a cold February afternoon. A magical tale about taking chances, trust, healing from the past and the magic of everlasting love, Meet Me at Willoughby Close is a terrific story featuring characters that leap off the pages from the very beginning, searing emotion, delightful humour and poignant romance that will pluck at your heartstrings and have you reaching for the tissues.

Magical, feel-good and irresistible, Meet Me at Willougby Close is another terrific read by Kate Hewitt.

Such a good, quick and fun read. The characters are all likeable and seem like real people. I loved the mother and daughter but my favorite character had to be Dorothy. All of the characters are well rounded and behave in ways that match their ages and stations in life IMO. I chuckled, I cried and had that gut reaction I love while waiting to see if things would work out like I hoped they would. A really good romance in the middle of a fun mother/young daughter book. I can't wait to read more from this author.

This British romantic comedy started off well. It's got the quirky single mom trying to start a new life by moving to an adorable cottage and working for an attractive but awkward, bookish professor at Oxford. It was cute and funny in the beginning. But then nothing happens. There's a lot of second guessing, miscommunication, more second guessing, more miscommunication. That's fun for about 30 pages, not 200. By the end, I didn't like the characters very much anymore.

This is the second of the Willoughby Close stories. Ellie Matthews and her daughter Abby are the first to move officially into the Close at Number One.

Ellie is five years down from a divorce and still hasn't really got her life together. It doesn't help that Abby's father is the kind of happy go lucky charmer that can't be relied on, dropping in and out of their lives on a whim. Her 11yr old daughter has been bullied at school for being a nerd, because of her interest in fantasy books and gaming. Moving away from her family is a last resort for Ellie, hoping to prove her independence and solve Abby's problems at school by giving them both a fresh start.

Oliver Venables is Ellie's new boss, an Oxford professor writing a book about children in the Victorian era. He is seen as a fusty old stick, even though he hasn't reached forty. For Oliver, Ellie is a bright, exciting new influence in his life. Both are too lacking in self confidence to make a move but for Abby's sake, Ellie goes out of her comfort zone to help her make friends with Oliver's nephew.

There were times when I became frustrated with Ellie in particular although both had their Too Stupid To Live moments. It is a sweet story with an emphasis on real people dealing with everyday problems.

I'm not a big fan of the heroine with child by loser ex story line, but this was well written and kept me interested even when I was annoyed with the choices the characters made. A bit like real life.

I received a copy from Netgalley for an independent review

Ellie Matthews and her daughter, Abby, came to the Cotswolds to get a new start. Life has been rough for Ellie as a single mother. Now she has a new job at the University of Oxford. She'll be the personal assistant for Doctor Oliver Venables, a history professor. At first glance, he's socially awkward. As Ellie gets to know him she attracted. Oliver feels the same. I enjoyed seeing them dance around each other both afraid to let the other know how they feel. Ellie and Oliver have endured emotional trauma which has made them uncertain and afraid to commit. I wanted them to take a chance. They deserve a HEA. I hated that Abby was bullied. Unfortunately this is all too common. It made me happy when she made friends and gained confidence. Willoughby Close is a quaint and lovely place. It's a perfect setting for this story. Kate Hewitt wrote a sweet, touching romance. I enjoyed this emotional drama about their search for love. This story made me feel good. I plan to come back to Willoughby Close and learn more about the people who live here.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read. My comments are my honest opinion.

Meet me at Willoughby Close by Kate Hewitt is the second book in the Willoughby Close series.
In the book we follow the story of Ellie and her daughter who are the first to move into the Close.
Ellie is divorced and still struggling to put all the pieces back together and move forward with her life.
Ellie has a new job to start at the University and Abby her Daughter is looking forward to making new friends after being bullied.
When Ellie starts working for professor, Oliver at the University the last thing she expected was for him to end up a love interest but can they both overcome their own problems to actually make things work?....

I didn't actually read the first book in this series but didn't have any trouble reading this next book and found it to be an enjoyable and quick read.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Tule Publishing for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review which I have been more then happy to give.

Welcome to Willoughby Close… a charming cluster of cozy cottages, each with a story to tell and a happy ending to deliver…
Ellie Matthews has come to Wychwood-on-Lea to find a new start for her and her daughter Abby. But, life there doesn’t start out as idyllic as she had hoped. While Ellie loves her cute cottage in Willoughby Close, the Yummy Mummies at the primary school seem intent on giving her the cold shoulder, Abby has trouble fitting in, and her boss, Oliver Venables, is both surprisingly sexy and irritatingly inscrutable.
But miracles can happen in the most unexpected places, and in small, yet wonderful ways. Slowly, Ellie and Abby find themselves making friends and experiencing the everyday magic of Willoughby Close. When Oliver’s nephew, Tobias, befriends Abby, the four of them start to feel like family… and Ellie begins to see the kindness and warmth beneath Oliver’s chilly exterior, which awakens both her longing and fear.
Ellie knows all about disappointment, and the pain of trying too hard for nothing, while Oliver has his own hurts and secrets to deal with. When the past comes rollicking back to remind both of them of their weaknesses and failings, will they be able to overcome their fears and find their own happy ending?
Picked up from Netgalley and read over the New Year – it’s only now, in checking reviews that I’ve realised that I haven’t written one for this book!
I’ve previously read A Cotswold Christmas from the same author, and whilst I considered that one a little short and light, this was a better book (possibly because it was longer and therefore room for more character development).
Anyway, Ellie has moved to Willoughby Close with her daughter Abby to get away from a painful past and try and move on. Abby has previously been bullied at school, and unfortunately it seems it might be happening again at her new school. It doesn’t help that her apparent nemesis (Mallory) – and her mother (Harriet) – move in to the house next door.
Following a shaky start – both of them had different expectations from her working in the university typing pool - Ellie and her boss Oliver start dating. Abby, who swings between being the child and the adult in her relationship with her mother, becomes friends with Oliver’s nephew Tobias.
There’s an interesting take on “blended families”, where Ellie and Oliver need to navigate Ellie’s relationship with Tobias’ mother, who has sunk into an alcoholic fugue following her husband’s suicide.
Against all odds, Abby also makes friends with Lady Dorothy, who is the old woman who lives in “the big house” – Ellie feels she always started off on the wrong foot with Lady Dorothy, ever since the dog ruined the croquet lawn.
The usual events for a romance happen along the way, and there are the usual bumps in the road – Nathan (Ellie’s ex) turns up unexpected, and Oliver invites Ellie home to meet his parents, having avoided telling her he comes from minor aristocracy and that his parents are horrendous people.
Ultimately, nearly everything gets resolved satisfactorily, but there is room for a future book on Harriet and Mallory, and perhaphs one about Nathan. As I mentioned before, it was a more rounded book than the previous one, so I’m glad I took another chance on this series.

Another installment of live at Willoughby Close and another cottage has new residents. Although this is the second in a series it still works well as a stand a line story - there are a couple of references to the couple from the first book. Again the path of true love doesn't run smooth especially with an odd pairing of single mum and a university professor - add in a big lumbering (and farting) dog and a titled geriatric and you have an amusing tale. Worth a read and I'm looking forward to the next installment.