Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane

This book is full of family and how people can overcome disappointment and sadness. Your heart will really feel for the main character Lucy and you will fall in love James - it's a great story! Will definitely be looking out for more books by Ellen Berry.

When Lucy discovered Rosemary Cottage was for sale, she envisioned moving into the house she loved as a child, starting a B and B with her husband and children and living happily ever after. Of course happily ever after only happens in fairy tales as Lucy discovers when she raising her children and running the B and B on her own a year later.Things are so difficult, so dire, she fears that after this winter, she and the children will have to leave Rosemary Cottage forever. But then the chance at new love and a second chance presents itself. Is Lucy willing to risk having her heart broken again for a second chance at love and a second chance in the home of her dreams?

Every once in a while a story comes along which really makes you appreciate all you have. This is a a story about having it all and then rethinking about what comes after. At times an emotional read but thoroughly well written and thoughtful. I loved and understood all of the characters and would be extremely happy to live within such a wonderful and caring community.

Really wonderful christmas story. Full of charm, romance, great characters, and magic settings this book will get you in the mood to put your christmas tree up early, it did me anyway. Lovely story, i would really recommend it.

A lovely uplifting book , perfect to snuggle up with on a cold wet night!
Lucy is such a strong character who is portrayed in a very realistic light.After persuading her husband Ivan to relocate to the country they begin to live the rural idyll along with their two children, unfortunately this is short lived and what follows is the tale of one woman’s struggle, determination and ambition, even though at times she is tired, overwhelmed and struggling with grief! It was hard to put this book down as you wanted to see what would happen next and if old friendships could be revitalised, I loved the characters particularly James and his dad, and how normal family domesticity was portrayed in such a realistic way! A great read just like a big warm comforting hug!
Thank you for this early read!

Lovely festive read. It was a heart warming romance. It was a wonderful book to read. It was well written and flowed well.

This was a bitter sweet story and well written to keep the reader interested in the story as well as the characters.

Loved this fantastic seasonal read! Great story, great characters and a few surprises along the way! Took me a couple of chapters to become emersed in the story, but once I was, I couldn't put it down. The ending was a little strange too but I can forgive as generally it was a great read.
Lucy has a childhood memory of happy summer days in a village in Yorkshire. When her job in the city falls apart, and city life loses appeal, her ideal of country life and happy days just may become her new reality.
Warm cosy read for cold rainy nights, to curl up with, recommended also on Amazon.
Need to read the other stories from this village too!

Loved the character's,in this book,theme about family and friends,and overcoming difficulties and appreciating what we have,true meaning of Christmas as portrayed in the book during the Christmas season,love to find out what happens to Lucy and friends,is there a sequel to the book.

What a beautifully written book. when Lucy sees that Rosemary Cottage has come up for sale she remembers the summer Holidays when she played there as a chi,d. Lucy and her husband Ivan together with their two children buy the cottage to run as a B&B but a year later circumstances change drastically for Lucy. Will she continue to live in Rosemary Cottage or will she decide to,sell the house that has so many memories.

Lucy's mother is anxious to protect Lucy but seems to irritate rather than help but a friend from her childhood, James, helps her to face the future rather than dwell on the past. For me the book ended too soon but that could be because I was enjoying it so much I didn't want it to end

All my favourite things: different relationships, romance and Christmas. A good read that started quite slowing but built up pace to be a well written story. I found the ending a bit abrupt and would have liked a more rounded finish.

An emotional, poignant, and heartwarming read that made me wish it was Christmas.
I liked the storytelling, it's really well written, the fleshed out cast of characters and the lovely setting.
It's an engrossing and enjoyable read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Having read the other 2 books in this series was delighted to get an early copy
It's like coming back home the village camaraderie is second to none the village has grown over the years and great to see how there all doing especially at Primrose cottage totally captivating read loved it.

Talk about a bitter sweet book. From childhood to adulthood dreams coming true. Beautiful Christmas village book engrossed in the villagers. Poor Lucy though but she will get to her finest again. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane is an interesting read. The characters are diverse and intriguing. The family moves from city to country, makes some adjustments then an accident changes their lifes. Dealing with the pressure and moving on. You'll enjoy reading how this will develop.

Lucy fell in love with Rosemary Cottage when she was a girl, plundering berries from the garden in fear of the owner catching her and her friends. It was her dream home.

Years later when her life takes an unexpected path, Lucy can buy her dream home and embrace life with her children and husband in the countryside and run a B & B. However, when a tragic accident leads to a completely path again it seems that there is only one more year left at Rosemary Cottage and life in Burley Bridge.

James is back in Burley Bridge as it appears his father needs some care as he has exhibited some rather worrying behaviour. James also recalls playing in the garden of Rosemary Cottage as a child and playing with Lucy so he is shocked to see her again.

James patience and kindness though is what Lucy needs right now as she tries to decide whether she should really leave her dream, Rosemary Cottage and go back to a world that seems to have left her behind.

This is a welcome return to Ellen Berry's series of books featuring the village of Burley Bridge, but you do not have to visited before to get a feel for the place. Familiar faces soon become your friends and the author draws you right into how a village can help a newcomer as well as a stalwart resident.

A nice comfortable read which is not full on Christmas but is more to do with love and sorrow, grief and happiness.

A book with lots of positivity amongst all the sadness and a lot is packed into the pages, that the story skillfully takes you over a large time period in a clever way without ever feeling bogged down or dragging a plot out for the sake of it.

I hope one day we perhaps return to visit Rosemary Cottage as I feel there is more to know about Lucy and James. The ending was left very loose......

Amazing feel good book! Absolutely loved reading this Christmas title! Would recommend this author to everyone!

A delightful read, warm and funny, sad and heartbreaking, with an ending that makes my heart happy. A perfect book for a winter's evening curled up by the fire.

Lucy fell in love with Rosemary Cottage as a child. When the cottage comes up for sale, she persuades her husband Ivan that they should say goodbye to the rat race and move to the country and set the cottage up as a B&B.

But a tragic accident means that Lucy is left on her own struggling to cope with being a single mum and running the B&B. As she tries to come to terms with her loss, she will have to decide whether she can keep Rosemary Cottage or if she has to give up her dream.

Having not read a work by this author before, I was unsure what to expect. However, I really enjoyed this book. A lovely story with great characters made for an easy and enjoyable read.

Falling in love with a place (and perhaps a boy) when you are a child leaves a mark, and no-one needed to explore the possibilities more than Lucy. Having dreamed of the little cottage on Rosemary Lane with the walled garden when spending summer weeks with her aunt and uncle, Lucy convinces her husband and children that the cottage, with a little work, will be a perfect home and business opportunity. But when her husband is killed in a car accident, just as Lucy feels she is getting ‘the hang’ of running the B&B and starting to branch out with her decorating, things start to turn.

Tons of questions arise, and things are pretty bleak – from the children’s grief to her own, to unanswered questions and a seeming never-ending push from her mother to return to nearer her family where they can ‘take care of” her. A chance meeting with the boy she remembered from her childhood, Hally, brings Lucy back into contact with James and the confusing yet comforting feelings of childhood. Someone to talk with, someone who she can share her worries with, and who doesn’t let her feel ‘less than’ – he’s been an invaluable source of strength, compassion and understanding – particularly when she needed a friend. Of course, he’s in town so often because of his father’s ailing health and mental state, but he’s finding the stress of commuting far less stressful after talking with Lucy.

This is a quiet story of grief and recovery, showing the power of determination and time as one looks to reframe a life, far different from one that they thought was in their sights. Lucy goes through it all, from overwhelmed to overworked, pretending all is well to a minor setback causing hysterics as she tries to navigate tricky waters, emotions and a slowly growing realization of James as a person and someone she is attracted to in more than a ‘friendly’ way. With plenty of moments to laugh, commiserate and even cry – grief is both the touchstone and the driving force for change, growth and empathy with the characters and for the reader. A lovely story that manages to cover months of healing and hurts, holiday mayhem and mirth, and come out leaving readers thinking about their own choices when one has been removed.

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

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-ayU/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Loved this book not to slushy was a bit worried for a bit as the story wasn't feeling like it was gonna end right but it did turn out ok in the end. 5* all the way

Beautiful story, though a little sad at times, Felt real empathy for Lucy, who was really likeable, someone who you’d really like to be friends with. Lots of great characters in fact, a very warmly told story.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

4.5 *

A delightful novel set in a community that pulls together. Although Lucy went through tragic times it was a wonderful heart warming read. Ellen’s another writer I will be reading more.

Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane by Ellen Berry is a lovely Christmas romance that is sure to warm your heart. This story pulls you in and keeps you turning pages wanting to know what will happen next. You are sure to fall in love with the characters and get sept away to another time, another place. Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane a fast-paced read that is sure to stay with you long after reading.

This book takes us back to Burley Bridge, the location of Ellen Berry's previous books. This time a new character Lucy decides to move to Burley Bridge with her family after she is made redundant. She spent a lot of time there as a child, staying with her Aunt and Uncle.
After a tragedy occurs, Lucy doesn't know what to do for the best. She has family pressures, and finds unexpected solace with a childhood friend, who is also experiencing challenges in his life.
This is not your standard Christmas romance. The book covers grief, family problems and pressures. It is however a good read, and well written. It is emotional in places, but also shows strength in the characters, as they try to rebuild their lives.
This book has cameo appearances from Della and Roxanne from the previous books. This can definitely be read as a standalone novel though. I enjoyed reading this book, and it would be nice to read more books which are set in this location.

A lovely feel good read, once I started it I couldn't put it down. A great way to start my Christmas reading.

Last winter she had a plan.

Lucy fell in love with tumbledown Rosemary Cottage as a child. So thirty years on, when she loses her city job and discovers the cottage is for sale, it feels like fate. She’ll raise her children in Burley Bridge and transform the cottage into a B&B with her husband.

But a year can change everything . . .

Now Lucy is juggling two children and a B&B, but on her own. Christmas looks set to be their last on Rosemary Lane – until she meets James, a face from her past and someone who might offer a different kind of future . . .

Should Lucy leave the cottage behind? Or could this winter on Rosemary Lane be the start of something new?

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful story. This was the first book I read by this author and I did enjoy it.

Heartwarming, emotional, and with utterly endearing characters, SNOWDROPS ON ROSEMARY LANE by Ellen Berry is a simply wonderful story.

When Lucy was younger she used to love to visit her relatives in Burley Bridge where she had summer friendships and ran wild in the countryside. And there was always Rosemary Cottage which felt special to her, a place where she would love to live one day. Fast-forward and Lucy is an adult, happily married with her two lovely children, and when a severance package gives them an opportunity for a new life, Lucy jumps at the chance. Now the proud owners of Rosemary Cottage which they are running as a B&B, Lucy feels like she was born to this country lifestyle and with a lot of hard work, her dreams may just come true. But when tragedy strikes, Lucy's life is turned upside down and it looks like leaving the countryside behind them is the only choice. But when Lucy meets one of her old summer friends from her childhood, who is going through is own family worries and issues, the possibility of a different future opens up before them.

Engaging, compelling, and captivating from beginning to end, SNOWDROPS ON ROSEMARY LANE by Ellen Berry is everything I wanted it to be and more. I laughed, I cried, and I worried alongside Lucy and the rest of the characters in this homely and lovely setting which comes alive on every page, and I sat up until the wee hours to finish this special story. A must-read for Christmas fiction fans and readers who just love a well-written and in-depth story, SNOWDROPS ON ROSEMARY LANE is sure to hit the spot. I look forward to more from this talented author.

Warm and uplifting
A story that will tug at your heartstrings.

Told for the most part from Lucy's point a view Is a lovely story of a young family set on bringing back to life Rosemary Cottage as a B & B in a small rural town filled with interesting characters.. When Lucy finds out that that the cottage on Rosemary Lane , a place filled with childhood memories from 30 years back is up for sale she jumps at the chance to buy it. She quickly finds out that life isn't as easy as it was back then.

Although this story starts off as a slow read I quickly fell in love with it's characters. I especially appreciated the character development as it gave me the ability to relate with the ups and downs of Lucy's life.

4 out of 5 Stars!

I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via Netgalley in return for my honest review.

Childhood memories can be powerful, and Lucy’s love of the cottage on Rosemary Lane stayed with her for thirty years. When her career reaches a crossroads, she convinces her husband that living there would be perfect for their family. For a while it is. Then life happens and tragedy strikes and Lucy is left to rebuild her family, but will it be at the cottage on Rosemary Lane?

Whilst this story is not exclusively festive, there are many Christmassy references and touches, which show the best and worst of the season. Told from mainly from Lucy’s point of view, this is a lovely tale of family life in a small Yorkshire village, it is a story of bereavement and loss and starting over. There are some strong friendships, and interesting romantic possibilities overlaid with courage, emotion and humour. The story draws you in, and it becomes important what happens to Lucy and her young family.

The rural setting is well described and the cast of characters diverse and realistic. James’ story is intricately woven into the main plot in a believable way, with just the right amount of serendipity. The story brings hope out of tragedy and leaves the reader with a feel-good hug.

I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is a bit of a rollercoaster, with some very happy well constructed moments and some unexpected sadness.
When Lucy moves her family into the cottage of her childhood dreams she believes that she has everything she could ever need. But fate plays cruel tricks and the next two years throw many obstacles in her way. Meeting old friends help, but Lucy has to find a new path for her family.
This family story has an uneven pace with some unfinished threads but overall an entertaining read.

A lovely, cozy, festive read with wonderful characters and a poignant story. I am a new fan of Ellen Beny.

It’s lovely to be back in Rosemary Lane again! I love Ellen Berry’s books, as well as the books she’s written under her other name.

On this visit to Rosemary Lane, we meet up with Lucy who used to visit relatives in Burley Bridge and stayed in Rosemary Cottage as a child. Happily married, with two young children, Lucy has always harboured a desire to return and when the opportunity arises to buy Rosemary Cottage, Lucy jumps at the chance. They run the cottage as a B&B but her husband gets an offer to return to work, so he’s away during the week and returns to the family at weekends - until disaster strikes and it looks as though everything will have to change again.

Meanwhile, James visits his father in Burley Bridge when his brother takes off abroad and, when his and Lucy’s paths cross, they realise that they used to play together as children.

A really warm, lovely book full of kindness and Christmas spirit. I absolutely loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Lovely story in a beautiful setting, nice easy read for a cold winters afternoon. Loved the characters and well written

Life doesn’t always go the way we plan, and it’s how we deal with challenges that will determine the future. Welcome to Lucy’s world in this heart warming and poignant novel by Ellen Berry. Perhaps the future can be even better than we plan.

This book was just what I expected it to be - a light and predictable story. I love books like this during the holiday season, as they are a great way to relax from the hustle and bustle. This had a great story and the characters were well-developed.

A most enjoyable read. As a child Lucy had spent several long summer holidays staying with her aunt and uncle at their cottage in Burley Bridge, deep in the Yorkshire countryside. She hadn’t wanted to go there, but on her very first day she had made some life-long friends, and fallen in love with a cottage in Rosemary Lane, she was determined she would live there one day.

Life moves on, Lucy marries Ivan, and they have two children. Then Lucy is made redundant, and her husband is fed up with his job. Lucy finds out that ‘her’ cottage is up for sale. For their tenth wedding anniversary she arranges a night in a smart country hotel close to Burley Bridge, leaving the children with her parents. Before they go home she detours to show Ivan the village she spent time in, and the cottage. He doesn’t love it as much as her, but agrees to move away from Manchester and start working for himself, from the cottage, which they will run as a B&B. Ivan doesn’t really settle into village life, and when a work-mate offers him a job he jumps at the chance, staying in Manchester in a company flat from Monday to Friday each week. Then tragedy strikes, Lucy has to bring up the children on her own. She has made many friends, old and new, in the village, but her parents are demanding that she returns to live near them, so they can help her.

The story shows how she gradually sorts out her life with the support of her friends, and finds herself a new career, and the expectation of a new relationship. There are moments of deep sadness, when you can sympathise with Lucy, and understand her pain, and other times when the little family learn to laugh together again.

It is a moving story, very real, taking place over a long period of time. The ending was a bit abrupt, but hopefully there will be a sequel where we can find out whether James’s plans for his father’s care come to fruition, and whether his other plans work out. He was a well-written character, worthy of a book for his further story. All in all an excellent read.

This is a beautiful story. Poignant yet full of promise and the complicated nature of human beings.

Very enjoyable read.

A perfect book for a winter evening. Easy to read, pulling at the emotions. The author managed to transport me to a cottage in a small Yorkshire village and made me wish that the village I live in was so idyllic! Recommended.

Loved this book, it had family life, sadness, love and happiness all under the cover. It is set in a small village and starts back in childhood leading up to having children of her own. Several old pals are involved and makes for a great read. This is a 5 star story and I recommend you read it.

When live doesn't go like you want ...
Author of multiple book Ellen berry presents "Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane" which was published by Avon Books UK. As a child Lucy Riddock spent some of her summers in Burley Bridge, had made friends there, and fell in love with Rosemary Cottage. At their tenth year anniversary she show it to her husband Ivan and ultimately convinces him to move there and turn Rosemary Cottage into a Bed-and-Breakfast. But the road is not without struggles and the unexpected death of Ivan in an accident opens a number of questions. Then Lucy meets James Halsall who ultimately turns out to be her friend Hally from her childhood. What will the future bring for her and her children? And what is the future of Rosemary Cottage?
This was the first book of Ellen Berry that I read and I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. It is the third book in her series about Rosemary Lane but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. It has wholesome believable characters, especially the determined Lucy. The story is interesting especially with its emphasis on family and second chances.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#SnowdropsOnRosemaryLane #NetGalley

From the synopsis alone we know this book is a bit of me all over! A countryside b&b yes please.



Lucy has such fun memories of run down Rosemary Cottage, with her gang of summer friends - stealing berries and causing mischief. So when her life changes and she is made redundant around the time this is up for sale, its fate.



She can fulfil her dream of owning the cottage and running a b&b from it with the help of husband. Yet again though life has a funny way of changing though, and in a tragic turn of events Lucy finds herself trying to cope alone, that is until a familiar face from her childhood turns up....



I adored this book, mainly because i adored Lucy - i felt a sense of support for her, the way it was written - you was drawn into her, i cried with her, i smiled with her, i wanted to give her advice and she tried to find hersef once more. I loved Rosemarry Cottage & the place as a whole, its the sort of place you want to visit, i was desperate to visit the bookshop especially.



This was a brill read and paced brilliantly giving us time to watch the characters and their relationships develop, it left me feeling warmed up on this chilly day.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Perfect dark, dreary nights read. This made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Would recommend.

This book hit really close to home. With my best friend having lost her husband tragically the book resonates with me and it was sad to read and remember the loss of a loved one. It did however highlight the love and friendship you can have and that family is everything.

I found the main character Lucy really strong and saw a lot of my friend in this character also bringing up two children on her own. I loved that she went for what she wanted and bought the new home away from the hustle and bustle of a main city. The resilience that she had brought tears to my eyes and that she was strong enough to keep going and do what she loves.

The book is so heart warming I found this book a really quick and enjoyable read. The strength that bleeds through from the main character Lucy trying to keep everything together after she lost her husband, not only has she got two grieving children to look after but she moved away from family to set up a B&B like she always wanted.

This book warmed my heart and shows how strong we can be in the face of loss of a loved one.

The cover totally appealed to me when I started reading this book. I loved the colours and the snowflakes screamed “Christmas!” at me. However, if you are not into very Christmassy books, then this will be for you. This novel covers several years and whilst Christmas does feature, the passage of time means you are transported through all of the seasons. As such, I think this is a book you could read all year round.

Stereotypically, Christmas novels are warm and uplifting. Instead, I found this read quite sad in places and really sympathised with Lucy and her circumstances. It was rather emotional and I could not predict how she would behave over the story. This element made the read more enjoyable; the surprises in plot development meant it was an engaging story and something a little bit different from the many seasonal books out there.

For the most part, I liked all of the characters. However, I found Lucy’s mother incredibly annoying. As in, I don’t think I could have put up with her living with me! She is so interfering and heartless towards Lucy’s dad, that I really wanted Lucy to stand up to her. Unfortunately, Lucy remains considerate and chooses her words carefully; yes, she is setting the right example, but seriously, I don’t think that was particularly realistic. Surely Lucy would have to properly snap at some point?

Berry describes Lucy’s garden in such wonderful detail that I could vividly picture if in my head. And I even felt horticulturally inspired! It is a symbol of so many things in the novel and the freedom that Lucy allows her garden to grow represents that increasing independence she feels as the story develops. Set in Yorkshire, I could easily imagine Lucy’s B&B hosting many travellers as they escape on walks in to the hills. It felt so idyllic and not remote in the slightest.

This book is part of a series but thankfully, you do not need to read it in order. I am coming across more and more books like this – they are set in the same place and the series “travels” around location. Meaning you focus on different characters, I look forward to see if Lucy appears in the other books in the series. My enjoyment of this story means I will certainly look up Berry’s other novels.

A lovely read. It was satisfying, immersive and enjoyable. I was emotionally connected to Lucy and I desperately wanted to see her succeed. Love and romance are not on the cards for this story; it is a novel about adaptation and realising one’s own identity. Christmas is a great bonus but, as I have already mentioned, I cannot see why this book could not be read at any point in the year.

With thanks to Avon books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really moving story, I assumed because of the cover it would be a Christmas story and while Christmas does feature in this book it isn't the focus. It is a brilliant story and I really liked the main character, she's very easy to connect with. I like Ellen Berry's writing style and this reinforced that.

Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane was an enjoyable story with wonderful characters. I felt a deep empathy towards Lucy - one of the strongest characters throughout the whole book. As she navigates her grief with the help of a warm, patient, and understanding childhood friend and a loving and supportive community, the reader is reminded of the true magic surrounding the holiday season: love, family, and friendship. Very well-written and one of those "feel good" stories that stick with you long after you put it down.

I have been a fan of Ellen's work for quite a while now. I have read and loved each of her books to date. I was drawn to this book from the cover alone as the cottage on the front cover is exactly how I imagined my dream house as a child! I read the synopsis and I just knew that this would be another delightful read from Ellen Berry. I got a cup of tea in one hand and settled down with the book in the other and began to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Snowdrops On Rosemary Lane' but more about that in a bit.
I couldn't help but take to Lucy from the first moment I met her. The story begins thirty years ago, when Lucy was a child and she often spent her school holidays with her aunt and uncle who lived in an adorable sounding village. Lucy hung around with a little crowd of kids, who were all of a similar age to her. The story then fast forwards to the present day and we meet Lucy when she is happily married to Ivan, they have two children together and another on the way. Both also have successful careers, although Lucy soon leaves her job with a generous pay off. Lucy takes this as a sign that she is destined for other things. They end up buying a cottage in the village where Lucy spent a lot of her holidays as a child and they work at changing the use of the cottage into a Bed & Breakfast place. Both settle down into village life and they soon start to make friends. Sadly their third pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. I felt so, so sorry for Lucy at this point and if I could have jumped inside the pages of the book to give her a hug then I would have done. Lucy throws herself into her work. There's trouble on the horizon but I don't want to say too much more what happens as I would hate to give too much away. Lucy meets up with some of her childhood acquaintances and renews her friendships with them. What does the future hold for Lucy and her children? Well that would be giving too much away so to find out what happens you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
As with all of Ellen's books, I was drawn into this story from the start and reading the book became seriously addictive. If I had to put the book down for any reason, then I would try to come up with every excuse in the book to enable me to get back to reading this delightful read. I was an addict in desperate need of my next fix. I made the fatal mistake of beginning to read this book shortly before I went to bed and let's just say I ended up reading long into the night because I couldn't stop reading. I soon reached the end of the story which I was disappointed about. I was enjoying the author's writing style, the characters and the storylines so much that I just didn't want the book to end.
'Snowdrops On Rosemary Lane' is superbly written but then I tend to find that that is always the case with Ellen's books. She creates strong lead characters that are impossible to dislike and I would guess that a lot of people can empathise with what the lead characters go through. For example I found myself feeling great sympathy for Lucy when she suffers the miscarriage. I haven't suffered such a thing myself but somebody close to me has and I have seen how they have been affected by their experiences. Ellen certainly knows how to grab your attention from the start. Once she has your attention, she will not let it go until the moment you have finished reading the last word on the last page. I also find that Ellen uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that I felt myself going through every emotion that the lead characters were going through and I felt as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, Ellen Berry (aka Fiona Gibson) has done it again and she has written one festive cracker of a book, which deserves to go to the top of the bestsellers list. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I would definitely recommend this author and her books to other readers. I will most definitely be reading more of Ellen's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

What a fun, sweet book! It seems to be marketed as a holiday book, and there is a short Christmas celebration included, but that's not the true focus of the book.

Lucy was enchanted by Rosemary Cottage when she was a child -- scaling the garden wall, stealing berries from the bushes, having adventures with the local friends she made and only saw once a year -- but she eventually settled with her husband and two children in Manchester and took on a corporate job. After losing her corporate job, though, she decides that she really wants to buy Rosemary Cottage and turn it into a bed and breakfast. This book follows what happens during the two years following Lucy's new adventure.

As someone who dreams of someday having her own cottage in the Cotswolds, this was a delightful book. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the storyline. My only complaint is that it was a bit slow in certain parts of the book, but for a light British chick lit book, I would recommend it.

Also, it turns out this is the third book in a series, which I didn't learn until the end. I don't think I missed anything by reading this one first, but I can't wait to go back and read the series from the beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book. It has not influenced my opinion.

Life has come full circle for Lucy. A place where she played as a child with fond memories has become her home. Opening a B&B has always been her dream. But her dream is fought with tragedy and perseverance.A new author for me, I received this book from Netgalley, and it was engaging and very enjoyable. A read for anyone that enjoys a heartwarming story with relatable characters and believes in second chances. These comments and review are my honest opinion.

I am not crying, I have something in my eye…. OK, I am crying.

It was hard not to reach for the tissues with the latest book by Ellen Berry.

It focuses on Lucy, who after losing her job in Manchester, makes the decision with her husband Ivan to move to the picturesque village of Burley Bridge. It is not all plain sailing for Lucy and her family and there are many ups and downs along the way. Lucy wonders whether Rosemary Cottage is her forever home after all?

It’s not hard to feel love and empathy for Lucy especially as things happen for her pretty early on in the novel.

James, like Lucy is dealing with issues that I think a lot of people would be able to relate to. He and Lucy have many layers to them. I liked them both a lot.

The supporting characters are wonderful and it was such a pleasure to be back in Burley Bridge (the previous novels being The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane and The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane.) It was lovely to have cameos from previous characters.

You don’t need to have read the previous novels though to enjoy this book. It can be read as a standalone novel. However, once you’ve read this, you may want to go back and read the first two in the series. I am hoping this is not the last we see of Burley Bridge and its inhabitants.

I love the idea of the plot overall; to buy a cottage in the country. That is all I am saying about the story as I don’t want to be giving away any spoilers. I am hoping that you will discover this book for yourself.

This book is an enchanting, warm novel full of delightful characters. Ellen Berry tackles some quite sensitive subjects, including grief, with lots of care.

Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane has a rollercoaster of emotions and is perfect company for the cold evenings as we head toward the festive season.

Warm, witty and absolutely wonderful, Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane is an enchanting and captivating read guaranteed to put a great big smile on your face.

As a child, Lucy had been head over heels in love with the tumbledown Rosemary Cottage. Lucy has been dreaming of living in that cottage ever since she was knee high and when thirty years later, she loses her job and discovers that this cottage is up for sale, she thinks that it’s fate. Finally all over her dreams will come true and she will raise her children there and turn the cottage into a B&B with her husband. Lucy has the future all planned out and thinks that absolutely nothing and nobody is going to get in the way of her dreams. But fate seems to have other ideas in store for her and her dreams of living a life of marital bucolic bliss in an idyllic cottage are soon smashed to smithereens…

Lucy is now a single mum juggling raising her two children with running a B&B – and her life is anything but easy. Constantly lurching from one disaster to another, Lucy has resigned herself to the fact that maybe the time has come to abandon all of her dreams of being chatelaine of Rosemary Cottage and to start concentrating on setting more achievable goals and having a more realistic and practical outlook. But just when Lucy is about to give up, a face from the past comes back into her life offering her a life line and a chance to fight for the dreams that mean the world to her…

Meeting James again after all this time was a shock and a surprise, however, his return back into her life has definitely put a spring back into Lucy’s step. James is offering a different kind of future and one which she shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss. Could James provide Lucy with all the opportunities which she has been searching for for so long? Should Lucy just leave Rosemary Lane behind? Or will this winter be the start of a promising new chapter for her?

A wonderful wintry romantic read that is perfect for curling up with on a cold afternoon with a great big mug of hot chocolate, Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane is a touching, tender and hilarious tale about starting over, moving on and finding the courage to fight for your dreams that I absolutely adored. Ellen Berry has got a terrific writing style that draws you in from the very first page and keeps you hooked and on the edge of your seat throughout. She creates characters that are believable and realistic and which you simply cannot help but root for.

Ellen Berry’s Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane is a comforting and compelling read that will touch your heart and lift your spirits, so don’t miss this festive and fabulous read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. There’s not one thing I’d change. It’s a very chick lit story but fab!! Ellen Berry has created characters that make you fall in love with; and that you root for throughout the story. No spoilers but I would highly recommend this as an example that love conquers all!!

I actually didn’t realise, until I was writing this review, that author Ellen Berry was actually Fiona Gibson. If I’d known in advance, I’d have been even more excited to get stuck into Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane as I’ve read a few of Fiona’s books before and loved them.

I thought I had a good idea of what the plot of this book would be just from the front cover. It really goes to show that the old adage ‘never judge a book by its cover’ is more accurate than I’d thought!

Lucy has just lost her high-flying job when she spots that the cottage she’d dreamed of living in as a child is for sale. Rosemary Cottage is a picturesque and charming spot in the small village of Burley Bridge. She’s got a plan to turn the house into a B&B and enjoy country life with her husband Ivan and their children.

But circumstances change suddenly, and Lucy is no longer sure that the future she’d dreamt of is viable. It isn’t until she’s reunited with her childhood friend James that she starts to reconsider the road ahead…

Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane is the third book in the Rosemary Lane series. It works perfectly as a standalone but I’m now intrigued to go back and read the previous two. I’d love to get to know some of the other characters from Burley Bridge better!

This was not at all the slightly predictable, little bit cheesy, Christmas romance I’d thought it would be. Instead, this is a book with real heart and deals with much more hard-hitting topics than I’d expected. There are some truly heartbreaking, emotional moments that had me wishing I could reach into the pages to give the characters a hug.

I found the characters really well-written and developed, particularly Lucy and her childhood friend James. The dynamic between the two was very engaging and I’d definitely love to see what happens next with them. I was also particularly interested in James’ backstory, and his relationship with his father. As someone who has dealt with a family member with dementia, I found this plotline was really sensitively handled and felt very relatable. I’m hopeful that there will be more to both of these story threads in the next novel!

The descriptions of Rosemary Cottage had me desperate to visit. If only it were a real B&B, I’d book straight in! The quaint, charming village of Burley Bridge is the perfect backdrop to the narrative. I loved that it offered a glimpse of a supportive neighbourhood that comes together during hard times. The luscious imagery of the garden at Lucy’s house had me fantasising of escaping to a remote cottage of my own. It sounds dreamy!

Overall, I found Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane to be very poignant, optimistic and uplifting. It definitely wasn’t the story I’d expected, but it was actually much more inspiring. It’s a tale of facing the hardest challenges and overcoming terrible circumstances through personal strength and growth. Lucy doesn’t have it easy in this novel, but I loved that she never became a victim. Despite her doubts and struggles, she doesn’t give up.

This is a great read for the festive season and has left me feeling capable of achieving anything I put my mind to.

Oh my goodness, when I started this novel, I wasn't entirely sure where it was headed. It was at turns heartbreaking, heartwarming, and full of holiday magic. It's a delightfully beautiful and charming tale of resilience and healing - chasing dreams and finding love. Moments of humour lighten what could otherwise be a melancholy tale, but the characters are well-illustrated and reading this book will engage you emotionally while leaving you to feel like you've been wrapped in a warm, cozy blanket.

An emotional Christmas story, but ultimately was one that will help me fall back in love with the season again. I found myself deeply attached to Lucy, and I just loved all that this book encompasses.

Good. Nice Christmas book. Even though this is part of the Rosemary Lane series (Number 3) it can be read as a stand alone as you do encounter characters from the other books. Interesting characters and story.

I adored this book. There is so much to this story, love,laughter,meeting old friends and new, some sadness but lots of happiness. A beautifully written heartwarming Christmas story that you won't be able to put down.

It is a hopeful story showing how you can start again after a tragic loss. I felt for the heroine of the novel for the nagging doubts she had about that fateful last drive of her husband, which added to her grief. It was good to see though how Lucy can realize her childhood dream of living in Rosemary Cottage.
I loved the characters, even James' curmudgeony father. I always love reading about close-knit communities in small villages. You always wish to be part of such a warm and supporting circle of friends.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to escape into a lovely story like snuggling into a warm comforter by the fire on a cold winter day.

5☆ This Book will Melt your Heart, Capture all your Emotions and leave you Wanting More!

Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane is part of a series which I haven't yet read, but you can most definitely read it as a standalone!

Lucy has always loved Rosemary Cottage in Burley Bridge and wished it was hers from a very young age.
She has just been forced out of her job so Maybe it's come at the right time to embark on a new journey.

After a surprise visit to Burley Bridge, Lucy convinced hubby Ivan that buying Rosemary Cottage was the best idea for their family. So a few months later they moved in to start a new life. With plans to open up the cottage as a B&B.

With the B&B up and running and Lucy's children settling in really well... Ivan is getting itchy feet.
Maybe buying Rosemary Cottage wasn't the best idea after all! Especially when tragedy strikes sending Lucy into turmoil and grief.

I really loved Jame's story too, he was Lucy's childhood friend and his support and friendship to Lucy, despite everything he is going through with his Dad and Family was so Heart Warming!

The story melted my heart and I was rooting for Lucy and her wonderful children the whole way through. Despite everything that is thrown at her, her love, strength and courage simply shines through.

Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane is an incredibly Touching and Warm story of New Beginnings, Loss, Heartache, Starting Over, Family, Fitting In and Friendships.
The Characters are very well written, Endearing and loveable.
The plot is engrossing, emotional, captivating and heart warming and I couldn't put it down.
It's not particularly festive but the story more than makes up for it.

If you are looking for a wonderful book that will,Touch your heart, capture all your emotions and leave you wanting morethen I highly recommend Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane!

Thank you to Sabah From Avon books for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane is the book for you. A great, entertaining read.

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

Such a sweet, tug on your heartstrings book! Full of love, loss, grief, renewal, friendship and family. It's a beautiful story with wonderfully detailed characters and a rich, deep storyline that is a perfect read for the holiday season. Lucy is a complex character - you can feel yourself relating to her easily. I cried with her losses and was happy with her joys. A satisfying book from start to finish. I totally recommend it.

I would like to thank the author/ publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

My Thoughts: I went into this without really reading the synopsis, it was a total “judge a book by its cover” moment, but can you blame me, the cover is beautiful.

I initially thought this was going to be a soppy Christmas romance, but honestly I couldn’t have been more wrong, we follow Lucy, who after just losing her job decided she needs a change of scenery so when she notices the house she fell in love with as a child is up for sale it kind of feels like fate, after all she told her friends back then that one day it would be hers!

She moves into the house of her dreams with her husband and 2 kids and is looking forward to their first Christmas together in the village, but then tragedy strikes and all of Lucy’s hopes and dreams are shattered into a million pieces and she’s left wondering if she did the right thing in moving from Manchester to West Yorkshire.

It was heartbreaking to see Lucy change so much and doubt her husbands love and devotion to her, but it felt so real that I found myself doubting everything too.

Witnessing Lucy open up and let people in again was a truly beautiful, heartwarming thing to experience it made me want to see where her story goes next!

This book is more about friendships old and new and learning how to trust and lean on people in your time of need.

I urge everyone to pick it up, you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the advance reading, I absolutely loved it! A heartwarming Christmas tale, with just the right amount of sadness mixed with joy. A lovely early Christmas book to sit and read this weekend, Definitely recommend!

Lovely story drew me in wonderful we’ll developed characters. This book will put you in the Christmas spirit. Take you out of your world to theirs an author to follow a book to savor,#netgalley#avonbooksuk.

This was such a heartwarming story! This is a perfect read for Christmas and romance fans. If you love Hallmark movies then this story will capture your heart!

What a nice holiday book!! It is a lovely story of a family overcoming grief, healing together, and rebuilding their lives - especially around Christmastime! Lucy and her children are struck with an unforeseeable tragedy over the holidays when her husband dies on his way home in a car wreck. Mystery surrounds the accident and Lucy is left mourning his death, caring for her two children, running a B&B, and establishing her new floral business.... all alone. The book follows Lucy's and her family's struggles as they find a new normal and rebuild their lives together.

This book has a lot of serious subject matter including death, dementia, and infidelity. I do not believe the cover is appropriate, it seems more like the cover to a quicker and lighter read than this was. I'd suggest a photo of a cozy cottage in a darker landscape of winter rather than the cartoonish, Christmasy current cover.

I definitely would recommend this book. It is one of the best holiday books I have read recently, I really enjoyed it!

A delightful cosy winter read with plenty of feelgood factors but also more than it's fair share of sadness and despair. Ellen captures so many things accurately with realistic scenarios and characters who are just ordinary people coming to terms with what life throws at them.. Some brilliant behaviour observations along the way and I'm just hoping that there will be a sequel to this as I, for one, would love to hear how this story continues.

This book is about Lucy who fell in love with Rosemary Cottage as a child. 30 years later, when she loses her job and discovers that Rosemary Cottage is for sale, she decides to raise her children in Burley Bridge and transform the cottage into a B&B with her husband. A year later, Lucy is on her own juggling two children and a B&B. And then she meets James, someone from her past.

This was an entertaining read but not much Christmassy. The story deals with coming to terms with loss and looking to life with hope. Some of the parts dealing with emotions I felt was repetitive. A good edit would have worked wonders.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I'm giving it 4 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.