REVIEW
What a lovely uplifting story! This is my first Christie Barlow book and although this is part of her Love Heart Lane series, I don’t think it was necessary for me to read the previous eleven to enjoy this delightful, warm and cosy mystery romance. I can see why her stories are so popular, though, and I am glad to have had the pleasure of reading one. And with Christmas on the horizon, it was a perfect season selection.
There are a number of couples in this story but Libby and Guy are centre focus. Yet Libby’s brother, Flynn, and his soon-to-be wife, Julia, are very much a large part of the plot, too, that includes a lovely surprise where the community comes together to create a very special event.
Libby Carter is a fashion designer whose last important relationship ended badly. But she has directed her passion elsewhere by putting her heart and soul into building her business. Her hard work has paid off. Now she has been offered a prestigious role in New York where she can further expand her career. But before she heads off to fashion central in the new year, her brother, Flynn, owner of Starcross Manor (an events venue) needs her help. His wedding planner has resigned and left him in a lurch so his sister takes over temporarily to organise the perfect winter wonderland wedding. This will be used for positive venue promotion to increase profile and sales. The couple to star in this video advertisement have won a competition hosted by the Manor. Their prize is a wedding of their dreams. But when Libby meets them, she senses there is something very odd about this couple; including their strange request for an all-black wedding. Of course, herein lies the mystery and it’s a great one that kept me engaged and turning the pages, even though I guessed early on what was happening.
Joining Libby in the task is videographer Guy Hart, friend of Flynn’s. Guy is not a fan of weddings (and understandable when we hear his story) but he has been hired to team up with her. Together they create some magic on and off camera. These unexpected sparks continue to glow and the experiences they share are quite touching; including time spent with Holly (Guy’s young daughter). The little girl becomes very fond of Libby and vice versa. It is clear Holly needs a good female role model and a sincere friend and she finds both in Libby who is warm, wise and kind.
I felt I got to know the important characters quite well and I particularly liked Libby, her friend Isla, brother Flynn, Guy and little Holly (daughter of Guy. Libby’s (and Flynn’s) dad was pretty cool, too, even if his appearances were brief. And, of course, lovely Julia who gets to have a set of reindeer!
Setting is important in this novel and the cover provides a great mental picture. The descriptions of the gorgeous Scottish landscape covered in snow add atmosphere and charm. This is the kind of novel you don’t want to end as you feel part of the story. There is a wonderful positive message that with each obstacle, there is a sound solution and that if things are meant to be they will work out. Once reality kicks in that she will be moving far from her family and Guy, she becomes torn as what to do. She has just been offered her dream job but are the sacrifices too much? Should she go to New York or stay in Scotland? After talking to her dad, a solution appears. And this story has a very happy ending after all.
This heart-warming Christmas novel about the healing power of love and second chances is a real gem. Yes, as Guy says, ‘The past is something we can’t change but we can learn from it.’ And as Libby responds, ‘Once you let yourself start living again and there’s hope for the future, everything seems calmer.’ These characters certainly learn from their pasts and everything works out. Great things are on the horizon. New home, fresh start and new perspective. A delightful Christmas story. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK) and Netgalley for my review copy.
