REVIEW
What a delightful, uplifting and heart-warming story! I did not want Snowflakes and Surprises in Tuppenny Bridge to end! I really got into the groove of this close knit community but also become lost in the tender trials and triumphs of Ross and Clemmie. I loved the Jane Austen heroine references (and Austen-inspired Bridget Jones’s Diary mentions). This novel blooms with fresh starts and how far love can stretch when forgiveness is applied. It is a grand story about relationships and not just romantic ones but also those between friends, parents and grown children, aunts and nieces.
Clemmie has a romantic heart and loves Jane Austen novels. She is sincere but her outlook is a bit flawed and naïve. Her idealised view of her parents gets her into trouble more than once for she measures all relationships by theirs or what she thinks was a perfect marriage. This partly led to her break up with artist boyfriend Ross six or so years earlier. He did not see it coming so was dumbfounded by the sudden turn of her heart. Though heartbroken, he respected her wishes and tried to move on.
Years later, Clemmie has never quite gotten over Ross, even though she tries to convince herself otherwise. There’s a secret she carries that mostly led to her abrupt decision. Something that made her feel less confident and secure. The author explores this personal trauma and how it affects this woman’s self-esteem. Perception is a big part of her downfall and leads to incorrect thinking.
Clemmie’s insecurities begin to show when she wins a portrait prize from a raffle. The tickets are an advertisement promotion to help the new artist centre opening soon. It gets tense when she thinks of Ross doing a painting of her. This creates some very uncomfortable encounters but fate takes over and on the day Ross begins his sketches of her, there’s a huge winter snowstorm and he is stranded at her place. Her aunt Dolly (a writer) with whom she lives, is away at a book event so they are alone together. Forced into the same space, these two long ago lovers that became estranged, have to deal with their emotions and secrets.
But there are many surprises in this story that evolve from various relationships. Newcomer Reuben Walker, a website designer, has lost his mother to cancer and is in town for a short term stay. Lots of gossip begins to fly as to who will become his next romantic partner. His presence makes Ross jealous as he begins to imagine that Clemmie may be interested in this nice-looking, friendly chap. But thirty year old Reuben has a couple of secrets that will surprise everyone when the truth comes out.
Ross is painted as a good looking unromantic womaniser but is this who he really is? Clemmie begins to wonder when they are snowbound together and sees another side of him when he tries to help old Mr Francis (who I adored.) Mr Francis is one of my favourite supporting characters as he is full of wondrous wit and sound advice that could help Ross go a long way.
If ever a line suited Clemmie and Ross, it is the one by Captain Wentworth’s to Anne Elliot in Persuasion. ‘I am half agony, half hope.’ Jane Austen’s phrase fits this pair perfectly. In fact there are many parallels in these two couples’ romantic journeys! I loved the author’s use of Austen in Snowflakes and Surprises in Tuppeny Bridge and how her brilliance is genuinely woven into the fabric of these characters and plot. It makes this story sparkle even brighter than it already does for the timeless literary references give it that extra classic lift. Austen’s magic is brought forward into this century and comes alive on the modern page.
I also adore the fact that Clemmie’s and Ross’s love story is painted in his art. And what he writes in his letter to her, is the most romantic gesture ever! They both grow through their experiences but particularly Clemmie once communication lines are open. She acknowledges the mistakes she made and realises relationships are not perfect. And that making mistakes does not mean a relationship must end. Rather it can become stronger.
I love Clemmie and Ross’s journey back to each other. The beauty that flows between them in the later scenes is breathtaking. The genuine emotion is truly priceless. My favourite words in this novel come from Ross when he says to Clemmie: ‘The world needs more dreamers…It is full of hard-bitten, cynical people. Someone has to remind us that this can be a beautiful place. That good, kind people still exist, that love in all its forms is real and worth fighting for, that dreams really can come true.’ Amen! Those of us who are creative writers, artists, musicians, singers, poets, etc are definitely dreamers. When I was nineteen (long time ago!) my publisher, after reviewing one of my manuscripts, said I was a dreamer and that I always saw great beauty in this world. He wondered, though, if one day I would change—would I ever become cynical when I got older? I remember responding passionately: ‘Never!” I can say after all these years of writing, living and growing, I have remained true to my creative vision. I am still a dreamer and doubt that will ever change. Sharon Booth’s novel sings out this message and shows us that the world still needs dreamers, to remind us of the good things that still exist: to draw attention to the beauty that’s sometimes hidden in a heart, behind a cloud, under a bush, beneath the waves.
Many thanks to Sharon for writing this gorgeous book and for reminding us all we can forgive, start over, make mistakes, fight for what is right and still move forward with fresh eyes and a new heart. Love is still one of those beautiful things that can be redeemed, released and reborn.
5 Dream-Filled Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
