Review of The Vintage Flower Van on Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow

Review of The Vintage Flower Van on Love Heart Lane by Christie Barlow

Release Date: May 23, 2024

Publisher: One More Chapter

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REVIEW

The Vintage Flower Van on Love Heart Lane is a lovely bookend to the series that tugs fiercely at the heartstrings and, as with all the others before, I absolutely loved its charm, friendship, family and community spirit! Heartcross (an imaginary Scottish highland village) is a place that captures everyone who visits it and makes them want to stay!

This story centres around Florrie Appleton, who loses her beloved Aunt Ada and discovers she is going to be evicted by W. Houston Property Developers from Rose Cottage. Here her aunt lived and ran a booming flower business from the Vintage Flower Van. All this is about to change though if this company gets its way. Sadly, she could lose her Aunt’s legacy and dwelling. The cottage is to be demolished and the land turned into a number of new residents. Meaning all traces from the past will be erased: the flower gardens gone. Of course, Florrie is devastated. The town is horrified, too, when they hear the news. But, they rally around to offer their support as they have in the past when the community is threatened. This time it is to fight the developer. Florrie also launches a huge media campaign. She starts with social media sites and then expands into newspapers and television, rousing even more support for her cause.

But in the midst of these troubles an old flame turns up, she has not seen in eight years, and her reaction is one of confusion and anger. This man Tom broke her heart after spending two wonderful weeks with her. So why is he back? She soon finds out he is connected to the Property Developers but not in the way she expects. There’s lot of tension between them and old wounds resurface. Communication is a challenge as she attempts to retrieve reasons why they parted on good terms only to be abandoned—not to mention his connection to the Rose Cottage fiasco. But there is a plan being hatched behind closed doors that will stun everyone and Florrie’s questions will all be answered-- romantically and property wise. If the mysteries are solved, will there be a fresh start for this couple from the past? Not without a lot of digging and some fierce battles! 

There is nothing quite like Heartcross and the spell this Scottish community has on the characters who visit it in the stories and for those of us who have indulged in the numerous books set in this darling village! There are many wonderful characters in The Vintage Flower Van on Love Heart Lane including Martha and Dolores who play excellent parts in the drama and solutions. Christie delivers another fabulous ending full of hope and fresh beginnings. When I turned the last page, I sighed with contentment as it left me happy, enlightened and uplifted. Yes, there are some bad things that happen but everything works out. Leaving us with a fantastic and delightful resolution that made my spirit soar.

Without question, I adored this novel and appreciate the warm characters who led me through their troubles but who found reasonable solutions and experienced noticeable growth in the process. The Vintage Flower Van on Love Heart Lane is memorable, mesmerising and magical. I highly recommend this and the whole series! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the ARC.