First Alison Sherlock book I have read and I have to say, I was quite pleasantly surprised! It's a bit hard to know what to expect from a book when you haven't read any of the authors work, however, the cover of 'A House to Mend a Broken Heart' caught my eye when it was first put onto social media as I found it rather pristine looking. Obviously I was intrigued by the title, after all, how can a house mend a broken heart! Who's heart was broken? Why did it need mending? What did the house do to fix the broken heart?

So many questions.

The house in question is Willow Tree Hall; a stately home which has housed generations of Earls and Countess's of Cranley for years. However, Willow Tree Hall isn't looking its best, it's feeling a little sorry for itself. The current Earl of Cranley, Arthur, has been doing the best that he can with very little help as his grandsons are too busy in their own lives. Well, some say too busy, I say too selfish, but who am I to judge!

Poor old Arthur has a fall and finds himself in hospital, whilst his housekeeper, Annie, tries to keep Willow Tree Hall above water. Not literally.

If you're a fan of watching Grand Designs, you'll adore this book. When Arthur's grandson appeared on the scene, he decided to take it upon himself to hire a builder who seemed to think himself qualified after watching 'Bob the Builder' on T.V.. 
'It will be fine' he said
But it wasn't fine.

I'll be honest, after the first couple of chapters, this storyline had 'predictable' written all over it. It wouldn't have taken a genius to work out who, if any, were going to get their happily ever after. However, does it honestly matter whether it's guessed or not? 
No it does not!

It didn't bother me. I wanted to read a happy ending style book. A story where all of the characters involved go through some form of heartache, uncertainty, disappointment and regret, before they realise which new route takes them down the path to happiness. After all, everyone finds happiness in different ways, right?

'A House to Mend a Broken Heart' is predominantly a light read, with some rather quirky characters making themselves known along the way. Before I began Alison Sherlock's novel I was feeling rough, no energy and my brain had decided to go on standby. After reading Alison Sherlock's novel I felt cosy, relaxed, and calm, with a smile upon my face. I didn't have to over think the storyline. I didn't have to try to work out any of the characters. I didn't find myself getting too annoyed with any of the characters like usual. Reading 'AHTMABH' I was able to just....be. I was able to enjoy the re-birth of Willow Tree Hall. I was able to imagine Rose and Beryl's fashion sense. I was able to feel the chemistry between certain characters. I was able to envision the design work on all of the rooms. I was able to imagine sliding down the banister of the staircase like Sam and Will.

I never knew that a house could mend a broken heart. I never knew that a book had the power to make me feel calm. Until now. Not only is 'A House to Mend a Broken Heart' true to its title storyline wise; for the duration of this novel it became A Story to Soothe a Painful Body.

Thank You Alison Sherlock, you most certainly have a way with words.
Thanks Aria Fiction.

Having seen a lot about this forthcoming book, I was really looking forward to finally getting to read it - and I was not disappointed. This is a thoroughly entertaining rom-com, and Alison Sherlock knows her stuff!

This story centres around a stately home, the people who live there and their connections to the local community. It's a real feel-good novel, with a touch of romance, disaster and success all flowing between the covers. A perfect 21st century novel, proving that we are all more equal in these enlightened times.

There are some lovely little side tales in this one, some very funny scenes, and a few Cinderella and glamorous moments..The characters are individually created, and very amusing they are too! It's one of those books when you reach the end and the kindle tells you that's you reached 100% and you think "what, already?". Always the sign of a wonderful read, and I have no hesitation in recommending this one.

I received an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

I found this book to be a fabulous read. I adored learning about Willow Tree Hall and it's occupants, I really could picture the house after Alison Sherlock did a lovely job of setting the scene. I love stately homes so it made a refreshing change to read about one in such a lighthearted way. It really felt like the plot was really an up to date look at stately homes as like in the book, the younger generation wanting to do something else than live in a big house looking after tenants etc. 

I loved the character of Annie and I thought she was a lovely sweet girl however way out of her depth being a housekeeper! It was really nice to see how she grew not only as a person but within her job as well. Sam, well I did fall a little bit in love with. In the beginning he was not wanting a part of being an earl and looking after Willow Tree Hall but with his grandfather Arthur in hospital he had to come back and see how things really are. I also loved seeing how he grew as a person and getting more involved in the day to day running of a house. The relationship that grew between Sam and Annie was very endearing to read and very sweet, at times it was bordering on a bit too sweet but I still loved it.

I did feel the plot was a tad predictable but I like predictable and it made it a really sweet book to escape to during this rainy British summer! I loved the other characters in the book, Megan, Alex, Arthur, Rose and Will and I really hope we get to see more of Will's story in the future. 

I loved Alison's writing style and I loved how she alternated between Annie and Sam so we got to see their perspective on things. I will be looking forward to revisiting Willow Tree Hall in the future to see how my favourite stately home is getting along!

I really wanted to like this book because I have loved all of her previous books but for some reason I just couldn't get into it and had to give it up. I think it was just a little too predictable for me.

A House to Mend a Broken Heart was wonderfully written.  I loved this witty, heartfelt tale about poor Annie.  Following her as she tries to open up to love again was a fantastic journey.  Well done!

A wonderful romance.  I loved the characters and could not wait until the end to see what happened.

A romance you will not want to end.  Great characters and plot keep this book fun and you wanting to turn the pages. This author knows how to write a great story.

A  tale of love lost and found; broken promises and hearts; tragic family history; break ups and make ups. Rose and Arthur are ageing siblings who cling onto the past in the form of a dilapidated ancestral home. Into their lives steps Annie, who brings warmth and laughter and her own set of secrets. Engaging and easy to read, this book will have you wishing the best for the characters within.

A very well written book.  A great beginning to a new series.  This book has a great plot and cast of characters.

This was a lovely easy read. The two main characters Annie and Sam are both really likeable and their story is easy to read.

The story follows Annie as she starts her job as a housekeeper of Arthur after he had recently been widowed. Arthur is the current Earl of Cranley and his home is the charming Willow Tree Hall, which is a beautiful estate but unfortunately has seen better days. After a bad fall, Annie needs to help out more with the Hall, and reluctant heir Sam joins in to lend a hand.

The relationship of Annie and Sam seemed to happen in such a natural way that it was really easy and enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed reading and learning about their relationship growing - their relationship didn't feel too forced or too much for the book. Another thing I enjoyed is getting to see both Annie and Sam's perspective and I think it added a little something to the way the book was written - I loved the way that humour was incorporated and the whole book seemed quite light-hearted.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for a chance to read this book in return of an honest review

A lovely story of family, expectations, assumptions and love.  I don't think there was a character in this book I did not like! Except maybe the builder!

Annie has had a rough life and is so happy to be working at Willow Tree Hall. A wonderful old estate that has passed down through generations to the eldest son. Arthur and his sister, Rose are getting on in age and Sam is the eldest grandson and future Earl.

He wants nothing to do with the house or the life of an Earl. When he comes home to find his grandfather has taken a tumble on the stairs and is in hospital he gets to meet the new housekeeper who he assumes is after something.

But nothing is as it seems here. As Sam and Annie learn to trust each other and let go of their pasts will romance bloom? Maybe with a nudge or two from Arthur and Rose?

A delightful book of new beginnings and hope, I really enjoyed this one!

Release Date is July 1, 2017 (Aria)

3.5 STARS

This is a really sweet story. The main characters Annie & Sam are very likeable and the supporting characters such as Grandad Arthur and Great Aunt Rose add a lot of old school charm to the story.  Also, Annie and Sam's back stories are well written and explain their thoughts and behaviours throughout the story. Plus, the descriptions of the stately home add something extra to the story - it is almost as if the house is a character itself, which is unusual but great!

However, I have a few quibbles. Sam is supposed to be this hot shot business man yet he hires a cowboy builder to do the house renovations and doesn't realise he is getting taken for a ride for ages. Also, the ending feels a bit rushed and in the last quarter of the book loads of obstacles suddenly arise that just seem unnecessary.

Overall, I did enjoy this book. I read it in a couple of sittings and it definitely wasn't time wasted.  I particularly enjoyed how the book switched between a few different viewpoints.  However, if I am being completely honest, it is a little bit forgettable. There's a lot of competition in this genre and I am not convinced this book can hold its own.

I was given a free copy via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed all of Alison Sherlock books and this was no different, though predictable at times, i look forward to more in this series.

This was an easy read, that got better in the second half of the book.

I did find two of the main characters Annie and Sam a bit irritating in the first half of the book, she kept thinking she was no good as a housekeeper (which was right!) and she also kept 'blushing' all the time, which got a bit wearing.  Sam was this big music manager, but he still managed to hire the first builder he spoke to to renovate his family home,  Willow Tree Hall, and of course they were cowboys and made a complete mess of it.  And yet every time he visited he thought they were doing OK, even though it was blatantly obvious they weren't. Eventually he figured out they seemed to be demolishing it instead of fixing it and managed to fire them - at last! - and find someone who actually knew what they were doing.

The side characters were lovely, especially Sam's grandfather Arthur, the current Earl, and Arthur's sister, Sam's Aunt Rose.  They both sounded lovely people who had just carried on regardless, even though Willow Tree Hall had been crumbling around their ears from lack of money to do anything about it.

The second half of the book where things started to come together a bit more as the house was getting renovated properly, and Christmas was just around the corner so there was a more festive feel to it, was much more enjoyable.

I really liked the story of the house being renovated and coming back to life.  A pleasant read.

This was a fun and sweet book!

Willow Tree Hall is a beautiful estate, but it has been falling apart in recent years. Annie, the new-ish housekeeper, has grown close to Arthur, the owner, and cares for him very much. After Arthur is injured his grandson Sam comes home for the first time since they had an argument nearly one year earlier.

The growth of Annie and Sam's respect for each other as they work to fix up Willow Tree Hall and get to know each other seemed to happen in a really organic way. The story and relationships didn't feel forced or rushed, and I liked how they revealed little bits of their story at a time.

I think the author also did a great job creating two distinct narrative voices. I really liked getting to see things from both Annie and Sam's perspective.

The secondary characters, Annie and Sam's friends and family, added a lot of humor and heart. I would love to see another story set at Willow Tree Hall, maybe for Sam's younger brother Will.

This has everything I love in a book! Real characters, great plot, humor, suspense and a good read! This has everything I love in a book! Real characters, great plot, humor, suspense and a good read!

This book was a wonderful enchanting story. If Willow Tree Hall existed it would be a magical place to visit and reading about Annie's time there was a lovely tale. I am very much looking forward to reading further stories in this series. The characters were fresh and interesting and the setting perfect. I would highly recommend this book.

I LOVED this book! It was a wonderful, tottaly enchanting story, the perfect beach read. The story were suprising yet familiar, and the characters felt like old friends. I also think it would make an amazing RomCom movie!

Annie is living at Willow Tree Hall as the housekeeper for Arthur, the current Earl of Cranley, Annie has no qualifications to be the housekeeper but she loves looking after Arthur and his sister Rose, until Arthur has a fall and is hospitalised.

Along comes the reluctant heir, Sam, to Willow Tree Hall, which is severely dilapidated, he thinks Annie cannot be much of a housekeeper if she has allowed the house to get into such bad condition and he also thinks that Annie is trying to rip his grandad off. Sam and his grandad are estranged having fallen out over Sam’s choice of job and not wanting to become the next Earl of Cranley.

Sam decides to provide the money to renovate the house, but as he works mainly overseas he leaves Annie in charge of the builders he has chosen who are complete cowboys and the house is in total disrepair.  Sam and Annie spend time together, and as the house regenerates their relationship blossoms. A nice easy story with good characters, family values and a dollop of romance.