This was an easy read and I really enjoyed the gentle pace of this book. A great piece of modern romantic fiction.

In this novella, Abby Field in an events coordinator for the Meadowsweet Nature Reserve on the Suffolk coast. She loves her job and everything about her nature reserve, the flowers, bees, animals and birds, as well as coordinating all the fun events there that allow other to share her love of nature. But when a rival nature center becomes the location for a new TV series, things look glum for Meadowsweet. She rallies the villagers to save the Reserve and isn’t above using her cute rescue dog to help secure support. Of course there is a good-looking man with a secret in the story too, and readers get a taste of what (I think) the next novella will be about, an abandoned great house and gardens on nearby land. I really liked this light-hearted story that mixed a love of the natural world with a love story

I love the title of this new series from Cressida McLaughlin. The cover epitomises the book's ethos perfectly. Set against the background of a nature reserve on the Suffolk coast, 'The Dawn Chorus' the first book in the series, introduces the mysterious house, abandoned in heartbreak on the edge of the reserve and a cast of delightfully quirky characters whose love of nature brings them together.

Abby loves her job, which brings her into direct contact with the public and the inhabitants of the reserve on a daily basis. She is fascinated by the faded glory of the large house, belonging to the reserve's owner Penelope. No longer lived it possesses a mysterious, tragic quality that Abby longs to explore. Abby guards her heart fiercely. Let down by her father and drawn to toxic relationships she prefers to share life with Raffle her husky.

The arrival of Jack disrupts her uneventful life, and I can't wait to read book 2, 'The Lovebirds' to see what happens next.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Fiction, Harper Collins via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

What a great little read. Set on a nature reserve I was instantly transported there. The characters were likeable and believable. As you read the characters develop making you want to read more. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

Review: These books are the first two in a four-part series.

The House of Birds and Butterflies is a story which is based around a nature reserve which is not doing very well. This is due to a nature reserve near by having a TV series based there. Abby our main character has to draw new visitors but finds that a mysterious neighbour is drawn to her.

A lovely idea for a book, I have read many like this with other types of failing business such as book shops and cafe's but not one set on a nature reserve which I think is a really fresh idea.

This is very well written which has an easy feel to it. The setting is described beautifully and the character to are easy to connect to.

I can't wait for part three.

"The House of birds and butterflies" by Cressida McLaughlin is a very lovely lovely lovely read! I loved the fact that the story takes place in a nature reserve in the middle of birds, butterflies, wildlife. I could picture myself walking through the reserve with Abby who really enjoy her job who put all her heart into passing onto visitors her passion for nature and wildlife.
I also liked the intrigue around the owner of the reserve Penelope and also really enjoyed the relationship that is building between the new tenant and Abby. I can't wait to read the 2nd part of this series! Actually I am really happy that the story is not over, because I enjoyed it so much that I want it to continue :-) I recommend this book! You will enjoy it! On my side, I had a hard time to put the book down and read it really fast!

The first of a new four part series and I can’t wait for part two! The story is based around a nature reserve which is facing a difficult time due to a neighbouring reserve being featured on a tv series. Abby has the challenge of attracting new visitors but she also seems to be attracting her mysterious new neighbour. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next as there are several characters who could have interesting stories to tell.

Hurrah! Another new book by the lovely Cressida. Fallen in love with the characters already. Can't wait to hear what happens with the nature reserve and Abby.

I enjoyed reading this delightful story. That is why I was so disappointed when it ended so abruptly. It is, of course, the first part of a series, but still... I would have liked to stay longer with the characters.
This novel has a very attractive setting: a nature reserve which is in financial trouble so the staff must find out something to save it. There is an interesting storyline and very loveable characters. First of all Abby, who has always chosen the wrong men so finally, she decided love is not for her, then the enigmatic Penelope, the owner of the nature reserve who has yet to thaw years after the death of her beloved husband.
The book is full of interesting people who are easy to like. I can hardly wait to read the next part of their story. I hope I won't have to wait long.

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. A gentle tale told within an interesting setting. Very addictive - eagerly awaiting part 2 in the series.

This was a lovely book in a new series set at a nature reserve. When a neighbouring reserve 'wins' a tv series, Abby needs to raise the profile of Meadowsweet and ensure that they survive the competition. She loves the wildlife around the reserve and wants to pass on her enthusiasm to all the visitors.
One of the houses on the estate has been rented by a mystery man and we will obviously get to hear more about him.
I'd love to visit and sit down in the cafe with a lovely cup of coffee and a calorie filled cake and then browse through the shop merchandise.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

This, the first in a four part serialisation (much in the vein of her previous releases) from Cressida McLaughlin, can only be described as a lovely, gentle read and a more than promising start for the forthcoming three further episodes. Recommended for a relaxing, enjoyable and entertaining hour. Looking forward to reading on.....

What a brilliant start to this book i read it in one sitting .I love the storyline the detail of nature and description of the wildlife and scenery makes me feel like I was there.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters in the book can't wait to read the next part been left wanting to know what happens.

I thought this was a lovely introduction into a new series by Cressida McLaughlin. I didn't think I would have much interest in it (as it is based around a nature reserve) but, having said that, I found myself loving the story and really enjoying learning more about the birds, butterflies and animals etc.

I really warmed to Abby's character, most of the story is at the reserve and we don't get to read much about Abby's home life, which I think I would have liked but this is only the first part of the novel so I'm sure we'll learn more about Abby in the other three parts. As I mentioned above, I didn't think I would really 'get' the nature side of the story, but I really found myself getting into it so if you're feeling the same I would recommend you giving this novel a go. Cressida's novels have never disappointed me before - and this one is no different!

As it's a new series, you get to learn about all the new characters and this is something I love. You get to learn their personalities and I think this is what this part 1 of the story was all about and I believe this is so important in a new story. There are quite a few characters to get to know but it's not confusing at all and each character has their own very different personality so you get to know them pretty quickly.

The story follows main character Abby who works on the nature reserve that is suddenly under a lot of pressure to up it's attendance. There are interesting events that take place, moon-lit nature walks and quite a few descriptions about the yummy cakes and hot chocolates from the cafe! Suddenly, Abby has something else she wants to focus on, the gorgeous but grumpy author who just moved into the empty cottage by the reserve.

As the story goes on, you don't get to read too much about the pair's relationship developing until the very end, but I feel like the story was well written and it was interesting throughout. For someone who was a bit dubious to start with, I now can't wait to get my hands on part two and to read more about this reserve community!

Overall, a really great start to a new series. One I would thoroughly recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Abby Field works at Meadowbrook nature reserve owned by Penelope and her late husband Al, as part of their estate they set up and ran the reserve together until his death and now Abby Field has been working there for the past eighteen months making friends with the other workers, Rosa, Gavin, Stephan and

Marek.



But when the reserve is threatened by a rival whose setting is set to be used in a TV show presented by Flick Hunter, a popular lady amongst the men at least, they all need to pull together to hatch a plan to up visitor numbers. However,the arrival of a new Tennant at Peacock Cottage close on site to the reserve sets about issues being bought up that also need to be dealt with by Abby as Penelope wants the thriller writer tenant in the cottage to be happy and satisfied and not moaning about people constantly making noise by the cottage. Soon enough, Abby and author, Jack build up a relationship which goes from complaining to friends of sorts.



Abby is a great character and I love the close knit community of the village in this book, with each characters quirks they all fit nicely with each other and despite Abby's sad past, it's a great positive her job is what was her safety when she was younger.



I can't wait for the next part of the story when it gets released now!



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

I really loved this book! Excellent story with brilliant main characters. I would recommend this book.

The start of a new series from one of my favourite authors. This series centres around Abby who works on a nature reserve. You have a great cast of characters in the employees of the centre, you have beautiful rural surroundings with added wildlife along with a possible love interest. What is not to like? My kindle version ended at 85% and then went straight to chapter 1 of a previous series - there was nothing to say you were about to read a sample of another story. I was a bit confused. It's just a shame I have to wait till next month for the next instalment.

This is the first part of the four part serialisation of Cressy's new book, and it is absolutely delightful. Now anyone who has read my blog will know I am a big fan of Cressida's books. Her last novel, The Once in a Blue Moon Guesthouse, was my favourite so far and I can already feel this new one worming its way under my skin in the same way.

The main character is Abby Field, who works as a kind of 'park ranger' and events co-ordinator at the Meadowsweet Nature Reserve. Abby loves the reserve, and is passionate about the wildlife it protects - the book is filled with little descriptions of the wildlife she encounters day by day which is quirky and interesting - and when it is threatened with falling visitor numbers and competition from a local rival, Abby is charged with reviving its fortunes by her mysterious and slightly cold boss, Penelope, who obviously has a story going on. Throw in a attractive new neighbour with his own demons, and there is plenty of meat to the story.

Like all of Cressida's characters, Abby is easy to warm to. She is enthusiastic and engaging - I love the way she interacts with the children in the story - but feisty too. I was drawn in to wondering what Penelope's story was and hope that we find out more about the grand but neglected Swallowtail House that is in someway linked to her past. The first part left lots of questions in the reader's mind, but also managed to end at a point that was as satisfactory as a partial story is ever going to be. (There is a reason I usually wait for the complete paperback - I am so impatient and would normally devour one of these books in a day or two!)

This author is very adept at including a lot of detail about the location so we can see it clearly in our minds' eye, but not so much that it drags the story to a crawl and this book is no exception. There is also a rounded cast of local characters, but the main draw if the nature reserve itself. I have never read another book in this genre set in a nature reserve and it makes a refreshing change from all the cafes, stately homes and hotels. I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes in the next three instalments.

Cressida's books are as light and sweet and cleverly layered as a lemon meringue pie, and I defy you to take a bite and come away without a smile on your face. Roll on part two.

The Dawn Chorus is the first in a new four part serial, The House of Birds and Butterflies, by Cressida McLaughlin. This is the fourth series from the author with Primrose Terrace being my firm favourite so far but I think this new series may just rival said series for my top spot, the minute I started reading this part I felt the same buzz and excitement as I did with Primrose Terrace. I couldn't put it down once I had started to read and I know it is only a novella but it felt much longer than that, in no way was it rushed and I thought so much was packed in. The ending didn't have too much of a cliff hanger, more a sense of contemplation for all involved as major changes are about to occur on both the work and personal side of things.

But still I am keen to return for part two and I'm kicking myself that I didn't have the patience to wait until the full length edition of the book is published as I just wanted to keep reading on and on so lost did I become in the world of Abby Field and the nature reserve called Meadowsweet where she works and holds so dear to her heart. From the first page a sense of mystery abounds as Abby makes her way to work on the reserve. There is an elegant Georgian building on nearby land which has been left vacant for many years. The garden and trees have run rampant - Meadowgreen House is becoming lost to nature. Abby wonders why her boss Penelope Hardinge left the house so abruptly after the death of her husband? Why not stay on in such a special and beautiful place?

Penelope for the most part came across as a cold fish who wanted the minimum amount of interaction with her employees. At times I thought Abby and co were in slight fear of her as they loved their jobs and didn't want to see the closure of the reserve due to lack of visitor numbers and couldn't often say what they felt. Then at other points in the story there was a glimmer of a softer side to Penelope who maybe was more caring than she would have liked to let on. I think there is a lot more to come out regarding Penelope, I have no idea as to what it could be. Maybe it connects back to Meadowgreen House or maybe not but I sense it will be in the later parts of the series that we will discover all. After all revealing too much too early on would only ruin the story.

I loved Abby right from the first time we met her. She clearly loves her job with every fibre of her being and finds it incredible that she goes to work everyday to a place where she can indulge her passion for birds and wildlife. She does have a challenge on her hands as the reserves popularity needs to be improved. Visitor numbers need to be increased or else Reston Marsh Nature Reserve will become the go to place and Meadowsweet despite how special and unique it is will fall by the way side. Abby won't allow this to happen and as activity co-ordinator the pressure falls on Abby. That's not to say Stephan in the café or Rosa in the gift shop won't play their part. So too will Gavin and Marek who are the head warden and ranger respectively.

Abby feels a sense of duty to the reserve as she feels she has finally come home here. The past is put behind her and she doesn't need love to feature in her world for her to be happy. Her sister Tessa thinks she has to have a man in her life but I just loved Abby's response. I thought she was right - why does she need a man to complete her. There are millions of us women all over the world who are single and utterly content in our lives. Why shouldn't Abby be any different? That's not to say that romance may creep up on her when she least expects it but that is the stance she is taking at this point in the story and I for one see no problem with that.

The stunning descriptions of the reserve in the Autumn/Winter season were just spectacular. I have built up my own picture of the reserve and all its natural residents in my head. I do love nature but there was a danger describing various birds in detail as well as other animals may have become boring but I'm delighted to say it never felt like this at all. I found myself sucked into the magic of the place just like Abby was and I could truly understand why she wasn't about to give up on a place that has come to mean so much to her. It was evident the author undertook lots of research into reserves and the various birds and animals that could live there but it never came across as if I was reading a science or nature book. Instead passion for the subject matter just flowed from every page as did the peace and tranquillity that exuded from the different areas dotted throughout the reserve.

A lot of setting up and introducing was covered in part one and at times in previous serials I thought there was too much too soon. That the readers brain becomes crowded and confused but here everything worked on an even keel and it made for a very much relaxing, thoroughly enjoyable read. As well as the issues with Meadowsweet, the arrival of a stranger to Peacock Cottage sets tongues wagging especially Octavia, Abby's next door neighbour, who loves to gossip and know what is going on behind every door. Abby is curious too and soon it is discovered a celebrity so to speak is amongst their midst. But will said person want to remain anonymous behind closed doors to get on with their job in hand? Or will they have to start interacting with Abby and the others and become engaged in a lot more than they bargained for? Lots of questions arise from this and I am very intrigued as to how this aspect of the story line will further develop.

Suffice to say I absolutely loved part one of The House of Birds and Butterflies. It wasn't too long or too short but offered enough to more than whet the appetite of the reader. I hope the further three parts to come are just as good. Do yourself a favour and download this beautiful story as soon as it is available, curl up and enjoy Abby's story and the wonderful setting of Meadowsweet. I just wish the beginning of April would hurry up and arrive because as soon as it does I will be eager to get my hands on part two – The Lovebirds.

A lovely summery read by another new author. I e joyed the characters and the beautiful setting along with the numerous animals...
Abby is running an animal sanctuary and unless she can change things and improve on bringing money in, she will loose all her hard work.
Her husky is so lovely too and all the birds and the butterflies just sound like bliss. It really is beautiful.
It's a quick read because it's a series... this is 1 of 4. My only complaint is that this author dives right into the story without much of aa background discussion unlike other books but this is what makes her unique in her style