When I curl up with a new Christie Barlow book I just know I’m about to have an enjoyable read, every single time she nails the perfect combination of elements that I crave in lighthearted fiction; a relatable and fun protagonist, a pretty setting, an interesting storyline and a hint of a mystery and A Home at Honeysuckle Farm delivered on all fronts.

Alice was they type of character that I wish was my own friend, she’s sweet and funny with a huge heart and an endearing personality. Her mom and grandfather have a very strained relationship for reasons unknown to her and this is where the secretive, mysterious aspect comes into play. Often times in women’s fiction I feel like attempts at plot twists are super obvious, but Barlow always manages to surprise me. Besides Alice, the village of Brook Bridge was chock full of amazing secondary characters, a truly charming and delightful group of people.

I’m such a huge fan of Christie Barlow and I could gush over this book all the live long day, but I’ll spare you and just say that if you want a read that will make you smile and keep you entertained, look no further.

A Home at Honeysuckle Farm in three words: Warm, Sweet and Happy.

This is my first experience with Christie Barlow and I  absolutely know it will not be my last.  A Home at Honeysuckle Farm is the story of Alice, when she was 10 years old her mum had an argument with her Grandad this resulted in her mum taking herself and Alice off to New York to live, breaking all ties and contact.  13 years later one of Alice's friends get in touch to let her know Grandad had a fall.  Alice returns to the village of Brook Bridge and Honeysuckle Farm that is nestled on the outskirts, mum stays in New York and Alice still doesn't know what the argument was about.

Oh I LOVED this book a huge amount! The characters, the descriptions, the plot the everything for me it was absolutely perfect.  It had me hooked from the very first pages as I got to know Alice and how she was wrenched from the idyllic world on the farm.  Life in New York is hard for Alice, being on stage and dancing is a thing that runs in the family and you would imagine that New York would be the perfect place to do that, but for Alice this is not so. She is unhappy and struggling and trying to put on a brave face, so the chance to go home is just the thing she needs.

This is when the story really tightened its grip on me, the descriptions of the village, farm and the people are great and I could visualise the settings from the authors words. Following this are all the emotions and dreams not just of Alice but of others, the village is a community, but as is often the case there are those that don't fit in.  My emotions kind of went through the mill a little bit with this story with "heart in my mouth" moments to absolute jaw dropping shock. One moment reading with a great big grin on my face to then having to find tissues to dry my eyes, impossible to read when your eyes are leaking!

Even though the farm features in the story it is much more than that. It is a sense of family, community spirit, the good and the bad things in life.  Also about following your dreams and your heart, pulling together and looking to the future.  The past is gone, you cannot change it, you shouldn't dwell on it.  Oh and then there is also the deliciously delectable Sam mmmmm

This is a book I Definitely Highly Recommend to readers of Romance with a great story line, some  shocking moments and family dynamics. I loved it a huge amount and hope others do to :-)

Favorite Quotes:

‘Gosh, they used these things back in the days of the dinosaurs,’ I said with amazement, taking out the cassette tape and flipping it over.

But you never know, she has the habit of popping up when you least expect it. She gave me that look …you know, when I left the house… The look where she narrows her eyes and I feel guilty for even breathing… Do you know how difficult it is to sneak out, even at my age? That woman must have some sort of psychic powers, knowing when I’m up to something.

I thought today was just another day, but it turned out it was the day I found out what my father looked like for the very first time.


My Review:

I had a problem settling myself to pen a review for this book, as for one, I couldn’t decide how to categorize the genre. There were several mysteries, loads of family drama, grief, small-town issues of pettiness and long-held feuds, a slowly developing yet sweet romance, frequent licks of amusing humor, and a main character in agitation and tumult. I landed on the broad category of women’s fiction, as I so frequently do since most women face all of these thorny issues on a daily basis. The story was easy to follow and held my interest and kept me curious while taunting me by withholding critical information and causing rampant speculation on my part.

But my main consternation seemed to be that I couldn’t fully connect or empathize with the main character of Alice, who often annoyed me with her indecisive waffling, lack of backbone, and proclivity for fabrication - although her obstinate mother also seemed to have mastered the art of deceit as well. I was increasingly frustrated with Alice and had developed a steadily growing resentment of her mother who was the epicenter of the majority of Alice’s turmoil, although I enjoyed Alice’s friends and adored the sexy Sam. I was beginning to despair of the truth remaining undisclosed while I was running out of pages when the closely held secret was finally unwound. Sigh, thankfully I held on for that HEA and was rewarded for my patience. Christie Barlow can certainly spin a tale.

I read one of Christie Barlow’s books last year and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading this one with all the hints of nystery and past unknowns that are in the blurb. We start with Alice overhearing an argument and suddenly leaving the farm where she’s lived for the first 10 years of her life. Fast forward and she’s then 23, in New York and questionning her life and whether she is happy or not. I have to admit that at this point I found Alice quite irritating. I can completely understand not being happy with life but she was being so defeatist that I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop it. Not long after this point she finds out her grandfather is ill and decides to head home to see him and to revisit the village she left so suddenly 10 years earlier.

Obviously to say more would spoil the story as nothing I’ve said so far is not already in the blurb above. Happily once Alice is back in the UK and dealing with her past and spending time with her Grandfather she does also show some maturity and, while she rightly has concerns about her future plans, the defeatist attitude disappears which I was pleased to see.

Honeysuckle Farm and Brook Bridge sounded lovely. The descriptions of both were so clear that I could envision everything with ease. There’s a certain comfort that comes from going back to somewhere where people have known you for years and that came across really well. The villagers themselves were well-rounded characters who brought the story to life.

This is one of those books that is a lovely, light read despite there being some serious scenes in it. While the serious parts are dealt with appropriately they don’t drag the book down from it’s summery feel. If you want a book full of warmth and hope then this one is definitely worth considering.

A Home at Honeysuckle Farm has lovely feelings of hope, warmth and emotion along with wonderful descriptions that instantly transported me to Honeysuckle Farm. The secret at the heart of this story made me so curious and I couldn't help but try to come up with different theories over what it could be. What caused the argument that turned Alice's life upside down?

The writing is heartfelt and moving and after a few chapters I felt as if I had known Alice forever. Christie Barlow always manages to create a story that I truly feel a part of and you get a true sense of friendship, family and love. There are some emotional parts as the past is revealed but there is a wonderful balance as Alice reconnects with village life and slowly but surely begins to flourish and discover her self.

Second chances, new beginnings and finding your place in the world are all themes within this story and they all came together to make such a charming and entertaining story. Along with friendships and romance that will leave you with a warm glow!

Five stars from me!

With thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

If you want a feelgood read that will take you away from the outside world for a couple of hours then Christie Barlow is the author for you! I’ve always enjoyed her books so couldn’t wait to dive into Honeysuckle Farm and get to know Alice and her family!

When we first meet Alice she is a very sweet 10 year old girl who lives a sheltered life which revolves around her families farm. But when she one day overhears an argument between her mother and grandfather, she really doesn’t understand what’s she is listening too. And when her mum then packs them both up and leaves, Alice is devastated! Thirteen years later she returns home to her sick grandfather but the family secrets that that kept her away are still a mystery to her. Why did they have to leave the farm and will Alice ever be able to call the place she belongs home once more?

It took me a while to get used to Alice when she was a child as she seemed incredibly naive and young for her age but once she had grown from country girl into big city grown up Alice, I became quite fond of her. Although if I had been her I would have been much more forceful in trying to work out what went wrong thirteen years ago and make someone tell me what the hell was going on!! I enjoyed her burgeoning romance with Sam and I loved the perfect village life that she came back to. The cast of quirky characters really came to life and I found myself becoming part of their community with them.

But my favourite part of the books was the dancing! I enjoyed watching people come together through the medium of dance which never fails to put a smile on my face and have me tapping my toes! And as the truth explodes and threatens to destroy the happiness Alice has found, I found myself mentally cheering her on to put herself first and follow her dreams.

This was an easy to read but hard to put down book that became a little ray of sunshine on a dreary day. I’m sure Christie Barlow gets better with every book she writes! Recommended for fans old and new.

An uplifting contemporary tale I found absolutely impossible to resist, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm is a charming, engrossing and feel-good read that is simply perfect to lose yourself in!

Ten year old Alice Parker’s life had been turned on its axis when she had been forced to abandon her idyllic life in the picturesque and magical town of Brook Bridge, a majestic rural village, for the hustle and bustle of New York. Life in the metropolis was anything but peaceful and laid-back and despite all that New York had to offer, Alice had never forgotten her life at Brook Bridge or stopped hankering for the charming little town where she had been truly happy. No longer ten years old, Alice has now grown up, but the childhood memories of those glorious days in Brook Bridge still haunt her. So when thirteen years later, her life in New York hits the skids and she hears that her beloved Grandie is ill, Alice realises that there is nowhere else she would rather be than back home at Brook Bridge. But is Alice about to find the happiness which she has been searching for? Or is she just setting herself up for disappointment and a whole lot of trouble?

Brook Bridge is still a place of secrets and Alice’s arrival certainly puts the cat among the pigeons. The rift in her family is still ever present and Alice wonders whether the time will ever come when everyone can move on and heal from the wounds of a past that refuses to stay buried. With her dear Grandie to look after and all the family strife and conflict to deal with, the last thing Alice wants or needs is the added complication of a relationship to heap even more drama on her already loaded plate. But saying no to local heartthrob Sam Reid proves easier said than done. Yet, why do the locals seem to be so against their fledgling relationship? Are there more secrets hidden beneath the surface which Alice does not know about?

Alice is determined to get to the bottom of all the lies, half truths and deception, but will finding the real reason behind all this conflict and fighting cause even more anguish and despair? Will happiness ever be within reach for Alice? And will Brook Bridge ever be a place she can call home again?

A hugely enjoyable tale I simply couldn’t bear to put down, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm is a book you will read in a simply sitting. Sparkling with heart, intrigue, magic and romance, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm has got characters you will love, lashings of humour and charm and plenty of intrigue to keep you eagerly turning the pages.

Christie Barlow is an author I’ve not read before, but after reading A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, she has gone straight to my must-buy list. A fantastic read fans of Katie Fforde and Trisha Ashley are going to love, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm is not to be missed!

This was a lovely easy read book , just what I needed on a relaxing weekend. My first book by Christie Barlow but I'm very much looking forward to reading another. Highly recommend if you fancy escaping for awhile at Honeysuckle Farm with Alice , her Grandie and all the locals !

There is a lovely contrast between the high octane New York City life and the quiet, rural life in the UK in the village of Brook Bridge. You learn early in the book that both places have had a huge influence on Alice, who has always dreamt of becoming a Broadway star. However, at the beginning of the story, Alice is disillusioned and looking for somewhere to really belong. She is torn between the UK and US however, having a good friend and her mother in New York, but the pull of needing to see her grandfather brings her back to Honeysuckle Farm.

I enjoyed the variety of characters who were there throughout this story. They added to the cozy, heartwarming feel that it has as you see Alice interact with them all. At the centre of the book of course is a secret which is not easily guessed and the reveal at the end is truly surprising. There are some charming comic moments as the dance school gets back off the ground and everyone has a moment to shine in the spotlight of 'Strictly'. Alice's relationship with Sam Reid shows you that she has an independent and forgiving nature. She is her own person and always tries to be true to herself.

In short: A warm, romantic read where you get to examine just what is meant by 'home.'

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

4.5 Heartwarming Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

This was my first book from Christie Barlow, but it absolutely will not be my last.... this was a lovely book about friendship, family, and secrets.... set at the beautiful and idyllic Honeysuckle Farm.... you could just visualize this farm and this charming village.... with all the storefronts and beautiful homes with adorable names..... there was something very comforting about this book, just left me feeling good inside...

Alice returns to Honeysuckle Farm after being away for over 13 years.... reunited with her beloved Grandie... I really liked both of these characters and found the relationship between them so sweet.... I could not imagine what could’ve possibly caused mom to leave...and move her daughter all the way across the ocean to New York..... when that secret was finally revealed I have to admit it was quite shocking, but it made complete sense....

There is also a sweet love story between Alice and Sam.... Sam was such a good guy and I really felt bad that not everybody could see that in him.... also loved the friendship between Grace and Alice, always enjoy positive female friendships in books... loved all the dancing and the grand finale and Dorothy and Bert, I could just go on and on and on.... this book in a word was simply delightful!

Strongly recommend to anybody who is in the mood for a comforting read with lovely characters and a beautiful setting...

*** thank you to the publisher and Rachel for a copy of this book ***

This book was everything you might expect from the title and more! I thoroughly enjoyed this story as I followed Alice on her journey. There was a bit of mystery regarding the past and why she had to leave honeysuckle Farm for New York thirteen years ago. I loved the characters, especially Grandie but the author brought the village to life beautifully. The plot didn't seem at all contrived and I loved how everything came together at the end with a bit of sparkle! A lovely, warm read that left a fuzzy feeling long after I closed the book.

https://allthingsbookie.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/a-home-at-honeysuckle-farm.html

Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction
Reading this book was like reading a modern fairy tale. It had everything: A secret I didn’t guess right till the end, an “antihero” that wasn’t anti at all, a heroine with dreams (shattered and intact) and a lo of lovable side characters that offered the perfect support for the heroine. Set in a dreamy romantic small town in rural UK. Perfect.
The character development throughout the story was great. The characters grew on me and in the end I even liked the characters I hated in the beginning, because I could understand their reasoning in taking the actions they did. I loved loved loved how Alice faced all prejudices and nasty comments heads up and fought for what is right, for justice and for love.
The plot was good, it was fluent and easy to read with no obstacles or problems that weren’t solved. The writing style was good, easy to read as well and supported the plot perfectly.
The cover is prefect for this book. It’s dreamy and romantic and so country, I want to have it in my shelf, just to look at it and dream myself away <3
I have just one thing that “tainted” my reading experience and that was the fact that the end came rather abruptly for me. I could have used some “easing out” of the story with an epilogue for example that shows the future of honeysuckle farm and Alice and her friends and family. But that’s just me and it only shows how much I enjoyed reading this book.

This was a book I just enjoyed so much, from that very first page to the last I was hooked! The story itself is just emotional and I had tears in my eyes a few times!
The characters in this you just instantly warm to, something has happened to tear this little family who used to be so close and for this to happen you just know whatever it was that caused this was big! So there was a lot of drama!
Alice is just a strong character desperate for her family to make peace, and my heart just goes out to her.
With Christie's books the way she describes things is just amazing, she makes it so easy to imagine what the places, characters and everything look like. I honestly felt like I was there too!
And can I just say that I have fallen in love with 'Wild Rose Cottage' and I really want to move there it just sounds so beautiful and cosy!
What I loved the most about this book was it was unpredictable, no matter how much you guess you just don't know what is going to happen next and how its going to end.

5☆ A Warm and Compelling Read. Another Fantastic Book by Christie!

 A Home at Honeysuckle Farm is a heartwarming cosy read about, family, secrets, friendship, romance and new beginnings.

When I heard Christie Barlow had a new book I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. Christie always writes such heartfelt beautiful books and this one was exactly that.

The opening scene tugged at my heart strings seeing Grampie crying at the window whilst his daughter and grand daughter left him alone after an argument. With no explanation as to why they was arguing shocked me.
I couldn't ever imagine being separated from my Nan & Grandad, they lived with us my whole life. 4 generations in one house.

Let's just say we do get to find out why Alice and her Mum left all those years ago it was a shocker! One I didn't see coming but I love stories that shock and pack a punch!

When Alice finds out her Grandie is sick, She has no choice but to leave New York and head back to the home she loves Honeysuckle Farm. With the prospect it could be the last time she spends with Grampie, when she arrives she knows that she has arrived home!

When Alice meets Village Bad Boy Sam, Alice has an attraction to him despite what people are saying about him. I mean who don't love a bad boy! But is Sam really that bad or is his past dictating his future.

Honeysuckle farm is simply charming. Christie made it come to life.
I loved Grandie. I just wanted to give him a gentle hug. He is such a loveable character.
Alice I instantly warmed to her. She is a likeable, warm, caring character. She showed passion towards her Grandie and her love for dancing.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this compelling story that warmed my heart, tugged at my emotions, made me smile and laugh and fall in love with the wonderful characters of Honeysuckle farm.

This truly is a fantastic read. In fact I think it's my favourite of Christie's books.
If your looking for a quick, feel good read that will tug at your emotions yet make you feel warm inside then I urge you to read A Home at Honeysuckle Farm.

Alice Parker spent an idyllic ten years growing up on Honeysuckle Farm. She loved the freedom, the surroundings, The Old Tea Shop...It was a dream of a place for any young girl to spend their childhood.
Therefore you can imagine how distraught Alice was when her mother and her Grandad ('Grandie') had a huge falling out, which caused Alice's Mum to up and leave, taking Alice with her.

Fast forward thirteen years and Alice is living in New York City. What should be the land of opportunity is turning out to be anything but, as Alice struggles to make ends meet whilst working dead-end day jobs, yet harboring dreams of becoming a Broadway star.
However, the arrival of an email from one of Alice's old school friends informing her that Grandie is ill, provides Alice with the perfect opportunity to leave New York behind and return home to the rural village of Brook Bridge.
Alice makes the journey back to the place she once called home and couldn’t be happier to be reunited with Grandie again after all these years. But there's just one problem. What really DID happen between him and her mother back when she was a child to cause such a massive rift between father and daughter? Grandie's saying nothing and she couldn't get the truth out of her mother...But the locals of Brooke Bridge also seem to know something Alice doesn't. Then when hunky local Sam Reid comes on the scene things start to take an interesting turn...

As someone who is a massive fan of Christe Barlow's books I was extremely twitchy until I got my mitts on a copy of A Home at Honeysuckle Farm. I was buzzing about reading her latest offering; and let's face it - that cover is to die for...It sums up the story perfectly; colourful, cozy & hugely exciting.

I was enthralled by Honeysuckle Farm, both when Alice was a child and when she returned as an adult. It's the kind of place you can't help but fall in love with and I quite fancy going and living there myself (can this be arranged? Thanks, Christie!) Of course, this was largely down to Christie's wonderful writing, which was emotive and jam-packed full of description which really bought the setting to life for me. I also really enjoyed reading about the contrast between the hustle and bustle of life in New York, compared to the much slower, more relaxed Brook Bridge.

I loved the plot and the more I read the more eager I became to discover what was going on and what really happened between Alice's mother and grandad all those years ago. I will fully admit that I had no idea what was coming and it's a major plot twist when all is revealed. I love books that can keep me guessing & this was A Home at Honeysuckle Farm all over.

Christie touches upon some really important themes within the story, such as the power of forgiveness and the importance of families. Naturally there is some romance thrown into the mix and I will freely admit that I fell a little bit in love with Sam Reid. (Especially when he starts dancing... *fans self*)
Whilst we're talking characters, Christie has created a great set for this novel, all of whom are believable and extremely likable. Alice is a great protagonist and one who is really easy to identify with. I wanted her to follow her dreams and be happy as I felt that that was what she deserved.

Whilst I love all of Christie's previous books, this one felt very different to her earlier novels and I think I'd probably say that this is my new favourite (although it's a tough call...) I love books that provide you with a bit of an escape and give you something to just curl up with and forget the world and A Home at Honeysuckle Farm fits that bill perfectly.

A big thank you to Rachel at RaRaResources and Netgalley for issuing me with my review copy of the book and for asking me to participate on the blog tour.

Who doesn't love a Christie Barlow book?!

I absolutely adored her last book so I didn't need asking twice about reviewing and taking part on the blog tour for her new offering!

The story follows the idyllic life of 10 year old Alice who lives with her mother and 'Grandie' on the beautiful sounding Honeysuckle Farm. This all comes to an end however when she is dragged away and taken halfway across the world to New York.

When she returns 13 years later she is transported back to being a child and the happiness that she felt. She immediately feels at home. Christie Barlow has conjured up another beautiful village, it sounded absolutely perfect and I could imagine everything clearly.

The storyline was paced perfectly with added twists that just added to the depth of the plot. Along with Alice, you are desperate to find out more about what the argument between her mum and Grandie was really about. We are slowly given hints but I still wasn't prepared when it is finally revealed!

This is a perfect, comfortable and easy to read that will have you turning the pages fast whilst also trying to savour every moment in Brook Bridge.

Another lovely book from Christie Barlow who is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R25SZ4TX0K0I1J/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I loved everything about this book from the front cover to the ending!

I love this author's books and this one was a treat to read. I loved the plotline and the characters were great, very likable and I loved reading every page. The location was great and I would love to visit!!

It was a very enjoyable read and I have given it 5 stars!! Very highly recommended!!

A very warm and feel-good read, headed up by a strong female character in a gorgeous setting with a great supporting cast of characters.

This is my first delve into Barlow's work and I can most definitely say I will be checking out her other books having read this story.

Alice returns home to the UK from New York to see her grandfather (lovingly called Grandie) when she learns that he is ill. She was abruptly uprooted to New York 13 years ago after overhearing an argument between her mother and grandfather, but she was never actually told why they had to leave so suddenly.

As soon as she reaches UK soil, Alice realises how unhappy she has been for so long and how her heart never left her childhood home.

I adored this book. It was incredibly easy to get into and fall in love with Grandie who was the book's heart in my opinion. Although he was frail in body with illness, his spirit and character were larger than life and he was feisty yet kind. Everyone needs a Grandie like this in their life.

Alice is a very likeable character, she seemed older than her years and was hard working and honest. 

The passion for dance and theatre was not an element I was expecting given the books title, but it really added a key part to Alice feeling at home and ingratiating herself back into the community of Brook Bridge.

When you find out the big reveal as to why Alice was torn away from her childhood home you will be left reeling! I did not expect that kind of twist at all, but it explained why the cloak and dagger attitude from Alices's mum.

Overall this book is like visiting an old friend. It is warm, comforting and absolutely adorable.

A 4 star read for me.

I would like to thank Rachel Gilby and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.