Loved this book so easy to read wonderful characters i liked them all your there with them great plot

Cathy Bramley is one of my favourite authors, someone you know you will always enjoy reading and come away feeling better than when you started reading.. Hetty's Farmhouse Bakery was another hit whether like me you've read all her other books or you are new to her writing. Personally I really enjoyed being able to read the whole book rather than waiting for it in instalments which is something I have a bit of a love hate relationship with as a reader. It just has a really nice feel and was the perfect escapist read after a busy day,.

A new book by Cathy Bramley is always a highlight in my year. I love her uplifting and inspiring stories and her lovable and relatable characters. In Hetty's Farmhouse Bakery we meet Hetty Greengrass, husband Dan and daughter Poppy. They live quite a content life in Sunny Bank Farm and Hetty is always there to help with whatever is needed, both with the farm and their family.

But as we get to know her, we soon discover that something is missing in Hetty's life. Her daughter regards her entrepreneur aunt Naomi as a role model, not her mother. So maybe it's time for Hetty to embark on a new venture? She has always loved baking short-crust pastry pies and she is pretty damn good at it, so with a little push from her sister-in-law Naomi, Hetty is ready to start her own business.

I really enjoyed reading about Hetty's new adventure and found it very inspiring to see how determined she was to make it a reality, even with all the obstacles that she had to overcome. That's probably why I didn't like her husband very much, as he was not supportive of her. Luckily, Hetty had a whole net of support, from other business owners in the area to her daughter, who were all there for her.

But this story was not only about pies (even if they all sounded delicious!), Cathy Bramley had so many surprises in store for us! There were secrets, doubts, old flames and shocking revelations that definitely kept me on my toes. I think that the author handled the more serious issues very well, giving them the time to unfold at the right path and not rushing through them. And main character Hetty kept surprising me with her big heart and love for her family and friends. A beautiful character.

Hetty's Farmhouse Bakery is a scrumptious inspiring read that reminds you how important it is to believe in your dreams. Definitely best enjoyed with a piece of a delicious apple pie.

What a brilliant book! I read this in almost one sitting, which I never do! Hetty is a wonderful, strong, kind and caring woman who has always put others first. She faces some huge setbacks in her life but still battles on. The book is set on a sheep farm and funny enough, I finished reading it while sitting outside my house, listening to the sheep on the neighbouring farm. I truly felt like I was there. This is a great, warm story about family, friendship, love, determination and tasty pies!

As always with Cathy Bramley's books I was hooked from the start and found it difficult to put this book down.

Funny in places, happy, sad, thought provoking - a story of farm life, relationships, dreams, love and secrets. I loved the ups and downs in this book and was so surprised later on in the book. Beautiful descriptions bring the story to life. Mouthwatering pies. Wonderful characters beautifully written.

Perfect for an afternoon on the sofa with a cuppa. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read all of Cathy Bramley’s previous books so I was looking forward to reading Hetty’s Farmhouse Bakery.

Hetty and Dan were childhood sweethearts who have sacrificed their dreams through their younger years due to unfortunate circumstances. They run their family farm and have a beautiful daughter Poppy who looks set to follow in their footsteps. When an opportunity arises for Hetty to put to use her amazing skills in pie baking she feels like she finally has something that she can feel proud of and something that she can do for herself but it will mean sacrificing time spent on the farm and this does not please those around her.

This was another enjoyable book by Cathy Bramley with a likeable heroine although at numerous points during the book I just wanted to shake Hetty and say just go for it! I did find Dan quite selfish and infuriating at times and I never quite took to him. Hetty was such a caring woman who puts everyone else before her own wants and needs, she really deserved to have the love, support and encouragement from the characters.

I loved Poppy she was a fun, strong willed character who knew what she wanted and would not be swayed and she would ensure everyone knows her intentions too!

I do not wish to give anything away but there is a revelation which I did see coming but the way Hetty deals with this is remarkable and you can’t help but think how you would act if you found yourself in the same situation, I am pretty sure my reaction wouldn’t be quite like Hetty’s but I have to admire her.

This is a wonderful read that will have you dribbling over the delicious varieties of pies created, screaming at Dan, gasping at shocking events and wanting to give Hetty the biggest hug possible.

I really wanted to like this more, but the heroine was a bit too wet and willing to be trodden on than I like and a couple of the bits of farming detail really got to me. But, if you like Cathy Bramley’s other books, this will probably work for you. I’ve had reservations previously that her books didn’t have enough conflict, or that the conflict is too easily resolved, but that is absolutely not the case here - in fact I thought there was almost too much conflict. Some of it impossible to resolve in an entirely satisfying way - for me at least. Still, for the most part this is escapist rural fun - and Bramley has done more agricultural research for this than some other similar novels I’ve read recently.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Cathy Bramley is one of my favourite authors. I really liked Hetty and her family and this takes you on a long journey that takes a while but worth it in the end

Thank you for approving this request. For some reason this hasn't downloaded to my kindle.
I have however purchased and the review will be up on my blog soon.

Please note however that due to personal reasons, reading and blogging has slowed down

Hetty lives with her husband Dan, and daughter Poppy on a sheep farm in Cumbria. Life is ideal, but money is tight, and every penny must be accounted for, but the three of them live a happy life surrounded by friends and family. However, Hetty has occasional pangs that life might have passed her by, so when her sister-in-law secretly enters one of Hetty’s pies into a local food competition, life changes for entire Greengrass family.

I quickly fell into this book and absolutely adored it. Being a complete townie, I have always fancied the idea of living in the country, and the beauty of this book is that I was able to live that dream without having to step outside of my house!

I didn’t warm to Dan, Hetty’s husband, I thought he was incredibly selfish, but I must admit that I thawed towards him at the end. Hetty was my absolute heroine, I adored her, and could see myself sitting around the farmhouse table chatting to her, drinking a cup of coffee whilst she baked her delicious pies!

Although I raced through the book, because the story was so warm and inviting, I didn’t want it to end.

If you’ve never read a Cathy Bramley book before, then go out and beg, borrow or buy one now, you won’t be disappointed.

Hetty lives on a farm with her husband and daughter and is happy being a farmer’s wife. A chance remark by her daughter at Parent’s Night about her aunt being her inspiration/role model upsets Hetty more than she cares to admit.

Unbeknown to Hettie, her sister in law is adamant she should enter one of her pie creations into a competition. She does so and Hetty’s Farmhouse Bakery is born. However, her husband is not supportive of her new venture and worries that being a farmer’s wife is no longer enough. Hettie seeks to reassure him that he and their daughter are all she needs in life.

This is a lovely heart warming story with a few unexpected revelations along the way. This is the first book I have read by Cathy Bramley and I look forward to experiencing more of her books. There were times when I could almost taste Hetty’s pies (oh how I wish I could!).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Hetty and Dan have been together forever running Sunnybank Farm that was left to Dan by his father, with his sister Naomi living nearby and running the farm shop. Hetty is always busy working on the farm and looking after their daughter but she does find time to bake and is locally renowned for her pies. When Naomi asks her to bake pies for the shop and she wins a competition life starts to change for her ..... why shouldn't she have a business for herself even if Dan isn't very happy about it...... But then the secrets start to come out of the woodwork!

A great story by one of my favourite writers, you always know that you are going to get a great story with lovely characters and finish the book with a warm feeling.... and this one definitely doesn't disappoint

Apart from the always brilliant writing I am guaranteed from Cathy Bramley, I am also guaranteed just as beautiful book covers. The cover for this new book Hetty's Farmhouse Bakery proves no exception, it inspires such a picture of the setting and contents that await you and it didn't disappoint in the slightest. Sunnybank Farm, in the Eskdale Valley of Cumbria, is home to Hetty Greengrass, her farmer husband Dan and their thirteen year old daughter Poppy. Hetty loves where she lives, she feels like she belongs somewhere special and although life on a sheep farm provides plenty of challenges and worries for the most part she feels happy and content with her life. It is all she has known for such a long time.

Dan's sister, Naomi, lives nearby with her husband Tim, her twins Oscar and Otis are away at university. Naomi is a real entrepreneur who runs the Sunnybank Farm shop. She is always on the lookout for new products to sell and to make the shop as viable and successful as possible. At various points in the story Naomi proves to be an invaluable character, who may at first appear to be meddling but is in fact really giving Hetty the push she needs to live life outside the confines of routine that she has established for herself. She knows Hetty is happy but can see given a little encouragement she could achieve so much more. The question is can a balance be achieved or will one thing or another have to give?

Hetty, is an all around good person, kind hearted, caring and supportive. She is out there in all weathers tending to the sheep with Dan or in the kitchen making one of her sumptuous pies for local charities or anyone who is in need of some tlc. She does everything for everybody especially Poppy. But what about Hetty herself? Has she more time to indulge her passion of the pies or does she put everyone else's needs and demands at the forefront of her time and mind? I did think she was slightly neglectful of her own personal self, that she was all things to all people but if she kept going she would wear herself to the ground. Operation Be True to Me couldn't come fast enough for Hetty and the journey she undertakes when she discovers one of her pies has been entered into the Cumbria's Finest Competition will be one she will not forget in a hurry. It will bring secrets to the fore but also share the incredible talent that Hetty has. Her belief in herself is not what it should be, she has so much ability and love and kindness to share and hopefully this new adventure will see those qualities coming to the fore.

The entire book was beautifully descriptive, the details of the countryside in which the farm was situated became so vivid in my mind thanks to Cathy painting such a glorious description. Even talking about how the pies were made and what sets them apart from pies you may come across in a normal supermarket perhaps,were just mouthwatering. Hetty went the extra mile and combined flavours others wouldn't dare to try. That's what made people sit up and take notice and if Naomi hadn't seen the potential in what Hetty was doing than Hetty would have wandered along in her life, happy as she said but would she be ever really doing anything for herself? Even the details of life on the farm and how the sheep had to be cared for and how they were breed was really interesting. It was like reading about things you would see on an episode of Countryfile. Thankfully it wasn't technical and stilted instead it was incredibly informative and readable and in a way at times helped me understand why Dan was so dedicated to his job but I don't think it excused the fact he wouldn't relinquish and let Hetty start up a business from her kitchen. Everyone else was rooting for her so why couldn't he?

I did think Dan was being selfish in not jumping on board with Hetty's exciting plans. This new venture was giving Hetty a new lease of life not that she doesn't value everything in her current life situation but she needs a change and something fresh and innovative that she can sink her teeth into. He was very against everything and stubborn and obstinate in his opposition without ever giving a real clear reason. Surely one night away from the farm to attend the awards ceremony wouldn't prove detrimental to the running of the farm in the long term? I know running a farm is a full time commitment and involves a life of dedication and hard work which Hetty has given ever since she gave up her place at university to be with Dan. But was now not the time for Dan to allow her some freedom, to pursue a passion which in the long term might bring in some badly needed extra money for the farm.

Dan had given up his dreams of veterinary school to take over the farm when his father passed away and Hetty made her own sacrifices too but they are further down the line now and surely the time is suitable for further expansion and fulfilling of some dreams no matter how big or small. After many years working as a team, both in their marriage and with regards to the farm, surely a compromise could have been reached. After all marriage and life involves a bit of give and take. I didn't dislike Dan as a character, I felt he had taken over the farm in less than ideal circumstances but he had made the best of the situation but I just thought he could have been more supportive of Hetty. I think if he had a fear of losing Hetty, then that fear wasn't going to be justified because she loved him deeply, but maybe there were testing times ahead for all involved.

Hetty really needed to be pushed outside of her comfort zone and best friend Anna alongside Naomi could see this too. I enjoyed seeing how Hetty grew as a person and began to stand up for herself. I hoped she wouldn't be made to feel guilty for living outside the box a little and using her talents to gain some confidence. Baking the pies leads her into contact with certain people who did have a bearing on how she reached the position she was in today and it was brilliant to read about as it inspired lots of questions in the reader. The impatient side of me wanted answers immediately but I loved how Cathy fleshed the entire story out and left it until the very last minute weaving all strands of the story together and very successfully might I add.

One thing is for certain you get an awful lot more to this story than you would bargain for upon first sight f the cover. I have read endless cafe, farm, etc books this year that all deal with the same thing but Cathy Bramley has added a new exciting, fresh slant to this storyline and I relished my time spent with the wonderful Hetty. I loved Hetty's Farmhouse Bakery from beginning to end. It had so much depth to it and although establishing the pie making business was Hetty's main goal there were also so many other storylines going on that brought the entire story to life and made for an excellent read.

There were serious issues being dealt with, and also an air of mystery surrounded the many relationships in the book be it a relationship in terms of marriage, friends or family. I had a sneaking suspicion based on reading a chapter that all was not as it seems, yet I never did quite piece all the parts of the puzzle together and was shocked when the big reveal came. I was glad too that there was further exploration once certain things had come to light, that the situation wasn't just brushed under the carpet and the story instantly wrapped up. Too much time had been given in establishing the characters and their backgrounds and history for such an important revelation to just be forgotten about.

What was uncovered wasn't easy to deal with, and if it had been me I would have taken the easy option and ran from facing the difficulties it posed, but the way the characters worked through it was admirable and shows how Cathy Bramley's writing goes beyond the traditional lightness people may view the women's fiction genre as. I feel she has definitely stepped up her writing a gear but yet not lost the warmth, humour and emotion so evident in all her previous books. Instead she has retained and strengthened it. This book is packed full of kindness, forgiveness and above all else love for ones family and friends through the good times and bad. Cathy Bramley never disappoints with her wonderful characters and stories and she certainly didn't with Hetty's Farmhouse Bakery. I'm already looking forward to July when I can read her next book A Match Made in Devon.

Hetty's Farmhouse bakery was a pleasure to read. Although lives were busy, it seemed such an idyllic life that I wanted to up sticks and move! A lovely story of community life, of family and the changing dynamics, and of how a real change to life's plans at an early age may have changed Hetty and Dan's paths through life, but it didn't affect their happiness. What lovely people - even fun teenagers. Some exploration of old fashioned male values, with Dan objecting to Hetty's business. I loved his mum's views, and her explanation of her role in her marriage - clearly children see what they want to! A lovely read, and I hope we see more of Hetty.

I only discovered Cathy Bramley last year when I read ‘The Lemon Tree Café’ and I absolutely loved it. She went straight onto my list of favourite authors!

Hetty and Dan are happily married with a daughter, Poppy, and run the family sheep farm. Something that Poppy says makes Hetty doubt her achievements in life, so Hetty then starts to develop her hobby of baking shortcrust pies and enters a serious competition. It’s not all plain-sailing and secrets come out along the way.

This is a lovely read that will have you interested right from the first pages. I really didn’t want to put it down, or for it to end. I’ll definitely be reading more of Cathy’s books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC in return for an honest and fair review.

A truly enjoyable and absorbing read from Cathy. Hetty the main character is really inspiring, setting up her own business whilst still running a family home.

This is a story about love .. family love, parental love, love for friends, family and animals .. and it is a truly wonderful, heartwarming read.

Dan and Hetty run the farm he inherited on the death of his father; his sister Naomi runs a successful farm shop promoting local produce. Hetty's best friend since schooldays lives nearby with her son, only slightly older than their daughter Poppy, and although farming is hard work they have a good relationship and a happy life. Then Naomi talks Hetty into entering her delicious pies in a competition for locally sourced food and secrets and that is the catalyst for secrets to come crawling out of the woodwork.

Dan isn't as supportive as he could be, and after all the years Hetty has given to the farm, she is desperate to do something for herself - especially as Poppy recently picked her aunt as her inspirational woman. But this is just beginning of the hurtful revelations to come - will their marriage survive?

Packed full of warmth, memories. and compromise, this is a terrific read - as you would expect from Cathy Bramley. Expertly written and constructed, this is a book which made me smile as well as having me reach for a tissue. Entertaining and very enjoyable, it is a thoroughly good read which I'm happy to recommend.

My thanks to publishers Random House UK for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

I have to start by saying that I love Cathy Bramley's work. It is always a pleasure to read, with a feel good element without being too sickly sweet.
Hetty and Dan Greengrass are sheep farmers at Sunnybank Farm, having met at school and been a dedicated couple ever since. Hetty once had ambitions of university and a glowing career but Fate decided that this isn't the path for her when Dan's father died and he inherited the farm. Hetty stepped up and has fitted in to whatever role she is needed in, whether that is farmer's wife, stay at home mum or general support in the local community. Hetty is quite content with her lot until daughter Poppy announces at her school parents evening that the most inspirational woman in her life is her Aunt Naomi, Dan's sister who owns and runs the farmshop next door to them. This gets Hetty thinking that she wants to achieve something for herself and be more of a positive role model for Poppy, she just doesn't know how to make it happen.
Meanwhile Naomi's open day event for the farm shop looms large and Hetty is roped in to make pies as Naomi's "regular supplier" has let her down. This heralds the start of a whole new venture for Hetty as the pies are a huge success and Naomi asks if she would like to make a regular order for the farm shop. A whole world of new possibilities opens up for Hetty when her pies win a prize in Cumbria's finest competition but husband Dan isn't very supportive - she's always been on hand to help him whenever he needs help and he wonders whether the everyday running of the farm will suffer if Hetty isn't around as much.
We follow Hetty's adventure setting up her own small business with all the little triumphs and stumbling blocks along the way. We see her confidence grow and begin to see the start of the person she could have been had she followed a different path in life.
Anna was one of Hetty and Dan's group of school friends and has been in their lives as long as they can remember. Single mum to Bart, she's the school nurse at the local comprehensive having settled down in the village after returning from a gap year with Bart as a surprise souvenir of her travels. She's Hetty's best friend and when Bart shows an interest in working on the farm she admits she is struggling with the concept of him growing up and being independent. Suddenly though, events take a serious turn while Hetty is away from the farm and the situation makes her question everything she is doing. What is she prepared to sacrifice in order for her business to strive? Then, just as she thinks she has made her decision another bombshell is dropped with much more far reaching, personal consequences.
This is a great novel, an easy read but one which makes you assess what you would do in Hetty's shoes. Would you give up your dreams in order to be with your soul mate? What if then they wouldn't support you when you needed them? And just how much can you forgive someone you love?
I love most of the characters in this tale of country living and the setting sounds absolutely idyllic. Cumbria is a beautiful part of England and Cathy Bramley's description of Hetty sitting with her morning cuppa surveying the countryside around Sunnydale Farm sounds perfect to me.
A great tale with an interesting little twist which I really hadn't expected. 5 stars from me.

A long standing reader of Cathy Bramley's novels I look forward to a new release - with the knowledge that it's always a treat to be savoured. Hetty's story is no exception - a tale friendships, families, emotional ties and warm cake! Enjoyable, light and comfortable reading.

Hetty's Farmhouse Bakery by Cathy Bramley is a really delightful contemporary novel.
Set on a farm in Cumbria, the reader is treated to rolling hills and lots of sheep. There is a warm community atmosphere where everyone pulls together.
Old fashioned sheep farming combines with a new venture - baking. The novel shows that traditions and innovations can exist side by side. Diversification is the name of the game.
Kindness makes the world go round. "Kindness is a reflection of a person's true beauty." There are some very beautiful people in the novel. Kindness looks at mistakes and forgives. Kindness looks to others rather than self. Kindness binds people together.
Friends can be even closer than family. Good friendships are hard to find and well worth keeping.
The reader witnesses a strong marriage. We see the ingredients for a long lasting happy marriage are partnership and putting the other person first. As well as encouraging dreams.
Written in the first person, the reader 'experiences' the novel first hand. Hetty's Farmhouse Bakery has a wonderful light fun filled atmosphere that sweeps the reader along. Parents evening at the start of the book, had me in absolute stitches.
I adore Cathy Bramley's books. They make me smile and feel good as well as being cracking stories.
A delightful read.
I received this book for free from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.