This book drilled a hole in me and crawled under my skin. That sounds a bit dramatic but, I can’t think of any other reason why I would read until 5am to finish a book. I can only remember a few occasions where getting to the end of a book was more important. I needed to know what would happen.
This story revolves around the central character of Wanda and her estranged friends Lew and Annie. Wanda hasn’t spoken to either of them since her Father was killed in a fire that wiped out the family’s campsite and their home. As a result of the fire, Wanda’s travel plans were put on extended hold. Lew moved to Scotland and Annie left and got married.
As the synopsis suggests, the three friends are pushed back together after Wanda’s mother and sister encounter life-changing events.
I will stick to my no spoiler policy as I review.
I found this story to be compelling and felt a need to discover what happened next. Each character was beautifully created from Wanda’s sister, Carys, to Blod at the local store. I particularly enjoyed the gentle relationship between Annie, Spike and his son Arthur.
The sense of Community in the fictional village of Gobaith was simply beautiful. That ‘we’re all in this together attitude’ was compelling and created a lovely atmosphere.
With the tension and unravelling story between Wanda and Lew, it’s hard to imagine whether there will be a happy ending but, maybe that’s why I was still reading into the wee small hours.
This book is wonderful; you’ll kick yourself if you don’t have a read.

This was a beautiful story that really drew me in right from the start. I loved the twists and turns of the plot, with it taking 15 years for the truth to come out. Wanda and her family were a great unit and I loved seeing the campsite come back to life bigger and better than ever. I loved Carys and the dramatic return of Daniel, that moment when she’s in labour and he marvels at her strength and beauty was very real and touching.

Right from the start we see that the love interest is Lewis and Wanda and love seeing them finally getting their first kiss after so many false starts: but I also really loved how I became just as much, if not more invested in another romance. Annie and Spike. I loved these two, they both had heartache in their pasts but I loved how Spike supported Annie and without realising it gave her everything she needed. Who’d of thought a dog and a 12 year old boy would the glue that binds them!

A joy to read from start to finish.

Wanda had always liked Lew and Lew had always liked Wanda but they had never been single at the same time, now the night before they are both about to leave their little village their feelings are suddenly revealed but when a tragic fire breaks out their romance is bought to a sudden end. Now years later Wanda is finally about to leave the village again to realise her dream of travelling when a family accident means she once more is staying right where she has always been.
Now she needs to work to bring her family business back to what it used to be all whilst getting to know the friends she hasn't spoken to since the night of the fire.
Whilst this book isn't as romance as I expected it was still a great read. I enjoyed the imagery of Wales that the book evoked and would recommend as a lovely summer read!

Just what we need right now: a book set in Wales that explores the need for family, friends and a strong community. Wanda first puts of her dream of travelling due to her father's tragic death and then 15 years later needs to put her plans on hold in order to try to save the family campsite. Then a face from the past makes an unexpected appearance and turns her world on its head. Will she ever get to fulfil her dream? Will she even want to?
Great descriptions of Wales, with a great set of characters and some real humour at times (especially from Blod). A lovely read for these times.

I really wanted to love this book, the whole premise of the story, camping under the stars, romance and a gorgeous setting, all really appealed to me. I enjoyed the first few chapters, but then everything becomes a little repetitive, the pacing is slow and there is nothing particularly exciting happening in the plot that hooked me in and drove me to the finish – truth be known I really did struggle to make it to the end. Much of the book centres around village life and seems to flit from character to character with no real focus or backbone to the story. I was expecting the romance between Lew and Wanda to suddenly leap out and take over, but sadly it remains very much in the background along with the other happenings in the village. There is too much going on and too many people with problems. Although I love a good contemporary romance sadly this just didn’t hit the spot for me. It all felt a little bit too twee, all too neatly wrapped up and happy ever after.

However, although it wasn’t my cup of tea, if you are looking for a easy summer read, centring around village life and not so much on romance, this would be perfect for you. The descriptions of the Welsh countryside, of the lakes, mountains and food were lovely. I enjoyed reading about the campsite transformation and all the villagers rallying around and helping each other. There is a vast array of characters, all with their part to play in the village community.

Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I really loved the cover for this book. It definitely drew me in, wanting to read it.
Overall I really enjoyed the story of the people of Gobaith. The main story didn’t focus on just one person. There was Wanda - co-owner of the camp site with her mum and sister Carys. Carys is pregnant with a one night stand. Lew and Alice are old friends of Wanda and were involved the night Wanda’s father and Alices brother Ryan died because of a fire on the mountain.
I did find the story quite complicated at times and fliting from character to character was tough. It could have been easily split into two novels. I also found it very over-descriptive. Some of the sentences needn’t of been there. They did nothing for the story. It was very long and found myself getting frustrated at times because of description which seemed pointless.

Overall a good novel. Not my favourite but not a bad book.

Wanda Williams has always dreamed of leaving Wales behind to travel the world. But every time she gets close to making those dreams a reality, life gets in the way.

When circumstances lead to Wanda discovering her family’s campsite is in dire straits, she knows she must put her plans on hold once more to aid the ailing business.

Together with her friends and fellow villagers, and a bit of Welsh magic she begins to put the campsite back on the map.

But when a face from Wanda’s past returns her life is suddenly turned upside down again. Will Wanda finally manage to get away, or will she realise home is where her heart is?

I absolutely love Laura Kemp, so it was without hesitation that I requested this, her newest title, on NetGalley.
I am a big fan of reading stories centred around village life. They often offer an eclectic cast of characters, and a great sense of community which always leaves me feeling heart-warmed, and this book was no exception. In particular, Blod really stood out for me. She was a matriarchal type figure, but her quick delivered witty one-liners did have me chuckling. Especially at one point in the story during a conversation with Lyn and Wanda!

I always find this genre the most difficult to review, purely because they deliver exactly what it says on the tin; fuzzy feelings and happy ever afters. But Kemp’s easy flowing writing style with plenty of funnies along the way makes reading an effortless joy. If you’ve never read any of her books before, what are you waiting for?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Wanda Williams has always dreamed of leaving her wellies behind her and travelling the world! But every time she comes close to following her heart, something always seems to get in the way.

So after a tragedy, and when her mother ends up in hospital and her sister finds out she's pregnant with twins,
Wanda finds herself thinking/knowing that only she can save the crumbling campsite at the family farm.

Together with the help of her friends in the village, she sets about sprucing up the site, mowing the fields, replanting the allotment and baking homemade goodies for the campers.

But faces from the past turn up and once again her world is turned upside-down. What will happen under a starry sky.

Really struggled to get into this book, I’m not sure if was the authors style but I just found it lacking, I skimmed through most of it I’m afraid

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This was a real feel good read, great storyline, great characters and left me with a smile on my face.

What a wonderful read this book is! I love wales and camping in my camper van so this book appealed to me! As we can’t go anywhere at the present I could do so vicariously through under a starry sky!
A feel good read perfect for summer, lovely descriptions of the welsh countryside particularly the mountain and lake you could almost feel you were there!
The benefits of childhood friends, family and home are extolled in this book, I particularly loved the sense of community and the wide range of characters portrayed particularly lew, Wanda and spike.
A fantastic book full of fun, friendship, love and hope!
Thank you net galley for this early read.

With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Nice easy summer read filled with what ifs
Life at the camp site would ne9 be the same.