Little bit late on the up take on this book. On the first few chapters I wasn't sure if I wanted to carry on but I'm so glad i did.
It was a lovely light hearted read with some lovely characters. Great read perfect for a summer holiday

This book is totally glorious from the very first page. It’s beautifully written, and completely full of heart, wit and gorgeousness. The characters are wonderfully formed and the setting of Bramblewood is totally delightful.

You immediately warm to single mum Lucy, and her eight-year-old son Jackson really reminded me of my own son a few years ago. Lucy’s grandad Dougie is such a colourful character, full of life and mischief. And Dominic. Woh! Dominic. He really got my heart rate up in more ways that one. Their push/pull relationship was excellent to read with exactly the right amount of do they like each other/do they hate each other threading through the book.

There are a lot of characters in the book, but all perfectly and individually formed so that they all play a significant role and have their own identities.

I loved watching the journey The Signal Box Cafe went on, and how this really unique idea came into the forefront of the book almost as another character itself.

Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe is an absolute pleasure to read and I would most definitely highly recommend this gorgeous, heartwarming, uplifting debut novel from Annette Hannah and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. Oh and did I mention Dominic? 😉

A gorgeous, heart warming story that you lose yourself in immediately.
The lead character was relatable, realistic, and above all well and truly likeable. The setting was portrayed beautifully by the author and I could picture the lovely surroundings vividly in my mind.

A fun, light hearted read that I truly adored.

A sweet story filled with romance and friendship, author Annette Hannah sure gave me a few hours of bliss when I started reading this story. But it was not all about love, but also determination to follow one’s dreams and discover oneself.

Lucy was one such lady who wanted to provide a secure life for her son and herself. She came to her grandfather’s home while he was recuperating, to set up her own business with her best friend Abbie. The only thorn in the pathway of wedding bliss was Dominic, Abbie’s brother who didn’t believe in happily ever after and didn’t seem to approve of her wedding planning business or converting the signal box into a café to provide a unique wedding venue. Sparks flew between them.

I was happy that the author didn’t only concentrate on romance but filled her book with multitude of characters and their banter. Lucy was delightful, and her love for her son Jackson touched my heart. So too was her grandfather. His antics at the nursing home had me laughing. Life at any age was for having good fun. There were some warm moments there. The characters were many, and each brought their own happiness. The description of the people and setting made the story come alive.

This was a happy book, and Dom, even with his jaded outlook, had to soon surrender to the beauty of love. The relationship developed slow, and Jackson was not excluded. in fact, there were a few tender moments between him and Dom, which brought a lump to my throat. The writing kept me well engrossed, and Lucy captured my heart and pulled me in deeper until I reached the last page.

A wonderful read, I must admit.

A really lovely read. The main character was sweet and likeable so you really wanted to root for her from the outset.

The romantic lead really made the book for me. Definitely one of the hottest I’ve read this year. In my head he was Henry Cavill in a suit.

The story was a little cheesy in places but I enjoyed it for being so.

Looking forward to more from the author in the future.

I adored this book from start to finish!
One of the best of these types of books I have read in a long time - and I read a lot!
Lucy is a very likeable character, and her little boy was absolutely adorable too.
Throw In some elderly grandparents and a dog that gets into mischief and you literally have the perfect book - what's not to like!
This is the authors debut book and will be an author I will be looking out for in the future.

Unfortunately, I was slow in downloading this story and it was archived before I had the chance. I'm sure it is a wonderful read.

A great story to read and very much entertaining. I loved it and will read it again and recommend to my friends

This is one of the more adorable books I've read! Relatable characters, a gorgeous story and a romance that makes your heart flutter.
The plot in Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe is fast paced and immensely entertaining. If you think you're going to walk into it knowing what's going to happen, guess again!
The story starts with the main character Lucy relocating with her young son and embarking on a new career. She's a very likeable character who you can feel yourself rooting for as you travel with her on her journey, as she meets up with a very old friend and they decide to go into business together. The narrative is fast-paced, quirky and in some places laugh-out-loud funny!
When I got to the end I felt satisfied, having felt emotions ranging between empathy, joy, complacency and sadness. You really delve into this wonderful world along with Lucy.

Considering that this is Annette's debut novel, I really am blown away and quite inspired by just how enjoyable this novel is. A gold standard in the genre, for sure.
It can be very easy to criticise "romance" novels as lightweight and cliche in an act of literary snobbery but personally, reading a book with an engaging story, well-rounded characters and that leaves you with a warm and light-hearted feeling is just as satisfactory (if not more!) than the latest Man Booker.

Highly, highly recommend to all fiction lovers!

Such a gorgeous story with a lovely seeing and a great cast of characters. It was the perfect book to to get away from it all. Would highly recommend!

A brilliant debut by Annette Hannah. This was just a perfect read and I now have a brand new go to author. This had everything you could want in a book; romance, community and adorable main characters with great supporting characters you can relate to just as much. It had drama and angst as well as a fabulous story you don’t want to put down. I finished it too quickly and, as it’s a debut, there are no others to read at the moment. Can't wait for many more perfect happy reads to come.

A perfect feel-good and heartwarming story that made me smile and root for the characters.
I loved the plot, the well thought characters and the lovely setting.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A lovely book about love, family and friendship. Lucy feels she’s all her son Jackson needs until she moves back into her Grandparents home. Their home holds lots of special memories for her and she promises her Grandad who is convalescencing in a local old people’s home, that she keep his home safe. Lucy begins to realise how much she loves being with her Grandad, her son loves him too and Grandad is much happier. The railway signal box is next door to the house and holds lots of memories as Grandad was the signal man. It has stood empty for years until Lucy and her Grandad decide to open it as a cafe. However life isn’t quite as straightforward for Grandad and his cheeky ways and for Lucy who has a hidden secret, as well as reconnecting with her childhood crush

After a few months of reading mostly crime fiction and psychological thrillers, this debut novel was the perfect antidote. It is a wonderfully feel-good story that will make your heart swell to bursting point.

First – the characters. Lucy is a lovely protagonist. She’s determined, loyal, hardworking and a great mum. Her relationship with 8 year old Jackson is well-portrayed and he comes across as an adorable, fun-loving child. Jackson’s antics with their family dog, Baxter, did make me chuckle. I also enjoyed reading about Lucy’s love triangle with Greg and Dominic (I knew straightaway which man I would be championing!). However, my favourite character has to be Lucy’s grandfather, Dougie. I only hope that when I’m his age, I will be growing old just as disgracefully as Dougie, Violet and their friends from Sycamore Lodge. The author reminds us that just because someone is older in years, it does not mean that they have lost their ‘joie de vivre’, merely that they sometimes have more difficulty expressing it, or rather, being allowed to express it. The old folks’ escapades had me laughing out loud and provided a great element of humour to the book.

Second – the plot. In essence, this is a classic love story – boy meets girls, they are met with a few hurdles and hopefully get to live happily ever after. However, the author adds some originality with the idea of restoring the old signal box house and thereby giving the building and Dougie a new lease of life. I quickly found myself enthralled in the pages and I finished the book within one day. It really is a lovely and captivating story.

Third – the location. I loved the little village of Bramblewood. With the canal, Sycamore Lodge, Flossie’s Flowers, Davinci’s art gallery and Rosie’s riverboat cafe, Serendipity, it really does sound like such a glorious place to live. There is a real sense of community throughout.

Finally – the writing. There is a great flow to the story which draws the reader in and makes them feel as though part of the tale. I liked the points where the author wanders off into a descriptive paragraph, helping to set the scene and guide the reader’s imagination. I particularly liked the description of the different foods – I must ashamedly admit that I have never heard of scouse before. I’m not a huge stew fan, but I was intrigued enough to look up a few recipes for this Liverpudlian delight and I am now armed with new knowledge about scouse and Scousers in case the topic ever arises in a pub quiz!

Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe really is a delightful book; it’s heart-warming, touching and has a wonderful dash of humour running through it. The book takes a perceptive look at family relationships and the importance of feeling like you ‘belong’ both somewhere and to someone. If you’re looking for an uplifting and entertaining romantic novel then you really should pick up a copy of this book.

Huge thanks to Annette, Orion and Netgalley UK for providing me with a review copy.

This is such a wonderful book! It is the perfect uplifting antidote to these strange times, a great escape from the weird new normal we are having to face. Take my advice and go visit the Signal Box Cafe!

Full of warmth and lovable characters, this is a well-written story with excellent and unique ideas and some hilarious mishaps. Lucy moves to her grandparents' village of Bramblewood with her son, to escape their past. They move into her Grandad's cottage as he is recuperating in the local nursing home. Lucy is setting up business as a wedding planner, and she spots the perfect venue.

Lucy, Jackson and canine companion Baxter meet some great characters in the village, making quite the impression on certain people - including a not so great impression on Lucy's best friend's brother, Dominic. Impatient, extremely cynical, this divorce lawyer is the opposite to Lucy in every way. Oh and he is rather hot, too! These two are always rubbing each other up the wrong way - will they find the right way?

Lucy and Dominic have a wonderful supporting cast; Jackson is a delightful little boy, anxiously trying to do the right thing and ending up in various muddles; Grandad, who along with his partner-in-crime, Violet, causes mischievous havoc in the nursing home - these two are a right feisty pair, utterly adorable! Bramblewood is the perfect community - I wish I could live there!

Every so often a book comes to you that you’re nervous about reading. For me, it’s a debut, particularly in a genre where I’m a fussy reader. So I was a little nervous about reading Annette Hannah’s debut. But with the prologue and a chapter read, I had nothing to worry about! I was captivated into this beautifully written novel.

Lucy is a gorgeously warm character. Her son Jackson is her world but then her grandad needs her close by and she moves into his quaint country cottage. This is her opportunity to start a new life away from her past. As she settles into life in Bramblewood, Lucy hits a whirlwind of establishing up her fledgling wedding planning business and renovating the old signal box. The journey Lucy goes on as she spreads her roots in this beautiful location isn’t the smoothest but it was a journey I loved following Lucy on. Watching her grow and flourish in this close knit community was a joy! I was totally overwhelmed with emotion as the story reached its climax.

I have a few trusted non-crime authors whose books I read when I need something lighter to read. Annette Hannah is being added to that list! Can’t wait for book two and beyond!

Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe is now my feel good read for 2020 .
The main character Lucy has relocated to Bramblewood with her son Jackson to be closer to her grandfather. He is recuperating in a nursing home and Lucy and Jackson, along with their hairy hound Baxter, move into Railway Cottage to look after the house. Lucy's grandfather was the signal man when he worked for the Railway and the old signal box is beside his cottage and he owns it. Lucy who has set out on a new career as a wedding planner and her best friend Abbie who is a photographer see a marvellous business opportunity in the signal box and Lucy and her grandfather go into business together to create the most wonderful cafe and wedding venue in the signal box. Life would be wonderful except for 2 things.........Lucy lives in constant state of worry and panic about Jackson and Abbie's brother Dom is infuriatingly handsome and constantly falling foul of Lucy with his arrogant and churlish ways. Lucy hates him! Or does she? He seems to be constantly irritated by her.

What I loved about this book is the amazing vision that was the Signal Box Cafe. Annette Hannah has thought of a really clever concept and the attention to detail in the bringing together of Lucy and her grandfather's vision for the cafe is so clever. There are wonderful little touches that fit together beautifully and it was so easy to visualise what the cafe looked like. Just as it becomes Lucy's safe place it also becomes a place of comfort for the reader too. Maybe I liked it so much because my own grandfather was a signalman for the railways and had his own little signal box! I actually still have the old tin teapot he used to brew his tea in while sitting in the signal box!

Lucy is an extremely likeable character and its easy to feel sympathy for her. She has raised Jackson all on her own and has become very closed in relation to accepting help and support from others. Moving into Bramblewood has allowed her to become part of a bigger family and a community and go a little easier on herself. It seems like such a lovely place to live.

Dominic at first appears very hardened to life and his experiences with women have made him close off his heart. But, getting to know Lucy and Jackson starts to thaw out that icy heart and he soon becomes the hero of the hour. The fact that he's absolutely gorgeous helps too! I loved some of the things he did for Lucy and Baxter and I'd like Ryan Reynolds to play him in the movie please!

Quite often in book reviews I talk about the supporting cast of other secondary characters. With this book it was difficult to do that because every character added so much to every chapter. Lucy's grandfather Dougie and Dominic's grandmother Violet are an absolute hoot! They should have a book dedicated just to them! There are so many laugh out loud moments in this book. Loved the Maud incident and was in absolute stitches over the 'Love in' incident. This book just proves that age is only a number and there is plenty of fun and a lot of mischief to be had in your twilight years! And as for Baxter the dog...........what a legend!

With the humour in the book there is also the serious business of love! It's doesn't always go smoothly as we see with Lucy and Dom and I spent a lot of time willing them to get together! And as if the humour and the love weren't enough, there's also a little bit of mystery and a bit of a bad guy though he was difficult to totally hate but he was a bit of a creep!

The writing style is wonderful and just flows so easily. The book is well paced and I absolutely few through it. I see so much potential in this writing and aspire to write just as well. The things I took away most from this book are that second chances are always possible and its never to late to find love. But most importantly, have fun along the way. Opening your heart to the possibility that your life can take a totally different direction than the one you had planned isn't necessarily a bad thing. Be brave and take a leap of faith.

Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe has made it to my list of highly recommended reads. It will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy and a little happier with the world.

Well this was an unexpected pleasure! A wonderfully warm and involving romcom full of relatable characters. Annette Hannah has spent years reviewing romantic stories and knows exactly what readers of the genre crave. And by employing that knowledge and experience she has delivered an enjoyable romp with an unexpected depth, delving deeper under the surface to create believable characters. By slowly building up their backstories, Annette makes sure her readers care about these people and what happens to them, so that you just can’t put this book down until you follow them to their fate!

I loved single mother Lucy and her relationship with her son Jackson. In fact the family bonds were strong especially across the generations which always shows the signs of a good upbringing! Lucy moves into her grandads house while he’s recuperating in a home. Dougie the grandad seemed to get lots of the best lines here and he and Violet were probably my favourite characters! I just loved their escapades at Sycamore Lodge and laughed my head of at some of the more risqué ones!! But the star of the show here is the signal box at Dougies house which brought back so many memories for me as my own Grandad was a signalman on the railways. Nowadays everyone wants something slightly differently for their wedding celebrations so I’m sure that this wedding venue would work really well.

Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Café is a sumptuous story, an uplifting read that got better the further I read. The development of the characters and their lives felt organically progressed which gave me plenty of time to understand them and the choices they made. I had a permanent smile on my face whilst reading Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Café which lasted long after I’d finished it. A wonderful feelgood read that I devoured but left me hungry for more! So I’m looking forward to seeing where Annette Hannah takes us next!

Firstly a big thank you to Annette and her publishers for my copy to read on netgalley .

I've known Annette a few years through blogging and she is lovely and a book deal couldnt have happened to a nicer person

I was so excited to read this and i treated myself to a candlelit bath to do so.

I absolutely loved it, you can hear and feel Annettes warm character throughout. It is uplifting,witty and charming.

I loved the charactars especially as a single mum i could relate to Lucy and her resilience to keep moving forward.

Dom was a absolute dish and made me swoon.

A perfect escapism read and i wish her every success .

Published 6th july and do check out the other blogs taking part in the tour.

A perfect recipe of romance and new beginnings. A sweet and good feeling kind of story which I enjoyed. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.