I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

Ali McNamara never disappoints with her books. This is another enchanting book that you can’t put down when you start reading it. It s always so easy to connect with the characters in her books, and the same goes for this one. Bluebell Wood sounds like a place I want to live and love.

A magical and engaging read about friendship, community, recovery and love, an absolute joy to read and one I’d definitely recommend

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest review

This book is just lovely. Everything you’d expect from this author.
A lovely, uplifting, easy read.
Highly recommend this and the authors other books

I loved the magical feel of this book. Ali Mcnamara never disappoints with her novels. This book will stay with me for a long time. Beautifully written.

It's always a magical time when I get to sit down and read a new book from Ali McNamara and this was no exception.

This is an author who has a habit of putting something a bit out of the ordinary in her books, and the specialness in this one comes from the birds that visit Ava's new garden.

We know that Ava is clearly affected by something and her various anxieties are dealt with sympathetically, but I wouldn't have ever guessed at exactly what caused her to like she is at the start of the story.

She has a dog, Merlin who is fundamental to the story, and is involved in many of the storylines.

I also liked meeting Linnet and Robin, plus actually everyone in Bluebell Wood.

It sounds like a really charming place to live, and I was enthralled by the story.

It was a wonder and had me hooked.

Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Ali McNamara is the queen of romance fiction and this book is another beauty to add to the collection. I would highly recommend it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.
I love Ali McNara’s books and this was no exception, beautifully written and easy to read, every character had a purpose and each description was long enough to set the scene without being overlong.
When Ava moves to Bluebell Wood from London, there are hints that she is leaving trauma behind.
She continues feeding the wild birds in the garden of the cottage she has moved into, a habit set by the cottages previous tenant, Evelyn. When the birds start leaving treasures for her, she begins to wonder if they are random items or if there’s a connection between them.
Helped by the village’s vicar Callum, along with other villagers, the story progresses to a lovely conclusion.
Thoroughly recommended.

A mystical and magical read, set in beautiful Bluebell Wood. The story of Ava, trying to escape and heal from her past, wanting to shut herself away with her lovely dog Merlin. Things don't work out as she expects, as she gradually gets drawn into village life, helping her to overcome her past. Great characters, including dishy vicar Cameron and a lovely little boy called Robin, not too mention all the lovely birds that come to visit her garden.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book it had romance and mystery about it with some magic.

Ava moves to Bluebell Woods with her dog Merlin. She has decided to leave London after a trauma happened and to get away from a busy life. She meets Callum who is the Vicar in the village and also the other residents of the village. The birds keep leaving presents for Ava which is where the mystery is are they trying to tell her something.

The book was different this way in not the usual romance and was very enjoyable.

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

Utterly delightful! One of those books where you got lost within the pages, desperate to be in the area of Bluebell Wood and surrounded by the characters who you can easily relate to and empathise with!

Ava is looking for an escape. Her mental health is not in a good place and she needs a change of scenery so when the opportunity to move to Bluebell cottage comes up, she grabs the chance although her children aren't so sure she be alone right now.

She soon finds she's never alone in this new area - there are birds visiting the garden that she needs to feed and the locals are all too willing to offer advice and help. She has suffered badly with anxiety recently, but a furry canine companion has helped get her out and moving again and she takes baby steps in the art of socialising and doing something out of her comfort zone.

And with Merlin the dog connecting with some chidren in the area, Ava soon finds that her life starts moving in a different direction and she gets that boost of confidence that she has needed to find her feet again. In Callum she also finds someone she can open up to, and he to her, and it's just a wonderfully uplifting stories based around trust, friendship and community. Loved it!

This is one of the best book I have read this year 2021!!!!! I am so so happy to have read it! It is extremely good!!!! This book deserve a 5 stars out of 5!!!! I am warmly recommending it to you!!! The story is cute, but at the same time serious, then exciting! It's highly addictive! And the romance part of the story is very very good too!

Delightful read encompassing heartache and romance with a dusting of magic. Very easy to read and enjoy the unfolding relationships but the added intrigue gives additional depth. Heartwarming and entertaining. These read doesn’t disappoint.

Thank you Netgalley

Another book that I couldnt put down once I started. I loved all of the characters .
Heartache, romance, magic and so much more. Enjoyed from start to finish. Definitely recommend.
I would love to be able to re-visit these characters and Bluebell wood again

This was the first book by Ali McNamara I have read - it wont be the last.. Loved this book, it was one of the best I have read this year. Ava moves to the country for a fresh start and she moves with her dog Merlin away from the high life of the city to a little village. Her son and daughter thought she was making a big mistake but a tale of intrigue and mystery unfolds. The people in the village involve Ava initially more than she wanted but everyone is so friendly and supportive.
The book has a great plot and the characters develop with the story. Thank you for the chance to read this, I couldn't put it down and would recommend it

I love Ali McNamara books, and this is another beautiful and uplifting story that is a warm embrace for the soul.

Ava has gone through something extremely traumatic and it's left her extremely anxious and wary of strangers. No longer able to cope with life in the city, she moves to Bluebell Cottage, situated on the edge of Bluebell Woods. She hopes the solitude will be healing. And along with her newly adopted rescue dog, Merlin, she finds that walking in the woods does indeed soothe her troubled mind.

What she doesn't expect is to be greeted with such open arms by the villagers. And she certainly is shocked by her increasing attraction to the sexy vicar, Callum.

When a greedy property developer moves diggers in to start tearing up the land for new builds, she is determined to stop this desecration. And with help from some unexpected feathered friends, she just might find a way.

A gentle and beautifully crafted story that warms the heart.

Ava uses bluebell wood as a retreat, to relax and unwind. Can parish priest Callum help put her life back together? Good to curl up with on a cold wet day.

An enchanting read
Another great book by this author
Highly recommend this book
Can’t wait for the next book from this author
Thanks NetGalley

Ava once had a high flying career in London but after a traumatic experience she had begun to suffer from panic attacks she was scared to leave the house and couldn’t face crowds or strangers. Desperate to turn her life back around she finds a secluded fairytale like cottage to rent in the heart of bluebell woods. Shortly after moving in with her new rescue dog Merlin for company. Ava discovers that the bird table in her pretty garden is kind of magical . Her new little feathered visitors leave her gifts on her table. Even though Ava doesn’t realise it at first bthese gifts are thoughtful gifts designed to help Ava get back on her feet again .
When she meets a handsome jogger (local vicar Callam) in the woods whilst out dog walking, it’s the start of Ava slowly becoming involved in the community. From here after being pushed into joining the village quiz team - Ava starts meeting the locals including shop keeper Jenny, teacher Jemima and writer Lorcan. With help Ava starts to find her feet again and slowly rebuilds her life even helping the villagers campaign against an unwanted new housing development and can she ignore her feelings towards Callum ?
Really lovely story - pure escapism .
Ali McNamara has a way of writing stories with a strange occurrence without making them too Silly or unbelievable. Stories that draw you in and don’t want to put the book down until the last page.