An enchanting read. Perfect for a summer's day. Though the plot is quite predictable the storyline keeps you hooked. Mostly a light-hearted, feel good plot, there are a few serious themes like dealing with trauma and mental health. It made for interesting reading. Its been quite a few years since I've read anything by Ali McNamara, I won't be leaving it so long in future.

Everytime I read a book my this author it just takes you away to a magical place. Amazing how each of her books just get better and better this is my new favorite by this author.

Thanks to #NetGalley the publisher @littlebrownbookgroup_uk and the author @alimcnamara for providing me with a digital ARC of #HopeandHappinessinBluebellWood in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way. This is the first book by Ali McNamara that I have read and I look forward to reading more by this author.I loved reading this book right from the start and could not put it down. All of the characters are based on birds and were really engaging. I loved all of the characters and the plot kept me enthralled I slowed down because I did not want to finish it. This book comes highly recommended.

This is the first book I have read by this author. I am always wary and wonder about new writers to me as use the 'F' word. I am pleased to say this is the kind of writing I like. I will be adding this author to my list of must read. The only 4 letter 'F' word that is used a lot is FARM.

It begins where Ava has arrived at the cottage, her son and daughter have taken her and her things. She is renting the cottage whilst the owner has gone to look after her daughter. Ava is suffering panic attacks, but we do not know why. We are drip fed information as the story progresses. Ava has a dog, Merlin which was a rescue dog after its original owners were killed in a car crash, with the dog also in the car. Merlin helps Ava with her problems.

They go to live in a village called 'Blue bell wood' On her first day Ava encounters a jogger, she latter finds out his name being Callum. There are plenty of characters in this wonderful story, that we are introduced to slowly - just how Ava meets them.

The author, also explains the names given to the characters at the end of the book. I found this very interesting. It was also disappointing as well, because it was THE END !

I can only say what a great story, and it must be read.

My thanks to netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review which I freely give.

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A magical read based in the idyllic bluebell woods, just the title alone is enough to evoke a sense of peace and tranquillity, a time for reflection and healing!
Ava recently located from the city finds herself in a cottage in the bluebell woods with only her dog merlin for company and the wild birds that she feeds on a daily basis.
Ava recovering from a traumatic event loves the solitude and peace provided by the woods but is gradually sucked into village life and new friendships, all aided and abetted by the wild birds In Her garden that leave regular offerings with a significant meaning! Will Ava be able to unravel the meaning of these gifts and ultimately find happiness snd live amongst the bluebells?
A read about recovery, friendship, and love with a sprinkling of magic from the birds!
Thank-you netgalley for this early read.

I absolutely loved this book! At first when I started reading I thought it would be a book where the main character Ava would be unable to come out of her anxiety. I’m pleased to read she did, having suffered similarly although not for the reasons she did. I found her self healing by a change of life. She moves from the hustle and bustle of the city to a village in the country. When she wants to hide away she finds the community slowly bringing her out of her shell. The walks in the woods with her dog Merlin sound so lovely that you will feel as though you are smelling those bluebells! I don’t like to spoil a book so I won’t tell you why she is the way she is or the way she is helped along by friends, but there is a love interest in the local priest Callum who is just so patient it would make anyone attend church, if all priests were so understanding and could see two sides to a problem. This is definitely a relaxing read for anyone! The best part of all is the story is all complete at the end so I know I won’t have to remember to watch out for the next instalment as I’m tired of those now. Although I will always watch for Ali’s books she never lets me down with her brilliant ways of telling a story!

I am a fan of Ali McNamara books, but this one left me a tad underwhelmed. I enjoyed the magical elements of it, and I loved Merlin, Ava's rescue dog. I could identify with Ava's anxiety too. What was lacking for me was a strong romance. It didn't help that Callum didn't come across all that well to me. I also thought both Ava and Callum came across older than they actually were. The fight between the villagers and the development company was another good plotline, but overall, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did McNamara's previous ones. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read and enjoyed all of Ali McNamara’s previous books and this was no exception. A truly magical book with some fantastic characters and a great setting. The perfect summer read. Would highly recommend. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a thoroughly lovely and beautifully written book. It was an absolute pleasure to read. Great story, brilliant characters.

Another magical, feel good story from Ali
Ava has certainly been though some tough times but coming to
Bluebell wood is definitely the right decision for her. I loved how the woods and countryside helped to be calm and heal, and her introduction to the birds to the garden was wonderful to see. With a beautifully described backdrop of village life, warm and compassionate characters and a little hope, this story is one to wrap you in its arms and whisper everything will be ok. Just magical.

Ali McNamara is one of my favourite female authors, you can guarantee her stories are going to be full of magic and mystery. This story is no exception and pulled me in from page 1.

Ava loved her life in London, however after a traumatic incident decides she needs some time out from the big city to recover and rents a cottage in a small country town of Bluebell Woods, taking her rescue dog Merlin with her.

Despite wanting to hide herself away, she find that the friendly locals draw her out of her shell, not least the very attractive vicar of the parish, who she first bumps into when out walking Merlin in the woods. As they find themselves thrown together for quiz nights and school jumble sales, it’s becomes obvious that he’s as attracted to her as she is to him. But oh, if only he wasn’t a vicar, men of god should not look like Richard Armitage, nor should they look so good in a tight T-shirt!

When birds start leaving curious odd gifts on her bird table, a pattern starts to emerge. What are the birds trying to tell her and why?

I adored this book and if you’ve enjoyed Ali’s stories before, you will love this.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review. This is my honest unpaid opinion of this story.

Thanks to Little Brown Book and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Another fabulous book by Ali McNamara set in what appears to be the magical Bluebell Wood. It sounds like a very peaceful and happy place to be. I really enjoyed Ava's story. Her inital reason for coming to Bluebell Wood was to escape and to enjoy the peace and solitude and the recovery time it afforded her. Mysterious birds help her on her way.

Really enjoyed this.

A gentle light book set in a delightful English village with a great sense of community. Easy read which flows along being full of long hidden secrets and mystery with a touch of romance. There is a theme of birds throughout the book, not only being essential to the story but also tied up with all the character's names, there were a few new to me but Ali has included all the bird names used at the end of the book.

A definite book to relax with and with a warmhearted feel to help the underlying problems facing the main characters and the village.

I really enjoyed this book and didn't really know what to expect. Ava moves into the country for a new start and doesn't really know what she's got herself into.

This book embodies the community that a village can have - from Ava's first encounter with Callum to the pub quiz and daily encounters with her neighbours.

The birds leaving presents on her bird table led to even more intrigue and interactions, and really made me think.

I loved how Ava's interactions developed between the other characters as she settled back into both herself and into the village which she was starting to call home.

This is a book that needs a cold drink and a hammock to enjoy it in.

At first I wasn't so sure about this book but once I got to chapter 3 it was like I needed to know more. Why were the birds leaving her gifts? What had happen to ava that caused her so much anxiety? I loved how well the author portrays Ana's ptsd from what had happened, I found also how ava and callums relationship grows throughout the book good too. But overall my favourite part of the book is what the birds leave each time and how they are all connected. Highly recommend reading this book

Rounded up to 3.5.
I have read a few Ali McNamara's books and really enjoyed them. But this one left me feeling a bit aloof.
Ava rents a cottage in Bluebell Wood after a traumatic experience in her home town London and needs to escape for a while.
Although she wants peace and quiet and no company she is soon involved in village life.
I found Ava really hard to like. I thought her quite rude at times and seemed to snap people's heads off for very minor things. I know she,was suffering with anxiety but that doesn't excuse rudeness.
I also thought she was a lot older when we first meet her. She seemed a bit of a fuddy duddy.
Bluebell Wood sounded lovely and I could imagine myself living in a village just like this with the woods close by at one with nature.
The villagers were really lovely people especially the dishy vicar Callum.
Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC in return for an honest review

I have loved every page of this book. Although I have forgotten the main characters name. Blame the sun.
We leave London for a beautiful quiet village called bluebell woods and its just what she needs after her traumatic time in London. When the secret comes out, it's not what I imagined at all.
She is stressed around people and everyone in this village is more than welcoming to her and Merlin her new dog. They take long walks in the woods and they feed the birds who like to leave gifts 🎁on her bird table. As time goes on she's researching the items the birds have left her and the area and between all the people of the village they've realised something fascinating.
It's an amazing read.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
A pleasant tale of a woman in the midst of anguish, recovering from a trauma that isn't shared with the reader until she is comfortable to do so. Her children are concerned when she seeks refuge in an idyllic but isolated village, but instead of disappearing further within herself, she becomes integrated into village lives and dramas. The author cleverly develops our intrigue with tales of birds leaving mysterious clues, linked together by a young autistic boy. Romance is served in sufficient helpings and the story unfolds at an easy rate. Perfect for these hot balmy days, when you have no energy for chores and can disappear into a wood filled with bluebells and Roman artefacts.

I’m giving this book 3 stars as I didn’t finish it, the writing was fine but the subject matter left me feeling uneasy, mental health is an issue I suffer from anxiety myself, i just felt that less would have been more and the same with the descriptions of flowers and trees there didn’t need to be as much as there was. Not a bad boom I just couldn’t finish it

My first read of Ali McNamara and I must say that I really enjoyed it. It is a refreshing read for a summer read and highly recommend.