This is book number three in a lovely series set it the quaint village of Cranbridge. This book can definitely be read as a stand alone in my opinion. We follow the lives of Belle and Pete, childhood friends, and watch the sparks fly between them as Belle faces losing her home & job, as her uncle & aunt are about to sell their Inn and Pete is about to buy it & sell it on for a quick profit. A smashing story with lots of super characters and lots of charm.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Belle loves staying at the Black Swan Inn but is crushed to learn that the owners have to sell. An old friend is interested in buying the place but the changes he's thinking does not interest Belle. I enjoyed the chemistry between Belle and Pete.

This was a decent cosy romance but I didn’t like it as much as the first book in the series. Pete and Belle both came across as too prickly for me. And why would Pete not employ Amber to help decorate the restaurant? His ideas sounded terrible to the reader too. But then again he was attracted to Belle’s terrible fashion sense I guess. Lucky for him no one got food poisoning.

This series is a bit too predictable for my tastes. I’m guessing the next book will be about Molly and her choice between Logan and someone else, Brad the cook maybe?

The story
Belle has lived with her aunt and uncle in the little village of Cranbridge since her parents split up when she was 12. They fight and bicker but at least they both love her. The couple own the Black Swan Inn, a local pub and Belle works for them. But the inn is getting shabby and they don’t have money or the will to do it up. The inn is put up for sale and in a drunken moment Pete, Belle’s friend decides to buy it. It allows Belle to stay on, but for how long?

My thoughts
This is a sweet story that shares how miscommunication or fear of dealing with your feelings can bring one so close to not connecting with those you love. I really enjoyed the parts when Pete realised that he was enjoying being in the village and able to contribute to the community.

This is the third book in a series but reads well as a stand alone book. Nice characters with good chemistry between Belle and Pete. A cosy easy read book with a hint of Christmas.

Belle’s life is changing, and she does not do change well. Her aunt and uncle want to sell the inn, her home and job. In steps Pete, her childhood friend, who she had a crush on years ago. A good story overall, but did drag a bit at times. Otherwise, highly recommend this book.

Another brilliant book from the Cranbridge series. This is number 3 but like the others you don't have to have read the others to enjoy this one
Belle and the Black Swan Inn or the Mucky Duck as it was known to the villagers are the main feature of this story and what happens when her aunt and uncle decide to sell up

I’ve really enjoyed this series and this being the third book I went into it already looking forward to returning to Cranbridge again!

This is the story of Belle who lives at the Black Swan inn, unfortunately the Inn is put up for sale and so Belle sets out to find a buyer for the inn. A old friend returns and Belle thinks all her prayers are answered but does he have the same plans for the inn as Belle?

Such a gorgeous cosy story with some great characters, highly recommend.

This is the third book in this series and it’s just as good as the others.

The story features Belle who lives with her aunt and uncle in the rundown Black Swan Inn in Cranbridge. When the inn is put up for sale, it looks like she’s about to lose her home until an old friend returns from abroad and buys it. But what are his plans for the inn and do they include Belle?

A lovely story with great characters which was an enjoyable and entertaining read.

Every Cloud…
Can The Black Swan Inn in cosy, sleepy Cranbridge be saved? After all the Inn is now run down and threatened with closure and Belle Clarke thinks that she has no choice but to leave. But, isn’t it true that every cloud has a silver lining? There may well be good news afoot but only if Belle can manage to put some opinions to one side. Book three in the Riverside Lane series and an enjoyable addition as well as a delightful slice of escapism.

TW: mentions of loss of loved ones (father and grandparent) and mentions of pass drug addictions.

Thank you to Boldwood books and Netgalley for the e arc

This was such a charming Christmas read that I did enjoy a lot. I really liked the Christmas setting of it all it was done really well done and bought the atmosphere alive. I liked the chemistry between Paul and Belle it was so nice and their romance felt pretty realistic during the whole novel.

I did think after the 54% mark the story slowed down a lot after the inn was re decorated and was renovated just not a lot of happened for 20% it was just about complications between Belle and Paul . The romance could of been doing with it being longer or more of an appearance in the epilogue.

But I still recommend this book as it’s a quick easy romance read where Christmas is done well and makes you feel involved within the town.

Fantastic another slice of Cranbridge and all it’s residents. Reading this book was like a big comforting hug, spending your time with old friends.
This book concentrates on Belle and the black swan inn. It was a great read and I devoured it in one sitting .
Highly recommended.
Hoping we have another visit to the village soon.

A book I couldn’t put down, I really enjoyed seeing how the village pub changed and reading how Belle became more confident and learnt to trust. Two very likeable main characters with a good mix of pub regulars. It was obvious in places, such as the grand chef, but who doesn’t love curling up,with a feel good book that leaves a smile on your face

Another sweet story in the Riverside series. This reads fine alone but does build on the characters and town from the previous books. I enjoyed this installment just as much as those before it.

I just finished reading this book last night, and really enjoyed it from start to finish. It is a story revolving around a girl called Belle who lives in run down, old country inn. We follow Belle through the pub renovations, mishaps & relationships. A great variety of characters, and I loved Belle straight away. A girl after my own heart! I will definitely read this author again, and will be ordering books 1 & 2.

I received an advance copy of, The village Inn of Secret Dreams, by Alison Sherlock. This is a lovely book, Belle and Peter are great characters. Its a good read.