Cover: A bit too cartoonish, maybe.

Toni’s life isn’t easy. Tragedy struck years ago, leaving her trapped in a web made of grief and survivor guilt. Those who should support her don’t acknowledge her struggles, and the risk of Toni having to sacrifice her whole life is real.

While I’m unable to grasp the reasons why she’s willing to put the well-being of others above her own to such extreme extents—I figure it has to do with PTSD and survivor guilt, as I mentioned—her journey is a touching one. You end up rooting for her, wishing she could achieve her happy, peaceful ending.

A Winter s Wish for the Cornish Midwife, while uplifting, deals with sensitive topics. They’re all handled with care and grace, showing how much time (and research!) Bartlett put into it. I have to say that a few things hit close to home, and reading about something I went through myself in RL made me emotional; at the same time, I’m grateful to see I’m not—wasn’t, it’s over now and my bundle of joy is a big kid—the only one battling with such issues. Bartlett, thank you for the representation.

The supporting cast of characters is strong, each of them with a defined voice. I appreciate a lot the Jess/Toni dichotomy, how their stories develop in tandem, and even more so Toni’s character growth. She’s able to mature throughout the story, recognizing she has emotional needs too and they have to be addressed.

Style-wise, Bartlett’s voice is clear, even if her prose might read a little too rich in places. It’s a detail that doesn’t hinder the final rating, though.

Another in the series about the Cornish Midwife and what a great book it is. Jo has written this really well making it a standalone or read as the series. The lives of the midwives and the mums-to-be make this a good and interesting novel. I can't wait for the next one to be published as I really enjoy reading these. All Jo's books are great and this one is well worth 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

Returning to Port Agnes in the company of the Cornish midwives is something I look forward to and in this latest book we discover more about Toni and Bobby who are both midwives on the community unit. The secretive nature of their relationship has been something which has intrigued us since we first met up with them two books ago and to add another twist, Bobby is the only male midwife on the unit which presents its own set of challenges. However, it is his relationship with Toni which becomes all the more poignant as we discover the reasons why Toni in particular is reluctant to make a commitment.

Bobby and Toni's story really caught my attention and whilst I followed their story with interest and hoped that everything would eventually work out for them I was also just as interested in what was going on in the lives of the other characters. And that's what this author does so well, she brings everyone to life in such detail that you really care about each and every one of them. Some might be a bit more difficult to like than others but generally they're a great bunch and fill the stories with warmth, wit and oodles of compassion.

This is now the third book in the Cornish Midwife series and whilst it can be read comfortably as a stand alone, it sort of makes sense to start at the beginning in order to follow this lovely series which gives off such warmth that, with each successive story, it's like settling back down with a group of old friends. I especially love the Cornish setting and the way the community of Saint Agnes is always very much part of the story. As it's a series about a community midwife group there are details of births and whilst this is never overly dramatic, it does portray realistic situations, however, this doesn't intrude on the character driven aspect of the story.

Beautifully written by an author who has made this corner of Cornwall her own, A Winter's Wish for the Cornish Midwife carries the series forward in a really meaningful way, I can't wait to find out what happens in book number four.

Book 3 in the “The Cornish Midwife series however it can be read as a standalone.

The book starts off with a stab to the heart. I enjoyed the intensity of the secret keeping, it kept me turning the page. I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters and how they seem to become a part of you. You can feel their emotions as if they’re your own and empathise with them. A true testament to the writing when you be come so invested in the story that you lose track of time and that’s exactly what happened with this wonderful book. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming all wrapped up with a dash of Winter magic.

The third book in the Cornish Midwives series where we find out Toni's story. Having previously read the other 2 and loving the first one but not the second I was willing to give this the benefit of the doubt. We found out Toni's story at the very beginning which was the reason for her behaviour in the other books. However, I found the story very predictable and long and drawn out.
There was again a lot of description which to me felt like "padding".
I am sure people will enjoy reading this book but it just fell a bit flat for me

I thought this was a good book. I didn't think anything really made it stand out. I do like the growth of the main character and the development to embrace the change and love.

Another lovely little visit to see the midwifes attached to the maternity unit.
This time it’s to see the story between Toni a widowed fiancé and her secret (not so secret) younger man and also mentee Bobby.
Toni us trapped by the traditions her and her donate have become stuck in and when he dies she feels the guilt to ease his parents so she stays in those same smothering traditions.
Her and Bobby have fallen in love but she feels they can’t be together to not break his parents hearts. Somethings got to give and it looks like she’s prepared to sacrifice her future happiness for them.
This was a lovely story and I can’t wait to catch up with the midwives again soon.

The third book in the Cornish Midwife series is full of angst, emotion and loss. It focuses on Toni and Bobby and the story behind their secret affair. The prologue sets the scene in a customary dramatic way and what follows is a story full of guilt, sacrifice and forgotten wishes.

This story is both frustrating and heartwarming, as the reader urges Toni to consider her happiness first and think of the future that is hers if she is brave enough to let go and move on. This story immerses the reader in Toni and Bobby's lives and the contrast in them. It is less dramatic but more emotionally intense than the previous two stories.

I received a copy of this book from Boldwood Books via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

If you’ve read the earlier books in this lovely series, you’ll have been as intrigued as I was about the relationship between the very private and professional Toni and the unit’s only male midwife, Bobby. Everyone knew there was something going on, but it was clear they wanted to keep it a secret – and in this book we find out why, and follow their particularly emotional story.

It really is a story that tears at your heart – with guilt and a sense of duty making it look so impossible that the pair will ever be able to have their happy ending. Both characters are exceptionally well drawn and developed, very real – and the situation they find themselves in really is quite impossible, with Toni unable to look to the future with so many obligations tying her to the past. The families that surround them both are wonderfully drawn too – Bobby’s a chaotic sprawl of young and old, the warmth and love overflowing, while the one that Toni’s tied to… but I’ll leave you to find that out for yourself.

And, in the background, there’s the opportunity to catch up with the lives of the other midwives in the unit – the progress of Anna’s unexpected pregnancy, the marriage plans of Ella and Dan, Jess’s progress towards her dream of becoming a foster carer – as they handle the many day-to-day small dramas that cross the path of the community midwifery team. I must say I’m particularly caught up by Jess’s story, and her as yet undeveloped relationship with Dexter – I’m particularly looking forward to the next book in the series which will be picking that one up.

I’ve mentioned before that this whole series has the feel of a Sunday night TV series – a little bit Call the Midwife with a touch of Doc Martin – with a well-developed sense of place and community, filled with warmth and feel-good moments and a succession of small storylines that completely engage you. But while I can’t help talking about this book as part of a series, there’s absolutely nothing that need stop you from picking up this book (or any of the others) and reading it as a standalone – you’d very quickly become as immersed in the lives of this wonderful and dedicated group of women as I always am.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one – and I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Port Agnes.

This is the third instalment in The Cornish Midwives series and I've loved them all so far. It feels like I'm returning to a home away from home when I pick one of these up and I was needing another Port Agnes fix!

The book starts with a prologue and whatever you do, do not skip this. Oh my, I was in shock at the end as I really didn't expect that to happen at all, to be honest, I wasn't quite sure what I was expecting but it wasn't this. Straight away you get a little insight into Toni's past and why she is so secretive about her relationship with Bobby.

If you haven't read the previous books then you may miss this little insight but even though Toni and Bobby have tried to be super secretive about their relationship, they've not exactly done a good job of it. All of the other midwifes are sure of the relationship and even Bobby's family seems to have seen the signs, you just wish that she would be brave enough to go public as you can see how much she means to Bobby.

It was great to find out more about Toni throughout this book as you start to understand why she feels and acts like she does. Her past is always going to be a massive part of her life and you just know that it will take something just as big for her to start letting other people in. There were some times where I just wanted to force her into something or someone to see her and Bobby so that she didn't feel like she have to keep the secret in anymore. Her heart really is in the sweetest of places but like Bobby, you wish she could put her wants first for once.

We also get to hear more about Jess' fostering application and I have an inkling that there may be more to come in future books? There's just got to be something going on with Dexter there surely...?

Another amazing visit to Port Agnes with Anna, Ella, Jess, Toni, Bobby, of course Gwen (who could ever forget Gwen eh!) and all the other residents. How I would love a stroll along the beach with a portion of Brae's fish and chips and the wind blowing in my hair! Thank you so much to Jo for whisking me away for a lovely weekend!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. It was a cozy, heartwarming book that really put me in the Christmas spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for my chance to read this ARC in return for a review.

I had not read the previous books in the series but it was possible to read this as a standalone story. Call The Midwife it was not however.

I found the main character annoying, how she let her situation go on for so long without realising what was happening was beyond me.
On the whole it was readable but predictable - Mills and Boon romances were mentioned and this was very much in that vein.
Would I read other books by this author? Maybe - I love Cornwall. But I won't rush to find other titles.

Definitely a light read for a cosy winter evening.

Thanks again to all involved

Reading this installment of The Cornish Midwife series, and taking a trip back to Port Agnes, is a bit like going home.
A Winter Wish might be read as a stand alone, but having read the previous books adds to the enjoyment, since you meet also old loved characters.
It's a sweet, emotional read, perfect for a cosy night in..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another excellent book in the Cornish Midwives series by Jo. We read Toni and Bobby's story who have been keeping their relationship secret as Toni has a painful past and has to honour a promise made to people in her past. I am hoping there will be more in the series.

Such a sweet and moving winter tale! I cannot wait for more from Jo Bartlett! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Brilliant book again by Jo bartlett. Excellent story and characters, a tale of heartache, friendship, love and babies. Follow the story of the cornish midwives. Looking forward to the next installment.

Great read, I look forward to more in this series. I enjoyed the various storylines and characters.
Highly recommended

A great winter time book, which I always enjoy, any time of the year! Well written and I’ll definitely look out for more by the author.

Following the lives of a group of midwives, this instalment focuses on Toni and her secret love, and Jess’ process into fostering. After a tragic past Toni finds it hard to let go and take the chance to act upon her true feelings for Bobby.

Bartlett’s latest instalment in The Cornish Midwife series follows Toni mainly as well as Jess, which allowed for a really enjoyable read. This book could be read as a standalone considering the story is devoted to telling the reader about these characters in a fresh, heartwarming way. Characters from the previous books are mentioned, so having knowledge of reading them adds to the familiarity of the group of midwives, but they are also reintroduced for new readers too. I thought it was nice to have already met these characters in the earlier works as they are really likeable and you can easily get lost in their stories.

The main difference in this story compared to the previous ones is the more somber tone felt through exploring Toni’s story. The author presents great sympathy for the character and her situation, as she is prepared to sacrifice her own happiness to keep others around her happy, which impedes her chances with Bobby. While the character has her own personal situation, she is also a key figure in the group of midwives helping expectant mothers deliver their children and the day to day tasks of a midwife.

Bartlett transforms the reader to the familiar little village in Cornwall that previous readers are familiar with. She conveys a sense of community and closeness between the characters which adds to the heartfelt element of this story. As mentioned, the author revisited some of our favourite characters like Anna and Ella. However, I did find that this novel was not too descriptive in comparison to the other novels, but I think that this novel had a more important task in delivering Toni’s story to the reader. The novel was more of a sad and heartfelt read, not as light hearted as the others which made a change to what readers might be used to having read the others in the series.

Overall, this was a brilliant book for some escapism in a beautiful setting following a group of midwives. This novel had more of a somber tone compared to the previous light hearted stories. If you are a fan of the other books in this series you will be surprised but not disappointed with this novel, whereas reading this as a standalone might conjure up different feelings.

This review will be published on my blog www.fortheliterature.wordpress.com on 06/10/21

Even though this was the third in the series, this read as a stand alone book. It was sad at the beginning and then it took off and turned out to be a very refreshing read. Set in my favourite place, Cornwall added to the pleasure and I could picture the scenery as well as the beaches and cliffs. I really enjoyed this book and hope to read the first two in this series eventually. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.