New beginnings at the Old Bakehouse follows husband and wife, Cam and Molly who run the local bakery. They have a son called George and another one on the way. However, at the local homeless shelter where they donate food to, Molly Crosses paths with a 16 year old girl called Bree and events occur from there.

This is all set around the autumn/ winter period so not only do we have a cosy romance for the upcoming autumn months but we have a nice festive atmosphere near the end. The cold, snowy weather in Scotland also adds to the empathy felt about the homeless during this season and there are certain events that occur which are bound to tug at your heartstrings at least once.

New beginnings covers many emotional topics from homelessness to adoption. However this book still delivers the feel good factor we have come to expect and love from the Love Heart Lane series.

In my opinion this is potentially one of the more emotional in the series due to the nature of the topics. However as always I loved the characters both old and new. The new main character, Molly is so caring and kind, she has a heart of gold and although sometimes her actions could be classed as reckless, she does them for the right reasons and its hard not to love her for being so good natured.

And of course then you come to that winning combination for me, the food. With the main characters owning and working in a bakery you can expect lots of description of food and baking. From bread and pastries to cakes and all manner of delicious foods, this book is likely to make you salivate and wish you were in that bakery right now.

This is a story of family, of appreciating what you have and also not judging a book by its cover. Its about acceptance and also understanding especially when it comes to other people’s circumstances.

If you are looking for a feel good read with all the feels I would highly recommend this book. But try not to read it when you are hungry.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – a series which never lets up with the feels and the cosiness. I will always recommend this series.


Thanks to Netgalley and Christie Barlow for gifting me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

It’s no secret that I adore the Love Heart Lane series by Christie Barlow, but I have to say this one might just have been my favourite.

This time we follow Molly and Cam’s story, we’ve met them before but life looks very different for them now. And it’s about to change even more for them because with the winter storm comes scandals and past secrets.

Molly welcomes into their home a sixteen-year-old homeless girl, Bree, and in doing so a whole can of worms is opened and secrets from both the bakehouse and Molly’s pasts are revealed.

We know that Heartcross comes together as a community in times of struggle and once again that is what happens. This book features homelessness and gives an insight to what this could be like for those on the streets, especially young kids. I found that the way this was woven into the story was great, and it makes taking Bree into our hearts easy.

Bree was such a lovable character and Dixie was fab too.

This may be number nine in the series, but it could definitely be read as a standalone.

I can’t wait to return again to Heartcross and see what’s instore for the villagers.

Absolutely one of my favourites in the Heartcross Lane series from Christie Barlow.

In this one we're back with Cam and Molly, further in their relationship where their son is a bit older and they're happily expecting child number two. The bakery is a huge part of the story and a really wonderful setting.

What's different about this book is that it's really less about the romance but more the development of characters and the new additions. There was quite a bit of mystery in this story and that's what I enjoyed the most. It made this book stand out compared with the others in the series.

Another lovely book in a delightful series, this one has a festive vibe and realistically explores homelessness. Molly and Cam eagerly await their second child, but Cam hides a secret from Molly. The Love Heart Lane community focuses on the homeless; it's a life-changing experience when Molly meets Bree. I love the characters, the contemporary issues explored and the sense of community.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Another lovely book in the Heartcross Lane series.
I did enjoy this one and sat down until I had finished it.
I did miss the usual visit to the pub and catching up with everyone else though.
A good chapter in the lives of the gorgeous community.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Another book set in love heart Lane. Molly visits a clairvoyant who tells her to expect scandal and upset. With Christmas fast approaching and a baby due any time soon the last thing she wants is scandal and drama, She stumbles upon a homeless 16 year old girl named Bree and takes her into the warmth of her house. This causes secrets from the past to rear their head and Molly, her partner Cam and son George experience a Christmas holiday filled with surprises.

Another great book from Christie.

We are back in Heart cross, this time at the bakery with Molly who is 8 months pregnant, Cam or Cameron and their son George
Molly thinks all is ok until she bumps into a homeless teenager Bree and something about her makes Molly start to think about her past
Cam is hiding a secret from Molly and his behaviour is so unlike him Molly starts to worry he doesn't want to be with her any more
Can they work things out ?
Loved it

Another in the wonderful Love Heart Lane series, you will be hard pushed to find a better series to read. Well done yet again. 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Another amazing story from Heartcross. I’ve loved all the Love Heart Lane Series, they are very special and make me feel so good!
Based this time in the town's bakery it covers all sort of issues with great sensitivity and care.
It definitely is a place you don't want to leave. A place I now know so well that I feel like I'm living in the book. I know the people and all the places.
A real escape from the real world.
It’s got everything you could want from a book, the community spirit, family and friendship.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the review copy in which I give my honest opinion.

Another great contribution to the Love Heart Lane series from from Christie Barlow, I love returning to Heartcross every single time, the fact this time involves baking just made it even sweeter, these are stand-alone reads, but it’s so much better when you read them all. This is such a gorgeous cosy read that I’m ready for autumn now (does help not keen on Summer it’s my least favourite season). It’s so heartwarming, definitely emotional as homelessness is covered and done with sensitivity, it’s thought provoking and makes you realise how little you need todo to make a difference, the most important thing we all need to do is change our attitudes towards it ! It’s a social change that’s ultimately needed, not money ! I loved Molly so much, there’s so much heartache she goes though and Cam is definitely not himself and it takes time for her to get through to him (this is a book I’d definitely suggest reading others before as it will help you see Cam in his usual character but it’s not completely necessary) However, there are so many uplifting moments as well, so much warmth and love, the community it’s just so lovely. Can’t wait for the next book

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

This book was okay. The cozy bakery mystery part was lovely. It had very Christmastime on the Hallmark channel vibes to it and I'll admit that I did tear up a bit at the end.

HOWEVER, having never read any of the previous books in the series, it was very VERY hard to like the male lead. He was absolutely atrocious throughout most of the book. It was very hard to understand how this woman could have possibly stayed married to him long enough to get pregnant for a second time. I know that there were "reasons" but they weren't good enough for the absolute bile that spewed out of the character. Perhaps if I had read the previous books I would have liked the character well enough to see that he was behaving out of character. But this was all the character we were given in this book and it wasn't enough.

Note for the publishers: it's a Christmas book, set at Christmas, in a snowstorm so bad that it literally kills people. The cover does not reflect the story at all. I was very confused and I think maybe your cover artist should have been given a few more notes.

A sweet light hearted romance which I enjoyed. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book,

Oh this is such a wonderful story. Heartwarming, charming, and you are transported to a snowy Scotland with the warmth of an inside of a bakery. The smell of the bread literally jumps out of the page.

An unusual story that was dramatic, charming, made your heart race and in the end, made me cry.

Loved it!

Yet another superb book from Christie. It encompases the emotional subject of homelessness, but the book is written with warmth and hope.

The Love Heart Lane series of books are the gift that just keeps giving; it already hurts my heart to think of this series as being all done and dusted…
BUT, here we are with the latest - New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse – and it’s wonderful. Full of all our Heartcross favourites, we focus on Molly and Cam at the bakery. It’s great to catch up with the characters we’ve already got in our hearts, Cam is being a little mysterious and not himself so that is a cause of concern. A chain of random encounters sees Molly getting surprises in more ways than one. We also get to meet Bree, whose story will break and possibly mend your heart. Bree and her connection to Heartcross is brilliant – I am keen to see more of her and the budding romance with Ash.
This book tackles some sensitive and upsetting issues such as abandonment, homelessness, loneliness, and sadly how extreme weather conditions can have devastating effects. The story will see love being tested in many ways, can even the most adorable couples withstand so much stress and angst?
Sometimes only the truth can set you free and allow you to be truly happy, maybe it’s time Cam learns that lesson before he pushes Molly away for good.
Another amazing read from Christie Barlow; I could go on and on about how wonderful her books are. You don’t have to have read the other books in the series but I will always recommend them because they are superb.

I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, I love going to the Scottish village of Heartcross. Everyone is so friendly, there’s a real community atmosphere, I really wish it was real!!

For this trip, I’m returning to the lives of Molly and Cam, the village vet and baker, a few years in from when they were the central characters in Primrose Park. Life is rosy, Molly is pregnant with baby number 2, and Cam’s baking sounds amazing. But as I fully well know, there is always something in Heartcross to knock idyllic life slightly off course and this time it’s a super cold winter and a chance meeting at the homeless hostel that sends Molly on a charitable course.

I don’t think I’ve read a Barlow novel where I don’t got on an emotional journey that is not dissimilar to a rollercoaster. I started off elated to be with such an adorable couple who I’d got to know a few books back. Then I felt fear (I don’t do snow at all) and worry for those who Sam, the owner of the hostel was helping on such a bitterly winters night… I’ll stop my rollercoaster reminisce there as i don’t want to spoil the story but needless to say, I did shed a tear or two at points – a typical reaction from my trips to Heartcross.

New Beginnings At The Old Bakehouse ticked every single box I’d expect from Christie Barlow and more. I had my familiarity of the characters I’ve grown to know and love, I had the bumps in the road, the emotional pendulum. This is another heartfelt addition to the series and I can’t wait to visit Bumblebee Cottage at the end of the year!

This book is part of The Love Heart Lane series of books. It can be read as a standalone novel. The series is fantastic though, so I recommend reading them all.
Unlike most of the other books, this book features previous characters, in this case Molly and Cam from Book 6, Primrose Park. It is more enjoyable if you have read this book. The only new character in this book is Bree.
Although this book has an Autumnal cover, it is more of a Wintery story, with snow storms. It is a nice cosy read.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it is a lovely heartwarming read. There are themes of grief and homelessness but there are also some uplifting moments too. I loved reading about the baking,it definitely made me hungry reading this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

I’m loving the Love Heart Lane series from Christie Barlow. She writes such warm and emotional stories and this one with Molly centre stage is just as wonderful as usual. Emotions are running high as new and old friends try and get through the harsh winter months and I loved seeing Molly and Cam now living at the bakery. Meeting up with some old favourite characters and being back in the village is a treat and I’ve loved getting to know that little bit more about Molly and her background before coming to Heartcross.

New Beginnings at the Old Bakehouse
by Christie Barlow

We follow the continuing life of the Bird family Dixie ,Cam , Molly and George at the Old Bakehouse. Everything in the garden is rosy the bakery is going well , Molly’s pregnancy is nearing its end but Cam is behaving strangely which Molly finds unsettling. Martha has a psychic evening predicting a letter , a scandal with drama to follow.

A completely enthralling can’t put down book from Christie Barlow in her Loveheart Lane Series which in my opinion is the very best so far.

A heartwarming story with drama ,secrets ,love ,humour and lets not forget the quirky characters.

It shows how a small town cope with homelessness and the difficulties when things go wrong at the homeless shelter or its full. Whilst It also deals with sadness , grief , family difficulties and serious illness along with everyday living and struggles beautifully.

The story is like curling up in front of the fire on a wintry day. Well deserved

Thank you to Christie Barlow, One More Chapter and NetGalley for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another great instalment in this series! I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and getting some family history and diving into the baking world (of which I am not a member.) I also appreciated that this wasn’t a romance, but a completely different kind of love story.

Homelessness is an important topic portrayed here. It highlights the need people have who have found themselves without a home, the views we (as the ones who are with home, job and money) can have towards those who have found themselves homeless, and also the ways in which people can help (not necessarily by taking someone in, but by donating food, clothing, blankets, money etc to your local shelter and organizations.) There is a stigma attached to being homeless that we need to break and it is important that we, not only as our individual communities, find a way for the world to be without homelessness.

Molly has such a big heart and truly cares about those around her, and that’s not just the pregnancy hormones at work! She felt a draw to Bree and knew she wanted to help, no matter what her husbands thoughts were. I love the circle this story takes and the web that is connecting all of these characters. There were some fun surprises and some really great scenes (baking in the kitchen!!!)

Give this one a try and consider the rest of the series as well! I know I want to go back to the beginning and read the ones I have missed!