A great slow read, like a huge landscape portrait that you want to take your time over to savour every bit. This was beautifully written with strong characters that the author spent time exploring and giving the emotions and reactions and thus sucked me in. The house that is in disrepair is also a character and the mixing of the different strands is well done. There is pain, family hurt and bruises but also joy and hope sprinkled into the plot. A few kisses, a lifeguard and a bit of royalty makes this a lovely read.

This was an engaging read with an interesting variety of characters. Cordelia ( Delia) is the main character. She had a very loving family growing up with her mum and aunt. I did feel for her in her marriage with dreadful in-laws and her husband with his moods. However, she did have a good friend in Sammy. Her aunt was very supportive and quite a character, who was enjoying her latter years to the full. I loved the descriptions of Cornwall, I could just imagine myself there. Mrs Joy, the housekeeper, was an interesting character, always popping up just when she was needed. I was pleased that this story had a happy and well deserved ending for Delia. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have never read a novel by Fern Britton before but the synopsis of this book was appealing.

Delia, is a middle aged woman who inherits Wilder Hoo, a dilapidated house in Cornwall and from there the story transports you back to Delia's cornish past and childhood growing up on her family farm with her mum Christine and her Aunt Rosie.

The characters of the novel are well rounded, very loveable and interact well to build moments of tension and tenderness throughout the novel. Sammi, the best friend of Delia is a lovely recurring character and acts as her cornerstone to guide her in her emotional decisions. I loved the sense of place in the novel, Wilder Hoo becomes a character in itself, with the book talking to you about it's empty rooms and aching desire to be restored and lived in and the restoration was satisfying hearing about the rooms and how they were being re-furnished.

The "villains" in the novel were archetypal - Harriet the old childhood friend, Jonny the ex husband and Delia's dad but again were well shaped - you loved to hate them!

A lovely, well paced and thoughtful novel which readers of romance, family drama or regionally set stories would enjoy

Cordelia Jago would be happy to never set foot in Wilder Hoo House again. When Delia’s late ex-husband unexpectedly leaves the cottage in her name, she wonders if it is one last cruel joke from beyond the grave.
Determined to quickly sell-up and burry the memories of her past forever, she begins to restore the crumbling beach house brick by brick. With the help of the locals Delia breathes new life into the home, An engaging & enjoyable book, it charts Delia’s life so shifts backwards & forwards in time. I really liked Delia & loved getting to know her, there is also a delightful bunch of secondary characters. There are secrets but there’s also a new beginning. This is an ideal book to while away some hours relaxing outdoors
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This was a loving read, set in Cornwall. The story is told in the past and present.

Delia receives news that she’s inherited a house, which is in need of a lot of work. But, it also doesn’t hold any happy memories for her.

We read how Delia’s childhood was as she was growing up and everything that happened in her life, she didn’t have an easy life.

But, she’s determined with the help of her friends, some of whom she’s known and some she makes along the way, along with Mrs Joy to bring the house, gardens and outbuildings back to how they used to be.

In doing so Delia finds herself healing from all that’s happened.

I highly recommend this book.

A lovely summer read, set in Cornwall.
Lots of great characters most good, some bad.
Set around an unusual premise, but an enjoyable easy read.

Thanks to Netgalley for an early copy.

Another lovely read from Fern Britton. A heartwarming story with amazing characters.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this arc

This is very much a book of two parts. Part 1 explores Delia’s early life with her Mum and Auntie Rose, how she met her husband Johnny and was introduced to Wilder Hoo.
Part 2 is the restoration of Wilder Hoo House and Gardens and with the help of family and friends the revitalisation of Delia.
Fern Britton shows her love of Cornwall with beautiful descriptions and an almost travel agency vigour..
I found both parts of the book interesting , but the restoration of the house and gardens grabbed my attention. I would have liked to more details in this area.
Overall an enjoyable summer read.

A lovely read that is set in Cornwall. When Cordelia inherits a house from her ex husband her first thought is to sell it. With the support of her family and friends she is encouraged to think again. She not only puts her heart into renovating the house but she finds friends, happiness and new beginnings along the way.

Cordelia Jago has inherited a dilapidated mansion in Cornwall. She has bad memories of her time in the house and wants to sell it on sight.
She starts to renovate the house in order to sell but it seems to weave a spell on her.
Can she find peace there and a new life?

This was a really absorbing read, set amidst a Cornish backdrop, and sees Delia having to confront an unhappy past when she's left a house she has nothing but bad memories about.

You really feel for Delia from the get go. Life has dealt her some crappy cards, and then she receives the news of her unexpected inheritance and the bad memories come flooding back. Her intention is to sell the house asap, and is even reluctant to go inside - that really gets your interest as to what happened in her past that brings back such visceral reactions. So we get to see the story unfold in the present, and dipping back in time, to watch over her life and encounters with a wide range of characters - some nice, some very unpleasant!!

This is a story about reconnecting and also reclaiming the good memories from the bad, and I really enjoyed the characters of Sammi, Mrs Joy and Rose! The people around Delia give her that time to come to terms with what she's been through and find a way to move forward. A great summer read!

Another gorgeous, heartwarming novel from Fern.
Set in Cornwall at a crumbling Cornish Manor, Fern creates great characters who we just love and root for.
There are many ups and downs for Delia, who has been left this manor house, but with her aunt's help she begins to come to terms with her past. A joyous read with a touch of romance too.
Cornwall once again casts its spell.
Happiness guaranteed with a novel from Fern.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Really enjoyable read from Fern Britton, interesting storyline, good characters, and set in Cornwall…perfect! Particularly enjoyed aunt Rose’s character, and the intriguing Mrs Joy, Recommended.

I enjoyed Fern Britton's latest offering. Having lost everything and feeling bereft and vulnerable, Delia Jago is astounded when she is left a house she never wanted and has no desire to keep. With encouragement from her Aunt Rose and her best friend Sammi, Delia is encouraged not to rush in and sell the house, Wilder Hoo. What follows is a recovery journey for the house and its owner. Beautifully written, with well-developed characters, some distasteful and others joyful. Great escapism in Cornwall.

A light easy to read book set in Cornwall on the coast. Wonderful characters with one or two villains to balance the mix. Mainly set in the present day with odd dips into the past. A touch of magic entwined throughout, especiallyin theformof MrsJoy. Definitely a relaxing book to take on holiday and immerse oneself in

A lovely read set on the dramatic coast of Cornwall.

Delia is left a wreck of a country estate by her not so nice ex husband and this follows how, thanks to good friends, family and a kind of Mary Poppins character, she gets through it.

A perfect holiday read - easy to follow and dip in and out of!

An absolutely glorious read that i didn't want to end. Snippets from the past brought in to the present and happiness that has come from pain and heartache. I loved it.
Delia is left a country estate by her late and unpleasant husband.....she can't wait to get shot of it..but with the encouragement of her good friends & Aunt Rose, not to mention the enigmatic Mrs Joy, she decides to keep it. What follows is a lovely journey to recovery for Delia and the house.
Highly recommend.

A lovely read set in picturesque Cornwall, absolutely perfect for a holiday read!
Delia has unexpected inherited a house but it’s not just any old house, it’s a massive crumbling pile, full of bad feelings for Delia!
Told in the past and present we follow Delia from childhood to present day, upon what has not been the easiest of journeys to say the least!
Despite this Delia armed with tenacity, braveness and sheer will power and an eclectic mix of family friends and the enigmatic Mrs Joy transforms the house, gardens and outbuildings and in doing so begins her own voyage if discovery and healing along the way!
A lovely read full of hope, serving chances and new beginnings
Thank you net galley for this early read

I’ve read several of Ferns books but this one I didn’t enjoy as much. Set in Cornwall but spread over the past and present didn’t work for me. I would still recommend this to others. Thanks to Fern and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

I always really enjoy Fern Britton’s books so was delighted to discover another one and so pleased to be allowed to review it. The main character, Delia, has been through so many losses and then, unexpectedly, is left a crumbling mansion in Cornwall. This story is about Delilah’s experiences restoring the mansion and, as she does, restoring herself.
A delightful read and really recommended. Enjoy!!