Lessons in Life is a bit different from her usual books in terms of a mix of characters. Here she's portrayed an aspect of the UK in the 60s, with incoming immigrants from former colonies of the Empire.

I still enjoyed the drama and little tiifs, tussels of the sister in the story topped with their mum's unravelling past.

This is a delightful read by Julie, with delightful characters and intertwined relationships that only become apparent towards the end of the book. Julie always writes such heart warming books and never fails to disappoint.

It was lovely to return to Beddingfield, and it took no time for my memory to catch up with the events of the first book in this series, A Class Act. Robyn was still living with her family while working as a teacher, and was now dating her barrister boyfriend, Fabien Carrington. Although Robyn and Fabien feature in this book, there is a new focus on the rest of the family, which felt perfect.
Matriarch Lisa has long wondered where her heritage traces back to. Her adoptive mother remained tight-lipped, refusing to tell her anything more than the fact that her mother was Asian and had given her up for adoption at a young age. That lack of knowledge, coupled with a loveless childhood, had led Lisa to make some questionable life choices, including allowing the father of her daughters to drift in and out of their lives without a real commitment.
Lisa's eldest daughter, Jess, was determined to improve her place in the world and had serious hopes of finding success as a chef. She had won a recent cooking competition, beating Robyn’s partner into third place. She was now working at a local care home, cooking for her family in the evening and for the residents during the day, alongside managing the daily operations in her role as manager.
The main story focuses on Lisa and Jess, but everyone gets a mention. Julie’s writing is a testament to her ability to weave a complicated story effortlessly. The book never felt laboured, and it flowed beautifully. The outstanding element for me was seeing Lisa evolve from her safe harbour to spread her wings as she found the strength to fight for her independence, her sanity, and her place in society.
With a clever cast of characters lining up alongside such an incredible story, I was easily sucked into the dramas and loved every part of it.
A standout character, for me, was Eloise. Despite her escalating dementia, she remained aware of her history and maintained her grip on reality sufficiently for the book to weave its magical yet bittersweet threads.

I didn't realise that this was part 2 of a series but that didn't spoil this story although I think I will read the first book as I read this quite quickly.
Julie Houston always has good characters in her book and this one is no exception. I loved Lisa who has two grown up girls and a teenager. Lisa was adopted at birth through a private arrangement by two of the most awful people you could ever meet and had a horrendous childhood. Lisa also has a health condition which has made her ill on and off for years but is now on medication which has it under control. She is finally enjoying her life but then decides she must find out who her birth parents are in order to discover if they had the same illness as her.

Lisa's teenage daughter Sorrell finds herself in trouble, Robyn who has found the love of her life is insecure, and Jess who is in charge of the local care home is in fear of her job as she hears the owners are about to sell up.

This was a lovely read with mostly good and kind people and we all need to read stories like this.
We are shown the difference between happy people who care for others and those people who stay bitter their whole lives and take their unhappiness out on others.
I can't wait for the next book in this series.

This is another warm, witty, and emotionally rich installment in the Beddingfield series. The novel continues to shine through its vibrant cast. Jess and Robyn remain relatable and strong, despite the chaos around them. Robyn’s jealousy over Fabian feels a bit overblown given her own history with Mason, and Sorrel’s wild behavior continues unchecked—though her storyline takes a serious turn that adds emotional depth. Lisa’s transformation, thanks to her medication, is one of the more satisfying arcs, especially as she finally sees Jayden for who he is. Her backstory and the truth about her birth mother are compelling, even if not entirely surprising.

Karen and Adrian Foley are convincingly awful, and their treatment of Lisa adds a darker layer to the book. Karen’s late-in-life cat adoption is a small, ironic detail that adds a touch of dry humor. Meanwhile, snippets of Eloise’s past and lovable Roger Rabbit bring charm and heart to the narrative.

Though not all loose ends are tied up and some characters’ development may frustrate readers, the storytelling, humor, and strong sense of place more than make up for it. Beddingfield sounds like a place readers will want to return to again and again. A highly enjoyable read with plenty of heart—I’m already looking forward to the next book!

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

This book follows on from A Class Act,

The story is about the Alken family, but mainly Lisa,, the mother.

It has some twists and turns and we get to read about how life was like in the 1960s, regarding unmarried mothers and race. It was interesting to read about those times.

There was romance and it also covered other issues.

I hope that there is another book to come in this series.

I highly recommend this book.

I am adoring this Beddingfield set series by Julie Houston. We may only be two books into it, but it's shaping up to be a total cracker of a series.

Having read the first book, it really didn't take too long to totally feel at home again with the Allen family.

We also get to know Lisa a lot better this time, and discovering more about her past.

There is also a new resident at Hudson House, and we get chapters from her young adult years.

I put two and two together about something and came up with the right solution for a change, even if some of the logic was wrong.

Also enjoyed seeing Robyn's latest attempts at teaching, and all things to do with Jess and Sorrel.

So many wonderful characters, and I am loving these looks at their lives. I can't help but think this series could potentially make a fabulous soap opera.

Just brilliant.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This was such a great book. I have not read the one prior, but I still was able to fully enjoy this book. The characters are absolutely amazing. I loved them all and their relationships between each other. I loved the mystery of who the parents are for Lisa. I loved that Lisa was able to find out who her parents were and finding out about her history. Following the back and forth of each character and the stories that Eliose tells when she is spending time with Lisa was so interesting.

This is the excellent follow up book to Class Act so it was nice to catch up with the family and get to hear more about their background. It took me back to my memories of the 60’s when prejudice was rife especially where unmarried mothers, race and “doing the right thing” where concerned. It was interesting to learn about the selling of babies in Canada as I was completely unaware.

This is a great read full of warmth and looks like the story hasn’t ended yet, I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

This book is a follow-up to A Class Act, and having read the previous installment definitely helped set the stage for this latest story. At its core, it’s a romance, but it’s also packed with twists and turns that kept me completely gripped. What stood out most was how it shed light on the social attitudes of the 1960s, particularly around race and unmarried mothers—it was both eye-opening and thought-provoking. While a few questions were left unanswered, I’m holding out hope that this means there’s another book to come in the series!

Heartwarming story of a family dealing with the challenges of everyday life with humor and the support of friends.
Discovery of the identity of the mother's biological parents will impact their lives as they move forward.
I did not realize this was the second book in the series and had no issue following the storyline.
#LessonsinLife #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley

can Julie Houston ever stop getting better? well it appears not. what an author. what a book. i loved this one just like i did her others. she managed to write with such beauty and heart at its core. the characters are all real, they are all human and they are just perfectly described so you feel you are there with them. i can picture the community and family. i can picture the scene setting. i can picture the emotions as some build and some are broken or hurt.
this book is the second in the series and boy does this family and cast of characters have things going on. there is yet more happening in this book and it gripped me in right until the very last page.
when i finish one of Julies book i both cant wait for the next but want to linger on this current one too!
she is one of my favorite author right from my first book of hers. she knows how to pluck at every heart string and keep you involved long after the books end.
if you finish this book and loved it i implore you to go and read her others. she has series of books in her bat catalogue that you too will want to read every single one of.

Lessons in Life is a warm, witty, and wonderfully uplifting read. Julie Houston delivers a story full of heart, humor, and relatable characters navigating the ups and downs of life, love, and unexpected surprises. With laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of emotional depth, this book strikes the perfect balance between fun and meaningful. A delightful escape that feels like catching up with old friends—you won’t want to put it down!

Loved it!! I thought the book would start with the events of the Yorkshire Christmas TopChef competition. Not much is mentioned about it, just who wins. The whole competition is glossed over. Did the people even win anything? At the end of the first book, I thought Fabian and Jess would combine their cooking skills and eventually open up a restaurant together. Not much changed with the Allen family. Robyn still overreacts. Did she not think Fabian had previous girlfriends? How can she get mad at Fabian when she had a relationship with Mason. A relationship that was beyond just being friends and she still works with him. Sorrel is still bratty. She comes and goes as she pleases. Her mom and sisters allow her to do whatever she wants, even though Sorrel is only fifteen. I wasn't surprised about Sorrel's condition. sorrel living in London without her family is scary. I can't imagine what she will get up to without any supervision (although she's hardly supervised while living at home.) Lisa has made a 180 change. The medicine for her illness has made a big difference in her life. She at least came to her senses about Jayden. How did Jess and Robyn turn out so well? Lisa wasn't always present as a parent, especially when she was feeling ill. I wasn't shocked when the truth about Lisa's birth mother was finally revealed. I knew who it was going to be. After Jess and Robyn visit Karen, it's easy to see why Lisa ran away with Jayden. Adrian and Karen Foley were awful parents. They were not fit to be parents. I might have enjoyed that Karen got cats, just to annoy her husband. Although, Karen probably isn't even fit to own cats. She was such a horrible woman.

Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I really enjoyed reading about Eloise's younger years. Loved Roger Rabbit. He's such a well behaved bunny. Beddingfield sounds like a beautiful place to live. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Will Robyn actually get the production of Grease to even happen? Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Boldwood Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I chose this book to review because the blurb talked about mill girls in the 1960s, so I was rather disappointed when I was a third of the way in before we travelled to that era. But it was the only thing about the book which did disappoint!
Julie Houston’s gift as a writer is making you care about her characters. Within pages I was really rooting for Robyn and her relationship with the rather wonderful Fabian, despite the fact she seems intent on sabotaging their second chance at happiness. I adored her mother, Lisa, determined to forge a new life for herself. And Eloise, but in the present and the wonderfully recreated world of the 1960s tugged at my heartstrings.
Not only this, but Houston is brave enough to weave the stories around racial and class prejudice – not just sixty years ago, but in the present day. A timely reminder through fiction that although we have moved on, there are still battles which need to be won.

I would have appreciated a mention that the story is part of a series. Otherwise, the book is just Joe for me , it is one of these situations were it is totally my fault for expecting a completely different tone and vibe.

I do love a Julie Houston book. Great stories & characters & this book was excellent. I am now waiting patiently for the next in this series. Hurry Up Julie!

Lessons in Life by Julie Houston is a heartwarming and humorous story that explores the ups and downs of life, love, and friendship. Set in a charming village, the book follows a cast of relatable characters navigating challenges and finding joy amidst chaos. Houston’s wit and warmth shine through her engaging writing, making this a delightful read for those who enjoy feel-good novels with depth and humor.

A really fabulous read. Kept you griped .You follow 3 siblings and their complicated lives . I loved the old peoples home . The twists are lovely and the love of food through the book. Some sad bits. I can’t spoil it but you won’t be able to put it down. I loved how you went back in time to make sense of the present . Just read it. Julie Houston is a fab writer . Great ending .

Full disclosure, I am already a huge fan of Julie Houston's books. She is a master in the art of writing relateable family's, the humour and heartache and no one does sisters better than she does.

Robyn, Jess and Sorrel are complex characters, as too is their mother Lisa. This new story in the series is another rollercoaster ride through every emotion and the end did not disappoint.

Lessons in Life is a cracking read.

Highly recommend.