This fourth in the Escape to the Lakes series re-acquaints you with life in Willowdale and you get to find out how life is evolving for the characters we have come to known. Mel is introduced into the mix and it is soon clear that she is still trying to live with her grief at a family tragedy which decimated her life.

Family, as ever, is central to the story and as Mel moves back to Willowdale, it is clear that family dynamics are complicated. In addition, there are some concealed secrets which come to the surface and change perceptions. She makes some new friendships and finds herself , professionally, in her dream job. The environment has a healing effect. Beneath the surface of some hurt feelings, you glimpse a growing romance.Visits to Willowdale always give you a glimpse of a beautiful part of the world and offer a warm and uplifting read.

In short: second chances and new starts

Jessica Redland is an Author that has been on my radar for a long time; I'd added some of her books to my TBR but hadn't got around to reading any yet. After reading Sunshine After the Rain I really regretted not reading her books sooner! I was immediately hooked by her writing and the gorgeous setting in The Lake District. This is book four in the Escape to the Lake series but can easily be enjoyed without having read the first three, although I definitely will be reading them.

The book follows Melanie who by her own admission has been hiding from life and her family ever since running away from her home town seven years ago. Devastating events led her to flee but despite putting distance between herself and her old life, the dark clouds have never lifted, and she recognises that it's time to return home to gorgeous Willowdale.

Whilst this was a feel good read it also explores some difficult topics that we've all been through in our lives so it was very easy to connect and empathise with Mel as she deals with profound heartbreak and grief. Being able to connect with her made the book so much more enjoyable as I was very invested in her happiness. I found the title to be very apt since Mel has experienced an awful lot of rain in her life recently, but in order to let the sunshine in she needs to find a new way of coping with her grief and let her family back in.

Overall this was an emotional story with some incredibly sad and difficult moments; but it's also full of love, hope and forgiveness. I read it in two sessions so I'd recommend reading it when you have a plenty of free time. Sit down with a cup of tea and some tissues because you'll be needing both!

Following a return visit to her family home in the Lake District Mel is forced to face some difficult truths as not only has she run away from the people she loves the most but she has also been hiding away from her greatest fear, that of confronting her past. When the opportunity arises for Mel to move permanently to Willowdale she does so with some trepidation but a determination to face her demons and make a new future.

Sunshine After the Rain is a really lovely story not just because we are once again in this fictional corner of the Lake District, which the author writes about with such love and care, but it also gives us the opportunity to get to know even more wonderful characters who call this place home. The story flows beautifully and as we get to know the reason why Mel ran away from Willowdale seven years ago so we start to realise that this is a story about facing hurtful truths, about reaching out to grab a second chance when it appears and of the healing power of love. There’s a lovely reference in the story to the Japanese art of Kintsugi and the fact there is beauty to found in brokenness which really struck a chord and I must admit to shedding a few tears as Mel discovers that the broken pieces of her heart could be put together again.

Beautifully written as ever, this Escape to the Lkes series just continues to go from strength to strength and although each book is a standalone story it really does makes sense to start this lovely series from the beginning as that way you fall in love with the place, the characters and the wonderful writing.

So happy to return to a Jessica Redland book, they always give me great pleasure and satisfaction, although warning on this you will need tissues, it’s a very emotional read. I loved seeing returning cha, in gorgeous familiar and beautiful settings. (I want to move everywhere Jessica writes about)

Sunshine After the Rain does deal with grief and is so heartbreaking at points, but there are so many hopeful and heartwarming moments, hence the title, although no spoilers from me. I always love how deeply involved I become in the characters lives and pasts, present and futures.
I particularly had a soft spot for the journey/relationship between Mel and her ex-husband, how they were moving forwards. The ending was just perfect and comforting. An emotional and uplifting story from Jessica ‘I’ll make you feel all the emotions’ Redland, long may she continue to write and make me feel. .

I was eagerly awaiting the next book in the Escape to the Lakes series, and I certainly wasn't disappointed when I read it.

This is the story of Mel, a more mature character, who runs away to Newcastle following a death in the family as she thinks this will help her heal.

Making the bold decision to move back to the Lakes is easier said than done and she faces a lot of hurdles when back. With a wonderful new job and the love of her sister and new found friends she learns to navigate her way through her grief.

Jessica has written a beautiful and heartwarming story covering loss, grief, forgiveness and second chances. It was such a emotional rollercoaster of a read and had me reaching for the tissues.

Thank you Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random Resources for my gifted ARC copy and spot on the tour in exchange for my honest review which I am leaving voluntarily.

When Mel lost everything she couldn’t stay living in the Lake District, even visits back became so hard. She moved away for seven years and hid away from all her family and friends.
Her mums 80th birthday meant Mel has to come back but she has no intention of staying. She realises though that family is what she has been missing, can she put the past behind her and start to heal.
She lands her dream job at Willowdale Hall and moves back and slowly starts to feel more herself at last. One very painful part of leaving was losing the man she loved. Can she see through all the darkness and reconnect again with everyone?

Mel and Flynn suffer a devastating loss. Mel is beyond heartbroken and thinks her only choice is moving away.
This was another really good book by this author.
It’s full of emotion and will have you reaching for tissues. You won’t be able to put it down

Mel returns back to her family village after 7 years. She finds herself returning after a tragic event drove her away. She soon finds herself settled back into life and were reunited with familiar faces.

Some many difficult topics are tackled but in a sensitive way.

I love the setting of the Lake District and Willowdale Hall.

Will Mel get her sunshine after the rain?

Love love loved this one - it’s another
gorgeous story from Jessica Redland.

It’s been a real treat to be back in the Lake District and meet up again with Rosie, Oliver and the others at Willowdale Hall.
Emotional and heartwarming, I’ve laughed and cried with Mel as we’ve joined her on her journey home.
Grief is covered so sensitively here and the healing process using the beauty of friendship, family and the beautiful surroundings of the Lakes is written beautifully.
‘Healing can be about creating a different version of you’ #Kintsugi

Sunshine After the Rain is the absolute perfect title for this one. A book I could really get into. I've found all of the author's books to be heartfelt and heartwarming at the same time. If possible, this one even more so. A book I simply could not put down. Dealing with subjects we can all relate to I felt as though the book was talking to me. The characters are ones I agreed with and could also feel empathy for. Though there are sad parts the book has a lovely and happy ending. Themes of second chances, refound romance and just overall good feelings I can highly recommend this book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks NetGallery for this chance to Read a Jessica Redland book.

I laughed and cried throughout this beautiful story.

After a tragedy that took Mel's & Flynns 18 year old son in their home town Willowdale.

Mel up and left her husband Flynn and her family and moved to Newcastle.

Fast forward afew year's later Mel returned to Willowdale for her mother's 80th. She noticed how much of an outsider to the family she felt and her mother's health had changed .

Needing some fresh air Mel walked around the Village and realized just how unhappy she is in life and misses been close to her parents. Thought's of moving back started.

Mel gets offered her dream job helping with the renovation designing at Willdale Hall, she has always had a big passion for this place.

With the decision made to move back to Willowdale a whole new chapter awaits her. From her x husband who she isn't ready to talk to but been a small town she is bound to bump into Flynn.... and rebuilding her relationship with her Mum & Dad.

We all have that one person who is our magnet and keeps us together, it will pull you back no matter how long time has passed between you both.

Such a beautiful story where we get to meet the lovely characters of the hall again plus some new characters. A story full of highs and lows, love and loss. A total rollercoaster of emotions, just as I'd expect from this amazing author

I loved this new book in the Escape to the Lakes (Book 4) series by Jessica Redland! It was all about healing from emotional trauma by changing your mindset from focusing on the past (the things you can’t change) and looking ahead to positive choices instead. It was a very hopeful and emotional read. I enjoyed following along Mel’s journey to emotional healing. I also liked the second chance romance between Mel and Flynn. It was a great example of what true love really is. It was also wonderful to revisit characters from the other books in the series. They felt like old friends and added to the community spirit of the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Jessica Redland’s Sunshine After the Rain is a heartwarming addition to her Escape to the Lakes series. It is a gentle exploration of healing, family, and rediscovery. As always this story has the picturesque and special backdrop of the Lake District, we meet Mel who as she returns to her hometown of Willowdale after a seven-year absence, confronting past sorrows and embracing new beginnings.
Redland’s storytelling always captivates me as a reader, every book has drawn me in, made me love the characters and the community created. The wonderful depiction of Willowdale and its endearing locals make me wish I could be part of that world – get me to that quiz night! Mel’s journey—from grief to hope—is portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity, making her both believable and inspiring. I was rooting for her from that start, hoping that she would find her way again. As it is the next in a series it was lovely to catch up with past characters and storylines, you could read this as a standalone but it’s lovely to know what’s happened in more detail. Loved the inclusion of alpaca walks and catching up with how previous romances were blossoming.
Well written and paced carefully to replicate Mel’s slow and steady change, I feel nothing was rushed and that just added emotionally to key moments throughout. Overall, Sunshine After the Rain is a comforting read that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of returning home and being around those who know us best. The book is emotional, heartbreaking and warming at the same time. Fans of Redland’s previous works will appreciate this uplifting tale that reminds us of the sunshine that can follow even the darkest storms.

I've enjoyed this emotional and heartwarming series set in 'The Lake District'; this book is another excellent addition. It brings together the characters and settings we have met in previous stories and introduces Mel and Flynn, a couple who have suffered a tragic loss and lost themselves in the process. Mel exists rather than lives, filled with self-loathing. As the story progresses, it reveals the reasons for this and the outcomes. After many years of self-recrimination, Mel realises she needs help and is emotionally receptive to heartwarming friendship and familial support. It's romantic, sometimes heartbreaking, with flawed characters and believable relationships, a poignant tale about loss, love, acceptance and forgiveness, whose characters and events resonate.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This book is part of the Escape to The Lakes Series. It can be read as a standalone novel, but I recommend reading the rest of the series first, as it is such a lovely series. This book also catches up with some of the previous characters, which I absolutely loved, although it could give you spoilers if you have not read the rest of the books.
The protagonist of this book Mel, is in her 50s, I enjoyed reading about an older character, it made a nice change.
Mel could be perceived as a cold, unfriendly character. However, she has had an unspeakable experience, the death of her only child. It is only as we progress through the story that we find out how he died and why she is unable to come to terms with his death.
I do think that she is treated unfairly by her parents in the beginning of the book, although they are all in a difficult and unthinkable situation.
Jessica Redland often writes about hard hitting subjects, and this book is no different. However, she writes about it sensitively and thoughtfully. Despite the themes of death and grief, there are still a lot of uplifting and heartwarming moments too.
I loved reading about some of the characters from the previous books. It was especially nice to see Alice helping Mel to come to terms with the past.
I really enjoyed reading this book, I have loved the series and I am sorry to say goodbye to The Lakes and the characters, although I am pleased with how their stories ended.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

Sunshine After The Rain by Jessica Redland

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she's been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.

Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.

And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain?

My Opinion

Jessica Redland is an author that I enjoy reading, so I am always on the lookout for upcoming releases. Sunshine After the Rain was an enjoyable and uplifting read. Another book by Jessica Redland that is easy to recommend as it is beautifully written. Whilst I am up to date with this series, I feel that Sunshine After the Rain can be read as a standalone.

Rating 4/5

Enjoyed it but it wasn't my favorite in the series. I loved the story, writing style and most of the characters. I pretty much liked everything and everyone except for Mel. Mel was the center of the whole book. There was something about her that just rubbed me the wrong way. She isolated herself from her loved ones for six and a half years. Mel was fifty-two years old, but at times acted like a teenager. She wanted to bury her head in the sand and ignore problems. Mel always runs away from issues. She ended up causing so many more by not getting help. She desperately wanted to blame someone for Noah's death. There were also so many issues between Mel and her parents. Her mom completely forgets about her during the birthday speech. I loved Flynn. He was the perfect husband and ex-husband. He never got rid of Edgar the Elephant. Flynn never stopped loving Mel. She pushed him away and he built the perfect house. They dealt with loss in complete opposite ways. I loved the recap of the past characters. It gets hard to remember everyone. I loved seeing characters from the previous books. Beautiful story about loss, family, friendship, forgiveness, love and so much more. This was definitely the darkest book in the series.

Definitely recommend the book. It wasn't my favorite but I still enjoyed it. I love the village of Willowdale. There's something about Jessica Redland's books. I always fall in love with the characters (except for Mel) and feel like I'm part of their life. I want to live there and be best friends with Autumn, Emma and Rosie. I want to go to Thursday Quiz night at The Hardy Herdwick and constantly walk those alpacas!!! Hopefully there's more books revolving around the Lake District. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.

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

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

After living away from her home, following the death of her son Noah, Mel is back in Willowdale, it’s her Mum’s 80th Birthday party and this is the first time she’s been here since her son died and her marriage ended, but she’s feeling as though she shouldn’t be here.

Her ex-husband Flynn had always held some hope that she would be back and maybe start their relationship again.

Then, when her mums health isn’t good, she feels that maybe she should have done more and visited her parents or come back quicker.

When she’s offered the job she’s always dreamed of doing, at the stately home, this helps to mend the gap between her and her family. Slowly she starts to find the answers to the questions she had about Noah’s death and she behons to heal.

When she meets Flynn, he hopes that they can, soon, talk about what happened and maybe restart their relationship.

Once again Jessica has written a fabulous book, which will keep you turning the pages. I absolutely loved the setting, the alpacas and the characters.

I highly recommend this book.

What a tear jerking, heart healing story.
When Mel & Flynn’s 18yr old son dies out of the blue it leaves everyone in shock, but nobody foresees the break up of Mel’s marriage or her leaving the family home and moving away.
While working in her new location and living in a flat with no home comforts so to speak Mel feels like something is missing, when she returns to her hometown for her Mum’s 80th birthday party their is a surprise for her in the form of her childhood dream potentially coming true, but it means she will have to move back to the area to make it work.
The only thing is her ex Husband still lives in the area so the chance of bumping into him is highly likely, can she deal with that after all the heartache that’s happened?
When Mel’s mum suddenly dies it puts everything into perspective for her and the family so puts her ‘‘big girl pants’ on and takes the plunge of 2nd chance happiness.