Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This is book 4 in the Return to the Lake series and all the couples from the previous books make appearances. The author gives good summaries about Autumn and Dane from book 1, Oliver and Rosie from book 2 plus Emma, Killian and the alpacas from book 3. There is also a summary of complicated family relationships, not all of which I have retained.

Mel, 52, is a conservation architect who used to live in Willowdale, Derwent Water in the Lake District with husband Flynn, a conservation builder, until her son Noah died of a drug overdose at the age of 18 seven years ago. Fuelled by grief she moved to Newcastle, divorced Flynn and barely contacted her extensive family anymore. Now she is back, trying to make amends with her parents and older sister Georgia at her mother's 80th birthday bash. When she is offered the project of refurbishing Willowdale Hall for owners Oliver and Rosie, she moves back permanently.

I loved how Mel repairs the fractured relationship with her parents and makes new friendships, The story is very much about reconnecting and healing, I just wish Flynn had come in earlier than the 76% mark and the story wasn't so overly fixated on Mel's grief. The setting is gorgeous and the characters, human and animal, engaging. It's a lovely, warmhearted escapist second chances summer read, especially if you love alpacas and the Lake District, and the cover is beautiful as always.

Oh my giddy aunt . Jessica Redland has done it again with an amazing book. You can read it as a stand alone but you do meet up with lots of your favourite characters. Mel and Flyn’s story is heart breaking, amazing and you feel for them both. Again Jessica covers difficult subjects well. Might need tissue and chocolates at times. I love the books being set in the Lake District. Read it. You won’t be able to put it down.

A touching story of grief and family. It took me a bit to get into, but once I did I really enjoyed the characters and journey. I would have liked more interaction between Flynn and Mel, but a nice read about second chances. Part of an ongoing series but perfectly fine on its own.

This author can do no wrong in my eyes. I've loved every book I've read by her and this was no exception.