This was a very nice, very easy to get into cozy romance. I love that kind of thing in between heavier reads. I thought this was perfectly fine. Didn’t reinvent the wheel but that’s fine!

when a book pulls you in and makes you feel at home amongst its pages then its truly something special. and if you haven't read anything by Alison before then you need to. she knows how to write these novels that create a special place for you to be. the envelope you in.
this book brings us to Maple Tree Lodge. its not doing do well right now. after the death of their father it is now lft, and up to Ben to try and make it work. in steps his sister Hannah who involves her friend Lily to help. shes major career focused and think helping her front with their hotel design could be a major boost. but the two version Lily and Ben have for the hotel dont exactly match and soon the two clash. but they have to save the hotel, its all that matters so work together they must. and soon they learn more from each other than they could have imagined. and they find out there is way more to love about each other too.
from the scenery to the scenes this book told such a gorgeous story. even the front cover took me right in to the vibes of the book.
the family we are given in Ben and Hannah was such a sweet touch. and how they bounced off eachother and showed Lily alot of love too.
there is definitely more that could come from a few characters in this book too. and i mean that as a biiiig hint Alison!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

The Maple Tree Lodge is a Cotswolds hotel that has been in the Jackson family for five generations. It is rundown and in the middle of a renovation that grandad Walter is strictly against but grandson Ben knows is necessary. He is an architect who came back to look after the hotel, and is frustrated by the daily arguments with his grandfather. He is also grieving for his father who died last year.

Lily Wilson is an interior designer who has just been fired by a snooty celebrity designer without talent. She desperately needs work, so when her friend Hannah who happens to be Ben's sister, asks her to help decorate Maple Tree Lodge she hastily says yes but omits to tell her of her job loss. She and Ben immediately clash over the decor (Ben prefers stark minimalism) but not for very long.

The Jackson family is very warm and embraces Lily wholeheartedly, giving her free board and accomodation. There are grandmother Dotty, mother Faye and her friend Frankie. Also an appearance make Hannah and Lily's friends Beth and Ella and Ben's friends Alex and Jake, and it is incredibly obvious that those people are being set up for romances in further books, or else we wouldn't get so much background on them and learn Jake is a chef when the hotel needs a chef.

Lily is a career woman whose family moved around a lot in her youth so she never really had time to form lasting friendships. Hannah, Beth and Ella, who come for a visit, is all she has and she realises she needs a better work life balance and make more time for her friends. She is starting to fall in love, not just with Ben but life in the bosom of a big family and a gorgeous hotel in quiet surroundings, so when a former colleague makes her an enticing job offer, she is in a dilemma as to what to do.

It's all very predictable and more tell than show (especially the romance), light-hearted, gentle and easy to read, without any surprises, with Dodgy Del providing the comic relief. The description of the hotel and grounds is enticing, and I love a good renovation and decorating project. The story is told over the seasons of autumn and winter, and while I doubt very much that a lantern festival can turn round a hotel's future, it is atmospheric and shows off the hotel's surroundings with the lake very well. Recommended as a pick-me-up after something heavier. This has been my first book by this author but would like to read the sequels in this series.

Alison Sherlock’s Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge is a heartwarming tale set in the picturesque Cotswolds, weaving themes of family, love, and personal growth. The story centers on Ben Jackson, an architect who inherits his family's struggling hotel, Maple Tree Lodge, after his father's sudden passing. Facing financial ruin, Ben is determined to renovate the lodge to save his family's legacy. Enter Lily Watson, an interior designer and Ben's sister's best friend, who sees the lodge as an opportunity to prove herself professionally. However, Lily's vision of a cozy, country-style hotel clashes with Ben's minimalist, modern approach, leading to creative tensions and unexpected sparks between them.

As autumn casts its enchanting spell over Maple Tree Lodge, the narrative unfolds with charm and emotional depth. Sherlock's storytelling is filled with engaging characters and vivid setting, which creates a comforting escape. The dynamic between Ben and Lily evolves naturally, offering a blend of humor, conflict, and romance that kept me invested throughout their journey. The feel-good atmosphere and relatable characters are amazing and one of the best parts of the novel.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Sweet and cozy; low-stakes romance

The Jackson family has lived in Maple Tree Lodge for over a century. However, the hotel was never a success. After his father’s death, architect Ben Jackson discovers the place is on the brink of ruin. He has to do something to keep his family afloat.
Interior designer Lily Watson, Ben’s sister’s friend, is roped in for an urgent renovation. She is happy as this gives her a chance to earn money and prove her worth to her high-achieving parents.
However, with Ben and Lily’s ideas for the renovation being the complete opposite, the project won’t be easy! And of course, the fireworks between them could complicate things or simplify them. Can the two help each other in the process?
The story comes in Lily and Ben’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
Since I enjoyed the previous series by the author, I was excited to read this one. It is set in the same region, a fictional setting in the UK countryside, close to London. A few characters from the other series make a guest appearance here. Only one of them has a slightly prominent role… Dodgy Del! Yeah, though here, he seems to be less prone to causing trouble.
This is a low-stakes romance with very little angst or drama. If you are into intense love stories, this may not work for you. But if you want something hopeful, lighthearted, and cozy, you will enjoy the book.
The writing is mostly ‘tell’ with very little ‘show’. Also, there’s an infodump right at the beginning (this seems to be the author’s writing style). Still, the book has a good pace. I could finish 70% in a single sitting.
Though we have some heavy themes like the death of a parent, tensions in the family, a heroine with reinforced walls, financial concerns, etc., they don’t feel overwhelming. The feel-good vibes are strong and ensure there’s a sense of hope from start to finish.
Family and friendships are the core of the plot. I loved all members of the Jackson family as well as the friends of the MCs. Two pairs for the next books have been hinted at, and there’s one person left. We’ll have to wait and see how that goes. So, this is also bound to be a four-book series set in the beautiful Maple Tree Lodge.
The remote setting of the lodge nestled in the woods with a lake close by and hundreds of ancient trees feels like the best place to be! I enjoyed the descriptions of the interiors of the lodge and the nature around it. Since the story happens over four-six months, we can see the seasonal changes as well.

To summarize, Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge is a cozy and heartwarming story about finding your place in the world and having a supportive family. It works well as a breather between heavier reads.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge by Alison Sherlock is a cozy romance that perfectly captures the enemies-to-lovers trope.
This is my first book by the author and This book hits all the marks for fans of small-town romance and cozy fiction.
The pacing keeps you engaged without rushing the relationship development. Watching the inn and characters come together is genuinely satisfying. It has the perfect Hallmark movie feel.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Maple Tree Lodge has been in the Jackson family for over a century, however after Ben's dad passed away and he came back home, the family don't realise how serious things are.
Lily is a career orientated woman, who wants to be top of the game in interior design, after losing her job, ashamed to tell anyone, she is invited by her best friend to come to Maple Tree Lodge to help design the rooms, because of the company she was working for. Not telling anyone she arrives under the guise of still being employed by the top company.
Can Lily and Ben save Maple Tree Lodge and agree on what's right for the place. Can Lily come to feel at home in a loving family, when she has struggled so much with her own family.
This book is a warm and cosy read, that draws you in and makes you want to stay at Maple Tree Lodge!

Lily moves to help her friend Hannah renovate Maple Tree lodge, but Lily and Hannah's brother Ben have different ideas about the renovation. can they work together?

A gorgeous and warm read. Who wouldn’t want to smush down into the leather sofas and warm themselves by the fire looking at the gorgeous views. Lily was a nomad, she had lived all over the world but had never found home. She kept herself at an emotional distance from her friends. Working as a junior interior designer for a soulless company who ripped off her ideas ended suddenly when days before her two year anniversary there she was let go of. Telling no one she is offered a job to help renovate her friends family hotel. Tasked to make it neutral and corporate she works on a plan to ensure its homely and cosy and thankfully Ben the hotel owner and brother of Hannah one of her best friends agrees. Sparks fly and Lily begins to feel what home is. Gorgeous cosy read. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a feel-good read that was heartwarming and also relatable as the characters each had their own stuff to deal with. Someone else said this could be a Hallmark movie and I'm inclined to agree!

A heartwarming, feel-good read perfect for when you need something light and uplifting. Welcome Home to Maple Tree Lodge offered a comforting small-town setting and likeable characters. It was a lovely pause between more intense reads—simple, sweet, and satisfying.

This was the first book I have read by Alison and was happy to receive it. Ben returned to the family Inn when his father died last year. His Mum,sister gran and grandpa all stay there. The place has no one staying so is making no money. The place needs renovated so Hannah asks her friend Lily to come and stay and hopefully take on the job of interior designer. Maple Lodge is in a lovely setting in the woods,beside a lake so should be busy. Lily and Ben lock horns as he wants the place to be modern and minimalistic but Lily thinks it should cosy and comfortable. The family have all lost their sparkle since Ben’s dad died. Lily manages to pull them all together and get them working together. It’s a great read with great characters and setting. Follow the relationships between Lily and Ben and the family,you won’t be disappointed.

Needing a change of scenery after losing her job, Lily moves to help out her friend Hannah's family at Maple Tree Lodge. Her plan to help the hotel doesn't pair well with Hannah's brother, Ben, and his vision for the family place. Will they be able to come to an agreement and save the hotel? Will their fighting lead to more or to disaster?

I liked the characters. They were real and were all facing their own stuff. I really like how easy this was to read and the flow/pace of the writing. It was a cute story with a cute setting and some depth. It would be a perfect Hallmark movie with the setting and the story.

Read if you like:
---> Cozy, women's fiction
---> Small Town/Village Settings
---> Happily Ever After for everyone


Thank you Boldwood Books, Alison Sherlock and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads.

With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cozy country Cotswolds hotel is the complete opposite to what Ben has in mind for a minimalistic, modern makeover and fireworks ensue! Can they work together to save Maple Tree Lodge?

This is the first book I have read by the author and I look forward to reading more of her books. I hope this sweet story continues in a series so Lily’s friends get their own HEA’s. This was such a cozy read and the setting in the English countryside made me want to immediately book a stay. A sweet heartfelt read that draws you in and invites you to stay awhile. If you love heartwarming stories and new beginnings in a charming setting look no further. Loved it.

Amazing!
This book had what I needed, being cozy, warm, family-oriented and just good vibes overall. It has a lot of similarities with one of my favourite rom-com movies of all time "While You Were Sleeping", so no wonder I enjoyed this book so much. So if you like that movie, you will like this book a lot too.

Lily has a dream of making it as an interior designer. She is willing to live in a horrid flat share while she pays her dues.

When Lily is fired just before she would be eligible for redundancy and after her boss couldn't steal the credit for her work. Lily is jobless and soon to be homeless as her lease is expiring.

She decides to visit her friend Hannah at Maple Tree Lodge where she meets Ben, handsome but with troubles of his own.

Ben is struggling, he has inherited the family hotel but it is failing badly, he has a plan to upgrade the hotel but is a beautiful wooden lodge the right place for clean and clinical lines,.

Ben employs Lily to bring his dreams to fruition but Lily knows this is the wrong idea, can she win him over.

This was a fantastic book, it's a fixer upper story one of my favourite tropes with fabulous characters and I hope we get stories for the other girlfriends as well.

I really loved it

I really enjoyed the setting, the Maple Tree Lodge was a gorgeous place, it made me crave a vacation in a place like that. It gave such cosy vibes.

Lily was always career oriented, but after being fired, she jumps at the chance to help her best friend Hannah at her family's hotel. The hotel is now in the hands of Hannah's brother Ben, after the death of their father. Ben is an architect, but after realising that the hotel is in financial trouble and needs some renovations, he's back home. Lily, an interior designer, is excited to decorate such a beautiful place, but Ben's minimalistic vision clashes with hers. But with a daring plan, maybe she'll be able to win him over and maybe they'll find there is something more between them. But will they be able to save the hotel?

I really enjoyed the scenery, with the lake and the woods, it was incredibly beautiful. I loved the lantern festival on the lake too. I wish I could see it and drink some of Frankie's cocktails.

Ben and his family were great, I really liked them. Lily was a little too dependant on her family's expectations, but I can understand that. I'm glad that, at the end, she could see that work isn't everything.
I also liked that we got the see Lily and Hannah's other best friends, as well as Ben's. I hope we get their stories too.

The biggest issue I had with this, and the reason for the rating, is the writing style. I didn't quite enjoy it. I was constantly being told instead of being shown everything and I, personally, am not a fan of that.

Overall, I still liked the vibes. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie, and I do love those.

I want to say thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book.

This was a really cute and sweet book. It did take me until about 40% to finally fall into it, but after that it took off for me and I couldn't put it down. This was cute and for the first time in a little bit not cheesyish like a hallmark movie. It is a bit awkwardly over descriptive at times in random places and pulled a little bit away from the story for me. But other than I really enjoyed reading this book. The story does pull you in and feels like it's welcoming you to be a member of the family too and I really loved that. I also really loved the full circle moment that occurs in at all well, it was so well done! Even though I said it's not hallmark cheesy it would still make a really good romantic film, it is that descriptive at it's good moments throughout apart from the couple of random parts that when you're flying through it unable to put it down it feels like you're watching it like a movie. I love books that can pull me in like that, I've missed that feeling. This is warm, and cozy read and may be better suited for a fall/winter read. I wanted to curl up in my blankets and pretend I'm right there just because of the time it occurs under and the way it makes you feel but it's also a good anytime moment book as well.

Thank you so much again for allowing me to read this book I loved it!

This was a wonderful read, the setting sounded glorious, sure there was a hint of predictability to it but I love books like this. A cosy, snuggle up on the sofa read, that is like a fleecy blanket on your legs. Fabulous.

A lovely, feel-good read for anyone who enjoys small-town charm and heartwarming stories. This book beautifully explores the themes of new beginnings and finding comfort in unexpected places. The warm, cozy atmosphere, the charming setting, and the lovable characters create an inviting space. I enjoyed the references to past characters and places from previous series. It provides a delightful sense of continuity and connection.

Thank you NetGalley & Boldwood Books for sending this book for review consideration.