This is is a brilliant story about finding one's self, about love and about friendships. 
The beginning is a bit boring for me, but as soon as Lucy fully merges into life of Ashford, the story gets interesting. 
The characters are good and I really like how they all support each other and come together all the time. Nobody is left alone. Clay is also special. I had my suspicions about his "problem", but I was thinking of something else before it came out. Clay might be grumpy, but he has a big heart and really like how Lucy helps him come out of his shell and welcome in some of the spirit of Ashford. 
I personally did not know the process of making maple syrup before so it was also really interesting to learn a bit about that as well while reading this book. 
All in all, this is a great heart-warming story and I'm glad I got to read it.

*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley

What can I say I love all her books so easy to read your hooked from the first chapter they characters come to life in your mind your love them I did the story so easy to follow I in the story with them so good very well written love it

I read this for the first time in 2015 but somehow forgot to post my review anywhere so I’m endeavouring to rectify that now. This is a lovely story of Lucy following her Mum’s instructions and going on an adventure for a year! She jumps on a bus and ends up in Ashford, Conneticut where she persuades Clay to let her be an assistant on the Maple Syrup Farm that he has inherited. Whilst this works as a standalone, Ashford is the setting for other books by this author and it was great to reconnect with some of the characters from that story in this one.

As the title implies, there are so many secrets to be revealed and the great characters and the relationship development seemed to happen at an appropriate pace. I recommend you not to read this whilst you’re hungry - the sumptuous descriptions of the delicious food will have your mouth watering and had me snacking whilst reading! I also learnt a lot about Maple Syrup, too!

This is another brilliant story from this highly talented author and I have no hesitation in highly recommending it.

I requested and received a copy of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

what a delightful read.

 Sweet, gorgeous and  with a few secrets added we see Lucy and her love for her mother who is poorly.

Lucy's mum makes her promise that she will take a yer out and go away and have an adventure.

This is a perfect read, I escaped the cold weather and snuggled in to read it in onesitting

Perfect, and the maple syrup OMG am I going to try these delicious delights mentioned. ..definitely

Sweet romance to lift your spirits and give you several hours of cozy good reading.

this is a very cute and sweet story with great characters.

I was all set for a good read only to find that this book was only a tease.  I mean that only one chapter was provided.  I thought it was a full book but I was wrong.

The chapter that I had gave a good setup for a story about Lucy who likes to draw trying to find her way in life with her mother being ill.  Encouraged by her mom, she sets off on an impromptu adventure and ends up in a small town in Connecticut.

It starts with a bus trip and making a new friend.  On the trip, she sees an old maple syrup farm and asks her new friend about it.  When she arrives in town, the new friend sends her to a B&B, the only place in town to stay.  As it is a small town, everyone knows everyone and what everyone is doing.  By the time Lucy walks to the B&B, the owner knows who she is and that she is coming.

Once settled in, she decides to go to the farm and ask for work.  That is where the book ends.  RATS!

Love this story! The characters are well written and feel like old friends. I very much enjoyed escaping into Lucy's world! I am definitely suggesting this for my adult readers and book club members!

The Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm is the first book by Rebecca Raisin I have read but it certainly won't be the last.  The story captured my heart from the very beginning.  It is one of those that I describe as making me feel like I've been hugged.  And there aren't many out there with that capability.  I must admit I had no prior knowledge of Ms. Raisin or her books but in looking around I see she has several short series.  I'm wondering if we will see more of Lucy and Clay.  I must keep my eyes open.

Many thanks to Carina UK and NetGalley for the ARC of this very special book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Lucy’s mum, Crystal, is suffering from an undisclosed, till the end, illness and Lucy is constantly working to pay bills or at the hospital with her mother. Her mum is a traveller at heart and spent her time constantly travelling taking Lucy with her until her illness caused her to stop. With Lucy’s future in mind Crystal tells her she wants Lucy to take a year to herself which she hopes will result in Lucy applying to the Van Gogh Institute in Paris for a chance to learn some more about art. Lucy reluctantly goes along with her mum’s wishes and finds herself in Ashford where she meets the much loved characters from Rebecca’s other books. She also finds herself working for the moody Clay at the Maple Syrup Farm. There is a mystery about the old owner Jessup which Lucy wants to unravel at the same time as trying to make Clay more sociable. 

I could not wait to read this book and have been eagerly awaiting the return of my favourite characters along with meeting new characters. I was not disappointed and I was captured from the beginning the characters were as lovely as always and the story was magical, although it had its serious tone. The only problem was I am sure these books should come with a warning for weight gain or cravings as the food described was amazing and I was salivating through it all. 
 
There are lots of little stories that combine to make a big one and it makes you realise how special the relationships are for the friends in Ashford. CeeCee is so special in how she knows exactly what is happening everywhere but does not share others secrets. I really enjoyed how Lucy actually progressed in the book and how she embraced her mother’s wish to not go back for the year even though challenges are thrown in the way. 

This is a great read and I recommend you read it when you are feeling low or on your holidays this year.