The story is set around the stunning Hope Hall which are luxurious apartments and the residents that are living there some old and some new. There are three women that are the centre of the book and I loved to see how their stories intertwine. Cassie has things that have happened in the past to her and she is scared to move on and let go of what happened to her. Nina's world was shattered and now she is trying to get a grips with moving on but someone in the family won't let her. And Venetia who I grew to love, she does not feel her age of seventy nine but she has many secrets hidden up her sleeve, ones she has never told anyone before but can an unlikely friendship get her to open up. It was such a lovely story that was brimming with hope and love, I loved all the residents and I thought it was a thought provoking read as it made you think what you would do in the women's situations. I really enjoyed it.

This lovely book tells the stories of the residents of a converted Manor House, now apartments, I felt strongly connected to many of the characters, they are so well depicted; I empathised with their joy, sorrow and outrage as the tales unfolded. The descriptions of the apartments and their surroundings are beautiful. Erica James is a great story teller, and I think this book is one of her best.

Hope Hall has been converted into luxury apartments and the story follows three of the inhabitants Venetia, Cassie and Nina.
They are very different women with different hopes and problems but together they find their way.
A lovely book, easy to read and heartwarming

#NetGalley #HQ #TheForeverHome #EricaJames

Hope Hall has been turned into luxury apartments and we soon meet many of the wonderful characters who now live there. The characters were so well described and I really felt like I knew them.

They all have different issues they are dealing with and I enjoyed seeing how their lives panned out and how friendships were formed in the stunning setting.


A wonderful story of love, friendship and strength and another fantastic read by the amazing Erica James.

Thanks to NetGalley, Erica James and HQ for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I have read many previous novels by Erica James so I was excited to receive this, her latest one. Thanks to net galley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
The story is set at Hope Hall, which has had many different owners and uses and has now been converted into luxury apartments. This is the ‘Forever Home’ in the title.
The story follows the lives of three women who live at Hope Hall. They all have different challenges and are very different from each other but forge great friendships.
It’s a page turner and a good book to read at any time of year including on holiday. I recommend it.

The Forever Home is the story of Hope Hall and the residents past and present. Several individual stories intertwined in a wonderful way. A lovely story of community and family struggles and support. It reads beautifully and is difficult to put down.

#TheForeverHome #NetGalley A comfortable easy read with engaging and colourful characters. I could not put this book down. This book had it all, romance, grief, friendship, humour, intrigue, I didn't want it to end and so hoped that Venetia might get a bundle of fur for her 80th birthday! A lovely read.

A wonderfully cosy, inviting book to read! The forever home epitomises the feeling of home and all it entails, all the feels, security, familiarity and sense of belonging.
Hope hall is a wonderfully described abode that has had several incarnations and plenty of history attached to it,but most recently it has been converted into luxury apartments.
Three of the residents Cassie,Nina and Venetia all live in separate apartments and although all very different and at differing stages of life they become the greatest of friends
This friendship is central to the storyline as all three have experienced life changing events but together the bond they share and stories they have,have cemented their friendship illustrating so well the importance of great friends, confidants and company
A truly beautiful read that does have some dark places but the overall feeling is one of hope friendship and camaraderie
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

I’ve read many Erica James books over the years and they never disappoint, this latest was no exception. Beautifully written, with a wonderfully diverse cast of characters, mostly likeable , a couple not so much , but all have their own story nevertheless. Excellent book , absolutely loved it and would highly recommend.

I have read all of Erica James's books and I think this is her best yet. The characters are so well developed and the storylines have been brilliantly crafted......it makes the book a pleasure to read........feeling like you know each character personally.

The story is set in Hope Hall and follows the lives of 3 women - Cassie, Nina and Venetia.
They are all at a different stage of life and are facing different hurdles to overcome. As their friendships grow, we can see how they become intertwined with each other. .

It is a real story of hope as all 3 women overcome various difficulties which I sure readers will find an encouragement as well.

Brilliant book - couldn't recommend highly enough.

A wonderful book full of amazing characters in a truly heartwarming story. Erica James never fails to deliver a storyline that has me hooked from page one right to the end. What a fabulous read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Erica James (the author) for letting me read this book in advance for an honest review.

Firstly, I haven't read any of James's books before, however the description of 'The Forever Home' appealed to me. This was definitely the kind of book I like to read.

It is what I call a cosy read, and didn't take me long to read as I didn't want to put it down once I started.

I won't give away any spoilers, but be aware of abuse, including child abuse being mentioned in this book. Nothing graphic, but is an important part of the story.

I'm pleased to say there is a happy ending, despite the serious issues brought up.

I'd definitely read more of Erica James's books after reading this one.

I love reading a book that not only gives me a feel good feeling whilst reading but also when I’ve finished it and this was one of those books.

Set in Hope Hall a former child’s home and now luxury apartments we meet a host of wonderful residents, each with their own backstory, drawn together by their shared residences but becoming close friends along the way.

Venetia, Cassie and Nina are all very different woman. Although each were from a different generation and life experience, it was beautiful to see how their shared friendship strengthened them, with the saying a problem shared is a problem halved coming to my mind.

A story filled with of love, hope, looking to the future, remembering the past and friendship I would definitely recommend this book .

Another wonderful story from Erica. I really felt for these women and their different stories. The way they all come together and support each other was lovely. A real feel good story. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I love Erica’s books and this was no exception. She knows exactly how to set a stage and carefully lead you to a conclusion that is not always how you expect it to be. Love and love lost feature in this story.

What a smashing, heartwarming story.
Hope Hall was a children’s home, which eventually would become luxury apartments. This story follows the lives of Nina, Cassie and Venetia who live there. I thought that I could be friends with all three of these ladies and I loved the way they were there for one another when things weren’t going so well.
Well written and a wonderful storyline.

I have been a fan of Erica James for many years. Her books are wonderfully complex human dramas and "The Forever Home" is no exception. The action focuses on some of the residents of Hope Hall, a mansion near to Cambridge which has been converted in to luxury apartments. For Venetia, moving in to her apartment is a return home as she had lived at Hope Hall for the first 16 years of her life when it had been a children's home. As well as recounting current events, Venetia looks back on her past to give us her back story.

The assortment of characters is lovely, and their actions and reactions are believable. Erica James continues to be a masterful storyteller.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The book is set in a converted old house into executive apartments, and the book follows 3 main residents and their families

Cassie - lives with Ben is paranoid of being left and feels very insecure, her daughter by her first husband has left to build a relationship with her father who has been absent for most of her life.

Nina - a young widow who runs an art gallery in Cambridge - needing to make a decision on what to do with the remaining sperm of her late husband.

Venetia - a 79 year old who has her own secrets.

A fantastic read looking at how different people will interact with each other and forge new lives together. A book which was very difficult to put down!

Cassie Nina and Venetia have all moved into luxury apartments in Hope Hall. They all have different stories and problems. Love Erica James books and this is no exception. Intriguing from star to finish finding out about their stories

A great book to conclude my 2025 reading list. Pure escapism, with a host of characters that make up the jigsaw, blending in with each other and taking the reader through all the ups and downs that life throws at them. Three characters stand out in my mind: Cassie, Venetia and Nina, each with their own unique backstories but it’s only because they live in Hope Hall, formerly a rather grand home for orphaned children newly converted into luxury apartments. Hardships, loves lost and rekindled, uncertain futures all blend seamlessly making for a novel that captivates.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HQ for this excellent ARC for review.

An excellent read, I really became absorbed in the lives of the residents of Hope Hall, with a mix of age ranges and backgrounds. I would definitely recommend this book.

The story is set at Hope Hall, an old country mansion which has been converted into luxurious apartments. It is told by various residents who all have their own story to tell.
Celia and Ben are a successful professional couple, but due to her previous husband cheating Celia has trust issues. Nina runs the family art business, and lives on her own, her husband Hugo having passed two years ago. She’s trying to move on, but has difficult decisions to make. Venetia is an older resident and lives with her pet dog, though pets are forbidden in these luxurious apartments.
All have secrets to tell which are explored as the story unfolds. Friendships develop and the women begin to trust each other. Characters are so expertly drawn you begin to feel that you know them. Venetia is older, but full of fun and energy, adding humour to the story as she furtively takes her dog for walks in the local woods. All the women must learn to let go of the past before they can begin to enjoy what the future might bring.
This is an engaging heartwarming story about friendships and relationships, though heartbreaking at times.

Another excellent book by Erica James. A strong story with wonderful characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, couldn’t put it down and was sorry when I came to the end! Definitely recommend.

Loved it. So many twists . You had a big old house divided into apartments and you follow some of the inhabitants.. It is a gripping read. I loved the art gallery , the descriptions. You could not put it down. Some very sad moving parts. Lovely to hear about a good children’s home. Read it . Erica James is just on fire . A good neat ending .

I love Erica James and this is classic her on fabulous form! Her writing is so enveloping, captivating and warm. This story gently interweaves new and old relationships and bring all to a satisfying conclusion. I did not want the book to end! Would highly recommend and will definitely re-read.

I’ve been a great fan of Erica James for many years, and was excited to read her new novel The Forever Home. It certainly did not disappoint. Made me laugh and made me teary too, I really felt connected with the main three female characters.

Cosy up and enjoy.

Firstly thank you Netgalley for this Arc

Another brilliant book by this author

You feel like you are one of the residents and love their different personalities

A gem of a book.as you would expect from Erica James. This story is set in a historic house which has been converted into flats. We follow the tales of neighbours Cassie and Nina who are close friends and who have a new neighbour Venetia with whom they become friends. Venetia has an intriguing personal history which unfolds as the story progresses. We follow the ladies lives and loves, encountering a variety of problems, sad and happy moments and awkward characters as well as lovely ones as we read. Will true love win out? Will everyone be happy? Read and find out. Definitely a feel good tale which you won’t want to put down once you start reading.

Hope Hall is a large house near Cambridge that has been coverted into apartments. Venetia comes to live here on the site where she grew up. Ben and Cassie, along with Cassie's daughter, are buyi g their house together. Nina is making a new start after the accidental death of her husband.
We follow these characters as various parts of their lives unfold. I connected with rhem all and enjoyed their journeys.

Great book - really enjoyed it! All set around Hope Hall, near Cambridge, once a children's home but now turned into apartments, the story follows the lives of some of the residents, many of whom become friends. There is Nina whose husband died in his early 40's and she is not sure how to rebuild her life, especially when it comes to her mother-in-law; Cassie, whose daughter, Emily has gone to live in Dubai with her ex-husband. He was never around when Emily was growing up and she is now hoping to build a relationship with him and then there is Venetia, who lived at Hope Hall as a child. The book goes back to that time, explaining the things that happened to her then and the effect this still has on her life now.

The residents come to support each other through all their highs and lows and turn into great friends. As always with an Erica James novel, great characters and a lovely story. Good happy endings for some, but some not so good for others - but doesn't that reflect real life?! Highly recommended.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Previously Hope Hall was a children’s home and has now been turned into luxury apartments.

Cassie and Nina are living in them and slowly tgey become friends. They both have their own stories.

Cassie is in love with Ben, but her past still has an affect on her present. Nina is a widow and a decision that she has to make might not be taken well with her mother-in-law’s wishes.

Then Venetia, who also has secrets, one of which she has in her handbag.

The stories of Cassie and Nina were emotional, but Venetia’s has you reaching for the tissue box.

The friendship between the three was lovely and how they helped each other.

I highly recommend this book.

The story features Cassie, Nina and Venetia, who have all moved to swanky new apartments in newly renovated Hope Hall in the Cambridgeshire countryside. They all have reasons to make a new start, which become known as the three women begin to confide in each other. Once you’ve started reading, you won’t want to put it down.

An Engaging Story
I was drawn into the lives and relationships of three woman living in luxury apartments in what was formerly a stately home in Cambridge. Cassie, nearing her 40th birthday, struggles with trust issues created by her abandonment by her husband twenty years ago, despite having been in a loving relationship for the last ten. Forty-three year old widow Nina is struggling to emerge from her grief and her difficult relationship with her mother in law. Thrice married seventy-nine year old Venetia, along with her delightful poodle Bon-Bon, returns to her childhood home in the hope of achieving closure. Most of the threads in the story are satisfactorily dealt with by the end of the book (though I did worry about how five year old Finlay would grow up).
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another page turner from Erica James, this one's about the luxurious new apartments at Hope Hall and the new residents that move in and how their lives intertwine with each other. Thoroughly enjoyed it, perfect to devour on a gloomy January afternoon

I really enjoyed this book and the different stories of the key characters as they navigate how their lives intertwine living in the same converted house

A definite heartwarming feelgood book although with a lot of angst along the way. Set near Cambridge in an Hall converted into luxury flats and three of it's main residents, Cassie, Nina and Venetia plus a diverse range of lesser characters. Many stories going on overall as each of the main characters have a myriad of relatable issues with many more problems in their extended circles. A well written book of romance, friendships and moving on to escape with leaving an overall after glow.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by Erica James but this one didn’t disappoint. It has her trademark heartwarming tenderness, brilliant, relatable characters to love, perfect plot development, and a superb storyline.

Hope Hall in Cambridge is a grand residence that was formerly a children’s home and is now a renovated building with exclusive luxury apartments where the main characters live.

Nina lives alone, seeking a fresh start following her husband Hugo’s untimely death two years ago, while Cassie shares her space with partner Ben and daughter Emily. Verging octogenarian Venetia moves in shortly after them and the trio soon become firm friends.

Nina’s mother-in-law is brittle and critical. She doesn’t want Nina to move on because she is stuck in grief herself and desperately wants to be a grandmother, if only Nina can be persuaded to use Hugo’s saved sperm for IVF.

Cassie adores Ben but she struggles with trust issues because of her previous partner’s infidelity and his abandonment of her and Emily. She’s unsettled when Emily chooses to travel to Dubai to get to know her father and his new family.

Venetia is secretive. She keeps a dog despite it being forbidden in the rules. The past has a huge influence on her decision to move into Hope Hall where she had lived as a child, experiencing both joy and pain.

There is laughter, loss, betrayal, grief, romance, hope, growth in resilience, flourishing friendship, and a brief, sensitive depiction of child abuse, all handled with a deft touch. A touching read that lives on in the memory. Grateful thanks to the author, HQ, and NetGalley for the eARC.

Hope Hall is a former children's home now converted into luxury apartments. This book tells the stories of people in three of the apartments, including Venetia who has ghosts from her former life at the hall.
The main characters are great - very likeable but with enough character traits to be believable.
As ever Erica James has written an enjoyable, warm book.

Erica James has written some wonderful books and this is another one. Finely drawn characters in believable storylines reflecting modern day concerns. Set in an historic house which was also a children’s home and has now been converted into apartments, the story follows the lives both current and past, of the residents and their wider families and friends. Fabulous and highly recommended.

I have enjoyed other books by the author and The Forever Home certainly didn't disappoint. This was such a lovely and heartwarming read. From the very first page I was hooked and kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. There was plenty of content to keep me interested and there was a great cast of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Harper Collins, the author, Erica James and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Hope Hall was once a grand house set in Cambridgeshire but has now been turned into apartments.
Cassie and Ben have moved in but Cassie's first marriage and her daughter are being problematic.
Nina owns a gallery in Cambridge but lost her husband two years ago and is about to upset her mother in law with a difficult decision.
Venetia is 79 and has her own memories of Hope Hall as she lived there when it was a children's home.
They become good friends and help each other with the secrets they have.

A beautiful book as usual by Erica James. Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish
It follows the lives of a number of ladies who all live ( well almost all) in the same place the stunning Hope Hall which has been converted into flats of various sizes. It was once a grand country house that Venetia stayed in as a child when it was a children’s home so she is determined to obtain a flat whatever the cost eventually she manages to get one and it sparks the start of her journey back from her childhood to adulthood. And has a secret no one will ever guess that Cassie’s daughter will completely destroy
Ben and Cassie are just starting out on their life together Cassie has a grown up daughter,Emily who lives with them normally but is currently in Dubai with her dad who works out there and is helping his 2nd wife with with their son!
Then there i s newly widowed Nina who is alone but her in-laws are only round the corner and her mother in law Hillary constantly drops large Hugo size.bombs in Nina’s path which is very unhelpful
All these ladies will come together and find they need each other more than ever

I enjoyed this book very much and found it engaging and heartwarming. The action centres around Hope Hall, once a children’s home, now divided into smart apartments and this novel is about some of the people who live there. It’s easy to relate to the main characters Cassie and Nina, and then we meet spirited Venetia in her 70s who moves in to Hope Hall with her little dog BonBon when dogs aren’t allowed. These three women become firm friends. The author tackles some serious contemporary themes and there are a few sad incidents but the story is ultimately uplifting. I found it interesting and enjoyable throughout.

What a delight this book has been to read!

It revolves around the occupants of a rather grand home, divided into quite swish apartments, in it's own grounds. Cassie and Nina are good friends and they welcome a elderly lady Venetia who has just moved in; the place is called Hope Hall and was once a refuge for homeless children whilst waiting to be adopted by willing families.
Cassie is madly in love with her new beau, Ben, but is concerned about her daughter who has gone to stay with her father and new wife abroad. She is also insecure in her relationship, thanks to her previous husband's infidelity and finds it hard to trust Ben.
Nina has recently been widowed, her husband Hugh died young and she is finding it hard to move on, not helped by her in-laws who are desparate for her to keep Hugh's memory alive and not move on!
Venetia moves in and there are secrets from her past too.

These all converge and provide a warming and delightful story which I thoroughly enjoyed. I gave it a well justified 5 stars.

A lovely story of three women Cassie, Nina, Venetia who live in apartments in a converted manor house called Hope Hall.

Cassie has moved on from her ex husband and now lives with Ben but she struggles with her past especially when her daughter Emily decides to move to Dubai to be with her father and family.

Nina whose husband dies is left with a decision what to do with her husbands sperm which is being kept frozen and has to contend with her mother in law who is desperate to be a grandmother constantly heckling.

Venetia who lived at Hope Hall until sixteen returns to a place she calls home.

This is the story of hardships and friendships that all 3 women endure and how they come through tough times and try to rekindle past loves. I loved the descriptions of the apartments and surrounding gardens.

I would highly recommend.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for a great ARC.

I really enjoyed this book by Erica James as I enjoy all her books.
This book is set in Hope Hall a large stately home converted into apartments. Three women who move in become friends. There is Nina in her early forties who's been a widow for two years and is having to put up with her overbearing mother in law not wanting Nina to move on with her life.
Cassie who is much the same age as Nina is married to Ben after being a single parent to her daughter Emily for years when her father refused to have anything to do with her. Emily has now flew to Dubai to re connect with her father and new wife and is blaming Cassie for everything.
Venetia who is in her seventies has secrets about why she is moving into Hope Hall, one of them being her little dog when dogs are not allowed on the premises.
Life has its ups and downs for the women with some very surprising consequences.
Loved this book and found it so hard to put down. Lovely read.

Free courtesy of Netgalley.

I really enjoyed this book, I have read a few Erica James books and they have always had a good story and this one was no exception.

With Hope Hall recently being renovated into luxury flats, the story follows the lives of 3 of the residents that have moved in.

Firstly Cassie who lives with her partner Ben. She is dealing with the separation from her daughter, who has gone to Dubai to live with her estranged father in a hope to get to know him better. This ultimately puts a strain on Cassie's relationship with her.

Then Gallery owner Nia who has moved in as she needs a fresh start as her husband died 2 years previously but will his mother let her move on

and lastly Vienna, who moves in with her little dog, who she must keep secret as there is a no pets allowed policy. What other secrets is she keeping.

The book weaves the individual stories along with the friendship that builds between the 3 women.

The characters are written beautifully and the book had you laughing and crying and really drew you into the story.

I absolutely loved this book and recommend it to everyone who loves a good story

Erica James delivers another heartwarming triumph with *The Forever Home*, earning a full 5 stars. Set in the picturesque Cambridgeshire countryside, the novel follows the residents of Hope Hall, a once-grand country house now converted into luxury apartments. James masterfully intertwines the lives of three women—Cassie, Nina, and the spirited Venetia—each navigating love, loss, and the courage to embrace new beginnings.

The novel shines in its characterisation. Cassie’s journey through the shadows of a past marriage, Nina’s confrontation with grief, and Venetia’s playful yet poignant secrets create a rich tapestry of interwoven stories. James balances emotional depth with warmth, humor, and optimism, making the relationships feel authentic and the stakes genuinely touching.

The setting is vivid, from the charming apartments of Hope Hall to the surrounding countryside, offering a comforting and immersive backdrop. Themes of friendship, resilience, and second chances resonate throughout, making this a feel-good read that lingers long after the final page.

Fans of Veronica Henry, Marian Keyes, and Sarah Morgan will find much to love here. *The Forever Home* is an enchanting tale of connection, courage, and the joy of finding one’s place in the world—a must-read for anyone craving warmth, heart, and beautifully told domestic drama.

Erica James has been a favourite author of mine for a number of years so I was thrilled to receive an advance reading copy of The Forever Home.
Set in Cambridge and in particular at Hope Hall, a stately home which has been converted into apartments, the reader follows the lives of three women living in the hall.
I loved how Cassie, Nina and Venetia tell their own story but it was also good to see how the three women form a strong and supportive friendship along the way. Each have an interesting past that has helped shape their personality, none of them are perfect but they come across as warm and likeable.
The author does not shy away from serious topics, among them bereavement, IVF and child abuse. The latter is dealt with sensitively and is not too graphic.
I raced through this book as I enjoyed how each chapter told by one character often left you wanting to know more before turning to another character who also has an interesting story to tell. The setting was just perfect and there were many other characters who added to the depth of the story.
Thank you, NetGalley and Erica James (the author) for letting me read this book in advance for an honest review.

Another book finished and enjoyed. The book has several different characters in it who come together at Hope Hall, all being there by chance and bonding from the beginning. Hope Hall was a childrens home in another lifetime but was left unused until a developer decided to make it into luxury apartments. The apartments were soon filled up and were upmarket. Cassie and family moved in and got friendly with Nina who owns an art gallery which used to be run by her parents. After a while Venetia moved in. Venetia spent her childhood at Hope Hall childrens home and had many lovely memories so decided to buy an apartment as her last home as she is in her 70’s. Several dramas ensue. Cassie’s has unexpected guests which cause her a lot of anxiety. Nina has trouble with her mother in law and gets close to a member of her staff. Venetia is hiding her dog from the committee as no dogs are allowed in the building. All this comes to a head and the three women help each other to sort out the messes in their lives. The stories intertwine and you could put yourself in any of their positions and feel sorry for each of them individually. I liked the way the stories of their lives were written and can relate to the characters very easily

This is a lovely read. It was so easy to imagine all the characters and their surroundings. The characters all had their quirks, and challenges, which I felt the author dealt with sensitively and beautifully. It was hard to put down and you desperately wanted to find the happiness in their stories.
I have not read Erica James before but I will seek out her previous work as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This was just great, the perfect ‘sit on your sofa and read it all in one go’ book. It gives you everything from real sadness and the grief of loss to very funny and borderline mad moments needing stitches and A and E! The three lead characters are all very different in terms of age, relationship and temperament and yet they just work as friends. They are there to support and egg on with all the difficulties that are going on in their private lives. Some real humdingers of issues come up for them all and all are worked through with love and care. A gentle must read.

I love Erica James’ novels and The Forever Home was another fantastic read by this wonderful author. The story is set in and around Cambridge.
Hope Hall was once a grand country house, but it's now been converted into beautiful luxury apartments and we are introduced to three women all having moved into their new apartments. Cassie has been there the longest and she is blissfully happy in her new home with partner Ben. Well she would be if she let herself. Gallery owner Nina is a young widow trying to move forward after cancer took her husband. Finally there’s Venetia, who’s moved back to Hope Hall as she grew up there when it was a children’s home.

Erica James writing always has me hooked from the first page. Her characters feel like friends that I find myself laughing with them or crying beside them. Fabulous read not to be missed

What a fantastic read. Cassie and her partner Ben and gallery owner Nina move into the luxury apartments Hope Hall which was once a grand country house they are both struggling in different ways and when seventy nine year old Venetiamoves in she has a special reason relating to her past for wanting to live there and it inadvertently brings the three women together. It's a real heartwarming story of love , loss and friendships and i have loved every page of this beautiful story

In the glorious Cambridgeshire countryside, Hope Hall was once a grand country house, but it's now been converted into beautiful luxury apartments and its new residents are moving in…

Cassie is blissfully in love with her partner Ben and looking forward to life in their new home, but shadows from Cassie's first marriage loom large.

Gallery owner Nina needs a fresh start since losing her husband two years ago, but moving on will mean confronting a painful decision that will shatter her mother-in-law's dreams.

Into their lives comes Venetia, a lively seventy-nine-year-old with a penchant for secrets. As Venetia faces her own bittersweet history with Hope Hall, the lives of the three women become intricately connected, revealing the power of friendship and the courage to confront the past

Erica James writes with tenderness and charm, capturing the bittersweet beauty of everyday life. Her characters feel like old friends, and the Cambridgeshire countryside adds a touch of timeless coziness to the tale.

This is a novel that reminds us that “home” isn’t just bricks and mortar, it’s the people who share our laughter, hold our secrets, and help us carry our burdens. A story to savor slowly, like a winter evening spent in good company.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ, HarperCollins UK for an advance copy in return for a fair and honest review