It’s a real pleasure today to be joining the blog tour and sharing my review of Dreams Come True at Primrose Hall by Jill Steeples. The third book in the Primrose Woods series, it was published on 22nd February by Boldwood Books, and is now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. Many thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
I might have missed the first book in this lovely series – Starting Over at Primrose Woods, which came out in February last year – but I most certainly enjoyed the second, Snowflakes Over Primrose Woods (you’ll find my review here). It was such a lovely multi-generational story, filled with romance and with a focus on family, and with the most beautifully drawn setting – and this was a series I decided straight away that I’d really like to read more of. So let’s take a look at the latest…
Pia Temple has always had a soft spot for Jackson Moody following a passionate teenage love affair that burnt out over one long summer, more than ten years ago. First loves can be hard to forget, and the devastatingly gorgeous Jackson is harder to forget than most.
After putting aside her ambitions while she cared for her parents, it is finally time for Pia to think about herself. So, when she’s offered the perfect job running the social calendar at Primrose Hall, with a dreamy flat included, how can she refuse? There’s only one problem… the new owner of the refurbished seventeenth-century manor house set in the idyllic Primrose Woods, is none other than Jackson, the man she’s thought about every day for years.
In a whirl of weddings and craft fairs, literary festivals and tea parties, Pia blossoms in her new role. But with the delectable Jackson a daily distraction, maybe this isn’t the dream job after all – especially when Jackson’s unfeasibly beautiful ex-girlfriend Tara, comes back to visit the hall…
Dreams Come True at Primrose Hall is the perfect feel-good love story to brighten even the darkest day. Just right for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston.
I’m so delighted to have discovered Jill Steeples’ writing – the beautiful setting of Primrose Woods (I’d rather like to walk the Wildflower Trail with Pia and Bertie too), the well developed characters and community (but although this is the third in a series, you’d have no problems reading this one as a standalone), the gentle storytelling and the warmth that permeates every page.
Pia gave up on her future to care for her parents – but she’s now alone, packing up the family home and needing to find a job and somewhere to live rather than moving in with her brother and his wife-to-be. She has concerns too about leaving friend and neighbour Wendy behind – although fiercely independent, it’s becoming clear that she’s struggling to live alone and to care for energetic dalmatian Bertie, the dog whose care she took on for her son who works in Australia. When Pia spots an advert for a live-in personal assistant at nearby Primrose Hall, it looks like the answer to her problems – until she discovers that the hall’s owner is Jackson, the childhood sweetheart who left her behind and broke her heart. But she’s fairly desperate, the job’s one she can do, it pays well, and the flat provided is the answer to her problems – and when Wendy has an accident and she finds herself looking after Bertie, she’s relieved to find that he’ll be welcome at the hall too.
The relationship between Pia and Jackson is central to the story – a friendship at first (she’s aware of his glamorous girlfriend Tara, and involved herself in the early stages of a possible relationship), but a second chance romance might just be on the cards. And surrounding them is the loveliest cast of characters – Jackson’s eccentric mother Ronnie setting her sights on shy gardener Mateo, maintenance man Frank, housekeeper Ivy, then the unexpected appearance of the charming Rex. Pia’s friendship with Abbey – who we met in the first two books, and runs the local care home – helps Pia find a possible solution for Wendy, and there’s a lovely focus on family too with the wedding preparations for her brother Connor and partner Ruby. And then, of course, there’s Tara – and she might be the obstacle to Pia and Jake ever becoming more than friends.
I’ve already mentioned the word “gentle” – there’s conflict that keeps the story engaging, but it never disturbs the overall warmth and feel-good of the story, which unfolds at a perfect pace. The whole idea of developing activities – craft workshops, a wedding venue, a literary festival – in the hall’s outbuildings is one I’ve come across several times before, but it’s particularly well handled. And the whole story has just the right emotional touch – Pia can’t help but win your heart, and Jackson, with his chequered past and secrets, proves to be the perfect romantic hero. All that, and animals too – a mischievous donkey and shetland pony, and Bertie the dalmatian making himself very much at home.
I really hope there are more books to come in this series – I’m really enjoying it, and this book was thoroughly lovely in every way. A definite recommendation from me.
About the author
Jill Steeples is the author of many successful women’s fiction titles – most recently the Dog and Duck series – all set in the close communities of picturesque English villages. She lives in Bedfordshire.
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