It’s such a pleasure today to share my review – with apologies, a little later than I’d originally planned – of the first book in Sharon Booth’s new series set in a village in the Yorkshire Dales, Summer in Tuppenny Bridge. This is Sharon’s first book under her new contract with Storm Publishing – were you as delighted as I was when you heard that news? – with the ebook published on 16th May (free via Kindle Unlimited), and also available in paperback and as an audiobook. The e-copy I read was my own, pre-ordered and purchased via Amazon.
The very first time I picked up one of Sharon’s lovely books, I was badly in need of a hug in a book having just lost my dad – that was way back in 2016, and Baxter’s Christmas Wish, one of her Christmas shorts, was exactly what I needed (you’ll find my review here). And over the years that followed, there were two further Christmas “shorts” that I equally loved – The Other Side of Christmas (review here) and Christmas with Cary (review here). I’ve always wanted to visit Bramblewick or Skimmerdale by reading more of her Yorkshire-based romances, but I’ve found it ridiculously difficult to fit them into my reading list – although I do remember really enjoying both Saving Mr Scrooge and Resisting Mr Rochester, her Moorland Heroes books (those links are to my reviews, but you’ll find the books here).
Early last year, I did also read and enjoy How the Other Half Lives – the first in a four book series, which introduced some of the characters now to be found in Tuppenny Bridge – but without sharing a review as I (rather frustratingly…) wasn’t able to read the series to its conclusion. I’ve done considerably better though with her Witches of Castle Clair series – I was quite surprised how much I enjoyed the world she created with its witches and fae, magic and familiars, and all those layers of myth and legend (or maybe it has more to do with Sharon’s excellent storytelling?). I’m really looking forward to the series conclusion, Destiny of the Witch, out on 31st October – and you’ll find my reviews of all the others if you pop Sharon’s name in my search bar.
But enough – let’s take a closer look at this first in her new series…
It’s July in Tuppenny Bridge. The warm air swirls with butterflies and violets tumble from the window boxes of the pretty stone cottages lining the market square. Summer Fletcher – handy barmaid, devoted stablehand and definitely her mother’s daughter – is ready for a lazy summer in the Yorkshire Dales, but fate has other plans…
Summer and her mum soon find their hands full with the arrival of her future stepsister, Frankie – a blue-haired teen firecracker who’s nothing like the sweet little girl they remember. Meanwhile, local vet Ben is struggling – buried under a mountain of responsibility with trying to keep his crumbling family home Monk’s Folly standing, while supporting his reclusive mother and errant younger brother.
When Summer and Ben unexpectedly cross paths in the local bookshop, sparks fly… but despite Summer’s name, it isn’t all sunshine and roses. In Tuppenny Bridge, gossip travels fast, and each of them has their own demons they can’t quite leave behind. Will the weight of their pasts tear them apart just when they need each other the most?
With more than one heart in need of mending, a beloved old horse named Shadow, a missing pair of young lovers, and a family wedding on the cards – it will be a summer that the residents of Tuppenny Bridge will never forget.
A heartwarming love story set against the backdrop of the charming market town of Tuppenny Bridge. Grab a chocolate biscuit and a fresh cup of tea, because this is a tale you’ll want to get lost in.
On a sunny summer’s afternoon, there’s nowhere lovelier than a village in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales – and Tuppenny Bridge was immediately somewhere I felt entirely at home. A village of the author’s creation, she’s done a quite wonderful job of the detail – the church, the cottages, the flowers, the market place, the thriving bookshop, and the horse sanctuary on its fringes. And she’s peopled it with a cast of really well drawn characters – at first, I did think there just might be too many, but I soon got a fix on where Dolly and Clemmie fitted in, who the Lavender Ladies were, and got to know the lovely Jacob at the Whispering Willows horse sanctuary. And at the story’s centre is Sally, splitting her time between being a barmaid at The White Hart – the pub run by her mother Sally and partner Rafferty, preparing for their upcoming wedding, his rather wild young daughter Frankie the first to arrive – and doing a bit of everything to support Jacob’s efforts with the horses he cares for.
Ben is one of the two vets at the village’s practice – and he lives with his mum and brother Jamie at Monk’s Folly, a lovely old house that’s far bigger than they need and falling into disrepair, a money pit that’s giving him sleepless nights. His mother is fragile in the wake of loss, and needs particularly careful handling – and his money problems are only made worse by her insistence on providing Jamie with a private education, a commitment Ben’s finding it increasingly difficult to afford. Despite all his issues, he’s very much attracted to Summer and wishes their friendship could be something more – and he makes her heart beat rather faster too, but they’re going to need a bit of a push if they’re ever going to get together.
This really is the loveliest read, as the relationship between Summer and Ben begins to gently build – at first, keeping is quiet to avoid the interference of all the well-meaning villagers who think they’re made for each other. And life sometimes has its complications – Jamie and Frankie, their new friendship a cause of concern, Ben’s need to make some difficult decisions to ease his financial issues coupled with the legacy of guilt that’s damaged him so badly, and the day-to-day dramas at the struggling sanctuary. But there’s plenty to bring a smile to the face too – the friendships, the family relationships, the excitement over the forthcoming wedding, and the slow and faltering progress of the really lovely romance at the story’s centre, all with the perfect emotional touch. It’s a beautifully told story – there’s a bit of history introduced too, with nicely drawn parallels to the present day story – and with a heartwarming and uplifting conclusion that was everything I wanted it to be.
I’ll look forward to returning to Tuppenny Bridge – I read this book in a single sitting in the sunshine, wrapped up in its lovely story, and really didn’t want to leave. A gentle and heart-warming read I really loved – and one I’d very much recommend.
The next book in the series, Second Chances in Tuppenny Bridge, is out on 28th September – and is now available for preorder (and yes, of course I have!).
About the author
Sharon Booth writes about the lighter side of life, love, magic, and mystery. Her characters may be flawed, but whether they’re casting a spell, solving a mystery, or dealing with the ups and downs of family life or romance, they do it with kindness and humour. Sharon is a member of the Society of Authors and the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and an Authorpreneur member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. She has been a KDP All-Star Author on several occasions.
She likes reading, researching her family tree, watching Doctor Who, and Cary Grant movies. She loves horses and hares, and enjoys nothing more than strolling around harbours and old buildings. Take her to a castle, an abbey, or a stately home and she’ll be happy for hours. She admits to being shamefully prone to crushes on fictional heroes.Her stories of love, community, family, and friendship are set in pretty villages and quirky market towns, by the sea or in the countryside, and a happy ending is guaranteed.If you love heroes and heroines who do the best they can, no matter what sort of challenges they face, beautiful locations, and warm, feel-good stories, you’ll love Sharon’s books.
Find out more about Sharon on her website, or sign up for her newsletter and get all the latest news, book updates, the chance to win a prize every month, and your copy of an exclusive novella. You’ll also find her on Facebook (paranormal romance and urban fantasy here, women’s fiction and contemporary romance here), Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Thank you so much for finding the time to review Summer in Tuppenny Bridge, Anne. It was a lovely surprise to see this morning. So glad you enjoyed it xx
Loved it Sharon – and the review was an absolute pleasure! xx
Fabulous review, Anne. I love reading about your guests and their books.. Sharon Booth is a super writer. Congratulations to you both. Have Tweeted. xx
Thank you Maddie! x