I’m delighted today to be joining the blog tour for the latest book from Hannah Lynn, New Beginnings at Wildflower Lock, and sharing my review. The first in a new series, this lovely book was published by Boldwood Books on 14th July, and is now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback and as an audiobook. Many thanks, as always, 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).
It was such good news to hear that Hannah had signed with Boldwood – I haven’t read that many of her books, but certainly enough to know that theirs will be the just perfect marriage. Back in 2019, the very first book of hers that I read and really enjoyed was Fiona and the Whale (you’ll find my review here) – it’s still available, but now called Treading Water, and, if you find you enjoy her writing, it’s one I’d really recommend. And I absolutely loved Erotic Fiction? – now called A Novel Marriage (perhaps I can understand the change…!), it really was a wonderful comedy about a harassed mum and her husband who decide to write the next steamy bestseller (you’ll find my review of that one here). And her Holly Berry Sweet Shop series is now being republished by Boldwood – four so far, with the fifth to follow in September – and I’m rather sorry that I haven’t been able to return since the first (it’s a tough life being a blogger and trying – and failing – to keep up!) . That was The Sweet Shop of Second Chances – one of those perfect summer reads with its gorgeous Cotswolds setting, and the loveliest story to lift you up and put a smile on your face (you’ll find my full review again here). But life’s too short for regrets – I was thrilled to be able to fit in her latest, and to catch her new series from the very beginning…
New starts and hopeful hearts…
At 25, Daisy May’s life is not living up to expectations. Her childhood dreams of being an artist feel as unachievable as a committed relationship or managing to save enough money for a deposit on a house. But a surprise inheritance could change all that.
After Daisy learns she’s now the new owner of a forty-foot narrow boat, she sets out for Wildflower Lock, where the fresh country breeze and the calm water is enough to assure her everything will be okay.
With the help of the ruggedly attractive, yet grumpy riverman, Theo, she begins to work on her new home, the September Rose. Can she breathe new life into the old boat and learn to navigate not only the canals themselves, but also the people who live there? Or will the whole venture pull her under?
Do you know, I always think there’s a real art in writing the first book in a series – making it enough of a story to hook you in, to get you invested in the characters, and make sure that you’ll be eager to pick up the next book and see how things develop. And I will mention that this book is very much a “to be continued” – complete in some ways, but with enough loose ends to be tied up later, and a few hares set running that I’ll really enjoy reading more about.
For all sorts of reasons, Daisy May hasn’t been able to settle into a contented life – her ambition of being an artist just didn’t work out, and she’s found herself moving from one dissatisfying job to the next just to pay the bills. Brought up by her mum, they’re still very much in each others’ pockets – and she also has two particularly close and supportive friends. Her father’s never really been part of her life, and her mother refuses to talk about him – so it comes as rather a surprise when she finds out about the death of her grandfather (her father’s father) and that he’s left her his much loved narrowboat, the September Rose, moored at Wildflower Lock. It’s very dilapidated – unlike the rather swish boat on the next mooring that belongs to the distinctly abrasive Theo – and filled with boxes of rubbish, but a little googling makes her realise that if she did some work it could be the answer to her financial worries. While her relationship with Theo begins to warm up a bit, and he helps her with the improvements, she learns more about her family and discovers that her mother has been keeping a few important secrets – and, when things begin to go wrong for her elsewhere in her life, begins to wonder whether the narrowboat could become her home.
The friendships in this book are really well drawn – even if things are a little frenetic at times, but they are all in their 20s – and I particularly enjoyed Daisy’s developing relationship with Theo, who proves to be far from the misery he seemed at first. Their exchanges are just wonderfully written – sparky and sassy, with a growing hint of attraction (when he clearly has a girlfriend) adding a little spice. Everything involved in renovating the boat was just fascinating – clearly really well researched – and Daisy certainly gained my respect when it came to clearing out the grungy water tank (from inside…!). I really liked the emotional back story as the secrets were slowly uncovered – there’s a great deal more depth to this story than you might initially be expecting. And I loved the vividly drawn setting, and the community she begins to feel part of – beautifully done.
Well, it certainly worked for me – I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s storytelling, and I’m looking forward already to seeing what happens next (especially with Theo!) and whether Daisy’s plans for the future can come to fruition. I’m looking forward to my next visit already – this was a really heartwarming and engaging summer read, and one I’d thoroughly recommend.
About the author
Hannah Lynn is a multi award winning novelist. Her first book, Amendments – a dark, dystopian speculative fiction novel – was published in 2015. Her second book, The Afterlife of Walter Augustus – a contemporary fiction novel with a supernatural twist – went on to win the 2018 Kindle Storyteller Award and the Independent Publishers Gold Medal for Best Adult Ebook.
Born in 1984, Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university, she spent 15 years as a teacher of physics, first in the UK and then Thailand, Malaysia, Austria and Jordan. It was during this time, inspired by the imaginations of the young people she taught, she began writing short stories for children, and later adult fiction.
With over 20 publications spanning a number of genres and translated into half a dozen languages, Hannah has proven herself to be both an accomplished and prolific author.
Now settled back in the UK with her husband, daughter and horde of cats, she spends her days writing romantic comedies and historical fiction. Her first historical fiction novel, Athena’s Child, was also a 2020 Gold Medalist at the Independent Publishers Awards.
As well as signing her new romantic fiction series, Boldwood are republishing her bestselling Sweet Shop series, inspired by her Cotswolds childhood: The Sweet Shop of Second Chances was published in April 2023.
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