I’m delighted today to be helping launch the blog tour for Don’t Stop Believing by Freya Kennedy, and sharing my publication day review: published today (11th October) by Boldwood Books, it’s now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. Thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation to join the tour, and to the publishers for my advance reading copy (provided via netgalley).
My goodness, she’s kept us waiting for this one – but I’m thrilled to be having the opportunity to spend some time in Ivy Lane once more. I’m still annoyed with myself that I didn’t manage to read The Hopes and Dreams of Libby Quinn – all those wonderful reviews – but I certainly found out what all the fuss was about when I read In Pursuit of Happiness in December 2020. It had so much that I unfailingly enjoy – community, friendship, romance, hopes and dreams, taking chances, finding out what makes you happy – and I really loved every moment (you’ll find my review again here). And now we have Erin’s story – how wonderful!
Let’s take a closer look…
It’s time to return to Ivy Lane, where hopes and dreams become happy-ever-afters.
Erin Donohue would describe herself as happy. Well, maybe not exactly happy… but not unhappy either.
For the most part she loves her job as Head Chef at The Ivy Inn, working alongside bestfriend, Jo and making a home with boyfriend Aaron. Things are going just fine. Or so she thinks…
After a tough shift, Erin returns home to be greeted by silence. There is no trace of Aaron or his belongings. In that split second her whole life and world are turned upside down. It seems Aaron has exited the building and her life.
After a small pity party, Erin pulls herself together and starts to re-evaluate her life. Her friends seem to be chasing their dreams while she’s been left single and wondering what on earth her next move will be. But then fate throws her a sign.
Can she find the courage to build the life she always dreamed of but believed was out of her reach? And can her bravery inspire other residents of Ivy Lane to take a chance on finding their own happy ending?
On a cold December day, the residents of Ivy Lane are gathered for a wedding – an opportunity to set the scene and introduce the key characters, or to meet friends once more if you’ve already spent time there, along with a touch of very unexpected drama. But not all the individuals are identified – and it’s such a very clever and highly original way to start a story, that then moves back to six months earlier.
Erin returns from a busy shift as head chef to an empty flat – boyfriend Aaron having moved out in her absence, leaving her heartbroken and wondering what went wrong. After many tears and a bit of introspection, surrounded by the most supportive of friends – who are also all the most contented of couples – an opportunity arises to turn her life around and try something very different, a dream she’s had for so many years. And with that same support from the people around her – her chosen family, when her own fail to be there for her – she finds the bravery to turn things around and move her life in a new and exciting direction.
Erin was a character I really loved – she very quickly gained a place in my heart with her quiet determination to embrace the new start she’s been offered, coupled with a wry humour when things didn’t always go smoothly and life threw new obstacles in her path. But perhaps the real joy of this book is the community around her, ensuring that she never needs to feel she’s doing it all alone. The residents of Ivy Lane are the most wonderful community – some are already close friends, some become so – perfectly drawn, often a little quirky, and drawn from across the generations. And while Erin rebuilds her life, surrounded by all that warmth and support, another unexpected love story begins to develop – and I adored every single moment.
I’ve spent time in Ivy Lane before, and really loved it there – but if you haven’t, you’ll have no problems settling in and feel at home in an instant. Libby and Noah’s bookshop, the bakery, the shop now run by Lorcan (with Harry refusing to completely retire, still regaling everyone with his diatribes about anything and everything), the village pub – there’s the most wonderful sense of place. And this really is the loveliest story of second chances and following your dreams, beautifully written, filled with warmth and love and heart. And that wedding scene that started the book? Well, it also gives the book the most perfect ending – and won’t fail to bring a tear to your eye.
This book is a total delight – heartwarming, charming, moving and romantic, with the loveliest touches of humour and the most wonderful community filled with individuals who’ll soon feel like your closest of friends. Highly recommended – I really loved it.
About the author
Freya Kennedy lives in Derry, Northern Ireland, with her husband, two children, two cats and a mad dog called Izzy. She worked as a journalist for eighteen years before deciding to write full time. When not writing, she can be found reading, hanging out with her nieces and nephews, cleaning up after her children (a lot) and telling her dog that she loves her.
She has met Michael Buble and even kissed him. It was one of her best ever moments.
She believes in happy ever afters.
Freya Kennedy is a pen name for Claire Allan, who also writes psychological thrillers.
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