It’s such a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour and sharing my review of Starry Skies Over Primrose Hall by Jill Steeples. The fourth book in the Primrose Woods series, it was published yesterday (12th October) by Boldwood Books, and is now available as an e-book (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. As always, 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)
Having never read anything from Jill before, I’m really enjoying this lovely series – if you haven’t tried this one yet, you might just recognise her name from her last, The Dog and Duck. As I far too often do, I started with the second in the series, having entirely missed Starting Over at Primrose Woods: that was Snowflakes Over Primrose Woods, such a lovely multi-generational story, full of romance and with a lovely focus on family, and all in the most beautiful setting (you’ll find my review here). The next, Dreams Come True at Primrose Hall was our introduction to Pia and Jackson and their new life together at Primrose Hall (you’ll find my review here) – and, this time we’ll be finding out what happens next…
Homes don’t come much more idyllic that Primrose Hall. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Primrose Woods, and restored to its former glory, Pia Temple still pinches herself when she wakes up there every day.
Waking up next to Jackson Moody is pretty great too. And since the couple rekindled their first love, they’ve become an unstoppable team running Primrose Hall’s packed calendar of events, surrounded by the friends and family who make up the crew at the hall.
But not everything is perfect at Primrose Hall. Pia is beset with doubts about the future, and a new arrival shakes everything Jackson thought he knew about his past. And as the events come thick and fast – literary festival, craft fayres, Halloween and the much-anticipated Christmas Carols evening – the many balls Pia is juggling threaten to tumble down around her ears.
Will the year at Primrose Hall be a time of endings or new beginnings…
This was a light and really lovely read – and there are those times when that’s exactly what you need, an escape to a lovely location with a little romance, friends and family, and rounded off with the loveliest Christmassy touches. All isn’t entirely well with Pia’s relationship with Jackson though – although she’s made the job of organising events at Primrose Hall very much her own, she has reason to doubt whether they’ll be together for the long haul, and feels the need to make some plans for the possible future.
While this is very much their story – and they very much have you hoping for a happy ending, despite the various obstacles – things do become a little complicated for others too. Jackson’s mum and dad, Rex and Ronnie, have put aside their differences and are becoming rather closer – and I really enjoy every scene in which they appear – but everyone’s life is rather upset by some rather unexpected news and a new arrival.
I really enjoy the author’s storytelling – her stories are so perfectly paced and filled with warmth, and her characterisation is really excellent. It was really good to meet again some of the individuals introduced in the other books, to find out how their lives have moved on (always a treat when reading a series, but no obstacle to reading this one as a standalone) – and the various friendships are beautifully developed.
The calendar of events at the hall was fascinating too – while Jackson might not be too keen on weddings, the craft fairs are now a regular feature, and the literary festival proves to be quite a success too (despite… but no, I mustn’t spoil the story!). And then there are the seasonal events – bonfire night (without any bangs and screeches to frighten the animals), and the Christmas carols that are the centrepiece of the community’s calendar. And then there are the plans for a rather more intimate Christmas dinner, just for friends and family – but perhaps also for those whose festive season might not be quite as much fun.
With the perfect emotional touch and a particularly heartwarming ending, this was the loveliest addition to a series I’m very much enjoying – I’ll be looking forward to my next visit to Primrose Woods.
About the author
Jill Steeples is the author of many successful women’s fiction titles – most recently the Primrose Woods series – all set in the close communities of picturesque English villages. She lives in Bedfordshire.
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Newsletter Sign Up | Bookbub
