It’s a pleasure today to be helping launch the blog tour and sharing my publication day review of Sunny Sundays at Primrose Hall by Jill Steeples. The fifth book in the Primrose Woods series, it’s published today (15th April) 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)
Do you know, there was a time when I used to be reluctant to take on a series – but I have to say that Jill’s Primrose Woods books have become real personal favourites. I started with the second in the series, having entirely missed Starting Over at Primrose Woods: that was Snowflakes Over Primrose Woods, one of those lovely multi-generational stories that I always enjoy, full of romance and with a lovely focus on family, and all in the perfect 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 Starry Skies Over Primrose Hall continued their story and had me very much hoping for a happy ending through all the emotional twists and turns, while enjoying the Hall’s varied calendar of events (you’ll find my review here). And now we have the next instalment, eagerly awaited by me…
Primrose Hall is more than Jackson Moody and his fiancée Pia’s home – it’s the heart of the community.
The Sunday craft fairs in the renovated stables are a popular draw for the locals and tourists alike, enticed by the beautiful surroundings of Primrose Woods as well as the irresistible goodies on display. But for Sophie Wright they’re a chance to forge a new life and a new business. After leaving behind a turbulent relationship, Sophie is starting again – and romance is the last thing on her mind.
Drop dead gorgeous Tom Moody, Lord of the Manor Jackson’s newly-discovered older brother, is loving being a member of the Primrose Hall community. Content to muck in where he can be helpful, he’s just happy to be part of the family. But when tragedy strikes, Pia needs Tom more than he ever expected. And when Tom needs a shoulder to cry on, Sophie might be the perfect person to help – if only she hadn’t sworn off romance for good…
Join the gang at Primrose Hall for laughter, tears, friendship and romance, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Heidi Swain and Julie Houston.
The main focus for the latest book in this lovely series is Jackson’s recently found brother Tom – he needs to prove that he’s trustworthy and hardworking, and does well when he takes over the running of the Sunday craft sales in the stables at Primrose Hall. And that’s where Sophie sells her jewellery – her controlling marriage thankfully behind her, she’s hopeful that she can make her enterprise successful enough to do it full time. Neither of them is looking for love, but their friendship shows real signs of becoming something rather more – but when they’ve both been so damaged by previous relationships, they need to take things slowly.
When tragedy strikes (as the synopsis tells us), Jackson’s fiancée Pia really needs Tom’s support with a major event in the offing – and he certainly steps up to the plate, improving his relationship with his brother in the process. But that’s not the only bit of drama that occurs – there are other significant challenges, involving the wider cast of characters we’ve got to know so well through the earlier books, where Tom’s help proves invaluable too. And while a happy ending for everyone is never seriously in doubt, it proves to be quite an emotional journey – and so very well handled – before life settles down once more and we can look to the future.
Because of its focus, this book would be entirely readable – and very enjoyable – as a standalone, but even more so as part of the series with more familiarity around the friendships and family relationships that underpin the story and continue to play out in the background. The author’s storytelling is as accomplished as always – the narrative perfectly paced, the setting beautifully described, full of warmth and with touches of well-judged humour, with the perfect romantic touches and very real characters. I’m not sure if this is the last book in the series – it felt like it just might be – but I’ll be very much looking forward to seeing what Jill Steeples does next. This series has been a complete joy to read – and one I’d very much recommend to others.
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.
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