It’s such a pleasure today to be helping launch the blog tour for the latest book from Liz Davies, The Cottage in Sweet Meadow Park, and sharing my publication day review: independently published (and, rather excitingly, the first in a new series), it’s now available for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited), and also in hardcover and paperback. My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the author for my advance reading copy.
Over the years, I’ve very much enjoyed Liz’s lovely writing – my first read was The Summer of Going Topless, back in 2019 – outrageously funny, but one that really tugged the heartstrings too (you’ll find my review here). Later, I read and thoroughly enjoyed The Cottage on Wildflower Lane – uplifting, heart-warming, very different, full of love, and quite glorious (you’ll find my review here). And then there was the wonderful four-book Ticklemore series – I managed to fit in two of them, The Ticklemore Tattler (you’ll find my review here), and The Ticklemore Tavern (review here). From the moment that Rachel’s email dropped into my inbox, I knew her latest was another that had “you’re going to love this one” written all over it – and finding it was the first in a planned series was the icing on the cake…
Enjoy a stroll in the park with this uplifting story of love, friendship and following your dreams.
When Molly Brown buys a derelict cottage in the middle of a rundown park, she hopes to return both the cottage and the park to their former glory. However, Molly soon begins to wonder whether she’s bitten off more than she can chew, especially when the good-looking guy from the council refuses to help.
In his role as Parks and Highways Officer, Jack Feathers doesn’t want to waste public funds on an overgrown, unloved park, no matter how gorgeous Molly is. But when he finds himself needing somewhere to live, Molly makes him an offer he can’t refuse – to move into her spare room, rent-free.
The catch? He has to help bring the park back to life.
It seems to be an ideal solution, until… Molly falls for Jack, the park is vandalised, and she realises he is still in love with his ex.
And soon Molly begins to regret letting Jack into her home, her life and her heart.
A delightful romance full of warmth, humour and community spirit, perfect for fans of Jessica Redland and Suzanne Snow.
Well, I have to say that I thought this book was a real treat – a beautifully told story, full of quirky characters, with a really well-drawn setting, and a central relationship that completely warmed my heart.
It’s perhaps not very often that you come across a sympathetic estate agent – or one as lovely as Molly. When the gatekeeper’s cottage in her local park – nowadays sadly neglected, and a gathering place for the local yobs – comes on the market, Molly’s enthusiastic about taking on the challenge. And perhaps, when she’s completed all the many jobs needed on the house – once she’s managed to prise the boards off the upstairs windows – she might just be able to turn her attention to the park itself with some litter-picking and planting, hoping she can help return it to being the green and pleasant place it once was.
She first meets Jack as he runs around the park, and they rather hit it off – but then, when she insists on a meeting with the council’s Parks Department to see if they’re willing to help, she discovers he’s the man in charge who doesn’t have any money to spend. But Jack’s personal finances are causing him some problems too – he’s selling his house, needs to split the proceeds with his sister, and is running out of options for anywhere he can afford to live. But Molly has a spare bedroom, and Jack’s muscle to help with the renovations would come in very useful – so he moves in, rent-free, in return for his help with the work needed. And he’s not her only “lodger” – there’s also a frightened stray dog she’s only too happy to give a home to, whose bark might just put off any interference from the youngsters who spend their nights hanging around the bandstand.
Told from both Molly and Jack’s perspectives, they slowly set out to turn the dilapidated house into a home – and their (at first) awkward friendship begins to show signs of developing into something rather more. And their slowly developing romance is just totally lovely – with a few obstacles and real misunderstandings along the way, but always with the hope of a happy ending. And then there’s the park itself – while there’s no money available from the council (however much Jack wishes there was), he can exceed his authority a bit by locking the gates at night, help with the tidying up and planting (although they often find themselves back at square one), and support Molly’s efforts to call on the support of a wider cast of characters from within the local community.
As a standalone read, I thoroughly enjoyed it – the author’s emotional touch is just perfect, her characters quite wonderful, and the gentle storytelling was everything I could have wanted it to be. But knowing it’s the first in a series made it even better – I’m really looking forward to following other characters’ stories as we hopefully see the neglected park getting the new lease of life it deserves. Totally delightful – and very much recommended.
About the author
Liz Davies writes feel-good, light-hearted stories with a hefty dose of romance, a smattering of humour, and a great deal of love.
She’s married to her best friend, has one grown-up daughter, and when she isn’t scribbling away in the notepad she carries with her everywhere (just in case inspiration strikes), you’ll find her searching for that perfect pair of shoes. She loves to cook but isn’t very good at it, and loves to eat – she’s much better at that! Liz also enjoys walking (preferably on the flat), cycling (also on the flat), and lots of sitting around in the garden on warm, sunny days.
She currently lives with her family in Wales, but would ideally love to buy a camper van and travel the world in it.
