It’s such a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for the latest book from Jessica Redland, The Best is Yet to Come – the third book in her Escape to the Lakes series – and sharing my review. Published by Boldwood Books on 3rd September, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. Many thanks, as ever, 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).
I now enjoy the time I spend at Willowdale, on the shores of Derwent Water, every bit as much as I loved reading about the Yorkshire Wolds and coast – and this really is turning into the loveliest series from an author who never disappoints. The Start of Something Wonderful (you can read my review again here) was the perfect introduction to a new cast of characters – and the second book, A Breath of Fresh Air was an equally emotional and involving story, as beautifully told and filled with warmth as always (you’ll find my review here). Her last book, A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge, took us back to the Wolds for a while – a really special book, with a relationship I entirely believed in, and a tremendously engaging story (my full review is here) – but it’s lovely to be back in the Lakes again…
Emma is having a fresh start.
After a successful teaching career, an exciting new chapter awaits Emma – helping her fiancé Grayson run one of Beatrix Potter’s farms. While imagining days spent supporting Grayson with his dream, working the land and helping with the animals, Emma harvests a dream of her own – to set up an alpaca-walking business around the farm.
But working together isn’t as easy as Emma expected. Soon her dreams are in tatters and, broken-hearted, she must start over yet again.
When Oliver, Rosie and the team at Willowdale Hall welcome Emma with open arms, she can’t believe her luck. But starting a new business in a new place is a daunting prospect, especially when it comes with unexpected obstacles. With a reserved, prickly groundskeeper as a partner, rapidly changing family dynamics to contend with, and time running out to get her new career off the ground, Emma may have bitten off more than she can chew.
But even though things are not going to plan just yet, the best is yet to come for Emma, if she can just take a leap of faith and follow her heart…
Escape to the Lake District with million-copy bestseller Jessica Redland, for an uplifting story of family, friendship and love.
After supporting her fiancé Grayson’s efforts to take on the running of one of Beatrix Potter’s farms, all while dealing with issues of her own, Emma’s given up her teaching career to help him get established – but it soon becomes clear that’s not going to work out, so she decides to use one of the home paddocks to follow a dream and start her own business. He wants nothing to do with her plans to keep a small herd of alpacas, offering walks in the countryside – and it soon becomes clear that he’s had enough of Emma too. Her father – they’ve never had an easy relationship – comes to the rescue, and introduces her to the team at Willowdale Hall – where they’re more than happy to offer the alpacas a home and add the walks to the activities they plan to offer.
Happy ever after then? Oh no, not yet – there’s so much more to the story! Getting ready for the Magnificent Seven’s arrival, there’s a lot of work needed – and Emma becomes hod-carrier for Killian, the initially rather standoffish and grumpy groundsman. To her surprise, they work together well – he might have a few issues and hidden depths, but he’s kind, gentle and thoughtful (unlike Grayson…), and in time might just bring some happiness to Emma’s life too.
Remembering the cliff-hanger in the last book in the series, you’ll be pleased to hear that situation is resolved – the family complications affecting everyone, for some of them unexpectedly, as they feel their way forward. It’s all beautifully worked through, but not without some extra issues and a few tears along the way. I’d urge everyone to read this series from the beginning – you’ll be meeting old friends again, and it would be such a shame not to catch up with their earlier stories – but just this once, I don’t think anyone would struggle too badly if they picked up this book as a standalone.
The author always has the most perfect emotional touch with her relationships – whether family, friendship or romantic. But she also has a very sure hand when dealing with life’s issues – mental health, the impact of endometriosis, or the legacy of hurt within a fractured family along with the challenges of starting afresh. And she’s certainly done plenty of in-depth research into caring for alpacas – there’s also some very nicely handled drama surrounding their arrival, but a lot of joy when they’re finally safely at their newly (and hastily) finished home. I learned a lot about these beautiful animals – and will deliver the preferred strokes and be a far better communicator when I next come across my favourite local herd! And that wonderful setting, so well described – I really must try to get to Keswick as part of my holiday plans next year and enjoy some of those gorgeous views.
The whole story was beautifully told, with a cast of characters I really didn’t want to leave behind. But we’ll be back at Willowdale in future, and that’s something I’ll be very much looking forward to – this was the loveliest addition to an ongoing series I’m thoroughly enjoying, and a book I’d thoroughly recommend.
About the author
Jessica Redland is the million-copy bestselling author of novels, including the Hedgehog Hollow and Escape to the Lakes series. Inspired by her hometown of Scarborough and the Lake District, she writes uplifting women’s fiction of love, friendship and community.
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Thanks so much for joining in the blog tour for The Best is Yet to Come. As always, I loved reading your review and am delighted you loved this addition to the series. Excited that you’re loving your trips to the Lakes as much as the Wolds and really hope you do get a chance to visit Keswick next year. Let me know if you want any tips on places to explore! Love that you have a local alpaca herd. How gorgeous 🙂
My pleasure Jessica – and very much enjoyed your “live” with Nia last night too. The alpaca herd on one of my walks – at Birstwith, just outside Harrogate – always lift my heart and make me smile…! xx