It’s such a pleasure today to be joining the ongoing blog tour for the latest book from Jessica Redland, A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft – the third and final book in her Bumblebee Barn collection – and sharing my review. Published by Boldwood Books on 22nd January 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 can honestly say that I’ve loved every single book from Jessica that I’ve ever read (if you enter her name in my search bar, you’ll find my many reviews…) – and I know there are now so many readers who would wholeheartedly agree. The series have been simply wonderful, but the occasional standalone has been equally enjoyable – like the fantastic Christmas at the Cat Cafe that was one of my 2023 Books of the Year (you’ll find my review here). Back in January 2023, I shared my review of Healing Hearts at Bumblebee Barn (you’ll find it here), then a standalone too. I remember saying “it’s really crying out to be the start of a new series”, and I couldn’t have been more delighted when she decided to take us back to the Yorkshire Wolds with A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge – such a special book, with a relationship I totally believed in, an emotional and tremendously engaging story (my full review is here). And now we have the third – and final – book in that Bumblebee Barn collection, with the hope that the lovely Joel will finally find some happiness…
New friends, new life, new love…
Single dad, Joel Grainger, is devoted to his little girl, Imogen, doing all he can to be a key part of her life. But with Imogen’s mum being ever more difficult and Joel’s job suddenly in doubt, he’s worried that everything is about to change. Joel has given everything to Imogen, and he doesn’t regret it, but maybe he’s lost himself along the way…
Since her dad’s heart-breaking dementia diagnosis, Poppy Wells has been struggling and desperately needs a break. An opportunity to stay in gorgeous Whisperwood Farmhouse nestled in the Yorkshire Wolds and a stone’s throw away from Bumblebee Farm couldn’t be more perfect. Finally able to breathe, Poppy begins to see a new life ahead, a place where she can heal her broken heart and be part of something special. But can she ever leave her beloved dad to get the happiness she craves?
When Poppy and Joel meet there’s an instant connection. But with both of them at a crossroads, a future together seems impossible. Can they find the strength to overcome their challenges to secure their forever home together?
After caring for her mother before her untimely death, Poppy is now living alone in her parents’ house – her father’s dementia has resulted in him moving into a rather lovely nursing home, into a room overlooking the garden where he can watch his beloved birds. The house doesn’t feel like home, and she’s thinking of moving to somewhere nearer to him – it’d make the daily visits rather easier. And she’d be closer to her bee hives too – an accountant who works from home, she’s also a beekeeper, a skill she learned from her father. He may not recognise her any more – she can’t even call him “dad”, because it confuses him too much – but she really feels the need to spend time with him while she still can.
With other issues beginning to cause more problems in her life, friends encourage her to take a bit of a break – and that’s how she ends up at Whisperwood Farmhouse, just a short distance away from Bumblebee Farm. She finds friendships there – drawn into the preparations for Amber’s wedding – and finds real solace in the beautiful setting. And, rather unexpectedly, the beginnings of a new relationship – Joel’s been desperately unlucky in love, but the most important part of his life is being the best father he can be to his young daughter Imogen, despite the unsociable hours he needs to work and every obstacle set in his path by his ex-wife. With Poppy’s time at Whisperwood drawing to an end, it’s time to return to her former life on the other side of the country, leaving her new friends and Joel behind – but, despite all the many difficulties, love does has a tendency to find a way.
As always, the author’s emotional touch is just totally perfect. Having lost my own mum to dementia and similarly struggling with the visiting dilemma, I just wish someone had taken me aside with the same common sense advice – but I also identified really strongly with Poppy’s sense of guilt. The new friendships she finds through Bumblebee Farm are particularly heartwarming (although so are her existing ones), with the way she’s embraced and drawn into the new community – and her developing romance with Joel felt particularly real, and very special. Another relationship I enjoyed was her ongoing closeness to her ex-husband, now a supportive friend – good to see that can be possible. And I really did feel for Joel – his story told from his own viewpoint, and he’s such a lovely man – as he struggled to find a solution to his own problems.
As anyone who’s read the earlier books – not essential to your enjoyment – will know, there are strong links between Bumblebee Farm and Hedgehog Hollow: it was a particular treat to see some of those old friends once more and find some ongoing storylines brought to a perfect close. And with both Joel and Poppy facing fresh starts and a happier future, it’s the perfect note on which to leave this lovely short series – and it’s certainly been a real personal favourite. Very much recommended – this was a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
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, family and community.
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter sign-up | Bookbub
Thanks for joining the blog tour for A Forever Home at Honey Bee Croft, Anne. Loved reading your review and I’m delighted that you enjoyed Joel and Poppy’s story and that this series is a personal favourite of yours – it is of mine too. Thanks, as always, for your amazing support for my writing. It’s very much appreciated x
My pleasure Jessica – as always xx