I’m delighted today to be joining the blog tour for Together Again at the Cornish Country Hospital by Jo Bartlett – the fifth book in this wonderful series – and sharing my review. Published on 3rd April by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. My thanks, as always, 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).
While it’s often difficult to commit to reading every book in a series, this is one I’ve found entirely unmissable – I’d doubted that I could enjoy it as much as I did Jo’s Cornish Midwife series, but I’ve been hooked since the very first book. Welcome to the Cornish Country Hospital was a really emotional and engaging story, but also the most perfect introduction to the new set of characters (you’ll find my full review here) – and the second book, Finding Friends at the Cornish Country Hospital, put us all through the mill a little, but was a beautifully told story, with plenty of warmth and lightness to be found in its lovely relationships (you’ll find my full review of that one here). The third in the series, A Found Family at the Cornish Country Hospital, was my favourite so far – a heartbreaking story, but filled with love (you’ll find my review here). And the last book, Lessons in Love at the Cornish Country Hospital, was even more special – full of individuals I really cared about, navigating their way through life’s challenges, touching me to the heart (and you’ll find my review of that one here). So, whose story will it be this time – let’s go and meet Amy and Lijah…
A lost love…
A&E Nurse Amy Spencer lives a very ordinary life in Port Kara. She loves her job at the hospital and has a great group of friends, but there is something or someone, missing from her life. Amy’s tried dating but no one ever compares with the one boy that got away – Lijah Byrne.
A surprise arrival…
Lijah’s life since he left Port Kara has been what dreams are made of. But lately Lijah has started to feel hollow – the fame and celebrity he once craved now makes him feel trapped. The only place he’s ever felt safe is Port Kara…so maybe it’s time to go back home?
A reunion written in the stars.
When Amy bumps into Lijah again, she only sees the boy she once loved with all her heart. But their lives are so different now. Amy knows a rekindling of their past love will end in heartbreak, but she can’t give up her second chance to be with the man she loves.
Should you ever need to visit the A&E Department at St Piran’s Hospital, Amy’s just the nurse you’d hope to find at your bedside, caring and capable – but, at a personal level, she’s far more lacking in confidence, unlucky in her romantic relationships, particularly undermined by her brother’s constant jibes. The love of her younger life was Lijah – always a talented musician, but who reluctantly left her behind when he became a global star. And now he’s back at Port Kara – the only place that ever felt like home – struggling with his song-writing, still feeling the impact of his much-loved mother’s death, needing to make difficult decisions about his future. And he’s never forgotten Amy – when their paths cross again, and despite the fact that the world’s media are watching his every move, they both begin to wonder whether they might be allowed a second chance at happiness.
That’s the primary storyline – and both individuals are so beautifully drawn and developed, and exceptionally likeable, the challenges they face very real as are the many obstacles they need to overcome. I also particularly liked Lijah’s friend and roadie, Nick, who’d been at his side since the start of his career, making timely interventions and most definitely one of life’s good guys. Unlike Amy’s brother Nathan – who finds himself in the middle of one of the book’s several dramatic heart-in-mouth situations, all as wonderfully written as ever.
As always, there are the day-to-day crises encountered in every busy A&E Department – difficult moments in people’s lives when the hard-pressed staff, a team of close friends, are able to make a real difference. And the progress of Amy and Elijah’s relationship certainly isn’t the only emotionally compelling storyline – there was one in particular, the health concerns of a long-standing member of the team, that might have touched me even more deeply. A further long running storyline, affecting individuals I’d taken to my heart when their stories were told in earlier books, also became particularly challenging – and with a potentially heartbreaking outcome.
Something I really love about these books is the way the author makes you feel entirely involved in her characters’ lives – she never shies away from the difficult issues, but handles them with particular sensitivity and compassion and the perfect emotional touch. And this really was an excellent addition to this lovely series – a love story that I really believed in for Amy and Lijah, littered with obstacles, but layered with a number of other equally strong and well developed storylines. Perhaps, and only because of the other storylines, this one might just be best read as part of the continuing series – but, as always, this was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and that I’d very much recommend to others.
About the author
Jo Bartlett was born a stone’s throw from the English Channel and still lives near the sea in Kent, with her family, so close to the South Eastern edge of England that they’re very nearly French. It’s probably why so many of her books are set near the sea too. Jo has made up stories for as long as she can remember, but never really took it any further, until a catalyst called cancer gave her the impetus to follow her dreams.
Since having her debut novel published in 2015, Jo has had numerous bestsellers in the UK, the USA, Australia and Canada, including a UK Top 10. Jo writes contemporary women’s fiction, with stories that focus on love, friendship, family and community. Since joining Boldwood Books in 2021, Jo has had twelve bestselling novels across The Cornish Midwife and Cornish Country Hospital series.
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