The Bramble Patch Craft Shop

by Sarah Hope

Escape into a world of fresh starts, new friends and the opportunity for love… When Molly Wilson and her two children are forced to leave their old lives behind, will a small rundown shop in the middle of Payton-On-The-Water, a quiet village in the English countryside, offer the fresh start they need? Desperate to immerse herself and her family into village life, Molly begins to host regular Knit and Natter meetups, but she fears she is taking on too much and the reality that she is totally alone is ever present. Between difficult dealings with the local law enforcement, Officer Duffey, and trying to settle her two homesick children into a new way of life, Molly has enough on her hands. So when a late night incident with a flat tyre brings Officer Duffey on the scene, she doesn’t know if he will help or hinder her rescue. Is there more to Officer Duffey than his spikey exterior? A heartwarming tale that assures you that no one is ever alone, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Jessica Redland and Polly Babbington.

280 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2023

Reviews

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes finding your dream is the way to put your family first. This is the story of a single mom and her children navigating a new life, teen aged angst, feeling left behind when their dad favors his new family over them and the mom finding an unlikely potential love match along with so much more. This story is so unbelievably real that you will fall into it and get lost for hours so make sure you have a bit of time to devote as you embark on the emotional ride this story will take you on! Having once been the child on the receiving end of the "no longer fits into my life" feelings that these children feel towards their father, I can say that it is easy to relate to them even when you think they could use a good spanking or serious time-out. This is my first book to read from Sarah Hope, but it certainly won't be the last! She plots a story vividly and realistically especially when dealing with the insecurities that we all harbor in her characters. The character development was spot on whether you loved or hated the character, you definitely will feel strong emotions towards them as I believe the author fully intended.

[Pauline Dudley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the story apart from the fact that romance wasn't really developed, going from a couple of kisses to being in love with nothing much in between. Also there was a lot of repetition which was grating. I can't tell you how many times the heroine 'looked down', 'nodded', 'pinched her nose' but most of all 'bit down on her bottom lip'. I got to the point where I groaned every time I read a repeated phrase and it rather spoilt the book for me.

[Melissa Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have liked all of the Sarah Hope books that I've written before this one, but this one just didn't sit as well. I think the characters kissed, maybe 3 times so the romance was lacking. Not only this though, but the romance felt VERY rushed with very little character interaction/development to go from liking each other to loving each other. Even just a couple more chapters to add in dates for the characters and show them bonding, even if it was their kids going to the part to play with the dog.

I also felt like they made the female main character way too hard on herself, the reasons for their 'break up' made sense, but also at the same time farfetched. I enjoy the world that Sarah Hope creates for her characters, and I enjoy the story line of a second chance at love in their lives after a failed marriage/relationship, and I also enjoy that these stories are usually very family centered because those aspects are often missing from romance books these days, however even the interactions with the children felt shorter, and less than in previous books that I have read by her.

Thank you, Net Galley, for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for helping me keep a smile on my face in troubled times. While there is little I can do to change the state of the world, there is a lot I can do to touch those around me with kindness. Books like this help to put kindness and caring in the forefront and to renew my faith in happy endings, fictional and real. Some authors give us great works of literature while others give us less celebrated moments of joy. IMHO, both are worthy of praise.

[wonderfullyweird88 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance where a single mother has to discover herself while juggling the demands of a family and new business. The romance is the background to Molly discovering who she is now as a single mother.
Starting over isn't easy, starting over with kids is even worse.
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own,

[Jayne Greig · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful novel. I loved every minute of it. The story was so intriguing and although you could tell they were going to end up together it still made great reading. The characters were individual and had their realistic quirks which made it so life like.
Only one niggle, ‘biting her lip’ that I felt was said too many times.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by this author and was a story of characters making fresh starts after divorce and broken relationships and of starting again in new ventures and the ups and downs and emotions that they have had to face. It had an element of romance running through it too.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story renewing second chances new business venture meeting a new man . Love story children ex spouse neighborhood. Fun to listen to light drama.

[Holly Rife · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight!! A new start. A new town. New friends. That's the adventure Molly is hoping for herself and for her two children, Lauren and Ellis, after they have to move from their city home. She has always wanted to open a craft shop and she starts a group called the ‘Knit and Knatter’, which becomes a lifeline for several residents. This story warmed my heart. ❤️

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows Molly Wilson and her children as they start a new life in a quiet English village. Molly tries to immerse herself in village life by hosting Knit and Natter meetups but struggles with feeling alone. She deals with challenges from the local law enforcement and tries to settle her homesick children. A late-night incident with Officer Duffey brings uncertainty about his intentions. The book explores themes of family, love, and starting over, with realistic character development and relatable emotions. It's a sweet romance intertwined with Molly's journey of self-discovery as a single mother. Starting over isn't easy, especially with kids.