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Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane #1
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane Part 1
**PART ONE in the brand new series from Holly Hepburn, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley and Katie Fforde**
Maura has everything she ever wanted from life – a quirky cottage in Edinburgh’s picturesque Dean Village, a thriving career as a potter, and a contented relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Jamie. Never mind that the cottage is damp, her pots aren’t selling and Jamie prefers a night down the pub with his rugby mates to an evening in with her.
But everyone wishes things were just a tiny bit better, right?
When Maura reunites with Fraser Bell at a Hogmanay party, she’s instantly transported back to her school days. And when he suggests she makes some ceramic ghosts to go with his city ghost tour business, she’s tempted. At first, everything goes smoothly but it’s not long before their new partnership causes problems that ripple through every aspect of Maura’s life. The ghosts go viral, meaning she has more orders than she can fulfil, and Jamie is less than thrilled that she’s spending all her time in her studio. But it’s not until Edinburgh Castle shows an interest in Maura’s work that things begin to spiral out of control.
Can Maura really have it all or will she regret wishing for more?
Maura has everything she ever wanted from life – a quirky cottage in Edinburgh’s picturesque Dean Village, a thriving career as a potter, and a contented relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Jamie. Never mind that the cottage is damp, her pots aren’t selling and Jamie prefers a night down the pub with his rugby mates to an evening in with her.
But everyone wishes things were just a tiny bit better, right?
When Maura reunites with Fraser Bell at a Hogmanay party, she’s instantly transported back to her school days. And when he suggests she makes some ceramic ghosts to go with his city ghost tour business, she’s tempted. At first, everything goes smoothly but it’s not long before their new partnership causes problems that ripple through every aspect of Maura’s life. The ghosts go viral, meaning she has more orders than she can fulfil, and Jamie is less than thrilled that she’s spending all her time in her studio. But it’s not until Edinburgh Castle shows an interest in Maura’s work that things begin to spiral out of control.
Can Maura really have it all or will she regret wishing for more?
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2025
41 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Holly Hepburn
99 books410 followersI’ve wanted to write books for adults for as long as I can remember but I was too scared to try. One day I decided to be brave and dipped a toe into the bubble bath of romantic comedy with my first novella, Cupidity, and I’ve never looked back. I often try to be funny to be funny, except for when faced with traffic wardens and border control staff. My favourite thing is making people smile.
I’ve tried many jobs over the years, from barmaid to market researcher and I even had a brief flirtation with modelling. These days I am mostly found writing.
I live near London with my grey tabby cat, Portia. We both have an unhealthy obsession with Marmite.
I’ve tried many jobs over the years, from barmaid to market researcher and I even had a brief flirtation with modelling. These days I am mostly found writing.
I live near London with my grey tabby cat, Portia. We both have an unhealthy obsession with Marmite.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 1, 2026
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane is a really sweet romance read based in the beautiful city of Edinburgh. I loved getting to know Maura and seeing her confidence grow in her pottery was lovely to see - the pieces she made sounded beautiful and I loved the idea of the ghosts.
The historical elements of the story are fascinating and the ghosts tours sounded great fun. Fraser’s skill at bringing the stories to life was really showcased.
Full of emotion, we really got to see both Maura and Fraser from their school years to the current day as their lives continued to entwine without the realisation as to how important they were to eachother.
A warm-hearted, feel-good read this is another lovely story from Holly Hepburn.
The historical elements of the story are fascinating and the ghosts tours sounded great fun. Fraser’s skill at bringing the stories to life was really showcased.
Full of emotion, we really got to see both Maura and Fraser from their school years to the current day as their lives continued to entwine without the realisation as to how important they were to eachother.
A warm-hearted, feel-good read this is another lovely story from Holly Hepburn.
January 2, 2026
Free Courtesy of Netgalley
I love Holly Hepburn books and this one was no exception. I have read the book in a few days, giving up a day of watching TV and chilling out and reading instead.
The book is set in Edinburgh and follows the lives of two people who went to the same school and We're unaware of the interest in each other, as they mixed in different circles. Frazer was the popular boy, who loved drama and performing and had all the popular people as friends and Maura who spent her time in the art block, messing with clay, and kept herself to a very small circle of friends.
18 years later their paths crosses again at a New Year's Eve party, which they both attended with their partners. Frazer is an actor who has recently moved back to Edinburgh, he is taking a break from acting to start his own ghost tour business and Maura a potter who is regarded as an expert at her craft.
Frazer wants to go into business with Maura, asking her to make ghosts for his walking tours. Can they work together or will the past get in the way ?
I really enjoyed that this book was divided into 4 sections and you got a glimpse of both of them at school. It drew you in and brought you into their story.
I would recommend this book, it is easy to read and fall in love with.
I love Holly Hepburn books and this one was no exception. I have read the book in a few days, giving up a day of watching TV and chilling out and reading instead.
The book is set in Edinburgh and follows the lives of two people who went to the same school and We're unaware of the interest in each other, as they mixed in different circles. Frazer was the popular boy, who loved drama and performing and had all the popular people as friends and Maura who spent her time in the art block, messing with clay, and kept herself to a very small circle of friends.
18 years later their paths crosses again at a New Year's Eve party, which they both attended with their partners. Frazer is an actor who has recently moved back to Edinburgh, he is taking a break from acting to start his own ghost tour business and Maura a potter who is regarded as an expert at her craft.
Frazer wants to go into business with Maura, asking her to make ghosts for his walking tours. Can they work together or will the past get in the way ?
I really enjoyed that this book was divided into 4 sections and you got a glimpse of both of them at school. It drew you in and brought you into their story.
I would recommend this book, it is easy to read and fall in love with.
July 23, 2025
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane: Part One by Holly Hepburn
Blurb
Maura has everything she ever wanted from life – a quirky cottage in Edinburgh’s picturesque Dean Village, a thriving career as a potter, and a contented relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Jamie. Never mind that the cottage is damp, her pots aren’t selling and Jamie prefers a night down the pub with his rugby mates to an evening in with her.
But everyone wishes things were just a tiny bit better, right?
When Maura reunites with Fraser Bell at a Hogmanay party, she’s instantly transported back to her school days. And when he suggests she makes some ceramic ghosts to go with his city ghost tour business, she’s tempted. At first, everything goes smoothly but it’s not long before their new partnership causes problems that ripple through every aspect of Maura’s life. The ghosts go viral, meaning she has more orders than she can fulfil, and Jamie is less than thrilled that she’s spending all her time in her studio. But it’s not until Edinburgh Castle shows an interest in Maura’s work that things begin to spiral out of control.
Can Maura really have it all or will she regret wishing for more?
My Opinion
A lovely, quick read. This is the first part of Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane and what a delightful opening it was.
Rating 4/5
Blurb
Maura has everything she ever wanted from life – a quirky cottage in Edinburgh’s picturesque Dean Village, a thriving career as a potter, and a contented relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Jamie. Never mind that the cottage is damp, her pots aren’t selling and Jamie prefers a night down the pub with his rugby mates to an evening in with her.
But everyone wishes things were just a tiny bit better, right?
When Maura reunites with Fraser Bell at a Hogmanay party, she’s instantly transported back to her school days. And when he suggests she makes some ceramic ghosts to go with his city ghost tour business, she’s tempted. At first, everything goes smoothly but it’s not long before their new partnership causes problems that ripple through every aspect of Maura’s life. The ghosts go viral, meaning she has more orders than she can fulfil, and Jamie is less than thrilled that she’s spending all her time in her studio. But it’s not until Edinburgh Castle shows an interest in Maura’s work that things begin to spiral out of control.
Can Maura really have it all or will she regret wishing for more?
My Opinion
A lovely, quick read. This is the first part of Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane and what a delightful opening it was.
Rating 4/5
October 14, 2025
This was a really wonderful read, and with a nod to the York Ghosts too of which I'm a fan, it made it even more relatable and enjoyable to me!
This is part one of a new series and what a start! We are following Maura as life isn't quite turning out as she had hoped - on paper she's settled with Jamie, they live in a cottage and her hobby as a potter is her job.. it's just her creations aren't selling, the cottage is damp and her boyfriend spends more time down the pub than with her!
She goes to an old school reunion and is reunited with Fraser who she always had a crush on, but he was with a friend. He's now an Actor but work has dried up for him too so he's starting a ghost walk tour business up in Edinburgh which he loves. Chatting with Maura he gets the idea for her to create some ceramic ghosts - just like the York Ghosts! - to help his business along so that means spending more time together. Maura is invigorated by this new line of work and I just loved seeing how their relationship blooms and how they navigate their way through changes in their career paths! Can't wait to read the next installment!
This is part one of a new series and what a start! We are following Maura as life isn't quite turning out as she had hoped - on paper she's settled with Jamie, they live in a cottage and her hobby as a potter is her job.. it's just her creations aren't selling, the cottage is damp and her boyfriend spends more time down the pub than with her!
She goes to an old school reunion and is reunited with Fraser who she always had a crush on, but he was with a friend. He's now an Actor but work has dried up for him too so he's starting a ghost walk tour business up in Edinburgh which he loves. Chatting with Maura he gets the idea for her to create some ceramic ghosts - just like the York Ghosts! - to help his business along so that means spending more time together. Maura is invigorated by this new line of work and I just loved seeing how their relationship blooms and how they navigate their way through changes in their career paths! Can't wait to read the next installment!
January 14, 2026
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another great story from Holly Hepburn, I just love her style of writing 🤩
Maura has the perfect life, a lovely place to live, the perfect job as a potter working from her studio at home and a relationship with her childhood love Jamie.... I mean what could go wrong? 🤔
When Maura happens to stumble across an old school friend at a New Years Party 🥳 she really doesn't have a clue how her life is going to change....
Fraser Bell a handsome Scottish guy who has given up his acting carer to move back to Edinburgh to start up his new business of Ghost Walks 👻 in the city.... How can Maura possible help Fraser and will both of them ever realise the history both of them have together?
Mauras life begins to spiral out of control and things just don't go the way that is intended.... will she find her way out of this stage of her life? 🙄 Will Fraser be able to help her or is Hollywood calling to him?
A sweet feel good book, easy to read and follow the characters as there story unfolds on the pages in front of you 📚
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another great story from Holly Hepburn, I just love her style of writing 🤩
Maura has the perfect life, a lovely place to live, the perfect job as a potter working from her studio at home and a relationship with her childhood love Jamie.... I mean what could go wrong? 🤔
When Maura happens to stumble across an old school friend at a New Years Party 🥳 she really doesn't have a clue how her life is going to change....
Fraser Bell a handsome Scottish guy who has given up his acting carer to move back to Edinburgh to start up his new business of Ghost Walks 👻 in the city.... How can Maura possible help Fraser and will both of them ever realise the history both of them have together?
Mauras life begins to spiral out of control and things just don't go the way that is intended.... will she find her way out of this stage of her life? 🙄 Will Fraser be able to help her or is Hollywood calling to him?
A sweet feel good book, easy to read and follow the characters as there story unfolds on the pages in front of you 📚
May 18, 2025
A lovely story.
This is part one of Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane, a short story about Maura and her first love Fraser and how they meet again after many years from leaving school.
This is part one of Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane, a short story about Maura and her first love Fraser and how they meet again after many years from leaving school.
May 28, 2025
Healing hearts of thistledown lane
Really great story can't wait for next instalment. I didn't want to put it down. I really recommend this book
Really great story can't wait for next instalment. I didn't want to put it down. I really recommend this book
June 10, 2025
A promising start of a new series by Holly Hepburn. I liked the storyline in part one and am looking forward to reading part two.
June 25, 2025
A perfect start to what is sure to be a fantastic story.
July 25, 2025
livro lindo, mas uma pena publicar em pequenas partes 😥
August 21, 2025
Really enjoyed it , a bit short but on with part 2 now
September 5, 2025
very good, but too short !
September 16, 2025
Looking forward to reading the next part.
November 10, 2025
I cold not get enough of this book!
July 26, 2025
This is the first book in a brand new series by Holly Hepburn who's uplifting and heartwarming books I enjoy. I got this on library's electronic library Borrowbox. This is set in Edinburgh my hometown. I enjoyed reading it as i mentioned places I know of by hand - i.e. Dean Village a lovely part of Edinburgh. I did have to look up the people who are mentioned on the ghost tour on google as I have never heard of them but hey ho artistic rights. I look forward to reading the next book in the series which has not yet been published.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews