Return to Half Moon Farm

by Holly Hepburn

When Daisy’s mother falls ill she is forced to return home. With her twin sons in tow, she moves back to Half Moon Farm, her family’s ancient hop farm.

But a new life in the Kent countryside isn’t necessarily as idyllic as it might seem. Daisy’s relationship with her mother is complicated and the tumbledown farm isn’t the only thing that needs rebuilding. Daisy and her sons must adjust to life with estranged family, a leaking roof, and no WiFi.

Luckily for Daisy, she might yet find some distraction in silver fox farmer, Drew, or in the haughty heir to the nearby estate, Kit, who she can’t seem to avoid.

Daisy must learn to juggle her new life, the boys, and the daunting task of updating the farm. But there are secrets lurking in her family’s past that might throw everything into further disarray…

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Romance

416 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2024

About the author

I’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.

Reviews

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet and lovely read to enjoy on a quiet Sunday.
Holly Hepburn writes beautifully, with ease and confidence and her stories read so well. Return To Half Moon Farm is no exception.
It's such a lovely story with fully fledged characters. Family, secrets, healing. It's a beautiful, heart-warming read and I really enjoyed it.

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A lovely read about second chances. Daisy is reunited with her grandparents home in this wonderful story and has a chance to rebuild the relationship with her mother after years of an uncomfortable silence.
The Kent countryside provides the perfect backdrop to this sweet story and I loved reading about the farm and Daisy’s grandparents history and how it recaptured Daisy’s heart.

[Faye Hollands · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet read. Kit and Daisy are so cute and I loved the quaint English village setting.

Major typos and formatting errors throughout though, could have definitely done with another proofread lol.

[Zarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review first published to my blog: https://www.pagetostagereviews.com/20...

I read the first part of Return to Half Moon Farm earlier this year and I'd been waiting with bated breath for more ever since, and oh my the rest of the novel was just as fantastic as that delightful teaser! I immediately loved Daisy and her two boys, Finn and Campbell, who are twins but couldn't be more different: one a tomboy football lover and the other a quieter kid who loves history. Even though they weren't the main characters, they felt really well-rounded and through them we got another insight into Daisy too.

And I loved seeing all the facets of her life, from her sons to her estranged relationship with her mum and through the amicable conversations with her ex-husband through to that with the two new men entering her life: Drew and Kit. One a well-loved farmer who's been helping out her mum and the other a slightly distant yet still charming man she believes to be the earl living in the local castle. I swooned... a lot.

There was so much more to this book than a will-they-won't-they romance though. Daisy and Rose's difficult relationship was heartbreaking but also really genuine and fascinating, with both sides of the story being complex and understandable. Then there's Daisy's dive into the past when she discovers long-lost love letters between her grandmother and someone who wasn't her grandfather. And I haven't even mentioned one of my absolute favourite characters yet: the terror that is Atticus. I love cats anyway, but Holly had me howling with laughter at the descriptions of him prowling on the fence at the doggy day care as the king of the castle.

Even though this is the first time we meet Daisy, Finn, Campbell, Atticus and the quirky cast of characters in and around Half Moon Farm, this book already felt like a reunion for the readers as much as it did to Daisy and her mother Rose. The setting and local villagers in Return to Half Moon Farm felt instantly cosy and familiar, and that's all due to author Holly Hepburn's heart-warming writing and imagination. As soon as you crack open one of her novels, you are transported to simpler and better places, ones that you do not want to leave – quite literally, I read this one in nearly one sitting! They're the ultimate book-shaped hug.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return To Half Moon Farm
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yet again another wonderful book from Holly Hepburn, in fact I've never been disappointed with any of her books.

It's been a while since I have picked one of books up and I'm so glad I did with this one.

A warm cosy easy read, following Daisy as she returns to her Grandparents farm house to look after her mum while she gets better after suffering a heart attack, with the help of a couple of carers and Daisy, her mother Rose has to face some secrets about the Moon family that she didn't want to face. Daisy relationship with her mother was not the best for years so coming back with her twin boys to look after her was a challenge and a blessing.

Daisy finds that there is a hidden secret after finding a bunch of love letters addressed to her grandmother Violet, with reference to the Moon family and the Devereux family who own Winterbourne Castle in the village.... these letters take Daisy on a beautiful journey of self discovery, healing and even maybe love!

Kit who she meets after hitting his car outside the local school is the brother to the Earl of Winterbourne, she finds him to be rude, abrupt and arrogant and ends up dreading the school runs, until a friendship between there children helps them to get on..... was she to quick to judge Kit?

After taking up a bit of a spicy liaison with Drew who lives in the village she soon discovers that maybe that's not what she wants and maybe Drew isn't the person she thought he was....

Will the rift of the Moon and Devereux family ever be healed and will Daisy find happiness??

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to Half Moon Farm by Holly Hepburn

Blurb

When Daisy’s mother falls ill she is forced to return home. With her twin sons in tow, she moves back to Half Moon Farm, her family’s ancient hop farm.  

But a new life in the Kent countryside isn’t necessarily as idyllic as it might seem. Daisy’s relationship with her mother is complicated and the tumbledown farm isn’t the only thing that needs rebuilding. Daisy and her sons must adjust to life with estranged family, a leaking roof, and no WiFi.

Luckily for Daisy, she might yet find some distraction in silver fox farmer, Drew, or in the haughty heir to the nearby estate, Kit, who she can’t seem to avoid.

Daisy must learn to juggle her new life, the boys, and the daunting task of updating the farm. But there are secrets lurking in her family’s past that might throw everything into further disarray…

My Opinion

Looking through the catalogue at my local library, Return to Half Moon Farm really appealed to me - it has such a lovely cover. This was my first book by Holly Hepburn but it was a great introduction so I am sure I will be back for more when time allows. Daisy returns home to look after her mother, and following the discovery of some letters finds out more about her family history.

This was a lovely book to read and I read the majority in one sitting. Holly Hepburn has a great writing style and this book was so heart-warming, it was like a hug in a book.

Rating 4/5

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

And I'm still buying Holly Hepburn books because of their covers...

If romance is your thing, you'll probably enjoy this. It has all the predictability and all the genre staples that most romance readers seem to enjoy.

I was a little disappointed by Karen Cass's audio narration this time. She sounded bored. Normally she's a lot better.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another perfect read by Holly Hepburn. Following Daisy and Kit with Drew getting in the way. I love Daisy's boys Finn and Campbell and love the relationship they have with Kit's daughter Alice. I even grow to love Rose too. Loved this one. 4.5 stars

[Julie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve yet to meet a Holly Hepburn book that I haven’t loved so I always come to them with positive expectations. I’m not sure if this makes me more inclined to love them or more inclined to be disappointed if they fail to meet up to expectations. At any rate, this book didn’t let me down. I fairly raced through it in twenty-four hours, completely swept up in this lovely and gentle tale of romance, family duty and second chances.

There is a tendency for people who aren’t romance readers to view the genre as something that is lightweight and superficial but this could not be further from the truth. One of the main things those of us in the know appreciate about the genre is how it explores some of the issues that really affect ordinary people in their every day lives. Let’s face it, most of us will never get caught up in international espionage, police hunts for serial killers or games of political intrigue. All of us, however, live every day juggling family, jobs, relationships, children, divorce, illness, loss, obligation and desire. This is what we can relate to and what speaks to us and these are the themes that romance novels explore so well. This author does it better than most.

I so related to Daisy in this book as a single mum of two negotiating life and love after divorce. Protecting your children from the fallout of a failed relationship whilst still trying to maintain some semblance of a life and individuality for yourself is something I understand well and the author gets those conflicting emotions spot on here. The constant guilt, doubt and second guessing is captured brilliantly between the pages and really touched my heart. Alongside this, she is having to deal with rebuilding a strained relationship with her mother alongside the need to take on caring duties. The theme of family duty and how that can conflict with personal desires is strong throughout the book and is cleverly explored in more than one way and I was very impressed with how the author achieves this and really make the reader think.

Great characters, a beautiful setting, inclusion of a beloved classic novel that made me want to go and dive back in to my copy, a satisfying ending and there is literally nothing more you can ask for from a book.

All in all, this is a wonderful novel that has so much to offer the reader beyond a love story. It was captivating and thought-provoking and heart-warming all at once and gave me everything I look for in the perfect romance novel. My love affair with Holly Hepburn continues and the great thing about being in love with an author’s work is that I can share it with others without possessiveness. The ultimate in healthy polyamory, why don’t you join us?

[Melisa Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to Half Moon Farm was originally released in instalments but I always prefer to read it all at once as I am far too impatient to do this! This is the perfect book to read all at once as there is so much going on.

We follow Daisy and her twin sons, Finn and Campbell who are moving back to the Kent farmhouse that she last visited many years ago as a young girl, to help look after her mother who has recently suffered a heart attack. Things are quite strained between them both as they have become estranged with Finn and Campbell meeting their grandmother for the first time. When you add into the fact that the cottage has become quite rundown, you can understand why Daisy was reluctant to return.

Return to Half Moon farm, has quite a few storylines running through it which are all linked perfectly and stop it becoming a run of the mill book. We learn more about Daisy’s grandmother and her romance during the war through some letters that Daisy discovers. The letters don’t appear to be from her grandfather so I enjoyed reading the mystery of who they were from and what eventually became of them.

The supporting characters are a great addition to the storyline and we are introduced to Drew who has been helping Daisy’s mum – he sounds perfect and has a lot of the village swooning but then we are introduced to Kit, who Daisy bumps into literally in her car which throws a slight spanner in the works. Although he comes across as grumpy, Daisy is happy to try and avoid him for the rest of her stay. However as Kit’s daughter and Daisy’s sons are in the same class at school, she realises this is going to be very unlikely!

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t wait to find out more especially with the different storylines of Daisy’s family history weaved throughout which was written beautifully. (I don’t want to spoil this so have tried to not say too much!)

Highly recommended from me!

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely and gentle story that was a pleasure to read.

It's all about Daisy and her twin sons, as they move to Half Moon Farm to look after Daisy's estranged mum Rose who is recovering from surgery. It's initially a period of re-adjustment as they get used to a new home, new school, new friends to be made etc..

And as Daisy starts to settle into the area, there are two leading men in this story, who are viable love interests for Daisy.

We have Drew who her mother loves, and so does everyone in town and that has a bit of a playboy feel about him, but Daisy doesn't necessarily want anything serious or anything at all. And then their is Kit, who is from a family that has had a long standing feud with Daisy's for many years.

And it's discovering more about the unpleasantness between the two families that is rather interesting, as Daisy discovers some letters, that may lead to hidden family secrets.

I loved getting to know all of this wide range of characters, and certainly at times I was kept on my toes. There are some really fabulous scenes and I especially loved all the descriptions of the castle and manor, and the flying lesson sticks in mind too.

I knew who I was rooting for Daisy to end up with, and I was made to work for it. This is just another really lovely and enjoyable story from an author I always love.

Thank you to Sara Jade Virtue for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Marte Haga · Rating 3 out of 5]

These three stars are in no way a bad review, they represent a pretty "average" book, which is how I experienced it. It's an enjoyable book that covers strained mother-daugher relationship, returning home, starting over after divorce, single motherhood, a little love triangle and also some questions/mystery ties to the past. The characters are likable and well developed. The writing flows well and isnmostly free from unnecessary descriptions, repetitions and explanations.
Yet in spite of these positives, it's still pretty average - the storyline is similar to so many other books and there's nothing in it that makes it stand out.

For many readers the little mystery tied to the letters might make it more interesting, but for me it took up too much space in the book and just made the book feel longer. I would have wanted the letters to either take up less of the plot, of more of it. To be of more importance if they were to be included to that extent, but they don't really matter very much for how things turn out in the end. I would rather have more focus on the other aspects of the story.

all in all a feel good story about unexpected new beginnings, building bridges and repairing some old ones.

[A.A.B · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a character in this book who is suspected of having dementia or some other degenerative cognitive condition, but I felt that the other characters actually had it, but were still just functional enough to hide it from each other:
- they seem to struggle with short term memory (which helps immensely with the whole hiding from each other thing),
- feel the need to repeat the same story at least fifteen different times (on page!) until every other character in the book is informed of it, and
- make baseless irrational decisions and accusations,
- changing their minds just as quickly and without discernible cause.

The ending was especially terrible in that respect. Within 3 chapters a character goes from breaking up with her lover and driving him out of town to marrying someone else. And while that was considerably less dumb than her behavior up until then, it certainly came as a surprise, and was compensated by the fact that for her prospective husband that was an uncharacteristically stupid decision.

Seriously, how is this book so highly rated?!

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore books where there are more than just ‘human’ characters. And in Return to Half Moon Farm we’re treated to the idyllic and stunning village of Mistlethorpe and two bricks and mortar characters with Half Moon Farm and the Castle. Those who ordered the exclusive paperback bundle from Tea Leaves and Reads also got the hand-drawn map that Holly Hepburn created and that brought this to life even more.

Originally a four part e-book series, having all four stories together in a full length book was a treat - with each main section ending with the reader wanting more. And that’s no exception for the actual ending either, there is far more that we can hear from these main characters, the extended family and friends, and of course the larger than life architecture - the beauty and mystery of the castle and gardens and the tranquility and peacefulness of Half Moon Farm.

A gentle, cosy read, with underlying mystery and intrigue and just the right amount of romance.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love escaping the real world with a book by Holly and this was the perfect excuse to snuggle up and escape into Daisies world for a bit. Daisy has had to move back to her family home as her mother is not well. She has up sticks with her two kids but no one is that happy to leave behind their lives. There is a lot more going on at her family home than she can ever imagine but she is determined to get things fixed and things with her mother are strained. As Daisy and her sons adapt to their new lives will Daisy uncover a long kept secret that no one could ever imagined. I liked how the story flowed, I liked Daisy and wanted her to have a happy life. She is a tough one and is a great mum. I liked reading about the updating she does to the house and how she overcomes hurdles. She is one strong powerful woman even if she feels as though she is failing some of the time. It was a great and easy read to get lost into.

[Elizabeth Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return To Half Moon Farm is one of those books that is perfect to curl up with at this time of year, a delightful read that sweeps you up as characters and places are brought to life in an truly enjoyable story.

Daisy and her twin sons Finn and Campbell temporarily move back to Half Moon Farm, the home of her late grandparents, in the village of Mislethorpe to care for her mother, from whom she has been estranged for a number of years. As Daisy attempts to settle in her new environment and rebuild her relationship with her mother, she is taken back to the past as she discovers love letters between her grandmother and a man who isn’t her grandfather. And past and present collide as she forms relationships with two very different local men.

This is a book with a little bit of everything - romance, intrigue and a fabulous cast of characters in a delightful rural setting - that all combine in a hug of a book that will can’t fail to make you smile.

[Ruth Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy used to spend the school holidays at Half moon farm with her grandparents. She has amazing memories of the farm from her childhood but, due to a family disagreement with her mum and step father has not been there for years.
After recent heart issues Daisy's mum needs looking after so she returns to Kent with her twin boys for a few months to sort things out. Hoping to re-build a relationship with her mum , help out on the farm and allow her mum to get to know her grandsons. However, when she returns everything has changed. The farm is in desperate need of some TLC, the Hops are farmed by someone else and the barns and outbuildings have been converted into small businesses.
With a hole in the roof, no WIFI, windows boarded up etc. Daisy has a much bigger job on her hands than she imagined. As she starts the repairs she begins to fall back in love with the farm, make friends and starts to enjoy herself. But, all is not what it seems.

[Zoe Radley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have just finished this wonderful, heartwarming book, that has links to a past that is at once forgotten but also held by certain people in the present. It’s about letting past hurts go and following our hearts even if it seems like there might be too much risk, the treasure is well worth it. I fell in love with this idea of a farm that has been in the family for generations and how due to fixing a roof, the past comes tumbling out with rediscovered letters from a fraught time. Daisy’s story is both lovely and heartwarming as you see her go through relationships between two men who are both on paper worthy and good, I won’t spoil anything but I loved the ending and I knew from the first moment of meeting one of them that he was a bit too smooth. It has the feeling of Pride & Prejudice just more gentle and obviously set in the present. Simply lovely and has made me feel all cozy and warm.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed daisy’s journey as separated Mum of 10 yr old twin boys who had to move from Milton Keynes home back to countryside Kent, Half Moon Farm, to oversea her mother’s care after medical event. The adjustments from city life to slower but far more exciting country life of her polar opposite twins and herself is wholesome and full of interest. Her romantic life begins with a hiss and a roar with Drew even to her surprise. But there is also the sophisticated Earl spare, Kit from the castle who seems keen to help her. Daisy uncovers decades long letters that lead to reason behind the fued between the Moons and Winterbournes up at the castle. Lovely story that seamlessly weaves historical romance and the new. Drew however is not what he seems and despite warnings she continues head long into intimate relationship until…

[Susanne Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely and relaxing read, I was soon drawn into the story of Daisy and her return to her childhood home.
It was interesting to see her back in the community and finding out things about her grandmother and an unknown romance that occurred during the war.
I was intrigued by the two different men that came into her life on her return, two very different characters and a little mystery thrown in for good measure!
Kit was a fascinating character, I was keen for Daisy to become friends with him, you could sense the chemistry between them on the pages!
Some excellent twists kept me reading avidly, and I relished watching Daisy becoming part of the community and also reconnecting with her mother in the process too.
Such a delightful story, a book I certainly would not mind returning to again!

[Trish Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story. Daisy and her boys were a joy to get to know.

The way the story unfolds is just tense and dramatic enough to keep you guessing. There was romance, laughter, friendship, and family, all of which felt really believable and organic. Nothing felt forced.

This is an absolutely lovely book. It's the book I started before my husband passed away, put down for a month, and finally felt ready to pick up again this week. Even after a month away from the Farm, I still felt the warm welcome, which was exactly what I needed.

[Sarah Hills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holly has a way of writing that tells a great story but with some deeper underlying themes. This book is about two families and how they have been intertwined over the decades.
There is a love affair 70 years ago and one that is blossoming now.
Also a divorced mum and her two sons, sharing them with her ex husband and where to move them to for long term happiness. There is also a love rat!
On top of that we have Atticus the killer cat who is soon going to rule the world.
A delightful story, great characters and an ultimately happy ending.

[Emily West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Holly Hepburn book that has made me fall in love with an area of the UK. The story is heartwarming and just what you need to curl up with to escape your everyday life. I could smell the summer air in the fields and hear the buzzing of the bees as I read this, even in January. I loved it.

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! Daisy Moon has been estranged from her mum for years but agrees to go home after her mum has an operation. Things are awkward to begin with and then she nearly reverses her car Into the local Earl. This is a lovely story and always ends happily!

[Susan Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about a woman who reunites with her mother in the country when she becomes ill and discovers secrets in letters between her grandmother and a titled young man. Not particularly original but likeable characters

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely to be reunited with Daisy and her family as she learns more about the relationship her Grandmother had with Valentine during the war. I can't wait for #4 to be released now.

[Sue Hickling · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read ,start the year with some soppy books yhen get to the murder ones lol.

[Elizabeth Dewfall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was glad each part flowed and didn’t have catch ups flowed beautifully

[Germaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable but enjoyable

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely gentle charming read filled with family, community and secrets. A perfect combination of mystery and romance which had me hooked from the beginning to the very end.