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Starting over at Halesmere House

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Taking over the Flower Shed studio at Halesmere, Alice is looking to mend her heart through horticulture after the end of her ten-year marriage. She isn’t looking for romance, especially not from brash young tree surgeon, Zac. Zac has his own past he’s trying to move on from, and he’s only staying at Halesmere until the new year. But when their circumstances change in a way that shocks them both, they have to decide if they can share a future that already binds them. Will the magic of Halesmere work once more to bring love to two lost souls? A beautiful and heartfelt love story, for fans of Trisha Ashley and Heidi Swain.

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 19, 2023

24 people are currently reading
90 people want to read

About the author

Suzanne Snow

12 books80 followers
Suzanne writes uplifting fiction inspired by romance and rural life. Subscribe to Suzanne's newsletter to download a bonus chapter and read on after 'The End.'

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5 stars
164 (57%)
4 stars
85 (29%)
3 stars
26 (9%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
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4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Jordan Davis.
52 reviews
February 15, 2025
A lovely, heart-warming read. Really loved the characters and the Lake District setting.
Profile Image for Bekky Clarke.
123 reviews6 followers
October 25, 2023
Oh what a joy it was being back at Halesmere with some of my favourite characters from last time and the lovely Alice and Zac!

Once again the writing style is just perfect. I could be sat in the workshops with our characters feeling like I’m involved in their everyday lives as the author writes so beautifully you feel like you are there.

I really loved how previous characters stories are referred back to which was lovely as I really loved reading the last book and to see how they have grown in an indirect way was lovely.

The setting is described so beautifully and the focus on nature and its beauty is just another massive tick on the highlight list for me.

This was romantic, a tiny bit spicy at times and I wasn’t expecting the twist in plot towards the end - but overall I loved this one! Maybe even more than the last book!
1,003 reviews21 followers
November 22, 2023
I was excited to revisit Halesham House again and meet up with old favourites from the previous two books. Alice is grieving for her dad and the breakup of her marriage. Zac is working and staying at Halesham House. They are both wary and have secrets but they are drawn to each other. The countryside, nature and gardens were all described so beautifully I could picture it perfectly. Emotional, heartwarming and romantic.
1,066 reviews40 followers
September 19, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the previous book in this series - Snowfall Over Halesmere House - and so was thrilled to see there was a new one.

Having missed the first in the series (not set at Christmas) and reading the second (set at Christmas), I knew I liked her writing whether it be festive or otherwise, and this fits squarely in the middle. Set at Christmas, for the most part, but not focussed solely on the festivities.

You can read this without having read the first two book - as I did with book two - because it is its own story. But it was enjoyable to spot some of the characters I'd fallen in love with before.

No spoilers here but the relationship between Alice and her dad was lovely to read. As someone who no longer has their dad, it was really lovely to read about how much they mean to each other, and it really made me smile, even if I was sad at some points.

Once again, I absolutely adored the location and the community. That's all I want in life. I want the land and the animals and the cottage and the small neighbourhood and the handsome men. Is that too much to ask? The setting almost becomes a character in itself as it is so beautiful.

I really loved Alice. She's been through some difficult times and she's not perfect, but for me she was the perfect character. So charming and gorgeous and vulnerable and I was by her side throughout. Zac was meant to be the charming dashing hero and yes he was all of that. He just sounded so gorgeous and I would like one for Christmas please. There are other characters such as Alice's aunt Sandy, and Zac's dad Neil, but they really work around the main two. I was supportive and enjoying Alice and Zac's story from the very start to the very ened.

Yes it is a happy, cosy, romantic, fabulous story but it hits on some difficult subjects, such as pregnancy and miscarriage, grief, loneliness, and heartbreak, which makes it all real, and Suzanne has handled it so sensitively that they help compliment the good times in the story.

Okay, I know I've only read two of the three in the series, but it is really a fabulous series, and really comforting. I don't know if Suzanne is planning any more in the series but I sure hope she is, as I want to continue this story. I've grown to love the characters like they're real. I'm invested in their stories and I want to continue exploring it with them.
Profile Image for Mallika Ahuja.
48 reviews8 followers
October 21, 2023
Book : Starting over at Halesmere House
Author : Suzanne Snow
Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format : E Book
Second chance romance has always been one of my go to Tropes and this is a major trope in this book. It all starts with Alice deciding to move forward in life after a broken marriage. She braves the move of relocating to Halesmere and to start all over again at her barn. I started this series from this very book and felt connected to it even without reading the previous one. That's the magic woven by this author. But reading this one is compelling me to give her other books a read too.
Talking more about the story, I would like to mention I found Alice to be a really relatable character , specially her vulnerability makes me feel connected to her.
Talking more about the plot, Moving to the epitome of nature and scenic beauty FMC Alice is seen expecting a magic to happen and , the universe transpires to create that magic of a second chance at love for Alice. When she meets Zac, would both the deserted souls find comfort in each other? it would be great finding out .
I loved the smooth flow of thoughts in this one and also the characters seemed to be really relatable and so was the story. The close knit friends all around impart so much warmth to the story that I cant begin describing it.
Placed in the backdrop of a beautiful landscape making it even more appealing, Suzanne Snow had done a great job with the expresssions , I could almost feel the characters express themselves to me while reading this one.
Such intrinsic and vivid description of valleys, meadows, would transport anyone reading the book to halesmere. I loved Suzanne's writing style. Would look forward to reading the next book in line and would be eagerly waiting for it.
Profile Image for Sonja Charters.
2,759 reviews140 followers
October 23, 2023
Oh how lovely it is to be back at Halesmere House again.
This is book 3 in the Love in the Lakes series and the second book I've read.
After absolutely loving book 2 (Wedding Days at Halesmere House) I instantly went out and got book one so I could catch up - but in typical fashion.... it's still there on my growing tbr pile 😭
So having a deadline to help me get reading this on was brilliant because I actually set aside the time - and am so glad I did!

Revisiting the house was lovely - the beautiful writing draws you right in and I felt quite nostalgic! (I know, I'm a bit mad like that!) The descriptive writing gives such a clear image of the setting and surrounding gardens and area are so immersive and coupled with the gorgeous characters and storyline, I was hooked and couldn't put this down.

In this book, we meet Alice who, after her marriage of 10 years recently ended, she's looking for a fresh start and to move on. She plans to run courses from the flower shed and mend her broken heart.
She and Zac hit it off when they meet over a flock of sheep (of all places!) But as he already has a moving plan, we wonder whether there will be enough to keep them together?

Alice and Zac's story is so sweet and although fairly predictible - it absolutely matters not. They're a lovely pair to get to know and explore as they start a tentative but spicy relationship.

What I also love about this series is that the other characters from the previous books appear and develop too. It could be slightly confusing if you're just starting at this point, but not so much that it would ruin the overall storyline for you. And for those who already met everyone before, it proves an added treat.

Last book, I totally guessed wrong about who would feature in this book - so I'm not stating it again.....but there are once again some clues as to who might be getting the spootlihht in book 4 - and I'm so excited to see if I'm right......
Profile Image for Deanne Patterson.
2,418 reviews120 followers
October 18, 2023
I have been looking for upbeat and positive books recently and I've found it in the Love in the Lakes series. I've read the other two in the series and was thrilled to see another, Starting Over at Halesmere House.
I do suggest reading this series in order as the books do build off of each other and we also see new characters being introduced in each book.
This is a bit different than a lot of romances as our female lead is the older one in this relationship.
I have long enjoyed this author's work for its clean and encouraging writing.
Alice is ready to move on in life after a bad series of events. She believes starting a new business at Halesmere House, where she has moved will be a wonderful fresh start. Once there she meets tree surgeon Zac who is also staying there to help owner, Mac. He also has a past he's trying to move on from and neither are looking for a romance.
Zac and Alice enjoy each other's company but know nothing lasting can come of it as Zac is only there temporarily. Zac will be moving after Christmas starting a new job in Scotland.
I feel as though the author draws you into the story making you a part of it. The descriptions of the scenery are fabulous. The characters are fun and relatable.
Emotional and sweet! I hope the series will continue as I really enjoy reading about these characters.

Pub Date: 19 Oct 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for April.
483 reviews28 followers
November 13, 2023
This is the 3rd book in the 'Love in the Lakes' series, and as a Cumbrian lass, I was incredibly excited to realise that this book is based in... Cumbria.

This is a beautiful, feel-good romance based in the whimsical (but unfortuantely fictional!) place of Halesmere.

We start the story with Alice, who has had a bit of a hard time recently and who has decided to relocate to Cumbria for a fresh start and to be near her aunt. What she doesn't count on is meeting Zac.

I utterly adore Alice. She is completely relatable and you can honestly see her becoming your best friend as she is incredibly kind and considerate so finding out about her past, made me really feel for her as she didn't deserve it at all.

Zac, on the other hand, initially was a bit of a mystery as he was very guarded. He is definitely 'Book boyfriend' material even but as he starts a friendship with Alice and opens up to her,  you can see that he is exactly the same as Alice - he has a complicated past.

All through the book, I was cheering these too on and hoping they would get together!

Suzanne - That ending!!! I did not see that coming!

I love this book so much that I've already gone and bought Book 1 and Book 2 to read over December, and you should absolutely too.

I highly recommend this book as it is a beautifully written, feel-good romance that sucks you in and leaves you wanting to learn more!

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Profile Image for Sue.
49 reviews
November 13, 2023
As Alice is planning a totally new start she sell’s her late father’s haulage company and moves up to Haselmere where she is hoping to start a new horticultural business. Her friend is keen for her to start dating but she’s been recently burned by someone now playing happy families elsewhere. She doesn’t need anyone.
Her new home of Pear Tree Barn is very different and her life growing flowers will be a far cry from driving an articulated lorry but she’s ready, nearly. After her first encounter with escaped sheep and a gruff neighbour which rapidly turns to flirting it looks like her life might be taking a very interesting three point turn.
Once again Susanne Snow has found the perfect combination of second chance romancers that are loveable and exasperating. The background and the supporting cast make the reader jealous not to be experiencing this life. It doesn’t shy away from grief over losing loved ones and a failed marriage but does give hope that life is actually worth living and there are adventures out there for everyone. There’s the promise of Christmas too which again speaks of new beginnings with all the trimmings.
1,165 reviews27 followers
October 15, 2023
Book 3 in the Love at the Lakes series has all the feels!
Alice and Zac find themselves in a meet-cute and falling for each other quickly. But both have been hurt, and know there's an end in sight with Zac's already planned out move for a new job. What results is a smouldering romance that they believe is doomed.
There's loads of characters to get used to, most of whom we met in the previous stories, however if you were just jumping in here, you'd be forgiven for being a bit confused on who's who! I still absolutely adore Stan - he's the grandpa we all would love to have!
Trigger warnings of cheating, infertility, and miscarriage.
The setting is the beautiful Halesmere surroundings, I loved seeing its development.
The story has a happily ever after with everything wrapped up perfectly. There's been some clues laid throughout as to who might feature in the next in the series, and I can't wait to read it.
Profile Image for theweebookworm .
424 reviews28 followers
October 25, 2023
Wow, how have I missed this author until now. This is the third book in the Love in the Lakes series and the first I have read. I would have liked to have read the other 2 books first as there are recurring characters but it didn't detract too much for me.

I loved the author's writing style. Her characters are lovely, kind, caring and so relatable. I absolutely adored Alice and Zac and their "it's not a date" relationship. They are both lost and broken and in Halesmere hoping to heal.

The writing style is great with the beautiful descriptions of the landscape and the wonderful sense of community. I had a soft spot for the lovely Stan along with one or 2 others.

There are a couple of serious topics but I felt these were dealt with sensitively.

I do hope there is a book 4 so that we can follow more of these lovely characters.

Thank you Love Books Tours for my gifted copy and spot on the tour.
Profile Image for Valerie  Brown.
642 reviews7 followers
September 9, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This author writes lovely, gentle, clean romances and this book is no exception. It is preferable to read the previous books in the series first as the characters develop over time, and keep popping up like old friends. I particularly liked the emphasis on mindfulness in this book, the beautiful descriptions of the scenery and way of life (focusing on the seasons and working with them e.g. appreciating the cold winter air during a walk then enjoying cosying up to a fire in the evening). The romance is a bit unusual (younger guy, older woman) and I liked the clever way their 'non-dating' banter was written.
This would be a lovely series to buy for a friend as a boxed set.
Profile Image for Jaclyn Rose.
146 reviews
January 7, 2026
This was the least favorite out of three.
It actually looked more like this would be the first book the author wrote, as there were so many repetition- as if we are not reading the book consciously and that the author had the need to keep repeating scenes.
Alice is also the least favorite character especially at the ending where she decides everything coming from pre-assumptions as it was clear that Zac loved her, Zac showed it too her, and still she thought that he wouldn’t want to be there for her.

I am going to miss everyone of halesmere! That is something that the author created very well! It is really a cozy small town story, and I’m sad that we don’t get more of the characters.
Profile Image for Nafeesa ♡.
326 reviews8 followers
October 22, 2023
How have I never heard of this author before? After writing this review, I need to read books one and two in this series.

In this story, we follow Alice and Zac, as well as a small community who all adore each other. Alice and Zac are both healing from past events, and neither is looking for a serious relationship. However, this little town, the people, and their love for each other helps them find their happily ever after.

This story is full of hope, loss, and happiness. It made me feel happy, sad, and everything in between. It truly is an uplifting story. The writing style of the author is so beautiful. The pacing was great, and the ending was neither rushed nor left me guessing in ways I don't like. The entire story was well fleshed out and beautiful.

Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Amanda Felton.
347 reviews19 followers
November 13, 2023
Holy cow did I love this book!!! I love me a good romance story and this authors writing style is so good. Can Halemere House help bring two lost souls together?? I loved the characters in this story so much !!! Alice and Zac were adorable and I love how they called there date a no date and how they are both so lost and broken and came to Halesmere to heal. I can't say enough good things about the writing it's so good and I really loved the description of the landscape and just everything. I felt I was at Halesmere house !! I hope there is a book 4 cause I can't get enough!!
157 reviews5 followers
November 18, 2023
I absolutely adore this series, Halesmere house feels like home. The characters are likeable and across the series, the ones who appear in all three books have become like friends.

This was such a heartwarming and sweet, closed door romance and such a cozy read, with a touch of found family (as there tends to be at Halesmere house)

I loved Alice and Zac, I love that they gave love a chance, and I loved the unexpected surprise element too!

I just wish there was more to come in this truly delightful series.
79 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2023
This was a sweet story! I loved Alice and Zac! It’s a nice clean romance and that was just what I needed.
The author does a great job on each character and the story itself. You will like you are right there. Plus you don’t always see stories where the female lead is older than the male.
You can feel the love both characters have after having pasts that weren’t the best. They connected together. Something bonds them together and they can’t fight the love they have for each other!
Profile Image for Rachel Stansel.
1,429 reviews19 followers
September 14, 2023
Another lovely book from Halesmere but a fine standalone. Alice and Zac are both trying to move on with new careers and new places after heartbreaks. They aren't looking for love or a relationship but soon find each other and a friendship and romance they weren't expecting. I enjoyed this one very much.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
46 reviews1 follower
October 13, 2023
Another wonderful story in the Halesmere House series. Alice has suffered huge loss and is moving from Sheffield into a barn conversion for a fresh start near her Aunt the local Vicar . She is starting a business in one of the studios at Halesmere House. She begins to make friends and starts socialising. There is a spark between her and Zac when they meet but both claim they do not date. The reasons unfold as their friendship develops. I highly recommend you read this you won’t be disappointed.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
329 reviews7 followers
October 23, 2023
Wow, such a lovely story.
Alice and Zac were unexpectedly thrown together in circumstances they didn’t expect.
Falling in love when they didn’t think it was what they wanted or what they could fit in their lives.
Will be great to have another installment in this story that continues this wonderful love story.
Profile Image for Heather.
1,375 reviews6 followers
February 9, 2025
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I was able to find the audio version through my local library. This was an adorable romcom! It is a great story of a single mom finding herself in a new town. I loved the authors writing and I would read from her again. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Susan in Perthshire.
2,212 reviews119 followers
September 14, 2023
I received an arc from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have really enjoyed the books in this series, and this one is a lovely emotionally satisfying, read with two lovely main characters and some well drawn subsidiary ones too.
Profile Image for Susan.
390 reviews3 followers
October 11, 2023
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

This is the 3rd book in a series, however, could definitely be read as a standalone.

An enjoyable story which unfolds ever so gently.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews167 followers
October 16, 2023
I'm reading tons of heartwarming and cute stories as it's not the best of time. This was a good one and it worked its magic making me smile.
Good storytelling, lovely characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
301 reviews3 followers
April 21, 2024
Great Book 3

Loved this third book as much as the first two, just concerned now that I cannot find anything about a fourth book, hope there is one!! The characters are great and the storylines captivating.
Profile Image for Julie Foster.
752 reviews1 follower
October 23, 2023
This book is the third in this series and it didn't disappoint. I loved it from the first to the last page. The ending was absolutely wonderful.
Profile Image for Melinda Anders.
582 reviews11 followers
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January 30, 2024
A cute love story. Alice opens up a store Flower Shed. Community helps each other. Then the romance with the tree surgeon Zac.
Thanks to publisher Canelo Romance and NetGalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Sophie Lyons.
38 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2024
A lovely story and lovely characters but I just couldn’t connect with them fully and I found it a little boring at times.
I found myself wanting to skim read and skip some parts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews

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