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Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane: Fall in love with this uplifting and charming romance novel from the author of RETURN TO HALF MOON FARM
A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2026
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22 people want to read
About the author
Holly Hepburn
86 books422 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 7, 2025
Thought this was really sweet
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane is the latest book from Holly Hepburn. Previously published in four separate parts the full length book is now here for you to indulge in Maura’s story in one swoop. It’s been quite some time since I have read a book by this author but the books that I have read I did enjoy so I felt right at home in the author’s writing style. The four parts are contained within this book with a very brief prologue at the beginning of each new section. Admittedly, I did find it a bit jarring moving from one section to the next as I felt I was getting into the rhythm of the story and then it briefly stopped, gave us a new prologue going back in time and then the story moved on. There was what seemed to me a mini recap at the beginning of each new instalment which with the full length book I felt wasn’t necessary but I could see the need for it if you were reading this as each new part was published. Aside from these minor issues which really aren’t major faults of the book more so what I felt at the time of reading the overall story is very good and it is an enjoyable read which I dipped in and out of as my attention span is not great at the moment.
Set in the city of Edinburgh, the author does a fantastic job of bringing the setting to life. I’ve never been to Edinburgh but having read this book I feel like I have walked the streets with Fraser as he conducts one of his ghost walking tours. I’ve explored the sights and sounds and the history of the city be it ghostly fiction or reality and it made me want to visit there. The scene is set when we first meet Maura as she attends a six month school reunion. Life has changed for her since she left uni and she is now somewhat successful in her work as a potter. As she takes a breath of fresh air outside the venue out stumbles the golden boy Fraser Bell who is a bit of a drunken mess. Maura had noticed him around the campus but they inhabited different worlds. She liked to remain on the outside and inconspicuous where as Fraser was bolshy and a full on drama student who liked partying. Secretly, though Maura had subconsciously fancied him. A drunken kiss is shared and that’s it until 18 years later when Fraser comes back into Maura’s life and things take many an unexpected turn both personally and professionally.
In the present day we really get to know Maura and my initial thoughts were she is just plodding along in life. Yes, she is doing what she loves her pottery/ceramics in the little studio she has set up beside her apartment in Thistledown Lane and she has her students on a weekly basis and is working away on her own stuff. But is her world the one that she may have wanted so many years ago. There seemed to be no fire or excitement within her or her personal life. She has been in a relationship with Jamie for several years but when a chapter focused on this, there was a distinct lack of true love coming across to me. I detested Jamie from the outset. I think he took Maura for granted and never provided her with what she longed for which was stability, romance and a solid future. Drinking and partying with his rugby mates seemed to be top of his agenda and Maura appeared to be pushed to the side with pathetic excuses for his behaviour and manner constantly being offered. I desperately wanted Maura to get rid of him but felt she was settling for comfort and familiarity and didn’t know how to get out of the hole of acquaintance rather than love that she had established for herself.
Maura wanted and needed more for herself in order to have a better life. I even wondered whether the pair had ever truly loved one another? I found it so frustrating that she took so much from Fraser but couldn’t gather herself together to give him a push but I suppose when we are all in something that is routine and comfortable we are reluctant to let go and make ourselves break free and make a change. It takes great strength which Maura needed to build up for herself. Don’t get me wrong here as I’ve made it sound as if Maura is a bit of a wimp and can do nothing for herself. That’s not the case at all. It’s just when it comes to her relationship I knew she could do much better for herself. As a person she is kind, generous, clever, skilled, dedicated talented and passionate when it comes to her work but the personal sides she certainly needed to work on and become firmer.
So how does Fraser come back into Maura’s life? Having had moderate success as an actor he has become disillusioned with his career. Taking a gamble on things he has moved back to Edinburgh and set up a walking tour of the streets telling ghost stories and things are going well in that respect. Similar to Maura, I felt Fraser was in a relationship that might have suited his London lifestyle but things with Naomi now were not great. She came across as spoilt and a bit of a princess who loved glamour and glitz and this new lifestyle was not for her. I didn’t think that their relationship was on the same level as that of Maura and Jamie in terms of put downs etc but just that the pair weren’t suited for one another. Fraser certainly wanted different things. Fairly, early on things took a turn for them and I was glad this wasn’t dragged out as it opened up other avenues/plots for exploration. Fraser buys one of Maura’s ceramic pieces from her website and comes to collect it and that meeting after so many years although not electric a such with major sparks and chemistry flying between them I did feel a little potential glimmer of something although Maura being in a relationship means if things did ignite they couldn’t truly be explored and developed.
I loved Fraser as a character. I thought he was ambitious, generous, handsome and someone determined to make a good go of things. He remembers snippets of things from university regarding Maura. Both their worlds had orbited each other’s and I could see given the opportunity he would like to establish more than just a friendship and business partnership with Maura. The pair seemed to dance around each other a lot with lots left unsaid and misunderstandings and some dramatics occurring which made me want to get to the end to see what would happen. There is a curveball in the last few chapters which would have been brilliant to happen a little earlier to add a bit more drama to things as at around the midpoint and slightly after I did think there were some lulls with nothing much happening. I thought Fraser was clever and astute to get Maura making clay ghosts to sell to tourists who partook in the walking tours. He knew she was talented, and he was given her a stage which would open more opportunities but as this was taking off things take a dramatic turn for Maura which has her questioning everything. Just what that is you’ll have to read and discover for yourself.
Overall, Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane was an enjoyable read which takes you through the lives of the characters as they have to navigate challenges, their heads and hearts and unstable relationships. Love can grow when given the opportunity but whether Maura or Fraser would allow that to happen is what keeps the reader turning the pages.
Set in the city of Edinburgh, the author does a fantastic job of bringing the setting to life. I’ve never been to Edinburgh but having read this book I feel like I have walked the streets with Fraser as he conducts one of his ghost walking tours. I’ve explored the sights and sounds and the history of the city be it ghostly fiction or reality and it made me want to visit there. The scene is set when we first meet Maura as she attends a six month school reunion. Life has changed for her since she left uni and she is now somewhat successful in her work as a potter. As she takes a breath of fresh air outside the venue out stumbles the golden boy Fraser Bell who is a bit of a drunken mess. Maura had noticed him around the campus but they inhabited different worlds. She liked to remain on the outside and inconspicuous where as Fraser was bolshy and a full on drama student who liked partying. Secretly, though Maura had subconsciously fancied him. A drunken kiss is shared and that’s it until 18 years later when Fraser comes back into Maura’s life and things take many an unexpected turn both personally and professionally.
In the present day we really get to know Maura and my initial thoughts were she is just plodding along in life. Yes, she is doing what she loves her pottery/ceramics in the little studio she has set up beside her apartment in Thistledown Lane and she has her students on a weekly basis and is working away on her own stuff. But is her world the one that she may have wanted so many years ago. There seemed to be no fire or excitement within her or her personal life. She has been in a relationship with Jamie for several years but when a chapter focused on this, there was a distinct lack of true love coming across to me. I detested Jamie from the outset. I think he took Maura for granted and never provided her with what she longed for which was stability, romance and a solid future. Drinking and partying with his rugby mates seemed to be top of his agenda and Maura appeared to be pushed to the side with pathetic excuses for his behaviour and manner constantly being offered. I desperately wanted Maura to get rid of him but felt she was settling for comfort and familiarity and didn’t know how to get out of the hole of acquaintance rather than love that she had established for herself.
Maura wanted and needed more for herself in order to have a better life. I even wondered whether the pair had ever truly loved one another? I found it so frustrating that she took so much from Fraser but couldn’t gather herself together to give him a push but I suppose when we are all in something that is routine and comfortable we are reluctant to let go and make ourselves break free and make a change. It takes great strength which Maura needed to build up for herself. Don’t get me wrong here as I’ve made it sound as if Maura is a bit of a wimp and can do nothing for herself. That’s not the case at all. It’s just when it comes to her relationship I knew she could do much better for herself. As a person she is kind, generous, clever, skilled, dedicated talented and passionate when it comes to her work but the personal sides she certainly needed to work on and become firmer.
So how does Fraser come back into Maura’s life? Having had moderate success as an actor he has become disillusioned with his career. Taking a gamble on things he has moved back to Edinburgh and set up a walking tour of the streets telling ghost stories and things are going well in that respect. Similar to Maura, I felt Fraser was in a relationship that might have suited his London lifestyle but things with Naomi now were not great. She came across as spoilt and a bit of a princess who loved glamour and glitz and this new lifestyle was not for her. I didn’t think that their relationship was on the same level as that of Maura and Jamie in terms of put downs etc but just that the pair weren’t suited for one another. Fraser certainly wanted different things. Fairly, early on things took a turn for them and I was glad this wasn’t dragged out as it opened up other avenues/plots for exploration. Fraser buys one of Maura’s ceramic pieces from her website and comes to collect it and that meeting after so many years although not electric a such with major sparks and chemistry flying between them I did feel a little potential glimmer of something although Maura being in a relationship means if things did ignite they couldn’t truly be explored and developed.
I loved Fraser as a character. I thought he was ambitious, generous, handsome and someone determined to make a good go of things. He remembers snippets of things from university regarding Maura. Both their worlds had orbited each other’s and I could see given the opportunity he would like to establish more than just a friendship and business partnership with Maura. The pair seemed to dance around each other a lot with lots left unsaid and misunderstandings and some dramatics occurring which made me want to get to the end to see what would happen. There is a curveball in the last few chapters which would have been brilliant to happen a little earlier to add a bit more drama to things as at around the midpoint and slightly after I did think there were some lulls with nothing much happening. I thought Fraser was clever and astute to get Maura making clay ghosts to sell to tourists who partook in the walking tours. He knew she was talented, and he was given her a stage which would open more opportunities but as this was taking off things take a dramatic turn for Maura which has her questioning everything. Just what that is you’ll have to read and discover for yourself.
Overall, Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane was an enjoyable read which takes you through the lives of the characters as they have to navigate challenges, their heads and hearts and unstable relationships. Love can grow when given the opportunity but whether Maura or Fraser would allow that to happen is what keeps the reader turning the pages.
January 8, 2026
Full review on my blog: https://www.pagetostagereviews.com/20...
I've been a huge fan of the York Ghost Merchants for many years (pre-Tik Tok fame, thank you very much), and so I was very intrigued when I first heard about this book. How could the characters do this unique concept of ceramic ghosts justice in Edinburgh without looking like copy cats?
This exact question is very thoughtfully answered by protagonist Fraser, who takes inspiration from the idea but is keen they give it a unique spin. Not to mention that the potter he ropes in, Maura, is just one person, hand-making each of her ghosts, so the scale of their venture is much smaller than that of the York company. In fact, given that this is a fictional interpretation, I imagine the York Ghost Merchants are getting some lovely unexpected advertising from the book!
Speaking of advertising... Edinburgh is brought to life in the most magical and gorgeous way within the pages of Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane. It already was one of my favourite cities in the UK, and author Holly Hepburn has truly brought its charm to life within her book and amplified it. I must revisit in 2026 (especially Dean Village, which I've only been to once before) – fingers crossed I will run into a very handsome Scottish man running ghost tours. I can dream...
The only thing I liked a little less within Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane were the story arcs for Jamie (Maura's boyfriend) and Naomi (Fraser's girlfriend). While it certainly was inevitable that these relationships weren't going to pan out, I don't think it's always necessary to villainise the previous partners to romantic leads. Sometimes a relationship has simply run its natural course, and that's OK too. This is very much a personal preference, however, as I like less drama and more amicability in my books :)
That said, everything else was *chef's kiss*. From Fraser discovering his true career passion – and excelling at it – through to Maura finding her confidence and purpose again with her own creative outlet. I particularly appreciated reading about the process of her making the ghosts – and her other ceramics – in detail. It all sounded so wonderful that I wish she was a real artist, and not a fictional one, so I could buy some (read: all) of her work!
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane is a really charming and gentle novel to kick off the new reading year with. It combines a great story with loveable characters and a very picturesque setting. January is the time for many to plan and book some trips away during the year, and I'm certain I'm not the only one who will be looking at trains to Edinburgh after reading this book!
I've been a huge fan of the York Ghost Merchants for many years (pre-Tik Tok fame, thank you very much), and so I was very intrigued when I first heard about this book. How could the characters do this unique concept of ceramic ghosts justice in Edinburgh without looking like copy cats?
This exact question is very thoughtfully answered by protagonist Fraser, who takes inspiration from the idea but is keen they give it a unique spin. Not to mention that the potter he ropes in, Maura, is just one person, hand-making each of her ghosts, so the scale of their venture is much smaller than that of the York company. In fact, given that this is a fictional interpretation, I imagine the York Ghost Merchants are getting some lovely unexpected advertising from the book!
Speaking of advertising... Edinburgh is brought to life in the most magical and gorgeous way within the pages of Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane. It already was one of my favourite cities in the UK, and author Holly Hepburn has truly brought its charm to life within her book and amplified it. I must revisit in 2026 (especially Dean Village, which I've only been to once before) – fingers crossed I will run into a very handsome Scottish man running ghost tours. I can dream...
The only thing I liked a little less within Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane were the story arcs for Jamie (Maura's boyfriend) and Naomi (Fraser's girlfriend). While it certainly was inevitable that these relationships weren't going to pan out, I don't think it's always necessary to villainise the previous partners to romantic leads. Sometimes a relationship has simply run its natural course, and that's OK too. This is very much a personal preference, however, as I like less drama and more amicability in my books :)
That said, everything else was *chef's kiss*. From Fraser discovering his true career passion – and excelling at it – through to Maura finding her confidence and purpose again with her own creative outlet. I particularly appreciated reading about the process of her making the ghosts – and her other ceramics – in detail. It all sounded so wonderful that I wish she was a real artist, and not a fictional one, so I could buy some (read: all) of her work!
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane is a really charming and gentle novel to kick off the new reading year with. It combines a great story with loveable characters and a very picturesque setting. January is the time for many to plan and book some trips away during the year, and I'm certain I'm not the only one who will be looking at trains to Edinburgh after reading this book!
January 2, 2026
Thank you to Books and the City for my copy of this book. I love Holly's books so I was very excited to finally read this one. This book has already been released in 4 parts and is now being released as one book.
This story is set in Edinburgh, Scotland. It seriously made me want to book a trip to Edinburgh. I've been once for a hen do but I would absolutely love to go back. Holly's descriptions made me feel like I was right there!
I loved the two main characters Maura and Fraser. Both deserve more than their current partners who don't really appreciate who they are. Maura is a damn hard worker and I was disappointed in Jamie's support for her work and well Jamie in general. Fraser is an excellent storyteller I wish I could go to one of his ghost tours.
This is a perfect book for escaping the world and snuggling under a blanket with a cuppa.
This story is set in Edinburgh, Scotland. It seriously made me want to book a trip to Edinburgh. I've been once for a hen do but I would absolutely love to go back. Holly's descriptions made me feel like I was right there!
I loved the two main characters Maura and Fraser. Both deserve more than their current partners who don't really appreciate who they are. Maura is a damn hard worker and I was disappointed in Jamie's support for her work and well Jamie in general. Fraser is an excellent storyteller I wish I could go to one of his ghost tours.
This is a perfect book for escaping the world and snuggling under a blanket with a cuppa.
February 15, 2026
Although these are written in 4 parts I like to wait until they are out in one book so I can read them in 1 go. At school Maura is attracted to a budding actor Fraser but he never notices her or so she thinks.. years later they reconnect and become business partners. I really enjoyed this and how the story played out.
January 10, 2026
I love these books from Holly Hepburn and this one did not disappoint. There is always a sweetness to the romances that she writes and her descriptions of locations are second to none; I wanted to jump on a train and go to Edinburgh immediately.
January 19, 2026
I loved this book especially the two main characters Maura and Fraser.
The Edinburgh setting was wonderful and so good to read a book with a different storyline that kept me reading.
Would have been a five star read had the ending not felt rushed. A very decent 4.5 stars
The Edinburgh setting was wonderful and so good to read a book with a different storyline that kept me reading.
Would have been a five star read had the ending not felt rushed. A very decent 4.5 stars
February 10, 2026
This book transported me to Edinbrugh. Abosultely gorgeous story.
January 30, 2026
When Maura and Fraser were younger they went to the same school. Fast forward to the present day and Fraser has returned to Edinburgh. When Maura and Fraser start to work together will something more than friendship develop between them?
I always enjoy books by this author because they have this very comforting quality to them so I couldn’t wait to read this one. The storyline was about new beginnings, taking a chance and romance.
The story is told in a dual timeline format moving between the past and the present. In the past the reader is introduced to a young Maura and Fraser who went to school together and one encounter that left a lasting impression on both of them. In the present Fraser has returned to Edinburgh and goes into business with Maura. I loved the sound of the ghost tours organised by Fraser and the ceramic ghosts made by Maura. They’re something I’d definitely be interested in and put together they make a brilliant concept.
One aspect of Maura's character that I really loved was her creativity. She is an accomplished Potter and also teaches pottery to others. However the impression that I got is that Maura has never actually reached her true artistic potential. By making the ceramic ghosts for Fraser Maura showed she was able to take on any new challenge.
From the beginning there is a connection between Maura and Fraser that neither of them expect. What they don't realise is that this connection goes back to when they were at school. Maura always had a crush on Fraser but she didn't think that he'd ever notice her. But she couldn't have been more wrong because Fraser had indeed noticed her. When Maura and Fraser reconnect as adults they become friends very quickly and this friendship slowly turns into something more which they don’t act upon because they are both in relationships. However, as they quickly learn the person that they are currently with isn’t the right person for them.
A heartwarming read.
I always enjoy books by this author because they have this very comforting quality to them so I couldn’t wait to read this one. The storyline was about new beginnings, taking a chance and romance.
The story is told in a dual timeline format moving between the past and the present. In the past the reader is introduced to a young Maura and Fraser who went to school together and one encounter that left a lasting impression on both of them. In the present Fraser has returned to Edinburgh and goes into business with Maura. I loved the sound of the ghost tours organised by Fraser and the ceramic ghosts made by Maura. They’re something I’d definitely be interested in and put together they make a brilliant concept.
One aspect of Maura's character that I really loved was her creativity. She is an accomplished Potter and also teaches pottery to others. However the impression that I got is that Maura has never actually reached her true artistic potential. By making the ceramic ghosts for Fraser Maura showed she was able to take on any new challenge.
From the beginning there is a connection between Maura and Fraser that neither of them expect. What they don't realise is that this connection goes back to when they were at school. Maura always had a crush on Fraser but she didn't think that he'd ever notice her. But she couldn't have been more wrong because Fraser had indeed noticed her. When Maura and Fraser reconnect as adults they become friends very quickly and this friendship slowly turns into something more which they don’t act upon because they are both in relationships. However, as they quickly learn the person that they are currently with isn’t the right person for them.
A heartwarming read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane is set in Edinburgh and centres around talented potter Maura who lives with her boyfriend Jamie in an apartment about her studio. Her teenage crush Fraser returns to Edinburgh, disillusioned with his acting career and starts a business hosting ghost tours around the streets of Edinburgh. He is also in a relationship with model girlfriend Naomi who is unhappy living in Edinburgh and wants him to move back to London.
I loved Fraser’s proposition to create pottery ghosts similar to the York Ghost Merchants ghosts to sell to tourists attending his ghost tours. I loved the descriptions of the pottery that was created by Maura. Funnily enough, while reading the book over Christmas, I actually received my very first ghost from York as a Christmas present!
As the ghosts become a huge success, although Fraser and Maura are drawn to one another, they are in relationships with other people so decide to focus on their working relationship and their friendship.
I really connected with Maura, she was calm and creative, and was always willing to help the people around her. She perhaps did not prioritise her own success over the needs of others, until Fraser started encouraging her to push herself a little more. Fraser was so unassuming and almost oblivious to how attractive people found him, which made him seem more attractive. I really liked Fraser and Maura together, but for much of the book it did seem unlikely that they would get their happily ever after.
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane is a heartwarming and creatively inspired novel in a beautiful setting that made me want to jump on the next train to Edinburgh to go on a ghost tour!
I loved Fraser’s proposition to create pottery ghosts similar to the York Ghost Merchants ghosts to sell to tourists attending his ghost tours. I loved the descriptions of the pottery that was created by Maura. Funnily enough, while reading the book over Christmas, I actually received my very first ghost from York as a Christmas present!
As the ghosts become a huge success, although Fraser and Maura are drawn to one another, they are in relationships with other people so decide to focus on their working relationship and their friendship.
I really connected with Maura, she was calm and creative, and was always willing to help the people around her. She perhaps did not prioritise her own success over the needs of others, until Fraser started encouraging her to push herself a little more. Fraser was so unassuming and almost oblivious to how attractive people found him, which made him seem more attractive. I really liked Fraser and Maura together, but for much of the book it did seem unlikely that they would get their happily ever after.
Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane is a heartwarming and creatively inspired novel in a beautiful setting that made me want to jump on the next train to Edinburgh to go on a ghost tour!
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