A Postcard from Puffin Island

Puffin Island #1

by Christie Barlow

Fleeing her ex-fiancée, Verity discovers a decades-old postcard that leads her to Puffin Island—the place that holds the secrets of her grandmother’s past.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Family, Romantic

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2024

About the author

Author Girl - published by One More Chapter @HarperCollinsUK

Christie Barlow is the international bestselling author of twelve romantic comedies including the iconic Love Heart Lane Series, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and Kitty's Countryside Dream. She lives in a ramshackle cottage in a quaint village in the heart of Staffordshire with her four children and two dogs.
Her writing career has come as a lovely surprise when Christie decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. Christie's dream was to become a writer and the book she wrote to prove a point went on to become a #1 international bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
When Christie isn't writing she enjoys playing the piano, is a keen gardener and loves to paint and upcycle furniture.
Christie is an ambassador for the @ZuriProject alongside Patron of the charity, Emmerdale's Bhasker Patel. They raise money and awareness for communities in Uganda.
Christie loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Twitter - @ChristieJBarlow
Facebook - Christie Barlow Author
Instagram - christie_barlow
www.christiebarlow.com

Reviews

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series and this was a lovely time start. A fairly quick read but, it was such a delight to read. It was funny at times and I enjoyed the ending. Wanting more now. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[A.A.B · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*s. This book is a wacky combination of unrealistic saccharine sweet situations between surprisingly bland yet unpleasant characters. 

It was entertaining enough and I did like the island descriptions, but that's all the positives I can count here. 

The characters aren't shown in enough detail, but from the details we do see, the implications aren't good. The main character constantly jumps to conclusions which have nothing to do with the information she has. Sure there's wishful thinking, but when that's the only basis on which decisions are made, it starts resembling stupidity too much. Her romantic interest also loves jumping to conclusions, but he spices it up by also holding grudges for decades, puffing himself up on performative niceness and hurting others to please himself. 
Other characters are there to serve as convenient plot points and don't have personalities to speak of.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fantastic start to what I hope is a fantastic series of books. The flow of the writing is expeditionary gets you wanting more from the first sentence.

My only annoyance was even though I was rooting for Sam and Verity it was doing my head in how she could not understand how someone would be happy single. I get not for her and Sam but some people can be Verity.

She grows on me through the book as a person taking everyone's differences so well. She's excellent with Pete and the other Islanders. In general a fantastic read.

[Jo Rawlins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect escapist summer reading.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this was a lovely treat. If there are two things that I know can make this grumpy old book blogger smile, they would be Christie Barlow books and Puffins. Having both in one book … Well who could ask for more. Honestly, if you have read and loved the Love Heart Lane series then this will be right up your street, with characters who you can take to your heart right from the off, a wonderful and heartbreaking little mystery, and a most idyllic setting that set me in mind of summers past. I raced through it and know that this series is going straight onto my must buy list.

In A Postcard From Puffin Island we meet Verity, a young woman who is just about to set off on a road trip with her best friend Ava. She's left her job, rented out her home and is gladly turning her back on her ex fiancé, who rather unfortunately lives directly opposite her home with the woman he cheated on her with. In Verity's shoes, I'd be happy for an extended break away too. A chance discovery of a postcard sent from an island Verity had thought was only make believe, lead her to make a slight detour from her planned trip. Soon she is experiencing the beauty of Puffin Island for herself. Everything is just as her grandmother had described, and so the only question in Verity's mind is who sent the postcard and just what did its message mean ...?

I really have to applaud Christie Barlow. We all know I am more of a fighter than a lover (fictionally only, of course) and I'm more likely to be found with my head buried in a crime novel or thriller than I am romance, but, without fail, in just a few short chapters she always manages to have me completely engaged in her stories and totally invested in the fate of the characters. This was absolutely the case with Verity, and once the mystery of the postcard had been uncovered, I was totally and utterly on board for this road trip no matter where it led us. Yes, it helps that I do love puffins, so anything that is going to take me in there direction, even if only in writing, can't be a bad thing, but Verity is a wonderful character. Instantly likeable, very down to earth and with a kind of cautious independance I can totally understand. Having come out of a long term relationship, and trying to bounce back from the hurt she felt, it's no wonder she wants a new start, and watching her completely throw caution to the wind and follow her heart made me smile, drawing me deeper into her fate if that was even possible.

Now this is no kind of romantic adventure if there is no love interest, and the would be future suitor is brought into our minds very early on. A chance encounter at a roadside cafe, and a mishap with a sausage butty make for a very unforgettable meet cute moment between Verity and Sam, but as you might expect, things will not go exactly to plan. Sam seems the perfect guy, almost too perfect perhaps, but certainly the type to get readers hearts all a flutter, as he does those of local residents too it seems. And there is a sad side to Sam's story, one that is strangely linked to the very reason Verity has been drawn to the island in the first place. The path of true love does not run smoothly, just like the van Verity is travelling in after a almost tragic encounter on the island causeway. But I trust Christie Barlow to do right by her characters and her readers and she does not disappoint. It's the kind of partnership you are rooting for, laden with romantic moments to make the heart melt, as well as the kind of arguments that can only come from people who really care. I loved this pairing and I know other readers will too.

Now this is a book set in an island community, and we can rely on this author to deliver one heck of a welcome to any of us, readers or fictional visitors. We only meet a fraction of the people who live on Puffin Island, but I can see just how wonderful this series is set to become, with all the kinds of destinations and characters who have many, many stories to tell. From bookseller come wannabe author, Amelia, to tearoom owner Clemmie, who quickly adopt Verity as a new best friend, to former Vet 'Puffin' Pete and garage owner, Nathan, there are such a mix of personalities and backgrounds, but all with one thing in common - a total love of Puffin Island. I can understand that as the North East coast is one of my favourite destinations in the UK and I leave a little bit of my heart there everytime I visit. Christie Barlow really brings this out in her writing, putting you at the heart of the community and portraying the setting in such a way it made me nostalgic for my recent holiday and had me digging out my puffin snaps. The setting for these books make be fictional, but if this doesn't make you want to visit the real life Seahouses and take a ride over the causeway to Holy Island, or hop on a boat trip around the Farnes, I don't know what will.

This is a book so full of heartwarming romantic moments, pockets of humour that will have you chuckling away, and poignant and heartbreaking memories that will bring a tear to your eye, that if you have ever enjoyed one of the author's earlier books you will absolutely love this. It was such a lovely way to while away a Saturday afternoon, and I can't wait to see what more adventures we will go on with the Puffin Islanders in the hopefully not too distant future. Definitely recommended, but , if you'll excuse me, I'm off to stare at my old holiday pictures. Really miss those views and those puffins!

[Lynne Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read a few crime and thrillers lately I needed something different to read, this has been on my TBR a while.
Yes it was predictable in places but I loved it all the same.
It was lovely to read about Puffin Island especially as I'm from the Northeast and I've visited Holy Island (Lindisfarne) many times which this is based on. A quick and easy heartwarming read.

[Rachel Galbraith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick & easy to read rom com, after a tough breakup Verity ends up the quaint Puffin Island she’s heard so much from her Grandmother. Light & humorous with a mystery to solve. Pretty predictable but fairly entertaining.

[Cheryl Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked the perfect book to read over a couple of hot sunny days in the garden.
Based on Holy Island in Northumberland which I've visited a few times,it was easy to imagine the descriptions of the coast and community.
A bit predictable but an easy,summery read when you want a bit of escapism.

[Lucy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess like other readers we were all heartbroken that the Love Heart Lane series had come to an end.

Fear not people Christie has blown me away with this new setting on Puffin island, a great cast of characters and beautiful scenery.

This will be a popular series and I cannot wait to read more.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always adored this author's work, and while I enjoyed the Love Heart Lane series, it was definitely time for a fresh setting! And what a change Puffin Island turned out to be! The location was truly enchanting. Puffin Island sounded absolutely wonderful, and I would have loved to cross that causeway to spend a few days there!

In this book, we meet Verity Callaway, who has recently faced some tough times. She's decided to take a break from life, packing up her trusty camper van and heading off to meet up with her friend in Amsterdam. However, when she discovers an old postcard addressed to her late grandmother, sent from Puffin Island, she's intrigued to uncover the secret it holds.

Verity's character is incredibly likeable and down-to-earth. Initially, I admired her bravery for leaving everything behind, but as the story progresses, you realise how impulsive and decisive she can be. Her journey shows how living life to the fullest often involves seizing opportunities as they arise! The book also features some lovely supporting characters, with Sam being the first Islander we meet—he's definitely another reason to visit Puffin Island! Sam is a likeable character, although he certainly has some past issues to sort out. My favourite character, however, was Puffin Pete, and I loved how his story developed as the story moved on.

This book was utterly captivating. The storyline was delightful, and once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Everything flowed seamlessly, and I couldn't help but fall in love with the residents, the location, and, of course, the puffins of Puffin Island. It's a gorgeous start to a new series, and I can't wait for the next book!

[The Book Review Café · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Postcard from Puffin Island is the first book in a brand new series from Christie Barlow. I adored her Love Heart Lane books, so I intended to save this book for my holiday. But I thought I would take a quick peek, which was a big mistake! An hour later, I was totally immersed in Verity Callaway and the lives of the Puffin Island residents.

Christie writes in such a magical way, she doesn’t just create characters; she breathes life into them! I immediately warmed to Verity. She’s down to earth, funny and likeable. I loved Puffin Pete, and Verity’s relationship with “no commitment” Sam. There are so many characters that I’m eager to learn more about. As I reached the last chapter, I felt bereft at saying “goodbye” to newfound friends.

The beautiful descriptions of Puffin Island immediately made me want to pack my case and head there. The sense of place brings the story vividly to life. Like all of Christie Barlow’s books, she covers themes on more challenging issues, such as grief and lost love, while still maintaining warmth and humour.

The thing I love about Christi Barlow’s writing is how she can make me laugh and cry all in one chapter! A Postcard from Puffin Island is a heart-warming, beautifully told story that made it nigh on impossible not to fall in love with Puffin Island and its residents. Roll on the next book in the series. Highly recommended.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say I was gutted when Christie Barlow’s wonderful Love Heart Lane series came to an end would be a massive understatement. For several years, I completely lost myself in each book and the village of Heartcross in Scotland although fictional will always hold a special place in my heart as will all the characters that I encountered. With the series reaching its conclusion the question was in what direction would Christie next venture in and how could it possibly live up to the extremely high expectations that its predecessor has left in its wake? Well, the answer comes in the form of Puffin Island and the first book A Postcard from Puffin Island.

With echoes of Love Heart Lane resounding in my mind I began this new book with some small trepidation one must admit. After all when you love something so much it’s hard to change your perspective to a new setting, new characters and a whole host of new problems. But I needn’t have worried in the slightest because right from the opening chapter I felt completely at home and couldn’t bear to leave the book out of my hands. All the magic, comfort, familiarity, community spirit, friendship and sense of well being and togetherness was there in abundance right from the very beginning to the bittersweet end.

Verity Calloway is the first new face we meet. She is packing up and about to go travelling in her newly converted van nicknamed Hetty. Life hasn’t been easy for Verity since the discovery that her boyfriend Richard had been cheating on her. To compound that fact he has now moved in across the road from her with his new partner. This gives Verity even more of a reason to escape for several months and affords her the opportunity to have some fun with her friend Ava and to plot out her next move. As she wrestles with the rusted and long unused post box at her grandmothers cottage which she is just about to close up she finds an old postcard long delivered but never read. For 50 years the postcard from Puffin Island has lain in the post box addressed to her grandmother Henrietta from someone with the initial W which says the secret must have been too much to bear but he can’t imagine life without her. Verity finds this very intriguing as she feels she knows Puffin Island very well from all the stories her grandmother told her and her curiosity is piqued but there is little she can do to discover more as a ferry sailing and a rendezvous with Ava awaits.

As she sets off on her travels and stops at a service station at the port she glimpses a man who lingers in her mind perhaps more than he should have. All plans are set to go ahead until Ava has a bit of a mishap and her arrival in Amsterdam will be delayed. With the contents of the postcard still fresh in her mind Verity decides to grab the bull by the horns and take the ferry to within reach of Puffin Island. A day or two make just provide her with the answers to the questions that have arisen in her mind. Puffin Island is a tidal island which can only be safely reached at certain times and as she waits to cross in Hetty, all the memories come flooding back from the impactful stories she was once told by Henrietta.

Once again Christie has excelled with her descriptions of the island. They are so real and vivid that you feel the island exists in real life and you find yourself longing to be able to visit. It’s evident that it is a very special and unique place. It’s stunning, picturesque and simply perfect. A safe haven for those that need it and its residents are fiercely proud and protective of every aspect of the island life, history and community. Suffice to say its not easy to acquire a house there as once people settle they don’t leave. Rainbow cottages, busy restaurants, independent shops, clifftops, sparkling bays, the Beachcomber Bakery, the Café by the Coast, Puffin Pantry, The Sea Glass Restaurant, The Old Ship Inn, The Smuggler’s Rest Hotel, The Story Shop and so much more. Each place I wanted to know more about and I am sure this will happen in future books. Of course I can’t fail to mention the puffins residing on the clifftops. They play their part too.

Verity is here on the island although for a brief window of time and she will make the most of it. It seems to be calling to her, to chase a secret and a romantic dream connected to her grandmother. Verity, although she doesn’t yet realise it, has stumbled across the island at a time when she needed it most. She knows now that she has to embrace life and take chances and through an unfortunate incident which she was warned about by Sam (the man she had happened to meet at the ferry port) she finds herself having to extend her stay whilst Hetty is repaired if that can be achieved. I loved that this tactic was employed as a means of Verity continuing her stay. To be honest, I didn’t want to read about her holiday with Ava as by this stage Puffin Island had me enraptured and I wanted to learn as much about it as possible and explore it through Verity’s eyes as she takes the opportunity to dig deeper into the origins of the postcard.

The island has a sense of calm about it which infuses throughout Verity. She takes time to explore and she once again meets Sam whom she discovers own Sea Glass restaurant. Sam has a hidden side to him and there are things that he is keeping secret. Just why does he detest Pete who resides at Cliff Top Cottage? Why is Pete so grumpy even though he has the wonderful job of caretaking the islands wild residents specifically engaging in the annual puffin census? Verity, wants to delve deeper and to learn more and you would think why would a visitor want to become involved in island life but the postcard is what is driving her on. She wants to know how it connects to her own family history and could it also explain why some characters act in the manner in which they do?

Verity’s confidence continues to grow as she is pushed outside her comfort zone. The island is making her do things she never dreamt possible and it was lovely to see her relax and embrace this new phase in her life. If at all possible, I wanted her to be able to stay for as long as possible and explore things with Sam as there was a definite spark between the pair but as she uncovers more through her continued quest maybe that can’t come to fruition at all? Puffin Island, starts to put Verity back together very quickly but the pace at which this occurs was just perfect as was the unfolding background story and let’s be honest the crux of everything that being the postcard is what is really driving her on. Everything else is just an added bonus all of which is very worthwhile, life altering and fulfilling. I loved the story of the past having a forbearing on the events in the present and the pace at which everything was revealed was ideal. I became as eager as Verity to see what answers she could find and in in doing so could she bring peace and forgiveness to the present but also at the same time find contentment and happiness in her own life?

Christie Barlow has done herself proud with this wonderful story and I hope the series will go on to be as long in length as Love Heart Lane was. Her loyal, long term readers will be left deeply satisfied and new readers will find lots to fall in love with. You won’t feel like leaving Puffin Island once the story ends and my only disappointed is that I had to. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Christie Barlow consistently weaves tales of wonderful feel good fiction of a ridiculously high standard and that standard rises with each book that she writes. A Postcard from Puffin Island is an utter triumph that will have me first in line to read future instalments. Thankfully the wait is not that long and two books will be published in 2025, The Lighthouse Daughters of Puffin Island makes its appearance in February and come June, The Puffin Island Bookshop will be added to the collection. I can guarantee there is another exciting year ahead when it comes to Christie Barlow and what she can achieve with this series after an epic start.

[Hilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanneer Verity in een oude verroeste mailbox een ansichtkaart uit 1972 ontdekt gericht aan haar (nu) overleden oma, weet ze niet wat ze ziet: puffins (papegaaiduikers) en het eiland waar haar oma haar altijd verhaaltjes over vertelde, bestaat echt. Als ze de kans krijgt om het eiland te bezoeken, is dat natuurlijk precies wat ze doet. Dat is het plot van Christie Barlow’s boek: Een ansichtkaart van Puffin Island. Het is het eerste deel en zou het smaken naar meer?

De titel is goed gekozen: als in plaats van Puffin Island, het eiland van de Papegaaiduikers zou staan, is dan lang niet zo catchy. De cover ziet er ook vrolijk uit en je krijgt als lezer gewoon zin om ook naar het eiland te gaan.

Wat is dit een ontzettend leuk boek! Het leest heel erg prettig, het boek heeft een heerlijke vlotte en vloeiende schrijfstijl, zodat het erg lastig was om het boek (of beter gezegd: de e-reader) weg te leggen. Vanaf het begin word je het verhaal ingezogen. Verity is een heel leuk personage, ze komt natuurlijk over en zou zo een vriendin van je kunnen zijn. Net als Verity wil je het eiland ontdekken en omdat haar oma zoveel verhalen over Puffin Island heeft verteld, is het voor Verity als thuiskomen. De eilandbewoners zijn hartelijk, maar er zijn ook vetes, niet alles is in orde. Naarmate het verhaal vordert, komen geheimen aan het licht. En het is ontzettend leuk om over de puffins te lezen, grappig uitziende vogels. Christie Barlow moet hier research naar hebben gedaan.

Aangezien Puffin Island alleen te bereiken is over een smalle dam die af en toe verdwijnt door het opkomende tijd, moet je als lezer meteen denken aan Mont St. Michel in Frankrijk of Mount St. Michael in Engeland, want ook die eilanden worden verbonden door eenzelfde dam. Hierdoor kan je je heel goed inleven hoe het voor de bewoners (en toeristen) moet zijn. En ook de dam is stof voor felle discussies op het eiland.

In Een ansichtkaart van Puffin Island ontbreekt de romantiek en bijhorend drama ook niet, en door het mysterie van de vete blijf je geboeid. Als de ontknoping dan nadert, komt dat toch nog als een soort (verdrietige) verrassing.

Christie Barlow heeft met dit boek een erg leuk ontspannend verhaal geschreven, met een fijne schrijfstijl, een leuke hoofdpersoon, een boek waardoor je heen vliegt als je er eenmaal mee bent begonnen. Het decor is vakantie-waardig, maar Puffin Island zelf bestaat niet. In het nawoord wordt vermeld dat Christie Barlow een ander eiland als inspiratie heeft genomen en dat heeft ze zeer goed gedaan. Op naar deel 2!

[Lisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

De Engelse auteur Christie Barlow is bekend van haar serie Love Heart Lane. Haar nieuwe boek, Een ansichtkaart van Puffin Island, is het eerste deel van een nieuwe reeks.

In dit eerste deel maken we kennis met Verity Callaway. Na een relatiebreuk, staat Verity op het punt om een nieuw avontuur aan te gaan: rondreizen in een camper door Europa met een van haar beste vriendinnen. Vlak voor vertrek stuit ze op een oude ansichtkaart. Een ansichtkaart van Puffin Island. Een eiland waar haar oma vroeger vaak over vertelde. Verity dacht dat dit een fantasieverhaal was. Het tegendeel blijkt waar te zijn. Puffin Island bestaat echt. Verity is vastbesloten dit raadsel en de afzender van de anonieme ansichtkaart te ontrafelen….

De levendige schrijfstijl van Christie Barlow brengt je meteen in de juiste feel good mood. Haar beschrijvingen van de pittoreske straatjes en prachte baaien van Puffin Island zorgen ervoor dat je het gevoel hebt dat je zelf even naar Puffin Island bent afgereisd en onderdeel uitmaakt van de gemeenschap. Dat gevoel wordt versterkt door de uitvoerige beschrijvingen van de puffins en de eigenschappen van deze beestjes. Wie wel eens in Engeland is geweest, zal in gedachten meteen afdwalen naar Holy Island. Al zijn daar geen puffins, de omschrijvingen van een getijdeneiland met een strekdam doen sterk aan dit eiland denken.

Al snel bouw je als lezer een band op met Verity. Vanuit haar perspectief word je meegezogen in het gemeenschapsleven op Puffin Island. Je voelt met haar mee en begrijpt wat er in haar omgaat. De personages zijn toegankelijk en herkenbaar. Alledaagse thema’s als liefde, verwerking, wrok en persoonlijke groei komen aan bod. Prachtig om te lezen is de ontwikkeling die Verity doormaakt. Ze weet steeds meer voor zichzelf te kiezen. Al vraag je je wel af of ze mensen niet te snel vertrouwd.

Stap voor stap ontdekt Verity het verleden van haar oma. Deze rode draad wekt je nieuwsgierigheid vanaf het begin. Het geeft een mysterieus tintje en voegt een subtiele diepere laag toe aan het geheel. Het zorgt voor de nodige spanning tussen de personages onderling in een omgeving waarin alles rustig voortkabbelt en weinig aan de hand lijkt te zijn.

Een ansichtkaart van Puffin Island is een heerlijke feelgood waarmee je heerlijk kan ontsnappen aan de dagelijkse sleur. Het voelt alsof je zelf even naar Puffin Island bent geweest.

Ik las dit boek via de Zininfeelgoed-leesclub. Dank Uitgeverij Luitingh-Sijthoff voor het recensie-exemplaar.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the past couple of years or so I have been avidly reading The Love Heart Lane series by this author. This had recently ended but I was aware of a new series and here is the first book in that series. A Postcard from Puffin Island has all the feels of a close-knit community and it was a wonderful way to meet the islanders of this island that has more Puffins than people.

Verity was supposed to be on the ferry to Amsterdam to spend six months travelling with her friend. Before she leaves home she gets the house ready for the tenants that will be renting it from her. One of the requirements is that the old postbox is removed. It has been there for years and is sealed, when she decides to have a quick look inside she discovers a postcard. It is to her grandmother from someone on Puffin Island. In all the years that Verrity listened to the stories of Puffin Island that her grandmother told her, she never once realised that it was a real place.

Serendipity plays a role in this story in many ways and the author has made the most of the mystery of the postcard. Making a spontaneous decision, very un-Verity-like, she decides to stop at Puffin Island en route to Amsterdam. Like Loveheart Lane, Puffin Island has its draw, drama and magnetism.

This is such a fabulous story and I devoured it. I started this early evening knowing I would not be putting it down until I had finished. The story revolves and evolves around Verity arriving on the island and immediately feeling a sense of belonging, this is down to the stories from her grandmother who told Verity all the wonderful details of the houses, the lanes, the shops and the people she met... well almost all of the people she met. There is a mystery to be solved as the sender of the postcard never revealed his name, but does mention a secret!

Oh my goodness the way the author just brings all the elements of this story together is just wonderful. There is romance, humour, old secrets, old memories and forgotten or unknown facts. There is also a good amount of tension and it all just blends together perfectly.

If you are already a fan of this author then you are going to absolutely adore your first trip to Puffin Island as much as I did. In case you had not realised... I would definitely recommend this book.

[Rianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wat ontzettend leuk dat ik voor de Zin in feelgood leesclub het e-book Een ansichtkaart van Puffin Island van Christie Barlow mocht lezen en recenseren. Dit is deel 1 in de Puffin Island serie. Christie Barlow heeft ook de Love Heart Lane serie geschreven. Ik vind de Love Heart Lane serie geweldig! Bedankt LS Uitgeverij en Zin in feelgood voor dit recensie-exemplaar!

De lat lag hoog, want als je andere boeken gelezen hebt van dezelfde schrijver hoop je dat deze serie ook leuk wordt. Ik kan je zeggen, dit boek is fantastisch om te lezen! Wat zou ik graag zelf op Puffin Island wonen bij deze geweldige mensen die je in je hart sluit! Het verhaal is echt niet alleen maar koek en ei. Er worden ook de minder leuke kanten belicht, zoals de discussie over wel of niet slagbomen bij de oversteek of hoe opa Joe is omgekomen en wat Pete zijn invloed was. Het verhaal wordt vanuit Verity beschreven. Mooi hoe haar persoonlijke ontwikkeling centraal staat, maar ook het feit dat ze anderen wil helpen en geen partij kiest in een discussie. De puffins komen naar voren. Wat zou ik graag een keer een kijkje nemen op Puffin Island en deze mooie dieren willen bewonderen. Ik heb genoten van dit boek en heb al gekeken dat in februari 2026 deel 2 uitkomt. Die ga ik zeker ook lezen! Het was zo jammer dat dit boek uit was! Van mij krijgt dit boek ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Een mooie quote uit het boek: We kunnen van mening verschillen, maar het feit dat we niet allemaal hetzelfde zijn is prachtig en zorgt ervoor dat de wereld blijft draaien.

Verity staat op het punt haar leven om te gooien. Ze verhuurt haar huis, zegt haar baan op en gaat zes maanden met haar omgebouwde busje tot camper rondreizen door Europa. Haar eerste stop is Amsterdam waar ze met haar vriendin heeft afgesproken. Voordat ze vertrekt moet haar huis nog klaargemaakt worden voor de nieuwe bewoners. Als ze de brievenbus van de muur haalt, vindt ze een oude ansichtkaart die wel 50 jaar geleden is bezorgd, maar nooit gezien is. Ze woont nu in het huis waar haar oma eerder woonde en laat nou net de ansichtkaart aan haar oma gericht zijn. Maar wie is de afzender? Verity gaat op onderzoek uit en komt nog veel meer te weten.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling in love with a place (handsome local doesn't hurt!)🌅🚐

4-4.5🌟stars
This first book in a new series by Christie Barlow definitely focuses most on female lead Verity and her journey to personal fulfillment. She's left her hometown behind after romantic disappointment, anticipating a six-month camping van adventure with her best friend on the Continent, and, after a series of fateful mishaps, finds a community that quickly adopts her on a picturesque island in the northeast of England.

For me, the hook to the book was the mysterious postcard to her gran that drew Verity to Puffin Island. I always appreciate a family mystery to solve. The romance with local heartthrob restaurateur/singer Sam was quick off the mark, fine if a bit predictable. Just as interesting were the residents she forms connections with, particularly thorny Pete who lives in lonely isolation on a cliff top surrounded by the island's puffin community and has an ongoing feud with Sam. I knew from Pete's first appearance that he would have a moving backstory and an important role in solving the postcard mystery (and he did). He was actually probably my favorite character.

This is a good set-the-scene first volume in the new series. I grew to love the residents and their mingling lives in Barlow's Love Heart Lane series and look forward to continuing with this Puffin Island series. It's pretty upbeat, the romance is not too steamy and the writing is easy to follow and keeps focused on moving the plot forward. And I give props to the author for including a diagram of the key spots on the island, to give me a better sense of the geographical set-up.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Wendy Van speybroeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puffin Island, here I come!!

'Zin in Feelgood' gaf me de opportuniteit om 'Een ansichtkaart van Puffin Island' te lezen van Christie Barlow. 


Een Feelgood met geheimen, nieuwsgierigheid, uitdagingen en verwachtingen. 


Wanneer de ex van Verity met zijn nieuwe partner rechtover Verity komt wonen, is het dagelijks opboksen tegen de confrontatie. 

Daarop besluit Verity om haar woonst onder te verhuren en 6 maanden op trektocht te gaan met haar vriendin. 

Door een opmerking van de postbode maakt ze de oude versleten brievenbus open en ontdekt ze een oude briefkaart uit Puffin Island, met beperkte boodschap gericht aan haar oma. Een eiland dat ze 'kent' uit de vele verhaaltjes voor het slapen gaan, verteld door haar oma.


Door samenloop van omstandigheden leidt haar trektocht eerst via Puffin Island. 

Ze maakt er kennis met de eilandbewoners, hun jobs, onderlinge strubbelingen, verdrieten en geheimen. 

Én ze gaat op zoek naar de échte boodschap en de geheime afzender vanop de ansichtkaart... 

Ondertussen zorgen de getijen en de bijhorende gevaren voor strubbelingen onder de bewoners en moet er gestemd worden. 


Een verhaal dat zeer vlot geschreven is, zoals we van Christie Barlow gewoon zijn. Het leest als een trein en geeft je zin om zelf naar Puffin Island te vertrekken.


Een absolute aanrader voor wie fan is van feelgood, geheimen ontrafelen en meeleven met eilandbewoners 😊


#zininfeelgood

#christiebarlow

#puffinisland

#feelgood

#romance

[Marjolein Slats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Net op het moment dat Verity op reis wil gaan met haar beste vriendin, vindt ze een oude ansichtkaart in een vastgeroeste brievenbus. De kaart blijkt al tientallen jaren onderweg te zijn geweest en haar oma, de oorspronkelijke ontvanger, heeft hem nooit gezien. Verity is opgegroeid met verhalen over een mysterieus eiland, altijd in de veronderstelling dat het slechts een verzonnen plek was. Tot ze ontdekt dat Puffin Island echt bestaat.

Wanneer Verity uiteindelijk op Puffin Island aankomt, leren wij als lezers dit bijzondere eiland samen met haar kennen. Voor mij voelde het meteen als een plek waar ik me thuis zou kunnen voelen. Ruig, warm, eigenwijs en vol verhalen. Ik bewonder hoe Verity uit haar comfortzone stapt. Het verhaal laat prachtig zien hoeveel goeds er kan ontstaan wanneer je iets nieuws aandurft. Ik zou zo op de ferry stappen richting Puffin Island, al ben ik gelukkig niet zo gevoelig voor zeeziekte als Verity.

Naast Verity ontmoeten we een kleurrijke cast aan personages. Een knappe man die nog niet toe is aan een relatie. Een oude nukkige man die nog altijd wacht op de liefde van zijn leven. En nieuwe vriendinnen die Verity helpen bij haar zoektocht naar de schrijver van de ansichtkaart. Hun verhalen verweven zich tot een warm en hoopvol geheel.

Ik raad iedereen aan om dit boek te lezen. Het is het perfecte verhaal om even aan de werkelijkheid te ontsnappen en jezelf te verliezen op een eiland dat je niet snel zult vergeten.

[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a lovely feel with all the feels, so I can't wait to read more of this series!! It instantly captured me with the characters and setting, and it was so easy to lose yourself in! A great afternoon Summer read!!

Verity is escaping life in her trusty campervan Hetty, as life has thrown her some horrible curveballs recently. So the plan is to visit her friend in Amsterdam and see what happens there... but then she finds a postcard hidden in a postbox that brings back memories of her Gran, and so fate then takes her to Puffin Island to find some answers to the questions she has.

And it's a wonderful place for her to go and she's instantly welcomed by the community. Such lovely people, and lovely puffins too! The locals are intrigued by the mystery too so they begin to help her and she finds herself part of the community from the get go! It doesn't always go smoothly and Hetty the campervan gets into some trouble, but that gives her the space to spend more time getting to know various characters she meets, mainly Sam and Pete.

I really loved the mystery aspect of the story, as the past is revisited and watching Verity come to terms with a new start in a new chapter of her life was really inspiring. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series very soon!!

[Frisian_booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verity Callaway staat op het punt haar leven een nieuwe wending te geven. Ze verruilt haar baan en haar vertrouwde leventje in de Midlands voor een langgekoesterde droom: zes maanden rondreizen door Europa met haar camper. De eerste halte? Een weerzien met haar beste vriendin in Amsterdam. Maar net voordat ze vertrekt, vindt Verity tijdens het klaarmaken van haar huis voor de tijdelijke huurders een oude ansichtkaart — een vondst die haar nieuwsgierigheid wekt en haar koers volledig verandert. In plaats van naar het vasteland, brengt de ferry haar onverwachts naar Puffin Island, het eiland waar haar oma vroeger zo vaak en zo levendig over vertelde.
Verity’s jeugd zat vol met verhalen over avonturen op het pittoreske eiland, maar ze had altijd gedacht dat haar geliefde oma die verhalen had verzonnen. Nu ze weet dat de verhalen én het eiland echt zijn, is Verity vastbesloten de afzender van de ansichtkaart te vinden en de geheimen uit het verleden van haar grootmoeder te ontrafelen. Zelfs als dat een reeks gebeurtenissen in gang zet die niet alleen haar eigen leven zal veranderen, maar ook dat van de hechte gemeenschap op het slaperige eiland…

Dat Christie Barlow kon schrijven wist ik al, maar met Een ansichtkaart van Puffin eiland, het eerste deel in haar nieuwe serie, heeft ze me weer weten te verrassen.

Een feelgood van top niveau met een prachtige diepgang, mooie personages en een verhaallijn die vol zit met mooie gebeurtenissen en verrassende wendingen. Het werd zelfs hier en daar even spannend.

Wat een geweldige personages heeft Barlow in dit boek neergezet. Vooral van Verity heb ik zo enorm genoten. Een vrouw die een nieuwe start wil. Dit gaat met vallen en opstaan. Maar wat een durf heeft deze vrouw, een doorzettingsvermogen en een hart van goud. Sam, de stoere eilandbewoner die op zichzelf leeft en geen relatie meer wil, weet Verity wel raad mee. Ze weet uiteindelijk de bewoners hun geheimen te ontfutselen en ze laat Sam ontdooien.

Alles gaat niet zonder slag of stoot. Geheimen uit het verleden worden blootgelegd, het eilandleven wordt uitgebreid beschreven en de emoties, gevoelens en een mooie diepgang worden bijzonder mooi omschreven. Vooral vergeving, verdriet, rouw, spijt en het verleden krijgen een plekje in dit verhaal. Maar bovenal zegeviert de liefde op verschillende vlakken en dat maakt het verhaal helemaal af!

Een ansichtkaart van Puffin eiland is een boek dat je niet snel vergeet. Een bijzondere feelgood die veel harten zal verwarmen. Ik zou heel graag nog veel langer op het prachtige eiland vertoeven. Gelukkig wordt aan het slot van het ebook het volgende deel al aangekondigd. Ik kan niet wachten!!

[Robin Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story. The sequel looks good too, as far as I can judge from the included first chapter.

No obvious great literary innovations but just easy reading.

The map (by author's daughter Ruby) is pretty but doesn't match the text everywhere. With the island length about 2.5 miles, the causeway shown can't be 3 miles long - but it would be close to 3 if it continued along the coast as the text says it does. What's labelled "Village Hall" is the village hall but the text calls it "Island Hall". Page 58 says the view from Cliff Top Cottage includes Blue Water Bay - but that's on the far side of the island on the map, so you might see its clifftops but you wouldn't see its coastline; Verity's walk between them - pages 57-58 - wasn't nearly as short on the map as the text suggests. Distance from that cottage to the floating restaurant (which should be shown with its connecting jetty) is stated to be 2 miles but must be nearer 3 if the map is to scale.

Recorded are 160 residents, who all voted; were there no babies or toddlers or "elderly and infirm" living there??

Not quite enough commas, and I don't like "woah".

Just a few other proofreader quibbles:
p 14 "sprung" should be "sprang"
p 46 "worst ever" boat trip? but she had never been on a boat before
p 124 "lay" should be "laid"
p 269 bad word order involving "either ... or"
p 315 ditto involving "both ... and"

[Kristen Post · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the travel and puffin angles of this, as well as the focuses on personal journey and community. I'd love to visit someplace like Puffin Island, especially if I can try that secret bookcase. Some characters, such as Pete and Clemmie, were delightful.

However, I didn't care for Sam and had a hard time supporting Verity at times. I found the writing repetitive, beating in details that had already been covered more than necessary. And the timeline was jarring--her grandmother cheated on her fiance over the course of one summer, fall in love but left anyway (breaking 2 hearts and hurting friends in the process) during that time, and left behind tragic results that lasted decades. During those decades she never once visited or contacted any of the people she'd supposedly meant so much to, and none of them had ever shared critical information with one another? Pete never sent a follow up letter? It's just too many "Really? Why didn't..." questions given the timeline.

Despite those issues, I'm glad to have read this story. It was a cute summer read with a cozy ending and perfect setting.

[Sally Tyrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness I was still in mourning over the Loveheart Lane series, but wow! Within the first page I was totally hooked on A postcard from puffin island, I adore travelling in a camper van, islands and puffins so was enthralled instantly and felt a real connection to Verity and her little van!
A truly inspired book that takes you on the most enchanting journey as we follow Verity leaving home and her ex to go travelling to Amsterdam with her friend, the plan doesn’t go quite as expected and after a split second decision Verity’s altered plan takes her to the most wonderfully close knit community of puffin island a location that holds a special place in her heart and that of her grandmother!
The ensuing story is full of acceptance, a sense of belonging, new starts, secrets revealed and a frisson of romance coupled with the most idyllic location and lots of adorable puffins!
The most wholesome heartwarming enchanting read would highly recommend,so excited to follow verity’s journey
Thank you NetGalley for this early read!

[Alessandra Bassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

First there is the review in Italian then the English one –
Prima c'è la recensione in italiano poi quella in inglese
4,4
Letto in inglese.
Molto carino, e commovente in un modo lieto. I protagonisti stanno male perché non si comprendono a vicenda oppure non accettano la realtà nella sua durezza. Spesso è l’ironia che li salva, e anche uno sguardo nuovo su questioni vecchie e stantie.

Alcune citazioni
“Questa è la gioia di vivere in un'isola molto affiatata. Non pensare che gli affari tuoi possano essere ancora i tuoi”.
“Stavo pensando a che donna incredibile sei”. “Non è una cosa su cui posso obiettare”.

4,4
Read in English.
Very cute, and moving in a happy way. The protagonists feel bad because they do not understand each other or do not accept reality in its harshness. It is often irony that saves them, and also a fresh look at old and stale issues.

Some quotes
“That’s the joy of living on a close-knit island. Don’t think your business will ever be your own again”.
“I was just thinking what an incredible woman you are”. “I can’t argue with that”.

[Lauren-Tess Anderson-Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book this was, I absolutely devoured it. I loved Sam and Verity, I also adored Pete. 🥰

Verity's granny always used to tell her stories about the island and the people on it but it wasn't until a chance encounter with an old postbox has Verity changing her plans after learning that the island is in fact a real place not just fictional.

You have everything you could want in this book, fabulous characters with great chemistry, it's a CLEAN romance - none of the smutty descriptions here!, community, friendships, small town, secrets etc... it also deals with grief but it shows how it can affect people differently and how time can stand still rather than help heal.

This was an easy read and definitely needed after a good run of spicy reads, a nice palate cleanser is good for the soul.

I want the second book like now, please?

Absolutely LOVED my journey on this island with these characters. 🏝

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic introduction to Puffin Island featuring the very buoyant Verity who by a twist of fate discovers that the Puffin Island which featured so predominantly in her grandmothers bedtime stories is actually a real place and when the opportunity arises to visit it she grabs the chance to see how it compares. The characters are all so lovely and the island is a wonderful location for residents and visitors alike. There’s some brilliant history between some of the islanders which adds to the story as well as a current debate which is causing a rift between the villagers. The story is simple but engaging and a fantastic start to a new series, there’s already a number of characters I’d like to know more about and overall this just oozes joy and positivity and provides great escapism.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a start to a new series, and what a stunning new setting too.

I adore Puffin Island and can't wait to read even more books set on it. It's an idyllic tidal island, that is home to a rather large puffin population.

And when Verity who is on the verge of a big adventure discovers an old undelivered post card from Puffin Island and realises the place in her gran's stories is real, she makes some decisions that change the course of her life totally.

I adored getting to know a whole village of new characters, and to discover just why there seems to be tension between Sam and Pete. Also various other long almost forgotten secrets started to come out too.

This is a warm-hearted hug of a book that I instantly felt at home with. Just brilliant.

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Verity ends a relationship with a local lad and decides that enough is enough and she will do her beloved van up and travel with her friend abroad. Until she finds a postcard all about the fictional puffin island but is it fiction or real life ?

After reading all but 2 books in the love heart lane series. Christie has become one of my favourite authors so I knew I’d read all the books she publishes.

This brings the feel of the heart cross community onto an island. With a new set of characters and descriptions you can’t wait to see how each characters story unfolds.

There are some emotional subjects included in this book such as, death, murder, disagreements, self neglect and missing persons amongst other things. I do not feel this makes the book too heavy but has your heart growing fonder of the struggles each character faces.

[Terri Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to recover from heartache and the fact that her cheating ex fiancee has moved in across the street with the woman he cheated on her with. Verity has decided to rent her home out for the next six months and travel around Amsterdam with her friend and try and forget all about it.
Only, as she is clearing out an old rusted post box, Verity comes across a post card which had been sent and hidden for decades, faced with the old stories from her grandmother about Puffin Island while growing up and learning that it was indeed a real place and not somewhere her grandmother had made up, Verity at the last moment decides to visit Puffin Island with hopes that she could uncover the writer of the postcard to her grandmother, and just what secret it was that her grandmother had in the summer of the 70's when she had visited as a young woman.