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The Swallow's Fall #3
The House at the Bottom of the Hill
From the best-selling author of House on Burra Burra Lane, comes a brand-new story about opposites, attraction, an outback pub, and a pink house...
The mysterious death of her mother has left Charlotte Simmons on edge and off-balance for too long. The only way to move forward is to get answers, and those answers can only be found in one place. So Charlotte buys a Bed & Breakfast establishment in Swallow’s Falls, a small town in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, as a ploy to get close to the man who might have the answers. She’ll jazz up the old place, flip it, get her answers, and be gone in two-months – max.
What she doesn’t count on is opposition from the dogmatic and slightly eccentric members of the town council, and the hotshot owner of Kookaburra’s Bar & Grill and his two-hundred-squats-a-day physique whose mouth offers to act as mediator, but his eyes promise something so much more.
Easy-going Daniel Bradford knows progress is slow in Swallow’s Fall. He’s finally about to put his plans into place to upgrade the hotel when a prim-and-proper, citified redhead blows into town, putting everyone on edge. The only way to contain the trouble she’s about to cause is to contain her – but he knows trouble when he sees it, and soon it becomes very clear that there’s absolutely nothing containable about Charlotte, or the way he feels about her.
The mysterious death of her mother has left Charlotte Simmons on edge and off-balance for too long. The only way to move forward is to get answers, and those answers can only be found in one place. So Charlotte buys a Bed & Breakfast establishment in Swallow’s Falls, a small town in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, as a ploy to get close to the man who might have the answers. She’ll jazz up the old place, flip it, get her answers, and be gone in two-months – max.
What she doesn’t count on is opposition from the dogmatic and slightly eccentric members of the town council, and the hotshot owner of Kookaburra’s Bar & Grill and his two-hundred-squats-a-day physique whose mouth offers to act as mediator, but his eyes promise something so much more.
Easy-going Daniel Bradford knows progress is slow in Swallow’s Fall. He’s finally about to put his plans into place to upgrade the hotel when a prim-and-proper, citified redhead blows into town, putting everyone on edge. The only way to contain the trouble she’s about to cause is to contain her – but he knows trouble when he sees it, and soon it becomes very clear that there’s absolutely nothing containable about Charlotte, or the way he feels about her.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
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359 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 6, 2016
This was just the sort of lighter read I needed after the last book. After coming from England, Charlotte buys a bed and breakfast place in Swallow’s Falls, a small community in the Snowy Mountains area of Australia. She wants answers to questions from her past. She has plans in mind for the bed and breakfast but soon runs foul with the locals who have an aversion to change. In Swallow’s Falls she meets Daniel Bradford, owner of the Kookaburra Bar and Grill. Once the story got going I quite enjoyed it, though I was beginning to wonder for a while if we were ever going to get to the story as Charlotte spends so long obsessing over Daniel’s butt.
It is fairly obvious that underneath the antagonism and bickering between Charlotte and Daniel there is an attraction. Can they overcome their differences? What about Charlotte’s past and the answers she is seeking, how will that affect her life? There were a couple of scenes I skimmed over but all in all it was an enjoyable read, even if at times I wanted to smack the two main characters heads together and tell them to wake up. As well as Daniel and Charlotte there’s a host of other interesting if eccentric characters. One of my favourites was the adorable furred character, Lucy, who plays a significant part in the story. When I pictured Lucy I saw a dog we used to own some years back. The setting and the characters are well portrayed. An enjoyable read for those who like romance and heart-warming Australian rural stories.
It is fairly obvious that underneath the antagonism and bickering between Charlotte and Daniel there is an attraction. Can they overcome their differences? What about Charlotte’s past and the answers she is seeking, how will that affect her life? There were a couple of scenes I skimmed over but all in all it was an enjoyable read, even if at times I wanted to smack the two main characters heads together and tell them to wake up. As well as Daniel and Charlotte there’s a host of other interesting if eccentric characters. One of my favourites was the adorable furred character, Lucy, who plays a significant part in the story. When I pictured Lucy I saw a dog we used to own some years back. The setting and the characters are well portrayed. An enjoyable read for those who like romance and heart-warming Australian rural stories.
December 27, 2014
Daniel Bradford was the owner of Kookaburra’s Bar & Grill; he loved the little town of Swallow’s Fall, population 97, nestled in the Snowy Mountains of Australia. Its inhabitants were eccentric, stubborn but loved by all. So how was the new owner of the dilapidated B & B just down from Kookaburra’s going to get on with the local council; a council which opposed change in the strongest way? Red headed Charlotte Simmons was already making enemies and so far all she wanted to do was change the colour of the weatherboard façade from pink to yellow…
Charlotte had come to Swallow’s Fall with a definite purpose in mind – and it didn’t involve getting friendly with the inhabitants of this backward town. She would find out what she wanted to know and be gone again; that was her plan anyway. But the best laid plans have a way of backfiring and it didn’t take long for Charlotte’s stubborn nature to come to the fore; it also didn’t take long for her to realize there was much more to Swallow’s Fall and its inhabitants than she wanted.
Quite suddenly and unexpectedly, Daniel found he had feelings for this enigmatic and prickly young woman; while Charlotte struggled with the nightmares and fears that had dogged her most of her life. Charlotte also found herself making friends with the locals – how on earth had that happened? With Ethan and Sammy, plus Julia – and dare she say it; Dan - as people she could quite easily befriend, she was confused. The only friend she wanted; the only friend she needed, was Lucy, her devoted dog. But even Lucy was making friends with the locals.
Would Charlotte find the answers she so desperately needed? And what would her future become?
I absolutely loved this latest instalment of the Swallow’s Fall series by Aussie author Jennie Jones. A wonderful plot with well-crafted and extremely real characters; the suspense and mystery woven throughout was well done. The small town atmosphere plus the countryside of the Snowy Mountains felt totally authentic. All in all, a beautifully told story which I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to TRR and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
Charlotte had come to Swallow’s Fall with a definite purpose in mind – and it didn’t involve getting friendly with the inhabitants of this backward town. She would find out what she wanted to know and be gone again; that was her plan anyway. But the best laid plans have a way of backfiring and it didn’t take long for Charlotte’s stubborn nature to come to the fore; it also didn’t take long for her to realize there was much more to Swallow’s Fall and its inhabitants than she wanted.
Quite suddenly and unexpectedly, Daniel found he had feelings for this enigmatic and prickly young woman; while Charlotte struggled with the nightmares and fears that had dogged her most of her life. Charlotte also found herself making friends with the locals – how on earth had that happened? With Ethan and Sammy, plus Julia – and dare she say it; Dan - as people she could quite easily befriend, she was confused. The only friend she wanted; the only friend she needed, was Lucy, her devoted dog. But even Lucy was making friends with the locals.
Would Charlotte find the answers she so desperately needed? And what would her future become?
I absolutely loved this latest instalment of the Swallow’s Fall series by Aussie author Jennie Jones. A wonderful plot with well-crafted and extremely real characters; the suspense and mystery woven throughout was well done. The small town atmosphere plus the countryside of the Snowy Mountains felt totally authentic. All in all, a beautifully told story which I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to TRR and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
January 21, 2015
Charlotte has lots of issues which she has carried with her from childhood. Born in Australia she was taken to England after the her mother’s murder and has now returned to face her demons head on. She is not in Swallow’s Fall to make friends or make a new start and she’s certainly not here to fall in love. She is here to talk to the son of the man who murdered her mother, then flee. The first chink in the armour is when she adopts Lucy an abandoned pooch, the second is when she realises that she has no idea what she wants to do once her objective is reached. Then as she does battle with the local town council over changing the exterior paint from pink to yellow to make the B&B more sellable, Charlotte gradually realises she is coming to see the community’s point of view and actually have friends. Not part of her plan and she now has to decide whether she should just leave town now before she gets swallowed up. She has problems of her own she doesn’t want to deal with other people’s problems; does she? And then there’s Dan, lots of nice single ladies in town – but it is the one problematic female he wants. She seems to be resisting him every step of the way – as prickly as an echidna he needs to approach her with caution. Still Lucy the dog adores him – that should help, shouldn’t it? As with all the books in the Swallow’s Fall series THE HOUSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL has a believable story, real to life characters, love, drama, laughter and tears. I am convinced if I go driving out past Canberra into the Snowy Mountains I will find this settlement and have drinks with them at the pub. Jennie Jones has captured the Australian rural town ambiance to the tee. I was so glad to discover that there are two more Swallow’s Fall based books to follow this year – The Turnaround Treasure Shop and Magic on Main Street. I will certainly be keeping an eagle eye out for them.
With thanks to Harlequin MIRA Australia and the author via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
January 14, 2015
Spoiler Alert.
There were definite flaws with this story - I felt like it had been over-edited and was missing a few chapters. For example Grandy moves into Charlottes B&B, we read a few things about him and some conversations between them (feels like only two or three days have passed) and then suddenly he's having a heart attack and she's devastated because this man has become so important to her and touched her life etc. In no time at all.
Anyway, I fell in love with Swallow Falls and Daniel, both were charming and a pleasure to be immersed in. And the various unique characters of the small town were quite amusing, although I wish the author had delved into these characters a bit more. It felt like she only skimmed the surface on a lot of things.
A very pleasant light hearted read, about falling in love and finding a place to call home.
There were definite flaws with this story - I felt like it had been over-edited and was missing a few chapters. For example Grandy moves into Charlottes B&B, we read a few things about him and some conversations between them (feels like only two or three days have passed) and then suddenly he's having a heart attack and she's devastated because this man has become so important to her and touched her life etc. In no time at all.
Anyway, I fell in love with Swallow Falls and Daniel, both were charming and a pleasure to be immersed in. And the various unique characters of the small town were quite amusing, although I wish the author had delved into these characters a bit more. It felt like she only skimmed the surface on a lot of things.
A very pleasant light hearted read, about falling in love and finding a place to call home.
October 15, 2019
The House at the Bottom of the Hill is book three in the Swallows Fall series by Jennie Jones. Charlotte Simmons wanted answers about the death of her mother. Charlotte decided to buy bed and breakfast place into a small town in the Snowy Mountains called Swallow's falls to find the answers that she needs to move on. However, Charlotte did not expect to meet a man like Daniel Bradford, the owner of the local pub. The readers of The House at the Bottom of the Hill will continue to follow Charlotte and Daniel blossoming romance and if Charlotte finds the answers into the death of her mother.
The House at the Bottom of the Hill is another fantastic book in this excellent series. I enjoy reading books in this series and the House at the Bottom of the Hill did not disappoint. I love Jennie Jones portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. The House at the Bottom of the Hill is well written and researched by Jennie Jones.
The readers of The House at the Bottom of the Hill will learn about living in a small rural community. Also, the readers of The House at the Bottom of the Hill will see the problems that people have when trying to improve their homes in a rural community.
I recommend this book.
The House at the Bottom of the Hill is another fantastic book in this excellent series. I enjoy reading books in this series and the House at the Bottom of the Hill did not disappoint. I love Jennie Jones portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. The House at the Bottom of the Hill is well written and researched by Jennie Jones.
The readers of The House at the Bottom of the Hill will learn about living in a small rural community. Also, the readers of The House at the Bottom of the Hill will see the problems that people have when trying to improve their homes in a rural community.
I recommend this book.
October 28, 2024
I am loving this series. Aussie author Jennie Jones is a talented author and she knows how to write about small country towns. Another entertaining read that I didn’t want to put down.
March 4, 2015
bit slow at the start
November 17, 2017
Totally in love with this small community of Swallows Fall. This book was romantic, funny, emotional and had suspense too.
It was a bit slow at the beginning, but picked up later on. Charlotte came across as very uptight, but then we get to know why later. Very heartbreaking what she'd gone through. Liked how Daniel got her to loosen up through his flirting and teasing. Found the part where the two of them send messages through Lucy, Charlotte's pet, instead of texting, very sweet. It was funny how the two were trying to be sneaky about their affair, but everybody knew they were an item.
Felt very sad about losing Grandy. Had come to love the old man and his wisdom in the series. Quite a lot of secrets and emotions in this book.
Looking forward to reading about Josh and Gemma.
It was a bit slow at the beginning, but picked up later on. Charlotte came across as very uptight, but then we get to know why later. Very heartbreaking what she'd gone through. Liked how Daniel got her to loosen up through his flirting and teasing. Found the part where the two of them send messages through Lucy, Charlotte's pet, instead of texting, very sweet. It was funny how the two were trying to be sneaky about their affair, but everybody knew they were an item.
Felt very sad about losing Grandy. Had come to love the old man and his wisdom in the series. Quite a lot of secrets and emotions in this book.
Looking forward to reading about Josh and Gemma.
February 1, 2015
A light and pleasant romance novel with a few unexpected twists and turns to reach the inevitable predictable end (which couldn't end any other way without upsetting the reader!). The first part of the book did grate on me where every page or two I was informed of the attraction between the two main characters. I kind of gathered that from the story and didn't need it constantly spelt out to me as if I couldn't deduce that myself. The writing improved as the story progressed and the second half was a pleasure to read.
January 23, 2015
A really enjoyable read - loved the quirky town of Swallow's Fall and it's people, the characters were brilliant and so likeable and I could definitely see myself falling for a town like this.
Unfortunately I thought this was No. 2 in the series, but have since discovered it's No. 3, so back to read No. 2 (hate reading a series out of order!)
Unfortunately I thought this was No. 2 in the series, but have since discovered it's No. 3, so back to read No. 2 (hate reading a series out of order!)
October 20, 2017
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
The mysterious death of her mother has left Charlotte Simmons on edge and off-balance for too long. The only way to move forward is to get answers, and those answers can only be found in one place. So Charlotte buys a Bed & Breakfast establishment in Swallow’s Falls, a small town in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, as a ploy to get close to the man who might have the answers. She’ll jazz up the old place, flip it, get her answers, and be gone in two-months – max.
What she doesn’t count on is opposition from the dogmatic and slightly eccentric members of the town council, and the hotshot owner of Kookaburra’s Bar & Grill and his two-hundred-squats-a-day physique whose mouth offers to act as mediator, but his eyes promise something so much more.
Easy-going Daniel Bradford knows progress is slow in Swallow’s Fall. He’s finally about to put his plans into place to upgrade the hotel when a prim-and-proper, citified redhead blows into town, putting everyone on edge. The only way to contain the trouble she’s about to cause is to contain her – but he knows trouble when he sees it, and soon it becomes very clear that there’s absolutely nothing containable about Charlotte, or the way he feels about her.
This is the third book in the Swallows Fall series. It is the first one I have read.
I really wanted to love this story - I really did. Don't get me wrong, I like it just fine - there are some great points to this story, for sure. Let's go to the tape:
* Great location and descriptions. Captures the essence of an Australian small town.
* Characters that just leap from the page and draw you into their lives
* Dialogue that is true and authentic - especially in rural Australia - and takes us along through the good and bad, emotions that range from fun and happy to miserable and sad.
* The romance - although it was a bit cheesy at times, it didn't feel terribly forced or uncomfortable
All really good aspects of the story...
...but there was one thing that really stopped me from falling in love with this story - and that was the REASON for the conflict that drives this story. It just felt such a small thing for such an important aspect of the story. Maybe these sorts of things happen in small communities but I just found it hard not to roll my eyes and tell them all to just wake up to themselves...
Overall, I would recommend this book, despite the negative comments. It is a great novel about small town Australia and the people who populate these communities.
Paul
ARH
The mysterious death of her mother has left Charlotte Simmons on edge and off-balance for too long. The only way to move forward is to get answers, and those answers can only be found in one place. So Charlotte buys a Bed & Breakfast establishment in Swallow’s Falls, a small town in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, as a ploy to get close to the man who might have the answers. She’ll jazz up the old place, flip it, get her answers, and be gone in two-months – max.
What she doesn’t count on is opposition from the dogmatic and slightly eccentric members of the town council, and the hotshot owner of Kookaburra’s Bar & Grill and his two-hundred-squats-a-day physique whose mouth offers to act as mediator, but his eyes promise something so much more.
Easy-going Daniel Bradford knows progress is slow in Swallow’s Fall. He’s finally about to put his plans into place to upgrade the hotel when a prim-and-proper, citified redhead blows into town, putting everyone on edge. The only way to contain the trouble she’s about to cause is to contain her – but he knows trouble when he sees it, and soon it becomes very clear that there’s absolutely nothing containable about Charlotte, or the way he feels about her.
This is the third book in the Swallows Fall series. It is the first one I have read.
I really wanted to love this story - I really did. Don't get me wrong, I like it just fine - there are some great points to this story, for sure. Let's go to the tape:
* Great location and descriptions. Captures the essence of an Australian small town.
* Characters that just leap from the page and draw you into their lives
* Dialogue that is true and authentic - especially in rural Australia - and takes us along through the good and bad, emotions that range from fun and happy to miserable and sad.
* The romance - although it was a bit cheesy at times, it didn't feel terribly forced or uncomfortable
All really good aspects of the story...
...but there was one thing that really stopped me from falling in love with this story - and that was the REASON for the conflict that drives this story. It just felt such a small thing for such an important aspect of the story. Maybe these sorts of things happen in small communities but I just found it hard not to roll my eyes and tell them all to just wake up to themselves...
Overall, I would recommend this book, despite the negative comments. It is a great novel about small town Australia and the people who populate these communities.
Paul
ARH
February 17, 2018
Another great book from the Swallows Fall collection. I am enjoying every book in this series and learning more about the characters lives. Jennie Jones has an enthralling way of delving into each character and slowly digging out the skeletons in each closet by springing it on you sometimes when you least expect it. Thoroughly recommend these books to anyone who likes romance and intrigue!
March 15, 2024
I loved the setting of The House at The Bottom of the Hill. The set in their ways town and the way that Charlotte tried her hardest to move them to see things differently and how they all supported each other in a crisis time. Daniel was a great support to Charlotte as well. I loved the way their characters came together to understand each other. Thanks Jennie for a great book.
August 23, 2017
My Review
The struggle to find something/someone who accepts all that makes us seems impossible. To find a place where you can finally be the you you were meant to be! Charlotte has found her home.
The struggle to find something/someone who accepts all that makes us seems impossible. To find a place where you can finally be the you you were meant to be! Charlotte has found her home.
May 22, 2019
Good modern romance. Easy read (I read it in one evening - albeit a late night!) Typical romance with the couple bickering and disliking each other initially but set in a quaint little town with colourful characters.
September 22, 2017
Great read, finished it in a afternoon. Loved that I didn't fully see where the storyline was going until the near end.
January 4, 2018
Well written. Great characters. Enjoyable read.
January 17, 2020
This one did not grab my attention unfortunately
June 1, 2020
Nice easy read
July 28, 2020
Another great story with wonderful, annoying, endearing and comical characters. As always with Jennie Jones's books, I could not bare to put it down! Loved it!
November 22, 2021
A beautiful storyline of two people finding love when they least expect it. Each of them guarding their own secrets
Highly recommended this series by jennie Jones.
Highly recommended this series by jennie Jones.
October 13, 2025
3.5★
February 6, 2015
Jennie Jones invites you back to the drama and small town antics of Swallows Fall where the residents stick together, a slow-burn between the newcomer and a handsome resident will become a blazing fire, a mystery is about to be solved while a years old secret will unfold.
Charlotte Simmons has arrived in Swallows Fall all the way from the UK after the death of her grandmother and the sale of her beloved bed and breakfast business. Having been brought up by her gran after her mother’s mysterious death years before, she continues to be haunted by unanswered questions surrounding her mother’s murder and feels the only way she can get the truth about the man who murdered her mother is from Ethan Granger (House on Burra Burra Lane), his son.
Under the pretext of buying the local B & B (the house at the bottom of the hill) and renovating it so that she can begin trading as a going concern, she doesn’t realise that the residents have a certain pride for their town and are vehemently opposed to change so, when she makes plans to change the exterior colour of the cottage, she doesn’t count on the radical opposition she’s about to come up against. Thankfully she’s not planning on staying too long … all she needs to do is get Ethan on his own and ask him a few questions.
Her plans are somewhat thwarted though when she makes an unexpected friend in the form of Daniel Bradford, the owner of the local pub. Without meaning to, she soon finds herself being drawn in by his easy-going manner, his willingness to help her and his darned sexy butt! And then, there’s her dog Lucy! But, Daniel has his own secrets too!
This is the second book in the series (sorry Jennie, haven’t quite got to the Christmas novella, 12 Days at Silver Bells House yet) and again I have been enchanted by this little town of Swallows Fall (whose population has now increased to 97), wanting to visit so that I can see all the quaint old buildings, visit the pub, rock in a chair next to Grandy and listen to his reminiscences of times gone by, all the while learning everybody’s secrets.
Jennie’s writing is warm, inviting and extremely entertaining with her great wit and humour pervading the story in the interactions between both her main protagonists as well as her stellar but quirky cast of secondary characters such as Lucy (Charlotte’s four-legged friend), Mrs Tam, Mrs J, Ted, the twins, Ruby the pig and, of course, dear old Grandy, the town’s intuitive patriarch. Her incorporation of a number of the characters we grew to love in The House on Burra Burra Lane also gives this novel a sense of continuity whilst providing some closure on a previous hot topic.
The question of the colour of the house at the bottom of the hill, in addition to Charlotte’s agenda for being in Swallows Fall and the unwanted sparks that begin to fly between her and Daniel, provides the motivation for most of the conflict in the story and, as a rural romance, this works well in keeping the momentum of the book going.
Jennie truly does capture the heart of a small Aussie town from the close-knit community to the pride of its residents, right down to the gossip-mongering and, like Burra Burra, there’s a bit of mystery at its heart and sadness as its core.
Charming, warm, mysterious and romantic, all you romance buffs out there need to come home to Swallows Fall!
Charlotte Simmons has arrived in Swallows Fall all the way from the UK after the death of her grandmother and the sale of her beloved bed and breakfast business. Having been brought up by her gran after her mother’s mysterious death years before, she continues to be haunted by unanswered questions surrounding her mother’s murder and feels the only way she can get the truth about the man who murdered her mother is from Ethan Granger (House on Burra Burra Lane), his son.
Under the pretext of buying the local B & B (the house at the bottom of the hill) and renovating it so that she can begin trading as a going concern, she doesn’t realise that the residents have a certain pride for their town and are vehemently opposed to change so, when she makes plans to change the exterior colour of the cottage, she doesn’t count on the radical opposition she’s about to come up against. Thankfully she’s not planning on staying too long … all she needs to do is get Ethan on his own and ask him a few questions.
Her plans are somewhat thwarted though when she makes an unexpected friend in the form of Daniel Bradford, the owner of the local pub. Without meaning to, she soon finds herself being drawn in by his easy-going manner, his willingness to help her and his darned sexy butt! And then, there’s her dog Lucy! But, Daniel has his own secrets too!
This is the second book in the series (sorry Jennie, haven’t quite got to the Christmas novella, 12 Days at Silver Bells House yet) and again I have been enchanted by this little town of Swallows Fall (whose population has now increased to 97), wanting to visit so that I can see all the quaint old buildings, visit the pub, rock in a chair next to Grandy and listen to his reminiscences of times gone by, all the while learning everybody’s secrets.
Jennie’s writing is warm, inviting and extremely entertaining with her great wit and humour pervading the story in the interactions between both her main protagonists as well as her stellar but quirky cast of secondary characters such as Lucy (Charlotte’s four-legged friend), Mrs Tam, Mrs J, Ted, the twins, Ruby the pig and, of course, dear old Grandy, the town’s intuitive patriarch. Her incorporation of a number of the characters we grew to love in The House on Burra Burra Lane also gives this novel a sense of continuity whilst providing some closure on a previous hot topic.
The question of the colour of the house at the bottom of the hill, in addition to Charlotte’s agenda for being in Swallows Fall and the unwanted sparks that begin to fly between her and Daniel, provides the motivation for most of the conflict in the story and, as a rural romance, this works well in keeping the momentum of the book going.
Jennie truly does capture the heart of a small Aussie town from the close-knit community to the pride of its residents, right down to the gossip-mongering and, like Burra Burra, there’s a bit of mystery at its heart and sadness as its core.
Charming, warm, mysterious and romantic, all you romance buffs out there need to come home to Swallows Fall!
January 21, 2015
Charlotte has bought the local B&B in Swallows Hill, but that's not why she's moved to town. She wants to find answers about her past. Before she can do that, though, she needs to be accepted by the town's folk. Down the road, Daniel is the local pub owner, and most amused by the drama he watches unfolding between the newcomer and the rest of the town. He has his own plans for his pub, secret plans that the entire town seems to know, but those soon seem less important than getting to know the town's newest red head.
Poor Charlotte, she just wants to paint the pink B&B yellow, get some answers about her past, and move on. She has quite a bit of baggage, but this isn't a heavy story. We get some glimpses of her trauma, but her tale is mostly about getting to know Daniel and the rest of the town, and learning to fit in.
As for Daniel, he's such a sweetheart. One of those big puppy dog heroes who you just want to cuddle. Which isn't to say there aren't sparks between him and Charlotte, because there definitely are, but this hero warmed my heart more than he heated my blood. He's just so damned cute.
Together, Charlotte and Daniel have a lovely romance. The drama is mostly driven by the question of whether Charlotte will stay or leave Swallows Hill, and the secrets our hero and heroine keep from each other. But for most of the story, after they overcome their initial pre-romance disagreements, they are fun, flirty, and a little bit naughty. There's lots of sexy times, but very much of the sweet rather than steamy variety.
This was my first Jennie Jones book, though it is the third book in the Swallows Fall series. This is a series of interconnected standalone romances, however, I suspect they might be better read in order. There's a lovely cast of town characters, but I sometimes felt a bit lost and lacking in certain introductions and histories, which probably would not have been the case had I started from the start. Thankfully this didn't detract too much from the primary story which kept my attention throughout, pulling me into Swallows Hill well past my bedtime. Clearly, I'll have to go back and read the first two. Yay!
The House At The Bottom Of The Hill is a sweet small town romance that I'd recommend to anyone wanting a light, heart warming read to escape the hustle and bustle.
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More reviews at: http://www.readingromance.com
Poor Charlotte, she just wants to paint the pink B&B yellow, get some answers about her past, and move on. She has quite a bit of baggage, but this isn't a heavy story. We get some glimpses of her trauma, but her tale is mostly about getting to know Daniel and the rest of the town, and learning to fit in.
As for Daniel, he's such a sweetheart. One of those big puppy dog heroes who you just want to cuddle. Which isn't to say there aren't sparks between him and Charlotte, because there definitely are, but this hero warmed my heart more than he heated my blood. He's just so damned cute.
Together, Charlotte and Daniel have a lovely romance. The drama is mostly driven by the question of whether Charlotte will stay or leave Swallows Hill, and the secrets our hero and heroine keep from each other. But for most of the story, after they overcome their initial pre-romance disagreements, they are fun, flirty, and a little bit naughty. There's lots of sexy times, but very much of the sweet rather than steamy variety.
This was my first Jennie Jones book, though it is the third book in the Swallows Fall series. This is a series of interconnected standalone romances, however, I suspect they might be better read in order. There's a lovely cast of town characters, but I sometimes felt a bit lost and lacking in certain introductions and histories, which probably would not have been the case had I started from the start. Thankfully this didn't detract too much from the primary story which kept my attention throughout, pulling me into Swallows Hill well past my bedtime. Clearly, I'll have to go back and read the first two. Yay!
The House At The Bottom Of The Hill is a sweet small town romance that I'd recommend to anyone wanting a light, heart warming read to escape the hustle and bustle.
---
More reviews at: http://www.readingromance.com
February 24, 2017
The third book in (Swallows Fall). Charolette Simmons arrives in Swallows Fall in order to find answers to a murder that happened to a loved one. She tries to fit into the community by buying and renovating the local B&B. Opposites attract and there is love blossoming for Charolette . Will charolette get the answers she is seeking for ?
Loved to be re-united with all the previous characters of Swallows fall and the addition of Lucy the shepherd dog. The story covers romance, family secrets, dying economy of the town, acceptance into small town community etc. Love reading books by this Author as it always makes me laugh, giggle and brought tears to my eye towards the end. A very cosy read and I'm sure you will love it.
Loved to be re-united with all the previous characters of Swallows fall and the addition of Lucy the shepherd dog. The story covers romance, family secrets, dying economy of the town, acceptance into small town community etc. Love reading books by this Author as it always makes me laugh, giggle and brought tears to my eye towards the end. A very cosy read and I'm sure you will love it.
July 6, 2016
Jennie Jones has done it again - giving us a wonderful, heartwarming and incredibly sweet story. The House at the Bottom of the Hill (Book 3 in the Swallow's Fall series) has suspense and a touch of mystery. It's about hope, acceptance and the love of a small town community.
Many times throughout the book I had tears streaming down my face but it wasn't until the last couple of pages where I balled like a baby. Swallow's Fall is a wonderful place where the community protect their own and are very close-knit. At first reading up to three quarters of the way I was miffed at the town folk putting their two cents worth in and being such busybodies telling Charlotte what she can and can't do with her B&B. I didn't understand...by the end of the book I got it. Through Jennie's descriptions and painting such a vivid picture of their lives I well and truly understood the makings of a small community. Jennie Jones is a remarkable storyteller!
I have read many, many books but this is only the 2nd time where the twenty or so last pages of a novel have been the best, sweetest and satisfying I've ever read. The first was Lily Malone's Fairway to Heaven.
Many times throughout the book I had tears streaming down my face but it wasn't until the last couple of pages where I balled like a baby. Swallow's Fall is a wonderful place where the community protect their own and are very close-knit. At first reading up to three quarters of the way I was miffed at the town folk putting their two cents worth in and being such busybodies telling Charlotte what she can and can't do with her B&B. I didn't understand...by the end of the book I got it. Through Jennie's descriptions and painting such a vivid picture of their lives I well and truly understood the makings of a small community. Jennie Jones is a remarkable storyteller!
I have read many, many books but this is only the 2nd time where the twenty or so last pages of a novel have been the best, sweetest and satisfying I've ever read. The first was Lily Malone's Fairway to Heaven.
February 26, 2021
A good option for light summer reading. The book was passed on to me from a friend. The character of Charlotte was at times a bit tiresome to me, very very wound tightly, and very sparse hints at why this is, where it comes from (something terrible). After the extended bickering flirting kind of "foreplay"with the character Daniel, they abruptly come together, covertly in a hot romance. Resultingly, all her tightly wound efforts for her holding on to her true motives (which was basically to come to this town, find out what she needed to know about her past, and leave) for coming to this small town begin to unravel. And as the secrets begin come out. I did feel there was a bit of abruptness to exposing and concluding the full story. Seems a heck of a lot happened in about 48 hours at the end! I guess ultimately the story shows the often unnecessary complications, including personal distress, with harboring secrets and playing games too much. And what we think might make a life, our life, may not be where we thought.
December 18, 2014
The three books released in The Swallow's Fall series have been monumental reads and all with their fair share of drama, laughter and tears for us avid readers. The House At The Bottom Of The Hill brings out the chuckling and waterworks with antics, both from the new and familiar characters. Daniel and Charlotte are stunning from the start and click with so much chemistry that have readers completely elated, right down to their character nicknames - Hotshot and Red, or rather the connotations that go with it! Appearances from townsfolk add their own charm stamp to a story that grips readers throughout that just doesn't falter anywhere. An unmissable series and one that doesn't miss a beat in any emotion the story portrays.
*ARC received from the Publisher
*ARC received from the Publisher
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