Sunshine After the Rain

Escape to the Lakes #4

by Jessica Redland, Rebecca Norfolk (Reading)

Listening Length: 8 hours and 37 minutes

Melanie knows she’s been running away... But maybe there really is no place like home

For the last seven years Mel has been hiding; from life, from her friends and from those who love her the most - her family. But being at home in her beloved Lake District has been far too painful for Mel to contemplate. Because seven years ago, Mel lost everything and she’s never been able to banish the dark clouds that follow her.

When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she's been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.

Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.

And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain?

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary

9 pages, Audible Audio

First published May 15, 2025

About the author

I was born in Teesside but now live in Scarborough on the stunning North Yorkshire Coast. My home inspired the creation of the fictional seaside town of Whitsborough Bay where I set many of my books although the Hedgehog Hollow series takes readers to a gorgeous new countryside setting in the Yorkshire Wolds.

I live with my husband, our teenage daughter and sprocker spaniel, Ella. I'm a self-confessed stationery addict with a ridiculously large collection of notepads who loves chocolate (although it doesn't love me), hedgehogs, 80s music, collectible teddy bears and lighthouses.

Other than a career detour into retail to set up and run my own teddy bear shop (the inspiration for novel Bear With Me), I've always worked in HR, specialising in resourcing, coaching and L&D. Writing always had to take a back seat to the day job until June 2020 when I left the world of HR to become a full-time author. I'm so very grateful to anyone who has bought or borrowed my books in whatever format, helping me fulfil a long-held dream of writing full-time. I still can't believe I get to spend every day chatting to my fictional friends and making stuff up.

Reviews

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a Jessica Redland novel is like sinking into a warm bubble bath. You feel enveloped and cozy, and time just disappears. This story made me cry, and made me smile in equal measure, and I was sad when it finished.

Melanie’s world imploded when her beloved son Noah died. He was only 18, with the world ahead of him, and she blamed herself for not noticing the recent anomalies in his life. Angry at herself, and the world, Mel left her beloved Flynn behind, and moved away, divorced and tried to move on with her life. Many years later, the pull of her family became too much and after a family visit Mel decides to move back home – but what will happen when she sees Flynn?

A brilliant sequel to the ‘Escape to the Lakes’ series. I loved every minute of this story, and it was wonderful meeting ‘old friends ‘again such as Emma and her Alpacas. A fabulous story that would work as a stand-alone book or part of the series.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunshine After the Rain is the absolute perfect title for this one. A book I could really get into. I've found all of the author's books to be heartfelt and heartwarming at the same time. If possible, this one even more so. A book I simply could not put down. Dealing with subjects we can all relate to I felt as though the book was talking to me. The characters are ones I agreed with and could also feel empathy for. Though there are sad parts the book has a lovely and happy ending. Themes of second chances, refound romance and just overall good feelings I can highly recommend this book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Karen Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply stunning.

I've laughed and cried at many points throughout this book. It is beautifully written and I loved being back in the Lakes. Jessica's books always transport me into the pages and this one was no exception.

I loved catching up with characters from the other books and Mels journey was one that just got me.

I say this with every book by Jessica but she is one of my favourite authors and her books just find a way to slot perfectly into my heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sunshine After the Rain #4 Escape to the Lake

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine After the Rain is the story of Mel, a woman who lost her son 7 years earlier and couldn't deal with her grief. She left her home in the Lakes, and her loving husband and soul mate, Flynn, trying to run away from her memories. She has returned home for her mother's birthday celebration and realizes what she has been missing. She doesn't like her new life and with her mother's health declining, decides to stay in the village for awhile. When she is offered a job as the architect at Willowdale Hall, she accepts. Spending time with family, friends, seeing her ex-husband and meeting new people, she has to make some decisions about what will she wants to do next.

One of the things I enjoy about Jessica Redland's books is that they are about relatable characters and events that could happen to anyone. The loss of a child is devastating and a tragedy that everyone deals with differently. Flynn wants to move on, not forget, but continue to live. Mel can't move on until she gets answers and they are not forthcoming. Many marriages break up after the death of a child, and Mel's and Flynn's joined the statistics. Coming back to the Lake District was painful in some ways, but wonderful in others. Growing up in the shadows of Willowdale Hall, and wanting to get her hands on any changes to it, she is thrilled when she is hired to be the restoration/historic architect. I enjoyed seeing her work on the Hall, as well as spend time with friends and families. These stories always leave me with warm, fuzzy, feelings. Although their is sadness and grief, there is also hope. This story is full of great characters, lots of emotion and a wonderful plot. I really enjoyed Sunshine After the Rain, and think the title was perfect for this story. I definitely recommend this book with themes of grief, family, love, forgiveness and going home again.

[Kaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

another wonderful book by Jessica, certainly brought tears to my eyes.
A perfect story.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I have read a lot of Jessica's books - 11 I believe - and I love all of them but there's something about this series that puts it above the rest, maybe it's the Lake District setting, which I love.

I love that our protagonist is an older woman - I'm not talking old, she's in her fifties I think - but normally with these kind of happily-ever-after books we focus on young women and couples. So it was refreshing to see a woman in her later years still want to explore new things and still want love.

You don't have to have read the previous books to understand this one, they're perfectly enjoyable as they are. But I have read the others and it's nice to see characters from them in the background. It shows that whilst each book focusses on one person or one couple, there is this huge sense of community. Just because we've finished one story doesn't mean we have to abandon those characters.

Whilst Jessica's books are the epitome of feel-good, she doesn't hide away from the difficult topics: death, grief, loss, divorce, platonic and familial relationship difficulties; it had me in tears at a few moments, some sad but also some out of happiness.

Jessica's books always cheer me up, even when I didn't realise I needed it. They're so uplifting and cosy and heartwarming. Some may say a bit cheesy because it doesn't happen in real life but that's what I love. Real life can be a bit shit if we're honest, and her books help me to escape for a few hours. I always know I'm going to love her books.

I have recommended every book of hers I've read to friends and family and I plan to continue. Her stories light up the room, you can't help but feel warmer for reading them. And once again, I want to move to the Lake District - particularly the fictional locations Jessica has created - and join this community because it just sounds like a perfect life.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Jessica had plans to make this a long series and I really hope she does because I absolutely love them.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but it wasn't my favorite in the series. I loved the story, writing style and most of the characters. I pretty much liked everything and everyone except for Mel. Mel was the center of the whole book. There was something about her that just rubbed me the wrong way. She isolated herself from her loved ones for six and a half years. Mel was fifty-two years old, but at times acted like a teenager. She wanted to bury her head in the sand and ignore problems. Mel always runs away from issues. She ended up causing so many more by not getting help. She desperately wanted to blame someone for Noah's death. There were also so many issues between Mel and her parents. Her mom completely forgets about her during the birthday speech. I loved Flynn. He was the perfect husband and ex-husband. He never got rid of Edgar the Elephant. Flynn never stopped loving Mel. She pushed him away and he built the perfect house. They dealt with loss in complete opposite ways. I loved the recap of the past characters. It gets hard to remember everyone. I loved seeing characters from the previous books. Beautiful story about loss, family, friendship, forgiveness, love and so much more. This was definitely the darkest book in the series.

Definitely recommend the book. It wasn't my favorite but I still enjoyed it. I love the village of Willowdale. There's something about Jessica Redland's books. I always fall in love with the characters (except for Mel) and feel like I'm part of their life. I want to live there and be best friends with Autumn, Emma and Rosie. I want to go to Thursday Quiz night at The Hardy Herdwick and constantly walk those alpacas!!! Hopefully there's more books revolving around the Lake District. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Boldwood Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Tracey Dyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Free courtesy of Netgalley.

Another visit to the lakes with Jessica Redland. I love reading books with characters I have been introduced to before, it makes you feel like you are part of the community.

This book centers around Mel, who is a middle aged woman, who has run away to Newcastle and has very little contact with her family, after the death of a loved one.

The book covers the process of grief, and how there is never a good time to "get over it", how it can completely consume you and ruin your whole life. The book follows the healing that Mel needs by reconnecting with her family and making bold choices with her work.

Making new friends and learning to live again, shows the healing process that Mel needed to go through. I loved this book as it shows understanding that everyone is different when faced with the hardest part of life, losing someone you love.

There is a lot of light heartedness in the book also and it is a beautiful book to read. You do not have to read the books beforehand to enjoy this book but it does touch on the other books that precede it, so you may want to go back and read those too.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the most emotional one of this series so far. Mel has endured heartache that would have broken most people, and in truth, she is battered and bruised if not actually broken. As the synopsis explains, she left the safe haven of her Lake District home and family seeking a fresh start and a chance to recover in Newcastle. But the intention and willingness never matched her reality, and she had become stuck in a spiral of heartache and endless loss. My heart broke as I read and felt her pain, but the more I read, I felt bereft at what she had experienced and how those experiences had decimated her relationships with those she loved the most. I would defy even the hardest person not to be moved by the pain that lifted from the pages.
I loved Mel and immediately knew she would be a wonderful asset to the Willowdale community if she could simply allow herself to heal. Returning to the heart of her family, she soon realises that she has a lot of bridges to mend before she can relax into the family fold once more. Mel’s family was tightly knit, with plenty of characters who maintained the connections that she had missed—parents, sister and brother-in-law, and the irreplaceable cousins and their children.
Finding a place at Willowdale Hall, she introduces her vision for the hall's future and forges friendships with the wealth of characters who live there and in the village. Catching up with characters from earlier in the series is a pleasure that I enjoy with Jessica’s writing.
It’s impossible not to hope that she can find peace from her heartache, and maybe with her former husband, but there’s a lot of healing needed to repair that bridge.
Jessica Redland has a gift for examining the frailties of human relationships and delving deeper into her characters' backgrounds. Mel’s pain was unimaginable, and possibly the most significant source of heartache for any person.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this beautiful book to you, but make sure you keep tissues handy as you will need them.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but I wish it came with trigger warnings or if they did, make it more obvious. I had the audiobook which didn't say anything.

I lost my brother a few months ago to an addiction so I was surprised to find out that the main character's son died of an overdose.
And that the main character's son and her mother both suffered cardiac arrest (which was my brother's cause of death).
As much as I enjoyed this book, I did feel like it needed a warning as people are experiencing things like this and might not be okay hearing/reading it. it made me a bit emotional and I do praise Jessica Redland for writing about real things. Please just have a trigger warning. That is why it is 4 stars.

Otherwise, beautifully written, great characters and good messages.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge fat obvious five stars before I've even read the first page! I have adored each and every single book Redland has written, so why would this one be any different?

It's the fourth book in her 'Escape to the Lakes' series and it turned out to be quite the emotional journey we went on with Mel.

We get to reconnect with familiar faces and connect with some new,who I'm sure will be popping up in books to come.

And I got to appreciate the beauty of the Lakes all over again!

It's a heartwarming slice of comfort that pairs perfectly with a cup of cosy.

[Mel Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

possibly Jessica‘s best yet.

I read this book in two Sessions, getting completely wrapped up in the characters. I cried a lot, but I think we’re meant to.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming story

A lovely read. It made me sad, made me laugh and made me think about life. It was a good story, well written with depth to the characters and it also deals with deep grief, which a lot of books often skip over sadly as it’s part of life as much as happiness.
I enjoyed it very much like all Jessica Redlands novels.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mel and Flynn suffer a devastating loss. Mel is beyond heartbroken and thinks her only choice is moving away.
This was another really good book by this author.
It’s full of emotion and will have you reaching for tissues. You won’t be able to put it down

[Wendy Ann Neels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten stars

I'd love to give this book ten stars. From the very first page I knew I was reading a Jessica Redland book. There is something about her writing that you know how much thought and research has gone into the story. I literally could not put this book down. I was captivated by it. Such a fabulous piece of work.

[Isabel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I didn't connect with this one like I've done with the previous 3 books in the series. This one lacked the nature aspect that I loved so much in the others, and it took me a surprisingly long time to get through the story. I'm not the biggest fan of second chance romances either, so that didn't help.

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can there be “sunshine after the rain” or will tragedy and bad choices just keep pushing Mel down with no hope of escape from her past? Mel is a conservation architect. She specializes in the “preservation of historic buildings.” She worked alongside her husband Flynn who handled the construction end of the business until the untimely death of their son. Mel needed answers; she wanted to blame someone. In a totally irrational response to the death, she left her husband and her home. She thought she needed time and space so she cut almost all ties with her family, not considering that all of them were grieving too.

Mel grew up in a village near Derwent Water in the Lake District National Park. Seven years after her split from Flynn, a trip back to Willowdale to celebrate her mom’s eightieth birthday cracks open the tough shell Mel has built around herself. She discovers that the owners of the historic Willowdale Hall, a local landmark, are embarking on a reconstruction. This would be a dream job for Mel. There are a lot of characters who have ties to Willowdale Hall. Many of those characters have been previously introduced in the Escape to the Lakes series, and the author uses their kindness to bring together a supportive structure for Mel as she heals. There is another large piece of sadness in the story that adds to Mel’s struggles.

There is so much grief, despair, and despondency in Sunshine After the Rain that at times it is difficult to read. At the same time, it is uplifting to see familiar characters who have gone through tough times themselves reaching out to help Mel. In addition to the obvious themes of grief and loss, there are also themes of enduring and steadfast love and hope for a better tomorrow. There is a lot of symbolism as Willowdale Hall is being transformed from a place with a lot of past sorrow into a place of restoration. There is also a motif of broken vessels being repaired to a new state of beauty.

I particularly identified with the characters’ love of the library at Willowdale Hall along with another small reading room introduced later in the book. I would love to spend time in either room surrounded by books!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Helen Rose Thwaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I absolutely adore Jessica, I have to admit to being behind on her “Escape to the Lakes” series, so Sunshine After The Rain is my first venture into it. But what an adventure!

Seven years after she fled, Mel is back in her hometown and, finally, decides to stop running. She has a lot of fences to mend, although she does think that’s easier done than it truly is – she’s so stuck in her past that she sometimes doesn’t realise that time’s moved for others.

That said, the past Mel is stuck in is one I dare anyone to handle. Her 18 yo son died from a drug overdose while at home. She’s convinced that she missed something and let him down. As a mother myself, I do understand that powerful drive to protect… and the guilt that comes when you can’t.

Being a Jessica Redland book, Sunshine After The Rain is full of characters, many of whom have been introduced in earlier books. However, it does truly stand on its own feet; I never felt as if I’d missed something or disconnected in any way. There is a glossary at the start, explaining who everyone is, though I’m not sure it’s necessary (and honestly, I forgot within a few pages!)

What I love about Jessica’s writing is how she makes every character an actual character. No one is a cardboard cut-out. Along with the descriptions – and the Lake District is on my doorstep, so I know it well – the story comes to multicoloured life, pulsing with emotion and heart.

What I didn’t love was the amount of telling. There’s more retrospective details than usual, with large sections that feel info-dumpy. I’d like to have seen these better integrated with the main story, especially that of Mel’s mum and dad getting engaged – the distance here removes the reader from what’s gone on and lessens the impact. This is, of course, my option and your mileage may vary.

Overall, however, I adored Sunshine After The Rain and give it a well-deserved 4 stars.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following a return visit to her family home in the Lake District Mel is forced to face some difficult truths as not only has she run away from the people she loves the most but she has also been hiding away from her greatest fear, that of confronting her past. When the opportunity arises for Mel to move permanently to Willowdale she does so with some trepidation but a determination to face her demons and make a new future.

Sunshine After the Rain is a really lovely story not just because we are once again in this fictional corner of the Lake District, which the author writes about with such love and care, but it also gives us the opportunity to get to know even more wonderful characters who call this place home. The story flows beautifully and as we get to know the reason why Mel ran away from Willowdale seven years ago so we start to realise that this is a story about facing hurtful truths, about reaching out to grab a second chance when it appears and of the healing power of love. There’s a lovely reference in the story to the Japanese art of Kintsugi and the fact there is beauty to found in brokenness which really struck a chord and I must admit to shedding a few tears as Mel discovers that the broken pieces of her heart could be put together again.

Beautifully written as ever, this Escape to the Lkes series just continues to go from strength to strength and although each book is a standalone story it really does makes sense to start this lovely series from the beginning as that way you fall in love with the place, the characters and the wonderful writing.

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight away I was drawn into the storyline and enjoyed reading about Mel, who is in her early fifties and just finished a relationship, her mum and dad live in Derwent in the Lake District and she has just travelled over for her mum's 80'th birthday celebration party. She soon noticed that her mum was having mobility problems at the party, something she was never aware of. Soon, she makes the decision to move back to the Lake District, but what about her ex? Is this going to be an awkward situation! But she gets the job of her dreams at Willowdale Hall, somewhere she has wanted to work for a long time, but Mel has a large hole burning deep in her heart from what happened here years ago, made even more poignant because it involved her teenage son Noah. Is she going to be happy working and living here? But when her mum has some possibly bad news, she doesn't know what to do for the best. Is she destined to be on her own forever, or will she find happiness again? But more importantly, will she find the sunshine after the rain in this great five-star read.

This is the type of book that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside as you read it. I can really recommend it, Jessica Redland is always an author you can rely on for a compulsive storyline that you can't put down. A totally absorbing and captivating book that covers all emotions, I loved it.

#Boldwoodbooks
#Netgalley
#SunshineAfterTheRain
#JessicaRedland

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance takes a back seat is this emotional journey from the grief and anger of loss to hope and joy.

Seven years ago, Mel lost everything when her son died. Since that time she's been hiding from anything and anyone who reminded her of what she lost. But after returning home for a family celebration, Mel starts to take a good, hard look at her life and realizes she's stagnating. Maybe it's time to force herself to move on.

Returning home is hard. But after being offered her dream job and making some new friends, she begins to see light where before there was only darkness. Each new experience is the beginning of the next stage of her life. The hardest step, though, may be the one she needs most to reclaim the life she's been hiding from.

This story follows Mel on a sometimes painful, sometimes frustrating but ultimately joyful journey past the pain of loss. Mel often took two steps forward, one step back. Just when a bit of light would enter her life, she would get stuck in her head, and fear would push away the positivity. AT times, that got frustrating. and affected my enjoyment of the story.. But there was so much in this story,. Loss, grief, the love and support of family and friends and not a little bit of introspection. In the end, everything contributed to help make this an inspiring, uplifting story. I give this book 3.5 stars..

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Gem ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is the latest book in a series of 4 centred around the Lake District area for Jessica Redland, you can pick it up and read it without having necessarily read the others as there are character glossaries at the front and plenty of explanations of the back history throughout the book. At times, despite having read the other 3 books, I did find there was perhaps too many characters and plots intermingled so a chunk of the story was taken up by these explanations whereas I think I'd have preferred it to have felt more "standalone" but with the odd cameo reference as for me this did overcomplicate the story.
I took a while to warm to Mel, she felt quite an emotionally immature character and going through a lot of unprocessed grief and trauma but this created quite a barrier to getting to know her or like her initially, things were very centered around her self and that felt unlikeable to me. However there is a character arc and things do open up and become more multifaceted as the book progresses.
It is quite a heavy book, there is a strong theme of loss and grief and if you are looking for an uplifting or comedic book this definitely isn't it. I did find it sad and challenging in this respect, but it is well written and emotive.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful story from Jessica Redland, but do make sure you have your tissues at the ready!!
This instalment follows Mel as she visits her family home and also her past. She decides to move back home and not hide from difficult events in her past.

It’s lovely to see returning characters, it’s always great to catch up on what they are up to! And it such familiar and beautiful surroundings.

This story does deal with quite a bit of grief and can be quite heart wrenching in places. The more you read the more you become involved in this families lives and appreciate just what they have all been through.

I did really enjoy it, just found it quite an emotional read, which some may find a little difficult if they have suffered loss too.

I loved the blossoming new friendships with characters we have met previously, how accepting they are and willing to help someone new. Also the dynamic between Mel and her sister is really good.

I also loved the relationship between Mel and her ex-husband as they take steps to mend what shattered for them in the past.

All in all another wonderful book, just with a lot of sadness and heartfelt moments, so have those tissues at the ready as you delve into this one!

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

Sunshine After The Rain by Jessica Redland

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When Mel returns to Willowdale for a family event, she has no intention of staying. But surrounded by her family she begins to realise just how much she's been missing and also, how much healing she still needs to do.

Starting a dream job at Willowdale Hall, going on walks with Emma and her funny alpacas and reconnecting with those she loves, Mel slowly begins to see chinks of light and a more hopeful and happier future ahead.

And as Mel begins to feel stronger, she also feels brave enough to face the most painful part of leaving home…the one man she has always loved. With his help, can she finally banish the dark clouds forever and see the sunshine after the rain?

My Opinion

Jessica Redland is an author that I enjoy reading, so I am always on the lookout for upcoming releases. Sunshine After the Rain was an enjoyable and uplifting read. Another book by Jessica Redland that is easy to recommend as it is beautifully written. Whilst I am up to date with this series, I feel that Sunshine After the Rain can be read as a standalone.

Rating 4/5

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has had its ups and downs with me. I liked a few while the trauma in a couple seemed a little too strange for me. The found family in the community is solid and has taken its time to build up.

I am a little surprised with the cover because the charger in the story is older than our previous leading ladies and probably not as skinny as the lady in the cover. I wish it was linked a little better.

Mel ran away seven years ago. Circumstances broke her and she felt like she needed to be away and people needed to be kept safe from her. Her sister is probably the only one who has managed to hold on to a semblance of their relationship over the years. It's Mel's mother's eightieth birthday celebration that causes a shift in Mel's trajectory. She realises how outside the loop she's been and what she might have lost in the bargain.

A job at the right time and the breaking part of positive surroundings help move things along and there's hope in the end. I enjoyed the pacing of the story and the loose connection with the rest of the previous stories set in the location.

I think this wraps up the series but I cannot be sure. I had not expected this book either. I would recommend this book, series and author to fans of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been enjoying Jessica Redland’s books for many years now, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to review Sunshine After the Rain, the latest in her Escape to the Lakes series.

This book follows Melanie when she returns to Lake District seven years after a tragic event. In spite of the serious nature of some of the topics covered in this book (see the trigger warnings after the spoiler line if you want to know more), the story is uplifting.

As usual with a Jessica Redland book, I felt involved with the characters right away, especially Mel. It’s totally understandable how she reacted in the past, and it was very rewarding watching her choose to facilitate her healing as best she could.

I can’t really say much more without spoilers, but the ending was perfect and comforting.

Overall, this was an emotional, but ultimately uplifting story. I definitely recommend it, but save it for later if you’re feeling very emotionally fragile.

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

~~~~Spoilers below this line~~~~

TW: on page death of parent. Prior to story death of child

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series about the Lakes is beautiful and the characters feel familiar when we meet them.

We start the book with Mel who is in Newcastle where she wanted to make a fresh start from an event that we do not yet know about, this means she has left her family behind her, and memories that she doesn't want to deal with.

A big family birthday party is the step she needs to make to heal and change her life for the better. She is stuck on a road to nowhere in Newcastle... and the rest of the book is so exciting!

She is offered a chance at her dream job at Willowdale Hall. Mel has no idea where this adventure will take her - from new friendships, healing from traumas that we learn about with her family, in no small part due to the fact she's finally home in the Lakes and becoming her old self, and learning from Alice, who we met in the last book in the series.

The Hall is a dream in itself, I think anyone can aspire to live in a grand hall, especially with a secret room .

I would recommend anyone to read this book (and series). It is a feel-good book, tinged with tragedy and regrets, leading to the hope Mel didn't know she needed or wanted.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Redland is an Author that has been on my radar for a long time; I'd added some of her books to my TBR but hadn't got around to reading any yet. After reading Sunshine After the Rain I really regretted not reading her books sooner! I was immediately hooked by her writing and the gorgeous setting in The Lake District. This is book four in the Escape to the Lake series but can easily be enjoyed without having read the first three, although I definitely will be reading them.

The book follows Melanie who by her own admission has been hiding from life and her family ever since running away from her home town seven years ago. Devastating events led her to flee but despite putting distance between herself and her old life, the dark clouds have never lifted, and she recognises that it's time to return home to gorgeous Willowdale.

Whilst this was a feel good read it also explores some difficult topics that we've all been through in our lives so it was very easy to connect and empathise with Mel as she deals with profound heartbreak and grief. Being able to connect with her made the book so much more enjoyable as I was very invested in her happiness. I found the title to be very apt since Mel has experienced an awful lot of rain in her life recently, but in order to let the sunshine in she needs to find a new way of coping with her grief and let her family back in.

Overall this was an emotional story with some incredibly sad and difficult moments; but it's also full of love, hope and forgiveness. I read it in two sessions so I'd recommend reading it when you have a plenty of free time. Sit down with a cup of tea and some tissues because you'll be needing both!

[Nesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks NetGallery for this chance to Read a Jessica Redland book.

I laughed and cried throughout this beautiful story.

After a tragedy that took Mel's & Flynns 18 year old son in their home town Willowdale.

Mel up and left her husband Flynn and her family and moved to Newcastle.

Fast forward afew year's later Mel returned to Willowdale for her mother's 80th. She noticed how much of an outsider to the family she felt and her mother's health had changed .

Needing some fresh air Mel walked around the Village and realized just how unhappy she is in life and misses been close to her parents. Thought's of moving back started.

Mel gets offered her dream job helping with the renovation designing at Willdale Hall, she has always had a big passion for this place.

With the decision made to move back to Willowdale a whole new chapter awaits her. From her x husband who she isn't ready to talk to but been a small town she is bound to bump into Flynn.... and rebuilding her relationship with her Mum & Dad.

We all have that one person who is our magnet and keeps us together, it will pull you back no matter how long time has passed between you both.