A Fresh Start at the Cornish Country Hospital: The Cornish Country Hospital, Book 6

by Jo Bartlett

The BRAND NEW heartwarming, uplifting instalment in the Cornish Country Hospital series from BESTSELLER Jo Bartlett

Perfect for fans of Grey's Anatomy and Doc Martin!

Every book in the Cornish Country Hospital Series can be listened as a standalone

When life changes in an instant, how do you find the courage to begin again?

A&E doctor, Eve Bellingham’s life changed forever the night her fiancé Max was the victim of a brutal attack. Now, two years later, she has moved her life to Cornwall and is working at St Piran’s Hospital, helping his family cope as Max struggles with his devastating injuries.

But though Eve’s loyalty has never wavered, the man she loved is gone. Annie - Max’s mother - still clings to the hope that one day everything will return to how it was, but Eve isn't so sure it ever will. Torn between duty and despair, Eve feels trapped in a life that no longer fits.

Then she meets Felix Grainger, the dedicated occupational therapist helping Max towards independence. With kindness and quiet strength, he awakens feelings Eve thought she’d lost forever.

To seize her second chance, Eve must risk breaking the only family she’s ever known. Because sometimes, letting go is the bravest way to begin again.

An uplifting and heartwarming story by bestseller Jo Bartlett set in the gorgeous community of Port Agnes.

Audible Audio

Published January 11, 2026

Reviews

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series set in Cornwall and the staff at St Piran’s Hospital.
Eve works as a doctor in A&E and has kept a low profile since she arrived. Eve is engaged to Max who was training to be a surgeon when horrific events changed his life overnight.
This book was sensitively written but emotional as we read how Eve navigates trying to please everyone at the expense of her own happiness.
Gwen is still my favourite character.

[Jo Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A FRESH START AT THE CORNISH COUNTRY HOSPITAL by JO BARTLETT ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Fresh Start is the seventh (#7) book in the CORNISH COUNTY HOSPITAL series

Eve Bellingham and her fiancée Max were weeks away from their wedding when an unprovoked attack changed their lives irreparably. Two years later she has moved to Cornwall to be nearer to Max and his family as they all struggle to come to terms with their new normal. The one bright spot in Eve’s life is Felix Grainger, her fiancée’s Occupational Therapist. As the couple work together they grow closer through their shared experiences and feelings grow but Eve’s dedication to her fiancé stands in their way….

————————————

This seventh book in the Cornish Country Hospital series is delightful. The author has dealt with some extremely challenging, and emotive subjects in such a empathetic, thoughtful and considered way. She doesn’t sugarcoat the difficult subjects but deals with them clearly, factually and honestly.

PLEASE BE WARNED that this book touches on subjects such as assault, TBI’s, drug use and rehabilitation, death and PTSD.

Eve’s patience and commitment to Max and his family and her struggles to carve a life for herself really pulled at the heart strings and I really liked both her and Felix’s characters.

Eve and Felix’s relationship is a very slow, steady process and fits in with the story timeline perfectly. The progression of their relationship is written and it’s very tasteful. No open door scenes, nothing more than a kiss is portrayed on page and in this day and age where authors seem to compete in shock value this book was a refreshing change.

Max’s change in character following his assault was described perfectly, I know someone who suffered a brain injury and could see a lot of my friend mirrored in Max’s behaviour and speech. It was clear that the author had done thorough research on all the subjects dealt with.

I read an ebook copy at around 290 pages and with a beautiful, colourful cover that fits with previous books in this delightful series and excellent editing, I highly recommend this book.

With thanks to Jo Bartlett and NetGalley for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.

👩🏻‍⚕️ Strong Thoughful MFC
👩🏻‍⚕️ Slow Burn Romance
👩🏻‍⚕️ Friends To Lovers
👩🏻‍⚕️ Assault
👩🏻‍⚕️ Death
👩🏻‍⚕️ TBI

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always good to be back at the Cornish Country Hospital with old friends, and new, and this book is no different. Another excellent addition to the series.

Dr Eve Bellingham was engaged to be married to Max (who was training to be a surgeon), when he was assaulted on his stag do with no provocation and suffered a major brain injury which changed his personality considerably. For the past two years Eve has supported the family and Max but is worried she is losing her adopted family along with Max and feels trapped. She visits him daily and then starts to form a friendship with one of Max’s occupational therapists. She feels pulled between him and the family she has always wanted.

As always with this series be prepared for a major emotional roller coaster in this book, and also be aware it covers the theme of drug addiction and its effect on the individual and everyone around them. Jo writes such great characters and great settings within her books, and vey much keeps up the high standard here. The characters just grow on you more as each page turns, and you end up caring very deeply for them. Eve has to be though one of the loveliest characters Jo has ever written. By the end of the book you feel you are with a long lost friend that you are rooting for.

I strongly recommend this book, and the rest of the series. Although you get more from the book if you have read the others first it can still be read as a standalone. If you want a warm glow during the Winter months I would strongly recommend reading this book. I very much look forward to the next book in the series.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fresh start for Eve feels like the perfect January read . Eve has moved down to Cornwall where her fiance and his family are based but is in a difficult position. You sense her loneliness as the man she was engaged to has been changed by a serious brain injury and is being cared for and being readied for sheltered living. Eve has buried herself inher work at the Cornish Country Hospital but avoided getting too close to new friends as she has tried to keep Max's situation private. She does however find herself getting close to his occupational therapist, Felix, who we have met before.



Felix has returned from America following a bruising relationship and upi come to realise that he is carrying a huge amount of guilt and anguish at the break u[. Eve also has to negotiate how she deals with Max's family who she clings to for support and longs to be part of their dynamic. Max's mother is particularly difficult as she fails to see that Max's injuries are irreversible and that Eve's relationship with him has changed. Eve shows qualities of compassion and empathy towards Max's family but is so desperate to belong that she is not facing up to reality.

The relationships between all the characters are interesting and shed light on each other as Eve looks to forge a new life amid such changes.

In short: fresh starts
Thanks to the publisher

[Monica Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed all the books in this series but be warned, there is a bit of a heaviness about this one, due to the topics that are discussed.

Eve is a Dr in Emergency, which is a pretty intense job. She also has a fiance who sustained a severe head injury right before their wedding. She juggles her time between work and the facility where Max is living. Her family has never been close but once she met Max's, she became very close to his parents and sister and she feels obliged to spend lots of time with Max, even though he doesn't seem to want her there.

Felix is an OT who is working with Max. He had something pretty traumatic happen to him in the US so he has come back to the UK. He and Eve become close but due to both of their pasts, trying to figure out if they can be anything more than friends is fraught with emotional danger.

I really liked this book. It was realistic but also gentle at the same time. There were bright pops of hope and I liked the direction the author took the story in. Not easy with some of the topics contained within!

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

[Donna McCaul Thibodeau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve is an A&E doctor at a hospital in Cornwall. Two years ago, her fiance, Max, suffered a traumatic brain injury, when he was attacked at his stag do. Max has a totally different personality now, and is in a facility that is helping him to be more independent. His mother, Annie, blindly holds on to the hope that Max will make a full recovery. Eve knows this will not happen. She is afraid that if she calls off her engagement, Max's family will have nothing to do with her, and they are the only family she has. But she is having growing feelings for Felix, Max's occupational specialist...
What a wonderful book. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. The story was totally predictable, and I loved every single page. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve's life changed forever when Max, her fiancé, was assaulted and ended up with a Traumatic Brain injury. Two years later, she's moved to Cornwall and is working as an A&E doctor and helping to take care of Max. Eve is torn between her loyalty to Max and his family, and what she feels the future might hold for them based on her medical knowledge.

This story has:

- supporting friends and loved ones who have Traumatic Brain Injuries
- navigating a life that no longer fits you
- reinventing yourself and your life
- loyalty to those you love
- found family
- opening yourself and making new friends
- supportive colleagues that are like family
- difficult family dynamics

This is the 6th in the series, but could be read as a standalone story. I'm really enjoying this series. Each time we're introduced to a new staff member, all the while following along with others who were in previous stories. It's like catching up with old family members every time I start a new book in the series. This story focuses on Eve as she navigates a new life and opens up to her colleagues at work.

Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many feelings!

This book was a mixed bag of feelings. I had so much empathy for Eve, her loyalty to Max and his family has her stuck in a horrible situation. Max is treating her terribly, his mother is caught up in retribution for the man who caused all this, and his father is clueless. There were also times that I wanted to give Eve a reality check!

For some reason this story didn’t move along as quickly as prior books in the series and my attention wandered a bit. Maybe it was the subject matter and partly my frustration on Eve’s behalf, not sure. It won’t stop me from reading future books in the series and, though.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Lauren Flewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will stick with you, it really got me thinking about what I’d want in Max’s situation (or worse).

It is part of a series but you don’t have to have read the others to be able to read this book.

In this book we follow the story of Eve and Felix (Eden’s brother from the previous book). I really liked Eve as a character and was willing her to have the strength to get her life back on track.

The book does have some triggers like addiction (drugs and alcohol) and brain injuries so do check that out before reading.

Overall a great read and one I’ll always remember!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Eve was on top of the world and engaged to her love Max. Eve's world came crashing down when her fiance Max was injured in a traumatic act and left him with a life changing brain injury. Neither Max or Eve are happy but they could be if things change. Max wants to be alone and independent and Eve falls for occupational therapist Felix. With many tears and hard fought battles with the support of family, friends and work colleagues it just might work. This is a tough situation to comprehend and I love how it is told respectfully and honestly. I loved catching up with my hospital family!

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 7th in the series, A Fresh Start at the Cornish Country Hospital is another fantastic instalment from Jo Bartlett. I love this series and each one has such a wonderful story with repeating characters from books before to remind you of the fantastic storyline read before. My favourite Gwen was front and central on several pages and I loved seeing her still involved in the hospital and community.
This is an emotional one from the start. Evie has been through so much and to see her story through Max’s injuries and change in personality is one of heartbreak and empathy. Her unconditional love for Max and his family was sorely tested at times and it was interesting seeing her be brave in establishing new friendships through her colleagues at the hospital to give her that support away from the intensity of her situation.
Her courage in making the decisions needed for all of them was to be applauded and certainly proved it was never too late for a fresh start.

[Rachel Stansel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy these easy to read and get into stories. Eve and Felix are good characters and the storyline somewhat unique in this genre. I enjoyed this latest Cornish Country Hospital story.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What another great addition to the Cornish Country Hospital series. Eve Bellingham is one of the A&E doctors at St Piran’s and although very much a team player she is very reluctant to share elements of her past. One of these key things is the fact that her fiancé Max was the victim of a brutal attack that has left him not being the man he was. Eve is loyal but has lost herself along the way. When she meets Felix Grainger, who is Max’s occupational therapist, she realises that she needs to start putting herself first. I really love how the characters in Jo’s books connect and interact with each other. There is a really good balance of drama and emotional moments and humour. Characters from the previous books feature in a story that flows and keeps you engaged from page one. Heartwarming, heartbreaking, family, friendships and community with everyone supporting each other makes this a great read

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th book in this series and these books just keep getting better and better. Could be read as a standalone but I would recommend starting from the beginning to get the full enjoyment of this fabulous series full of relatable characters and heartfelt and emotional storylines that bring the characters and the Cornish hospital to life and are always done in such a sensitive way.

This instalment focuses on the characters of Eve and Max and how they are navigating the challenges and changes to their situation due to life changing circumstances. I won’t say to much about this here for fear of spoilers. We also get to see more of Felix in this book.

This story really makes you appreciate life and that you just never know what is round the corner and that life can change in the blink of an eye.

I am already eagerly anticipated the next instalment of this series.