Some places are special enough to heal hearts… Welcome to Little Beaubrook
In a tiny English village hidden away for decades, the mists are parting to reveal a manor which glows gold and tumbledown thatched cottages that have been waiting for the right people to rebuild them.
On moving in day, a diverse group of new neighbours have only two things in common. Their hearts have been broken in some way, and they’ve all signed a contract with some very strange stipulations, including buying one of the cottages for a pound. As Chair of the commonhold association, Albie Curville hopes that by sharing his late wife’s rules for living he can bring these reluctant strangers together to fulfil her dying wish before he runs out of time… and before they discover his secret.
When their newfound community – built on kindness, friendship and a manor with a long history of helping those in need – is threatened by an outside source, can they finally overcome their pasts to save Little Beaubrook and seize the second chances they deserve?
Come and visit this magical lost village for a cosy, feel-good story about love, found family, new beginnings and the healing power of community. Perfect for fans of Debbie Johnson, Jenny Colgan, Evie Woods and Phaedra Patrick.
Bella Brightside is a multi-published, award-nominated romance author who writes under several pen names including Nikki Moore and Ella Allbright, finding commercial success with her novel The Last Charm. Owned by a husband, large family and two naughty beagles, she drinks too much coffee, buys far too many books and spends her nights wondering how a sentient village would behave.
You can find her on Instagram at @authorbythesea1207 or TikTok @authorbysea
She is represented by the literary agent Rachel McMillan.
I was delighted to be invited to read an ARC of Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook, it was an absolute pleasure to read.
Little Beaubrook is a beautiful manor house that has been converted into apartments. It is set in a small village that had been deserted for years and requires a lot of work to restore it back to it’s former glory The new owners of each apartment signed a commonhold agreement that involves regular meetings, work on the community allotments and ownership of a cottage, which they must start to restore and renovate within a year of their purchase. Each resident seems to have reasons for moving into the countryside they are escaping from their pasts and wanting a fresh start and in some cases to hide from reality. Albie, an elderly widow, is keen to build a proper community based on principles handed down to him by his late wife. He secretly posts simple phrases that should inspire, rules to live by, each day. The ultimate aim is to be kind to yourself and others, to form a true close community.
Each chapter of the book is headed with one of these thoughtful rules to live by eg “celebrate special occasions” and the name of the person the chapter is primarily about. As you might imagine much hope and joy unfold as true friendships are formed, secrets are revealed and a close community develops. The characters all healing and growing, showing kindness and understanding as time goes on. In the meantime the manor house and cottages seem to glow and improve with each positive development in their lives.
I loved the variety of characters each sympathetically viewed without judgement as they respond to their new environment and the kindness of others. Some of the backstories are quite emotive and I found myself shedding a few tears both in angst on their behalf then in happiness as they find their new path out of the darkness. The importance of kindness and the gentle support of community and found family is explored through the eyes of each character.
I thoroughly enjoyed my magical visit to Little Beaubrook and would happily revisit.
Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook By Bella Brightside Women’s Fiction with a touch of Magical Realism Release date March 2026 available now for pre-order ARC Review
Some places feel like a deep breath, Little Beaubrook is one of them.
From the moment the mist parts and the cottages appear, I could feel the quiet magic of the countryside settling in. A hidden village with weathered cottages, each bought for a pound by characters with broken hearts arriving with cautious hope. The setup alone promises second chances, and this story delivers them generously.
I enjoyed the sense of community and characters that are relatable in ways that feel familiar and very now. Grief, loss, starting over later than planned, learning to trust again. Watching strangers slowly turn into a found family was the heart of this book, especially through the lasting presence of Rose, whose influence lingered beautifully throughout the story...we could all use a Rose in our life 🌹
This is a cozy, feel good read rooted in kindness, friendship, and the belief that healing happens best when we are not doing it alone. The magical elements are subtle and gentle, woven into the village itself rather than overpowering the story. Slow in a couple parts where detail was expanded to deliver the backstory.
⭐️ Rating 4.25 stars
Perfect for readers who enjoy found family, second chances, sentient villages, and cozy stories that feel like a warm cup of tea on a rainy afternoon 🫖
Note: I received an advance reader copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. I want in physical form.
I wanted to start by saying that I had no idea what this book was about at first. I just knew I fell in love with the cover. Now, let me be honest for a couple of reasons: I haven’t read anything by this author before, and I know she writes under other pen names. I’m definitely going to check out those too. Also, this book took me a little while to finish because I didn’t want to leave the world or family that these characters have become. I really love the different perspectives and their heartbreak, so to speak.
I really felt a connection with each character for many different reasons.
I read all kinds of books, and I really enjoy a small-town family kind of book that gives you all the emotions in one book. Loss, grief, abuse, trauma, and peace. I have to say, I loved that each cottage was named to fit each person who lived in them.
I’m so glad the author reached out to me to read her book! It was such an amazing read to end 2025 with. Thank you for the characters and world that I needed to wrap up this year with.
About book A small old cottage that has been hidden for many decades. Albie who late wife who used to live here. But during the war her and her family had to leave. Albie wanted to restore the cottage and he did so to honor is wife Rose. But in doing so he has made some friends and unfortunate things happened. And these friends /neigbors become more than that. With a touch of magic that in the cottages.
I am so honoured to have been accepted onto the ARC team for this book and I can't thank you enough Bella. This is Bella's (aka Nikki) first book in this genre and it was so deserving of the 5 stars.
The title of this books fits so perfectly with the contents. It's such a beautifully cosy, magical story but with some sensitively approached subjects that were hard hitting topics.
I smiled so much throughout this book but I also got emotional on more than one occasion.
The sense of community and living so closely to others and the way everyone pulls together is so heartwarming.
I love that widower, Albie who running the renovations, has a Moto for each day based on his late wife. Rose features heavily throughout the story despite her not being there physically. I loved this element because it is very much like a lot of passed family and loved ones, they are in so much of our lives, through thoughts and memories, songs and feelings it was my favourite part throughout the story.
I loved how there are blossoming romances where noone, even themselves, expected it and it was magical in every sense of the word.
This book left me wanting to know more about everyone and I genuinely didn't want it to end.
Thank you so much to @authorbythesea1207 for the ARC copy of Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook - this is my honest, voluntary review ❤️
This is the first book by the author writing as Bella Brightside (a new genre = a new name), and I was so pleased to be chosen to read this ahead of its official release on March 5th, 2026.
Firstly, what a magical little book. It truly lives up to its name. I felt completely engrossed in the Manor and pictured it exactly as it appears on the cover ❤️
The characters were all so varied yet so real. I felt emotionally connected to each of them for different reasons and found myself rooting for them all. Watching their growth and development throughout the book was incredibly heartwarming.
I absolutely loved the magical aspects of the story - especially the Manor itself - and I definitely shed a few tears along the way (at one point I was in the bookshop hoping no one would walk in mid-tear 😂).
Lastly, I loved the subtle references to all the things I know the author loves (from following Bella on socials), which made the story feel even more personal and special.
A truly lovely book and a beautiful reminder to “always choose kindness, every day “ ❤️
Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook By Bella Brightside ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tropes: * Found Family * Second Chances * Sentient Setting * Hidden World * One-Pound Deal Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook is an absolute ray of sunshine! Set in a hidden English village that magically reappears after decades, the story follows a group of strangers—all nursing broken hearts—who move into tiny cottages for just one pound. Watching the manor glow and the gardens bloom as the characters heal is pure, cozy perfection. Bella Brightside has created the ultimate "found family" story that feels like a warm hug on a rainy afternoon! The characters are so vivid and relatable, especially Albie Curville, who leads the community with his late wife’s sweet "rules for living." While it touches on real-life challenges like grief and health struggles, the focus is always on kindness, second chances, and the power of a supportive neighborhood. If you love a sprinkle of magical realism mixed with heart-melting friendship, this whimsical gem is a must-read for your 2026 TBR list!
10/10 Would recommend this book to all family and friends.
Thank you to the author for this ARC copy. This is an honest, voluntary review.
This story is about a magical lost village inhabited by a group of people who've all had their hearts broken in some way and need to heal. You'll enjoy it if you're looking for a cosy, feel-good story about love, second chances, found family, new beginnings and the healing power of community.
The book is set out in multiple povs, each one being the main character, generally I don't like multi pov books, but this works so well, Each character grows and evolves through the chapters by the end I felt like I really knew them, each character has their own story of heart break that is told in a way that felt so familiar and raw to the reader.
The plot was consistent, the slow burn romance, the found family, cosy magic was in my view perfect, I fell in love with this book, it had just the right amount of everything I was looking for.
For me, this book is everything I needed and more, it's one I will read again and again. It's cute, it's cosy, it's magical and I need more 💕
Easily 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review
Little Beaubrook is a manor that’s been split up into apartments. It’s set in a little village that has been forgotten. Albie is the forefront of this storyline in that it’s his deceased wife’s wish that there is a community.
Every chapter was a daily rule that everyone had to follow to create a community. Every chapter has a name of the character that you would follow and what the rule of living was for that day.
As the story goes on you follow all the characters and get to know them more, you discover their friendships and hopes for the future. The Manor House and the cottages blossom with every positive thing that happens and crumble when things don’t go according to plan
What a beautiful story. I loved all the characters in this story and loved the magical elements. I enjoyed the daily rules for living that everyone had to follow.
I was honoured to be asked by Bella/Nikki to be asked to be part of the ARC team & received an advanced reader copy of this book & this is my honest voluntary review.
Magical story full of new found friendships & love. This book covers a wide range of storylines all sympathetically written including PTSD, organ donation, love, grief & mental health amongst others.
There is a reason each resident has been bought into this community, they all have a reason they need to heal in one way or another. Each chapter starts with a motto for each day which symbolises kindness. The village of Little Beaubrook is sprinkled with a little magic to help them all along. I loved the way this story unfolded & how you learnt about each person in their own chapters. Take away from this book is always be kind you never know what someone is going through. Highly recommend this book if you enjoy books about love, new found friendships & community.
I was so grateful to have received an advanced copy of this book. Overall i enjoyed the themes in this book, second chances, choosing kindness, and found family. Most of the characters were very compelling and especially Harley, i could read a whole book of just his story. I cried at this last chapter. However I had a really hard time with Tori's sections, not because of her story or trauma but the writing style. She's a writer and writing in a journal but her writing is very clunky and for me it didn't work, I had to reread a lot of sections to understand what she was saying. And the idea she would write what everyone says word by word seems unrealistic. I wanted to like her and she had great growth but the writing through me off. Overall if you are looking for a modern story and kindness and found family with just a touch of magic i would recommend this book.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author and this is my honest, voluntary review.
A tiny English village hidden away by mist, is slowly rediscovered when Albie vows to restore the village in memory of his late wife. To do this, the manor house is turned into apartments and sold to new tenants. The new neighbours all have one thing in common; a broken heart.
They all (eventually) agree to live by Albie's late wife rules for kindness and, band together over time to help each other overcome their past traumas and to start a new community. As they work together, the hidden magic of the village slowly reawakens.
This is a lovely heartwarming read, rooted in kindness, friendship and a common goal to resurrect this sleepy village.
There is a good variety of characters, all with different goals and I really enjoyed learning about each character and seeing them overcome their own individual obstacles.
My only criticism would be the epilogue at the end. I just didn't think it was needed!
I had the absolute pleasure of being an ARC reader for Bella Brightside's novel, Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook. Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook is a darling, heartwarming book. The magical realism throughout the text is equal parts subtle and enchanting. Each character has a beautiful arc from start to finish--seeing realistic characters grow and change throughout the book was beautiful ans refreshing ❤️
I wish more books were like this; soft, magical, honest, healing. Bella Brightside interweaves multiple POVs effortlessly to create a tapestry of endearing and relatable characters. This book is an absolute gem.
If you love magical realism, found family, multiple POVs, English countryside/magical manor vibes, this book is for you. Five stars!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook by Bella Brightside ✨ Such a cozy, heart-healing read 🤍 A beautiful story about second chances and community values — the kind that feel like they’re slowly disappearing these days. This book truly reminds you that magic lives in people, in kindness, love, and belonging. I loved the characters, their journeys, and the way they grow together. It’s an emotional rollercoaster in the best way — warm, comforting, and deeply meaningful. By the end, I honestly wished Little Beaubrook was real… I wanted to live there 🏡💫 A must-read if you enjoy cozy, feel-good stories that heal hearts. 📖 Favorite quote: “I haven’t lived an extraordinary life, but I will always, always remember I once had an extraordinary love.”
Take one magical village, one sentient Manor House and a group of wounded people and you have the perfect recipe for a cosy, uplifting story with some impressively subtle character work. As soon as I read about this on socials I was desperate to get my hands on an ARC, and it didn’t disappoint. The multi-POV novel spotlights each resident from their arrival at the Manor (disgraced, traumatised, trying to make their relationship work, hiding a secret) to how they interact to heal themselves and each other. The novel handles some challenging material and doesn’t shy away from how it can impact the individual/couple, but does so in a deft, insightful way. I loved it.
I was over the moon to receive an advance reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. This was my first ARC and I am so grateful it was. The setting, a Georgian manor, small village and grounds in a state of disrepair, was beautifully described throughout, with small details which really brought it to life for me. I loved seeing the characters grow and develop to overcome their individual challenges with their needs and the needs of the cottages in the village becoming intertwined with a sprinkle of magic to help them on their way. It was such a heartwarming read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a gentle, feel good but thought provoking spring time read.
Thank you to the author and team for ARC version of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Little Beaubrook truly was a visit to a magical and heartwarming place disguised as a book. Each chapter is focused on a character along with a rule to live by.
Over the course of the book, we get to see both the main and the side characters grow and evolve with the help of these rules, a house/grounds with a magical personality, and the found family they have in this community.
I cannot recommend this book enough! Multiple POVs, found family & a little magic. Once I got my teeth into it I couldn't put it down. I fell in love with the varied characters and their stories. There are some heavy hitting subjects, so check before you read, but I found them well written. I honestly could have read another couple of hundred pages on the machinations of the adorable main character Albie.
i went into this book blind, because I loved the title and then you start reading a story about all people who are heart broken gathered together at this cottage. the cozy, whimsy vibes were so good. i also had never read a book with many different POV and it was so cool to see what everyone was feeling.
Enchanting from the first page to the last, Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook is a deeply uplifting and comforting story that feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket and welcomed home. Its beautifully drawn characters linger long after the final page, reminding us of the healing power of kindness, community, and second chances.
It was such an honor to be contacted by the author and invited to join her ARC team. Thank you so much for the advance copy. This is my honest, voluntary review.
I absolutely loved Magical Beginnings in Little Beaubrook. What a beautiful and heartwarming story about people coming together to heal, grow, and find purpose in their everyday lives. I especially loved the rules to live by at the beginning of each chapter. They added such a thoughtful and comforting touch. The multiple POVs were a joy to follow, with each character bringing depth and meaning to the town. Little Beaubrook truly feels like a magical place to live and a world I did not want to leave. ✨📚
I am so incredibly grateful to have been able to read and review this. I look forward to Bella Brightside's future work <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received this ebook as an ARC, and it was such a magical book ❤️
It was cute, heartwarming and wholesome.
Set in a hidden English village, where lots of people who don't know each other, move into Little Beaubrook. All the people who have moved here need to heal in some way, and they build the cutest community, all falling onto each other when needed. As they heal, the cottages and homes heal too.
Each chapter switches between different point of views, so you really got to know each character, their struggles and experiences. Character growth is definitely strong within this book.
A feel good book which I didn't want to put down.
Due to be released in March, please go pre-order it, as its one I'd definitely recommend.