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Kearton Bay #3
Once Upon A Long Ago
Welcome to Kearton Bay on the North Yorkshire coast.
Can lessons from the past change their future?
Lexi Bailey doesn't do love. Having seen the war zone that was her parents' marriage, she has no interest in venturing into a relationship, and thinks romance is for fairy tales. As far as she's concerned, there's no such thing as happy ever after, and she's not looking for a handsome prince.
Will Boden-Kean has two great loves: his ancestral home, Kearton Hall, and Lexi Bailey. But the future of the first is in real jeopardy, thanks to his reckless and irresponsible father, and the chances of Lexi seeing him as anything except a good friend seem remote.
While Lexi gazes at the portrait of the Third Earl Kearton, and dreams of finding the treasure that is reputed to be hidden somewhere in the house, Will works hard to turn around the fortunes of his home. When he goes against Lexi's wishes and employs the most unpopular man in the village, she begins to wonder if he's under a spell. Will would never upset her. What could possibly have happened to him?
As plans take shape for a grand ball, Lexi's life is in turmoil. With a secret from Will's past revealed, a witch who is far too beautiful for Lexi's peace of mind, and a new enchantress on the scene, things are changing rapidly at Kearton Hall. Add to that a big, bad wolf of a work colleague, a stepmother in denial, and a father who is most definitely up to no good, and it's no wonder she decides to make a new start somewhere else.
Then she makes a discovery that changes everything — but time is running out for her. Is it too late to find her happy ending? Will Lexi make it to the ball? Will Buttons save the day?
And where on earth did that handsome prince come from?
Can lessons from the past change their future?
Lexi Bailey doesn't do love. Having seen the war zone that was her parents' marriage, she has no interest in venturing into a relationship, and thinks romance is for fairy tales. As far as she's concerned, there's no such thing as happy ever after, and she's not looking for a handsome prince.
Will Boden-Kean has two great loves: his ancestral home, Kearton Hall, and Lexi Bailey. But the future of the first is in real jeopardy, thanks to his reckless and irresponsible father, and the chances of Lexi seeing him as anything except a good friend seem remote.
While Lexi gazes at the portrait of the Third Earl Kearton, and dreams of finding the treasure that is reputed to be hidden somewhere in the house, Will works hard to turn around the fortunes of his home. When he goes against Lexi's wishes and employs the most unpopular man in the village, she begins to wonder if he's under a spell. Will would never upset her. What could possibly have happened to him?
As plans take shape for a grand ball, Lexi's life is in turmoil. With a secret from Will's past revealed, a witch who is far too beautiful for Lexi's peace of mind, and a new enchantress on the scene, things are changing rapidly at Kearton Hall. Add to that a big, bad wolf of a work colleague, a stepmother in denial, and a father who is most definitely up to no good, and it's no wonder she decides to make a new start somewhere else.
Then she makes a discovery that changes everything — but time is running out for her. Is it too late to find her happy ending? Will Lexi make it to the ball? Will Buttons save the day?
And where on earth did that handsome prince come from?
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2016
55 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 14, 2017
Lexi Bailey and Will Boden-Kean have both appeared in the previous Kearton Bay books (it is not necessary to read those before this book but you should because they're fabulous). Will is now a Baronet and fully in charge of his family home after his father's death. Lexi works there now as they try to make the Tudor mansion into a profitable venture. However, complications abound. Will's cousin Nat shows up, a handsome bounder who connects with Lexi much to Will's dismay; Will has been in love with her forever and is patiently waiting for her to realize it though Lexi doesn't want a relationship, having seen her parent's bad marriage. She fine with simple sex with Nat who has his own plans for Will's inheritance.
I was happy that many of the characters from the previous books appear here as well as some new and interesting ones. Will is just a sweetheart though he's not a milquetoast either. Lexi is a bit immature in my opinion but she grows up over the course of the story, and I admit that I cried at the end. One of the many things I like about Ms. Booth's writing is that the characters are 'real' which means they don't always act as I might expect. They're individuals and Ms. Booth doesn't follow expected story lines but includes many an unexpected yet believable twist. For example, I thought I knew where the treasure subplot was going, but Ms. Booth wrote it in a much more satisfying way.
I only finished A Kiss From A Rose yesterday and fully intended to break away from this series so that I wouldn't read it all too soon as I don't want it over with, but I had to read Once Upon A Long Ago once I read the blurb. I stayed up way too late, but I'm so glad I did and that I found this author. I've been gushing about these books and author because I love the books and think many of my friends would enjoy them.
One point for American readers: these books are written and edited in English style. They're also set in Yorkshire (Kearton Bay is a fictional name for the very real Robin Hood's Bay) and the dialect reflects that setting. I hadn't come across a few phrases or words, but I could usually figure it out from the context. In my opinion, it just makes these books more unique and charming.
I was happy that many of the characters from the previous books appear here as well as some new and interesting ones. Will is just a sweetheart though he's not a milquetoast either. Lexi is a bit immature in my opinion but she grows up over the course of the story, and I admit that I cried at the end. One of the many things I like about Ms. Booth's writing is that the characters are 'real' which means they don't always act as I might expect. They're individuals and Ms. Booth doesn't follow expected story lines but includes many an unexpected yet believable twist. For example, I thought I knew where the treasure subplot was going, but Ms. Booth wrote it in a much more satisfying way.
I only finished A Kiss From A Rose yesterday and fully intended to break away from this series so that I wouldn't read it all too soon as I don't want it over with, but I had to read Once Upon A Long Ago once I read the blurb. I stayed up way too late, but I'm so glad I did and that I found this author. I've been gushing about these books and author because I love the books and think many of my friends would enjoy them.
One point for American readers: these books are written and edited in English style. They're also set in Yorkshire (Kearton Bay is a fictional name for the very real Robin Hood's Bay) and the dialect reflects that setting. I hadn't come across a few phrases or words, but I could usually figure it out from the context. In my opinion, it just makes these books more unique and charming.
October 2, 2018
I have absolutely loved reading this series, the characters are so real! The final, Once Upon a Long Ago is about Lexi who is the daughter of the bloke love interest from the first book. Lexi is all grown up, and working at the historic Kearton Hall, owned by Will who she thought she was just friends with. Enter his cousin Nat, enjoy the complications along the way and love the ending- I did!
December 14, 2020
Another lovely read
Yet again Sharon Booth has had me captivated by this trilogy of books. She portrays the characters so clearly that you really become attached to them and the descriptions of the settings help create a lovely backdrop to all the goings-on. I'm really going to miss the inhabitants of Kearton Bay!
Yet again Sharon Booth has had me captivated by this trilogy of books. She portrays the characters so clearly that you really become attached to them and the descriptions of the settings help create a lovely backdrop to all the goings-on. I'm really going to miss the inhabitants of Kearton Bay!
August 6, 2021
This series just gets better and better.
You don't need to read thr first two but it would be a shame as they are so good and reakky set the scene.
The story of Lexi and Will is very cleverly written with lots of twists and turns. Characters from the first two books pop up throughout the book.
You don't need to read thr first two but it would be a shame as they are so good and reakky set the scene.
The story of Lexi and Will is very cleverly written with lots of twists and turns. Characters from the first two books pop up throughout the book.
July 16, 2024
A lovely story
I enjoyed this story about Lexi and her fear of love. I thought this story was quite romantic on Wills part it just took Lexi a while to realise that she loved Will
I enjoyed this story about Lexi and her fear of love. I thought this story was quite romantic on Wills part it just took Lexi a while to realise that she loved Will
June 29, 2017
Really enjoyed theses books it was nice the way they were written through Lexi, Rose or Eliza's eyes
February 15, 2018
Brilliant
Couldnt put it down. Fantastic read, felt like i knew the characters personally and i got lost in their world.
Couldnt put it down. Fantastic read, felt like i knew the characters personally and i got lost in their world.
April 25, 2019
Heart warming
Another great book in this series. I've read all three and loved them all. I'm definitely in love with Buttons!
Another great book in this series. I've read all three and loved them all. I'm definitely in love with Buttons!
June 3, 2021
Loving this series and Will and Lexi’s story of will they won’t they get together as it was so obvious they were destined to be. Great characters and settings ❤️
April 11, 2022
Really enjoyed it, different but liked the characters. Looking forward to reading the next instalment
March 27, 2025
Brilliant
This story is about Lexi and Will. It's wonderful and I really enjoyed it. I love to be able to catch up with the characters from the previous books too.
This story is about Lexi and Will. It's wonderful and I really enjoyed it. I love to be able to catch up with the characters from the previous books too.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews