The Forever House

by Veronica Henry

Hunter's Moon is the ultimate 'forever' house. Nestled by a river in the Peasebrook valley, it has been the Willoughbys' home for over fifty years, and now estate agent Belinda Baxter is determined to find the perfect family to live there. But the sale of the house unlocks decades of family secrets - and brings Belinda face to face with her own troubled past. . .

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Roman, Womens Fiction, Ebooks

363 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 4, 2017

About the author

Veronica Henry was a television script writer before turning her hand to fiction. She has published sixteen novels which she describes as realistic escapism - her setting are gorgeous, but her characters have problems and dilemmas everyone can identify with.

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel overflowing with charm and nostalgia set in the fictional village of Peasebrook, with its High Street of independent shops. Belinda runs her own estate agency selling houses to what she hopes are the right owners, employing a personal approach. She talks of the forever house that she is seeking, having once had such a house for herself ,before her life splintered apart traumatically and she lost it. She turns up at Hunter's Moon, owned by Sally and Alexander, who find themselves in dire financial straits and upsetting health issues that require them to sell their beloved forever house. This is a story of the past, present and the future of Hunter's Moon, a special house that has been in the hands of the Willoughby family for over fifty years.

We follow the story of the heartbreak and betrayal that Belinda has faced in her past, and her search for her new forever house, something which at long last she is in a position to afford. There is the concurrent storyline from 1967 about Sally and how she ended up in dire circumstances in London, only to find herself employed as a housekeeper by Margot Willoughby, the famous author. This happens because of her fortuitous meeting with Alexander 'Beetle' Willoughby. Sally finds herself enthralled with her position, and gets on well with Phoebe and Annie. She is more than a housekeeper as she creates order out of chaos and plays a pivotal role in the lives of all the family. It all culminates in Margot leaving Hunter's Moon to Sally. Belinda is forced to confront the horrors of her past as she manages the sale of the house that represented all her shattered hopes and dreams, and is reacquainted with the man who triggered all that sorrow.

This is a warm and uplifting book that looks at all the highs and lows in the life of Sally, the Willoughbys and Belinda. It charts how their lives crossed with each other through the central focus of Hunter's Moon, a home with cherished memories for those who have lived there. Veronica Henry creates a wonderful cast of characters and a narrative that captivates. Great book. Thanks to Orion for an ARC.

[Justkeepreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words to how much I simply loved this book. It is absolutely beautiful romantic and lovely. Such a wonderful read. I would highly recommend to all.

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book that I have read and loved by Veronica Henry. The first one was How to Find Love in a Bookshop.

I adored this one right from the get-go. It is a chick-lit romance, but not overwhelmingly so. It’s about a family living in a home called “Hunter’s Moon” set in my favorite part of England, the beautiful Cotswolds.



I imagined the home to look something like this.



Although it’s all a bit predictable, it was a truly heart-warming read. I already miss some of the wonderful characters.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“So often there was sadness and grief lying underneath perfection.”

“If this bloody disease has taught me anything, it's to spend more time with people you like.”

“She reflected that there was nothing more satisfying as a mother than to see your children settle with someone who felt right.”

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nestled in the hills of Peasebrook, is Hunter’s Moon, where the Willoughby family has lived for over 50 years. Now though, due to unforeseen health and financial issues, Sally and Alexander are being forced to sell Hunter’s Moon. They hire estate agent Belinda Baxter who is determined to find the right buyers for this special property. Belinda has dreams of buying a house herself. Once she’d had one for a short time. But the dream turned into a nightmare. For Belinda the sale of Hunter’s Moon brings her face to face with her past.
At other times the reader is taken back to 1967 when Sally comes to know Margo Willoughby a prolific, successful writer and her colourful family. Alexander is one of Margo’s three offspring and very much of a heartbreaker with the ladies and under the influence of alcohol when Sally first meets him. Sally’s lifestyle experience with the Willoughby family is vastly different to the way she grew up.
This definitely falls under the genre of chick lit but it is an engaging story. A good change of pace for me after my last read. Belinda is sweet with her attitude towards houses and their owners. She is extremely likable. Sally is organised and spunky, although she is very naïve when she is young in London. Margo is an over the top character, who can be charming but can also be self-centred and irresponsible. Her family just seem to accept her for who she is.
Several of the male characters including Alexander, (known as Beetle, for reasons explained in the book) are interesting. The setting is charming and well conveyed. It was easy to get drawn into the story about a house and its inhabitants, and also follow Belinda’s story. This was a pleasant change of pace and sometimes all you want is a book to escape into for a while. A book that doesn’t make too many demands but does involve the reader. I enjoyed it. If you like chick lit you probably will enjoy this one too.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely read and a return to Peasebook was a bonus. Belinda Baxter is one of those rare things - an estate agent with a heart!!! She was determined to all she could to make sure that Hunters Moon found its perfect owner. It was lovely to see Nightingale Books get a mention(those who have read How to Find Love in a Bookshop will remember this bookshop). Highly recommended.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic read from start to finish

[Agi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Forever House" is my third book by Veronica Henry and when I thought that there is nothing that could overdo her "How to Find Love in a Bookshop", I can certainly state that this newest release is as good as the latter. I've no idea how Veronica Henry does it, but there is such warmth to the writing, it is so inviting that you immediately feel at home when reading her novels. She brings all the emotions and feelings of the characters so effortlessly to life and I very quickly found myself engrossed in their lives and couldn't wait to see what's going to happen. Last year I read a book very similar in topic to "The Forever House" but I must admit that, even though it was by a very respectable author, the novel by Veronica Henry much better captures the whole idea of the forever house. And! This book has one of the most beautiful covers, guys, with beautiful colours, font, picture and some glitter - I love it!

Hunter's Moon is a gorgeous property, a house with history, handed from one generation to the next. However, Sally and Alexander need to downsize, there are some very heart - breaking reasons for this decisions, and they managed to convince themselves that it is the right decision, even though you can see and feel from the beginning that it is the last thing they want to do. They've been happily living in this house for over 50 years, brought up their children there, and all their memories are in those walls.
The story is interlacing past and present. We get to know all the characters, their past, how they all met and how their stories started to intertwine. And always, in the heart of their lives, there was Hunter's Moon. I absolutely loved the chapters dedicated to present, I was immersed in Belinda's story but also the parts about Sally and Alexander set in the late 1960's were brilliant - the author has captured the atmosphere of those time in the best possible way. In the past we see how young Sally met Alexander, how come she got to belong to the Willoughby family, why they all couldn't do without her - starting with the best - selling author, Alexander's extravagant mother, through his sisters to his unhappy father, and how she fell in love with Hunter's Moon and the family living there.

Present introduces us to Belinda Baxter, an estate agent with her own story and history. She's the one looking after the sale of Hunter's Moon, and I loved how she took it seriously and differently - she wanted to find not only those people who's pay the biggest sum, but she also wanted to find the right people. She truly cared about the homes she was to sell, and also about the people. She also knew how it is to find you perfect, forever house and then loose it, so maybe this is what made her tick, understand and be so sensible and understanding. She was full of passion and loved her job and she was really likeable from the first word.
As I have mentioned, Belinda has a history, that, very unexpectedly, comes back to hit her hard. What was absolutely adorable was that Belinda loved shopping in the Nightingale Books bookshop that we so well know from Ms Henry's previous novel!

The characters are so very well developed, there is depth in them, they are believable and likeable - all of them, even the background ones. You really have a feeling that any time they can just jump out off the pages. Hunter Moon's is a character in its own right. It is this kind of house that, once you entered, you never wanted to leave. It was a house that has been with the family for many years, a house that has seen a lot and has secrets of its own. Also, the setting of Peasebrook is gorgeous and there is this lovely community feeling.

This story deals with some more serious issues but not in a way that makes you feel overwhelmed with them. This makes the book so down - to - earth and realistic, as life is not always a bed of roses and the author has brilliantly portrayed it in her book. It is above all about families and their dynamics, and about the old saying that home is where the heart is. The writing style is so charming and the story is really addictive and I raced through the pages to eventually reach a very satisfying, beautiful end. "The Forever House" was an incredible read - the kind that you just want to stay inside it and never leave; a very emotional tale, mixing sadness with happiness, hope and despair in a perfect way, capturing imagination. Highly recommended!

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Nicola Clough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book an easy read and great characters. A lovely beautiful house has been in the same family for years but they need to move and can Belinda who is the estate agent wants to find the perfect family to move in but in doing this a whole load of family secrets and things from the past come out. Can the right solution be found so everyone can be happy. A really lovely read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...

This is a sweet story where, quite frankly, not a lot happens! Centring around Hunter’s Moon, a delightful, idyllic house, the novel tells the story of its inhabitants and how they have come to shape present day. Switching between 1967 to present day, between the Willoughby’s and Belinda the estate agent, Henry definitely shows how much a house can shape a family.

[Kaisha (The Writing Garnet) · Rating 5 out of 5]

All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com

As soon as I saw that Veronica Henry had a new book coming out, I just knew that I had to get my hands on a copy! I'm not going to lie, I was overcome by incredible disappointment when I saw that the book was due to be released in May this year. Now, as I'm sure you're all aware when you're a massive bookworm, patience for upcoming books is pretty much non-existent (especially if they're one of your favourite authors)! I took a chance by requesting the novel via NG and I danced around my living room when I had the e-mail stating that Orion Books had approved me for Veronica's book! Thank you!!!

You know when you're getting older when you dream of interior design, garden landscape and owning your very own house. Thinking about it, it really isn't THAT much to ask is it? Well, unless you're Belinda then yes, it is. Belinda Baxter gets to be amongst beautiful houses day in day out, as it's her job to help other people find their 'Forever House', whilst secretly dreaming of her own. What's even more bittersweet is that Belinda was SO close to owning that dream home, starting her dream life and actually feeling quite positive about her future; until the rug was pulled from under her of course. My first thought was 'will Belinda get her happily ever after?', as she was helping other people to find their dream home and not getting her own. Surely working as an Estate Agent with that mind set is similar to dangling a carrot in front of a horse?

I warmed to Belinda pretty much instantly. She came across as such a warm natured personality with an incredibly huge heart; how could someone hurt a personality like hers? All Belinda wanted was a happy life, a life to be proud of after all these years, and as a reader, I longed for her dream to finally come true. When I read that Belinda was about to help her latest client with their request, in regards to a sought after property which held a lot of memories, I began to see a completely different side of Belinda. The family involved in that particular property, the Willoughbys', had their own story to tell in more ways than one. Veronica Henry's style of writing the storyline incorporated an emotional and beautifully written flashback to the past for two of the Willoughbys. So not only was I able to get to know the family from Hunter's Moon in the present, I was also able to learn more about their family history at the same time. Such a wonderful addition to the book.

Picking up a Veronica Henry book to read is like holding a precious gem (garnet anyone?). Beautiful on the outside yet intricate, unique and special on the inside. I haven't read a book of Ms.Henry's that I disliked. Not only are her book covers absolutely stunning, the storylines themselves are like beautiful gifts.

'The Forever House' has quite a busy storyline with a lot of characters coming and going yet, unlike others, it doesn't leave you feeling suffocated by information. Instead, the storyline leaves you feeling involved in each of the characters lives and as though you're part of the community. This novel completely blew me away and I wish I could find the right words to explain my views properly, however I do feel that 'The Forever House' is a book where YOU need to be the one to unleash its beauty for yourself.

Reading 'The Forever House' made me feel as though I was reuniting with long-lost friends, and I was absolutely devastated to see the book come to an end.
Full of enchanting situations, heart warming history and beautifully written characters, 'The Forever House' is a book that needs to be read and cherished, forever.

It's time to unlock the door to your new favourite read courtesy of Veronica Henry and the majestic, 'The Forever House'.

Thank you Orion Books & Netgalley.

[Ulrica Kulturladyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jag har upptäckt en ny feelgoodförfattare. Tycker verkligen om hennes böcker och kommer läsa/lyssna på fler.

Jag tycker om att historien pendlar mellan olika tidsepoker. Vi får veta hur Alexander och Sally träffades som unga. Alexander växte upp på Hunters Moon med en mamma som var en känd författare. Jag gillar att kopplingen till böcker och skrivande även finns med i denna bok (precis som ”Hjärtats bokhandel”).
.
Det här är en riktig feelgoodpärla om kärlek, vänskap och att uppfylla drömmar. Den är kanske förutsägbar, men framförallt fin och mysig.

[*Tau* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veronica Henry was a television script writer before she became a book author.
Until now she wrote no less than 16 novels.

From the four that are translated in Dutch, I have three books on my shelves: How to Find Love in a Bookshop, The Forever House and A Family Recipe (not read yet).
Although I enjoyed 'How to Find Love in a Bookshop', it was rather an average read. Not bad, but not exceptional either.

In that respect 'The Forever House' is clearly of a higher level.
The characters have more depth and the plot is more elaborated. There are no loose ends, as all the storylines converge beautifully towards each other.
The beginning was rather slow and thus didn't immediately grab my attention. But once I was past those first few pages, I was mesmerized by the atmospheric storytelling.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well everyone is looking for their forever home, some are luckier than others in that they are already living in it, others have to face the heartbreaking decision to move away from their perfect home, for all manner of reasons.

And that is exactly what is happening with Hunter's Moon, a gorgeous property in Peasebrook. Sally and Alexander need to downsize and sell up, for a very good reason, but they have been very happy in the property for over 50 years.

As we watch them explain to family why they are selling, we also see them reminisce over their first meeting, and Sally's arrival at Hunter's Moon and the first few months with the Willoughby family. I often have issues with sections of the books being written purely in the past, but in this case, I was so wrapped up in Alex and Sally's story, that I forgot it was the late 1960s, and just wanted to know how things worked out.

Obviously as with every house sale, you need an estate agent, and Belinda Baxter is the one in charge of finding Hunter's Moon its new forever owners. I loved her philosophy towards selling houses, and frankly wish she was in charge of my current house move! Belinda hasn't had the easiest of pasts, so watch out for her past and present colliding in a couple of ways during the book.

One of the many things I loved about The Forever House was the setting of Peasebrook, which has featured in Veronica Henry's books in the past, and I also spotted nods to at least two other of her books with mentions of places or buildings. I suspect there may have been minor cameos from previous works but I can't quite put my finger on them.

I thoroughly enjoyed everything that I read about the entirety of the Willoughby family, both past and present, all 3 generations of them that are present in the book, from Alex's mother Margot, to his sisters, to his children with Sally, Leo and Jess. We only really met Leo, and he is a lovely young man, that is determined to help his parents as much as possible.

The Forever House is an incredibly good book, for what appears to be central to the story, a house and an estate agent, neither of which are my favourite topics currently, being 3 months into the stress of a house move myself! Regardless I was hooked on the story, and fascinated by Sally and Alexander when they were younger. I also really enjoyed Belinda's story, which posed a few surprises itself.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Orion for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a pleasant read with Veronica Henry, nothing complicated or taxing. Just a light romance but a good story with the usual happy ending.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Veronica Henry. You always know it will be a good tale with interesting characters and a good storyline. She has a way of keeping it intriguing with enough drama, even if it can sometimes be a little bit predictable and cliche. But That’s what makes it a good read and you know it won’t be boring.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utmärkt bok att avsluta året med

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het prachtige huis Hunter’s Moon wordt al vijftig jaar bewoond door de familie Willoughby, maar door omstandigheden moet er een nieuwe eigenaar gezocht worden. Deze taak is weggelegd voor Belinda Baxter die zich stiekem ook erg aangetrokken voelt tot dit prachtige huis. Ze wil er graag het perfecte gezin voor vinden, maar wanneer er oude geheimen aan het licht komen wordt Belinda geconfronteerd met haar eigen verleden en weggestopte liefdesverdriet.

We volgen de familie Willoughby en Belinda in het heden, maar ook volgen we Sally in het jaar 1967. Het jaar waarin ze Alexander Willoughby en zijn familie ontmoet, met als gevolg dat de familie haar erg dierbaar wordt.

Net als Veronica Henry’s vorige boek speelt het verhaal zich gedeeltelijk af in de plaats Peasebrook. Klein, mooi en gezellig. Het lukt Henry weer om mij te betoveren alsof ik daar rondloop. De schrijfstijl is voor zo’n verhaal dan ook echt perfect. Het is alsof je zelf door Hunter’s Moon loopt, de frisse lucht ruikt en de mooie oprijlaan oprijdt. Het was bijna jammer als dat telkens niet zo bleek te zijn als ik het boek dichtsloeg.
Deze verhaallijn is wel voorspelbaar, maar ik vond dat alleen maar fijn. Niet alleen maar ellende in een verhaal, maar juist niet nadenken en gewoon lekker lezen. Geen duistere figuren of slechte mensen, gewoon aardige en lieve personages. Het heeft voor vele fijne leesminuten gezorgd.

Je hoopt voor iedereen op een fantastisch einde, omdat ze dat allemaal verdienen. Ik heb nog nooit een personage uit een boek zoiets gegund, maar Henry schrijft zo fijn dat zelfs ik er heel blij van werd.

‘Ik zal er altijd voor jullie zijn, in tijden van vreugde en van verdriet, met mijn muren stevig om jullie heen. Ik zal jullie troost zijn, jullie veilig basis. Ik ben voor altijd van jullie. Voor altijd het huis van jullie dromen.’

De fijnste feelgood van mijn dromen

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veronica Henry does it again! She has this amazing ability to write the books I NEED to read and fall hopelessly in love with the characters and the setting! In this case, the wonderful home is Hunter's Moon, the home of the Willoughby clan for more than 50 years, but things could be about to change as the current owners are facing their own personal heartbreak and need to find a solution and fast!

Belinda is the estate agent brought in to handle the sale and she is a total romantic and will only take on properties that she loves! She's had her heart broken in the past, both personally and house related, so understands their predicament and tries to do all she can to help the situation.

Alongside Belinda's story, we also go back to 1967 and follow Sally as she makes her way in the world and finds her way to Hunters Moon where she starts work as their housekeeper to help keep Margot Willoughby, the famous author, and her household in check. She soon falls in love with more than just the home and you get to see why it has such a hold on people who visit there.

Belinda is a fascinating character due to the really tough times she has faced, and shows how she became so driven and work obsessed. When her past walks back in the door she is conflicted and has to relive some very tough memories. The Willoughby family soon become very dear to her heart and you are left hoping that they all get the happy ending that they all so richly deserve.

Loved this book and it was the perfect read on a hot, sunny afternoon! I just didn't want it to end!!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wauwww. Love this book so much ♥️♥️♥️

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first fell in love with Hunter’s Moon in a short story by the author called, The Apple Orchard. When I saw at the end that I could read more about the house as well as Belinda in a full novel, well I knew I just had to.

It’s not just the house you will fall in love with in this story. There are so many wonderful characters also. The story flicks between past and present so that we see things in present day with the owners of Hunter’s Moon having no choice but to sell their beloved home and to the past where we get to see the family that owned it and how Sally came to be the present day owner.

The past sections in the book without a doubt were my favourite. The Willoughby family are a quirky and wonderful one. Each member of the family had me fall for them ever so slightly more. No wonder Sally jumps at the chance of working there.

After finishing the book I felt it was one that I wanted to treasure forever. The author draws the reader into a wonderful world with idyllic settings that I really didn’t want to leave. It was such a bitter sweet ending as I enjoyed every minute of this book and was sad to reach the end.

The Forever House is a novel that will steal your heart. It is an endearing and emotive read that if it had been a thousand pages long, it still wouldn’t have been enough. A story you will easily get lost into and you can’t help but devour quickly as you are so invested in the characters. Loved it!

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book about the Willoughby family. Although I felt less of a connection to the main character of Belinda (and, on the same level, Leo), I still liked their characters very much. The Sally & Alexander storyline set in the late 1960s was my favorite, though. They were my favorite characters of the entire novel (especially Sally) and I’m still thinking of them days after finishing the book.

The author’s writing is very similar to Rosamunde Pilcher and just as appealing. Veronica Henry’s style is a bit more modern and with fewer cozy descriptions, but still a lovely reading experience. I will definitely read more of her books.

Thanks to Gina S. for sharing this book with me!

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fab book from Veronica Henry. It was such a sweet story and I could have read it in a day if I wanted to. But, I wanted to savour it, like a well cooked meal. This lady writes such lovely stories.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is just something magical about Veronica Henry's writing, it is like pure escapism. It just feels very real as though you are experiencing it like the characters are. I found the story line to be quite refreshing and a bit different but I liked it. A page turner at it's best.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hunter's Moon is a very special house. It's a house that has been through a lot together with the Willoughby family. First it was owned by Margot, a famous writer. She lived there with her husband and three children. Now her son Alexander owns the house together with his wife Sally, but due to tragic circumstances they need to put the house on the market. Their estate agent Belinda will sell the house with a heavy heart and genuinely wants to help the family. What will happen to Hunter's Moon, the Forever House, with so much history and charm?

The Forever House is a beautiful story about a gorgeous house and its inhabitants. I immediately loved the Willoughby family. They're chaotic, generous and incredibly kind. They are vibrant, know how to really live and they and are making life as fun as possible. However, there are also less happy times. The story is set in the past and the present. Several generations of the Willoughby family have lived in the impressive house and it's unthinkable that it has to be sold. I was moved to tears when I read about the problems Alexander and Sally are facing. I loved their warm personalities and wished them nothing but the best.

Belinda is a wonderful person. She doesn't sell houses just to make money, she's interested in her clients and she wants to make the transaction as easy as possible for them. She realizes selling a house is tough for the owners, especially when it's a cherished home. She's a sweet person with a huge wall around her heart because of something awful that happened to her in the past. Hunter's Moon fortunately slowly changes her and it was amazing to see that transformation.

Veronica Henry has a terrific sympathetic writing style. I love how she skillfully creates a lovely welcoming atmosphere every time she writes a story. Reading her books always makes me happy. I love the original subjects she chooses and the loving way she writes about them. Her stories keep managing to surprise me. I like it when I have a smile on my face after reading a book and the ending of The Forever House absolutely achieved that. I highly recommend this captivating novel, the story is delightful and I enjoyed reading it very much.

[Trelawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love looking at houses for sale or driving through the country and seeing old farm or manor houses and imagining who lives there so this story was perfect. The Willoughby's have made the heartbreaking decision to sell Hunter's Moon, their big country home. Belinda is the estate agent taking care of the sale and arranging the open house. The story switches between 1967 and the present telling the back story of the Willoughbys and Belinda who had to give up her own dream house. A cosy, easy read.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book where you think about the story while you’re at work, and can’t wait to get home and find out more. Loved it.

[Josefin · Rating 4 out of 5]

En väldigt mysig feelgood som hade ett oväntat djup och inte var som en typisk feelgood. Denna överraskade mig verkligen!

[Gyri Sandvoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

En god treer, som mamma, Emilie og jeg ofte kaller det. Hjertevarm, koselig og lett(!!!) lesing, men ikke noe veldig revolusjonerende.

Takk Jenny 😘

[Carol Sheppard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story but I wanted more of the Belinda and Leo story. Too much back story for me.

[Eva Anita Nilsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hjertevarm og god bok uten for mye kjærlighetskliss.