Trust Your Heart

The Pets at Primrose Cottage #3

by Sheila Norton

PART THREE of a serialised novel - a charming and romantic story about living the simple life and the joy of animals.

Emma Nightingale finds she’s accidentally becoming something of a local celebrity in the small town of Crickleford, and it seems that everyone wants her to look after their pets.

While looking after a hamster, she accidentally uncovers a mystery that threatens to draw even more attention to her. With nowhere to turn, soon Emma will have to make a decision that could cost her everything…

this is part three of a four-part serialised novel.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

80 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2018

About the author

Winner of the RoNAs 'Christmas and Winter Seasonal Award' novel, 2022, with 'Winter at Cliff's End Cottage'.

I live in Chelmsford, UK, with my husband Alan. We have three married daughters and six grandchildren. I've been writing ever since I was a little girl, and finally achieved my lifelong ambition to have a novel published, with the acceptance in 2002 of 'The Trouble With Ally'. Prior to this, I'd been having short stories published in women's magazines for about ten years.

My most recent books are stories set in the English county of Devon, and most include pets in the story! They are feel-good contemporary fiction.

I worked for most of my life as a medical secretary. I now write full-time. I like to relax by reading, walking,swimming, and seeing my family and friends.

I am passionate about my writing and love to hear from my readers. I am also happy to give talks to writers' groups and others, and book signings, in my local area.

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review can be found on my blog thecosiestcorner.blogspot.com on 19/01

As always, I'm so happy when I see another part of this series pop up on Netgalley. It gives me somewhat of a buzz to click request and this is simply because I'm enjoying the story so much! In this one, it's much more jam-packed with events and goings on than the last two and every page was exciting, making me wonder where the story was going and which animal is going to make Emma uncover something else!

As with the last two, we get to learn a bit more about Emma and why she came to running away to hide in Crickleford. There are a few moments in this novella where I don't fully agree with what she's done but I understand completely where she's coming from and I get why she would act the way she does. Throughout the novella I started to feel quite sorry for Emma, it mustn't be nice what she's gone through and it must be so hard being away from your family and not feeling good enough or that you've done enough to make them proud.

I really liked that Matt started getting into this one a little more, and I was hoping that he and Emma would start seeing eye to eye a little more but there is certainly a spark between them! Whether or not this is always a romantic spark or an anger spark is something to distinguish. I'm really hoping that we find out what happens between the pair in the fourth and final novella in this series and fingers crossed for a happy ending for both Matt and Emma! As it seems that they've been through some similar heartbreaks.

As always I've loved reading all about the animals that Emma looks after and it was nice to read about different animals this time, such as the hamster, which brought back some fond memories of when I used to have one myself! There are some laugh-out-loud moments throughout the novella (including a runaway hamster and some disastrous fish event) and I once again really enjoyed reading another part of the series. I'm really coming round to reading books in parts, although I still need to go back to the last one to remember how it finished before I start a new one!

Overall, a very lovely read that you can finish in about 3 hours (I can't think of a better and more relaxing way of spending an afternoon). I've really enjoyed this series so far and I literally cannot wait for the final in the series! I'm desperate to see how this one finishes! Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma is still in Crickleford where she's hiding from the press after a nasty breakup with her celebrity boyfriend. Her pet sitting business is getting successful and she has a lot of interesting clients. She loves working with the animals. Slowly the people of Crickleford are becoming Emma's friends. There's one person in particular she really likes, local journalist Matt, but she still doesn't know if she can trust him. Matt is there when Emma makes herself even more famous in the village by an interesting discovery in the house of one of her clients. Emma's anonymity is constantly at risk, will she be able to keep hiding who she is?

The Pets at Primrose Cottage: Part Three Trust Your Heart is another wonderful piece of Emma's story. Emma pretends to be tough, but she's actually a softy. She's kindhearted, cares deeply about people and animals and wants to be loved and cherished herself in return. However, life hasn't always been easy for her and she has a lot of secrets. She can't open up to the people around her, which becomes increasingly difficult now that she's getting to know them. This struggle was interesting to witness and I couldn't wait for her to inevitably reveal more of herself.

Sheila Norton's writing has a nice easy flow. I love her setting, Crickleford is a fascinating town that has fabulous inhabitants who constantly made me smile. Emma fits right in and that's making her thrive, which makes reading about her adventures even more fun. Wherever the dynamic and chaotic Emma goes, something's always happening and that makes the story enjoyable and entertaining. I really like The Pets at Primrose Cottage series and can't wait to read the final chapters.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! It’s so fun and exciting. From the minute I finished part 2 I couldn’t wait to get the next part to find out what happens next, it’s completely gripping! I just feel for Emma she is trying to make a fresh start and get away from her past but something always seems to happen and in part 3 it seems like the worst happens.

So excited for part 4!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to read part three of The Pets at Primrose cottage and it was so good.

I got back in the story straight away its a easy flowing story it was nice to learn more about Emma and her past history. This book has had me smiling and the description makes me want to pack my bags and go to the countryside could picture the scenery and the characters clearly

Can't wait to find out what adventures are in store in part four.

Would like to thank netgalley for letting me review this book.

[Justkeepreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic edition to this wonderful series. This is part 3 of 4 of the Pets at Primrose Cottage. Which will be released in full next year. As always this book never fails to have me smiling from ear to ear and laughing my way through it. It is such a fun and happy book. That I know chicklit and romance fans will love. If you haven’t been keeping up with the seperate parts of this book. You should make sure you read the full book when it comes out. As I know you will absolutely love it. It was so nice to find out more about. Emma’s past in this section. Because it is all still shrouded in mystery. Something that I hope will come out in the last instalment. Which I simply can’t wait for. As I am loving this book.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pets at Primrose Cottage Trust Your Heart is the third part of the story. It sees us back with Emma and features new animals for her to look after, a hint at romance and some buried treasure. Plus a little cliffhanger at the end, so I’m really looking forward to the final part.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House UK Ebury Publishing and the author for the chance to review.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I have been enjoying this series and thought that this part, part three is definitely the best one so far - I loved that we learnt a little bit more about Emma's character - we still need to find out exactly what happened to make her leave her previous life but I'm sure all will be revealed in the final part due out soon.

This is a solid addition to an excellent series - 5 stars from me and looking forward to reading the fourth and final part of the story! I really enjoy this authors books and they are a delight for any animal lovers out there that want a light-hearted easy read to pass a few hours.

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

And so The Pets at Primrose Cottage series continues with part 3, "Trust Your Heart". In this part, as opposed to two other ones, there is a lot happening, however it still doesn't explain much about Emma's previous situation and I'm afraid that the last part will feel too rushed as the author will have to wrap all the threads of the subplots neatly together. But let's wait and see.

I think this is also the funniest part yet, especially with the hamster adventures, and with the fish troubles. It of course brings back the characters that we've got to know but I only hope that the unappetizing Rob won't enter the scenes anymore, he's incredibly annoying and I am really not sure what's the point of his advances. Emma is promising to tell this all his wife but it's the same as with her lies - she promises to stop and it never happens. However, in this part she's plucks up the courage to open a little to Matt and I must admit that his reaction disappointed me - and let's be honest, were the stories that Emma told before so life - changing and significant? And well, hello, there was no talk about relationship before, so why to react so strongly? Probably because he has something to hide as well (oh boy. I fear that the fourth part is going to be longer as the three parts together, everything just accumulates). I also am not sure if I understand Emma's allegation's towards her family because when her sister visited her at Primrose Cottage, they were both so well around each other, they enjoyed each other's company and there was not a feeling that there is something wrong between them.

The story was flowing so very nicely and it made me smile and I enjoyed it. However, all the time I have a feeling that it would work much better as w full - length novel, not all books can be split into series and in my opinion this is such a book, and it just losing too much. But I, of course, will be reading the final instalment, I have to know all the answers. "Trust Your Heart" had some romance in it, some buried secrets and altogether it was enjoyable, quick read.

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

[I'mogén · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recieved via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Jumping back in with my thoughts straight away!
Absolutely found it hilarious when Emma's family completely misunderstood the line of work she was in, but reading it from their perspective, with no context, I can totally see how that came about haha!

Although a beautiful moment for a first kiss, I must say it felt rather sudden, what with the two love interest constantly having explosive arguments. Then again, maybe it was fuled by passion.

I'm going to now mention some stuff that could be triggering in the spoiler section:
I wasn't expecting Rob's advances on Emma to turn into an attempted rape scene. I feel like it added an important point of conversation about half heartedly liking the attention but not wanting it to go that far, mixed in with guilt about "not being firm enough". As I say, it was interesting to make you think but I'm not sure it was really necessary for the story and it felt like it was sort of just pushed in for something taboo, in a way. I'm trying to explain how it felt as respectfully as possible! I hope my thoughts made sense. I was shocked at Rob's background though!

The actual twist about Emma's history wasn't as interesting as I was hoping. Although I feel like she kind of got her karma for telling a pack of lies, I was really disappointed and shocked by the way Matt reacted. To me, it felt completely out his character.

One random, but fun thing, I love how the months are matching up with real life. The first sentence of the extract for part 4 is "as August turned into September", which is actually happening now! The last part of the extract would have made a nice ending actually, but I'm excited to get onto part 4 to see how this whole story wraps up.

Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén

[Grace J Reviewerlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third part of this delightful series takes up where the preceding one left off and it doesn’t take long for it all to come flooding back.

Emma’s pet sitting business is flourishing as her reliability becomes better known and she is really enjoying life in Crickleford. She is, however, beginning to miss having a ‘someone special’ in her life and realises how lonely she is. Having told so many lies to cover her past, how can she possibly have a close relationship?

Book three advances this story nicely. We learn more about Emma’s past and she manages to dig another hole for herself by the end of the tale, leaving the reader wondering how – or if – she’s going to get herself out of this one! I’m so looking forward to the next instalment in this enjoyable series with it’s variety of pets with personality! I love Sheila Norton’s easy writing style – these really are books you read with a smile in your heart.

My thanks to publishers Ebury Digital for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publishers, Ebury Publishing for this review copy given in exchange for an honest review.

This is part 3 of a 4 part serialisation. The entire book of all 4 parts is due for publication in March 2018. This really does need to be in order to understand the story.

We are back into Emma Nightingale’s story following on from part 2. To recap, Emma is hiding away in the little village of Crickleford following a rather public split from her celebrity boyfriend. She has ‘accidently’ got herself a job of looking after people’s pets when they go away, and was beginning to settle down until a local journalist wants to write a story about her. In these few chapters, Emma is looking after a hamster. When it manages to escape its exercise ball and hide beneath the floorboards, she finds an old tin containing money, jewellery and an interesting story about a haunted house! Unfortunately, the person who helped rescue the hamster with her was the journalist Matt, and this has now given him even more reason to write a story about her!

This was a great follow on to the last two parts. Even though it has only been a few weeks since I read the first two instalments, I’ve read so many books in between that I’d forgotten what this story was about. Fear not! As soon as I started, the story came flooding back and I settled quite happily into a few more chapters of Emma’s story. I have again laughed my way through this, and loved the misunderstanding from her sister (you’ll know what I mean when you read it!). We also began to find out more about Emma’s past, which will hopefully all be revealed by the end of the final part!

A fantastic short book, leaving it nicely on a cliff-hanger for the final part! Can’t wait for the last piece of the story!

[Cat Strawberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review may contain slight spoilers if you haven’t read about parts one and two yet:
Oh wow how emotional I’ve been over the way this part ended! Part Three of this serialised novel begins with Emma overcome by a fever when a nasty animal bite has her hospitalised for a short while. Finally back at Primrose Cottage and back to her work as a pet sitter for the small town of Crickleford she finally starts to confront her own feelings, but can she really begin to trust people when she’s told them so many untruths.

I really enjoyed this third part of the story. Emma’s tale gets more intriguing as we get a glimpse into what happened to make her leave America. It’s all still a mystery but the way this story is slowly unfolding is just so exciting and interesting. As usual there’s lots more pet sitting involved with some new pets as well as ones we’ve met before. There’s a very interesting story of a hamster this time and I loved the way it’s described, the cute and silly behaviour and the interesting side story that follows. The way the animal stories weave in and out of Emma’s own is just perfect and makes you want to smile with how heartwarming they are.

I was a bit disappointed with part two, but this one is far more interesting. Emma’s own story is no longer just meandering slowly along, you can feel the suspense rising as we’re reaching the ending. The story between Emma and Matt takes an interesting turn and I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad and emotional with how this part of the story ends, it’s again a bit of a cliff-hanger moment as you wonder what’s going to happen and I’m going to delve into part four right away as I just can’t wait!

There’s nothing offensive in this part of the novel and indeed in the whole book and I’m sure many teens and adults would love to read this but if you do, begin with part one first, or read the whole book as this has since become available as a whole book rather than in serialised parts. I can’t wait for the part four of this novel, and I’m sure everyone reading this will book feel the same.
-Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

So now we reach part three in Sheila Norton's Pets at Primrose Cottage series with the arrival of Trust Your Heart, which is something our main character Emma certainly needs to do. I am glad I have been able to read all parts so far in quick succession as the storylines and characters has remained fresh in my mind. As part two left us on a cliffhanger, the opening to part three sees some sort of resolution to what left readers on tender hooks. Local journalist Matt comes to the rescue when Emma finds herself in what could potentially become a disastrously, dangerous situation. Emma is grateful for Matt's help but as we have being reading so far she is still very resolutely a closed book. A person keeping everything very much close to her chest, never allowing a scrap of her recent past and the reason for her arrival in Crickleford to come to light.

I'm still in two minds over Emma as I can't believe that all her actions so far in terms of the amount of lies she has told so far can ever be justifiable, in fact the lies are only ever increasing. She gets herself into knots which are unnecessary in my view when surely admitting the truth and the reasons for leaving her ex Shane back in America would make more sense and ultimately relieve the burden she is carrying on. She can't move forward unless she does this and the spark that the reader can see between herself and Matt will never be ignited if she carries on the way she is.

Emma feels she can't even be friends with Matt as he wants to write stories about her. I felt Matt was genuine and he wasn't like a tabloid hack out to get the big scoop which would bring him money and fame. No he had a kind heart and there was nothing vindictive behind his reasons for wanting to write a story, it's just a pity that Emma couldn't see that. I understand Emma has been deeply hurt and, combined with the fact her own family don't want that much to do with her, she feels the need to keep everyone on the long finger. Her trusts issues with men are very apparent and she feels no good can ever come with any association with a member of the opposite sex. Surely her attitude needs to change if she wants to move on and make a better life for herself?

I enjoyed how we still don't know the exact reasons for Emma leaving Shane. There has to be that element of mystery throughout to make the reader keep reading, I'm hoping the big reveal in part four will be worth the wait. Although I do think Shane himself needs to make an appearance at some stage otherwise things could fall a bit flat. The one thing I would say is that despite all the people Emma meets through her newly developing pet sitting service is that there is a distinct lack of a female that she can turn to for advice and support. I know her landlady Lauren is there but Emma has only known her for a few months, a long time/childhood friend would have been a nice addition. Even just someone she could call on the phone for a chat. But then if one thinks about it maybe Emma has shut herself off from everyone and if she had the suggested friend/ally she wouldn't call on them in times of need.

Of course the book had to have some light hearted scenes and that's where the pets of the title come into play in this case Jojo the hamster was the one who provided the light relief from Emma's travails. For something so small he caused plenty of mischief which ultimately led to a lovely reveal and also helped ease the reoccurring tension between Matt and Emma. Rob Montgomery rears his ugly head again and his actions are once again repulsive and despicable.

Things got very dramatic towards the end which was needed considering I felt part three had lacked this. At the same time there are still plenty of unanswered questions which will guarantee I will be returning for the conclusion of Emma's story when part four No Place Like Home is published in February before the full length edition arrives in March. To say I am intrigued to discover the eventual outcome is an under statement as Emma is a character who will frustrate and infuriate you in equal measure yet at the same time there is a soft centre waiting to emerge. It's like the ice queen is melting and to see her on this journey has been enjoyable to read of and I hope she gets the happy ending I am sure she deserves. Can Emma get close to another man? Can she leave the past behind? Part four should reveal all.

[Angela Mellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part three in the pets at Primrose Cottage and definitely does need to be read in order as this is one book to be released later split into 4 chunks resulting in mini books.
I have knocked a star off only because I do read a lot of books and the gap between 2 and 3 was a few weeks and in that time I had forgotten what had happened to the main character Emma and took me nearly the first chapter to fully remember and understand where we up to in this book.
I have to say I think part 3 has been the best part so far, a lot has happened in this book from escaping hamsters to hidden treasure and the truth starting to find its way out leaving me uncertain how this is going to finish. I can't wait to read the last instalment and hope I've got better remembering skills next time!!
I would like to thank netgalley and Ebury Publishing, Penguin Random House for this ARC I receive din exchange for an honest review.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how good it is to be back in Crickleford with Emma and all the goings on while she looks after the. village's pets! I thoroughly enjoyed parts 1 and 2 of this serialised novel and cannot wait for part 4. The full book will be published in April 2018. I always whiz through anything Sheila Norton writes- the pace is brilliant.

[Paula-Diane Lufflum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 3

A great continuance of the story the cats out of the bag now, how will people in the village feel about her now. Will she have to now move on again or could she finally get her happy ever after.

[Dawn Mason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do like the story but this is a ripe off part 3 started at chapter 17 so clearly a book split into 4 short books for more profit. Shame on you .

[C Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Forget Bruce Willis this heartfelt storyline had me on tender hooks! Such a good story i can't wait for the next installment!

[Kathryndavies]

Just love this book

Needed a easy read to escape depression and I found it in this book. A beautiful story about simple life and overcoming stuff in life.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

an enjoyable read. Some great pets, lots of misshaps fun and frolics. Will definatley read her books in the future.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a shame about the ending in this book of the series, and it is keeping me on the edge of my seat to see what happens between Emma and Max next.

[Emma Star Crossed Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This is the third part of four in the series. This part was full of antics that made me laugh. The pets that Emma looks after in this part are some real characters.

It was good to see Emma start to open up to Matt in this part as she had so many walls up and her past was really affecting her.

Sheila’s writing style is very easy to read and she writes some of the most beautiful settings. Crinkleford is a lovely little village that would be perfect on a postcard.

This book is the perfect length to read over an afternoon or a weekend and for those who love a romcom book.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and enjoyable as usual. A really good and heart warming read.
Cannot wait for the last instalment.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK