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The House of Hopes and Dreams
When Carey Revell unexpectedly becomes the heir to Mossby, his family’s ancestral home, it’s rather a mixed blessing. The house is large but rundown and comes with a pair of resentful relatives who can’t be asked to leave.
Still, newly dumped by his girlfriend and also from his job as a TV interior designer, Carey needs somewhere to lick his wounds. And Mossby would be perfect for a renovation show. He already knows someone who could restore the stained glass windows in the older part of the house…
Angel Arrowsmith has spent the last ten years happily working and living with her artist mentor and partner. But suddenly bereaved, she finds herself heartbroken, without a home or a livelihood. Life will never be the same again – until old friend Carey Revell comes to the rescue.
They move in to Mossby with high hopes. But the house has a secret at its heart: an old legend concerning one of the famous windows. Will all their dreams for happiness be shattered? Or can Carey and Angel find a way to make this house a home?
Still, newly dumped by his girlfriend and also from his job as a TV interior designer, Carey needs somewhere to lick his wounds. And Mossby would be perfect for a renovation show. He already knows someone who could restore the stained glass windows in the older part of the house…
Angel Arrowsmith has spent the last ten years happily working and living with her artist mentor and partner. But suddenly bereaved, she finds herself heartbroken, without a home or a livelihood. Life will never be the same again – until old friend Carey Revell comes to the rescue.
They move in to Mossby with high hopes. But the house has a secret at its heart: an old legend concerning one of the famous windows. Will all their dreams for happiness be shattered? Or can Carey and Angel find a way to make this house a home?
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2018
545 people are currently reading
1062 people want to read
About the author
Trisha Ashley
50 books1,092 followersTrisha Ashley is now a full-time novelist, but she has been known to work for stained glass makers and/or plumbers. She likes to paint, eat, drink, and read literary biographies. Her previous hobbies included getting divorced and packing to move. She claims to have once actually eaten Bronte burgers at the Branwell café, but her publisher declines to verify this. She lives in North Wales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
May 15, 2018
What’s happened to Trisha Ashley?
Back in the chocolate wishes era her novels were fantastic.With the last three or four however I’ve found my mind drifting off as I’m reading and that determined readers nightmare...skimming! 😱
The plots aren’t strong enough anymore,I hate when this happens and an author changes their writing style so much you have to let them go.
Back in the chocolate wishes era her novels were fantastic.With the last three or four however I’ve found my mind drifting off as I’m reading and that determined readers nightmare...skimming! 😱
The plots aren’t strong enough anymore,I hate when this happens and an author changes their writing style so much you have to let them go.
February 23, 2019
it was okay it did take me a while to read
November 5, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book full of surprises and so heartwarming and romantic it's funny and upsetting at times with many twists and turns.
Angel has spent years happy and working with her partner and although never married they are happy he suffers a stroke and she looks after him till she goes away back home and he passes away. She rushes home but doesn't get on with his son and he wants her out of the house and work and doesn't want her to take anything that is his father's. She is left with no home and livelihood gone will life be the same again until she visits her friend carey who is in hospital after a bad accident he's lost his filming job and just been left a family home and it's a mixed blessing and he suggests angel move in with him and start her own business up there and he will film himself renovating the house. They both move into the house but it's full of secrets will there dreams of happiness be shattered or not and can they find a way to make the home a house and be happy.
A great easy read.
Angel has spent years happy and working with her partner and although never married they are happy he suffers a stroke and she looks after him till she goes away back home and he passes away. She rushes home but doesn't get on with his son and he wants her out of the house and work and doesn't want her to take anything that is his father's. She is left with no home and livelihood gone will life be the same again until she visits her friend carey who is in hospital after a bad accident he's lost his filming job and just been left a family home and it's a mixed blessing and he suggests angel move in with him and start her own business up there and he will film himself renovating the house. They both move into the house but it's full of secrets will there dreams of happiness be shattered or not and can they find a way to make the home a house and be happy.
A great easy read.
July 7, 2018
I’ve read a number of Trisha Ashley’s books: some work for me, some don’t. I’ve come to expect a large number of quirky characters in them. When I first started reading The House of Hopes and Dreams I thought something was wrong. No real quirky characters, but a number of very mean secondary characters. To be honest, the first quarter of the book dragged and I came close to putting it down. Fortunately, the story picked up, and for the most part I enjoyed it.
The book opens with Carey Revell in a hospital bed. Carey was the creator and star of a hit renovation show on TV, but he lost everything (and nearly lost his leg) when he was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident while cycling. Not only was he let go by the show’s producers, but his girlfriend dumped him. While trying to figure out what to do with his life, Carey is informed that he has inherited a mansion that was owned by a relative he never knew he had, and that has a large number of stained glass pieces.
Angel is also dealing with major changes in her life. She’s a stained-glass designer who’s been gradually making a name for herself while living with, and working with the much older, renowned designer Julian. While still in love with Julian, their relationship changed when 18 months earlier he had a stroke. Instead of his lover, she’s become his carer. Suddenly, Angel loses everything and unsure what to do, Carey ends up back in her life again.
It turns out Carey and Angel were friends as children, and actually lived together (along with a bunch of other friends) while at university. Now, when both are struggling to find a new direction, Carey offers Angel the chance to live at his estate, and begin her own business.
Except for the first chapter, the remainder of the book is told from Angel’s POV. Both Carey and Angel are nice, interesting people, with strong career interests. I found it a bit tiresome how virtually everyone falls under Carey’s spell (especially gorgeous blondes). When things begin going wrong at Carey’s mansion, there are a number of pretty obvious villains who could be blamed, and I found several of the villains to be caricatures.
The introduction of each chapter provides snippets from the “diary” of Jessie, the renowned glass artist and a distant relative of Carey. While these were eventually interesting, and reveal a lot about some of the mysteries in the book, it also felt as if just too much was thrown into the plot: Carey’s injury/accident; mysterious threats/accidents that occur to Carey and/or Angel; the mystery of Lady Anne’s window; the mystery of Jessie; the very odd housekeeper; the film crew doing a new show for Carey focused on his mansion; the evil son of Angel’s lover Julian; the evil ex- of Carey …… and so many more. I could’ve done with a bit fewer plot threads and more focus just on Carey and Angel.
As an aside, the book features a number of characters from at least one previous book by Ms. Ashley, and it was fun meeting up with them again. Overall, I’d give this a C, so three stars here.
The book opens with Carey Revell in a hospital bed. Carey was the creator and star of a hit renovation show on TV, but he lost everything (and nearly lost his leg) when he was seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident while cycling. Not only was he let go by the show’s producers, but his girlfriend dumped him. While trying to figure out what to do with his life, Carey is informed that he has inherited a mansion that was owned by a relative he never knew he had, and that has a large number of stained glass pieces.
Angel is also dealing with major changes in her life. She’s a stained-glass designer who’s been gradually making a name for herself while living with, and working with the much older, renowned designer Julian. While still in love with Julian, their relationship changed when 18 months earlier he had a stroke. Instead of his lover, she’s become his carer. Suddenly, Angel loses everything and unsure what to do, Carey ends up back in her life again.
It turns out Carey and Angel were friends as children, and actually lived together (along with a bunch of other friends) while at university. Now, when both are struggling to find a new direction, Carey offers Angel the chance to live at his estate, and begin her own business.
Except for the first chapter, the remainder of the book is told from Angel’s POV. Both Carey and Angel are nice, interesting people, with strong career interests. I found it a bit tiresome how virtually everyone falls under Carey’s spell (especially gorgeous blondes). When things begin going wrong at Carey’s mansion, there are a number of pretty obvious villains who could be blamed, and I found several of the villains to be caricatures.
The introduction of each chapter provides snippets from the “diary” of Jessie, the renowned glass artist and a distant relative of Carey. While these were eventually interesting, and reveal a lot about some of the mysteries in the book, it also felt as if just too much was thrown into the plot: Carey’s injury/accident; mysterious threats/accidents that occur to Carey and/or Angel; the mystery of Lady Anne’s window; the mystery of Jessie; the very odd housekeeper; the film crew doing a new show for Carey focused on his mansion; the evil son of Angel’s lover Julian; the evil ex- of Carey …… and so many more. I could’ve done with a bit fewer plot threads and more focus just on Carey and Angel.
As an aside, the book features a number of characters from at least one previous book by Ms. Ashley, and it was fun meeting up with them again. Overall, I’d give this a C, so three stars here.
May 24, 2020
Um livro com um enredo cativante e que nos permite acompanhar a história do Carey e da Angel em paralelo com a história dos antepassados da família Revel, a família do Carey.
Uma história envolvente e em que a cada capítulo temos vontade de continuar a sua leitura para conseguirmos descobrir os segredos escondidos do passado.
Mais uma ótima leitura que a Trisha Ashley me proporcionou.
Uma história envolvente e em que a cada capítulo temos vontade de continuar a sua leitura para conseguirmos descobrir os segredos escondidos do passado.
Mais uma ótima leitura que a Trisha Ashley me proporcionou.
April 16, 2020
Primeiro que tudo, eu adoro os livros desta autora. São livros com uma escrita doce e com um toque de magia.
Este livro é um pouco diferente de todos os outros que a autora lançou mas não deixa de ter o mesmo toque especial.
Este livro fala-nos sobre um jovem Carey que acabou de sofrer um acidente. Para além deste trágico acidente perde a namorada e o emprego. Até que recebe uma herança: a mansão da família. Esta mansão é encarada como um novo começo.
No entanto, as coisas não correm exatamente como ele estava à espera.
Angel perdeu o namorado e perdeu a casa. Até que Carey lhe oferece emprego e teto. O que será que vai acontecer entre estas personagens?
Este livro envolve mistérios, segredos escondidos e corações partidos.
Um livro cheio de surpresas e de encher o coração.
Duas histórias diferentes, duas pessoas diferentes que se juntam para tornar o livro magico.
Será que os segredos os destruirão? Será que conseguirão encontrar a felicidade, apesar de tudo? Que segredos será que a mansão esconde?
Este livro é um pouco diferente de todos os outros que a autora lançou mas não deixa de ter o mesmo toque especial.
Este livro fala-nos sobre um jovem Carey que acabou de sofrer um acidente. Para além deste trágico acidente perde a namorada e o emprego. Até que recebe uma herança: a mansão da família. Esta mansão é encarada como um novo começo.
No entanto, as coisas não correm exatamente como ele estava à espera.
Angel perdeu o namorado e perdeu a casa. Até que Carey lhe oferece emprego e teto. O que será que vai acontecer entre estas personagens?
Este livro envolve mistérios, segredos escondidos e corações partidos.
Um livro cheio de surpresas e de encher o coração.
Duas histórias diferentes, duas pessoas diferentes que se juntam para tornar o livro magico.
Será que os segredos os destruirão? Será que conseguirão encontrar a felicidade, apesar de tudo? Que segredos será que a mansão esconde?
October 10, 2018
I got lost at times, not much happened with the story... it focused heavily in the restoration of the house and the characters took a back seat
March 14, 2018
The House of Hopes and Dreams, the new book from Trisha Ashley, delves into the creative, artistic world of stained glass making and takes us on a journey with Angel Arrowsmith as she attempts to overcome tragedy and rebuild her life. I was quick to warm to Angel from the beginning of this story and countless times over, the further I read I felt she had been very hard done by through what I would term cruel and vindictive actions of others. Yet her talent, creativity and flair always shone through. There were several storylines at play throughout this book, some more riveting than others but come the end they all had their part to play and each blended in nicely with the overall themes and plot.
Before the beginning of every chapter focusing on Angel in the present day, there was a brief page or two from a diary. After several chapters it became clear that this was the diary of a famous stained glass artist Jessie Kaye who had once lived at Mossby which is the main setting for this story. I found these little snippets very interesting and tantalising in equal measure, as were given brief glimpses into a different life lived at Mossby many years ago and also how the main window of the house plays such a pivotal part in connecting the past with the present. Plenty of secrets and surprises await between the covers of this book and it proved to be an enjoyable read.
Carey Revell is on the cusp of leaving hospital after a long and arduous recovery following an accident which almost resulted in the loss of his leg. Times have been tough for him and he will never walk with complete ease again and combined with the fact his role as presenter of The Complete Country Cottage series has now been consigned to the bin along with the girlfriend who walked out the door, one can't say that life has lately been a bed of roses for him. News from a side of the family he never knew really existed make him see things in a new light. He is has inherited a grand old country pile called Mossby from an Uncle who has passed away.
Carey has no clue about anything to do with the running of the estate but he is more than wiling to learn his family history and the history of the estate as he is going along. I could immediately sense that Carey had been through the wars and that this new opportunity afforded to him would be a challenge to relish as he could use his restorative skills and charm to channel his energies into something new. Soon Carey feels so at home at Mossby, even though he has never been there before, it speaks to him and he heeds the houses call and wants to restore it to its former glory. This is where Angel comes in as she needs a refuge and maybe Carey and Mossby will provide that to her.
The first third of the book focused on Angel, setting up her situation and how she came to arrive at Mossby in need of comfort and a place to heal. Initially it seemed like she led the ideal life for her. She wasn't married but was happily in a relationship with famous stained glass artist Julian Seddon. Together they crafted away in their workshop even though Julian still struggles with the after affects of a severe stroke. I sensed the pair had a deep respect and love for each other and their shared passion for stained glass only enhanced this. So when the unimaginable happens and Julian suffers once again, Angel is left alone and must carry on.
As if that is not bad enough what I felt was such a major injustice was done to her, it was so unfair what occurred. It was as if all her wishes, her hard work and dedication went out the window and she was forgotten about in an instant. All down to greed, bitterness and jealously. Julian's adult son, Nat, storms in and demands what he feels is rightfully his. The cottage, the workshop, commissions everything is now his and poor Angel was very firmly out out in the cold without a thank you. I felt desperately sorry for her It's bad enough having to deal with the death of someone you loved so much but then to have further trauma unnecessarily heaped upon is just the pits. I wanted to reach out and hug her and offer her a place to stay so affected was I by what she had to endure.
Nat made his presence further known at a time when you felt things might turn around for Angel but I was glad she had seemed to garner more courage and strength to stand up to what was essentially a bully. The kind, caring side of Carey emerged as Angel is invited to stay at Mossby and start her own workshop once used by Jessie Kaye. At first I thought Carey was just being a good friend and wouldn't like Angel to be left on the streets but the further we moved through the story I thought hmmm maybe there is more to this than at first meets the eye. But how could Angel be ready for new feelings of love given the death of Julian had only recently occurred?
I didn't think the middle section of the book was a strong as the beginning and the latter third. Yes it was interesting to read of the descriptions of Mossby, how Carey was going to film a new series, and of Angel setting up her workshop and basically all the new and exciting plans for Mossby. But at times I felt it did become slightly repetitive and the story needed to be moved on a bit. There were several characters mentioned who did ring a bell with me as they did feature in a previous book I had read by this author but if you hadn't read that they wouldn't have meant that much to you. Also, there was no doubt impeccable research undertaken by the author into stained glass and its construction had been undertaken but I found there was just too much information around this for me to absorb and visualise. I stopped at one or two points to look up some of the techniques and terms used just so things would make more sense for me and to deepen my understanding. The storyline around Lady Anne's window was fascinating though and I felt as I said once we got to the later third the story really moved up a notch and I was keen to discover just exactly what was going at Mossby and why a certain creepy character acted the way they did?
The inquisitive side of Angel begins to emerge as she restores the famous window at Mossby and with Carey by her side things begin to take dramatic turns. Will the legends of Mossby come true and cause chaos, doom and gloom for all involved leaving no chance for happiness for anyone? Or will Carey and Angel be able to get to the root of the problems and solve the mystery once and for all. I loved how there were two major twists towards the end that I wouldn't have seen coming and I felt all the diary entries really paid off. Some readers I think might initially find them a hindrance and question whether they taint the flow of the story but I knew they had to have some validity and a need to be there and I am so glad I wasn't let down by the eventual outcome.
The House of Hopes and Dreams although not my favourite book by Trisha Ashley, I think that will forever be The Twelve Days of Christmas, but it does come quite close to it. It's a fun, enjoyable, escapist read that will have you hoping a happy ever after can be found for all involved.
Before the beginning of every chapter focusing on Angel in the present day, there was a brief page or two from a diary. After several chapters it became clear that this was the diary of a famous stained glass artist Jessie Kaye who had once lived at Mossby which is the main setting for this story. I found these little snippets very interesting and tantalising in equal measure, as were given brief glimpses into a different life lived at Mossby many years ago and also how the main window of the house plays such a pivotal part in connecting the past with the present. Plenty of secrets and surprises await between the covers of this book and it proved to be an enjoyable read.
Carey Revell is on the cusp of leaving hospital after a long and arduous recovery following an accident which almost resulted in the loss of his leg. Times have been tough for him and he will never walk with complete ease again and combined with the fact his role as presenter of The Complete Country Cottage series has now been consigned to the bin along with the girlfriend who walked out the door, one can't say that life has lately been a bed of roses for him. News from a side of the family he never knew really existed make him see things in a new light. He is has inherited a grand old country pile called Mossby from an Uncle who has passed away.
Carey has no clue about anything to do with the running of the estate but he is more than wiling to learn his family history and the history of the estate as he is going along. I could immediately sense that Carey had been through the wars and that this new opportunity afforded to him would be a challenge to relish as he could use his restorative skills and charm to channel his energies into something new. Soon Carey feels so at home at Mossby, even though he has never been there before, it speaks to him and he heeds the houses call and wants to restore it to its former glory. This is where Angel comes in as she needs a refuge and maybe Carey and Mossby will provide that to her.
The first third of the book focused on Angel, setting up her situation and how she came to arrive at Mossby in need of comfort and a place to heal. Initially it seemed like she led the ideal life for her. She wasn't married but was happily in a relationship with famous stained glass artist Julian Seddon. Together they crafted away in their workshop even though Julian still struggles with the after affects of a severe stroke. I sensed the pair had a deep respect and love for each other and their shared passion for stained glass only enhanced this. So when the unimaginable happens and Julian suffers once again, Angel is left alone and must carry on.
As if that is not bad enough what I felt was such a major injustice was done to her, it was so unfair what occurred. It was as if all her wishes, her hard work and dedication went out the window and she was forgotten about in an instant. All down to greed, bitterness and jealously. Julian's adult son, Nat, storms in and demands what he feels is rightfully his. The cottage, the workshop, commissions everything is now his and poor Angel was very firmly out out in the cold without a thank you. I felt desperately sorry for her It's bad enough having to deal with the death of someone you loved so much but then to have further trauma unnecessarily heaped upon is just the pits. I wanted to reach out and hug her and offer her a place to stay so affected was I by what she had to endure.
Nat made his presence further known at a time when you felt things might turn around for Angel but I was glad she had seemed to garner more courage and strength to stand up to what was essentially a bully. The kind, caring side of Carey emerged as Angel is invited to stay at Mossby and start her own workshop once used by Jessie Kaye. At first I thought Carey was just being a good friend and wouldn't like Angel to be left on the streets but the further we moved through the story I thought hmmm maybe there is more to this than at first meets the eye. But how could Angel be ready for new feelings of love given the death of Julian had only recently occurred?
I didn't think the middle section of the book was a strong as the beginning and the latter third. Yes it was interesting to read of the descriptions of Mossby, how Carey was going to film a new series, and of Angel setting up her workshop and basically all the new and exciting plans for Mossby. But at times I felt it did become slightly repetitive and the story needed to be moved on a bit. There were several characters mentioned who did ring a bell with me as they did feature in a previous book I had read by this author but if you hadn't read that they wouldn't have meant that much to you. Also, there was no doubt impeccable research undertaken by the author into stained glass and its construction had been undertaken but I found there was just too much information around this for me to absorb and visualise. I stopped at one or two points to look up some of the techniques and terms used just so things would make more sense for me and to deepen my understanding. The storyline around Lady Anne's window was fascinating though and I felt as I said once we got to the later third the story really moved up a notch and I was keen to discover just exactly what was going at Mossby and why a certain creepy character acted the way they did?
The inquisitive side of Angel begins to emerge as she restores the famous window at Mossby and with Carey by her side things begin to take dramatic turns. Will the legends of Mossby come true and cause chaos, doom and gloom for all involved leaving no chance for happiness for anyone? Or will Carey and Angel be able to get to the root of the problems and solve the mystery once and for all. I loved how there were two major twists towards the end that I wouldn't have seen coming and I felt all the diary entries really paid off. Some readers I think might initially find them a hindrance and question whether they taint the flow of the story but I knew they had to have some validity and a need to be there and I am so glad I wasn't let down by the eventual outcome.
The House of Hopes and Dreams although not my favourite book by Trisha Ashley, I think that will forever be The Twelve Days of Christmas, but it does come quite close to it. It's a fun, enjoyable, escapist read that will have you hoping a happy ever after can be found for all involved.
July 1, 2018
enjoyed this, very typical Trisha Ashley, i liked the storyline if somewhat predictable. i call them cosy books. very impressed by her knowledge and research into the making of stained glass.
March 15, 2018
Trisha Ashley always takes us on brilliant, bumpy rides in her books and this time, in her newest offer, "The House of Hopes and Dreams", it's not different, as the main character tries to overcome a personal tragedy. This story is very artistic and there is a wonderful, creative side to it. This book has also one of the most gorgeous and inviting covers ever - it's simply beautiful and I could look at it all the time. Hell, I'll probably enlarge it and hang it on the wall, so magnificent is this.
"The House of Hopes and Dreams" follows two main characters, Carey and Angel. Carey is just recovering from a bike accident when he finds out that he's just inherited a house from his uncle. It's just in time, as he's only lost his job as a house renovation program's TV presenter.
Angel has just lost everything, literally. Her partner has died and she's left with no house and no job, as he's never managed to write his will and everything is inherited by his son who hates Angel. Both Carey and Angel are looking for a fresh start and as they're old friends, Carey offers Angel a place to live and work, a use of the workshop on the property and to turn the house into a lovely place. The house, however, is a venue full of its own secrets, and it also comes with a bad - tempered housekeeper and a gardener. Will Carey and Angel be able to find out the residence's past and move to a better future?
Trisha Ashley always creates unique and eclectic characters. I really like characters like Angel and Carey - creative and full of ideas. Also, they were likeable and believable. At the beginning I felt really sorry for Angel, then I felt somehow annoyed by her but altogether she was a woman who could stand for herself and take matters in her own hands. At the beginning, Angel just didn't put a fight and let the things just happen, and it took a lot of time before she turned into the feisty, quirky typical Trisha Ashley's heroine. Yes, it exasperated me but I think that what mostly made me so angry was the fact that she actually couldn't put any fight because she was hard done by others and by circumstances, and probably it was this powerlessness that annoyed me so much.
Carey was easygoing and uncomplicated and it really made a difference to have such a character for once.
The narration in this story changes between present and past. We get to know the history of Mossby, the house that's recently been inherited by Carey (and his story as well), in the brilliant area of Lancashire, told through the diary entries from over 100 years ago - this was a diary of a famous stained glass artist Jessie Kaye, who lived in Mossby this many years ago. They were a great, albeit brief, glimpses into her life, full of surprises and secrets and I liked them very much - and the story of Angelica, who's suddenly found herself homeless and jobless after her partner's death.
The stained glass thread was also very unique and you could see how many research has gone into bringing it to life so well but it was just too much for me, I really don't need so many detailed info about stained glass, especially in such a story. There was something that I can't put my finger on that didn't work for me in this book. It was a feel - good novel and theoretically it had all the elements of a brilliant chick - lit with a twist and depth, but practically it didn't deliver for me. Probably it was the case of "it's not you, it's me", so please do not feel put out by my words and just read this book for yourself. There was really nothing wrong with it, it was a lovely, warm story, only for me "The House of Hopes and Dreams" was a book with stronger and weaker moments. and also the book had moments that it just dragged on and on, and also felt slightly repetitive. The parts about Carey's plans, about Angel setting up to her new life and chances, they were lovely, but also they dragged and they weren't as suspenseful. But also, there were many fascinating secrets, it was rich in adorable descriptions and it was complex, multi - layered tale and with a mystery running through it. I can only highly recommend this book to Trisha Ashley's fans.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
July 15, 2018
I normally love a Trisha Ashley book, but found this one really hard going although can't put my finger on why that was. The premise was interesting, I liked the characters, but it dragged for me. While the level of research into glasswork was impressive, there was just a bit too much of it in the story, and the links to the diary from the past didn't really interest me. The final third of the book was more enjoyable but not enough for me to rate the book higher than 3 stars.
November 30, 2020
This was so long and so much was unnecessary. I felt like I had to finish it but I really struggled.
August 7, 2018
An easy and enjoyable read but crikey, there was a lot going on. I liked the plot, especially all of the stained glass references, but there were a lot of characters to keep track of! I thought the flashbacks to the past were cleverly done and tied the story together really well.
March 14, 2019
Interessante, sem ser espetacular, cenas de quase filme de terror, e o poder da amizade e do amor.
July 26, 2018
Recensione in ANTEPRIMA
.
Oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha affascinata e intrigata sin dalle prime pagine, sia per i contenuti che spaziano dall’arte e architettura al mistero, che per le vicende delle molte donne presenti nella storia, tutte accomunate da un’ingegnosità che le rende autonome, impavide e fortemente resilienti agli eventi della vita che le colpiranno o coinvolgeranno. Ognuna di esse, a modo suo, è un’artista che crea meravigliosi manufatti e presenta quell’inconfondibile visione del mondo comune a tutti coloro che beneficiano un simile dono: vedere quanto li circonda con occhi speciali, capaci di cogliere il particolare, assorbire il contenuto e saperlo poi riportare nella loro creazione.
Lo stile narrativo è molto fluido e scorrevole nonostante si caratterizzi per le lunghe descrizioni, talvolta molto specifiche, relative sia alle tecniche artistiche sia ai luoghi. In genere non amo particolarmente i libri che contengono troppe note descrittive perché ho sempre l’impressione che ciò possa far perdere di vista al lettore il cardine della trama ma non è questo il caso. In realtà è stata una lettura appassionante e istruttiva, forse tutto dipende dal fatto che i due temi principali, l’arte e la misteriosa ricerca/scoperta del passato, quasi si fondono tra loro, accompagnando il lettore sino al termine del libro in cui convergeranno tutti gli elementi chiave per svelare il mistero, avendo nel contempo imparato molto su uno dei movimenti architettonici che amo maggiormente, l’Arts and Crafts, e sull’antica arte della decorazione e realizzazione di vetrate artistiche: due elementi che mi affascinano molto e che forse sono il motivo che ha reso così piacevole, per me, questa lettura. La storia d’amore sussurrata lungo le pagine, mi è parsa solo un contorno gradevole ma non il cuore del libro ed è peccato perché, con il giusto spazio, avrei senza dubbio concesso il punteggio pieno a questa lettura. Però di amore si parla tanto, nelle sue forme più varie, forse più nell’aspetto del sentimento: amicizia, complicità, sostegno ma anche delusione e rabbia, separazioni imposte e la forza d’animo che sorregge chi ne ha bisogno, se accanto ha persone positive, che rispondono ai colpi della vita con amore, presenza e disponibilità. Legami indissolubili che resistono al tempo e si plasmano su di esso, rinascita spirituale e nuovi orizzonti che vedremo aprirsi per i nostri protagonisti come anche per i tanti, deliziosi, personaggi che fanno da cornice alla trama. Decisamente la storia di molte vite e delle scelte, talvolta estreme o inevitabili, che dovranno essere fatte, consapevoli del fatto che il peso di tutto ciò che verrà a seguire, dovrà essere accettato e ancor di più, ci si dovrà convivere sino alla fine.
La trama presenta un ordito molto particolare perché caratterizzato da continui intrecci tra presente e passato, la narrazione avviene in terza persona quando non sono le nostre artiste, nei diversi periodi storici, a parlarci in prima persona. La protagonista, Angel, nel raccontare la propria vita sarà una delle principali voci del romanzo, l’altra, meno invasiva, emergerà spesso nei capitoli, seguendo il dipanarsi della storia che va di pari passo con le pagine del suo diario, redatto nel 1914. Attraverso questo diario conosceremo Jessie Kaye Revell, la donna che lo ha scritto ma anche una figura ancora più lontana nel tempo, un’altra donna, Lady Anne Revell. Queste tre donne dai destini difficili si troveranno a ripercorrere le medesime scelte per certi aspetti, e giungeranno ognuna a suo tempo alla rivelazione. Ma saranno l’astuzia e l’amore per l’arte del ricamo e della decorazione del vetro a consentire alle ultime due di ripercorrere le orme una dell’altra e comprendere l’intricato mistero celato nel disegno di una particolare vetrata ricca di simbolismi e avvolta da secoli nel mistero: la vetrata di Lady Anne.
Il luogo in cui si svolge la parte saliente della storia è Mossby: sito nel Lancashire dell’ovest, in Inghilterra, è un cottage di dimensioni notevoli, originariamente in stile Tudor poi ristrutturato parzialmente, appunto durante il periodo in cui era in voga il movimento Arts and Cratfs. Un luogo assolutamente affascinante ma anche pregno di storia e ricco di nascondigli segreti risalenti all’epoca in cui la famiglia Revell era cattolica e necessitava di pertugi strategicamente localizzati in vari punti della casa in cui nascondere i sacerdoti in caso di bisogno. I meccanismi di apertura così come le ubicazioni dei nascondigli, furono progettati da appositi specialisti, cosa molto comune all’epoca, e la loro localizzazione nella casa, vennero tramandate di generazione in generazione, solo ai primogeniti maschi. Eppure due donne scopriranno e sveleranno i misteriosi anfratti in momenti drammatici della loro esistenza ed una terza, la nostra Angel, ripercorrendo i medesimi passi e mossa dalla medesima arguzia, procederà nella stessa direzione. Cosa scopriranno e quali terribili, inconfessabili segreti queste due dame abbiano portato con sé dopo la vita lasciando solo tracce fatte di simboli, diari e pregiate vetrate artistiche, lo lascio scoprire a voi. Posso solo dire che vi potranno sorprendere i temi ancora attuali e gli inconfessabili segreti che le due antenate scelgono di tramandare solo a chi sarà capace di decriptare i loro codici.
Tornando ai personaggi principali che attualmente abitano Mossby, troviamo Carey, un massiccio e imponente uomo dalla folta capigliatura rossa e incredibili occhi viola-azzurro capaci di affascinare chiunque: sexy e tenace rimanda all’immagine del guerriero vichingo. Questo personaggio rischia di emergere poco tra le pagine a causa del trio femminile che avvince e incuriosisce, ma vale la pena conoscerlo meglio e scoprire le sue molte qualità come l’umiltà, la passione per i lavori manuali e l’ingegno con cui si interessa, apprende e fa proprie, tutte le forme d’arte. Una persona mossa da un’incontenibile curiosità verso tutto quanto lo circonda e così di buon cuore, disponibile e amichevole da attrarre le persone che incontra e costruire con loro solidi legami di amicizia. È inoltre lui, l’ultimo Revell e per nostra fortuna deliziosamente e notevolmente migliore di molti suoi antenati. Carey e Angel (solo per lui “Gamberetto”) si conoscono sin da piccolissimi, crescono insieme, inseparabili e, per un breve istante delle loro vite, ai tempi dell’università, questo legame sembra prossimo a divenire altro, ma non era forse il momento giusto e le loro vite proseguono indipendenti, pur mantenendo salda l’amicizia che sarà poi la loro ancora di salvezza in un momento cruciale e davvero straziante delle loro vite. Bravissima l’autrice nel rendere sulle pagine le emozioni più profonde che arrivano dritte al cuore del lettore. Io mi sono commossa, temo vi toccherà la medesima sorte perché davvero sembra di essere lì con i protagonisti e si assorbe ogni loro vissuto, ogni ingiustizia e anche il profondo dolore.
La storia di Angel in particolare, mi ha molto toccata. L’autrice riesce a fondere sogni, arte e ricordi di un tragico evento che ribalta completamente tutte le certezze della sua vita ma il tutto viene narrato con uno stile scorrevole e mai stucchevole, che esalta le peculiarità di ogni personaggio coinvolto così come gli aspetti dell’intera vicenda, senza appesantire la lettura, ma anzi, arricchendola di spunti di riflessione e descrizioni essenziali e mai prolisse, delle emozioni di Angel. L’empatia con Angel per me è stata istantanea, un caleidoscopio di emozioni contrastanti che vanno dall’amore alla disperazione, dall’ira per i torti subiti sino al desiderio di rivalsa, la voglia di vivere che prevale su tutto. Cardine della sua vita è proprio Carey: il loro amore sboccia tardivo, eclissato dagli eventi della vita ma anche dalla profonda amicizia che li lega, ma è tenace e sa attendere il momento propizio proprio come i fiori che sbocciano sulle rocce o dopo le gelate invernali, indomiti tra l’aspro e impervio ambiente ancora inospitale, non demordono e incalzano alla primavera della vita e del cuore, a ricordarci che sono sempre stati lì, sotto al terreno, in attesa di sorprenderci e rendere la nostra vita più colorata e gradevole.
Fortunatamente non si tratta di un romanzo strappalacrime, anzi io lo definirei un libro sulle seconde possibilità che la vita ci dona, sulla resilienza e sull’importanza di avere accanto amici sinceri e disponibili per affrontare il peggio e risollevarsi. Per scoprire che la vita riserva seconde occasioni a chi le sa cogliere e spesso queste sono più apprezzate e persino vissute rispetto alle precedenti, proprio per il fatto che si ha conosciuto la sconfitta o il dolore, non importa in quale frangente, e si è quindi maggiormente in grado di apprezzarle.
Vorrei poter elencare e parlarvi di ciascun personaggio chiave presente in questo libro, ognuno con caratteristiche particolari e un suo preciso ruolo nella vicenda; descritti sapientemente con pochissimi tratti, ma incisivi e sufficienti a lasciar partire l’immaginazione e crearli nella nostra mente. Differenti le età e i trascorsi personali, le scelte future come anche gli aspetti caratteriali più ostici e quelli più gradevoli. Ciò vale sia per le figure positive che per quelle negative, che avranno egualmente modo di emergere dalle pagine e raccontarci un po’ di loro.
Un libro che consiglio particolarmente a chi ha voglia di immergersi in una lettura fatta di misteri, tra passato e presente, e sopraffine tecniche artistiche. Non troverete grandi slanci passionali, miliardari o contenuti angosciosi in questo libro ma trascorrerete in sua compagnia ore piacevoli e alla fine, perché non guasta mai, volendo, sarete più erudite in merito ad alcuni aspetti artistici e sicuramente affascinate, incantate da Mossby, un luogo che definirei “dei nuovi inizi”.
“Dio mi ha dato il dono di disegnare con la luce, e spero di averlo usato al meglio. Jessie Kaye Revell.”
.
LaMin - per RFS
.
Oggi vi parlo di un libro che mi ha affascinata e intrigata sin dalle prime pagine, sia per i contenuti che spaziano dall’arte e architettura al mistero, che per le vicende delle molte donne presenti nella storia, tutte accomunate da un’ingegnosità che le rende autonome, impavide e fortemente resilienti agli eventi della vita che le colpiranno o coinvolgeranno. Ognuna di esse, a modo suo, è un’artista che crea meravigliosi manufatti e presenta quell’inconfondibile visione del mondo comune a tutti coloro che beneficiano un simile dono: vedere quanto li circonda con occhi speciali, capaci di cogliere il particolare, assorbire il contenuto e saperlo poi riportare nella loro creazione.
Lo stile narrativo è molto fluido e scorrevole nonostante si caratterizzi per le lunghe descrizioni, talvolta molto specifiche, relative sia alle tecniche artistiche sia ai luoghi. In genere non amo particolarmente i libri che contengono troppe note descrittive perché ho sempre l’impressione che ciò possa far perdere di vista al lettore il cardine della trama ma non è questo il caso. In realtà è stata una lettura appassionante e istruttiva, forse tutto dipende dal fatto che i due temi principali, l’arte e la misteriosa ricerca/scoperta del passato, quasi si fondono tra loro, accompagnando il lettore sino al termine del libro in cui convergeranno tutti gli elementi chiave per svelare il mistero, avendo nel contempo imparato molto su uno dei movimenti architettonici che amo maggiormente, l’Arts and Crafts, e sull’antica arte della decorazione e realizzazione di vetrate artistiche: due elementi che mi affascinano molto e che forse sono il motivo che ha reso così piacevole, per me, questa lettura. La storia d’amore sussurrata lungo le pagine, mi è parsa solo un contorno gradevole ma non il cuore del libro ed è peccato perché, con il giusto spazio, avrei senza dubbio concesso il punteggio pieno a questa lettura. Però di amore si parla tanto, nelle sue forme più varie, forse più nell’aspetto del sentimento: amicizia, complicità, sostegno ma anche delusione e rabbia, separazioni imposte e la forza d’animo che sorregge chi ne ha bisogno, se accanto ha persone positive, che rispondono ai colpi della vita con amore, presenza e disponibilità. Legami indissolubili che resistono al tempo e si plasmano su di esso, rinascita spirituale e nuovi orizzonti che vedremo aprirsi per i nostri protagonisti come anche per i tanti, deliziosi, personaggi che fanno da cornice alla trama. Decisamente la storia di molte vite e delle scelte, talvolta estreme o inevitabili, che dovranno essere fatte, consapevoli del fatto che il peso di tutto ciò che verrà a seguire, dovrà essere accettato e ancor di più, ci si dovrà convivere sino alla fine.
La trama presenta un ordito molto particolare perché caratterizzato da continui intrecci tra presente e passato, la narrazione avviene in terza persona quando non sono le nostre artiste, nei diversi periodi storici, a parlarci in prima persona. La protagonista, Angel, nel raccontare la propria vita sarà una delle principali voci del romanzo, l’altra, meno invasiva, emergerà spesso nei capitoli, seguendo il dipanarsi della storia che va di pari passo con le pagine del suo diario, redatto nel 1914. Attraverso questo diario conosceremo Jessie Kaye Revell, la donna che lo ha scritto ma anche una figura ancora più lontana nel tempo, un’altra donna, Lady Anne Revell. Queste tre donne dai destini difficili si troveranno a ripercorrere le medesime scelte per certi aspetti, e giungeranno ognuna a suo tempo alla rivelazione. Ma saranno l’astuzia e l’amore per l’arte del ricamo e della decorazione del vetro a consentire alle ultime due di ripercorrere le orme una dell’altra e comprendere l’intricato mistero celato nel disegno di una particolare vetrata ricca di simbolismi e avvolta da secoli nel mistero: la vetrata di Lady Anne.
Il luogo in cui si svolge la parte saliente della storia è Mossby: sito nel Lancashire dell’ovest, in Inghilterra, è un cottage di dimensioni notevoli, originariamente in stile Tudor poi ristrutturato parzialmente, appunto durante il periodo in cui era in voga il movimento Arts and Cratfs. Un luogo assolutamente affascinante ma anche pregno di storia e ricco di nascondigli segreti risalenti all’epoca in cui la famiglia Revell era cattolica e necessitava di pertugi strategicamente localizzati in vari punti della casa in cui nascondere i sacerdoti in caso di bisogno. I meccanismi di apertura così come le ubicazioni dei nascondigli, furono progettati da appositi specialisti, cosa molto comune all’epoca, e la loro localizzazione nella casa, vennero tramandate di generazione in generazione, solo ai primogeniti maschi. Eppure due donne scopriranno e sveleranno i misteriosi anfratti in momenti drammatici della loro esistenza ed una terza, la nostra Angel, ripercorrendo i medesimi passi e mossa dalla medesima arguzia, procederà nella stessa direzione. Cosa scopriranno e quali terribili, inconfessabili segreti queste due dame abbiano portato con sé dopo la vita lasciando solo tracce fatte di simboli, diari e pregiate vetrate artistiche, lo lascio scoprire a voi. Posso solo dire che vi potranno sorprendere i temi ancora attuali e gli inconfessabili segreti che le due antenate scelgono di tramandare solo a chi sarà capace di decriptare i loro codici.
Tornando ai personaggi principali che attualmente abitano Mossby, troviamo Carey, un massiccio e imponente uomo dalla folta capigliatura rossa e incredibili occhi viola-azzurro capaci di affascinare chiunque: sexy e tenace rimanda all’immagine del guerriero vichingo. Questo personaggio rischia di emergere poco tra le pagine a causa del trio femminile che avvince e incuriosisce, ma vale la pena conoscerlo meglio e scoprire le sue molte qualità come l’umiltà, la passione per i lavori manuali e l’ingegno con cui si interessa, apprende e fa proprie, tutte le forme d’arte. Una persona mossa da un’incontenibile curiosità verso tutto quanto lo circonda e così di buon cuore, disponibile e amichevole da attrarre le persone che incontra e costruire con loro solidi legami di amicizia. È inoltre lui, l’ultimo Revell e per nostra fortuna deliziosamente e notevolmente migliore di molti suoi antenati. Carey e Angel (solo per lui “Gamberetto”) si conoscono sin da piccolissimi, crescono insieme, inseparabili e, per un breve istante delle loro vite, ai tempi dell’università, questo legame sembra prossimo a divenire altro, ma non era forse il momento giusto e le loro vite proseguono indipendenti, pur mantenendo salda l’amicizia che sarà poi la loro ancora di salvezza in un momento cruciale e davvero straziante delle loro vite. Bravissima l’autrice nel rendere sulle pagine le emozioni più profonde che arrivano dritte al cuore del lettore. Io mi sono commossa, temo vi toccherà la medesima sorte perché davvero sembra di essere lì con i protagonisti e si assorbe ogni loro vissuto, ogni ingiustizia e anche il profondo dolore.
La storia di Angel in particolare, mi ha molto toccata. L’autrice riesce a fondere sogni, arte e ricordi di un tragico evento che ribalta completamente tutte le certezze della sua vita ma il tutto viene narrato con uno stile scorrevole e mai stucchevole, che esalta le peculiarità di ogni personaggio coinvolto così come gli aspetti dell’intera vicenda, senza appesantire la lettura, ma anzi, arricchendola di spunti di riflessione e descrizioni essenziali e mai prolisse, delle emozioni di Angel. L’empatia con Angel per me è stata istantanea, un caleidoscopio di emozioni contrastanti che vanno dall’amore alla disperazione, dall’ira per i torti subiti sino al desiderio di rivalsa, la voglia di vivere che prevale su tutto. Cardine della sua vita è proprio Carey: il loro amore sboccia tardivo, eclissato dagli eventi della vita ma anche dalla profonda amicizia che li lega, ma è tenace e sa attendere il momento propizio proprio come i fiori che sbocciano sulle rocce o dopo le gelate invernali, indomiti tra l’aspro e impervio ambiente ancora inospitale, non demordono e incalzano alla primavera della vita e del cuore, a ricordarci che sono sempre stati lì, sotto al terreno, in attesa di sorprenderci e rendere la nostra vita più colorata e gradevole.
Fortunatamente non si tratta di un romanzo strappalacrime, anzi io lo definirei un libro sulle seconde possibilità che la vita ci dona, sulla resilienza e sull’importanza di avere accanto amici sinceri e disponibili per affrontare il peggio e risollevarsi. Per scoprire che la vita riserva seconde occasioni a chi le sa cogliere e spesso queste sono più apprezzate e persino vissute rispetto alle precedenti, proprio per il fatto che si ha conosciuto la sconfitta o il dolore, non importa in quale frangente, e si è quindi maggiormente in grado di apprezzarle.
Vorrei poter elencare e parlarvi di ciascun personaggio chiave presente in questo libro, ognuno con caratteristiche particolari e un suo preciso ruolo nella vicenda; descritti sapientemente con pochissimi tratti, ma incisivi e sufficienti a lasciar partire l’immaginazione e crearli nella nostra mente. Differenti le età e i trascorsi personali, le scelte future come anche gli aspetti caratteriali più ostici e quelli più gradevoli. Ciò vale sia per le figure positive che per quelle negative, che avranno egualmente modo di emergere dalle pagine e raccontarci un po’ di loro.
Un libro che consiglio particolarmente a chi ha voglia di immergersi in una lettura fatta di misteri, tra passato e presente, e sopraffine tecniche artistiche. Non troverete grandi slanci passionali, miliardari o contenuti angosciosi in questo libro ma trascorrerete in sua compagnia ore piacevoli e alla fine, perché non guasta mai, volendo, sarete più erudite in merito ad alcuni aspetti artistici e sicuramente affascinate, incantate da Mossby, un luogo che definirei “dei nuovi inizi”.
“Dio mi ha dato il dono di disegnare con la luce, e spero di averlo usato al meglio. Jessie Kaye Revell.”
.
LaMin - per RFS
October 17, 2018
Todos os anos aguardo por mais um livro desta autora, nunca me desiludiu pois todos os que tenho lido são histórias sobre a magia do Natal, excepto este! Com um enredo completamente diferente mas tão aliciante como os anteriores surpreendeu pela positiva! Livro a não perder!
July 3, 2021
Quite dull. 😩
March 9, 2018
After an accident Carey needs a long time to recover. His girlfriend has left him and his job as the presenter of a television show about restoring old houses, goes to someone else. His inheritance couldn't have come at a more opportune moment. Carey didn't even know he had a relative, but is being left a mansion. The house is a bit dilapidated and comes with an angry housekeeper and gardener, but those are problems he can probably overcome. There's also plenty of gorgeous stained glass, together with a workshop and Carey's best friend is an artist specialized in that area. She's looking for a fresh start as well, so together they might be able to turn the house into a beautiful home.
Angel has lost everything, her partner passed away before he could finalize his will. They used to work together, but now the business will go to his son. The same goes for the house they lived in and everything else he owned. Angel, who took care of her older husband for a long time and handled his business for him when he couldn't, is being asked to leave as quickly as possible, so she doesn't even get the time to properly grieve and make arrangements. Carey's offer to stay with him and use the workshop on his property is very welcome and together they're trying to turn the house into a home. However, the mansion contains plenty of secrets and Angel and Carey aren't the only ones looking for the truth. Will they be able to find out what happened in the past, so they can leave it behind them and move on to a happier future?
The House of Hopes and Dreams is a wonderful heartwarming story. I was immediately intrigued by Angel. She's creative and talented and I loved all the information Trisha Ashley gives about her stained glass work. She clearly knows what she's writing about and makes it come to life in an incredible way. I love reading about artists, especially when I can so easily visualize their work. That made this story really special for me.
Carey's large inheritance gives him something to focus on. He was badly injured and is still recovering, so a new project he can handle at his own pace is exactly what he needs. He immediately asks his friends to join him and the house becomes a place where people have fun and enjoy working together. He's an easygoing person and this perfectly suits Angel's sweet personality. They clearly are soul mates and their creativity makes this bond even stronger. I loved that aspect of the story and kept hoping that after the unhappy times they both had they'd find their happily ever after eventually.
Trisha Ashley knows how to write fabulous feelgood stories. I like how unique her main characters are and the situations they find themselves in keep surprising me over and over again. I was captivated by The House of Hopes and Dreams from beginning to end and couldn't stop reading. The story has many spellbinding elements. The glass Trisha Ashley writes about has such an interesting rich history, the house has plenty of hidden passageways I was anxious to find out more about and there's a large number of fascinating secrets. The result is a fantastic multilayered and enchanting story. I highly recommend this beautiful book.
Angel has lost everything, her partner passed away before he could finalize his will. They used to work together, but now the business will go to his son. The same goes for the house they lived in and everything else he owned. Angel, who took care of her older husband for a long time and handled his business for him when he couldn't, is being asked to leave as quickly as possible, so she doesn't even get the time to properly grieve and make arrangements. Carey's offer to stay with him and use the workshop on his property is very welcome and together they're trying to turn the house into a home. However, the mansion contains plenty of secrets and Angel and Carey aren't the only ones looking for the truth. Will they be able to find out what happened in the past, so they can leave it behind them and move on to a happier future?
The House of Hopes and Dreams is a wonderful heartwarming story. I was immediately intrigued by Angel. She's creative and talented and I loved all the information Trisha Ashley gives about her stained glass work. She clearly knows what she's writing about and makes it come to life in an incredible way. I love reading about artists, especially when I can so easily visualize their work. That made this story really special for me.
Carey's large inheritance gives him something to focus on. He was badly injured and is still recovering, so a new project he can handle at his own pace is exactly what he needs. He immediately asks his friends to join him and the house becomes a place where people have fun and enjoy working together. He's an easygoing person and this perfectly suits Angel's sweet personality. They clearly are soul mates and their creativity makes this bond even stronger. I loved that aspect of the story and kept hoping that after the unhappy times they both had they'd find their happily ever after eventually.
Trisha Ashley knows how to write fabulous feelgood stories. I like how unique her main characters are and the situations they find themselves in keep surprising me over and over again. I was captivated by The House of Hopes and Dreams from beginning to end and couldn't stop reading. The story has many spellbinding elements. The glass Trisha Ashley writes about has such an interesting rich history, the house has plenty of hidden passageways I was anxious to find out more about and there's a large number of fascinating secrets. The result is a fantastic multilayered and enchanting story. I highly recommend this beautiful book.
July 1, 2018
Trisha Ashley is one of my favourite authors and I always get very excited at the prospect of a new book from her! I was a little concerned this time as it took me a little longer to get into the book (two chapters rather than two pages) but I needn't have worried , I was soon back in Trisha world and caught up in the stories of Carey and Angel and the usual cast of great supporting characters The two inherited residents of the house reminded me of the rude waitresses in The Little Teashop of Lost and Found!. The house is question is the third main character in this book, with its long lost secret and I loved its role as well. Trisha cleverly used her own experience of stained glass making to add interest to the story.
Trisha really is the Queen of Romantic Comedy. She is also such fun on social media and really interacts with her readers. Another great book which deserves lots of success!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
Trisha really is the Queen of Romantic Comedy. She is also such fun on social media and really interacts with her readers. Another great book which deserves lots of success!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
August 31, 2018
The only reason this books gets 3 stars is because there's an unusual and well-informed story line - at least as far as the history of the house and detail of stained glass goes. I don't like writing bad reviews as it's not fair on the author - regardless of the end result, I know they have slogged away for many hours to create their book. I just wonder sometimes how they get on to the Sunday Times Bestseller List when there are so many better writers around who don't. Maybe I'm being unfair and her other books are better crafted than this one, but to be honest, I wouldn't read another one of hers unless it was way better than this.
February 5, 2018
Very enjoyable story that kept my attention throughout, I do love Trisha Ashley's style of writing.
The main story is about Carey who is just recovering from a bike accident when he finds out he has inherited an Arts & Crafts house called Mossby from his uncle who has just died. Carey is a larger than life figure and I really liked his character. He used to present a house renovation program on TV but has just been replaced and lost his job.
Angel is a glass artist who lived with her partner, both personally and in the glass business, although the house and business was her partner's, even though they had been together for over 10 years. Her partner then died and his son and wife, who hated Angel, came in and took over everything, throwing her out, because of issues with the will and inheritance.
I did find Angel a bit annoying to start with, she just accepted everything and didn't put up any sort of fight about being thrown out of her home and business. The son and wife were just horrible people, and the whole situation just really irritated me.
Carey then contacted Angel as he needed help to make a new TV program about renovating Mossby, and persuaded Angel, his best friend, to help him. Luckily there was an old disused glass studio in the grounds already from a previous female glass artist who had lived at Mossby, which is a main reason Angel was persuaded to move to Mossby to live and start up her own glass business.
Unfortunately Carey had a couple of distant 'relatives' still living on the property that he had issues with (his uncle's second wife's daughter & her husband and occasionally their fame seeking daughter). The husband was no problem, a very hard working gardener and well worth his salary, but the daughter Ella was very odd. She had a fascination with polishing the panelling in an old wing of the house. I thought Carey was far too lenient with her, she was always turning up where you didn't expect her and was so miserable.
I really liked the whole concept of the book itself, and loved revisiting the area that a few of Trisha Ashley's other books are set in. An intriguing book with a mystery running through it. I enjoyed the way bits of the story flipped back and forth through the previous generations as the story of the old house slowly revealed itself. I loved Fang the dog too - little terror that he was!
The main story is about Carey who is just recovering from a bike accident when he finds out he has inherited an Arts & Crafts house called Mossby from his uncle who has just died. Carey is a larger than life figure and I really liked his character. He used to present a house renovation program on TV but has just been replaced and lost his job.
Angel is a glass artist who lived with her partner, both personally and in the glass business, although the house and business was her partner's, even though they had been together for over 10 years. Her partner then died and his son and wife, who hated Angel, came in and took over everything, throwing her out, because of issues with the will and inheritance.
I did find Angel a bit annoying to start with, she just accepted everything and didn't put up any sort of fight about being thrown out of her home and business. The son and wife were just horrible people, and the whole situation just really irritated me.
Carey then contacted Angel as he needed help to make a new TV program about renovating Mossby, and persuaded Angel, his best friend, to help him. Luckily there was an old disused glass studio in the grounds already from a previous female glass artist who had lived at Mossby, which is a main reason Angel was persuaded to move to Mossby to live and start up her own glass business.
Unfortunately Carey had a couple of distant 'relatives' still living on the property that he had issues with (his uncle's second wife's daughter & her husband and occasionally their fame seeking daughter). The husband was no problem, a very hard working gardener and well worth his salary, but the daughter Ella was very odd. She had a fascination with polishing the panelling in an old wing of the house. I thought Carey was far too lenient with her, she was always turning up where you didn't expect her and was so miserable.
I really liked the whole concept of the book itself, and loved revisiting the area that a few of Trisha Ashley's other books are set in. An intriguing book with a mystery running through it. I enjoyed the way bits of the story flipped back and forth through the previous generations as the story of the old house slowly revealed itself. I loved Fang the dog too - little terror that he was!
January 6, 2025
La protagonista di questo romanzo, Angel Arrowsmith, è una giovane artista che ha studiato all'Accademia delle Belle Arti, laureandosi con una tesi sulle artiste inglesi che lavoravano grandi vetri artistici (finestre istoriate, principalmente), di cui è una grande appassionata e una stimata artista a sua volta. Quando il suo compagno, Julian, che è a sua volta un conosciutissimo artista del settore, ha un ictus, Angel si dedica alle sue cure e a gestire la vetreria. Quando però Julian ha un secondo ictus e muore, il figlio (che è coetaneo di Angel), la caccia via da casa e dall'impresa di famiglia, credendo di poter fare tutto da solo. Purtroppo, Julian non è riuscito a firmare il testamento con cui lasciava parte dell'azienda ad Angel, cosicché la giovane si trova senza un tetto sulla testa e senza un lavoro. A salvarla arriva il suo carissimo amico Carey Revell, un noto personaggio televisivo che aveva un programma amatissimo sulla BBC, di ristrutturazione di antiche dimore, dal quale è stato però cacciato via in seguito a un incidente con la bici, che per poco non gli ha fatto perdere una gamba. Carey ha ereditato da uno zio un'antica casa in cui ha lavorato proprio una delle artiste più amate da Angel, e che può vantare delle vetrate artistiche pregiatissime. Per non parlare del fatto che Mossby, questo il nome della casa, ispira a Carey una nuova trasmissione, che di sicuro sarà amatissima dal suo pubblico. Ma Mossby nasconde più di un segreto, e il comportamento di Ella, la sessantenne figliastra dello zio di Carey, che sperava di ereditare la casa e che somiglia pericolosamente alla Signora Danvers di Rebecca è davvero molto strano e sembra avere a che fare con questi segreti.
Trisha Ashley di solito mi piace ma, anche se le premesse sono ottime e la storia non mi è dispiaciuta affatto, ho trovato molte scene ridondanti: a un certo punto il romanzo sembrava una continua visita alla casa, un elenco delle decisioni da prendere riguardo agli arredi e all'utilizzo delle stanze, e poi arrivava qualcun altro, e di nuovo visite, spiegazioni, eccetera, eccetera.
Anche la storia d'amore è piuttosto "fredda", priva di tensione sessuale e di grandi complicità, per cui sembra esserci un lieto fine solo perché ci si aspetta che ci sia, ma non per una reale alchimia tra i due protagonisti.
Trisha Ashley di solito mi piace ma, anche se le premesse sono ottime e la storia non mi è dispiaciuta affatto, ho trovato molte scene ridondanti: a un certo punto il romanzo sembrava una continua visita alla casa, un elenco delle decisioni da prendere riguardo agli arredi e all'utilizzo delle stanze, e poi arrivava qualcun altro, e di nuovo visite, spiegazioni, eccetera, eccetera.
Anche la storia d'amore è piuttosto "fredda", priva di tensione sessuale e di grandi complicità, per cui sembra esserci un lieto fine solo perché ci si aspetta che ci sia, ma non per una reale alchimia tra i due protagonisti.
September 5, 2019
Una bella storia di donne,tra presente e passato, dove il tema centrale è la rinascita, dopo essere cadute in disgrazia, aver perso l'amore della propria vita o un caro parente, o dopo aver scoperto segreti inquietanti di famiglia(per l'epoca in cui è ambientato il romanzo, ma molto attuali nel nostro presente).
Tutto nasce dal restauro di una bella vetrata di una casa ereditata che nasconde indizi per arrivare alla svolta finale. La prima parte della storia è molto dettagliata su come si restaura un vetro e sullo stile Art & Craft e un po' mi sono annoiata perché di arte vetraria non sono di certo esperta, poi iniziano le situazioni un po' strane e il comportamento curioso di un personaggio che mi ha fatto incuriosire, fino ad arrivare alle ultime 50 pagine dove tutto si fa molto più interessante, scatenando una vera e propria caccia al tesoro.
L'amore è presente, ma è visto in tante sue sfaccettature che colorano la storia e non manca un pizzico di realismo magico, molto velato, che non disturba la storia.
Un libro che, nel complesso, si fa leggere.
Tutto nasce dal restauro di una bella vetrata di una casa ereditata che nasconde indizi per arrivare alla svolta finale. La prima parte della storia è molto dettagliata su come si restaura un vetro e sullo stile Art & Craft e un po' mi sono annoiata perché di arte vetraria non sono di certo esperta, poi iniziano le situazioni un po' strane e il comportamento curioso di un personaggio che mi ha fatto incuriosire, fino ad arrivare alle ultime 50 pagine dove tutto si fa molto più interessante, scatenando una vera e propria caccia al tesoro.
L'amore è presente, ma è visto in tante sue sfaccettature che colorano la storia e non manca un pizzico di realismo magico, molto velato, che non disturba la storia.
Un libro che, nel complesso, si fa leggere.
February 26, 2018
I only discovered Trisha Ashley a few years ago but have already read and enjoyed nearly all of her books. “The House of Hopes and Dreams” sees two childhood friends, Carey and Angelique, suffering a traumatic incident in each of their lives, but Carey has also inherited the ancient family home. He asks Angel to help him work on the house – she’s a stained-glass artist – and this provides her with the home she needs right now.
Trisha has a great style of writing and her books grab your interest very early on. I also love the way that she brings in characters from other books so that they link up, but can still be read as standalones.
I loved this book and would highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and RandomHouse UK for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
Trisha has a great style of writing and her books grab your interest very early on. I also love the way that she brings in characters from other books so that they link up, but can still be read as standalones.
I loved this book and would highly recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley and RandomHouse UK for an ARC in return for a fair and honest review.
November 17, 2018
Este é, como todos os romances desta autora, um romance fofinho,com algum mistério pelo meio e um final feliz. A heroína e herói da história sempre afectados por uma tragédia pessoal e quer o destino que haja algo que vai mudar completamente as suas vidas. Aqui Carey e Angel, numa paisagem idílica campestre inglesa descobrem amor e o caminho para uma vida feliz! Recomendado pra tarde de chuva, vagarosas e sem muito que fazer!
July 27, 2021
Another easy and enjoyable read by Trisha Ashley although there are some sinister twists to this romantic story. Angel Arrowsmith a stained glass artist meets up again with her old friend Cary Revell who has recently inherits his ancestral home. Its stained glass is in need of restoration and as she helps him although there is a legend attached to one of the stained glass windows. There is also an historical back story interwoven to give clues of the mystery of the house.
September 1, 2018
As a lover of historical romance, I particularly enjoyed the sections of journal written by women who had lived in the House of Hopes and Dreams in former generations, and how they dealt with what life threw at them.
April 28, 2019
It took me a little while to really get into this book, but once I was I found it very engaging. There were one or two genuine surprises along the way too...
April 30, 2021
I loved the way 3 stories were interwoven, and the detail around stained glass windows were made. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
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