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A Home On Bramble Hill
Home, sweet home…
Joy Cartier has been to some of the most beautiful places in the world – but none of them have ever felt like home. So moving into a tiny cottage in the idyllic village of Bramble Hill, walking distance from her childhood home, seems like the perfect plan.
That is, until she gets there. The surly inhabitants of Britain’s Friendliest Village are anything but welcoming. Even her neighbour, reclusive Hollywood star Finn Mackenzie, takes one look at her and walks in the other direction.
But when the village animosity steps up a gear, it is the infuriatingly brooding Finn who keeps coming to her rescue. Slowly Joy begins to realise that maybe a happy home isn’t about where you live, but who you’re with...
Joy Cartier has been to some of the most beautiful places in the world – but none of them have ever felt like home. So moving into a tiny cottage in the idyllic village of Bramble Hill, walking distance from her childhood home, seems like the perfect plan.
That is, until she gets there. The surly inhabitants of Britain’s Friendliest Village are anything but welcoming. Even her neighbour, reclusive Hollywood star Finn Mackenzie, takes one look at her and walks in the other direction.
But when the village animosity steps up a gear, it is the infuriatingly brooding Finn who keeps coming to her rescue. Slowly Joy begins to realise that maybe a happy home isn’t about where you live, but who you’re with...
291 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2014
528 people are currently reading
1656 people want to read
About the author
Holly Martin
57 books1,542 followersHolly lives in a little white cottage by the sea. She studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of her colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years’ service was the moment when she knew she had to escape. She quit her job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, she emerged wide eyed and terrified that she now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. She taught for four years and then escaped the classroom to teach history workshops, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next. But the long journeys around the UK and many hours sat on the M25 gave her a lot of time to plan out her stories and she now writes full time, doing what she loves.
Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance. She is the bestselling author of 26 books selling over a million books worldwide. Holly's books have been translated into French, German, Italian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Estonian, Turkish and Russian.
Follow her on Twitter @HollyMAuthor
Holly has been writing for 8 years. She was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romance. Her short story won the Sunlounger competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology. She won the Carina Valentine’s competition at the Festival of Romance with her novel The Guestbook. She was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read, Best eBook and Innovation in Romantic Fiction at the Festival of Romance. She is the bestselling author of 26 books selling over a million books worldwide. Holly's books have been translated into French, German, Italian, Dutch, Bulgarian, Estonian, Turkish and Russian.
Follow her on Twitter @HollyMAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
February 9, 2020
I’ve read a couple of Holly’s books before and enjoyed them but the storyline for this one was just too far-fetched, actually farcical at times.
August 10, 2019
I didn't overly enjoy the last book of Holly's I read but felt back to normal with this gem. It genuinely did make me snort with laughter, a hugely entertaining read.
August 13, 2021
I enjoyed this book even though it was implausible in parts and very OTT. The h was scrappy and the H was a grumpy crab.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2014
I appreciate this is the authors first novel and as such kudos for effort. However, this book fell very, very short of my expectations, especially having seen so many good reviews for it. I wouldn’t say I hated it, but I can’t say I liked it either. It certainly had potential, but personally I wish I hadn’t wasted my money.
I would say the following review contains spoilers, but to be honest anyone who reads the blurb for this (or even the first few pages) can see instantly where this story is going. It is highly predictable and in many places just too far fetched for me. I like characters and a storyline with a slower build than this. I generally do really like this genre of book and appreciate that they are often predictable, but this story just jumped right in and gave everything away in no time at all.
Joy is supposed to be this character who has had this tragic and sad past, yet despite this she is a strong woman who has always remained upbeat and (living up to her name) 'joyful', overcoming her adversities in life and travelling every corner of the world (at the ripe old age of 29 she really has seen it all!). She is (of course) incredibly beautiful, although (typically) she is unaware of how beautiful she is.
Joy is now ready to find somewhere she can call home and moves to a village where everybody hates her because they believe her to be somebody else. That is everyone aside from the three handsome and eligible men of the village because they (of course) instantly fall in love with her, I mean instantly, to the point that within a few sentences she has become BFF with Casey (the standard must have gay best friend of the book) and he is sat on her sofa drinking wine and spilling his deepest secrets to her, secrets that at over 30 years of age he has confided to no one else, ever!) Joy is just that awesome!! I certainly wish I could make friends so easily. Even Finn, her supposed nemesis and your typical mean moody man of the story, decides within only a couple of passing sentences that he wants her and must protect her.
Finn, as we (very quickly) find out, has been hurt by a red headed woman in the past and as such has sworn off not only women but particularly red headed women. So as soon as he sees Joy (who in case you didn’t guess has red hair) he instantly decides he must not love her. Yep, the usual kind of decisions you make upon meeting someone new. However they live next door to each other, so staying away from her is difficult and instead he decides to be mean to her.
However, every conversation Joy has with Finn (despite how rude and mean he) she provides him with detailed information about her sad and tragic past, thus revealing how vulnerable she is underneath this strong exterior. This means that Finn is torn between not wanting to get hurt by another red haired woman and wanting to take care of Joy and protect her and keep her safe from the big bad world. I just found this excessive amount of personal information too much too soon, to anyone, let alone someone who has not been nice to you. And it doesn’t stop there, for every adversity Joy has overcome along comes another, and another. And of course this just makes her all the more loveable and simply amazing to everyone who gets to know her. They all just want to protect her and keep her safe. Oh yes, I forgot to mention, she’s also mysterious! Yes, Joy has a secret and this just adds to the wonderfulness of Joy because everybody knows she has a secret but they aren’t sure what it is (even though it’s glaringly obvious).
An example of the type of (admittedly minor) irritations I found (aside from the above) around mid way through the book there’s a part where we find out that Finn owns a cottage that by an strange coincidence (and there’s a lot of coincidences in this story) was Joy's family home and where she grew up. He has been renovating it as a project but hasn’t quite decided whether it’s somewhere that he wants to live or to sell. He takes Joy to see this ‘work in progress’, and she walks around describing what he has done to it. He has made two of the rooms into nurseries, one blue for a boy and one pink for a girl, for his future children should he decide to live in the property. This is still at the storyline where Finn has been sworn off ever getting involved again. OK… so he doesn’t want to get involved ever again yet he’s already decorated two nurseries in a house he hasn’t even decided if he’s going to live in yet, a house that coincidentally is very close to Joy’s heart.
The storyline just seemed too neat, too easy, too predictable. Like the author just wanted to pull together everything that usually sells a book and tie it all neatly together to make it passable. Perhaps if it was shorter it might not have been so bad, but it is overly long for such a predictable story, thus meaning that I just kept skipping pages trying to either find interesting bits or just get to the end to prove that it was indeed a predictable ending. Also, it wasn’t really that funny. I’m sorry if I sound like I’m coming down hard on this story, like I said kudos for effort, especially being a first attempt, but I really don’t feel this lived up to the reviews posted.
I would say the following review contains spoilers, but to be honest anyone who reads the blurb for this (or even the first few pages) can see instantly where this story is going. It is highly predictable and in many places just too far fetched for me. I like characters and a storyline with a slower build than this. I generally do really like this genre of book and appreciate that they are often predictable, but this story just jumped right in and gave everything away in no time at all.
Joy is supposed to be this character who has had this tragic and sad past, yet despite this she is a strong woman who has always remained upbeat and (living up to her name) 'joyful', overcoming her adversities in life and travelling every corner of the world (at the ripe old age of 29 she really has seen it all!). She is (of course) incredibly beautiful, although (typically) she is unaware of how beautiful she is.
Joy is now ready to find somewhere she can call home and moves to a village where everybody hates her because they believe her to be somebody else. That is everyone aside from the three handsome and eligible men of the village because they (of course) instantly fall in love with her, I mean instantly, to the point that within a few sentences she has become BFF with Casey (the standard must have gay best friend of the book) and he is sat on her sofa drinking wine and spilling his deepest secrets to her, secrets that at over 30 years of age he has confided to no one else, ever!) Joy is just that awesome!! I certainly wish I could make friends so easily. Even Finn, her supposed nemesis and your typical mean moody man of the story, decides within only a couple of passing sentences that he wants her and must protect her.
Finn, as we (very quickly) find out, has been hurt by a red headed woman in the past and as such has sworn off not only women but particularly red headed women. So as soon as he sees Joy (who in case you didn’t guess has red hair) he instantly decides he must not love her. Yep, the usual kind of decisions you make upon meeting someone new. However they live next door to each other, so staying away from her is difficult and instead he decides to be mean to her.
However, every conversation Joy has with Finn (despite how rude and mean he) she provides him with detailed information about her sad and tragic past, thus revealing how vulnerable she is underneath this strong exterior. This means that Finn is torn between not wanting to get hurt by another red haired woman and wanting to take care of Joy and protect her and keep her safe from the big bad world. I just found this excessive amount of personal information too much too soon, to anyone, let alone someone who has not been nice to you. And it doesn’t stop there, for every adversity Joy has overcome along comes another, and another. And of course this just makes her all the more loveable and simply amazing to everyone who gets to know her. They all just want to protect her and keep her safe. Oh yes, I forgot to mention, she’s also mysterious! Yes, Joy has a secret and this just adds to the wonderfulness of Joy because everybody knows she has a secret but they aren’t sure what it is (even though it’s glaringly obvious).
An example of the type of (admittedly minor) irritations I found (aside from the above) around mid way through the book there’s a part where we find out that Finn owns a cottage that by an strange coincidence (and there’s a lot of coincidences in this story) was Joy's family home and where she grew up. He has been renovating it as a project but hasn’t quite decided whether it’s somewhere that he wants to live or to sell. He takes Joy to see this ‘work in progress’, and she walks around describing what he has done to it. He has made two of the rooms into nurseries, one blue for a boy and one pink for a girl, for his future children should he decide to live in the property. This is still at the storyline where Finn has been sworn off ever getting involved again. OK… so he doesn’t want to get involved ever again yet he’s already decorated two nurseries in a house he hasn’t even decided if he’s going to live in yet, a house that coincidentally is very close to Joy’s heart.
The storyline just seemed too neat, too easy, too predictable. Like the author just wanted to pull together everything that usually sells a book and tie it all neatly together to make it passable. Perhaps if it was shorter it might not have been so bad, but it is overly long for such a predictable story, thus meaning that I just kept skipping pages trying to either find interesting bits or just get to the end to prove that it was indeed a predictable ending. Also, it wasn’t really that funny. I’m sorry if I sound like I’m coming down hard on this story, like I said kudos for effort, especially being a first attempt, but I really don’t feel this lived up to the reviews posted.
April 9, 2025
Full disclosure: I only read this in order to make my goal for the year because the book I was currently on was too long to finish in time. Plus I picked it up free on an international trip I was on recently.
The entire book was an unending loop of two people thinking poor me, this guy/girl hates me, now I am in love or lust, now I did something stupid, now he/she hates me again. Blah blah blah.
Plus most of the scenarios were highly exaggerated and unrealistic.
A very watery version of the hate turned to love Pride and Prejudice type of story. Really 1.5 stars, but giving it 2 would be too generous.
The entire book was an unending loop of two people thinking poor me, this guy/girl hates me, now I am in love or lust, now I did something stupid, now he/she hates me again. Blah blah blah.
Plus most of the scenarios were highly exaggerated and unrealistic.
A very watery version of the hate turned to love Pride and Prejudice type of story. Really 1.5 stars, but giving it 2 would be too generous.
May 8, 2022
Actual rating: 3.5 ⭐️
This book was very unlike all the other holly Martin books I’ve read. Usually they are very cute, romance, predictable and nothing big or major happens which is great I love them.
This was a totally different ball game with its mystery, darkness, fights, gun fights, attempted murder x 3 times the lot. 😅 Anyway once I got over the shock that this was a holly Martin book I did start to enjoy it and eventually couldn’t put it down.
Loved the dark shadow, friendship with Lily, her protective brother Alex, her blooming relationship with Finn.
Hated that the village could never see past the error on names and continued to not just hate her but try and kill her! That was absolutely ridiculous and the fact that the police basically did nothing was stupid. Also hate that we lacked depth in the story between Finn, Zach and his ex- wife, I feel like she should have been the person at the end who Casey was trying to catch.
Over all I’m glad I read it but disappointed as it was not her usual style.
This book was very unlike all the other holly Martin books I’ve read. Usually they are very cute, romance, predictable and nothing big or major happens which is great I love them.
This was a totally different ball game with its mystery, darkness, fights, gun fights, attempted murder x 3 times the lot. 😅 Anyway once I got over the shock that this was a holly Martin book I did start to enjoy it and eventually couldn’t put it down.
Loved the dark shadow, friendship with Lily, her protective brother Alex, her blooming relationship with Finn.
Hated that the village could never see past the error on names and continued to not just hate her but try and kill her! That was absolutely ridiculous and the fact that the police basically did nothing was stupid. Also hate that we lacked depth in the story between Finn, Zach and his ex- wife, I feel like she should have been the person at the end who Casey was trying to catch.
Over all I’m glad I read it but disappointed as it was not her usual style.
October 23, 2014
Firstly, I'd just like to try (yes, try) and put into mere words how bloody honoured I am to be part of Amelia Thorne's blog tour for her absolutely stunning masterpiece of a debut novel Beneath the Moon and the Stars. Carina UK are home to some of the most spectacular authors I've ever read, and in my opinion, after reading Beneath the Moon and the Stars, Amelia fits right in. That's not to say that she's not special though, because trust me readers, she's got something. Something that you all need to read and lose yourself in.
Beneath the Moon and the Stars is about Joy Cartier. Joy's lived everywhere, travelled the world, and acquired new skills that you wouldn't expect a gorgeous red-head to acquire. She's beautiful, positive, and one of those people that make you want to really experience life and love it, the way she does. Joy Cartier hasn't had a perfect life, let's get that straight. Her parents were killed when she was a young girl, and since then, her big brother Alex has brought her up. She's never found 'home' though. She's gone from place to place, looking for something, but unsure of what that something was. Until she arrives in Bramble Hill, and splats ice-cream all over her new neighbours shirt. Way to go, Joy! ;) Once Joy is settled in Bramble Hill, Amelia really kick-starts her story into action, and it-was-brilliant!
First, I'd like to talk about Bramble Hill. If you're a lover of cute little villages and grassy green hills, then like me, you're gonna' wish Bramble Hill was a real place, just so you could move yourself into one the charming cottages like Amelia's main character, Joy Cartier. Don't be fooled though. Bramble Hill may sound like a fairytale setting, but it's far, far from that, and I think that's one of the main reasons why I loved this book so much. Bramble Hill tricks you, and it tricks Joy, too. It was so ridiculously easy to be fooled by the place, with it's 'Friendliest Village Award' and the adorable homes that were nestled there, but in reality, Bramble Hill was not what Joy was expecting, and neither was I. The inhabitants hate Joy with a passion, which is a striking contrast against that 'Friendliest Village Award', right? From the second the cottage becomes her own, Joy is subject to daily offerings of dog poo through the letterbox, as well as a number of other, more dangerous tricks that the disapproving villagers decide to play on her. There's a reason for their dislike, but Joy isn't sure what that reason actually is. But she's not one to be pushed out. She's got her foot in the door, and she's not going anywhere. She's a fiery, determined red-head who stands for what she believes in. Those stupid villagers don't stand a chance.
And neither does heart-throb Finn Mackenzie. Finn's had his heart broken before, by a woman who also had red hair. Sucks for Joy, right? Except, there's something about Joy that makes Finn want to inch closer. He wants to protect and care for her, despite knowing that they're better off as friends, but he's finding it hard to just to stay friends as it is. Finn was huge physically. He was brooding, moody, but oh-so-very-attractive. Intense eyes, large hands, capable of anything... Joy was a little bit fascinated with the guy, and I really can't blame her, because so was I. He was a recluse, at first only ever showing his face now and again, but there was something there between them right from the get-go, and I just could not wait for the firing chemistry to begin.
Despite the cover telling you right away that this is a romance story, there is so much more to it than that. Intrigue, a constant mystery lacing the words, and the urge to figure out what secrets both Joy and Finn are hiding. Amelia plays on the secrets perfectly, drawing you in and getting your mind working, trying to figure out what's going on, and I bloody loved it! Amelia Thorne can write, that's for damn sure, and this is one that you're going to want to read again and again and again.
Beneath the Moon and the Stars is about Joy Cartier. Joy's lived everywhere, travelled the world, and acquired new skills that you wouldn't expect a gorgeous red-head to acquire. She's beautiful, positive, and one of those people that make you want to really experience life and love it, the way she does. Joy Cartier hasn't had a perfect life, let's get that straight. Her parents were killed when she was a young girl, and since then, her big brother Alex has brought her up. She's never found 'home' though. She's gone from place to place, looking for something, but unsure of what that something was. Until she arrives in Bramble Hill, and splats ice-cream all over her new neighbours shirt. Way to go, Joy! ;) Once Joy is settled in Bramble Hill, Amelia really kick-starts her story into action, and it-was-brilliant!
First, I'd like to talk about Bramble Hill. If you're a lover of cute little villages and grassy green hills, then like me, you're gonna' wish Bramble Hill was a real place, just so you could move yourself into one the charming cottages like Amelia's main character, Joy Cartier. Don't be fooled though. Bramble Hill may sound like a fairytale setting, but it's far, far from that, and I think that's one of the main reasons why I loved this book so much. Bramble Hill tricks you, and it tricks Joy, too. It was so ridiculously easy to be fooled by the place, with it's 'Friendliest Village Award' and the adorable homes that were nestled there, but in reality, Bramble Hill was not what Joy was expecting, and neither was I. The inhabitants hate Joy with a passion, which is a striking contrast against that 'Friendliest Village Award', right? From the second the cottage becomes her own, Joy is subject to daily offerings of dog poo through the letterbox, as well as a number of other, more dangerous tricks that the disapproving villagers decide to play on her. There's a reason for their dislike, but Joy isn't sure what that reason actually is. But she's not one to be pushed out. She's got her foot in the door, and she's not going anywhere. She's a fiery, determined red-head who stands for what she believes in. Those stupid villagers don't stand a chance.
And neither does heart-throb Finn Mackenzie. Finn's had his heart broken before, by a woman who also had red hair. Sucks for Joy, right? Except, there's something about Joy that makes Finn want to inch closer. He wants to protect and care for her, despite knowing that they're better off as friends, but he's finding it hard to just to stay friends as it is. Finn was huge physically. He was brooding, moody, but oh-so-very-attractive. Intense eyes, large hands, capable of anything... Joy was a little bit fascinated with the guy, and I really can't blame her, because so was I. He was a recluse, at first only ever showing his face now and again, but there was something there between them right from the get-go, and I just could not wait for the firing chemistry to begin.
Despite the cover telling you right away that this is a romance story, there is so much more to it than that. Intrigue, a constant mystery lacing the words, and the urge to figure out what secrets both Joy and Finn are hiding. Amelia plays on the secrets perfectly, drawing you in and getting your mind working, trying to figure out what's going on, and I bloody loved it! Amelia Thorne can write, that's for damn sure, and this is one that you're going to want to read again and again and again.
December 4, 2018
Received from NetGalley for honest review!
The story begins when Joy moves into her new home and new village. She gets on her hot next door neighbors bad side, and then the villagers seem to hate her for no reason as well. When things start to get really bad for Joy, the next door neighbor seems to come to her rescue often for someone who doesn't seem to like her, but Finn, and Joy are having a hard time hiding their attraction to each other. However, Finn has been hurt in the past, and Joy isn't at all sure it would be a good idea to get involved with him.
But these two keep getting pushed together no matter how much they try to avoid it.
This book was very interesting, and funny. I liked the plot, and Joy a whole lot. I also liked Casey, and Joy's brother as well. I, however, didn't really care much for Finn. I totally understood the things he went through could make any one weary, but he took it to a whole new extreme that made him cowardly in my eyes. That was a major let down, but other then that I enjoyed everything else about the book!
The story begins when Joy moves into her new home and new village. She gets on her hot next door neighbors bad side, and then the villagers seem to hate her for no reason as well. When things start to get really bad for Joy, the next door neighbor seems to come to her rescue often for someone who doesn't seem to like her, but Finn, and Joy are having a hard time hiding their attraction to each other. However, Finn has been hurt in the past, and Joy isn't at all sure it would be a good idea to get involved with him.
But these two keep getting pushed together no matter how much they try to avoid it.
This book was very interesting, and funny. I liked the plot, and Joy a whole lot. I also liked Casey, and Joy's brother as well. I, however, didn't really care much for Finn. I totally understood the things he went through could make any one weary, but he took it to a whole new extreme that made him cowardly in my eyes. That was a major let down, but other then that I enjoyed everything else about the book!
February 10, 2015
Is Bramble Hill the perfect place to live? It looks idyllic and Joy is hoping she’ll settle into bliss in her little cottage after travelling all over the world looking for her little corner of the happy ever after. But the villagers seem hostile and her neighbour, Finn, who is a Hollywood Star turns his back on her on meeting.
But he steps up to help her with the awful things that keep happening and there is a spark of attraction between them. Can they forge a relationship and overcome past demons? This book offers a great story with a sexy side and a mystery thrown in.
Many thanks to Carina Uk and Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
But he steps up to help her with the awful things that keep happening and there is a spark of attraction between them. Can they forge a relationship and overcome past demons? This book offers a great story with a sexy side and a mystery thrown in.
Many thanks to Carina Uk and Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
January 12, 2015
An absolute 5 star of a book which had my hooked from the very 1st page to the end of the epilogue. So many things are in the pages of this gem of a book....Intrigue, friendships & bonds, broken hearts, destroyed souls, the love of dogs, misunderstandings leading to pure hatred, jaw drop moments, laughter, sadness, the basic need for raw hot sex and the deepest of need, love.
Doesn't sound like a damn good chick lit.....well that is where you are wrong, one of my top reads.
Doesn't sound like a damn good chick lit.....well that is where you are wrong, one of my top reads.
May 8, 2021
Amazing what people will give lots of stars to! This was a silly, drippy love story that was so predictable and over the top. But I may be bias because I’m not a love story type of reader. The repetitive writing also got to me...she used the same phrases for their love and lust over and over again. A fine beach read if you don’t expect much.
November 26, 2024
I deserve a star for actually finishing reading this book - absolute twaddle
April 24, 2022
Absolutely loved this book I read this in one sitting.
I loved the characters and adored the story line was funny in places
I didn't want the book end wanted to hear more was such a feel good book.
I loved the characters and adored the story line was funny in places
I didn't want the book end wanted to hear more was such a feel good book.
June 19, 2021
Another lovely, enjoyable read from Holly Martin.
October 24, 2014
I was given an ecopy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review something I’m more than happy to do.
Firstly, lets talk about the cover for Beneath the Moon and Stars - it’s simply gorgeous, so bright and inviting, willing you to pick it out. It was exactly what I needed with all greyness from the dingy mornings and evenings we’re starting to have. I read the prologue to the book and was instantly intrigued. There was clearly going to be more to this story than I first thought from reading the synopsis.
We’re introduced to Joy Cartier the main character in this book in shall we say an unconventional way, swiftly fast forwarding to moving day when she and her brother are moving her into a cottage she has rented in Bramble Hill, a village not far from her childhood home.
This is Amelia’s debut novel and she has given us characters that are intriguing and different. Each one having their own story and background that is slowly revealed throughout the book Finn, Zach and Casey the first villagers Joy meets all have stories that intertwine with hers throughout the book, each of them needing rescuing in different ways. It is instantly clear that Joy is more than a little bit clumsy, things just seem to happen when she’s around, she manages to rub people up the wrong way but her vulnerability, loving nature and heart of gold shine out alongside pride, determination and a little bit of stubbornness.
It was apparent very early on that Joy was looking for somewhere to settle, to put down some roots having not managed it in any of the previous places she’d lived - and there’d been a few! She was sure that Bramble Hill would be the place but within a day of arriving in the village she managed to get the heckles of the locals up, yet managed to gain support from an unlikely source.
This book is not simply a romantic, chick lit read. It is funny and emotional and also has a pinch of crime and mystery too. Amelia drip feeds information throughout the story at a pace that is just perfect. At times it is hilarious, I laughed out loud on several occasions and often sat smiling like the village idiot. At other times I groaned and cursed at the characters and then a chapter later I found myself willing a happy ending for the very same people. Beneath the Moon and Stars has many twists and turns that left me second guessing, not always correctly I might add.
Something that Amelia has done with panache is to create characters that evoke feelings, this is only possible when an author has developed rounded characters with depth that aren’t superficial or unnecessary to the plot. I truly loved this debut novel of Amelia Thorne’s and look forward to reading more in the future. It is a book that is perfect for a lazy afternoon, curled up on the sofa whilst the rain lashes at the windows. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a bit of lighthearted escapism
Firstly, lets talk about the cover for Beneath the Moon and Stars - it’s simply gorgeous, so bright and inviting, willing you to pick it out. It was exactly what I needed with all greyness from the dingy mornings and evenings we’re starting to have. I read the prologue to the book and was instantly intrigued. There was clearly going to be more to this story than I first thought from reading the synopsis.
We’re introduced to Joy Cartier the main character in this book in shall we say an unconventional way, swiftly fast forwarding to moving day when she and her brother are moving her into a cottage she has rented in Bramble Hill, a village not far from her childhood home.
This is Amelia’s debut novel and she has given us characters that are intriguing and different. Each one having their own story and background that is slowly revealed throughout the book Finn, Zach and Casey the first villagers Joy meets all have stories that intertwine with hers throughout the book, each of them needing rescuing in different ways. It is instantly clear that Joy is more than a little bit clumsy, things just seem to happen when she’s around, she manages to rub people up the wrong way but her vulnerability, loving nature and heart of gold shine out alongside pride, determination and a little bit of stubbornness.
It was apparent very early on that Joy was looking for somewhere to settle, to put down some roots having not managed it in any of the previous places she’d lived - and there’d been a few! She was sure that Bramble Hill would be the place but within a day of arriving in the village she managed to get the heckles of the locals up, yet managed to gain support from an unlikely source.
This book is not simply a romantic, chick lit read. It is funny and emotional and also has a pinch of crime and mystery too. Amelia drip feeds information throughout the story at a pace that is just perfect. At times it is hilarious, I laughed out loud on several occasions and often sat smiling like the village idiot. At other times I groaned and cursed at the characters and then a chapter later I found myself willing a happy ending for the very same people. Beneath the Moon and Stars has many twists and turns that left me second guessing, not always correctly I might add.
Something that Amelia has done with panache is to create characters that evoke feelings, this is only possible when an author has developed rounded characters with depth that aren’t superficial or unnecessary to the plot. I truly loved this debut novel of Amelia Thorne’s and look forward to reading more in the future. It is a book that is perfect for a lazy afternoon, curled up on the sofa whilst the rain lashes at the windows. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a bit of lighthearted escapism
October 24, 2014
I would like to thank author Amelia Thorne for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
We meet Joy as she is just moving the quaint village of Bramble Hill, Joy has been looking for a place to call home for years having travelled all over the world and hopes she has found it in Bramble Hill, after all it was named Britain’s Friendliest Village. Within seconds of arriving Joy makes an impression with the local men. Finn the ex-movie star, Casey the Police Inspector and his brother Zach.
All is not what it seems in Bramble Hill and Joy is suddenly the target of their hate campaign. Joy is like her name, Joy by nature and always tries to look on the bright side of things she is also feisty and is prepared to fight for what she believe in. Joy try’s to win the village over, but without success and some of the things they do to her isn’t very nice. She is attacked and has dog poo pushed through her letter box, this is only the start of what they put her through. She does however get a great revenge on the village for everything they put her through.
Joy’s emotions and feeling are thrown in to confusion with the brooding, but sexy as hell Finn, the Zach playboy and Casey, although it becomes obvious Joy isn’t Casey’s type they become firm friends. How can this not be a great book with four hot men!!! Finn is broodingly hot and I couldn’t help love and feel for him. Casey is really lovely as is Joy’s brother Alex. Zach is underneath a nice guy apart from like most men he thinks with his libido.
In this story I was really gripped with the drama of Joy’s life, I also laughed at some of her antics, especially the chocolate fountain scene and when Joy had ingested magic mushrooms. Added to this, is the mystery of missing jewellery and what Joy does at night when she goes out in her truck with blacked out number plates.
How can I sum up this wonderful debut without giving too much away? Four hot men (I know I’ve said it again!!), a leading lady with a secret and a page turner from page one. An excellent debut and I for one will be looking out for more books from Ameila. I could go on and on about how much I liked this book but really think everyone should check it out for themselves.
We meet Joy as she is just moving the quaint village of Bramble Hill, Joy has been looking for a place to call home for years having travelled all over the world and hopes she has found it in Bramble Hill, after all it was named Britain’s Friendliest Village. Within seconds of arriving Joy makes an impression with the local men. Finn the ex-movie star, Casey the Police Inspector and his brother Zach.
All is not what it seems in Bramble Hill and Joy is suddenly the target of their hate campaign. Joy is like her name, Joy by nature and always tries to look on the bright side of things she is also feisty and is prepared to fight for what she believe in. Joy try’s to win the village over, but without success and some of the things they do to her isn’t very nice. She is attacked and has dog poo pushed through her letter box, this is only the start of what they put her through. She does however get a great revenge on the village for everything they put her through.
Joy’s emotions and feeling are thrown in to confusion with the brooding, but sexy as hell Finn, the Zach playboy and Casey, although it becomes obvious Joy isn’t Casey’s type they become firm friends. How can this not be a great book with four hot men!!! Finn is broodingly hot and I couldn’t help love and feel for him. Casey is really lovely as is Joy’s brother Alex. Zach is underneath a nice guy apart from like most men he thinks with his libido.
In this story I was really gripped with the drama of Joy’s life, I also laughed at some of her antics, especially the chocolate fountain scene and when Joy had ingested magic mushrooms. Added to this, is the mystery of missing jewellery and what Joy does at night when she goes out in her truck with blacked out number plates.
How can I sum up this wonderful debut without giving too much away? Four hot men (I know I’ve said it again!!), a leading lady with a secret and a page turner from page one. An excellent debut and I for one will be looking out for more books from Ameila. I could go on and on about how much I liked this book but really think everyone should check it out for themselves.
October 21, 2014
Everyone wants their own “happily ever after”. So is Joy Cartier. After several years spent in different homes she finally settles in “the friendliest village in the world”, near the farm where she an her brother grew up. But this village is anything but friendly. The neighbors don’t like her for whatsoever reason, every morning she finds dog poo in the mailbox, and there is that horrible neighbor Finn Mackenzie who looks absolutely gorgeous. The only people nice to her are the brothers Casey, who is gay, and Zach, the ladies’man. But seems that Joy can’t turn her eyes of Finn, and so is he. And they start playing the game of cat and mouse. But Joy has a secret, she disappears almost every night. In the very same time, several houses have been robbed. Is Joy a diamond thief?
This is Amelia Thorne’s debut, but I’m definitely looking forward to her future works. I am positively surprised by the sexual parts in a chick lit book, and the mystery in the story kept me interested till the last page. I loved all the characters, Joy, Casey, Finn, even Zach. Joy is a woman full of mysteries and secrets, she suffered a lot, but she goes on with her head up and nothing can stop her. Casey is the first person that welcomes her in the village, he is a friend that anyone could just wish for. And Finn, OMG Finn, you can just droll when you read about his stunning looks. Former movie star, he has chosen a peaceful life over the fame and paparazzi. And Zach, maybe not the best boyfriend or friend material, but definitely best brother in the world.
I almost forgot the animals. Joy has Darcy and Finn has Billy. Two very special dogs whose story reminded me of 101 Dalmatians. I’m more of a cat person, but I absolutely adored these two loving creatures that made me laugh so many times.
What can I say more? I absolutely adored this sexy chick lit with mystery. The author made the life in the village anything but boring. Mrs. Thorne’s writing style is beautiful, warm, humorous, emotional. This story has everything, from humor and romance to mystery and suspense. A read not to be missed.
This is Amelia Thorne’s debut, but I’m definitely looking forward to her future works. I am positively surprised by the sexual parts in a chick lit book, and the mystery in the story kept me interested till the last page. I loved all the characters, Joy, Casey, Finn, even Zach. Joy is a woman full of mysteries and secrets, she suffered a lot, but she goes on with her head up and nothing can stop her. Casey is the first person that welcomes her in the village, he is a friend that anyone could just wish for. And Finn, OMG Finn, you can just droll when you read about his stunning looks. Former movie star, he has chosen a peaceful life over the fame and paparazzi. And Zach, maybe not the best boyfriend or friend material, but definitely best brother in the world.
I almost forgot the animals. Joy has Darcy and Finn has Billy. Two very special dogs whose story reminded me of 101 Dalmatians. I’m more of a cat person, but I absolutely adored these two loving creatures that made me laugh so many times.
What can I say more? I absolutely adored this sexy chick lit with mystery. The author made the life in the village anything but boring. Mrs. Thorne’s writing style is beautiful, warm, humorous, emotional. This story has everything, from humor and romance to mystery and suspense. A read not to be missed.
August 8, 2016
When I say this on netgalley I knew I had to request it. I had heard really great things about this book, and with a cover like that it had to be brilliant.
Joy Cartier has never really been settled in life, after her parents died when she was a child, she relied on her brother Alex to bring her up. Since then she has jumped around from job to job and travelled the world, never really having anywhere she can call home though.
Joy discovers the family home she grew up in at Bramble Hill is up for sale and decides she wants to buy it. After lots of felines by the New owner, Joy decides to move back to try and persuade them.
Joy believes that she can be happy again and make a home for herself in the village. The villagers seem to disagree, they really take to hating her and start to make her life miserable. That is Everton other than Casey, who doesn't live in the village and her hot neighbour Finn. Finn feels sorry for her, although has recently had his heart broken by his wife, he does instantly want to dislike Joy, mainly for the reason she is a red head, just like his ex.
There are quite a few background stories going on in the book, Casey's relationship, Joys brothers and what is Joy actually up to? There are robberies going on, has she anything o do with these? And why is she creeping about at night?
This book I found very easy to read, unfortunately I didn't have time to read it in on or two sittings, but this didn't matter, I was able to dip in and out of it with no trouble of knowing where I was.
I enjoyed the humour that was present in the story but also loved all the emotion that surrounded the characters too. My only negative is that it was predictable, which was ok an most chick lits are, their were occasions that I got a little fed up of Finn and Joys relationship as it felt it wasn't going anywhere. This however were only the negatives I have of the book. Overall it's a warm debut novel that is written well.
I would recommend this to others as a light hearted book that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
Joy Cartier has never really been settled in life, after her parents died when she was a child, she relied on her brother Alex to bring her up. Since then she has jumped around from job to job and travelled the world, never really having anywhere she can call home though.
Joy discovers the family home she grew up in at Bramble Hill is up for sale and decides she wants to buy it. After lots of felines by the New owner, Joy decides to move back to try and persuade them.
Joy believes that she can be happy again and make a home for herself in the village. The villagers seem to disagree, they really take to hating her and start to make her life miserable. That is Everton other than Casey, who doesn't live in the village and her hot neighbour Finn. Finn feels sorry for her, although has recently had his heart broken by his wife, he does instantly want to dislike Joy, mainly for the reason she is a red head, just like his ex.
There are quite a few background stories going on in the book, Casey's relationship, Joys brothers and what is Joy actually up to? There are robberies going on, has she anything o do with these? And why is she creeping about at night?
This book I found very easy to read, unfortunately I didn't have time to read it in on or two sittings, but this didn't matter, I was able to dip in and out of it with no trouble of knowing where I was.
I enjoyed the humour that was present in the story but also loved all the emotion that surrounded the characters too. My only negative is that it was predictable, which was ok an most chick lits are, their were occasions that I got a little fed up of Finn and Joys relationship as it felt it wasn't going anywhere. This however were only the negatives I have of the book. Overall it's a warm debut novel that is written well.
I would recommend this to others as a light hearted book that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2019
Awfully written. To think I was reading a book by the same author who wrote 'One Hundred Proposals'!
The story could be interesting. It has the potential, I think. Joy has a very cool hobby that she uses for her jobs. Then there's also a mystery round the corner that I'm quite eager to know about. All the coinicidences... were they merely by chance or was it deliberate?
But the writing... Punctuation was all over the place. Sentences that start off as questions don't end with question marks. And even if they do, it's extremely awkward. I mean, how is this even acceptable? Just look at this:
"Do you want some ice cream, it's coconut-flavoured?"
Transitions from one scene to another are abrupt. Details were glossed over, and just... extremely torturous to read. There's something like a hate-to-love relationship there as well, but it's more like love at first sight (which I'm not really a fan of).
To think that 'Spring at Blueberry Bay' has the same problems. Not too sure how far off they were at getting published, but I'm just glad that even though 'One Hundred Proposals' has the mistakes too, it isn't quite as preposterous.
I am never going to read another book by Holly Martin again.
The story could be interesting. It has the potential, I think. Joy has a very cool hobby that she uses for her jobs. Then there's also a mystery round the corner that I'm quite eager to know about. All the coinicidences... were they merely by chance or was it deliberate?
But the writing... Punctuation was all over the place. Sentences that start off as questions don't end with question marks. And even if they do, it's extremely awkward. I mean, how is this even acceptable? Just look at this:
"Do you want some ice cream, it's coconut-flavoured?"
Transitions from one scene to another are abrupt. Details were glossed over, and just... extremely torturous to read. There's something like a hate-to-love relationship there as well, but it's more like love at first sight (which I'm not really a fan of).
To think that 'Spring at Blueberry Bay' has the same problems. Not too sure how far off they were at getting published, but I'm just glad that even though 'One Hundred Proposals' has the mistakes too, it isn't quite as preposterous.
I am never going to read another book by Holly Martin again.
February 11, 2017
Holly Martin just can't be beaten for lovely stories that give you warm fuzzy feelings. As with all her books, highly recommended!
February 8, 2015
Oh, how I loved this story!
It tugged at my emotions and also made me laugh out loud - for real - with me having to read out two passages in particular to my husband about my favourite character, Billy, who tried so hard to steal the show.
Like I said, I loved it, and would most happily recommend. I imagine fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jill Shalvis will love it.
It tugged at my emotions and also made me laugh out loud - for real - with me having to read out two passages in particular to my husband about my favourite character, Billy, who tried so hard to steal the show.
Like I said, I loved it, and would most happily recommend. I imagine fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jill Shalvis will love it.
November 15, 2014
3 ½ Stars
After reading some reviews I really wanted to read this book and wanted to like it... a lot. Sadly, it didn't meet my high expectations. Beneath the Moon and the Stars is a nice and enjoyable story, I was simply expecting more from it.
After reading some reviews I really wanted to read this book and wanted to like it... a lot. Sadly, it didn't meet my high expectations. Beneath the Moon and the Stars is a nice and enjoyable story, I was simply expecting more from it.
March 27, 2015
Terrible. Only gave it 2 stars as I actually finished it. Predictable and shallow.
November 18, 2019
Absolute drivel
Unbelievable plot repetitive sex scenes I struggled to finish. The ending regarding the ugliest villagers totally and utterly laughable. Rot.
Unbelievable plot repetitive sex scenes I struggled to finish. The ending regarding the ugliest villagers totally and utterly laughable. Rot.
August 10, 2019
Never really thought about it before, but home is definitely where the love of your life is. I find with all Holly’s books their are many great self help tips and a gorgeous tall and handsome man. I always try not to worry about tomorrow today, which is another great one. I was not really sure about this one, it is a story with a difference and still amazing.
Joy has a sad past and is really close to Alex her brother who brought her up from a young age, Joy struggles to find home and the place she finds is Bramble hill, it is close to Blueberry Farm where she grew up so holds a sentimental place in her heart and with her new home being the friendliest village she is sure this may be one.
Having moved in she meets Zach and Casey, Casey is a bloke which it appears is long lost friend from farm days with Zach being his friend who has more notches on his bedpost than he can count.
On her first night to the village, she is treated to a drink in her local where she meets a quiet reserved grumpy, gorgeous large man called Finn, he is is well over 6ft tall and Joy being tiny at 5ft. He has not had any type of relationship for some time and swats all interest away rather than risk his heart breaking again and Joy has never really had a relationship where she felt so in love and invested to a person. Finn also has a tendency to come to Joys rescue, rather a lot for someone who doesn’t care but as time goes by he still struggles with those 3 little words we all want to here. Upon arrival everyone goes quite very quickly and a table is taken at the furthest point away from Finn reading his paper. Joy buys him a beer which is not recommended and takes it over, she ends up getting annoyed with him and slopping the drink over the article he is reading.
It all starts off rather badly with being attacked in ladies by the bartender because it is thought she is hitting on Zach, she is then thrown out arm bleeding as the bar owner turns against her. Thinking a nice walk along the lake is just what she needs is suddenly pushed in gasping for breath until Finn arrives and takes her home being her next door neighbour. There are so many funny unusual (with the two of them and his niece Lilly) bittersweet heartbreaking scenes, I actually devoured it in two days once you start it is difficult to put down and you are left wishing I had a Finn in my life.
When she first sees Finn, she instantly feels something set alive within her and as we progress it only takes one touch and they have that all encompassing magical chemistry and zing she cannot feel he is her soulmate.
They learn so much from each other as the village step up their hatred of Joy due to an misunderstanding and this it where it all starts.
Joy has a sad past and is really close to Alex her brother who brought her up from a young age, Joy struggles to find home and the place she finds is Bramble hill, it is close to Blueberry Farm where she grew up so holds a sentimental place in her heart and with her new home being the friendliest village she is sure this may be one.
Having moved in she meets Zach and Casey, Casey is a bloke which it appears is long lost friend from farm days with Zach being his friend who has more notches on his bedpost than he can count.
On her first night to the village, she is treated to a drink in her local where she meets a quiet reserved grumpy, gorgeous large man called Finn, he is is well over 6ft tall and Joy being tiny at 5ft. He has not had any type of relationship for some time and swats all interest away rather than risk his heart breaking again and Joy has never really had a relationship where she felt so in love and invested to a person. Finn also has a tendency to come to Joys rescue, rather a lot for someone who doesn’t care but as time goes by he still struggles with those 3 little words we all want to here. Upon arrival everyone goes quite very quickly and a table is taken at the furthest point away from Finn reading his paper. Joy buys him a beer which is not recommended and takes it over, she ends up getting annoyed with him and slopping the drink over the article he is reading.
It all starts off rather badly with being attacked in ladies by the bartender because it is thought she is hitting on Zach, she is then thrown out arm bleeding as the bar owner turns against her. Thinking a nice walk along the lake is just what she needs is suddenly pushed in gasping for breath until Finn arrives and takes her home being her next door neighbour. There are so many funny unusual (with the two of them and his niece Lilly) bittersweet heartbreaking scenes, I actually devoured it in two days once you start it is difficult to put down and you are left wishing I had a Finn in my life.
When she first sees Finn, she instantly feels something set alive within her and as we progress it only takes one touch and they have that all encompassing magical chemistry and zing she cannot feel he is her soulmate.
They learn so much from each other as the village step up their hatred of Joy due to an misunderstanding and this it where it all starts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2020
'The Village looked beautiful basked in the rosy glow of the sun as she drove down the hill towards the cluster of whitewashed cottages. It was peaceful and quiet. There was a tiny duck pond,glinting pink and gold as the little white ducks bobbed on the water, an old beamed pub called charmingly The Peacock's Pride, a tiny shop, and that was it. Life here would be as idyllic and quiet as the village itself.'
My Rating - 5/5 Stars
I've been in a bit of a reading slump over the past few days, and I knew what I really wanted to read was something light-hearted and easy to relax with. With everything that's going on in the world right now, I needed something to distract me from all the bad news, so I browsed through the Prime Reading section of my Kindle and came across A Home On Bramble Hill by Holly Martin.
From the first page I was drawn into this brilliant Romantic Comedy. Joy is a very intriguing character that has a deep secret. After travelling the world, and living in so many places, she's hoping that Bramble Hill will be her forever home. She's had a difficult past, but despite this she has an optimistic outlook on life, and truly lives up to her name, even when the locals take a dislike to her.
Finn is Joy's neighbour and he's adamant that he won't get involved with Joy. With her zest for life and optimistic outlook, she's everything he needs right now; but he's had a difficult past too, and he's determined that he won't be burned again. Yet, as the locals become more vicious towards her, he can't help but step in, and the more time he spends with her, the harder it becomes for him to keep away.
Another character that deserves to be mentioned is Casey, who is the first person to make Joy feel welcome. I loved his character, and although he's a secondary character I couldn't help but wish for his happy ending too. His brother Zach however, let's just say I couldn't warm to him. You'll see for yourself why if you get a chance to read this book.
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book and it's easily a five star rating from me. The story moved quickly enough to be interesting, but didn't feel rushed. It made me laugh out loud several times, Finn frustrated me to no end with his sheer stubbornness, and everyone needs a friend like Casey in their life.
I wouldn't say this was just a Romantic Comedy though. There was more to it than that, with the animosity of the local villagers adding an element of danger, and mysterious crimes lending an air of mystery.
This book not only broke my reading slump, but also inspired me to get back into reviewing again. Holly Martin has gained a new fan, and I can't wait to read more of her work.
My Rating - 5/5 Stars
I've been in a bit of a reading slump over the past few days, and I knew what I really wanted to read was something light-hearted and easy to relax with. With everything that's going on in the world right now, I needed something to distract me from all the bad news, so I browsed through the Prime Reading section of my Kindle and came across A Home On Bramble Hill by Holly Martin.
From the first page I was drawn into this brilliant Romantic Comedy. Joy is a very intriguing character that has a deep secret. After travelling the world, and living in so many places, she's hoping that Bramble Hill will be her forever home. She's had a difficult past, but despite this she has an optimistic outlook on life, and truly lives up to her name, even when the locals take a dislike to her.
Finn is Joy's neighbour and he's adamant that he won't get involved with Joy. With her zest for life and optimistic outlook, she's everything he needs right now; but he's had a difficult past too, and he's determined that he won't be burned again. Yet, as the locals become more vicious towards her, he can't help but step in, and the more time he spends with her, the harder it becomes for him to keep away.
Another character that deserves to be mentioned is Casey, who is the first person to make Joy feel welcome. I loved his character, and although he's a secondary character I couldn't help but wish for his happy ending too. His brother Zach however, let's just say I couldn't warm to him. You'll see for yourself why if you get a chance to read this book.
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book and it's easily a five star rating from me. The story moved quickly enough to be interesting, but didn't feel rushed. It made me laugh out loud several times, Finn frustrated me to no end with his sheer stubbornness, and everyone needs a friend like Casey in their life.
I wouldn't say this was just a Romantic Comedy though. There was more to it than that, with the animosity of the local villagers adding an element of danger, and mysterious crimes lending an air of mystery.
This book not only broke my reading slump, but also inspired me to get back into reviewing again. Holly Martin has gained a new fan, and I can't wait to read more of her work.
October 22, 2014
I so love debut novels that blow my mind away! Reading a new author you don't know what to expect, and when with every single page that you read you find yourself in love with every word, every character, every situation then you know you've just found a new gem to your collection. With Amelia Thorne I've just found mine.
And that's actually all, I could sum up this book writing BLOODY FANTASTIC, drop everything you do and go, treat yourself, BUY THIS BOOK. You are going to experience all kinds of feelings while reading it, starting with lust, care, love and finishing with hate, curiosity and desire to give the villagers a taste of their own medicine. It's not going to leave you without feeling anything.
Joy Cartier has travelled the world looking for a place for herself, but her heart always brings her back to the little village of Bramble Hill where Joy and her family lived before. And now it's time for her to move there, and perhaps to buy back the old barn they used to live. Full of hope she arrives there, to the Britain's Friendliest Village voted nine times in a row, and she gets everything but friendly... There is everything involved, including dog poo posted through her letter - box, and it's, in fact, the most friendly thing expecting Joy there... Even one of her closest neighbours, the sexy as hell actor Finn Mackenzie, doesn't want anything to do with her. But when the village animosity exceeds, it is always Finn coming up to Joy's rescue... There is also the thing with the robberies going around, and Finn finds out that Joy, who's not working, from time to time dresses in black, covers out her number plates, loads her car trunk with chainsaws and other friendly gear and drives away during the night... Is she the diamond thief?
Oh my, I could go on and on about the book. There are so many subplots, but every single one of them is wonderfully, deeply, thoroughly developed and finished, although maybe I would only like a little more on punishing the villagers, I'd love to get those who hurt Joy so much with my bare hands! But it's my only but. They were really a very nasty bunch of people, being able even to poison and set a fire... But luckily, there were some people friendly to Joy, and this bring us to the characters in the book. As luck would like it, those friendly people were in fact three very interesting men: Finn, Zach and Casey, and there is a story behind each of them. Finn was badly hurt in the past and now he doesn't want to be involved in anything that contains a read - headed woman but he can't help it and starts to feel some butterflies in his belly (or lower, ekhm). But Joy wants a relationship and Finn doesn't - so what now? Did they hit rock bottom or what? Or maybe Zach, the horny Zach who was one of the reasons that Finn's marriage went bonkers, Zach so interested in Joy, is going to give her this what she's looking for? Relationship? Or maybe Casey, Zach's brother and Finn's best friend, who's getting married soon, although there is ONE BIG thing standing in the way: he's a gay, and he very quickly becomes Joy's best friend she so badly needs.
I loved how the relationship between Finn and Joy developed, and what it involved: for sure many embarrassing situations, such as dancing naked, or telephoning naked, yes, many situations when one of them was naked. There was a real, palpable chemistry between the two of them and while I have often read books with the never ending banter between the characters, with the everlasting will they / won't they, where it takes so long and usually loses its sparkle, but in this book I couldn't get enough of those two and their resolution/ indecision. I could so understand Finn, his indecisions were described in a vivid, realistic way and I could literally hear his thoughts and his brain going on highest rotations, asking himself to let or not to let it be... To let himself fall in love again or not... And what was also adorable is the fact that he was not playing games with Joy, he was very clear from the very beginning, we can be friends with benefits (and okay, sometimes friends with benefits holding hands) but I'm not ready. Yet. And yet is the key word because it was a matter of time in my opinion that he falls in love. Or not.
Actually the relationships Joy had with all three man were brilliant to read, hilarious and utterly charming. In Casey she found the friend that she so much needed to have, an ally, in Zach... well, it was a kind of amusing friendship, and Finn... Yes, Finn. You must read the book to find out how it ended.
I can't forget about Alex here, yes, again a man in Joy's life, but this time very innocent as he was her brother who raised her after their parents died in a car accident when Joy was nine years old, putting his dreams and future on hold. Yes, in fact I could be Joy, surrounded by so many great men, really.
There are of course much more characters in the book, starting with the villagers - who, although were usually mentioned as a group, felt also like one big, bad character, Casey and Zach's mum, Arielle... They were all brilliant, larger than life, colourful, vivid, popping out of the pages and thanks to them the story was also so colourful and full of events and twists and turns. Yes, I could gush about it much longer.
Joy was a woman to herself. She was adorable. She was believable. She was lovely, independent and strong. She had a very unusual job but nevertheless, a very interesting one. She was also funny and had a very good heart and this is why it so hurt to read about all the shenanigans the villagers did to her. I fell for her, literally, my heart was coming out to her and I wanted that everything ends good for her. And she was so lovely and understanding with Lilly, Finn's little niece, I don't know Finn, but after seeing how she felt for Lilly and what she did for her, you should marry this woman on the spot and stop brooding. My opinion only.
So, as you can see, I have fallen in love with this book head over hills. I have enjoyed it from start to finish and couldn't put it down which led to my bum feel a little sore, sorry for the too much information bit. This story has everything that you can look for in a book and even more. There is drama, there is mystery, betrayal, love, romance, secrets and a lot of humour, plus very best scenes involving dogs. It has loveable, larger than life characters, believable relationships and is totally hooking and make you want to be a part of the characters' world, to be in their gang. Amelia Thorne has written a wonderful, compelling story, story that left me feeling as compelled as I almost never feel after finishing my read. She can brilliantly keep you in the suspense and play on the tension and secrets so good that you don't want to put this book down. So be prepared - when (yes, when, not if) you buy this book, be sure to arrange a very comfortable cushion for your bum, bring a big flask of hot tea and just dive into this fantastic story for few hours. Highly recommended!
Copy received in exchange for a review.
And that's actually all, I could sum up this book writing BLOODY FANTASTIC, drop everything you do and go, treat yourself, BUY THIS BOOK. You are going to experience all kinds of feelings while reading it, starting with lust, care, love and finishing with hate, curiosity and desire to give the villagers a taste of their own medicine. It's not going to leave you without feeling anything.
Joy Cartier has travelled the world looking for a place for herself, but her heart always brings her back to the little village of Bramble Hill where Joy and her family lived before. And now it's time for her to move there, and perhaps to buy back the old barn they used to live. Full of hope she arrives there, to the Britain's Friendliest Village voted nine times in a row, and she gets everything but friendly... There is everything involved, including dog poo posted through her letter - box, and it's, in fact, the most friendly thing expecting Joy there... Even one of her closest neighbours, the sexy as hell actor Finn Mackenzie, doesn't want anything to do with her. But when the village animosity exceeds, it is always Finn coming up to Joy's rescue... There is also the thing with the robberies going around, and Finn finds out that Joy, who's not working, from time to time dresses in black, covers out her number plates, loads her car trunk with chainsaws and other friendly gear and drives away during the night... Is she the diamond thief?
Oh my, I could go on and on about the book. There are so many subplots, but every single one of them is wonderfully, deeply, thoroughly developed and finished, although maybe I would only like a little more on punishing the villagers, I'd love to get those who hurt Joy so much with my bare hands! But it's my only but. They were really a very nasty bunch of people, being able even to poison and set a fire... But luckily, there were some people friendly to Joy, and this bring us to the characters in the book. As luck would like it, those friendly people were in fact three very interesting men: Finn, Zach and Casey, and there is a story behind each of them. Finn was badly hurt in the past and now he doesn't want to be involved in anything that contains a read - headed woman but he can't help it and starts to feel some butterflies in his belly (or lower, ekhm). But Joy wants a relationship and Finn doesn't - so what now? Did they hit rock bottom or what? Or maybe Zach, the horny Zach who was one of the reasons that Finn's marriage went bonkers, Zach so interested in Joy, is going to give her this what she's looking for? Relationship? Or maybe Casey, Zach's brother and Finn's best friend, who's getting married soon, although there is ONE BIG thing standing in the way: he's a gay, and he very quickly becomes Joy's best friend she so badly needs.
I loved how the relationship between Finn and Joy developed, and what it involved: for sure many embarrassing situations, such as dancing naked, or telephoning naked, yes, many situations when one of them was naked. There was a real, palpable chemistry between the two of them and while I have often read books with the never ending banter between the characters, with the everlasting will they / won't they, where it takes so long and usually loses its sparkle, but in this book I couldn't get enough of those two and their resolution/ indecision. I could so understand Finn, his indecisions were described in a vivid, realistic way and I could literally hear his thoughts and his brain going on highest rotations, asking himself to let or not to let it be... To let himself fall in love again or not... And what was also adorable is the fact that he was not playing games with Joy, he was very clear from the very beginning, we can be friends with benefits (and okay, sometimes friends with benefits holding hands) but I'm not ready. Yet. And yet is the key word because it was a matter of time in my opinion that he falls in love. Or not.
Actually the relationships Joy had with all three man were brilliant to read, hilarious and utterly charming. In Casey she found the friend that she so much needed to have, an ally, in Zach... well, it was a kind of amusing friendship, and Finn... Yes, Finn. You must read the book to find out how it ended.
I can't forget about Alex here, yes, again a man in Joy's life, but this time very innocent as he was her brother who raised her after their parents died in a car accident when Joy was nine years old, putting his dreams and future on hold. Yes, in fact I could be Joy, surrounded by so many great men, really.
There are of course much more characters in the book, starting with the villagers - who, although were usually mentioned as a group, felt also like one big, bad character, Casey and Zach's mum, Arielle... They were all brilliant, larger than life, colourful, vivid, popping out of the pages and thanks to them the story was also so colourful and full of events and twists and turns. Yes, I could gush about it much longer.
Joy was a woman to herself. She was adorable. She was believable. She was lovely, independent and strong. She had a very unusual job but nevertheless, a very interesting one. She was also funny and had a very good heart and this is why it so hurt to read about all the shenanigans the villagers did to her. I fell for her, literally, my heart was coming out to her and I wanted that everything ends good for her. And she was so lovely and understanding with Lilly, Finn's little niece, I don't know Finn, but after seeing how she felt for Lilly and what she did for her, you should marry this woman on the spot and stop brooding. My opinion only.
So, as you can see, I have fallen in love with this book head over hills. I have enjoyed it from start to finish and couldn't put it down which led to my bum feel a little sore, sorry for the too much information bit. This story has everything that you can look for in a book and even more. There is drama, there is mystery, betrayal, love, romance, secrets and a lot of humour, plus very best scenes involving dogs. It has loveable, larger than life characters, believable relationships and is totally hooking and make you want to be a part of the characters' world, to be in their gang. Amelia Thorne has written a wonderful, compelling story, story that left me feeling as compelled as I almost never feel after finishing my read. She can brilliantly keep you in the suspense and play on the tension and secrets so good that you don't want to put this book down. So be prepared - when (yes, when, not if) you buy this book, be sure to arrange a very comfortable cushion for your bum, bring a big flask of hot tea and just dive into this fantastic story for few hours. Highly recommended!
Copy received in exchange for a review.
November 12, 2018
A am a massive Holly Martin fan, so I bought this book expecting it to be good. Though the main plot was good, and I enjoyed a lot of it (hence 2 stars instead of 1), there were several things I really hated about this book:
1. The horrible villagers trying to kill her
2. We know she has plenty of money so why the hell didn’t she get security cameras when the attacks started? Then tell the police and hand over all the evidence?
3. Why was the attacking her plot line never resolved? No one was ever caught? Urgh!
4. I hated when Finn physically restrained her when she didn’t want to talk. You don’t physically restrain someone against their will, unless they are in danger otherwise, it is WRONG! So, so WRONG! Is it any wonder so many women end up in abusive relationships without realising it, when these kind of things are repeatedly written about as though they are romantic? If someone did that to me, they’d be out of my life (or me out of theirs) so fast their head would spin. I don’t get how she’s okay with this when she’s been physically attacked by a man in her past?
Having said all this, Holly is an excellent writer, so don’t be put off reading her books, which are otherwise excellent. Maybe just pick a different one if you’re looking for a fun, romantic read.
1. The horrible villagers trying to kill her
2. We know she has plenty of money so why the hell didn’t she get security cameras when the attacks started? Then tell the police and hand over all the evidence?
3. Why was the attacking her plot line never resolved? No one was ever caught? Urgh!
4. I hated when Finn physically restrained her when she didn’t want to talk. You don’t physically restrain someone against their will, unless they are in danger otherwise, it is WRONG! So, so WRONG! Is it any wonder so many women end up in abusive relationships without realising it, when these kind of things are repeatedly written about as though they are romantic? If someone did that to me, they’d be out of my life (or me out of theirs) so fast their head would spin. I don’t get how she’s okay with this when she’s been physically attacked by a man in her past?
Having said all this, Holly is an excellent writer, so don’t be put off reading her books, which are otherwise excellent. Maybe just pick a different one if you’re looking for a fun, romantic read.
May 21, 2018
This is another fantastic read by Holly, it had me addicted from chapter 1.
Joy has struggled to settle anywhere, her parents passed away when she was younger and her brother, Alex, has always looked after her, put his life on hold to ensure she had everything she needed.
Joy decides to move to Bramble Hill, near to her childhood home. She has been buying to try it back, but the current owner is refusing to sell to her. Her move to Bramble Hill is because she believes her childhood home is where she belongs.
Then she meets Finn, a good looking actor who apparently does not like red heads and unlucky for Joy that’s exactly what she is.
She is determined first and foremost to get her home back, but she is also determined to get Finn to realise his true feelings for her, but will achieving one goal help her to achieve the other?
This was such a fantastic, feel good read and absolutely hilarious, another well written book by Holly which I would not hesitate to recommend.
Joy has struggled to settle anywhere, her parents passed away when she was younger and her brother, Alex, has always looked after her, put his life on hold to ensure she had everything she needed.
Joy decides to move to Bramble Hill, near to her childhood home. She has been buying to try it back, but the current owner is refusing to sell to her. Her move to Bramble Hill is because she believes her childhood home is where she belongs.
Then she meets Finn, a good looking actor who apparently does not like red heads and unlucky for Joy that’s exactly what she is.
She is determined first and foremost to get her home back, but she is also determined to get Finn to realise his true feelings for her, but will achieving one goal help her to achieve the other?
This was such a fantastic, feel good read and absolutely hilarious, another well written book by Holly which I would not hesitate to recommend.
July 7, 2019
Brilliant book.
Firstly, joy moves to a quaint village in an affluent area thinking all is good yo where she was brought up, she knows the area all too well but bot the residents of Bramble hill who think shes a relative to the owner of the house she lives at and the whole village begin a reign of hatred to her. From poisoning to fires and hurting her dog can she honestly stay?
Her neighbour is the rudest sexiest man shes ever seen and has fallen in love but he isn't wanting another redhead in his life.
Theres a diamond thief in the area and with Joy's work, residents begin to think Joy is the thief until the truth is out and unbeknown there may be a glimpse of love in the air.
The writing is brilliant but I've read quite alot of Holly Martin's book and it's always a pleasure to open a book of hers.
Lovely location, perfect characters and perfect story. Loved it
Firstly, joy moves to a quaint village in an affluent area thinking all is good yo where she was brought up, she knows the area all too well but bot the residents of Bramble hill who think shes a relative to the owner of the house she lives at and the whole village begin a reign of hatred to her. From poisoning to fires and hurting her dog can she honestly stay?
Her neighbour is the rudest sexiest man shes ever seen and has fallen in love but he isn't wanting another redhead in his life.
Theres a diamond thief in the area and with Joy's work, residents begin to think Joy is the thief until the truth is out and unbeknown there may be a glimpse of love in the air.
The writing is brilliant but I've read quite alot of Holly Martin's book and it's always a pleasure to open a book of hers.
Lovely location, perfect characters and perfect story. Loved it
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