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Secret Wishes and Summer Kisses on Lily Pond Lane

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Everyone’s got a secret wish in Little Pondale this summer. Mia’s been exceptionally lucky since moving to Lily Pond Lane. But even on her honeymoon with the man of her dreams, she still has one remaining wish. Ella wishes Gill would propose. But since Mia’s wedding something’s changed in their relationship. Now he’s spending time with newcomer, Tabbie Talbaine, Ella wishes Tabbie will leave as quickly as she arrived. Tabbie wishes she hadn’t driven her car into a pond. But it could be the best thing that’s ever happened to her. When she discovers Hollywood heartthrob, Justin Lake’s staying in the village, getting an interview for her popular blog isn’t her only wish. Bree was told she couldn't have a baby. Now she’s expecting twins and is simply wishing it all goes well. And as for Hettie ... she wishes she could get her hands on an old map of the village. Because there’s something hidden in Little Pondale that Hettie Turner really wants to find. This is the final book in the Lily Pond Lane series and this is what readers are saying about it. "Emily Harvale has surpassed herself with this book, its a pure joy to read, and I really did enjoy every moment of it. The pages just flew past and I was enthralled in all the various plot lines." - Rachel's Random Reads “What a fabulous end to the series! I can’t wait to see what Emily Harvale comes up with next!” – Rae Reads Book Blog "One of the most incredible serials I have ever read, and I am incredibly proud of the author for what she has achieved over the last eight books" – The Writing Garnet “Not only do I recommend reading this Gorgeous Book, but I highly recommend the whole series!” – Dash Fan Book Reviews “I’ve loved every story in this series and this is no exception. I have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending this and the other books in the series, they’re fantastic reads IMHO.” – Splashes into Books “This really was the perfect ending to this exceptional series. And even though it is time to say goodbye to these characters they will always be in my reading heart!” – Audio Killed The Bookmark “This last instalment is every bit as good as we’d expect from this super author.” – Books are Cool “I so enjoyed it but am sad knowing that there won’t be anymore. Luckily I can always go back and re read them again. Highly recommended.” – By the Letter Book Reviews "The location is fabulous as normal and the more books I read, the more I really, really want to visit!" – Donna’s Book Blog "The perfect ending to a really enjoyable series. I’m sorry to say goodbye to Little Pondale, but glad to have been enjoying it from the start." – Sibzz Reads “Would I like to see the series continue?? Yes, of course I would!! I would never want to see a fabulous series finish, but I am excited for what the author will come up with next!!” – Stardust Book Reviews “It welcomes new characters while giving us the perfect ending to a long and amazing series.” – Jess Bookish Life “Harvale writes with a tongue-in-cheek humour and has an eye for keeping her readers captivated with emotional plots and relatable characters.

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2019

412 people are currently reading
169 people want to read

About the author

Emily Harvale

77 books222 followers
Emily writes novels, novellas and short stories about friendship, family and falling in love. She believes in love at first sight and she loves a happy ending but knows that life doesn't always go to plan. Her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.

Emily loves to connect with her readers. In addition to her newsletter, she has a readers' group on Facebook, where she shares all her latest news and even gets readers involved in choosing titles, book covers and more. To catch up with Emily, find out about the group, or connect with her on social media, go to her website at https://www.emilyharvale.com

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she writes full-time. She’s a member of the SoA, an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. When not writing, Emily says she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, but she’s more likely to be found with friends, enjoying a glass of wine or a cup of coffee, and definitely some cake. Emily has two mischievous rescue cats, Beatrix and Portia, who like to sprawl across her keyboard, regardless of whether Emily is typing on it, or not.

Catch up with Emily on her website https://www.emilyharvale.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalew... or Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

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5 stars
680 (68%)
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201 (20%)
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94 (9%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,305 reviews1,779 followers
July 22, 2019
Favorite Quotes:

… my father embezzled several million and ran off with the nanny… some say he ran off with her and some say he murdered her and disposed of the body. Neither he nor my nanny has ever been found. Or the money. But like the Lochness Monster, sightings of him are reported from time to time. He seems to pop up all over the globe, but he's never popped up to visit me.

Tabbie sounded more like a constipated opera singer than a woman in real pain.

Children are like buses. We wait and wait and suddenly they all come along, one after another.


My Review:

While it is sad to bid adieu to the oddly beguiling and quirky residents inhabiting Ms. Harvale’s village of Little Pondale, she has sent them off in style by providing them all with the perfect love match, solving a mystery, ending a long-held grudge, and working a bit of magic to make everyone’s dreams come true. Sigh, if only real-life were as amusing, pleasantly entertaining, and easy to resolve.
Profile Image for Berit☀️✨ .
2,095 reviews15.7k followers
July 22, 2019
Emily Harvale say it isn’t so! Please tell me this is not the last book in this delightful series that I have come to love! I have never been good at goodbyes so it is with a heavy heart that I say adieu to the residents of Little Pondale. If I am counting correctly this is the eighth book in this charming series. While I suppose you could read it as a standalone I would strongly encourage you to pick up the first book and enjoy every minute you can spend with these amazing characters.

This book picks up right after Mia and Jet’s wedding. The happy couple is on a tropical honeymoon, but Mia is wishing for just one more thing. In fact all the characters in this book are wishing for something. And newcomer Tabby seems to be stirring things up. There was also a fun witchy magical element to the story that I really loved.I hate to say it but this really was the perfect ending to this exceptional series. And even though it is time to say goodbye to these characters they will always be in my reading heart!

*** Big thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book ***
Profile Image for Zoe.
2,371 reviews335 followers
July 21, 2019
Warm, delightful, and satisfying!

Secret Wishes and Summer Kisses on Lily Pond Lane is a sweet, feel-good romance that is pure escapism with its quaint village, gregarious villagers, tender moments, hilarious hijinks, and touch of magic.

The prose is smooth and light. The characters are friendly, welcoming, and easygoing. And the plot sweeps you away and immerses you in a fanciful tale full of friendship, family, community, hopes, dreams, love, blossoming romance, and wishes.

Secret Wishes and Summer Kisses on Lily Pond Lane is the last story in this wonderful series by Harvale. And even though it is bittersweet to say goodbye to the lovely gang we’ve come to know and love over the last eight novels it has been an absolute pleasure to be able to indulge in all the mystique, adventure, mishaps, and love that’s gone on in Little Pondale over the entire series.

Thank you to Emily Harvale and Rachel's Random Resources for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,361 reviews570 followers
June 23, 2019
Gutted to discover this is the last book in the Lily Pondale series, but equally what a lovely ending to the series it is.

With the way this book ends you can draw your own conclusions but it seemed rather fitting. But before you get to the end, there is the rest of the story to enjoy.

In fact this new instalment starts with new character Tabbie driving her car into a ditch... I mean pond, purely by accident on her way to visit village hermit Aurelia. The next few chapters bring us up to speed with various more familiar characters and set the tone for the themes in this book.

I loved that without really being featured a huge amount it was as much a book about Aurelia, Hetty, their ancestors and past generally, which goes a long way to explaining why they seem to hate each other.

If felt like I was returning to family and friends reading this book, I love all the characters so much, it will be a shame to stop being able to visit Little Pondale. However despite it being the last book in a series, I do still think it works well as a standalone, there is plenty of backstory filtered in to give you a good idea about the key points about the various pasts of the characters ,

Emily Harvale has surpassed herself with this book, its a pure joy to read, and I really did enjoy every moment of it. The pages just flew past and I was enthralled in all the various plot lines. The writing is so pleasant and easy to follow, and there is just such a fabulous feel to the book, its warm and cosy.

Between catching up with old friends, seeing how various characters stories have developed along with some new romance, this is a fabulous way to end a series, and despite my thinking the title is rather long - Secret Wishes and Summer Kisses on Lily Pond Lane - it is such a fabulous match for the contents, and really does sum up the book even better than a review can! Really is a story filled with secret wishes and desires, and also some summer kisses!!

Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily
Profile Image for Sarah.
2,961 reviews228 followers
June 23, 2019
So, we have come to the final book in the Lily Pond Lane series. I can’t believe this is the final book and really hope the author carries on. There is so much more that can come from these characters and I for one am not ready to see them go. I feel like a small child wanting to throw a paddy as I have so loved this series and I feel bereft now that it is the end.

Anyway, enough of how I feel. Was this book good? What a daft question, of course it was! As with the rest of the books in the series, the author has given us another engaging and cosy read to lose ourselves into. Only problem with this as the other ones, I just devoured it far to quickly as I love catching up with the residents.

We get to meet a couple of new characters in this book which gives us a bit of a spookier storyline which I really enjoyed. I always love finding out more about the history of a place and to see if there is any truth in old wives tales.

Secret Wishes and Summer Kisses on Lily Pond Lane was actually a really good way to end this series regardless of me not wanting it to end. It is a compelling and wonderful novella that makes you feel all warm and cosy inside. Very mixed emotions with this one as I so enjoyed it but am sad knowing that there won’t be anymore. Luckily I can always go back and re read them again. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,884 reviews136 followers
July 17, 2019
I think the title really sums up this delightful novel brilliantly - the story really is filled with secret wishes and summer kisses from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and was sad to discover it is the last in the series set in this wonderful community but it is a great end of series story - and I highly recommend you read them all.

The antics, escapades and adventures experienced by the folk living on Little Pond Land are brought vividly to life in this story. For folks like me who are familiar with the earlier books, it was great to reconnect with many of the characters and to meet some new ones - especially Tabbie. However, I think the book would still work well as a standalone for those who haven't been fortunate enough to have read the earlier books as the author skilfully interweaves anecdotes and other background information which explains some of the interactions and events.

There are several different threads running through the story, but they are skilfully interwoven and brought to life by this highly talented author. I was intrigued to discover just what happened to cause the on-going enmity between the reclusive Aurelia and Hettie. Tabbie is a new character and her coming to visit Aurelia has repercussions and unexpected outcomes as more is revealed about Aurelia's ancestors, her skills and secrets - and a new romance blossoms!

This is a great finale but I'll be sad not to read any more about this fantastic community. I really hope that the author changes her mind and writes an update so we can catch up on all the characters we've grown to love at some point in the future. I've already said it once, but I'll definitely say it again and again - I've loved every story in this series and this is no exception. I have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending this and the other books in the series, they're fantastic reads IMHO.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews348 followers
July 17, 2019
I admit I have not read the entire series. Not that I don't want to or plan to. And hearing that this could possibly be the LAST installment makes me want to push the previous books up higher on my TBR pile. That said, I fell in love with the characters and the setting and am making a wish that there will be more stories, if not a book, so I can catch up with these wonderful characters as life unfolds for them. I do not want to believe that this will be the end of our visits.

Bittersweet as this will be our last (planned) visit to Little Pondale. I am holding out for some short stories perhaps as these beloved characters won't leave author Emily Harvale alone. Or maybe even a spin off from the next generation!?!?!!


Reading this book was a welcomed escape from my daily grind. It was like visiting old friends.
Mian and Jet, who are the center of this series, are off on their honeymoon. That seems a miracle itself, but then strange things and miracles, as well as wishes come true, when least expected in Little Pondale.


Romance and magic and secrets all mix together to make for a glorious escape read.
I took my time with this book because I just did not want it to end.


Profile Image for Between The Pages (Gemma M) .
1,359 reviews30 followers
July 20, 2019
NOOOOO! This is really the end people. We had a false alarm last time but not this time… Least I can go back to the beginning as I came into this series late oops. Each of these have read well as standalones…
We have a newbie in the village… Tabbie. Her little opening scene did make me laugh out loud and she seems to be causing quite a stir in this little village. We get to see a lot more from other characters in this story as Mia’s on her honeymoon which sounds divine, but life still goes on without the pair in Lilypond Lane.
Another brilliant story which I yet again devoured in just over an hour. I am sad to be saying goodbye to this little town and these characters. Cute, cosey and perfect. A well deserved four stars. Highly recommend… It’s been a pleasure reading these stories.
Profile Image for Ellen  E Vanderstarre .
31 reviews1 follower
August 20, 2019
Lily Pond series

I'm so sorry that the Lily Pond series has ended. I enjoyed reading every word. I'll miss Mia,Jet Ella and the rest of the group. Now it on to another adventure from one of my favorite authors .
1,258 reviews
August 8, 2019
Love on Lily Pond Lane

I thought this book was confusing in the beginning. There is no real character development. It ended up being a cute book.
Profile Image for Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews).
1,452 reviews32 followers
July 23, 2019
Love is in the air on Lily Pond Lane as well as secret wishes! This is the last installment in this charming series, and it was one of my favorites!

There is a lot happening in the village. Mia and Jet are newlyweds, and she is very happy. However, she really wants to have children, and she isn’t sure it is in her future since the fortune-teller didn’t indicate that in the reading when she predicted her marriage.

Bree, Garrick, and little Flora are flourishing as a family. She never thought she would be able to have her own children, and now, she is expecting twins. She is just hoping things will go smoothly and safely.

Tabbie is a new character. She finds herself staying with the resident “witch,” Aurelia after running into Aurelia’s pond. Little does she realize, this could be her ticket to happiness with Hollywood hunk, Justin.

Ella feels like Gill is drifting away from her, and she isn’t sure he is drifting towards Tabbie. She really wants him to propose to her.

Hettie is a bit out of sorts. At first, she isn’t sure what it is. Then, she realizes it has to do with Aurelia and their tangled past.

It was great catching up with all the characters again. As always, I got to glimpse something new about each one. I enjoyed the fact that I got to learn more about Hettie and her past. As with all the other books, Harvale does a spectacular job of giving each character their own voice without all of them running together.

This is a story that combines myths, legends, superstitions, and romance. What results is a sweet, emotional, and beautiful book! I’m just sorry to say good-bye to this charming village and its residents!

Profile Image for Sharon.
2,048 reviews
July 20, 2019
This is the last book in the Lily Pond Lane series. It’s made me feel quite sad really as I’ve read all the other books in the series and have come to know all the characters and loved them all! So, for my final visit to the village of Little Pondale, I set aside a bit of “me time” so I wouldn’t be disturbed! The book is only novella sized, so is perfect for settling down with for a couple of hours!

As usual, the author has brought the characters to life and I became hooked into the story before the end of the first chapter. I loved the introduction of Tabbie, a new character whose car ended up in Aurelia’s pond at the beginning of the book! I also loved having Aurelia involved more in the storyline and thought she was a wonderful character that enthralled us with tales of her ancestors. Of course the book did feature everyone else we’ve met over the past few books and it was great to see, in the final book, how much all their characters have developed!

Would I like to see the series continue?? Yes, of course I would!! I would never want to see a fabulous series finish, but I am excited for what the author will come up with next!! These books have been a joy to read and this final instalment has tied everything up nicely and left all of its dedicated fans with a satisfied warm feeling and a smile on our faces! Goodbye Lily Pond Lane, it’s has been the utmost pleasure to have shared in your stories!!
Profile Image for Julie Morris.
762 reviews67 followers
July 16, 2019
I have truly loved visiting Lily Pond Lane on and off with Emily Harvale over the last year to see how Mia, Jet and her friends were getting on, so I was happy to get one last chance to see how things had moved on after Jet and Mia’s wedding. What more could possibly happen?

Well, plenty is the answer, although mostly to people other than Jet and Mia, since their happy ending was pretty definitively sewn up in the last episode. It was the turn of the other characters to have their stories completed, along with newcomer Tabbie. There was just room for me to join Mia on her enviable honeymoon in the South Pacific, though, and for her to have a final surprise for the reader.

Emily, with her trademark charm provided me with plenty of feel good romance in this book, and some round ups for the characters we have come to know and love in Little Pondale, as well as introducing some new ones. I particularly loved the introduction of the reclusive Aurelia Jenkins, a woman who gives Hattie a run for her money through the course of the book. There is an extra dose of the Little Pondale magic in this book, literally in the plot and figuratively in the writing, and I was charmed from beginning to end.

This book, as the others do, will work as a standalone, but I think readers will get most out of it if they have read at least some of the proceeding titles in the series first. It definitely felt like a ‘tying up of loose ends’ novel, with some of the unresolved stories being concluded, and had less of a meaty, although still rewarding, plot of its own. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and have continued to fall in love with Emily’s writing throughout the series, but it one more for established fans rather than one I would advise new readers to start with. But what better excuse could there be for buying them all? You definitely will not regret it.

I am going to miss the gang in Little Pondale but I hope they all enjoy their futures in the village. See, they have become real friends to me. Thank you, Emily, for this series, a great addition to the romantic comedy genre.
29 reviews
March 18, 2020
This collection of books

These are far the best set of books I e read in a ok h time
I can't believe there's not you h to be more I hope you do change you might r about not writing more about Mia and Her friends
Absolutely excellent bedroom had a good story line characters were great
Everything about these books were so good , funny ,romantic , sad , happy
A brilliant set of books by a brilliant writer
THANK you for helping me pass the time with a smile on my face from start 11st book to finish the last book
65 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2020
Best Series of Books Ever

I have read 1000's of Books in my life. I always want to know what happens to the characters afterwards!!! This is the best series I have ever read.

Mia is the beautiful central character, she's kind and generous to her friends and there are many stories within stories and happy endings.

I really, really hope that Emily will do a one off book later, maybe about a new school teacher, and bring all the children together, so we get a little fix of long term magic in Little Pondale.

Absolutely binge worthy readings xxx Thank you xxx
Profile Image for Susanne Baker.
728 reviews30 followers
June 27, 2019
I had been much anticipating this book after binge reading all the others and I was not disappointed at all by this gorgeous book. The only thing I am disappointed about is that this is the last one for this series 😞
As always fabulous to catch up with the familiar, well loved characters from Pondale and to meet new ones too. I love the little magical moments in these wonderful books, and the relaxing read they always provide me with 💕
Patiently waiting for more from this lovely writer ❤️
4 reviews
July 7, 2019
Perfect summer reaf

Emily is an author who never let's the reader down. The way she brings the characters to life, and makes you invest in each character, is a skill not all authors posses. While I am sad, that this is the last we will read about Lily Pond Lane, I will be reading this series over and over in the years to come. I now cam not wait to see what Emily has in store for ya next!
7 reviews
October 25, 2019
All Emily's books are really good and her characters are all believeable!

It's a while since I read this "episode" . I wanted to read it again to try to catch up with this lot of characters they are so alive. Sadly my kindle won't let me. Can't wait to read the next six or !more!!!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
491 reviews16 followers
October 26, 2021
I am so sad this series is over! I loved reading about Jet and Mia and their lives in Little Ponddale. I also love all the other characters too, Ella and her worrying that her bf Gill would leave her, tabbie driving her car into a pond and causing damage to her car and also learning all the secrets of little ponddale. Just so much going on that you can’t help but fall in love with this story!
19 reviews
June 26, 2019
Absolutely fantastic book I couldn’t put it down!

Great storylines continuing from the other books in this series but adding new dimensions which I hope one day may continue in another series?? Would be fab if they did... definitely worth reading!!!
5 reviews
July 1, 2019
Good reading

I read a lot of murder/mayhem books so in between them I really love reading feel good love/romance novels and Emily Harvale is the writer I turn to. Her characters are so real life and the plots so believable. I am sorry to see the end of Ponsdale but very anxious to see her next series. Of course she has lots of other books for me to read, so I am in for some very happy reading times!
Profile Image for Tracy Fry.
35 reviews
July 1, 2019
Another fabulous book by Emily

Adored this book, just gutted they'll be no more... still a few loose ends, the Cygnet twins, Mia and Jet having babies, another wedding, a trip to LA, Pretty please Emily just one more to answer these questions xxxx
Profile Image for Tracey Harrison.
382 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2019
So great to catch up with Mia and the gang again. Sad it was the last instalment of the most fabulous series.

This book will not disappoint, some new friends and some great stories to get lost in. Just didn't want it to end!
Profile Image for Dona  Haggerty.
45 reviews
July 7, 2019
A page turner for me!

I love author, Emily Harvale. And I have adored her Lily Pond series. Sweet, romantic and so enjoyable. A great escape from this crazy world. I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Emmahlovesbooks.
289 reviews24 followers
July 9, 2019
The final book in the Lily Pond Lane series. It's like coming back home to visit old friends. I've loved all the characters in this cosy village and would quite happily read again and again about village life. Fantastic series.
Profile Image for Helen Spalding.
13 reviews
July 20, 2019
Absolutely brilliant

It’s so sad that this is the final book in the series, I have absolutely loved visiting lily pond lane, Emily has a wonderful way of bringing all the characters to life. I can’t wait now for the next book.
Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,693 reviews12 followers
September 19, 2019
I absolutely adored this series & am gutted this was the last one. They were beautifully heart warming & left you with a snug cosy content feeling, like the Lily pond Laners were family. Emily Harvale please write another!
Profile Image for Lisa Smith.
22 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2020
The ending was as good as the beginning

Loved this series of books this is the final one and I loved them all. Plenty of love, laughter and intrigue in Lily pond lane and in the village itself.
12 reviews
June 20, 2020
Brilliant!

I have completed reading this series. I feel as if I know the characters personally, and we've been friends for years. I shall be sad to see them go but look forward to staying another series of Emily's novels.
92 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2020
Brilliant

Yet another fabulous book from Emily. I am sad to say goodbye to Mia, Jet & all the other residents in Little Pondale that I got to know in this series. Can honestly say all Emily's books make me smile & I enjoy every one. Well done Emily.
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