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The Mill Grange Series #1

Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange

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A warm-hearted, feel-good romance from Jenny Kane, a Kindle #1 bestselling author.

Thea Thomas needs to get away from her old life... and the interfering ex who won't leave her alone. When she lands a job heading up the restoration of Mill Grange, a stunning Victorian manor in Devon, it feels like the perfect opportunity to start afresh.

What Thea didn't anticipate was how hostile the volunteer team, led by the formidable Mable Hastings, would be about accepting new leadership. And with the deadline looming before the grand opening, Thea is in desperate need of more volunteers.

A broadcast appeal on the local news attracts the interest of arrogant but undeniably attractive celebrity historian Shaun Cowlson, who wants to make a TV programme about the restoration. It's hard enough adding one more big personality to the mix – but then her ex turns up as one of the volunteers! What seemed like a dream come true is fast becoming a total disaster! Can Thea find a way to save the manor?

450 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2020

142 people are currently reading
252 people want to read

About the author

Jenny Kane

20 books72 followers
Usually to be found within range of plate of hot buttered toast, a huge mug of black coffee, and a with a bar of emergency chocolate tucked in her jacket pocket, Jenny Kane spends her days in her local cafe typing away…

Inspired by everything and anything, Jenny combines her past experiences as an archaeologist, university tutor, cheese seller, newsagent, hat maker, and data clerk, with the sights and sounds of everyday life, to weave tales of relaxingly relatable romance.

When Jenny isn’t writing romance, she is exploring her historical side as Jennifer Ash or her darker side as Kay Jaybee (the erotica world’s Queen of Kink!!).

Jenny Kane I the author of the romcom's Another Cup of Coffee, Another Cup of Christmas, Christmas in the Cotswolds, Christmas at the Castle, Another Glass of Champagne, Abi's House, Abi's Neighbour and Romancing Robin Hood.

Jenny Kane is currently awaiting the publication of her 9th book. Watch this space...

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5 stars
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315 (32%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Christopher.
268 reviews328 followers
June 16, 2020
Poor Thea. Smart, focused, and an expert in her field, all she wants is to successfully complete her project … and to avoid a thorn in her past that keeps popping up. Fortunately, there are far worse places to soak up a challenge than Mill Grange. Author Jenny Krane expertly wraps Thea’s problems around one of the most enchanting settings of the year, and it’s fascinating as she taps into the nitty gritty and some of the challenges—especially the financial—that come with large scale restoration projects.

Of course, while the landscape provides plenty of fun and tension, the real heat stems from Thea herself. Krane has written her with such a vulnerability that, when she senses the first bit of tension on the horizon, there’s genuine worry. Will the project finish on time? Will she get the volunteers on her side? How will she handle her ex? Thea has a headache around practically every corner. Even so, Krane balances everything out with plenty of levity. A cast of quirky cast, small town drama, and the potential spark of romance all blend together to keep things jaunty.

A total joy from beginning to end, Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange, unlike the titular property, needs no renovation. It’s downright sweet.

Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
Profile Image for Anne.
2,206 reviews
July 15, 2020
Well, I’m delighted to report that I’ve been right to spread the word about Jenny Kane’s books – I really should have tried one rather sooner! This book was thoroughly lovely, the perfect light summer read, and everything I wanted it to be.

The characters, I thought were excellent – I took to Thea from outset as she escaped to her fresh start at Mill Grange, understandably shaken by attentions of her distinctly creepy ex, feeling her way in a new job that’s rather a change of direction for her. I enjoyed her friendship with Tina too – another strong character, perhaps a tad superficial in many ways but with considerably more about her than it first appears.

The team of volunteers are all wonderfully drawn too – particularly Mabel with her high level of resentment and aroma of vinegar, but the glimpses of her home life and the way her character develops ensure that she’s never the caricature that she could so easily have become. The focus widens to take in characters from the wider surrounding community too, and that’s always something I rather enjoy.

I particularly liked the book’s setting – Mill Grange is vividly drawn, the details of its renovation, the impending opening celebrations and the question mark over its future driving the overarching story. The surroundings of Exmoor are well used too – there’s that really strong sense of place that I always look for and enjoy.

The romance elements are something I equally enjoyed – both romantic threads have their unexpected twists and turns, and both are entirely satisfying (and particularly heartwarming) in the way they’re resolved.

But there’s also a fair bit of well developed tension too – both over the future of Mill Grange and the dogged and determined pursuit by Thea’s increasingly sinister ex. And there’s one particular episode that had me on the edge of my seat, real danger particularly well handled and very well written.

And while I’m talking about the writing, I will mention how much I loved that too. The author has a style that’s very easy to read, comfortable to relax and disappear into – this was perfect summer reading, and most definitely recommended.

Even better, it’s the first in a three book series – the second book, Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange will follow on 10th September.
Profile Image for Cate.
134 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2025
A rather annoying read about the impossible renovation of a historic building by volunteers. Much of the plot line is far-fetched and feels quite disconnected - so many words given to some random chickens that turn up around half way through. It's also really repetitive.

Most frustrating, was the stalker ex boyfriend John storyline, who has his behaviour excused numerous times and is allowed to redeem himself in the end by being the one to raise an alarm which saves lives. The new boyfriend hero character also exhibits manipulative stalker behaviour (has been following her career for years, controls what she does, won't let her be alone for her last night at Mill Grange despite her telling him that's what she wanted) and it really isn't endearing.

Meanwhile Tina just seems endlessly unsatisfied and rude. Her best qualities are being good at her job (miraculously making the numbers look better than expected) and making lemon cakes that are mentioned far too often.

Why call them Thea and Tina, and Sam and Shaun? The story jumping between Thea and Tina made it feel really complicated because the names are so ridiculously close and their jobs are similar.

Overall, it's readable and pleasant if you can overlook all the character flaws, but still feels shallow. The story is pretty basic and predictable but goes on too long with yet another issue or plot point being added every few minutes.
Profile Image for thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books).
2,811 reviews117 followers
June 25, 2020
I had great hopes for this story but unfortunately just wasn’t for me. I didn’t find the characters likeable at all. I wanted to like Thea, but she just didn’t find a spine at any point letting people walk all over her. I felt the author also kept putting far too many plot twists and obstacles in the way. A lot just didn’t even make sense at all or were unexplained actions. Not for me sadly

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Profile Image for Laura Jones.
416 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2020
Thea has just landed her dream job, restoring a victorian manor in Somerset. With the bonus of getting away from her annoying ex boyfriend.

However, Thea’s dreams might fail as the pressure of a deadline is looming, and the team of volunteers are not very helpful in fact they are openly hostile.

Will Thea be able to get the job done in time?

This was a quick easy read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kim.
1,735 reviews149 followers
June 20, 2020
Not for me. Couldn’t find anything likable here. What a horrible “friend” Tina was. Full of herself and snooty for someone sharing a rented house. Thea wasn’t a winner herself though. No good characters, laughable plot, and predictable ending. Just not relaxing at all.

My copy was provided by NetGalley for review
Profile Image for Kirsty (BookBlogger).
2,054 reviews63 followers
March 18, 2023
Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane

Blurb

Thea Thomas needs to get away from her old life... and the interfering ex who won't leave her alone. When she lands a job heading up the restoration of Mill Grange, a stunning Victorian manor in Devon, it feels like the perfect opportunity to start afresh.

What Thea didn't anticipate was how hostile the volunteer team, led by the formidable Mable Hastings, would be about accepting new leadership. And with the deadline looming before the grand opening, Thea is in desperate need of more volunteers.

A broadcast appeal on the local news attracts the interest of arrogant but undeniably attractive celebrity historian Shaun Cowlson, who wants to make a TV programme about the restoration. It's hard enough adding one more big personality to the mix – but then her ex turns up as one of the volunteers! What seemed like a dream come true is fast becoming a total disaster! Can Thea find a way to save the manor?

My Opinion

This is another series that I have only read the last book in so I was delighted to see that the other books in the series were available. All Thea wants to do is focus on her latest project but unfortunately her past keeps coming back to her. This was a lovely, light-hearted read.

Rating 4/5
Profile Image for Nikki.
581 reviews18 followers
June 28, 2022
3/5

This is a story about Thea who, in an attempt to flee a rather persistent ex-boyfriend, takes a job overseeing the restoration of Mill Grange’s historic manor house.

This is also the story of Tina who, already working for the restoration trustees by day, intends to snag herself a rich, older man to take care of her by night.

When you throw in the love interests, Shaun and Sam, I almost began to wonder if the author was limited to naming her characters from the last third of the alphabet only…

MDAMG is the kind of story where you know what you’re getting. It’s very 2-dimensional and there’s no strong emotions of any kind. Take, for instance, John - the stalker. His presence is obviously meant to be an ominous one, however, it just doesn’t translate that way in the writing.

That said, it’s a nice, easy read and somewhat like a balm to those harder-hitting books you may pick up. Overall, a light and fluffy story where it all works out in the end.
143 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2025
I’ve read other Jenny Kane books. As I progressed through the book I wondered if I’ve read this book previously or were the repeated connecting stories familiar 🤔

The introduction to Mill Grange is done well. All the characters are introduced throughout the story nicely.

A fabulous setting, with lots of work to be done. An imperfect site. Much like the characters, I don’t think one character is whole and in full health. Maybe Mabel is the only one without a physical or metal disability.

John was a piece of work.
Shauna started out good but nearing the end of the book had an emotional spat regarding a bedroom choice … seriously.
Sam is “injured” till the end if the series if I remember rightly.
Thea & Tine friends not friends. Thea is forever apologising for her truth bombs.

Tina ended up with her millionaire boyfriend and a job running the estate. Win win.

I’ll move onto the winter episode- poor ole Sam in a tent in an English winter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
257 reviews
January 2, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review #midsummerdreamsatmillgrange #netgalley

When Thea’s ex continues harassing her she feels she needs to run. What better place than Mill Grange in the heart of Exmoor - luckily Thea’s best friend and fellow historian offers her a restoration job but when Thea arrives she has to get past the volunteers first. Will she succeed ? Or will it come crumbling down alongside Mill Grange ?

The title and light coloured airy cover drew me to this book.

This book is a good easy romance read. It does exactly what it says on the tin by giving you warm cosy feelings when you read it. Alongside showing how our differences can also bring us together.

However i feel like this did have an off tempo at the beginning. It began with a lot happening in a very short space of time (hours) however come the second half it felt more realistic of a timing.
Profile Image for Sara Oxton.
3,804 reviews18 followers
January 30, 2025
This is a five-star read that you will certainly dig. There was something special about Mill Grange, and I am not sure I am ready to be saying goodbye yet. I am so happy that we have more to see at Mill Grange. Thea has been through the ringer, and I am so happy with where she ends up, there have been some rough minutes for everyone in the story, but you need to see it through. What will the fate of Mill Grange be, you need to read the story to find out, as it’s a great story and one that you will love. There are troubling moments in the story, but do you know what, they are so few and far between that they add to the overall drama, do yourself a favour and pick up this story as you will likely learn something and enjoy a really good story.
Profile Image for Gaele.
4,076 reviews85 followers
September 5, 2020
Set in the Exmoor countryside, Mill Grange is a Victorian house with a mill and formerly lush gardens when Thea is brought in to bring the ‘restoration’ to completion and stay on as a manager/curator of the stately home. Working with her best friend Tina was part of the draw to leave her position as curator of Roman Artifacts in a museum in Bath, the other was the never-ending barrage of ‘get back with me’ pressure from her ex John. Packing everything up and arriving at the site, even as it is several centuries out of her ‘specialty’ of Anglo-Romant dig sites, she’s instantly feeling a little guilty, more than a bit of an outsider, and isolated as her mobile can rarely get signal.

For the few years the trust that hired Thea has had volunteers working, all under the formidable organizing skills of Mable, Thea’s natural inclination to stay in the background is not doing her favors, particularly when she learns that the team of volunteers was never told about her. But with an opening day in just 4 months away, and Mable’s enthusiasm, not to mention her well-meaning if overbearing interference, Thea’s quiet life is soon upended with a television appearance (arranged by Mable) that is seen by John. When you add in a popular of an archaeological-based television show, and said presented left one of Thea’s friends ‘heartbroken’ the appearance of Shaun, his agreeing to open the manor, but two weeks earlier because of his own television schedule – it's all tossed sideways.

From start to finish, Thea was a lovely character who needed a solid boost in her self-confidence that she knew, or would find, the answers and proper choices for the house restoration. Her innate kindness and the friendship with Tina that helped to show her lighter side and give someone else input into her insecurities was lovely, and the home and its surrounds were certainly something everyone should check out. Of course, Shaun was pre-judged, and he did have an attraction for Thea – held on to for years. They have their moments when everything is questioned, but the rightness of their fit is not to be denied. Through traumas, funding and personnel difficulties, and not a little interference from Thea’s ex, the story is easy to read, presents a bit of information about restoration of heritage properties and their contents, and leaves everyone with new hope, new starts and a new outlook on things to come. A perfect summer read – allowing for escape and smiles with plenty of characters to enjoy.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Profile Image for Karen.
306 reviews
August 6, 2021
Book 1

Really enjoyed this book wonderfully written that flowed from page to page with characters that you could really got to know and visualize them as real people. From miss understandings, bossiness and stiff upper lip it had it all.
From spider and cob webs to lemon cake and mugs of tea in the kitchen surrounded by paperwork and volunteers. Wonderful empathy with the emotions of the characters some I loved others I wanted to lock in the boot cupboard for an hour or so.
Great description of the landscape and old buildings and the village community and newbies arriving that caused utter delight to some.

Look forward to reading book 2 such a easy and enjoyable book.
Profile Image for Jane.
115 reviews8 followers
September 19, 2020
Midsummer Dreams......

Oh joy, a romantic novel that actuallly contains a description of how a 19th century textile mill works.....what a wonderful discovery! In fact the romance (and yes, it works out OK in the end for both couples!) is just the framework for a story packed with information about restoring historic buildings, all so interesting. And, without giving too much away, the 'baddie' does redeem himself before disappearing from the narrative.
873 reviews4 followers
March 18, 2021
Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane

I had great expectations of this book but found it really hard going to get into.

Although reasonably well written I just felt the balance of the characters wasn’t quite there. The characters needed to be a little more forceful and others were a little too overpowering.
Generally ok.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
208 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2021
Took a while to grab me

Quite a slow burner, but once it grabs you it is hard to put down. Very informative and interesting and I learnt a lot about restoration and history. Nice to have such a academic heroine.
Profile Image for Ana Aguerrea Alzualde.
769 reviews7 followers
March 19, 2022
Una entretenida novela, aunque tanta vuelta con el hecho de que los fondos destinados a la rehabilitación de la propiedad escasean, se me ha hecho algo pesada. Además, no se le saca mucho provecho a la historia de amor de la arqueóloga.
Profile Image for Sall.
521 reviews2 followers
January 23, 2024
It took a long time to get going and I'd have liked to have seen more about the PTSD Sam has or dealing with "stalkers" like John rather than have him "reformed" and calling the fire brigade for the fire. However I really enjoyed the archiological aspects of the story.
Profile Image for Ina.
130 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2025
Another book I didn't finish. I had high hopes for the Mill Grange Series, but didn't like the characters at all; spineless Thea, gold digger Tina, stalker John,... too many characters with questionable behaviour. I won't be reading the rest of the series
320 reviews1 follower
May 5, 2021
A nice read.
Love,cake,TV and archaeology!
Nice easy read with a bit of a love issue
113 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2021
Enjoyable read

Quickly got into the characters. Really interesting historical bits. Thoroughly enjoyed the different layers of the story and the development of the relationships
33 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2021
This is the perfect feel good book to read in the garden on a summer day.

It has all the ingredients required - hero's, heroines, baddies and a happy ending. Can't wait to read the next instalment.
Profile Image for ivonne00.
36 reviews8 followers
June 23, 2022
Niet uitgelezen. Ik kon gewoon niet in het verhaal komen helaas.
Profile Image for Chrissie Parker.
Author 13 books16 followers
May 16, 2023
Such a lovely book, with great characters and a brilliant storyline, all set somewhere beautiful.
Am definitely straight onto the second one to find out what happens next!
7 reviews3 followers
December 13, 2024
Not for me. Not much depth to characters. I listened to audiobook and sadly the narrator’s voice didn’t improve things either.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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