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New Hope for the Little Cornish Farmhouse

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Nina Conte has written three novels and lives in a rambling farmhouse on the outskirts of a beautiful Cornish seaside village with her family and German Shepherd Minnie.

Nina's life sounds great on paper. Or, more precisely, in her author bio. But, in reality, the farmhouse is crumbling, her gambling ex-husband has run away with all their money, and Nina is just about keeping their (leaking) roof over her children's heads. The only people she has to count on are her friends, Jack and Emma, the neighbours who live in the houses on either side.

But then her agent and best friend Alice gives her some life-changing news: her very first novel, Written in the Stars, has been picked up by a film producer in Hollywood. And before she knows it, she's flying her out to LA – kids in tow – to meet the producers!

To Nina's surprise, Luke O'Hara, Hollywood heartthrob and dashing single dad, is head of the project and he insists on having it his way, or the entire deal goes up in smoke. He wants her to co-write the screenplay with him – and he'll move to Cornwall with his daughter to do it.

All of Nina's wildest dreams have come true. But is this new life what she really wants?

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2020

481 people are currently reading
360 people want to read

About the author

Nancy Barone

22 books83 followers
Nancy grew up in Canada, but at the age of 12 her family moved to Italy. Catapulted into a world where her only contact with the English language was her old Judy Blume books, Nancy became an avid reader and a die-hard romantic.

Nancy stayed in Italy and, despite being surrounded by handsome Italian men, she married an even more handsome Brit. They now live in Sicily where she teaches English.

Like Erica, the heroine of The Husband Diet, Nancy is of Italian descent, but she swears that is where the similarities stop. And she’s absolutely never fantasized about murdering her husband.

Nancy has had a number of romance novels published, but The Husband Diet is her first Women’s Fiction book. She is a member of the RWA and a keen supporter of the Women’s Fiction Festival at Matera where she meets up once a year with writing friends from all over the globe.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Profile Image for Christopher.
268 reviews327 followers
July 29, 2020
Rarely are characters as legitimately likable as Nina Conte. Smart, funny, and at ease with her convictions, she’s the levelheaded heart of her own story. Though really, it’s author Nancy Barone’s keen sense of character and dialogue that has Nina feeling like a genuine person right from the very first page. Not only that, she comes across as a friend dishing out a good story over lunch and a glass of wine … well, with Nina, a glass of cider might be more appropriate.

And it’s a good story. Financial woes. Hollywood deals. Rebellious children. Secrets tucked behind every page. While somehow keeping things light, Barone lays the drama on thick while always remaining grounded—not an easy feat when it comes to stories set around the entertainment industry. Perhaps it’s because she’s peppered in a charming cast of characters who help catapult things along. Or maybe it’s because the action feels rooted in a Cornish village so charming that it’s disappointing it’s not real. More likely, it’s a combination of the many little things that make Barone’s expert writing feel alive.

Perhaps the most exciting part, though, comes from the most common element: the romance. On paper, Luke O’Hara, handsome and the would-be pick of many starstruck fans, seems like an obvious match for Nina. However, love is complicated, and Nina’s sensible approach forces them both to consider what they really want. The end result allows for a few surprises while remaining immensely satisfying. Somewhere along the way, it becomes impossible not to root for Nina to find her own bit of happiness.

Devilishly funny and utterly charming, New Hope for the Little Cornish Farmhouse is a perfect romance.

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

Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
Profile Image for Kim.
2,120 reviews64 followers
December 2, 2020
Nina has her hands full juggling 2 children, an ex with a gambling problem, a run down farmhouse and a writing career. An unexpected event happens which involves her meeting people from Hollywood and having an actor wanting to write the screenplay with her for her first book. Will her future be golden, will there be problems ahead? It's wonderful to see how her life will pan out before her.
A lovely read and I'd be keen to read more by Nancy Barone
1 review
July 2, 2020
A very well written book full of interesting characters. Set in Cornwall, this is the perfect read on a summers day. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Emma Bunting.
578 reviews15 followers
December 6, 2021
Oh my days! What an absolute gorgeous book this is! I was initially looking for a Christmas audiobook to listen too but stumbled across this instead and I’m so glad I did.
Such a gorgeous, light read that gave me all the “feels” 💕
I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Roberta.
1,218 reviews18 followers
April 29, 2023
This book really wasn’t to my taste. Too much stressful drama. It was well written, and had a happy ending, and I think it would be a fun read for people who don’t find the characters as annoying as I did. I also might have been in the wrong mood! Only read on if you want a winge about how annoying I found the characters.

I really disliked Luke. He never asked what Nina wanted, and never listened when she occasionally spoke up. He never gave her any time to consider decisions. He never noticed her difficulties. His only redeeming quality was being a good father.

I also wasn’t that sold on Emma, Jack, and Nina either. I mostly really liked Nina, but she never gets to the bottom of stuff and finds out the facts, and she seems to act like a doormat for most men (I really hope she doesn’t with Jack). Emma and Jack are supposed to be really great friends, but want nothing to do with Nina once Luke comes along (and ok, Nina forgot to keep in touch much for the first few weeks, but that sometimes happens when people are very busy, and I really can’t understand why they then continually brushed her off and couldn’t trust her anymore). Some friends!

Ok, winge over. I might have really enjoyed it in a different mood, I just can’t stand manipulative g*ts like Luke.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Gaele.
4,076 reviews85 followers
August 26, 2020
Nina has it all – at first glance. Great kids and a solid relationship with them, two good friends who know everything and love her anyway and is a ‘Sunday Times bestselling’ author. But her ex-husband still won’t sign the divorce papers, ran away with all their money, is half-committed to spending time with his kids, and has a gambling addiction. Which leaves Nina working all hours, struggling to make ends meet, worried about her daughter’s increasingly snappy attitude and her son’s disability and leg brace. But her agent has a surprise – turning her little ‘semi-autobiographical’ set of stories into film.

This brings a series of complications, and an unexpected windfall –but a new series of battles to fight to keep the ‘feel’ of her story with an established Hollywood star who wants to co-write and produce her film. Of course, he’s gorgeous and says all the right things: but his habit of steamrolling her with already fixed decisions, his difficulties with ‘fitting in’ with her friends and the constant ‘set-tos’ that they have about the script.

Nina is a lovely character who has spent far too much time trying to be ‘everything’ for everyone and putting her own life and wishes to the side. She’s also refreshingly naïve when it comes to her own attractiveness and the ‘helpfulness’ of her neighbor. He’s head over heels, and she’s unaware of the connection – and with everything else going on, and the locals having their two cent opinions (and plenty of gossip) she’s torn. With the scenery and small-village feel, the obvious connection between Nina and her kids, and the lovely struggles of ‘taking your book to the next level, without losing the sense of the story’, the story is a wonderful read that will leave you believing in second chances and wanting to go to Cornwall.

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 Azia Raja.
19 reviews
February 3, 2026
Review: A New Hope for the Little Cornish Farmhouse
A New Hope for the Little Cornish Farmhouse was an engaging and wholesome read. There’s a lot happening throughout the story, which keeps it interesting and fast-paced. I appreciated that the characters aren’t written in simple black-and-white terms — everyone has flaws, and the book reflects how complicated people can be, especially teenagers.
That said, some characters were frustrating at times. Their actions didn’t always make sense, which occasionally broke my immersion. Nina, the main female lead, was fine overall, though she tends to overthink situations a bit too much.
The character I liked the most was Jack — he felt the most well-developed and thoughtfully written. His growth felt natural and believable. On the other hand, Emma didn’t really live up to the role of a best friend, especially since she kept important things from Nina. Luke was a character I struggled to like from the beginning right through to the end, and Phil was someone I didn’t connect with at all.
One part of the story left me feeling conflicted: the portrayal of the main lead’s son. He has a condition where one leg is shorter than the other and walks with a splint to level them. The decision to “fix” this through surgery so he could fully take part in everything felt uncomfortable to me. It came across as if physical difference had to be corrected rather than accommodated, which unintentionally sidelines people who live with permanent disabilities. That aspect left me feeling unsure and raised questions the story didn’t fully address.
Overall, despite some character frustrations and that unresolved concern, the book is warm, comforting, and easy to read. It’s a wholesome story with emotional moments and plenty of activity, making it an enjoyable read even if it isn’t perfect.
79 reviews
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February 9, 2021
Nina Conte is living in a run down Cornish farmhouse with her son and daughter and struggling to make end meet. Her gambling waster of an ex-husband is refusing to sign the papers to finalise their divorce. Having cleared out their bank account he still feels entitled to the money she makes from her writing. He even tries to sell the roof they have over their heads to get at the proceeds. She has a couple of good neighbours who are also her best friends, one of them being a rather attractive farmer, who helps with rebuilding her house after a fire and even repairs her car. Out of the blue Nina's agent calls her to tell her that she has received an offer from America for her first book to be made into a film. Nina and her children travel to the States to discover that it is world famous actor and super star, Luke O'Hara who is prepared to move to Cornwall to co-write the scrip with Nina. Life for Conte family is about to change but just how much and the choices Nina will make you need to read the book to find out. It's a nice cosy read that flows well. The final chapter I could almost see playing out as the final scenes in a romcom movie. It's a little predictable but there are few romantic novels that can truly keep you guessing to the end. Well worth a read. I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Paula Nichols.
504 reviews3 followers
May 19, 2021
This was an Amazon Kindle Lending Library read.

This did what it says on the tin - a light read with good characters, and entertaining for a holiday romcom. The story of Nina and her car crash of a life is entertaining, and as usual the protagonist is pretty,talented and attracts the handsome fellas. Of course, she also has a snake of an ex, 2 kids (one who is like a child possessed only without the head spinning), a crumbling cottage with dodgy wiring and white goods, and a car that is temperamental at best!

When her book is optioned by Hollywood, the handsome actor Luke enters her life, and throws everything into disarray. The setting of Cornwall is nice, and the author has worked hard to ensure that the Poldark scenes don't overshadow the overall feel of the book (and shame, they are talking about the remake not the original with the lovely Robin Ellis, although Barone does nod to the original novels!)

Of course, the end can be seen for miles, but the how it gets there is fun. The children are spot on (even I can see that, based on my knowledge of nieces and friends with kids) and the besties are complicated but sweet.

The ingredients are all there for a good quick holiday read, and I wasn't disappointed.
Profile Image for Dee Groocock.
1,429 reviews58 followers
January 15, 2022
Nina is a best selling author who has had writers block since her husband left her and the children. Due to his gambling addiction, he stole all the money she had put aside for fixing the house and the childrens future.

When Hollywood come calling to turn one of her books into a film, they want Nina to write the script alongside Actor/Director Luke.

With a 13 year old daughter blaming her mum for everything going wrong and a young son with a disability, can Nina stay true to herself and her family? How will her best friends, Emma and Jack cope with Luke and his daughter, Jess turning up in their small village?

I loved the choice of Cornwall for the setting of this book. I liked the characters of Nina’s children and couldn’t help but smile at some of the things they did. I did feel the book was predictable but it was enjoyable for an easy read.
Profile Image for ines M.
137 reviews
July 3, 2020
Nina's problems doesn't stop. She moved with her ex to a house severely damaged that he was supposed to fix up, but he decided to leave Nina instead of making such excruciating effort. Her rebellious daughter is getting more difficult every minute and her beautiful and handicapped son is still so young to live all that's happening to them.
But still, even at the worst time, she can count with her best friends, Emma and Jack.
Nina is a writer. She has three books published but a fourth is not on the making. Not for lack of trying for luck of ideas. So, the horizon is not bright at the moment.
And then, she gets the call.
I liked this story. It's full of bright characters, and the pace is good. He author found the right mix between hope, humor and reality. Well done!
Profile Image for Kate.
Author 6 books91 followers
December 20, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are lovely, especially single mother, Nina, who is desperately trying to make ends meet financially while giving her children the best upbringing she can. It's full of all the things that make life worthwhile; the connection with her neighbours and the wider community - and what a small Cornish village they are! The interactions at the local shop remind me of something straight out of Doc Martin, and as for the chapter in the church... the images will stay with me for a long time! The proofreader in me felt the book deserved another proofread (to make it a perfect experience), but this didn't detract from a cracking good storyline about someone discovering what is truly worth keeping.
Profile Image for Samantha Luke.
437 reviews7 followers
July 5, 2020
This book is set in Cornwall and in my opinion would be a good read whilst on a summer holiday.
Nina (an author and the main character) has lots of problems to deal with, her ex, her rebellious daughter, her tumbledown farmhouse and the dreaded writers block
The story follows her as she deals with these problems alongside her friendships & live interests.
I like this book as the characters were likeable & normal. There is a mix of hope, humour and romance within the story.
Many thanks to the publishers & netgalley or this read.
Profile Image for Leanne.
42 reviews
April 13, 2021
Inoffensive.

I spent much of the book saying to myself "are you that stupid?" and not just about the main character. The author herself uses a word within the book that applies here - formulaic. It's a sweet story that didn't require any processing power and the author has definitely spent time in Cornwall, which I give her props for.

I found this book through Prime Reading so didn't pay for it directly, but I probably wouldn't buy a different book by this author.

So, light, fluffy, easy(ish) as a distraction for a couple of hours.
875 reviews4 followers
April 10, 2021
New Hope for the little Cornish Farmhouse by Nancy Barone

Nina’s life, since ex’s ran away with all the money, is her book. Since her ex left her and her children in a wreck of a house in Cornwall, penniless with only her friends to make it slightly better. Although she now has writers block to add to her troubles! Then life appears to change they want to turn her book into a Hollywood film .

A good summer read, good characters added to that just makes you long for Cornwall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Coco.
6 reviews
October 5, 2021
3.5* A satisfactory read, this is a book equivalent of tv light entertainment.

I found elements of the book particularly annoying. Nina seemed an intelligent level headed person, yet she insisted on sending her two children to a fee paying school when their home required extensive renovation with a leaking roof. Luke O’Hara, Hollywood heartthrob, was incredibly arrogant at the end of the book.

Even with my complaints, this is still worth reading.
Profile Image for N.L. McFarlane.
Author 2 books13 followers
May 25, 2024
This is a charming little read with a few plot twists and unforseens, I enjoyed the idyllic small village scene and the community, a few times I hoped for a bit more, but overall it had emotion, humour, comedy, drama, and it kept you reading. I enjoyed the characters... most of them, and how they worked together, although at times it was somewhat repetitive, the ending was great, what I'd hoped for. I will be reading more from the author.
Profile Image for Dawn Probert.
535 reviews4 followers
July 3, 2020
Oh my I loved jack in this he was gentle and kind and just lovely. I loved the friendship from the whole village and the love given to the family from the whole village.
Alice the agent was funny and sharp and lovely Luke was a dish!
The characters were great and I thought this book was fab.

This honest review was in exchange for an arc copy from netgalley.
Profile Image for Paula-Diane Lufflum.
416 reviews2 followers
Read
November 10, 2020
Hollywood calling

Nina lives in a little Cornish village with her family when suddenly her husband leaves and clears her bank account. Leaving her with a derelict cottage and a battered camper which then goes up in flames. Her only income us royalties from her book, she's destitute but the village bring her back to life again. Then Hollywood comes calling.
775 reviews3 followers
January 4, 2021
Heartwarming

What an absolutely amazing story. It held me captivated throughout. The only downside was the bad language and profanity which isn’t necessary in such q fantastic read. The plot was wonderful and it made me happy to know that true love conquers all in the end. Truly a wonderful read. Thank you 😊
606 reviews9 followers
May 9, 2021
The little Cornish Farmhouse

First time I have read one of Nancy Barone’s books, it won’t be the last! It was funny, sad, lovely and at times emotionally sad. But in the strains and stresses of life, all the ups and the downs love won out. I recommend this book as a lovely read, it made he smile, laugh and feel very emotional but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Kesia  H ッ.
15 reviews
November 10, 2020
This book fully captivated my attention, I could hardly put it down. The whole way through I was trying to figure out what happened next but Barone writes in such a way that the story unfolds slowly, without giving away too much detail too soon. Amazing book!!
5 reviews
March 26, 2021
Very well written and a nice easy read

Overall a good book and easy to read. Would highly recommend. Only dislike is it is a little unrealistic at the end with the wedding and the field!!
Profile Image for Karen.
49 reviews
June 20, 2021
What a lovely read

It took me 3 or 4 sittings to read it as time didn’t allow but I got there in the end and what a read it was. Quite an emotional rollercoaster! Very enjoyable read
Profile Image for Dawn Mohl.
687 reviews9 followers
August 17, 2021
I don't exactly know what I didn't quite like about this... The characters weren't that interesting, Nina was naive and the actor guy was contradictory. I did like Jack though. It kept my attention most of the book, but just didn't get to barely 3 stars overall.
Profile Image for Dallas.
303 reviews
September 28, 2023
Absolutely loved it - but this author is going to give me a hear attack with her books’ heroines taking so long to see what WE all see pages & pages before……sigh…..


Nina & Frank
Kids Chloe & Ben
Luke & daughter Jessie
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
14 reviews
July 20, 2020
Great

I loved this book I even read in the middle of the night. Hope to find another one as good
2 reviews
October 16, 2020
Great read real page Turner could not put it down.😊

Great read real page Turner could not put it down and good twist 😊 cannot wait to try another book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews

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