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Wynbridge #8
A Taste of Home
Fliss Brown has grown up living with her mother on the Rossi family’s Italian fruit farm. But when her mother dies, Fliss finds out she has a family of her own, and heads back to England with Nonna Rossi’s recipe for cherry and almond tart and a piece of advice: connect with your family before it is too late…
Fliss discovers that her estranged grandfather owns a fruit farm himself, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, and she arrives to find a farm that has fallen into disrepair. Using her knowledge gleaned from working on the Rossi farm and her desire to find out more about her past, Fliss rolls her sleeves up and gets stuck in. But what will she discover, and can she resurrect the farm’s glory days and find a taste of home…?
Fliss discovers that her estranged grandfather owns a fruit farm himself, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, and she arrives to find a farm that has fallen into disrepair. Using her knowledge gleaned from working on the Rossi farm and her desire to find out more about her past, Fliss rolls her sleeves up and gets stuck in. But what will she discover, and can she resurrect the farm’s glory days and find a taste of home…?
400 pages, ebook
First published April 29, 2021
94 people are currently reading
1785 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Swain
31 books1,223 followersAlthough passionate about writing from an early age, Heidi Swain gained a degree in Literature, flirted briefly with a newspaper career, married and had two children before she finally plucked up the courage to join a creative writing class and take her literary ambitions seriously.
A lover of Galaxy bars, vintage paraphernalia and the odd bottle of fizz, she now writes contemporary fiction and enjoys the company of a whole host of feisty female characters.
Heidi can be found at the keyboard at all hours of the day and night and quite often scribbling longhand in her car during her lunch break. She lives in stunning south Norfolk with her wonderful son and daughter and a mischievous cat called Storm.
A lover of Galaxy bars, vintage paraphernalia and the odd bottle of fizz, she now writes contemporary fiction and enjoys the company of a whole host of feisty female characters.
Heidi can be found at the keyboard at all hours of the day and night and quite often scribbling longhand in her car during her lunch break. She lives in stunning south Norfolk with her wonderful son and daughter and a mischievous cat called Storm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
January 20, 2024
*Motives*
This is book #8 of 9 of the standalone books based in Wynbridge. It is definitely worth reading in order to avoid some spoilers.
On this occasion Iol, I completely missed book #8 and dove into book #9 and having read this one a it a couple of things from book #9 make more sense.
This instalment focuses on Felicity aka “Fliss”. Her mother, young and pregnant fell out with her parents and left for Italy. Fliss never knew her father and her world was living with the Rossi family who own a fruit farm. Her mother often flitted from here and there but as Fliss grew up she decided not to keep travelling and stay at the farm.
Her mother sadly is no more and Fliss is shocked to find out that she has a family based in Wynbridge. Her mother never, ever mentioned them.
Fliss tentatively decides to take the plunge and fly over to the U.K. unbeknownst to Fliss her life is about to change as she finally finds her place in life, her grandad lives on a farm predominately growing fruit but tensions rise when Fliss decides to help save the farm from going under.
We also see someone who is not what they seem and wants to put a spanner in the works why? a possible love interest for Fliss, misunderstandings and after a rocky start there is the unfolding of a beautiful
relationship between Fliss and her grandad. He may be getting on in age but he barely misses a trick. I also love how Fliss creates a bit of a taste of home from Italy to Wynbridge hence the title.
This is book #8 of 9 of the standalone books based in Wynbridge. It is definitely worth reading in order to avoid some spoilers.
On this occasion Iol, I completely missed book #8 and dove into book #9 and having read this one a it a couple of things from book #9 make more sense.
This instalment focuses on Felicity aka “Fliss”. Her mother, young and pregnant fell out with her parents and left for Italy. Fliss never knew her father and her world was living with the Rossi family who own a fruit farm. Her mother often flitted from here and there but as Fliss grew up she decided not to keep travelling and stay at the farm.
Her mother sadly is no more and Fliss is shocked to find out that she has a family based in Wynbridge. Her mother never, ever mentioned them.
Fliss tentatively decides to take the plunge and fly over to the U.K. unbeknownst to Fliss her life is about to change as she finally finds her place in life, her grandad lives on a farm predominately growing fruit but tensions rise when Fliss decides to help save the farm from going under.
We also see someone who is not what they seem and wants to put a spanner in the works why? a possible love interest for Fliss, misunderstandings and after a rocky start there is the unfolding of a beautiful
relationship between Fliss and her grandad. He may be getting on in age but he barely misses a trick. I also love how Fliss creates a bit of a taste of home from Italy to Wynbridge hence the title.
January 24, 2021
After the death of her mother Fliss learns that she has family in England. She travels from Italy to visit the place where her mother grew up and to meet her grandfather.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I didn’t realise that it was part of a series.
A light hearted novel with a touch of romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I didn’t realise that it was part of a series.
A light hearted novel with a touch of romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2021
My word Heidi has only gone and done it again and written a brilliant book in fact so outstanding I didn’t want it to end and lovely to go back to the same village again and hear of new characters as well as old. It’s full of finding out who you are and going back to your roots making new friends and getting to know family after heartbreak.
Floss has grown up with her mother in Italy helping a family run a fruit farm but her mother passes away from cancer and leaves her a letter explaining about where her grandparents live and where she should go. So she heads to England to find grandparents and she gets given a family recipe to take with her. She arrives and her grandfather is exhausted trying to run the farm himself after his wife passed. Has she made it back to late and can she save the farm or is someone trying to stop her. Can she find romance in the right man as well and be happy in England or will it all go wrong.
Floss has grown up with her mother in Italy helping a family run a fruit farm but her mother passes away from cancer and leaves her a letter explaining about where her grandparents live and where she should go. So she heads to England to find grandparents and she gets given a family recipe to take with her. She arrives and her grandfather is exhausted trying to run the farm himself after his wife passed. Has she made it back to late and can she save the farm or is someone trying to stop her. Can she find romance in the right man as well and be happy in England or will it all go wrong.
April 11, 2021
This was such a sweet book, I always enjoy Heidi Swain’s books and this one drew me in straight away. The characters were all very interesting and I enjoyed the setting. This one didn’t disappoint. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
June 25, 2022
I'm a massive fan of Heidi Swain, so I hang my head in shame that it took me over a year to finally sit down and read this book.
But I'm very glad I waited until I had time to just devour it, as that is exactly what happened, as I couldn't put it down. I was hooked on Fliss's story.
And her meeting a long lost relative for the first time, and seeing if her real home is at the fruit farm she never knew existed.
I was happy to see cameos from many of the Wynbridge regulars, as I do love to keep up to date with characters lives, and it helped give the book a sense of love and cosiness too.
Read over the course of an afternoon, I was engrossed in how this story unfolded. I loved every moment of it.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
But I'm very glad I waited until I had time to just devour it, as that is exactly what happened, as I couldn't put it down. I was hooked on Fliss's story.
And her meeting a long lost relative for the first time, and seeing if her real home is at the fruit farm she never knew existed.
I was happy to see cameos from many of the Wynbridge regulars, as I do love to keep up to date with characters lives, and it helped give the book a sense of love and cosiness too.
Read over the course of an afternoon, I was engrossed in how this story unfolded. I loved every moment of it.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
May 8, 2021
https://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/conte...
Fliss drew me into the story from the beginning. She might be grieving but it doesn’t make her weak or vulnerable. It’s clear how much the Rossi’s value her and it’s that foundation that keeps her resolve strong and motivated to find out more about her UK family.
Her arrival isn’t what she’s expecting and I had to smile when her cover story doesn’t hold with her grandfather Bill. In fact, Bill is much more aware than he’s credited with. I loved their developing bond and thought that yes, her mum was right in her letter. There is one point where I felt all the emotions with Bill but even though things were left unsaid, this is a beautiful story about grabbing those second chances. Which he does 🙂 I felt really proud of him!
Fliss works really hard on Fenview Farm and has ideas on how to make the farm financially viable for the future. But conflict comes from a very sneaky source! There’s one scene that I thought Fliss was majestic in – protecting her family and fighting for what’s hers. Fabulous!
Not only is this story about working with the land, community and family but there’s a sprinkling of romance too. That sneaky source almost had me doubting my instincts about Eliot with his charismatic drivel … I loved the spark between Fliss and Eliot and was cheering them on.
A Taste of Home will enfold you in a loving community that’s set in a perfect landscape with characters you’ll come to love and want to be friends with. This is one of the most uplifting stories I’ve read in a while.
Highly recommended.
Fliss drew me into the story from the beginning. She might be grieving but it doesn’t make her weak or vulnerable. It’s clear how much the Rossi’s value her and it’s that foundation that keeps her resolve strong and motivated to find out more about her UK family.
Her arrival isn’t what she’s expecting and I had to smile when her cover story doesn’t hold with her grandfather Bill. In fact, Bill is much more aware than he’s credited with. I loved their developing bond and thought that yes, her mum was right in her letter. There is one point where I felt all the emotions with Bill but even though things were left unsaid, this is a beautiful story about grabbing those second chances. Which he does 🙂 I felt really proud of him!
Fliss works really hard on Fenview Farm and has ideas on how to make the farm financially viable for the future. But conflict comes from a very sneaky source! There’s one scene that I thought Fliss was majestic in – protecting her family and fighting for what’s hers. Fabulous!
Not only is this story about working with the land, community and family but there’s a sprinkling of romance too. That sneaky source almost had me doubting my instincts about Eliot with his charismatic drivel … I loved the spark between Fliss and Eliot and was cheering them on.
A Taste of Home will enfold you in a loving community that’s set in a perfect landscape with characters you’ll come to love and want to be friends with. This is one of the most uplifting stories I’ve read in a while.
Highly recommended.
July 18, 2021
Goodness I really enjoyed this one, I think reading it during such a sunny spell helped transport me to the farm. There are no pick your own fruit farms in my local area and, though this wasn't quite about that, it really made me want to visit one.
The relationship, from the get-go, between Fliss and Bill was my favourite part. I loved the fact that he welcomed her so easily straightaway.
I think this has eclipsed Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage as my new favourite Heidi Swain novel.
The relationship, from the get-go, between Fliss and Bill was my favourite part. I loved the fact that he welcomed her so easily straightaway.
I think this has eclipsed Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage as my new favourite Heidi Swain novel.
May 15, 2021
A Taste of Home is number 8 in the ‘Wynbridge’ series. I hadn’t read any of the others and this can very easily be read on its own.
28 year Fliss Brown faces a future on her own. Her life has been spent either travelling with her free spirited mother or living with the Rossi family on their fruit farm in Puglia, but after some unexpected news she finds herself heading back to England to a rundown farm and a grandfather she doesn’t know. She has no idea what to expect, or what kind of welcome, if any, she will receive.
Fliss was such a well drawn character. Brought up by a single mother, she had an independent and entrepreneurial spirit but with such a caring nature. It was clear that family, especially the Rossi’s and Nonna who had treated her like one of their own, meant so much to her, but discovering her own family roots was something she had to do and if it didn’t work out, she would return to Italy.
It’s not plain sailing for Fliss. However there is a real feeling of community within the pages with recurring themes of family, friendship and food. A supporting cast of endearing characters – (with the odd exception!) make for a heartwarming and ultimately uplifting read. It’s not all sweetness and light, there is some angst and drama and of course a will they/won’t they romance but I found it a gorgeous comforting hug of a read. I raced through it in just over a day – I was so invested in the characters and the story.
I did mention food didn’t I. Fenview Farm, located in the East Anglian Fens, is a fruit farm. Strawberries are the speciality and oh heavens all the delicious food mentioned here will make your mouth water. Fliss is an expert at cooking Italian dishes and I swear my waistline expanded just reading this book!
A Taste of Home is a story of coming to terms with loss, family ties and finding out where you truly belong. If you want a book that you can just escape into for a few hours, this is the one. I loved it.
28 year Fliss Brown faces a future on her own. Her life has been spent either travelling with her free spirited mother or living with the Rossi family on their fruit farm in Puglia, but after some unexpected news she finds herself heading back to England to a rundown farm and a grandfather she doesn’t know. She has no idea what to expect, or what kind of welcome, if any, she will receive.
Fliss was such a well drawn character. Brought up by a single mother, she had an independent and entrepreneurial spirit but with such a caring nature. It was clear that family, especially the Rossi’s and Nonna who had treated her like one of their own, meant so much to her, but discovering her own family roots was something she had to do and if it didn’t work out, she would return to Italy.
It’s not plain sailing for Fliss. However there is a real feeling of community within the pages with recurring themes of family, friendship and food. A supporting cast of endearing characters – (with the odd exception!) make for a heartwarming and ultimately uplifting read. It’s not all sweetness and light, there is some angst and drama and of course a will they/won’t they romance but I found it a gorgeous comforting hug of a read. I raced through it in just over a day – I was so invested in the characters and the story.
I did mention food didn’t I. Fenview Farm, located in the East Anglian Fens, is a fruit farm. Strawberries are the speciality and oh heavens all the delicious food mentioned here will make your mouth water. Fliss is an expert at cooking Italian dishes and I swear my waistline expanded just reading this book!
A Taste of Home is a story of coming to terms with loss, family ties and finding out where you truly belong. If you want a book that you can just escape into for a few hours, this is the one. I loved it.
May 5, 2021
Wow! Heidi Swain you have done it again - you’ve captured my heart with your wonderful story of Fliss and Wynbridge. This story has everything- food, love, family and a little romance of course. I loved the mix of the Italian and Fens communities and felt that Fliss’ discovery of Wynbridge was like coming home for me too. Seeing all of the familiar faces and reading about the family and community spirit was just magical.
May 1, 2021
Yet another delightful and heartwarming read from Heidi Swain that I devoured in a day. True to form, this book delights and captivates in equal measure, and Fliss's journey of self-discovery was a joy to follow. When you pick up a Heidi Swain, you know you are in safe hands. 5 sparkly and uplifting stars.
April 29, 2021
Three and a half stars.
When Fliss Brown's mother dies at their home in Italy she discovers that they were not alone in the world, she has family living in England that she has never met. Her adopted Italian family persuade her to go to meet her grandparents and reluctantly Fliss agrees, intrigued by her mother's note that she would fit right in there.
When Fliss arrives in the small town of Wynbridge in the Fens, she discovers her only remaining family is a grumpy grandfather who has just had a hip replacement and is suffering from an infection. But strangely, he owns a fruit farm and Fliss has spent much of her life working on fruit farms in Italy following her peripatetic mother. Never one to sit on her laurels, while her grandfather is recuperating she thinks of ways to restore the farm and bring it back to profitability.
Soon Fliss is interacting with the local community, including her grandfather's nursing assistant Eliot, his sister Bec and mother Louise, there is also a mysterious stranger who keeps popping up.
This is, apparently, the eighth book in the Wynbridge series. However, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone.
I liked it but I didn't love it and while I might read another one in the series I probably would only do so if it was on offer. There were too many characters/events where their sole purpose appeared to be to further the plot, maybe if I had read the other books these characters would have come to life more. Also, the 'villain' in this case was signalled so strongly that Fliss just looked a bit dense for not suspecting them previously. Kudos that she didn't believe them but overall it felt a bit clichéd.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
When Fliss Brown's mother dies at their home in Italy she discovers that they were not alone in the world, she has family living in England that she has never met. Her adopted Italian family persuade her to go to meet her grandparents and reluctantly Fliss agrees, intrigued by her mother's note that she would fit right in there.
When Fliss arrives in the small town of Wynbridge in the Fens, she discovers her only remaining family is a grumpy grandfather who has just had a hip replacement and is suffering from an infection. But strangely, he owns a fruit farm and Fliss has spent much of her life working on fruit farms in Italy following her peripatetic mother. Never one to sit on her laurels, while her grandfather is recuperating she thinks of ways to restore the farm and bring it back to profitability.
Soon Fliss is interacting with the local community, including her grandfather's nursing assistant Eliot, his sister Bec and mother Louise, there is also a mysterious stranger who keeps popping up.
This is, apparently, the eighth book in the Wynbridge series. However, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone.
I liked it but I didn't love it and while I might read another one in the series I probably would only do so if it was on offer. There were too many characters/events where their sole purpose appeared to be to further the plot, maybe if I had read the other books these characters would have come to life more. Also, the 'villain' in this case was signalled so strongly that Fliss just looked a bit dense for not suspecting them previously. Kudos that she didn't believe them but overall it felt a bit clichéd.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
April 28, 2021
Oh what a treat to be back in Wynbridge in the summertime and this time we have that mix of family and returning home with an Italian twist! I defy anyone to read this and not find themselves looking at fruit farms in a whole new light every time they go past one!
I loved getting to meet Fliss. Like a lot of Heidi Swain's characters she begins the book being a little lost. The start of this book does have a care warning for recent loss of a loved one so just bear that in mind. I loved the bend that Fliss had in her upbringing. She had a single mum and definitely had a strong British identity mixed with Italian and then that wander lust that is always great to read about in other people especially during this time. I loved watching Fliss grow over the course of the book and I feel like this won't be the last we've heard from her, I really hope it isn't anyway!
This story does have a cross--generational element to it as well since Fliss learns that she has grandparents living just outside Wynbridge. It really love when we have two characters from different generations who get to each learn from one another and Heidi Swain made sure that this was a mutual process and not just one sided! I really loved getting to know our other new characters too-however it was so great to get to revisit old characters we have met in previous books.
Although this book does feature characters from Heidi Swain's previous novels it is definitely a standalone and you don't have to have read and enjoyed all of the previous books to fall in love with this one too. And fear not, you don't have to have an interest in fruit farming to allow yourself to be fully absrobed into this storyline, it works on so many levels but will almost certainly make you hungry for food and for more from this gorgeous author's world!
I loved getting to meet Fliss. Like a lot of Heidi Swain's characters she begins the book being a little lost. The start of this book does have a care warning for recent loss of a loved one so just bear that in mind. I loved the bend that Fliss had in her upbringing. She had a single mum and definitely had a strong British identity mixed with Italian and then that wander lust that is always great to read about in other people especially during this time. I loved watching Fliss grow over the course of the book and I feel like this won't be the last we've heard from her, I really hope it isn't anyway!
This story does have a cross--generational element to it as well since Fliss learns that she has grandparents living just outside Wynbridge. It really love when we have two characters from different generations who get to each learn from one another and Heidi Swain made sure that this was a mutual process and not just one sided! I really loved getting to know our other new characters too-however it was so great to get to revisit old characters we have met in previous books.
Although this book does feature characters from Heidi Swain's previous novels it is definitely a standalone and you don't have to have read and enjoyed all of the previous books to fall in love with this one too. And fear not, you don't have to have an interest in fruit farming to allow yourself to be fully absrobed into this storyline, it works on so many levels but will almost certainly make you hungry for food and for more from this gorgeous author's world!
August 6, 2022
Heidi is back with a summer filled book that will be sure to set your taste buds tingling, the food that Fliss rustles up in the Fenview kitchen had my mouth watering all the time, especially with all of the desserts! It also really made me want to go out strawberry picking, it really is true that they taste so much better freshly picked from the plant!
My spidey senses were triggered as soon as we met Anthony - there was something up there but I couldn't put my finger on what, by the end of the book though - oh I was not a fan at all! How spiteful!!!
Elliot on the other hand was pure cuteness, it was clear from the off that him and Fliss had feelings for each other and I so wanted them to act on them as you could just see that they would be so good together.
I loved being back in Wynbridge and seeing so much of the very familiar characters, especially Jemma and Lizzie at the Cherry Tree Cafe, that place always fills me with a cosy warmness! It also made me fancy a nice summer bbq with a bottle of cider - although it probably wouldn't be as tasty as the Skylark Cider. I am very intrigued to see if we find out more about the distillery in upcoming books though.... let's get my read on!
Another amazing book by Heidi and I can't wait to read the next one, although I also don't want to run out!
My spidey senses were triggered as soon as we met Anthony - there was something up there but I couldn't put my finger on what, by the end of the book though - oh I was not a fan at all! How spiteful!!!
Elliot on the other hand was pure cuteness, it was clear from the off that him and Fliss had feelings for each other and I so wanted them to act on them as you could just see that they would be so good together.
I loved being back in Wynbridge and seeing so much of the very familiar characters, especially Jemma and Lizzie at the Cherry Tree Cafe, that place always fills me with a cosy warmness! It also made me fancy a nice summer bbq with a bottle of cider - although it probably wouldn't be as tasty as the Skylark Cider. I am very intrigued to see if we find out more about the distillery in upcoming books though.... let's get my read on!
Another amazing book by Heidi and I can't wait to read the next one, although I also don't want to run out!
June 4, 2021
Another fabulous book from the brilliant Heidi Swain.
As usual, I was hooked from the beginning. It was lovely to be back in Wynbridge, catching up with the locals and being introduced to Fliss.
After recently losing her beloved Mum, Fliss reads a letter that her mum left for her and discovers that she has family in the fens. Fliss leaves Puglia and her beloved Rossi family to see whether her roots are on her estranged Grandfather’s fruit farm or back on the Rossi farm in Italy.
A beautiful story about coping with the grief of the loss of a loved one and the discovery of new family and friends and the possibility of a lifetime of love and happiness.
Was always going to be ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
As usual, I was hooked from the beginning. It was lovely to be back in Wynbridge, catching up with the locals and being introduced to Fliss.
After recently losing her beloved Mum, Fliss reads a letter that her mum left for her and discovers that she has family in the fens. Fliss leaves Puglia and her beloved Rossi family to see whether her roots are on her estranged Grandfather’s fruit farm or back on the Rossi farm in Italy.
A beautiful story about coping with the grief of the loss of a loved one and the discovery of new family and friends and the possibility of a lifetime of love and happiness.
Was always going to be ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
April 29, 2021
A revisit to Wynbridge in this beautiful, heartwarming story about finding where you belong. I was so swept away in the story it had me reading until the early hours. We are whisked from Italy, to the village of Wynbridge, to a family and farm Fliss never knew existed. Heidi has a way of writing that really connects you to the characters. It was like visiting old friends, I felt apart of the village. Coming from Norfolk, this will always have a special place in my heart. I felt emotional after reading it. The family feel and sense of community was very touching. Now I need to read the start of this amazing series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2023
What a beautiful women's fiction book this is. I loved it!
Fliss Brown travels from Italy to England, UK after her Mother dies, and there she finds family, who she helps, and she also meets a man who she becomes close to. I loved reading about how Fliss was able to revamp her Grandad's farm, to turn it into something special for him.
This is a cute, heartwarming book, full of family and romance, which is the perfect read for summer. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Fliss Brown travels from Italy to England, UK after her Mother dies, and there she finds family, who she helps, and she also meets a man who she becomes close to. I loved reading about how Fliss was able to revamp her Grandad's farm, to turn it into something special for him.
This is a cute, heartwarming book, full of family and romance, which is the perfect read for summer. Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
August 26, 2022
I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for approving me for an ARC of this book. I am a huge Heidi Swain fan and have thoroughly enjoyed making my way through this series. Whilst each book can be read as a standalone I would recommend starting from the beginning purely for the enjoyment. There are reoccurring characters in each story, Lizzie and Jemma being two of my favourites, and it’s great to see how far they have come.
This time we are introduced to Fliss, a new arrival to Wynbridge seeking out a family she never knew she had. From the start Fliss was a likeable, relatable character and despite dealing with her own grief she still managed to see the silver lining to the letter her mum left behind.
Her arrival to Wynbridge was eventful and her first meeting with Bill would be enough to make any young girl run a mile but her determination to see this out, despite her nerves was admirable. Her relationship with Bill was endearing and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing that blossom as well as Fliss’s plans for the farm.
I am a huge fan of Italian food, pasta is my weakness, so I couldn’t help but feel hungry and crave a little piece of Italy whilst reading this one. The delicious recipes that Fliss cooked up were mouth watering, the perfect addition to the story.
With a few surprises and a little romance this story is another solid addition to a fantastic series. With only one more to go I’m going to take a trip back to Nightingale Square and catch up with this series so keep your eyes peeled for my review!
This time we are introduced to Fliss, a new arrival to Wynbridge seeking out a family she never knew she had. From the start Fliss was a likeable, relatable character and despite dealing with her own grief she still managed to see the silver lining to the letter her mum left behind.
Her arrival to Wynbridge was eventful and her first meeting with Bill would be enough to make any young girl run a mile but her determination to see this out, despite her nerves was admirable. Her relationship with Bill was endearing and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing that blossom as well as Fliss’s plans for the farm.
I am a huge fan of Italian food, pasta is my weakness, so I couldn’t help but feel hungry and crave a little piece of Italy whilst reading this one. The delicious recipes that Fliss cooked up were mouth watering, the perfect addition to the story.
With a few surprises and a little romance this story is another solid addition to a fantastic series. With only one more to go I’m going to take a trip back to Nightingale Square and catch up with this series so keep your eyes peeled for my review!
April 24, 2021
I needed a sunny summer escape and Heidi Swain’s warm, delicious and gorgeous A Taste of Home gave me exactly what I was looking for. I was just sad when it ended, as I wanted to get up every morning and read more, like yearning for another episode of your favourite TV series.
This is a lovely family story about finding your roots and sense of identity, and grabbing hold of second chances. Alongside that was also a hot romance as Fliss and Eliot circled around each other, promising just to be friends but both wanting so much more.
The settings of Wynbridge and Fenview Farm were the perfect backdrop for this story, and I loved the descriptions, especially of the fields and barn, and all the hard work Fliss does on the farm... and the cooking, oh, the cooking - at times my mouth was watering!
With a satisfying ending that left me wanting to read more Wynbridge books, I was left with a heartwarming feeling in my chest and the sense that I’d been on holiday in the countryside.
With thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
This is a lovely family story about finding your roots and sense of identity, and grabbing hold of second chances. Alongside that was also a hot romance as Fliss and Eliot circled around each other, promising just to be friends but both wanting so much more.
The settings of Wynbridge and Fenview Farm were the perfect backdrop for this story, and I loved the descriptions, especially of the fields and barn, and all the hard work Fliss does on the farm... and the cooking, oh, the cooking - at times my mouth was watering!
With a satisfying ending that left me wanting to read more Wynbridge books, I was left with a heartwarming feeling in my chest and the sense that I’d been on holiday in the countryside.
With thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
June 1, 2021
A gorgeous read. Lots of beautiful settings and interesting characters to make you turn page after page. This story is full of family drama, romance and friendship. Once you pick this book up, you won’t want to put it down until you’ve read the last page.
March 10, 2021
A wonderful, heart warming read. The sense of family and friendship really comes through and I loved how Fliss was brave enough to take that step to visit a grandfather she didn’t even know she had. Eliot is a great character, his love and friendship for Bill is obvious from the out set. The descriptions of him in his motorbike leathers are certainly mouth watering!
All the ideas Fliss has for the farm and the barn are amazing and I loved seeing it all come together. The connection with the Rossi’s in Italy was nice and I felt that maybe Fliss was forgetting them a bit too easily, but then I realised that she’d only been away from them for a few weeks, she’d just accomplished so much. However seeing the families blend together was a moving moment and seeing Bec and Marco’s mutual attraction mean the families will always been intertwined.
A beautiful, easy flowing read that the couldn’t put down.
All the ideas Fliss has for the farm and the barn are amazing and I loved seeing it all come together. The connection with the Rossi’s in Italy was nice and I felt that maybe Fliss was forgetting them a bit too easily, but then I realised that she’d only been away from them for a few weeks, she’d just accomplished so much. However seeing the families blend together was a moving moment and seeing Bec and Marco’s mutual attraction mean the families will always been intertwined.
A beautiful, easy flowing read that the couldn’t put down.
August 9, 2021
It was OK.
Parts felt rushed and I was often wanting more details about the protagonists' thoughts.
I also felt that one of the main characters response to being confronted was very unbelievable and ruined the story.
I was also hoping to return to the story in the epilogue at a later date as I wanted to know if the protagonist had been successful with her plans, so that was a little disappointing.
However I did find myself deeply connected to her and was rooting for her to be happy and for things to work out, and I found myself staying up late to read as much as possible.
Despite that though, I don't think I will be in a rush to read another from this author.
Parts felt rushed and I was often wanting more details about the protagonists' thoughts.
I also felt that one of the main characters response to being confronted was very unbelievable and ruined the story.
I was also hoping to return to the story in the epilogue at a later date as I wanted to know if the protagonist had been successful with her plans, so that was a little disappointing.
However I did find myself deeply connected to her and was rooting for her to be happy and for things to work out, and I found myself staying up late to read as much as possible.
Despite that though, I don't think I will be in a rush to read another from this author.
March 16, 2022
This was OK. Was too slow to keep me engrossed and ended up skim reading the 2nd half . Very predictable and honestly disappointing as I enjoyed my first read by this author so much ..
Poppys recipe for life.
Poppys recipe for life.
May 7, 2022
Picked this up because the cover said Sunday Times Bestseller. I’m amazed. I thought it was embarrassingly bad, though I can see this author is indeed extremely popular. Not for me at all. Didn’t finish, don’t care.
July 20, 2021
Simple, enjoyable read, but a very predictable plot
April 29, 2021
Lots of books published around this time of year feature holidays, romances and adventures in some sunny clime. That’s something that it looks like yet again most people might not be able to do this year. In A Taste of Home, the tables are turned somewhat. Fliss, who has spent her life on the family fruit farm in Italy, makes a trip to England to find out about and connect with the English side of her family who she has never known.
One thing I noticed about this book is that it was full of F words! No, not that F word (although it may pop up occasionally). Let me show you what I mean by telling you my thoughts using F words.
Family – at the start of the book, Fliss is grieving for her mother. They lived in Italy with her Nonno and Nonna although actually, they were a family who had effectively adopted Fliss’s mum when she arrived in Italy. Encouraged by her Nonna and a letter from her mum, Fliss returns to England to find out more about her real family.
Fenview– when she arrives at Fenview she meets the grandfather who didn’t know she existed and it’s not an auspicious start as he is rather unwell. However, she also meets his care assistant, the rather gorgeous Ellliot. I couldn’t help but feel for Fliss getting thrown in at the deep end in a difficult situation.
Farm – one thing that connected both Fliss’s Italian and English families was farming. Although in Italy, Fliss and her mum grew up on the Rossi fruit farm, it was a fruit farm in England that her mum had run away from all those years ago. I really liked how Heidi Swain showed that farming life was far from easy with lots of physical hard work and frequently the worry of being financially viable.
Fruit – oh my goodness, the descriptions of the fruit and all the lovely things that were made from the various different kinds of fruit grown on Fenview Farm certainly made my mouth-water. We’re just coming into homegrown soft fruit season here and there’s nothing like the taste of locally grown strawberries is there?
Food – in fact, throughout the book, the mention of all the lovely foods available from the Cherry Tree Cafe or Skylark Farm made me feel famished!
Flirtation – this being a Heidi Swain book, you will expect a healthy dose of romance and you will not be disappointed. There are two contenders for leading man although one of them it was quite clear to me was not the good guy that he wanted Fliss to think he was.
Fluttering – only one man was giving Fliss those butterflies in her tummy and it was so lovely to read about their attraction to each other. Heidi Swain certainly knows how to write a romantic hero who sounds just irresistible.
Friends and friendship are so important in this book. Fliss is such a lovely, genuine person that she quickly makes very good friends in Wynbridge and their support (and the support of the community in general) is so important to her.
Feels – this is a book that will give you all the feels from the romantic aspect of the book to Fliss finding a place where she felt completely at home.
Fulfilling – this is another fulfilling read from the fabulous Heidi Swain.
Finally – what else can I say except that A Taste of Home is perfect for your summer reading list!
One thing I noticed about this book is that it was full of F words! No, not that F word (although it may pop up occasionally). Let me show you what I mean by telling you my thoughts using F words.
Family – at the start of the book, Fliss is grieving for her mother. They lived in Italy with her Nonno and Nonna although actually, they were a family who had effectively adopted Fliss’s mum when she arrived in Italy. Encouraged by her Nonna and a letter from her mum, Fliss returns to England to find out more about her real family.
Fenview– when she arrives at Fenview she meets the grandfather who didn’t know she existed and it’s not an auspicious start as he is rather unwell. However, she also meets his care assistant, the rather gorgeous Ellliot. I couldn’t help but feel for Fliss getting thrown in at the deep end in a difficult situation.
Farm – one thing that connected both Fliss’s Italian and English families was farming. Although in Italy, Fliss and her mum grew up on the Rossi fruit farm, it was a fruit farm in England that her mum had run away from all those years ago. I really liked how Heidi Swain showed that farming life was far from easy with lots of physical hard work and frequently the worry of being financially viable.
Fruit – oh my goodness, the descriptions of the fruit and all the lovely things that were made from the various different kinds of fruit grown on Fenview Farm certainly made my mouth-water. We’re just coming into homegrown soft fruit season here and there’s nothing like the taste of locally grown strawberries is there?
Food – in fact, throughout the book, the mention of all the lovely foods available from the Cherry Tree Cafe or Skylark Farm made me feel famished!
Flirtation – this being a Heidi Swain book, you will expect a healthy dose of romance and you will not be disappointed. There are two contenders for leading man although one of them it was quite clear to me was not the good guy that he wanted Fliss to think he was.
Fluttering – only one man was giving Fliss those butterflies in her tummy and it was so lovely to read about their attraction to each other. Heidi Swain certainly knows how to write a romantic hero who sounds just irresistible.
Friends and friendship are so important in this book. Fliss is such a lovely, genuine person that she quickly makes very good friends in Wynbridge and their support (and the support of the community in general) is so important to her.
Feels – this is a book that will give you all the feels from the romantic aspect of the book to Fliss finding a place where she felt completely at home.
Fulfilling – this is another fulfilling read from the fabulous Heidi Swain.
Finally – what else can I say except that A Taste of Home is perfect for your summer reading list!
April 21, 2021
Fliss Brown lives in Italy where she was raised by her nomadic mum and is staying with the Rossi family, working on their fruit farm. When Fliss's mum passes away, she leaves a letter with Fliss telling her about a family she has never met in Wynbridge, England. To escape her grief and embrace her newly found roots, Fliss travels to Wynbride to find a poorly grandad in a run down farm called The Fens. As luck would have it, fruit farming is in her blood as The Fens is solely for fruit produce, so Fliss decides to get stuck in and work at restoring the farm to it's former glory. It doesn't hurt that her grandad's helper Eliot is a tasty dish too! But will she be able to save the farm before someone tries to ruin it?
I loved this book. I'm such a huge fan of Swain's gentle way of writing. I really liked Fliss and her grandad, Bill. I loved re visiting Wynbridge and the nods to characters from previous books. It's like visiting old friends. Swain's passion for community spirit and supporting small local businesses shines through, and quite frankly I want to move to the fictional village and immerse myself in this idyllic rural life!
A Taste of Home is an effortless read, so enjoyable and relaxing. Whether this is your first visit or not, this is a story that can be enjoyed as a standalone or a compliment to Swain's brilliant previous offerings.
A wonderful story, perfect for spring nights.
I loved this book. I'm such a huge fan of Swain's gentle way of writing. I really liked Fliss and her grandad, Bill. I loved re visiting Wynbridge and the nods to characters from previous books. It's like visiting old friends. Swain's passion for community spirit and supporting small local businesses shines through, and quite frankly I want to move to the fictional village and immerse myself in this idyllic rural life!
A Taste of Home is an effortless read, so enjoyable and relaxing. Whether this is your first visit or not, this is a story that can be enjoyed as a standalone or a compliment to Swain's brilliant previous offerings.
A wonderful story, perfect for spring nights.
January 17, 2021
I only have one wish about A Taste Of Home and that is that I could give it 10 stars. I have read most of Heidi Swains books and this has been my absolute favourite so far. I loved every bit of it and didn’t want it to end.
Fliss lives in Italy with her mum and the Rossi family on their fruit farm, when her mum passes away she leaves her a letter. The letter tells Fliss about the family she never knew she had in a village called Wynbridge in England.
Fliss decides to seek them out. She finds her Grandad on his own rundown fruit farm and settles in quickly to farm life.
She instantly feels an attraction for Eliot who cares for her grandad but feels she needs to fight it off. Fliss wants to improve the running of the farm and has lots of ideas of how to do this but with Anthony an old school rival of Eliots in her path will she succeed.
I love how Heidi brings all the characters from her previous Wynbridge books into the story. The Cherry Tree Cafe and Skylark Farm and even has nights in The Mermaid.
This book is a must for Heidi Swain fans I could almost taste the fruit from Fenview Farm.
Well done Heidi and thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the early download
Fliss lives in Italy with her mum and the Rossi family on their fruit farm, when her mum passes away she leaves her a letter. The letter tells Fliss about the family she never knew she had in a village called Wynbridge in England.
Fliss decides to seek them out. She finds her Grandad on his own rundown fruit farm and settles in quickly to farm life.
She instantly feels an attraction for Eliot who cares for her grandad but feels she needs to fight it off. Fliss wants to improve the running of the farm and has lots of ideas of how to do this but with Anthony an old school rival of Eliots in her path will she succeed.
I love how Heidi brings all the characters from her previous Wynbridge books into the story. The Cherry Tree Cafe and Skylark Farm and even has nights in The Mermaid.
This book is a must for Heidi Swain fans I could almost taste the fruit from Fenview Farm.
Well done Heidi and thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the early download
April 8, 2021
Fliss and her mother have lived at a fruit farm in Italy her entire life, with the Rossi family, who took her mother in aged 18 and pregnant, when she had nowhere else to go.
After her mum dies, Fliss receives a letter left for her explaining that she has grandparents in England, who run a farm themselves and suggesting that Fliss should visit them with a view to continuing her life there instead.
On arrival, Fliss is met with with few complications - her grandfather is unwell and the farm is barely scraping by.
Can she become a part of the family and loca community to help save the farm with her knowledge and a little help from friends?
I can always count on Heidi's books to get me out of any reading slump and this one definitely did the job.
As always, within a few pages, I was totally invested in the story and needing to know what Fliss was going to do next.
I love all the people of Wynbridge and their community spirit brings so much to the story, making you feel all warm and fuzzy.
Fliss was a great main character and I hope we will get to meet her again in a future book.
As with all of Heidi's books, I finished it wishing I could live in the place it is set in and be a part of it all.
After her mum dies, Fliss receives a letter left for her explaining that she has grandparents in England, who run a farm themselves and suggesting that Fliss should visit them with a view to continuing her life there instead.
On arrival, Fliss is met with with few complications - her grandfather is unwell and the farm is barely scraping by.
Can she become a part of the family and loca community to help save the farm with her knowledge and a little help from friends?
I can always count on Heidi's books to get me out of any reading slump and this one definitely did the job.
As always, within a few pages, I was totally invested in the story and needing to know what Fliss was going to do next.
I love all the people of Wynbridge and their community spirit brings so much to the story, making you feel all warm and fuzzy.
Fliss was a great main character and I hope we will get to meet her again in a future book.
As with all of Heidi's books, I finished it wishing I could live in the place it is set in and be a part of it all.
March 22, 2021
I have read all of Heidi Swains books and this is up there with my favourites. You know what you are going to get with a Heidi Swain book, pure comfort and escapism. The setting is always beautifully described and she makes me want to sell up and move to the Fens! I love the way characters from her past books pop up along the way and it’s always great to hear about people you enjoyed meeting in past books. A Taste of Home is no disappointment, but beware it will make you hungry!!
I received my copy via the publisher and netgalley.
I received my copy via the publisher and netgalley.
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