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The Country Village Summer Fete
A feel-good, uplifting summer read for fans of Heidi Swain and Cathy Bramley.
Emma Patrick's life is spiralling out of control. On the cusp of her 50th birthday, she suddenly realises that she doesn't have many meaningful relationships in her life. She's single, successful, living alone and thinks she's loving it, but being so focussed on work and always online means she's lost any real connection to people.
When Emma gets a call to say her ageing father is becoming increasingly confused, she decides that she should go back home to the countryside to spend some time with him. But returning to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in, after all these years, is filled with complications of its own and people she'd rather avoid.
As Emma starts to settle in to her childhood home, she finds herself loving village life - much to her surprise. When the opportunity to get involved in the running of the summer fete comes her way, before she knows it she's embracing jam making, cake baking and bunting. And with romance brewing, Emma begins to doubt the glamorous life in London that she worked so hard to build . . .
Emma Patrick's life is spiralling out of control. On the cusp of her 50th birthday, she suddenly realises that she doesn't have many meaningful relationships in her life. She's single, successful, living alone and thinks she's loving it, but being so focussed on work and always online means she's lost any real connection to people.
When Emma gets a call to say her ageing father is becoming increasingly confused, she decides that she should go back home to the countryside to spend some time with him. But returning to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in, after all these years, is filled with complications of its own and people she'd rather avoid.
As Emma starts to settle in to her childhood home, she finds herself loving village life - much to her surprise. When the opportunity to get involved in the running of the summer fete comes her way, before she knows it she's embracing jam making, cake baking and bunting. And with romance brewing, Emma begins to doubt the glamorous life in London that she worked so hard to build . . .
400 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2021
11 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 1, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Forty-nine-year-old Emma Patrick is having a tough time. She realises she is at melting point when she finds herself in her local Tesco in the early hours of the morning in her pyjamas. She realises she needs a break but what she gets is a phone call from her father’s doctor telling her that he is unwell and needs tests to see if he has dementia.
Emma heads back to the family home in the countryside to Little Bramble a place that she left many years ago to stay with her father, as there is no one else who can be there for him. Surprisingly she finds that she enjoys being back home more than she thought she would and even gets involved in this year’s summer fête. Is Emma ready to give up city life for a more laidback one?
The Country Village Summer Fete is the second book in the ‘The Country Village’ series by Cathy Lake. The books are standalone with them all being set in the same village but each one featuring different main characters. I haven’t read the first book, but with them not being directly connected I didn’t have any trouble following the plot or the characters.
The story revolves around two main characters, our protagonist Emma Patrick and shorter chapters from villager Connor who is having a hard time accepting that his daughter Grace is off to work in Paris for a while, leaving him alone, except for an annoying ex-partner.
I was sucked into the plot from the beginning. Emma was a fabulous character. She was flawed, overworked, feeling lonely, and pressurise. It was nice to see a realistic character, one that I am sure many people can connect with. It was also nice for the main characters to be older than the usual twenty-somethings.
The Country Village Summer Fete is a delightful read. It has that escapism feel to it and is warm and inviting. It is as bright and cheerful on the inside as that cover looks.
Forty-nine-year-old Emma Patrick is having a tough time. She realises she is at melting point when she finds herself in her local Tesco in the early hours of the morning in her pyjamas. She realises she needs a break but what she gets is a phone call from her father’s doctor telling her that he is unwell and needs tests to see if he has dementia.
Emma heads back to the family home in the countryside to Little Bramble a place that she left many years ago to stay with her father, as there is no one else who can be there for him. Surprisingly she finds that she enjoys being back home more than she thought she would and even gets involved in this year’s summer fête. Is Emma ready to give up city life for a more laidback one?
The Country Village Summer Fete is the second book in the ‘The Country Village’ series by Cathy Lake. The books are standalone with them all being set in the same village but each one featuring different main characters. I haven’t read the first book, but with them not being directly connected I didn’t have any trouble following the plot or the characters.
The story revolves around two main characters, our protagonist Emma Patrick and shorter chapters from villager Connor who is having a hard time accepting that his daughter Grace is off to work in Paris for a while, leaving him alone, except for an annoying ex-partner.
I was sucked into the plot from the beginning. Emma was a fabulous character. She was flawed, overworked, feeling lonely, and pressurise. It was nice to see a realistic character, one that I am sure many people can connect with. It was also nice for the main characters to be older than the usual twenty-somethings.
The Country Village Summer Fete is a delightful read. It has that escapism feel to it and is warm and inviting. It is as bright and cheerful on the inside as that cover looks.
April 27, 2021
It was lovely to be back in Little Bramble again and to catch up with Clare and her family from the previous book. But equally this can definitely be read as a standalone, as the main characters are brand new, especially Emma.
Emma left Little Bramble when she was young and now verging on 50, she is back at least for a short while to look after her dad who hasn't been well. And she is dreading running into her old flame who was so so angry when she left all those years ago.
I loved meeting Greg, Emma's dad who at first seems so despondent and not quite himself and seeing how he improves and comes back to life as such over the course of the book is truly heartwarming. As is seeing Emma who had been a workaholic in London, learning to adjust to a slower pace of life, and deciding to take up jam making like her mum used to.
And then there is Connor, who we also get chapters, or half chapters focusing on, and he is dealing with a nightmarish ex, and also that is daughter is moving to Paris. Daughter Grace is wonderful and has so much insight for one so young it's impressive.
From a slow start, it just took me a while to really get into the swing of this book, it turned into a story I was really enjoying. I found I really cared about the characters and was enjoying the will they - won't they ever get their acts together between Emma and Connor.
I enjoyed the small community vibe, the greyhounds, the fete itself as well as the writing. It's a really enjoyable way to spend your time, and I'm very curious to see if there will be any more books set in Little Bramble.
Thank you to Zaffre and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Emma left Little Bramble when she was young and now verging on 50, she is back at least for a short while to look after her dad who hasn't been well. And she is dreading running into her old flame who was so so angry when she left all those years ago.
I loved meeting Greg, Emma's dad who at first seems so despondent and not quite himself and seeing how he improves and comes back to life as such over the course of the book is truly heartwarming. As is seeing Emma who had been a workaholic in London, learning to adjust to a slower pace of life, and deciding to take up jam making like her mum used to.
And then there is Connor, who we also get chapters, or half chapters focusing on, and he is dealing with a nightmarish ex, and also that is daughter is moving to Paris. Daughter Grace is wonderful and has so much insight for one so young it's impressive.
From a slow start, it just took me a while to really get into the swing of this book, it turned into a story I was really enjoying. I found I really cared about the characters and was enjoying the will they - won't they ever get their acts together between Emma and Connor.
I enjoyed the small community vibe, the greyhounds, the fete itself as well as the writing. It's a really enjoyable way to spend your time, and I'm very curious to see if there will be any more books set in Little Bramble.
Thank you to Zaffre and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
June 10, 2021
This book had me hooked from the get go; the super pretty and summery cover, the village being called Little Bramble and the fact it was written by Cathy Lake. Yes, yes and yes please! I have just discovered (as is always the case with me) that this is in fact book 2 in a series... The Country Village Christmas Show (which I now NEED to read) is book 1 and I do believe there is going to be a third one to look forward to as well...
Anywho, we start this book in a tentative dream state, Emma is doing some shopping, at 2am, in her pyjamas. This isn't the normal behaviour of a 49 year-old editor in London... At first I was a bit confused at this start but it soon all made sense and this scene actually forms the catalyst (partially) for Emma's visit to Little Bramble.
Once Emma gets back to Little Bramble it is clear that she's trying to keep her head low and not bump into any of the ghosts from her past. Which we soon find out is much easier said than done and it doesn't take too long at all for her to notice a few familiar faces.
I really liked the relationship between Emma and her dad, the way that simply being there for each other helps bring them both out of their shells. It's a really uplifting part of the book and I loved hearing Greg's little quirks and bantering comments to Emma. It is clear though that Greg isn't the only one who holds Emma close to his heart and you really feel that she grows to be a true member of the community.
There wasn't a single character that I didn't like, ok Sadie maybe, but we'll forget about her ;) I think as with all books set in little villages, this just oozes cozy vibes and made me want to get snuggly with a hot chocolate and a big blanket. Although I would have been a runny mess (even worse than Emma's hob) with the heat that we've been having lately!
I'm so glad I got the chance to read this book and like I've said, I'm going to try and get my hands on books 1 - maybe a little bit of Christmas cheer will cool me down a bit?!
Anywho, we start this book in a tentative dream state, Emma is doing some shopping, at 2am, in her pyjamas. This isn't the normal behaviour of a 49 year-old editor in London... At first I was a bit confused at this start but it soon all made sense and this scene actually forms the catalyst (partially) for Emma's visit to Little Bramble.
Once Emma gets back to Little Bramble it is clear that she's trying to keep her head low and not bump into any of the ghosts from her past. Which we soon find out is much easier said than done and it doesn't take too long at all for her to notice a few familiar faces.
I really liked the relationship between Emma and her dad, the way that simply being there for each other helps bring them both out of their shells. It's a really uplifting part of the book and I loved hearing Greg's little quirks and bantering comments to Emma. It is clear though that Greg isn't the only one who holds Emma close to his heart and you really feel that she grows to be a true member of the community.
There wasn't a single character that I didn't like, ok Sadie maybe, but we'll forget about her ;) I think as with all books set in little villages, this just oozes cozy vibes and made me want to get snuggly with a hot chocolate and a big blanket. Although I would have been a runny mess (even worse than Emma's hob) with the heat that we've been having lately!
I'm so glad I got the chance to read this book and like I've said, I'm going to try and get my hands on books 1 - maybe a little bit of Christmas cheer will cool me down a bit?!
May 31, 2021
What a wonderful book this was as I got to know Emma as she returned to her childhood home of Bramble Village.
After finding herself wandering around a Tesco store at a ridiculous time of the morning she realises she needs a break from her life and career in London. She decides to return home when she hears her Dad has not been the best.
This was a wonderful story to disappear into for a few hours. A story that tells of how Emma had run away from the life that already seemed planned, instead of spending 30 years working hard, not fully embracing life and discovering she is running herself to the ground.
Being home opens old memories and brings heartache as she remembers things that have happened. She imagines people in the village will be hostile towards her and fears that the community has moved on. Things have indeed changed, but what makes the community is still there. The author brings a lovely sense of warmth, compassion and understanding to her village setting. A buzzing community with a sense of looking out for anyone who lives there.
This was such a wonderful read, it is a story of friendship and life, of family and friends. Moving on and accepting the past has happened but learning that it is ok. It is a story that had me smirking, feeling a sense of loss and also maybe the odd happy tear.
This is one for readers who enjoy a good bit of escapism reading, it has a lovely story with some friendly characters. It is one for contemporary romance and fiction readers and one that I would recommend.
After finding herself wandering around a Tesco store at a ridiculous time of the morning she realises she needs a break from her life and career in London. She decides to return home when she hears her Dad has not been the best.
This was a wonderful story to disappear into for a few hours. A story that tells of how Emma had run away from the life that already seemed planned, instead of spending 30 years working hard, not fully embracing life and discovering she is running herself to the ground.
Being home opens old memories and brings heartache as she remembers things that have happened. She imagines people in the village will be hostile towards her and fears that the community has moved on. Things have indeed changed, but what makes the community is still there. The author brings a lovely sense of warmth, compassion and understanding to her village setting. A buzzing community with a sense of looking out for anyone who lives there.
This was such a wonderful read, it is a story of friendship and life, of family and friends. Moving on and accepting the past has happened but learning that it is ok. It is a story that had me smirking, feeling a sense of loss and also maybe the odd happy tear.
This is one for readers who enjoy a good bit of escapism reading, it has a lovely story with some friendly characters. It is one for contemporary romance and fiction readers and one that I would recommend.
September 4, 2023
Pretty good read, lovely characters except for Sadie.
June 3, 2023
A gorgeous summer read which I read in my garden in the sunshine. Emma is approaching 50 and she realises life is passing her by, her dad needs her so she returns to Little Bramble. Emma’s life is so different in the city, how will she react to the quieter pace. A beautiful location, I loved the idea of the fete and the relationship between Emma and her dad was special.
April 29, 2021
My first but definitely not my last visit to Little Bramble. This was such a feel good read!
Almost 50 Emma goes back to her childhood home to look after her Dad for a while.
Here she finds herself faced with her past can Emma make a fresh start or run back to London?
I absolutely loved this, all wonderful and likeable characters and the fact it focuses on older people makes a nice change.
I have already added The Country Village Christmas Show to my list.
This is a perfect little treat one that I really enjoyed.
Almost 50 Emma goes back to her childhood home to look after her Dad for a while.
Here she finds herself faced with her past can Emma make a fresh start or run back to London?
I absolutely loved this, all wonderful and likeable characters and the fact it focuses on older people makes a nice change.
I have already added The Country Village Christmas Show to my list.
This is a perfect little treat one that I really enjoyed.
July 12, 2021
3.5 Stars
The Country Village Summer Fete is a wonderful heartwarming summer read. It’s gentle feel good book full of happiness, village life and community spirit. This is book two in the series but it can be read perfectly as a standalone. After a slow beginning, I raced through the rest of the book and didn’t stop until I finished. A quick read but well written and with some sumptuous descriptions of food.
The characters are warm, cheery and immensely likeable and there is not a bad one amongst them. Well…maybe Sadie but she disappeared fairly rapidly, which is a shame because I was expecting an exciting stand off scene with Emma. Emma had a beautiful close and loving relationship with Greg, her dad, and I really enjoyed following her budding romance with Connor. It’s very tender and sweet with some lovely little touches of humour. As a dog lover I gravitated towards the scenes with the rescue dogs and the adoption of Harmony.
I adored the village of Little Bramble, the rural setting and the characters and I completely immersed myself in the village life. I want to buy a house in Little Bramble, go strawberry picking, walk my dogs and make jam and chutney all day long. If you need a pick me up, you need to read The Country Village Summer Fete it’s pure escapism and I was quite bereft when it ended. This is a uplifting and happy story, so grab a box of chocolates, put your feet up and get stuck into this charming book.
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending the review proof my way #gifted.
TWISTED IN PAGES BLOG
The Country Village Summer Fete is a wonderful heartwarming summer read. It’s gentle feel good book full of happiness, village life and community spirit. This is book two in the series but it can be read perfectly as a standalone. After a slow beginning, I raced through the rest of the book and didn’t stop until I finished. A quick read but well written and with some sumptuous descriptions of food.
The characters are warm, cheery and immensely likeable and there is not a bad one amongst them. Well…maybe Sadie but she disappeared fairly rapidly, which is a shame because I was expecting an exciting stand off scene with Emma. Emma had a beautiful close and loving relationship with Greg, her dad, and I really enjoyed following her budding romance with Connor. It’s very tender and sweet with some lovely little touches of humour. As a dog lover I gravitated towards the scenes with the rescue dogs and the adoption of Harmony.
I adored the village of Little Bramble, the rural setting and the characters and I completely immersed myself in the village life. I want to buy a house in Little Bramble, go strawberry picking, walk my dogs and make jam and chutney all day long. If you need a pick me up, you need to read The Country Village Summer Fete it’s pure escapism and I was quite bereft when it ended. This is a uplifting and happy story, so grab a box of chocolates, put your feet up and get stuck into this charming book.
Thank you so much to the publisher for sending the review proof my way #gifted.
TWISTED IN PAGES BLOG
June 9, 2021
Emma is an editor with a successful career in publishing but lately she's been feeling quite unsettled. When she's informed that her dad hasn't been very well and is showing the early signs of dementia she decides to return home to care for him whilst he's undergoing tests. Her previous trips to Little Bramble have been short and fleeting and this will be her first proper visit and potential return to her family home in over 20 years. By returning to Little Bramble Emma not only has to deal with her father’s health but personal matters which the whole tight knit community of Little Bramble are aware of. Emma will have to face ghosts from her pasts and wounds that have never really healed. Will she be able to come to terms with what happened and move on?
I loved everything about this book, but as soon as I read the first few pages I knew this was going to be a great read. When we meet Emma she is in a state of turmoil and has become a workaholic which is having quite a big impact on her life. I really enjoyed the storyline and Emma is such a great character. She is strong and despite what has happened in the past and knowing those memories will now be unearthed she goes back to the village with her head held high and that’s for one reason only and that’s her dad. As for the village of Little Bramble and Emma’s family home I fell in love with both as soon as I read the descriptions of them. They sounded quaint, cosy and somewhere I really wanted to be. There’s something about the way the author writes about the village and the community that just makes it feel so homely and welcoming. One of my favourite parts of the story was when Emma finds her late mums recipe book, starts making jam using the recipes and starts to use her mum’s studio in the garden bringing it back to life. There is a sense in the book that there was a lot left unsaid between Emma and her mum and by utilising her mum’s space and recipes it feels like Emma is closer to her mum now more than ever, rebuilding that lost connection.
This was an easy read for me and one I thoroughly enjoyed. If you're looking for something in the contemporary fiction genre and an easy read based in an adorable village with likeable characters I would recommend this book to you. Having interacted with the author on Instagram I was delighted to hear that another book is in the works and am hoping to return to Little Bramble again before the end of the year.
I also have to say that I actually truly adore the cover of this book. The font is in a shiny metallic colour which makes it stand out and gleam in the sun. The cover is also textured and the little details of the people walking around the village is lovely. Every time I picked up this book or as soon as I saw the cover I couldn’t stop smiling and knew this was going to be a memorable read.
I received a gifted copy for an honest review
I loved everything about this book, but as soon as I read the first few pages I knew this was going to be a great read. When we meet Emma she is in a state of turmoil and has become a workaholic which is having quite a big impact on her life. I really enjoyed the storyline and Emma is such a great character. She is strong and despite what has happened in the past and knowing those memories will now be unearthed she goes back to the village with her head held high and that’s for one reason only and that’s her dad. As for the village of Little Bramble and Emma’s family home I fell in love with both as soon as I read the descriptions of them. They sounded quaint, cosy and somewhere I really wanted to be. There’s something about the way the author writes about the village and the community that just makes it feel so homely and welcoming. One of my favourite parts of the story was when Emma finds her late mums recipe book, starts making jam using the recipes and starts to use her mum’s studio in the garden bringing it back to life. There is a sense in the book that there was a lot left unsaid between Emma and her mum and by utilising her mum’s space and recipes it feels like Emma is closer to her mum now more than ever, rebuilding that lost connection.
This was an easy read for me and one I thoroughly enjoyed. If you're looking for something in the contemporary fiction genre and an easy read based in an adorable village with likeable characters I would recommend this book to you. Having interacted with the author on Instagram I was delighted to hear that another book is in the works and am hoping to return to Little Bramble again before the end of the year.
I also have to say that I actually truly adore the cover of this book. The font is in a shiny metallic colour which makes it stand out and gleam in the sun. The cover is also textured and the little details of the people walking around the village is lovely. Every time I picked up this book or as soon as I saw the cover I couldn’t stop smiling and knew this was going to be a memorable read.
I received a gifted copy for an honest review
June 12, 2021
The Country Village Summer Fete follows the story of Emma Patrick, who returns to the village of Little Bramble to look after her elderly father when he gets ill. She left the village behind years ago for a successful career in London and coming back is full of bittersweet memories, especially when it comes to an old flame of hers.
This story was just a delightful read with plenty of sweet and heartwarming moments. I also enjoyed the fact it was a second chance for romance novel, focusing on older characters who are proud to be older, as they should be!
This is the second in the Little Bramble series but works perfectly well as a standalone. I only noticed when I went looking for more books by Cathy Lake and found the first book.
The characters are all so likable and sweet, I really enjoyed meeting them. I felt for Emma, she's burnt out and a bit isolated when we first meet her, trying to keep up with her freelance editing work and running herself into the ground. On top of all that, she gets the dreaded news about her father who might have dementia then having to face up to her old heartbreak... I just wanted to give her a hug!
The Country Village Summer Fete is a combination of gentle humour and sweet romance that is the perfect summer read. I'm looking forward to more books from Cathy Lake!
This story was just a delightful read with plenty of sweet and heartwarming moments. I also enjoyed the fact it was a second chance for romance novel, focusing on older characters who are proud to be older, as they should be!
This is the second in the Little Bramble series but works perfectly well as a standalone. I only noticed when I went looking for more books by Cathy Lake and found the first book.
The characters are all so likable and sweet, I really enjoyed meeting them. I felt for Emma, she's burnt out and a bit isolated when we first meet her, trying to keep up with her freelance editing work and running herself into the ground. On top of all that, she gets the dreaded news about her father who might have dementia then having to face up to her old heartbreak... I just wanted to give her a hug!
The Country Village Summer Fete is a combination of gentle humour and sweet romance that is the perfect summer read. I'm looking forward to more books from Cathy Lake!
June 10, 2021
Another magical visit to Little Bramble!
Fast approaching the big 5-0, Emma Patrick realise that she has no work/life balance – it’s all work, work, work. That’s the problem with working from home when you live alone. When her father needs her help, she returns home to help him out and realises that the village she couldn’t wait to leave in her youth may not be so bad after all. However, there’s more than one reason she hasn’t returned to the village too often and some people she’d rather keep her distance from. Surprisingly, Emma soon finds herself immersed in local events and it may not be that easy to avoid certain encounters . . .
It’s lovely to return to Little Bramble, and I enjoyed that previous characters pop up in this one. With lots of threads weaving in and out, this is a well-crafted story in a charming village which makes a good job of tackling the issue of dementia and how it affects more than just one person. However, this isn’t a sad story, it’s very much an upbeat, uplifting tale with twists and turns along the way making it a very entertaining read! It’s such a pleasure to read about a 50 year old singleton and this book reveals it’s secrets little by little. Terrifically enjoyable, and I live in hope of a return to Little Bramble in the future. Cathy Lake knows how to spin a yarn and satisfy her readers by the final page. Highly recommended and well worth 4.5*.
Fast approaching the big 5-0, Emma Patrick realise that she has no work/life balance – it’s all work, work, work. That’s the problem with working from home when you live alone. When her father needs her help, she returns home to help him out and realises that the village she couldn’t wait to leave in her youth may not be so bad after all. However, there’s more than one reason she hasn’t returned to the village too often and some people she’d rather keep her distance from. Surprisingly, Emma soon finds herself immersed in local events and it may not be that easy to avoid certain encounters . . .
It’s lovely to return to Little Bramble, and I enjoyed that previous characters pop up in this one. With lots of threads weaving in and out, this is a well-crafted story in a charming village which makes a good job of tackling the issue of dementia and how it affects more than just one person. However, this isn’t a sad story, it’s very much an upbeat, uplifting tale with twists and turns along the way making it a very entertaining read! It’s such a pleasure to read about a 50 year old singleton and this book reveals it’s secrets little by little. Terrifically enjoyable, and I live in hope of a return to Little Bramble in the future. Cathy Lake knows how to spin a yarn and satisfy her readers by the final page. Highly recommended and well worth 4.5*.
July 7, 2021
My word this was outstanding from the first page and I didn’t want it to end. It’s so gripping and such an easy read and you feel as if you are part of the village and with the characters as so warming. Full of village life and romance and families and such a warm read.
Emma is coming up to 50 and she’s been so focused on work she looses friends and connections with anyone else but when she gets a phone call to say her father is unwell and needs help she decides to head home. Problem is she left little Bramble due to relationship breakup and she really wants to avoid him. She soon settles in and gets into village life really well and with thee fete coming up she decides to stay and make jam like her mum use to. She also bumps into her ex and she still things she has feelings but she thinks he’s with someone so tries to avoid him how will things go and will she build a good life there.
Emma is coming up to 50 and she’s been so focused on work she looses friends and connections with anyone else but when she gets a phone call to say her father is unwell and needs help she decides to head home. Problem is she left little Bramble due to relationship breakup and she really wants to avoid him. She soon settles in and gets into village life really well and with thee fete coming up she decides to stay and make jam like her mum use to. She also bumps into her ex and she still things she has feelings but she thinks he’s with someone so tries to avoid him how will things go and will she build a good life there.
June 9, 2021
Thankyou to #Netgalley and #Bonnierbooksuk for an ARC in return for an honest review.
This is book two of, The Country Village series.
Having been given a copy of this book, i quickly got in a listen to the audio version of book one, The Country Village Christmas Show. A lovely story, that i’d thoroughly recommend.
So, back to The Country Village Summer Fete.
Emma, is pushing 50, single and a menopausal, workaholic. Following her father’s ill health, Emma heads back to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in, to care for her Dad, with the intention of getting back to her life in London as quickly as possible.
Back in Little Bramble, Emma comes face to face with her past.
Will Emma run back to London, or will the draw of village life be enough to make her stay.
This book is a lovely read. Warm, well written and entertaining. Cathy Lake creates a real sense of community and the village of Little Bramble will envelop you and leave you with a feeling of warmth and belonging.
It was good to catch up with previous characters from The Country Village Christmas Show, but equally this book can be read as a stand alone story.
A fabulous summer read. Five stars from me.
This is book two of, The Country Village series.
Having been given a copy of this book, i quickly got in a listen to the audio version of book one, The Country Village Christmas Show. A lovely story, that i’d thoroughly recommend.
So, back to The Country Village Summer Fete.
Emma, is pushing 50, single and a menopausal, workaholic. Following her father’s ill health, Emma heads back to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in, to care for her Dad, with the intention of getting back to her life in London as quickly as possible.
Back in Little Bramble, Emma comes face to face with her past.
Will Emma run back to London, or will the draw of village life be enough to make her stay.
This book is a lovely read. Warm, well written and entertaining. Cathy Lake creates a real sense of community and the village of Little Bramble will envelop you and leave you with a feeling of warmth and belonging.
It was good to catch up with previous characters from The Country Village Christmas Show, but equally this book can be read as a stand alone story.
A fabulous summer read. Five stars from me.
June 10, 2021
This book made me dream of the warmer weather and being outside more with the sun on your face. Emma's story is a relatable one whatever age you are. She thinks she is happy, she isn't tied down to any one, she has a good job, but she is missing something. When her dad becomes unwell, she decides to go and spend time with him in the Village she grew up in. Can she find the missing part she desperately needs? there is a whole load of romance, cakes and a Village community coming together. Will Emma get her happy ever after? I really enjoyed reading Emma's story, it is heartfelt and uplifting when we all need a bit of escapism.
September 16, 2022
Probably 2.5. I listened to this and I couldn’t get on with the narrator really so I think this made me have not so positive feelings about it. I thought the setting was good but the storyline was really predictable (which I often don’t mind but did this time) and there was no peril or twists or anything. There is a follow up but don’t think I will read it
December 9, 2022
A heartwarming story of English village life. Emma is about to turn 50, she is a successful editor and totally focussed on her work. She has a call from her father's GP telling her he needs help and so she goes back to the village of Little Bramble after many years of living in London. She decides to help with the village fete and start jam making as her mother used to and realises how much she enjoys village life. An easy read to make you smile.
June 24, 2022
A pleasant read, lovely story and nice characters, maybe a bit over descriptive at points, but a nice bit of escapism
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
May 14, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. It was simple, well written and easy reading. Emma (the lead character) a likeable 40 something who never got over her first love. The story charts her return to Little Bramble - the village she grew up in to look after her father.
It was lovely that the book didn’t just cover her introduction to Connor (her Ex Fiancé) but her relationship with her poorly father Greg.
This is the second book about Little Bramble but this book is standalone with it’s story.
Lake has a lovely writing style. It took me abit of time to get into but a really good read.
Thanks Net Galley and Bonnier Books UK.
It was lovely that the book didn’t just cover her introduction to Connor (her Ex Fiancé) but her relationship with her poorly father Greg.
This is the second book about Little Bramble but this book is standalone with it’s story.
Lake has a lovely writing style. It took me abit of time to get into but a really good read.
Thanks Net Galley and Bonnier Books UK.
March 9, 2023
Good easy read
May 12, 2021
A lovely read, so sweet and simple. A small village and a past love rekindled.
It was so nice to read about characters who are older and still trying to find their way, and love. Emma and Connor were always meant to be but the timing was just wrong. Seeing them have to finally put the past behind them and move forward with love was really nice to read about.
Watching Emma reconnect with her dad and care for him whilst wrapping herself up in memories of her mum was quite moving at times. The whole community pulling together and supporting each other was lovely, I haven’t read the previous book set in Little Bramble but it really didn’t matter as all the characters were introduced again.
A lovely, easy read. Chick lit at its best.
It was so nice to read about characters who are older and still trying to find their way, and love. Emma and Connor were always meant to be but the timing was just wrong. Seeing them have to finally put the past behind them and move forward with love was really nice to read about.
Watching Emma reconnect with her dad and care for him whilst wrapping herself up in memories of her mum was quite moving at times. The whole community pulling together and supporting each other was lovely, I haven’t read the previous book set in Little Bramble but it really didn’t matter as all the characters were introduced again.
A lovely, easy read. Chick lit at its best.
June 8, 2021
At the beginning of this book it mentions that Cathy Lake writes uplifting stores about strong women, family, friendship, love, community and over coming obstacles and all these characteristics certainly shone through when reading this book. It’s a wonderful story, a quick read which I loved from beginning to end. I hadn’t read the previous book, The Country Village Christmas Show, but that didn’t matter in the slightest as I could tell from little snippets what had already happened and I felt I was fully able to engage with everything that happened in this new story. I will say though that the fete of the title doesn’t occur until near the very end and it’s not the sole focus of the book. But really it didn’t need to be at all as this was about one women’s journey to figure out where she needed to be in life and to deal with past events and a trauma in order for her to be happy, supportive and at peace in her current life. So the fact the fete was more of a background event didn’t bother me in the slightest because the main storyline focusing on Emma was very well written.
Emma Patrick lives in London and it’s clear from the outset she has been working too hard and hasn’t felt right within herself for quite some time. When you find yourself in the local Tesco in your pyjama’s in the early hours of the morning buying vodka and not really knowing how this has happened it’s clear something needs to change. Emma feels disjointed and unhappy and the feelings niggling away at her that things need to change, well she has done her best to ignore those. Up until now she has enjoyed her single life and her work as a freelance editor having left the office behind to work from home. She has flexibility in her life and no one that relies on her and she hasn’t allowed to tradition to claim her. But is that what she really wants and needs from her life? Has she alienated herself from friends who have moved on to the relationship, marriage and kids stage of life? Not that there is anything wrong with being single but she has worked herself to the bone, to the point of exhaustion and deep down she knows she is but a mere step from a breakdown that may be very hard to come back from.
When she receives a phone call to say her father has been found at the local bus station in the village of Little Bramble in the early hours of the morning, appearing lost and confused, she knows she needs to return. Emma has only been back to the village in recent years for fleeting visits. We can tell something has kept her away and the way she acted all those years ago leaving a trail of devastation, loss, hurt and anger behind her will be difficult to reassemble into some form of acceptance and forgiveness. That’s even if she is willing to try and make amends and confront what she has spent so long running from. Her father’s mental health and general ability to cope on his own raises questions as to whether he is suffering from dementia. She knows she needs to return but can she cope what Little Bramble will throw in her path.
Emma was a brilliantly developed character. There were aspects of her that we could all identify with. She feels like she is on a treadmill where social media and losing hours on various media platforms has turned her into a ball of anxiety. Work dominates and she has made no time for the people who were once her friends. It’s clear she needs a complete break and to step back and evaluate what could be changed in her life for the better. What needs to go and what can she do to make her feel better? She works so hard on her career and not on her physical and mental health and I think a lot of us do the same. The deep reasons for not returning long term to the village, well Emma has kept those hidden, but she longs to assuage the guilt she feels and to turn back the clock and make things right. But the person she caused so much damage, complications and heartache to may not be willing to listen to what she has to say. That’s even if she can pluck up the courage to get everything off her chest.
I loved the village of Little Bramble. The rural setting felt fresh and vibrant and there were just the right amount of characters introduced so as not to feel overwhelmed keeping up with everyone’s story. The relationship that Emma has with her father Greg is a tentative one at first and I could see why this was the case. She didn’t want to admit to herself that if suspicions were true then maybe she would end up being his career. But also the unspoken words between them surrounding the loss of her mother weigh heavily in the silence. I thought the way that particular situation was developed was excellent and the overall outcome it could have been a cop out as to the specific explanations but instead it felt real and that yes this could have happened and relating it back to the loss Emma and Greg experienced was excellent. Little Bramble was comforting and there was something special knowing that people cared. But the explosive decision she made 30 years ago, well the after effects are still very much being felt. She feels that some things are better left ignored never to be waded through or stirred up again but we all know avoiding what needs to be said and dealt with head on is perhaps not the best policy to adopt in life.
The guilt and burden Emma feels relating to her mother and also the big event that caused her to leave the village weigh enormously on her. She tries to avoid dealing with things but having to take care of her dad brings new emotions out in the open and when she delves back into the past and reopens her mother’s studio at the bottom of the garden something is ignited in her and a change begins to happen slowly and tentatively. The studio was used for making jams and chutneys by her mother and has remained untouched. Having this connection to her mother starts to alleviate some of the guilt she feels with regard to this aspect of her life. She sets about making jams and chutneys for the village fete and this is where the fete finally starts to come into play but if it had not been present I wouldn’t have minded at all because this was a real character driven story rather than being fuelled by events. There wasn’t this urgent need to try and save something through community effort and hard work as has featured in many other books and I think I enjoyed the story all the more for it. Although the scenes at the fete were lovely and heart-warming and really brought the story full circle.
The book also focused on Connor. He runs his own business, The Lumber Shed, and has a daughter Grace who is 25. We get chapters from his perspective which I thought really broke up the story as Emma did feature strongly. His ex partner Sadie is a nightmare and she doesn’t seem to have gotten the hint that things are over and perhaps really they should have never have been together in the first place. She was such an annoying character, forever demanding of Connor and not getting the hint or giving him any freedom. You instantly want to know more about Connor and exactly what had devastated him in the past leading to such animosity with a particular someone. His storyline was wonderfully intertwined amongst the overall plot and I couldn’t wait to see would things that had been left unsaid for so long finally come out into the open and allow for rejection to turn into acceptance?
The Country Village Summer Fete was an impressive read infused with warmth and human understanding. It had me from page one and I was sad to finish it. If you like books in the vein of Cathy Bramley then this is definitely a read for you. It captures your imagination for the simple but effective way it conveys so many important life messages and lessons. The characters are so well crafted and developed and it will provide you with the perfect slice of escapism. I am delighted to have discovered such a fabulous author with a lovely writing style and I will certainly be reading The Country Village Christmas Wedding as soon as it is published later this year.
Emma Patrick lives in London and it’s clear from the outset she has been working too hard and hasn’t felt right within herself for quite some time. When you find yourself in the local Tesco in your pyjama’s in the early hours of the morning buying vodka and not really knowing how this has happened it’s clear something needs to change. Emma feels disjointed and unhappy and the feelings niggling away at her that things need to change, well she has done her best to ignore those. Up until now she has enjoyed her single life and her work as a freelance editor having left the office behind to work from home. She has flexibility in her life and no one that relies on her and she hasn’t allowed to tradition to claim her. But is that what she really wants and needs from her life? Has she alienated herself from friends who have moved on to the relationship, marriage and kids stage of life? Not that there is anything wrong with being single but she has worked herself to the bone, to the point of exhaustion and deep down she knows she is but a mere step from a breakdown that may be very hard to come back from.
When she receives a phone call to say her father has been found at the local bus station in the village of Little Bramble in the early hours of the morning, appearing lost and confused, she knows she needs to return. Emma has only been back to the village in recent years for fleeting visits. We can tell something has kept her away and the way she acted all those years ago leaving a trail of devastation, loss, hurt and anger behind her will be difficult to reassemble into some form of acceptance and forgiveness. That’s even if she is willing to try and make amends and confront what she has spent so long running from. Her father’s mental health and general ability to cope on his own raises questions as to whether he is suffering from dementia. She knows she needs to return but can she cope what Little Bramble will throw in her path.
Emma was a brilliantly developed character. There were aspects of her that we could all identify with. She feels like she is on a treadmill where social media and losing hours on various media platforms has turned her into a ball of anxiety. Work dominates and she has made no time for the people who were once her friends. It’s clear she needs a complete break and to step back and evaluate what could be changed in her life for the better. What needs to go and what can she do to make her feel better? She works so hard on her career and not on her physical and mental health and I think a lot of us do the same. The deep reasons for not returning long term to the village, well Emma has kept those hidden, but she longs to assuage the guilt she feels and to turn back the clock and make things right. But the person she caused so much damage, complications and heartache to may not be willing to listen to what she has to say. That’s even if she can pluck up the courage to get everything off her chest.
I loved the village of Little Bramble. The rural setting felt fresh and vibrant and there were just the right amount of characters introduced so as not to feel overwhelmed keeping up with everyone’s story. The relationship that Emma has with her father Greg is a tentative one at first and I could see why this was the case. She didn’t want to admit to herself that if suspicions were true then maybe she would end up being his career. But also the unspoken words between them surrounding the loss of her mother weigh heavily in the silence. I thought the way that particular situation was developed was excellent and the overall outcome it could have been a cop out as to the specific explanations but instead it felt real and that yes this could have happened and relating it back to the loss Emma and Greg experienced was excellent. Little Bramble was comforting and there was something special knowing that people cared. But the explosive decision she made 30 years ago, well the after effects are still very much being felt. She feels that some things are better left ignored never to be waded through or stirred up again but we all know avoiding what needs to be said and dealt with head on is perhaps not the best policy to adopt in life.
The guilt and burden Emma feels relating to her mother and also the big event that caused her to leave the village weigh enormously on her. She tries to avoid dealing with things but having to take care of her dad brings new emotions out in the open and when she delves back into the past and reopens her mother’s studio at the bottom of the garden something is ignited in her and a change begins to happen slowly and tentatively. The studio was used for making jams and chutneys by her mother and has remained untouched. Having this connection to her mother starts to alleviate some of the guilt she feels with regard to this aspect of her life. She sets about making jams and chutneys for the village fete and this is where the fete finally starts to come into play but if it had not been present I wouldn’t have minded at all because this was a real character driven story rather than being fuelled by events. There wasn’t this urgent need to try and save something through community effort and hard work as has featured in many other books and I think I enjoyed the story all the more for it. Although the scenes at the fete were lovely and heart-warming and really brought the story full circle.
The book also focused on Connor. He runs his own business, The Lumber Shed, and has a daughter Grace who is 25. We get chapters from his perspective which I thought really broke up the story as Emma did feature strongly. His ex partner Sadie is a nightmare and she doesn’t seem to have gotten the hint that things are over and perhaps really they should have never have been together in the first place. She was such an annoying character, forever demanding of Connor and not getting the hint or giving him any freedom. You instantly want to know more about Connor and exactly what had devastated him in the past leading to such animosity with a particular someone. His storyline was wonderfully intertwined amongst the overall plot and I couldn’t wait to see would things that had been left unsaid for so long finally come out into the open and allow for rejection to turn into acceptance?
The Country Village Summer Fete was an impressive read infused with warmth and human understanding. It had me from page one and I was sad to finish it. If you like books in the vein of Cathy Bramley then this is definitely a read for you. It captures your imagination for the simple but effective way it conveys so many important life messages and lessons. The characters are so well crafted and developed and it will provide you with the perfect slice of escapism. I am delighted to have discovered such a fabulous author with a lovely writing style and I will certainly be reading The Country Village Christmas Wedding as soon as it is published later this year.
July 18, 2021
The Country Village Summer Fete is a book which is ideal for reading in the sunshine. If you have lovely sunshine too just now, get yourself a copy and sit outside somewhere to enjoy this summery book.
I really did enjoy visiting the village of Little Bramble and I felt for the main character, Emma. Approaching her 50th birthday she starts to realise that she’s been so focussed on work that life has passed her by somehow. When it seems that her elderly dad needs her help, she somewhat reluctantly goes back to the family home in the village she left almost 30 years ago. I say reluctantly because the reason she left and had rarely gone back was still in her mind and she felt sure that she would be judged for her decisions of long ago.
One things I so enjoyed about this book was that the people of the village were in fact really welcoming to Emma. The author introduces us to lots of characters who live the village. There’s Clare who becomes a close friend and encourages Emma to take a stall at the summer fete. There’s her dad’s lovely neighbour Dilys who has been keeping an eye out for him. There’s Jenny, mum to twins in her 40s and who provides quite a few humorous moments. And there’s Connor, who Emma used to be in a relationship with and who she tries hard to avoid for many reasons.
The author wrote about the relationship between Emma and her dad Greg so movingly. They were both still very much missing her late mum and in starting to makes jams and chutneys using her mum’s recipes for the summer fete, Emma recalls so many memories of happy times they spent together. The love between father and daughter was clear to see, as it was for another significant father and daughter in the book. Much to her surprise, Emma finds herself enjoying the slower pace of life in the village and finds it just as fulfilling as her busy city life, though in different ways.
With its themes of friendship, community and second chance romance I thoroughly enjoyed The Country Village Summer Fete. It’s a perfect read for lazy summer days and a really heart-warming read. I was pleased to read at the back of the book that there is to be another book set in Little Bramble and I’m looking forward to returning to attend The Country Village Christmas Wedding.
I really did enjoy visiting the village of Little Bramble and I felt for the main character, Emma. Approaching her 50th birthday she starts to realise that she’s been so focussed on work that life has passed her by somehow. When it seems that her elderly dad needs her help, she somewhat reluctantly goes back to the family home in the village she left almost 30 years ago. I say reluctantly because the reason she left and had rarely gone back was still in her mind and she felt sure that she would be judged for her decisions of long ago.
One things I so enjoyed about this book was that the people of the village were in fact really welcoming to Emma. The author introduces us to lots of characters who live the village. There’s Clare who becomes a close friend and encourages Emma to take a stall at the summer fete. There’s her dad’s lovely neighbour Dilys who has been keeping an eye out for him. There’s Jenny, mum to twins in her 40s and who provides quite a few humorous moments. And there’s Connor, who Emma used to be in a relationship with and who she tries hard to avoid for many reasons.
The author wrote about the relationship between Emma and her dad Greg so movingly. They were both still very much missing her late mum and in starting to makes jams and chutneys using her mum’s recipes for the summer fete, Emma recalls so many memories of happy times they spent together. The love between father and daughter was clear to see, as it was for another significant father and daughter in the book. Much to her surprise, Emma finds herself enjoying the slower pace of life in the village and finds it just as fulfilling as her busy city life, though in different ways.
With its themes of friendship, community and second chance romance I thoroughly enjoyed The Country Village Summer Fete. It’s a perfect read for lazy summer days and a really heart-warming read. I was pleased to read at the back of the book that there is to be another book set in Little Bramble and I’m looking forward to returning to attend The Country Village Christmas Wedding.
June 10, 2021
This is the second book in a series set in the charming village of Little Bramble. The first was set in the winter and covered a Christmas theme. It was lovely to return for the summer and catch up with some new characters, and some from the previous book.
Emma is finding her work life balance is spiralling out of control as she tries to manage her life as a self-employed editor. She’s great at what she does, but fear of failure has driven her to over commit. Meanwhile, her aging father is dealing with signs of dementia, which leads to a tough call and a return to her childhood home.
This is a delightful story which reminds us that there really is such a thing as water under the bridge. Emma is protecting herself from the guilt she feels after dumping boyfriend Connor nearly 30 years ago. Whilst the support of her friends, old and new, encourages her to rediscover the charms of village life, Emma struggles to understand how she can still feel such chemistry for Connor and, more importantly, how he can ever forgive her.
Emma and Connor are lovely characters and a wonderful addition to Little Bramble. If you’ve not read the first one, this is easily enjoyed as a standalone story. You are guaranteed everything that you would expect from a village fete, including jam, pickle, crafts and a large helping of happiness.
In particular, I loved Greg. His love for his daughter helps bring his sparkle back. The introduction of rescue greyhound, Harmony, is an added bonus. If you did read the first one, there’s a welcome development for Sam and Clare!
Emma is finding her work life balance is spiralling out of control as she tries to manage her life as a self-employed editor. She’s great at what she does, but fear of failure has driven her to over commit. Meanwhile, her aging father is dealing with signs of dementia, which leads to a tough call and a return to her childhood home.
This is a delightful story which reminds us that there really is such a thing as water under the bridge. Emma is protecting herself from the guilt she feels after dumping boyfriend Connor nearly 30 years ago. Whilst the support of her friends, old and new, encourages her to rediscover the charms of village life, Emma struggles to understand how she can still feel such chemistry for Connor and, more importantly, how he can ever forgive her.
Emma and Connor are lovely characters and a wonderful addition to Little Bramble. If you’ve not read the first one, this is easily enjoyed as a standalone story. You are guaranteed everything that you would expect from a village fete, including jam, pickle, crafts and a large helping of happiness.
In particular, I loved Greg. His love for his daughter helps bring his sparkle back. The introduction of rescue greyhound, Harmony, is an added bonus. If you did read the first one, there’s a welcome development for Sam and Clare!
July 19, 2021
If you imagine the quintessential chocolate box English village then Little Bramble would be right up there with the best of them. When Emma Patrick receives a call to say that her elderly father is ill she makes the decision to leave London and head back to her childhood home in Little Bramble. However, once back in the place where she grew up painful memories from her past start to emerge but as Emma is drawn back into village life so she starts to look towards a different sort of future.
I loved my first visit to Little Bramble in The Country Village Christmas Show so I was especially excited to return to this lovely place again, not just to meet up with old friends but also to make new friends, especially Emma, and the lovely Connor.
There's a real summery feel to this story especially as Little Bramble is gearing up to its annual summer fete so some of the story is taken up with the preparation and all the little niggles which go with putting on an event in a small village but also it's about the people who live there, some are more likeable than others but they all add their own individual charm. There are some lovely thoughtful moments between Emma and her father which make the story all the more heartwarming but it is in the will they, won't they relationship between Emma and Connor where the heart of the story lies.
The Country Village Summer Fête is every bit as good as I wanted it to be, light, lovely and deliciously summery. It's the perfect escapist read for a blue sky, fluffy cloud sort of day.
October 17, 2021
The Country Village Summer Fete - Cathy Lake
Emma Patrick's life is spiralling out of control. On the cusp of her 50th birthday, she suddenly realises that she doesn't have many meaningful relationships in her life. She's single, successful, living alone and thinks she's loving it, but being so focussed on work and always online means she's lost any real connection to people.
When Emma gets a call to say her ageing father is becoming increasingly confused, she decides that she should go back home to the countryside to spend some time with him. But returning to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in, after all these years, is filled with complications of its own and people she'd rather avoid.
Having read the first book in the series when it was released, and having the third book already on my want to read list - I felt that it was about time that I got around to reading this book. Cathy has written a delightful, simple and easy book to read that you can easily get lost in - who wouldn't want to get lost in Little Bramble.
Whilst this is the second book set in Little Bramble, this book is designed to be able to be read as a standalone. I was sucked straight into the plot - with very realistic characters. Definitely a highly enjoyable read!
Rating 4/5
Emma's visit to Tesco is definitely worth reading this book for!
Emma Patrick's life is spiralling out of control. On the cusp of her 50th birthday, she suddenly realises that she doesn't have many meaningful relationships in her life. She's single, successful, living alone and thinks she's loving it, but being so focussed on work and always online means she's lost any real connection to people.
When Emma gets a call to say her ageing father is becoming increasingly confused, she decides that she should go back home to the countryside to spend some time with him. But returning to Little Bramble, the village she grew up in, after all these years, is filled with complications of its own and people she'd rather avoid.
Having read the first book in the series when it was released, and having the third book already on my want to read list - I felt that it was about time that I got around to reading this book. Cathy has written a delightful, simple and easy book to read that you can easily get lost in - who wouldn't want to get lost in Little Bramble.
Whilst this is the second book set in Little Bramble, this book is designed to be able to be read as a standalone. I was sucked straight into the plot - with very realistic characters. Definitely a highly enjoyable read!
Rating 4/5
Emma's visit to Tesco is definitely worth reading this book for!
September 5, 2023
This is the second book in the series, and it was lovely to return to the village of Little Bramble, and to catch up with all the characters and meet some new ones too.
Emma Patrick lives in London and works as a self employed editor, she's approaching her 50th Birthday, she's currently single, and successful and believes she is just fine as she is.
But her largely solitary existence means she is gradually losing out on connections with real people.
Meanwhile back in Little Bramble, her Dad Greg, is showing early signs of dementia, prompting Emma to return to her childhood home.
But a return to the village for Emma is fraught with complications, and people she would rather avoid.
Connor Jones is one of those people, he's the boyfriend Emma dumped thirty years ago, but invariably their paths do cross, and Emma is surprised to find she still has strong feelings for him.
With support from friends though, Emma is slowly re-adjusting to village life, and when the chance to get involved with the village fete crops up, Emma finds herself making jams and chutney's to sell.
Maybe a return to the village is exactly what she needs.
This book would work well as a standalone, but as always I suggest reading in order, for maximum enjoyment.
Very much looking forward to my next visit.
Emma Patrick lives in London and works as a self employed editor, she's approaching her 50th Birthday, she's currently single, and successful and believes she is just fine as she is.
But her largely solitary existence means she is gradually losing out on connections with real people.
Meanwhile back in Little Bramble, her Dad Greg, is showing early signs of dementia, prompting Emma to return to her childhood home.
But a return to the village for Emma is fraught with complications, and people she would rather avoid.
Connor Jones is one of those people, he's the boyfriend Emma dumped thirty years ago, but invariably their paths do cross, and Emma is surprised to find she still has strong feelings for him.
With support from friends though, Emma is slowly re-adjusting to village life, and when the chance to get involved with the village fete crops up, Emma finds herself making jams and chutney's to sell.
Maybe a return to the village is exactly what she needs.
This book would work well as a standalone, but as always I suggest reading in order, for maximum enjoyment.
Very much looking forward to my next visit.
July 4, 2021
Full review available at If These Books Could Talk as part of the promotional tour.
Make no mistake, it’s very clear after the first 50 or so pages where the plot of The Country Village Summer Fete is going, but it’s a nice ride getting there. Emma is full of regrets but is burying them in her hectic publishing job. Although working from home, her life is still full of deadlines and commitments. Sleep doesn’t come easy to her, and her late-night supermarket visits emphasise that. No matter her hard-earned wealth and privilege, Emma is not in a good place. A sudden call about her father’s health concerns forces her to take a break. But while Emma is eager to help and support her father, there’s a past in the village of Little Bramble that she���s not keen on revisiting.
That ‘past’ takes the form of Connor, her first, and biggest love. A strong partnership from their teens, Emma and Connor were the village darlings, destined to spend the rest of their lives together. But soon came a fear of the unknown for Emma and the pressure of being in a relationship, bound to small village life proved too much for her. Fleeing Little Bramble, breaking Connor’s heart and falling out with her beloved parents in the process, seemed the only recourse for Emma.
Initially, Emma hides away once she returns to Little Bramble, focusing solely on her father and his possible dementia. Gradually though, village life and its inhabitants begin to bring Emma out of her hard shell, forcing her to reevaluate not only her current life but the one she left behind. Soon, busy working to restore her late mum’s treasured workroom, the garden and helping her dad, she soon loosens up and begins to embrace the village life. And at some point, that means facing Connor.
While the novel brings a few hours of light escapism, there are issues that jarred for me at times. Lake has a tendency to expound on subjects regularly interrupting the narrative flow. This is especially prevalent towards the end of the novel. It is ok for a writer to state that a character got into a car. However, it isn’t necessary to state the make, model and colour. When discussing rehoming greyhounds, a potted history of how the dogs are treated doesn’t add anything to the plot. The novel also suffers from repetition; I lost count of how many times at the beginning of the story Emma placed on her ‘big sunglasses’.
Hopefully, these are new author issues that can be ironed out because Lake does have a deft touch when it comes to writing about grief. As someone who lost their own mum 3 years ago, I could totally relate to how Emma felt when clearing her mum’s workshop. As she reorganised, cleaned and set it up for her to follow in her mum’s jam-making footsteps, her agony and heartbreak were palpable. These moments (as with the times with her father) were so well-written and felt so real that they often left a lump in my throat.
The Country Village Summer Fete is a gentle countryside based romance that touches on many issues. Lost opportunities, grief and fear of overwhelming change drive a cosy narrative that hits all the right spots for this genre. A satisfying ending awaits you in Little Bramble, and I’m sure it won’t be the last one.
Make no mistake, it’s very clear after the first 50 or so pages where the plot of The Country Village Summer Fete is going, but it’s a nice ride getting there. Emma is full of regrets but is burying them in her hectic publishing job. Although working from home, her life is still full of deadlines and commitments. Sleep doesn’t come easy to her, and her late-night supermarket visits emphasise that. No matter her hard-earned wealth and privilege, Emma is not in a good place. A sudden call about her father’s health concerns forces her to take a break. But while Emma is eager to help and support her father, there’s a past in the village of Little Bramble that she���s not keen on revisiting.
That ‘past’ takes the form of Connor, her first, and biggest love. A strong partnership from their teens, Emma and Connor were the village darlings, destined to spend the rest of their lives together. But soon came a fear of the unknown for Emma and the pressure of being in a relationship, bound to small village life proved too much for her. Fleeing Little Bramble, breaking Connor’s heart and falling out with her beloved parents in the process, seemed the only recourse for Emma.
Initially, Emma hides away once she returns to Little Bramble, focusing solely on her father and his possible dementia. Gradually though, village life and its inhabitants begin to bring Emma out of her hard shell, forcing her to reevaluate not only her current life but the one she left behind. Soon, busy working to restore her late mum’s treasured workroom, the garden and helping her dad, she soon loosens up and begins to embrace the village life. And at some point, that means facing Connor.
While the novel brings a few hours of light escapism, there are issues that jarred for me at times. Lake has a tendency to expound on subjects regularly interrupting the narrative flow. This is especially prevalent towards the end of the novel. It is ok for a writer to state that a character got into a car. However, it isn’t necessary to state the make, model and colour. When discussing rehoming greyhounds, a potted history of how the dogs are treated doesn’t add anything to the plot. The novel also suffers from repetition; I lost count of how many times at the beginning of the story Emma placed on her ‘big sunglasses’.
Hopefully, these are new author issues that can be ironed out because Lake does have a deft touch when it comes to writing about grief. As someone who lost their own mum 3 years ago, I could totally relate to how Emma felt when clearing her mum’s workshop. As she reorganised, cleaned and set it up for her to follow in her mum’s jam-making footsteps, her agony and heartbreak were palpable. These moments (as with the times with her father) were so well-written and felt so real that they often left a lump in my throat.
The Country Village Summer Fete is a gentle countryside based romance that touches on many issues. Lost opportunities, grief and fear of overwhelming change drive a cosy narrative that hits all the right spots for this genre. A satisfying ending awaits you in Little Bramble, and I’m sure it won’t be the last one.
August 1, 2021
Little Bramble Village is the childhood home of Emma and since she has left, she has hardly returned for more than a few days if that. But on the edge of her forties and with her fifties looming fast, she suddenly feels that perhaps she has achieved nothing and certainly doesn’t have anything to show for it.
Returning to Little Bramble, with the reason to look after her widowed father who seems to have lost his way is Emma’s excuse to perhaps take stock of where she is in life and where she wants to go next.
However going back means she needs to face what she left behind in the village all those years ago – her first love. Confronting her actions from the past and the villagers who have long memories too, means that perhaps Emma needs to stop and reassess what she was really running away from. Can the answer be found in her mother’s workshop, full of jams and chutney? Can the answer be found in making friends and catching up with old ones? Can the answer be watching your dad deal with the widowhood? Can the answer be in the past?
Clear, really from the start where and how this book was going to pan out, it was a pleasant diversion and was great to return a place I have visited before, in the first novel. They work well as standalone books and there is no need for any prior knowledge. I would have like a bit more intrigue, ‘will they, won’t they’ jeopardy before the happy ending. It was just a bit too neat for me.
A book to while away the hours, but for me perhaps a series I would not return to, when there are perhaps stronger books out there.
Returning to Little Bramble, with the reason to look after her widowed father who seems to have lost his way is Emma’s excuse to perhaps take stock of where she is in life and where she wants to go next.
However going back means she needs to face what she left behind in the village all those years ago – her first love. Confronting her actions from the past and the villagers who have long memories too, means that perhaps Emma needs to stop and reassess what she was really running away from. Can the answer be found in her mother’s workshop, full of jams and chutney? Can the answer be found in making friends and catching up with old ones? Can the answer be watching your dad deal with the widowhood? Can the answer be in the past?
Clear, really from the start where and how this book was going to pan out, it was a pleasant diversion and was great to return a place I have visited before, in the first novel. They work well as standalone books and there is no need for any prior knowledge. I would have like a bit more intrigue, ‘will they, won’t they’ jeopardy before the happy ending. It was just a bit too neat for me.
A book to while away the hours, but for me perhaps a series I would not return to, when there are perhaps stronger books out there.
June 13, 2021
Here we are back in Little Bramble the second in this series of books the first being The country village Christmas show.
So, coming up to 50 Emma Patrick finds herself returning to her family home Little Bramble after 20 years of being away, she is needed to support her father who is in the early stages of dementia. She is only going to stay for a short while whilst her dad has some tests, then she is planning to return to London to continue her life as an editor in publishing. But as we know things never quite run like that. The characters are warm and friendly but Emma wants to remain unnoticed so she doesn't resurrect old ghosts.
I loved everything about this book, the descriptions of the village and characters were made really believable with a cosy feel about the whole book.
I really recommend this book as an enjoyable escape.
So, coming up to 50 Emma Patrick finds herself returning to her family home Little Bramble after 20 years of being away, she is needed to support her father who is in the early stages of dementia. She is only going to stay for a short while whilst her dad has some tests, then she is planning to return to London to continue her life as an editor in publishing. But as we know things never quite run like that. The characters are warm and friendly but Emma wants to remain unnoticed so she doesn't resurrect old ghosts.
I loved everything about this book, the descriptions of the village and characters were made really believable with a cosy feel about the whole book.
I really recommend this book as an enjoyable escape.
June 11, 2021
A perfect idyllic read to start the summer!
When Emma finds herself in a Tescos Express in the early hours of the morning in her pyjamas she realises that she might need a break from her busy London life. Her Dad's health is deteriorating and despite her anxiousness about returning to the village she grew up in, Emma returns home to look after her Dad. However as Emma begins to enjoy the village lifestyle, she soon bumps into her ex from 25 years ago and the past suddenly catches up with her.
This was such a delightful and wholesome read and it reminded me a lot of Beth O'Leary's The Switch. I loved the idyllic villagelife Lake depicts, from the summer fete to the jam making to the strong sense of community and care found amongst the village. A great form of escapism!
When Emma finds herself in a Tescos Express in the early hours of the morning in her pyjamas she realises that she might need a break from her busy London life. Her Dad's health is deteriorating and despite her anxiousness about returning to the village she grew up in, Emma returns home to look after her Dad. However as Emma begins to enjoy the village lifestyle, she soon bumps into her ex from 25 years ago and the past suddenly catches up with her.
This was such a delightful and wholesome read and it reminded me a lot of Beth O'Leary's The Switch. I loved the idyllic villagelife Lake depicts, from the summer fete to the jam making to the strong sense of community and care found amongst the village. A great form of escapism!
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