The Sister Pact

Leyholme Village #3

by Lisa Swift

Can two very different sisters band together when their family needs them most?

Thirty-year-old Brooke Padgett is the landlady of The Highwayman’s Drop in the beautiful Yorkshire village of Leyholme. Commitment-averse and obsessed with work, she isn't looking for anything serious – and she certainly isn't interested in the pub's new barman, gorgeous single dad Hayden. Or is she?

Older sister Rhianna Garrett has fled wealthy husband James after discovering his infidelity. As she moves back to the pub with her children in tow, it’s clear that living together will be tricky for these two very different sisters...

Meanwhile, their widowed mum Janey is keen to rejoin the dating scene. But a lot has changed since her youth in the seventies – and she’ll need the help of her girls.

As the sisters join forces to help Janey, as well as fight off the chain circling the pub, their relationship becomes close once again. Until Brooke discovers Rhianna is hiding a secret that could drive a wedge between them all…

Can the two sisters come together to save The Highwayman’s Drop, their mum's love life – and their relationship?

Genres: Fiction

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2021

About the author

Lisa Swift grew up in rural West Yorkshire, right in the heart of Brontë country... and she's still there. After graduating from Durham University with a degree in English Literature, she dallied with living in cities including London, Nottingham and Cambridge, but eventually came back with her own romantic hero in tow to her beloved Dales, where she first started telling stories about heroines with flaws and the men who love them.

Lisa also writes romantic comedy novels under the pen name Mary Jayne Baker.

Reviews

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

‘Come on. I know you like kids really.’ ‘Yeah, I like them – some of them. I like butternut squash too, but I’ve never felt the need to eject one from my vagina.’

‘We didn’t say a word!’ Janey protested. ‘You didn’t need to. I’m fluent in eyebrow.’

I can’t help fretting about it, this internet dating lark. I struck it lucky with Mike tonight, but it feels like such a lottery. You know, four men have sent me photos of their todgers so far.

Molly Sollis said she heard Bianca’s mum say to her mum at the parents’ night that she wouldn’t mind a bit of rough if it’s got an arse like that. I don’t know what the first bit means but I think she was saying she likes your bum.

‘We could be on Britain’s Most Haunted if we wanted.’ ‘Why aren’t you?’ He shrugged. ‘The ghost thought it was tacky.’


My Review:

This was highly pleasurable reading and good fun from start to finish with engaging and amusing storytelling and endearingly flawed characters. My favorite was Janey, the feisty pub landlady. Janey was canny and kept her two adult children on their toes although both of her daughters needed a major alteration in their thinking, which they finally got to via the hard way. The writing was top-notch, smirk-worthy, keenly witty, and laced with sharp humor and amusing snark. I adored it and have added this crafty and wily wordsmith to my list of favorites as I greedily covet ALL of her uniquely nimble and clever arrangements of words.

[Tissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Highwayman’s Drop is the pub Dad Padgett left to his wife and daughters after his passing. The three of them—Janey, Brooke, and Rhianna—own one third of the shares each, and they don’t agree on what to do with it. Keep it? Sell it? Both options have their merits; it’s just a matter of… heart? Heart and feelings.

[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sister Pact by Lisa Swift is a wonderful, heartwarming, and uplifting fiction that I truly enjoyed.

This is the first book that I have had the privilege to read from this author, and I am most certainly going to be reading more from her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel that takes place in present-day Leyholme, a quaint, picturesque village in the heart of Yorkshire.

Brooke and her mom, Janey, run the local pub that has been having its own issues, despite its solid place in the town’s history. Throw in Brooke’s older sister, Rihianna, and her surprise return after a rough go at her marriage with a philandering spouse, and dating issues for Brooke and Janey themselves, and a full house is on order.

I really enjoyed the complexity of the character cast. I enjoyed these three women, their personalities, their banter, and the obvious care they feel for one another despite the bumps in the road. I enjoyed their progression, and the way they evolved and grew along the way. I enjoyed the plot, the pacing, and I definitely enjoyed the ending.

A great story about love, loss, friendship, and family.

I am looking forward to more from Ms. Swift.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Hera Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

[Hannah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was my first by Lisa Swift but I will definitely be checking out more of her work because I got lost in this book. I found it was quite fast paced but in a realistic kind of way so you can just get comfy and the hours would disappear!

The relationship between Brooke and Rhianna is probably a similar one to a lot of sisters, thick as thieves and then like ships in the night, having big rows and then making up and being the best of friends shortly after. It's safe to say that when Rhianna first comes back to the pub there are a lot more arguments and terse words than hugs and friendly chats...

I loved watching this relationship develop though, and seeing the sisters become united in a goal even if it did end in a rather eventful date for their mother! But seeing Livvy and Max get through to Brooke was so special, I could just see their faces lighting up and I have to say it brought back memories when Brooke was reading The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark.

There were so many lovely parts of this book that I couldn’t pick out a favourite and I was smiling pretty much throughout the whole book. It wasn’t without a bit of drama and emotion though and there were a few scenes that struck a completely different chord.

Overall, I loved this book and feel like I’ve been missing out on a fantastic author. Now to find my next one!

[theweebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Lisa Swift book I have read and I didn't realise it was the third in a series, however, it can definitely be read as stand alone. 

The main characters in the book were great and I really liked Janey and Brooke but it took me a while to take to Rhianna. I can understand how she was when she first arrived back at the pub.

I loved the setting of the pub and the complexities of the relationships of the people within. It was great seeing them pulling together to try and save the pub but can they all trust each other. Janey's dating journey was fun to read.

This is a lovely chicklit book I would definitely recommend.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Lisa’s work for a while now. I have read, loved and reviewed each and every book that she has released to date. I read the synopsis for ‘The Sister Pact’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of book that I have come to expect from Lisa- a fun, warm hearted and ultimately uplifting read. Well ‘The Sister Pact’ certainly ticked all of those boxes and more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Sister Pact’ but more about that in a bit.
I must admit that I took to the characters of Brooke and her mother Janey. It took me a little longer to take to the character of Rhianna. Brooke and Rhianna are sisters and a bit like ‘chalk and cheese’. They love each other but fireworks tend to erupt when the pair of them are together. Brooke is a down to earth young lass, who is proud of her roots and of the pub that she part owns with Rhianna and Janey. Rhianna is a bit like Hyacinth Bucket from that comedy programme ‘Keeping Up Appearances’. She thinks that she is better than she actually is and has lots of airs and graces. Plus she seems to be a tad ashamed of her roots and tries to forget them. Janey is mother to Brooke and Rhianna and often has to jump in between the girls to act as referee. Janey is still grieving the loss of her husband, who is also the father to both girls. However Janey realises that now is the time to move on with her life. All three ladies also have to fight to save the pub from being taken over by a pub chain. I kept everything crossed that all three ladies would find the happy ever after endings that they all deserved. What happens? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
It took me no time at all to get into ‘The Sister Pact’. In fact by the time I got to the bottom of the first page, I knew that I was going to be in for a treat and then some. I found reading ‘The Sister Pact’ to be extremely addictive. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters to fill in the odd half hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story and the lives of the three lead characters that I would still be sat there reading several chapters and an hour or so later. I soon reached the end of the book and I had to bid farewell to the three ladies. ‘The Sister Pact’ is one of those stories, which will stay with me for a long time to come. I loved everything about ‘The Sister Pact’.
‘The Sister Pact’ is superbly written but that’s true of all of Lisa’s books. Lisa has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Lisa’s books feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fairly settled pace throughout. Lisa clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the way in which she describes them so vividly and realistically. The story has its serious moments but there’s also a lot of fun and humour and ultimately when you reach the end of the story you will be left feeling like you have had a ‘hug from a mug’ in that you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I felt as though I was part of the story myself which is all thanks to Lisa’s very vivid and realistic writing style.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Sister Pact’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Lisa’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Highwayman’s Drop has been going through difficult times recently – the walkers and day-trippers just don’t seem to be visiting any more, and the small collection of loyal local customers isn’t enough to guarantee its survival. Their father left the pub to his wife Janey and his daughters Brooke and Rhianna – you’ll find Brooke behind the bar these days, a little bit rough round the edges but the perfect landlady with her smile and line in banter. Janey’s taken up residence in the kitchen, in the hope that offering food might bring the punters in – but her efforts might just be more likely to put them off.

Rhianna’s moved on to pastures new, living the high life in leafy Cheshire – until she discovers that her husband’s been playing away, and returns to the pub with her two children in tow. The sisters have always had a difficult relationship – Rhianna was the one who went to the posh school, had the good education, fell on her feet with a rich husband – and although Brooke couldn’t be happier than continuing her life in the pub fulfilling her father’s legacy, and she’s her sister after all, when they’re forced together the sparks really start to fly.

As the corporate vultures start to circle, it might seem a strange time to be taking on staff – but Hayden might just be what the pub needs, and not just because Janey’s rather taken by the look of his bum. He might be just the distraction that Brooke needs too – but he’s a single father, and his twin girls mean it just can’t be a possibility given her aversion to children. And, in the midst of it all, Janey decides it might just be time that she thought about moving on by dipping her toe into the world of on-line dating…

I really loved this book. The relationship between the two sisters sparks and fizzles throughout – their exchanges are just wonderful, the long-held resentments coming to the surface, their different lifestyle choices coming between them, their different views on what the future might hold. But I also loved the closeness between them – those bonds of family that become clearer and stronger as the story progresses. And, although I’m not always the greatest fan of children in books, Rhianna’s pair are quite superbly drawn – brought up as posh kids, unused to fish finger sandwiches on their laps, needing to modify their accents so they won’t stand out when they start at the village school, and thoroughly lovable.

As push comes to shove for the future of the pub – the theme nights and the speed-dating help, but really don’t look like they’ll be able to save it – those family bonds really are tested to breaking point. I loved the whole relationship between Brooke and Hayden too – a strong and believable romance but with so many obstacles in its way – and so wanted them to get their happy ending. The humour throughout is just perfect, ever present but never over-the-top – and the author has an equally perfect emotional touch, with characters who entirely win your heart.

With it’s strong and distinctive Yorkshire accent, there are obvious comparisons with the books of Milly Johnson and Julie Houston, and you’ll already know how much I love them – but Lisa Swift has a voice and style all of her own, is most certainly an equally gifted story-teller. I thought this book was quite wonderful, and enjoyed every single moment – I might not have read any of the author’s books before, but I’ll most certainly be back for more.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Fun, feel-good and fabulous, Lisa Swift’s latest novel The Sister Pact gives the TV classic Gilmore Girls a run for its money with a terrific blend of side-splitting humour, family drama and poignant romance.

Landlady Brooke Padgett has got her hands full running The Highwayman’s Drop in the beautiful village of Leyholme. Allergic to commitment and completely consumed by the pub she runs, Brooke has got neither the time, the energy nor the inclination for romance. Nobody is going to dissuade Brooke from her resolve to stay stubbornly single – but could drop dead gorgeous Hayden end up changing her mind?

Older sister Rhianna never imagined that she would find herself living above The Highwayman’s Drop again. But when she discovered that her perfect life was nothing more than a lie, she found herself with no other option but to head back to Leyholme and the pub with her children in tow. However, it quickly becomes apparent that living in such close quarters with her sister is not going to be easy…

Meanwhile, their mum Janey decides to dip her toe back in the dating pool. A lot has changed since Janey was last on the look out for her Mr Right and she is going to need her girls to help her out in this age of swiping right and dating apps. Yet, Brooke and Rhianna have got more than romantic disasters and house-sharing dilemmas to contend with when a chain begins to circle round the pub and a secret from the past comes to shocking life that could end up destroying their newfound closeness forever.

Is all hope lost for Brooke and Rhianna? Has the last pint been served at The Highwayman’s Drop? Will Janey manage to find love again? Or will they all have to shut up shop for good and go their separate ways?

Lisa Swift’s The Sister Pact is a hilarious and heartfelt tale that tickles the funny bones and will keep readers glued to its pages. A brilliantly written comedy about the joys and frustrations of family life, the lengths we go to for the ones we love and life’s unexpected surprises, The Sister Pact has got it all: fabulous characters, witty dialogue, emotional drama and terrific romance.

Hard to put down and impossible not to fall in love with, Lisa Swift’s latest must-read The Sister Pact is sure to delight.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Gmr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke, Rhianna, and Janey.
Three Padgett's...sister, sister, mother respectively...each at different stages in life AND love, but with heart's that beat true blue when all is said and done.

Brooke was quick to take offense, always feeling on the outs of whatever the situation might be. Two steps behind, and not good enough....despite her ability to talk to anyone, and forge a connection in minutes flat behind the bar, she has confidence issues, but don't tell HER that. Despite her quickness to anger or defense, I really liked her character. She second guessed herself so much, but she was definitely a soul to count on in a pinch. Rhianna never suffered from that deficiet of self worth, at least on the outside, however all her fancy schooling, beauty and brains combination went on the sidelines when she married her dream man...until one day he proved something other than a dream. Still, years of fitting into a mold made for you can prove hard to break through, even when it means discovering your true self once again. I had no doubt she could do it, but at what cost? Things between her and her sister were always on such shakey ground, you were afraid to sneeze at the wrong moment! Then there was Janey...their mother recently out of mourning and looking to find a special someone to spend her golden years with. She'll never replace her first love, but she knows she still has much to give...if only her small town offered more of a selection.

Add to all the family drama, hard times in business, and those potential love affairs, and you've got a story filled to the brim with precocious characters, unexpected turns, and surprises you'll feel with all your heart. Just when you think things are looking up, they go down. Just when you're certain they are turning a corner, a blockade presents itself anew. There are hard times, fun times, and a few moments of steaminess to boot, but it all works itself out for the best in the end...and keeps you guessing as to how along the way!


**ecopy received for review; opinions are my own

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

Lisa Swift does a great job of creating two sisters who seem so different but are still sisters at heart. From the early interactions between Rhianna and Brooke it was clear it was going to be an uphill battle in order for these two women to reclaim the closeness they had as children. I was glad to see Brooke become more comfortable with her niece and nephew and open up to being around kids. I will say that I got so mad at Brooke towards the end when she overreacts to the situation with Hayden and then refuses to listen to Rhianna's explanations about Nick. In those two scenes she is pretty much the queen of self-sabotage. My heart broke a little over Rhianna's letter to Brooke and then her agreement to get plastic surgery when her husband asked. She had been making such progress in becoming a more independent woman and to see her fall right back into her old patterns was so disappointing. My frustration with both Brooke and Rhianna was, thankfully, very quickly brought to an end when they take steps to correct their mistakes. I especially like Rhianna's final confrontation with James and what she did to his suits (it was just the right amount of vindictiveness). Hayden may be the most forgiving and patient man on earth, which is lucky for Brooke. The side story with Janey and Martin was sweet and such a good example for her daughters. I think my favorite part of the ending was that Rhianna was still single. I want to see her happy and to find someone worthy of her, but she has a lot to work out and jumping right back into a relationship probably wouldn't have been a great idea.

[Henriette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apparently this is the third book set in this Yorkshire village with reappearing characters but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone story and that is what I did. I was completely lost in this story with my emotions on a rollercoaster together with the sisters Brooke, Rhianna and their mother Janey both relating to their romantic lives and their family inn. I love it when a story pulls me in and I experience the highs and lows with the characters and know I will be thinking of them after the book is finished. The book ended with closure in the form of an epilogue, but I still want/need to know more so I will be on the look out for the first two books in this series in the hopes that I will get a glimpse into the earlier lives of these characters.

What to expect:

✅ a village inn that is in financial trouble

✅ sisters that have grown apart and seem to have a love/hate relationship… but will their love for each other shine through when it really matters?

✅ love life trouble for the girls and their mother! Having been widowed for a few years already 62 year Janey is ready to date again and this leads to quite some entertaining situations.

✅ party girl Brooke has become more serious after the death of her father but is she ready for an adult relationship, even one that comes with a past?

✅ can Rhianna overcome the belittling relationship she was in with her cheating husband or will she weaken and go back to him in order to have financial security or because she does not believe she deserves any better?

✅ a heartwarming and at times emotional read about love and families!

[Hayley Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a couple of books by Lisa Swift's alter ego Mary Jayne Baker, and thoroughly enjoyed them both, so I went straight into this one with high hopes.

I'm pleased to say I absolutely loved it.

The Padgett family have owned a pub in the Yorkshire village of Leyholme, called The Highwayman's Drop for decades, and it is currently being run by mother and daughter, Janey and Brooke, older daughter Rhianna, doesn't have any dealings with the pub, but more about her later.

When Janey's husband, the girls dad, passed away, he left them the pub, but in recent months it hasn't been doing too well, trade has been dropping away, and now a pub chain wants to snap it up.

Rhianna never really had any interest in the pub, she was the daughter who got a scholarship to a posh school, and began to think that the background she came from was embarrassing, she began to speak differently, put on airs and graces, and was a proper snooty mare to be frank.

But now Rhianna has returned to the pub along with her two children, after finding out her husband has been having an affair, it's fair to say that there are going to be fireworks between the sisters, who are as different as chalk is from cheese, cue Janey wading in on a daily basis to act as referee.

With the pub struggling, now might not be the best time to recruit new staff, but Hayden coming in as a barman, could be just what is needed, but will he be an unwanted distraction, for the generally commitment shy Brooke ?

Can everyone pull together to save The Highwayman's Drop .... I'm not going to be the one to tell you that, but I am going to recommend you read this book, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

[Sarah Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fun, fast-paced, feel good fiction at its best, this book came to me at the very best moment in a chance to escape reality for a while. It is a book that hugs you in to the story and makes you feel a part of the family. I loved every single page, some of the comments throughout are hilarious. I’d definitely recommend for you to read this one if your fans of Lisa Swift’s work, and I’ll be adding her other two in this series to my ever growing list.

This is my first time reading any of Lisa Swift’s work and I didn’t realise that The Sister Pact was the Third book in the series, but you can easy just read this as a stand-alone. The Highwayman’s Drop is in trouble, their customers are drifting off more and more and they need to do something quick.
The Padgett Family have owed The HighwayMan’s Drop for decades, Janey and Brooke Padgett became the landladies after Janey’s husband and Brooke’s dad passed away and Brooke will do anything to make sure it remains in their family. Rhiannon, Brooke’s sister, suddenly arrives on their doorstep with her 2 children and their bags, she’s left her husband James and has no where else to go.

Janey is delighted her daughter and grandchildren are home, Brooke not so much, Rhiannon has always been ashamed of where she was brought up and Brooke believes she has an ulterior motive to be back home. The family have been approached by a brewery for them to sell The Highwaymans Drop, both Rhiannon and Janey are tempted but Brooke point blank refuses. Can Brooke make it up with Rhiannon? Will the family decide to sell ?

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romcom is all about family relationships and you get to see three generations and how they interact. Brooke and Rhianna have the most problematic of relationship as siblings but you certainly come to understand why they each think as they do. Both od them develop as the story evolves. The past is key in understanding their asttitudes to their childhood home.

Rhianna has some dark secrets from her past and a dominant ex-husband. I thought that it was fascinating to see how each sister perceived the other and how this contrasted with their own self-image. Despite its serious themes, there are plenty of light moments and romance in this romcom. The trials and tribulations of parenting are a source of humour with differing styles, some of which seem pretentious to the down to earth Brooke. Spending time with your family and caring are shown to outweigh material concerns at the end of the day. This can be read as a standalone although a few characters from previous novels can be met.

In short: love and loyalty.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading some heavy books of late, so it was nice to dive into something a little lighter.

I have read several of Lisa's books & enjoyed them, so it was a no brainer that I would this one too!

The three female characters were very well developed, strong characters, all equally as stubborn as each other. A very well written family drama, uplifting, realistic & will leave you wanting to read more about the Highwayman's Drop public house & it's resident family.

Brooke Padgett is the Landlady of the Highwayman's Drop public house alongside her mother Janey. Older sister Rhianna Garrett has reluctantly moved back into the pub after discovering her husbands extra curricular activities. Can they all live together in harmony & push aside their differences to save their relationship & the pub, whose future is under threat.

Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review.

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 4 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

[Kirsty (BookBlogger) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Sister Pact - Lisa Swift

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Hera Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Can two very different sisters band together when their family needs them most?

Thirty-year-old Brooke Padgett is the landlady of The Highwayman’s Drop in the beautiful Yorkshire village of Leyholme. Commitment-averse and obsessed with work, she isn't looking for anything serious – and she certainly isn't interested in the pub's new barman, gorgeous single dad Hayden. Or is she?

When I started reading this book, I didn't realise that it was part of a series - personally I feel that it could easily be read as a standalone. This is a light read, but I struggled to get into it. The characters are all well-written and well developed, but can they all live together? That is up to you to find out....

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Lisa Swift and Hera Books for the copy of The Sister Pact. This is my personal review.
Anytime I see a book about siters I want to read it.
Brooke Padgett is the Landlady of the Highwayman's Drop public house alongside her mother Janey. Rhianna Garrett is Brooke’s older sister, and she has come after she discovers her husbands has some bad choices in his life.
The Highwayman’s Drop is having trouble and the three women are determined to fix the problems. They are going to have to overcome a lot to do that and connect as sister’s and family again.
Can this be possible for the three of them to stick together and make things the way should be?
The author made me really care about these women and what happens in this easy-to-read book. This is a book filled with so much that you can not help but feel a lot as you read it.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read! A delightful, light hearted read based on two very different sisters coming together to help their mum, in a picaresque village in Yorkshire.

Comical moments, mixed with a satisfying plot pace, based on love and loss, this is a great read with three main complex characters. Ideal for anyone who enjoys character analysis. Written with depth, Lisa Swift has created some very memorable characters which kept me engaged and entertained throughout. I finished this with a smile on my face!

I recommend this book to anyone who needs a mood boost and a little bit of a happiness in their life.

Thank you Rachel’s Random Resources for a place on the recent book tour and a gifted copy of this book in exchange for a honest and voluntary review. All opinions are my own.

[Rekha O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I often read synopses of books where they are described as laugh out loud romantic comedies. This one really is one of those. There’s one particular sentence involving butternut squash that particularly enjoyed.

But this book is more than a romantic comedy. It’s about what we hold dear and all forms of love. It’s sweet without being trite. I thoroughly enjoyed it at a time when it was a great reminder to appreciate the important things in life.

I didn’t particularly understand all the character’s hang ups but that didn’t matter in the end.

Very enjoyable and fun.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming story, and if it features sisters, that’s always a plus for me. Brooke has been running the family pub with her mother since her Dad passed away. As things have changed in the village over time, The Highwayman’s Drop has been losing business. Rihanna, Brooke’s sister, turns up on the doorstep with her two kids in tow after leaving her cheating husband. Can the sisters work together after years of rivalry, to revive the bar and their relationship? Add in Brooke’s love interest and this is a formula for a very entertaining read. I recommend it for lovers of women fiction. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Faye Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lighthearted wonderful read.
The first I've read from this author, but it won't be the last. I loved the description of the village, Leyholme, Yorkshire.....it was like I was there. Following the story of Brooke, Rhianna and Janey. Their love, friendship and family are tested. I warmed to Brooke immediately, but it took a while for me to warm to Rhianna. I felt she thought she was better than everyone. Janeys storyline was lovely and one her daughters should take note of! Would highly recommend to those looking for a family saga and chicklit.

[Georgina Abbotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Lisa swift and defiently won't be the last Im looking forward to reading more by Lisa swift.this was a beautifully written book about friendships,loss,love,family and community.it was a very uplifting book that gave you chance to escape the real world and everything surrounding you.i felt like I had been personally magically sent into the book and was following the three women round Janey ,Rhianna and Brooke had very different personalities there banter between them was really good they were strong willed ladies.its a five star rating from me

[Mae Leveson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of two sisters who have grown up to lead very different lives, but are then thrown together by circumstance with all the fireworks that ensue. Set in Yorkshire and based in and around the family pub, The Highwayman’s Drop, Brooke is the sister who is desperate to save the family business, but gradually learns that there are more important things in life, especially her sister, Rhianna, her sister’s children, Max and Livvy, and their mum, Janey. It was the perfect summer read for a late July afternoon.

[Laura Jones]

This is the story of Brooke, the landlady at The Highwaymans Drop pub which she runs alongside her mum Janey.

Brooks older sister Rhianna has recently moved back into the pub after discovering her husbands affairs.

Are the sisters able to to put aside their differences to save the pub from being franchised?

A great family drama that will capture your heart from the very beginning.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Vivien Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book based around a family of women and the pub they love but are in danger of losing. Romance is central to the story but we also see the effects of a controlling marriage and how it damages confidence and self esteem. I was willing Rhianna to fight back! The ups and downs of the sister relationship are very well done, and in the end it's love and family that matter more than anything else.

[Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

I don't know what to say about this book other than that I just really enjoyed reading it. I started a few weeks back, got a couple chapters in and then didn't get back to it. Once I picked it up today , I just couldn't put it back down. I loved the characters and the story. I laughed out loud multiple times. I'm just happy that I read it.

[Em_Mc_D · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me far too long to get into this one for some reason. It ended up being a fantastic read about the love of family and the bond of sisters. Highly recommend to everyone who loves family dramas or sister relationships

[Delphine Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good little read. Rather amusing in places. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

[Crystal Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read. I enjoyed all of the characters and their relationships. It had some funny parts and was over all enjoyable.

[Rhiannon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book and really enjoyed it. Ending fell a little flat in my opinion but overall a good read!