The Impulse Purchase

by Veronica Henry

Sometimes you have to let your heart rule your head . . .

Cherry, Maggie and Rose are mother, daughter and granddaughter, each with their own hopes, dreams and even sorrows. They have always been close, so when, in a moment of impulse, Cherry buys a gorgeous but rundown pub in the village she grew up in, it soon becomes a family affair.

All three women uproot themselves and move to Rushbrook, deep in the heart of Somerset, to take over The Swan and restore it to its former glory. Cherry is at the helm, Maggie is in charge of the kitchen, and Rose tends the picturesque garden that leads down to the river.

Before long, the locals are delighted to find the beating heart of the village is back, bringing all kinds of surprises through the door.

Could Cherry's impulse purchase change all their lives - and bring everyone the happiness they're searching for?

Escape to the glorious Somerset countryside with this joyful and uplifting story of family, love and hope.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary, British Literature, Womens Fiction, Adult

420 pages, ebook

First published February 3, 2022

About the author

Veronica Henry was a television script writer before turning her hand to fiction. She has published sixteen novels which she describes as realistic escapism - her setting are gorgeous, but her characters have problems and dilemmas everyone can identify with.

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

After an overload of dark fiction recently, I felt in desperate need for something more lighthearted, entertaining and heartwarming, and Veronica Henry delivered with the story of a family, 3 generations of women, all of whom find themselves at a crossroads, with their own issues, worries, needs and hopes. Cherry finds herself thrown off course by an incident at her long term partner, Mike's retirement party, a professor of art at Avonminster University, and has not got over losing her mother, Catherine. Her daughter, Maggie, is still grieving the loss of Frank, unable to come to terms with this, facing challenges to her PR consultancy business, and her daughter Rose has serious anxiety issues that were exacerbated with the loss of her beloved father, although her young daughter, Gertie has helped to stabilise her.

Cherry is overseeing the sale of her parents home in Rushbrook in Somerset, and visits The Swan pub which had been a part of her life as long as she can remember, she even worked there as a barmaid when she was younger. The Swan is in a terrible state and on the verge of being sold to a developer, she cannot bear the thought of this. She buys it on impulse, with the intention of renovating the premises and reopening it as pub serving as central hub to the local community. Maggie takes on the food, kitchen and PR aspects and Rose works hard to bring the neglected gardens that go down to the river up to scratch. Mike refuses to get on board with Cherry's project, unhappy at not being consulted and concerned it could fail and lose them money. The pub is renamed the Three Swans, a reference to the 3 women, as they hire local staff, getting involved with the community, will they be able to make a success of their new venture?

Henry creates characters that you cannot help but adore, fans of Henry will recognise the return of characters from some of her previous books here. The family bonds between Cherry, Maggie and Rose are strong, they will do whatever they need to do to support each other, and The Three Swans and the village of Rushbrook turns out to be just what Maggie and Rose need to help them move on in their lives. This is a wonderfully relaxing read to be immersed in, I loved the three women and the Rushbrook community, especially Chloe, pig farmer Russell, and Amanda. A perfect feel good and escapist read. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Impulse Purchase is Veronica Henry’s 23rd book. I’ve read 17 of the 23. And this is my favourite so far. And I say this every time! 😁 I love her books, they are warm and comforting and uplifting and quite a lot of the time they feature food. What’s not to like!

Seventy year old Cherry Nicholson has had ties to the village of Rushbrook all her life, her father was the village doctor and her mother Catherine played a significant role in village life. With her mother now gone, the family home has been sold. During one last visit home before the new buyers arrive, Cherry discovers that the local pub is to be sold to a property developer. The idea of Rushbrook losing its pub, the heart of village life and where she had spent so much of her youth (she had quite a colourful past), is unbearable and so she makes an instant decision to buy it using her inheritance – her impulse purchase. She doesn’t discuss it with anyone, including her husband Mike who, on the cusp of retirement, was expecting a different life ahead for them both.

Cherry is not the only one facing a difficult personal life. Her widowed daughter Maggie is struggling with her marketing business whilst still desperately missing her husband Frank and granddaughter Rose, 22, is suffering mental health issues related to the loss of her father, whilst trying to make a happy home life for her young daughter Gertie. So what do they do? They decide to run the pub together.

Three generations of women in the same space could lead to disaster but they all have their own skills which compliment rather than compete. The story is not without its moments of drama and angst and includes such challenging and hard-hitting themes as alcohol dependency which is included by way of a compassionate pen. As a counterbalance, there is also the light touch of romance through the pages.

I engaged immediately with the characters and thought they were superbly drawn. Cherry and Maggie were both strong characters but were not without vulnerability and self doubt. A theme running through the story is kindness, with some paying it forward and giving a chance to those who needed it. I have to admit to a bit of a crush on Russell the pig farmer – a rather reserved but straight talking motorbiking ex traffic cop. Winnie with her foodie creations made me feel permanently hungry and as for Chloe, my heart just went out to her especially with all the responsibility she had to take on her young shoulders. Finally, I want the phone number of the Fabulous Builder Brothers, I’ve given up with Checkatrade! 😂

I just loved this book, there is enough bite to the storyline to prevent it being too sweet and difficult situations are sympathetically written. With vivid description giving a wonderful sense of place, Rushbrook was somewhere that I would love to live, there was such a tremendous feeling of community. I was delighted to see the return of characters from a previous book, A Home from Home, although don’t think you have to read both (although you should because that is a lovely read too). This is very much a standalone story.

[Melanie’s reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I must be going soft in my old age as even the prologue with the beautiful birth scene had my eyes welling up. So I knew right away that this was going to be a family that I would easily love.

The author’s scene setting is exquisite and only exceeded by the richness of her characters. The three generations of women all have personal issues. Cherry reeling after witnessing a private moment at Mike’s retirement party, Maggie still feeling the loss of her husband and Rose suffering anxiety after a double loss. So when Cherry goes to Rushbrook to say farewell to her childhood home and sees the state of the local pub, she decides on an impulse to buy it, return it to glory and make it the heart of the community.

I adored the three main characters and their individual stories equally but when they came together they shined even brighter. They are kind, nurturing and above all hopeful and the naming of the pub “The Three Swans” couldn’t have been more fitting. As it is transformed so are they and this readers eyes may have welled up again. With the local community bringing in new characters it brought diversity and friendships along with a real sense of how things could be if people just take a chance.

This was a book I did not want to put down, it was joyous and it made me feel as if I had been welcomed by an old friend and folded in the arms of one very loving family.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Veronica Henry’s books, each one I read lifts my spirits and makes me happy. This new one was no exception it was so interesting and sweet. This was slightly different to her other books which didn’t matter as it was still a great read. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Floor tussendeboeken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too predictable and soft to my taste.

[Emma Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute but nothing happened
give me smut

[Keelie McGurk · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
After a string of non-stop thrillers (my go-to genre), I fancied something a bit more uplifting. This was absolutely fantastic! I loved the themes throughout the book, especially the notion that anyone can reinvent themselves and their purpose at any stage in their life. I liked all the characters, especially the three main characters - Cherry, Maggie & Rose. Three generations bringing a village pub back to life is a total dream, let alone bringing people along and helping them rebuild their lives throughout the journey.

[Pippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read he first two thirds quite quickly but my interest was starting to falter, my irritation at the over use of “overwhelmed” and outrageous frequency of pronouns was starting to grate. I have noticed it in some of her books but not in others, maybe she used a different editor? Replacing several of the uses of “overwhelmed” and restructuring sentences to avoid using “she” so often would have made for a more polished read, in my opinion anyway.

I didn’t actively dislike the book but it certainly lacked the depth of stories like “Love on the rocks”, maybe there were too many characters and having all their lives tied up nicely felt a bit contrived for my taste – I like a happy ending but I want it to feel believable unlike this which seemed a bit trite. I didn’t really warm to anybody. Not one of her best but an okay read. I hope I will enjoy the next one more.

P.S. If you are a motorcyclist, I strongly recommend that you skip chapter 51.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely read this was! I do love this author’s books and this one drew me in from the first page. Cherry, Maggie and Rose are three generations of the same family – mother, daughter and granddaughter. When Cherry discovers something about her long-term partner, Mike, at his retirement party, it makes her re-evaluate her life. With an inheritance from her late mother, she decides on the spur of the moment to buy a pub in the village of Rushbrook, where her and her parents lived. Mike’s not happy as they had planned to go travelling in their retirement, but Cherry gets the backing from her daughter and granddaughter, who also come along to help renovate and run the pub.

Each of the three women have their own issues going on, alongside the plans on how they are going to manage the pub, aptly named The Three Swans. Cherry is questioning her relationship with Mike, Maggie is a widow and is struggling with her marketing business, and Rose is a single mother who suffers with mental health problems. All three women are very likeable however and you immediately connect with them, not just through their individual storylines but as a family. We also get to meet some great supporting characters who live in the village, and I particularly liked Chloe’s storyline.

My favourite part though has to be the pub! I loved the idea of buying, renovating and running it, and could feel myself becoming more attached to it, just as Cherry, Maggie and Rose do as the book moves on! Everything about it was memorising and I found myself lost in between the pages on more than one occasion! You could say the theme of the book was definitely along the lines of “Girl Power”, and these sisters (or mothers and daughters!) were definitely doing it for themselves! But there was also so much more to it as the book was filled with moments which warmed me from inside out and tugged on my heartstrings as I read. The book is told from the perspectives of the three main women, and I equally loved all their stories, although I did have more of a soft spot towards Maggie! The characters all worked well together, the storyline was well paced and captivating and I wished I was at The Three Swans for the grand reopening, sampling the cider and hog roast! This was a truly wonderful read, my favourite yet by this author and I would definitely recommend it!

[Lisa M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst there was romance in this book it was very much a minor part of what was essentially a multi-generational family story which was a refreshing change. Solid female characters - liked them all and each of their stories. 3.5 stars.

[Elizabeth Dewfall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really struggled to keep account of each character which affected the flow of the book

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a complete antidote to the previous one I read. I deliberately went for a light, fluffy read, but this was also a heartwarming book about moving forward. A snap decision, brought about to help someone struggling, changed the lives of three generation for the good. I loved the concept of paying it forward which was a big theme in this book, with a cast of empathic characters who’d all struggled in some way. I cried tears of happiness as well as sadness in some parts at when they were struggling and having to let go. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a really lovely read. A good well written story with "real" likeable characters and believable relationships. This author knows how to tell a tale. Added to this descriptions of food and the countryside to set the scene.

[Susan Potts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light hearted read following three (female) generations of the same family as they take on a new challenge of running a pub, a nice gentle read and the story and characters linked in with characters from a previous Veronica Henry novel, which I always enjoy.

[Daisy Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comforting and easy read to get you ready for the summer. Only suffers a little from irregular pacing and rich people problems. But otherwise fun and leaves you feeling cheerful.

[Denise Ky (ramblingoutloud) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jag förstår varför så många älskar Veronica Henry. Fina karaktärer, en intressant berättelse och relationer över gränserna.

/ Denise

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherry’s acting on the spur of the moment.

You know, sometimes a book come along that simply feels – right. That is the case with The Impulse Purchase. It’s mature, thoughtful and beautifully written so that Veronica Henry’s words draw in the reader from the very first page, ensnaring them into this world of women and their relationships. And whilst men do impact on the lives of Cherry, Maggie and Rose, as well as some of the minor characters like Nicole, it really is women at the heart of this narrative.

It’s so refreshing to find women of three generations so perfectly balanced in the story. Here there is someone for any reader to identify with. Cherry, Maggie and Rose have their flaws, their insecurities and their vulnerabilities, but they are realistic in depiction, making what happens to them really important for the reader. The Impulse Purchase has feminism and independence threaded through it, but in a manner that is absolutely convincing so that whilst Veronica Henry teachers her reader that they really can do anything they set their minds to, there’s no contrived misandry undermining the lovely story.

Whilst I loved the plot and the effortless way the lives, backgrounds and hopes of the three main women were woven into the narrative, it was the gorgeous quality of Veronica Henry’s writing that I found so affecting. Her descriptions of nature, and the glorious sensuous presentation of food in particular, made reading The Impulse Purchase feel immersive and affecting. I found my visit to Rushbrook just wonderful.

The themes too are mesmerising. Confidence, mental health, addiction, family, responsibility, impulsivity and decision making are woven through the story with a deftness that is absolutely engrossing. Veronica Henry has compassionate insight into what makes us human and she presents her characters and their inner feelings with consummate skill.

Filled with warmth, humanity and love, The Impulse Purchase is the book we all need in our lives to give us a sense of belonging and connection. I loved it – and it gave me the confidence to make an impulse purchase of my own! Oh – and Mum thoroughly enjoyed it too!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some months after her mother’s death, Cherry returns to the village she grew up in, wanting to have a final look around her childhood home before the new owners take over possession. Visiting the pub she used to work in, the owner tells her it is up for sale and Cherry decides to buy it on impulse.
We then follow her on her new adventure, as she is joined by her daughter Maggie and granddaughter Rose, who also move to Rushbrook, Somerset to help her with The Swan. Cherry is nearly 70, Maggie is 45 and Rose is 22 – three generations of the same family each dealing with their own loss and difficulties, but coming together to help each other. There’s also little Gertie, Rose’s daughter.
Having recently read lots of romance and thrillers, it was great to read something that was quite different. I mean, this book has romance in it, but it’s not the main theme. I enjoyed this, especially because there were so many interesting female characters of different ages and at different stages of life. They had all suffered setbacks, so life wasn’t perfect, but they all had their own strengths, which when put together, made them quite a formidable team. As well as the main characters, I also loved a lot of the smaller characters too such as Chloe and Amanda. Each character, no matter their importance in the text, is written so believably, that you can connect with them.
I enjoyed following Cherry, Maggie and Rose’s work in making the pub ready for opening and also the way there were some “flashback” chapters to fill in some gaps in the story. The Glastonbury one was especially interesting, but everything about the book is so well-written, that you become immersed in it all, as though you are there.
This is the first of Veronica Henry’s books I have read, but it certainly won’t be the last!
9 out of 10

[Deepti Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I’ve been craving books set up in the country with slow life and meaningful connections and Veronica Henry’s book didn’t disappoint.
Cherry, Maggie and Rose are mother, daughter and granddaughter, each with their own hopes, dreams and sorrows. They have always been close, so when, in a moment of impulse, Cherry buys a gorgeous but rundown pub in the village she grew up in, it soon becomes a family affair. All three women uproot themselves and move to Rushbrook, deep in the heart of Somerset, to take over The Swan and restore it to its former glory. Cherry is at the helm, Maggie is in charge of the kitchen, and Rose tends the picturesque garden that leads down to the river.

At its core the book is about females at different junctions and quarters of life. From the three generations of lead characters, to Amanda and her inspirational success story, Winnie and her aspirations, Chloe and Nicole with their struggles and survival. The Impulse Purchase celebrates and honours every character. All this while dealing with an array of Social issues like Alcohol addiction, death of a loved one, death of a parent, teen pregnancy, infidelity, drugs and a lot more without ever feeling like a crusader hell bent on driving the point home.

Give the book a chance.
This was my first book by Veronica Henry and i will surely be reading more of her.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I'm rather partial to an occasional impulse purchase, but I have to say I've never bought a pub on an impulse.

And while most people could also say that, Cherry can't as it is her impulsiveness to buy a pub in her home village that really kick starts this book.

And I loved how it was three generation of women taking over the pub, Cherry who is going through a blip with Mike, Maggie, her daughter who is still grieving the loss of her husband, Rose, the granddaughter who is suffering from anxiety and in addition Rose's daughter who is adorable but too young to have a role in the pub.

I loved the chapters from their points of view, in addition ot an occasional other chapter from Chloe and a few others.

These are strong independent women who are working together to create a real community pub, and I loved seeing how their lives all change as a result of it.

I felt as though I was there in Rushbrook alongside the women, and at the pub itself. I really enjoyed every moment of this book, and would love to return to this setting in the future.

Thank you to Orion and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book, easy to read with nice characters. Three generations coming together and building something for a community.
A beautiful story showcasing strong independent woman helping eachother and others to build a better future.
Set in a romantic little town.

This was a lovely light , feel good book.




I voluntarily read and reviewed this book,all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you have to let your heart rule your head. That’s certainly what Cherry, Maggie and Rose: mother, daughter and granddaughter are doing. They each have their own hopes, dreams and sorrows and have never been closer. So when Cherry decides to buy a rundown pub in the village she grew up in, they all decide to muck in together and nice their lives down to Somerset to return The Swan to its former glory. This is a story of love, faculties and hope. It’s well written with some great characters and has charm in abundance. Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author for the chance to review.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The term, a warm hug of a book, is a phrase that has a tendency to be overused when it comes to women’s fiction on the lighter end of the scale but with this new story from the wonderful Veronica Henry that is certainly what I got and I loved every minute of this fabulous read. The Impulse Purchase lures you in and embraces you and will make you want to read it in one sitting if at all possible. It’s a real visual and sensual story and very descriptive which only added to the overall good feeling I got whilst reading. I really felt like I was there with the main characters as they navigated a new and uncertain path to a hopeful and positive future.

The descriptions of the food, their surroundings and nature all really helped the themes being explored come across really well. What delighted me even more was that characters from one of the author’s previous books, A Home from Home, were present too and it was like revisiting old friends. Something was niggling away at me that the names and setting were familiar and then when I double checked it was only then that I remembered where I had read about them before. That’s not to say the inclusion of these characters means you would have had to have read the above-mentioned book. That’s not the case at all but really given how captivating the writing of Veronica Henry is you really should read it and in fact everything she has previously written.

The Impulse Purchase tells the story of Cherry, her daughter and her granddaughter and given the title you can guess a spur of the moment buy leads to a major life change for Cherry, Maggie and Rose. I had expected the book would then fall into a kind of fight to keep the pub open and transform its fortunes kind of read. Instead alongside the changes they put in place, the story focuses on the more human, emotional and personal side of things and I think overall it was all the better for it. I’ll admit it took me perhaps a quarter of the book to really have set in my mind as to who was who and how they were connected to each other and what their various backstories and present situations were. I felt there were things left unsaid regarding connections etc. that the reader was left to fill in the blanks for awhile until things became clearer. But once I had things straight in my head I was really able to embrace and delve into the story of three women taking a chance, puting themselves out there and going out on a limb to do something good and in the process it will hopefully help them to come to terms with some things.

Cherry, the matriarch, holds the story together, she was wonderfully written. Someone who is always there for her family and would do anything if they were in trouble but you sense she has lost just a little bit of herself along the way. She has been with her partner Mike for nearly fifty years and now that he is retiring from his work as an art professor another big milestone of change has arrived. Cherry is deep and always listens to her instincts. She knows when something is wrong or when the time is right to just go for it. Seeing something she wished she had never have at Mike’s retirement party spurs something on deep inside Cherry and before you know it she has bought the pub in her old home village of Rushbrook.

The Swan holds so many precious memories for Cherry and her family and now with her mother having recently passed away and the family home Wisteria House sold, Cherry clinging to one last connection to the village or really given her talent for buying rundown houses and transforming them does she view this as just another challenge? Will this be the most surprising metamorphosis for all involved? Has Cherry’s impulse purchase come at the right time both for her and the two most important women in her life?C herry is impulsive and spontaneous, full of boundless energy and enthusiasm but I felt deep down as much as she portrayed this and loved changing things there was a part of her that wasn’t 100% happy with Mike and that staying quiet and not admitting if there were any problems would only prove detrimental if not acted upon.

Maggie is the complete opposite to her mother. She is organised and exacting and runs a very successful PR business that specialises in promoting food. But recently she is becoming disenchanted with her work especially when the girl she had employed upped and left her taking her strategies and an important client with her. Maggie wonders what she is killing herself working for if this is only going to happen. Having lost her soulmate well before his time she is still trying to make sense of the mess inside her. She writes to Frank as a way of expressing how she is feeling which is a great way of getting things down on paper but she can’t say these things out loud to either Cherry or her daughter Rose. I loved this description of how Maggie felt her life was going. It’s said that she felt like she was driving around with the handbrake on, terrified to release it in case life ran away with her. I think this sums up brilliantly how we all feel at one point or another. The question is are we brave enough to release the brake and see where life takes us especially as we emerge from the most uncertain, scary and nerve wracking two years that we have experienced in our lifetime. Cherry is presenting a golden opportunity to start a new venture together, to bring about the renaissance of The Swan but at the same time will a rejuvenation occur in the three women?

Rose was the most complex character of all and I thought she was always so down on herself and just too harsh. She suffers from anxiety and the trauma of her Dad’s death plays heavily on her mind and it affects how she operates on a daily basis. She is so wary and her confidence is at an all time low. Knowing that life can knock you off your feet at any point she is tries hard to get back up again but she really needs to accept that you are not a bad person if you are not coping. She finds herself sucked into a dark world that you have no control over, especially when she goes against the rules at a charity organisation that she works at. She has a young daughter who keeps her going but really she needs to dig deep and that you are allowed to have some that makes you feel safe and happy. That you can given time move forward following terrible loss.

To be honest, I found Rose a very frustrating character. There was so much sadness surrounding her heart that although she was brilliantly written and the way she was feeling was expertly portrayed perhaps it was just the feelings she inspired in me that I wanted to give her a good shake and say come on now you need to move on a bit. Her reaction to the incident at the Soul Bowl charity I thought was way over the top but maybe she reacted that way given her state of mind. Rose was a divisive character for me and I thinks she would inspire great debate amongst any group that would read this book.

Chloe is a young girl whose story I won’t go into detail about but suffice to say she is dealing with her own family struggles and the pub gives her a new lifeline and an opportunity to try and fix what is broken. I loved Chloe for her rawness and vulnerability but also her willingness to try and put right a wrong not of her making that she must navigate each day of her life. All in all this is gorgeous, uplifting read from Veronica Henry and a story that I enjoyed very much. Yes, there is some romance included and for one character I was surprised at their ending because the way it was written I really had expected it to venture in another direction.

The story highlights how when working together the three women can show each other that underneath it all they are strong and capable despite the things that life can throw at them. That through supporting each other with fierce strength, energy and determination that the pub may be turn out to be a success and whilst journeying to this point they learned so much about themselves in the process. I definitely want more from this setting in future books and even more from these characters with perhaps a few additions I certainly feel there is room for more to come. But in the meantime do make The Impulse Purchase a read you buy as soon as possible. If you choose it on impulse you won’t be disappointed.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her uplifting, joyful new novel, Veronica Henry takes her readers on a trip to the Somerset countryside in the company of three strong and quite amazing women.

Cherry, Maggie and Rosie are mother, daughter and granddaughter. They are as close as can be, a constant support to each other through life's troubles.

Cherry and Mike have been together for fifty years and Mike on the cups of retirement. But Maggie's husband recently died in an accident and Rosie is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her father. She has also become a single mother and life often feels tough for her. But then Cherry receives an unexpected inheritance. And she impulsively buys the pub in the village where she grew up.

Maggie and Rosie are delighted to get stuck in with helping Cherry to run the pub. And, as the three women find themselves at the heart of village life, they also make an impact on people from the community, offering opportunities to those who have struggled to suceed.

But the women must juggle their new lives with personal dilemmas. Cherry has to keep her relationship with Mike on track, while Maggie and Rosie take huge leaps of faith in both their personal and professional lives.

This is the perfect feel-good read to lift readers' spirits, packed with colourful characters in a wonderful setting and accompanied by a feast of food to make the mouth water.

Joyful and beautifully written.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I particularly liked about the book was that it featured three different generations of women from the same family, four if you include young Gertie. They all had their own worries and challenges, their own strengths and interests. This was such a strong family unit with creative Cherry at its head, still ready for new adventures even approaching 70. Her daughter Maggie was widowed young and is still coming to terms with the loss of her husband and finding purpose in life. Maggie's daughter Rose is young, single mum to Gertie and has anxiety issues which is not surprising with the sudden loss of her father.

Renovating the pub brought them even closer together. Each woman brought their own particular skills and visions to the project. Everyone had their part to play. They really had taken on a really huge task. Just reading about the state of the kitchen turned my stomach!

The Impulse Purchase showed you can make a new start at any age. Opportunities present themselves sometimes at the most unexpected times and in the most unexpected ways. I loved the characters, their stories and relationships and felt invested in them as people. I would love to pop into The Three Swans and have a chat over a glass of wine with these characters I feel I have come to know so well.

Young Chloe really sums up the heart of this book, and I couldn't put it better, when she thinks of Cherry, Maggie and Rose as: "Strong capable women, trying to realise their dream, working together, supporting each other, bouncing off each other." I love a book featuring strong women and I loved every page of The Impulse Purchase.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that feeling you get when the book you’re reading is like a warm hug every time you open it? That’s how Veronica Henry’s stories feel to me. I cannot recommend her enough.

Her books are the most comforting, lighthearted, cozy reads I could ask for. From the idyllic British settings, to the vibrant, well-rounded, lovable characters, I wish I could transport myself into her stories.

I read How To Find Love In A Bookshop a few years ago, at a time where I was trying to get out of a reading slump. I didn’t want that book to end. It has stuck with me years later. This past Christmas, I asked for a copy of The Impulse Purchase, and I had very high hopes for it.

It didn’t disappoint one bit.

This book features the interwoven stories of three generations (well, five, if you count Catherine and Gertie) whose lives shift in different ways when Cherry purchases the local pub in her hometown following a difficult life event.

Giving #nospoilers, I’ll say that each story was satisfying in its own way, as many of my favorite lighthearted reads tend to be. Each woman has her own tale to tell and obstacle to overcome, and they are all affected in different ways by this impulse purchase. The message about making space for yourself in this world meant a great deal to me, and I found a lot of depth and relatability in the book’s meaning.

Please, please, please add some Veronica Henry to your TBR.

[Novelle Novels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really surprised me at how much I loved it. I’m the past the author has been hit or miss but wow was this a hit. We have three generations of women that we centre around, each very different but very close. When we start the matriarch goes and buys a pub in the village where she grew up, not consulting with anyone. This impulse purchase brings the ladies together as they bring the pub back into the community. We find out each ladies History but the connect together so well which works. Meeting other members of the community really fleshes the book and gives you all the emotions. For me the stand out positives are the family’s bonds promoting strong women and the hope that shines out.

[Malin · Rating 5 out of 5]

När Cherry har gått igenom sin mors hus en sista gång innan det ska lämnas över till de nya ägarna hamnar hon på byns pub där hon spenderat många timmar - både bakom disken och som gäst under både familjemiddagar och efter jobbet. När ägaren säger att han bestämt sig för att sälja till en man som tänker göra om byggnaden till tjusiga lägenheter, bestämmer sig Cherry att bjuda över och använda sin mors arv till att återuppväcka den eftersatta puben till dess forna glans som byns mittpunkt.
Dottern Maggie har just fått ett tråkigt besked från sin största kund, men inser att hon nu har tid att hjälpa modern med renoveringen och drivandet av puben. Likaså känner dotterdottern Rose att det är rätt tid att flytta ut på landet, till byn hon spenderat så många dagar i hos sin mormors mor.
Cherrys sambo Mike är dock inte lika glad - han hade sett fram emot att få tid att resa och spendera tid med sin älskade nu när han går i pension från sin tjänst på universitetet.
***
Ännu en underbar bok signerad Henry. De olika personernas tankar, problem, glädjeämnen skildras på ett bra sätt och jag tycker om dem alla - inklusive deras skavanker. Ett plus är att personer från en av min favoritbok av henne dyker upp: Dash och Tabitha från Ciderträdgården! 🤗
Och jo, även denna hamnar nu bland mina favoriter av Henry - ytterligare en fempoängare.🙂👍

[Emandherbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a tough time fully getting into The Impulse Purchase. It took over 100 pages before they even bought the pub, which made the start feel really slow.

The way the points of view swapped between characters was confusing sometimes, especially since it didn’t clearly say who was narrating. I liked the idea of multiple perspectives, but it could have been easier to follow.

The story was also pretty predictable, and some parts felt too descriptive for me. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t really grab me!

That said, the relationships between the women - especially the family dynamic, were nice. It was a decent read, but nothing special for me!! Which is why I gave it a 3/5 rating.

[Rebecca M · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet. Loved how the women in this family forged their own paths and were each other’s support through good times and bad. The “impulse purchase” of the pub and boathouse is a theme in the book, but there are many more meandering tangents used to flesh out character back stories. Some solutions seemed rushed, but it made for an enjoyable read due to the endearing cast of characters and the lovely English setting🇬🇧❤️