A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm

Pear Tree Farm #1

by Angela Britnell

Cornish charm and a Tennessee twist – the perfect pair? Nessa Vivian is determined to keep her parents’ business afloat, but Pear Tree Farm near the backwater Cornish village of Polgarth didn’t do well as farm, and it’s not faring much better as a camp site. Maybe it’s due to Nessa’s habit of taking in troubled runaways, like ex-soldier Crispin, for next to nothing. Or perhaps her highly-strung sister Lowena is right – caravans named after Beatles’ songs and homegrown pears are not enough to turn the farm into a tourist haven. Then another troubled runaway turns up, posing the greatest threat yet. Ex-musician Ward Spencer from Tennessee is certainly intriguing, but could his plans to put nearby Tregereth House on the map mean Pear Tree Farm is finished – or does his arrival signal a second lease of life, and not just for Nessa’s business?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

215 pages, Paperback

Published August 3, 2021

About the author

Find me on Facebook.

I was born in the beautiful county of Cornwall in southwestern England and grew up in a small village there. I return frequently to visit family and friends but especially to savor the cool rainy weather and hot tea. After school I joined the Royal Navy and served for nearly six years. I held varying jobs from being the only woman in the staff of a sports center to arranging social engagements for the Captain of the base. My last assignment was to Denmark where I thought I would spend a wild two years in Copenhagen only to discover I was being sent to a NATO Headquarters in a quiet town on the Jutland Peninsula. I was only disappointed for a while as I met my own tall, dark, handsome stranger there - a US Naval Officer named Richard who became my husband.

That was the beginning of an itinerant life as from Denmark we went to Sicily where we had our first son. Then it was on to Monterey, California and the birth of our second son. From there we headed to Patuxent River, Maryland where we had our third son. Richard's last assignment was to London where we spent a wonderful three years. Retiring from the Navy he took a job in Brentwood, Tennessee near where he grew up. Now he's retired for the 2nd time and I'm still writing!

I have always been a voracious reader, even at 5 years old my school reports show a keen interest in English and very little in math - some things never change! Although I enjoyed writing in school it wasn't until 2001 that I was tempted to take a creative writing class at a local recreation center which has sparked my new career.

I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoy writing it so sit back, make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy a break from everyday life.

Reviews

[Henriette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never before read a book written by Angela Britnell, but now I want to read more of them… many more! I guess it’s a good thing that Angela has already written so many books that all sound like my cup of tea!

The story revolves around Nessa Vivian who owns Pear Tree Farm, a small campsite in Cornwall, and her love story with an American man named Ward Spencer.

Within a couple of pages I knew I would love to visit Pear Tree Farm and stay in one of Nessa’s cute caravans and meet all the lovely characters living on or around the farm.

I loved the fact that Nashville and country music also have a small role in this book. I really love to listen to country music and dream of one day visiting Nashville. If there is ever a sequel to this story I hope it will contain more of both country music and Nashville.

What to expect:

✅ gorgeous setting with the cutest sounding campsite in Cornwall… so easy to picture it!

✅ lovely main characters

✅ relationships with sisters

✅ supporting cast with their own drama, which brings out how lovely and caring both Nessa and Ward are

✅ the stories around the main love story make for a very interesting read

✅ heartwarming feel good story

[Urszula · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read. It’s all about this guy, Ward Spencer, who buys a property in Cornwall because he is trying to start anew, after a career of music in Tennessee. He meets Nessa, who has a property that is technically next to the property that Ward has. She has a bunch of caravan/camper trailers that she rents out and she finds out that Ward is looking to create a fancy bed and breakfast, so there’s issues of how that’s going to screw up her business. Well, they argue and break up and then get back together. Somehow, these people get into a sexual relationship really quickly. He has a sister in an abusive relationship and she has a sister whose husband is cheating on her. It is basically something that could easily be on TV on the women’s network or a hallmark movie. The ending is kind of uneventful. Maybe that’s why it would be a good romcom TV movie.

[MaureenAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light and easy read with an interesting cast of characters. Romantic without being overly sexual or sickly sweet.

Nessa is struggling to make a success of her Cornish campsite business which she inherited from her parents. Her love interest, Ward, is an American singer/songwriter who has abandoned the music business and is recovering from a painful divorce.

Ward arrives in Cornwall, searching for his ancestor's mining roots and he purchases a property close to Nessa's intending to renovate it and set up a B&B business.

I don't often read Romance novels, but I loved the Cornish setting and the range of characters dealing with their own problems.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lovely Book

Nessa is struggling to make ends meet, running a holiday caravan park in lovely Cornwall so when she finds out a large house next door has been sold and the new owner intends to run a B & B and glamping site she is afraid it will mean the end of her business and is determined to having nothing to do with the new owner, but fate intervenes. Could romance be on the cards after all? This was a lovely read and I have already started book 2.

[Sue de Boeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again an American from Nashville, this one looking for his roots in Cornwall and falling for the area and a certain lady owner of a camping/caravan site next door to the place he has decided to make his home. Add in a sister each and both with toxic husbands and the usual misunderstandings that scupper romance and the relationship seems doomed. But thankfully there is the happy ending wished for by all the characters (and readers).

[Kaori · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

This was cute and it was a very quick read but I think it wasn't memorable for me ig. It was kind of mid but I liked the communication within the main couple as well as the deserved outcomes of the men of this book— very well deserved fck them— but other than that I think it was a little fast paced for me. I didn't like how she was compared physically to the mmc's ex. Like the first thing he thought of when he saw her was that she looked like his ex and that was probably the start of his liking towards her since she lowkey looks like his ex, like damn is that even called love at first sight☠️but he did reassure her that he didn't think of her as his ex but only taught she resembled her bcs of her hair and that she was better. but still I did not like that part lol. Overall though it was very cute and adorable, I liked the dynamic of everyone and it was well diversed in plot points.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another brilliant book set in the beautiful countryside of Cornwall, UK. The setting is well written, as are the characters. They meld well together to pull a great storyline and narrative together.

I definitely recommend this read to anyone who likes a little romance in the UK countryside.

I own a softback of this book.

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ cute little short story

[Jasmine Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a lovely story.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book with interesting characters and a lovely location. I jumped right into the next book!

[Tiziana Langone · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected guest with a past brings unexpected consequences

Nessa Vivian may not be the most successful camp site owner. Even if she is struggling to keep Pear Tree Farm afloat, she finds it difficult to refuse a place to stay to those in need. Like ex – soldier Crispin, he is welcome to stay and instead of money, he works around the place to earn his stay. This frustrates Nessa’s sister Lowena, because the Farm is a money pit.
When another guest arrives, this will change Nessa’s future plans. Because not only is Ward Spencer running away from the music scene in Tennessee, but he has plans concerning Tregereth House. Will his plans put an end to Pear Tree Farm, or will his arrival have positive influences, and not only for the Farm but also for Nessa personally?

I truly love reading books from this author, and I thought it would be impossible for her to write a story that not only exceeded my high expectations, but made me completely fall in love with almost all its characters!

Nessa is so kind, caring and lovely… even if it’s in het disadvantage, she offers help to those who need it. The way she cares for Crispin, that’s the kind of behaviour all of us should have…
She does not look for a way to get every penny out of her customers, but she wants them to be happy when their stay at the Pear Tree Farm.
On the other hand, being a kind character is lovely, but you still have to have an earning, otherwise the Farm is doomed…
And in this sense, I understood Lowena’s frustrations… It’s beautiful how Nessa cares, but the caring cannot be at your own costs…

The relation between the two sisters is also very recognizable. Obviously they love each other, there isn’t a thing they wouldn’t do for each other, but they often also clash.

When Ward enters the scene, you would be very oblivious to think he wouldn’t become the main character.
Even if initially it’s not clear what made him escape from Tennessee, it’s obvious that whatever happened, scarred him.
And before the reality of his past is revealed, the true character of Ward submerges. This showed me that no matter what happens to someone, it can change that person, but the things that are important, like love, kindness, selfishness, are still there.

Yes, this is a romance, but I felt it as a different kind of story. Of course, I found it lovely to see how the relation between Nessa and Ward is shifting towards an important one. But what truly warmed my heart, was the love between all the characters. Every character have to face a dramatic event, but with just all the other ones around them, giving the support, love and help, they see a way out.
Life almost never goes as expected, but even the unexpected can bring so much joy and love. And there is always the opportunity for redemption, turning the bad into an important lesson to accept and enjoy the good.
 

[Claire Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I've read this author and thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't want to put it down. Will be on the lookout for the rest of the series.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Witty, charming and wonderfully romantic, Angela Britnell’s A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm is an irresistible page-turner guaranteed to touch your heart.

There is nothing that Nessa Vivian will not do to keep Pear Tree Farm, her parents’ business, afloat – even if it’s becoming harder and harder with each passing day. Situated in the backwater Cornish village of Polgarth, Nessa had hoped to restore the farm’s ailing fortunes by transforming it into a camp site, but despite all of her best efforts, her hard work doesn’t seem to be paying off. Pear Tree Farm is losing money hand over first leading Nessa to wonder whether she should heed her highly-strung sister Lowena’s words and find some other solution to make the farm profitable as all her ideas thus far haven’t had the desired effect.

Pear Tree Farm might not exactly be overrun with tourists, but it seems to attract its fair share of runaways – who always have cash flow problems and end up sticking around for weeks on end paying next to nothing! None of the runaways congregating at the Farm have posed much of a threat to Nessa’s heart – until ex musician Ward Spencer from Tennessee rocks up and he ends up turning her already fraught world upside down. Ward has big plans for their little corner of the world. But will his plans end up benefitting Nessa and the business? Or will it end up costing her everything?

Nessa knows that she should tread with caution where Ward is concerned, but the more time she spends in his company, the more she realises that she stands to lose more than her business for she has only gone and fallen head over heels in love with him!

Can Nessa and Ward ever build a future together? Or are there simply too many obstacles standing in their way?

Angela Britnell’s books never fail to hit the spot and with A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm, she has once again penned an emotional, uplifting and highly enjoyable contemporary romance. The characters in this book jump off the page and come instantly to life. Colourful, eccentric and so loveable, it’s a wrench to say goodbye to them at the end of the book. Readers are sure to fall in love with Nessa, Ward and the assorted cast of nuanced supporting characters.

A spellbinding contemporary romance I couldn’t read fast enough, the fabulous Angela Britnell has penned another winner with her latest novel, A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cornish Summer at Pear Tree Farm - Angela Britnell

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Nessa Vivian is determined to keep her parents’ business afloat, but Pear Tree Farm near the backwater Cornish village of Polgarth didn’t do well as farm, and it’s not faring much better as a camp site. Maybe it’s due to Nessa’s habit of taking in troubled runaways, like ex-soldier Crispin, for next to nothing. Or perhaps her highly-strung sister Lowena is right – caravans named after Beatles’ songs and homegrown pears are not enough to turn the farm into a tourist haven.

Then another troubled runaway turns up, posing the greatest threat yet. Ex-musician Ward Spencer from Tennessee is certainly intriguing, but could his plans to put nearby Tregereth House on the map mean Pear Tree Farm is finished – or does his arrival signal a second lease of life, and not just for Nessa’s business? 

I found this book difficult to put down, all the characters were just so easy to warm to. An entertaining read, perfect for the last few days of summer. It is a quick, easy to read, light-hearted book that I managed to read in one sitting.

With never-ending drama for Nessa, and surprising twists to the tale, there is enough to keep the reader interested to the end. Some of the backstories will be sure to touch you.

Rating 4/5

[Kerry https://likeherdingcatsblog.wordpress.com Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply cannot say no to an Angela Britnell novel. From well developed and emotive characters to charming setting, they are simple the perfect escape and I devour them hungrily every time.
This time we are visiting Angela’s beloved Cornwall and her passion for the places she writes about just shines through in her vivid description. I completely immersed myself into Pear Tree Farm and the setting of this novel. It wasn’t glamourous or luxurious, but it was so peaceful and picturesque I just want to go there.
Nessa and Ward are both lovely characters and as I have come to expect from Angela, written with depth and compassion. Nessa is struggling to build her business and to let go of her parents, Ward needs to escape the limelight and deal with his own issues. Both are so loveable I was rooting for them the whole time. I also loved the quirky but wonderful residents at Pear Tree Farm.
As the summer here draws to an end and the festive reads begin to pour in, it was lovely to have a late summer read to go with the glorious weather this week. Angela never disappoints and her writing is always difficult to put down and leave midway.
This book is perfect for some lovely escapism and I highly recommend.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and publisher, too
For my copy of this book, here's my honest review:

Nessa Vivian runs the Pear Tree Farm
Striving to keep it safe from harm.
As a farm it didn't pay
So now she has visitors come to stay.
Unfortunately, there aren't enough of them
So maybe she'll have to think of something else again?

She has a habit of making room for
Waifs and strays who come knocking on her door.
But when an ex-musician comes from Tennessee
She never foresaw what his impact would be.
He's Ward Spencer and he's staying for
Tregereth House - it's right next door.

What are his plans and what should Nessa do?
Is he about to annihilate her business, or make her dreams come true?
Should she support him, or keep well away?
What should he do and what should she say?
Is this a chance for a fresh start for all
Or is it a disastrous turn coming to call?

There's romance, mystery, secrets and more
In this fun page turner, a story to adore.
The characters are flawed but most are great
Easy to relate to, they could be a friendly mate.
I really enjoyed reading this lovely book and so
Have no hesitation in recommending you give it a go!

[Corinne Rodrigues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Struggling to keep the farm and campsite business that she inherited from her parents, Nessa is happy to welcome new camper, Ward Spencer. What she doesn’t realize is that Ward is no ordinary camper. He’s a successful musician who has walked away from his life and now wants to settle into the large house he’s bought next to Nessa’s farm. What’s more he’s going to start a B&B. How Ward manages to convince her that he’s not really the competition and how they both work to build their respective businesses makes for a lovely read.

Nessa is a big hearted girl who has long time campers who don’t pay her but she’s happy to have them, much to her more practical sister’s irritation. Ward too is soft-hearted and very protective of his family and the people he loves.

I love how the story evolved and how a community of sorts is formed and how supportive every one is of each other. Also how most of the characters in the story gets a second chance at life. I read this sweet story straight through.

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First thing I want to comment on .... is how gorgeous this cover is ! It completely catches your eye and draws you in, how great it would be to be sat beneath that tree and listen to the river flowing ! Love when a book makes you want to be right there in the setting!

Now on to the story ... we meet a host of wonderful characters as we go through the story with interesting back grounds , the main character is Nessa Vivian , she absolutely does not want to see her families business go bust , she is such a sweet, loving , caring and friendly character, very realistic I would love to have her as a friend . She tends to try to take in people who are troubled such as ex soldier Crispin.

Everything about this story makes you feel warm inside , the setting, the characters , the storyline , the romance (well it is a romance book after all !) . It is brilliantly written and pulls you straight into the story , I certainly didn't want to stop reading I wanted to stay in the world the author created .

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of romance with a sprinkling of humour!

[Hayley Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angela Britnell is a new author to me and I see that she has written quite a few books ( a couple of which I've already got on the old tbr stack ) which is great because I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Nessa Vivian inherited Pear Tree Farm from her parents, and she is determined to keep the business afloat, but the small campsite in the Cornish village of Polgarth, isn't fairing too well.

Ex musician Ward Spencer from Tennessee has arrived at nearby Tregereth House, which he intends to completely renovate into a B & B and to include a couple of Yurts for glamping.

This could mean one of two things, Pear Tree Farm going out of business, or a second lease of life.

The main characters are great, very well rounded, and the secondary characters are good too, I'm certain they are going to be more 'centre stage' in the follow up book to this one.

I'm already eager to read more from this author.

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a Spring-themed book set in Tennessee, the Queen of Trans-Atlantic Romance is already back with a Summer-themed one set in Cornwall. ☺
This time, we meet Nessa, who runs a family farm turned camp site, and Ward, who's just moved from his native Tennessee after falling in love with the Cornish area his ancestors came from. They could be rivals (Ward's planning to open his newly acquired house to bed and breakfast guests close to Nessa's struggling business) but of course we all know how it will end (which, in a romance novel, is not a bad thing - just clarifying that for any person not familiar enough with the genre). There also are some secondary characters with interesting backstories and, as often, the kind of setting likely to make readers wish they could book for a visit.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the characters of Nessa & Ward. Found it hard to put down. The supporting characters were easy to warm to as well.
Set in Cornwall. Nessa runs a caravan holiday park from the farm left to her when her parents died three years ago. Her sister Lowena is bossy and overbearing but we see a more fragile side to her later.
Ward has just bought Tregereth House. He’s from Tennessee & is a singer/songwriter researching his Cornish roots. There’s a spark between Nessa and Ward. However, he tells her about his plans to turn the house into a B&B (rival to her business) and she is understandably furious.
Nessa has three long term tenants (Polly & Jack – a couple - and Crispin).
Ward’s sister Ashley flies over to see him. She is in a controlling marriage to Bunny.
There are a few surprising twists to the story but it kept me gripped until the end.

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pear Tree Farm is a haven - it's supposed to be a profitable business, but it's really become a place come to hide away from the world and their problems. Nessa needs it to be profitable enough to pay the bills, and yet she understands the need for a hiding place and has a lot of empathy for her strays.

The last thing she needs is to take in another one, according to her sister, especially one who has his own agenda. Ward has plans that could not only interfere with Nessa's life, his plans could potentially destroy her dreams.

Britnell writes a story with flawed characters, but they are also the kind of characters you might meet and could relate to. Nessa and her misfits are like many other caravan or camping parks. Characters full of quirks, and you're never quite sure whether or not you feel sympathy for them or want to thrown them into a quarry. It's a lovely feel good read.

[Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nessa Vivian works long hours running Pear Tree Farm, profit from fruit growing is barely enough to live on, to make ends meet she runs a small caravan site beside the farm. Renting a caravan to American ex-musician Ward Spencer she's shocked when she discovers that he'll be her new neighbour and intends to develop his recently purchased house into a B&B. As Nessa's farm is well off the tourist track, Ward's B&B will be a competition that could easily put her out of business.

With bills mounting up, taking care of her waifs and strays and a bossy sister with her own problems, life for Nessa is a never ending drama. And her intriguing new neighbour is not what he seems.

An entertaining summer read for any time of the year.

[Debbie Southwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nessa runs a small caravan park which also has a few permanent campers on Pear Tree Farm of the title. Leaving his music career behind Ward Spencer has moved across the pond having bought the large house that borders Nessa’s property to start his own business in bed and breakfast as well as having a couple of Yurts.
Life is never dull for Nessa or Ward who both have Sister’s with marriage problems, as well as supporting characters who have things from their pasts that appear to now surface.
This is an enjoyable easy to read romance with a few surprises along the way.
Thank you to Choc-Lit for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review, which is completely my own.

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

During what has been (where I live) a cold miserable summer this is a story set during a heatwave. Just the thing to remind you of what could have been! As ever Angela Britnell has a cast of warm likeable characters from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. This story has particular emphasis on Cornishness. In addition to links to music and mining there are references to ice cream and pasties any of which are attractive enough to have you heading there as soon as possible. Whilst Nessa's main problem is financial, others in the story have traumatic events in their past and present which are sure to touch you.

[Sally Coles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nessa has a hard life running Peartree Farm, which she inherited from her parents, the farm itself doesn't make much money but she also has a camp site, although hiding all the red letter bills in the drawer isn't the best strategy. When Ward a singer from Tennessee buys the house next door the sparks fly.... until he tells her his plans to open it as a B&B, surely there isn't enough trade for both of them in this unfashionable corner of Cornwall!

A lovely warm lighthearted book with great characters, I loved Polly and Jack, all with their own stories and secrets and the friendship between them all helping to resolve their problems.

[Bookish Bowen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2⭐️
Vibes - Bored

Recommended for your Grandma
This wasn't a bad book, but I didn't care about any of the characters or the so called plot. It was a quiet and cozy sort of story of book that my grandmother would read, but to me it lacked any heart or depth. Even the more serious topics that were brought up I was disconnected to. The pacing was inconsistent which made the narrative not flow well. The romance seemed to come out of nowhere and the flirting seemed really awkward but not in a cute way, more in a 'elder family member flirts with the bus driver' kinda way.

[Yvonne Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another transatlantic hit from Angela Britnall. Nessa has a big heart but sadly small pockets as her camping site seems to be full of fascinating and unique characters rather than profitable visitors. She knows that she needs to change the site in order to survive, but then a spanner is thrown into the works with the arrival of Ward from Tennessee, who seems to have problems of his own. And who is the unknown woman who comes to join him just as Nessa is starting to see a possible positive change in her future? A fabulous read with great characters. I loved it and couldn’t put it down!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely, intricate story that I really enjoyed. I read it in one sitting so be careful when you start it! Nessa is the heroine whose life, and the lives of those she loves, change when American Ward arrives in her village, in fact in the house next door. I loved the way the author created such well rounded and believable characters in this story. It is so well crafted that although I did see the final outcome, it is a romance after all, I couldn't see how all the strands would come together. A great read, perfect for a holiday, or a damp Sunday afternoon. Enjoy.

[Donna-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple chocolate box romance story which I read in one afternoon with a pot of tea and a packet of biscuits.
Set in Cornwall, with lots of picturesque quaint scenes.
The story of one woman who is running a struggling camping/caravan business single handed who meets troubled ex country music superstar from Tennessee.
There is no real suspense or surprise in this book but it’s certainly cosy and fluffy and just what you need sometimes.
The writing is not the best I’ve ever read but certainly not the worst. Descriptions and phrases are repeated hence my 3🌟