Published 18th June 2015 by Carina
Read in June 2015
Available to buy from: Amazon UK | Amazon US
As sweet and satisfying as strawberries and cream! This British summertime, get out in the garden with Rebecca Pugh’s sparkling debut novel.
Home is where the heart is…
Jessica McAdams has never belonged anywhere; never truly felt at home. Of course, what did she expect from parents who never made her feel welcome in her own house? Leaving her life in London to return home to the charming country village of Bluebell Hill is harder than she thought. Especially as she never considered she’d be returning under such heart wrenching circumstances…
Clearing out the stunning and imposing Bluebell House after her parents’ death is difficult for Jessica—they never had the best relationship and now it’s too late. Yet spending time in the house that was never a home, having afternoon tea with dear old friend Esme—and sharing hot, sizzling kisses with delectable gardener Rueben!—opens Jessica’s eyes to the potential of Bluebell House…
Could this big old, beautiful manor really be her forever home? Is Bluebell Hill where her heart is, has always been? Jessica soon dares to dream of her very own home with delicious Rueben by her side. But when a deep, dark secret of Bluebell House is unearthed, Jessica’s world is turned upside down… Will Jessica ever find where her heart truly lies? An emotional tale of self-discovery, taking chances and romance!
Rebecca’s unique British voice feels like coming home again and again.
The Review:
A sublime and alluring debut that will have you lost in Bluebell Hill in no time....
As soon as I heard the title of this debut book, I just knew I had to get my hands on it as soon as it was released. The title was intriguing and nostalgic in itself and I had a feeling that the story behind it all wouldn't disappoint. My instinct was correct. As soon as I began reading the first page, I knew it was going to be a book that I would find very difficult to put down.
Jess is a character who simply charms her way into your life and you just hope for the best things to go her way. Dealing with the past is never easy for anyone, but Jess has more to come to terms with when she finally returns to Bluebell Hill. I adored the twists in the story and it just flowed so wonderfully that it really was difficult to stop reading for even five seconds.
Rueben is one of those guys who girls would be swooning over instantly and Rebecca's descriptions of Rueben were so enticing it was difficult to stop your mind from wandering to the thoughts of having a guy like him because any girl would be lucky to have someone like that in their life.
Esme is definitely a character who I would love to know in real life because family is so complicated and it's endearing to have someone in your life who is like family and is there for you when perhaps your own family aren't.
Although the ghosts of the past have come back to haunt Jessica, you can't help but hope that she learns to face those ghosts and eventually accept that although she can't change the past, she can't let the past define her present and future.
After finishing the book, I couldn't help but want to know more about Jessica's story and would love, love, LOVE a sequel (hint, hint ;) haha) as Bluebell Hill just seems like such a beautiful and exquisite escapism and you can't stop yourself from wanting to return.
Rebecca's writing is bewitching and enchanting, and the images that it creates are just glorious to absorb in your imagination. Bluebell Hill definitely feels like it could well be a second home and somewhere that you would want to revisit time and time again.
Aimee x