Simona's Corner of Dreams: Appleby Farm

Wednesday, 2 September 2015

Appleby Farm – by Cathy Bramley

Original Cover

My own copy

The blurb:

Appleby Farm is a charming, funny and romantic story for anyone looking for a feel-good, light-hearted read, from the author of bestselling Ivy Lane.

Freya Moorcroft has wild red hair, mischievous green eyes, a warm smile and a heart of gold. She’s been happy working at the café round the corner from Ivy Lane allotments and her romance with her new boyfriend is going well, she thinks, but a part of her still misses the beautiful rolling hills of her Cumbrian childhood home: Appleby Farm.

Then a phone call out of the blue and a desperate plea for help change everything…

The farm is in financial trouble, and it’s taking its toll on the aunt and uncle who raised Freya. Heading home to lend a hand, Freya quickly learns that things are worse than she first thought. As she summons up all her creativity and determination to turn things around, Freya is surprised as her own dreams for the future begin to take shape.

Love makes the world go round, according to Freya. Not money. But will saving Appleby Farm and following her heart come at a price?

My Opinion:

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for on honest review*

I’ve been wanting to read Appleby Farm ever since the first part was published. I don’t like reading to many series at once, because I get confused, so I decided to wait for the whole book. At the beginning of August I got surprise bookpost and this beauty was in it, I was so excited, thanks again Sarah Harwood.

Appleby Farm starts off in Kingsfield where Ivy Lane was set and that the main character Freya had a brief appearance in Ivy Lane. It was great to continue the story like this.

Freya decides to go back to Appleby Farm, because the farm is in finacial trouble. She is determined to help. As soon as Freya arrived and said hi to her aunt and uncle you could feel that this is where her heart belongs.

She leaves behind her new boyfriend Charlie. I liked the two oft hem together, but it was hard for them to find a way tob e together. Charlie with his and Freya wanting to stay with her family at the moment.

Freya is a wonderful character. She has a great heart and just wants the best for her family and friends. The relationship with her parents changes in this book and I was really happy to see this developement.

Working at the farm and securing a future for it also meant working with neighbour and childhood friend Harry. From the first moment onwards, it was clear that there was something bewteen them. What happened 10 years ago, before she left? What about her feelings back then and now? A lot of things for Freya to deal with and I was just hoping for her to find happiness.

There are so many great characters in this book. I also really like Lizzie, Freya’s new friend. A wonderful bunch of people all supporting each other and being like one big family.

Freya hast o make a big decision in this book, choose between two places and two different futures including different people. Let’s just say she listened to her heart and that’s the way it should be! The path in between was rocky and stony, but she found a way!

Cathy's stunning descriptions of the landscape and area really make me want to vist the Lake District area. It sounds so beautiful and Cathy’s vivid writing just added more magic to it. I loved every single page of this book. The atmosphere in this story is just amazing, full of romance, passion and heart!

Rating: