Snowdrops on Rosemary Lane

Falling in love with a place (and perhaps a boy) when you are a child leaves a mark, and no-one needed to explore the possibilities more than Lucy. Having dreamed of the little cottage on Rosemary Lane with the walled garden when spending summer weeks with her aunt and uncle, Lucy convinces her husband and children that the cottage, with a little work, will be a perfect home and business opportunity. But when her husband is killed in a car accident, just as Lucy feels she is getting ‘the hang’ of running the B&B and starting to branch out with her decorating, things start to turn. Tons of questions arise, and things are pretty bleak – from the children’s grief to her own, to unanswered questions and a seeming never-ending push from her mother to return to nearer her family where they can ‘take care of” her. A chance meeting with the boy she remembered from her childhood, Hally, brings Lucy back into contact with James and the confusing yet comforting feelings of childhood. Someone to talk with, someone who she can share her worries with, and who doesn’t let her feel ‘less than’ – he’s been an invaluable source of strength, compassion and understanding – particularly when she needed a friend. Of course, he’s in town so often because of his father’s ailing health and mental state, but he’s finding the stress of commuting far less stressful after talking with Lucy. This is a quiet story of grief and recovery, showing the power of determination and time as one looks to reframe a life, far different from one that they thought was in their sights. Lucy goes through it all, from overwhelmed to overworked, pretending all is well to a minor setback causing hysterics as she tries to navigate tricky waters, emotions and a slowly growing realization of James as a person and someone she is attracted to in more than a ‘friendly’ way. With plenty of moments to laugh, commiserate and even cry – grief is both the touchstone and the driving force for change, growth and empathy with the characters and for the reader. A lovely story that manages to cover months of healing and hurts, holiday mayhem and mirth, and come out leaving readers thinking about their own choices when one has been removed. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Great book,it's about a women and her 2 children that loses there husband and there dad,and she true to rebuild her life,and all the ups and downs she gets running a B&B and looking after her kids,wish the ending would have said they they a couple or not,worth a read it's a good good,for Christmas time as well