Book Review - The Hidden Secrets of Bumblebee Cottage by Christie Barlow - #HolidayReading Mexico

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Title: The Hidden Secrets of Bumblebee Cottage

Author: Christie Barlow

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 31st December 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

A new start…

When Jinny Birdwhistle is pushed over the edge one time too many times and quits her job as a tabloid journalist, an impromptu – and rather unconventional – job search leads her to a new house, car, and career making honey and chutney in the small Scottish village of Heartcross. And with handsome beekeeper Gabe Warner to help her learn the ropes, she’s ready to embrace ‘country girl life’ and leave the past behind her.

…uncovers an old secret

Yet there’s more to strong and silent Gabe than meets the eye and though Jinny planned to leave her journalistic instincts in London, she can’t help doing a little digging. Now, as she uncovers a mystery that links to her own history, Jinny realises that you can’t outrun the truth and the only way to move forward is to face the past. But now that she’s at home in Heartcross, she won’t have to do it alone…

Have I mentioned recently how much I love, The Love Heart Lane series, and Heartcross and all of its inhabitants?

Have I also mentioned that I adore Christie Barlows writing, always devour it and thoroughly enjoy every single word?

Because both of those statements are true for this new book too, utterly brilliant, 

I could tell there were secrets being hidden but the depths of them took me completely by surprise,  Didn't see that coming at all. 

From the moment I met Jinny I loved her, and even more so once she moves to Heartcross. 

I loved finding out more about The Bees Knees, and learnt far more about chutney than I have ever hd the desire to know! 

And her first days in her new job alongside Gabe are hilarious, especially involving a bee sting, which had me laughing out loud. 

The writing made me feel completely at home, as though I was being welcomed back to old friends (which as an avid fan of the series, I really was, always good to catch up with everyone), and the story felt like a warm hug. 

With fabulous characters, fantastic writing, and just a feeling that these are real people in a real place and not fictional, I loved every second of this book. 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.