Book Review - The Start of Something Wonderful by Jessica Redand

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Title: The Start of Something Wonderful

Author: Jessica Redland

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 17th July 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Autumn Laine has lost her creative sparkle. After losing her grandad and her job as an illustrator in quick succession, she is at a crossroads in life and needs a break. Spending time with her parents in Paris, even in the artistic community of Montmartre, doesn't appear to be the answer.

So when her penpal, Rosie, invites her to stay in the Lake District, Autumn jumps at the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of Paris. After all, where better to re-discover her creativity than the place which inspired her heroine, Beatrix Potter?

Arriving at the picturesque lakeside village of Willowdale, Autumn is swept up by the beauty and magic of the stunning landscape. Welcomed into the community with open arms, she slowly starts to feel like herself again as her creative instincts re-ignite.

But when she meets Dane, who has escaped to the Lakes for his own reasons, will Autumn's walls come down to let someone in again after so long? Or will the secrets of her past continue to hold her back?

A new beginning is a daunting prospect, but could it be the start of something wonderful too..?

Join million-copy bestseller Jessica Redland for a brand new series, full of love, friendship and community.

It is always an exciting day when you are about to start a new Jessica Redland novel,  doubly so when it's the first in a new series.

And I have to say if this is the first I literally can't wait to see how the series will progress, as it has absolutely gorgeous setting.

Set in the Lake District we meet Autumn, Rosie, Alice and Dane, as our main characters.  Well it's mainly Autumn and Dane but Rosie and to a lesser extent Alice play a big part in this story too.  It is clear that the author must either love Beatrix Potter, or has researched her a lot, as I have learnt so much about Beatrix Potter reading this  and Autumn is similar to her heroine in many ways.

I loved how she first met Dane, and how they agree to help each other with creative inspiration. I'm in awe of how talented they both are, and wish some of Autumn illustrations could have been included, to see if they looked how I was imagining them, as they are so vividly described.

And Rosie has been pen pals with Autumn for 24 years but this is the first time they have ever met. She lives with mother Alice in a picturesque estate and work in a stables. 

I have a weird inkling they both may get their own book, in the future, as they definitely have more to tell is I think.

This just had such lovely warm hug of a vibe that enveloped me as I read.  This is just a gorgeous story and I couldn't get enough of it.  I just loved every second of it, more please! 

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.