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Title: Blue Skies AheadAuthor: Jessica RedlandFormat reviewed: EbookSource: NetgalleyPublisher: Boldwood BooksPublication Date: 27th July 2026Rating: 5 Stars
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| Amazon UK |
Title: Blue Skies Ahead
Leaving behind everything she thought she knew, Grace arrives at Hazelwick Farm with her teenage daughter, Maddie, and her mother, Frances, ready to build a new life together.
Grace has dreamt of fresh air, open skies and days filled with taking care of the animals while building a family business together. But starting over isn’t as simple as she hoped.
Maddie has barely spoken to her since the divorce from her father and Grace doesn’t know how to fix what she doesn’t fully understand. Between strained silences at home, and the demands of getting the farm ready to open for business, Grace begins to wonder if she’s made a mistake.
Yet life at Hazelwick Farm has its surprises. Grace keeps crossing paths with handsome tenant, Caleb, whether she means to or not. Could this unexpected connection be the start of something she never saw coming?
Escape to the countryside with a heartwarming, uplifting multigenerational story of family, fresh starts and finding love when you least expect it from multi-million copy bestseller Jessica Redland.
If like me you have never heard of the term cuddle cow, then you will certainly be familiar with it by the end of this book and almost certainly wanting to experience cuddling cows for yourself.
This is a joyous first book in yet another brand new series from Jessica Redland (I've lost track how many series she is currently writing at the moment). Thankfully to spare confusion between them, this one is set in a new location too, Hazelwick Farm in Northumberland.
And as you should be now come to expect from this author, it packs a fair punch in terms of emotions and impactful storylines, while bundled up in between a lot of wonderful sounding animals.
We have Maddie who has barely spoken civilly to her mother Grace in two years and seems to resent the move to this new farm. But Grace and her mother Frances both need new starts for various reasons and have always been more farm girls than city folk.
Grace is still wondering why husband Laurie left her, as he hasn't given a reason, but she is determined to throw herself into this new life. It's clear she loves her animals, and although I've mentioned cuddle cows, which are w new experience she hopes to add to the farm, there are also pygmy goats, and heavies horses (big tall breeds), which she can use for equine therapy.
And Frances is a keen baker and is revitalising the cafe on the farm too, so it's all the women in the family ,as they get to know the local area, and experience a fair few ups and downs.
The location is picturesque, and I would love to also play with the guinea pigs, dogs and the cat, there are a lot of animals, which is hardly a surprise for fans of this author. It's obvious she loves nature and animals and I loved seeing how this story would pan out.
There's emotional growth and development for all characters, secrets to come out, and some heart wrenching ones at that.
I adored this book and think it's a brilliant start to what should be another fantastic series, from an author at the top of her game.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
