Book Review - The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams by Alison Sherlock

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Title: The Village Inn Of Secret Dreams

Author: Alison Sherlock

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 30th September 2021

Rating: 5 Stars

After escaping her parents’ unhappy marriage to sleepy Cranbridge a long time ago, Belle Clarke dreams of staying at The Black Swan Inn forever.

But with the rundown Inn threatened with closure, Belle may be forced to leave, unless a buyer can be found … quickly.

So, when her oldest friend Pete Kennedy returns from working abroad with a plan to save the Inn, Belle should be overjoyed. The trouble is, Pete has some rather radical ideas for the renovation which Belle disagrees with.

But when a snow storm hits, Belle and Pete are forced to put aside their differences and work together to help the village.

Can Belle realise her dreams to stay in Cranbridge and can Pete ever stop running from his past?

As they try to save The Black Swan Inn, secrets are revealed and just maybe they’ll finally find out how they really feel about each other.

It felt so warm and welcoming to be back in Cranbridge, amongst old and new friends.  The regulars in the village are all present and just added to that feeling of coming home. 

Although in Pete's case he really is coming home after 3 years in Singapore, but he's not sure he wants to stay in Cranbridge any longer than strictly necessary. He's also hiding a secret from his family, and seems in complete denial as to his true feelings towards Belle, who he tries to think of as just a sister! 

But yet Pete decides under the influence to save the Black Swan Inn, and purchase it, but whether the village will like the changes he intends to put in place, or whether he will listen to Belle's ideas are another matter altogether. 

I really enjoyed Belle's story, and also discovering whether the mucky duck will truly turn into a swan or not! 

Was lovely to see more of Dodgy Del, and some of his latest get rich quick ideas are hilarious, but his heart is always in the right place, and it seems his nephew may not be the trouble maker he seems to think he might be. 

I loved the interactions between Belle and Pete, from joking comments, to out right disagreements, you could tell their true feelings a mile off... well unless you are them! 

I love the sense of community in these books, and just feel as though I belong there too.  It's another joyous book to read. I found it to be a rather quick read, and I was carving out time to keep returning to the book, which tends to be the sign of a good story for me. 

My fingers are crossed this isn't the last we see of this series as I'm enjoying it so much. 

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