Book Review - Second Act at Appleton Green by Kate Forster - #HolidayReading Cruise

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Title: Second Act At Appleton Green

Author: Kate Forster

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: 7th August 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

When the curtains close, a new beginning waits in the wings

After losing her voice before the audition of a lifetime, West End hopeful Lily Baxter flees to the one place that's always felt like home: her grandmother Violet's cosy cottage in the heart of Appleton Green.

Violet is overjoyed to have Lily back under her roof, even if it's not under the happiest of circumstances. As Lily muddles through lost dreams and what-ifs, Violet is quietly nursing her own worries-and hoping this unexpected visit might help them both them heal.

When charming local nurse Nick encourages Lily to join the village's amateur dramatics group, she reluctantly agrees - and soon finds herself swept up in script readings, prop-painting parties, and something that feels a lot like falling in love.

As opening night draws near, Lily must decide where her heart truly lies: back in the bright lights of London, or centre stage in Appleton Green.

I was always going to be hooked on any book that features an aspiring West End actress, especially when it opens with Lily auditioning for one of the biggest musicals around, and it not going smoothly. 

So she decides to retreat and stay at her beloved Gran's for a few months, to see if she can start to feel  herself, and get her mojo back. 

 But she meets Nick and is thrown head first into the world of am-dram, and a production of My Fair Lady. 

All the descriptions of the show, mentions of the various musical numbers were definitely following the real version of this show, which meant I could picture things all the more clearly. 

I loved all the musical references, in addition to the bond Lily has with her gran. 

I couldn't get enough of this wonderful book, it was a joy to read, even if it did almost make me cry at one point, it just shows how much I cared for the characters. 

Another gem of this book from an author I always love reading. 

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