Book Review - Letting Go Of Yesterday by Jo Bartlett - #HolidayReading Dom Rep

 The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title: Letting Go Of Yesterday

Author: Jo Barlett

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Boldwood Books

Publication Date: 9th November 2025

Rating: 5 Stars

Sometimes the only way forward… is to go back.

When Rowan Bellamy’s marriage collapses in spectacular style, she retreats with her two children, Bella and Theo, to the last place she ever wanted to return—her windswept Cornish hometown of Port Agnes. Taking the headteacher role at the local primary school is the easy part. Facing village gossip, curious neighbours, and old flames? Not so much.

Especially when one of those flames turns out to be Nathan Lark — the boy who broke her heart and the man who now has a reputation as bruised as her own. With his young nephew Leo a pupil in Rowan’s school, she and Nathan are thrown into each other’s lives once more. And whether she likes it or not, the chemistry between them is impossible to ignore.

As salty sea air begins to soothe old wounds and Port Agnes slowly feels like home again, Rowan must decide if she’s brave enough to let go of the past and open her heart one more time.

A heartwarming, emotional story of second chances, seaside charm and the healing power of coming home. Let top ten bestseller Jo Bartlett sweep you away with an uplifting, emotional read —perfect for fans of Veronica Henry, Sarah Morgan and Cathy Bramley.

I believe I have probably said it before and I'm sure I will say again in the future, how much I love Jo Bartlett's Cornwall, especially the three ports area. 

So I was delighted to see a whole host of familiar faces from her other series, appearing in this one, including some of the midwives, and of course Gwen. 

But this is new series and I believe it will be centring around  the local primary school, or at least this first one did. 

Rowan is the new headmistress of the school, but her own children aren't as happy to be in Cornwall as she is. 

Nathan is a very hands on uncle to Leo, who is the most adorable and kind hearted little boy. 

Rowan and Nathan used to have teen crushes on each other, and it's clear something is still there, but for a whole manner of reasons they need to be cautious. 

I adored every word of this book, and was impressed with how much depth there was.  

There is Rowan's soon to be ex-husband's story, the condition Leo is dealing with, Nathan's past, plus elements of blended families and resilience from children as just some of the themes in this book. 

A truly remarkable story that I loved every single second of.  And I can't wait to see what that next book will bring. 

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