Book Review - Somewhere Only We Know by Cathy Bramley

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Title: Somewhere Only We Know

Author: Cathy Bramley

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Orion

Publication Date: 9th April 2026

Rating: 5 Stars

She thought their love story was over.

The world had other plans...

When Magnolia Jones finds her daughter's travel journal, she can think of no better way to honour her life than setting off on the gap year trip that twenty-three-year-old Brontë had dreamed of taking.

It was meant to be Brontë's adventure, but perhaps following her daughter's footsteps around the world is exactly what Magnolia needs to piece her broken heart back together and begin to heal.

As her travels take her further away from home, memories of a long-ago summer come flooding back. Magnolia barely recognises that girl she used to be - the dreams she had, the freedom ahead, the midnight kisses on the beach with curly-haired, brown eyed Jackson.

Maybe, just maybe, in this magical place that is somewhere only they know, Magnolia is about to discover that her journey isn't over - it's just about to begin...

I do love a Cathy Bramley novel, and I love a spot of armchair travel, so combined this was a fabulous book for me to read and thoroughly enjoy. 

Magnolia is determined to follow her daughter's plans for the gap year she had planned but never was able to take.  It's been months since Bronte's death, and she isn't' coping that well, and when she has to take time off work, it seems like maybe she will feel closer to Bronte by taking this journey for her. 

She won't read the whole planning journal ahead of time, she is reading a page or two at a time so has no idea what is in store for her. 

With the first stop being Nepal this is an eye opening experience, and Magnolia soon learns to take the spirit of what Bronte is hoping to see and do, but do things in her own way.  

We also learn about Magnolia's first love of her life, Jackson, and I feel in love with him too. 

I loved getting to see a few different countries through Magnolia's eyes, especially after she starts to become Insta famous with a Mums Gap Year hash tag.  

This is uplifting and so so enjoyable to read. and I really felt transported to the different locations. And I really loved any volunteering that Magnolia did, as its always good to be able to give back to local communities. 

What a totally joyous book, I absolutely adored it. 

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