Book Review: Return to Bluebell Hill, by Rebecca Pugh

As sweet and satisfying as strawberries and cream! This British summertime, get out in the garden with Rebecca Pugh’s sparkling debut novel.

Home is where the heart is…

Jessica McAdams has never belonged anywhere; never truly felt at home. Of course, what did she expect from parents who never made her feel welcome in her own house? Leaving her life in London to return home to the charming country village of Bluebell Hill is harder than she thought. Especially as she never considered she’d be returning under such heart wrenching circumstances…

Clearing out the stunning and imposing Bluebell House after her parents’ death is difficult for Jessica—they never had the best relationship and now it’s too late. Yet spending time in the house that was never a home, having afternoon tea with dear old friend Esme—and sharing hot, sizzling kisses with delectable gardener Rueben!—opens Jessica’s eyes to the potential of Bluebell House… Could this big old, beautiful manor really be her forever home? Is Bluebell Hill where her heart is, has always been?

Jessica soon dares to dream of her very own home with delicious Rueben by her side. But when a deep, dark secret of Bluebell House is unearthed, Jessica’s world is turned upside down…

Will Jessica ever find where her heart truly lies?

An emotional tale of self-discovery, taking chances and romance! Rebecca’s unique British voice feels like coming home again and again.

***

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, this has been one of my most anticipated book releases of the year. Not just because that cover is stunning, not just because the blurb sounds both adorable and intriguing, but because it is the debut novel from none other than the gorgeous Rebecca Pugh of Becca’s Books, one of my most favourite blogger friends, showing that dreams do come true for us readers who are working at being writers, and I am just SO PROUD of her for chasing her dreams and she’s really just the best, and lovely, and funny, so if you don’t already, then go follow her on twitter because she will make you smile lots and lots. Okay, I digress…

So, the second it was up on Amazon I hit that pre-order button, and was over-joyed to see it nestled cosily on my kindle on the morning of June 18th, waiting for me to begin. Once I did, I honestly couldn’t put it down.

We meet Jessica on the train from London back to Cornwall in the wake of her parents’ deaths, leaving behind the safe, comfortable sanctuary of her beloved London and best friend Sarah, travelling back to Bluebell Hill, to be reunited with her past and all the pain she left behind. I instantly adored Jessica, she is a strong minded, independent woman, but who has been deeply hurt in the past and never fully healed. My heart yearned for her in the ordeal she went through and the battle she has with her own emotions. I really loved watching her character arc as she struggled with the past and grew as a person as she tried to learn to move forward.

Return to Bluebell Hill delivers everything you could possibly want from a classic chick lit novel. A relatable protagonist, an absolutely dreamy hunk (serious kudos here, Rebecca, Rueben is a perfect book boyfriend! He gardens, he cooks, he fixes, he kisses…what more do you want?!), and an utterly sweet and compelling storyline, shrouded in mystery to make it even more captivating. I truly loved how the secrets of Bluebell House unfolded, and was even more thrilled by the following events. It was entirely satisfying and heartfelt, but remained completely realistic and believable.

The setting itself of Bluebell Hill was just stunning, Rebecca really does whisk you away there as you get swept up in her beautifully descriptive language. I also can’t complete this without mentioning some of the wonderful secondary characters; Esme is just so sweet, caring and loving; she’s a wonderful surrogate mother to Jessica. I also adored the incredibly blunt Sarah, always there to tell it like it is, just like a best friend should be!

All in all, a tremendous debut which made my heart swell and left me thoroughly excited for more from Rebecca Pugh. It’s out now ladies and gents, so go discover this incredibly talented new author for yourselves.

Rating: 

Release date: 18 June 2015
Publisher: Carina UK
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