Foxglove Farm (Love Heart Lane Series, Book 2) by @ChristieJBarlow #ContemporaryFiction @rararesources #NetGalley

I’m delighted to be joining the blog tour for Foxglove Farm, the second book in the Love Heart Lane series, organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.

About the Book

Return to Love Heart Lane for friendship, romance and a community who will be be there for you no matter what…

Isla and Drew Allaway appear to have the perfect life – a strong marriage, two beautiful children and their picture-perfect home, Foxglove Farm.
 
But, new mum Isla is struggling.  She loves her little family but with Drew working all hours on the farm, Isla’s lonely.

When she discovers that Drew has been keeping secrets from her, Isla has to face losing the home they all love.
Can the Love Heart Lane community pull together once more to help save Foxglove Farm?  And can Isla save her home…and her marriage?

Purchase Links ~ Amazon UK | Amazon US 

My Thoughts

Although this is book two, it reads perfectly well as a stand alone concentrating on Drew and Isla with appearances from the characters we became familiar with in Love Heart Lane.

Isla thought she and Drew had the perfect marriage.  Recently, completely out of character for him, Drew seemed to be withdrawn and short tempered most of the time, blaming whatever is bothering him on Isla. She knew how hard Drew worked, running the farm, but with a young child at school and a three month old baby, Isla had her hands full too, and lack of sleep wasn’t helping. As tempers fray, the crack in their marriage widens. 

Hoping to heal the rift she doesn’t understand, Isla goes all out with her birthday present to Drew believing it’s something he’ll love. She wasn’t at all prepared for his reaction. Isla is confused and upset, she doesn’t know what she’d do without the support of her close friends. When her grandmother Martha turns up unexpectedly, and after some initial misgivings on Isla’s part, her return to the village proves to be a blessing in disguise. 

Martha had been Isla’s only real family left in Heartcross. Years ago, Isla’s parents had emigrated to New Zealand, but Isla hadn’t wanted to leave the village or Drew and had moved into the farmhouse with his family.

As things go from bad to worse with challenges morphing into danger and drama, once again the tight knit community pulls together to help one of their own.

It was lovely to revisit the residents of Love Heart Lane and the beautiful setting of the Scottish Highlands. I loved Martha, what a character! Eccentric, full of life and always ready to help, she balances out the more serious aspects of the story. There are several side stories bringing us up to date with other characters too, which was good.

Sensitive issues were addressed, most prominently the necessity to be able to talk about concerns before they become overwhelming. The story also touches on some of the problems facing farmers today, when events conspire to make life more difficult, showing how easily things can quickly spiral out of control.

Foxglove Farm is an enjoyable and moving story about family, friendship, love and community.

I chose to read and review Foxglove Farm based on a digital copy of the book supplied by NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources.

About the Author

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty’s Countryside Dream, Lizzie’s Christmas Escape, Evie’s Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane and Foxglove Farm. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA & Australia. 

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being.

Author links ~ Website | Twitter | Facebook