Blog Tour for How to mend a Broken Heart-Anna Mansell

HOW TO MEND A BROKEN HEART by Anna Mansell

 

UK

http://amzn.to/2h1ByiW

US

http://amzn.to/2fSctC0

Hello? Rhys Woods? I have a patient here I think you know. Yours is the only number in her diary…

When Rhys is called to the hospital to meet Susan, a woman he barely knows, he is compelled to help her. Still grieving the loss of his brother months earlier, Rhys knows all too well the feeling of loneliness.

There are years between them, but Rhys is the only person Susan will respond to, and when she asks him to bring her her most treasured possession, a book of fairytales, he is intrigued.

Hidden in the book is a clue to Susan’s past, and the painful regrets she carries with her. And as Rhys starts to unearth Susan’s secrets, he finds that his own grief begins to heal too…

Together, Susan and Rhys must learn to live again. Can they help each other to find happiness and finally mend their broken hearts?

How to Mend a Broken Heart is a heart-wrenching and absorbing story about second chances, forgiveness, and making every second count, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Lucy Dillon and Miranda Dickinson.

 

 

I’m really pleased to be part of the Blog Tour for How to Mend a Broken Heart by Anna Mansell.

The cover instantly drew me to this book- so pretty. This is a debut novel by Anna Mansell and I will definitely be keen to read more by this author.

We meet the three main characters early on and they have a tenuous connection and are all suffering some degree of heartbreak. Kat recently broke up with her long term boyfriend, Rhys lost his brother to suicide and Susan is in hospital refusing to speak .

When Kat finds Rhys telephone number is Susan’s handbag the connection between the three characters starts. He was her plumber but when he gets the phonecall, thinks that the lady in hospital might be his mum and rushes to see her.

When he realises that he vaguely remembers her he then feels a sense of responsibility that seems unusual and his feelings are triggered by the fact that she seems so vulnerable and alone. There are some touching scenes when he visits.

We hear from each of the three characters point of view which gives us a greater insight into how they all feel and more about their history.

With a daughter who has selective mutism I felt drawn to the character of Susan and we want to learn more about why she’s refusing to speak and what has happened to her.

I loved the way that the characters developed as the relationship between them continued. I’ll admit that this wasn’t the type of book I was expecting from the cover- but I was instantly drawn into its pages and couldn’t put it down until I discovered what happened to them all.

With many thanks to Bookoutre and Net Galley for an Arc of this book which I voluntarily read.

ANNA MANSELL

Anna spent almost twenty years trying to shoehorn writing in to her career as a marketing manager for dance and theatre companies. Eventually, she did what you are not remotely supposed to do and walked away from an excellent job in order to try and become a published author. Three years, lots of tears and some slightly hairy bank balances later, she met Kirsty Greenwood and the rest, as they say, is history. Anna lives in Cornwall with her husband and two kids. She feels very fortunate!

 

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Christmas under a Starlit Sky- Holly Martin

This was another beautifully, Christmas book set on Juniper Island where it can be Christmas every day. I had this book at the same time as Christmas under a Cranberry Sky and it’s a book I’ve been savouring, almost sad to pick it up as the anticipation was so high. I really didn’t want to come to the end and have to leave the island! But the wait made the book even more enjoyable- I do love Holly’s creations. I could live in her Christmassy books.

Neve’s actor boyfriend Oakley arrives on Juniper Island with the whirling blades of his private helicopter announcing his arrival. He’s come to win her back, but Neve is conscious of his drive and ambition to become a Hollywood heart throb and had let him go. She’s hiding a secret and you wonder how this is all going to work out.

Whilst he is there she gets to enjoy the magic of the island she lives on, and see it through his eyes and therefore through the eyes of the guests that she caters for. He introduces her to the little shops where you can buy all sorts of magical christmas goodies.

I loved meeting more of the islanders and seeing where possible future books will take us……..please!
I loved the glass painting- would love one of those for my wall.

Her characters are so warmly drawn that you experience everything through their eyes and the setting is so wonderfully crafted that I would move there tomorrow. It is my image of the perfect Christmas setting and can just imagine having the most perfect holiday there.

I voluntarily read an arc of this book and enjoyed every single second of it!

Return to the Little French Guesthouse- Helen Pollard.

This was a wonderful return to La Cour des Roses. Emmy has taken on a management role and is keen to raise the profile of the Little French Guesthouse. She has a nightmare booking that threatens to age them . You can feel the tension whilst willing the holiday to be a dream for all those involved. You are enveloped in friendship as the characters develop even more throughout the book. You really feel that you could settle down with a coffee and enjoy a meal with Rupert and enjoy seeing Emmy blossom into her new role and friendships.

The guests are cleverly drawn to add humour and there is a strong romantic element running throughout. A delightful book to settle down with on a lovely summer evening and I am hoping we’re going to get a return Christmas visit??

With many thanks to Bookoutre and Net Galley for another wonderful read.

Christmas at the Little Village Bakery- Tilly Tennant

This was a delightful return to Honeybourne. In this sequel Spencer returns with his fiance Tori. They are planning a wedding- but warring inlaws to be, are making for a very difficult time for the couple. Added to that past feelings resurfacing and we are taken along on a very fraught trip with the young couple.

Millie is running her bakery with the help of her cousin Darcie- but are things all they seem there? L0ts of underlying stories run through this book adding extra intrigue.

Throw in lots of snow and village gossips and we are in the middle of a gloriously, warming story ideal for the winter months- but just as lovely to read at the end of a warm summers day dreaming of the festive season ahead later this year.

I do love Tilly’s characters and the setting makes you want to be a part of village life. I am keen to hear if we will be returning to Honeybourne and seeing how my favourite characters are getting on and what the future holds for them all. The enticing cover promises a feel good festive romance to curl up by the fire with and it really would make the ideal stocking filler for the bookworm in your life.
With many thanks to Bookoutre who never fail to deliver a fantastic read and Net Galley for allowing me to read this one in exchange for an honest review. I can only apologise again for my reviews being delayed this summer due to a very tough time we’re going through.