Return to Bluebell Hill – Rebecca Pugh

Return to Bluebell Hill is Rebecca’s debut novel and I am delighted to be taking part in the blog tour, do take a look at the other stops on the tour.

Return to Bluebell Hill is published by Carina and has been available as a Kindle book since 18 June 2015. 

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?

* * *

This is a charming debut novel from Rebecca, with an idyllic sounding location, delightful characters and a handsome hero!

Jessica, now 28, hadn’t been home to Bluebell House since she left in a hurry aged 18. She has made a life for herself in London, working for a publisher and loves her job and the life she now has. However, having received a call to say her parents had both died, she has no choice but to make the journey home to Bluebell Hill, the small village where she grew up. An extremely difficult journey brings back memories she would rather forget, she can’t remember ever being close to her parents, and the only person she has ever felt loved by and close to was her old nanny, Esme. Whilst clearing out Bluebell House with Esme, she discovers something that shatters her world even more.

Jessica was a very likeable and engaging character although I did feel that she sometimes acted in a manner much younger than her 28 years, but that may be because I am so much older! There was a wonderful supporting cast of characters and many who I would like to meet again. Her elderly nanny, Esme, was so kind and wise – she was certainly someone who I would love to have in my life. Sarah, Jessica’s best friend, was loyal and fun-loving and just the right type of person to bring some fun and perspective to Jessica’s life. And then there is Reuben. What can I say about Reuben – he is sexy, he can cook, likes gardening and is generally an all-round good guy – he sounds perfect!

Rebecca has made Bluebell House and the village sound wonderful, the wrap around porch in the back garden where they have coffee, the stained glass bluebell picture on the front door, pretty country cottages, the bluebell woods – I want to live there!

I have to admit I had guessed the secret before it was revealed but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment.   I felt that there were one or two inconsistencies in the story and this is only a minor point but I would have liked to have known what happened to Jessica’s parents, unless I missed it, their manner of death wasn’t mentioned.

This is a lovely summery story, written in an easy to read and engaging way. There are fabulous characters, a beautiful location, and lots of romance. I was rooting for Jessica all the way through and hoping that she would find the answers she wanted.

Rebecca deserves every success with this, her debut novel. 

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reading copy.

About the author:

Rebecca Pugh grew up in the green county of Shropshire, with a mind full of fairy-tales and happy endings. Enchanted by true love and Disney Princesses, she decided that no matter what life threw her way, she’d continue to see the world through a child’s eyes. Through the pages of countless books, her adoration of reading blossomed, and it didn’t take long for her to fall under the spell of hundreds of authors’ words. 

Now, Rebecca’s own story has taken a fairy-tale like turn, and at 22, her dream has come true. With her faithful companions: Bonnie the dog, her partner, and her gigantic family by her side, Rebecca is ready to share her stories with readers who enjoy falling in love and losing themselves within beautiful, fictional worlds.

Rebecca Pugh is the author of women’s fiction and romance, her all-time favourite genres. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a good swoon?

You can follow Rebecca on Twitter – @BeccasBoooks