Reviewed by Emma Crowley
A Summer in Suffolk could be just what she needs…
When Tilly heads to the river in Willowell, Suffolk, to scatter her dad’s ashes, she’s in need of some rest and relaxation. Life has been tough lately, and she wants a new start.
Constance has lived in Fernside forever. She owns the beautiful Willowell Woods – but she can’t manage them alone, and they’re now up for sale.
Her nephew, James, has always loved Willowell Woods – and he doesn’t want anyone taking them over. So when Tilly asks to buy them, with an exciting idea for the land, sparks begin to fly… the problem is, they’re already falling in love.
Can Tilly and James find a way to turn sparks into fireworks? And will Constance finally realise that letting in the new doesn’t have to mean getting rid of the old…?
Many thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours and Simon & Schuster for my copy of Walking on Sunshine to review and to Sharon for having my review on the blog.
Walking on Sunshine, is the gorgeous new book from Heidi Swain. This story has a new setting to some of her other books and Willowell, a little town in Suffolk through such vibrant writing and beautiful descriptions really felt like it could have been real. This was such an easy book to get into as it had such a lovely flow to the writing and the pacing was perfect with the chapters neither too short or too long. Enough happened in each chapter to keep the reader interested and eager to continue reading. There was no long-winded introduction, no filler in scenes or chapters throughout. Instead, within the first chapter or two we got straight to the heart and themes of the story and for this I was grateful. So much that I read a huge chunk in one sitting which is very unlike me these days. The overall feel of the book was soothing, natural and relaxing.
Tilly is our main character who despite suffering some personal issues I felt overall she was vibrant, energetic and had a good aura about her. She’s been through a tough time in the last 18 months with the death of her dad, getting through the funeral, selling the family home, splitting from her partner and handing in her notice as a HR manager - a job that she had really fallen out of love with. Phew that sounds like a lot and shows that she has been through the mill but with one last task to perform before to spend time with her brother Zack whose currently in Bali maybe now she is ready to take next steps in finding the life she has always dreamt of. For Tilly has lofty ambitions that she has long held close to her chest and those centre around nature and horticulture. As she travels to Willowell to scatter her Dad’s ashes in a place that was very special to them all especially after they had always holidayed there after her mother died, little does Tilly know she is about to go on a journey of discovery, friendship, romance and determination. One in which she must follow her heart in order for her childhood dream to become a reality.
After scattering her father’s ashes in the river near an area that has long held special memories for Tilly, she sees a for sale sign on the woods nearby. Melody who owns the cottage that Tilly is staying tells her it belongs to Constance who rumour has it needs the money to do renovations to her house. Constance resides at Fernside, a house that Tilly always glimpsed on her past holidays and would have loved to have seen inside. Initially, I thought Constance was going to come across as the cantankerous old woman character who no one can speak to and who prefers to be on their own but inside she showed much light and shade. Warm and open with Tilly most of the time but on other occasions she became a closed book and was certainly hiding things or else pretending that things weren’t happening around her. As Tilly ventures into the woodlands although the site has deteriorated, she feels the beauty and magic of it all and deep down she knows that she can make it flourish again.
Rediscovering and embracing the outdoorsy version of herself is on the cards and the story that followed was a pure joy to read as Tilly and Constance become friends and Tilly moves into the garden apartment. I never thought that she was rushing things because she was so desperate to see a dream come to fruition instead it felt natural and real. I admired the life she was establishing for herself in Willowell but also that the deep connection she has with her brother through their journey of grief wasn’t forgotten. I found Tilly to be helpful and kind towards Constance without ulterior motives. She was genuine and was hopeful and persistent in wanting to make a new life for herself. She had great plans for the woods and was sensitive to the history behind them and the connections that Constance also had with them. But storm clouds start to appear on the horizon is Tilly strong to weather what’s ahead of her considering her newfound happiness could potentially be shattered? I for one was rapidly turning the pages to find out.
A meet cute moment at a layby involving a hat (I’ll say no more) sets in motion one strand that makes up the story and to be honest it was only around the midway point that something clicked with me and I guessed certain connections and why specific things had been said or hinted at. Not that discovering this at this juncture detracted from my enjoyment of the story because it didn’t at all.In fact it made very keen to see how things would work out overall. Regarding this aspect there was a lot unsaid between some characters that if they had spoken to each other earlier things would have been cleared up and a lot less aggro would have ensued.Saying that there is the other side that it added a will they won’t they slant to the story or even a could she angle? It did frustrate me that Tilly kept some things hidden from the friends that she bonds with in Willowell and with her meet cute moment, James, it was all perfect with him one minute and then boom with a few words a whole heap of torment and upset can ensue for Tilly and Constance. But maybe it just all added to the drama of things.
Walking on Sunshine, was an apt title for what was a wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. This was packed full of emotion and had an ideal balance between dealing with grief when you have lost somebody precious and forging on to find contentment. I hope that there will be future books set in Willowell as I’d love to know how the characters are getting on now and to meet some new characters also. Overall, a great read perfect for the summer months ahead.
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