It’s July in Tuppenny Bridge. The warm air swirls with butterflies and violets tumble from the window boxes of the pretty stone cottages lining the market square. Summer Fletcher – handy barmaid, devoted stablehand and definitely her mother’s daughter – is ready for a lazy summer in the Yorkshire Dales, but fate has other plans…
Summer and her mum soon find their hands full with the arrival of her future stepsister, Frankie – a blue-haired teen firecracker who’s nothing like the sweet little girl they remember. Meanwhile, local vet Ben is struggling – buried under a mountain of responsibility with trying to keep his crumbling family home Monk’s Folly standing, while supporting his reclusive mother and errant younger brother.
When Summer and Ben unexpectedly cross paths in the local bookshop, sparks fly… but despite Summer’s name, it isn’t all sunshine and roses. In Tuppenny Bridge, gossip travels fast, and each of them has their own demons they can’t quite leave behind. Will the weight of their pasts tear them apart just when they need each other the most?
With more than one heart in need of mending, a beloved old horse named Shadow, a missing pair of young lovers, and a family wedding on the cards – it will be a summer that the residents of Tuppenny Bridge will never forget.
Published Date: 16 May 2023
My Review
Summer Fletcher is navigating major family shifts, grappling with commitment issues due to her father’s infidelity, and adjusting to a new teen step-sister, Frankie, all while working at her family pub. Concurrently, Ben is struggling to preserve his ancestral home, Monk’s Folly, after the death of his father and brother. Despite knowing each other for years, when Summer and Ben cross paths again, an undeniable spark ignites. As they grow closer, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and love.
This book delves into the themes of mourning a loss and seizing a second chance at the life one deserves. While I admire Ben’s sense of responsibility, his occasional obliviousness to its effects on him can be frustrating. Nonetheless, I found the read to be thoroughly enjoyable
My Rating
My Sanctuary 