The Yorkshire village of Beddingfield is home to the wonderful women of the Allen family: teacher Robyn, wannabe chef Jess, teenage tearaway Sorrel and matriarch Lisa, who holds the whole family together. But underneath her warmth and brilliance, Lisa has a secret – she longs to know who she really is.
In Hudson House, the grand manor on the edge of Beddingfield which is now a care home, lives seventy-something Eloise Howard. With film star beauty but memories fading fast, Eloise is slowly taking one foot at a time back into her past. Born into a prestigious family, her father the owner of the local Hudson’s Mill, Eloise’s life was destined to be one of finishing schools and balls. But when her path crossed Junayd Sattar’s, the most striking and kindest man she had ever met, nothing would ever be the same again.
When Lisa begins to spend time at Hudson House and befriends Eloise, the two women form an unbreakable bond. But unbeknownst to them both, they share secrets that, once uncovered, will change everything they believed about their own lives.
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This is another warm, witty, and emotionally rich installment in the Beddingfield series. The novel continues to shine through its vibrant cast. Jess and Robyn remain relatable and strong, despite the chaos around them. Robyn’s jealousy over Fabian feels a bit overblown given her own history with Mason, and Sorrel’s wild behavior continues unchecked—though her storyline takes a serious turn that adds emotional depth. Lisa’s transformation, thanks to her medication, is one of the more satisfying arcs, especially as she finally sees Jayden for who he is. Her backstory and the truth about her birth mother are compelling, even if not entirely surprising.
Karen and Adrian Foley are convincingly awful, and their treatment of Lisa adds a darker layer to the book. Karen’s late-in-life cat adoption is a small, ironic detail that adds a touch of dry humor. Meanwhile, snippets of Eloise’s past and lovable Roger Rabbit bring charm and heart to the narrative.
Though not all loose ends are tied up and some characters’ development may frustrate readers, the storytelling, humor, and strong sense of place more than make up for it. Beddingfield sounds like a place readers will want to return to again and again. A highly enjoyable read with plenty of heart—I’m already looking forward to the next book!
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