Alison Sherlock is another author that I discovered through blogging, and I am incredibly pleased that I did. I just love her writing style and try to never miss one of her books – so far so good. The neighbouring fictional villages of Cranfield and Cranbridge have enchanted me since the first chapter and I’m already looking forward to my next visit. If you’d like to read some of my earlier reviews, you can follow these links: The Village of Lost and Found and Heading Home to Lavender Cottage.
I gratefully received a digital review copy from Boldwood Books, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest thoughts. This tour was organised by Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources. You can read my thoughts below.
Synopsis
When high flying, workaholic Katy Smith is suddenly made redundant, she needs to find a job fast!
After mistakenly answering an advert online, she quickly realises that the rundown railway station in sleepy Cranfield isn’t the 5-star London hotels she’s used to working in!
But a job’s a job. Right?
Chef Ryan Connelly is having a crisis of confidence after his Italian dream turns sour.
Returning home to try to pick up the pieces of his parents broken marriage, he soon discovers that his family home, the railway station, is close to financial ruin
Can Katy use all of her skills and find a way to save the railway station?
And can Ryan rediscover his passion of cooking once more?
As winter in Cranfield begins to sprinkle its magic, perhaps Katy and Ryan can find their very own new beginning on Railway Lane.
Review
Meeting Katy was like taking a step back into a different reading style, to when I enjoyed stories about women who dressed to impress, and the labels meant more than the wearer. Thankfully, it was only a reminder and Katy soon adopted the style of the other Cranfield residents.
Katy’s character was perfect for this story, and I simply loved her metamorphosis as she evolved from paragon of fashion to one of the girls. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with power dressing, but there’s a time and a place, in my world.
We first visited the railway station at Cranfield during the Lavender Cottage book. Still reeling from his wife’s departure, Bob Connolly has thrown all his attention into restoring an old steam engine, but with finances at crisis levels, he may lose everything unless a miracle happens.
His two sons, Ryan and Ethan are determined to figure out a way of saving the station, but Ethan’s idea of advertising for someone to help organise may have been a step too far.
Guarding a secret, Italian chef Ryan can’t bring himself to cook the food that he is renowned for, choosing instead to churn out British staples involving meat and two veg. Ryan soon finds himself abandoned by Ethan and left to work alongside Katy in a bid to clear out the station’s booking office. Initially, they are forced to accommodate Bob’s tendency to hoard, but an accident leads to a change of heart.
The atmosphere evoked by Alison’s writing just draws me into the places that are described. I could easily imagine the waiting room and the railway memorabilia on the walls. If you’ve read any of the previous books, you’ll be thrilled to know that Dodgy Del makes another hilarious appearance, bringing more chaos with him.
As Katy discovers the joy of female friends, Ryan slowly tries his hand at cooking again. The end results are quite magical, and I would love to explore the changes at Railway Lane.
This gorgeous story is the perfect addition to the Cranfield series and certainly sets the tone for another book.
Author Bio
Alison Sherlock is the author of the bestselling Willow Tree Hall books. Alison enjoyed reading and writing stories from an early age and gave up office life to follow her dream. Her series for Boldwood is set in a fictional Cotswold village.
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