Sue last took us to Nelson’s Bar with the book A Summer to Remember (link to my review, one of my first) and I loved discovering this new area. Not Middledip, but reassuringly comforting. I have read Sue’s entire back catalogue and can honestly say that there isn’t a single book that I wouldn’t recommend. She’s a firm favourite of mine.
I’m grateful to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for my tour invite, for providing support, and for arranging for my digital advance reading copy, which was gifted via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. You can read my thoughts below.
Synopsis
A secret romance was just the start of the story…
Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar – an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Cracey has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey – until an epic row sent him storming out into a blizzard, with no sign of him since that fateful night.
Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her young daughter and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.
As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she’d thought it was…
The festive new novel about love, family and the power of words from Sunday Times bestseller Sue Moorcroft, perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Phillipa Ashley.
Purchase Links
Review
It was an absolute pleasure to return to Nelson’s Bar and meet Maddy, Lyla, and Great Aunt Ruthie. Their backstories were carefully yet beautifully drawn. Maddy, a single mother whose husband simply disappeared before even learning of her pregnancy, and Ruthie, Maddy’s maiden aunt who has shown her the love and support that seemed to be too much to expect from her own parents.
Both Maddy and Ruthie are at the centre of this story which deals with a number of serious topics while maintaining the ease and balance that is now synonymous with Sue Moorcroft’s writing. All Sue’s books are remarkable, but when it comes to Christmas books, she really does sit with a higher level of storytellers.
For the absolute avoidance of spoilers, I will remain within the constraints of the synopsis which tells us that Raff enters Maddy’s life when he delivers some love letters to Ruthie. Love letters that Ruthie never imagined seeing again as they have the power to unleash some secrets that may be too painful to revisit.
The relationship between Maddy and Ruthie was incredibly special, and I loved how fiercely Maddy protected her Aunt. In her mind, Ruthie is more of a mother than an aunt, a sentiment that I completely identify with. Eager to protect her, Maddy discourages Raff from further contact, but there is a definite spark between the two of them.
The problem with secrets is that the truth always comes out eventually, and when Maddy’s own life is hit by a revealed secret, she is challenged beyond her expectations to protect everyone that she cares for whilst still doing the right thing.
I have to take my hat off to Sue, her writing never ceases to amaze me and her talent for storytelling is stellar. This book left me feeling euphoric yet slightly winded by the incredibly romantic conclusion. Would happily award all the stars but will settle for 5.
Author Bio
Sue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author, and her books have been #1 on Kindle UK and Top 100 on Kindle US, Canada and Italy. She writes two books a year for publishing giant HarperCollins and has won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Novel of the Year, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award, a HOLT Medallion and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She’s president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and past vice-chair.
Her novels, short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.
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Please check out these wonderful bloggers taking part in this tour
Book Escapes with BabsW67 
Thanks so much for kicking off the blog tour, Babs – and for your fabulous review, of course! I couldn’t have hoped for a more positive one if I’d written it myself! I’ve even reblogged to my own site. Thanks for all your support throughout the year, especially as a member of #TeamSueMoorcroft.
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I’ve said it before and mean it; it’s my genuine pleasure. You’ve written an incredibly special book. I hope it flies x
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