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Luna Bay #1
The Broken Hearts Book Club
Secrets never stay buried for long...
Lucy Harper has always been good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nana Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world she most wants to avoid...
Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, but the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery!
Lucy only intended to stay for a day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily has not only left her a cottage but also The Broken Hearts Book Club, Lucy is intrigued. Her Nana never have mentioned the club and Lucy can't wait to get started, but walking into her first meeting she is more aware than ever that her past is finally catching up with her.
One way or another, Lucy must finally face the secrets she's kept buried for so long-or spend the rest of her life on the run...
Lucy Harper has always been good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nana Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world she most wants to avoid...
Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, but the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery!
Lucy only intended to stay for a day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily has not only left her a cottage but also The Broken Hearts Book Club, Lucy is intrigued. Her Nana never have mentioned the club and Lucy can't wait to get started, but walking into her first meeting she is more aware than ever that her past is finally catching up with her.
One way or another, Lucy must finally face the secrets she's kept buried for so long-or spend the rest of her life on the run...
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2015
About the author
Lynsey James
7 books66 followersLynsey James was born in Fife in 1991 and has been telling people how to spell her name ever since. She's an incurable bookworm who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good story with memorable characters. She started writing when she was really young and credits her lovely Grandad- and possibly a bump on the head from a Mr Frosty machine- with her love of telling stories. She used to write her own episodes of Friends and act them out in front of her family (in fact she's sure she put Ross and Rachel together first!)
A careers adviser at school once told Lynsey writing wasn’t a “good option” and for a few years, she believed her. She tried a little bit of everything, including make-up artistry, teaching and doing admin for a chocolate fountain company. The free chocolate was brilliant. When Lynsey left my job a couple of years ago, she started writing full-time while she looked for another one. As soon as she started working on her story, Lynsey fell in love and decided to finally pursue her dream. She haven’t looked back since.
When Lynsey's not writing, eating cake or drinking tea, she's daydreaming about the day Dylan O’Brien FINALLY realises they're meant to be together. It’ll happen one day…
A careers adviser at school once told Lynsey writing wasn’t a “good option” and for a few years, she believed her. She tried a little bit of everything, including make-up artistry, teaching and doing admin for a chocolate fountain company. The free chocolate was brilliant. When Lynsey left my job a couple of years ago, she started writing full-time while she looked for another one. As soon as she started working on her story, Lynsey fell in love and decided to finally pursue her dream. She haven’t looked back since.
When Lynsey's not writing, eating cake or drinking tea, she's daydreaming about the day Dylan O’Brien FINALLY realises they're meant to be together. It’ll happen one day…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
October 7, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book on so many levels! This book is expertly character and relationship driven and I found myself finding it difficult to not like anyone. Even the odious Maggie and Rachel garnered some sympathy from me. This book touches on so many topics that pulled on my heartstrings so hard. Obviously, there’s grief, as the title alludes to and our protagonist Lucy knows a lot about that, having just lost her Nana as well as the horrible thing that happened to her best friend, Vicky, eight years ago.
There’s also forgiveness. Forgiving others is part of moving on, but often we forget to forgive ourselves and that is crucial to healing. There is an immense amount of forgiveness needing to happen in Luna Bay.
Letting go and opening ourselves up to another kind of life with another kind of happiness does not always mean forgetting the past, especially when you’re grieving the death of a loved one and I loved that Lucy wants the members of the book club to do that and even though her intentions aren’t all met with a spirit of acceptance or succeed as planned, Lucy doesn’t give up. Her flaw is that she gives up all too easily on herself, doesn’t open herself up to risks or chances when it deals with matters of the heart and is likely to sacrifice her happiness and run away. With the book club inheritance from her Nana, Lucy learns that she can open herself to second chances and new beginnings.
I loved all the characters, OK most of the characters. The ones I didn’t love, I had compassion and empathy for. The members of the book club were all so diverse and their grief journeys got me right in the feels.
The relationships in this book were fantastic to watch unfold. Lucy’s relationship with her parents, her best friend Elle, her roommate George and the members of the book club were lovely. I really loved Lucy and Jake both individually and as a couple and the fact that he’s a single dad added a great twist that was handled beautifully.
Lastly, I loved the book club’s reading selections and I wouldn’t be a true bookworm if I didn’t admit to wanting to be a part of this book club. Instead, I had to live vicariously through Lucy and join them in spirit, however my to be read pile is taller now, thanks to the books they chose to read. I want to read them too. I also want to read the other books in this series.
Lynsey James is an author you should add to your must-read authors list. This was my second book by her and I have one other on the list with the rest of her backlist on my wish list. Honestly, it’s authors like Lynsey James who are the reason why I will never get all of my books read, and that’s a good thing.
My Final Verdict: Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers who love stories that touch your heart, make you laugh, make you cry and make you want more.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Broken Hearts Book Club from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
There’s also forgiveness. Forgiving others is part of moving on, but often we forget to forgive ourselves and that is crucial to healing. There is an immense amount of forgiveness needing to happen in Luna Bay.
Letting go and opening ourselves up to another kind of life with another kind of happiness does not always mean forgetting the past, especially when you’re grieving the death of a loved one and I loved that Lucy wants the members of the book club to do that and even though her intentions aren’t all met with a spirit of acceptance or succeed as planned, Lucy doesn’t give up. Her flaw is that she gives up all too easily on herself, doesn’t open herself up to risks or chances when it deals with matters of the heart and is likely to sacrifice her happiness and run away. With the book club inheritance from her Nana, Lucy learns that she can open herself to second chances and new beginnings.
I loved all the characters, OK most of the characters. The ones I didn’t love, I had compassion and empathy for. The members of the book club were all so diverse and their grief journeys got me right in the feels.
The relationships in this book were fantastic to watch unfold. Lucy’s relationship with her parents, her best friend Elle, her roommate George and the members of the book club were lovely. I really loved Lucy and Jake both individually and as a couple and the fact that he’s a single dad added a great twist that was handled beautifully.
Lastly, I loved the book club’s reading selections and I wouldn’t be a true bookworm if I didn’t admit to wanting to be a part of this book club. Instead, I had to live vicariously through Lucy and join them in spirit, however my to be read pile is taller now, thanks to the books they chose to read. I want to read them too. I also want to read the other books in this series.
Lynsey James is an author you should add to your must-read authors list. This was my second book by her and I have one other on the list with the rest of her backlist on my wish list. Honestly, it’s authors like Lynsey James who are the reason why I will never get all of my books read, and that’s a good thing.
My Final Verdict: Overall, I highly recommend this book to readers who love stories that touch your heart, make you laugh, make you cry and make you want more.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Broken Hearts Book Club from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2015
This was an absolutely beautiful read from start to finish- and loved the books chosen for the book club. I felt like I wanted to pop along and join in!
Lucy returns to Luna Bay after leaving around 8 years ago after an awful incident that is implied and not explained until the end of the book. Lucy feels responsible and hasn’t felt able to return until her nan leaves her a cottage in her will- with the proviso that she takes over running the book club.
It’s a book club with a difference- all the members are nursing some heartbreak and they unburden at the meetings. Lucy wants to help them all- but has a very rocky start.
She needs to keep the book club going to inherit the cottage- and will that fact upset the book club members and make them spurn her efforts?
There is a lovely romantic element running through the book with a will they/won’t they? Jake is running the local pub but struggling to make ends meet. Lucy’s background as an events organiser makes her ‘need’ to step in and save it- but she meets resistance.
I loved the friendships in the book and the way they developed- I felt the cottage became another character and fell in love with it. Who wouldn’t want to own a cottage on the beach?!
It’s one of those books that leaves you with a wonderful warm feeling and I will be really keen to read more by this author.
Many thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lucy returns to Luna Bay after leaving around 8 years ago after an awful incident that is implied and not explained until the end of the book. Lucy feels responsible and hasn’t felt able to return until her nan leaves her a cottage in her will- with the proviso that she takes over running the book club.
It’s a book club with a difference- all the members are nursing some heartbreak and they unburden at the meetings. Lucy wants to help them all- but has a very rocky start.
She needs to keep the book club going to inherit the cottage- and will that fact upset the book club members and make them spurn her efforts?
There is a lovely romantic element running through the book with a will they/won’t they? Jake is running the local pub but struggling to make ends meet. Lucy’s background as an events organiser makes her ‘need’ to step in and save it- but she meets resistance.
I loved the friendships in the book and the way they developed- I felt the cottage became another character and fell in love with it. Who wouldn’t want to own a cottage on the beach?!
It’s one of those books that leaves you with a wonderful warm feeling and I will be really keen to read more by this author.
Many thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2015
5 Words: Family, regret, love, small-town, grief.
This was a great little read and it definitely made me smile. Perfect for cheering up on a rainy day.
All through the book I couldn't help but wonder what happened to Vicky. And although by the time I finally found out near the end I'd pretty much already guessed, I liked the way it was handled.
This story will make you smile and it will make you laugh. And it will also make you want to grab Lucy by the shoulders and give her a good shake.
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
This was a great little read and it definitely made me smile. Perfect for cheering up on a rainy day.
All through the book I couldn't help but wonder what happened to Vicky. And although by the time I finally found out near the end I'd pretty much already guessed, I liked the way it was handled.
This story will make you smile and it will make you laugh. And it will also make you want to grab Lucy by the shoulders and give her a good shake.
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
November 2, 2015
I made a comment on Twitter that the entire time I was reading this book I kept saying, "how cute!" It is entirely true now, a couple days after completion, that I think this book is one cute read.
Lucy has been running from her past for 8 years, avoiding her hometown of Luna Bay even during Christmas. Her Nana Lily's passing has brought her home and nothing is keeping Lucy there, not even the new handsome bar owner, Jake. However, things don't ever seem to work how Lucy plans them. Nana Lily's will leaves Lucy her Rose Cottage and The Broken Hearts Book Club. Lucy didn't intend to get wrapped up in The Broken Hearts Book Club, but something keeps her around and as life keeps moving on, Lucy may find herself at home in Luna Bay.
Lucy is a riot, not only is she the most random character whose POV I have read from, but she does some strange things that make me question her sanity. That said, she's genuine and watching her life, and the puzzle pieces it was left in, come together is a joy. I enjoy her interactions with her friends, her family, and all the members of the book club. I like reading about a character who solely thinks of others happiness, even when their happiness is hanging on a thread, off a cliff, ready to dive into the ocean at any time. The book club is a fascinating group and even though their stories aren't detailed, I grew to enjoy them and Lucy's interactions with them all, even the snarly ones. There are some twists that you won't expect and that I won't give away, but will surprise you and help you understand why Lucy acts how she does. This is a book about loving yourself, forgiving yourself, and learning to let others in.
The Broken Hearts Book Club is a quick read and while I struggled to get through the first 30%, I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could after that. I struggled quite a bit at keeping Lucy's thoughts arranged, it was almost easier to picture her doing odd things than reading them from her POV. I like a character I can understand and I didn't get Lucy at all at first. She did grow on me a lot though and her quirkiness became a quality I liked. The romance in this book moved at the speed of light, at one point I thought I might have missed something during an argument between two characters. While I enjoyed the romance aspect, and reading about Lucy's happiness, I couldn't quite picture the couple together because I never had a firm grasp on them from their first meetings and non-date. I like a romance that forms over time, and while this one had its struggles through the entire book before a conclusion, it never once played out in my head as a romantic story.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books about books and just about anyone going through a hard time in life looking for a pick me up. It's a relaxing read and will lift your spirits reading about the characters facing their broken hearts one at a time.
Lucy has been running from her past for 8 years, avoiding her hometown of Luna Bay even during Christmas. Her Nana Lily's passing has brought her home and nothing is keeping Lucy there, not even the new handsome bar owner, Jake. However, things don't ever seem to work how Lucy plans them. Nana Lily's will leaves Lucy her Rose Cottage and The Broken Hearts Book Club. Lucy didn't intend to get wrapped up in The Broken Hearts Book Club, but something keeps her around and as life keeps moving on, Lucy may find herself at home in Luna Bay.
Lucy is a riot, not only is she the most random character whose POV I have read from, but she does some strange things that make me question her sanity. That said, she's genuine and watching her life, and the puzzle pieces it was left in, come together is a joy. I enjoy her interactions with her friends, her family, and all the members of the book club. I like reading about a character who solely thinks of others happiness, even when their happiness is hanging on a thread, off a cliff, ready to dive into the ocean at any time. The book club is a fascinating group and even though their stories aren't detailed, I grew to enjoy them and Lucy's interactions with them all, even the snarly ones. There are some twists that you won't expect and that I won't give away, but will surprise you and help you understand why Lucy acts how she does. This is a book about loving yourself, forgiving yourself, and learning to let others in.
The Broken Hearts Book Club is a quick read and while I struggled to get through the first 30%, I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could after that. I struggled quite a bit at keeping Lucy's thoughts arranged, it was almost easier to picture her doing odd things than reading them from her POV. I like a character I can understand and I didn't get Lucy at all at first. She did grow on me a lot though and her quirkiness became a quality I liked. The romance in this book moved at the speed of light, at one point I thought I might have missed something during an argument between two characters. While I enjoyed the romance aspect, and reading about Lucy's happiness, I couldn't quite picture the couple together because I never had a firm grasp on them from their first meetings and non-date. I like a romance that forms over time, and while this one had its struggles through the entire book before a conclusion, it never once played out in my head as a romantic story.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books about books and just about anyone going through a hard time in life looking for a pick me up. It's a relaxing read and will lift your spirits reading about the characters facing their broken hearts one at a time.
October 23, 2015
*Book provided by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is Lynsey’s second book and I’m really happy and proud of her for that! I loved her debut novel Just The Way You Are and was really excited for her second novel.
The story follows 26-year-old Lucy Harper. She is an event organiser and lives in London. The death of her Nana brings her back home to Luna Bay. It’s hard for her to return, because of something that happened eight years ago. The mystery around that event follows us through the whole story, all we know is that it is connected to her then best friend Vicky.
Lucy doesn’t plan to stay in Luna Bay, but her Nana leaves her her cottage by the sea and also asks her to run The Broken Heart Books Club. Lucy stays and continues what her Nana started. She has a rough start though, with the cottage needing a lot of repairs and the book club not accepting new things she tries. There is also Vicky’s mum, who makes it very difficult for Lucy.
I was glad she had her mum and dad through that and also her best friends George and Elle (who is also connected to the thing that happened eight years ago).
At the pub The Purple Partridge Lucy meets Jake. The sparks fly immediately, but they take a while to really get closer. Jake also has a little secret that might be a bit surprising. I liked the two of them together, I felt however that their relationship develop too quickly and yay we’re in love was there too soon. We didn’t really get to read about how it all developed. When his ex comes back everything gets really complicated.
Weirdly enough I found it hard to relate to Lucy. She put a lot of heart and passion into the book club, but her way of thinking and some of her decisions just didn’t make any sense to me.
There very certain parts of the storyline that just didn’t feel authentic for me. Some actions were just weird in my eyes.
Yes, the story is predictable, but usually that doesn’t bother me, here it kind of did. I didn’t enjoy this story as much as Just The Way You Are, but I still think Lynsey is a really talented author.
I loved the setting of Luna Bay, Lynsey’s descriptions made the place seem so alive and wonderful. By the sea, just beautiful. There was Nana’s cottage set by the sea and also the pub, and especially The Broken Hearts Book Club. A great idea, all people with broken hearts sharing their life stories and exchanging thoughts about books. I found it a pity though that they didn’t like her new ideas at first. The books Lucy chose to read in the book club were really good and diverse, I liked the thoughts on the books.
I enjoyed reading this story, Lynsey’s writing makes it sweet and bubbly. You can feel that it comes from the heart.
Rating: 3.5/5
This is Lynsey’s second book and I’m really happy and proud of her for that! I loved her debut novel Just The Way You Are and was really excited for her second novel.
The story follows 26-year-old Lucy Harper. She is an event organiser and lives in London. The death of her Nana brings her back home to Luna Bay. It’s hard for her to return, because of something that happened eight years ago. The mystery around that event follows us through the whole story, all we know is that it is connected to her then best friend Vicky.
Lucy doesn’t plan to stay in Luna Bay, but her Nana leaves her her cottage by the sea and also asks her to run The Broken Heart Books Club. Lucy stays and continues what her Nana started. She has a rough start though, with the cottage needing a lot of repairs and the book club not accepting new things she tries. There is also Vicky’s mum, who makes it very difficult for Lucy.
I was glad she had her mum and dad through that and also her best friends George and Elle (who is also connected to the thing that happened eight years ago).
At the pub The Purple Partridge Lucy meets Jake. The sparks fly immediately, but they take a while to really get closer. Jake also has a little secret that might be a bit surprising. I liked the two of them together, I felt however that their relationship develop too quickly and yay we’re in love was there too soon. We didn’t really get to read about how it all developed. When his ex comes back everything gets really complicated.
Weirdly enough I found it hard to relate to Lucy. She put a lot of heart and passion into the book club, but her way of thinking and some of her decisions just didn’t make any sense to me.
There very certain parts of the storyline that just didn’t feel authentic for me. Some actions were just weird in my eyes.
Yes, the story is predictable, but usually that doesn’t bother me, here it kind of did. I didn’t enjoy this story as much as Just The Way You Are, but I still think Lynsey is a really talented author.
I loved the setting of Luna Bay, Lynsey’s descriptions made the place seem so alive and wonderful. By the sea, just beautiful. There was Nana’s cottage set by the sea and also the pub, and especially The Broken Hearts Book Club. A great idea, all people with broken hearts sharing their life stories and exchanging thoughts about books. I found it a pity though that they didn’t like her new ideas at first. The books Lucy chose to read in the book club were really good and diverse, I liked the thoughts on the books.
I enjoyed reading this story, Lynsey’s writing makes it sweet and bubbly. You can feel that it comes from the heart.
Rating: 3.5/5
October 4, 2015
4.5 Stars
Another pleasurable book from Lynsey James. The Broken Hearts Book Club is easy to read, with a lovely story, about how you shouldn't give up if things don't go your way.
Lucy has a habit of running away, the phrase, "when the going gets tough, the tough gets going" could have been written for her alone. She has spent 8 years in self-imposed exile in London, after a horrific event, that she felt noone would forgive her for.
She only returns to Luna Bay when her beloved Nana Lily dies, and then she discovers she has been left Rose Cottage, on one condition. She has to live there for 3 months, as well as chair the "Broken Hearts Book Club" that her Nana set up.
Based on the title of the book, you can guess whether she decides to stay for 3 months or not! The Broken Hearts Book club is made up of a group of people who are mourning the loss of either a loved one or a pet, and a struggling to deal with their grief. Lucy once she meets these people, realises she has an opportunity to help them move on.
What Lucy isn't counting on as well is the new hunky owner of the local pub, and the start of the book is filled with amusing incidents, especially when Lucy is around Jake.
In fact there is a lot to make you giggle and smile in this story, and the "little plumbing problem" scene was brilliant.
What really drew me in though was wanting to know exactly what happened 8 years ago, that Lucy feels was her fault, and it seems there are some people who are still very angry with her in town. Before long Luna Bay has worked its magic on Lucy, and you feel yourself willing herself to be stronger than she has shown herself to be.
At times I struggled a bit with Lucy as a character, as her tendency to run whenever any situation was a bit uncomfortable was infuriating, but she is a very good hearted girl, and is always trying her best to help people.
As with Lynsey James first book, I found this to have a lovely voice to the story, and it really was enjoyable to read and become involved in this story. I also loved the choices of books picked for the book club, and the discussions that were held during the book club itself.
The Broken Hearts Book Club is a fantastic book, which has a lovely story and a lovely location in Luna Bay.
Thanks to Netgalley and Carina for this review copy. This was my honest review.
Another pleasurable book from Lynsey James. The Broken Hearts Book Club is easy to read, with a lovely story, about how you shouldn't give up if things don't go your way.
Lucy has a habit of running away, the phrase, "when the going gets tough, the tough gets going" could have been written for her alone. She has spent 8 years in self-imposed exile in London, after a horrific event, that she felt noone would forgive her for.
She only returns to Luna Bay when her beloved Nana Lily dies, and then she discovers she has been left Rose Cottage, on one condition. She has to live there for 3 months, as well as chair the "Broken Hearts Book Club" that her Nana set up.
Based on the title of the book, you can guess whether she decides to stay for 3 months or not! The Broken Hearts Book club is made up of a group of people who are mourning the loss of either a loved one or a pet, and a struggling to deal with their grief. Lucy once she meets these people, realises she has an opportunity to help them move on.
What Lucy isn't counting on as well is the new hunky owner of the local pub, and the start of the book is filled with amusing incidents, especially when Lucy is around Jake.
In fact there is a lot to make you giggle and smile in this story, and the "little plumbing problem" scene was brilliant.
What really drew me in though was wanting to know exactly what happened 8 years ago, that Lucy feels was her fault, and it seems there are some people who are still very angry with her in town. Before long Luna Bay has worked its magic on Lucy, and you feel yourself willing herself to be stronger than she has shown herself to be.
At times I struggled a bit with Lucy as a character, as her tendency to run whenever any situation was a bit uncomfortable was infuriating, but she is a very good hearted girl, and is always trying her best to help people.
As with Lynsey James first book, I found this to have a lovely voice to the story, and it really was enjoyable to read and become involved in this story. I also loved the choices of books picked for the book club, and the discussions that were held during the book club itself.
The Broken Hearts Book Club is a fantastic book, which has a lovely story and a lovely location in Luna Bay.
Thanks to Netgalley and Carina for this review copy. This was my honest review.
October 12, 2015
"I had the chance to live in the house I'd loved so much growing up.....to do that, I'd have to confront everything that made me leave Luna Bay behind. I wasn't sure I was ready to do that just yet."
As ratings go for chick lit genre, this book fell a little short. I felt all of the ingredients were there, but were not mixed together correctly for a satisfying read. I love the cover of the book and the title is what drew me in. There were some positives: there is romance, great location and of course, the compulsory happy ending. I particularly liked the use of well read favourites such as, 'The Book Thief' or 'The Rosie Project', and how the author attempted to tie to lessons/morals from the book club read to the issues they were dealing with:
"It had become a source of comfort and support when they'd needed it most. I loved the thought of ... finding strength in books and using them to escape from troubled times."
Unfortunately, however, as easy as the book is to read, it is predictable and often repetitive. Lucy's narration throughout grew rather tiresome. I particularly found issue with the 'the terrible tragedy of eight years ago' that coloured Lucy's outlook since high school and made her a supposed outcast of the town. The big reveal of that event was too long in coming and in the end I just didn't care that much for it. The suspense was well and truly worn out and you just knew it wouldn't be 'that' big to begin with.
Full review at:
http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
As ratings go for chick lit genre, this book fell a little short. I felt all of the ingredients were there, but were not mixed together correctly for a satisfying read. I love the cover of the book and the title is what drew me in. There were some positives: there is romance, great location and of course, the compulsory happy ending. I particularly liked the use of well read favourites such as, 'The Book Thief' or 'The Rosie Project', and how the author attempted to tie to lessons/morals from the book club read to the issues they were dealing with:
"It had become a source of comfort and support when they'd needed it most. I loved the thought of ... finding strength in books and using them to escape from troubled times."
Unfortunately, however, as easy as the book is to read, it is predictable and often repetitive. Lucy's narration throughout grew rather tiresome. I particularly found issue with the 'the terrible tragedy of eight years ago' that coloured Lucy's outlook since high school and made her a supposed outcast of the town. The big reveal of that event was too long in coming and in the end I just didn't care that much for it. The suspense was well and truly worn out and you just knew it wouldn't be 'that' big to begin with.
Full review at:
http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...
October 2, 2015
4 Stars
This was a cute make everybody feel good little romance (sex is only implied for the most part) that has its happy ending. Of course, there are a few rough patches along the way and a couple of hurdles but that just adds to the suspense of will they or won't they.
It was well written and basically pretty entertaining. I did get a little tired of hearing about what Vickie did and was finally glad to hear what had happened on that dreadful night that made Lucy such an outcast in the town. Turns out it was just a mother looking for someone to blame because it wasn't Lucy's fault.
I'm still not sure if Jake was sincere about everything though. He was just with Rachael a few weeks before and didn't take him long to go running back. I don't know if I trust him.
Anyways, it was a good read, entertaining, enjoyable and fun. I would recommend it.
Thanks to Carina UK and Net Galley for the free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute make everybody feel good little romance (sex is only implied for the most part) that has its happy ending. Of course, there are a few rough patches along the way and a couple of hurdles but that just adds to the suspense of will they or won't they.
It was well written and basically pretty entertaining. I did get a little tired of hearing about what Vickie did and was finally glad to hear what had happened on that dreadful night that made Lucy such an outcast in the town. Turns out it was just a mother looking for someone to blame because it wasn't Lucy's fault.
I'm still not sure if Jake was sincere about everything though. He was just with Rachael a few weeks before and didn't take him long to go running back. I don't know if I trust him.
Anyways, it was a good read, entertaining, enjoyable and fun. I would recommend it.
Thanks to Carina UK and Net Galley for the free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2016
I was kindly given a review copy through Netgalley, with many thanks to the publisher and Jenny Marston for hosting the tour.
I completely devoured this story and absolutely loved my time in Luna Bay. Because as some of the characters so perfectly explained: this place gets under your skin and it's impossible to leave afterwards.
Lynsey's writing reminded me a little bit about another one of my fave authors out there, and I do think that says a lot about her charming way of creating this story ^^
Full review up on October 17 as part of the TBHBC blog tour: http://silkereadsandwrites.blogspot.be/
I completely devoured this story and absolutely loved my time in Luna Bay. Because as some of the characters so perfectly explained: this place gets under your skin and it's impossible to leave afterwards.
Lynsey's writing reminded me a little bit about another one of my fave authors out there, and I do think that says a lot about her charming way of creating this story ^^
Full review up on October 17 as part of the TBHBC blog tour: http://silkereadsandwrites.blogspot.be/
October 5, 2015
I was so disappointed in this book! I really enjoyed Lynsey's debut but this one just made me sigh and wonder if the Chick Lit genre has run out of ideas. Or maybe I'm just tiring of it? Who knows. While I loved the setting of Luna Bay, I wasn't impressed with anything else. Lucy's hiding a secret, which isn't new, and it actually got to the point where I didn't necessarily care what she'd done that was so horrific, especially as i suspected it was nowhere near as horrific as it would seem.
Initially I liked Jake, but he was a bit of a wet blanket. It's hard to root for a couple when the thing in the last quarter of the book happened.
This probably wasn't a bad book, I'm just completely dissatisfied with the whole genre in general. I've read it all before.
Initially I liked Jake, but he was a bit of a wet blanket. It's hard to root for a couple when the thing in the last quarter of the book happened.
This probably wasn't a bad book, I'm just completely dissatisfied with the whole genre in general. I've read it all before.
January 13, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book....The storyline was great and I loved the setting . The only trouble I found was that I could not get to grips with Lucy the main female character....but other than that it was a great little read.
March 6, 2020
ספר פשטני אבל נחמד מאוד. לוסי חוזרת לעיירת ילדותה להלוויית סבתה, 8 שנים אחרי שעזבה ללונדון בעקבות טרגדיה שהייתה מעורבת בה. סבתה מורישה לה את ביתה ואת ניהול "מועדון הקריאה לשבורי הלב" שהקימה, בתנאי שתישאר בעיירה לפחות שלושה חודשים. לוסי מנסה לעזור לחברי מועדון הקריאה להתגבר על שברון הלב שלהם, וגם להתגבר בעצמה על מה שקרה בעבר ולשקם את חייה. העלילה היא קצת אופרה-סבונית (הסופרת אפילו מתייחסת לכך בספר...), עם הרבה הפתעות ותהפוכות, הכתיבה די פשטנית ובסלנג בריטי כבד, אבל בסך הכל זה היה ספר קליל ונחמד מאוד. יש כל מיני רפרנסים לדברים מהתרבות הבריטית (תוכניות טלוויזיה, סלבז, ועוד) שלא ממש היכרתי וזה שעשע אותי מאוד, ההבדל בין לקרוא רומן בריטי לבין לקרוא רומן אמריקאי :-)
July 15, 2017
4.5
The only thing that knocked this is, I'd have loved if the books in the book club were all listed at the end.
The only thing that knocked this is, I'd have loved if the books in the book club were all listed at the end.
September 30, 2015
After devouring Lynsey's debut Just The Way You Are I was so excited to start reading her second novel The Broken Hearts Book Club. The title grabbed me immediately and the cover only added to the excitement about picking this book up!
Lucy is back home in her childhood village Luna Bay for the funeral of her lovely Nana. For the past eight years she's been living in London and finds it hard to return to Luna Bay after she ran away all those years ago. She's avoided Christmases at home and for the past eight years has managed to avoid the place that caused her so much heartbreak. But, with her Nana's funeral and Lucy being written into the will, Luna Bay seems to be calling her back.
In the will Lucy is left her Nana's gorgeous Rose Cottage but only on one condition: she runs The Broken Hearts Book Club for three months. Lucy doesn't know what the book club is or that her Nana even ran a book club but as she starts to find out more about the people in the club and remembers the fonder memories of time in Luna Bay, Lucy begins to wonder if it's where she truly belongs. And, with a gorgeous new pub owner in the form of Jake, life starts to look a little bit more rosy.
I adored this book. From the gorgeous setting of Luna Bay to the highly likable protagonist, The Broken Hearts Book Club was a total treat. I managed to read this book in just two evenings, snuggled in bed, completely whisked away to such a magical fictional world. I wished I could be in Luna Bay with all the characters!
There is an air of mystery that floats throughout the book linked to Lucy's past which really kept me glued to the plot wanting to know what had happened. The attitude some of the residents of Luna Bay had towards Lucy were awful and I wanted to know what Lucy had done to cause such upset all those years ago. I felt such sympathy for Lucy as it wasn't her fault yet some people still treated her so badly.
My favourite aspect of this book was the relationship between Lucy and Jake. Whilst it completely isn't smooth sailing, they have such an instant and beautiful connection that they know neither of them want to give up on. Despite life throwing them some serious curve-balls they both know that what they want most in life is each other.The scenes between them were so charged with passion and happiness that I just wanted to cheer every time they were with each other.
However, the best part of this book was the eponymous Broken Hearts Book Club. What a great idea! A group of people who are all united through their broken hearts whether it's from the death of a loved one or pet - each of them had a heart that needed to be fixed. Through books they were able to explore the feelings of loss and as Lucy finds out more about them all she thinks she might just be able to mend some of the broken hearts.
This book was so lovely. It was full of love, explorations of loss and explored what can happen when you run from the past instead of facing it head on. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend! I can't wait to see what is next from Lynsey!
Lucy is back home in her childhood village Luna Bay for the funeral of her lovely Nana. For the past eight years she's been living in London and finds it hard to return to Luna Bay after she ran away all those years ago. She's avoided Christmases at home and for the past eight years has managed to avoid the place that caused her so much heartbreak. But, with her Nana's funeral and Lucy being written into the will, Luna Bay seems to be calling her back.
In the will Lucy is left her Nana's gorgeous Rose Cottage but only on one condition: she runs The Broken Hearts Book Club for three months. Lucy doesn't know what the book club is or that her Nana even ran a book club but as she starts to find out more about the people in the club and remembers the fonder memories of time in Luna Bay, Lucy begins to wonder if it's where she truly belongs. And, with a gorgeous new pub owner in the form of Jake, life starts to look a little bit more rosy.
I adored this book. From the gorgeous setting of Luna Bay to the highly likable protagonist, The Broken Hearts Book Club was a total treat. I managed to read this book in just two evenings, snuggled in bed, completely whisked away to such a magical fictional world. I wished I could be in Luna Bay with all the characters!
There is an air of mystery that floats throughout the book linked to Lucy's past which really kept me glued to the plot wanting to know what had happened. The attitude some of the residents of Luna Bay had towards Lucy were awful and I wanted to know what Lucy had done to cause such upset all those years ago. I felt such sympathy for Lucy as it wasn't her fault yet some people still treated her so badly.
My favourite aspect of this book was the relationship between Lucy and Jake. Whilst it completely isn't smooth sailing, they have such an instant and beautiful connection that they know neither of them want to give up on. Despite life throwing them some serious curve-balls they both know that what they want most in life is each other.The scenes between them were so charged with passion and happiness that I just wanted to cheer every time they were with each other.
However, the best part of this book was the eponymous Broken Hearts Book Club. What a great idea! A group of people who are all united through their broken hearts whether it's from the death of a loved one or pet - each of them had a heart that needed to be fixed. Through books they were able to explore the feelings of loss and as Lucy finds out more about them all she thinks she might just be able to mend some of the broken hearts.
This book was so lovely. It was full of love, explorations of loss and explored what can happen when you run from the past instead of facing it head on. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend! I can't wait to see what is next from Lynsey!
December 31, 2015
I really enjoyed this book as it was a simple story, but with a few twists along the way.
The idea of a book club for people with broken hearts is a great one, as are the books which the group have read in the past. But none of the club members seem to be moving on, they seem stuck in the same place.
Along comes Lucy, back for her Nanas funeral, who discovers that one of the clauses in her Nanas will was that Lucy run the book club for at least three months. Easy enough you say? But when her past is continually cast up by resentful locals, Lucy starts to doubt if she is the person her Nana obviously thought she was.
Also making her life more complicated is hot pub owner Jake. Jake also has baggage from his past, which unfortunately ends up affecting him in the present.
With circumstances, and other people, conspiring against Lucy at every turn will she make the right move, or will she take what she thinks is the easy route?
There are some really funny, laugh out loud, moments throughout the book. Lucy is clumsy, and doesn't always think before doing things. But these moments are what makes the book as funny as it is.
A recommended book for lovers of easy to read, simple stories.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The idea of a book club for people with broken hearts is a great one, as are the books which the group have read in the past. But none of the club members seem to be moving on, they seem stuck in the same place.
Along comes Lucy, back for her Nanas funeral, who discovers that one of the clauses in her Nanas will was that Lucy run the book club for at least three months. Easy enough you say? But when her past is continually cast up by resentful locals, Lucy starts to doubt if she is the person her Nana obviously thought she was.
Also making her life more complicated is hot pub owner Jake. Jake also has baggage from his past, which unfortunately ends up affecting him in the present.
With circumstances, and other people, conspiring against Lucy at every turn will she make the right move, or will she take what she thinks is the easy route?
There are some really funny, laugh out loud, moments throughout the book. Lucy is clumsy, and doesn't always think before doing things. But these moments are what makes the book as funny as it is.
A recommended book for lovers of easy to read, simple stories.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2016
A very quick read, took me just under an hour. Not the worst chicklit out there but definitely read better. Some parts were either completely obvious or totally unbelievable. Not as good as her first book sadly.
March 24, 2018
I didn’t really like it but I kept reading it.
Not a recommendation.
Not a recommendation.
October 23, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"There are worse things you an do than spontaneously burst into song at your nana's funeral."
Right from the first line of this book, the humor had me convinced that this might be right up my alley. I wanted to like it, but as I got about a third of the way through, it became hard for me to want to pick it back up again.
Our main character Lucy is not really the train wreck she'd have us believe. In fact, she's mostly just a coward. "The incident" that happened in her small European village caused her to run away to London, and she hasn't been back in 8 years. Her nana's funeral brings her back home to Luna Bay. Her parents are elated, as is the old friend she bumps into, and the only one who doesn't really want her there is Maggie.
Maggie was a part of "the incident".
Let's talk about "the incident". It was referred to constantly throughout the entire book. At least 8 times in the first 30 pages. We had no idea what it was. It started to annoy me. I feel like the author was just trying to build suspense for her big reveal of what happened, but it didn't work. It just annoyed me. I started to not even care about what it could be, I was just so damn tired of hearing about it.
Anyways, Lucy soon finds out she's entitled to an inheritance - on one condition. She must become the chairwoman of her nana's 'Broken Hearts Book Club' for at least 3 months. Now she has a decision to make. Eager to rush back to the safety of London, she struggles with the idea of staying and fulfilling her nana's last wishes.
When she decides to take on the challenge, the executor of the will tells her that he will check on her periodically, and if she fails to meet the requirements, she won't receive her inheritance. Then we never hear from the executor again. I feel like there was a missed opportunity there. At the reading of the will he seemed like he wanted her to fail. We had this opportunity for another sneaky character and to add some tension to the story, but then his character is just tossed aside and that's that.
So Lucy goes ahead and meets the book club, and she decides to take on the task. Everyone seems friendly enough and she goes along and tries to help these stubborn readers with their broken hearts.
She also meets a man.
"My sweet smile widened into a huge grin. 'By hiring a kickass events planner! Don't happen to know any, do you?'
'Only one, but she's a bit of a clown: bursts into song all the time and has a habit of falling over in funny ways.'"
The flirty banter between Jake and Lucy put a smile on my face from time to time. And although I loved Jake's character, their overall relationship just wasn't doing it for me. Maybe it was that I just couldn't seem to care about Lucy's character, or that everything between them felt so overly dramatic.
"I sulked on the couch in my pajamas, watching Disney movies and trying to perfect my impression of Sebastian from The Little Mermaid."
I appreciated that she was a very believable character for her age (at least mostly, at times I felt myself questioning the age-level of the language she was using). She was funny, and she had some moments that I enjoyed. But mostly she was just cowardly and clumsy. I wanted to shake her and tell her to grow up.
I didn't feel like Lucy had any growth. I know people will argue with me that Lucy's growth was the whole point of the story, but I just didn't see it. Right until the very end she was a coward with Jake and would not tell her feelings, always running away. Even when she admitted she wasn't sure she wanted to go back to London, she still didn't say it was because she wanted to be with Jake. I was happy to see her overcome some of the obstacles, but I didn't feel like that made her character any stronger.
It seems that this genre is really hit or miss for me. Unfortunately, I think The Broken Hearts Book Club was a miss. Maybe I will check out James' other novel, I've heard good things.
"There are worse things you an do than spontaneously burst into song at your nana's funeral."
Right from the first line of this book, the humor had me convinced that this might be right up my alley. I wanted to like it, but as I got about a third of the way through, it became hard for me to want to pick it back up again.
Our main character Lucy is not really the train wreck she'd have us believe. In fact, she's mostly just a coward. "The incident" that happened in her small European village caused her to run away to London, and she hasn't been back in 8 years. Her nana's funeral brings her back home to Luna Bay. Her parents are elated, as is the old friend she bumps into, and the only one who doesn't really want her there is Maggie.
Maggie was a part of "the incident".
Let's talk about "the incident". It was referred to constantly throughout the entire book. At least 8 times in the first 30 pages. We had no idea what it was. It started to annoy me. I feel like the author was just trying to build suspense for her big reveal of what happened, but it didn't work. It just annoyed me. I started to not even care about what it could be, I was just so damn tired of hearing about it.
Anyways, Lucy soon finds out she's entitled to an inheritance - on one condition. She must become the chairwoman of her nana's 'Broken Hearts Book Club' for at least 3 months. Now she has a decision to make. Eager to rush back to the safety of London, she struggles with the idea of staying and fulfilling her nana's last wishes.
When she decides to take on the challenge, the executor of the will tells her that he will check on her periodically, and if she fails to meet the requirements, she won't receive her inheritance. Then we never hear from the executor again. I feel like there was a missed opportunity there. At the reading of the will he seemed like he wanted her to fail. We had this opportunity for another sneaky character and to add some tension to the story, but then his character is just tossed aside and that's that.
So Lucy goes ahead and meets the book club, and she decides to take on the task. Everyone seems friendly enough and she goes along and tries to help these stubborn readers with their broken hearts.
She also meets a man.
"My sweet smile widened into a huge grin. 'By hiring a kickass events planner! Don't happen to know any, do you?'
'Only one, but she's a bit of a clown: bursts into song all the time and has a habit of falling over in funny ways.'"
The flirty banter between Jake and Lucy put a smile on my face from time to time. And although I loved Jake's character, their overall relationship just wasn't doing it for me. Maybe it was that I just couldn't seem to care about Lucy's character, or that everything between them felt so overly dramatic.
"I sulked on the couch in my pajamas, watching Disney movies and trying to perfect my impression of Sebastian from The Little Mermaid."
I appreciated that she was a very believable character for her age (at least mostly, at times I felt myself questioning the age-level of the language she was using). She was funny, and she had some moments that I enjoyed. But mostly she was just cowardly and clumsy. I wanted to shake her and tell her to grow up.
I didn't feel like Lucy had any growth. I know people will argue with me that Lucy's growth was the whole point of the story, but I just didn't see it. Right until the very end she was a coward with Jake and would not tell her feelings, always running away. Even when she admitted she wasn't sure she wanted to go back to London, she still didn't say it was because she wanted to be with Jake. I was happy to see her overcome some of the obstacles, but I didn't feel like that made her character any stronger.
It seems that this genre is really hit or miss for me. Unfortunately, I think The Broken Hearts Book Club was a miss. Maybe I will check out James' other novel, I've heard good things.
August 22, 2016
I love books about book clubs so I couldn’t resist the chance to read The Broken Hearts Book Club!
Lucy grew up in the idyllic Luna Bay but something happened eight years ago which caused her to run away and she has never been back. She has managed to avoid all reasons to return but when her beloved Nana dies Lucy finally returns to her childhood home for the funeral. It is her intention to make this a quick visit but when her Nana’s Will is read and Lucy finds out she has been left her gorgeous Rose Cottage and her broken hearts book club, Lucy feels compelled to stick around for a while. After meeting the lovely, and very attractive new pub owner, Jake, Lucy suddenly finds even more reasons to stay in Luna Bay!
There is a mystery that runs through this book about why Lucy ran away all those years ago. Lucy refers to it many times but can never bring herself to tell anyone what she did. I’ll be honest there were a few times when I wanted to grab Lucy and just make her open up about it but it was true to her character that she was forever skirting around it - this is the girl who ran away for eight years rather than stay and face it after all. I felt sorry for her especially as some of the people in Luna Bay who were there eight years ago still made Lucy feel bad, even after so much time had passed.
Lucy is such a lovely character, her heart is in the right place and she just wants to make things right with those she's done wrong by, and she wants to help make better the lives of the broken hearted in the book club. I love how she can’t always control her impulse to sing if she reads, or hears someone say a song lyric. I burst out laughing reading the very first page with the Joni Mitchell song incident! It’s the sort of thing that could happen to any of us and that’s what makes her so endearing.
I adored the book club! I love the idea of a book club for broken-hearted people especially the way it was for people who had suffered any kind of loss, all the member supported each other and no loss was made to feel less than any other. I enjoyed reading about the books they were reading too and hearing their thoughts on them. I’ve already read all of the book club reads apart from The Rosie Project and they’ve convinced me to give it a try!
The Broken Hearts Book Club is perfect for these colder, darker nights - it’s like a big warm comfort blanket in book form! It’s a feel-good read with a bit of depth to it. This was the first book I’ve read by Lynsey James and I enjoyed it so much that I’ve already bought her debut novel Just the Way You Are and hope to read it very soon.
The Broken Hearts Book Club is published today and available on Amazon now!
I received this book from Carina UK via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Lucy grew up in the idyllic Luna Bay but something happened eight years ago which caused her to run away and she has never been back. She has managed to avoid all reasons to return but when her beloved Nana dies Lucy finally returns to her childhood home for the funeral. It is her intention to make this a quick visit but when her Nana’s Will is read and Lucy finds out she has been left her gorgeous Rose Cottage and her broken hearts book club, Lucy feels compelled to stick around for a while. After meeting the lovely, and very attractive new pub owner, Jake, Lucy suddenly finds even more reasons to stay in Luna Bay!
There is a mystery that runs through this book about why Lucy ran away all those years ago. Lucy refers to it many times but can never bring herself to tell anyone what she did. I’ll be honest there were a few times when I wanted to grab Lucy and just make her open up about it but it was true to her character that she was forever skirting around it - this is the girl who ran away for eight years rather than stay and face it after all. I felt sorry for her especially as some of the people in Luna Bay who were there eight years ago still made Lucy feel bad, even after so much time had passed.
Lucy is such a lovely character, her heart is in the right place and she just wants to make things right with those she's done wrong by, and she wants to help make better the lives of the broken hearted in the book club. I love how she can’t always control her impulse to sing if she reads, or hears someone say a song lyric. I burst out laughing reading the very first page with the Joni Mitchell song incident! It’s the sort of thing that could happen to any of us and that’s what makes her so endearing.
I adored the book club! I love the idea of a book club for broken-hearted people especially the way it was for people who had suffered any kind of loss, all the member supported each other and no loss was made to feel less than any other. I enjoyed reading about the books they were reading too and hearing their thoughts on them. I’ve already read all of the book club reads apart from The Rosie Project and they’ve convinced me to give it a try!
The Broken Hearts Book Club is perfect for these colder, darker nights - it’s like a big warm comfort blanket in book form! It’s a feel-good read with a bit of depth to it. This was the first book I’ve read by Lynsey James and I enjoyed it so much that I’ve already bought her debut novel Just the Way You Are and hope to read it very soon.
The Broken Hearts Book Club is published today and available on Amazon now!
I received this book from Carina UK via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
October 19, 2015
I've read so many great things about Lynsey James's book(s) in the last few months, so naturally I was eager to find out more for myself. Lynsey debut novel ( Just The Way You are) was a great success amongst the book lovers and her second book The Broken Hearts Book Club seems to be heading in the same direction according to all the fantastic blog posts and review out there. I adore the gorgeous book cover with its lace and colour design as well as the little gem of a magical story written within its pages.
Lucy Haper has always been a good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nany Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world that she wants to avoid.
Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The charming little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, and the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery. Lucy only intends to stay one day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily left her a cottage and also " The Broken Hearts Book Club" Lucy is intrigued.
Not only Lucy Haper is a wonderful leading character she has a big heart and down to earth personality but she is caring an enormous chip on her shoulders rather. Lucy had witnessed a horrible tragedy that struck not only her but also the whole village and because of one mistake Lucy life has changed irrevocably she had no choice but to abandon everything she holds dear in her life.
Once I started reading Lucy's story, I quickly discover just how addictive and captivating the storyline is with plenty of charming, realistic and complex supporting characters who I bonded with quickly and in return they took me on their journey to find happiness again. The story does centers around Lucy and her life before and after the terrible accident happened and the guilt she has been carrying around for such a long time ( one resident doesn't want her to forget EVER!), but it was also lovely to see the progress Lucy has made since arriving back home to Luna Bay. I think it had a lot to do with the responsibility of chairing the Broken Hearts Book Club, offering advice and guiding its members as well as getting to know a particular man and the landlord of the village pub, Mr. Jake Hartley. They say love can heal a lot and, in this case, I had no doubt it was true. The scenes between Lucy and Jake were electrifying and intense yet witty and intimate.
This book made me appreciate even more what I have and hold dear in my life. It is a magical tale of real life challenges, real hopes and the possibilities of new beginnings. It made me smile, cry and sometimes cringe a bit ( especially when Lucy showcase her singing ability- nice little touch to the story).
Lynsey James has created a stunning book with the swift flowing plotline and seamless blend of romance and heartbreak.
Lucy Haper has always been a good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nany Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world that she wants to avoid.
Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The charming little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, and the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery. Lucy only intends to stay one day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily left her a cottage and also " The Broken Hearts Book Club" Lucy is intrigued.
Not only Lucy Haper is a wonderful leading character she has a big heart and down to earth personality but she is caring an enormous chip on her shoulders rather. Lucy had witnessed a horrible tragedy that struck not only her but also the whole village and because of one mistake Lucy life has changed irrevocably she had no choice but to abandon everything she holds dear in her life.
Once I started reading Lucy's story, I quickly discover just how addictive and captivating the storyline is with plenty of charming, realistic and complex supporting characters who I bonded with quickly and in return they took me on their journey to find happiness again. The story does centers around Lucy and her life before and after the terrible accident happened and the guilt she has been carrying around for such a long time ( one resident doesn't want her to forget EVER!), but it was also lovely to see the progress Lucy has made since arriving back home to Luna Bay. I think it had a lot to do with the responsibility of chairing the Broken Hearts Book Club, offering advice and guiding its members as well as getting to know a particular man and the landlord of the village pub, Mr. Jake Hartley. They say love can heal a lot and, in this case, I had no doubt it was true. The scenes between Lucy and Jake were electrifying and intense yet witty and intimate.
This book made me appreciate even more what I have and hold dear in my life. It is a magical tale of real life challenges, real hopes and the possibilities of new beginnings. It made me smile, cry and sometimes cringe a bit ( especially when Lucy showcase her singing ability- nice little touch to the story).
Lynsey James has created a stunning book with the swift flowing plotline and seamless blend of romance and heartbreak.
November 14, 2015
Review from Tea & Titles
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Going into The Broken Hearts Book Club I was really excited. I haven’t really been reading much contemporary/cutesy things lately—my TBR has been pretty much dominated by fantasy. I was really looking forward to something lighthearted to distract me from the tough month October is for me. I lost my mum this time last year, so I really felt that this would be a good book to pick up.
From the very first line, I was already laughing loud enough that my aunt came in to check that I hadn’t gone completely mental. This carried on throughout the whole book—there were lines and just situations that made me laugh so much I had to put down my ereader for a minute or two before I could keep reading. I don’t remember the last book I read that made me laugh so much. The thing was, a few pages later I could feel myself tearing up before it was back to laughter. It was vicious back and forth of emotions, but I absolutely loved it—that’s my understanding of a broken heart. Sometimes it really sucks and all you want to do if crawl under your blankets, and other times it feels like everything is going to be okay, even if only for a minute.
I’ve never actually read a ‘book club’ book before, or ever really been in a ‘real life’ book club so I didn’t really know what to expect from that aspect of the book. I think the premise of the book club is amazing—I’m a strong believer that books can fix anything and everything, but I admit I was a little disappointed in the book choices. Is that a weird thing to not like in a book? I just thought they were very standard books, and I would have liked to have seen some more obscure and interesting books. There’s nothing I love more than getting book recommendations from other books.
I think my favourite character in the entire book was George. He’s just one of those really fun characters to read about, and I think he was a really good friend to Lucy. He reminded me a lot of one of my best friends back home who always makes me laugh even when things are crap. Reading about George made me really, really miss him so he got a lovely, blubbering essay length message to wake up to. I liked Lucy too, but she wasn’t really anything overly exciting to me—I don’t know what it was, but I just didn’t really connect to her. I thought Jake was alright, but again he wasn’t anything hugely interesting.
I’m not really sure if chick lit is my thing or not, but if it’s your type of genre—I would definitely recommend The Broken Hearts Book Club to you.
Thank you to Lynsey James, Carina and Jenny Marston for organising a copy of The Broken Hearts Book Club for me to review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Going into The Broken Hearts Book Club I was really excited. I haven’t really been reading much contemporary/cutesy things lately—my TBR has been pretty much dominated by fantasy. I was really looking forward to something lighthearted to distract me from the tough month October is for me. I lost my mum this time last year, so I really felt that this would be a good book to pick up.
From the very first line, I was already laughing loud enough that my aunt came in to check that I hadn’t gone completely mental. This carried on throughout the whole book—there were lines and just situations that made me laugh so much I had to put down my ereader for a minute or two before I could keep reading. I don’t remember the last book I read that made me laugh so much. The thing was, a few pages later I could feel myself tearing up before it was back to laughter. It was vicious back and forth of emotions, but I absolutely loved it—that’s my understanding of a broken heart. Sometimes it really sucks and all you want to do if crawl under your blankets, and other times it feels like everything is going to be okay, even if only for a minute.
I’ve never actually read a ‘book club’ book before, or ever really been in a ‘real life’ book club so I didn’t really know what to expect from that aspect of the book. I think the premise of the book club is amazing—I’m a strong believer that books can fix anything and everything, but I admit I was a little disappointed in the book choices. Is that a weird thing to not like in a book? I just thought they were very standard books, and I would have liked to have seen some more obscure and interesting books. There’s nothing I love more than getting book recommendations from other books.
I think my favourite character in the entire book was George. He’s just one of those really fun characters to read about, and I think he was a really good friend to Lucy. He reminded me a lot of one of my best friends back home who always makes me laugh even when things are crap. Reading about George made me really, really miss him so he got a lovely, blubbering essay length message to wake up to. I liked Lucy too, but she wasn’t really anything overly exciting to me—I don’t know what it was, but I just didn’t really connect to her. I thought Jake was alright, but again he wasn’t anything hugely interesting.
I’m not really sure if chick lit is my thing or not, but if it’s your type of genre—I would definitely recommend The Broken Hearts Book Club to you.
Thank you to Lynsey James, Carina and Jenny Marston for organising a copy of The Broken Hearts Book Club for me to review.
October 10, 2015
I received a copy of this via NetGalley and Carina UK in return for a fair and honest review.
After loving Lynsey James' debut novel, Just The Way You Are, i was eagerly awaiting the chance to read this and I've not been disappointed!!
It is one of those books that grabs you in the first chapter with the awkardness and funny situations - how more awkward can it be starting to sing Big Yellow Taxi at your Nana's funeral!? - and the main character Lucy Harper is so easy to relate to that you can't help but want her to get the happy ending.
Something happened in Luna Bay 8 years ago that forced Lucy to run away and get a job in London and she rarely if ever went back to visit despite her parents and family all living there. So it takes the death of her nana and an unusual bequest in the will to get Lucy back home and trying to let the past go. That isn't as easy as she'd hope as some members of the community are far from letting the tragic events of the past be forgotten
Really enjoyed seeing how Lucy quickly came to care about the members of the Lonely Hearts Book Club she was left to look after and her attempts to bring happiness back to their lives, despite her own life not being a bed of roses, was such a sweet act even if things sometimes never went smoothly!
Meanwhile her quest for true love does start to look promising and really enjoyed the build up in the relationship between her and Fitty McFitterson - oops i mean Jake!! Once again she puts herself out to help him and his failing pub business and it's only when she realises that she's close to losing things she loves that she understands what Luna Bay has always meant to her.
Thoroughly enjoyable chick-lit full of characters you care about, that had me laughing and crying! highly recommended!
After loving Lynsey James' debut novel, Just The Way You Are, i was eagerly awaiting the chance to read this and I've not been disappointed!!
It is one of those books that grabs you in the first chapter with the awkardness and funny situations - how more awkward can it be starting to sing Big Yellow Taxi at your Nana's funeral!? - and the main character Lucy Harper is so easy to relate to that you can't help but want her to get the happy ending.
Something happened in Luna Bay 8 years ago that forced Lucy to run away and get a job in London and she rarely if ever went back to visit despite her parents and family all living there. So it takes the death of her nana and an unusual bequest in the will to get Lucy back home and trying to let the past go. That isn't as easy as she'd hope as some members of the community are far from letting the tragic events of the past be forgotten
Really enjoyed seeing how Lucy quickly came to care about the members of the Lonely Hearts Book Club she was left to look after and her attempts to bring happiness back to their lives, despite her own life not being a bed of roses, was such a sweet act even if things sometimes never went smoothly!
Meanwhile her quest for true love does start to look promising and really enjoyed the build up in the relationship between her and Fitty McFitterson - oops i mean Jake!! Once again she puts herself out to help him and his failing pub business and it's only when she realises that she's close to losing things she loves that she understands what Luna Bay has always meant to her.
Thoroughly enjoyable chick-lit full of characters you care about, that had me laughing and crying! highly recommended!
November 21, 2015
I adored this book!
After reading Lynsey's debut novel earlier this year, I was really excited to join the blog tour for her new book THE BROKEN HEARTS BOOK CLUB and I loved every second of this book.
Lynsey is a really fantastic writer as this book had me gripped from the very first line and I didn't stop until the book had finish, even then I didn't want it to be over!
In this book we follow Lucy, she is back home for her nana's funeral. She finds it hard to return as she hasn't been home in 8 years and now lives in London. In her Nana's will, she has asked Lucy to run her book club for 3 months. She gets to know the members and remembers why she loved Luna Bay, and there is also a new pub owner named Jake who makes her stay in Luna Bay a little bit exciting.
I was gripped to this book as I wanted to know what happened to Lucy. There was some mystery in this book as you read on to find out why she left all those years ago.
I loved the broken hearts book club! All the members had had their hearts broken in some way and this was a way for them to try and get over it and try and get their heart fixed. It was such a cute idea that, that was my favourite part of this book!
I really enjoyed the romantic aspects of the story. Her and Jakes romance wasn't always smooth sailing but it was adorable as you could tell neither one of them wanted to give up on it.
This was a really beautiful story that I think everyone would love! It has a little bit of mystery and whole lot of romance and I loved every second of it.
After reading Lynsey's debut novel earlier this year, I was really excited to join the blog tour for her new book THE BROKEN HEARTS BOOK CLUB and I loved every second of this book.
Lynsey is a really fantastic writer as this book had me gripped from the very first line and I didn't stop until the book had finish, even then I didn't want it to be over!
In this book we follow Lucy, she is back home for her nana's funeral. She finds it hard to return as she hasn't been home in 8 years and now lives in London. In her Nana's will, she has asked Lucy to run her book club for 3 months. She gets to know the members and remembers why she loved Luna Bay, and there is also a new pub owner named Jake who makes her stay in Luna Bay a little bit exciting.
I was gripped to this book as I wanted to know what happened to Lucy. There was some mystery in this book as you read on to find out why she left all those years ago.
I loved the broken hearts book club! All the members had had their hearts broken in some way and this was a way for them to try and get over it and try and get their heart fixed. It was such a cute idea that, that was my favourite part of this book!
I really enjoyed the romantic aspects of the story. Her and Jakes romance wasn't always smooth sailing but it was adorable as you could tell neither one of them wanted to give up on it.
This was a really beautiful story that I think everyone would love! It has a little bit of mystery and whole lot of romance and I loved every second of it.
October 4, 2015
This is the first book I have read of Lynsey's and I wasn't sure what to expect, however I am a sucker for a romantic, chick-lit read and couldn't resist picking it up. I LOVED 'The Broken Hearts Book Club'!! I read it in one sitting, on a rainy day and it was the perfect setting.
I've always loved the thought of attending a book club and the fact that this was a club with a twist, helping people deal with their own broken hearts. I fell in love with all the characters and was really rooting for them all to get their happy ever afters!
Jake was the perfect love interest, and also made me wish that I had a pub owner/landlord like him at my local..a girl can dream!
Lynsey's style of writing is just lovely!! I literally laughed out loud at the main protagonist so many times! I really related to Lucy, her attitude and mannerisms were me in a nutshell. I too enjoy the occasional swear word!
I can't recommend this book enough, it's the perfect book for easy reading, with an equally perfect mixture of laugh out loud moments, cringing and heartbreak. Thank you to Net Galley and Carina UK for the free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
I've always loved the thought of attending a book club and the fact that this was a club with a twist, helping people deal with their own broken hearts. I fell in love with all the characters and was really rooting for them all to get their happy ever afters!
Jake was the perfect love interest, and also made me wish that I had a pub owner/landlord like him at my local..a girl can dream!
Lynsey's style of writing is just lovely!! I literally laughed out loud at the main protagonist so many times! I really related to Lucy, her attitude and mannerisms were me in a nutshell. I too enjoy the occasional swear word!
I can't recommend this book enough, it's the perfect book for easy reading, with an equally perfect mixture of laugh out loud moments, cringing and heartbreak. Thank you to Net Galley and Carina UK for the free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2015
I enjoyed this simple book. It is the story of facing your fears and getting out of ruts. Lucy is left her Nana's cottage in Luna Bay but in order to inherit it, she has to agree to run the Broken Hearts Book Club for 3 months.
8 years previously a dreadful accident occurred and Lucy blames herself, as does the mother of her friend, Vicky, the accident victim. Lucy doesn't want to return to face the community but has little choice.
Jake is the new landlord at the local pub and he and Lucy are attracted to each other. But the path of true love never runs smooth and they both have difficult decisions to make.
I'm not sure people would really let Lucy interfere in their lives as much as the book club members, but hey ho - it IS fiction!
A nice feel good book
8 years previously a dreadful accident occurred and Lucy blames herself, as does the mother of her friend, Vicky, the accident victim. Lucy doesn't want to return to face the community but has little choice.
Jake is the new landlord at the local pub and he and Lucy are attracted to each other. But the path of true love never runs smooth and they both have difficult decisions to make.
I'm not sure people would really let Lucy interfere in their lives as much as the book club members, but hey ho - it IS fiction!
A nice feel good book
October 9, 2016
Wonderful book. I was rooting for Lucy to succeed with the club and Rose Cottage. There were so many themes here - grief, dealing with grief, regrets, moving on, holding on, fighting for what you want, and deciding when or even whether or not to give up. My only problem was Jake. He started of as a really likeable character, but I was really irritated by his wishy-washiness with making decisions towards the second half of the book. And he felt like a wuss who needed the women in his life to make all his decisions for him.
October 13, 2015
Lucy returns to Yorkshire for her Nana's funeral, planning to return to London immediately. When the will is read and she inherits a house and leadership of the local book club she stays in town. With her past plaguing her and a new man courting her, Lucy has to decide if she can face the past for a happy future. I enjoyed this book and was happy to see Lucy face her critics and stand up for herself.
September 26, 2016
This is an awful read. I felt no sympathy for the main character and found the whole thing full of cliches and bad references. It was badly researched, if researched at all. Not the heartwarming tale I was expecting but an eye rolling tirade of inconsistency and badly written characters.
January 30, 2017
Quick, fun read for a sleepless night.
February 13, 2018
Lucy Harper inherits a cottage from her grandmother on condition that she takes over the Broken Hearts Book Club, which is a club for members of the community who have experienced loss of various kinds.
Having spent the past eight years in London running from a tragedy that happened in Luna Bay, her first instinct is to say no and hightail it out of there. However, she has nothing to get back to in London and her heart has always been in Luna Bay. She also meets Jake, a handsome bartender, with secrets of his own.
The story takes us through Lucy's decision to eavesdrop on one Broken Hearts meeting just to satisfy her curiosity, but as she hears the members' stories, she the reason her grandmother gave her the book club becomes apparent. However, the members aren't prepared to trust her with their deepest fears.
I enjoyed watching Lucy go through the process of trying to help members of the book club and in so doing finding her own redemption. I also enjoyed the romance between Lucy and Jake, and the revelation of Jake's secret.
I did, however, find Jake so frustrating in a typical male sort of way. Another frustration for me was the secret from Lucy's past that I felt was dragged too long before its revelation. I prefer when revelation is made in bits over the length of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, the characters and the British slang and quirks. I would definitely be checking out the rest of the series.
Having spent the past eight years in London running from a tragedy that happened in Luna Bay, her first instinct is to say no and hightail it out of there. However, she has nothing to get back to in London and her heart has always been in Luna Bay. She also meets Jake, a handsome bartender, with secrets of his own.
The story takes us through Lucy's decision to eavesdrop on one Broken Hearts meeting just to satisfy her curiosity, but as she hears the members' stories, she the reason her grandmother gave her the book club becomes apparent. However, the members aren't prepared to trust her with their deepest fears.
I enjoyed watching Lucy go through the process of trying to help members of the book club and in so doing finding her own redemption. I also enjoyed the romance between Lucy and Jake, and the revelation of Jake's secret.
I did, however, find Jake so frustrating in a typical male sort of way. Another frustration for me was the secret from Lucy's past that I felt was dragged too long before its revelation. I prefer when revelation is made in bits over the length of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, the characters and the British slang and quirks. I would definitely be checking out the rest of the series.
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