Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm by Rebecca Raisin

Out Now
Published by Carina
Purchase from Amazon here


The blurb:

Maple sugar kisses...

Lucy would do anything for her mom…but she never expected to end up promising to leave her. After her mom got sick, Lucy dropped everything to take care of her, working all hours in a greasy diner just to make ends meet and spending every spare moments she had by her mom’s hospital bedside.

Now, Lucy is faced with a whole year of living by her own rules, starting by taking the first bus out of town to anywhere...

Except she didn’t expect to find her next big adventure just around the corner! Especially when on her first day in town she bumps into grumpy, but oh-so-delicious Clay amidst the maple trees. Surrounded by the magic of Ashford, Lucy has the chance to change her life forever and finally discover a life she wants to live!

Fall in love with Ashford, Connecticut in this dazzling and beautiful romance from bestselling author Rebecca Raisin.

A sweet and heart-warming novel for fans of Kristan Higgins, Tracy Brogan and Susan Wiggs.


My review:

I am a massive fan of Rebecca Raisin, and always break out in a huge grin when I download one of her books onto my kindle, knowing that I am in for a fantastic read. Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm certainly delivered. I loved it!

Lucy is the main character in this book and I adored her. It is just her and her Mum. Her Mum is seriously ill, and Lucy works all the hours God sends to make ends meet, and the rest of her time revolves around caring for her Mum. It is very clear just how much they mean to eachother. But Lucy's Mum worries that she is holding Lucy back in life. She has a talent for art, and her Mum wants her to travel and pursue her talent. She eventually persuades Lucy to travel for a year and explore.

For anyone who has read Rebecca's Gingerbread Cafe series you will be excited to hear that Lucy ends up in Ashford and becomes a regular at the cafe where we see more of the wonderful Cee Cee and Lil. Don't fear if you haven't read the series, I am sure when you meet you will love the characters as much as I did. Then you can go back and read the series later on.

Lucy needs to find a job to earn money, and get some savings to help her with more adventures. Whilst travelling into Ashford she spots a farm and asks Cee Cee about it. The farm is run by Clay who appears to be a recluse and a tough cookie. Lucy decides she is going to go to the farm and offer her help.  

Lucy meets Clay who is indeed a closed book, but persuades him to give her a trial at the maple farm. Being a hard worker has never stopped Lucy, but she may have met her match in Clay and the farm. I don't want to say too much more about what happens as I don't want to ruin it for you if you go on to read the book. But it is brilliant, and I hope you will love Lucy and Clay as much as I do!

Rebecca has a fabulous writing style which I get instantly captivated by every time I pick one of her books up. They have a real feel good factor, and are packed full of loveable characters who raise a smile often. Ashford is a small town where everyone knows one another and looks out for eachother. My Mum was raised in a village and Ashford reminds me of there, which has many many happy memories and makes it even easier to connect with. There is a real sense of community in Rebecca's books and they make me feel a part of the community too, the descriptions of people and places make them come alive and offer great escapism from the real world.

I loved Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm and would this ra copy into everyone's hands insisting they read it too as I hope they will be as captivated as I was.

Thank you to Carina who kindly provided a copy in return for an honest review.