Dying to know more about the brooding and mysterious Flynn Carter and the secrets behind his plans for Starcross Manor? You won’t want to miss the next spellbinding chapter in the Love Heart Lane series – where friends are there for you no matter what. When Julia Coleman meets Flynn Carter again in the cosy village of Heartcross it can only mean trouble. Flynn might be rich, brooding and sexy, … rich, brooding and sexy, but Julia knows first-hand he’s ruthless and she plans to watch his every move.
When Julia discovers Flynn’s plans for beautiful Starcross Manor her greatest fears come true. Because Flynn’s dreams of turning Starcross into a luxury hotel could ruin Julia’s dreams…and finish off the community of Heartcross for good.
Flynn makes it clear he doesn’t want trouble, and he’s not the man Julia thinks he is. As he sets about convincing the community he’s changed, he hopes he can convince Julia to give him another chance too…
Readers can’t get enough of the Loveheart Lane series:
‘Christie Barlow has fast become one of my favourite authors! Her books are a ray of sunshine when you read them, even if sad things happen’ Sinead
‘A lovely romantic story that will make you smile and god knows we need it’ Tara
‘I absolutely adored this book…gave a warm feeling as you read each page’ Suzanne
‘There’s pretty much nothing I want more now than to escape to a small Scottish town and live in a cottage… sweet and cozy and a nice escape from the wild reality we are all currently living in’ Nicole
‘A cosy and heartwarming read, exactly what I needed now’ Anna Maria
‘Christie Barlow has rapidly become one of my favorite cozy romance writers’ Mackey
‘I loved Clover Cottage…This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites!’ Kristin
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Starcross Manor is the fourth book in the wonderful Love Heart Lane series by Christie Barlow. It was a treat to revisit this village where the inhabitants have each other’s backs and for the most part do their best to help each other. Julia runs a B&B in the village and is horrified to see a face from her past in Heart Cross. Flynn Carter is handsome and highly successful, but he’s also the man who jilted her best friend and devastated Julia when he bought her grandfather’s home for a much lower price than it was worth years before.
Now Flynn’s back, and when she discovers that he’s taken over the manor and is renovating it to open it up as a luxury hotel, she fears he is about to entice away her precious clients from her B&B. Julia might be determined to have nothing to do with Flynn, but when things go drastically wrong she finds she must reconsider that maybe he might not be the dreadful person she recalled him as being. Or is he?
This is a book to snuggle up with, forget what’s happening in the world, and lose yourself in the lives of the brilliantly depicted characters. It is a series not to be missed. I’m now eagerly awaiting the fifth book in the series, The Lake House.
I loved returning to the Love Heart Lane series with this book and can’t recommend it highly enough.
Starcross Manor is a delightful book. It is part of a series that takes place in a small Scottish town called Heartcross. The town alone in this book is a pleasure to read about and I loved getting to know all of the characters! The community is very tight-knit and cares for one another.
Starcross Manor works well as a stand alone (this was my first time reading Christie Barlow). Though Barlow’s writing is so great I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series! The town alone in this book is a delight and I loved getting to know all of the characters!
Julia Coleman is about to turn forty and has a thriving Bed and Breakfast. She is making plans to expand when a man from her past breezes into town. Julia is my favorite character in the book by far. I loved reading about the business she has built, her friends and her co-worker Eleni.
Flynn Carter is a big time business developer in the hospitality industry. He has big plans for new business in town and has been charmed by Julia Coleman … though he doesn’t remember her right away.
Julia knew Flynn to be a shark in business (like when he bought her grandfather’s house) and a cad when he broke off his wedding to her friend the day of.
When we meet Flynn he seems warm, handsome and sparks fly between him and Julia. Has he changed?
Barlow is able to balance the conflict and levity in this book in a strong way. There is so much fun going on in this book… town events, ghost hunting and parties. I enjoyed the slow build of romance in this book. Light on the steamy bits but very lovely to read about.
My wish was granted on Netgalley in exchange for a review.
Some years ago, he jilted her friend on their wedding day. Now, he is in her small town, threatening her business and her heart.
Starcross Manor is a slow-burn romance between a couple in their forties with opposed business interests. It is set in a cozy small town with a lovely community.
Julia Coleman was the owner of a Bed and Breakfast in the small town of Heartcross, Scotland.
Business was good, and Julia was busy with her plans of expanding the B&B when Flynn Carter moved into town.
The last time Julia had heard about Flynn, was when he jilted her friend on their wedding day. She knew him to be a ruthless businessman and was worried to learn he was the new owner of Starcross Manor, a stunning Georgian manor house in the most beautiful part of the town.
But when Julia met Flynn, he seemed to have changed. He was kind, thoughtful, and so very handsome. Her mind kept telling her to be wary, but her heart refused to listen to reason.
I loved the fact that both Julia and Flynn were in their forties. They were reasonable and mature, and their relationship felt right.
It did not hurt that Flynn was gorgeous and so very sweet. He had that successful businessman allure without sounding overconfident.
Julia was also a lovely character, very determined to fight for her business and the welfare of her community.
Starcross Manor is a light and feel-good read. Great for a little escape.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Sweet village with teacup drama: not really for me
3.5-4 stars
This story has its ups and downs for me. The book started with a good hook of an opening, setting the stage for animosity the heroine retained for the hero. Yes, community spirit, village life and fun friendship come through loud and clear. If you’ve already read earlier books in the series about little, rural Scottish Heartcross you will probably enjoy the updates provided on key characters from the previous stories about its residents but if new to the series those digressions might be confusing.
I actually thought Starcross Manor focused too heavily on describing the luxury hotelier Flynn brings with him to the town and, apart from some action and drama midstory at heroine Julia’s bed and breakfast, the plot seemed a bit thin. Each new event or occasion just seemed an opportunity to ratchet up the unbelievable luxury Flynn offered to his guests and Julia’s clique of helpers and girlfriends. I also found the revelation twist during Julia’s birthday celebration highly contrived; I don’t believe a close relative and friend would have kept mum for so long.
The love story portion is really low-key and tentative, so if you are looking for a sweet but full-fledged romance I don’t expect you will find it here. I guess the story just did not meet my expectations; I was hoping for something heavier on the romance. This was my first time dipping into the Love Heart Lane series and I doubt I will be back.
Thanks to publishers Harper Collins/One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.