A Fresh Start at Bramble Cottage by Susanne McCarthy
published 30 April 2024
PUBLISHER: Joffe Books
FOMAT: Digital
PAGES: 279
ISBN: 978-1781897034
Find the book on Amazon, Goodreads and Storygraph
🌟 Review Note:
This book has been sitting on my TBR for a while, and I finally made time to dive in. I purchased it myself, so this review isn’t part of a tour or promotion—just me sharing my honest thoughts on a read I chose purely out of interest and who could resist that cover?
As always, this review reflects my honest thoughts.
About the book
Vicky has always been sensible when it comes to love.
What if this time she wasn’t?
Vicky Marston inherits beautiful Bramble Cottage in a South Devon seaside village. Her fiancé in London keeps pushing her to sell it on as quickly as possible: it’s the sensible thing after all.
But Vicky’s plans are disrupted by her new neighbour, Tom Cullen.
Tom owns the local farm and makes no bones about his distrust of city types.
Vicky wants nothing to do with the irritatingly grumpy farmer who is determined to misjudge her. Even if he is the most gorgeous man she’s ever met.
But life in Devon is quickly showing Vicky just what she’s been missing. And when she catches her fiancé cheating, she realises being sensible isn’t always the sensible thing to do.
Bramble Cottage just might offer the fresh start she’s looking for.
But the one thing she is sure of is that if she ever falls in love again, it’ll be with anyone but Tom Cullen.
About the Author
I’m a Londoner, though I haven’t lived there for many years. But if you’re born a Londoner you’re always a Londoner. And what could be better than growing up in London in the 60s? The clubs, the live music, the shops – all now passed into legend.
I got fed up with school and left before taking my A levels. Over the next few years I had lots of jobs – measuring fabric in Jones and Higgins in Peckham, cleaning chalets at Butlins Bognor Regis, even a short stint in the Civil Service. Then I decided it was time to grow up, so I went to Liverpool to train as a teacher. I loved life at University, but I wasn’t so keen on teaching, so I switched to adult education, which suited me fine.
Shortly after I met my husband we moved to Shropshire, where we lived on the side of a hill with a series of rescued Afghan Hounds, a couple of small terriers, some cats, some birds, some fish, and an iguana called Spike.
A few years ago we decided to move to Devon. My husband is a Devonian, and had always wanted to come home. And me… I wanted to live near the sea. So now we are settled here in South Devon, a twenty minute stroll from the beach. And I love it!
Susanne’s Social Media
X / Twitter: @McCarthySusanne
Instagram: @susannemccarthyauthor
Website: susannemccarthy.com
My Five Star Review
This was exactly the happily-ever-after story I needed this week. From the moment Vicky arrived at Bramble Cottage, I was completely swept up in the charm of the South Devon setting. The village felt alive with small-town warmth, honest characters, and gorgeous coastal descriptions that made me want to pack my bags and move in.
Vicky’s journey—from playing it safe to finally following her heart—was both relatable and empowering. And Tom Cullen? Grumpy, rugged, and oh-so-reluctantly lovable. I adored the way their slow-burn romance unfolded.
Sure, real life isn’t always this kind… but sometimes, we need a story that lets us dream a little. This book gave me that feel-good hug in story form. The plot, the setting, the emotional beats—everything was beautifully balanced.
I can’t wait to dive into the next in the Sturcombe Bay series and spend more time in this dreamy little corner of Devon. 🐚💕
📸 Behind the Scenes:
Reading A Fresh Start at Bramble Cottage reminded me of the time I got my car well and truly stuck in a snowy farm track ditch. A proper winter disaster! Sadly, the farmer who came to my rescue was nothing like grumpy-but-gorgeous Tom Cullen… but hey, maybe next time I’ll get lucky! 😅 Here’s to small villages, fresh starts, and fictional farmers who make us swoon. 💕🐄
This review may also appear on my social media and selected book platforms. All links are correct at the time of posting.
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