The Little Guesthouse of New Beginnings: A gorgeously uplifting and heartwarming romance to escape with

Madison has been a nomad for most of her life, the child of diplomats she never actually found a place that felt like home until coming to live with her aunt and uncle on Sunflower Island after her parents’ death when she was a teen. Her parents always left her feeling as if she was a burden, and she’s never quite recovered from that -leaving the island at 18 and travelling the world, never setting down roots. Now, at 23, she’s feeling the desire for something new yet familiar, and has come back to the island that feels like home, hoping to make a life in the little B & B that her aunt and uncle own. Connor has lived his entire life on Sunflower Island, and now runs the family building firm after his father’s death. Always a ‘himself to himself’ sort of person, his father’s hermit-like behavior, combined with the fact that he wasn’t a particularly ‘nice’ person leave Connor with a mass of issues – most of which he ignores while working too hard, avoiding others and trying to control the world around him. He’s not without purpose, after discovering a half-sister he’s felt not so alone, and is hoping that when she finishes her degree, she’ll come back to work with him on the island. He’s working at The Sunshine Hideaway, Maddy’s Aunt & Uncle’s place, refitting the old café space and doing a general ‘spruce up’, as the B & B is slated to go up for sale – low occupancy due to a rival facility on the other end of the island and the need for Madison’s aunt to step back and slow down after a heart attack in the fall. Yet, both Connor and Dee have promised NOT to share the impending sale or news of her aunt’s health issues. A story that feels so very fresh and unique, but actually truly isn’t. Everyone here from Maddie to Connor, her friend Amy and Connor’s sister Georgina are all trying to find their way through it all, deciding what they want, who they want to be, and just where to do it all. Madison is relentlessly positive: she’s friendly and outgoing and people flock to her like moths to a flame. She’s got the reputation of always being on the way to somewhere else- and is fighting against that ‘reputation’ as well as determined to make ‘friends’ with Connor and help out the inn, trying to gain more business. Connor is intrigued by Madison, but he’s so caught in his own circle of ‘work and be in control’ that he’s never looked for more. It will take the entire village, and it does, to get the grand opening for the café sorted, bring in new customers and in doing so, build her own toehold in the place Madison wants to call home. And, with lots of friends, plenty of growth, and some clever moments and firsts for both Madison and Connor, the story rockets forward to the big climax, and one that will open doors for possibilities neither expected nor saw. Sweet, clever, funny and oh so full of heart – Ashcroft has hit on another winner where people find home, acceptance and purpose in a place that every reader will want to experience. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Held my attention 😁 wanted to know what would happen.