When running away from something means running towards something else…

Synopsis

What if we’re all just searching for something?

Anna Stewart is lost. After barely surviving a car accident as a teenager, Anna is scared of settling. Flitting between jobs, boyfriends and homes whenever she gets bored, she has no idea what the future holds. Then her brother Brodie, minister of Glendale, suggests she moves to the beautiful Scottish village, lining up a housekeeper job for her at Glendale Hall.

Out of options, Anna agrees to the move, knowing that she can always run away again. Once at the hall, her culinary skills impress everyone, and she agrees to give Hilltop Farm’s new manager, Cameron, cooking lessons. Sparks fly between Anna and the handsome Scot, but Cameron is looking for love – something that Anna definitely isn’t.

But it’s wedding season at Glendale Hall, and Anna is about to discover that her new home has a way of working its magic on even the coldest of hearts. Will she really be able to just walk away, or could Anna have finally found a place to belong?

It’s summertime in the beautiful Highlands village of Glendale – pack your bags and come on holiday with this gorgeously uplifting, romantic read. Fans of Milly Johnson, Heidi Swain and Holly Martin will love this charming romcom.

My review

After barely surviving an accident as a teenager, Anna Stewart is running from one place to another, changing jobs and boyfriends whenever any sign of commitments are showing. She has no idea what her future will look like, and is ready for any kind of new adventure.
When her brother Brodie, minister of Glendale, offers her a temporary job as a housekeeper at Glendale Hall, Anna accepts the job, just for the summer before embarking for her holiday to Ibiza.
At the Hall, Anna finds herself impressing everyone with her cuisine. And so she is suddenly giving cooking lessons t Hilltop Farm’s new manager Cameron.
However Cameron keeps his distance with Anna, even if sparks fly around. And it’s clear that something happened that made him act this way.
What is still haunting Cameron, not allowing him to move forward? And will Anna find a place where she belongs? Or will she leave Glendale Hall for a new adventure?

I have read the previous parts taking place in Glendale, and I was already in love with the place. So returning back was something I was looking forward to!

Anna is a woman going from one place to another, still carrying the feeling of guilt since she had an accident when she was a teenager.
She changes jobs very quickly, or she leaves the place or she gets fired. But finding a place where she truly feels at home, is not something she already succeeded in.
I pitied Anna, because even if not all the details of the accident are known for the reader, it was exactly that, an accident.
But the mind has its own way of seeing things and Anna saw the fact that nobody talked about it, as a blame that it was all her fault.
And carrying around with that feeling, was just something that made me so sad, because it’s obvious what potential Anna has.

The same is for Cameron, there is something holding him back, and he also is carrying the sense of he is to blame of an event that happened in the past.
And that is the reason he keeps everyone at distance, because getting closer to anyone, would only mean getting hurt all over again, and his feeling that he is no good for everyone, is heart – breaking…

Both main characters have a past that is keeping them from moving on. They also have their own way of keeping back at feelings. Anna just goes from one place to another before things get too serious and Cameron uses being rude as a shield.
However, it’s obvious they are playing a part, that acting that way is not what they truly are. Once they show their true colours, it’s obvious that they are lovely, warm and kind people.

Of course it was also wonderful to see my old friends again, and seeing how well they are doing! But it still amazes me how amazing these people in Glendale all are. They respect Anna and her boundaries, but when necessary they show her that now she is part of the gang and they won’t let her just run away again without a fight!

The author manages all over again writing a heart – warming story about two people scarred by their past and scared of moving on. But finding someone having faced the same pain can start the grieving process and making it possible to look forward and see a range of possibilities. And having a bunch of unexpected friends fighting in your corner will make it possible to face your demons and knock the sense of guilt out. And is there a better place on earth than Glendale to start this process?