While autumn may seem the end of many things, it can also be the start…

Synopsis

The first in a new romantic comedy series from CP Ward, author of Christmas at Marshmallow Café and Summer at Blue Sands Cove.

Having fled a relationship and a previous life she would rather forget, young teacher Jennifer Stevens throws herself into a demanding new job at Brentwell Primary. Charged with marshalling a group of unruly eight-year-olds to the autumn harvest festival, her only solace is the peace of nearby Sycamore Park.

As the evenings draw in and the leaves begin to fall, will new friends, delicious autumn treats, and a possible new man on the orange-tinted horizon help Jennifer finally come to terms with her past and begin to look forward into the future?

Autumn at Sycamore Park is another delightful romantic comedy from CP Ward, author of several popular seasonally themed novels. Set against a backdrop of warm autumn days, it offers everything fans of CP Ward’s other books have come to love: laughter, friendship, good times, and a hint of newly discovered love.

My review

Jennifer Stevens recently moved to Brentwell, fleeing from her relationship. She is now starting a new job as a teacher at Brentwell Primary. Having turned her whole life upside down, Jennifer is trying to feel at home in Brentwell, together with her dog Bonky.
Learning the dynamics at school, trying to manage her eight – year – old pupils and a autumn harvest festival lurking around the corner, Jennifer needs to find calm and peace. And that she finds in Sycamore Park, where she finds more than just a place to destress, as she learns the importance of the place thanks to her new made friends that understand her better than anyone who she knew before her move. 

How often do we read books where the main characters leave their former home to start all over again?
And how often are these main characters in a bad relationship, having all the rights to have their escape?
Being not that kind of book, made me truly enjoy this story! 

Initially I thought that Jennifer moved because her relationship ended in a bad way. So it was a relief to see that not all relationships are bad, but just sometimes it just isn’t enough.
Her former boyfriend wasn’t a bad man, just he wasn’t the right man for Jennifer, as his priorities obviously laid somewhere else.  

I could completely understand how terrifying it must have been for Jennifer to move to a new place, starting a new job and having no one by her side.
Her fears are obvious to us readers, but also her determination to make the best of each new situation. 

Saying that much doesn’t happen in this book, would do the whole story injustice, because there are obviously things happening. But this isn’t a book filled with action, plenty of drama, heart – breaking, sobbing moments.
This book is just showing us life how it is.
It was very easy to comprehend how things at Brentwell Primary were, even the bantering between teachers. There is obviously the little rascal in Jennifer’s class, Gavin, who you would like to strangle some times, but shows that even eight – years – olds can understand things better than we expect.

And Sycamore Park, with the people who care for the place, shows us the importance and impact of a place in nature to just relax and enjoy all the beauties of life and nature.

I found it amazing to see how Jennifer is finding herself more and more at home in Brentwell, making new friends, a few more important than other ones, but nevertheless friends they are.
And even a new acquaintance with the prospect of becoming something more? 

I knew I would enjoy reading this book, as I know the skills of this author. But throughout the whole reading sessions, I found myself smiling, even laughing, but also having a melted heart in a few occasions.

This is truly a heart – warming story, showing us not only the wonderful things we can encounter when making a change, but also the beauty of a changing season. And I found it even a bit inspirational, because it also shows us the impact we can have on other people’s lives, by just seeing beyond the big pretend and façade they are showing us.  

So what are you waiting for, enjoy this wonderful, cosy and warm book!