Little Wing by Freya North

 

To be asked to be on the blog tour for Little Wing by Freya North was an absolute honour, I have been a huge fan of Freya's books with her being one of the authors who got me back into reading as an adult. 

I have really missed her book releases but now she is back with a big bang in her new novel Little Wing.

In the 1960s, a pregnant 16-year-old is banished to one of the remotest parts of the UK. Years later, Nell and Dougie are both at critical moments in their lives when their paths cross. Between Camden, Colchester and the Outer Hebrides, the three story lines collide when secrets are uncovered and answers sought.

Freya North is back after 5 years and what a return she has for us with her evocative new novel Little Wing, following the journey of Nell as she unravels her past to find out who she really is, uncovering long hidden family secrets that changes her life as she knows it.

Told in a dual time frame alternating from the present, told from Nells point of view to snippets from the past told from Flora’s points of view made this such a raw and emotive storyline that slowly provides pieces to the puzzle for us to piece together along with Nell to find out the true picture of her life in the early years. The author holds enough back from the reader to keep us guessing and intrigued, desperate to discover the truth of what happened all those years ago.

Nell is a hard character not to warm to as she really does have a pure heart of gold and is such a kind and caring woman and this is shown in her visits to dear Frank and also in her job at the Chaffinch Café which so reminded me of the café I visited in Rye, giving people with disabilities a working environment that is supportive and allows their true characters to flourish in a supportive community. I would have loved to have spent more time with Danny in this novel he was full of humour but I think Freya North got the balance just right because this really was an emotive read that was written with such tenderness.

This was well worth the wait and Freya North fans will not be disappointed, in my opinion her writing has taken on more depth and emotion in her time since her last novel which has resulted in this beautifully written captivating read.

Kindle         Hardback

The Turning Point by Freya North

Everyone deserves a new beginning. But sometimes fate isn’t on your side… Over one short weekend, when Canadian musician Scott Emerson and British children's author Frankie Shaw meet by chance, a profound connection is made. Their homes are thousands of miles apart: Frankie and her children live by the coast of North Norfolk while Scott’s roots lie deep in the mountains of British Columbia.

Against all advice, they decide to see where this might go. Over oceans and time zones, they make sacrifices and take risks, discovering along the way new truths about love and family. For the first time in a long while, it seems life could be very good. 

But fate has a tragic twist in store, one that could destroy all that was hoped for.

I was so eager to start reading The Turning Point by Freya North that I didn’t even read the synopsis, I love this authors books so much that I have so much faith in her writing that it didn’t matter what the synopsis was going to say I was going to immerse myself in the storyline anyway so it was quite refreshing to read this book having no idea what it was going to be about.

Frankie Shaw who is a single mum and a children’s author meets musician Scott Emerson quite by chance when she was in London. The pair soon feel themselves quickly falling for each other but there is one big problem, Frankie and her two children live in Norfolk whilst Scott lives in British Columbia! Fate had brought the two together but will their relationship manage to go the distance?

I was really taken by Frankie and I think this was because she was a very normal believable character but also because of her job as an author. I loved the way we hear about problems authors face with their characters and also with writers block. Scott was a true gem, he was such a loving, thoughtful and caring guy I loved him from the moment I met him.

The storyline is quite simple and flows at a slow pace, we get to know each of the characters at the same time they are getting to know each other. There was a twist in this book that I really couldn’t see coming and it really shocked me and it was a turning point of the book. What has always drawn me to Freya North books is her beautiful descriptions, from Norfolk’s glorious beaches and friendly locals to British Columbia’s breath taking mountains and their culture.

I really found myself routing for both of the characters not just for their love for each other but also for those around them, you could see the impact that having found each other had on their families. Fate plays a big part in this book and it does make you think that you should always grab an opportunity with both hands.

This was an emotional, romantic, gentle read that I thoroughly enjoyed, this authors skilled writing style manages to pull me into the storyline each and every time.

A POIGNANT  READ WITH A HEARTBREAKING TWIST.

Hardback                Kindle

Rumours by Freya North

I have always enjoyed books by Freya North with last year’s release Chances being my favourite so when I was asked if I would like to review an early copy of Freya North’s new book Rumours I immediately jumped at the chance.

Stella has had to change careers so as she can bring in a secured regular income to support herself and her son Will after her bitter marriage has come to an end. She begins working as an estate agent but she is soon the talk of the village when rumours start that she is involved with the sale of Longbridge.

Lydia has grown up in the family estate and it holds a vast amount of memories, some good and many emotionally heartbreaking. Lydia now feels the time has come to sell Longbridge as the house is just to much for her now but as the sale of the estate moves along it is not only Lydia who will be in need of a new home., but other residents who have lived on the estate for many years such as the gorgeous, single Xander.

With Stella needing to sell Longbridge for the commission it will bring, will there be a happy ending for all involved?

This really was a charming read. The book sets off at a slow pace as we are introduced to a variety of characters which I was a little worried about in case I started to lose track of who was who but as the book progressed and the characters developed I soon became familiar with each character.

My favourite character by far was the adorable little Will who is Stella’s son. He brought some great humour to the book, he seemed to have an old wise head on his shoulders and I was constantly looking forward to his character re-appearing in this book. The relationship that grows between Stella and Xander felt very realistic they both have had a very difficult pasts when it comes to relationships and so they don’t jump in feet first.
There wasn’t a huge indepth storyline to Rumours which made it a quick and easy yet enjoyable read. The descriptive use of writing that always enjoy from Freya North is seen again in this book especially when talking about Longbridge house and grounds I actually feel as though I have visited this place after reading this book.

Freya North has yet again brought us a delightful read full of humour and loveable characters, I am sure this is one you will want to get your hands on.

Rumours is due out on the 21st June Pre-order your copy below.
Paperback                 Kindle

Chances by Freya North

I have just finished the new book by Freya North. I have read books by Freya North before and I have enjoyed them but they have never really stuck in my mind and so it is not an author I usually keep my eye open for. Her recent book which she has released is called Chances. With the front cover of this book though it is hard to just walk by. If you are looking for a real summer looking book this one is going to grab you.

Plot

Vita is heartbroken after she leaves her cheating partner Tim. Things would be much easier for Vita if she could just walk away and never see Tim again but there is a problem, they are joint partners at That Shop. Vita spends her days working in That Shop and is usually found with her nose in a book. Vita soon starts to wonder if she will ever manage to settle down and have children and would it be better to just give Tim another chance as she is not getting any younger.

Oliver has lost the love of his life DeeDee. He works as a Arboricultural Consultant ( or as Vita puts it a Tree Man!) Oliver is left to look after his son Jonty. Oliver is hesitant to start dating again as he is unsure how his son will feel about it and will he find anyone to love the way he loved his wife.

Vita and Oliver’s paths cross when a pear tree in Vita’s garden is causing problems and Oliver is called into help but things do not get off to a great start between them! Will they both take a chance and be happy or is it easier to stick with what you know?

My Opinion

Vita is our main character in this book and I found I enjoyed her character pretty much from the start. She seemed quite familiar which gave a girl next door feel to her. Freya has a wonderful way of writing which lets us as the reader really feel what Vita is feeling and you just hope that this caring woman can find her way to the happiness she deserves.

Oliver has to be one of my favourite male characters I have read in a long time. I usually find when I read these kinds of books that the character of the females are brought to us in great detail and yet the male characters are only skimmed across, this is not the case in Chances, Oliver’s character is warm and loving if a little fragile as anyone would be after loosing their partner and left alone to look after a teenage son. The way Freya North worte about his grieving and his needs felt so true to form I actually found it quite touching to read which made me like Oliver even more.

After the meeting between the two I did have a feeling that I knew how the book was going to end but this did not ruin the book in any way for me as it was great watching both Vita and Oliver’s journey. I was surprised how indepth the detail of the trees were Freya North had obviously been doing her homework here!

I loved that the book started off slowly while we got to know our characters and then the remainder of the book stayed at an even pace. The ending was finished nicely it did not feel rushed but yet it gave us all the answers we need without leaving us on a cliff hanger.

I enjoyed this book on a whole but I have got one little niggle. Vita’s character was warm, quirky, gentle and is often in a dreamworld which is why I liked her character so much, but she did swear which just didn’t seem to fit her character, I just couldn’t imagine her swearing! That is the only thing that I can say I didn’t like about the book.

I loved this book and would defiantly recommend it for anyone looking for a nice summertime read. The front cover defiantly gave the book justice in my opinion. Before reading this book I would have walked over Freya North books but after reading this book I will defiantly be keeping my eyes peeled for any future books released by her.