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Heatherly Hall
The Girls of Heatherly Hall
Three devoted sisters... One complicated family.
After the untimely death of their biological father, triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah find themselves the unlikely owners of Stratton Hall, the vast manor house overlooking their home village of Westernbury. But the beautiful house comes with almost as much baggage as it does land, not least high running costs and debt. It's up to the sisters to find a way to make ends meet and keep Stratton Hall in the family.
But with drama in their private lives and secrets about to emerge, can the sisters stick together to focus on the task at hand?
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2023
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58 people want to read
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July 11, 2023
EXCERPT: She knew the feeling of depression was probably down to three things: her poor old frozen eggs that were, in reality, heading towards the end of their shelf life; the growing realisation that she really couldn't see any future for herself and Sam; missing Joe Rosavina was an actual physical pain.
ABOUT 'THE GIRLS OF HEATHERLY HALL': Three devoted sisters... One complicated family.
After the untimely death of their biological father, triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah find themselves the unlikely owners of Stratton Hall, the vast manor house overlooking their home village of Westernbury. But the beautiful house comes with almost as much baggage as it does land, not least high running costs and debt. It's up to the sisters to find a way to make ends meet and keep Stratton Hall in the family.
But with drama in their private lives and secrets about to emerge, can the sisters stick together to focus on the task at hand?
MY THOUGHTS: The Girls of Heatherly Hall follows on from Julie Houston's previous novel, The Village Vicar, and I recommend that you read The Village Vicar before starting on this as it will provide all the background information you will need to fully appreciate The Girls.
The Girls are triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah whose lives are all in various states of turmoil. Rosa has come to realise that a life with Sam is not what she wants, especially after meeting his mother! Eva's marriage to Rayan has fallen apart and she is floundering, completely unsure of what she wants. Hannah has taken on more than she can cope with in the running of Heatherly Hall and an unexpected 50 piglets might just be the last straw!
And of course their adoptive mother and sister are absolutely no help at all!
Julie writes with warm humour and empathy, her characters entertaining but realistic.
⭐⭐⭐.7
#TheGirlsOfHeatherlyHall #NetGalley
I: @juliehoustonauthor @headofzeus
T: @JulieHouston2 @AriaFiction @HoZ_Books
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #friendship #romance #smalltownfiction
THE AUTHOR: Julie lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire where her novels are set, and her only claims to fame are that she teaches part-time at ‘Bridget Jones’ author Helen Fielding’s old junior school and her neighbour is ‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne Harris. After University, where she studied Education and English Literature, she taught for many years as a junior school teacher. As a newly qualified teacher, broke and paying off her first mortgage, she would spend every long summer holiday working on different Kibbutzim in Israel. After teaching for a few years she decided to go to New Zealand to work and taught in Auckland for a year before coming back to this country. She now teaches just two days a week, and still loves the buzz of teaching junior-aged children. She has been a magistrate for the past nineteen years, and, when not distracted by Ebay, Twitter and Ancestry, spends much of her time writing. Julie is married, has a twenty-four-year-old son and twenty-one-year-old daughter and a ridiculous Cockerpoo called Lincoln. She runs and swims because she’s been told it’s good for her, but would really prefer a glass of wine, a sun lounger and a jolly good book - preferably with Matthew Mcconaughay in attendance.
She hates skiing, gets sick on boats and wouldn’t go pot-holing or paddy diving if her life depended on it.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Aria & Aries via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Girls of Heatherly Hall by Julie Houston for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
ABOUT 'THE GIRLS OF HEATHERLY HALL': Three devoted sisters... One complicated family.
After the untimely death of their biological father, triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah find themselves the unlikely owners of Stratton Hall, the vast manor house overlooking their home village of Westernbury. But the beautiful house comes with almost as much baggage as it does land, not least high running costs and debt. It's up to the sisters to find a way to make ends meet and keep Stratton Hall in the family.
But with drama in their private lives and secrets about to emerge, can the sisters stick together to focus on the task at hand?
MY THOUGHTS: The Girls of Heatherly Hall follows on from Julie Houston's previous novel, The Village Vicar, and I recommend that you read The Village Vicar before starting on this as it will provide all the background information you will need to fully appreciate The Girls.
The Girls are triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah whose lives are all in various states of turmoil. Rosa has come to realise that a life with Sam is not what she wants, especially after meeting his mother! Eva's marriage to Rayan has fallen apart and she is floundering, completely unsure of what she wants. Hannah has taken on more than she can cope with in the running of Heatherly Hall and an unexpected 50 piglets might just be the last straw!
And of course their adoptive mother and sister are absolutely no help at all!
Julie writes with warm humour and empathy, her characters entertaining but realistic.
⭐⭐⭐.7
#TheGirlsOfHeatherlyHall #NetGalley
I: @juliehoustonauthor @headofzeus
T: @JulieHouston2 @AriaFiction @HoZ_Books
#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #friendship #romance #smalltownfiction
THE AUTHOR: Julie lives in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire where her novels are set, and her only claims to fame are that she teaches part-time at ‘Bridget Jones’ author Helen Fielding’s old junior school and her neighbour is ‘Chocolat’ author, Joanne Harris. After University, where she studied Education and English Literature, she taught for many years as a junior school teacher. As a newly qualified teacher, broke and paying off her first mortgage, she would spend every long summer holiday working on different Kibbutzim in Israel. After teaching for a few years she decided to go to New Zealand to work and taught in Auckland for a year before coming back to this country. She now teaches just two days a week, and still loves the buzz of teaching junior-aged children. She has been a magistrate for the past nineteen years, and, when not distracted by Ebay, Twitter and Ancestry, spends much of her time writing. Julie is married, has a twenty-four-year-old son and twenty-one-year-old daughter and a ridiculous Cockerpoo called Lincoln. She runs and swims because she’s been told it’s good for her, but would really prefer a glass of wine, a sun lounger and a jolly good book - preferably with Matthew Mcconaughay in attendance.
She hates skiing, gets sick on boats and wouldn’t go pot-holing or paddy diving if her life depended on it.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Aria & Aries via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Girls of Heatherly Hall by Julie Houston for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
July 9, 2023
If you haven't read the Village Vicar, be aware that my review will give away spoilers as to the ending of that book.
Triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah are now responsible for the management of manor house Heatherly Hall after the passing of their biological father Bill. They never expected to be in this position and it's been a hard adjustment for everyone involved, but they're determined to flourish.
As expected in their small town of Westenbury, there is drama and romantic endeavours galore but most importantly, there is the love of these three sisters as they navigate all that life is throwing at them. Where will they each find themselves in a year?
I was happy to pick up this book where the last left off and to see what occurred in the triplets lives. As the last book focused mostly on Rosa as the Vicar, it was nice to hear more from Eva and Hannah in this story too. As someone going through a separation and divorce myself, I really related to Eva's feelings and the worry of how young children will respond to such a large change. It was nice to read and witness a character make it out the other side and see everyone involved in a good place.
Thank you to @juliehoustonauthor @headofzeus @netgalley for providing this ARC. All opinions shared in this review are my own.
Triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah are now responsible for the management of manor house Heatherly Hall after the passing of their biological father Bill. They never expected to be in this position and it's been a hard adjustment for everyone involved, but they're determined to flourish.
As expected in their small town of Westenbury, there is drama and romantic endeavours galore but most importantly, there is the love of these three sisters as they navigate all that life is throwing at them. Where will they each find themselves in a year?
I was happy to pick up this book where the last left off and to see what occurred in the triplets lives. As the last book focused mostly on Rosa as the Vicar, it was nice to hear more from Eva and Hannah in this story too. As someone going through a separation and divorce myself, I really related to Eva's feelings and the worry of how young children will respond to such a large change. It was nice to read and witness a character make it out the other side and see everyone involved in a good place.
Thank you to @juliehoustonauthor @headofzeus @netgalley for providing this ARC. All opinions shared in this review are my own.
June 20, 2023
It was a sweet book. But it is not a book that will stay with me. It sometimes became a little bit too confusing. I liked the Main charcters, but I did not connect with them.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
May 27, 2023
I received a free copy of, The Girls of Heatherly Hall, by Julie Houston, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The Quinn triplets Hannah, Rosa, and Eva lost their father unexpectedly. They are now the proud owners of Heatherly Hall. They have absolutely no idea what they are doing, but a re having fun figuring it and their love lives out. A nice story about sisters, romance, loss, and new beginnings.
May 26, 2023
Enjoyable book enticing us in to the world of complicated families. This book is part of a series but can easily be read as a stand-alone, great characters in this heart warming and emotive book. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy
July 6, 2023
Another utterly fabulous novel from Julie Houston!
Rosa, Eva and Hannah are now, following the death of their father, owners of Heatherly Hall. Like most large manor houses, the costs generally outweigh the income and it's up to these three young women to try to generate more income in whichever way they can whilst still running their own lives - and it's not going to be easy . . .
It's no secret that I have loved all of Julie's books with the last one, The Village Vicar, finding a special place so I was thrilled when her latest continues with the same characters. There is such a lot going on in these books and, of course, they are peppered with the author's trademark humour. A great stand alone read which can only be enhanced by reading the other novels in this series. Such an enticing, delicious novel deserves my highest recommendation and a full house of sparkling stars.
Rosa, Eva and Hannah are now, following the death of their father, owners of Heatherly Hall. Like most large manor houses, the costs generally outweigh the income and it's up to these three young women to try to generate more income in whichever way they can whilst still running their own lives - and it's not going to be easy . . .
It's no secret that I have loved all of Julie's books with the last one, The Village Vicar, finding a special place so I was thrilled when her latest continues with the same characters. There is such a lot going on in these books and, of course, they are peppered with the author's trademark humour. A great stand alone read which can only be enhanced by reading the other novels in this series. Such an enticing, delicious novel deserves my highest recommendation and a full house of sparkling stars.
July 9, 2023
Wow this is getting complicated, why this isn't listed as a series I will never know.
Triplets Eva, Hannah and Rosa have inherited Heatherly Hall from their biological father (even though it turns out that he wasn't actually Eva's biological father due to their bohemian mother's running from one lover's bed to another).
Eva, a dentist by profession but frustrated artist, has separated from her husband and business partner. She is struggling to cope with juggling two small children, different religions, working with her ex, and determining what she wants for her future.
Rosa has left her high-flying investment manager life and retrained as a vicar after finding out she had cancer, just before she discovered the love of her life had cheated on her with her best friend and assistant. Although she has a new man in her life the reappearance of her ex has churned up lots of feelings that cannot be ignored.
Hannah left her very worthy job as a youth social worker to run the Hall full-time (alongside a board) but she's finding it hard to multitask and the continuous resistant from the head groundsman to any new ideas is pushing every button she has.
If it wasn't enough to create romances for singletons in the village, this book has romance for all three triplets. Whilst I did enjoy the book, when I came to write this review I struggled to remember what each sister did, who they fell in love with, and what happened - that's always the problem with ensemble romances. Whilst I also bemoan the linear series where the reader can clearly see the next romance being set up, I think this is maybe going too far the other way, it's hard to get invested in a couple when they only occupy approximately 33% of the book.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this. I love Westenbury, I love all the characters and I love how characters from previous novels drift in and out.
I think you could read this as a standalone, despite the history. A cosy, small town, romance.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Also available on Kindle Unlimited.
Bumped for release.
Triplets Eva, Hannah and Rosa have inherited Heatherly Hall from their biological father (even though it turns out that he wasn't actually Eva's biological father due to their bohemian mother's running from one lover's bed to another).
Eva, a dentist by profession but frustrated artist, has separated from her husband and business partner. She is struggling to cope with juggling two small children, different religions, working with her ex, and determining what she wants for her future.
Rosa has left her high-flying investment manager life and retrained as a vicar after finding out she had cancer, just before she discovered the love of her life had cheated on her with her best friend and assistant. Although she has a new man in her life the reappearance of her ex has churned up lots of feelings that cannot be ignored.
Hannah left her very worthy job as a youth social worker to run the Hall full-time (alongside a board) but she's finding it hard to multitask and the continuous resistant from the head groundsman to any new ideas is pushing every button she has.
If it wasn't enough to create romances for singletons in the village, this book has romance for all three triplets. Whilst I did enjoy the book, when I came to write this review I struggled to remember what each sister did, who they fell in love with, and what happened - that's always the problem with ensemble romances. Whilst I also bemoan the linear series where the reader can clearly see the next romance being set up, I think this is maybe going too far the other way, it's hard to get invested in a couple when they only occupy approximately 33% of the book.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this. I love Westenbury, I love all the characters and I love how characters from previous novels drift in and out.
I think you could read this as a standalone, despite the history. A cosy, small town, romance.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Also available on Kindle Unlimited.
Bumped for release.
May 18, 2023
I liked this book. However I would have liked it more if it was split into a serie so that each of the siblings got to tell their own story and had time to delve into and fill out each of their own relationships more. Having a 30%ish of a book made it all a bit rushed for each one. So I think it was good. But could have been much better
July 18, 2023
This was my first book by Julie Houston but it definitely won’t be my last, especially now that I’ve discovered there’s more set around Heatherly Hall - including the prequel to this book.
This was just what I needed to restart the reading bug and has left me wanting to get stuck into all of the books again, fab characters, great storylines and lots of “Will they, won’t they” situations. I buddy read this with a friend but we both ended up binge reading as you find yourself getting lost in the book and wanting to know what’s going to happen next.
I did predict a couple of the couplings quite soon but there were also a few twists and turns along the way that I didn’t see coming. We also had a little bit of animal love, from dogs and cats right up to lambing sheep - I hope to find out more from these in particular if there are more books about Rosa, Eva and Hannah - there’s definitely stories there…
Overall this was a really enjoyable read and I would easily recommend Julie to anyone looking for something to get them out of a book slump or just who wants a good book to get lost in!
This was just what I needed to restart the reading bug and has left me wanting to get stuck into all of the books again, fab characters, great storylines and lots of “Will they, won’t they” situations. I buddy read this with a friend but we both ended up binge reading as you find yourself getting lost in the book and wanting to know what’s going to happen next.
I did predict a couple of the couplings quite soon but there were also a few twists and turns along the way that I didn’t see coming. We also had a little bit of animal love, from dogs and cats right up to lambing sheep - I hope to find out more from these in particular if there are more books about Rosa, Eva and Hannah - there’s definitely stories there…
Overall this was a really enjoyable read and I would easily recommend Julie to anyone looking for something to get them out of a book slump or just who wants a good book to get lost in!
July 6, 2024
I was struggling for an audiobook pick after finishing my previous, that I enjoyed so much I felt a hole to fill! It took me a few DNFs and non starters to finally arrive at this one and it was the one to hook me and keep me listening.
Saying that it did take me a while to gel into it but I was never at risk of wanting to drop it. I just wanted a nice, easy, feel good contemporary fiction and this one fit the bill.
I wasn’t too invested in the characters but it didn’t stop me from enjoying their stories and intrigued to see what was going to happen in their storylines.
The audiobook was well narrated and I enjoyed the listen so it was a win in exactly what I was looking for. It was enjoyable but didn’t quite hit *it* even though I’m not sure what *it* I was looking for. Think it’s me in this one, it could have been the fallout from coming out of a brilliant book that caused a struggle to find a follow up. Nothing to complain about as it was well written with good characters. Would solidly recommend the audio!
Saying that it did take me a while to gel into it but I was never at risk of wanting to drop it. I just wanted a nice, easy, feel good contemporary fiction and this one fit the bill.
I wasn’t too invested in the characters but it didn’t stop me from enjoying their stories and intrigued to see what was going to happen in their storylines.
The audiobook was well narrated and I enjoyed the listen so it was a win in exactly what I was looking for. It was enjoyable but didn’t quite hit *it* even though I’m not sure what *it* I was looking for. Think it’s me in this one, it could have been the fallout from coming out of a brilliant book that caused a struggle to find a follow up. Nothing to complain about as it was well written with good characters. Would solidly recommend the audio!
August 5, 2023
Lovely to catch up with the Quinn sisters.
They are a force to be reckoned with.
All going through life changing episodes, all having a crisis of confidence and needing reassurances. Such good book series I can’t wait for the next instalment.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc I m exchange for an honest review.
They are a force to be reckoned with.
All going through life changing episodes, all having a crisis of confidence and needing reassurances. Such good book series I can’t wait for the next instalment.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc I m exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2023
I love a Julie Houston book. I've read them all & this one tops the list for me.
We meet again the Quinn triplets & are back into the centre of their complicated lives. Heatherly Hall throws many problems at them, & Hannah is determined to solve them all herself. Rosa is trying to live her best life being a vicar but her heart & soul is still with Jo Rosavina, Eva is in turmoil regarding her marriage & is desperate to sort it.
I only hope that we have another visit to Heartherly hall in the future because I'm sure there is more to come.
We meet again the Quinn triplets & are back into the centre of their complicated lives. Heatherly Hall throws many problems at them, & Hannah is determined to solve them all herself. Rosa is trying to live her best life being a vicar but her heart & soul is still with Jo Rosavina, Eva is in turmoil regarding her marriage & is desperate to sort it.
I only hope that we have another visit to Heartherly hall in the future because I'm sure there is more to come.
July 6, 2023
Inheriting a majority share in Heatherly Hall has brought changes and new responsibilities to all of the Quinn triplets, but none more so than Hannah – managing the place day-to-day, dealing with issues way outside her skill set (what on earth will she do with all those piglets?). She still feels totally out of her depth chairing the management committee, always in conflict with the standoffish and superior estate manager – he’s never going to agree with her ideas about a rock festival to rival Glastonbury (think “Westenbury”…), is he? And her private life’s a bit of a car crash too – Ben might have left his wife and family for her, but commitment isn’t something he’s particularly good at.
Eva’s struggling with the realisation that she’s facing the end of her marriage to dentist husband Rayan, while dealing with the impact on their two young children – like her father (and there’s more to that story…) she’s a talented artist, and the possibility of setting up an artists’ retreat at the hall might give her something good to focus on. And Rosa’s settling in well as the village vicar, even if living at the dilapidated vicarage has its problems – and her new relationship with Sam certainly isn’t all she wants it to be, and made all the more difficult by the closeness of Joe, the former love of her life who might have moved on but still makes her heart beat rather faster.
It’s a tremendous temptation to go on and tell you the whole story of what happens next – but the author does it so much better, intertwining the stories of all three, involving you in their lives, keeping you alongside them as they navigate life’s problems, laugh and cry, and hope to find their own paths to a happy ending. And the story is underpinned by the relationship between them – quite wonderfully drawn, sisterhood at its best, but not without the odd clash and difference of opinion along the way. We follow their struggles to find the right way forward with the Hall, to be true to the vision of their father Bill, the former Marquess of Stratton – but that’s nicely balanced by their own personal stories, with a few touches of romance along the way. I’m always really impressed by the way the author delves into the emotions of her characters, making them both real and sympathetic – but there’s always a real lightness too, a lovely thread of humour (and some of the most wonderful set pieces) that unfailingly makes me laugh.
And as well as the three women at its centre, the supporting cast is simply wonderful – their various partners (although I’m really disappointed in Sam – but with a mother like that, I’m not too surprised…), but also the more incidental ones like Hilary the outspoken church warden. The village of Westenbury is as beautifully drawn as ever, and – if this isn’t your first visit – it’s a delight to meet again some familiar characters from the earlier books, and particularly to be present at a rather special wedding. But there’s a trip to Paris too, particularly testing for one of the sisters, but all handled with the perfect emotional touch – with the reintroduction of the wonderful Alice, the triplets’ natural mother and famously unpredictable and eccentric.
I’ll be honest and admit that it might have been something of a risk to combine so many different storylines in a single book, but the author manages it with particular aplomb – no threads dropped, every single one carefully woven into a whole that really worked just perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed this book – an author I love, writing at her very best. Highly recommended by me!
Eva’s struggling with the realisation that she’s facing the end of her marriage to dentist husband Rayan, while dealing with the impact on their two young children – like her father (and there’s more to that story…) she’s a talented artist, and the possibility of setting up an artists’ retreat at the hall might give her something good to focus on. And Rosa’s settling in well as the village vicar, even if living at the dilapidated vicarage has its problems – and her new relationship with Sam certainly isn’t all she wants it to be, and made all the more difficult by the closeness of Joe, the former love of her life who might have moved on but still makes her heart beat rather faster.
It’s a tremendous temptation to go on and tell you the whole story of what happens next – but the author does it so much better, intertwining the stories of all three, involving you in their lives, keeping you alongside them as they navigate life’s problems, laugh and cry, and hope to find their own paths to a happy ending. And the story is underpinned by the relationship between them – quite wonderfully drawn, sisterhood at its best, but not without the odd clash and difference of opinion along the way. We follow their struggles to find the right way forward with the Hall, to be true to the vision of their father Bill, the former Marquess of Stratton – but that’s nicely balanced by their own personal stories, with a few touches of romance along the way. I’m always really impressed by the way the author delves into the emotions of her characters, making them both real and sympathetic – but there’s always a real lightness too, a lovely thread of humour (and some of the most wonderful set pieces) that unfailingly makes me laugh.
And as well as the three women at its centre, the supporting cast is simply wonderful – their various partners (although I’m really disappointed in Sam – but with a mother like that, I’m not too surprised…), but also the more incidental ones like Hilary the outspoken church warden. The village of Westenbury is as beautifully drawn as ever, and – if this isn’t your first visit – it’s a delight to meet again some familiar characters from the earlier books, and particularly to be present at a rather special wedding. But there’s a trip to Paris too, particularly testing for one of the sisters, but all handled with the perfect emotional touch – with the reintroduction of the wonderful Alice, the triplets’ natural mother and famously unpredictable and eccentric.
I’ll be honest and admit that it might have been something of a risk to combine so many different storylines in a single book, but the author manages it with particular aplomb – no threads dropped, every single one carefully woven into a whole that really worked just perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed this book – an author I love, writing at her very best. Highly recommended by me!
August 15, 2023
Uplifting, hilarious and immensely enjoyable, The Girls of Heatherly Hall is the wonderful new novel by Julie Houston.
Life has changed drastically for the Quinn triplets. Rosa Quinn had once been a high-flier in London whose entire life revolved around her business. The corporate world had consumed Rosa – until a heart-shattering betrayal from her partner and a shocking diagnosis had forced her to revaluate her life and take stock of her future. Being left in control of Heatherly Hall after the death of her natural father alongside her sisters Eva and Hannah, Rosa had decided to move back home to Yorkshire to the village of Westenbury where she became the local vicar and this decision had been the best one she had ever made. Rosa cannot remember ever being so fulfilled, however, when she comes face to face with the man who broke her heart, all her old feelings for him resurface with a vengeance and as she falls in love with him all over again, she wonders whether she is ready to trust him with her heart – or whether she should look for her happy ending elsewhere.
Eva has always been the responsible sister. Despite her passion for art, Eva had gone down a more sensible route and became a dentist instead. With an ex-husband and two girls to bring up, Eva has certainly got a lot on her plate. But lately she has found herself feeling restless and listless. Should she take a chance on herself and her happiness and try and make all of her childhood dreams a reality? Or should Eva continue to keep her feet on the ground?
Hannah is determined to do whatever it takes to make Heatherly Hall a success. With so much riding on this, Hannah will try anything to prove all those who doubt her wrong – if only she didn’t constantly butt heads with brooding estate manager, Lachlan Buchanan…
With so much going on in their private lives, will the Quinn triplets manage to stick together and triumph over the many obstacles standing in their way and succeed in making Heatherly Hall profitable? Will they all find the happiness they seek? Or is it all going to go wrong for Rosa, Eva and Hannah?
Sparkling with warmth, humour, pathos and emotion, Julie Houston’s The Girls of Heatherly Hall is a terrific page-turner that will tug at the heartstrings and have readers crying with laughter. With three brilliant heroines it is impossible not to care about and root for, The Girls of Heatherly Hall is a superb tale about family, community, friendship and finding your soulmate that I fell in love with from the moment I read the first page.
Julie Houston is up there with Katie Fforde and Jill Mansell when it comes to writing fun and feel-good romantic fiction and she has another surefire hit on her hands with her latest novel, The Girls of Heatherly Hall.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Life has changed drastically for the Quinn triplets. Rosa Quinn had once been a high-flier in London whose entire life revolved around her business. The corporate world had consumed Rosa – until a heart-shattering betrayal from her partner and a shocking diagnosis had forced her to revaluate her life and take stock of her future. Being left in control of Heatherly Hall after the death of her natural father alongside her sisters Eva and Hannah, Rosa had decided to move back home to Yorkshire to the village of Westenbury where she became the local vicar and this decision had been the best one she had ever made. Rosa cannot remember ever being so fulfilled, however, when she comes face to face with the man who broke her heart, all her old feelings for him resurface with a vengeance and as she falls in love with him all over again, she wonders whether she is ready to trust him with her heart – or whether she should look for her happy ending elsewhere.
Eva has always been the responsible sister. Despite her passion for art, Eva had gone down a more sensible route and became a dentist instead. With an ex-husband and two girls to bring up, Eva has certainly got a lot on her plate. But lately she has found herself feeling restless and listless. Should she take a chance on herself and her happiness and try and make all of her childhood dreams a reality? Or should Eva continue to keep her feet on the ground?
Hannah is determined to do whatever it takes to make Heatherly Hall a success. With so much riding on this, Hannah will try anything to prove all those who doubt her wrong – if only she didn’t constantly butt heads with brooding estate manager, Lachlan Buchanan…
With so much going on in their private lives, will the Quinn triplets manage to stick together and triumph over the many obstacles standing in their way and succeed in making Heatherly Hall profitable? Will they all find the happiness they seek? Or is it all going to go wrong for Rosa, Eva and Hannah?
Sparkling with warmth, humour, pathos and emotion, Julie Houston’s The Girls of Heatherly Hall is a terrific page-turner that will tug at the heartstrings and have readers crying with laughter. With three brilliant heroines it is impossible not to care about and root for, The Girls of Heatherly Hall is a superb tale about family, community, friendship and finding your soulmate that I fell in love with from the moment I read the first page.
Julie Houston is up there with Katie Fforde and Jill Mansell when it comes to writing fun and feel-good romantic fiction and she has another surefire hit on her hands with her latest novel, The Girls of Heatherly Hall.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 7, 2023
The Girls of Heatherly Hall is the second is the series of the Quinn triplets story. I was given an ARC by the publisher. We start the book just after the girls have inherited Heatherly Hall from their biological father. Eva, is a dentist, mother of two and is separated from her husband, Rosa is the parish priest and dating Sam a dentist in Eva's practice. Hannah is working full time as the general manager and Chair of the Board at the Hall. Hannah's boyfriend Ben is a near surgeon and recently separated from his wife and children following their affair. The 38 year old triplets were born to Alice Parkes and internationally renown artist and Bill who just happened to be a Marquis. Alice handed over the triplets to her sister and brother in law once they were born.
This latest installment of the Quinn girls takes in a trip to Paris, past loves and new loves as they face life and running the hall together. This is a delightful novel with a cast of fabulous characters. Not everyone is quite what they presented themselves to be. Read as the cast of characters feel their way through a difficult spell in their lives. Hannah has taken on too much at the hall and is even getting up at 5am to feed the pigs. Can she learn to delegate and finally get on with the grumpy estate manager Lachlan? Eva is trying to navigate her way through separation from her husband and father of her two girls. She is still working in their joint dental practice 2 days a week and trying to set up an artists retreat at the hall. Rosa is juggling her responsibilities as parish priest and playing her part in the running of the hall. Following treatment for cancer, she is desperate for a family of her own, having had 10 eggs previously frozen. Her boyfriend Sam is divorced and has lost his only son in a tragic accident. On the face of it they both want the same thing, marriage and a family. But all this is thrown into chaos when someone from Rosa's past returns to the village.
Will the girls get their happy ever afters or is is all going to end badly? This is a great summer read. Lovely characters, some laugh out loud moments, and about love for your family. I look forward to reading the next instalment.
This latest installment of the Quinn girls takes in a trip to Paris, past loves and new loves as they face life and running the hall together. This is a delightful novel with a cast of fabulous characters. Not everyone is quite what they presented themselves to be. Read as the cast of characters feel their way through a difficult spell in their lives. Hannah has taken on too much at the hall and is even getting up at 5am to feed the pigs. Can she learn to delegate and finally get on with the grumpy estate manager Lachlan? Eva is trying to navigate her way through separation from her husband and father of her two girls. She is still working in their joint dental practice 2 days a week and trying to set up an artists retreat at the hall. Rosa is juggling her responsibilities as parish priest and playing her part in the running of the hall. Following treatment for cancer, she is desperate for a family of her own, having had 10 eggs previously frozen. Her boyfriend Sam is divorced and has lost his only son in a tragic accident. On the face of it they both want the same thing, marriage and a family. But all this is thrown into chaos when someone from Rosa's past returns to the village.
Will the girls get their happy ever afters or is is all going to end badly? This is a great summer read. Lovely characters, some laugh out loud moments, and about love for your family. I look forward to reading the next instalment.
July 19, 2023
The Girls of Heatherly Hall is the second is the series of the Quinn triplets story. I was given an ARC by the publisher. We start the book just after the girls have inherited Heatherly Hall from their biological father. Eva, is a dentist, mother of two and is separated from her husband, Rosa is the parish priest and dating Sam a dentist in Eva's practice. Hannah is working full time as the general manager and Chair of the Board at the Hall. Hannah's boyfriend Ben is a near surgeon and recently separated from his wife and children following their affair. The 38 year old triplets were born to Alice Parkes and internationally renown artist and Bill who just happened to be a Marquis. Alice handed over the triplets to her sister and brother in law once they were born.
This latest installment of the Quinn girls takes in a trip to Paris, past loves and new loves as they face life and running the hall together. This is a delightful novel with a cast of fabulous characters. Not everyone is quite what they presented themselves to be. Read as the cast of characters feel their way through a difficult spell in their lives. Hannah has taken on too much at the hall and is even getting up at 5am to feed the pigs. Can she learn to delegate and finally get on with the grumpy estate manager Lachlan? Eva is trying to navigate her way through separation from her husband and father of her two girls. She is still working in their joint dental practice 2 days a week and trying to set up an artists retreat at the hall. Rosa is juggling her responsibilities as parish priest and playing her part in the running of the hall. Following treatment for cancer, she is desperate for a family of her own, having had 10 eggs previously frozen. Her boyfriend Sam is divorced and has lost his only son in a tragic accident. On the face of it they both want the same thing, marriage and a family. But all this is thrown into chaos when someone from Rosa's past returns to the village.
Will the girls get their happy ever afters or is is all going to end badly? This is a great summer read. Lovely characters, some laugh out loud moments, and about love for your family. I look forward to reading the next instalment.
This latest installment of the Quinn girls takes in a trip to Paris, past loves and new loves as they face life and running the hall together. This is a delightful novel with a cast of fabulous characters. Not everyone is quite what they presented themselves to be. Read as the cast of characters feel their way through a difficult spell in their lives. Hannah has taken on too much at the hall and is even getting up at 5am to feed the pigs. Can she learn to delegate and finally get on with the grumpy estate manager Lachlan? Eva is trying to navigate her way through separation from her husband and father of her two girls. She is still working in their joint dental practice 2 days a week and trying to set up an artists retreat at the hall. Rosa is juggling her responsibilities as parish priest and playing her part in the running of the hall. Following treatment for cancer, she is desperate for a family of her own, having had 10 eggs previously frozen. Her boyfriend Sam is divorced and has lost his only son in a tragic accident. On the face of it they both want the same thing, marriage and a family. But all this is thrown into chaos when someone from Rosa's past returns to the village.
Will the girls get their happy ever afters or is is all going to end badly? This is a great summer read. Lovely characters, some laugh out loud moments, and about love for your family. I look forward to reading the next instalment.
June 9, 2023
Loved it, but I pretty much have loved all the books that take place in Westenbury!! It was great to revisit the triplets, Rosa, Eva and Hannah, and find out how Heatherly Hall was going with them in charge. The book mainly focused on Rosa, Eva and Hannah, but a few of the previous characters made appearances like Frankie and Daisy. There needs to be an index of all the characters to keep track of everyone because after awhile the books and people start to blend together. Sam was completely different from the first book. After meeting Sam's mom, Rosa probably saw the red flags flashing in front of her face. Even if Sam is only a smidgen like his mom, that's already way too much. Was I surprised about Ben? No, of course not. Hannah shouldn't have expected anything else. At least urine wasn't involved this time. It wasn't hard to guess who the love interests would be for Hannah and Rosa. Eva's storyline was not what I expected, especially with her husband Rayan. I'm pretty sure some lines were crossed with the therapist. Loved the names of the pigs. It's hard to believe the triplets are even related to Virginia. Every time I read the books about Westenbury, I want to live there and become friends with everyone.
Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I love reading about the village and seeing what everyone is up to. Look forward to reading more books by the author. I simply can't resist going back to Westenbury.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aria & Aries through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Edit Review
Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I love reading about the village and seeing what everyone is up to. Look forward to reading more books by the author. I simply can't resist going back to Westenbury.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Aria & Aries through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Edit Review
May 20, 2023
The Girls of Heatherly Hall
BLURB:
After the untimely death of their biological father, triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah find themselves the unlikely owners of Stratton Hall, the vast manor house overlooking their home village of Westernbury. But the beautiful house comes with almost as much baggage as it does land, not least high running costs and debt. It's up to the sisters to find a way to make ends meet and keep Stratton Hall in the family.
But with drama in their private lives and secrets about to emerge, can the sisters stick together to focus on the task at hand?
MY REVIEW:
This book follows triplets Eva, Hannah and Rosa, as they all try to reinvent their lives and themselves. There are three separate storylines and three separate romances, yet they have been woven into one timeline.
The characters were likeable enough, but I didn’t connect with any of them on an emotional level. With only 33% of the book for each couple, I found it hard to care about them.
Overall, this was a sweet, small-town romance.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
BLURB:
After the untimely death of their biological father, triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah find themselves the unlikely owners of Stratton Hall, the vast manor house overlooking their home village of Westernbury. But the beautiful house comes with almost as much baggage as it does land, not least high running costs and debt. It's up to the sisters to find a way to make ends meet and keep Stratton Hall in the family.
But with drama in their private lives and secrets about to emerge, can the sisters stick together to focus on the task at hand?
MY REVIEW:
This book follows triplets Eva, Hannah and Rosa, as they all try to reinvent their lives and themselves. There are three separate storylines and three separate romances, yet they have been woven into one timeline.
The characters were likeable enough, but I didn’t connect with any of them on an emotional level. With only 33% of the book for each couple, I found it hard to care about them.
Overall, this was a sweet, small-town romance.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
June 14, 2023
I received a copy of The GIrls of Heatherly Hall by Julie Houston from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have recently been in a reading slump and have slowed down on reading considerably for the past several years. So I have been testing the waters with different genres and authors. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to start and finish this book in one day.
The village of Westernbury is a lovely backdrop to a novel about the relationships between triplets, Rosa, Eva, and Hannah. Each are dealing with life changing realities and are feeling quite lost. But luckily they have each other as their constant support system.
I really loved Rosa and her life as village vicar. Eva is dealing with martial problems. Hannah is trying to manage and run by herself the Hall the sisters just inherited without the help of the employees or a background in management. There is a lot of complicated feelings and issues involving the sisters, but this book never feels bogged down or overly dramatic. A highly enjoyable read to whisk you away to an English village life.
I have recently been in a reading slump and have slowed down on reading considerably for the past several years. So I have been testing the waters with different genres and authors. So I was pleasantly surprised when I was able to start and finish this book in one day.
The village of Westernbury is a lovely backdrop to a novel about the relationships between triplets, Rosa, Eva, and Hannah. Each are dealing with life changing realities and are feeling quite lost. But luckily they have each other as their constant support system.
I really loved Rosa and her life as village vicar. Eva is dealing with martial problems. Hannah is trying to manage and run by herself the Hall the sisters just inherited without the help of the employees or a background in management. There is a lot of complicated feelings and issues involving the sisters, but this book never feels bogged down or overly dramatic. A highly enjoyable read to whisk you away to an English village life.
July 5, 2023
West Yorkshire
Bill Ashley, twelfth Marquess of Stratton, bequeathed 51 percent share of his estate management of Stratton Hall to his daughters, triplets Eva, Hannah, and Rosa.
Rosa was once head of RQ Investments but is now the Vicar of All Hallows Church.
Eva is a dentist at her dental surgery along with her husband. They are the parents of two.
Hannah has taken on running the Hall and all of the things that entails. It’s a popular wedding venue, gardens for touring, conference center, tea room, and wine bar. She is up at 5 am to get everything done and works late.
We follow them as they encounter lots of problems in their love lives. Oh, but there’s more than that going on. The book is humorous, true life, and shows the spirits of sisters that love one another.
My problem is that there is so much to absorb here and I had to wonder if this is part of a series as in many ways I felt like I came into the middle of a movie. But, all in all, it is a very good book that I think readers will enjoy.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Bill Ashley, twelfth Marquess of Stratton, bequeathed 51 percent share of his estate management of Stratton Hall to his daughters, triplets Eva, Hannah, and Rosa.
Rosa was once head of RQ Investments but is now the Vicar of All Hallows Church.
Eva is a dentist at her dental surgery along with her husband. They are the parents of two.
Hannah has taken on running the Hall and all of the things that entails. It’s a popular wedding venue, gardens for touring, conference center, tea room, and wine bar. She is up at 5 am to get everything done and works late.
We follow them as they encounter lots of problems in their love lives. Oh, but there’s more than that going on. The book is humorous, true life, and shows the spirits of sisters that love one another.
My problem is that there is so much to absorb here and I had to wonder if this is part of a series as in many ways I felt like I came into the middle of a movie. But, all in all, it is a very good book that I think readers will enjoy.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 7, 2023
Loved this story of Rosa, Eva, Hannah who inherit Heatherly Hall from their biological father. I really warmed to each character with their own story.
Rosa is the local vicar who is a modern day vicar who still loves her ex, I felt myself really urging Rosa on and sort out her life.
Eva is a dentist married to another dentist and has 2 daughters when suddenly he leaves her for another woman and has to juggle running the hall and trying to keep her family together.
Hannah has taken over the running of the Hall which is a successful wedding venue but is struggling and working all hours to keep the hall going.
This is a great story of sisterly bonds and how they support each other even though they have their own secrets to overcome.
Would highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley & Aria & Aries, Aria for a ARC for a honest review and looking forward to the next one.
Rosa is the local vicar who is a modern day vicar who still loves her ex, I felt myself really urging Rosa on and sort out her life.
Eva is a dentist married to another dentist and has 2 daughters when suddenly he leaves her for another woman and has to juggle running the hall and trying to keep her family together.
Hannah has taken over the running of the Hall which is a successful wedding venue but is struggling and working all hours to keep the hall going.
This is a great story of sisterly bonds and how they support each other even though they have their own secrets to overcome.
Would highly recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley & Aria & Aries, Aria for a ARC for a honest review and looking forward to the next one.
July 7, 2023
A surprise inheritance and strange news
The Quinn triplets each have different views.
Each is experiencing drama in their life
And having to overcome unexpected strife.
The story explores as their secrets are uncovered
And about each other more is discovered.
Infidelity, a second chance and new ones, too,
Romances, new roles and lots to do!
A heartwarming story of a family that's never dull
And a read with so many twists it is so full!
The sisters are always there for each other
And they need their support as they'll soon discover!
A fun read with a romance - or three!
With parental surprises, I'm sure you'll agree.
A look to the past and mistakes made back then
Can they be forgiven to make a new start again?
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
The Quinn triplets each have different views.
Each is experiencing drama in their life
And having to overcome unexpected strife.
The story explores as their secrets are uncovered
And about each other more is discovered.
Infidelity, a second chance and new ones, too,
Romances, new roles and lots to do!
A heartwarming story of a family that's never dull
And a read with so many twists it is so full!
The sisters are always there for each other
And they need their support as they'll soon discover!
A fun read with a romance - or three!
With parental surprises, I'm sure you'll agree.
A look to the past and mistakes made back then
Can they be forgiven to make a new start again?
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
October 4, 2023
The Girls of Heatherly Hall was my first experience of reading a book by Julie Houston. I have mixed feelings about both this book and her writing style. I have not yet decided if I will read another book by Ms. Houston.
I was disappointed in this book. Perhaps because I am in my mid-sixties, I had considerable trouble relating to the main characters. I had expected the book to be amusing, and instead I just found it depressing. I am from a small South Texas farming/ranching/oil community. In the late seventies, I left home for university and a teaching career, and later a career as an switchboard operator and cashier. I finally returned home to care for aging parents. The main characters experiences, dreams, fears, etc. were just too different from mine. Their sense of humor just hit me the wrong way, as did many of their choices.
I was disappointed in this book. Perhaps because I am in my mid-sixties, I had considerable trouble relating to the main characters. I had expected the book to be amusing, and instead I just found it depressing. I am from a small South Texas farming/ranching/oil community. In the late seventies, I left home for university and a teaching career, and later a career as an switchboard operator and cashier. I finally returned home to care for aging parents. The main characters experiences, dreams, fears, etc. were just too different from mine. Their sense of humor just hit me the wrong way, as did many of their choices.
July 9, 2023
Triplets Hannah, Rosa, and Eva have lost their father. They are now the owners of Heatherly Hall. They must learn how to manage their property and their personal lives at the same time.
Family is important to the triplets, and they are always there for each other. I love the dynamics of them and how they handle life.
It was good to read about the triplets and everyone that touches their lives. This book is the second in a series, the first being the Village Vicar. You can read this as a standalone but reading the first you will feel as close to the triplets as I did while I was reading the book.
Thank you NetGalley, Julie Houston and Aria & Aries for the copy of
The Girls of Heatherly Hall. This is my personal review.
Family is important to the triplets, and they are always there for each other. I love the dynamics of them and how they handle life.
It was good to read about the triplets and everyone that touches their lives. This book is the second in a series, the first being the Village Vicar. You can read this as a standalone but reading the first you will feel as close to the triplets as I did while I was reading the book.
Thank you NetGalley, Julie Houston and Aria & Aries for the copy of
The Girls of Heatherly Hall. This is my personal review.
July 6, 2023
The reader is always guaranteed laughs, poignancy and romance when they visit the Westenbury community, and this book is the second featuring the triplets, Eva, Hannah and Rosa, full of drama, humour, heartbreak and secrets. I love the immersive setting and insightful writing. The three women are diverse characters but share a common sisterhood bond, which many will relate to. I enjoyed the cast of characters in the community and the use of sensory imagery that makes it easy to visualise characters, events and locations. It's an entertaining and uplifting read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
July 31, 2023
This book follows directly on from The Village Vicar, and although works as a standalone, I would advise reading that one first to fully understand this story.
Triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah inherited Heatherley Hall, and clearly have no real idea what they are doing. Can they make the Hall profitable, and manage their own private lives as they do?
I found this book quite busy, there was lots going on and I found myself bit lost at some points. That said, there are amusing points (I loved the piglet issue!), some serious moments (covering conception and divorce), and some lovely characters (Alice and her self-centeredness is a particularly favourite of mine!).
Triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah inherited Heatherley Hall, and clearly have no real idea what they are doing. Can they make the Hall profitable, and manage their own private lives as they do?
I found this book quite busy, there was lots going on and I found myself bit lost at some points. That said, there are amusing points (I loved the piglet issue!), some serious moments (covering conception and divorce), and some lovely characters (Alice and her self-centeredness is a particularly favourite of mine!).
May 2, 2023
Full disclosure I am a big fan of Julie Houston’s Westenbury series and oh my goodness this latest one didn't disappoint.
I absolutely loved A Village Vicar and so couldn’t wait to spend more time with the fabulous triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah in The Girls of Heatherly Hall and what a fabulous story it is.
The author doesn’t pull any punches and is never shy about introducing difficult subjects. She masters mixing heartbreaking and humour with skill and this next outing for Eva Hannah and Rosa is no exception.
I raced through this book, it’s a real treat.
Highly recommend.
I absolutely loved A Village Vicar and so couldn’t wait to spend more time with the fabulous triplets Eva, Rosa and Hannah in The Girls of Heatherly Hall and what a fabulous story it is.
The author doesn’t pull any punches and is never shy about introducing difficult subjects. She masters mixing heartbreaking and humour with skill and this next outing for Eva Hannah and Rosa is no exception.
I raced through this book, it’s a real treat.
Highly recommend.
June 11, 2023
This was an absolute gem of a book!
I thoroughly enjoyed following the sisters in their new roles in the hall, negotiating tricky and new family and life situations along the way.
You really warmed to the triplets, with their different quirks and situations, it really made them endearing.
This book is pacey, there is consistently a drama going on which makes it very difficult to put down, I read much later into the early hours than is comfortable for an early start!
A real cracker of a feel good read! Interesting, different and dramatic, a perfect summer read!
I thoroughly enjoyed following the sisters in their new roles in the hall, negotiating tricky and new family and life situations along the way.
You really warmed to the triplets, with their different quirks and situations, it really made them endearing.
This book is pacey, there is consistently a drama going on which makes it very difficult to put down, I read much later into the early hours than is comfortable for an early start!
A real cracker of a feel good read! Interesting, different and dramatic, a perfect summer read!
July 4, 2023
The Girls of Heatherly Hall by Julie Houston is a novel is so filled with tripe, abbreviations, and slang that, by page 134, I skipped to the end without finishing this piece of writing. It had the potential, at the beginning, to be something strong and empowering; but became too wrapped up in drivel before the midpoint. She became slogged down in tangents and side tropes. Needs to pick a lane and possibly divide the sisters into their own novels instead of cramming.
Definitely not one I would recommend.
Definitely not one I would recommend.
July 12, 2023
Welcome back to Heatherly Hall and the continuing story of the Quinn triplets. There’s enough drama to go around with Eva, Rosa and Hannah all facing relationship problems. Eva doesn’t seem sure if she wants to stay married to Rayan or not, Rosa is still in love with Joe, who is now seemingly with someone else, and Hannah is finding that her married lover is also cheating on her. All you need for a light summer read!
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