3.7 Stars

One Liner: Sweet and cozy; low-stakes romance

The Jackson family has lived in Maple Tree Lodge for over a century. However, the hotel was never a success. After his father’s death, architect Ben Jackson discovers the place is on the brink of ruin. He has to do something to keep his family afloat.

Interior designer Lily Watson, Ben’s sister’s friend, is roped in for an urgent renovation. She is happy as this gives her a chance to earn money and prove her worth to her high-achieving parents.
However, with Ben and Lily’s ideas for the renovation being the complete opposite, the project won’t be easy! And of course, the fireworks between them could complicate things or simplify them. Can the two help each other in the process?

The story comes in Lily and Ben’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:

Since I enjoyed the previous series by the author, I was excited to read this one. It is set in the same region, a fictional setting in the UK countryside, close to London. A few characters from the other series make a guest appearance here. Only one of them has a slightly prominent role… Dodgy Del! Yeah, though here, he seems to be less prone to causing trouble.

This is a low-stakes romance with very little angst or drama. If you are into intense love stories, this may not work for you. But if you want something hopeful, lighthearted, and cozy, you will enjoy the book.

The writing is mostly ‘tell’ with very little ‘show’. Also, there’s an infodump right at the beginning (this seems to be the author’s writing style). Still, the book has a good pace. I could finish 70% in a single sitting.

Though we have some heavy themes like the death of a parent, tensions in the family, a heroine with reinforced walls, financial concerns, etc., they don’t feel overwhelming. The feel-good vibes are strong and ensure there’s a sense of hope from start to finish.

Family and friendships are the core of the plot. I loved all members of the Jackson family as well as the friends of the MCs. Two pairs for the next books have been hinted at, and there’s one person left. We’ll have to wait and see how that goes. So, this is also bound to be a four-book series set in the beautiful Maple Tree Lodge.

The remote setting of the lodge nestled in the woods with a lake close by and hundreds of ancient trees feels like the best place to be! I enjoyed the descriptions of the interiors of the lodge and the nature around it. Since the story happens over four-six months, we can see the seasonal changes as well.

To summarize, Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge is a cozy and heartwarming story about finding your place in the world and having a supportive family. It works well as a breather between heavier reads.

Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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