Hattie's Home for Broken Hearts: A feel good laugh out loud romantic comedy

Tilly Tennant

Jul 2019 · Bookouture

About this ebook

‘Stunning... What a marvellous read this was... I raced through the story finishing it in an afternoon.... I loved every minute of this beautiful read’ Shaz’s Book Blog

 

Escape to the daisy-strewn windswept Dorset cliffs, to the donkey sanctuary at Sweet Briar Farm, where Hattie Rose is about to find, that in this world, the most unlikely opposites can sometimes attract …

 

Hattie was once thrilled to call the beautiful city of Paris her home. But when her heart is broken by her boyfriend and she loses her dream job, she bids farewell to the city of love and hurries home to Gillypuddle, a sleepy village on the Dorset coast.  But as she returns home she finds her parents struggling to cope with a terrible family tragedy.

 

In a desperate search for a new start, Hattie takes a job at the donkey sanctuary nearby on Sweet Briar Farm where Jo, the taciturn owner, certainly loves her animals far more than humans. Hattie can’t help but fall in love with the donkeys (and the opportunity to get close to dreamy Canadian vet Seth) but Jo is harder to get to know and when she finds her boss sobbing in her sleep one stormy night, she knows that her new friend is hiding a dark secret. 

 

And when handsome newspaper reporter Owen does some digging into Jo’s past he finds something that connects her to Hattie on a whole new level. Can Hattie trust what Owen says, especially when he seems intent on standing in the way of her blossoming romance with Seth?  And can Hattie help Jo to start healing and the donkeys of Sweet Briar Farm?

 

A beautiful story that will melt the hardest of hearts. If you love Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Josie Silver you will be enchanted by this life-affirming read that reminds you that home is wherever the people you love are.

 

Everyone loves Hattie’s Home for Broken Hearts:

 

‘This is a story that will melt even the hardest of hearts, it is perfect for lovers of Jenny Colgan books. I will definitely be reading more by this author.’ Little Miss Book Lover

 

‘I love Tilly’s books, and this one was a real pleasure to read… Great storyline, and a warm, captivating read.’ Goodreads Reviewer , Five stars

 

‘The perfect heartwarming read for the summer. This story is about loss, love, and second chances. I couldn't help feeling like the grinch whose heart grew several sizes while reading this wonderful story.’ The Reading Chemist

 

‘Another fabulous story from Tilly. A fantastic summer read with the feel- good factor. Enough to almost draw tears but then break out in a big smile. Wonderful.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

 

‘Tilly love you have done it again. Hatties home for broken hearts is an amazing feel good book. …amazing characters, a fabulous storyline and a great setting. This book is really fab.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

 

‘This is a unique story that I enjoyed reading. A donkey sanctuary was a wonderful addition to the story of Jo and a few love interests as well. I am a fan of Tilly Tennant and have read many of her books, and this one was at the top of my list. For me, definitely a 5 star review. ‘ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

 

‘Oh my word I loved this book, a definite page turner, and now I want a donkey. This book is perfect to read on holiday.’ Boonies123,. 5 stars

 

 ‘I fell in love with the donkeys straight away, just like Hattie! They all seemed to have their own personalities and I thought that they all were so cute! But, my favourite was definitely Norbert… Overall, this was a heart-warming story that I thoroughly enjoyed.’ The Cosiest Corner, Five stars

 

‘A truly moving story of unlikely friendships and the way in which animals can help to heal even the most damaged of human hearts … I absolutely loved the setting and envied Hattie’s view of the sea from her bedroom window… perfect for popping in the holiday luggage, the only problem being that you might be thinking of buying, or at the very least adopting, a donkey by the final page’. Fabulous Book Fiend, 5 stars

 

‘I loved this book and would highly recommend it to all. It has a great story line, brilliant main characters and is a real page turner. I couldn't put this book down.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

 

‘Another lovely, heart-warming story by Tilly Tennant. A pleasure to read… A great cast of characters in this story…The scenery was beautiful, felt I was there on the Dorset cliffs and in the surrounding countryside.’ StefLoz Books, 5 stars

 

‘Another fantastic read by the fantastic author that is Tilly Tennant. Aww I loved this book. Set in the gorgeous Dorset countryside. In a Donkey sanctuary. At Sweet Briar Farm… A story of love on many different levels, secrets, family, friendship, donkeys, new beginnings and personal growth.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

 

‘I really enjoyed this book - a lovely heartwarming story. I loved the setting of this book in a donkey sanctuary and Norbert was my particular favourite! Lovely characters who I empathised with immediately. Idyllic setting. The story was funny in places but also moving too. Perfect for a cosy afternoon on the sofa, or relaxing in the garden or on the beach.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

 

 ‘This was a rather unique story, I loved the part the Donkey Sanctuary played in the story and how the characters interacted. It was a lovely idea and the writing was really easy to read, it was the perfect cosy read. I am definitely a fan of Tilly Tennant's writing.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

 

 ‘This is escapism at its best. An engaging and entertaining book that made me feel better. I loved the plot, the well written cast of characters and the setting’. Goodreads Reviewer

 

‘This was such an easy read, it took me less than two days to finish! It was funny, relatable, and heart-warming. I have read other books by this author which I have truly enjoyed, and this one was no different. I read it by the pool and it was just perfect. I would definitely recommend this to my friends!’ Netgalley Reviewer

 

‘This book was absolutely charming from start to finish. The characters are rich and compelling, likable despite their flaws, and their dilemmas pulled me in. This is the sort of book that's good for your blood pressure--it feels cozy to read, and the good side of human nature shines through. A wonderful, wonderful beach read!’ Michelle Chouinard, 5 stars

 

‘Love this author, liked the cover and really really liked everything about this book from start to finish, made me feel really good. Would recommend.’ Netgalley Reviewer

 

 ‘I think this is a lovely read, it’s quirky with a unique setting – a donkey sanctuary! I liked the premise of the book and enjoyed it, heart-warming with moments of humour’  The Comfy Chair Reviews

 

‘Another fun story by a great author. If you love British romance lit than you will love this one… Enjoyed this one, with lots of witty banter and a well written story. Hard to put down, and one I highly recommend.’ Netgalley Reviewer, 5 stars

 

‘I never honestly thought you could set a romance novel on a donkey sanctuary, but this book totally works! I enjoyed the storylines of Hattie and Seth the vet, but it was the relationship between Hattie and Jo that really made me love this book! If you want something that will warm your heart, even when you are on the beach this summer, this book is the one!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

 

‘A moving story about loneliness and how animals and humans can help heal each other’s hearts and also how a bond can form between the most unlikely of people.’ Being Unique Books, 5 stars

 

‘I have read quite a few books by this author and have really enjoyed them and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. This is a light, easy read perfect to enjoy whilst relaxing on holiday. A lovely read.’ Goodreads reviewer

 

‘Throw in a good looking vet and and equally attractive newspaper reporter and you have a lovely little story of love, loss and second chances. And by the way. the donkeys steal the show’. For the Love of Books, 5 stars

Ratings and reviews

Hattie, after a disastrous accident and fire during a fashion show in Paris has returned to Gillypuddle in Dorset, the small village where she grew up. Arriving was a sudden thing, spur of the moment, and she hadn’t clued in her parents, not wanting to hear the ‘I Told You Sos” that would come with her latest ‘failure’ in Paris. Of course, the house looks the same, with most of the family photos being of her sister Charlotte, dead from meningitis at 18, with all of her promise unfulfilled. Hattie has always chafed against the spoken and unspoken plans and expectations her parents had for her, always feeling as if she’s being compared to what was, not being seen on her own. And, in truth, at twenty-six she is rather uncertain of what she wants to ‘be’ when she grows up, but does know that she wants to make a difference and do something that matters. Being home has allowed Hattie to reconnect with her best friend, now mum of 4 and scraping by in love with her husband and kids, the local tea room owners who just hired an elderly (if eminently cheery and positive) server, a new vet and the expected guilt and discussions with her parents. But, Hattie is determined to find a job, locally, and is informed of the new owners of a cliff-top farm who are looking for help. Everyone comments to the owner’s unfriendliness and unwillingness to make an effort, but Hattie heads off anyway. And how could she resist the lovely donkeys and Norbert, the elder statesman of the bunch and one that seemed to take right to her? Jo is everything that Hattie had been warned about, but she is convinced that it is shyness and an overload of work with isolated nights that have Jo near monosyllabic and gruff – and she takes the job. From the mystery that is Jo’s behavior to Hattie learning about the animals and truly trying to make the sanctuary an entity that supports itself, as money is obviously tight, she makes several well-intentioned yet unwelcome moves – and Jo is not best pleased. A cousin of the café owner is a dating possibility for a short time, and it is he who uncovers the story of Jo’s nightmares with the death of her sister, only making Hattie more determined to make inroads into a friendship. But with the loss of Norbert and a slip of the tongue, Jo is incensed and Hattie is fired – leaving her again at loose ends with plans to return to Paris for yet another job with the designer whose show set went up in flames. Peak excitement on the eve of her departure means that Jo finally accepts Hattie’s dogged determination to help – and the donkeys (and chickens and a cat) all have the chance to start afresh with plenty of hope. A lovely and uplifting story with room to laugh, to aah and even to empathize with Hattie and her good intentions, and you have to love the fact that the donkeys have a sea view that is ever-changing and inspiring in their new forever homes. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

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