Blog Tour: 'Ivy Lane' by Cathy Bramley

Tilly Parker needs a fresh start, fresh air and a fresh attitude if she is ever to leave the past behind and move on with her life. As she seeks out peace and quiet in a new town, taking on a plot at Ivy Lane allotments seems like the perfect solution.
But the friendly Ivy Lane community has other ideas and gradually draw Tilly in to their cosy, comforting world of planting seedlings, organizing bake sales and planning seasonal parties.
As the seasons pass, will Tilly learn to stop hiding amongst the sweetpeas and let people back into her life – and her heart?
I'm really honoured and excited to be part of the blog tour for Cathy Bramley's amazing novel 'Ivy Lane' today! The book was first released by Transworld Digital in separate e-book instalments in 2014, divided into four parts fitting the four seasons of the year: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. On the 26th of February, the paperback version of the novel was released, which has a simply gorgeous cover, if you ask me! Before I read 'Ivy Lane' I was already familiar with Cathy Bramley's work, since I was asked to review her novel 'Conditional Love' last year (click here to read my review). I really enjoyed it, so I couldn't wait to check out the entire story of 'Ivy Lane'!
Thirty-year-old Tilly Parker has been through a lot and she is ready to start anew and try to leave the past behind. She has moved to a new town where she hopes to build up a new peaceful life for herself, and in order to give her something to stay busy with she has got herself her own plot at Ivy Lane allotments. However, after her first few visits to her new plot, Tilly quickly finds out the Ivy Lane community wants nothing more than to welcome her with open arms and let her become a part of their group. Question is, is Tilly really ready to step away from the past and focus on the here and now? 
Luckily the story inside this novel fits the absolutely gorgeous cover; it’s amazing! I loved everything about ‘Ivy Lane’ and I honestly couldn’t get enough of the characters and everything they go through together. The main protagonist Tilly is incredibly easy to like so it didn’t take long for me to warm to her and to start rooting for her. It’s obvious from the start Tilly is running away from something that has happened in her past and she needs to start afresh. I loved joining Tilly on this journey and seeing her develop as a character from start to finish. Next to Tilly, there is a great collection of colourful characters, each with a different personality, ranging from all ages, who all come together at Ivy Lane allotments. I fell in love with quirky and outspoken Gemma, who owns the plot next to Tilly’s; handsome fire-fighter Charlie, and cute and friendly Alf. 
The author’s writing style is so warm, engaging and easy to read. I went through all kinds of emotions while reading this story, from laughing out loud to frustration to sadness (I even had tears in my eyes a few times which doesn’t happen that easily to me while reading!). Even though I’m not the gardening type myself, I fell in love with the idea of an allotment and the way it brings people together. I also loved the different seasons and how this was reflected in the allotments and the different events taking place, such as Halloween, Christmas, bake sales in the sun. ‘Ivy Lane’ is an incredibly warm, uplifting, charming read about friendship, family, and not giving up on life, even when the times get rough. Cathy Bramley is an author to watch and ‘Ivy Lane’ is a read you do not want to miss!

Rating:10/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.