Prologue

R obin took another sip of the brilliant blue cocktail in front of her and glanced towards the door. It was pub quiz night, and their table was full of Elsie’s bakery family. A chair beside her sat empty, while Brooke was sitting on her other side.

‘Still not here?’ Brooke whispered to her.

‘Nope.’ Looking at her watch, Robyn frowned. Jasper had promised to meet her as soon as he’d finished his last delivery of the day and she’d rather hoped he’d finish early today. She couldn’t wait to tell him her news.

‘I’m sure he’ll be here soon.’ Brooke took a sip of her drink.

‘Yes, he will.’ Nodding, Robyn pulled her mobile from her pocket, relieved to see a text from Jasper.

Sorry, running late. Will be fifteen mins xxx

‘...and the last question in tonight’s famous pub quiz is...’ Gerald boomed down the speaker, pausing until people in the crammed pub began chanting, ‘Go on, Gerald. Go on.’

Relaxing now she knew Jasper was on his way, Robyn laughed. She’d always enjoyed pub quizzes, but this one was something else. With Gerald hosting, there was never a dull moment.

‘Okay, okay.’ Holding up his hands, palms forward, Gerald waited for quiet before speaking again. ‘The final question... how many people gather in Times Square on New Year’s Eve?’

‘Oh, that’s got to be a couple of hundred thousand, hasn’t it?’ Teresa picked up the pen and glanced around the large table.

‘More than that, I’d say.’ Connor shook his head. ‘A lot more.’

‘Five hundred thousand, maybe?’ Holly suggested.

Leaning forward, Harry whispered across the table. ‘I reckon it’d be closer to a million. New York is huge and they have that famous New Year’s Eve ball drop down the flagpole or something, don’t they?’

‘Yes, we saw it on TV last year, didn’t we?’ Diane waved her hand excitedly. ‘And, Harry’s right, there were loads and loads of people there.’

‘So, we’re going with a million?’ Teresa met Harry’s eyes.

‘I think so.’ Harry took a sip of his orange juice.

Robyn checked her watch again. Jasper would almost be here. Standing up, she twisted the robin pendant hanging around her neck to face the right way and whispered across the table, ‘I’m just going to go and meet Jasper out the front.’

‘Okay.’ Nodding, Brooke pulled her chair closer to the table, letting her through.

‘Thanks.’ As she made her way through the packed pub, she couldn’t stop herself from grinning. Today she’d got the answer she’d been hoping for. An answer which was about to change both hers and Jasper’s lives. Pushing the heavy wooden door open, Robyn spotted Jasper pulling up in his van at the side of the road. Just in time.

Jumping out of the van, he closed the door before striding across to her. ‘Hey, you.’

‘Hi.’ She leaned up for a kiss before stepping back.

‘You must be freezing.’ Rubbing his hands up and down her arms, Jasper nodded towards the pub door. ‘Shall we go inside before you catch a cold?’

Shaking off his concerns, she took his hands in hers. ‘Not yet. I’ve got something to tell you.’

‘You have?’

Robyn nodded, barely being able to control her excitement. She’d planned to make him guess, but she just couldn’t keep the news quiet any longer. ‘I heard back from work, I’m transferring to Trestow!’

Dropping her hands, Jasper rubbed his palm across his face. ‘Sorry, say that again.’

‘I’m moving to Penworth Bay! Work let me transfer!’

‘Robyn, I...’ Jasper shook his head, a slow grin forming across his face. ‘That’s the best news ever!’

‘I know.’ Robyn smiled as he threw his arms around her. The last few weeks had flown by in a whirlwind. Volunteering at the bakery, going on dates and getting to know Jasper but the fact her time at the bakery was drawing to a close had been playing on both their minds so when Jasper tentatively suggested she see if her work could arrange a transfer, Robyn hadn’t had to be asked twice. And now they could face the future head-on, together. Yes, it was early days, but every relationship started somewhere, didn’t it?

‘Excuse me, please?’

With their lips barely millimetres from each other’s, Robyn and Jasper turned to face the person who had spoken. A woman was standing on the path next to jasper’s van, her plaited hair peaking just beneath her bobble hat.

‘Hi, can we help?’ Stepping back from him, Robyn took Jasper’s hand and squeezed it, excitement still bubbling inside her.

The woman red off a piece of paper she was holding. ‘I’m wondering if you could. I’m looking for someone called Elsie?’

Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed reading Christmas Joy at the Cornish Bakery as much as I enjoyed writing it. If so, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review, please.

If you’d like to begin another series written by me, Happy Ever Afters at Bea’s Bookshop is the first book in a brand new series, Escape to Nettleford set in the charming Cotswolds and can be found here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Ever-Afters-Beas-Bookshop-ebook/dp/B0DKCJ4K1Q

Blurb:

Welcome to Nettleford, a small but bustling town in the heart of the Cotswolds...

With her Divorce-iversary looming, the last thing Bea Thompson, owner of Nettleford’s charming bookshop, needs is to play teacher to newbie resident and shopkeeper Scott Harrison.

But when Bea is strong-armed into helping gorgeous newcomer, Scott, learn the ropes, she’s forced to make the most of a bad situation.

As Bea and Scott reluctantly spend more time together, an unexpected connection begins to form. But just as Bea starts to wonder if love after divorce is possible, a family crisis brings chaos to her once-peaceful sanctuary. With her sister’s family, and even her ex suddenly under her roof, Bea's new life is turned upside down.

Will Scott prove to be the plot twist Bea needs to heal her heart and write her own happily ever after? Or will Bea's second chance at love be lost among the shelves of her charming bookshop?

Escape to Nettleford with Sarah Hope's delightful new series, where love, friendship, and quirky characters await. A cosy romance featuring a charming small-town setting, a journey of second chances, and a Happy Ever After guaranteed!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Ever-Afters-Beas-Bookshop-ebook/dp/B0DKCJ4K1Q

For updates on upcoming new releases please follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HappinessHopeDreams/

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And if you’d like to check out my website and discover more books I’ve written please visit: https://www.sarahhopeauthor.com/

If you’ve enjoyed escaping to Cornwall, I’ve written a whole other series focusing on women taking the leap to have a fresh start in life. Books in the Escape To... series:

? Escape To... The Little Beach Café

? Escape To... Christmas at Corner Cottage

? Escape To... The Seaside Ice Cream Parlour

? Escape To... Bramble Patch Craft Shop

? Escape To... Berry Grove Bed & Breakfast

? Escape To... The Flower Shop on Serendipity Lane

EACH BOOK IS A STANDALONE story and can be read in any order. They are all available to read free in Kindle Unlimited, to buy as an ebook, audiobook or as a paperback.

Happy reading!

? Escape To... The Little Beach Café

Love, friendship and new beginnings... It’s all waiting for Pippa Jenkins at The Little Beach Café...

When Pippa’s aunt leaves her a cafe by the beach, it doesn’t take her long to jump at the chance of a new start. Waving goodbye to mounting debt, threatening bailiffs and never-ending shifts at a job she hates, she and her young son, Joshua, prepare for their new life.

But as Pippa strives to make her new business a success, the arrival of her ex makes her question everything. Will she succumb to his charms, or will Joe, the local plumber, be able to repair Pippa’s heart?

A heartwarming tale of new beginnings, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Jessica Redland and Polly Babbington.

https://mybook.to/LittleBeachCafe

? Escape To... Christmas at Corner Cottage

Cosy up with this heartwarming Christmas romance filled with hope, love and new opportunities...

When Chrissy Marsden moves her children and menagerie of pets into Corner Cottage, she hopes to put her divorce behind her and have the fresh start she’s been longing for.

Just as she feels she is finally getting her life back on track, with a chance encounter at the school gates re-igniting her passion for sewing, a surprise pregnancy throws everything into turmoil.

When she is asked to alter a wedding dress, she realises her hobby could become something she could turn into a real career, and an invite to a client’s wedding could be all she needs to bring romance back into her life.

But will she be able to find someone who can accept her as she is?

A heartwarming tale of new beginnings, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Jessica Redland and Polly Babbington.

https://mybook.to/ChristmasCornerCottage

? Escape To... Berry Grove Bed & Breakfast

Escape To... Berry Grove Bed & Breakfast promises love, second chances and new beginnings...

When Kim Reynolds learns how unhappy her daughter, Mia, is, she realises the perfect remedy is a completely fresh start.

Giving up the corporate job she’s worked towards for her entire life, Kim is determined to make Berry Grove Bed & Breakfast a success but more importantly, she’s determined to support her daughter as she settles into her new life.

When Danny, Kim’s childhood sweetheart, turns up, buried feelings and a complicated secret threatens to surface and jeopardise their newly discovered peaceful lifestyle.

Can the two people Kim loves most in the world understand and forgive her for keeping them apart?

https://books2read.com/Berry-Grove-Bed-and-Breakfast

? Escape To... The Seaside Ice Cream Parlour

An opportunity of a lifetime...

WHEN JENNY HAS THE chance to leave her days of sofa surfing behind and move to the beach to run her best friend’s ice cream parlour, she jumps at the opportunity.

With no relevant experience, she’s certainly kept busy with learning new skills to manage the ice cream parlour at the same time as juggling motherhood and trying to settle into their new home.

But when Nick, her best friend’s ex, comes into her life, ill feelings quickly turn to friendship, leaving them both wanting more.

Can Jenny put her feelings aside or will truths be told that might change her mind about her and Nick’s future?

A story of community, trust and the importance of friendship, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Jessica Redland and Polly Babbington.

https://mybook.to/Ice-CreamParlour

? Escape To... Bramble Patch Craft Shop

Escape into a world of fresh starts, new friends and the opportunity for love...

When Molly Wilson and her two children are forced to leave their old lives behind, will a small rundown shop in the middle of Payton-On-The-Water, a quiet village in the English countryside, offer the fresh start they need?

Desperate to immerse herself and her family into village life, Molly begins to host regular Knit and Natter meetups, but she fears she is taking on too much and the reality that she is totally alone is ever present.

Between difficult dealings with the local law enforcement, Officer Duffey, and trying to settle her two homesick children into a new way of life, Molly has enough on her hands. So when a late night incident with a flat tyre brings Officer Duffey on the scene, she doesn’t know if he will help or hinder her rescue. Is there more to Officer Duffey than his spikey exterior?

A heartwarming tale that assures you that no one is ever alone, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Jessica Redland and Polly Babbington.

https://mybook.to/BramblePatchCraftShop

? Escape To... Berry Grove Bed & Breakfast

Love, second chances and new beginnings...

WHEN KIM REYNOLDS LEARNS how unhappy her daughter is, she realises the perfect remedy is a completely fresh start.

Giving up the corporate job she’s worked towards her entire life, Kim is determined to make Berry Grove Bed & Breakfast a success, but more importantly, she’s determined to support her daughter Mia as she settles into her new life.

But when Danny, Kim’s childhood sweetheart, turns up, buried feelings and a complicated secret threaten to jeopardise their newly discovered peaceful lifestyle.

Can the two people Kim loves most in the world understand and forgive her for keeping them apart?

A heartwarming story of family, love and friendship, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Jessica Redland and Polly Babbington.

https://mybook.to/Berry-Grove

? Escape To... The Flower Shop on Serendipity Lane

Take a stroll down Serendipity Lane, breathe in the beautiful fragrances of the flowers and see if you can spot the love in the air...

After years of juggling long hours at work, studying for her dream vocation and struggling for money, Sadie realises it’s finally time for change.

Following her dream to become a florist, Sadie Locke moves her two daughters, Lily and Poppy, into The Flower Shop on Serendipity Lane.

But on discovering that her ex-husband’s friend and divorce solicitor, Alex Marshal, works next door, Sadie feels her hopes of a fresh start quickly slipping away.

And when they’re pushed together at a mutual friend’s wedding, will Sadie and Alex be able to rekindle a lost friendship or realise too much has come between them?

A romantic and heartwarming story, perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Jessica Redland and Polly Babbington.

https://mybook.to/Flower-Shop

ANOTHER SERIES BY SARAH Hope full of romance, friendship and small-town community is The Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home series:

? The Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home

Life could not be busier for Ginny and the team at Wagging Tails.

The annual dog show is looming, a crucial event when it comes to fundraising and ensuring the volunteers can continue the brilliant work they do.

But their trusted newspaper reporter, who always includes them in his weekly column, is retiring, only to be replaced with a city-slicker named Darryl. And Darryl, as Ginny soon learns, has no interest in articles he deems 'below him'.

Not one to take no as an answer, Ginny becomes determined to get him to meet the dogs themselves. One look at their cute faces and they'll worm their way into his heart.

But what Ginny doesn't anticipate is that Darryl might be more open-hearted than he seems. And inviting him to the dogs' home might be the best decision she ever made – even if she doesn't realise it at first!

'A delightfully uplifting , cosy romance to escape with. Cornwall beaches, friendship, community, love and dogs - what's not to love about all of that? It left me with a big smile on my face and joy in my heart . Wooftastic!' Kim Nash, author of Hopeful Hearts at the Cornish Cove

‘An uplifting tale for dog-lovers everywhere... Full of warmth, humour and heart .’ Gillian Harvey, author of A Year at the French Farmhouse

https://mybook.to/WaggingTails

? Chasing Dreams at the Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home

The Cornish sea air, old friends, and cuddles with a cute pup...

Sometimes you're just where you need to be...

After a difficult break-up, Poppy is keen to put the past behind her and what’s better than some relaxing time with her aunt in the picturesque Cornish village of West Par?

But life at her aunt Flora’s Dogs’ Home is anything but relaxing. When a poor little pup is stranded at the gates, Poppy takes them for a check up at the local vet, hoping against hope they'll be fine.

And there she meets Mack: the vet who is so charming and experienced with the dogs, but selfish and – dare she say it – money-grabbing with his clients.

But underneath that cold exterior, she's sure there's more to the story. If only she could convince him to open up. Because without him, the future of Wagging Tails isn't so assured...

https://mybook.to/ChasingDreamsWagging