The Cosy Canal Boat Dream by Christie Barlow

You will adore this heartwarming, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from bestelling author Christie Barlow!

‘Full of warmth, fun and feel-good factor’ Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde
Welcome to the Little Rock marina – where hearts are healed and dreams are made…
For the last two years Nell Andrews has been struggling to stay afloat. As her life tumbled down around her, the only safety net has been her cosy canal boat, The Nollie. Tucked away inside, Nell has found a place to heal her broken heart. And now she’s ready to move on and follow her dream…
Gorgeous Guy Cornish, with his easy Irish charm, makes him an instant hit with everyone at the marina, and the perfect person to help Nell with her project. But Guy has his own reasons for being at the marina, and a past that threatens to sink Nell’s dream…

Title: The Cosy Canal Boat Dream
Author: Christie Barlow
Published By: Harper Impulse
Publication Date: 22nd August 2017
Links: UK: Amazon

Our Review

This is such a heart meltingly touching story that I thoroughly enjoyed. In fact I feel quite bereft at leaving the characters behind.

The story follows Nell who is trying hard to carry on with her life after losing her lovely husband Ollie a couple of years before.

One day she meets a handsome Irish man called Guy and helps him look for his dog. They do find him but they also find so much more in each other.

Nell is a lovely person who lives on a canal boat and is happy to work with her best friend Bea who is also her boss in the local deli.  She is fiercely loyal to the memory of her late husband and the moments she spent talking to him on the bridge were very touching and heartbreaking.  It was an interesting dynamic to show her almost being pulled in two directions between her eternal love for Ollie and the potential for a new love with Guy and this was handled beautifully.

The story became even more interesting with the mysterious stranger who turned up at the marina on a canal boat and many secrets were unearthed. I felt I knew what was going to happen and then whoosh the rug was pulled from beneath my feet with quite a shocking revelation.

I could clearly see the marina and the old picture house in my mind and almost felt as though I was there. The story has many layers to it which kept my interest piqued throughout.

I enjoyed this book immensely and felt embraced in the warmth of the setting and the wonderful lovable characters.

Well done Christie and thank you to Harper Impulse for the ARC, I'm looking forward to the next one already.

About the Author

Christie Barlow is the author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty's Countryside Dream, Lizzie's Christmas Escape, Evie's Year of Taking Chances and The Cosy Canal Boat Dream. She lives in Staffordshire with her husband, four kids, horses, chickens and a mad cocker spaniel.
Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA and Australia.
Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money and awareness and engaging with communities in Uganda through organisations to improve their well-being. She is also Literary Editor for www.mamalifemagazine.co uk, bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the book world.
She loves to hear from her readers and you can get in touch via her website www.christiebarlow.com, Twitter @ChristieJBarlow and Facebook page, Christie Barlow author.