Caffeinated Reviewer

Sophia Rose is here with a review of the first book in the Lonely Hearts Book Club. Never to Late by Hannah Lynn shares the story of two jaded hearts, one unexpected romance. Grab an iced coffee and check out Sophia’s thoughts…

Two jaded hearts, one unexpected romance... Fleur Fisher is determined to start anew and build the family she's always wanted. But, she has already kissed her fair share of frogs and, as her fortieth birthday approaches, it becomes increasingly clear that time is against her. Henry Pierce , has put his work and caring for his great aunt ahead of everything else for as long as he can remember. Content in his bachelor lifestyle, he's not sure he even believes in romantic love anymore. However, despite his contentment, Henry’s meddling great aunt, a member of the Lonely Hearts Book Club , sees potential in the vivacious Fleur and believes she could be the perfect match to counterbalance her nephew's negative outlook on love. But as Fleur's sunny disposition manages to melt Henry's heart, are his devilish good looks and an unexpected act of chivalry enough to make her overlook some previous unbecoming behaviour? Or is it a case of too little, too late for them? Perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Milly Johnson and Heidi Swain, this delightful opposites attract romance is guaranteed to restore your faith in true love and leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.

Sophia Rose’s Review

Moving to a small village, working remote, joining a book club, and fending off her sister’s attempts to have a fortieth birthday party are all part of a reset for a newly divorced woman starting over. Hannah Lynn is a new to me author, but I didn’t hesitate when I was offered her tender grumpy-sunshine series opener.

Never Too Late is the first in the Lonely Hearts Book Club series featuring a small group of book lovers who’ve found themselves unlucky in love.

Fleur once worked in a city office making due with the rut her work and life were in.  After the painful divorce, she takes steps to put some vitality back in her world.  She moves to the quaint seaside town of Malden, working mostly from home, and only lacks new acquaintances for it all to be perfect.  This is solved when the manager at the café she goes to for coffee and delicious cake talks her into attending their local book club.

That very day, Fleur had an antagonistic encounter with a guy only to discover he’s the great-nephew of one of her new bookclub friends.  Eunice spots the chance to matchmake for Henry when she spots Fleur.

Henry is a divorce lawyer who doesn’t believe in love especially that mushy stuff his aunt and her book club read.  And, he most certainly has no intentions of being pushed into something with the opinionated woman who called him out at the pharmacy.

But, slowly and with some painful stops and starts, Henry and Fleur get to know each other and Fleur sees beyond Henry’s prickly exterior what keeps him distant from people and Henry discovers that Fleur’s hope in happily ever after is rather endearing if not for him.

Never Too Late is more Chick Lit than romance as its just as much about Fleur and Henry figuring out life, Fleur making a new life for herself.  The bookclub meetings and growing group of friends and the village shops and settings were a treat. 

The romance doesn’t really get underway until later in the story and is a series of painful experiences until both, particularly Henry, are in a place where they are ready for a relationship. Henry was cranky and distant and not anyone’s idea of a romance hero, but Fleur, in her understanding way, sees something in him even when he’s hurt her.  She’s got no reason in the world to allow chances after the way her ex-husband treated her, but she’s generous and does.

And, so, I enjoyed this soft-paced warmhearted story of a group of book-loving friends, a delightful village setting, and a pair at cross purposes. Brit Chicklit fans should slip this one on the pile.

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About Hannah Lynn

Hannah Lynn is a multi award winning novelist. Publishing her first book, Amendments – a dark, dystopian speculative fiction novel, in 2015. Her second book, The Afterlife of Walter Augustus – a contemporary fiction novel with a supernatural twist – went on to win the 2018 Kindle Storyteller Award and the Independent Publishers Gold Medal for Best Adult Ebook. Born in 1984, Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university, she spent 15 years as a teacher of physics, first in the UK and then Thailand, Malaysia, Austria and Jordan. It was during this time, inspired by the imaginations of the young people she taught, she began writing short stories for children, and later adult fiction. With over 20 publications spanning a number of genres and translated into half a dozen languages, Hannah has proven herself to be both an accomplished and prolific author. Now settled back in the UK with her husband, daughter and horde of cats, she spends her days writing romantic comedies and historical fiction. Her first historical fiction novel, Athena's Child, was also a 2020 Gold Medalist at the Independent Publishers Awards.

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About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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