Return to Willoughby Close

Always the baker, never the bride... Olivia James has always been happy running a tea shop and bakery in the Cotswold village of Wychwood-on-Lea, and helping her friends find their happily-ever-afters, topped by the perfect wedding cake. But as Christmas approaches, Olivia is home alone and questioning her choices while eating too many of her own specialty confections. When Simon Blacklock, a handsome, whimsical stranger, breezes into her shop and buys a cupcake and then returns the next day and the day after, Olivia begins to dream. Can romance blossom amidst the sugar and flour? And after a lifetime of living on the side lines, is she brave enough to star in her own story? Simon may be hiding a painful secret, but Olivia harbors secrets of her own. If they can dare to risk their hearts, this Christmas might be the most magical yet!

Welcome to Willoughby Close...a charming cluster of cozy cottages, each with a story to tell and a happy ending to deliver. Emily David didn't want to move to Willoughby Close. She was perfectly content in London, but when her boss, Henry Trent, asks her to relocate, she's left with little choice. Emily prefers living on her own and finds comfort in her routines. But the well-meaning residents of Wychwood-on-Lea are determined to include her in their friendly circle-a prospect Emily finds utterly alarming. When sparks fly with local pub owner Owen Jones, Emily's safe and fragile world threatens to shatter. She has too many secrets to keep, and Owen's gentle understanding could be her undoing. But as Owen persists, Emily's heart softens, and she begins to discover the wonder of trusting friends-and falling in love. That is, until she discovers Owen has a secret of his own. Can Willoughby Close work its charm and magic once more? And can someone who has been determined to stay lonely find-and trust-love right on her doorstep?

Welcome back to Willoughby Close, with four new residents and happy endings to deliver ... Belinda "Lindy" Jamison has moved to the Cotswolds for a fresh start and to open a dancing school-her lifelong dream. Pushing forty and still looking for Mr. Right, Lindy is determined to no longer wait for happiness but to reach for it with both hands. So she packs up her life and heads south to Wychwood-on-Lea to start up her school. Soon Lindy has a motley crew of would-be dancers. But her most intriguing pupil is Roger Wentworth, a fortysomething bachelor with a shy and awkward manner, but a heart of blazing gold. When Lindy decides to showcase her pupils in a Christmas show, Roger is deeply reluctant but finally agrees. Lindy longs to bring Roger out of his shell-but she didn't expect to fall in love with him in the process. Soon it is Roger teaching her how two lonely hearts might be able to embrace a second chance this Christmas ... if they can just believe they're both worthy of love.

Welcome back to Willoughby Close, with four new residents and happy endings to deliver. Laura Neale is grieving. A year after her beloved husband's death, she is still left with far too many questions and is struggling with feelings of guilt, anger, and grief. Hoping to rebuild her life and her children's, she moves to Wychwood-on-Lea with her two troubled kids-an eleven-year-old son with too much energy and a fourteen-year-old daughter flirting with the same depression that afflicted her father. The warm community of women who have lived in Willoughby Close welcome her with open arms, and their friendship helps Laura find a semblance of peace. But when she finds herself with an entirely unexpected attraction to her son's teacher, James Hill, Laura is gobsmacked. James is charming, funny, and ten years younger than her, thus completely unsuitable. Besides, her husband Timothy was her soulmate-wasn't he? As revelations about everything she once held dear surface, Laura wonders if she is reckless or maybe just brave enough to try for love a second time.