The Cornish Midwife: The top 10 bestselling uplifting escapist read from Jo Bartlett (The Cornish Midwife Series Book 1)

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A Holly Bay Christmas” is the first novel in the “Holly Bay” series and was released in 2016. Maddie owns her dream business running a combined tea rooms and bookshop, in the gorgeous Cornish village of Holly Bay. When Ben shows up looking for a place he can rent, Maddie is keen on helping him find a home in the town that she loves, where they really know how to celebrate Christmas. I just love reading about a character that is either a nurse or a midwife so when I was serendipitously asked to be a part of this blog tour, I immediately jumped on it. I am so glad I did. I also love a great second chance story and characters looking for a fresh start, and this book was all that I wanted in a fun and cozy escape read, with the right amount of drama and romance I exactly needed. Welcome to Seabreeze Farm” is the first novel in the “Seabreeze Farm” series and was released in 2022. Elle Chapman is desperately in need of a change, since she is unhappy with her life in London, and with her love life a total disaster. So when she discovers that she has inherited a farmhouse perched up high on the cliffs above the English Channel, it seems like a perfect escape.

And I'm so glad I did decide to read it, from the first chapter I felt rather comforted by the writing style. I can't put my finger on what it was, but it felt familiar and warm, and almost like I was coming home. The fact the first chapter was full of drama possibly helped too. The characters were wonderfully developed and interesting, each of them having unique traits that changed the dynamic of the village considerably. Ella is one of those characters you just want the absolute best for, and I found myself really rooting for her and her happiness from the start. The Setting: I’ve always had a soft spot for stories set in Devon and Cornwall and look forward to such novels, especially if the author takes the opportunity to immerse readers in the setting. Jo Bartlett immediately wins over my heart when she pops me into a small seaside town where the sounds, sights and smells are seamlessly worked into the narrative. Ella, our protagonist, draws her strength from her family and small community of Port Agnes. By describing the businesses, locals and tourists who make up the town, the author allows readers to experience Port Agnes through Ella’s eyes and heart. I absolutely love the Cornish Midwife series, especially being an aspiring midwife from Cornwall. Despite being fiction, these books never fail to motivate me to carry on studying when things get tough and really become The Cornish Midwife myself.” Tegan from Reading with Tegs (book blogger and trainee midwife)New locum vicar, Noah, is a wonderful support – kind, considerate and always there for Izzy whenever she needs a shoulder to cry on. But secretly Noah is battling his own doubts about his faith – how can he offer Izzy comfort if he doesn’t truly believe his own words? The narrative switches between Frankie, Noah and Izzy, and I loved their vibrant personalities and how it shone through their perspectives. I always knew who I was reading, the characters were well developed and stood apart from each other.

My heart went out for Izzy - she was an instant favourite for me, I loved reading her story. She's going through so much and she really rises to it. She's so passionate and caring and generous, you can't help but love her and root for her.All of the midwifes are such a close knit community and really cherish their clients but also each other and this is so nice as you know that they would all be there for each other when needed. It feels like the kind of work environment that anyone would want to be in, where your colleagues become your friends. Second Chances at Cherry Tree Cottage” is a stand alone novel and was released in 2021. Luke, Scarlett West’s useless husband, walks out on her one day never to return, she is left to attempt and make a new life for herself and Ava, her four year old daughter. However with debts mounting, there is just one place she can go. Dan Ferguson is her only problem, who seems to be hellbent on destroying a local landmark, which is going to rip the heart right out of Port Agnes. When Dan winds up being the only person that can help Ella, after one high risk pregnancy puts one patient in danger, she learns that he is not the man she believed him to be. However getting to know the real Dan is not quite as easy as she would like it to be.

Working as a community midwife keeps her busy and, even if some of the locals seem to have an unhealthy fascination with the breakdown of her relationship, the other midwives soon make her feel like one of the team. Despite her disastrous dating history, Ella manages to play matchmaker to her new best friend and even dodges her parents’ attempts to get her to settle down with the boy next door.

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I feel like any review I leave will not do this book justice. I loved this quaint little story based around a group of midwives in Cornwall. I’ve never been to Cornwall myself, but I know there are some picturesque villages along the seaside, and this is exactly the village in which the book was set. Ella is the main character and she has been through more than a lot, and is very relatable to many readers for her overthinking personality, but always wanting to do the best for her family to make them proud, and in the process forgets about making herself happy. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I can truthfully say that it won’t be the last. I loved the way in which this story was written, it really allows us to connect with Ella and understand her passion for her job on a much deeper level. The relationship between Ella and Dan was also lovely to follow, as they got to know one another once again, and had to face up to their past and what caused the demise of their romance all those years ago.

It has been a good few years since I last read a Jo Bartlett book but I seemed to recall enjoying my previous experiences of her writing, so to see she had a new release and signed with one of my favourite publishers, well I was hardly going to ignore it.Ben, who steps in to help Maddie raise some money for a charity that’s close to her heart, and even dresses like an elf on Christmas gift day, seems too good to be true. Letting her guard down, she realizes that she is falling for the newcomer, however, once it turns out that he has this hidden agenda, she cannot wait for him to leave. Stunning setting, wonderful characters, and oozing with warmth. A triumph from Jo Bartlett.' Jessica Redland I really loved getting to know the other midwifes in the unit where Ella is working temporarily, as well her her catching up with old friends and loves. Her only problem is Dan Ferguson, who seems hell bent on destroying a local landmark, which will tear the heart out of Port Agnes. When Dan turns out to be the one person who can help Ella, after a high risk pregnancy puts a patient in danger, she discovers he’s not the man she thought he was. But getting to know the real Dan is not as easy as she’d like it to be… I could put on my own art exhibition in Pottery and Paper, with a gallery of all the willy pictures I’ve been sent! I never knew they could come in so many shapes and sizes, and there are enough variations in colour to rival a Dulux paint chart.”