Welcome back to Willoughby Close, with four new residents and happy endings 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?

Titles in the ‘Return to Willoughby Close‘ series include – Cupcakes for Christmas – Welcome Me to Willoughby Close –

Connection to the Willoughby Close series which included – A Cotswold Christmas – Meet Me At Willoughby Close – Find Me at Willoughby Close – Kiss Me at Willoughby Close – Marry Me at Willoughby Close

Title:  Welcome Me to Willoughby Close
Series:  Return to Willoughby Close #2
Author:  Kate Hewitt
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  August 18, 2020
Publisher:  Tule Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

I had enjoyed the original ‘Willoughby Close‘ series so much that heading into another, ‘Return to Willoughby Close‘ felt as natural as riding a bike.  ‘Welcome Me to Willoughby Close‘ quickly grabbed my interest and my emotions from the start.  Emily is a complex woman even though she sees herself as rather simple, almost invisible by choice.  She has her reasons for keeping out of the spotlight, living quietly with her necessary routines but all that is about to change as her boss inherits Willoughby Close and intends to set up a charitable foundation – and he wants Emily to move as well.  Emily’s quiet existence is about to undergo a drastic change as the residents of the town and Willoughby Close aren’t about to let her fade into the woodwork any longer – and perhaps love is waiting here for her as well, should she be brave enough to take the risks needed.

I enjoyed ‘Welcome Me to Willoughby Close‘ so much, and loved being back in this world (although a bit different this time around, enough remains the same).  You could say that Owen and Emily experienced love at first sight yet neither really trusts love so in some ways they felt like instant love and in others a slow burn – to me, at least.  Yet they always felt like they belonged together, that never changed no matter what issues or obstacles were tossed in their way, sometimes themselves in reality.  I loved watching Emily come out of her shell, for the townsfolk to sort of taking her under their wing, encouraging her to experience life.  She’ll learn that everyone has issues, and deals with life’s challenges in their own unique ways.  Owen has his own issues that come to light, and how this couple deals with them will map out their future.

I simply loved being back in Willoughby Close once again, and even if this is your first trip, I’m pretty certain that you’ll want to return for another visit soon – thankfully there are more stories to come to bring us back once again.  If you enjoy a good, solid love story with engaging characters, secondary characters who bring the story to life, and a second chance to experience all that life has to offer… then you’d feel right at home in ‘Welcome Me to Willoughby Close‘.  I’m already anticipating my next visit.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Tule Publishing. That does not change what I think of this story.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available in audio or for your favorite e-reader, mine is the Kindle