Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.blogspot.com.

In the first two books of the series, we read of how Joy's Acre Farm is growing and how wonderful couples have found love. Here we have Megan Forrester's story. She is a young blacksmith and is visiting the farm in order to compete in a local craft competition. She is taking a risk, because, in so doing, she has to live in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend Liam. But she can't think of Liam right now, or even the competition. What her initial focus is the sheer fact that she is pretty much starting over.

She couldn't have picked a better place, however. As Megan will soon learn, Joy's Acre is a place of strong friends and a powerful connection. Meanwhile, there is a film crew at the farm producing a documentary. The purpose of the documentary is to show how rural businesses are impacting the small community. This could be a real boon to Joy's Acre. Or it could cause great headaches.

Some of the people we happily remember from previous stories are Clara, Tom, Maddie, Seth and Trixie. They are a fine team that are working together to make Joy's Acre a resounding success, a place where individuals and families alike can take respite. One of the new people on scene is Declan, the head of the production company, and he and Clara take an interest in each other. The problem is timing. How will the two make a go of it? What of Megan and Liam? Will their long-distance relationship survive, especially when the competition that Megan is involved in becomes wrought with problems?

This is the third book that I have read of Emma Davies and each one keeps getting better and better. There is so much warmth and connectivity that it makes me want to spend some time at Joy's Acre. I love the characters, the ongoing storylines and the angst that occurs in the story. There was even a shake-up with a couple of friendships in this book, bringing an extra sense of realism. Yet another reason to enjoy this story.

For an engaging read that brings real warmth, then definitely pick up this book. There is one final book in the series that I am looking forward to, but I know that I will be sad to see it draw to a close. These are books that I'd love to have as paperbacks so I can easily grab them off of the shelf and re-read them.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )

Return to the Little Cottage on the Hill by Emma Davies
Book #3: Little Cottage Series
Source: NetGalley
My Rating: 5/5 stars

Joy’s Acre is practically booming with two cottages open and ready for guests and the employees are more than excited to share their little slice of Heaven with anyone willing to make a reservation. While the group certainly hope their guests will come from far and wide, it isn’t everyday they get a local girl booked in for a visit.

Megan Forrester is thrilled to be almost completely back home. Though she grew up in the area and has a long-term boyfriend, she doesn’t really have a place to live while she participates in the upcoming blacksmith competition. Joy’s Acre is really the perfect choice for Megan as it is within spitting distance of the competition site, has full service at every level, and gives her easy access to her boyfriend during her downtime. Megan is hoping the generally cheerful atmosphere of Joy’s Acre will calm her nerves as she embarks on the most important event of her life. If Megan can win the blacksmith competition, the prize money would allow her to move home permanently and open her own workshop. What’s more, the win would firmly establish her as legitimate blacksmith.

In other news . . . .

As the blacksmith competition heats up, things at Joy’s Acre aren’t exactly as smooth and happy as they normally are. As their reputation grows, Joy’s Acre is presented with opportunities they never thought possible. One of those opportunities involves a film crew, a ton of planning, one very excited Trixie, and one very reluctant Clara. The opportunity is an amazing one for Joy’s Acre, but as plans progress the new project begins to tear apart the once solid team of employees. What’s more, the team from Joy’s Acre has been pulled into the organizing, serving, and generally lending a helping hand at the blacksmith competition. With the new opportunity, the extra work brought on by the competition, general stress, and a significant issue with Megan, Joy’s Acre is anything but joyful!

The Bottom Line: As much as I liked the first two books in this series, that like pales in comparison to how much I absolutely loved this book! I dove into this one and didn’t come up for air until the end. As with the second book, I found myself most interested in the women in this read, Megan and Clara. I like how unusual Megan is in her profession and how genuinely kind and caring Clara is. Though the storylines certainly overlap, Megan and Clara are very different people and I really felt like I was getting two stories for the price of one. Mind you, those very different women interact wonderfully, and their stories combine seamlessly to create a rather fine read. I found I was quite happy with the overall tone of this book; there is a great deal of tension, loads of bickering, and moments when you just aren’t sure it will all work out in the end. I LOVED THIS!! Life isn’t all cupcakes and unicorns, and though Joy’s Acre is very much meant to be a retreat, a haven for many, it is populated with real people living in the real world and that is certainly on display here. I found myself quite satisfied with every aspect of this book and can’t wait to dive into book four, Christmas at the Little Cottage on the Hill. ( )