The House of Hopes and Dreams, Trisha Ashley

Like mysteries, I have a weakness for stories that involve renovating old houses. I had recently listened to an audiobook by Trisha Ashley on my daily commute, and I really enjoyed it. It was light and fun and perfect for relaxing. I was looking for something else to read, again something light and relaxing, when I spotted The House of Hopes and Dreams.

The plot revolves around the main characters renovating an old house complete with secret rooms and compartments. There is an element of a treasure hunt with a family story of old jewels, with just a bit of romance and humour tossed in. How could I resist?

This is an excellent story for anyone looking to rest and relax, and want something warm and entertaining with a guaranteed happy ending — a great choice for fans of Nora Roberts’ romances. Deb Van der lin

The story focuses on old friends Carey Revell and Angel Arrowsmith.

Carey has had a long-time running TV show where he renovated old cottages, and Angel is a stained glass artist. At the start of the novel, Carey is recovering from a hit and run that badly damaged his leg and is reeling from being let go from the TV series.

Angel, too, has suffered misfortune, she lost her life partner, and since they had never married, the business and home that they shared end up going to her stepson because it was all in her partner’s name.

As the stepson hates her, Angel ends up having to move out in a hurry.

Imagine Carey’s surprise when he discovers that an unknown uncle has passed away, leaving him the old family home, Mossby. As it turns out, the house is full of stained glass, and even has a stained-glass workshop, as one of the former occupants was a well known stained glass artist.

Carey and Angel decide to team up to renovate the house and turn it into a new TV series. And not only have Angel fix up the stained glass at the house but to start her own business right in the workshop.

While similarities in the plotline could be seen between it and the other book I read by Trisha Ashley, it was still a fun and enjoyable read. It was reasonably clever in the treasure hunt elements of the story, and it was fun to read Carey and Angel’s relationship develop throughout the book.

This is an excellent story for anyone looking to rest and relax, and want something warm and entertaining with a guaranteed happy ending — a great choice for fans of Nora Roberts’ romances.