Book review: Bea's Book Wagon by Julie Haworth [blog tour]

I'm a Julie Haworth super fan. Ever since she first transported me to the fictional village of Blossom Heath in her debut novel, Always By Your Side, I knew I was going to devour every subsequent book by her hand. So when I got my excited fingers on a proof of her latest novel, Bea's Book Wagon, at the start of the year I simply did not have the willpower to wait to return to this wonderful Sussex village, and I read – and reviewed – the book 6 months before it actually came out. #sorrynotsorry 

About Bea's Book Wagon by Julie Haworth

Bea's stuck in a horrible temp job where she's being bossed around and there's no promotion in sight. So when, in the spur of the moment, she resigns there's plenty for her to celebrate. Except, she celebrated a bit too much because the next morning she wakes up to find she's used all of her savings to buy a vintage horse box on eBay...

What initially felt like the biggest mistake of her life, soon turns out to be the best one. With a lot of hard work – and help from old and new friends – she launches her own small business with Bea's Book Wagon; a mobile book shop she can set up at events and festivals. Sounds like a dream job, right? Throw in two very handsome love interests battling for Bea's attention and, let me tell you, it's not only her job readers will be envying her for.

My review of Bea's Book Wagon

Needless to say, I absolutely adored everything about this book. It was an utter delight to return to Blossom Heath and get to know a whole new cast of characters (while also being reunited with some old favs). Author Julie Haworth is really excellent at transporting readers to her charming world – and making it all sound so wonderful (despite the occasional setbacks to keep her characters and readers on their toes) that I can't be the only one disappointed to be returning to the real world after turning the final page on one of her books. 

And her writing and cosy stories get even better with every new release. While I did not think she could top her previous novel, New Beginnings at the Cosy Cat Café, it turns out that Bea's Book Wagon may just be my favourite Blossom Heath story yet. Yes, the previous book was filled with furry felines, but this one it absolutely doused in a love for reading. And who can honestly pick between cats and books?! The only thing that could possibly make a future instalment any better is if it would be equally set in Tori's cat cafe and Bea's book wagon... one can dream. 

Speaking of dreaming, hello Nathan and Lochlan! I know that this book is about Bea, who I absolutely loved, but it's the author's fault for distracting her readers by making both men sound so utterly delectable... Sure, one turns out to be far more suitable than the other in the end (thankfully, otherwise Bea would have a problem!) – but that doesn't take away from the fact that they both sound like gorgeous eye candy. And the love triangle adds some gentle but much-needed tension into the story so it isn't all rainbows and butterflies (although there's still plenty of that too). 

I also absolutely adored the book recommendations and reviews from the perspectives of all the characters as an extra special treats at the end of the novel. The little snippets perfectly fitted all the characters we'd come to know and love throughout the story. I managed to find some of the recommendations on my own book shelves (see photo at the top of this blog post), and I'll certainly make an effort to pick up those I haven't already previously read as the characters' mini reviews were so convincing.

Bea's Book Wagon makes for a heart-warning return to Blossom Heath. It has everything you could possibly wish for in a Julie Haworth novel: a cosy story with just enough twists to keep the plot interesting and unexpected, great new characters for readers to become best friends with, and some scrumptious love interests to elevate the romance sub plot to whole new level. Add in the bookish theme running throughout – and Bea's Book Wagon really is a perfect read. 

P.S. I'd hereby like to continue the campaign from my previous review to have a cosy Christmas novel set in Blossom Heath next. This wonderful village is the perfect setting for the most magical time of year and I want to see it absolutely covered in twinkling lights and snow, a waft of mince pies and hot chocolate in the air. Please and thank you.

Bea's Book Wagon by Julie Haworth is published by Simon and Schuster and you can now buy your copy from your favourite local book shop!

Blog tour stops for Bea's Book Wagon by Julie Haworth

This review for Bea's Book Wagon is part of the blog tour for the launch of the book. Make sure to check out the other stops too!

Disclaimer: This book was gifted to me, but this has not impacted this honest review.