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

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I always really enjoy books with a strong sense of place and community, and you won’t find it done much better than this. The whole book has the feel of a Sunday night series, that strong central story line and established characters interspersed with dramatic moments they encounter – the obvious comparison is Call the Midwife, but with a contemporary setting, but (perhaps because of its setting too) I couldn’t help getting more of a feeling of Doc Martin (and they’re both series I always enjoy). And it also has the feel of a really involving saga, although I know that’s not a term often used for a story very much set in the present day. The characters are well-developed and relatable. Ella is a strong and determined young woman who is easy to root for. The other characters are also well-drawn, and I enjoyed getting to know them. The whole cast is excellent, but I really must say a special word for Ella’s parents. She was something of a miracle baby herself, and being in her thirties doesn’t stop them treating her like their precious little girl – and I found that particularly lovely. Her father Jago is a quite wonderful character – a proud Cornishman, fierce about the changes brought about with all the incomers and second-home owners, and I really loved his passion, however many problems it might cause. 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. Ella: Our protagonist is the epitome of sweetness and drive. I’ll admit, Ella’s determination to do what she perceives as right by her parents got a little much at times, as it’s blatantly obvious her parents simply want her to be happy. However, that’s pretty much a main conundrum Ella has to work through. She must figure out why she is so compelled to over achieve. At what point will she be ‘enough’? I love that we’re allowed to see Ella in her various roles: as midwife, friend, daughter and romantic interest. We’re also privy to her growth in each area.

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 Midwife Role: I’ve always thought what a noble but often undervalued profession. I adored the midwives I met during my pregnancies and really enjoyed seeing the same spirit of commitment and competence reflected in the characters of this novel. Through the midwife unit in Port Agnes, readers get a sense of the inner workings of the town and the types of people living there.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. The setting is beautifully described. I could almost feel the wind in my hair and the sand between my toes as I read about Port Agnes. There is strong cast of supporting characters and a great feeling of camaraderie with Ella’s new work colleagues and they all have their own stories which become intertwined with hers. Ella was a much wanted baby and her parents still treat her like precious china, to the point of not so subtly trying to interfere in her life, for what they see as the best of reasons! Her father Jago is particularly stubborn and loyal to his Cornish heritage which causes some anguish and drama. He has a particular dislike of property developers who he perceives to be spoiling his beloved town. 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.

And any book that gives me a brand new book boyfriend to fall in love with, is a winner in my eyes, and there is definitely one rather stunning candidate in this novel for that role! I'll miss him! I freaking loved Noah. I didn't think I would at first because I'm always a bit wary of religion, but I loved his drive and how he was always chasing a challenge. I loved seeing him work through his own crisis of faith, and open up his faith to others and support them however he could.

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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. The Story: This is a feel-good tale. I’ll admit, there are some cringe-worth moments, especially with Weller (whom, we should not be too hasty to judge), but the overarching sentiments are hope and love. Loose ends are all neatly tied up at the close and we have a pretty good idea of what’s happening with various members of the Ella’s immediate circle.

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. 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? After an accident involving Ella that could have been worse after Dan gives her some home truths she finally realises her answer… And Port Agnes the Cornish setting for this gorgeous book, was just perfect. I loved the sense of community there, even if Ella isn't as keen on it, given the circumstances of her own homecoming. She perhaps would have preferred a bit more anonymity than she has.

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. 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… Everyone can see that they are made for each other, then a scandal breaks involving Noah’s father, this brings the press into the equation. Noah then decides he must leave when they decide to hunt down Izzy. Noah is leaving to protect her. Izzy views it as him running away when the going gets tough