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  • The Start of Something Wonderful

  • Escape to the Lakes, Book 1
  • By: Jessica Redland
  • Narrated by: Rebecca Norfolk
  • Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (214 ratings)

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The Start of Something Wonderful cover art

The Start of Something Wonderful

By: Jessica Redland
Narrated by: Rebecca Norfolk
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Summary

Autumn Laine has lost her creative sparkle. After losing her grandad and her job as an illustrator in quick succession, she is at a crossroads in life and needs a break. Spending time with her parents in Paris, even in the artistic community of Montmartre, doesn't appear to be the answer.

So when her penpal, Rosie, invites her to stay in the Lake District, Autumn jumps at the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of Paris. After all, where better to re-discover her creativity than the place which inspired her heroine Beatrix Potter?

Arriving at the picturesque lakeside village of Willowdale, Autumn is swept up by the beauty and magic of the stunning landscape. Welcomed into the community with open arms, she slowly starts to feel like herself again as her creative instincts re-ignite.

But when she meets Dane, who has escaped to the Lakes for his own reasons, will Autumn's walls come down to let someone in again after so long? Or will the secrets of her past continue to hold her back?

A new beginning is a daunting prospect, but could it be the start of something wonderful too..?

Join million-copy bestseller Jessica Redland for a series, full of love, friendship and community.

©2023 Jessica Redland (P)2023 Boldwood Books

What listeners say about The Start of Something Wonderful

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A cosy easy listen

Just what you want from this style of book, comfy and safe. The narration made it a hard listen at the start, narrator sounded bored and fed up, however this did improve in the second half, and the Cumbrian accents… well! I guess to southerners there is only one northern accent, but the Cumbrians in the story sounded more Yorkshire. I also nearly had to stop with the pronunciation of Latrigg - it is not L’trigg, the “a” is pronounced. Overall, it was a comfy story, but I would like to know the significance of “the green man” in Alice’s story so hope for a follow up, I assumed it was something to do the “his lordship” or a pedestrian crossing, however if it’s the same narrator, I wouldn’t listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Heartwarming

What a lovely heartwarming story, I love the hedges hollow books and wondered if they could be matched -absolutely, just about to start book 2

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Enchanting

I loved every minute of this story. Doesn’t everyone enjoy a feel good, happy ending story ❤️

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely....

brilliant storyline from start to finish with some lovely characters and antics within the book. The narrator was very good at using different voices for the characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Another Jessica Redland triumph!!!!

Loved loved loved this story.
Please please please can there be a book 2???
I’d love to see what Autumn & Dane do next. How their story unfolds. Xx

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Easy listen, a little predictable

Nice new world that the author is creating. Easy listen. Good narration. Relaxing story. Easy listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Flowed brilliantly from the first page to the last!

A delightful book. I’d give the story, characters and reader 10/10. So very difficult to find a book where all three are great.

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  • Overall
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Very enjoyable

I loved this story of friendship, love, and finding when you trust in yourself you can do amazing things

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Lovely story

Lovely story- enjoy!
Great performance too
Relaxing listen
Not annoying
A nice world to fall into

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Lovely story if you keep going

Let's address it yes it's a different narrator and if you are used to the other Jessica Redland audiobooks it may take a little bit to get into the voice but do because it is a lovely story and you will come to look forward to listening and finding out what happens.

I love the story and the location in the Lake District - Enjoy!

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