A Postcard from Puffin Island: From the bestselling aut… (2025)

A new series and this was a lovely time start. A fairly quick read but, it was such a delight to read. It was funny at times and I enjoyed the ending. Wanting more now. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Well, this was a lovely treat. If there are two things that I know can make this grumpy old book blogger smile, they would be Christie Barlow books and Puffins. Having both in one book … Well who could ask for more. Honestly, if you have read and loved the Love Heart Lane series then this will be right up your street, with characters who you can take to your heart right from the off, a wonderful and heartbreaking little mystery, and a most idyllic setting that set me in mind of summers past. I raced through it and know that this series is going straight onto my must buy list.

In A Postcard From Puffin Island we meet Verity, a young woman who is just about to set off on a road trip with her best friend Ava. She's left her job, rented out her home and is gladly turning her back on her ex fiancé, who rather unfortunately lives directly opposite her home with the woman he cheated on her with. In Verity's shoes, I'd be happy for an extended break away too. A chance discovery of a postcard sent from an island Verity had thought was only make believe, lead her to make a slight detour from her planned trip. Soon she is experiencing the beauty of Puffin Island for herself. Everything is just as her grandmother had described, and so the only question in Verity's mind is who sent the postcard and just what did its message mean ...?

I really have to applaud Christie Barlow. We all know I am more of a fighter than a lover (fictionally only, of course) and I'm more likely to be found with my head buried in a crime novel or thriller than I am romance, but, without fail, in just a few short chapters she always manages to have me completely engaged in her stories and totally invested in the fate of the characters. This was absolutely the case with Verity, and once the mystery of the postcard had been uncovered, I was totally and utterly on board for this road trip no matter where it led us. Yes, it helps that I do love puffins, so anything that is going to take me in there direction, even if only in writing, can't be a bad thing, but Verity is a wonderful character. Instantly likeable, very down to earth and with a kind of cautious independance I can totally understand. Having come out of a long term relationship, and trying to bounce back from the hurt she felt, it's no wonder she wants a new start, and watching her completely throw caution to the wind and follow her heart made me smile, drawing me deeper into her fate if that was even possible.

Now this is no kind of romantic adventure if there is no love interest, and the would be future suitor is brought into our minds very early on. A chance encounter at a roadside cafe, and a mishap with a sausage butty make for a very unforgettable meet cute moment between Verity and Sam, but as you might expect, things will not go exactly to plan. Sam seems the perfect guy, almost too perfect perhaps, but certainly the type to get readers hearts all a flutter, as he does those of local residents too it seems. And there is a sad side to Sam's story, one that is strangely linked to the very reason Verity has been drawn to the island in the first place. The path of true love does not run smoothly, just like the van Verity is travelling in after a almost tragic encounter on the island causeway. But I trust Christie Barlow to do right by her characters and her readers and she does not disappoint. It's the kind of partnership you are rooting for, laden with romantic moments to make the heart melt, as well as the kind of arguments that can only come from people who really care. I loved this pairing and I know other readers will too.

Now this is a book set in an island community, and we can rely on this author to deliver one heck of a welcome to any of us, readers or fictional visitors. We only meet a fraction of the people who live on Puffin Island, but I can see just how wonderful this series is set to become, with all the kinds of destinations and characters who have many, many stories to tell. From bookseller come wannabe author, Amelia, to tearoom owner Clemmie, who quickly adopt Verity as a new best friend, to former Vet 'Puffin' Pete and garage owner, Nathan, there are such a mix of personalities and backgrounds, but all with one thing in common - a total love of Puffin Island. I can understand that as the North East coast is one of my favourite destinations in the UK and I leave a little bit of my heart there everytime I visit. Christie Barlow really brings this out in her writing, putting you at the heart of the community and portraying the setting in such a way it made me nostalgic for my recent holiday and had me digging out my puffin snaps. The setting for these books make be fictional, but if this doesn't make you want to visit the real life Seahouses and take a ride over the causeway to Holy Island, or hop on a boat trip around the Farnes, I don't know what will.

This is a book so full of heartwarming romantic moments, pockets of humour that will have you chuckling away, and poignant and heartbreaking memories that will bring a tear to your eye, that if you have ever enjoyed one of the author's earlier books you will absolutely love this. It was such a lovely way to while away a Saturday afternoon, and I can't wait to see what more adventures we will go on with the Puffin Islanders in the hopefully not too distant future. Definitely recommended, but , if you'll excuse me, I'm off to stare at my old holiday pictures. Really miss those views and those puffins!

I guess like other readers we were all heartbroken that the Love Heart Lane series had come to an end.

Fear not people Christie has blown me away with this new setting on Puffin island, a great cast of characters and beautiful scenery.

This will be a popular series and I cannot wait to read more.

2.5*s. This book is a wacky combination of unrealistic saccharine sweet situations between surprisingly bland yet unpleasant characters.

It was entertaining enough and I did like the island descriptions, but that's all the positives I can count here.

The characters aren't shown in enough detail, but from the details we do see, the implications aren't good. The main character constantly jumps to conclusions which have nothing to do with the information she has. Sure there's wishful thinking, but when that's the only basis on which decisions are made, it starts resembling stupidity too much. Her romantic interest also loves jumping to conclusions, but he spices it up by also holding grudges for decades, puffing himself up on performative niceness and hurting others to please himself.
Other characters are there to serve as convenient plot points and don't have personalities to speak of.

Over the past couple of years or so I have been avidly reading The Love Heart Lane series by this author. This had recently ended but I was aware of a new series and here is the first book in that series. A Postcard from Puffin Island has all the feels of a close-knit community and it was a wonderful way to meet the islanders of this island that has more Puffins than people.

Verity was supposed to be on the ferry to Amsterdam to spend six months travelling with her friend. Before she leaves home she gets the house ready for the tenants that will be renting it from her. One of the requirements is that the old postbox is removed. It has been there for years and is sealed, when she decides to have a quick look inside she discovers a postcard. It is to her grandmother from someone on Puffin Island. In all the years that Verrity listened to the stories of Puffin Island that her grandmother told her, she never once realised that it was a real place.

Serendipity plays a role in this story in many ways and the author has made the most of the mystery of the postcard. Making a spontaneous decision, very un-Verity-like, she decides to stop at Puffin Island en route to Amsterdam. Like Loveheart Lane, Puffin Island has its draw, drama and magnetism.

This is such a fabulous story and I devoured it. I started this early evening knowing I would not be putting it down until I had finished. The story revolves and evolves around Verity arriving on the island and immediately feeling a sense of belonging, this is down to the stories from her grandmother who told Verity all the wonderful details of the houses, the lanes, the shops and the people she met... well almost all of the people she met. There is a mystery to be solved as the sender of the postcard never revealed his name, but does mention a secret!

Oh my goodness the way the author just brings all the elements of this story together is just wonderful. There is romance, humour, old secrets, old memories and forgotten or unknown facts. There is also a good amount of tension and it all just blends together perfectly.

If you are already a fan of this author then you are going to absolutely adore your first trip to Puffin Island as much as I did. In case you had not realised... I would definitely recommend this book.

Falling in love with a place (handsome local doesn't hurt!)🌅🚐

4-4.5🌟stars
This first book in a new series by Christie Barlow definitely focuses most on female lead Verity and her journey to personal fulfillment. She's left her hometown behind after romantic disappointment, anticipating a six-month camping van adventure with her best friend on the Continent, and, after a series of fateful mishaps, finds a community that quickly adopts her on a picturesque island in the northeast of England.

For me, the hook to the book was the mysterious postcard to her gran that drew Verity to Puffin Island. I always appreciate a family mystery to solve. The romance with local heartthrob restaurateur/singer Sam was quick off the mark, fine if a bit predictable. Just as interesting were the residents she forms connections with, particularly thorny Pete who lives in lonely isolation on a cliff top surrounded by the island's puffin community and has an ongoing feud with Sam. I knew from Pete's first appearance that he would have a moving backstory and an important role in solving the postcard mystery (and he did). He was actually probably my favorite character.

This is a good set-the-scene first volume in the new series. I grew to love the residents and their mingling lives in Barlow's Love Heart Lane series and look forward to continuing with this Puffin Island series. It's pretty upbeat, the romance is not too steamy and the writing is easy to follow and keeps focused on moving the plot forward. And I give props to the author for including a diagram of the key spots on the island, to give me a better sense of the geographical set-up.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I've always adored this author's work, and while I enjoyed the Love Heart Lane series, it was definitely time for a fresh setting! And what a change Puffin Island turned out to be! The location was truly enchanting. Puffin Island sounded absolutely wonderful, and I would have loved to cross that causeway to spend a few days there!

In this book, we meet Verity Callaway, who has recently faced some tough times. She's decided to take a break from life, packing up her trusty camper van and heading off to meet up with her friend in Amsterdam. However, when she discovers an old postcard addressed to her late grandmother, sent from Puffin Island, she's intrigued to uncover the secret it holds.

Verity's character is incredibly likeable and down-to-earth. Initially, I admired her bravery for leaving everything behind, but as the story progresses, you realise how impulsive and decisive she can be. Her journey shows how living life to the fullest often involves seizing opportunities as they arise! The book also features some lovely supporting characters, with Sam being the first Islander we meet—he's definitely another reason to visit Puffin Island! Sam is a likeable character, although he certainly has some past issues to sort out. My favourite character, however, was Puffin Pete, and I loved how his story developed as the story moved on.

This book was utterly captivating. The storyline was delightful, and once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Everything flowed seamlessly, and I couldn't help but fall in love with the residents, the location, and, of course, the puffins of Puffin Island. It's a gorgeous start to a new series, and I can't wait for the next book!

A Postcard from Puffin Island is the first book in a brand new series from Christie Barlow. I adored her Love Heart Lane books, so I intended to save this book for my holiday. But I thought I would take a quick peek, which was a big mistake! An hour later, I was totally immersed in Verity Callaway and the lives of the Puffin Island residents.

Christie writes in such a magical way, she doesn’t just create characters; she breathes life into them! I immediately warmed to Verity. She’s down to earth, funny and likeable. I loved Puffin Pete, and Verity’s relationship with “no commitment” Sam. There are so many characters that I’m eager to learn more about. As I reached the last chapter, I felt bereft at saying “goodbye” to newfound friends.

The beautiful descriptions of Puffin Island immediately made me want to pack my case and head there. The sense of place brings the story vividly to life. Like all of Christie Barlow’s books, she covers themes on more challenging issues, such as grief and lost love, while still maintaining warmth and humour.

The thing I love about Christi Barlow’s writing is how she can make me laugh and cry all in one chapter! A Postcard from Puffin Island is a heart-warming, beautifully told story that made it nigh on impossible not to fall in love with Puffin Island and its residents.Roll on the next book in the series. Highly recommended.

Oh my goodness I was still in mourning over the Loveheart Lane series, but wow! Within the first page I was totally hooked on A postcard from puffin island, I adore travelling in a camper van, islands and puffins so was enthralled instantly and felt a real connection to Verity and her little van!
A truly inspired book that takes you on the most enchanting journey as we follow Verity leaving home and her ex to go travelling to Amsterdam with her friend, the plan doesn’t go quite as expected and after a split second decision Verity’s altered plan takes her to the most wonderfully close knit community of puffin island a location that holds a special place in her heart and that of her grandmother!
The ensuing story is full of acceptance, a sense of belonging, new starts, secrets revealed and a frisson of romance coupled with the most idyllic location and lots of adorable puffins!
The most wholesome heartwarming enchanting read would highly recommend,so excited to follow verity’s journey
Thank you NetGalley for this early read!

What a fantastic book this was, I absolutely devoured it. I loved Sam and Verity, I also adored Pete. 🥰

Verity's granny always used to tell her stories about the island and the people on it but it wasn't until a chance encounter with an old postbox has Verity changing her plans after learning that the island is in fact a real place not just fictional.

You have everything you could want in this book, fabulous characters with great chemistry, it's a CLEAN romance - none of the smutty descriptions here!, community, friendships, small town, secrets etc... it also deals with grief but it shows how it can affect people differently and how time can stand still rather than help heal.

This was an easy read and definitely needed after a good run of spicy reads, a nice palate cleanser is good for the soul.

I want the second book like now, please?

Absolutely LOVED my journey on this island with these characters. 🏝

This was a fantastic introduction to Puffin Island featuring the very buoyant Verity who by a twist of fate discovers that the Puffin Island which featured so predominantly in her grandmothers bedtime stories is actually a real place and when the opportunity arises to visit it she grabs the chance to see how it compares. The characters are all so lovely and the island is a wonderful location for residents and visitors alike. There’s some brilliant history between some of the islanders which adds to the story as well as a current debate which is causing a rift between the villagers. The story is simple but engaging and a fantastic start to a new series, there’s already a number of characters I’d like to know more about and overall this just oozes joy and positivity and provides great escapism.

I was so excited to start the new series from the awesome Christie Barlow and A Postcard from Puffin Island did not disappoint, my reader senses are tingling with anticipation of what’s to come in this series for the residents, however for now let’s focus on this!

Fate intervenes and leads Verity to Puffin Island which I now want to move to! The story has a little mystery as Verity tries to uncover the story behind a postcard sent to her grandmother in 1972 from Puffin Island signed from ‘W’ Step forward a cast of lovely residents, a will they won’t they love story, another mystery about the death of a previous resident and you’re hooked!

Thanks to OMC for the opportunity to get my hands on this, it is a delight!

A Postcard from Puffin Island was a book that held me attention from the first word to the last. I am so glad it is the first book in a new series.
Verity Callaway is trying to change her life, and she decides to go on a six-month vacation with her friend Ava in Amsterdam.
Verity is on her way to meet up with Ava when a last-minute decision sends her to Puffin Island. Her grandmother had told her stories about Puffin Island. The pull of remembering the stories was just the thing she needed.
The cast of characters in the story fit together perfectly. I am so glad Christie Barlow has given her readers a new place to feel at home as we all read the books.
Thank you NetGalley, Christie Barlow and One More Chapter for the book A Postcard from Puffin Island. This is my personal review.

With its echoes from the 1970s, this romance set on the fictional Puffin Island, inspired by Lindisfarne off the Northumberland coast, takes the reader on an emotional journey with its believable cast of characters. Verity is making a new start after her long-term relationship ends with betrayal. A chance encounter and a long-hidden postcard conspire to lead her to a little island famous for its puffins to solve a family mystery. The gentle romance between Verity and Sam and the serendipity that inspires it is lovely. I enjoyed meeting some of the community on Puffin Island and getting to know Verity, who I immediately liked. The story has a captivating emotional tone.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Having loved the Love Heart Lane series, I was eager to read A Postcard from Puffin Island, Christie Barlow’s brand new novel. What can I say about this book other than quite simply, I adored it. The main character, Verity is instantly likeable, fun and sassy and brings a real warmth to the book. It’s a great plot that unfolds majestically as you become completely immersed in the lives of the Puffin Island residents. It’s warm hearted and I could not put this book down. This is the first novel in a brand new series and I can’t wait to read the next instalment. A very fabulous five star read. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

Verity chances upon an old postcard trapped in her mailbox. It was meant for her late grandmother and came from Verity’s childhood haunt of Puffin Island. As she’s looking for a new adventure after the end of a relationship, Verity heads straight for the island to try to find out about the postcard’s author and unravel his cryptic message.

Christie Barlow does a great job of creating her new series setting and introducing likeable characters in this emotional tale. It will be a sure-fire hit for this talented author.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I had not read any books by this author but the title of this one caught my attention.

Perhaps its a shame that real life places were not used instead of completely fictional ones especially as it obvious where the real life places are. Maybe that's because I live on the North East coast.

This is well written and heartwarming. As one would expect there are characters to love and those you don't like so much.
It was an easy read but enough to make one turn another page.

I will certainly look out for more adventures from Puffin Island.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly giving me an advanced copy of this book to read.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an advance copy of htis book in exchange for a review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Christie Barlow's Loveheart Lane series so was delighted to be able to read the start of her new series. Puffin Island sounds like a wonderful place to be and I look forward to being back soon. This is Verity's story who has heard stories of Puffin Island from her beloved grandmother and is about to embark on adventure to Holland with her friend but takes a slight detour......

Just Wow!
What a great start to a new series, A Postcard from Puffin Island has been a fabulous introduction to this new series.
When Verity decides to go travelling fate takes control and takes her to Puffin Island an island her granny told her stories about that she always believed to be made up.
This leads Verity to cross paths with Sam, Sam is everything verity could want in a man but will circumstances stop them from being together.
A magical book can’t wait to see which character Christy decides to write about next.
A definite five star read.

What a fantastic start to a new series! Verity sets out in her camper van to go travelling but it doesn’t go according to plan. Verity’s gran had told her stories about Puffin Island and she thought it was fictional but it’s a real place. Puffin Island sounds idyllic and the community is small and the residents are mostly welcoming. I loved discovering the history of the island, meeting new friends especially Sam and solving a mystery. Can’t wait to return.

A love story across the years

A little slow to get going and could have done without the drawn out sea sickness part but once it got going, this is a fabulous read.
Well written characters who are instantly likeable and a mystery from the past. The reader is transported to Puffin Island and engrossed in the story of a postcard from the past and its ramifications.
A touching and thoroughly enjoyable book - could possibly do with a follow on.

I was so excited to read the start of this new series.
In true Christie Barlow style she hooked me in instantly and I've fallen in love with Puffin Island already.
I already can't wait for the next one!
Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the early copy, my honest opinion is 'I loved it!'

A cute little romance book that has you longing for the Northumberland coast. It was nice to meet a new cast of characters that we will hopefully return to and find out how their lives change. An easy read that offers a piece of escapism.

From the first chapter to the last, I was riveted to this book! When you're halfway through, you believe you know what happened in 72, but was i ever surprised! This is one of those books that stick with you when you are done. Loved it. I wish I could give it ten stars

Wonderful story by a great story writer.

A good honest true to life story of bad times turning good, and a real tear jerker
I loved this book from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Brilliant start to a new series of books. I don't want to spoil it so won't go into the story just enjoy it. I certainly did.

A definite 5 star read.
The start of a new series based on the wonderful Puffin Island is exciting. Beautiful setting, interesting characters and a fascinating storyline.

It was great I enjoyed it very much Glad I bought it . Many thanks looking forward to the next one .

Brilliant new series, I laughed at Verity's antics, I also loved the mystery running through the story especially the ending.