High Blue Sky

by Victoria Connelly

4 out of 5

Synopsis

What would you sacrifice to be with the person you love?

Summer has arrived and it’s over a year since strangers Abigail and Edward bought Winfield Hall at auction and restored it together. Now, two new tenants are about to join them at their beautiful Georgian home.

Workaholic Harry Freeman has forgotten what it is to relax so when he meets healer, Aura Arden, and learns to meditate with her, he can’t believe how good he feels and he soon finds himself falling for her. But, with her bare feet and crystal beads, Aura’s not a big hit with Harry’s old-fashioned parents, and he finds himself torn between the people he loves most in the world.

It isn’t just Harry and Aura finding love. Summer has woven its spell over Edward and his brother Oscar, and both are making a play for Abi. But Abi isn’t happy at having to choose between these two very different men and, when Oscar’s behaviour spirals out of control, she realizes that some decisions can have devastating consequences.

High Blue Sky is the second novel in the heart-warming trilogy from the bestselling author of The Rose Girls and The Book Lovers series.

Review

Aura is trying for a fresh start, and a peaceful start; and Winfield Hall is the perfect setting. And current resident Harry finds her unorthodox lifestyle strangely appealing.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in The House in the Clouds series, but I didn't feel at a disadvantage for starting with this one; as its main focus is Harry and Aura's stories.

The narrative is split between the four residents of Winfield Hall.

Aura can't believe her luck when she gets the chance to move into Winfield Hall. It is peaceful after her basement city flat, and the perfect setting for her growing business of meditation and work with crystals.

Her desire to live a calm and centered life is tested when her brother comes for an unannounced visit; and Aura has to cope with the harsh judgements of certain people.

Harry is a workaholic. He's been in the Hall for a while, but only works and sleeps. The advertising company he works for has started up a new location, and Harry has been pouring everything into it.

After meeting his new neighbour, Harry is open to trying new things to relax. Which really opens his eyes to how toxic his life has been up to that point, and how he's always trying to keep everyone happy.

Abi and Edward are the co-owners of Winfield Hall.

They have become close friends, both scared to want more. But whatever might have happened naturally is thrown into disarray when Edward's handsome and exciting brother decides to sweep Abi off her feet.

This was a really sweet book. There is a subtle romance, but it focusses on the growing friendships between Abi and Edward; and Harry and Aura.

They are all at a point of change in their lives, and the friendships were so important in helping each other decide how they wanted to progress.

Winfield Hall is a wonderful backdrop, and felt like a character in its own right.

Abi and Edward have both done a lot of work on the place, but there is still a lot more to do. It's far from perfect, but just needed some tlc.

I thought the knowledge behind the crystals was very well researched.

I found the pacing slowed a little bit when the focus was on Aura's crystals and work.

I also thought there were a few unresolved issues, but I'm not sure if they will be carried through into the next book.

Overall, this was a very sweet story, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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