“There is no love like the first love.” ––Nicholas Sparks

Meet Me In The Treehouse is the debut novel by the lovely Kelly Tink, who I had the great pleasure of meeting at a local literary event last year. Kelly, who admits to being an avid reader and tea drinker, also describes herself as a hopeless romantic, which really shines through in this delightfully written romance that, for me, was the perfect summer holiday read.

Set in the present day in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, this is the story of childhood best friends Emma and Chris. Like all good love stories though, theirs is not a path that runs smoothly. A family tragedy, eight years ago, really affected Chris, making him aloof and emotionally distant, which in turn affected his friendship with Emma. Three years after the said incident, Emma marries and moves away, leaving Chris, her family, and her hometown behind her. Now though, five years later, she’s back. However, a lot has happened during her absence. No longer the slightly naive but hopeful young woman she was when she left, Emma returns as a broken-hearted thirty-year-old unemployed nurse, and soon to be divorcee, living with her parents. Chris though, like a true friend, alongside several other close friends and family, is on hand to help, and slowly but surely Emma rebuilds her life. Being home again though, reminds her of something that, secretly, she has always known, namely her true feelings for Chris. Chris, however, who may, or may not have met someone, is making plans. The question being, of course, is Emma part of them?

Heartfelt and uplifting, with a good sprinkling of romance, Meet Me In The Treehouse is a charming love story with a great cast of believable but realistically flawed characters who serve as a wonderful reminder of the importance of good friends and family.