The School of Starting Over

‘this was a delight to read…I just can’t recommend it enough. The best romance book I’ve read this year.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Books and Bookends

Nell’s going back to school… but now she’s learning lessons of the heart

Reception class teacher Nell Shackleton has a plan. At least, she had until she arrived at her new home of Humblebee Farm, a dilapidated farmhouse on the Yorkshire moors. But so what if the roof’s full of holes, the back door’s hanging off and there’s a sheep in the front room? Because sometimes a new beginning means starting at the bottom… right?

Xander Scott is one of the youngest headteachers Leyholme Primary School has ever had. But managing over-zealous parents and their semi-feral kids proves a tricky task for shy Xander – as does keeping his mind on the job when his feelings for the new Reception teacher become more than strictly professional…

At 43, Nell’s new friend Stevie Madeleine has given up on love. After losing her wife, Stevie’s decided that her four-year-old daughter Milly and cocker spaniel Red are the only girls she needs in her life. That is, until larger-than-life dog-walker Deb arrives on the scene. But will the secrets of Stevie’s past stop her new romance dead in its tracks?

Meeting Xander and Stevie brings joy back into Nell’s life – but when old secrets start to surface, there may be some hard lessons to learn for them all…

A gorgeously uplifting and hilarious romantic comedy that will delight fans of Milly Johnson, Holly Martin and Heidi Swain.

Readers are loving The School of Starting Over!:

‘touched my heart on so many levels…should be rated a lot higher than five stars. It is truly heartwarming and perfect.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Little Miss Book Lover 87

‘a superb read with a delightful community, fabulous characters and a surprising twist that I definitely didn’t see coming. It is a heartwarming story, a real page turner and a book I highly recommend you read.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Splashes into Books

‘This novel made me laugh, cry and warmed my insides. It really has everything. I loved this heartwarming novel and I highly recommend it.’ Herding Cats

‘It absolutely left me with a smile on my face… Just perfect to lose yourself in for a while and make you feel uplifted. Highly recommended.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Sibzz Reads

‘will have readers roaring with laughter and wiping away a tear or two… A feel-good romantic read… will lift the spirit and warm the heart.’ Bookish Jottings

‘I’ve just discovered my new favourite author in Lisa Swift… There were plenty of feel good moments and plenty of laughter involved, I adored the characters… a wonderful summer romance read’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Baby Dolls and Razor Blades

‘I adored every perfectly chosen word of this cleverly amusing and well-crafted tale… Reading this tale was pure delight’☆☆☆☆☆ Books and Bindings

‘I found myself flying through the pages to see how it would all end – I loved it from cover to cover – it was a heart-warming story and the perfect pick me up and it had me giggling at times too!’ ☆☆☆ ☆☆ Donna’s Book Blog

‘a poignant, compelling, heart-warming and cosy romcom that I didn't want to end!’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Dash Fan Book Reviews

‘Heartwarming, humorous, immersive and poignant… Vivid characters, heartrending conflict and an authentic Yorkshire village ethos and setting make this addictive reading.’ ☆☆☆☆☆ Jane Hunt Writer

Lisa Swift grew up in rural West Yorkshire, right in the heart of Brontë country… and she’s still there. Lisa also writes romantic comedies under the pen name Mary Jayne Baker.