We’re delighted to be sharing Laura’s thoughts about What Really Happened to Me?
This cosy, thoughtful story really stayed with her, especially as she saw parts of herself in Grace.
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Category Romance/Contemporary
Publisher Vinci Books
Publish Date 23 April 2026
Pages 300
Language English
TypeBook Paperback
EAN/UPC 9781036707859
Sometimes losing everything is the only way to find yourself.
Grace Leven seems to have it all—CEO of a national TV channel, a picture-perfect family, and a life others envy. But behind the glossy façade, cracks are forming. Her career is on the line, her marriage has crumbled, and her best friend has disappeared.
Lost and alone, Grace stumbles upon the Strawberry House Hotel, a haven in the idyllic Strawberry Village. Here, surrounded by a community that values truth and connection over social media perfection, Grace begins to ask the one question she’s been avoiding: What really happened to me?
What Really Happened to Me Review
What Really Happened to Me by Ellie Barker is my first read from The Next Chapter series, and I was hooked from the very first chapter, racing through the book. I usually read thrillers, but this cosy read was an unexpected and delightful change.
Set in Strawberry Village and Lemon Cove, the story follows Grace as she is supported by a warm and caring community who help her recognise her potential and fall back in love with life.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ellie Barker’s writing style, with its relatable characters and heart-warming moments.
At times, I found myself resonating strongly with Grace, which made the story thought provoking and reflective.
Grace feels stuck in both her work and home life, and while she has many flaws, these only make her more realistic and likeable as a character.
A wonderful read, and one that has left me keen to discover more books in this series.
Author Info
Ellie Barker is a television journalist, author, and host of The Next Chapter podcast. Ellie started as a runner in TV, just like Rosie in The Pink Coffee Shop. Does the camera really lie? With more than 25 years in the industry, Ellie knows.
When she’s not being dazzled by those TV lights, Ellie writes contemporary romance novels, or “Fiction Therapy,” as she calls it. THE PINK COFFEE SHOP, THE JUGGLE, and THE SECRETS OF THE COFFEE CLUB are all set in the fictitious Cherry Blossom Park in Bristol—the city where Ellie lives with her journalist husband, sons, and dog, Cookie.
When Ellie’s not holding a microphone or collecting socks, she loves to write warm, uplifting fiction with lots of love and hope. All her books feature a therapist (hence the Fiction Therapy), based on her lifelong fascination with mental health. And be warned: after years of reporting on some of the not-so-fair parts of life, only happy endings are allowed.
