The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club by Chrissie Manby

 

Publisher: Hodder

Publishing Date: 21st September 2017

Source:  Received from the publisher in return for an honest review!

Number of pages: 384

Genre:  Women’s Fiction

 Buy the Book: Kindle | Paperback

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

In the quaint seaside town of Newbay, a beginner’s cookery course is starting. And three very different students have signed up . . .

Liz’s husband has left her for a twenty-something clean-eating blogger, and she’s determined to show the world – and her daughter – she’s just as capable in the kitchen. John, newly widowed after fifty years of marriage, can’t live on sympathy lasagnes forever. To thirty-year-old workaholic Bella, the course is a welcome escape from her high-pressure job. Their only common ground: between them, they can barely boil an egg!

Enter talented chef Alex, who is determined to introduce his pupils to the comforts of cuisine. As Liz, John and Bella encounter various disasters in the kitchen, the unlikely trio soon form a fast friendship. Their culinary skills might be catastrophic – but could the cookery club have given them a recipe for happiness?

The wonderful new novel from Chrissie Manby is perfect for fans of Jill Mansell, Trisha Ashley and Cathy Bramley.

Rating: 

 

Each new release by Chrissie Manby is a treat. I was very inconsolable some time ago that there is no more Proper Family to come, however with “The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club” we return to Newbay, the town that was already featured in another Chrissie Manby’s cracker of a story, “A Fairy Tale for Christmas”, and it was lovely to see some characters from the previous book mentioned, as well as the NEWTs. But it is a fully stand – alone novel, with a new bunch of the most lovely, humorous and life – experienced characters and the book has easily elevated itself to the top of my favourite reads this year.

This novel has all that I absolutely love in books – brilliant characters, dogs and cooking. I immediately fell in love with Liz and her life – approach, it was so easy to relate with her character and to feel her pain. Liz had troubles to come to terms with her husband leaving her for a much younger health blogger and her daughter blaming her for this fact – of course! The fact that Brittney is a health blogger, posting vegan recipes and radiating calmness and zen also doesn’t help as Liz – simply – can’t cook. Add to this an overweight border terrier Ted only starting his own doggy weight loss class at the local vet – you can really loose self – control, right? However, Liz’s patience was amazing, and the way she coped with all those things was brilliant, she was so stoical and cool as a cucumber, and I just wanted to give her a hug.
But the story doesn’t only tell us Liz’s story. Through Alex’s cookery class we get to know other characters that basically have nothing to do with Liz and her life, they only get to know each other on the course but we get the chance to also see into their backgrounds and histories, and I must say that while sometimes it doesn’t work – mixing characters that have nothing in common – here it created such a warm atmosphere and was a brilliant balance to Liz’s tale. There is Bella, a public defence lawyer, almost always on telephone duty – she was so kind and human and if I were in troubles I’d want Bella and only Bella. It seems that her job takes over her life and she starts to wonder if this is really how she wants to live. There is John, a seventy – something widower, still missing his late beloved wife and keeping a secret, and Alex, the one setting up the cooking course, hoping for a class full and landing with the three so very different, but so very personality rich students.
What all the characters have in common, though, is the fact that they were not happy with their lives, and all of them started to realize this – the question was if they’re going to do something with this.

Chrissie Manby has described the food in the most delicious way but what was the best thing is that mostly the dishes were associated with some of the best memories in our characters’ lives – it was lovely and touching and I absolutely adored this part of the story. I would only love if there were some recipes at the end of the book – maybe they’re going to be put in the finished copies but they weren’t in my review copy.

This book is written in such easy, comforting way! I just couldn’t stand the thought that I must put it down for a moment, I was so caught up in the characters’ lives, their antics and their banter – it was all perfect! There are so many hilarious scenes in this novel, usually involving Liz, as she was incredibly accident prone, but also there were some more poignant moments and I loved this balance. From the very first page I knew that I am for a new treat and that I’m going to enjoy this book. It was another fantabulous story that I simply devoured and didn’t want it to finish.

So shortly, very shortly – it was funny and emotional, it was heart – warming, it was so genuine and realistic and it is a MUST READ this autumn. It was so brilliant, with adorable characters with their own background interesting stories, full of funny situations that really made me laugh out loud, and there are too many to list them, and besides I don’t want to spoil the joy for you, and moments that had me tearing up – just what I love. I am already looking towards Chrissie Manby’s next release, I simply can’t have enough of her writing. Highly recommended!

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The Picture House by the Sea by Holly Hepburn

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publishing Date: 10th August 2017

Source:  Received from the publisher in return for an honest review!

Number of pages: 464

Genre:   Romance, Women’s Fiction

 Buy the Book: Kindle | Paperback

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The brilliant new series from the bestselling author of The Star and Sixpence series. Perfect for all fans of Cathy Bramley.
The little picturehouse by the sea is the Palace at Polwhipple – a lovely art deco cinema, nestled in front of azure Cornish seas. But it is long past its heyday now, and its only saving grace is Ferelli’s, the family run ice-cream concession in the foyer, which is widely known as the best ice cream for miles.
So when Ferdie, the owner of Ferelli’s, falls ill, his granddaughter Gina drops everything to come and help out. But when she arrives she is dismayed by the state of the cinema, which she remembers fondly from summer holidays when she was little, and she is determined to give it the makeover it deserves. Along with local builder Ben Pascoe, she sets about reviving the Palace to its former glory.
But the cinema needs more than a lick of paint. Its very future is under threat from a developer with greed in his eyes. Can Gina save the place before it is too late?

Rating: 

 

“The Picture House by the Sea” is Holly Hepburn’s second full – length novel that I had a pleasure to read – because after reading and enjoying “A Year at the Star and Sixpence” I just knew I have to read the new one, no matter what. There is such a lovely feel – good vibe to this beautiful cover, don’t you think, it makes you want to go and visit the place pictured there, and the synopsis sounds so inviting – well, the story promises ice – creams and cinema, so nothing can go wrong there, right? What I personally loved in this book was the fact that the book didn’t feel like being previously published in parts – mostly, when the novel is first published in instalment, when you read it as a full – length there are many repetitions, which is understandable but often just bothers me. This time however it didn’t feel like that, and that’s a real brownie point.

The next thing that I really liked was the fact that each of the four parts of the story introduces us to a new old movie and even though I’m not a great cinema fan even I have heard (and seen!) those films, so I could really get into the atmosphere and I understood all the references or nicknames. Also, next to the films there is also a new ice – cream flavour and a cocktail being introduced and oh my words, guys…! They sounded so innovative, so different, so intriguing and so, so good! I would do lots to try them all, really.

Holly Hepburn has created brilliant, warm characters that you love or love to hate. Gina was lovely, she was full of passion and determination and she never gave up, even when life was getting in the way. Was there a thing she couldn’t do or organise? I don’t think so – impossible was nothing for our Gina, but in all this she came across as down – to – earth, normal young woman. I adored her ideas and how quickly she always got the feeling of what is needed to help. Ben is Gina’s friend from the times she was coming to her grandparents for holidays and now they catch up. Ben … *swoon*. Helpful, honest, with an unusual hobby of stream trains but at least it was something different and not so obvious. And of course all the background characters – full of good vibes, personalities and I just felt good in their company.

It was light, a little predictable read – but it didn’t spoil the reading this time because I was too caught up in the story for it to bother me. There were moments that I had a feeling the narration is going too far with descriptions or concentrating on things that are not so significant to the story but altogether the pace of the story was quick, there were many things happening, there were plenty of events and it kept me hooked to the pages. The writing was rich, vivid and colourful – you could really see why this art deco cinema used to be a local landmark and why Gina was so desperate to bring its brilliant days back – and the author brought all the ice – creams flavours to life and also the descriptions of the Picture House were detailed but full of charm and atmosphere.

Altogether, “The Picture House by the Sea” is really a lovely, warm and inviting story that has it all: vivid, living, bubbly characters, battles to fight, gorgeous setting, some romance and troubles. It’s about being determined, about not giving up, about friendship old and new and family bonds, and I truly enjoyed it. A perfect summer read, full of charm and vintage dresses and I can only highly recommend it to you all, guys!

99 Red Balloons by Elisabeth Carpenter / #BlogTour + Extract

Hi guys, and happy Friday! It’s weekend, hurray! I don’t know about you but for me this week felt as if it had 14 days, instead of 7. But whatever. Today I am thrilled to welcome you to another blog tour to celebrate publishing of “99 Red Balloons” by Elisabeth Carpenter. To be honest, it was first the title that made so intrigued about this book and I am looking forward to read this book so much! Today I have an extract from the novel for you – enjoy!

 

Chapter 14 p.71-72

 

The only words I’ve said to George since the ferry are yes, no and thank you. And we’ve been driving for over a hundred hours or whatever it is. I’m usually a chatterbox in the car – Mummy would have told me to keep it zipped at least twenty times if she were driving me. My bum is burning I’ve been sitting on it for that long.

‘Come on, kid.’ He keeps trying to talk to me. ‘I’m getting bored driving, listening to bloody French radio stations. You’re not still mad at me, are you?’

He was mad at me, but I can’t say that. He’d tell me off again. He can just turn. I’ve seen grown-ups do that. I keep trying to guess to myself how old he is. He’s older than Daddy, but not as old as Gran. His hair is black, but it has loads of streaks of grey, and he’s either got a lot of hair gel in it, or it needs washing. That’s what Mummy says about Daddy’s, though he doesn’t wear hair gel much these days.

Tears come to my eyes when I think of Mummy and Daddy. They’ll be missing me by now. Are they really waiting for me in Belgium? George won’t let me talk to them on the phone. It would be good to hear their voices, then I won’t miss them as much.

I have to blink really fast to stop the tears. I daren’t ask George about Mummy any more. Every time I do, he shouts at me. For the fiftieth fucking time, stop talking about Mummy and Daddy. I’ll leave you in a field if you’re not careful. It was dark when he said that.

Out of the window, the land is flat. It’s like I can see for miles, but I can’t see England. We’re nowhere near the sea.

‘When are we stopping for food?’ It’s my tummy that told my mouth to talk. My brain didn’t want it to.

‘Ah, so it does speak.’ He reaches over to the passenger seat and puts a cap on his head. It’s not a nice cap like Abigail from school got from Disneyland, but a beige one – like a grandad would wear. ‘Once we cross the border, we’ll stop off some­where. Promise. We just have to get past these bastards.’

He’s the only man I’ve ever met that would do swearing in front of a kid. My gran would have a coronary if she heard him.

In front of us, cars are lined up in rows. There are little houses in the middle of the road that everyone is stopping beside. George turns round.

‘Listen, kid. They might call you by a different name, but it’s just a game. We’re playing at pretend. If you win, and they don’t guess your real name, then I’ll buy you some sweets after your dinner. Deal?’

 

FOLLOW THE BLOG TOUR:

The Cotswolds Cookery Club: A Taste of Spain by Alice Ross

The Cotswolds Cookery Club: A Taste of Spain

 

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publishing Date: 18th August 2017

Series: The Cotswolds Cookery Club #2 (read my review of book 1 here)

Source:  Received from the publisher in return for an honest review!

Number of pages: 180

Genre:   Romance, Women’s Fiction

 Buy the Book: Kindle | Paperback

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Life begins at forty…

Trish Ford always dreamed of living in a little chocolate box village like Cornfield – but she never expected to be starting over at forty! Joining the Cotswolds Cookery Club seems like the perfect recipe for finding happiness again, along with her new friends Connie, Melody and Kate.

From mouth-watering paella to sweet, honey-drenched pestinos, Trish finds a delicious distraction in the Spanish cuisine whilst doing her best to deal with her stroppy teenage daughter and her cheating ex-husband and his pregnant girlfriend.

But it will take all of Trish’s new-found confidence – and maybe a helping of her irresistible leche frita – to risk her heart on hunk single dad Steve…

Fans of Milly Johnson, Caroline Roberts and Jill Mansell will love this heartwarming read!

The Cotswolds Cookery Club is a story told in three parts. A Taste of Spain is part two.

Rating: 

 

After reading the first book in the series, “A Taste of Italy”, I knew that this is going to be series that I won’t want to miss, so as soon as I spotted “A Taste of Spain” on NetGalley, I immediately downloaded it, and guys, I was not disappointed. This second novella is even better than the first one, and it left me glowing in its warmth, sincerity and down – to – earthness. It was really lovely, quick read and I am already looking towards book 3.

I was almost certain that all of the books will focus on the characters already introduced to us in “Italy”, so it was a kind of surprise to see that Trish is a brand new character, who – at the beginning – has nothing to do with the Cookery Club. Gah. There was a moment that I was sure that I am reading a wrong book somehow but fortunately, quickly, Connie entered the scenes and I felt home again. Saying it, I don’t mean that I don’t like Trish or something, because on the opposite, I loved her.
Connie is working at the village shop, blogging and writing articles for a very popular magazine, Melody is soon to be a mum and Kate is still overwhelmed with her family. Trish comes with a very moody teenager, an ex – husband and all the problems it involves. I really, really liked how Trish was growing, how strong she was, even despite the problems with Amber, and how she stood her ground, especially when it came to her husband suggesting she should tell Amber she’s going to have a step – sibling.

Of course, there are again some mouth – watering descriptions of food. Don’t read this book when you’re hungry. Or on diet. Really. Only a good advice. Then there is this lovely, warm overwhelming feeling of friendship, acceptation, support – the girls welcomed Trish to their circle so quickly and easily. All the characters were so true to life and relatable, with all their problems, troubles and moments of happiness.

It is a heart – warming story about friendship, re – building relationships, finding the courage. It is filled with all the ups and downs of usual, everyday life but this only makes it much more forthcoming, realistic and genuine. Written in a very vivid way, this story delivers on each level, and I am sure everyone is going to find something they can relate to. Truly recommended!

I Heart Forever by Lindsey Kelk

 

Publisher: Harper Collins

Publishing Date: 7th September 2017

Series: I Heart #7

Source:  Received from the publisher in return for an honest review!

Number of pages: 400

Genre:   Women’s Fiction

 Buy the Book: Kindle | Paperback

 

 

Synopsis:

Winter in Manhattan…and someone’s keeping a secret.

The day her husband Alex picks up a backpack and goes travelling, Angela Clark promises to stay out of trouble and keep both Louboutins on the ground.

So when her best friend’s boyfriend confides in her, it can’t hurt to help him pick out a ring at Tiffany’s surely?

And when her fashion magazine announces major changes, being terminally late and arguing with your boss isn’t that bad, is it?

Then suddenly there’s another big secret Angela’s got to keep – and the man she loves is still thousands of miles away. As the wedding of the year looms, and Manhattan switches on its Christmas lights, Angela is going to need her friends by her side as her old life looks set to change forever.

Rating: 

 

So guys, I think this is going to be one of the shortest reviews ever written by me, simply because I. DON’T. WANT. TO. SPOIL. ANYTHING! “I Heart Forever” is absolutely lovely, gorgeous story bringing back some of our most favourite characters back and I loved it, and I’m sure you’re also going to love it and this is why I am so, so scared to let something slip and spoil all the joy for you, so this time the less the better.

Angela and Jenny Lopez are just like they were before and perhaps this is why I so enjoy the books in the “I Heart” series. Their friendship is going stronger all the time and they only need to look at each other to know what the other is thinking. Of course, as usual, they both get themselves into tons of problems and hilarious situations that made me cry with laughter. Angela loves her job at “Gloss”, her friends and currently has a secret, and the gorgeous Alex, who’s travelling somewhere in Asia , doesn”t have any reception so he doesn’t know what’s happening back at home – and there is plenty happening! Many changes are on the horizon, not only for Angela and Alex, but also for Jenny and Cici, both professionally and personally, there are of course many troubles and jumping to conclusions and also a hole in the ceiling and flying washing machines. For example.
I loved how Angela stood her ground this time, how she fought for her friends and how she didn’t sell herself. She’s witty, she’s sassy and she’s incredible laid – back. And she still has her Marc Jacobs bag! I rooted for her and cheered her on this way.

This is this kind of the book that you don’t want to end, you want to keep reading and reading. It is escapism pure, the pace is so quick, there is not single flat moment and of course some of the best one – liners again and you just want more and more. It probably won’t be too original when I say that I heart this book but oh well. This book had it all, everything I wanted it be, and I laughed, I panicked, I kept my fingers crossed, I wanted to shout at some of the characters or bang some heads together and I’d love to try Spirit Cycle. Oh yes.
No matter if you’ve read any of the “I Heart” series or not – though reading the previous books will help for sure – you should read “I Heart Forever”. It is a great, entertaining, incredibly warm story and I loved every single minute of it. I personally think that this might be the best book in the series yet, as you can see that both the characters and the authors grow and get better – though not sure how it’s possible, as they are already brilliant. Highly, highly recommended!

The Big Dreams Beach Hotel by Lilly Bartlett

 

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publishing Date: 18th August 2017

Source:  Received from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review!

Number of pages: 228

Genre:  Romance,  Women’s Fiction

 Buy the Book: Kindle | Paperback

 

 

Synopsis:

Wriggle your toes in the sand and feel the warm breeze on your face when you check into the hotel that’s full of dreams…

Three years after ditching her career in New York City, Rosie never thought she’d still be managing the quaint faded Victorian hotel in her seaside hometown.

What’s worse, the hotel’s new owners are turning it into a copy of their Florida properties. Flamingos and all. Cultures are clashing and the hotel’s residents stand in the way of the developers’ plans. The hotel is both their home and their family.

That’s going to make Rory’s job difficult when he arrives to enforce the changes. And Rosie isn’t exactly on his side, even though it’s the chance to finally restart her career. Rory might be charming, but he’s still there to evict her friends.

How can she follow her dreams if it means ending everyone else’s?

THIS IS A STANDALONE NOVEL FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE CARLTON SQUARE SERIES, WITH A WHOLE NEW CAST OF CHARACTERS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH!

Rating: 

 

“The Big Dreams Beach Hotel” is Lilly Bartlett’s completely new stand – alone novel. Really, she writes so quickly that I am loosing my bearings, however even with the quantity the books don’t lose their quality, so no matter how many, dear Lilly, keep them coming. This novel introduces us to a group of eccentric, eclectic and totally hilarious characters, showing the real meaning of friendship and real priorities.

The eccentric characters include a narcoleptic children’s entertainer with a basset hound, one 60s singer still trying to make it big, an ex – army chef who has to switch from his comfort food into creating froth out of thin air and 6 – gangs – menu, a surfer or a man with coloured hair trying to bring flamingos and pink from sunny America to rainy Scarborough. Brilliant, no?

At the beginning, it took me some time to get into this book – no particular reason, just because. Maybe because the switches between Rosie being in New York and then suddenly managing a hotel in the rural England took me a little by surprise and I wasn’t sure on which part is the story going to concentrate. Here we get to know about Rosie’s budding and promising affair and heart – break and I must admit, guys, that the more we got to know her, the more I liked her, especially her banter, absolutely humorous observations and big heart.

I loved the interaction between Rosie and Rory (Rory was great, and he so easily and quickly just slotted into the story, the pages and among the characters. He was supportive and considerate, and he knew what’s important) – their banter was brilliant, full of honesty, real emotions and it just sounded so real and genuine. I so adored the fact that those two just spoke with each other, they discussed their issues not jumping to conclusion or getting offended, waiting for the other to guess what’s bothering them – it was so mature, so genuine, so different and such a breath of fresh air after all this running away and misunderstandings in so many books.

“The Big Dreams Beach Hotel” was a novel full of clashing cultures, ideas, characters, and sometimes they all sounded too exaggerated but somehow it just did work. It is not only a story about managing a hotel but it also introduces are to stories of Rosie and the residents of the hotel. I loved the idea of this hotel – the old one, I mean, where everybody was like family to each other, they knew each other inside out, took part in the events run for the people and not for profit. However, this all is about to change, as The Colonel announces the hotel is sold, and the new owners are even more eccentric than the hotel’s residents and communicate mostly via Skype, sitting cross – legged on their desks. Phew.

I really don’t know how to put it into words, but this book was so lightly written, so easy to read, the banter and the ridiculous ideas made you laugh with disbelief but in a good way and this overdoing, this ridiculousness and exaggeration just worked perfectly in this story. It was a lovely, quirky and sharp novel with the right amount of sadness, important issues that will touch your heart, and humour. It was not too overdone, too over – heavy, I hope you know what I mean. Altogether, it was a lovely, warm story about friendship, setting your priorities right, not being afraid of dreaming big, about standing together in difficult times and not giving up, full of giggles and full of embarrassing moments – a perfect summer read. Recommended!