Member Review
Review by
Reviewer 596066
The awkward second read....having recently read and absolutely loved The Beachside Sweet Shop I was keen to read another by this author but it's always with some trepidation - will it be as good or was it just a one off? I needn't have worried - I loved this one too.
Firstly, lets get the obvious out of the way - yes it's a Christmas book and yes its September but that doesn't matter. Yes this story was set at Christmas and had the usual references to snow, mince pies, and tinsel but unlike some it was a subtle undertone which means that whilst it would undoubtedly be a great read in the run-up to the festive season, really getting you in the mood, it is basically just a funny feel-good story totally enjoyable at any time of the year.
Romance is definitely the last thing on Nina's mind when she arrives to stay at her Aunt Dolly's cosy cafe in a picturesque French village after calling off her wedding - instead she needs to work out what she's going to do with her life. But, Ryan, her cousin's infuriatingly annoying but handsome best friend, is also hiding out at Dolly's.
What I loved most about this book was it's relatability. Whilst thankfully I've never been caught by a really cute guy doing a koala-dance complete with koala noise whilst dressed in a koala onesie, I can't be the only one who can totally relate to those type of cringenly embarrassing situations. It wasn't just the humour though that I could relate but also Nina's predicament of wanting a job she loves but not knowing what that is.
As well as a strong entrepreneurial female lead character, this book had all my other favourite ingredients necessary for a good romcom. There was the super hot, really nice single guy with a complicated past and a charming village setting providing a whole host of great support characters such as Mathilde the mafia granny and Delphine the cat.
Once again I loved Karen Clarke's style of writing - witty and modern but also refreshingly PG, describing connections and spine-tingling kisses rather than x-rated sex scenes. She has a knack of describing things and characters, without being overly explicit, so that you can easily imagine (and fall in love with) them yourself. In fact so much so that I wanted to be in this book - to visit the cafe, date Ryan and be friends with Nina.
My only criticism (if you can call it that) is it that for me it couldn't quite rival The Beachside Sweet Shop, which unsurprisingly is about running a successful and innovative village sweet shop - whilst getting over a heartbreak. This one was similar but as I'm a sucker for a story about female characters running entrepreneurial village businesses I would have loved more about Nina's House Whispering business idea which sadly took a bit of backseat to the romcom in this one.
Never mind, I loved it all the same and it has totally cemented Karen Clarke as one of new favourite authors.
Firstly, lets get the obvious out of the way - yes it's a Christmas book and yes its September but that doesn't matter. Yes this story was set at Christmas and had the usual references to snow, mince pies, and tinsel but unlike some it was a subtle undertone which means that whilst it would undoubtedly be a great read in the run-up to the festive season, really getting you in the mood, it is basically just a funny feel-good story totally enjoyable at any time of the year.
Romance is definitely the last thing on Nina's mind when she arrives to stay at her Aunt Dolly's cosy cafe in a picturesque French village after calling off her wedding - instead she needs to work out what she's going to do with her life. But, Ryan, her cousin's infuriatingly annoying but handsome best friend, is also hiding out at Dolly's.
What I loved most about this book was it's relatability. Whilst thankfully I've never been caught by a really cute guy doing a koala-dance complete with koala noise whilst dressed in a koala onesie, I can't be the only one who can totally relate to those type of cringenly embarrassing situations. It wasn't just the humour though that I could relate but also Nina's predicament of wanting a job she loves but not knowing what that is.
As well as a strong entrepreneurial female lead character, this book had all my other favourite ingredients necessary for a good romcom. There was the super hot, really nice single guy with a complicated past and a charming village setting providing a whole host of great support characters such as Mathilde the mafia granny and Delphine the cat.
Once again I loved Karen Clarke's style of writing - witty and modern but also refreshingly PG, describing connections and spine-tingling kisses rather than x-rated sex scenes. She has a knack of describing things and characters, without being overly explicit, so that you can easily imagine (and fall in love with) them yourself. In fact so much so that I wanted to be in this book - to visit the cafe, date Ryan and be friends with Nina.
My only criticism (if you can call it that) is it that for me it couldn't quite rival The Beachside Sweet Shop, which unsurprisingly is about running a successful and innovative village sweet shop - whilst getting over a heartbreak. This one was similar but as I'm a sucker for a story about female characters running entrepreneurial village businesses I would have loved more about Nina's House Whispering business idea which sadly took a bit of backseat to the romcom in this one.
Never mind, I loved it all the same and it has totally cemented Karen Clarke as one of new favourite authors.
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