Member Reviews
I've read many of Katie Fforde's books before which is why I was so eager to read and request this novel. It did not disappoint and definitely lived up to my expectations
The story was told from the perspective of two of the main characters, which in my opinion made the story flow better and made the different perspectives more manageable.
A book full of love, which also focused on family values; it is one that I would definitely recommend.
just what you want and expect from Katie Fforde, an uncomplicated, relaxing and reliably happy-ending romance. This one has a bit of a twist as there's a mother and daughter in the running for love, and it's lovely to see that not everybody thinks women over 50 need to stitch up their libidos into their big pants! Just the right amount of rotters and heroes and romantic trysts to make a gloomy Sunday afternoon fly by.
Another feel good read from Katie. Super characters and beautifully crafted relationships. It romps along.
Loved this book and all the characters and the settings. I was so there in the Welsh hills. Katie Fforde has always been one of my favourite authors and this book did not disappoint.
This was a light-hearted, but pleasant enough read. We have a heroine and a bad buy and there are enough doubts about other characters to keep you asking questions along the way.
No surprises in the happy ever after - it is a romance after all - but it was maybe a bit too predictable.
A good, stress-free way to pass a few hours..
Big fan of Katie fforde and this book certainly did not disappoint.
Gilly has survived a divorce and now passionately runs her own b and b
Martin her son, married to cressida, is very keen for gilly to sell her house in order to fund a grand place for himself. One afternoon, by chance, she meets Leo, a house valuer, who willing gives her a house valuation.
Why is he so keen for her to sell.
Helena, her daughter, lives in rented accommodation, and suddenly finds her lease ending. Meeting her landlord throws her life upside down.
William, gillys financial advisor, who she has known for years is also showing interest in her.
A fantastic warm read which I highly recommend
Fifty-something Gilly runs a highly regarded B&B from her former childhood home. Daughter Helena is a talented weaver. She's been given 6 months notice to quit her studio by young landlord Jago however. Avaricious son Martin and wife Cressida want Gilly to sell her house to help fund a move to a 7 bedroom mansion with granny flat. Gilly is loath to move but could help both her children by releasing funds...
I've read some of Katie Fforde's early books and looked forward to this one. It was a great light read with appealing characters. Plenty of romantic twists and turns. I almost read it in a single sitting. An ideal escapist read.
Gilly runs an upmarket B&B in her old family home. When she meets high flying Leo, she wonders if she has found love again. Her daughter Helena is in a “fake” relationship with her landlord Jago, but she finds herself slowly falling in love with him. But Leo and Jago both have something to hide, what will Gilly and Helena do when they discover their secrets?
A good story with a varied cast of characters which makes for an easy and enjoyable read.
I cant remember when I first discovered Katie Fforde, but it certainly was a while ago. I think I have read most of her books, and while they are an easy light read, I'm not sure that they have changed or developed very much.
The central character in this book is Gillian, running her own B/B. Good to have a mature lady as a centre piece rather than a twenty year old. Poor Gilly meets Leo, the cad, who has his own designs on her (and her property).
Her daughter Helena , a weaver, has problems with the space she needs for her loom but it is soon resolved with the aid of the help of Jago.
Not much more to say about the book. It is a nice little story.
Thank you for a review copy.
Katie Fforde never fails to please and this book is yet another great story by her.
Although Helena is the main character her Mum, Gilly, also features heavily as another main character. Both women are single & very committed to their roles of traditional weaver (Helena) and B&B owner (Gilly). We follow both women’s ups & downs in both their family and romantic relationships. Helena’s odeous brother tries to bully Gilly into selling her family home where she runs her B&B in order to fund his lavish plans for his house and even sets Gilly up, without her knowledge, with an equally unlikeable character before she finally sees what, or who, was in front of her all along.. Whereas Helena’s budding relationship with her lovely, caring new landlord Jago seems to be going well but then shocking revelations change how Helena sees Jago and puts their whole relationship at risk.
I enjoyed this book, both women’s stories were entertaining and held my attention throughout the book. However, best of all was it was so refreshing to have a mature woman as one of the main characters and have her romantic relationships actually feature in the story as so many in this genre seems to be the romances of twenty somethings, so I applaud Katie Fforde for this.
Thoroughly recommend this book.
As usual Katie Fforde has produced a feelgood story full of family, friends and romance. This time there is a widowed mother running a B&B, a single daughter who is sworn off men and her friend who is searching for Mr Right. The younger women are both crafts people who seem to have a slightly precarious income but need space for their looms so that they can work. Add to this mix a dashing new landlord and a money-obsessed brother to get a perfect mix for uplifting drama. Recommended.
A Katie Fforde classic - delightful story of family, feuds, happiness and relationships. Told in a way that wants you to keep reading until the truth is uncovered.
I do love this author. And once again this book didn’t disappoint me. It was a lovely book to read. I could totally relate with Gilly. The book was very well written and flowed well. Nice easy going read that doesn’t require to much effort
Gilly runs her own B&B business from her much-loved family home, which she doesn’t want to part with – at any price. But that's before she meets handsome estate agent Leo, and soon she begins to wonder whether selling up might not be such a bad idea after all. Meanwhile Gilly's daughter Helena has a budding romance of her own. A talented weaver, she's becoming very close to her new landlord, Jago, who's offered to help her at an upcoming craft fair. It’s what friends do, and they are just friends. Aren’t they? With spring in full bloom, Helena and Gilly begin to ask themselves the same question: Might their new loves lead to happily ever after?
Okay so this is never going to set the world alight but this is a sweet, light-hearted read that provided laughter and entertainment, what more could you want?!
Once again, Fforde has set the book in a pretty village. I read this in January and there is nothing like reading a book set in warmer weather in cold weather to make you feel better so full marks for that. If I am honest I think I enjoyed the location more than the read.
Anyway, the plot is entertaining as I have said, I enjoyed getting to know Gilly and Helena and the various people around them and all their quirks. I am not going to lie, this is a cliché but sometimes that is okay to result in a feel good read.
You might be able to tell I have not got much more to say other than the plot is light-hearted and humorous, the characters are entertaining and overall I enjoyed the read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Century for an advance copy.
Sadly, not one of Katie Fforde's best books. She writes chick-lit - feel good novels that are perfect for reading on a beach, or by a pool, or just when you feel like a pick me up. However, this one really isn't up to her usual standard. The characters are one-dimensional and not really believable, and there are too many coincidences that really don't hang together in the story.
Perhaps with some really thorough editing, this could make quite a good book...
Oh the joy of another Katie Fforde book!
High class writing, brilliant, believable characters with mother and daughter chasing different loves.
The plot's a bit thin but who cares? Read the book in two enjoyable sessions.
Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for the chance to read and review.
An above average romantic novel. The story (although typical of it's genre) was easy to read and the characters believable. Just what is needed - you can curl up and read it on either a warm afternoon in the garden or a cold afternoon in front of a fire. Lovely.
This is a really enjoyable story. It is an easy read, the sort of book you can just relax with and enjoy. It is well written and the story flowed along nicely.
I loved the characters, they were very believable and mostly very loveable, with a few exceptions, but then it wouldn't be a good read without a few people to dislike, would it? Helena is lovely, uncomplicated and happy with her life as a weaver. Jago is so kind, I really liked him; as I liked Helena's Mum, she made me laugh with her always trying to feed everyone. Though her idea of cheese scones with soup was a great idea, one which I have stolen!
There are no great shocks in this story but it ambles along at a good pace, fairly predictable but none the worse for that. Overall it is a good story, a nice one to curl up with and indulge.
Gilly runs a boutique B&B in her childhood home. Her house and the independence gained from her business represent a lot to Gilly as she had to pay off her bully of an ex-husband in order to keep it.
Gilly has a very close relationship with her daughter, Helena. Helena saw what her father did to her mother’s self esteem and she is full of compassion and pride for her mother’s success. Martin, Gilly’s son has more the personality of his father. Martin and his wife Cressida are quite mercenary, they want Gilly to sell the family home and release the funds so they can buy a grand house with a granny flat for Gilly. Bear in mind, Gilly is in her 50’s. They are quite bullying and not very likable.
Helena has issues about relationships, but develops a crush on her good looking landlord. He seems equally smitten, but both are extremely cautious. Jago, the landlord has secrets he doesn’t want to share, but Helena’s falling hard, and is afraid to find the truth about his past.
The characters and sense of place are well developed, but I felt the relationships between the individuals a bit artificial.
I have read all of Katie Ffordes novels, so I was delighted to be able to read and review her latest offering. It did not disappoint, well written, great characters and an easy read. The path of true love never runs smoothly as Helena and her mother Gilly find out. An enchanting tale not without its hiccups but safe to say resolutions are found eventually. As with each of Katie Ffordes novels, you are presented with a unique setting, interesting characters and a good story line. I'm already looking forward to her next offering. Highly recommend.