Member Reviews

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

Was this review helpful?

I freely admit that I'm sceptical about a lot of New Age type things, but when the practices are described thr way Claudia does to Jason, who really doesn't have an open mind when it comes to this sort of thing, I really started to be more interested too.

For Claudia does face a lot of cynicism in her shop Healing Waves and it doesn't help that a shop devoted to witchcraft and wicca and that sort of thing has opened and seemingly at war with Claudia.

I loved the way Claudia and Millie befriend each other, even if it does mean she ends up at logger heads with Jason far more frequently than intended.

And it's certainly true the opposites attract in this case, and I enjoyed seeing how the potential for romance would unfold.

I would though have loved to visit both the shops as they do sound rather cool, as does Claudia's soap making.

This was an enjoyable story , that has perhaps in conjunction with another book I've read this year opened my mind further to the power of crystals.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

I always love books by Helen Pollard and this one is no exception. A beautiful cosy read in my favourite part of the country with characters that you grow to love and plenty going on to keep you interested. Perfect beach read

Was this review helpful?

I can't put my finger on it exactly, but I just couldn't get invested in any of the characters and just found certain plot aspect to be.. strange?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A great story about fresh starts, trusting your instincts and idle gossip!! Warm realistic characters - those it was fairly obvious where it would end up- with a sprinkling of romance and Wicca along the way. An enjoyable summer time read 4*

Was this review helpful?

Claudia has never regretted leaving her corporate city life behind and escaping to this piece of coastal paradise. With her cheeky cat Pudding by her side, she has built a community of loyal friends who feel more like family. Her shop at the end of the beach road is full of things that bring joy to locals and visitors alike. Life has finally settled into a perfect, comfortable rhythm.

Was this review helpful?

Aaaah, this was a really lovely book, well written and full of interesting, well formed characters - even the minor characters held interest and captured the imagination.
We follow Claudia, owner of ‘alternative’ shop, Healing Waves, on the seafront of a little Cornish town. Claudia relocated to Cornwall from London after divorcing her husband and leaving behind an unhappy and unfulfilled life. Claudia’s shop is visited by an unhappy & withdrawn teenager, Millie, and her unimpressed father, Jason. Both have moved from Edinburgh following the death of Millie’s mother.
When Millie shows and interest in some of the items in Claudia’s shop, that Jason disagrees with, he storms into the shop and lets rip I’m into poor Claudia, thus setting the initial tone for their tempestuous and often fraught relationship. However, eventually the two develop a friendship after Claudia helps Millie address some of her bottled-up grief and anger towards her Dad.
We follow the story of whether free-spirited / alternative Claudia, who is best friends with a witch, and doubting & over-protective father Jason will ever find enough common ground to allow their relationship to develop. Lots of bumps along the journey including the opening of Hester’s cauldron a new store in town, ran by two young women who, have used Daddy’s money to turn a rundown building into a mysterious shop where they are happy to sell things to impressionable teens, without the knowledge that Claudia has spent time developing about her stock - something that worries Claudia, especially when Millie confides in her that she has bought something from there that Claudia knows he will hate.
Some great storey-weaving with fabulous characters, including the wonderful Pudding, Claudia’s cat.
A really enjoyable read, it certainly cast a spell on me - I really hope there are going to be more books set in Porthsteren. I’ve not previously read any books by this author but will definitely be looking for them in the future.

Was this review helpful?

This was one of those books where you want to jump into it! Lovely characters and setting and sweeeet! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

Was this review helpful?

I loved every chapter of The Little Shop in Cornwall. In this book we are introduced to Claudia who leaves her old life behind to open up a new age shop at the beach in Porthsteren who then meets up with Jason and his daughter Millie. Jason doesn’t believe in any of the stuff Claudia practices however the pair soon grow close. A great easy to read book.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions of this book are my own.

First of all, I love the setting. Oh to be in Cornwall right now! I could feel the calming, soothing waves, beach, and the beauty of this small coastal town. The story captures the village setting so well and it made me want to rent out an Airbnb for the summer and bask in the magic of this coastal seaside sliver of paradise. The story is well written, the storyline flows and it has interesting characters, I especially loved Millie and her blossoming friendship with Claudia.Oh! and the aspect of enemies-to-lovers was what made it so interesting and it is what kept and finally peaked my interest in the story. I really admire Claudia's philosophy, her desire to be in tune with herself and her positivity even when nothing in your life is going the way you wanted it to go.

Overall, The Little Shop in Cornwall is a fun and easy summer escape to a magical town with a wonderful setting, interesting characters and a good reflection of a small community. that also tells the story of a woman trying to create her own happiness, something every person can learn from.

Was this review helpful?

A beautiful read from beginning to end, I loved everything about this book.
Claudia is so lovable and you find yourself cheering her on instantly....and then there is Jason, who I have to admit at first I did find him frustrating but by the end I loved him just as much!.
One of my favourite things about this story was the underlying stories of friendship and the ways in which they helped Claudia through some truly difficult times.

I would recommend this book highly to any romance lovers!

Was this review helpful?

A really lovely romantic read with likeable characters set in the fantastic location of Cornwall. Looking forward to reading more in this series.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful escape to scenic Cornwall. This is a real feel good book with a little bit of magic sparkle, I really enjoyed spending time with Claudia, Jason and Millie (and Pudding of course). Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Charming and delightful. I'm a fan of Helen's because she never fails to provide a wonderful escape to somewhere I'd love to be, with people I'd love to know.

Was this review helpful?

What a cute, sweet story and a great romantic story. Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

A delightful,captivating read perfect for the beach or sunny day’s!
Millie and her dad Jason move to Cornwall after the death of his wife,milllies mother, looking to start afresh a new house in a new location new job new school!
Millie starts a friendship with Claudia a divorcee who fled to Cornwall a few years previously and started her own business Healing Waves,a new age gifty type shop.Jason has no understanding of new age stuff and is against Claudia getting too involved with Millie.
Village life never runs smoothly due to the lack of privacy and gossiping especially so when a rival business sets up specialising in witchcraft! What follows is a joyous, humerous, romance of a read,where broken hearts are healed,friendships made and greater understanding reached! Thoroughly enjoyed this book and will highly recommend.
Thank you bookouture and net galley for this early read.

Was this review helpful?

Claudia has moved to Porthsteren after the break up of her marriage . She opens a shop called Healing waves and has made many friends since moving there.
Jason and his daughter Millie have moved there to get over the death of his wife and Millie's mum .
Millie loved Claudia 's shop but Jason is very wary of all the new age stuff.
Claudia and Jason don't hit it off straight away but Jason is there for Claudia when things start happening to Claudia 's shop .
Can they both find love again or are they both too stubborn.
Thanks NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

absolutely loved this book. Love books set in Cornwall but the characters in this book were great really loved following the story.

Was this review helpful?

I loved learning more about crystals and Wicca, and the way it was explained was sympathetic and responsible, and extremely intriguing.

Claudia was a lovey character and I was rooting for her all the way. Millie was portrayed in such a way which showed that the author had a good understanding of teenagers! Jason was moody, quick to jump to conclusions, and rather irritating. But there is no accounting for attraction or chemistry, and the relationship between Claudia and him was the on-off slow-burning variety.

This is a story of miscommunication, misunderstandings and eavesdropping, and all three drive the plot, along with a side-order of bigotry and intolerance.

I would have loved to have have found out if Hecate's Cauldron made a go of things, and whether Claudia got her ultimate wish in the end, though.

Was this review helpful?

This was an interesting book and more than just a summer read.
Gloria realises she's not living the life that she really wants to so completely gives up her London life. She ends up in Cornwall in her shop that sells things she likes including what some would call 'new age' items. This is a book all about village life but also about starting again, grief, growing up and compromise. I enjoyed the characterisation and the twists in the story. Thank you NetGalley for enabling me to read and review a copy.

Was this review helpful?