I really struggled with this one. I was bored within the first few chapters but forced myself to finish it. My biggest problem - the love story is not believable. There is hardly any meaningful interaction between Lucy and Jack. No dating, just occasional run-ins at events and an afternoon or two together. Way too much internal dialogue instead of *actual* dialogue between Jack and Lucy.

Another lovely book by this author, as always full of fun and romance, the sort of book that leaves you with a lovely warm feeling. Jack and Lucy were great characters and so you were really rooting for them to get together. Perfect beach read.

The Seaside Cocktail Campervan by Caroline Roberts. Another NetGalley read. Lucy is starting a new pizza business which is inspired by her Italian Poppa and Jack is the owner of the Cocktail Campervan. Jack and Lucy’s paths cross on numerous occasions at different events. They are both immediately drawn to one another and they try to keep it purely about business. I choose this book because I liked the cover and it looked like my kind of book. Even though this was a NetGalley book it had been on my wish list. I really liked this book, it was a easy read and a good beach read. I liked the fact that it started off leading with a male character, which is quite unusual and it wasn’t just the female side of things we learnt about, we learnt probably more about Jack and his feelings and past than we did Lucy’s. Jack is finding it hard to commit and makes some wrong decisions in past relationships and in building one with Lucy, but something happened in his past, that is slowly revealed throughout the story that has gone some way to him making these bad decisions. It’s a light summer read with a little bit of depth to it but you know from the cover what you are getting, there’s no suspense or major surprises and in that respect it is predictable but in this books case I think it’s a strong enough plot and overall story that this doesn’t matter. The only thing that slightly let it down for me was the ending. The ending was always going to be predictable but for me I felt that the author perhaps spent so long concentrating on getting to that ending that when the end of the book came it seemed rushed and felt that perhaps there could have been more to the actual ending. As a reader we all knew what the outcome at the end would be and if this makes sense it felt almost that the author almost played this to her advantage and didn’t concentrate on the ending as much as she did the rest of the book. This wouldn’t put me off the book though and would definitely recommend to friends and family.

Looking for a perfect summer book? Close, but not close enough. The Seaside Cocktail Campervan is a quite nice story. A major con? The action is so ridiculously slow...

Let's be honest - the summer is a time to read about crazy love, full of fun, joy, being reckless, and just being wild and free. Here? They are so responsible, so careful in their emotions, affections that it was almost painful to read. C'mon, guys have some life!

Anyway, apart from that, the book is great. The campervan with the pizza (love it) and the second one with prosecco (adore it!) is a nice idea to connect people and create a really cool vibe. That's awesome. The dates on the sand at the seaside - so romantic and I totally get it. But the overthinking... ehh. Ruined everything.

I expected something wittier, brighter, more reckless.

I had a chance to read a NetGalley review copy. Overall, I thought it was a cute and cozy summer romance. Bits of it leaned towards repetitive or drawn out, but as a whole, it was fun and flirty. I did find at certain points I was more interested in the events or cocktails than the actual plot or people but that could be because my mind is in birthday planning mode. It was fun and lighthearted entertainment.

(P.S. Google "cocktails campervan" - cute!!!)

Lovely book with a different theme as the title suggests, as well as a mobile pizza horse box. Add a dachshund, with the pizza and cocktails making a recipe for a great book.

Cute story. The setting of the Northumberland coast is a beautiful setting and the descriptions of the pizzas and cocktails made me hungry!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

The Seaside Cocktail Campervan
by: Caroline Roberts
HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

I am rejuvenated and relaxed after travelling the coast of scenic Northumberland with Jack, Lucy, and Daisy the Dachshund in The Seaside Cocktail Campervan. Jack's non-alcoholic elderflower fizz was my beverage choice, paired with Lucy's goat cheese and red pepper pizza. Caroline Roberts has created the most memorable characters and food trucks, with Lucy and her "All Fired Up" horse box mobile pizza van, and Jack's Cocktail Campervan named Ruby.
Jack and Lucy find themselves at some of the same birthday parties, festivals, and joyous events as they prepare food and beverages they are passionate about for guests. Their career and romantic adventures keep readers engaged to discover if these two will find personal love as well as foodie love, while each reflects on the past and dreams about the future. Lucy's endearing dog Daisy, called "The Devil Dog" by Jack, never wants to be left behind when the "All Fired Up" is rolling!
Roberts' character development is deep, and her vivid descriptions of the scenery, setting, food, and events left me feeling as if I were in England with the ensemble cast of Lucy, Jack, Daisy, their friends, and family. The story took me from melancholy, hungry, thirsty, romantic and optimistic feelings while making me laugh and tear up. I have discovered a new favorite author in Caroline Roberts, and I'm inspired to look up more about the beauty of Northumberland because of her writing.
Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins UK for the advance reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan. #NetGalley #TheSeasideCocktailCampervan

A nice wee story. Yes it followed a formula but it was a lovely read nonetheless. I loved the setting and found myself wanting the working lifestyle of Jack and Lucy, what a dream of a job catering functions from your own vehicle. It also contributed to my wish for a holiday in Northumberland - always seems idyllic in books!! I loved the burgeoning relationship, and I was willing Lucy to give it a go and ignore her friend. Great book club too!! #netgalley #theseasidecocktailcampervan

This story has all the qualities I've come to expect from this author's books. Romance full of conflict and emotional connection, friendship, family drama and a lovely mix of humour, poignancy and recipes to complete the collection.

Contemporary and relevant, we follow Jack (the cocktail campervan man) and Lucy(the All Fired Up pizza woman) as they travel Northumberland's coastal and rural regions at various celebratory events. Both are in an emotional wasteland from failed relationships and family tragedy. Despite their growing attraction, they fear loss more than they crave love.

This book explores the couple's emotional journey. It's highlighted by interesting events that add authenticity and depth to this lovely story. The descriptions immerse the reader in this mobile catering world with picturesque settings and mouthwatering recipes.

I received a copy of this book from One More Chapter via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This was just a cute feel good romance. I loved the foot truck and cocktail van aspects because it just made it fun. The characters were developed very well with plenty of details and background. I did not care for Becky- al all. I wish there was a bit more detail at the finish of the book but overall, I really enjoyed it.

What a delightful setting with a cocky mobile bartender and a standoffish mobile fire oven pizza vendor. The food is abundant and the drinks are superb.

Lucy is a bit gun shy after being dumped by her cheating fiancé so when the handsome and arrogant traveling Cocktail Guy starts hitting on her, she shoots him down. But who knew he would be so persistent.

Jack didn't understand his attraction to the ice queen Pizza Girl. She didn't seem that interested. Perhaps it was the challenge to make her smile.

I have to admit I'm not a fan of either Lucy or Jack. Lucy is just plain rude especially when her dog pretty much destroyed Jack's sign and she laughed about it, and Jack disappointed me with his hopeful pursuit of Lucy and then pretty much ghosted her afterward. Yes, they have a lot of responsibility with their businesses. Yes, they have issues in their past, but they need to step up and be adults. Jack's carefree style and love of the outdoors is commendable, but he still lives with a roommate and apparently is a commitment-phobe due to a loss in his past. His treatment of Lucy after stringing her along is unacceptable. Lucy has her own cottage and is barely getting by with her new venture, but her jumping to conclusions is childish and she didn't seem appreciative enough of Jack for finding her gigs. They do finally find their balance and live happily ever after, but I just thought more groveling was needed and more recognition was required.

What I loved about the book was the idea of a cocktail campervan and a fire oven pizza horse trailer. The wonderful parties and partygoers they meet are stories in themselves. I was also thrilled to find recipes in the back of the book for Jack's creative cocktails and Jack and Lucy's yummy desserts.

If you enjoy angsty romances with intriguing and unique settings, give this book a try.

Thank you to Ms. Roberts for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Another cracking book from Caroline Roberts introducing new characters Jack and Lucy who run mobile cocktail and pizza businesses respectively.

There are bumps in the road for Jack and Lucy's potential relationship but the story unfolds really well with definite possibilities of further books to follow these two characters.

I read the book in a day - perfect summer reading that I highly recommend to all!

This is a fantastic summer read, it was so enjoyable. I loved the characters of Lucy and Jack, they seemed destined to be together from the start. Caroline's writing was so easy to read, it flowed really well and I finished the book within a day.

Another fantastic read, courtesy of One More Chapter and NetGalley!
Honestly, what did I think of it ?- read on to see . . . .

Starting afresh is tough for everyone
Especially when relationships have broken or loved ones gone
But with support of family, friends and others
It can be amazing what it uncovers!

Jack has Ruby, a camper van
And thrives on chances to be the cocktail man.
He likes to act as a cheerful barman
Serving delicious drinks as best he can.

Lucy has her converted horse box - complete with oven
Where she bakes tasty pizzas by the dozen.
‘All Fired Up’ is her business’s name
Which she’s hoping will bring her joy and fame,

At different events these two keep meeting
But they don’t always seem to give a welcoming greeting.
Attracted to each other but both have history
Will they share their pasts to remove the mystery?

There is laughter and joy as the story unfolds
Especially when Daisy the dachshund is being bold.
It is the story of friendships, family and romance
And being brave enough to give love a chance.

So if you’re in need of summer parties, festivals and fun
Travel with Lucy and Jack and see how its done.
Visit Northumberland, discover the food and drinks, too
In this delightful book, I really hope you do!

For those who like a tasty treat,
When you're read the story there's something neat
That's when you'll discover some recipes, too
So you can make cocktails just for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially quite excited to start this book, but unfortunately it didn't really do anything for me. Descriptions were quite long and wordy, which was nice to paint a picture with in the beginning, but at one point it started to feel like I had to drag myself through them.. Dialogues also felt a little off to me sometimes, almost unnatural in a way. In one single chapter Lucy gets asked by three different people how her business is going, and her answers are basically the same, so I really don't think this was necessary.

I can see that the author was trying to go for a fun, light read, but unfortunately this was not really my cup of tea!

This was a good book although it didn’t grab me as much as I thought, maybe I’ve read too many similar books lately . It was enjoyable but not as good as others I have read recently. I will look for her other books to read in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Jack and his cocktail campervan go around different events and is also hired out for party's weddings and functions
Lucy is just starting her own venture with a horse box pizza oven. Her little dog daisy the dachshund goes with her to some of the functions.
Jack and Lucy's paths cross and hence a relationship is formed. Jack helps her buissnes by letting customers know she is for hire. It is a strange relationship between them of friendship trust and disappointment on occasions.
I found this story very good and did not want to put it down. It has been well written and the story line unique. The end leaves me thinking there could be more to come.
Well worth the read a good feel good story.

Read the book for the romance, buy it for the recipes!

I thought that The Seaside Cocktail Campervan was a very cute little romance. It held my attention. I loved all the party (and party food!) descriptions.

Rounding up to 5 stars for this quick, fun, summertime read.

I really was surprised to find so many recipes at the end of the book. And I loved the how the recipes were written.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author Caroline Roberts and the publisher One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and review the advance read copy of The Seaside Cocktail Campervan in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is 19 Aug, 2021.

Jack runs a cocktail campervan while Lucy has not long ago started her own pizza business in a horsebox. The two characters were bound to meet due to working at similar events.

On the whole, I liked both of the main characters as they both had quite a lot to them. They both had a past and things for us to learn about as the book went on. I enjoyed watching them get to know one another and the fact that it wasn’t all smooth sailing was a good thing as it made the story more exciting.

I had a slight issue with the writing at times though as some of the language, or descriptions, felt a bit stiff and outdated. It was like the characters were older than they actually were or from another time completely. I think they didn’t really speak or act that way that I would have expected them to.

Overall though, it was an enjoyable book.