Member Reviews

Love Julie Caplin's books and this was another win! She has a writing style that makes you keep reading well past your bedtime.

Hannah needs a break from being a lawyer so she signs up for a cooking course in Ireland. Of course, there are twists and turns but the entire story is just a great cozy story. I loved the descriptions of Ireland scenery, loved learning about Hannah's attempts at cooking and glad she wasn't good at it :) and bonus for the love connection.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves contemporary romance and enjoys learning about a new country/location.

I look forward to reading more of Julie's books.

Thank you for the opportunity to review it.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this sweet story of a woman taking a chance for the first time. The characters are fun and the story quick, with good dialogue. A fast read.

Was this review helpful?

The Cosy Cottage in Ireland - Julie Caplin

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Talented lawyer Hannah Campbell is after a change in her workaholic Manchester life – so on an uncharacteristic whim she books herself a place at the world-renowned Ballygeary Cookery School in County Kerry. But on her first night In Ireland, sampling the delights of Dublin, Hannah can’t resist falling for the charms of handsome stranger Conor. It’s only when Hannah arrives at her postcard-pretty home at Ballygeary for the next twelve weeks that she discovers what happens in Dublin doesn’t quite stay in Dublin…

Nestled amongst rolling green hills and breath-taking countryside, the cookery school throws Hannah and Conor together again–for better or worse.

This is a sweet book set at a cookery school in Ireland, it has a comfortable and warm setting just perfect for autumn days. Julie has written about Hannah's journey through Ireland in beautifully descriptive way that you could just picture being in the car with her.

The novel flows well and it is just a charming and cosy read. Whilst this is book eight in the series, do not be put off, every one of these books can be read as a stand-alone.

Rating 4/5

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book but honestly so much of it was about cooking, “foodies” and fancy meals, and that took away from the appeal of the story to me. Yes, I am one of the odd people that do not like to cook and have absolutely no desire to learn to cook and I enjoy simple homemade meals much more than upscale expensive restaurants.

I like the plot of the story, with that one exception. Having read the previous book in this series, I knew some background to the main character and was happy to follow her on this adventure. I loved reading about the area that the story took place in, which the author definitely made come to life!

The cast of characters are developed wonderfully and were varied in ages and personalities. That is something I always enjoy in story.

Overall, I think the book was well written and would be a delight for anyone that enjoys cooking and reading about a meant to be romance.

I want to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for allowing me to read the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderfully warm and charming story with good food, a beautiful Irish setting and friendly characters. I loved getting to know Hannah and really identified with her from the very beginning - unwilling to break out of her comfort zone, the two sides of her character were brilliant to see unfold.

Was this review helpful?

"The Cosy Cottage in Ireland" could be seen as a companion book to "The Little Swiss Ski Chalet", although each can be read as entirely standalone novels. The first features Hannah, a lawyer from Manchester, while the earlier book was about her sister Mina.

Hannah has decided that, in her early thirties, she really does need to learn to cook. Having read an article in a Sunday newspaper supplement about a famous cookery school in Ireland she decides to take a sabbatical from work and enrol there for a six week course. The book explores the different backgrounds of the course attendees, their relationships and the ethos of the cookery school.

At it's heart this is a romance but there is also a definite nod to current "green" ideas, particularly eating local to reduce food miles. An enjoyable read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Was this review helpful?

I've come to expect from a Julie Caplin book - that there will be a fabulous location, a gorgeous romance, and some delicious sounding food - and this has all that and more in spades.

First the location, a cooking school in County Kerry in Ireland. The working farm and cookery school that focuses on local produce, is so well described, that I felt i even knew some of the chickens that Hannah was feeding each day quite well. There is a real taste of Ireland and I feel like I was transported there in my armchair.

A gorgeous romance, well Conor is rather handsome and the first meeting between him and Hannah is rather memorable and definitely made me smile. And although I could see it was likely it wouldn't be quite the one night stand they both thought it might be, it really is a slow burner after that initial meeting, mainly due to various misunderstandings!

And food, well Hannah along with 5 other guests are on a 6 week intensive cookery course, they are all at various abilities, in Hannah's case well she is better at cooking than me, but that isn't saying much! I loved all the food descriptions and did feel hungry while reading.

Then there are the other guests on the course, you definitely need to keep an eye out for Fliss and Jason - I just loved their banter, was always entertaining to see them sniping at each other!

I actually loved all the guests, and also the whole of the Byrne family whose Cookery school they are all at.

This was a warm and cosy read, which I loved every second of. Yet another fantastic romantic escape from an exceptionally talented author.

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely enjoyed reading the Cosy cottage in Ireland. It has lovely characters who are strong, sweet and fun to be around. I loved that the story had littl bit of everything love, food, Irish magic, beautiful scenery and the tiny bit of suspense rounds it all up very well.

Was this review helpful?

I love this series of books by Julie Caplin and I am pleased that this book didn’t disappoint. When Hannah needs a break from her mundane life in Manchester she decides that a cookery course in beautiful Ireland is the answer. When she falls for a beautiful stranger they try to find a way forward. A totally likeable story set in a beautiful place. This book is just what everyone needs.

Was this review helpful?

It’s always such a pleasure to read one of Julie’s gorgeous books, and this one was not an exception. Straight away I was gripped by the story, Hannah was an interesting character and I loved her introduction to Conor!
The setting was beautifully written, I really want to go visit Ireland, just on the back of the stunning descriptions in this amazing book!
It’s a brilliant storyline that kept me intrigued and entranced throughout ❤️

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this sweet book set in Ireland at a cookery school. Another winner from Julie Caplin. I enjoyed one of her books that was set in Switzerland and loved it, so, I was thrilled when I was approved this one. I’ve only read two chapters of hers but will be looking out for more when I can. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Hannah Campbell is a workaholic lawyer in Manchester. Ever since her sister Mina moved to Switzerland, she’s found her social life has diminished and all she seems to do is eat, sleep and work. Deciding she needs a challenge she books a place on a prestigious six week cooking course in County Kerry run by the famous Adrienne Byrne. She starts off her trip in Dublin with a chance encounter with handsome stranger Conor. But when she arrives at her final destination, it seems what happened in Dublin doesn’t quite stay in Dublin. This is certainly going to be six weeks Hannah won’t forget in a hurry. I enjoyed this book and felt there was a great blend of characters. The novel flowed well and it kept me entrained throughout. Thank you to NetGalley, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

Was this review helpful?

A cosy cottage, with some good food, a good looking man, who also happens to be a famous chef. A lawyer who provides cover, a cookery course, good food, drink, Ireland, and a troublesome neighbour. All the setting needed for a good read, in an armchair with some drink to hand.
I loved this, humour, romance, food, drink and sex all to hand.

Was this review helpful?

A really cosy read in one sitting book set in Ireland, beautifully described making you feel you are really there. A perfect book to read in autumn with just the right amount of romance. Totally recommend. Thank you netgalley

Was this review helpful?

Julie Caplin has a talent for describing places so well you want to shoot off there and explore for yourself. There is so much in this book that I loved, Hannah a successful, workaholic lawyer comes to a point in her life where she wants to step out of her comfort zone so she enrols on a cookery course in Ireland. The cookery school attendees are a mixed and likeable bunch who add enormously to the story. Hannah loves the cottage she gets to stay in and starts to compare Ireland and it’s beauty to her bland existence in Manchester. Hannah and Connor are attracted to one another but Connor is quick to jump to the wrong conclusions, which puts the relationship in jeopardy.

With a cosy cottage, a dolphin, a party and traditional Irish pubs I was hooked and enjoyed every page.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a lovely romantic story which I read in one sitting! The romance blossoms between Hannah and Conor and of course you have the beautiful Irish countryside as the backdrop. Reading this reminds me of visiting Dublin and all his gorgeous places! Definitely a feel good book to read. Can’t wait for the next one by this author.

Was this review helpful?

The clue is in the name, this is such a cosy read, totally adorable and I read it in one sitting. I loved everything about it, the setting, the characters, the story, the writing, the front cover, everything. I loved it

Was this review helpful?

A book to properly sink your teeth into during autumn. That perfect in-between seasons book for September / October. I loved the Irish setting and the idea for the cookery retreat - I also can’t cook for toffee so I’d definitely do what Hannah did and enrol on an all inclusive cooking holiday if I could afford it (and if a 6 week long residential course existed!).

The characters were all incredibly likeable, I was really pleased that the book wasn’t ‘just’ a romance and had a bit of mystery to it… and best of all I found the humour genuinely amusing. I loved fliss’ and Jason’s characters and would love to read a further book about her inheritance / life after the cookery school. It made me want to visit Dublin and also spend a night in an Irish pub with friends.

This book feels ‘genuine’ - a collection of experiences of the author almost. I loved it.

Was this review helpful?

The cosy cottage in Ireland was my first book I read by this author and now I want to try to read her other books.

It was very nice to visit Ireland again via fiction. I have been there in person but fiction makes trips there a lot cheaper. I liked the characters and the romance.

This was a four star rating. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review.

Was this review helpful?

My favourite book of 2021!

I have read evert book that Julie Caplin has published, and The Cosy Cottage in Ireland is joint top with The Little Café in Copenhagen.

There are few authors that have inspired me to change my mindset/lifestyle (read the Copenhagen book to see why) but Julie Caplin’s writing just clicks with me. I was thrilled to hear that she was writing the eighth book in the Romantic Escape series in Ireland, not only do I have family there, but I fell in love with the country and its people as child (full disclosure, my father is Irish LOL)

Hannah’s story starts off in Dublin, like many who travel to the Emerald Isle, but after an intimate encounter with a stranger, Hannah travels onto her true destination, County Kerry, and the cookery school of the famed Adrienne Byrne family.

Together with a group of misfits, Hannah is tested in many ways, not just cooking, but letting go of the need to be perfect, having fun, living, and loving.

Hannah’s nerve and patience is most definitely tested when looking down the barrel of a shot gun, swimming with “sharks” and when dealing with Adrienne’s surly, attractive, and hot and cold son.

This is a story, not just of friendships, love, and cooking, but also one of self-discovery, one of the keep ingredients of Julie Caplin’s work.

My thanks, as always, to @JulieCaplin @OneMoreChapter and @Netgalley for allowing me to read and review the 5-star rated #TheCosyCottageInIreland

Was this review helpful?