hen Anna Love gets the opportunity to move to Prague for six months as part of a cultural exchange, she jumps at the chance, and she is very keen to win the associated prize. The idea is that the participants will be placed with breweries in Prague, and they need to take what they have learned and develop a new beer. The winning beer will win the brewer all the equipment they need to set themselves up for the future. Anna's family background is in brewing but she knows that her uncle will never let her work in the family business as a brewer so therefore this will be her chance to follow her dream, outside of the family business.

Anna expects that she will have to work hard, she will miss her boyfriend, Steve, and she expects to share an apartment with a fellow participant. What she does not expect is that she will be sharing that apartment with her ex, Leo.

Leo Knight has a passion for brewing, and he is very determined that no one is going to get in his way, especially not Anna. Leo is the kind of guy who people gravitate towards, always positive and always friendly, but this should not give the impression that he is not a hard worker or keen to learn as much as he possibly can given this opportunity.

Anna and Leo both have so much to learn about beer, about Prague, and about each other. Luckily they make friends with their neighbours Jan and Michaela who help them find some of the great locations in Prague, as well as traditional food and drink. Michaela, in particular, can see that there may still be a spark between Anna and Leo.

If you follow me at all you know that we are travellers. We love going to new places and exploring. If you ask us where we want to go, it's probably easiest to tell you where we don't want to go rather than list all the places that we do want to visit. However, if you were to ask me the where do you want to go for the first time question then Prague would definitely have been on my list, and that is even more true after reading this book. I loved that the author took us to some of the great landmarks of the city but also that we got to spend time in the country. It is clear that this is a place that she loves.

This is part of the semi connected Romantic Escapes series. Leo is the brother to Raph who was the main characters in the book, A Villa With A View. I don't think that it was key to have read Raph's book before reading this one. I do have at least a couple more of the Romantic Escapes series on my Kindle to read at some point.

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

You always know that when you pick up a book in the Romantic Escapes series by Julie Caplin that you are going to be carried away, if only vicariously, to a beautifully captured destination where you will be fully immersed in the sights, sounds, smells, food and culture even as a love story unfolds around you. This author’s ability to bring each of her book’s location to vivid life is the main reason that she is one of my favourite authors of romantic travel lit.

Even by her standards, she has worked some magic in A Little Place in Prague, though. This is a place that is obviously very special to her and her love affair with the city oozes from every paragraph of this book. The story is saturated with joy and affection for the Czech capital and, if you are not itching to book the next available flight out to experience the place yourself as soon as you have finished then you must be what my granny would have described as a ‘hard-hearted Hannah.’

It’s many years since I was in Prague myself but I really loved the place when I visited and have been meaning to take another trip back for a good long while, this book may just have given me the kick I need to get on and do it. I can already detect the cobbles under my feet, feel the nip in the air as I cross the Charles Bridge and linger to savour the wind blowing off the Vltava as I examine the statues that line its edges. I’m longing for a taste of some locally-brewed beer and local pastries after reading Julie’s delicious descriptions. Get me on that plane now!

This joie de vivre extends from the author’s descriptions of the city and its delights in to the characters with which she people’s the story, and the central romance itself. Everything about this book is warm and glowing (bit of a weird description, I know, but if you read the book, you’ll understand EXACTLY what I mean, I promise.) All of the characters are the perfect people to fall in love with. The central pair are clearly made for each other and are impossible not to delight in and root for. I was desperate to hear more about Leo (as I made clear in my review of Julie’s last book, A Villa with a View, which you can read here) and I was not disappointed with his outcome. Much as I might read dark thrillers and post-apocalyptic novels, I am a huge romantic at heart and this book made me marshmallow-y (yes, it’s a word!) inside all the way through. Aside from the main protagonists, the supporting characters are all wonderful; I wish they were my friends in real life and I can’t really be more complimentary than that.

Everything about this book is perfect for reading at this time of year. If you are a fan of armchair travel and romantic novels, this book is everything you could possibly wish for with bells on. I get a warm little tickle inside just thinking about it even now. It is an afternoon snuggled in an armchair under a fluffy blanket in front of a roaring fire with a hot chocolate at your elbow and a handsome man smiling at your from the other end of the sofa – but in book form. If that isn’t enough of an endorsement to make you buy it, you really are a hard-hearted Hannah!

This book is a feast for the senses. I’ve been transported away and Prague sounds so beautiful.
The descriptions of the country, food and culture so vivid and wonderful. It’s easy to imagine walking with Anna and Leo through the streets, over the bridges and up the spires - oh and the food and beer sound delicious.
I loved the history between Anna and Leo - and the chemistry is still there. It was so interesting seeing them together as they’ve grown up since being apart and have such different views on themselves and life. Jan and Michaela were great friends and hosts and I loved how passionate they were of their country and sharing its delights with their new friends.

A romantic escape to Prague provides a wintry and magical setting for Leo and Anna, who are on a cultural exchange to learn about Czech beer making. The couple have a history, which makes living together problematic, but it does allow them to see how they've changed and for their attraction to simmer and spark. Their friendships and romance are engaging, but this book has more than that to offer. The intricacies of beer making and the cultural delights of Prague are lyrically described and take the reader on a memorable winter journey. I like the cast of characters, the rekindling of Anna and Leo's connection and the vibrant setting for their adventure.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Honestly, I could rave about Julie Caplin all day long, an absolute “ go to” author for me (as both Julie Caplin and Jules Wake) – I look forward to the next book from the moment I finish one. No pressure to write any faster at all 😊
A little place in Prague whisked us off to yet another brilliant location; these ‘Romantic Escapes’ books have allowed to travel all over the world from the comfort of your own armchair, I adore each of them. This isn’t a series where you need to have read previous books at all, each work as standalones but I cannot stress enough how great they all are and that you should read them. If you have read previous books you will spot little cameos from characters we’ve met before.
Supposed strangers, Anna and Leo, are thrown together in a flat share whilst competing in a beer brewing competition, each keen to learn and develop techniques for producing their own beer. This may be a strange set up for some but not for people that already know each other and have a significant history.
I adore their story; it’s testament to people wanting to change and better themselves, learning from past mistakes and showing that time can allow people to really change. Of course this story has ups and downs, neither character is perfect but they work well together; the chemistry is incredible.
It’s a gorgeously cosy read, perfect for the cooler days and dark evenings. As always there is a wonderful cast of characters that are entertaining and some that are infuriating as well as mouthwatering descriptions of delicious local food dishes and drinks. A thoroughly gorgeous read.

Having visited Prague very briefly many years ago, this book was a lovely way to reminisce about that trip although I now realise I barely touched the surface of what Prague has to offer! What is very clear from reading A Little Place in Prague is Julie Caplin’s love for the city, she is shining such a spotlight on to the culture, architecture, foods etc that I wouldn’t be surprised if most readers would love to have their very own escape to Prague.
Another fantastic read – already looking forward to the next!

I’ve never visited Prague but would really like to visit, so this fabulous story was a perfect escape, though now I definitely need to visit. As the book opens, Leo has just arrived at the shared house where the local trade attaché department had organised a competition based around a competition to raise the profile of Czechoslovakian beer in the UK. He meets Steve, who is assembling a bed, and they establish that it’s Steve’s girlfriend, Anna, who will be sharing the house with Leo.
I really don’t want to tell you anything more about the story, as the way it unfolds is truly magical. The book is filled with fabulous characters, most perfectly, the downstairs neighbours, Jan and Michaela, not forgetting the cranky Ludmilla. Although she had a tough exterior, there was no mistaking her soft centre.
I loved the dynamic between Leo and Anna. The story moved beautifully, and it was plain to see that they had a mutual respect for each other, but there was clearly a difficult undercurrent to their connection. Anna’s determination to make her placement successful was immediately evident, and it was terrific to get a first-hand look at her progress as she learned so much from Jakub, her sponsor. Meanwhile, Leo and his sponsor's relationship was much more relaxed. Both Anna and Leo were competing for a grand prize, and the winner would be able to set up using their own brewery equipment.
As much as this book boasts some delightful characters, a special mention must be given to Prague. The romantic way that the scenery was described had me yearning for a glimpse of the breathtaking views, the stunning architecture and the history that seemed to ooze from the very walls of the city. If a love letter could be written to a city, this would be the perfect template.
I absolutely loved every moment of this gorgeous book, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

4 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming and a great virtual tour!

Anna Love and Leo Knight share a history. However, he was the last person she expected to be her new housemate for six months in Prague. As they walk through the streets and work on their professional goals, the city’s magic might give them more than what they hoped for!
The story comes in Leo and Anna’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
Firstly, kudos to whoever wrote the official blurb for the book. It is short, sweet, and shares only the bare minimum details. That means, right from the beginning, we get a series of surprises unspoiled by a lengthy blurb. This makes a lot of difference in how we perceive the characters and their backstories. No presumptions or assumptions!
Since I mainly got the book to enjoy a virtual tour of Prague, I can say it delivers in that aspect. The city’s charming old buildings, the historical sites (and relevant snippets), the warmth of the locals, etc., are beautifully presented. The writing is easy to read. It flows well without being overly descriptive or dramatic.
Quite a few Czech words have been used but mainly for the food items (with descriptions) and common terms like please, thank you, cheers, etc! This adds to the local flavor and provides an immersive reading experience.
I do wish the beer brewery track was given a bit more space. While we get introduced to different types of beer, the learning and working part takes a back seat since the focus is mostly on the personal track.
We cannot immediately take sides here, though we want to. I did naturally side with one character but could see the flaws as well. The details are revealed in stages as the plot advances, thus keeping us wondering about the whats, whys, and what next.
Some of the side characters are adorable! A few of them are 2D, but they do what’s required of them. The sudden change of one character didn’t really fit, but she was the only one available for that scene, I guess. (There are 5 characters whose names start with J. It seems author Julie Caplin loves the letter J.)
The book was an almost 5-star read despite a few niggles. However, an important aspect hadn’t been dealt the way I hoped it would be. Let’s just say that internal acknowledgment is not enough. It had to be said out loud, followed by an apology for being an idiot and wanting to get away with it. This is too important for me to ignore. All I needed was a two-line dialogue!

To summarize, A Little Place in Prague is almost like an ode to the beautiful city with a heartwarming second-chances love story thrown into the mix. There’s an epilogue, but I would have loved an extended epilogue as well.
Either way, I’m going to check out the previous books in the series. They have gorgeous covers!
Thank you, NetGalley and One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
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Blog tour on 03rd Nov.

It was an absolute treat to get an advanced copy of Julie Caplin's new book. I love a second-chance romance and also loved her characters, Anna and Leo. Married and divorced, they find themselves sharing a small apartment in Prague while they vie for an award in beer brewing. (I spent most of the duration of this book wanting to visit Prague and drink beer.)

The descriptions of Prague and Moldavia are gorgeous, and even secondary characters like Michaela and Jan come alive on the page, with individual voices and deft characterisation. I was fascinated by how seriously beer is taken in Prague but most of all - of course - glued to the page for the outcome of the romance between Anna and Leo, constantly shifting from simmer to boil and back again.

A compelling, joyful read. Don't miss it.

A fun, full of sights, communication positive and second chance story. I loved the sights and food surfing right from my couch with a bonus love story.

A total love letter to both Prague and Beer!

The amount of research Julie Caplin must have done to get us totally immersed in the world of beer brewing, in addition to feeling as though you are actually in Prague is immense.

The setting really felt as though it was an extra character and you learn more about Prague and Czechia than you could ever wish to know. and some of the descriptions match with what I recall of the city on my brief visits there.

And for a city that it ridiculously cold in Winter, this was a real winter warmer of a read. It was cosy, it had great dynamics between Anna and Leo, there were new friendships, some friendly competition and a whole lot more.

It has everything you have come to expect form a Julie Caplin romantic escape, but possibly even more enhanced than normal. I didn't realise the city was so big with Beer, all I remember is my colleagues being excited at the incredibly cheap prices per pint when we were there!

But the city sounds enchanting, and yes I'm harping on about the location and not the story (which was also wonderful), but this is a book that will do wonders I reckon for Prague tourism, and it certainly filled a hole in my armchair travel, given we don't often get romances set here.

And Anna and Leo are really lovely. Anna's family on the other hand drove me mad as did Steve. I loved Leo's friendly flirty nature, and his ease of making friends everywhere.

This was a really cosy story that I thoroughly loved.

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