Scan barcode
polly423's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lauramchands's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
A cosy, warm-hearted read with sweet characters.
booksandbargains's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
4.0
I have to say, the first 60% of this book didn't feel very festive, it had a lot of spooky vibes which although I loved If I had known I would have read closer to Halloween. This was sitting at aroundd a 3/ 3.5 star for much of the book but Part 4 was soooo perfect I had to bump it up
(content warnings for diet culture, calories, etc)
(content warnings for diet culture, calories, etc)
nikkistacey's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
bookshortie's review
5.0
Hannah loves Christmas and this is clear from the first page. She travels from her home in Edinburgh to Porthgolow, Cornwall to assist the Crystal Waters Hotel to become more eco-friendly.
Whilst there she has to work with Noel her counterpart. When Hannah first meets Noel he is a bit cold towards her, but he does eventually warm up as they get to know each other better and there are definite sparks between them.
Hannah’s stay at the hotel is definitely eventful. When a storm hits Porthgolow, Hannah’s short business visit is extended. As well as work, she also becomes involved in a ghost hunt as it transpires that the Crystal Water Hotel replaced the Victorian Cliff Top Hotel that use to be there and it is rumoured the hotel was haunted. She also has the chance to visit the Cornish Cream Tea Bus and she can’t seem to shake the feeling that she’s been to Porthgolow before.
This was definitely a book I loved to read. All the themes and storylines came together at the end in a nice little Christmas bow. I loved all the characters and felt by the end of the book that I was saying goodbye to old friends. I learned something new in mince pie scones, I did not know that this was a thing. Whilst reading I had many cravings for food especially Cornish cream tea and baked goods because they were described so perfectly and appetisingly from the outset. Plus it helped that the main character Hannah was a bit of a foodie so there were plenty of references to food. I love Cornwall and fell in love with the place all over again. I have already started planning my next visit.
One of my favourite things about this book is how the storyline centred on Hannah’s personal journey to find a place that she belonged. It was obvious from the story that this was lacking in her life. Her journey to Porthgolow not only bought more meaning to Hannah’s life but also strengthened her relationship with her mother.
It was interesting to read that the book was started before lockdown and the author continued to work on it when the world we lived in had changed forever. One of my favourite quotes from the book sums up life and the year we’ve had perfectly describing it as “Love, swearing and extra calories”.
Definitely one of my favourite reads of the year!
I received a gifted copy of this book for an honest review.
Whilst there she has to work with Noel her counterpart. When Hannah first meets Noel he is a bit cold towards her, but he does eventually warm up as they get to know each other better and there are definite sparks between them.
Hannah’s stay at the hotel is definitely eventful. When a storm hits Porthgolow, Hannah’s short business visit is extended. As well as work, she also becomes involved in a ghost hunt as it transpires that the Crystal Water Hotel replaced the Victorian Cliff Top Hotel that use to be there and it is rumoured the hotel was haunted. She also has the chance to visit the Cornish Cream Tea Bus and she can’t seem to shake the feeling that she’s been to Porthgolow before.
This was definitely a book I loved to read. All the themes and storylines came together at the end in a nice little Christmas bow. I loved all the characters and felt by the end of the book that I was saying goodbye to old friends. I learned something new in mince pie scones, I did not know that this was a thing. Whilst reading I had many cravings for food especially Cornish cream tea and baked goods because they were described so perfectly and appetisingly from the outset. Plus it helped that the main character Hannah was a bit of a foodie so there were plenty of references to food. I love Cornwall and fell in love with the place all over again. I have already started planning my next visit.
One of my favourite things about this book is how the storyline centred on Hannah’s personal journey to find a place that she belonged. It was obvious from the story that this was lacking in her life. Her journey to Porthgolow not only bought more meaning to Hannah’s life but also strengthened her relationship with her mother.
It was interesting to read that the book was started before lockdown and the author continued to work on it when the world we lived in had changed forever. One of my favourite quotes from the book sums up life and the year we’ve had perfectly describing it as “Love, swearing and extra calories”.
Definitely one of my favourite reads of the year!
I received a gifted copy of this book for an honest review.
goldenbooksgirl's review
4.0
I actually hadn’t realised this was the third in a series, but I’m still glad I picked it up because it was perfectly easy to understand as a standalone, and it’s given me a back catalogue to discover the stories of some of the secondary characters in. This one is about eco consultants Hannah and Daniel, who fall in love whilst staying at the hotel they’re working for in Cornwall, and also the ghosts that may or may not be haunting the hotel and Hannah’s mysterious connection to the village related to her past. The romance was lovely and I really liked them as a couple, and I enjoyed the romantic elements to the past storyline as well, although it was somewhat more tragic than that in the present day. I loved Charlie and Daniel even more though, and I’m definitely planning to pick up their story soon because they were my favourite characters in here and I really want to see how they fell in love too. The Christmas element to the plot was great as well, and overall I really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it, particularly to fans of Ali McNamara as being in Porthogolow felt similarly lovely to something I’ve read by her set in Cornwall.
More...