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pause_theframe's review against another edition
5.0
She’s done it again! I LOVE this book! Each read I get, I know I can trust Barnard to give me a story that will light up my day and rally tickle my sense of humour. The story, like all hers, is written exceptionally well, and really tells us a nice story, but it is also filled with the wit that you can always trust a Barnard book to do.
The characters are created exceptionally well, with the mains all having different personalities and stories, to connect you to the tale, as well as make the story feel very really. With the level of detail the author has given the story, you truly feel it come to life.
I love the premise of inheriting the pub, especially an Irish pub, so they have to start pastures new, and really dive right in to their adventure, running blind. It leads to some pretty full on hilarious moments. The little details, such as the state of it and the rivals, really make this story very believable and relatable.
Honestly, this is, by far, the best book I’ve read this year. It make me laugh so much, and I truly enjoyed reading each page.
The characters are created exceptionally well, with the mains all having different personalities and stories, to connect you to the tale, as well as make the story feel very really. With the level of detail the author has given the story, you truly feel it come to life.
I love the premise of inheriting the pub, especially an Irish pub, so they have to start pastures new, and really dive right in to their adventure, running blind. It leads to some pretty full on hilarious moments. The little details, such as the state of it and the rivals, really make this story very believable and relatable.
Honestly, this is, by far, the best book I’ve read this year. It make me laugh so much, and I truly enjoyed reading each page.
hannah_reads_2020's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, fast paced, hate to love romance. ⠀
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I received a free eARC copy in exchange for an honest review. ⠀
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English sisters Phoebe and Ella inherit a pub in a small Irish town just outside Dublin. Intrigued, they pack up their lives and move to Ireland. Hilarity and high jinx occurs, especially when it comes to Clooney, the attractive local who catches Phoebe’s eye. ⠀
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It gave me similar vibes to the movie Falling Inn Love. It has all the ingredients of a good romance. My only complaint is the pacing was a little too fast. I would have liked to have seen a few bits fleshed out a bit more, however it was still thoroughly entertaining. ⠀
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I received a free eARC copy in exchange for an honest review. ⠀
⠀
English sisters Phoebe and Ella inherit a pub in a small Irish town just outside Dublin. Intrigued, they pack up their lives and move to Ireland. Hilarity and high jinx occurs, especially when it comes to Clooney, the attractive local who catches Phoebe’s eye. ⠀
⠀
It gave me similar vibes to the movie Falling Inn Love. It has all the ingredients of a good romance. My only complaint is the pacing was a little too fast. I would have liked to have seen a few bits fleshed out a bit more, however it was still thoroughly entertaining. ⠀
beckyrendon's review against another edition
2.0
Well...that was different.
Cock & Bull has some interesting story points I found I couldn't connect. It seems the story became a forked path and rather than choose a direction the story tries to cover each path. So there's a lot off running around but not so much progress.
I had a hard time connecting with the main characters too. They don't give you a reason to like them. They are what they are. There's no real connection with each other.
Cock & Bull was an unusual read. I would have liked to see more development of the characters and the storyline. Perhaps the author will focus more on those for the next book. It seems it's been left open for potential sequels.
Cock & Bull has some interesting story points I found I couldn't connect. It seems the story became a forked path and rather than choose a direction the story tries to cover each path. So there's a lot off running around but not so much progress.
I had a hard time connecting with the main characters too. They don't give you a reason to like them. They are what they are. There's no real connection with each other.
Cock & Bull was an unusual read. I would have liked to see more development of the characters and the storyline. Perhaps the author will focus more on those for the next book. It seems it's been left open for potential sequels.
dzikuskareads's review against another edition
5.0
The story begins when sisters Phoebe and Ella inherit a pub in Ireland from their great aunt Breda. At first they're are full of hope and enthusiasm. Owning a business at such a young age is a dream come true! What could possibly go wrong? Well... a lot!
The troubles start when they first arrive at the pub. Phoebe and Ella can't believe their eyes when they see the state of the place they inherited. Cock & Bull is falling apart, totally cover with cobwebs, thick dust and the smells of stale urine fills the air. Still, the sisters don't give up, they work really hard to make the pub look and smell good.
It turns out the girls not only inherited the property but also a cute pet. A very unusual pet for that matter. Elle falls in love with it instantly, Phoebe is a bit sceptical. And then she meets Clooney and her heart skips a beat.
When Phoebe first met Clooney I knew this is going to be rather interesting romance. Their encounters were so electrically charged it was a miracle they only had one electricity blackout in the pub. I didn't like Clooney at the beginning, he was cocky and rude, yet he knew how to use his charm on a girl. It's like he had a big, red sign on his forehead saying “troublemaker”. And indeed the was a troublemaker. He was bound to cause a lot of commotion. After all he was a son of rival pub owner.
As the story unfolds Phoebe finds out that the pub and pet were not the only gifts left to her by her aunt Breda. However this time “the gift” was very, very special. And that's when I really started to enjoy the book. I giggled, I cried, I spilled my hot tea while laughing hysterically. My favourite part was Phoebe's encounter with Garrett.
I loved Laura's writing style. She definitely have a way with words. I'm really happy and grateful I had a chance to read ARC.
Even though it's my first book written by this author I'm sure it's not the last. Can't wait to read some more hilarious stories.
The troubles start when they first arrive at the pub. Phoebe and Ella can't believe their eyes when they see the state of the place they inherited. Cock & Bull is falling apart, totally cover with cobwebs, thick dust and the smells of stale urine fills the air. Still, the sisters don't give up, they work really hard to make the pub look and smell good.
It turns out the girls not only inherited the property but also a cute pet. A very unusual pet for that matter. Elle falls in love with it instantly, Phoebe is a bit sceptical. And then she meets Clooney and her heart skips a beat.
When Phoebe first met Clooney I knew this is going to be rather interesting romance. Their encounters were so electrically charged it was a miracle they only had one electricity blackout in the pub. I didn't like Clooney at the beginning, he was cocky and rude, yet he knew how to use his charm on a girl. It's like he had a big, red sign on his forehead saying “troublemaker”. And indeed the was a troublemaker. He was bound to cause a lot of commotion. After all he was a son of rival pub owner.
As the story unfolds Phoebe finds out that the pub and pet were not the only gifts left to her by her aunt Breda. However this time “the gift” was very, very special. And that's when I really started to enjoy the book. I giggled, I cried, I spilled my hot tea while laughing hysterically. My favourite part was Phoebe's encounter with Garrett.
I loved Laura's writing style. She definitely have a way with words. I'm really happy and grateful I had a chance to read ARC.
Even though it's my first book written by this author I'm sure it's not the last. Can't wait to read some more hilarious stories.
krisboss's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this from the author and wanted to let you know my thoughts on it.
This is just what I needed. I don't usually pick up a lot of romantic comedies, but Laura's are funny. I felt like I was reading about my 20's. This book is a bit irreverent and that made it all the more real. If curse words bother you, this is not the book. The same goes for open-door romance. I enjoyed this quick, light read. It had some depth to it, but mainly it was just fun. I would love more Ella (maybe in another book).
The quick overview: British Phoebe and Ella inherit an Irish pub from a family member. The pub is a mess so Phoebe spends her savings getting it re-opened. They hire a bad boy bartender, Clooney, in exchange for room and board. Tensions happen between a neighboring bar and between Phoebe and Clooney.
There are laugh out loud moments. There is a good story line. There is part of the book that didn't seem to fit at first, but as I read I realized that it was a necessary part and one that really tied the family dynamic together. I would recommend picking this book up if you want a fun, quick read.
This is just what I needed. I don't usually pick up a lot of romantic comedies, but Laura's are funny. I felt like I was reading about my 20's. This book is a bit irreverent and that made it all the more real. If curse words bother you, this is not the book. The same goes for open-door romance. I enjoyed this quick, light read. It had some depth to it, but mainly it was just fun. I would love more Ella (maybe in another book).
The quick overview: British Phoebe and Ella inherit an Irish pub from a family member. The pub is a mess so Phoebe spends her savings getting it re-opened. They hire a bad boy bartender, Clooney, in exchange for room and board. Tensions happen between a neighboring bar and between Phoebe and Clooney.
There are laugh out loud moments. There is a good story line. There is part of the book that didn't seem to fit at first, but as I read I realized that it was a necessary part and one that really tied the family dynamic together. I would recommend picking this book up if you want a fun, quick read.
rinasreadsnz's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a breath of fresh air.
Sweet, funny, and a little crazy - it had me laughing, smiling and (I swear) I had hearts in my eyes at the end.
It's everything you hope to find with a rom-com and I'm so glad I took the time to read it.
Sweet, funny, and a little crazy - it had me laughing, smiling and (I swear) I had hearts in my eyes at the end.
It's everything you hope to find with a rom-com and I'm so glad I took the time to read it.
read_on_reader's review against another edition
5.0
This was such an entertaining read for me and this author is new to me, but I was not disappointed at all. The book starts with sisters that inherit a pub from their estranged aunt and the youngest sister Ella thinks they should give it a go and try to get it up and running again. Phoebe, the older and more practical sister knows this is probably going to be a disaster but decides they should try it at least, but life keeps throwing so many twists and turns into their plans it seems like they are doomed to fail. With so many things that go wrong Phoebe becomes more and more distraught, but she doesn’t give up. Then we are introduced to Clooney Breen, the cocky playboy with secrets of his own. Clooney and Phoebe don’t know if one second, they want kiss or argue, and it makes the tension so tangible. Clooney has so many sides to him that I often wondered if he had multiple personalities because one second, he could be sweet and charming, then the next he could snap at Phoebe for no reason at all. This back and forth of emotions had Phoebe questioning if she could really trust him, if he were just another playboy out to hurt her or was there more to him than meets the eye. There is a fun little unexpected treat for readers that helps break up the tension between the main characters and was fun to read about when Phoebe must do some crazy tasks. These two fought their attraction for as long as they could be could they let go of insecurities, secrets, and their pasts to make something out this or were they doomed to fail? This book had me laughing, swooning, and boy those steamy moments were amazing. Definitely will read more.
bookspaced's review
4.0
A fun, romantic story with a twist.
I started this book because the title of the book promises a fun, entertaining story.
The book features two sisters who inherit a pub named Cock & Bull in a small town in Ireland from there great aunt. And that‘s where the story begins. They decide to give the pub a try and get it up and running to later on sell it, but they didn‘t expect it to be this hard.
Phoebe, who this book is about, is the rational one of the sisters. She‘s also the one who uses all her savings to clean up the place. What she didn‘t expect was the town‘s broody, mysterious bachelor Clooney.
This story is a fun read for inbetween with a little twist that I didn‘t expect but welcomed because it made the story that much funnier.
4⭐️
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
I started this book because the title of the book promises a fun, entertaining story.
The book features two sisters who inherit a pub named Cock & Bull in a small town in Ireland from there great aunt. And that‘s where the story begins. They decide to give the pub a try and get it up and running to later on sell it, but they didn‘t expect it to be this hard.
Phoebe, who this book is about, is the rational one of the sisters. She‘s also the one who uses all her savings to clean up the place. What she didn‘t expect was the town‘s broody, mysterious bachelor Clooney.
This story is a fun read for inbetween with a little twist that I didn‘t expect but welcomed because it made the story that much funnier.
4⭐️
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
cassire's review
3.0
3.5 STARS
If you’re looking for a quirky book with a little bit of everything, look no more. Cock & Bull is about two girls that inherit an Irish pub from a distant relative. This is one of those books that you don’t know what is going to happen next, you’re just there for the ride. It was a fun one.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
If you’re looking for a quirky book with a little bit of everything, look no more. Cock & Bull is about two girls that inherit an Irish pub from a distant relative. This is one of those books that you don’t know what is going to happen next, you’re just there for the ride. It was a fun one.
I voluntarily read an early copy.
kcherry's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0