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travelsalongmybookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Both Jake and Hollie have had some tough times. They are both lovely people and the book starts with us getting know them and some of their backstory.
Hollie, fiercely proud of her family and the Starfish Cafe but torn apart by her loss of them. Now focussing of the cafe, her relationship has ended and she feels like she is marking time.
Jake, who has never felt good enough, missing his Nanna who cared for him so deeply and was so protective of him, especially from his sister- a real nasty piece of work but a fabulous creation!
Their pathways cross with the help of the lovely Mr. Pickles, the dog - I had a little butterfly squeak as they hit it off
Hollie, fiercely proud of her family and the Starfish Cafe but torn apart by her loss of them. Now focussing of the cafe, her relationship has ended and she feels like she is marking time.
Jake, who has never felt good enough, missing his Nanna who cared for him so deeply and was so protective of him, especially from his sister- a real nasty piece of work but a fabulous creation!
Their pathways cross with the help of the lovely Mr. Pickles, the dog - I had a little butterfly squeak as they hit it off
jillianreadsalot's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
coffeebooksandescape's review against another edition
5.0
“You think Mr Pickles is bad? His full name is Mr Piccalilli Marmaduke Fluffington the Third.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is the perfect winter-warmer! The first chapter is set on Bonfire Night, from the perspective of the female lead. As the book progresses, the introduction of a male lead character is made. The chapters switch between their perspectives, throughout the years leading up to the present day, when as any good chick-lit fiction book allows, the characters finally meet, on bonfire night too of course!
It’s a really heart warming tale and the characters are wholeheartedly easy to connect with on every level! You get to experience their lives with them, from loves to losses, laughs to depressors. I laughed at chapters, cried at chapters and smiled like a big romantic idiot at chapters too. Not many books are capable of all emotions!
If you’re looking for a book that isn’t overly Christmassy but helps with feel-good vibes, this is the book! Be patient with it as the story reveals itself, it’s worth every page!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is the perfect winter-warmer! The first chapter is set on Bonfire Night, from the perspective of the female lead. As the book progresses, the introduction of a male lead character is made. The chapters switch between their perspectives, throughout the years leading up to the present day, when as any good chick-lit fiction book allows, the characters finally meet, on bonfire night too of course!
It’s a really heart warming tale and the characters are wholeheartedly easy to connect with on every level! You get to experience their lives with them, from loves to losses, laughs to depressors. I laughed at chapters, cried at chapters and smiled like a big romantic idiot at chapters too. Not many books are capable of all emotions!
If you’re looking for a book that isn’t overly Christmassy but helps with feel-good vibes, this is the book! Be patient with it as the story reveals itself, it’s worth every page!
kiki_mcl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
2.75
The writing is good but I found the characters and what they went through a bit much. Hollie and Jake are too good and Larissa/Serena are too bad.
aimeexquick's review against another edition
2.5
This book was well written, and I did enjoy parts of it. It’s just, I wasn’t expecting it to be so depressing. I get it if you want to add a bit of sadness to your Christmas story because not everyone’s lives are perfectly happy, however I felt like it went on for pretty much the whole book. When I read a Christmas book I want to finish it feeling happy and uplifted, even if it has sad moments I want the good to outweigh the negative. For me, this book was just too one sided, not enough of both to make the negativity work.
hthill25's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Heartbreakingly beautiful story that kept my interest throughout and even gave mea few surprises.
katie_jane2021's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
karabee73's review against another edition
5.0
AHHH I love Jake and Hollie so much they are such a perfect match!! I can not wait until Summer Nights at the Starfish Cafe!! <3 Until then I guess I have to read ALL of Jessica Redlands books.... :D
galactoze's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ecrirejenesaisquoi's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent book for the winter season and it has great character development, thoughtful discussions on grief and the protagonists actually communicate with each other well. It was very cute and heartwarming and I'd qualify this with an audible "awww."