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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
3 1/2 stars.
Jill Mansell's books are kind of like comfort food, and this one was no exception, though I found it a bit less compelling than some of her others. I liked the characters but felt there were a few too many different stories happening. Still, as always, it was an enjoyable escape to a picturesque location with quirky characters and feel-good endings.
I do wish the publisher would refrain from Americanizing words in the U.S. editions of Mansell's work. There were several mentions in this book of characters eating fries, which was jarring every time. Was there really a need to "translate" the word chips? It just sounded out of place in a book by a British author set in a very British location (Cornwall).
Jill Mansell's books are kind of like comfort food, and this one was no exception, though I found it a bit less compelling than some of her others. I liked the characters but felt there were a few too many different stories happening. Still, as always, it was an enjoyable escape to a picturesque location with quirky characters and feel-good endings.
I do wish the publisher would refrain from Americanizing words in the U.S. editions of Mansell's work. There were several mentions in this book of characters eating fries, which was jarring every time. Was there really a need to "translate" the word chips? It just sounded out of place in a book by a British author set in a very British location (Cornwall).
A complex love story that tugs at your heartstrings. Hmm, I think I might just give this a try...
The Story:
Amber, Lachlan, and Raffaele are childhood best friends. Their foster parents, Teddy and May, have been more than a father and mother to them. Now grown up, Lachlan is a successful chef, Amber is an artist, and Raffaele is a mini-celebrity hairdresser. Though they are doing well professionally, their love lives are not so good. Lachlan has sworn off committed relationships. Amber is secretly in love with Lachlan but is afraid to tell him. Raffaele has just broken off with his long-time girlfriend, Vee, and is hurting. Moreover, May has passed away and Teddy has a new girlfriend, Olga.
How will everything work out in the end? Will Amber ever be able to tell Lachlan about her true feelings? Will Raffaele be able to forget Vee? And does Olga really love Teddy or is she only a gold-digger?
What I Liked:
1)Despite so many threads and people, the book was pretty simple. The writing was effective in keeping all the threads separate and tied them all up tidily in the end.
2) The characterization was excellent. Every character was properly fleshed out and I had absolutely no difficulty remembering who was who.
3) The book, with so many characters, wasn't too lengthy. Just a tad under 400 pages, I felt that the length was okay to tell a proper story. And I breezed through it.
What I Didn't Like:
1) Some tropes seemed overused. In some places, it seemed that some of the problems could have been solved by simply talking to each other.
Final Thoughts:
This was one of those books which I picked up on a whim yet ended up enjoying a lot more than I expected. A light-hearted book for some easy reading. This was my first Jill Mansell book but I will surely put her other ones on my TBR.
4 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and SourceBooks Casablanca for the ARC.
The Story:
Amber, Lachlan, and Raffaele are childhood best friends. Their foster parents, Teddy and May, have been more than a father and mother to them. Now grown up, Lachlan is a successful chef, Amber is an artist, and Raffaele is a mini-celebrity hairdresser. Though they are doing well professionally, their love lives are not so good. Lachlan has sworn off committed relationships. Amber is secretly in love with Lachlan but is afraid to tell him. Raffaele has just broken off with his long-time girlfriend, Vee, and is hurting. Moreover, May has passed away and Teddy has a new girlfriend, Olga.
How will everything work out in the end? Will Amber ever be able to tell Lachlan about her true feelings? Will Raffaele be able to forget Vee? And does Olga really love Teddy or is she only a gold-digger?
What I Liked:
1)Despite so many threads and people, the book was pretty simple. The writing was effective in keeping all the threads separate and tied them all up tidily in the end.
2) The characterization was excellent. Every character was properly fleshed out and I had absolutely no difficulty remembering who was who.
3) The book, with so many characters, wasn't too lengthy. Just a tad under 400 pages, I felt that the length was okay to tell a proper story. And I breezed through it.
What I Didn't Like:
1) Some tropes seemed overused. In some places, it seemed that some of the problems could have been solved by simply talking to each other.
Final Thoughts:
This was one of those books which I picked up on a whim yet ended up enjoying a lot more than I expected. A light-hearted book for some easy reading. This was my first Jill Mansell book but I will surely put her other ones on my TBR.
4 stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and SourceBooks Casablanca for the ARC.
I love love Jill Mansell's books. Only problem is I read them too quickly and then cry because I've finished it. Fabulous story yet again - beautiful ending. Don't want to say too much and ruin it for others! But absolutely fabulous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Not the kind of book I'd usually go for, but I received it in a mystery box and I was intrigued by the themes around fostering as my parents were foster carers when I was a kid.
It was sweet and just interesting enough to hold my attention for me to read it in a few days whilst I was in between books and anxiously awaiting the arrival of one that I'd pre-ordered. But the main romance fell a little flat for me as the huge cast of side characters took too much attention and time away from the MCs so I didn't really feel connected to them.
It was sweet and just interesting enough to hold my attention for me to read it in a few days whilst I was in between books and anxiously awaiting the arrival of one that I'd pre-ordered. But the main romance fell a little flat for me as the huge cast of side characters took too much attention and time away from the MCs so I didn't really feel connected to them.
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
A Sweet Low Stakes Story About Found Family.
This is the second book in succession I have reviewed that involves foster siblings, and the two books could not be more different. You can read this one before bed for a start. An illustration of one of the reasons I love reading so much. Two different novels with a similar plot point can end up in such different places.
Lachlen, Amber, and Rafael met when they were all being fostered by Teddy and May on the Cornish coast. Years later, and still very close, they ail find themselves back in Lanrock. After Lachlen has persuaded Teddy to go on cruise to help with the grieving process after recently losing May to cancer. The thing is, on this cruise, Teddy meets a much younger Russian beauty. Back home the three are worried her intentions might not be all that honourable.
During the course of the story, we learn that the kids have problems of their own, and there is also an interesting subplot involving a retired entrepreneur and her son.
Basically, this is a hug of a book and a lesson in love conquering all. I heartily recommend.
This is the second book in succession I have reviewed that involves foster siblings, and the two books could not be more different. You can read this one before bed for a start. An illustration of one of the reasons I love reading so much. Two different novels with a similar plot point can end up in such different places.
Lachlen, Amber, and Rafael met when they were all being fostered by Teddy and May on the Cornish coast. Years later, and still very close, they ail find themselves back in Lanrock. After Lachlen has persuaded Teddy to go on cruise to help with the grieving process after recently losing May to cancer. The thing is, on this cruise, Teddy meets a much younger Russian beauty. Back home the three are worried her intentions might not be all that honourable.
During the course of the story, we learn that the kids have problems of their own, and there is also an interesting subplot involving a retired entrepreneur and her son.
Basically, this is a hug of a book and a lesson in love conquering all. I heartily recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Easy holiday read with fun, but shallow characters. Too cheesy at times and why does everyone get their own successful business just handed to them?
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced