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jo_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I am back in the Cosy Kettle for another cup of tea and a piece of cake and to catch up with the villagers of Honeyford.
In this second in the series, the main storyline features Flora, the owner of the Cosy Kettle and Bookshop in Honeyford who we met in the first book and was a characters who I thought was very reserved and quiet but I wasn't sure why.
Now having met more of her husband, Malcolm and realised what you thought about him in book one is true and when Flora discovers his infidelity she suddenly realises that perhaps something is missing in her life. She has always been under someone else's shadow and it is time for her to step into the light.
As she does, Flora becomes even more involved in village life, but after years of knowns the unknown seems very frightening and it be easier if she slipped back into her old life.
However, Honeyford, the book ship and the cosy kettle have other ideas for Flora.
Taken in by Luna, who runs the mystical shop, Flora embraces a different way of living and also has to share the house with Luna's widowed son Daniel and his son, Caleb.
Getting involved in summer celebrations, Flora throws herself into hosting a famous author, a baking competition as well as trying to make a decisions about her husband means that Flora has a lot goign on.
But when she returns to Luna's home, she can see the simplicity of nature and that all around her and she perhaps needs to make a change in her life to be able to move on.
Is Flora going to make the right change?
Another satisfying read and with the right amount of well developed secondary characters, Becca the manager of the Cosy Kettle, Knackered Mary, unlikely friends Millicent and Marigold, Callie (prominent in the first book), her eccentric grandfather Stanley still making his hilarious mark as well as some sumptuous descriptions of cakes and you have all you could want from a book.
Great for a light summer read!
In this second in the series, the main storyline features Flora, the owner of the Cosy Kettle and Bookshop in Honeyford who we met in the first book and was a characters who I thought was very reserved and quiet but I wasn't sure why.
Now having met more of her husband, Malcolm and realised what you thought about him in book one is true and when Flora discovers his infidelity she suddenly realises that perhaps something is missing in her life. She has always been under someone else's shadow and it is time for her to step into the light.
As she does, Flora becomes even more involved in village life, but after years of knowns the unknown seems very frightening and it be easier if she slipped back into her old life.
However, Honeyford, the book ship and the cosy kettle have other ideas for Flora.
Taken in by Luna, who runs the mystical shop, Flora embraces a different way of living and also has to share the house with Luna's widowed son Daniel and his son, Caleb.
Getting involved in summer celebrations, Flora throws herself into hosting a famous author, a baking competition as well as trying to make a decisions about her husband means that Flora has a lot goign on.
But when she returns to Luna's home, she can see the simplicity of nature and that all around her and she perhaps needs to make a change in her life to be able to move on.
Is Flora going to make the right change?
Another satisfying read and with the right amount of well developed secondary characters, Becca the manager of the Cosy Kettle, Knackered Mary, unlikely friends Millicent and Marigold, Callie (prominent in the first book), her eccentric grandfather Stanley still making his hilarious mark as well as some sumptuous descriptions of cakes and you have all you could want from a book.
Great for a light summer read!
btpbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my heart. It feels so good to be back with these lovely characters, the bookshop and the town. After loving the first book, this was a must read for me and yet again I am absolutely blown away with how much I loved and enjoyed it.
A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle is book two in the Cosy Kettle series, best read in order. Another gorgeous, eye catching cover to match the first book too.
In this story we have some new characters, Luna, Daniel and Calib and I fell in love with them all. Cute little Calib having his only kid battles, handsome Daniel and the little bit wacky and wierd Luna! I have to give a little mention to Stanleys character to, he does make me laugh! The start of the story starts off quite sad for Flora but throughout the story we see her develop and transform into a totally different and confident woman.
A well deserved five stars from me and I have my fingers crossed for more from this lovely town, bookshop and the characters ofcourse. PLEASE! Highly recommend. I actually devoured most of this book in a day, I couldn’t put it down.
Also, if you’ve read the book you’ll understand this part… Days of Desire by April Devlin. It’s surely got me intrigued too. Who is April Devlin???? …. Hmmm. I wonder...
A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle is book two in the Cosy Kettle series, best read in order. Another gorgeous, eye catching cover to match the first book too.
In this story we have some new characters, Luna, Daniel and Calib and I fell in love with them all. Cute little Calib having his only kid battles, handsome Daniel and the little bit wacky and wierd Luna! I have to give a little mention to Stanleys character to, he does make me laugh! The start of the story starts off quite sad for Flora but throughout the story we see her develop and transform into a totally different and confident woman.
A well deserved five stars from me and I have my fingers crossed for more from this lovely town, bookshop and the characters ofcourse. PLEASE! Highly recommend. I actually devoured most of this book in a day, I couldn’t put it down.
Also, if you’ve read the book you’ll understand this part… Days of Desire by April Devlin. It’s surely got me intrigued too. Who is April Devlin???? …. Hmmm. I wonder...
thedeathmaven's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first visit to the village of Honeyford and the Cosy Kettle cafe, which is located within Flora’s bookshop. I was hooked by this idea alone as it is my absolute dream to one day own a bookshop/cafe combination. Although this book is the second in the series, you absolutely don’t need to have read the first book to enjoy this one.
Poor Flora though isn’t having the greatest time at the start of the book, not only is she worried that she may never be accepted by the villagers of Honeyford she also catches her husband doing the dirty with a young waitress.
Quite rightly Flora storms out, and after a few nights spent in the spider infested attic of the shop is taken in by the wonderful Luna. I adored Luna as a character as she struck me as someone who didn’t give a damn about how people viewed her, she would live her life as she pleased. Infact at this point a special shout out should go to Sidney who absolutely defines the term of growing old disgracefully.
I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of what happens in the book as I wouldn’t do it justice. One thing I do want to commend though is how the author highlighted how subtle emotional abuse can be, although that term may be slightly too harsh for the relationship between Flora and her husband Malcolm. Malcolm has led Flora to believe that she needs him, she can’t survive on her own. He belittles her bookshop calling it a hobby and when is caught out having an affair blames it on Flora. This constant and subtle undermining of Flora’s thoughts and feelings is all too common in relationships and is harmful.
I found Liz Eeles writing around this theme to be powerful and to see Flora grow from someone riddled with self-doubt and constantly questioning herself, to being strong enough to make her own decisions was delightful.
This was a charming and delightful story perfect for long summer days. Yes it does tackle some harder issues but with the perfect blend of humour that they don’t take away from the joy of the story. The characters are a wonderful bunch and I feel that the romance added the perfect touch to this well-crafted book.
*****
The publishers Bookouture invited me on to the blog tour for A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles and provided a kindle copy to read via Netgalley. I received this product for free in return for providing my honest and unbiased review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Poor Flora though isn’t having the greatest time at the start of the book, not only is she worried that she may never be accepted by the villagers of Honeyford she also catches her husband doing the dirty with a young waitress.
Quite rightly Flora storms out, and after a few nights spent in the spider infested attic of the shop is taken in by the wonderful Luna. I adored Luna as a character as she struck me as someone who didn’t give a damn about how people viewed her, she would live her life as she pleased. Infact at this point a special shout out should go to Sidney who absolutely defines the term of growing old disgracefully.
I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of what happens in the book as I wouldn’t do it justice. One thing I do want to commend though is how the author highlighted how subtle emotional abuse can be, although that term may be slightly too harsh for the relationship between Flora and her husband Malcolm. Malcolm has led Flora to believe that she needs him, she can’t survive on her own. He belittles her bookshop calling it a hobby and when is caught out having an affair blames it on Flora. This constant and subtle undermining of Flora’s thoughts and feelings is all too common in relationships and is harmful.
I found Liz Eeles writing around this theme to be powerful and to see Flora grow from someone riddled with self-doubt and constantly questioning herself, to being strong enough to make her own decisions was delightful.
This was a charming and delightful story perfect for long summer days. Yes it does tackle some harder issues but with the perfect blend of humour that they don’t take away from the joy of the story. The characters are a wonderful bunch and I feel that the romance added the perfect touch to this well-crafted book.
*****
The publishers Bookouture invited me on to the blog tour for A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles and provided a kindle copy to read via Netgalley. I received this product for free in return for providing my honest and unbiased review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to read and review this book.
arienne311's review
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
kazza248's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, it has a feel-good magical atmosphere about it as if Luna had cast a spell on it.
Flora was doing what she always wanted, her own business a bookstore/cafe, in a small village, she was commuting to and from Oxford to her married life and her husband Malcolm and supporting him in his restaurant until she catches him having an affair with one of the staff, he tries to blame her for neglecting him with her own business but she moves out and lives above her shop for a few days till Luna offers her a spare room.
Luna has a son Daniel and grandson Caleb who also lives with her at Starlight Cottage, her son seems very standoff with Flora but says it's fine that she stays.
with the Charter day coming up and things to organise Flora is very busy as well as Malcolm constantly wanting her to come home, so he could control her she doesn't know what she wants to do but has to make a decision, there are lots of surprises and laughs in this book, a recommended read.
Flora was doing what she always wanted, her own business a bookstore/cafe, in a small village, she was commuting to and from Oxford to her married life and her husband Malcolm and supporting him in his restaurant until she catches him having an affair with one of the staff, he tries to blame her for neglecting him with her own business but she moves out and lives above her shop for a few days till Luna offers her a spare room.
Luna has a son Daniel and grandson Caleb who also lives with her at Starlight Cottage, her son seems very standoff with Flora but says it's fine that she stays.
with the Charter day coming up and things to organise Flora is very busy as well as Malcolm constantly wanting her to come home, so he could control her she doesn't know what she wants to do but has to make a decision, there are lots of surprises and laughs in this book, a recommended read.
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
5.0
Another great read from Liz Elle’s, I loved returning to the Cosy Kettle and seeing a whole new side to Flora and netting new residents and returning tools favourites. Another lovely r ad that melts your heart as you go along, addictive as always and sad when it ends ; in a good way because the endings aren’t sad ! Can’t wait for the next. Lovely summer read
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
saschadarlington's review against another edition
4.0
In March I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing, New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles. Like that wonderful novel, A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle takes place in the quirky village of Honeyford in the Cotswolds and many of the same people whom I loved in that novel are revisited.
A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle focuses on Flora, the new owner of the bookstore, who discovers that her husband, Malcolm, has been cheating on her with one of the waitresses from his restaurant. Initially shocked and hurt, Flora stays several nights in the attic of the bookstore, until Luna, an eccentric new-agey woman offers her a room in her cottage. Unbeknownst to Flora, Luna is the mother of a man she had a bit of a run-in with at the Cosy Kettle when his son accidentally knocked over some decor and Flora didn’t react as well as she could have.
While New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle was lighter, more of a romance, and yet hit all of the emotions, A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle feels a little more somber and a bit more like women’s fiction. There are some fun moments because of the eccentric characters, but when one is exploring the implosion of a 20-year-old marriage, it’s rightfully more melancholic and thoughtful.
Both are very good novels, written well, and with insights, but if you’re looking for the same effervescence that was in New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle, you won’t find it in Eeles’ new novel. But I’m not sure that given the subject matter you should expect to.
The characterization is again very good, with Flora discovering new things about herself and mostly discovering who she is. I liked the fact that she struggled with what many people struggle with: do you stay with the devil you know or move on? Do you stay with the safe or take a risk? It’s a common question in life and it’s dealt with well here.
While the novel may not provide a decidedly happy-ever-after, it was again appropriate and appreciated due to its thoughtfulness.
I did feel that there was some repetition during Flora’s introspective moments regarding her marriage, which was noticeable enough to draw me from the narrative, but not enough for me to be highly critical of.
All in all, this was an engrossing, satisfying read that kept my interest throughout, gave me some laughs, and some thoughtful moments. I loved the character of Luna and hope to see her again in future novels. Very enjoyable.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle focuses on Flora, the new owner of the bookstore, who discovers that her husband, Malcolm, has been cheating on her with one of the waitresses from his restaurant. Initially shocked and hurt, Flora stays several nights in the attic of the bookstore, until Luna, an eccentric new-agey woman offers her a room in her cottage. Unbeknownst to Flora, Luna is the mother of a man she had a bit of a run-in with at the Cosy Kettle when his son accidentally knocked over some decor and Flora didn’t react as well as she could have.
While New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle was lighter, more of a romance, and yet hit all of the emotions, A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle feels a little more somber and a bit more like women’s fiction. There are some fun moments because of the eccentric characters, but when one is exploring the implosion of a 20-year-old marriage, it’s rightfully more melancholic and thoughtful.
Both are very good novels, written well, and with insights, but if you’re looking for the same effervescence that was in New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle, you won’t find it in Eeles’ new novel. But I’m not sure that given the subject matter you should expect to.
The characterization is again very good, with Flora discovering new things about herself and mostly discovering who she is. I liked the fact that she struggled with what many people struggle with: do you stay with the devil you know or move on? Do you stay with the safe or take a risk? It’s a common question in life and it’s dealt with well here.
While the novel may not provide a decidedly happy-ever-after, it was again appropriate and appreciated due to its thoughtfulness.
I did feel that there was some repetition during Flora’s introspective moments regarding her marriage, which was noticeable enough to draw me from the narrative, but not enough for me to be highly critical of.
All in all, this was an engrossing, satisfying read that kept my interest throughout, gave me some laughs, and some thoughtful moments. I loved the character of Luna and hope to see her again in future novels. Very enjoyable.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
managedbybooks's review against another edition
3.0
When Flora finds out about her husband’s secret fling, she escapes to the one place she feels safe: her beloved café, The Cosy Kettle, in the charming village of Honeyford. Serving up cream teas to her café regulars is the perfect way to soothe her broken heart, and although she’s never lived in the area, the little community welcome her with open arms.
She’s soon lodging with local eccentric Luna in her remote and beautiful Starlight Cottage, snuggled between rolling green hills. Luna’s handsome son Daniel lost his wife several years ago, and as Flora gets to know him, sharing walks through the blossom-scented woods, they both slowly begin to heal… and she realises that behind Daniel’s quiet exterior, there’s a passionate nature that makes her forget all about her ex-husband.
As she settles into her new life, hosting a baking competition for the village’s summer celebration seems like a great idea… but with Daniel’s mysterious silences leading Flora to believe he’s hiding secrets, she can’t help but wonder if she can really trust him. And when the race to bake the perfect Victoria sponge stirs up old rivalries between locals, Flora starts to feel like she’s bitten off more than she can chew.
A perfect read for summer days at the beach!
*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
She’s soon lodging with local eccentric Luna in her remote and beautiful Starlight Cottage, snuggled between rolling green hills. Luna’s handsome son Daniel lost his wife several years ago, and as Flora gets to know him, sharing walks through the blossom-scented woods, they both slowly begin to heal… and she realises that behind Daniel’s quiet exterior, there’s a passionate nature that makes her forget all about her ex-husband.
As she settles into her new life, hosting a baking competition for the village’s summer celebration seems like a great idea… but with Daniel’s mysterious silences leading Flora to believe he’s hiding secrets, she can’t help but wonder if she can really trust him. And when the race to bake the perfect Victoria sponge stirs up old rivalries between locals, Flora starts to feel like she’s bitten off more than she can chew.
A perfect read for summer days at the beach!
*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
meg728's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely!
I love this little romance comedy series! This time we follow the story of Flora who is making her way in a new town after buying the book store and opening the a cozy Kettle Cafe! I enjoyed the funny moments in these books but especially love watching these women grown into their own and take chances on a different life!
I love this little romance comedy series! This time we follow the story of Flora who is making her way in a new town after buying the book store and opening the a cozy Kettle Cafe! I enjoyed the funny moments in these books but especially love watching these women grown into their own and take chances on a different life!
clarab12's review against another edition
5.0
A gorgeous lovely summery story. This was such a great installment in this series can't wait to get reading the next part and see where the story takes us!