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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
There is something really special about this series, it is like a warm hug and I find these books always transport me right to the location they've been set in. I was especially eager to read this book as I've actually been to Dublin (it was years ago but I'd love to go back) so I could really imagine being stood in the places with Hannah. I mean the cobbled streets of Temple Bar are just something else, although I don't quite share the same passion for Guinness (despite doing the Guinness Storehouse tour while I was there) but this book took me back in an instant.
Hannah is a fab character, and no, not just because she shares my name and city, she's just such a "normal" character and I think that's something we can all relate to. Going out of her comfort zone to a top notch cookery school has shocked a few people around her but if you're going to do something then you need to do it properly right...?
When she first meets Conor there is an instant attraction and you can just feel the tension simmering between them, they really do click together and it's one of those relationships where you can just chat about nothing and everything. I didn't expect them to meet each other again quite so soon and I have to say I was put off by Conor's reaction at first but kudus to Hannah for standing up to him! I love a girl who has her own back!
I loved the adventures that Hannah got up to at the weekends, especially the kayak trip as this is something that I've always really wanted to do. The coves and coast in Ireland is just something else and on a sunny day you really could be anywhere it's so beautiful.
Julie has written another amazing book and I can't wait to see where we get to go next... is there a sneaky clue that Scotland could be on the list...I'd love a Scottish Christmas at the Castle wouldn't you ;)
Hannah is a fab character, and no, not just because she shares my name and city, she's just such a "normal" character and I think that's something we can all relate to. Going out of her comfort zone to a top notch cookery school has shocked a few people around her but if you're going to do something then you need to do it properly right...?
When she first meets Conor there is an instant attraction and you can just feel the tension simmering between them, they really do click together and it's one of those relationships where you can just chat about nothing and everything. I didn't expect them to meet each other again quite so soon and I have to say I was put off by Conor's reaction at first but kudus to Hannah for standing up to him! I love a girl who has her own back!
I loved the adventures that Hannah got up to at the weekends, especially the kayak trip as this is something that I've always really wanted to do. The coves and coast in Ireland is just something else and on a sunny day you really could be anywhere it's so beautiful.
Julie has written another amazing book and I can't wait to see where we get to go next... is there a sneaky clue that Scotland could be on the list...I'd love a Scottish Christmas at the Castle wouldn't you ;)
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
lighthearted
relaxing
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
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
I love so many things about Ireland: the landscape, the people, the Irish accent, the attitude to life and Guinness :-) Where does this love come from? Because I have a very special connection to Ireland. When I was 20 years old, I lived in Dublin for about 8 months as an au pair. So I was even more excited when I found out that one of the Romatic Escape Series had Ireland as its setting. If I hadn't been kind enough to receive an ARC from the publisher, I would have bought the book without a second thought, I wouldn't even have read the blurb. I feel quite guilty that this book has been on my TBR for so long. Anyway, when I lived in Ireland, I traveled around the country a lot and I know exactly how beautiful the irish countryside is that Julie Caplin describes in her book. So I was able to empathize with the book even more. But let's start from the beginning ...
The novel centers around Hannah Campbell, a young woman who decidedes to leave her high-stress Manchester (single) life as a lawyer behind to attend a cooking the Killorgally cookery school for six weeks. Well, Hannah is a great lawyer, but she can't cook. Nevertheless, good food is her great passion. She simply wants to learn to cook and become more more confident about it. During a stopover in Dublin, she meets the charming Conor. The two spend a romantic evening together, but falling in love seriously is out of the question for both of them. The following day, Hannah travels on to tranquil County Kerry. The place is idyllically situated between green hills and breathtaking cliffs, everyone knows everyone here. And Hannah soon realizes that she cannot forget Conor - and that secrets are not in good hands in Dublin …
The characters in The Cosy Cottage in Ireland are well-drawn and relatable. Hannah is a likable protagonist, and her personal growth is believable and satisfying. She starts off insecure and uncertain, but as the novel progresses, she gradually regains her confidence and learns to embrace her strengths. Therefore, the cookery course is symbolic of the transformation that Hannah undergoes, which she herself begins to recognize (calling it ‘Ireland Hannah’ when she sees that difference emerging).
Living on the working farm/cookery school, Hannah learns not just about the importance of food, but to take time out for herself. Hannah is able to admit that her life in Manchester isn’t really living: her apartment is just a place to sleep; she is fully dedicated to her job with little room for anything else; and she lacks the confidence to take risks and make a change. Her journey feels authentic, and readers will root for her as she navigates her new life in Killorgally.
Julie Caplin’s writing is vivid and engaging, making the reader feel as though they are truly wandering along the beach of Inch or the fields of the land of the Byrns. The descriptions of the setting are one of the novel’s highlights, as she paints a quaint and idyllic picture of Irish life. Caplin greatly captures the magic of rural Ireland, from its rolling hills to its close-knit community, and makes the reader yearn for a simpler, slower-paced life.
Caplin has a knack for creating comforting atmospheres, and this book is no exception. The story feels like a hug in book form, with plenty of scenes set around cozy firesides, bustling kitchens, and local pubs where warmth and laughter abound. The food descriptions alone – from hearty stews to freshly cooked goods – are enough to make your mouth water and add an extra layer of comfort to the overall experience.
The Cosy Cottage in Ireland is a warm, charming, and uplifting read that transports you to the beautiful Irish countryside and immerses you in the life of a woman rediscovering herself. Julie Caplin’s ability to craft comforting settings and endearing characters makes this book a perfect place.
I kindly received this book in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
I love so many things about Ireland: the landscape, the people, the Irish accent, the attitude to life and Guinness :-) Where does this love come from? Because I have a very special connection to Ireland. When I was 20 years old, I lived in Dublin for about 8 months as an au pair. So I was even more excited when I found out that one of the Romatic Escape Series had Ireland as its setting. If I hadn't been kind enough to receive an ARC from the publisher, I would have bought the book without a second thought, I wouldn't even have read the blurb. I feel quite guilty that this book has been on my TBR for so long. Anyway, when I lived in Ireland, I traveled around the country a lot and I know exactly how beautiful the irish countryside is that Julie Caplin describes in her book. So I was able to empathize with the book even more. But let's start from the beginning ...
The novel centers around Hannah Campbell, a young woman who decidedes to leave her high-stress Manchester (single) life as a lawyer behind to attend a cooking the Killorgally cookery school for six weeks. Well, Hannah is a great lawyer, but she can't cook. Nevertheless, good food is her great passion. She simply wants to learn to cook and become more more confident about it. During a stopover in Dublin, she meets the charming Conor. The two spend a romantic evening together, but falling in love seriously is out of the question for both of them. The following day, Hannah travels on to tranquil County Kerry. The place is idyllically situated between green hills and breathtaking cliffs, everyone knows everyone here. And Hannah soon realizes that she cannot forget Conor - and that secrets are not in good hands in Dublin …
The characters in The Cosy Cottage in Ireland are well-drawn and relatable. Hannah is a likable protagonist, and her personal growth is believable and satisfying. She starts off insecure and uncertain, but as the novel progresses, she gradually regains her confidence and learns to embrace her strengths. Therefore, the cookery course is symbolic of the transformation that Hannah undergoes, which she herself begins to recognize (calling it ‘Ireland Hannah’ when she sees that difference emerging).
Living on the working farm/cookery school, Hannah learns not just about the importance of food, but to take time out for herself. Hannah is able to admit that her life in Manchester isn’t really living: her apartment is just a place to sleep; she is fully dedicated to her job with little room for anything else; and she lacks the confidence to take risks and make a change. Her journey feels authentic, and readers will root for her as she navigates her new life in Killorgally.
Julie Caplin’s writing is vivid and engaging, making the reader feel as though they are truly wandering along the beach of Inch or the fields of the land of the Byrns. The descriptions of the setting are one of the novel’s highlights, as she paints a quaint and idyllic picture of Irish life. Caplin greatly captures the magic of rural Ireland, from its rolling hills to its close-knit community, and makes the reader yearn for a simpler, slower-paced life.
Caplin has a knack for creating comforting atmospheres, and this book is no exception. The story feels like a hug in book form, with plenty of scenes set around cozy firesides, bustling kitchens, and local pubs where warmth and laughter abound. The food descriptions alone – from hearty stews to freshly cooked goods – are enough to make your mouth water and add an extra layer of comfort to the overall experience.
The Cosy Cottage in Ireland is a warm, charming, and uplifting read that transports you to the beautiful Irish countryside and immerses you in the life of a woman rediscovering herself. Julie Caplin’s ability to craft comforting settings and endearing characters makes this book a perfect place.
I kindly received this book in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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:
Yes
medium-paced