Reviews

De mooiste tijd van het jaar by Jenny Bayliss

smalltownbookmom's review against another edition

4.0

This was a HILARIOUS second chance at love story featuring a middle aged woman going through a divorce after she walks in on her husband cheating on her. Answering an ad to house sit for an older woman, Annie moves into a small cafe/cottage by the sea and befriends a cast of quirky small town characters (including her landlady's Scottish nephew).

While there Annie reopens the cafe, forms her own little book club and sets about to save the place from being sold. I couldn't put this one down. It made me miss all the hijinks and catharsis that comes from a group of women discussing good books and the problems of their lives. If you want a heartwarming, feel good holiday read look no further! This was great on audio too.

readingrainboww's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-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? No

4.25

I love books that feel lived in. This town feels like one you’d get to explore in a cozy farming sim game. I love the house and the characters and the warmth. I love that we get to see this town through the seasons. This just felt like a warm hug at the end of every day. 

brenda_rana's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

acrolo's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing

4.25

machadofam8's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this a lot. Not cookie cutter rom-com.

sarahk24's review against another edition

3.0

DNF'd at page 150, it was reading to slow for me and it took me 10 days to read the 150 pages.

noraconradcom's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this. I went in expecting a goofy, hallmarky romcom but got a sweet, heartwarming story about a woman rediscovering joy. I liked the side characters, I loved the MC and the love interest was sweet and believable. If Hallmark took the "Stardew Valley" game and swapped a farm for a cafe, this is what you'd get.

aprilalwayswithabook's review against another edition

2.0

FFS, I cannot be the only person who thought I was reading about a retiree, looking to collect whatever UK's version of Medicare is (? I don't care enough to research this) and not someone MY OWN AGE who was starting over in life bc her husband is a shithead. I could have played a drinking game with how many times her saggy boobs were mentioned and everyone's gray hair was pointed out. While yes, one has a low self esteem after such happens, she otherwise didn't which made all the talk about SO MUCH SAGGY BOOBS SKIMMING THE BOTTOM OF HER RIBCAGE that much more odd.

Also a middle aged man does not use that many emojis, especially on the start.

kellyschwartz's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

candylovegirl's review against another edition

4.0

Delightful story about an over 40 woman finding heralded and creating a home for herself after her husband cheats on her. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of a seaside village and the community found there. It was also nice to see a “heroine” about my age being centered in a romcom.