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cecilialoina's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
As this is a book featuring a sweetshop, it is indeed sweet, but not always.
erikagl's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
halfcentreader's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Audio
Enjoyable for the commute. I think these were early days for the author whom I quite enjoy! Some of the relationship stuff was spot on ( with Gerard) and Lillian’s painful coming to terms with the need to go to a care home also very real , but took quite some time for Stephen to come on the scene and then I’m not sure why she fell so hard. Again I recommend this author for light and enjoyable slightly romantic tales set in UK.
Enjoyable for the commute. I think these were early days for the author whom I quite enjoy! Some of the relationship stuff was spot on ( with Gerard) and Lillian’s painful coming to terms with the need to go to a care home also very real , but took quite some time for Stephen to come on the scene and then I’m not sure why she fell so hard. Again I recommend this author for light and enjoyable slightly romantic tales set in UK.
kath61's review against another edition
4.0
A gentle, warm book with many mouthwatering and humorous references to the sweets that my generation grew up with. It is not a piece of politically correct literature, more like a Mills and Boon upgrade, but enjoyable as a sweet treat in a varied diet.
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
3.0
*This book was received as a free Advanced Reader's copy from NetGalley.
I was in the mood for something light. Something sugary, something that was quick, fun, and delightful. This book fulfilled some of those needs, but not all of them.
Rosie finds herself in a small town, so different from London, to help out a relative who's having health problems and general just being old problems. While she's supposed to be there to get the relative right again and help her sell her business and home and move into a nursing home, once there, Rosie realizes that there are aspects of country life that are appealing, and maybe a bit tempting to keep her from returning to the city. Running the sweetshop of course, is its own appeal.
The characters are really what make this book 3 stars for me. I love the plot idea in general, the sweetshop, the mentions of candy, the snarky "excerpts" from the aunt's candy book, and a lot of other elements. But the characters can be quite frustrating. Most especially, Rosie herself. I know I have the benefit of looking on as a reader and seeing her choices from that perspective. But yikes, what terrible taste in men. And I'm not just talking about the initial boyfriend either; I felt the same by the end of the book. She lets all the good ones get away. Her aunt too had some questionable random emotional swings (the mention of the lord of the area, what was that??!!).
The sweets though, that's where it's at. I enjoyed the descriptions (and have a few sitting in my cart now to try), especially when it came to everyone's favorite candy. There were also recipes in the book, and while I probably won't try most, there was one for coconut ice that sounded easy enough.
Cute book, quick read, I just wish the characters would have been a bit more sensible.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
I was in the mood for something light. Something sugary, something that was quick, fun, and delightful. This book fulfilled some of those needs, but not all of them.
Rosie finds herself in a small town, so different from London, to help out a relative who's having health problems and general just being old problems. While she's supposed to be there to get the relative right again and help her sell her business and home and move into a nursing home, once there, Rosie realizes that there are aspects of country life that are appealing, and maybe a bit tempting to keep her from returning to the city. Running the sweetshop of course, is its own appeal.
The characters are really what make this book 3 stars for me. I love the plot idea in general, the sweetshop, the mentions of candy, the snarky "excerpts" from the aunt's candy book, and a lot of other elements. But the characters can be quite frustrating. Most especially, Rosie herself. I know I have the benefit of looking on as a reader and seeing her choices from that perspective. But yikes, what terrible taste in men. And I'm not just talking about the initial boyfriend either; I felt the same by the end of the book. She lets all the good ones get away. Her aunt too had some questionable random emotional swings (the mention of the lord of the area, what was that??!!).
The sweets though, that's where it's at. I enjoyed the descriptions (and have a few sitting in my cart now to try), especially when it came to everyone's favorite candy. There were also recipes in the book, and while I probably won't try most, there was one for coconut ice that sounded easy enough.
Cute book, quick read, I just wish the characters would have been a bit more sensible.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
anawilson05's review against another edition
4.0
Really sweet with great dimensional characters. A nice afternoon read
jggiggle's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet (ha!), fun book - until the last "wrap it all up perfectly!" chapter, which annoyed me. Overall it is an enjoyable read. And now I want lots and lots of candy.
chrissireads's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book was a good, easy read. Perfect chick lit.
kuhnobee3's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75