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A review by dwoe_reviews
The Cosy Cottage in Ireland by Julie Caplin
4.0
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.