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A review by bananatricky
Spring at Blueberry Bay by Holly Martin
1.0
DNF at 11%.
This was just so saccharine sweet that I could feel my fillings ache as I was reading, I know that 11% isn't really giving the story a chance but I couldn't face reading any more.
Bella Roussel lives on tiny Hope Island. She worked as an events manager for a charity called Magic Wishes but it transpired that her boss was stealing from the charity and Bella has been tarred by association, despite being exonerated by the Police investigation, she has been unemployed for three months. Despite the fact that she has a brother and sister who would help her (and indeed offer to do so frequently) and she rents her house from her uncle, she has resorted to living off porridge and has sold off most of her possessions. Despite that, she continues to help her elderly neighbours, volunteer for worthy causes, wants to adopt an unwanted dog and invites a homeless man to stay the night in her spare room (and eat her last bowl of porridge).
Of course, the homeless man is actually Isaac Scott the wealthy head of a charity called the Umbrella Foundation which helps the homeless. Bella has applied for a job with the Umbrella Foundation and Isaac makes it a point to test new applicants' commitment to helping the homeless by observing their reactions when confronted by a homeless person on their doorstep. He is totally blown away by Bella's attitude, she is clearly one step away from being destitute herself but is kind enough to give way what little food she has to a complete stranger and offer him a bed for the night.
Bella was just such a Mary Sue I couldn't face reading further, I totally expected her to have a step-mother and two ugly sisters, or at least have bluebirds flying around her head as she tripped around Hope Island.
Sorry, maybe it got more realistic later but I had the sinking feeling that she might start thanking the one true lord for her daily bread at any second. Not for me. Be warned by the "utterly perfect feel good romantic comedy" tagline.
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This was just so saccharine sweet that I could feel my fillings ache as I was reading, I know that 11% isn't really giving the story a chance but I couldn't face reading any more.
Bella Roussel lives on tiny Hope Island. She worked as an events manager for a charity called Magic Wishes but it transpired that her boss was stealing from the charity and Bella has been tarred by association, despite being exonerated by the Police investigation, she has been unemployed for three months. Despite the fact that she has a brother and sister who would help her (and indeed offer to do so frequently) and she rents her house from her uncle, she has resorted to living off porridge and has sold off most of her possessions. Despite that, she continues to help her elderly neighbours, volunteer for worthy causes, wants to adopt an unwanted dog and invites a homeless man to stay the night in her spare room (and eat her last bowl of porridge).
Of course, the homeless man is actually Isaac Scott the wealthy head of a charity called the Umbrella Foundation which helps the homeless. Bella has applied for a job with the Umbrella Foundation and Isaac makes it a point to test new applicants' commitment to helping the homeless by observing their reactions when confronted by a homeless person on their doorstep. He is totally blown away by Bella's attitude, she is clearly one step away from being destitute herself but is kind enough to give way what little food she has to a complete stranger and offer him a bed for the night.
Bella was just such a Mary Sue I couldn't face reading further, I totally expected her to have a step-mother and two ugly sisters, or at least have bluebirds flying around her head as she tripped around Hope Island.
Sorry, maybe it got more realistic later but I had the sinking feeling that she might start thanking the one true lord for her daily bread at any second. Not for me. Be warned by the "utterly perfect feel good romantic comedy" tagline.
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.