Snowflakes, Iced Cakes and Second Chances
Sue Watson
Rating: 4 stars
Amazon UK (K £1.99 / P £6.99)
Synopsis:
Escape to the cosy little village of Appledore for hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and a second chance at love. Will Christmas prove that miracles really can happen?
A year after she separated from her husband, Gianni, on Christmas Day, Chloe's heart is finally on the mend as she unpacks the decorations for her first ever festive holiday alone. That is, until the phone rings...
It's the manager of Gianni's new seaside restaurant in Appledore, begging for Chloe's help. Equally famous for his gold-leaf Christmas puddings and his explosive temper, Gianni has been stirring up a sensation with the locals - and not in a good way! It's the last thing she wants to do, but Chloe knows she is the only one that can help.
As pans fly and the temperature in the kitchen rises, Chloe's calming influence and magic touch might just get critics back on side in time to save the restaurant from sinking like a sad souffle. But as Chloe's eyes meet Gianni's as they tussle over a plate of turkey tartlets, could there also be a chance for new romance on the menu?
A laugh-out-loud festive treat that will give you the tingle of freshly hung tinsel.
------------------------------------------
Another brilliant, Christmassy and heartwarming novel by Sue Watson. After her releases in the summer (set in Appledore), I was throughly looking forward to going back for Christmas. And boy was I not disappointed. Although it wasn't overly Christmassy, I adored the style of writing and it seemed to have a bit more of a serious approach to it, which was a bit different to the others.
The story follows main character Chloe a year on after breaking up with husband Gianni. She receives a call out the blue one evening near Christmas asking her to come and work on a new restaurant because it's struggling. She soon works out that said restaurant belongs to ex Gianni, and is somewhat reluctant to go. However, after reliving some memories when she finds an old Christmas decoration, she decides to give it a go.
For most of the first quarter of the book, we read about Chloe's past and her relationship with Gianni, who she met at work in Harrods at Christmas. This gave us a lovely insight into how their relationship worked and I found myself really relating to Chloe. I also found myself warming to Giannni, as at first he appeared to be quite rude - but once he bought Chloe Snowflake, I was smitten!
When it gets to about half way through, that's when the real heartbreak starts. I was welling up reading this and I honestly felt sorry and hurt for Chloe and Gianni and what they had been through throughout their marriage. It makes me realise a lot as to why they broke up and why they are how they are and I feel that this certainly made it a bit of an emotional book.
However, away from the sad storyline - there is also what may be a re-blossoming of their past relationship. I felt like Chloe helping Gianni again must have bought back so many memories for them and this is why Chloe tried to re-create their first restaurant that they opened together by lighting cosy candles, and hanging up Christmas decorations where she can.
As well as Chloe and Gianni, it was lovely to read about some familiar characters that was in the other books that are set in Appledore. Reading about them in the Ice Cream Cafe was lovely and I really enjoyed being back in the cosy fishing village of Appledore again. Especially when there is snow along the beach and Christmas decorations filling up the shop windows.
Overall, not an overly Christmassy novel but still enjoyable to read in the build up. A lovely romantic story which is heartwarming and will make you feel all fuzzy inside when you finish it. Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.
Another brilliant, Christmassy and heartwarming novel by Sue Watson. After her releases in the summer (set in Appledore), I was throughly looking forward to going back for Christmas. And boy was I not disappointed. Although it wasn't overly Christmassy, I adored the style of writing and it seemed to have a bit more of a serious approach to it, which was a bit different to the others.
The story follows main character Chloe a year on after breaking up with husband Gianni. She receives a call out the blue one evening near Christmas asking her to come and work on a new restaurant because it's struggling. She soon works out that said restaurant belongs to ex Gianni, and is somewhat reluctant to go. However, after reliving some memories when she finds an old Christmas decoration, she decides to give it a go.
For most of the first quarter of the book, we read about Chloe's past and her relationship with Gianni, who she met at work in Harrods at Christmas. This gave us a lovely insight into how their relationship worked and I found myself really relating to Chloe. I also found myself warming to Giannni, as at first he appeared to be quite rude - but once he bought Chloe Snowflake, I was smitten!
When it gets to about half way through, that's when the real heartbreak starts. I was welling up reading this and I honestly felt sorry and hurt for Chloe and Gianni and what they had been through throughout their marriage. It makes me realise a lot as to why they broke up and why they are how they are and I feel that this certainly made it a bit of an emotional book.
However, away from the sad storyline - there is also what may be a re-blossoming of their past relationship. I felt like Chloe helping Gianni again must have bought back so many memories for them and this is why Chloe tried to re-create their first restaurant that they opened together by lighting cosy candles, and hanging up Christmas decorations where she can.
As well as Chloe and Gianni, it was lovely to read about some familiar characters that was in the other books that are set in Appledore. Reading about them in the Ice Cream Cafe was lovely and I really enjoyed being back in the cosy fishing village of Appledore again. Especially when there is snow along the beach and Christmas decorations filling up the shop windows.
Overall, not an overly Christmassy novel but still enjoyable to read in the build up. A lovely romantic story which is heartwarming and will make you feel all fuzzy inside when you finish it. Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.
I love the sound of this!
ReplyDeleteCora ❤ http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/