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noelia0916's review against another edition
3.0
An easy, well written wholesome book. I truly enjoyed it.
littlemissbooklover's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. This is a perfect place to escape on a sunny summers day. This book is perfect for fans of Jenny colgan, Cathy Bramley and Debbie Johnson. This book had so many funny parts, I laughed all the way through. This is a definite page turner and I loved it. I highly recommend this book.
emmacr2024's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful cover for the second book in Liz Eeles' Cosy Kettle series set in the village of Honeyford. A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle certainly looked very inviting and I was eager to return to the bookshop/café run by Flora with help from Becca. Now it was time for Flora to share her story as although she did feature in book one she was very close knit and didn't reveal much about herself or why she had come to Honeyford. New Starts and Cherry Tarts told the story of Callie and in this new book we don't see or hear much from here at all as she is busying running the café in the local hotel. Every now and again one character or another might say that Callie is away on a date somewhere but that is it, I would have loved to actually have had her in a scene or two just to get her perspective on the situation.
Callie had become somewhat close to Flora considering she was allowed to set up the Cosy Kettle café at the back of the bookshop so to not have her feature was a slight disappointment. But once I got over this I really settled down into Flora's story as things start to go belly up for her. What she thought was a happy and secure marriage lasting many years is about to implode in a big way and Flora is about to be faced with some life changing decisions. The question is will she make the right ones to secure a safe and happy future for herself?
Ever since Flora purchased the bookshop in Honeyford, which had long been in danger of closure, she has felt a new lease of life slowly starting to surface for herself. She has finally bitten the bullet and done something for just her and no one else. She has emerged from her husband Malcolm's shadow and is embarking on a fresh start. Although the road may be bumpy she wants to try new things and become apart of the close knit community that exists in Honeyford. She knows acceptance is not easy but is she willing to put in the effort required to become embraced by the villagers?
With the purchase of the bookshop Flora has felt more alive than she has done in ages. OK she mightn't be an expert in running a bookshop or managing a café but she has Becca to look after the café with all its delectable cakes and drinks. So her attention can turn to the bookshop side of things. So why did she leave Malcolm to run his restaurant in Oxford and Flora would commute to Honeyford? Why did she step out of her security blanket offered by Malcolm for as long as she can remember? Simply because she was bored and feelings of panic were springing up, she needed a change and in what Malcolm viewed as an act of rebellion the bookshop was purchased.
I thought Flora was brave to go against Malcolm's wishes and do something that would give her some form of independence considering Malcolm was dead set against it. But clearly this was a make or break time because if Flora hadn't made the move she would have been left lingering in a life dictated by her husbands working hours. What cements her decision and what makes her world really implode is when Malcolm is caught in a compromising situation, one in which he lies through his teeth about, and in fact for the majority of the story that's all Malcolm did was lie and manipulate Flora. I desperately wanted her to make the right decision when Malcolm presents her with a choice – himself or stay in Honeyford forever without him.
Malcolm was just a pure sleaze ball who I thought put unnecessary pressure on Flora when she was already very vulnerable. I don't think she had the strength or the where with all to make a snap decision that would change the way she lived her life. She needed time and space and as she became very much focused on being accepted by the villagers with all her efforts for the Charter Day celebrations I don't think giving Malcolm an answer was her sole aim. Surely Malcolm should have been there from the outset to support his wife in her endeavours as all she wanted was something she could call her own.
The bookshop was that outlet but Malcolm was so caught up in his own world and in making his restaurant a success that he sorely neglected Flora's needs. Malcolm's actions throughout the story were deplorable and I hoped that Flora would ultimately make the decision that would benefit her in the long run. She didn't need to be further dragged down but instead she needed to build upon and nurture the little strength she had in order to move forward in a positive way with her life. Flora is constantly seeking acceptance from the residents of Honeyford and as she repeated this so many times it did become a little repetitive at some points. She was always seeking the approval of others in particular the members of the book group and I thought really she should have just been herself but maybe having been with Malcolm for so long she had forgotten who she was and in a way he had sapped all her confidence.
Nicely balanced with Flora's quest to find herself were lots of comedic laugh out loud moments and the Charter Day Celebrations towards the end of the book provided those aplenty as well as Callie's grandfather Stanley who is still getting up to plenty of high jinks in his old age. The introduction of new characters Luna and her son Daniel and grandson Caleb were very much welcome as they gave a platform for another side of Flora to emerge. At first I thought it was very random that Flora should choose to take up Luna's offer of staying in her cottage but similar to Flora I think Luna for all her mystical and magical belief and antics saw a kindred spirit in her house guest. Someone who was on the fringes looking in and who wanted to become apart of everything.
Daniel and Caleb provided a real emotional side to the story and a lot of will they won't they as Flora begins to experience feelings that haven't bubbled to the surface in years as she battles with making the right decision for her. The storyline surrounding April Devlin was brilliant as it really got everyone enthused and it was Flora who was enabling this to happen. I did guess more or less straight away who was behind it all but that didn't matter as I thought it was brilliant when the reveal came and helped with the tying up of several strands of the story.
All in all A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle was a really enjoyable read although I think if I had to choose Callie's story would slightly edge it out for me. Given how cold and aloof Flora had been in book one, I found it difficult to warm to her in initially. But she grew on me as a character and I enjoyed reading of all her experiences in Honeyford as she grapples with a major decision. This is a light hearted, warm and ultimately feel good read that is perfect for the lazy days of Summer. I'm looking forward to reading Becca's story which I hope might be with us before the end of the year.
Callie had become somewhat close to Flora considering she was allowed to set up the Cosy Kettle café at the back of the bookshop so to not have her feature was a slight disappointment. But once I got over this I really settled down into Flora's story as things start to go belly up for her. What she thought was a happy and secure marriage lasting many years is about to implode in a big way and Flora is about to be faced with some life changing decisions. The question is will she make the right ones to secure a safe and happy future for herself?
Ever since Flora purchased the bookshop in Honeyford, which had long been in danger of closure, she has felt a new lease of life slowly starting to surface for herself. She has finally bitten the bullet and done something for just her and no one else. She has emerged from her husband Malcolm's shadow and is embarking on a fresh start. Although the road may be bumpy she wants to try new things and become apart of the close knit community that exists in Honeyford. She knows acceptance is not easy but is she willing to put in the effort required to become embraced by the villagers?
With the purchase of the bookshop Flora has felt more alive than she has done in ages. OK she mightn't be an expert in running a bookshop or managing a café but she has Becca to look after the café with all its delectable cakes and drinks. So her attention can turn to the bookshop side of things. So why did she leave Malcolm to run his restaurant in Oxford and Flora would commute to Honeyford? Why did she step out of her security blanket offered by Malcolm for as long as she can remember? Simply because she was bored and feelings of panic were springing up, she needed a change and in what Malcolm viewed as an act of rebellion the bookshop was purchased.
I thought Flora was brave to go against Malcolm's wishes and do something that would give her some form of independence considering Malcolm was dead set against it. But clearly this was a make or break time because if Flora hadn't made the move she would have been left lingering in a life dictated by her husbands working hours. What cements her decision and what makes her world really implode is when Malcolm is caught in a compromising situation, one in which he lies through his teeth about, and in fact for the majority of the story that's all Malcolm did was lie and manipulate Flora. I desperately wanted her to make the right decision when Malcolm presents her with a choice – himself or stay in Honeyford forever without him.
Malcolm was just a pure sleaze ball who I thought put unnecessary pressure on Flora when she was already very vulnerable. I don't think she had the strength or the where with all to make a snap decision that would change the way she lived her life. She needed time and space and as she became very much focused on being accepted by the villagers with all her efforts for the Charter Day celebrations I don't think giving Malcolm an answer was her sole aim. Surely Malcolm should have been there from the outset to support his wife in her endeavours as all she wanted was something she could call her own.
The bookshop was that outlet but Malcolm was so caught up in his own world and in making his restaurant a success that he sorely neglected Flora's needs. Malcolm's actions throughout the story were deplorable and I hoped that Flora would ultimately make the decision that would benefit her in the long run. She didn't need to be further dragged down but instead she needed to build upon and nurture the little strength she had in order to move forward in a positive way with her life. Flora is constantly seeking acceptance from the residents of Honeyford and as she repeated this so many times it did become a little repetitive at some points. She was always seeking the approval of others in particular the members of the book group and I thought really she should have just been herself but maybe having been with Malcolm for so long she had forgotten who she was and in a way he had sapped all her confidence.
Nicely balanced with Flora's quest to find herself were lots of comedic laugh out loud moments and the Charter Day Celebrations towards the end of the book provided those aplenty as well as Callie's grandfather Stanley who is still getting up to plenty of high jinks in his old age. The introduction of new characters Luna and her son Daniel and grandson Caleb were very much welcome as they gave a platform for another side of Flora to emerge. At first I thought it was very random that Flora should choose to take up Luna's offer of staying in her cottage but similar to Flora I think Luna for all her mystical and magical belief and antics saw a kindred spirit in her house guest. Someone who was on the fringes looking in and who wanted to become apart of everything.
Daniel and Caleb provided a real emotional side to the story and a lot of will they won't they as Flora begins to experience feelings that haven't bubbled to the surface in years as she battles with making the right decision for her. The storyline surrounding April Devlin was brilliant as it really got everyone enthused and it was Flora who was enabling this to happen. I did guess more or less straight away who was behind it all but that didn't matter as I thought it was brilliant when the reveal came and helped with the tying up of several strands of the story.
All in all A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle was a really enjoyable read although I think if I had to choose Callie's story would slightly edge it out for me. Given how cold and aloof Flora had been in book one, I found it difficult to warm to her in initially. But she grew on me as a character and I enjoyed reading of all her experiences in Honeyford as she grapples with a major decision. This is a light hearted, warm and ultimately feel good read that is perfect for the lazy days of Summer. I'm looking forward to reading Becca's story which I hope might be with us before the end of the year.
jo_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I am back in the Cosy Kettle for another cup of tea and a piece of cake and to catch up with the villagers of Honeyford.
In this second in the series, the main storyline features Flora, the owner of the Cosy Kettle and Bookshop in Honeyford who we met in the first book and was a characters who I thought was very reserved and quiet but I wasn't sure why.
Now having met more of her husband, Malcolm and realised what you thought about him in book one is true and when Flora discovers his infidelity she suddenly realises that perhaps something is missing in her life. She has always been under someone else's shadow and it is time for her to step into the light.
As she does, Flora becomes even more involved in village life, but after years of knowns the unknown seems very frightening and it be easier if she slipped back into her old life.
However, Honeyford, the book ship and the cosy kettle have other ideas for Flora.
Taken in by Luna, who runs the mystical shop, Flora embraces a different way of living and also has to share the house with Luna's widowed son Daniel and his son, Caleb.
Getting involved in summer celebrations, Flora throws herself into hosting a famous author, a baking competition as well as trying to make a decisions about her husband means that Flora has a lot goign on.
But when she returns to Luna's home, she can see the simplicity of nature and that all around her and she perhaps needs to make a change in her life to be able to move on.
Is Flora going to make the right change?
Another satisfying read and with the right amount of well developed secondary characters, Becca the manager of the Cosy Kettle, Knackered Mary, unlikely friends Millicent and Marigold, Callie (prominent in the first book), her eccentric grandfather Stanley still making his hilarious mark as well as some sumptuous descriptions of cakes and you have all you could want from a book.
Great for a light summer read!
In this second in the series, the main storyline features Flora, the owner of the Cosy Kettle and Bookshop in Honeyford who we met in the first book and was a characters who I thought was very reserved and quiet but I wasn't sure why.
Now having met more of her husband, Malcolm and realised what you thought about him in book one is true and when Flora discovers his infidelity she suddenly realises that perhaps something is missing in her life. She has always been under someone else's shadow and it is time for her to step into the light.
As she does, Flora becomes even more involved in village life, but after years of knowns the unknown seems very frightening and it be easier if she slipped back into her old life.
However, Honeyford, the book ship and the cosy kettle have other ideas for Flora.
Taken in by Luna, who runs the mystical shop, Flora embraces a different way of living and also has to share the house with Luna's widowed son Daniel and his son, Caleb.
Getting involved in summer celebrations, Flora throws herself into hosting a famous author, a baking competition as well as trying to make a decisions about her husband means that Flora has a lot goign on.
But when she returns to Luna's home, she can see the simplicity of nature and that all around her and she perhaps needs to make a change in her life to be able to move on.
Is Flora going to make the right change?
Another satisfying read and with the right amount of well developed secondary characters, Becca the manager of the Cosy Kettle, Knackered Mary, unlikely friends Millicent and Marigold, Callie (prominent in the first book), her eccentric grandfather Stanley still making his hilarious mark as well as some sumptuous descriptions of cakes and you have all you could want from a book.
Great for a light summer read!
btpbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my heart. It feels so good to be back with these lovely characters, the bookshop and the town. After loving the first book, this was a must read for me and yet again I am absolutely blown away with how much I loved and enjoyed it.
A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle is book two in the Cosy Kettle series, best read in order. Another gorgeous, eye catching cover to match the first book too.
In this story we have some new characters, Luna, Daniel and Calib and I fell in love with them all. Cute little Calib having his only kid battles, handsome Daniel and the little bit wacky and wierd Luna! I have to give a little mention to Stanleys character to, he does make me laugh! The start of the story starts off quite sad for Flora but throughout the story we see her develop and transform into a totally different and confident woman.
A well deserved five stars from me and I have my fingers crossed for more from this lovely town, bookshop and the characters ofcourse. PLEASE! Highly recommend. I actually devoured most of this book in a day, I couldn’t put it down.
Also, if you’ve read the book you’ll understand this part… Days of Desire by April Devlin. It’s surely got me intrigued too. Who is April Devlin???? …. Hmmm. I wonder...
A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle is book two in the Cosy Kettle series, best read in order. Another gorgeous, eye catching cover to match the first book too.
In this story we have some new characters, Luna, Daniel and Calib and I fell in love with them all. Cute little Calib having his only kid battles, handsome Daniel and the little bit wacky and wierd Luna! I have to give a little mention to Stanleys character to, he does make me laugh! The start of the story starts off quite sad for Flora but throughout the story we see her develop and transform into a totally different and confident woman.
A well deserved five stars from me and I have my fingers crossed for more from this lovely town, bookshop and the characters ofcourse. PLEASE! Highly recommend. I actually devoured most of this book in a day, I couldn’t put it down.
Also, if you’ve read the book you’ll understand this part… Days of Desire by April Devlin. It’s surely got me intrigued too. Who is April Devlin???? …. Hmmm. I wonder...
modernwysewoman's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first visit to the village of Honeyford and the Cosy Kettle cafe, which is located within Flora’s bookshop. I was hooked by this idea alone as it is my absolute dream to one day own a bookshop/cafe combination. Although this book is the second in the series, you absolutely don’t need to have read the first book to enjoy this one.
Poor Flora though isn’t having the greatest time at the start of the book, not only is she worried that she may never be accepted by the villagers of Honeyford she also catches her husband doing the dirty with a young waitress.
Quite rightly Flora storms out, and after a few nights spent in the spider infested attic of the shop is taken in by the wonderful Luna. I adored Luna as a character as she struck me as someone who didn’t give a damn about how people viewed her, she would live her life as she pleased. Infact at this point a special shout out should go to Sidney who absolutely defines the term of growing old disgracefully.
I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of what happens in the book as I wouldn’t do it justice. One thing I do want to commend though is how the author highlighted how subtle emotional abuse can be, although that term may be slightly too harsh for the relationship between Flora and her husband Malcolm. Malcolm has led Flora to believe that she needs him, she can’t survive on her own. He belittles her bookshop calling it a hobby and when is caught out having an affair blames it on Flora. This constant and subtle undermining of Flora’s thoughts and feelings is all too common in relationships and is harmful.
I found Liz Eeles writing around this theme to be powerful and to see Flora grow from someone riddled with self-doubt and constantly questioning herself, to being strong enough to make her own decisions was delightful.
This was a charming and delightful story perfect for long summer days. Yes it does tackle some harder issues but with the perfect blend of humour that they don’t take away from the joy of the story. The characters are a wonderful bunch and I feel that the romance added the perfect touch to this well-crafted book.
*****
The publishers Bookouture invited me on to the blog tour for A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles and provided a kindle copy to read via Netgalley. I received this product for free in return for providing my honest and unbiased review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Poor Flora though isn’t having the greatest time at the start of the book, not only is she worried that she may never be accepted by the villagers of Honeyford she also catches her husband doing the dirty with a young waitress.
Quite rightly Flora storms out, and after a few nights spent in the spider infested attic of the shop is taken in by the wonderful Luna. I adored Luna as a character as she struck me as someone who didn’t give a damn about how people viewed her, she would live her life as she pleased. Infact at this point a special shout out should go to Sidney who absolutely defines the term of growing old disgracefully.
I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of what happens in the book as I wouldn’t do it justice. One thing I do want to commend though is how the author highlighted how subtle emotional abuse can be, although that term may be slightly too harsh for the relationship between Flora and her husband Malcolm. Malcolm has led Flora to believe that she needs him, she can’t survive on her own. He belittles her bookshop calling it a hobby and when is caught out having an affair blames it on Flora. This constant and subtle undermining of Flora’s thoughts and feelings is all too common in relationships and is harmful.
I found Liz Eeles writing around this theme to be powerful and to see Flora grow from someone riddled with self-doubt and constantly questioning herself, to being strong enough to make her own decisions was delightful.
This was a charming and delightful story perfect for long summer days. Yes it does tackle some harder issues but with the perfect blend of humour that they don’t take away from the joy of the story. The characters are a wonderful bunch and I feel that the romance added the perfect touch to this well-crafted book.
*****
The publishers Bookouture invited me on to the blog tour for A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles and provided a kindle copy to read via Netgalley. I received this product for free in return for providing my honest and unbiased review. I received no other compensation. All opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to read and review this book.
arienne311's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
kazza248's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, it has a feel-good magical atmosphere about it as if Luna had cast a spell on it.
Flora was doing what she always wanted, her own business a bookstore/cafe, in a small village, she was commuting to and from Oxford to her married life and her husband Malcolm and supporting him in his restaurant until she catches him having an affair with one of the staff, he tries to blame her for neglecting him with her own business but she moves out and lives above her shop for a few days till Luna offers her a spare room.
Luna has a son Daniel and grandson Caleb who also lives with her at Starlight Cottage, her son seems very standoff with Flora but says it's fine that she stays.
with the Charter day coming up and things to organise Flora is very busy as well as Malcolm constantly wanting her to come home, so he could control her she doesn't know what she wants to do but has to make a decision, there are lots of surprises and laughs in this book, a recommended read.
Flora was doing what she always wanted, her own business a bookstore/cafe, in a small village, she was commuting to and from Oxford to her married life and her husband Malcolm and supporting him in his restaurant until she catches him having an affair with one of the staff, he tries to blame her for neglecting him with her own business but she moves out and lives above her shop for a few days till Luna offers her a spare room.
Luna has a son Daniel and grandson Caleb who also lives with her at Starlight Cottage, her son seems very standoff with Flora but says it's fine that she stays.
with the Charter day coming up and things to organise Flora is very busy as well as Malcolm constantly wanting her to come home, so he could control her she doesn't know what she wants to do but has to make a decision, there are lots of surprises and laughs in this book, a recommended read.
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
5.0
Another great read from Liz Elle’s, I loved returning to the Cosy Kettle and seeing a whole new side to Flora and netting new residents and returning tools favourites. Another lovely r ad that melts your heart as you go along, addictive as always and sad when it ends ; in a good way because the endings aren’t sad ! Can’t wait for the next. Lovely summer read
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
saschadarlington's review against another edition
4.0
In March I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing, New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle by Liz Eeles. Like that wonderful novel, A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle takes place in the quirky village of Honeyford in the Cotswolds and many of the same people whom I loved in that novel are revisited.
A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle focuses on Flora, the new owner of the bookstore, who discovers that her husband, Malcolm, has been cheating on her with one of the waitresses from his restaurant. Initially shocked and hurt, Flora stays several nights in the attic of the bookstore, until Luna, an eccentric new-agey woman offers her a room in her cottage. Unbeknownst to Flora, Luna is the mother of a man she had a bit of a run-in with at the Cosy Kettle when his son accidentally knocked over some decor and Flora didn’t react as well as she could have.
While New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle was lighter, more of a romance, and yet hit all of the emotions, A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle feels a little more somber and a bit more like women’s fiction. There are some fun moments because of the eccentric characters, but when one is exploring the implosion of a 20-year-old marriage, it’s rightfully more melancholic and thoughtful.
Both are very good novels, written well, and with insights, but if you’re looking for the same effervescence that was in New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle, you won’t find it in Eeles’ new novel. But I’m not sure that given the subject matter you should expect to.
The characterization is again very good, with Flora discovering new things about herself and mostly discovering who she is. I liked the fact that she struggled with what many people struggle with: do you stay with the devil you know or move on? Do you stay with the safe or take a risk? It’s a common question in life and it’s dealt with well here.
While the novel may not provide a decidedly happy-ever-after, it was again appropriate and appreciated due to its thoughtfulness.
I did feel that there was some repetition during Flora’s introspective moments regarding her marriage, which was noticeable enough to draw me from the narrative, but not enough for me to be highly critical of.
All in all, this was an engrossing, satisfying read that kept my interest throughout, gave me some laughs, and some thoughtful moments. I loved the character of Luna and hope to see her again in future novels. Very enjoyable.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle focuses on Flora, the new owner of the bookstore, who discovers that her husband, Malcolm, has been cheating on her with one of the waitresses from his restaurant. Initially shocked and hurt, Flora stays several nights in the attic of the bookstore, until Luna, an eccentric new-agey woman offers her a room in her cottage. Unbeknownst to Flora, Luna is the mother of a man she had a bit of a run-in with at the Cosy Kettle when his son accidentally knocked over some decor and Flora didn’t react as well as she could have.
While New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle was lighter, more of a romance, and yet hit all of the emotions, A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle feels a little more somber and a bit more like women’s fiction. There are some fun moments because of the eccentric characters, but when one is exploring the implosion of a 20-year-old marriage, it’s rightfully more melancholic and thoughtful.
Both are very good novels, written well, and with insights, but if you’re looking for the same effervescence that was in New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle, you won’t find it in Eeles’ new novel. But I’m not sure that given the subject matter you should expect to.
The characterization is again very good, with Flora discovering new things about herself and mostly discovering who she is. I liked the fact that she struggled with what many people struggle with: do you stay with the devil you know or move on? Do you stay with the safe or take a risk? It’s a common question in life and it’s dealt with well here.
While the novel may not provide a decidedly happy-ever-after, it was again appropriate and appreciated due to its thoughtfulness.
I did feel that there was some repetition during Flora’s introspective moments regarding her marriage, which was noticeable enough to draw me from the narrative, but not enough for me to be highly critical of.
All in all, this was an engrossing, satisfying read that kept my interest throughout, gave me some laughs, and some thoughtful moments. I loved the character of Luna and hope to see her again in future novels. Very enjoyable.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.