readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever had a blind date with a book? It’s this thing where libraries and bookstores wrap up books in paper so you can’t see the title or author and then print a handful of clues on the package to pique your interest and help you decide if it’s a book you might enjoy. That’s how I got this book. It was a gift from my bosom buddy Christina, selected mainly because it had the word “Cotswolds” on it--she knows me well! Adam and I loved our time in the Cotswolds when we went on our trip to the UK, so much so that it’s high up on our list of places we’d love to return to when travel is someday safe again. Until that happens, reading a book set there is the next best thing, and this is such a cute one!
Mimi comes to Goosebrook, quite possibly the quaintest, most postcard-perfect town in the Cotswolds, to visit her father and his husband, and in the process of encouraging them to get involved in village life finds herself immersed as well in the goings-on of the adorably bustling town. The first person she meets is Cal and she’s immediately taken with him, but things never seem to click for them. The timing is never quite right, they’re at different places in their lives, involved with other people, consumed with work and family obligations, endless etceteras. Over the years, as Mimi keeps coming back for visits, some longer, some shorter, seeing Cal is always the part she secretly looks forward to most.
What makes the book so charming is that while you’re on the will-they-won’t-they rollercoaster, you’re accompanied by the entire town of Goosebrook, and they’re an entertaining bunch. I fell in love with the townsfolk at least as much as I fell in love with Cal. So I’d characterize this book more on the women’s fiction side rather than romance--it’s really about Mimi’s growth as a person and how she comes to be a part of the town in her own right.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to stare at photos from our trip and pretend I’m back in Lower Slaughter, drinking cider on a pristine green lawn outside a pub on a beautiful sunny day.
Mimi comes to Goosebrook, quite possibly the quaintest, most postcard-perfect town in the Cotswolds, to visit her father and his husband, and in the process of encouraging them to get involved in village life finds herself immersed as well in the goings-on of the adorably bustling town. The first person she meets is Cal and she’s immediately taken with him, but things never seem to click for them. The timing is never quite right, they’re at different places in their lives, involved with other people, consumed with work and family obligations, endless etceteras. Over the years, as Mimi keeps coming back for visits, some longer, some shorter, seeing Cal is always the part she secretly looks forward to most.
What makes the book so charming is that while you’re on the will-they-won’t-they rollercoaster, you’re accompanied by the entire town of Goosebrook, and they’re an entertaining bunch. I fell in love with the townsfolk at least as much as I fell in love with Cal. So I’d characterize this book more on the women’s fiction side rather than romance--it’s really about Mimi’s growth as a person and how she comes to be a part of the town in her own right.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to stare at photos from our trip and pretend I’m back in Lower Slaughter, drinking cider on a pristine green lawn outside a pub on a beautiful sunny day.
jessicalouise25's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story! It was full of wonderful characters (and some awful ones!) and the setting was lovely. Overall just a gorgeous story.
egraciec's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
literacyell's review
4.0
This whole book just made me feel so good and warm inside, always love going to books like these after reading a mystery/thriller, loved the village set out (also i love books with maps inside of them) i loved the characters and the whole story.
anastasiacarrow's review against another edition
1.0
my emotional investment in this love story was slim to none, what a shame
devonbookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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? No
3.0
nenafigueiredo's review against another edition
3.0
This was the biggest slow burn ever but i loved every second of it. Really cute story :)
rachelbrandwin's review against another edition
4.0
This is the perfect summer beach read. My only complaint is that I would have liked another chapter or an epilogue. I would have loved to see these characters after everything has been figured out.
kimongersma's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Top boekje van Jill Mansel, leest makkelijk weg. Je hoeft er niet veel bij na te denken. Wel kon ik vanaf het begin voorspellen hoe het ongeveer zou eindigen. Het verhaal was daar tussen in erg vermakelijk en minder voorspelbaar.
Samenvatting, spoiler
Mimi woont en werkt in London samen met haar beste vriendin en gaat af en toe naar haar vader en stiefvader toe om hen te bezoeken. Zij wonen in een schattig dorpje, waar Mimi iedereen steeds beter leert kennen. Bij haar eerste bezoek ontmoet ze Cal op een bijzondere manier. Ze houdt er ook een bijzonder gevoel aan over. Helaas heeft hij al een prachtige vrouw en dochter. Op een zomerse dag loopt alles fout, haar vader, de vrouw van Cal, een dorpsvriendin en oudere man krijgen een ernstig auto-ongeluk. Alleen de dorpsvriendin overleeft het, met de nodige verwondingen. Er gebeurt veel, er zijn nieuwe partners, nieuwe banen, andere verhoudingen etc. Uiteindelijk, komt alles goed.
Samenvatting, spoiler
Mimi woont en werkt in London samen met haar beste vriendin en gaat af en toe naar haar vader en stiefvader toe om hen te bezoeken. Zij wonen in een schattig dorpje, waar Mimi iedereen steeds beter leert kennen. Bij haar eerste bezoek ontmoet ze Cal op een bijzondere manier. Ze houdt er ook een bijzonder gevoel aan over. Helaas heeft hij al een prachtige vrouw en dochter. Op een zomerse dag loopt alles fout, haar vader, de vrouw van Cal, een dorpsvriendin en oudere man krijgen een ernstig auto-ongeluk. Alleen de dorpsvriendin overleeft het, met de nodige verwondingen. Er gebeurt veel, er zijn nieuwe partners, nieuwe banen, andere verhoudingen etc. Uiteindelijk, komt alles goed.
anahenriq's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75