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chicksroguesandscandals's review
5.0
This is wonderfully funny and original story all about taking chances, grabbing life and just basically coming out of your comfort zone to do something new, something which will set your heart and soul alight with joy. I am ashamed to say this is the first I have read by Rebecca Raisin and it will not be the last, I was instantly enchanted with her easy reading, entertaining and vibrant writing.
Rosie is a high achieving chef, hard-working and a perfectionist, who believes she has everything she could ever want in her life. Great job, she sort of loves. Nice husband, who she doesn’t really see too much of, but when they do it’s OK, but she does love him. So she is left reeling and speechless and lost when her husband tells her in no-uncertain terms that their marriage is over, that he has found someone else – who Rosie soon finds out he has been seeing behind her back, and more than that her whole friends network knew about it. Some friends, best get shot of those! Callum basically blames her for their failed marriage, typical man it’s never his fault that he can’t keep his trousers zipped. Without a backwards glance the rat leaves, leaving Rosie devastated not just at the end of what she had always thought was a happy marriage, but also hugely upset over what her soon to be ex-husband said about her. She is staid, a bit set in her ways, predictable and not very adventurous. It is those and other harsh words that lead her to one night after a few too many drinks, she buys a pink camper van called; Poppy and has a whole plan to go on the road selling tea.
All very good when you’re full to the brim with wine, but really? Is that even do-able?
As it goes; yes, it is. And so, with Rosie takes the plunge, one thing leads to another and she is on the road with Poppy. Which is where the fun and romance really starts, she meets up with some brilliant people, some which are a little eclectic, individual and who have real good hearts especially her new friend and owner of the travelling book shop – really these two are a match made in heaven, tea and books; how perfect is that? Plus she meets someone who she allows herself to have feelings for again, yes there is a wee bit of a romance in-store for Rosie and yes the man she finally ends up with is utterly delectable, but her journey of self discovery isn’t exactly all is as it seems. I can’t say too much as I never like to give away spoilers and I wouldn’t wish to spoiler your reading, but there is a bit of a sinister twist. It is one of those sub plots which really make you think about who you begin chatting to and exactly how much you should share about yourself to others – especially those you meet online.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, it is in all essence a great romantic comedy. But the difference with this to other’s I have read in this genre is that the author has tackled some pretty taboo subject’s which are more or less unheard of in romance books, such as being victim of a catfish – you need to read the book to find out what all that’s about. This is a fast paced, funny, romantic, heart-warming and realistic book that will have you not only laughing out loud but glued to the page. I loved the character’s, Rosie is a lovely young woman who the reader can really relate to. The writing is fresh, charming, engaging and very enjoyable.
Rosie is a high achieving chef, hard-working and a perfectionist, who believes she has everything she could ever want in her life. Great job, she sort of loves. Nice husband, who she doesn’t really see too much of, but when they do it’s OK, but she does love him. So she is left reeling and speechless and lost when her husband tells her in no-uncertain terms that their marriage is over, that he has found someone else – who Rosie soon finds out he has been seeing behind her back, and more than that her whole friends network knew about it. Some friends, best get shot of those! Callum basically blames her for their failed marriage, typical man it’s never his fault that he can’t keep his trousers zipped. Without a backwards glance the rat leaves, leaving Rosie devastated not just at the end of what she had always thought was a happy marriage, but also hugely upset over what her soon to be ex-husband said about her. She is staid, a bit set in her ways, predictable and not very adventurous. It is those and other harsh words that lead her to one night after a few too many drinks, she buys a pink camper van called; Poppy and has a whole plan to go on the road selling tea.
All very good when you’re full to the brim with wine, but really? Is that even do-able?
As it goes; yes, it is. And so, with Rosie takes the plunge, one thing leads to another and she is on the road with Poppy. Which is where the fun and romance really starts, she meets up with some brilliant people, some which are a little eclectic, individual and who have real good hearts especially her new friend and owner of the travelling book shop – really these two are a match made in heaven, tea and books; how perfect is that? Plus she meets someone who she allows herself to have feelings for again, yes there is a wee bit of a romance in-store for Rosie and yes the man she finally ends up with is utterly delectable, but her journey of self discovery isn’t exactly all is as it seems. I can’t say too much as I never like to give away spoilers and I wouldn’t wish to spoiler your reading, but there is a bit of a sinister twist. It is one of those sub plots which really make you think about who you begin chatting to and exactly how much you should share about yourself to others – especially those you meet online.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, it is in all essence a great romantic comedy. But the difference with this to other’s I have read in this genre is that the author has tackled some pretty taboo subject’s which are more or less unheard of in romance books, such as being victim of a catfish – you need to read the book to find out what all that’s about. This is a fast paced, funny, romantic, heart-warming and realistic book that will have you not only laughing out loud but glued to the page. I loved the character’s, Rosie is a lovely young woman who the reader can really relate to. The writing is fresh, charming, engaging and very enjoyable.
charitygholland's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
liakeller's review against another edition
3.0
What a sweet book. Just take it for a feel good read. Yes, you can see the curves ahead, but enjoy the ride.
winemakerssister's review against another edition
3.0
2.75 stars
Reading this book felt a lot like eating a grocery store donut: sweet, enjoyable at the time, but ultimately falling short of my expectations because of its quality.
There's a whole sub-genre of romances that I think of as Jenny Colgan-esque Cozy Romances. I believe Colgan invented the structure and it's quite specific and recognizable: a young-ish (28-35) woman encounters a life-changing event that causes her to re-think her life. She moves out of the Big City (usually London) and opts for a simpler life. This book is certainly in that mold! I like the sub-genre - it's usually the equivalent of a comfortable chair and a hot cup of tea on a cold, rainy day. Sadly, this book fell short and didn't deliver that boost of 'cozy.'
spoiler
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.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The worst of it was the Oliver character/storyline. It took up way too much bandwidth in the story, to the detriment of the actual romance. Once there was a resolution to 'Oliver' then Rosie's relationship with Max was wrapped up way too quickly. It ended up feeling like insta-love, just at the end of the book rather than the beginning.
Reading this book felt a lot like eating a grocery store donut: sweet, enjoyable at the time, but ultimately falling short of my expectations because of its quality.
There's a whole sub-genre of romances that I think of as Jenny Colgan-esque Cozy Romances. I believe Colgan invented the structure and it's quite specific and recognizable: a young-ish (28-35) woman encounters a life-changing event that causes her to re-think her life. She moves out of the Big City (usually London) and opts for a simpler life. This book is certainly in that mold! I like the sub-genre - it's usually the equivalent of a comfortable chair and a hot cup of tea on a cold, rainy day. Sadly, this book fell short and didn't deliver that boost of 'cozy.'
spoiler
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The worst of it was the Oliver character/storyline. It took up way too much bandwidth in the story, to the detriment of the actual romance. Once there was a resolution to 'Oliver' then Rosie's relationship with Max was wrapped up way too quickly. It ended up feeling like insta-love, just at the end of the book rather than the beginning.
jessicad90's review against another edition
3.0
Leuk en origineel, en an sich heb ik er niks op aan te merken, behalve dat het niet de wauw-factor voor mij had. Recensie volgt.
graceful_la's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shannandavey's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars! my biggest pet peeve in books is when the characters use made up swear words and rosie said “fluck”…
this was an easy, light-hearted read and i did enjoy 70%ish of this book
this was an easy, light-hearted read and i did enjoy 70%ish of this book
littlemissbooklover's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for the advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review. This is such a lovely story, I haven’t read anything by Rebecca Raisin before, but I will definitely be looking at other books after reading this. This is such a sweet and easy read, which was perfect to curl up with after a hard day in work this week. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
ambiesbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
Lang over gedaan.. Kwam er maar niet in. Tot ik over de helft kwam en het boek eindelijk wat diepgang en een verhaal kreeg. Het eind had van mij het midden mogen zijn zodat het verhaal daarop verder verteld kon worden. Zat er lekker in & toen was het ook zo voorbij..
j92's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5