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now_booking's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars!!! This is my first book by this author and my first book set so specifically in Cornwall that the location is almost a character in itself and there isn’t even a mention of smuggling. If you’re into food and second chance romances, this gentle nugget of a romance/women’s fiction novel will be right up your alley.
The major themes in this are family and forgiveness, community and love and all the imperfections that living life brings. I enjoyed the gentle, small town community nature of this novel but realize it may not be for everyone. This romance is somewhat of a two-for-one. Maybe even a 2.5 for one because you get Sam’s story of meeting Gabe,the love of her life again, years after he reported her beloved brother for being a criminal except her love Gabe is now a successful celebrity chef. You also get Chloe’s story of finding love again with a younger man from whom she’s hidden the fact that she’s turning 50. And then as if that’s not enough, you get a cheeky little bit of Zennor’s happy ending.
I think this author’s writing style in this book is really gently amusing, and touching. I’ve used this word several times but this IS a gentle, calming book, without being boring. It’s also a pretty clean read that you could share with a grandparent. There are implied sexual situations but nothing AT ALL explicit. I recommend this one!
I got an advanced reading copy of this book from #AvonBooks through #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The major themes in this are family and forgiveness, community and love and all the imperfections that living life brings. I enjoyed the gentle, small town community nature of this novel but realize it may not be for everyone. This romance is somewhat of a two-for-one. Maybe even a 2.5 for one because you get Sam’s story of meeting Gabe,the love of her life again, years after he reported her beloved brother for being a criminal except her love Gabe is now a successful celebrity chef. You also get Chloe’s story of finding love again with a younger man from whom she’s hidden the fact that she’s turning 50. And then as if that’s not enough, you get a cheeky little bit of Zennor’s happy ending.
I think this author’s writing style in this book is really gently amusing, and touching. I’ve used this word several times but this IS a gentle, calming book, without being boring. It’s also a pretty clean read that you could share with a grandparent. There are implied sexual situations but nothing AT ALL explicit. I recommend this one!
I got an advanced reading copy of this book from #AvonBooks through #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
zoe42's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
paperbackrooms's review against another edition
2.0
https://paperbackrooms.blogspot.com/2019/04/a-perfect-cornish-summer-phillipa-ashley.html
This novel is built around the preparations for the food festival taking place in a small tight-knit coastal community. Sam is a likable main character and so are several of the minor characters; the main male - Gabe - however never quite feels comfortable within the storyline. Of course any person going back to their old stomping ground with those who turned their backs on him but there always remained that distance. As the book progressed I got a little more interested in what he was keeping to himself but even that reveal wasn't worth the anticipation.
The characters' plans and feelings alter far too quickly but at the same time the whole thing felt as though it was never going to end. I was tempted to add to my DNF list but thought it might improve which it didn't - even lighthearted stories need some enticing drama or something to keep it exciting surely. We revisit the history between Sam and Gabe over and over again yet the festival itself? Barely described or explored, and finished in the blink of an eye. I really liked Chloe and Drew, they both seemed much warmer characters and their development felt realistic and enjoyable. In some ways we could have had them as leads and I might have preferred it overall.
Give me a cosy book any day, but this one simply didn't float my boat.
ARC received from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for a review.
This novel is built around the preparations for the food festival taking place in a small tight-knit coastal community. Sam is a likable main character and so are several of the minor characters; the main male - Gabe - however never quite feels comfortable within the storyline. Of course any person going back to their old stomping ground with those who turned their backs on him but there always remained that distance. As the book progressed I got a little more interested in what he was keeping to himself but even that reveal wasn't worth the anticipation.
The characters' plans and feelings alter far too quickly but at the same time the whole thing felt as though it was never going to end. I was tempted to add to my DNF list but thought it might improve which it didn't - even lighthearted stories need some enticing drama or something to keep it exciting surely. We revisit the history between Sam and Gabe over and over again yet the festival itself? Barely described or explored, and finished in the blink of an eye. I really liked Chloe and Drew, they both seemed much warmer characters and their development felt realistic and enjoyable. In some ways we could have had them as leads and I might have preferred it overall.
Give me a cosy book any day, but this one simply didn't float my boat.
ARC received from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for a review.
julesg's review against another edition
3.0
Solid romance but the amount of characters and subplots made it a chore to finish.
shannonf60e7's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review
Reading this book was so much fun. The story got me captivated until the end, because I really wanted to know what really happened. Eventually, the ending was a bit of what I expected but not entirely. I liked that it wasn't just another romance with a predictable ending. Furthermore, I loved the setting and I loved the friend dynamics. There was a bit of a downside to this book though, at some points the story felt a little bit tedious. A flash-forward wouldn't have been out of place in such situations.
Reading this book was so much fun. The story got me captivated until the end, because I really wanted to know what really happened. Eventually, the ending was a bit of what I expected but not entirely. I liked that it wasn't just another romance with a predictable ending. Furthermore, I loved the setting and I loved the friend dynamics. There was a bit of a downside to this book though, at some points the story felt a little bit tedious. A flash-forward wouldn't have been out of place in such situations.
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