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Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy #Review #HollyhockFarmBook2

  Welcome back to the blog to Georgina Troy for another in her Hollyhock Farm series. Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm was published by Boldwood Books on November 7th and takes us back to beautiful Jersey.   Festival season has come to Hollyhock Farm… Since his sister Lettie took over their parents' farm on the beautiful island of Jersey at the start of the year, Zac Torel's life has changed completely. Zac loves Hollyhock Farm, and he's determined to help Lettie succeed, but when their insurance company refuses to pay for the restoration of one of their barns in time for winter, the clock is ticking for the Torrels to raise the money themselves. The siblings decide to host a wellness festival, but with the summer already well underway, they've got their work cut out to get everything ready before the season ends. Lettie recruits the help of Melody, a yoga teacher from Edinburgh. New to the island, Melody is determined to shake things up and make a success o

The Brazilian by Rosie Millard ** Blog Tour Review**

Today, I am happy to feature Rosie Millard's latest summer read, The Brazilian on Books, Life and Everything

Following a sensational scandal at one of London’s most desired postcodes, Jane and Patrick decide to escape the gossip with a family holiday to Ibiza, their eight-year-old son George in tow. 

Also on the island that week is a TV reality show involving an eccentric artist, a horny It Girl, a Brazilian footballer and a famous magician. 

As hapless celebrities are picked off one by one, Jane is desperate to be on the programme, leaving childcare in the not so capable hands of a teenager…

My Thoughts

If you are looking for a great holiday read, The Brazilian is going to fit the bill. Set in Ibiza, you are given sea, sun and a story centring on a whole cast of characters, each with their own particular foibles. It's funny yet at the same time, acutely observed and written with energy and pace.

    As Jane's family holiday seems in danger of falling flat, her middle class pretensions and self-centred behaviour is mercilessly exposed by the author. Just how far will she go to chase fame and a place in a rather tawdry reality show Ibiza (or Bust)? The name of the show tells you all you need to know about it and its cast and crew are ripe for comedy. One by one, the would-be celebrities are voted off.

    In the centre of all the mayhem George, Jane's young son, is quite delightful as he sets about tracking down his friends from home. Needless to say, they are not welcomed by his mother who feels they are beneath her aspirational lifestyle. Jane has lost sight of the family values which George's friends' family typify. Even Jane's husband can sense that there is something wrong with Jane's model of motherhood and family time. 

    The Brazilian is the follow-up to The Square, where many of the characters feature and are introduced. Sharply observed, with lashings of wit and humour, it was great to escape to Ibiza for a time.

    In short:  fun and sun- comedy with edge


About the Author


Rosie is a journalist and author and she is the Chair of Hull UK City of Culture 2017. She writes features and columns in newspapers, and does a bit of TV and radio. Rosie has written a couple of non fiction books and a couple of novels, and she also likes running marathons.

She is a graduate of the University of Hull, London College of Communication and the Courtauld Institute. She has been a Trustee of the Carnegie (UK) Foundation, Home Live Art and Modern Art Oxford.

Rosie has four children and lives in London.


You can follow Rosie here:  Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook 

  Amazon UK  

Thanks to Imogen Harris of Legend press and Rosie Millard for a copy of the book and a place on the Blog Tour.


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