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Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Cafe by Jessica Redland #Review

  We are returning to the Chocolate Pot Cafe with Jessica Redland for her latest novel, Hopes and Dreams at the Chocolate Pot Cafe which was published on April 3rd by Boldwood Books .   You can read ny review of Christmas at the Chocolate Pot Cafe   here Sometimes all your hopes and dreams really do come true… ✨🌈 Life at the Chocolate Pot Café has never been sweeter for Tara Porter. Nestled on Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay, her café is thriving, her friendships are close, her foster parents are back where they belong—and she’s finally let herself fall in love with artist Jed Ferguson.   For Jed, returning from Australia feels like coming home in every sense. His teenage daughters have settled, his gallery opening is a success, and with Tara by his side, the future looks full of promise. But the past can’t stay at bay forever. When Tara’s estranged foster sister reappears, old wounds resurface. And when Jed is reunited with twelve year old Aaron...
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Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls by Rosie Clarke #Review


Today we are heading back to 1914  fpr the 3rd in Rosie Clarke's Welcome to Harpers' Emporium, Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls. It was published by Boldwood Books on June 2nd. 
 
Hard times ahead for the Harpers girls...



It is two years since Harpers opened in Oxford Street and Ben is planning to expand the premises.



Life is good for Sally and Ben as they look forward to their first child and hope for a prosperous future. Beth is settling into married life with Jack, gradually recovering from her aunt’s tragic death, though still unable to conceive a child.



New girls have joined Harpers and Marion, Janice and Becky all become a part of the daily life at the busy store. Rachel is undecided whether to marry a man she isn’t sure she can trust, while Minnie meets an old love.



The sun is shining in English streets but on the horizon dark clouds gather over Europe and war looms

threatening bringing rainy days for the Harpers girls…


My Thoughts

 With Britain on the brink of the First World War, this is a rich seam of history to set this saga in. You are taken beautifully through the changing times, from peaceful life, through the first doubts of unrest, to the attitude that it will be all over by Christmas, then to the awful realisation that this is going to be long haul. You get to follow the lives of different levels of society but a feeling of solidarity and common goals emerges. 

    Whilst the life in the Department store goes on, you are shown some great details about daily life in the capital. I particularly enjoy the social history of the time and the attitudes of men and women shown towards the Suffragette cause. You also get to learn about the treatment some men suffered when given the white feathers to signify cowardice and to shame people into enlisting. This is a skilful blending of historical detail, social and political issues and personal stories of family life.

In short: Families at war.
 
About the Author


Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose most recent books include The Mulberry Lane series.  She has written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner.  She lives in Cambridgeshire. 

You can follow Rosie here: 
 Newsletter sign up  |  Website  |  Twitter  |  Bookbub

Book link: Amazon UK

Thanks to Rosie Clarke, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources  for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Follow the rest of the tour!

  
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