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One Winter at the French Chalet by Mandy Baggot #Review

  We are travelling to France for Mandy Baggot's latest romcom, One Winter at the French Chalet which was published by Boldwood Books on October 4th. Things aren’t going well for travel writer Orla Bradbee. With Christmas fast approaching, her boss is insisting Orla must travel to a rural village in France to interview a man who doesn’t speak. But with trouble at home – her teenage sister Erin is in a ‘situationship’ with a man online – Orla’s only plan is to take Erin with her. Get the interview done, find out more about this online Romeo and still be back in time for Christmas dinner. Easy, right? Saint-Chambéry is a picturesque French village nestled in the snow-capped mountains, but Jacques Barbier – gorgeous and brooding, yet a man of few words – makes it clear that Orla is wasting her time here. Orla can’t deny that Jacques intrigues and infuriates her, but what is the mysterious Frenchman hiding exactly? And can she get close enough to uncover his secrets with

A Perfect Discovery by Margaret Amatt #Review #ScottishIslandsEscapeBook9

 

It is time to head up to beautiful Scotland, to the Isle of Mull, for Margaret Amatt's A Perfect Discovery.


To find love, they need to dig deep.

When kind-hearted archaeologist Rhona Lamond has her precious research stolen, she returns home to the Isle of Mull, lost and frustrated. An island project that tugs at Rhona’s soul comes up, and she’s desperate to take it on. But there’s a major problem.

Property developer Calum Matheson has a longstanding feud with the Lamond family. After a plot of land he owns is discovered to be a site of historical importance, his plans are thrown into disarray and building work put on hold. Calum doesn’t think things can get any worse, until archaeologist Rhona turns up. Not only is she a Lamond, but she’s all grown up, and even stubbornly unromantic Calum can’t fail to notice her – or the effect she has on him.

Their attraction ignites but how can they overcome years of hate between their families? Both must decide what’s more important, family or love.


 My Thoughts

This is a lighthearted read due in part to the banter that glitters between Rhona and Calum. An enemies to lovers trope, the sparks definitely fly from the start. Family loyalties get in the way and both Calum and Rhona feel constricted by the views of their families. Long standing grievances seem completely entrenched. To work out just what has caused the family rift, you have to go back to their school days and you realise that several people bore the responsibility for the falling out.

    I loved the setting on the Isle of Mull and could absolutely imagine the site where Rhona set up her project. Calum is an interesting character,with a facade of cold control which masks his  vulnerabilities and insecurities. Rhona also has to mature a little and face up to what she wants in life. She has to learn to look critically at others and realise that they have to be responsible for their mistakes.  Her happy outgoing personality is a contrast to Calum's reserve. Although they are not teenagers, you still feel that there is a touch of Romeo and Juliet about the story but will the outcome be a tragedy?

In short: enemies to lovers. 

About the Author


Margaret is a writer, mummy, wife and chocolate eater (in any order you care to choose). She lives in highland Perthshire in a little house close to the woods where she often sees red squirrels, deer and other such tremendously Scottish wildlife… Though not normally haggises or even men in kilts!

She has published nine books and written many more. Margaret won a short story writing competition in 2012 and her winning entry was performed live to an audience at Pitlochry Festival Theatre as part of their Winter Words Event. This spring boarded Margaret’s journey from writing for fun to novel writing – though she still enjoys every minute of it.

Margaret is also a keen amateur photographer, who enjoys drawing, reading, and talking about books.

You can follow Margaret here:  Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter 

                                                  Website

Book links: Amazon UK  |  Amazon US

Thanks to Margaret Amatt, Leannan Publishers and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Check out the rest of the tour!


 


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