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Dreams Come True at the Wartime Hotel by Maisie Thomas #Review

  Manchester, 1943. I am delighted to feature another in the WW2 saga by Maisie Thomas. Dreams Come True at the Wartime Hotel  was published on March 29th by Boldwood Books .    Kitty’s new venture, hosting wedding receptions at Dunbar’s Hotel, has got off to a flying start, and she’s looking to the future. With the tide of the war turning and victory on the distant horizon, Kitty is keen to keep her independence once the men come home. But will her spendthrift husband Bill agree to a divorce – and to letting her keep the business? Beatrice’s work in welfare is hugely rewarding, and she loves the children’s clubs she runs at Dunbar’s. But when a spate of thefts breaks out locally, the police become involved. Could the children be to blame, or can Beatrice help discover the true culprits? Former hotel maid Lily knows she still loves her estranged husband, Daniel. But can there be any chance of a reconciliation, when he discovers she is pregnant with another ma...

The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens by Jaimie Admans #Review

 

A little festive magic continues with Jaimie Adman's The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens. It was published by Boldwood Books on September 12th.

The perfect cosy and uplifting romance to curl up with this winter!

In Mistletoe Gardens a legend exists: anyone who kisses underneath the mistletoe will be guaranteed another year of love…

When local baker Essie Browne discovers that Mistletoe Gardens is to be demolished in January, she’s determined to save the place she loves so much. So Essie proposes building a life size gingerbread house to bring in the crowds…just how hard can it be?

Well, quite hard actually. Essie can bake gingerbread blindfolded, but she hasn’t got a clue how to build an actual house with it! She needs help - and fast!

Enter local builder, Joss Hallissey. Essie is convinced that with Joss’s help they can pull this off. There’s just one tiny problem: Joss hates Christmas, gingerbread, and… well, just about everything else too.

Joss the Grinch makes it clear that her idea is ludicrous and pointless, but he reluctantly agrees to help with her plan.

Will the gingerbread house be enough to save Mistletoe Gardens? Or will Essie's chance for a magical kiss under the mistletoe be lost forever?

Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Kat French and Caroline Roberts!


 My Thoughts

Essie and Joss's story is a slow burn romance which starts with them at loggerheads, with Joss in particular, coming over as the grumpiest Grinch there could be. Christmas is on its way but Mistletoe Gardens is at risk. Essie throws herself into trying to save the gardens and has to persuade everyone else out of their disappointment. Her idea to build a life-size gingerbread house opens the door for all those festive touches which seem to snowball as the story unfolds. 

    I particularly enjoyed Joss and Essie's conversations with a huge degree of sarcasm and humour which shows you that there is a certain amount of chemistry growing between them. Essie turns out to have a conflicted sense of her life and both Essie and Joss have past romances to come to terms with. You see trust growing through little touches like morning coffee and Christmas cookies which they share. Essie's relationship with her mother is also complicated as are Joss's memories of his father. They have a lot in common. This is an entertaining, festive read, with some lively supporting characters and a great community.

In short: friends, family and community

About the Author

Jaimie Admans is the bestselling author of several romantic comedies – including The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane and The Chateau of Happily-Ever-Afters. She lives in South Wales and was previously published by HQ Digital.

 

You can follow Jaimie here: Website  |  TwitterFacebook  |  Newsletter Sign Up

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