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My (Not-so) Perfect Summer by Phoebe MacLeod #Review

I am thrilled to be taking part in the Publication Day celebrations for My (Not-So ) Perfect Summer by Phoebe MacLeod. It is published today on May 7th by Boldwood Books .   Autumn’s summer is off to a smashing start… sort of. Earlier this year, Autumn’s life looked great: she had a great relationship with her brilliant teenage daughter Chloe and from September she was all set to be Deputy Head at the London school where she works. And with a pay rise on the cards, she was excited for her and her long-term boyfriend Marc to buy their first home. But Autumn’s barely opened the estate agent's website when Marc vanishes with half their savings, leaving her no choice but to move into grandma’s rural home in Kent. And things go from bad to worse when Autumn is involved in an accident during the move, leaving the village’s dashing new baker Jake in plaster cast, and making her a local outcast before she’s even unpacked her bags. Determined to put things right, Autumn offers to

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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