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The Castle in the Bay by Margaret Amatt #Review #BarraSeriesBook1

  We are travelling to the beautiful island of Barra for Margaret Amatt's new Barra Series, The Castle in the Bay. The first in this new series was published on 12th April by Leannan Press .   What if the castle has the key to mend their broken hearts? After a miserable few years, fun-loving Iona McKenzie tossed her corporate job to the wind, swore off long-term relationships, and escaped to the Hebridean island of Barra to teach water sports. Recently dumped by an ex who labelled him 'boring', Monty MacNeil is having a tough time. When he's tasked with carrying out his late father’s last request to scatter his ashes at Kisimul Castle – the famous castle in the bay – he doesn't expect his trip to Barra to begin by running smack bang into a feisty and gorgeous woman, knocking her off her bike, and almost dropping his father’s urn into the sea. Iona turns out to be the person he needs to take him over to the castle, but Monty soon sees another way she ca...
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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  |  Twitter |  Facebook  |  Newsletter Sign Up

  Purchase Links  
 
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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