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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

The Faking Game by Portia Macintosh #Review

 

I'm loving the opportunity to be on the tour for Portia Macintosh's latest romcom, The Faking Game. It was published by Boldwood Books on 5th October.

 

After years of being everyone's favourite couple, always up for a party and having fun wherever they go, things have fizzled out.

But when they realise they have a whole calendar of events and celebrations with friends and family coming up, Cara and Millsy can't face letting them down.

So they decide to make a pact: just convince everyone they're as madly in love as ever and get through the festivities without causing suspicion, and then deal with the break up in the new year. How hard can it be...?

Swept up in the festive spirit, will Cara and Millsy fake it til they make it? Or will they realise they are meant to be after all...?


 My Thoughts

I think that the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because of how likeable I found Cara and also Millsy to be. Their individual characters stood out and their actions chimed with my impressions of them. There is plenty of humour in the situations and the dialogue and I absolutely loved how they got themselves into scrapes and then worked together to get themselves out of them. Family is central to the story but relationships are not always straightforward between Cara's Aunt Mary and Flora and Cara's side of the family. Cara's mother's patience is amazing.

    Set over the festive season, this is a lovely read for this time of year. You get a real sense of people trying to keep the peace and at the same time, enjoy being with each other. You see three generations as you would at Christmas.  It does keep you guessing as to what the outcome of Cara and Millsy's deception will be. You are pretty clear on what Cara's feelings are but Millsy, being an actor, is more difficult to read. With lots of heart, this is a warm and endearing romcom.

In short: festive fun on the surface but what lies beneath it? 


About the Author

Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 20 romantic comedy novels. From disastrous dates to destination weddings, Portia’s romcoms are the perfect way to escape from day to day life, visiting sunny beaches in the summer and snowy villages at Christmas time. Whether it’s southern Italy or the Yorkshire coast, Portia’s stories are the holiday you’re craving, conveniently packed in between the pages.

Formerly a journalist, Portia has left the city, swapping the music biz for the moors, to live the (not so) quiet life with her husband and her dog in Yorkshire.

You can follow Portia here: Website  |  TwitterInstagram   |  Facebook  | Newsletter sign up  |  Bookbub 

 
 
 Thanks to Portia Macintosh, Boldwood Books, and Rachel of Rachels Random Resources  for copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Check out the rest of the tour!
 

 

 





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