We are returning to France for another great summer read by Gillian Harvey . The Village Cafe in the Loire was published by Boldwood on July 12th. High-flyer Becky Thorne cannot believe what she’s being told. She doesn’t need to be signed off for burnout! Life has been a bit chaotic lately, that’s all. As if dealing with her enviable job and permanent meddling from her mother aren’t enough, she’s also inherited a café in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, complete with sitting tenant who refuses to budge. But nobody stands in Becky’s way! Ignoring her best friend Amber’s advice, she decides to storm over to France and sort the tenant out. Then she can finally get the café sold and jump back on the career ladder. What she doesn’t count on is the tenant being Pascale, who is six feet of tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy about her plans for change. Not to mention the village and the secrets it holds about her past. Becky’s path to succes...
It's All Sun and Games by Portia Macintosh #PublicationDay #Review
When Robin finds out she's going on a work trip to Italy she
can't wait for a week away in the sunshine, away from the daily grind. So what
if there's a client pitch to do while they're there? The thing Robin is most
excited about is the chance to show her work crush, James, what she's really
like outside of work, and divert his attention from Liz, her work rival.
To make things even better, Robin realises that the town they're going to in Italy is the same place that her childhood penpal, Andrea is from. So it's the perfect time to re-connect and finally meet her old friend over some delicious Italian food and wine (between work obviously...) But when Andrea doesn't turn out to be the person Robin thought, things get a little complicated...
So it's set to be a week of all sun and games... Until someone falls in love of course!
A friends-to-lovers, only-one-bed, fake dating romance from million-copy bestseller Portia
My Thoughts
There is plenty of humour in this 'friends to lovers' romcom, whether it is from the range of work colleagues Robin finds herself surrounded by or the events which become clear as her work trip to Italy evolves. A basic misunderstanding leads to a major surprise for Robin and of course one secret leads to another... As a holiday read, this would be a perfect distraction. Set in beautiful Italy, the sun bears down and you are treated to all the sights and sounds of the Italian summer.
With mistaken identity and fake dating, you are deep in romcom tropes. You feel Robin's desperation to be better than her colleagues and disdain for their superficial approach to their work. James comes over as a larger than life character who is all surface and little depth. Liz, her work enemy is always predictably obnoxious. As for Andrea- no spoilers!
In short: an entertaining read
About the Author
Portia MacIntosh is the bestselling author of over 30 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.
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
Comments
Post a Comment