Amazon UK
Title: Just For The Holidays
Author: Sue Moorcroft
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: 18th May 2017
Rating: 5 Stars
 |
| Amazon UK |
The #1 bestselling author returns for summer! Grab your sun hat, a cool glass of wine, and the only book you need on holiday…
In theory, nothing could be better than a summer spent basking in the French sun. That is, until you add in three teenagers, two love interests, one divorcing couple, and a very unexpected pregnancy.
Admittedly, this isn’t exactly the relaxing holiday Leah Beaumont was hoping for – but it’s the one she’s got. With her sister Michele’s family falling apart at the seams, it’s up to Leah to pick up the pieces and try to hold them all together.
But with a handsome helicopter pilot staying next door, Leah can’t help but think she might have a few distractions of her own to deal with…
A glorious summer read, for you to devour in one sitting - perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews and Trisha Ashley.
In theory, nothing could be better than a summer spent basking in the French sun. That is, until you add in three teenagers, two love interests, one divorcing couple, and a very unexpected pregnancy.
Admittedly, this isn’t exactly the relaxing holiday Leah Beaumont was hoping for – but it’s the one she’s got. With her sister Michele’s family falling apart at the seams, it’s up to Leah to pick up the pieces and try to hold them all together.
But with a handsome helicopter pilot staying next door, Leah can’t help but think she might have a few distractions of her own to deal with…
A glorious summer read, for you to devour in one sitting - perfect for fans of Katie Fforde, Carole Matthews and Trisha Ashley.
Just For the Holidays really hits the spot, it has everything I love in a book, a gorgeous summery location, a family going through issues, a gorgeous guy, some amusing teenagers, and some brilliant professions. How much cooler can you get when you have a helicopter pilot and a chocolatier in the same book!
In fact the helicopter pilot is called Ronan, and with his son Curtis they are staying next door to the holiday home that Leah and her family are staying in this summer in Alsace, France.
Leah loves her own space but has been persuaded onto the trip to support her sister Michele, who is trying to separate from her husband. Let's just say that the plans for the holiday fall apart in quite spectacular fashion, leaving Leah to try her best for her niece and nephew.
I just loved the character of Leah, not only does she taste and test chocolate for a living, but she is also a speed demon, drives a Porsche and is a huge F1 fan. It's such a great combination of traits, especially given she is single and when in charge of teenagers, she is terrified and I love the decisions she makes.
Some of my favourite moments in this book involved Leah, and chocolate. I'm a chocoholic, so it may not be surprising that I was salivating over a lot of the content - pain au chocolat being created from scratch, mug cakes, chocolate tastings, chocolate baskets and more. I just wish I had known in advance to have my own chocolate supplies on me. I had been reading on a train, and when I got to the bar I was aiming for, I just couldn't resist ordering a chocolate based cocktail, just to try and curb the cravings I was getting from this book.
In fairness it wasn't all chocolate, and the story takes in themes such as broken families and how it affects teenagers, Ronan's interesting work situation, and a young romance. I loved the days out in the surrounding area, and getting to know Leah's family. Natasha and Jordan are good teens just going through a tricky time with their family and hormones.
Just For the Holidays is aptly titled in time for the summer season. its a fabulous summery read, that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was completely absorbed in the story, and just found it so entertaining.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Here is a short extract from Just For The Holidays:
Leah loved her sunglasses, and not just because they made her look cool or made driving her Porsche in the mellow sunshine of France more pleasurable. No. Those sunglasses were currently allowing her to pretend to leaf through a magazine in the sunshine outside La Petite Annexe while actually watching the first-floor balcony of the house next door where a workman had bared his tanned back to the morning sun.
His sure and easy brushstrokes were transforming the walls of the house from dirty grey to the gold of unclarified honey but Leah’s anxious gaze was trained on the youth behind him. Everything the youth wore was black and decorated with studs or chains. Having perched himself on the wooden balcony rail and hooked his feet around the uprights, he was now arching backwards into scarily thin air. Flexing his spine, he swung gently, chains dangling and winking in the sun.
Leah bit her lip against an urge to shout a warning, scared of startling the youngster into falling.
Then, as if possessing a sixth sense, the man turned. Demonstrating commendable reflexes, he dumped his paint pot and made a grab for the gangly figure.
Bellowing with laughter, the youth allowed himself to be hauled to safety. Leah let out the breath she’d been holding and grinned at the man’s obvious exasperation as he gave the youth a tiny shake before dragging him into his arms for a hard hug. Finally, the man managed a laugh as he loosened his embrace, his dark hair lifting in the breeze.
Then his gaze snagged on Leah and, after a moment’s contemplation, he raised his voice. ‘Bonjour!’
Unnerved at being spotted through the leafy trees, Leah lifted her head as if she hadn’t been spying on them. ‘Oh! Bonjour.’
‘Vous êtes en vacances? Restez-vous ici en Kirchhoffen?’ The man settled his forearms on the balcony rail as his voice rolled over the sunny air. His front view was as pleasing as the back had been.
Leah smiled. Her French was just about equal to the conversation so far. ‘Oui.’
But then, ‘Enchantés’ launched him into a speech of fascinating undulating rhythm punctuated with urrrr and airrr, of which Leah caught about ten per cent. She did at least understand that when he paused it was to invite her to respond to a question.
Both oui and non carrying equal risk, she prepared to offer a shrug and her stock phrases, ‘Désolée, mon français est très mauvais. Parlez-vous anglais?’
But then Natasha bounded out through the door of the main gîte. ‘Dad says, aren’t you coming in for breakfast? We want to go kayaking.’ Both man and boy swung their heads to gaze Natasha’s way as, message delivered, she dashed back inside again.
Thus saved from confessing to her rubbish command of the native language of her host country, Leah put her shrug to good use and called ‘Excusez-moi!’ to the occupants of the balcony and went to join the family.
In fact the helicopter pilot is called Ronan, and with his son Curtis they are staying next door to the holiday home that Leah and her family are staying in this summer in Alsace, France.
Leah loves her own space but has been persuaded onto the trip to support her sister Michele, who is trying to separate from her husband. Let's just say that the plans for the holiday fall apart in quite spectacular fashion, leaving Leah to try her best for her niece and nephew.
I just loved the character of Leah, not only does she taste and test chocolate for a living, but she is also a speed demon, drives a Porsche and is a huge F1 fan. It's such a great combination of traits, especially given she is single and when in charge of teenagers, she is terrified and I love the decisions she makes.
Some of my favourite moments in this book involved Leah, and chocolate. I'm a chocoholic, so it may not be surprising that I was salivating over a lot of the content - pain au chocolat being created from scratch, mug cakes, chocolate tastings, chocolate baskets and more. I just wish I had known in advance to have my own chocolate supplies on me. I had been reading on a train, and when I got to the bar I was aiming for, I just couldn't resist ordering a chocolate based cocktail, just to try and curb the cravings I was getting from this book.
In fairness it wasn't all chocolate, and the story takes in themes such as broken families and how it affects teenagers, Ronan's interesting work situation, and a young romance. I loved the days out in the surrounding area, and getting to know Leah's family. Natasha and Jordan are good teens just going through a tricky time with their family and hormones.
Just For the Holidays is aptly titled in time for the summer season. its a fabulous summery read, that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was completely absorbed in the story, and just found it so entertaining.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Here is a short extract from Just For The Holidays:
Leah loved her sunglasses, and not just because they made her look cool or made driving her Porsche in the mellow sunshine of France more pleasurable. No. Those sunglasses were currently allowing her to pretend to leaf through a magazine in the sunshine outside La Petite Annexe while actually watching the first-floor balcony of the house next door where a workman had bared his tanned back to the morning sun.
His sure and easy brushstrokes were transforming the walls of the house from dirty grey to the gold of unclarified honey but Leah’s anxious gaze was trained on the youth behind him. Everything the youth wore was black and decorated with studs or chains. Having perched himself on the wooden balcony rail and hooked his feet around the uprights, he was now arching backwards into scarily thin air. Flexing his spine, he swung gently, chains dangling and winking in the sun.
Leah bit her lip against an urge to shout a warning, scared of startling the youngster into falling.
Then, as if possessing a sixth sense, the man turned. Demonstrating commendable reflexes, he dumped his paint pot and made a grab for the gangly figure.
Bellowing with laughter, the youth allowed himself to be hauled to safety. Leah let out the breath she’d been holding and grinned at the man’s obvious exasperation as he gave the youth a tiny shake before dragging him into his arms for a hard hug. Finally, the man managed a laugh as he loosened his embrace, his dark hair lifting in the breeze.
Then his gaze snagged on Leah and, after a moment’s contemplation, he raised his voice. ‘Bonjour!’
Unnerved at being spotted through the leafy trees, Leah lifted her head as if she hadn’t been spying on them. ‘Oh! Bonjour.’
‘Vous êtes en vacances? Restez-vous ici en Kirchhoffen?’ The man settled his forearms on the balcony rail as his voice rolled over the sunny air. His front view was as pleasing as the back had been.
Leah smiled. Her French was just about equal to the conversation so far. ‘Oui.’
But then, ‘Enchantés’ launched him into a speech of fascinating undulating rhythm punctuated with urrrr and airrr, of which Leah caught about ten per cent. She did at least understand that when he paused it was to invite her to respond to a question.
Both oui and non carrying equal risk, she prepared to offer a shrug and her stock phrases, ‘Désolée, mon français est très mauvais. Parlez-vous anglais?’
But then Natasha bounded out through the door of the main gîte. ‘Dad says, aren’t you coming in for breakfast? We want to go kayaking.’ Both man and boy swung their heads to gaze Natasha’s way as, message delivered, she dashed back inside again.
Thus saved from confessing to her rubbish command of the native language of her host country, Leah put her shrug to good use and called ‘Excusez-moi!’ to the occupants of the balcony and went to join the family.
Don't forget to check out the rest of this blog tour, for more Sue Moorcroft goodness!
Thanks so much for the great review, lovely Rachel, and for posting the extract. :-) :-) :-)
ReplyDelete