Book Review - A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen by Jane Linfoot

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Title: A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen

Author: Jane Linfoot

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 30th September 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

St Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it’s always cocktail hour somewhere…

A clean slate in the world’s cosiest cottage by the sea…

When Gwen Starkey and her best friend, Stella Simpson, arrive in St Aidan to take on a cottage renovation, it’s the fresh start they both so desperately need. But when their new adventure begins with them unintentionally breaking into their neighbour, Ollie Lancaster’s cottage – thinking it’s their new home – and Gwen accidentally flashing the gorgeous Ollie before they flee, the life-long friends realise that life in Cornwall is going to be anything but quiet!

They also quickly discover that they’re in over their heads and it’s going to take a village to turn their cottage’s narrow walls into the luxurious hideaway of their dreams. St Aidan is full of colourful characters just waiting to welcome them, if only Gwen and Stella can find the courage to start leaving the past behind them…

I'm craving fudge as a result of reading this book, if not fudge then flapjacks, bacon, cake, and all manner of other tasty goodies. Please don't read this book on an empty stomach unless you have snacks nearby.  It will make you drool with hunger! 

Now that I have warned you, let me just say how utterly delicious this book is, it is full of familiar faces from the previous Cornish Kitchen books but it completely works as a standalone as our main characters are all new. 

I adored Gwen's story, as 4 years on from the loss of her brother in tragic circumstances, she is finally realising she needs to be brave and start living life again, just in small steps. And moving to Stargazey Cottage with best friend Ella who she is supporting through the break up of her marriage, looks like it is just the tonic. 

For slowly but surely she is able to face up to things that reminds her of Ned, that she has been avoiding for years. 

And then there is Ollie in Stargazey House, who also seems to have something holding him back from living and has more in common with Gwen than you may first think.  What is obvious though is from their first meeting they spend a lot of time in denial! 

I loved the Star Sisters as Gwen and Ella are calling themselves, and seeing all the promises they rashly made to secure the cottage, and how they try to meet them is amusing. I also enjoyed seeing the development work on the cottage, including the incredibly hot builder. 

Then there is Minty who I have a soft spot for, she really does make an impact for something so small. As does Bud, who is also adorable. 

This felt like a warm hug of a book that enveloped me in its pages and wouldn't let me go until I reached the end. I was utterly hooked and couldn't get enough of these characters, or all the tasty food they were clearly cooking and tasting. 

And the humour especially the first few meetings between Gwen and Ollie, and the interesting situations she gets herself into, are very amusing and memorable. 

Just another truly marvellous book from Jane Linfoot set in her beloved St Aiden, a location I am determined to visit one day (even though I may have to jump into the author's brain to be able to do that, as it's a fictional place!) 

Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.