Author: Bella Osbourne
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Purchased
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Publication Date: 12th February 2015
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Kate Marshall is slowly getting her life back on track after losing her fiancé. As an author she has been able to hide herself away from the world and its expectations – but now one of her books has been optioned for a film and Hollywood suddenly comes knocking on her door!
When Kate is given the opportunity to stay at a beautiful country retreat and concentrate on the screenplay, it’s an offer she can’t refuse. Encouraged by her best friend, sharp-tongued single mum Sarah, Kate sees it’s finally time to stop letting life pass her by.
Looking for confidence and inspiration in the idyllic Cotswolds countryside, the last thing Kate expects is for Timothy Calder, A-list actor and leading man in the movie adaptation of her book, to turn up on her doorstep, hoping to lie low after his latest tabloid scandal! But after a rocky start, with Tim narrowly avoiding death by watering can, they find they have a few things in common: a liking for Lady Grey tea, walnut whips and bad ‘knock knock’ jokes. Actually, the bad jokes are just Tim.
As an unlikely friendship begins to blossom, and with circumstances repeatedly throwing them together, is Sunset Cottage where both Kate and Tim’s lives will really start?
When Kate is given the opportunity to stay at a beautiful country retreat and concentrate on the screenplay, it’s an offer she can’t refuse. Encouraged by her best friend, sharp-tongued single mum Sarah, Kate sees it’s finally time to stop letting life pass her by.
Looking for confidence and inspiration in the idyllic Cotswolds countryside, the last thing Kate expects is for Timothy Calder, A-list actor and leading man in the movie adaptation of her book, to turn up on her doorstep, hoping to lie low after his latest tabloid scandal! But after a rocky start, with Tim narrowly avoiding death by watering can, they find they have a few things in common: a liking for Lady Grey tea, walnut whips and bad ‘knock knock’ jokes. Actually, the bad jokes are just Tim.
As an unlikely friendship begins to blossom, and with circumstances repeatedly throwing them together, is Sunset Cottage where both Kate and Tim’s lives will really start?
Once I saw It Started at Sunset Cottage had been nominated in the RNA awards, I couldn't resist bringing it forward in my reading plans, since its been on my kindle for a few months. I had a vague idea of the sort of book I was possibly expecting, and I'm very pleased to say this smashed my expectations, and by just over half way I could see exactly why its a book that has been nominated for an award.
The characters are one the whole very easy to love, and the baddies are the sort that I wanted to spit at, had I passed them in the street. The two I am specifically thinking of, are barely decent human beings, and really shouldn't be allowed to have a good ending.
Kate's fiance died almost two years ago, and she is trying to get herself back together. She's an author, and is shocked to hear that one of her books could soon be a film. And even more shocked that the lead actor they want, is Timothy Calder, so imagine how surprised she is when he turns up at Sunset Cottage, where Kate and Marcus are working on the screenplay, just so he can hide out from the press for a bit.
During their time in the cottage, an unlikely friendship flourishes, but it stays as just friends. Meanwhile, Kate's best friend Sarah has been having a tough time with her ex-husband. He is clearly up to no good, but the extent is not immediately obvious. Sarah has a five year older daughter, and she is completely adorable, and easily one of my favorite characters in the book.
Andy is Kate's fiancee's brother, and thus is close to both girls, offering them help whenever possible. But what is not clear from the start is which of the two ladies, Andy has his eye on.
It Started at Sunset Cottage has laughs, drama, romance, a clear bad guy, a small amount of fabulous sex, movie stars and those are just some of the ingredients of this highly enjoyable story. The writing is warm and very easy to follow, and it got to the point where the book became very addictive, while certain events were unfolding.
I thoroughly enjoyed It Started at Sunset Cottage and I'm looking forward to Bella's new release later this year.
The characters are one the whole very easy to love, and the baddies are the sort that I wanted to spit at, had I passed them in the street. The two I am specifically thinking of, are barely decent human beings, and really shouldn't be allowed to have a good ending.
Kate's fiance died almost two years ago, and she is trying to get herself back together. She's an author, and is shocked to hear that one of her books could soon be a film. And even more shocked that the lead actor they want, is Timothy Calder, so imagine how surprised she is when he turns up at Sunset Cottage, where Kate and Marcus are working on the screenplay, just so he can hide out from the press for a bit.
During their time in the cottage, an unlikely friendship flourishes, but it stays as just friends. Meanwhile, Kate's best friend Sarah has been having a tough time with her ex-husband. He is clearly up to no good, but the extent is not immediately obvious. Sarah has a five year older daughter, and she is completely adorable, and easily one of my favorite characters in the book.
Andy is Kate's fiancee's brother, and thus is close to both girls, offering them help whenever possible. But what is not clear from the start is which of the two ladies, Andy has his eye on.
It Started at Sunset Cottage has laughs, drama, romance, a clear bad guy, a small amount of fabulous sex, movie stars and those are just some of the ingredients of this highly enjoyable story. The writing is warm and very easy to follow, and it got to the point where the book became very addictive, while certain events were unfolding.
I thoroughly enjoyed It Started at Sunset Cottage and I'm looking forward to Bella's new release later this year.
Congratulations to Bella Osbourne on her nomination for the RoNA Contemporary Romantic Novel award. Which of these books did you love? Which do you think should win the award?
Fabulous review! Good luck at the awards, Bella! :) xx
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