Thursday 22 November 2018

Book Review - Christmas at the Chocolate Pot Cafe by Jessica Redland

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Title:  Christmas at the Chocolate Pot Cafe
Author: Jessica Redland
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Author supplied copy
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: 11th November 2018
Rating: 5 Stars

A few minutes of courage might change your life…

Emotionally, Tara Porter finds the festive period a challenge. Christmas Day is a reminder of the family she lost, and New Year’s Eve holds bitter memories of the biggest mistake of her life: marrying Garth Tewkesbury. Shunning invitations to celebrate, she seeks refuge in her flat with only her giant house bunny, Hercules, for company.

Professionally, though, it’s the best time of year. Tara’s thriving café, The Chocolate Pot, is always packed. With the café hosting a wedding and engagement party, it’s shaping up to be the café’s best Christmas ever.

When former nemesis, Jed Ferguson, threatens the future of The Chocolate Pot, Tara prepares for a fight. The café is everything to her and she’s not going to let anyone or anything jeopardise that. 

Tara badly misjudged ex-husband Garth and, since then, has refused to let anyone in. After all, if you don’t let them in, they can’t hurt you. But has she misjudged Jed too? Is it possible that he’s not the arrogant, deceitful man from whom she bought the café 14 years earlier? Can she find the courage to find out for sure?

Sitting here open mouthed in complete wonderment at just how totally amazing Christmas at the Chocolate Pot Cafe is.  There is just so much to this story, it had me hooked and intrigued from the first few pages, and even when I wasn't reading it it was in the back of my mind. 

It took me mere hours if that to devour this book and although it has slightly left me craving some chocolate, I'm in awe of the author even more. 

Tara has had just a difficult past, and she has until this year, in this book kept it a secret from everyone in Whitsborough Bay, but Christmas is the catalyst for many things and she is finally ready to start telling her story to best friend Carly. 

I really don't think you would have guessed at most of it if you tried, but slowly you get a picture of just what has made Tara the person she is today, while at the same time you see fabulous character development from her, and as the reader get a full idea as to what Tara is really like. 

Hercules is one of my favourite pets I've read for ages, then again I've not really read about many giant house bunny's let alone one that seems to have almost dog like behaviours.  

This is definitely a standalone book, but if you have ready any of the author's previous books, then you will most likely recognise some characters, and of course the wonderful town of Whitsborough Bay. 

 This is not your typical Christmas story, it s so much better than that. It is real, the characters felt like friends by the end of the book, and I felt as thought I had been through the wringer a bit emotionally.  Throughout the book there are mini reveals, surprises and just so much goodness that if you are anything like me you won't want to put the book down. 

Jessica Redland is already becoming for me a drop everything and read author, I had the book less than 24 hours before I had to start it,  If you haven't taken note of this author yet and tried her you are missing out.  I am starting to firmly believe she is destined for big things.  

Thank you to Jessica Redland for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily, 

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