Book Review - Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara - #HolidayReading Madeira

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Amazon UK

Title: Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay 

Author: Ali McNamara

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 27th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

The sun is shining on the golden castle on Rainbow Bay - and change is in the air!

Amelia is a single mother, doing her very best to look after her young son, Charlie - but money is tight and times are tough. When she first hears that she is the last descendent of the Chesterford family and that she has inherited a Real-Life Castle by the sea, Amelia can't quite believe her ears. But it's true!

She soon finds that owning a castle isn't quite the ticket to sorting out her money problems that she'd first hoped: she can't sell, because the terms of the ancient bequest state that any Chesterford who inherits the castle, must live there and work towards the upkeep and maintenance of the family home. So ever-practical Amelia decides to uproot her little family and move to this magnificent castle by the sea.

Living in a castle on the beautiful Northumberland coast is fun at first, but organising the day-to-day running is a lot more complicated than Amelia first imagined. Luckily she has help from the small band of eccentric and unconventional staff that are already employed there - and a mysterious unseen hand that often gives her a push in the right direction just when she needs it most. It's only when she meets Tom, a furniture restorer who comes to the castle to help repair some antique furniture, that Amelia realises she might get the fairy-tale ending that she and Charlie truly deserve...

Oh I do love an Ali McNamara book and this is no exception.  I went into this blind, possibly never having read the blurb and was curious to see what sort of unexplainable happenings may occur this time.

Was shocked to discover for my second in the past 3 books I've read, that there was a hint of the otherworldly, of potentially ghosts.  Not a huge believer in them but having read both this and Rowan Coleman's latest, I may be mega scared next time someone tries to get me into a haunted house!

Amelia was down on her luck, struggling financially to bring up her son Charlie, when a piece of post start a chain or events that led to her getting an inheritance from a distant relative she had never heard of. 

And wow Chesterford Castle is some inheritance, given its huge, was already open to the public, and came with four members of staff who just wanted to call her M'aam or Lady Amelia. 

Amelia's knack of drawing people together leads to a growing sense of community and family at the castle as they try to modernise it.

I loved getting to know the other residents of Chesterford Castle, including the ones that it appear that only Charlie may be able to see. 

There are all manner of secrets to be uncovered, and all written in such a heartwarming and lovely style that you can't help be hooked on the book. 

The pages were flying by, as I took in every last details and by the end I was convinced I had visited the castle myself, such were the descriptions. 

A truly enjoyable and another fabulous story from an author that I can't get enough of. 

Thank you to Sphere and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Daisy's Vintage Cornish Camper Van by Ali McNamara - #HolidayReading Book 15

Book 15 of 28 read on my holiday to Cyprus in June 2018.

The Amazon Purchase link below is an Amazon Affiliate link.

Amazon UK

Title:  Daisy's Vintage Cornish Camper Van

Author: Ali McNamara

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 14th June 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome to the gorgeous Cornish town of St Felix, where there's magic in the air...

When Ana inherits a broken-down camper van from her best friend, she takes the chance for a quick trip to Cornwall - some sea air and fish and chips on the beach is just the tonic she needs.

But St Felix has bigger plans for Ana. She discovers a series of unsent postcards, dating back to the 1950s, hidden in the upholstery of the van. Ana knows that it's a sign: she'll make sure that the messages reach the person that they were meant for. And as the broken-down van is restored to gleaming health, so Ana begins to find her way back to happiness.

As a long term fan of Ali McNamara I was delighted to see a return to St. Felix in this book, and to be able to catch up with old favourite characters, while thoroughly enjoying  a brand new standalone story. 

In recent years there was always been something in this authors books that will make you scratch your head in wonder, or make you highly skeptical, and this is no exception, and I was almost on the look out for it!

In fact what on the surface is a rather simple story, has quite a few layers and subplots to it.  

I just loved the story of the Campervan and its role in a new romance and a mystery. 

I couldn't have predicted some of the outcomes if I had tried and the journey is one that hooked me in, and had me enthralled. 

This is another gem of a book by a really talented must read, and favourite author of mine. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Sphere for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - The Summer of Serendipity by Ali McNamara

Amazon UK

Title: The Summer of Serendipity

Author: Ali McNamara

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 13th July 2017

Rating: 4.5 Stars

One summer, property seeker, Serendipity Parker finds herself on the beautiful west coast of Ireland, hunting for a home for a wealthy Irish client. But when she finds the perfect house in the small town of Ballykiltara, there's a problem; nobody seems to know who owns it.

'The Welcome House' is a local legend. Its front door is always open for those in need of shelter, and there's always a plentiful supply of food in the cupboards for the hungry or poor.

While Ren desperately tries to find the owner to see if she can negotiate a sale, she begins to delve deeper into the history and legends that surround the old house and the town. But for a woman who has always been focussed on her work, she's remarkably distracted by Finn, the attractive manager of the local hotel.
But will she ever discover the real truth behind the mysterious 'Welcome House'? Or will the house cast its magical spell over Ren and help her to find true happiness?

There is something just a bit magical about this book, and the legends surrounding  the Welcome House in Ballykiltara. When Ren and Kiki first encounter the welcome house they are convinced they have found the property they are looking for, for their customer, so long as Ren can find the owner and persuade them to sell. 

Just one small snag local folklore believe the house is magic and that it has now owner, or caretaker or anyone in charge of it at all.  Then there are the legends that state that the search for the truth will result in your own downfall. Plus there are many other bits of Irish folklore that appear to have made it into the book. 

There is a couple of large mysteries as the heart of this book, and I was fascinated to see how they would resolve. Although not normally a fan of history, and there is a fair amount of ancient history in this story,  I couldn't help but be drawn in by the suggestive writing, that captured my imagination.

The setting of Ballykiltara is beautiful, and the area of Ireland will be familiar to fans of Ali McNamara, and those that have read Breakfast at Darcy's. Given I really can't remember the details of that book I wouldn't worry if I hadn't read it, as its not relevant to this new book, other than providing some updates to various characters. 

Kiki is an amusing and lovable character, especially with her ability to mix up words at time.  She is a great sidekick for Ren, who seems to be  Kiki's total opposite. There is definitely romance in the air in Ireland, and the place just weaves a spell over those that stay there, and in my case those that read the book! 

In my eyes this isn't the best or my favourite book by the author, but it is an incredibly enjoyable story that I did love a lot, even as a skeptic towards almost all mysticism. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Sphere for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Letters From Lighthouse Cottage by Ali McNamara - Rachel Reads Randomly Book #36

Amazon UK

Title: Letters From Lighthouse Cottage

Author: Ali McNamara

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date:  14th July 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

The sun is shining in the quiet little seaside town of Sandybridge

Sandybridge is the perfect English seaside town: home to gift shops, tea rooms and a fabulous fish and chip shop. And it's home to Grace - although right now, she's not too happy about it.

Grace grew up in Sandybridge, helping her parents sort junk from vintage treasures, but she always longed to escape to a bigger world. And she made it, travelling the world for her job, falling in love and starting a family. So why is she back in the tiny seaside town she'd long left behind, hanging out with Charlie, the boy who became her best friend when they were teenagers?

It turns out that travelling the world may not have been exactly what Grace needed to do. Perhaps everything she wanted has always been at home - after all, they do say that's where the heart is...

It is not often that I read a book that leaves me at the end, sitting starting into space, mouthing the word over and over. In fact I am pretty much speechless, and also despairing as to how to convey my thoughts into a review for this book. 

I could go down the quick route and just leave you with a one liner, saying its Ali McNamara doing what she does best, go out and buy this book now, as its addictive, absorbing and a joy to read, but although all of that is indeed true, I feel I need to try and express my love for the story a bit more eloquently! 

On the back of my paperback copy of Letters from Lighthouse Cottage, there is one line that caught my eye as I sat down to read it  "Take a holiday in Ali McNamara's magical world". My initial reaction was "help! its going to be full on unrealistic magic" but thankfully I was completely wrong, there is an enchanting, dare I saw bewitching element to the story, but its weaved in so unobtrusively that I was able to take it at face value and accept its part of this novel.  

Within a few pages of starting the book, I found myself incredibly happy I was starting it in an afternoon where I didn't really have much to do, and thus could dedicate my time to reading this properly and over the course of the next few hours, I was hooked on this story. The writing is superb, as it tells you Grace's story, from teenagerhood, to finally realising where her heart lies. It is split into parts, various chunks set in chronological order, all offering key insights into Grace's story. 

In between each part, there is what she is doing currently, in very brief snapshots, in a way that makes a lot of sense now reflecting on the book, as to just really what was going on.  In each interlude in Grace's life, there are some common factors, best friend Charlie, her first boyfriend Danny, and Sandybridge House, a huge manor house, that no owner really knows what to do with. In fact its Sandybridge House that is the backdrop to many life altering moments in the friends lives. 

You may be wondering about the title, but without giving too much away, the letters are completely key to the story and Lighthouse Cottage is fairly key too, in ways you may not realise to start with. 

I'm not sure I'm explaining this well, but basically at the end of the day its the story of friendship, of how the path to true happiness has to go through some ups and downs, and that you may need to go through some of the worsts time in your life in order for fate to sort out its life plan for you. 

Every single time I read a book by Ali McNamara I am blown away to a certain extent, and I am delighted to say her writing and her imagination just seems to get better and better with each book, although I will alway have a soft spot for her From Notting Hill with... series. 

Thank you to everyone that voted for Letters From Lighthouse Cottage this week. It was the runaway winner, and I'm sure there was a reason I bought it, I just sometimes need that small bit of persuasion to step away from the dedicated review books and read something I clearly am going to love. Really looking forward already to seeing what you choose for me next. 

Book Review & Giveaway - The Little Flower Shop by the Sea by Ali McNamara - Cornish Week - Paperback Summer

Amazon UK 

Title: The Little Flower Shop by the Sea

Author: Ali McNamara

Format reviewed: Paperback

Source: Purchased

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 30th July 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

The blossom is out in the little Cornish harbour town of St Felix

But Poppy Carmichael's spirits aren't lifted by the pretty West Country spring. Inheriting her grandmother's flower shop has forced her to return to Cornwall, a place that holds too many memories.

Poppy is determined to do her best for the sake of her adored grandmother, but she struggles with the responsibility of the more-shabby-than-chic shop. And with the added complication of Jake, the gruff but gorgeous local flower grower, Poppy is very tempted to run away...

The pretty little town has a few surprises in store for Poppy. With new friends to help her and romance blooming, it's time for Poppy to open her heart to St Felix and to the special magic of a little flower shop by the sea!

Ali McNamara has done it again. Every time I think she can't write a better book, she comes along and does it. This is a fabulous summery read, set in the picturesque town of St Felix in Cornwall. I would be very surprised if you didn't fall in love with the town, the flower shop and Jake the way I did. 

Poppy Carmichael hates flowers, and she has never had any intention of returning to the town of St Felix , despite having spent happy summers there for most of her childhood, So when she inherits her grandmother's flower shop, The Daisy Chain, she doesn't have a choice to return, even if its just to get it ready to sell.

However the shop and the town are known to have mystical healing properties, and she soon decides to try and give running the shop a go, with the help of Amber, a florist her parents send to help Poppy out. Amber is also in need of the healing properties of the town. 

There is a lot in this book about the language of flowers and how each flower means something different, and when combined in bouquets they can cause almost miraculous things to happen. Whether you believe it or not, and Poppy is incredibly cynical about it, there does seem to be an increase in the fortunes of everyone once they start using them.

Within the town, there is a cast of fabulous characters, including Jake the local flower grower and Poppy's flower supplier, and he is recovering from his own heartbreak. Jake has 2 children and also Miley, his pet monkey. I am utterly convinced that Miley is the star of the book, and she is like a mini human. All the best scenes include her in some way, and a lot of the laughs do too. The town also has their own Ant and Dec, who run the bakery. 

The Little Flower Shop by the Sea is a story focusing on new friendships and relationships, and as Poppy digs into the history of the shop and the local castle, she uncovers a few mysteries. There is a good variety of sub plots going on, all of which are very interesting. 

I found The Little Flower Shop by the Sea to be a colourful story that I loved reading a lot. 

Giveaway to win a paperback copy of The Little Flower Shop by the Sea (INT)

If  you like the sound of this book, then this is the giveaway for you. I am giving the readers of Rachel's Random Reads a chance to win their own copy of The Little Flower Shop by the Sea, in paperback. 

Giveaway open to internationally (so long as The Book Depository ships to your country), all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 26/8/2015. Winner will be announced on twitter and emailed, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

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