Book Review - I'll Be Home For Christmas by Karen Clarke

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Amazon UK

Title: I'll Be Home For Christmas 

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 14th October 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

Nina Bailey loves Christmas. Except this year she doesn’t. Because it turns out that her husband-to-be has been cheating on her – and her beautiful wedding ceremony in the snow is cancelled.

She’s not really in the mood to be jolly, sing carols, or go anywhere near gingerbread men – in fact, what Nina wants is to avoid the whole thing. So she’s come to stay at her Aunt Dolly’s cosy café to nurse her broken heart.

Nina is determined to get through Christmas with no tinsel, no fuss – and definitely no flirting. So when she arrives and meets infuriatingly handsome Ryan Sadler, with his gorgeous forest-green eyes, she is not best pleased. And when Nina overhears him making fun of her, she is furious. (There might have been an incident with a koala onesie and a spilled bottle of milk, but that really wasn’t her fault!) So despite the spark between them, and the fact that he can whip up a fabulous dinner faster than she can say Michelin star, romance and Christmas are off the menu this year.

Unfortunately, Aunt Dolly hasn’t quite got the message, going to great lengths to provide a proper British Christmas for her beloved niece: a true home away from home. With sparkling lights adorning every wall and a tree to equal the Rockefeller Center’s and, yes, mistletoe above every doorway, can Nina resist the magic of Christmas – and stick to her no-romance rule?

This heartwarming romantic comedy will have you reaching for eggnog, roasted chestnuts and gingerbread cookies! The perfect festive book to read curled up in front of the fire, for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Holly Martin and Debbie Johnson.

What a lovely gentle festive romance, and another great addition to the Little French Cafe series. 

This is a new standalone story, focusing on Nina, who is Charles (from the previous books) cousin, and Ryan, Charles' best friend, who both happen to be in France this Christmas. 

Despite both of them having broken engagements, and a whole lot of baggage, it doesn't stop Aunt Dolly to engage a series of not particularly subtle matchmaking efforts between the pair. 

Nina really isn't sure what she wants from her life, and seeing her thoughts on how she might be a travel blogger were amusing, especially given she isn't that keen on flying, and by the sounds of it she was struggling to take in focus photos!!  However it soon becomes apparent to everyone apart from her what she should be doing as a job! 

Whereas Ryan is struggling for inspiration for his new novel, and his first encounter with Nina was amusing and continually referenced throughout.   

 I enjoyed seeing whether Ryan and Nina would ever stop fighting the inevitable, and there are some really amusing part to the story too.  This was a really enjoyable addition to the series, I loved being back with familiar faces, and generally was good fun to see France in the snow.   

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

Book Review - Summer at the Little French Cafe by Karen Clarke - Blog Tour

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Amazon UK

Title: Summer at the Little French Cafe

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 27th June 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

In the beautiful village of Chamillon lies the Café Belle Vie, where you’ll always find croissants and friends when you need them the most – and where Elle is hoping to uncover the truth about her past…

Thirty-year-old Elle Matheson has decided it’s finally time to find the mother who gave her up as a baby. With a faded postcard from the Café Belle Vie in hand – one of the very few things she has from her mother – she heads straight to the Île de Ré to begin her search.

With only the postcard and the ivory shawl she was wrapped in as clues, finding her mum is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, even with the help of friendly – and gorgeous – café-owner Charlie. And since Elle hasn’t exactly told her younger sister what she’s up to, the little white lies about where she is are starting to add up…

But Elle is really starting to feel at home on the beautiful island. The locals are welcoming, the café is homely, and Charlie is always there with a helping hand, a listening ear, and a pain au chocolat.

Is Elle about to discover not just where she came from – but where she belongs?

A hilarious rom com perfect for reading in the sunshine! Fans of Debbie Johnson, Zara Stoneley and Debbie Macomber will love Karen Clarke!

I was hooked in really quickly into the wonderful, summery book, and read it in a few short hours.  Was shocked to occasionally look up while I was reading on the tube to discover just how many stations had passed me by! 

I loved the reason Elle was in Chamillon, and how the now familiar Cafe Belle Vie plays a part in the story.  If you have read the first book set on the Ile de Re, there will definitely be familiar faces and locations, but equally this is a story that stands completely alone.   Even the main characters are different. 

For a rom-com there was a lot of comedy, and some truly fabulous moments, but equally I found the romance side of things really weren't as obvious.  i wasn't completely convinced with Elle's chemistry for any of the leading men she finds in France, and didn't necessarily see the ending coming. 

I loved every moment of this delightful book and there was even a mystery that had me stumped but equally eager to find out the outcome of. 

 This was a pure pleasure to read, and I can only hope this isn't the last we see of Chamillon, as I really would like to get to know Dolly and Henri better, plus Charlie and a whole myriad of women of a certain age whose names begin with M! 

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

Book Review - Escape to the Little French Cafe by Karen Clarke

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Amazon UK

Title: Escape to the Little French Cafe

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture 

Publication Date: 18th March 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

On the beautiful French coast lies the Café Belle Vie, a peaceful haven offering a warm welcome and delicious pains au chocolat – and where Natalie’s quiet life is about to be turned upside down…

When thirty-one-year-old Natalie Bright’s boyfriend dumps her and immediately gets engaged to his ex-girlfriend, she escapes her heartbreak and moves to the charming village of Chamillon on the Île de Ré.

She’s determined to build a new life there: writing about farmer’s markets for a local magazine, exploring the local vineyards on her bike, and taking advantage of the sunshine. And in the Café Belle Vie she finds a bustling community – including new best friend Charlie – and a near-constant supply of cakes.

All in all, things are looking pretty good.

So when a blast from the past – her teenage crush Jay Merino – suddenly turns up in Chamillon, Natalie’s thrown. She’s sworn off men ever since she moved to France, but she and Jay have a connection that stretches back years.

But could taking a chance on an old flame complete her new life – or ruin everything she’s worked so hard for?

Karen Clarke has done it again, with another enchanting read that I couldn't' bare to be apart from for long.   I was loving my time on the Île de Ré, and am delighted to learn this is the first book of a series, so can't wait already to start reading the next one. 

Charming is another good word for this story, it is so warm, and cosy with lovely characters and a bit of scandal too, with a hint of mystery. 

I loved getting to know Natalie, best friend Charlie, her family and the man she is hopeful of interviewing in order to get a big career break. 

There are some incredibly funny scenes in this, including where Natalie comes face to face with Jay, for the first time in many years.   What a way to become instantly memorably in someone's eyes. 

There are ambitious women, parental dating episodes, a gorgeous hero, a fabulous best friend, misunderstandings, and just a fabulous feel to the whole book, set in glorious sunshine.  I loved every moment I spent with these characters and this story. 

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

Book Review - The Christmas Cafe at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke

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Amazon UK

Title: The Christmas Cafe at Seashell Cove

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 5th October

Rating: 5 Stars

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the café at Seashell Cove, where there’s hot chocolate to keep you warm – and the man of your dreams could be waiting…

Interior designer Tilly Campbell loves being carefree and single. But her latest job is redecorating the cosy local café for a Christmas party, and when her friends confess their plans for the big night – including a proposal, a declaration of love and a pregnancy announcement – Tilly starts to wonder if she might be missing out…

Transforming the café into a winter wonderland is more of a challenge than she thought, so when she bumps into gorgeous newcomer Seth, Tilly welcomes the distraction. Seth is a single father, struggling to settle his son Jack into their new cottage, and Tilly is determined to help them make their house into a home in time for Christmas.

But with the café still in chaos just days before the party it looks like it’s going to be a Christmas to remember for all the wrong reasons… With friends old and new relying on her, can Tilly save the Christmas party?

And could she finally find love waiting for her under the mistletoe?

A fabulous ending to the seashell cove series, as we finally get Tilly's story, and a whole lot of series long story arcs reach a fitting conclusion in a great finale. 

Tilly has promised to get the renovations of the function room of the cafe ready in time for a Christmas Eve party.  Over the course of the book we can see that things aren't going quite according to plan.. but what amused me was the amount of people planning key events for the party so long as it goes ahead. 

Tilly meets Seth who has just moved to town with his 6 year old son Jack, and watching a fledgling friendship between them start up was lovely to see.   Equally seeing how Tllly's relationship with her sister progresses was quite heartening. 

This could be read as a standalone but why would you want to when the others in the series are so good.   

I loved reading every moment of this story, and found myself really getting behind Tilly, especially in her uncertainty about her boyfriend, Rufus.  All the regulars from Seashell Cove were there, and Gwen from the cafe was as amusing as ever.   

A joy to read this is another lovely story from an author who is fast becoming a drop everything and read now author - in fact I pretty much did that with this book and didn't regret it.  Such a pleasurable story to lose yourself in for a few hours. 

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

Book Review - The Bakery at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke - #HolidayReading Book 20

Book 20 of 28 read on my holiday to Cyprus in June 2018.

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Amazon UK

Title: The Bakery at Seashell Cove

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 8th June 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Meg Larson thought she had everything she wanted: she works in the local bakery, she’s months away from marrying her high-school sweetheart, and home is beautiful, sunny Seashell Cove, where the sky is blue, the sea is turquoise and the sand is golden.

Except that the bakery is up for sale and her fiancé Sam’s more interested in bikes than their relationship. When Meg receives shocking news about her family, he’s on a cycling tour and ignoring her calls – and posting selfies on Facebook with a female cyclist he looks far too cosy with...

Luckily the bakery’s estate agent, Nathan, is understanding and funny, and as the summer goes on an unexpected friendship blossoms. When the bakery is given a second lease of life under a mysterious new owner, Meg realises a change might be exactly what she needs too.

Will Meg find the happy-ever-after she dreams of in Seashell Cove?

Just wow! Another truly spectacular book from Karen Clarke. I am loving this series. 

Seashell Cove is a place full of colourful characters including Gwen from the cafe, and I thoroughly enjoying getting to know Meg and her family better. 

I wasn't as keen on Meg's fiance and his family though.

And the bakery, what a great story involving it, and whether Meg would or wouldn't get her dream come true of running the old bakery. This is a woman that can seriously bake and her cakes were sounding delicious. 

I am loving how both of these Seashell Cove books so far are slightly different from what you may expect from the titles! Fantastic writing, great storylines and pretty setting, combining to create another fantastic story. I can't wait for the next book!

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

Book Review - The Cafe at Seashell Cove by Karen Clarke - Blog Tour

Amazon UK

Title: The Cafe at Seashell Cove

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 15th March 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome to the Café at Seashell Cove, where you’ll find irresistible home-baked cakes, smiling friendly faces – and maybe even a second chance at love…

When Cassie Maitland needs a holiday from her glamorous but stressful job in event management, she escapes home to gorgeous Seashell Cove, where her family’s cosy café sits perched on the cliffs above sparkling waves and golden sand.

But a lot has changed while Cassie’s been away: her parents have transformed their tired café into a welcoming haven, her friends Meg and Tilly have whole new lives, and old flame Danny’s twinkling eyes and winning smile make Cassie feel even more flustered than they used to.

Keen to throw herself back into local life, Cassie starts to run themed events – including a not entirely successful cat-café day, complete with dozens of felines. Luckily Danny is always around to lend a helping hand, and Cassie soon begins to wonder if her life in London was really all she made it out to be…

Could a new start in Seashell Cove be exactly what Cassie needs?

What a refreshing change for a book that feature the word Cafe in the title to not be completely about food and life in the cafe!  The book is really about Cassie who has returned to her home town after working in London for years, to try to set up her own events planning business, and intending to run a series of events at her parent's cafe to build up local contacts. 

Given she had been working as an event planner in London, a fact her parents continually boast about, should mean that things go according to plan for Cassie but as you may have guessed from the start of that sentence, things aren't quite that simple. 

I absolutely loved the variety of ideas that Cassie came up with for the cafe, and the events certainly sounded a lot of fun. Cassie is able to re-connect with old friends and feel closer to her family too, but is she truly happy? Well you will need to read to see exactly what is is Cassie should be doing with her life. 

One of my favourite scenes involved a comedy night, the one liners from the comedian were perfectly pitched both for the audience he was performing to, and also for my sense  of humour. They were clever but groan worthy at the same time, I loved them. 

The writing is fabulous and with ever book I read of Karen Clarke's she is becoming a firm favourite of mine. The setting of Seashell Cove sounded divine and I would have loved to visit for myself.  This is a warm hearted, uplifting story of family, romance, and of being true to yourself and I would recommend it to anyone. 

Just don't expect lashings of gorgeous cake descriptions, as although there is small bit of food, as I said at the start this is not a typical cafe story, and shouldn't be read with that expectation. The cafe does have a place to play but more of as a hub for where Cassie tries out some of her ideas. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Author Bio:

Karen Clarke writes romantic comedy novels. Her BEACHSIDE series is set in the fictional seaside town of Shipley and features recurring characters, but each book can be read as a standalone. She is currently working on a new, three-book series set in Devon- the first, The Café at Seashell Cove is out March 15^th 2018. 

Karen has also written three romcoms with a paranormal twist, all available to download

When she's not working on her novels, Karen writes short stories for women's magazines and has had over three hundred published globally. Some of them can be read in her short story collection 'BEHIND CLOSED DOORS...and other Tales with a Twist' 

Karen lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband and three grown-up children.

Author Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.clarke.5682

Twitter:     https://twitter.com/karenclarke123

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Website: http://writewritingwritten.blogspot.co.uk/

Book Review - The Beachside Christmas by Karen Clarke - Blog Tour

Amazon UK

Title: The Beachside Christmas

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 26th September 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Snow is falling and there’s romance in the air. Curl up for a cosy Christmas by the fire at Seaview Cottage…

When thirty-year-old Lily Ambrose’s latest relationship ends in disaster, she remembers happy childhood holidays in the seaside town of Shipley and decides it’s the perfect place for a fresh start.

But when Lily arrives, the town’s spirits are as low as her own: the local celebrity due to turn on the Christmas lights has gone on a cruise instead. Keen to prove herself, she calls in a favour and secures gorgeous reality star Ollie. 

Lily’s neighbours are initially thrilled, but Ollie is as uncontrollable as he is good-looking. He can’t remember the town’s name, calls the Christmas decorations tacky, and manages to offend everyone. And whilst handsome but stubborn cameraman Craig tries to help, even he can’t stop Ollie’s madcap plans to stage a romance with Lily…

Will Lily be able to keep Ollie under control and bring the Christmas cheer back to Shipley – and find herself a real kiss under the mistletoe?

I don't know about you but I love a good Christmas light display. I know its getting towards Christmas properly when driving about, you see neighbours and strangers houses all lit up for Christmas.  

So when you give me a book that features a Christmas lights competition (and I'm talking outdoor lights and decorations), by an author that I love, set in Shipley, which I have enjoyed from two other books earlier this year, and you have a sure fire winner of a book for me. 

This was a book that had me smiling early on in the book, and had me properly laughing once Ollie had been introduced. He is s shamed reality TV star, who has been persuaded to come to Shipley to judge the lights competition. He brings along Craig the camera man in the hope he can get a new one man show commissioned. 

Lily on the other hand has just moved to Shipley, is trying to make friends with her new neighbours, and attempting to embark on a new career as a novelist. Previously a primary school teacher, her attempts at starting to write a novel, when she hasn't even decided a genre or direction will probably make established authors either cringe or laugh in recognition. 

I loved being back in Shipley and felt right at home with the book and author's writing style from the opening chapters. Yet you don't have to have read the two previous books as this easily works as a standalone novel. 

Ollie's madcap antics were a fabulous tonic, completely believable but at the same time, I was rolling my eyes at him being a smooth talker, while being seduced by his charm! Craig his cameraman is completely different, a lot quieter, but brings a more down to earth quality to the story. He is constantly there and seems to act as Ollie's babysitter at times! 

The Beachside Christmas is a light hearted, fun, easy to read story that will have you giggling, while also wishing your own house has far more Christmas lights! 

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Author Bio:

Karen Clarke writes romantic comedy novels. THE BEACHSIDE SWEET SHOP and THE BEACHSIDE FLOWER STALL are out now and THE BEACHSIDE CHRISTMAS will be available in September 2017.

Karen has also written three romcoms with a paranormal twist, all available to download

When she's not working on her novels, Karen writes short stories for women's magazines and has had over three hundred published in the UK and abroad. Some of them can be read in her short story collection 'BEHIND CLOSED DOORS...and other Tales with a Twist' 

Karen lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband and three grown-up children.

Author Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.clarke.5682

Twitter:     https://twitter.com/karenclarke123

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Website: http://writewritingwritten.blogspot.co.uk/

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Book Review - The Beachside Flower Stall by Karen Clarke - Blog Tour

Amazon UK

Title: The Beachside Flower Stall

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 13th April 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Carrie Dashwood fled Dorset ten years ago when her best friend Megan stole her love, local heartthrob Tom. Now she’s back to help run her aunt Ruby’s flower stall in idyllic Shipley. 

Trying to persuade herself that her feelings for Tom are in the past, Carrie plans to avoid him and Megan completely. But it’s not to be, because Ruby’s Blooms are arranging the flowers for Megan and Tom’s wedding. 

Soon Carrie’s crawling under the stall to hide and accidentally inventing an imaginary boyfriend... But with the stall’s finances in jeopardy and Ruby needing her niece more than ever, Carrie has to keep her emotions in check.

With bouquets to arrange, family secrets to uncover, and Tom unavoidably a part of her life again, can Carrie keep her cool, save the stall, and find her very own happy ever after?

What a joyous return to Shipley, the the Beachside Bay series, with a predominately who le new set of characters so although its the second book in a series, its also a standalone.  It was a complete pleasure to read this book, and was a great way to spend an afternoon. 

Carrie hasn't seen Megan or Tom, since Tom's 21st birthday party, where Carrie was hoping to move her friendship with Tom onto a more romantic level, and instead Megan, her best friend, hits on him and they start a relationship. 

Ten years later, Carrie is asked to help out on her aunt's flower stall at the market in Shipley, as her aunt, Ruby, has been laid low for the moment. She soons finds out that not only is Tom in the area still, but he is getting married to Megan after all these years.

Oh and if that wasn't enough, the flower stall, Ruby's Blooms is having to pitch to do the wedding flowers as they can't turn down a job this big for financial reasons. 

As much as I really did enjoy the weaving story that is Carrie, Megan and Tom, in the run up to the wedding, and there are some wonderful moments, between them, my favourite storylines all involved Ruby. 

When you discover the reason that Ruby is not quite herself, and what Carrie tries to do to help her, well it melted my heart, and as the story is revealed, I found myself wishing for a happy outcome for Ruby even more than I was for Carrie. 

I loved Carrie's first days on the market stall, the only prep she had done, was to view a youtube video on flower arranging, so clearly doesn't really know anything about making up bouquets or even the names of most of the flowers on sale, but local busy body Doris Day is on hand to give advice. 

Karen Clarke writes in such an easy to read style, that I found the pages were flying past, as I just kept on needing to read, as I was really caught up in the stories and lives of the people in Shipley. There were some flower arrangements that I could really picture, and then there are some either cringeworthy or hilarious conversations. 

Ruby's house is above a bakery and the baker may have a vested interest in his upstairs tenant, and the conversations with the double entendres he has with Carrie are very funny. Then there are the things that Ruby's flower stall assistant Jane is wanting to get up to, on her holiday with her husband that greatly amused me, and I think embarrassed Carrie (inspired by a rather famous erotic novel!). 

The Beachside Flower Stall is an excellent second book in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Thanks so much to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

About the author

After giving up her job as a library assistant, Karen now writes full-time. She’s had over 300 stories published in women’s magazines in the UK and abroad, and has written three paranormal romantic comedies, published by Little, Brown/Corsair. When she’s not writing she reads avidly, walks dogs at her local rescue centre, and is eagerly awaiting the next season of The Walking Dead. She lives in Buckinghamshire with her husband and three grown-up children.

http://writewritingwritten.blogspot.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/karen.clarke.5682

https://twitter.com/karenclarke123

Please follow along with the rest of the blog tour, for more The Beachside Flower Stall goodness. 

Book Review - The Beachside Sweet Shop by Karen Clarke

Amazon UK

Title:  The Beachside Sweet Shop

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication Date: 2nd March 2017 

Rating: 5 Stars

Chocolate fudge, butterscotch and raspberry bonbons… treat yourself to some sugary treats, a big slice of friendship and a sprinkling of romance at The Beachside Sweet Shop.

When Marnie Appleton inherited a sweet shop from her grandfather she was determined to do his legacy proud. The shop has been a much-loved feature of the little seaside town of Shipley for years, but now Marnie needs to bring it up to date, and she’s recruited gorgeous new assistant Josh to help. 

Marnie gets busy redecorating the shop and choosing delicious new sweets to stock, but things are never that simple: new neighbour Isobel, a fame-hungry blogger, is on a crusade against sugar, and she’ll go to any lengths to secure bad publicity for Marnie’s shop. 

Marnie fights back with homemade sugar-free treats, but with her best friend Beth heavily pregnant, her grandmother Celia recovering from an operation, and her very recently ex-boyfriend Alex returning to Shipley with a new love, Marnie has a lot on her plate. 

And then there’s Josh, with whom Marnie is struggling to keep her relationship strictly professional…Will both the sweet shop and love flourish? 

Every now and then, you read the perfect book for your current mood, at just the right time, and for me The Beachside Sweet Shop was one such book. I had struggled with my previous read a bit, and starting to wonder if with new stresses on my time, whether I could still sit and devour a book in a relatively short time, and thankfully I picked The Beachside Sweet Shop. It has completely put my mind to rest, and at the same time provided me with a wonderfully enjoyable story, and a whole new seaside town to fall in love with. 

I knew this was going to be the right sort of book for my me, when within the first page turn I was laughing out loud, in fact the opening exchanges between Marnie and her sweet supplier, set the tone for this book, as light hearted, and not afraid to make jokes. 

As you may have guessed a lot of the action in this book is centred around Marnie's sweetshop. Although I have a sweet tooth I've always been more of a chocolate than sweet person, so thankfully I didn't get too hungry while reading, however if you love your sweets than I suggest you get a bag of them to nibble on while reading. 

The Beachside Sweet Shop is a rather olde-world style shop, designed to remind people of their childhoods, it serves sweets in imperial measurements, and even has a pick and mix section. Marnie hasn't really made many changes to the shop since taking it over two years ago after her beloved grandfather's death. She isn't even sure she wasn't to still be in Shipley, running a sweet shop, and is determined to leave it all behind one day to satisfy her wanderlust. 

Despite winning a local business award, things aren't smooth sailing for Marnie, as she attracts the attention of new neighbour Isobel. Isobel is a blogger who hopes to get a book deal and decides that campaigning against sweet shops will get her one. She is determined to rid Shipley of its sweet shop and then take them on elsewhere. 

At the same time Marnie also acquired a new shop assistant, a gorgeous skateboarding dude, who also does close up magic, and seems to know his way around a sweet shop. She doesn't know much about Josh but he seems like a nice guy and he did help her out of a bit of a bind. 

I really enjoyed reading Marnie's story, her friendship with Beth, all about Marnie's family, and of course the campaign involving the sweet shop. There is one memorable and funny scene involving Marnie and Coconut Ice, that really attacked my funny bone!  

The Beachside Sweet Shop is an easy to read book, with some wonderful characters, including busybody neighbour - Doris Day, some delicious sweets, potential for romance and plenty of laughs. It was a delight to read and I am already looking forward to returning to Shipley in The Beachside Flower Stall. 

Thank you so much to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Book Review - Put a Spell on You by Karen Clarke

Amazon UK

Title:  Put a Spell on You

Author: Karen Clarke

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Corsair

Publication Date:  4th June 2015

Rating: 5 Stars

On the eve of her 27th birthday, Josie Goodwin is feeling harassed. Her boyfriend Will has become a donkey-loving hippy and her best friend Lara has baby-brain. She desperately needs to find the perfect location for a film shoot, or her career may implode. Her eccentric grandma has always said that Josie will inherit a book of spells on her birthday, but since she doesn't believe in magic, nothing will improve; or will it?

It is very rare for a book to keep me smiling from start to finish, without fail, but Put a Spell on You did exactly that.  From the cover, with its hint of magic, to the amusing story, this a fabulous way to spend a lazy day reading. 

Josie's life is a bit all over the place before her 27th birthday. Her boyfriend Will, a former ad executive, has become a donkey loving hippy, her best friend is more focused on her baby and Josie needs to find the perfect location for a film shoot or risk losing her job. 

When Josie turns 27 she has always been told by her grandma that she will inherit a book of spells. Josie has spent her life humouring her gran, up until she turns 27, and discovers she is a witch with the power to perform 9 spells in 9 days, and then the power leaves her. 

Josie is your typical chick-lit heroine, in that she is a bit ditzy and doesn't seem to focus on things that well. It is due to that lack of concentration and lack of focus, that leads to the interesting and unexpected events that occur when she casts her spells. 

I've always been a fan of magic, but I have generally prefer the stage show variety, than the belief that there may be white witches living among us. However I am fascinated by the idea that they could exist, and as was reading this, I couldn't help but wonder what I would wish for, if I suddenly had magical powers. Have a feeling I may be thinking that for a while yet!

There is within the book a good amount of scepticism from Josie's friends and family, about whether magic really exists, or whether what happens is really a set of coincidences that could be explained away.  In some respects the title "worst witch" could describe the outcomes, in others fate could be an explanation. 

 I will admit after some of the spells were cast, Josie and me as a reader were confused as to the outcomes. I stayed confused for a while, but it was a good confusion, and lead to many more humorous moments. 

Whatever you believe, this is definitely an entertaining and hilariously written story. It's not overly long either, so if you don't have too much time to read, this is still manageable. Equally I barely put it down during the afternoon I spent reading it, so it is definitely a book that will hold your interest. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for this review copy. This was my honest review.