Book Review - The Cosy Teashop in the Castle by Caroline Roberts

Amazon UK

Title: The Cosy Teashop in the Castle

Author: Caroline Roberts

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Harper Impulse

Publication Date: 25th February 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Can Ellie bake her way to a happy ever after? A deliciously heartwarming novel for fans of Lucy Diamond and Milly Johnson.

When Ellie Hall lands her dream job running the little teashop in the beautiful but crumbling Claverham Castle, it’s the perfect escape from her humdrum job in the city. Life is definitely on the rise as Ellie replaces spreadsheets for scones, and continues her Nanna’s brilliant baking legacy.

When Lord Henry, the stick-in-the-mud owner, threatens to burst her baking bubble with his old-fashioned ways, Ellie wonders if she might have bitten off more than she can chew. But cupcake by cupcake she wins the locals over, including teashop stalwart, Doris, and Ellie’s showstopping bakes look set to go down in castle history!

Now all that’s missing in Ellie’s life is a slice of romance – can Joe, the brooding estate manager, be the one to put the cherry on the top of Ellie’s dream?

Alert - This book will make you hungry. Make sure you read it with cake nearby to eat as you read!

Loved the setting of this book, at Claverham Castle, and its cast of staff. From the tour guides, to Ellie's new waitresses and of course Lord Henry, you have a great selection a people to work in a castle. 

Ellie manages to bluff her way into running the tearooms at Claverham Castle, knowing that her beloved Nanna would be willing her along all the way. She impresses Lord Henry and Joe, with her Nanna's Choffee cake, and variety of flavoured scones. But in private despite landing the job of her dreams, she is panicking with her own inexperience. 

As the summer season at the castle proceeds, Ellie, learns all manner of lessons, and even falls in love. 

This book like its title suggests is a warm and cosy read for a cold winters day, and will have you longing to be served in the tearoom. The selection of cakes, and paninis on offer sounded delicious, and I loved the easy to read writing of this story. 

The Cost Teashop in the Castle is a welcoming story, of Ellie's struggles to set out on her own, and run her own teashop. Ellie is a lovely girl, who is very determined, and it felt like someone who you would want as your own friend. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Impulse for this review copy. This was my honest opinion. 

Guest Post - Top Ten Tips for a romantic weekend in Northumberland by Caroline Roberts - Blog Tour

Welcome to the start of the blog tour for The Cosy Tea Shop in the Castle by Caroline Roberts. I am delighted to welcome Caroline to the blog to share with us, her Top Ten Tips for a romantic weekend in Northumberland.

·         Bamburgh Beach and Castle – the scenery is stunning on this beach, and the village is lovely. It’s one of my favourite places in Northumberland! You could even stay at one of the lovely hotels or B&Bs. You’ll get a very special meal at The Mizen Head Hotel.

·         Book a cosy cottage and take some walks (and a picnic with you!) in to the Northumbrian hills – head for Ingram Valley, or there are wonderful walks in the Cheviots from Wooler Common, a lovely one for starters is Humbleton Hill.

·         Walk on Newton Links and Embleton Beach to the Ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle (this beach featured in my first book “TheTorn Up Marriage”). Then pop to either of the pubs at Newton-by-the-sea or Low Newton for a fabulous meal.

·         Warkworth village – such a pretty village, with some lovely quaint shops. Make sure you pop to the gorgeous patisserie Cabosse and the Fenwick gallery there.

·         Spend an afternoon in the town of Alnwick – try out The Chocolate Spa, Grannies Tea Rooms or Bari Tea for a treat.

·         Go to The Alnwick Gardens and you must visit The Treehouse there – a very romantic spot and unique indeed.

·         Visit Chillingham Castle  - an amazing place, and the castle that inspired The Cosy Teashop. The countryside around here is just beautiful.

·         The village of Craster. You can walk to the ruins of Dunstanburgh, or along the coast the other way towards Sugar Sands beach (Boulmer) both walks are fairly easy and have stunning views. Visit Mick Oxley’s Gallery in Craster, and have a spot of lunch at The Jolly Fisherman - on a nice day, you can sit in the garden there with a lovely sea view.

·         Go star-gazing at the Kielder Observatory. One of the finest and most magical places in Britain for watching the night skies.

·         Take a boat trip to The Farne Islands, and view puffins, and many varieties of seabirds, and watch out for the gorgeous grey seals. Late October to mid-Dec is a great time for seeing the seal pups.

About Caroline Roberts

Family, friends, food, a glass of bubbly and, of course, a good book make Caroline smile. She loves writing emotional stories about love, loss, betrayal, and family that explore how complex and yet beautiful love can be. She also likes to write romantic comedy, letting the characters have a bit of fun too! Caroline believes in following your dreams, which led her here to Harper Impulse and a publishing deal after many years of writing. Stunning Northumberland is her home – sandy beaches, castles and gorgeous countryside that have inspired her writing.   

Amazon UK

Can Ellie bake her way to a happy ever after? A deliciously heartwarming novel for fans of Lucy Diamond and Milly Johnson.

When Ellie Hall lands her dream job running the little teashop in the beautiful but crumbling Claverham Castle, it’s the perfect escape from her humdrum job in the city. Life is definitely on the rise as Ellie replaces spreadsheets for scones, and continues her Nanna’s brilliant baking legacy.

When Lord Henry, the stick-in-the-mud owner, threatens to burst her baking bubble with his old-fashioned ways, Ellie wonders if she might have bitten off more than she can chew. But cupcake by cupcake she wins the locals over, including teashop stalwart, Doris, and Ellie’s showstopping bakes look set to go down in castle history!

Now all that’s missing in Ellie’s life is a slice of romance – can Joe, the brooding estate manager, be the one to put the cherry on the top of Ellie’s dream?

Thank you so much for your tips Caroline. My review for The Cosy Tea Shop in the Castle is being posted tomorrow, so please check back to see it. And please do continue to enjoy the blog tour at all the other fab blogs. 

Follow Caroline and her tour on twitter