Books

Series in Review #6: The Little Bookcafé

I’m an idiot. Now, believe it or not: I do have a specific reason for stating that. Namely: I have more books I want to review, than I have dates left until they’re all published. The solution? Why, to write some mini-reviews, of course! I fully expect you will get more of these in the (not so) near future: two or three books, reviewed slightly more briefly, in one post. Honestly, what’s not to love? So let’s start this right off with The Little Bookcafé!

Tash’s Story

Story

Local estate agent Tash isn’t convinced about joining the new book club at Berecombe’s beautiful new bookshop and café. Dragged there by her friend Emma, she knows she needs a night out. Her boyfriend Adrian is wonderful, and adores her, but has become a bit clingy of late. So when she is introduced to new local farmer Kit, with his scruffy beard and low-key look, its’s a breath of fresh air to chat to someone so un-Adrian. Maybe this book club idea could be fun after all!

But when Tash starts forgetting things and behaving oddly, over-protective Adrian is determined to keep her from her new interest. But if bookclub has taught Tash anything, she should know not to judge a book by its cover… 

My opinion

Last year, I read Crazy For You by Jennifer Crusie, and if you’ve ever read anything by that author: this story has a bit of a familiar feel to it. Georgia Hill manages to perfectly an increasing feeling of discomfort that not only Tash, but I too felt as the book continued. I’ve never really been too crazy about the idea of being crazy in love (see what I did there? 😉 ) and if nothing else, this book has certainly reinforced that feeling.It is clear from pretty much the first page what is going to happen in Tash’s story. The author manages to make the journey to that destination so interesting, though, that I could not stop reading.

I actually flew through this book, that’s how much I got sucked in to the world of Berecombe. From the locals and all their quirks to Tash’s friend, Emma, and the leader of the book club, Amy, to Kit and his pendant for saving animals… Georgia Hill manages to set up a remarkably in depth world in just 100 pages!

Rating: 3.5/5
Goodreads

Emma’s Story

Story

When Emma she discovers that Berecombe’s fabulous book café is running a literary course for beginners, she is excited to give it a try. She’s always wanted to study more, and it doesn’t hurt that Joel, the suave and charming new teacher is pretty easy on the eye…

The more she learns, the more she starts to question whether she really wants the life she has built up. Her boyfriend of forever, Ollie, is constantly training with the RNLI, so they hardly get to see each other, and she is pretty sure Joel has a soft spot for her…

Will Joel sweep her off her feet? Or can Ollie make the most important rescue of his life?

My opinion

What struck me immediately when I started reading this book: while it is, in a way, a sequel to Tash’s Story, the tone is completely different. In a way, I think I even enjoyed it more than the first part of the series!Again, I was pulled into the world of Berecombe. I really enjoyed further getting to know some of the “secondary” characters – especially Millie and Bibby. Talk about colourful characters. The author actually managed to completely catch me off guard with one specific couple – and that’s not something that happens on the regular!

I loved the romance between Emma and Ollie. Not only do their names already sound like they were meant to be together. The fact that, for once, a book is not about a new couple? That the focus is pulled towards the kind of questions a lot of us, these days, ask? “Is this it?” “Do I really want to be with this person for the rest of my life?” Even when you are sure of your love for someone, society hits us with all these things we *should* (want to) do, and that can be a lot of pressure for anyone…

Either way, this book tackled that situation, and it did so beautifully.

Rating: 3,75/5
Goodreads

And as I mentioned for Tash’s story, I was immediately drawn in by Tash’s friends. Emma’s story has already been published, and Amy’s is set for publication on October 5th… So guess who’s going to be keeping an eye out for that one? 😉

-Saar