I wanted to write such a good review for this book--I've really loved the Mure Island series by Jenny Colgan, but this book left me completely baffled and I'm being generous giving it three stars. This book was different, as it introduced a lot of new characters into the mix and focused less on the usual cast of characters, but I was ok with that. I actually grew to like Konstantin and Gaspard. So, my concerns: One of the "romantic" scenes was a bit more graphic than I prefer as one of the things I love about Jenny Colgan is that she can write a passion-filled love scene capturing the characters' feelings and thoughts without being gross. Not a big deal but I just hope this is not a trend. The other thing is that there's much more profanity in this book and I just hope that it doesn't get any worse. Granted, the worst language was expressed by Coltan who has a really foul mouth anyway and he is, of course, in horrible pain. However, I just hope it doesn't get any worse because it really takes away from the charm of the stories. The new hotel’s impressive kitchens throw together two unlikely new friends: Isla Gregor is the hardworking young girl who has been a waitress in the island's cafe, dreaming of a bigger, better life now that she’s at a proper fancy hotel. Konstantin Pederson is working his way up in the hotel's kitchens too…but he is also, secretly, the only son of the Duke of Utsire. Konstantin has been sent to learn what it is to work hard for a living, before receiving his inheritance. Although he’s initially resentful, the place grows on him; he has never met anyone quite like Isla and her fellow Murians before.

I have to assume that these inconsistencies were intentional, as no professional writer or editor would have missed all of them. I just can't imagine what the point of them was--all it served to do for me was completely distract me from enjoying the story. It made the story almost hard to read at times. And then there’s the horrible stereotypes that the author indulges in. Texans are all types. I know to give Tripp a story arc you felt the need to paint him in the WORST possible way, but honestly it’s very, very lazy. I can handle the way the author paints Jan, because I expect she’ll have a moment in a later book where she finally, finally, is decent. But be careful, if she’s so horrid, then once again you are indulging in a stereotype to no end. Our Barhas a large outside terrace, a Coffee lounge and bistro for light bites during the day, and wine bar during the evening. TheTriumph Bar, which opens at 5pm each day, boasts a stylish sports bar theme. When Bronwyn finds out that Fletcher is in snowy Vermont at a romantic inn for the week, she can’t help but give synchronicity a push. She signs Emma up to help the inn keeper as the children’s activity coordinator. Emma agrees that a week filled with quaint shops and maple syrup would do her good… and maybe Fate really does have a Christmas gift in store for her. That is until she sees Fletcher with his daughter and fiancée.Je volgt niet alleen de vertrouwde personages, ook worden er nieuwe karakters geïntroduceerd die voor heel wat leven in de brouwerij zorgen. De schreeuwende Franse chef-kok Gaspard en de Noorse keukenhulp Konstantin, die nog nooit voor zichzelf hoefde te zorgen, worden goed uitgewerkt, hun verhaallijnen zorgen voor verbazing, humor en ontroering en ze groeien in het verhaal. Daarnaast leef je mee met juf Lorna en huisarts Saif, die nog steeds wacht op nieuws over zijn vrouw, erger je je aan een momzilla op het eiland, moet je lachen om de grote persoonlijkheid van Flora’s nichtje Agot en pakt een viral video niet helemaal uit zoals die bedoeld was. Er is dus genoeg te beleven, maar alle verhaallijnen zijn prima te onderscheiden en samen vormen ze een mooi geheel. Dystopian Fiction Books Everyone Should Read: Explore The Darker Side of Possible Worlds and Alternative Futures I originally had rated this one at 4.5 stars because of two concerns I have but due to an elder moment that I had (Doh!), I deleted my first review so I've changed my rating to 5 stars.

Who is that new chap anyway?” said Mrs. Brodie suspiciously. “I’m just saying. He’s a bit of a ride and no mistake.”As I said above, I don't like Joel and think the best thing for this series would have been for Flora to choose herself. Being with someone who you have to constantly worry about upsetting is not a relationship. I felt sad for Saif and Lorna, but thought the whole subplot with his kids in the Christmas play was so insensitive I had no words. Plus the island people bringing a Christmas tree and presents to his house had me going, arghh a few times. I just have no idea why that was even included. Also Colton's past comes to him (literally) in this one and I loathed the character who came to Mure. Sorry, not sorry, I felt appalled by the whole thing. The timeless classicLittle Womeninspired this heartwarming modern tale of four sisters fromNew York Timesbestselling author Virginia Kantra.

Lucy, who has jetted off to snowy Colorado for her dream-come-true white Christmas, is taken into the fold of Jules’s loud and brash family, discovering more about herself in a few short days than she has in years. This was such a cosy and feel good read that was perfect to snuggle up with during this cold weather and bask in the warm, quirky characters and multiple romances that unfold. Practical Emma thinks it’s just a coincidence, but her best friend Bronwyn believes it’s the magic of synchronicity that caused Emma to find the watch. Fletcher was the one that got away, and somehow Emma never quite moved on. when you grow up somewhere with a population of about a thousand, secret internet shopping came as a boon on par with electricity… But as things take a surprising turn we find Flora is pregnant with Joel’s child, this is something she can’t fathom, her best friend Lorna’s impending relationship with Saif is developing I loved their relationship as well as the banter between Flora & Lorna , it was heartbreaking to see what happened to Colton.

Books Multibuys

What made this book a huge disappointment for me were the many inconsistencies with the previous books. Right from the very start of the book, I was scratching my head trying to figure out who the Bookers were...because in the first three books Joel's last name was Binder. Even more distracting, the vile Jan from the first three books is now all of a sudden named Pam. This drove me nuts. Marsha was now Martha. Dr. Hassan was now Dr. Hussein. Things like this just weren't necessary and were confusing to me as a well-established reader of the series.