Firstly, we have The Vintage Girl by Hester Brown.
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| Quercus UK cover, 2014 |
Rating: M - chit-lit, light and happy
Post feels - Content with life
Blurb:
When Evie Nicholson is asked to visit Kettlesheer Castle in Scotland to archive the family heirlooms, she jumps at the
chance. Evie's passion for antiques means that, for her,
the castle is a treasure trove of mysteries just waiting to be
uncovered.
But in each heirloom lies a story, and in the course of her investigations Evie stumbles upon some long-buried family secrets. Add handsome, gloomy heir Robert McAndrew and a traditional candlelit gala to the mix, and Evie's heart is sent reeling with an enthusiasm that may just extend beyond the
Kettlesheer silver...
Now, I'm pretty sure this has been published under 'Swept Off Her Feet' too, however, I just bought my copy and the seemingly new cover and name seems to be a change of publisher. The picture on the left is the most recent publication. The change is understandable if you read the book. In my opinion, the old cover doesn't really relate to the story, as most of the dancing is nearer the end.
I really enjoyed this quick read with likeable and real characters. I'm always drawn to books with quirky settings and people to match and The Vintage Girl certainly delivered. The story itself is all about Evie and her obsession with all things old, tatty and historical. She particularly likes coffee stained photographs of lacy weddings and the lives which they represent, much to her antique dealer boss's dismay. At the beginning of the novel, we meet Evie who's job is already in jeopardy and when the opportunity to go to Kettlesheer Castle in the Scottish borders, she jumps at the chance. Imagine the historical possibilities! And Evie does imagine...a lot. She has an overactive imagination. From fancying unattainable menmy favourite past time to recreating the steps and actions of the old Lady of the Manor, Violet, Evie is certainly a likeable character.
However, this book is jam-packed with them: Alice, Evie's over-organized, control-freak of a sister, Fraser, Alice's lovely and dutiful tweed wearing boyfriend and Evie's secret crush, but also the people of Kettlesheer, from the nosy neighbours to the debt ridden owners of the castle and their anti-clutter son, Robert...
Browne really gets it right with the spirit of the community and family in this book which really gets your feeling warm and fuzzing just thinking of it. Of course, its not a book for long drawn out plot lines, instead its short and snappy, aiming to give the reader as much satisfaction that it's 352 pages can offer. There's romance, history, nosy neighbours, and handsome heroes - everything you need from a chic-lit book. So, how about you grab that cup of coco and sit with your feet up and dive into the world of Hester Browne and see how you like it?
I promise you won't regret it.
Rating: M - sea, rain and warm fuzzing feeling! y
Post feels - "Where's my passport, I'm off to Galway!"
Blurb:
Dooleybridge, County Galway. Population: 482 (or thereabouts). The last place Fiona Clutterbuck expects to end up, alone, on her wedding night. But after the words 'I do' have barely left her mouth, that's exactly where she is - with only her sequined shoes and a crashed camper van for company.
One thing is certain: Fi can't go back. So when the opportunity arises to work for Sean Thornton, the local oyster farmer, she jumps at the chance. Now Fi must navigate suspicious locals, jealous rivals and a wild, unpredictable boss if she's to find a new life, and love, on the Irish coast. And nothing - not even a chronic fear of water - is going to hold her back.
Join Fi on her romantic, unpredictable adventure as she learns the rules of the ocean - and picks up a few pearls of Irish wisdom along the way...
Now, I have literally just finished this book just last night and lets just say, I slept like a milk-filled baby. I felt so warm and happy after reading The Oyster Catcher that I'm actually considering blowing everything off and running away to Galway! You know when a book comes along and you just instinctively know that you're going to love every minute of it? Yes? Well, that was me with The Oyster Catcher. I knew instantly. That, my friends, is what we call 'the book of love'don't kill me because of that terrible pun!. Anyhoo, it was just what I needed on a cold, snowy Glaswegian night to cheer me up and transport me to a happy place in my head.
The Oyster Catcher follows Fiona Clutterbuck, a.k.a Fi English, who after having the worst wedding of the century, she jumps into the first car she can find and manages to end up crashing it in a small oyster farming town, Dooleybridge. Like any off-the-beaton-track town, it's slightly rundown due to the lack of oyster farming in the area and full of nosy locals wondering who and why this mysterious women in a jumper and tatty gown has just landed on their doorstep. I was honestly surprised that for a bunch of loveable but inquisitive bunch they weren't more suspicious of Fi and her arrival in town, but perhaps for the sake of a story, the locals were tamed slightly. Enter Sean Thornton, local oyster farmer looking for an out of town blow in to be a Girl Friday. With no money and no home, Fi takes the job and begins working for the tempestuous oyster farmer. However, there is one hiccup - Fi is terrified of water. So with nosy locals, oyster pirates, jealous rivals and a two love sick donkeys to contend with its a miracle Fi even finds her footing, let alone love.
I would definitely give this book a shot if you happen to see it. It's not only written precisely and easily, but the story is lovely and utterly heartwarming. I know it's going on my bookshelf, waiting for those cold, winter nights when I need a cozy story to get me through the night.
Post feels - Content with life
Blurb:
When Evie Nicholson is asked to visit Kettlesheer Castle in Scotland to archive the family heirlooms, she jumps at the
But in each heirloom lies a story, and in the course of her investigations Evie stumbles upon some long-buried family secrets. Add handsome, gloomy heir Robert McAndrew and a traditional candlelit gala to the mix, and Evie's heart is sent reeling with an enthusiasm that may just extend beyond the
Kettlesheer silver...
Now, I'm pretty sure this has been published under 'Swept Off Her Feet' too, however, I just bought my copy and the seemingly new cover and name seems to be a change of publisher. The picture on the left is the most recent publication. The change is understandable if you read the book. In my opinion, the old cover doesn't really relate to the story, as most of the dancing is nearer the end.
I really enjoyed this quick read with likeable and real characters. I'm always drawn to books with quirky settings and people to match and The Vintage Girl certainly delivered. The story itself is all about Evie and her obsession with all things old, tatty and historical. She particularly likes coffee stained photographs of lacy weddings and the lives which they represent, much to her antique dealer boss's dismay. At the beginning of the novel, we meet Evie who's job is already in jeopardy and when the opportunity to go to Kettlesheer Castle in the Scottish borders, she jumps at the chance. Imagine the historical possibilities! And Evie does imagine...a lot. She has an overactive imagination. From fancying unattainable men
However, this book is jam-packed with them: Alice, Evie's over-organized, control-freak of a sister, Fraser, Alice's lovely and dutiful tweed wearing boyfriend and Evie's secret crush, but also the people of Kettlesheer, from the nosy neighbours to the debt ridden owners of the castle and their anti-clutter son, Robert...
Browne really gets it right with the spirit of the community and family in this book which really gets your feeling warm and fuzzing just thinking of it. Of course, its not a book for long drawn out plot lines, instead its short and snappy, aiming to give the reader as much satisfaction that it's 352 pages can offer. There's romance, history, nosy neighbours, and handsome heroes - everything you need from a chic-lit book. So, how about you grab that cup of coco and sit with your feet up and dive into the world of Hester Browne and see how you like it?
I promise you won't regret it.
Next up!
It's The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas.
 |
| Headline Review, 2014 |
Rating: M - sea, rain and warm fuzzing feeling! y
Post feels - "Where's my passport, I'm off to Galway!"
Blurb:
Dooleybridge, County Galway. Population: 482 (or thereabouts). The last place Fiona Clutterbuck expects to end up, alone, on her wedding night. But after the words 'I do' have barely left her mouth, that's exactly where she is - with only her sequined shoes and a crashed camper van for company.
One thing is certain: Fi can't go back. So when the opportunity arises to work for Sean Thornton, the local oyster farmer, she jumps at the chance. Now Fi must navigate suspicious locals, jealous rivals and a wild, unpredictable boss if she's to find a new life, and love, on the Irish coast. And nothing - not even a chronic fear of water - is going to hold her back.
Join Fi on her romantic, unpredictable adventure as she learns the rules of the ocean - and picks up a few pearls of Irish wisdom along the way...
Now, I have literally just finished this book just last night and lets just say, I slept like a milk-filled baby. I felt so warm and happy after reading The Oyster Catcher that I'm actually considering blowing everything off and running away to Galway! You know when a book comes along and you just instinctively know that you're going to love every minute of it? Yes? Well, that was me with The Oyster Catcher. I knew instantly. That, my friends, is what we call 'the book of love'
The Oyster Catcher follows Fiona Clutterbuck, a.k.a Fi English, who after having the worst wedding of the century, she jumps into the first car she can find and manages to end up crashing it in a small oyster farming town, Dooleybridge. Like any off-the-beaton-track town, it's slightly rundown due to the lack of oyster farming in the area and full of nosy locals wondering who and why this mysterious women in a jumper and tatty gown has just landed on their doorstep. I was honestly surprised that for a bunch of loveable but inquisitive bunch they weren't more suspicious of Fi and her arrival in town, but perhaps for the sake of a story, the locals were tamed slightly. Enter Sean Thornton, local oyster farmer looking for an out of town blow in to be a Girl Friday. With no money and no home, Fi takes the job and begins working for the tempestuous oyster farmer. However, there is one hiccup - Fi is terrified of water. So with nosy locals, oyster pirates, jealous rivals and a two love sick donkeys to contend with its a miracle Fi even finds her footing, let alone love.
I would definitely give this book a shot if you happen to see it. It's not only written precisely and easily, but the story is lovely and utterly heartwarming. I know it's going on my bookshelf, waiting for those cold, winter nights when I need a cozy story to get me through the night.
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