Baking fanatic, Charlie Quilter, inherits a vintage bus in her late uncle’s will and is keen to give it a new lease of life. Charlie thinks it will be the perfect mobile café for afternoon tea, so she heads to the picturesque Cornish village of Porthgolow, hoping for a new start. However, Daniel Harper, the owner of the posh spa up on the hill isn’t very pleased that her bus is parked outside his lovely hotel. Has Charlie’s Cornish dream developed a soggy bottom? Or can she convince Daniel that her bus could take them somewhere wonderful?

My Thoughts:

I love a book that is set in one of my favourite places Cornwall. It just makes me want to go there. This is the first book in the series and I look forward to read the others and following Charlie’s story. She inherits a bus and to give it a new lease of life decides to make it in to a mobile café to serve afternoon teas. After deciding that a little village in Cornwall would be the perfect spot, she heads off there but only to discover people that live there may not be keen on her pulling up and taking their business. Can she win them around or will she have to move on and shatter her dreams? It is a fun read, though don’t read on an empty stomach as the sounds of all the culinary delights will leave you feeling rather hungry. There is quite a lot going on in this book with lots of unique characters. There is always going to be a romance but you have to expect that. I loved it.

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Thirty-year-old Tessa Archer is an emotional eater who is full of self-loathing and lacking confidence – she’s a woman who is desperate to change if only she had the nerve.

Her cause isn’t helped by her family whose all-round lack of regard, belief and simple love make her life a whole lot harder. Unable to match up to her ‘perfect’ siblings, a brutal family dinner pushes Tessa to take the first tentative steps towards transformation. Inventing a girls’ weekend away, she plans a short break in Cornwall – alone. It’s a place where she hopes she can feel reinvigorated about life, even if she’s terrified of the prospect. This is a last-ditch attempt to prove to her family that she isn’t the scared, useless ‘lump’ they think she is.

Once in St. Ives, with no expectations or standards to uphold, Tessa finally feels as though she can breathe, and not just because the air is cleaner. She pushes herself to meet new people and finally concentrate on her own life. With the help of the Coastal Cahoots Club, a group of crazy elderly ladies, led by the indomitable Winnie, a new Tessa emerges. There’s even the possibility of love with Winnie’s sexy grandson Ben – if only he was willing to open up his heart.
Who knew a group of old aged pensioners, a sexy bar owner, a militant seamstress and a beautiful Cornish coastal town could bring such magic to a person’s life.

My Thoughts:

When reading the blurb on the back of this book, I knew it was a story I would enjoy and I did. Tessa is thirty and likes to eat, she is not really happy with her life and lacks confidence. She is desperate for a change so whilst on a short break in Cornwall she encounters Winnie who is an elderly lady, she shows her how to be more confident and gives her a job opportunity which she can’t refuse. Add in Winnie’s elderly friends who are just as crazy as Winnie, and Winnie’s very handsome grandson and you are in for a real treat. It does tackle some personal situations but the topic is dealt with sensitively. Tessa grew on me and I really hoped she found her confidence and it was wonderful to see her coming out of herself. I look forward to the next book by Victoria.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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COULD THE WORST DAY OF SALLY PARKER’S LIFE BE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO HER..?

Sally Parker had a morbid fear of big social events and it was for this reason that she was crouching down low in the shoe section of her wardrobe…

Sally Parker is struggling to find the hero inside herself.
All she wants to do is lie down.
Her husband Frank has lost his business, their home and their savings, in one fell swoop. Their bank cards are being declined. The children have gone feral. And now the bailiffs are at the door.
What does an ordinary woman do when the bottom falls out?
Sally Parker is about to surprise everybody.
Most of all herself.

My Thoughts:

I love a book that points out familiar places, throughout this book places are mentioned like Fetcham, Epsom, and leatherhead that are all near to me, I feel as though it makes the book more special when you know the place. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining read. I can almost see this as being made into a sitcom, I am sure it would have high ratings. The characters especially Sally are all wonderful, you can understand her and I really did feel for her on some occasions. I found it a really easy book to get on with and I hope to enjoy more of Mel’s books in the future.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for sending me the book.

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Trick is fifteen and the only black kid growing up in a dead-end country town. He wins approval from his tough gang of friends by spotting an opportunity for a robbery at a local supermarket. He just never thought they’d go through with it. Even though they escape with more money than they’d anticipated, it is a botched job and cataclysmic events unfold. To make matters worse, Kelly Jenkins, the girl Trick has been in love with since he was seven years old, is planning her escape from their small town. If he doesn’t tell her how he feels now, he risks losing her forever.

A gritty fast-paced story full of suspense and intrigue, Trick is about friendship, love and a good kid’s determination to make something of his life, against all the odds

My Thoughts:

This is the story of Trick and his life as a teenager. In his town he is the only black kid and we see how what his life is like. Trick is part of a gang with a few interesting characters, they decide to rob the local grocery store, so that they can get enough money to go to London and see a music gig. They are surprised at how much they actually get. But not everything is well as they have robbed from a drug dealer who wants their blood on his hands, can they get away in time? some parts of this story are amusing but there is also a more serious side to it including the drug parts. Also we see how a teenage romance blooms too. A well written story that I am sure some people will be able to relate to. I warmed to Trick straight away.

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

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