Tag: Jenny Colgan

Five Hundred Mile From You By Jenny Colgan

Five Hundred Mile From You By Jenny Colgan

by Hannah ♥ 2 Comments

Lissa loves her job as a nurse, but recently she’s been doing a better job of looking after other people than looking after herself. After a traumatic incident at work leaves her feeling overwhelmed, she agrees to swap lives with someone in a quiet village in Scotland.

Cormac is restless. Just out of the army, he’s desperately in need of distraction, and there’s precious little of it in Kirrinfief. Maybe three months in London is just what he needs.

As Lissa and Cormac warm to their new lives, emailing back and forth about anything and everything, finally things seem to be falling into place. But each of them feel there’s still a piece missing. What – or who – could it be?

And what if it’s currently five hundred miles away?

My Thoughts:

There is just something about Jenny Colgan’s books that make you feel wrapped up in a great big hug. This was a brilliant story about Lissa and Cormac, both have had issues in the past and they swap jobs, but feel as though something is missing, but what happens when they meet? the story flows nicely and I warmed to both of them, that I hope they could have their happy ever after. I didn’t want this story and now want to read it over again. Another brilliant read by a fantastic author, cannot wait to read the next book.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

Hardcover

The Bookshop on the Shore By Jenny Colgan

The Bookshop on the Shore By Jenny Colgan

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Escape to the Scottish Highlands where a tiny bookshop perches on the edge of a loch

Zoe is a single mother, sinking beneath the waves trying to cope by herself in London. Hari, her gorgeous little boy is perfect in every way – except for the fact that he just doesn’t speak, at all. When her landlord raises the rent on her flat, Zoe doesn’t know where to turn.

Then Hari’s aunt suggests Zoe could move to Scotland to help run a bookshop. Going from the lonely city to a small village in the Highlands could be the change Zoe and Hari desperately need.

Faced with an unwelcoming boss, a moody, distant bookseller named Ramsay Urquart, and a band of unruly children, Zoe wonders if she’s made the right decision. But Hari has found his very first real friend, and no one could resist the beauty of the loch glinting in the summer sun. If only Ramsay would just be a little more approachable…

My Thoughts:

I always find with a Jenny Colgan book that they are pure escapism. All her books tackle relatable issues but they are written sensitively and you don’t feel as though you are alone. I loved how this story came together and in a sense to me came alive. I felt as though I wanted to be there in the thick of it to help Zoe out. Jenny Colgan’s books just keep getting better and better.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bookshop-Shore-Jenny-Colgan-ebook

hardback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bookshop-Shore-Jenny-Colgan/

An Island Christmas (Mure) By Jenny Colgan

An Island Christmas (Mure) By Jenny Colgan

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It’s a time for hunkering down, getting cosy in front of whisky barrel wood fires, and enjoying a dram with the people you love – unless, of course, you’re accidentally pregnant to your ex-boss, and don’t know how to tell him.

In what should be the season of peace and goodwill on earth, will Joel think Flora is a bearer of glad tidings?

Meanwhile Saif, the doctor and refugee from war-torn Syria is trying to enjoy his first western Christmas with his sons – but without his missing wife. Can the little family possibly find comfort and joy?

My Thoughts:

This is book 4 in the series and I strongly suggest that you read the other three before this as you can get to know all the characters and there are lots of them and their stories first. I couldn’t wait to escape back to the Island of Mure where this book is set. This is a heart warming, sensitive and romantic story that will leave you feeling all warm and cosy in side. Jenny’s books just keep getting better and better and there could potentially be another one in this series.

Get your copy here:

kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Christmas-Mure-Book-ebook/

Hardcover

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Christmas-Mure-Jenny-Colgan

The Endless Beach By Jenny Colgan

The Endless Beach By Jenny Colgan

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On the quayside next to the Endless Beach sits the Summer Seaside Kitchen. It’s a haven for tourists and locals alike, who all come to eat the freshest local produce on the island and catch up with the gossip. Flora, who runs the cafe, feels safe and content – unless she thinks too hard about her relationship with Joel, her gorgeous but emotionally (and physically) distant boyfriend.

While Flora is in turmoil about her relationship. her best friend Lorna is pining after the local doctor. Saif came to the island as a refugee, having lost all of his family. But he’s about to get some shocking news which will change everything for him.

As cold winter nights shift to long summer days, can Flora find her happy-ever-after with Joel?

My Thoughts:

Doesn’t the cover make you want to dive right in? Well it does for me as I am a huge Jenny Colgan fan. If you haven’t read any of her books I would strongly recommend them with a big mug of tea and a biscuit or two. This story is all about life on Mure it follows on from the seaside kitchen where we first meet all the wonderful residents that live there. The characters make you feel as though your part of the community and shows you that no matter what your going through they will always pull together to help you. The added bonus is when you finish the book and there are some cracking recipes to test out yourself.

Get your copy here:

Kindle edition

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Endless-Beach-Sunday-bestselling-author-ebook

paperback

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Endless-Beach-Sunday-bestselling-author

The Summer Seaside Kitchen By Jenny Colgan

The Summer Seaside Kitchen By Jenny Colgan

by Hannah ♥ 1 Comment

summer-seasie

Flora is definitely, absolutely sure that escaping from the quiet Scottish island where she grew up to the noise and hustle of the big city was the right choice. What was there for her on Mure? It’s a place where everyone has known her all her life, and no one will let her forget the past. In the city, she can be anonymous, ambitious and indulge herself in her hopeless crush on her gorgeous boss, Joel.

When a new client demands Flora’s presence back on Mure, she’s suddenly swept back into life with her brothers (all strapping, loud and seemingly incapable of basic housework) and her father. As Flora indulges her new-found love of cooking and breathes life into the dusty little pink-fronted shop on the harbour, she’s also going to have to come to terms with past mistakes – and work out exactly where her future lies…

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Jenny Colgan and absolutely love her books and this book I decided to treat myself too. I liked it but it wasn’t my favourite book by Jenny. The writing has a certain warmth to it but I didn’t feel so connected to the characters as I usually do. There were beautiful descriptions of the scenery and the food of course. There are recipes in the back if you fancy making any of the food that Flora the main character makes. I wonder if there will be a follow on book from this. I will read it if there is.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Seaside-Kitchen-Jenny-Colgan

Rules: Things are Changing at the Little School by the Sea By Jane Beaton and Jenny Colgan

Rules: Things are Changing at the Little School by the Sea By Jane Beaton and Jenny Colgan

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For the first time, the girls caught sight of the turreted, castle-like building that would be home for the next nine months, the four towers of the main houses nestled in the hills, with the cliffs behind, leading down to the still turquoise sea.

Maggie loves teaching English at beautiful Downey House but she is less keen on planning her wedding to dependable Stan. Instead, she’s working on ignoring her crush on David McDonald, who teaches English at the local boys’ school.

Just as Simone and Fliss have become friends, Zelda arrives to upset everything. Zelda is loudly, glamorously American, and she’s full of ways to improve life at boring school. Soon, quiet, mousy Simone is undergoing a makeover. And Fliss is about to jeopardise everything to impress a boy.

In a new year at school, the girls of Downey House will be breaking all the rules – and not all of them will escape unscathed.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the series and I am absolutely looking forward to the next one. We catch up with Maggie the English teacher and the girls Simone, Fliss and Alice, this series we get to meet new girl Zelda and find out her story.  There is a more serious issue that runs through this book but how it has been written is very sensible and sensitive. I think it has been written really well.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rules-Things-Changing-Little-School

Class: Welcome to the Little School by the Sea By Jane Beaton and Jenny Colgan

Class: Welcome to the Little School by the Sea By Jane Beaton and Jenny Colgan

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Maggie went to the window and opened it wide, inhaling the lovely, ozoney air off the sea. Why had she never lived by the sea before? Why had she always looked out on housing estates and not the little white hulls of trawlers bobbing off in the distance?

It’s gloriously sunny in Cornwall as the school year starts at the little boarding school by the sea.
Maggie, the newest teacher at Downey House, is determined to make her mark – but will it be at the expense of her relationship with safe, dependable Stan?

Simone has won a scholarship and wants to make her parents proud. Forced to share a room with the glossy, pretty, clever girls of Downey House, she needs to find a friend, fast.

Fliss is furious at being sent away from her home. As Simone tries desperately to fit in, Fliss tries desperately to get out.

Over the course of one year, friendships will bloom and lives will be changed forever.

My Thoughts:

Not having read any stories about girls at boarding school before I was looking forward to reading this book. There are some great characters in this enjoyable read. These books are part of a series and I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of them. Some of the girls get up to mischief, one of the girls I felt sorry for and the rest have their own stories to tell. I loved it.

Get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Class-Welcome-Little-School-Maggie

The Little Shop of Happy Ever After By Jenny Colgan

The Little Shop of Happy Ever After By Jenny Colgan

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Given a back-room computer job when the beloved Birmingham library she works in turns into a downsized retail complex, Nina misses her old role terribly – dealing with people, greeting her regulars, making sure everyone gets the right books for their needs.

Then a new business nobody else wants catches her eye: owning a tiny little bookshop bus up in the Scottish highlands. No computers. Shortages. Out all hours in the freezing cold; driving with a tiny stock of books… not to mention how the little community is going to take to her, particularly when she stalls the bus on a level crossing…

My Thoughts:

I bought this book as I am a big fan of Jenny Colgan and I also wanted to add it to my collection. I did find it hard to get into the story but once I did I loved it. The way Jenny writes is brilliant, she adds so much description and depth that you almost feel as though you are there amongst these fantastic characters. I loved Nina the main character, she seems to be able to pick a book for someone and know that they will like it. Lovely little story, I look forward to her next book.

If you would like to purchase this book, please click  on the link below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Shop-Happy-Ever-After-Jenny-Colgan

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery By Jenny Colgan

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery By Jenny Colgan

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Summer has arrived in the Cornish town of Mount Polbearne and Polly Waterford couldn’t be happier. Because Polly is in love: she’s in love with the beautiful seaside town she calls home, she’s in love with running the bakery on Beach Street, and she’s in love with her boyfriend, Huckle.

And yet there’s something unsettling about the gentle summer breeze that’s floating through town. Selina, recently widowed, hopes that moving to Mount Polbearne will ease her grief, but Polly has a secret that could destroy her friend’s fragile recovery. Responsibilities that Huckle thought he’d left behind are back and Polly finds it hard to cope with his increasingly long periods of absence.

Polly sifts flour, kneads dough and bakes bread, but nothing can calm the storm she knows is coming: is Polly about to lose everything she loves?

My Thoughts:

Jenny Colgan is one of my favourite authors, I love all of her books and was excited to receive this one in the post. I would suggest that you read Little beach street bakery first (unless you have already) as you will be up to date on who is who and the story so far. I love the way Jenny writes with such passion and even though the weather at the moment is raining and cold, Jenny has a way to perk you up with her enthusiasm. I loved the story and all the characters are brilliant apart from Malcolm. Neil the puffin features in this book too, which always puts a smile on my face. I love all the recipes Jenny puts into the back of her books, will have to try some at some point. When I read a book by Jenny Colgan my tummy always rumbles for some bread or cake. Perfect for a winters night in.

The Christmas Surprise By Jenny Colgan

The Christmas Surprise By Jenny Colgan

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Rosie Hopkins, newly engaged, is looking forward to an exciting year in the little sweetshop she owns and runs. But when fate strikes Rosie and her boyfriend, Stephen, a terrible blow, threatening everything they hold dear, it’s going to take all their strength and the support of their families and their Lipton friends to hold them together.

After all, don’t they say it takes a village to raise a child?

My Thoughts:

I am a big fan of Jenny Colgan, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book. Normally I wait until it comes out in paperback but I literally couldn’t wait so bought it in hardback as a treat. There are a couple of other books before this one which I would suggest you read but if you didn’t want to, Jenny does come recap about what had happened at the start of each book. This story had a brilliant little plot, some people would probably say they could tell what was going to happen, but I don’t mind that as Jenny has a way of writing where you feel that it doesn’t really matter. There was some brilliant characters in this book including Rosie, who I am very envious of as she owns a sweetshop and little baby Apostil, who just seems so cute. I love the fact Jenny has a map in the front of her book and a timeline, it makes you feel as if you are included in the story. If you know what I mean. Fantastic recipes at the back of this book and all of her other books, that you simply must try out as they are brilliant. Rather than a 5/5 I would definitely give this book a 10.