Jessica Redland

Having discovered Jessica Redland last Christmas and enjoyed her books since, I was keen to jump into this book about Tabby setting up a Cat Cafe, which seems a novel concept. Unfortunately just before opening her partner deserts her and if that isn’t enough she also is suffering from the debilitating condition of fibromyalgia. There also seem to be people around her that want to stop the cafe opening.

I loved this book as much as her previous books and do enjoy the writing style of her show more books, and the romance style of them. I do feel it’s good that people write about people suffering with medical conditions, and I learned a lot about fibromyalgia in this book which will make me understand it better, but I can see how this might put some people off who read books for escapism. However I have to say I felt this was written very well into the book, and only added to the reading experience and the story for me.

I felt the story was very well written, and in particular the slow burn of the developing relationship in Tabby’s life, and found myself rooting for them. I loved the main characters and was very glad to spend some of the Christmas season with them. I’m not particularly a cat person, but despite that I did love the story and the unique cat part of it, although I’m sure I wouldn’t spend the extra money to go to a cat cafe. Just a word of warning if anyone is a cat lover there is one part of the story that could be upsetting. However, even that I feel was very well written in the story.

Overall if you enjoy these romance style of books I would definitely recommend this book, and gave it five stars. There isn’t one book by Jessica Redland that I haven’t enjoyed very much, and look forward to reading more books by her.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. show less

Favorite Quotes:

‘Mr Pickles? Is that really his name?’ Jake grimaced. ‘You think Mr Pickles is bad? His full name is Mr Piccalilli Marmaduke Fluffington the Third.’ I had no idea how to respond to that. That was surely bordering on animal cruelty.

People can still be in love but not like each other very much and sometimes they can like each other but not be in love.

My Review:

I adore Jessica Redland’s books. She is a master storyteller and has a knack for thoroughly enmeshing me into show more her poignant tales during perusal. At one point, I looked up and felt a bit muddled as I was expecting to see the snow the characters were experiencing, rather than the tropical plants in my yard. So imagine my delight in beginning a new series laced together with endearing and admirable characters who find each other to be exactly what they needed, yet the timing was a bit off with a few complications tossed in to be considered and worked through. The writing was thoughtful, observant, and perceptively insightful with a comfortable balance in emotional tone, and of course, my highly prized and required HEA. I am looking forward to my next visit with my new friends in the quaint British resort village by the sea of Whitsborough Bay.

And score, I found an addition to my Brit Words and Phrases List with “bricking it” which is an informal and nice way of saying they were so anxious or panicky they were shitting bricks. I’ve certainly been there and find this phrase highly useful! show less

I loved how the author instilled Sarah with both a somewhat practical nature as well as that of a hopeless romantic. She could see the forest for the trees, or rather the dating pool for the Stevens and the non, but couldn't quite bring herself to let that predicted fairy tale slip away. Who could really blame her either? The fantasy was so sweet and her reality thus far hadn't exactly been a bed of roses, at least not without many thorns.

Can I say something though? I was totally TEAM NICK show more from the moment we set eyes on him in Flowers. (Auntie Kay...you've got good taste!) I mean, come on! The looks with the personality, the kind heart with the sincere flirting....as much as I loved the idea of the clairvoyant's "story" coming true, I couldn't help but wish she'd left The One nameless to give our girl a bigger pond to swim in. Does she end up with said love interest? Sorry...can't say as she is bound and determined to catch her Steven...but if you check out the story on your own, you'll find out, but trust me when I say, it's well worth the read.

In the end, I gotta say, LOVED IT! I mean, where else are you going to watch a 30 year old woman play a modern day flip version of Desperately Seeking Susan...only it's Steven...and make eyes with pretty much every one that crosses her path (well, every Steven that is), sometimes to the point of subtle embarrassment, and yet try try again? Oh, and let's not forget the wonderfully quirky friends because guess what...their stories are books 2 and 3! Exactly....so make room on your ereader or in your app because it's time to take a trip to Whitsborough Bay that you won't soon forget!


**ebook received for review show less

I've never read a Jessica Redland book before, not have I heard of her Whitsborough Bay series. But now that I've read this book, I think she'll be one author whose work I'll keep in mind for whenever I'm in the mood for a light-hearted and yet captivating read.

All You Need Is Love sounds like a typical cheesy love story. But it is not. The book covers a whole gamut of emotions through its story and though it is almost 400 pages long, the writing is such that you can maintain your pace show more easily.

The story is told to us from two perspectives: those of Jemma and Sam. A greater proportion of the book is from Jemma's pov. Having recently discovered that her fiancé Scott was not exactly what he claimed to be, she has lost her trust in love. Adding to the heartbreak is her mom's recent diagnosis of Parkinson's. Jemma's luck lies in the abundance of good friends she has around her. From her work colleagues to her roommates, every character is so nicely depicted that it makes you value the good friends in your life even more.

Sam's story is similar. He has his life planned out: family, career, fiancée... One fine day, everything goes for a toss and he finds himself struggling to deal with the pain and uncertain future. Sam's character is written in a way that will make you feel for him. Unlike the typical macho man portrayal of women's fiction, Sam isn't afraid to grieve, shows his emotions honestly, and doesn't manipulate his partner emotionally. Add the fact that he is said to look like Chris Hemsworth and that's the icing on the cake. New fictional character crush alert!

The story is a little confusing initially with the plethora of characters in both Jemma's and Sam's lives but very soon, you get into the groove and figure out all the who's who. Every character is portrayed in a way that you can understand why they behave the way they do. The relationships, both platonic and romantic, are as real as can be.

Much, much recommended if you are in the mood for an emotional romance that focuses more on cerebral rather than physical connections between people.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

//Read and reviewed in April 2021. Ended up deleting my review by mistake and hence had to post it again. *smacks forehead*//

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