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Polly Waterford is recovering from a toxic relationship. Unable to afford their flat, she has to move miles away from everyone, to a sleepy little seaside resort in Cornwall, where she lives alone above an abandoned shop. And so Polly takes out her frustrations on her favorite hobby: making bread. But what was previously a weekend diversion suddenly becomes far more important as she pours her emotions into kneading and pounding the dough, and each loaf becomes better and better. With nuts show more and seeds, olives and chorizo, with local honey (courtesy of local bee keeper, Huckle), and with reserves of determination and creativity Polly never knew she had, she bakes and bakes and bakes . . . and people start to hear about it. Sometimes, bread really is life . . . and Polly is about to reclaim hers. show lessTags
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I read the second book before reading this first book in the series and immediately had to get this book. I love it just as much as the second book. The characters are so real and likeable. You even end up caring for the gruff and unlikeable bakery owner before the book end. Since I had already "met" the characters by reading the series out of order, this was a great read to get to know how they got to where they were in the second book. The story was interesting with some great twists and turns and ups and downs. The area of Mount Polbearne sounds like somewhere I'd love to spend a lot of time. The people, the bakery, and the scenery all are wonderful. This look into the life of Polly, Huckle, Kerensa, Reuben, Jayden, and the darling show more Neil is definitely worth the read! show less
When I read chick lit, I read Brit chick lit and so I was very happy & satisfied with this one. Adored it & will definitely read the next in the series. Polly was a character I rooted for from the start and I very much wanted things to work out for her. She had a tough go with bankruptcy and the break-up with Chris (who I thought was a first class twerp most of the story but who had a redemptive salvo) and while things didn't just go perfectly for her when she moved to Polbearne it was still a considerable improvement. From the first loaf of bread that she made complete with her own tears, I was swept away. Neil, the puffin brought a first friend and much needed levity & also something to care for. I loved meeting the fishermen. I show more thought Tarnie had better romantic chemistry with Polly but I can see why Huckle had to be the one in the end (hopefully his & Polly's romantic chemistry is better in the next book). Gillian was from hell and even when I found out what ailed her psyche, I still didn't feel that justified the horrible way she treated everyone (who the hell tries to outlaw bagels for an entire town?!). She acted like she'd cornered the market on a hard life and took it out on everyone else and they all cowered and kowtowed to her! I liked that Polly felt charitable pity for Gilllian and her situation because I'd none to give. I did like how the two were sort of in a lifeboat situation for work and how that gave Polly the space to bake and thrive that she needed. I liked Huckle and his friend Reuben (who I just knew was going to be the perfect match for Kerensa).
Polbearne was an adorable setting and described beautifully even in the off-season full of likable characters that I didn't want to leave just yet. I enjoyed reading about it and very much look forward to the next installment. I'd definitely recommend this one for a weekend or vacation read (perhaps in a sleepy seaside). show less
Polbearne was an adorable setting and described beautifully even in the off-season full of likable characters that I didn't want to leave just yet. I enjoyed reading about it and very much look forward to the next installment. I'd definitely recommend this one for a weekend or vacation read (perhaps in a sleepy seaside). show less
The best part of this story was not the romance aspects (though there is the requisite love interest) but rather the blossoming of Polly. Watching her figure out who she is, apart from her ex's needs, and seeing how her influence changes those around her was fun and hopeful.
I think Jenny Colgan might be one of my favourite authors. Her characters are always so delightfully spunky, yet they make very real mistakes. They bake delicious things and love to share and are genuinely good. They are very sweet about how they take care of their books. They find happiness in small places and create communities. They have friends and archenemies with their own personalities and flaws and subplots. Sure, nothing's ever intensely deep and these books won't change the world, but they make me incredibly happy and I always adore reading her.
This was another one of these--nothing super substantial, but a lovely tale of a woman restarting with a gorgeous romantic subplot woven in.
AND THIS ONE FEATURES A PUFFIN
FIVE STARS FOR show more NEIL!!!
Edit: THERE IS A CHILDREN'S BOOK ABOUT NEIL AND I AM CRYING TEARS
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23508651-polly-and-the-puffin show less
This was another one of these--nothing super substantial, but a lovely tale of a woman restarting with a gorgeous romantic subplot woven in.
AND THIS ONE FEATURES A PUFFIN
FIVE STARS FOR show more NEIL!!!
Edit: THERE IS A CHILDREN'S BOOK ABOUT NEIL AND I AM CRYING TEARS
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23508651-polly-and-the-puffin show less
I have fallen in love! Jenny Colgan’s Little Beach Street Street Bakery was a delightful vacation read, with a strong sense of place, local color and well-developed, quirky characters including a hilarious Puffin named “Neil.”
Polly Waterford, together with her long-term boyfriend, owns a graphic design business in Plymouth, England that is failing. Polly has done everything she can to save the business, but ultimately finds herself facing bankruptcy, a depressed boyfriend and homelessness. Seeking an affordable place to live (harder than it looks), she eventually lands, single again, in a flat above an abandoned bakery located in a quiet seaside town on the Cornish coast, only accessed by a causeway that has high tides twice a show more day.
As she rests and tries to figure out what she is going to do for the rest of her life, she bakes bread for comfort, and ends up starting a business, caring for her neighbors, falling in love and finding her place in the world. Brimming with vivid descriptions of a Cornwall coastal town and its inhabitants, this book is a treat for the senses, a feel-good novel of pure escapism. And admit it, sometimes that’s just what we need! show less
Polly Waterford, together with her long-term boyfriend, owns a graphic design business in Plymouth, England that is failing. Polly has done everything she can to save the business, but ultimately finds herself facing bankruptcy, a depressed boyfriend and homelessness. Seeking an affordable place to live (harder than it looks), she eventually lands, single again, in a flat above an abandoned bakery located in a quiet seaside town on the Cornish coast, only accessed by a causeway that has high tides twice a show more day.
As she rests and tries to figure out what she is going to do for the rest of her life, she bakes bread for comfort, and ends up starting a business, caring for her neighbors, falling in love and finding her place in the world. Brimming with vivid descriptions of a Cornwall coastal town and its inhabitants, this book is a treat for the senses, a feel-good novel of pure escapism. And admit it, sometimes that’s just what we need! show less
I love Jenny Colgan! I thoroughly enjoyed Little Beach Street Bakery. The characters are so fun and full of life. Jenny has an excellent gift of describing the setting in a way where I can almost feel the waves and smell the baked goods. Loved reading it and cannot wait to read the next one!
Digital audiobook read by Veida Dehmlow.
From the book jacket: A quiet seaside resort. An abandoned shop. A small flat. This is what awaits Polly Waterford when she arrives at the Cornish coast, fleeing a ruined relationship. To keep her mind off her troubles, Polly throws herself into her favorite hobby: making bread. But her relaxing weekend diversion quickly develops into a passion. …Soon, Polly is working her magic with nuts and seeds, chocolate and sugar, and the local honey – courtesy of a handsome beekeeper.
My reactions
This is a lovely chick-lit romance novel. Things don’t do smoothly for our heroine, but love will win in the end. It was a fast and enjoyable read full of colorful characters – from the cranky landlady, show more Mrs Manse, to the fishermen who befriend and help her, to that handsome beekeeper, and her flirtatious, over-the-top best friend, Kerensa. Oh, and Neil, the puffin is a star!
The setting is the town of Mount Polbearne – a tidal island that is cut off from the mainland during high tide, when the causeway is underwater. This village and the surrounding landscape are practically a character in the book, Colgan’s writing is that atmospheric. I could smell the salty air, hear the roar of an angry sea during a storm, and feel the warmth of sun on my skin during a sunny spring day, full of the buzzing of bees.
The situations are somewhat over the top (the Star-Wars themed wedding is a hoot), and, as is expected in this genre, rely on some outlandish coincidences, but it’s all fun.
This is the first in a series of stories that follow Polly and her bakery. I read them in reverse order (because I didn’t’ realize they were a series at first). Best to read them in order as the relationships develop over the course of the series. I do have a bone to pick re the US paperback edition cover; Polly bakes BREAD, not cupcakes and sweets. At least the cover of the audio book gets it right.
Veida Dehmlov does a respectable job of voicing the audio, though her American accents are dreadful! Still, she sets a good pace. And I really did like the way she portrayed Polly. show less
From the book jacket: A quiet seaside resort. An abandoned shop. A small flat. This is what awaits Polly Waterford when she arrives at the Cornish coast, fleeing a ruined relationship. To keep her mind off her troubles, Polly throws herself into her favorite hobby: making bread. But her relaxing weekend diversion quickly develops into a passion. …Soon, Polly is working her magic with nuts and seeds, chocolate and sugar, and the local honey – courtesy of a handsome beekeeper.
My reactions
This is a lovely chick-lit romance novel. Things don’t do smoothly for our heroine, but love will win in the end. It was a fast and enjoyable read full of colorful characters – from the cranky landlady, show more Mrs Manse, to the fishermen who befriend and help her, to that handsome beekeeper, and her flirtatious, over-the-top best friend, Kerensa. Oh, and Neil, the puffin is a star!
The setting is the town of Mount Polbearne – a tidal island that is cut off from the mainland during high tide, when the causeway is underwater. This village and the surrounding landscape are practically a character in the book, Colgan’s writing is that atmospheric. I could smell the salty air, hear the roar of an angry sea during a storm, and feel the warmth of sun on my skin during a sunny spring day, full of the buzzing of bees.
The situations are somewhat over the top (the Star-Wars themed wedding is a hoot), and, as is expected in this genre, rely on some outlandish coincidences, but it’s all fun.
This is the first in a series of stories that follow Polly and her bakery. I read them in reverse order (because I didn’t’ realize they were a series at first). Best to read them in order as the relationships develop over the course of the series. I do have a bone to pick re the US paperback edition cover; Polly bakes BREAD, not cupcakes and sweets. At least the cover of the audio book gets it right.
Veida Dehmlov does a respectable job of voicing the audio, though her American accents are dreadful! Still, she sets a good pace. And I really did like the way she portrayed Polly. show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Little Beach Street Bakery
- Original title
- Little Beach Street Bakery
- Original publication date
- 2014
- People/Characters*
- Polly Waterford
- Important places
- Mount Polbearne, Cornwall, England, UK
- Epigraph
- I wish I was a fisherman/ Tumbling on the seas/ Far away from dry land/ And its bitter memories/ Casting out my sweet line/ With abandonment and love/ No ceiling bearing down on me/ 'Cept the starry sky above/ With light in m... (show all)y head/ You in my arms/ Woohoo! - The Waterboys, 'Fisherman's Blues'
Rise up rise up you fine young men/ The ship she sails in the morn/ Whether it's windy, whether it's cold, or whether there's a deadly storm - 'Sir Patrick Spens', c.14th century, traditional - Dedication*
- Voor Anna-Marie Fourie, mijn dierbare eerste lezer en vriendin die veel te ver bij me vandaan woont en weet hoe het is om te wachten tot iemand terugkeert van zee.
- First words
- Years later, when she was an old lady, and many miles away, Polly would find it hard to explain that that was how they had lived back then.
- Last words*
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Maar dat geld hadden ze niet, en dat was helemaal niet erg, hield hij zichzelf voor, want eigenlijk hadden ze meer dan genoeg.
- Blurbers
- Kinsella, Sophie
- Original language*
- Engels
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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