Book 7 in the Yorkshire Romances.
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When springtime rolls around I'm always in the mood for a little chick lit and I tend to like the British variety. So When I saw that this had a setting of a teashop and a great house, I was already half in. When I saw that this had two main characters that had had their self esteem whittled down but still weren't bitter and tried hard, I was all in. This was exactly the kind of read I hoped it'd be. Simply put, I adored this book.
Amy & Josh were wonderful to follow and I enjoyed watching them both grow beyond the hurts their pasts had doled out so that they could carve out better lives. I felt that their fits, starts and even their retreats were realistic and well done. In addition, the supporting characters were sometimes surprising. And of course, there was cake. I admit to stopping while reading so I could look up recipes. While there was quite a bit I knew would happen, the reveal and unfurl was so enjoyable so I didn't mind. I'd love to read another with these two. Also, Gran was great (loved the resolution to the spoons & curtains). The alternate POVs was nicely done & didn't simply show the same scene from the other person's pov so the story never stalled. There were also some truly LOL moments that I found highlight-worthy. Also points to the cover art. I don't know what it is but these sorts of covers always make me want to pick them up and read.
This was my first read by Jane Lovering but won't be my last. Highly recommended if, like me, you like your romances alpha-hole free and also like to be reminded that kindness & niceness do sometimes win in this world.
Jane Lovering does it again! I was hooked on this book as soon as I started reading it.
It is the story of Amy and Josh who work at a National Trust House, Monkpark Hall. Amy works in the teashop and Josh works with the birds of prey. The story is told from both view points on alternate chapters, which is fantastic as you really get to understand the characters and how they are feeling/thinking.
Both of them have their own issues, low self-esteem and trust issues which are fully explored in the book and you get to understand why they feel as they do. At times I really felt for Josh and really wanted him to have a brighter future as his past was so sad. He clearly is a good-looking man who hides this by his unkempt appearance and as the story develops you gain a clear understanding of why.
There are some great supporting characters too, such as Amy's Nan, with her Yorkshire forth-rightness and humour, who Amy thinks is a bit mad because she thinks spoons and curtains have been moved while she is out at her day club and Julia, Amy's best friend who I disliked intently at times. The birds also feature a fair bit and one of them who I must mention is an owl called Skrillex who has a starring role at one point.
As the story unfolds you realise that there is a threat to the livelihoods of the people who work at Monkpark Hall due to the greed of one person, who lures Amy into his schemes and plans.
The setting is lovely and I could imagine myself in the tearooms being served by Amy in her Edwardian costume, eating the delicious cakes freshly made that morning.
Can love and trust conquer the fears of the past?
It's a brilliant story, with wonderful characters in a lovely setting, with sadness and humour. I would definitely recommend reading it.
…I couldn't put it down. In the usual romcom you don't root for the people in the way that I did for these characters. Josh was such a damaged man and so unlike an alpha male hero! Amy was far too nice – it was always the line of least resistance for her. But things start to happen – Amy has such patience with Josh, he starts to come out of his shell.
…The Little Teashop of Horrors is another winner from Jane Lovering. It's quirky and funny, explores some dark issues and has a proper romantic story at its heart. Jane Lovering really knows how to write a story that will have you wrapped up in the lives of her characters, following them through their problems and cheering on their triumphs. A perfect read to leave you smiling.
Reviewed by Joanne at Portobello Book Blog.
….An excellent read that kept me on tenterhooks all the way through and made me want to find Skillex and take him home with me (except Josh wouldn't allow it).
I was given a copy of this book to review and was hooked from the first page. Birds of prey, a stately home – what's not to like? Throw into the mix an owl and Jane's lovely light touches of humour to get another great book by an author whose characters are always well drawn, complex and totally engaging. In the Little Teashop of Horrors Jane weaves them skilfully through an intriguing plot line. Is the new administrator everything he seems? Is Amy's gran really going to lose her home? I don't want to give any spoilers but I couldn't put it down!