I was so excited when I was approved for this book from NetGalley! I’ve read a few of Jessica Redland’s books previously, and loved them. Going into the book, I had no idea it was the sequel to Starry Skies Over The Chocolate Pot Café. I read Starry Skies Over The Chocolate Pot Café in December 2024, and gotten really invested in the characters, so when I realised I got to hang with Tara, Jed, and the giant house bunny Hercules again, I was utterly delighted.
This book did not disappoint. I loved it from beginning to end. I fell in love with the characters all over again, and Jessica Redland somehow manages to pull all the heart strings. (I’m not crying, YOU’RE crying!) I think Redland writes with so much love, and it really shows in this book. It’s hard not to get invested.
I’m looking forward to reading Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop, the book that came out in December last year, and that is sitting on my Kobo to be read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me have an ARC for this brilliant book!
I was given The Cherry Crush Flower Shop, by Harper Graham, as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion on the book. This is the third instalment in the Maple Falls series, but it can also be read as a stand-alone. I started reading it in February, when it still was cold and snowy in my part of the world. After a bit of thinking I decided to put it away for now, but come May, I was ready to pick it up again.
The heroine and hero of this story are Zoe and Jackson. Zoe has moved back to Maple Falls after a breakup, and has taken over her mum’s flower shop. Jackson has served in the military, and is haunted by trauma from the war. He runs a llama sanctuary, but even that doesn’t seem to heal him. The two have been secretly eyeing each other since they were teens, but never dared to take the step. When they find out Zoe’s mum has put a bet on them as the couple of the year after seeing them hugging through the flower shop’s window, they decide to fake dating. What they think would be an easy and fun thing to do for Zoe’s mum, turns out to be more challenging than they ever thought it could be.
I wanted to read this third book of the Maple Falls series, not only because I wanted to revisit the small town, but also because it contained two of the tropes I tend to enjoy: Fake dating and friends-to-lovers. I loved seeing the two childhood friends Zoe and Jackson fall head over heels for each other, the blooming awakening of spring (probably my favourite season). The hunt for the mystery flower was also a delight.
I must admit I didn’t care much for the competition. Don’t they have anything else to do in this town than to compete? Also, favourite couple? I found that to be cringe, to be honest.
Other than that, I ended up enjoying this book in the end, and I’m glad I paused the read and awaited for the spring season to align with spring in my town in Norway (which is later than spring in Maple Falls). Harper Graham is really good as drawing a picture in your mind of the surroundings. I could almost see all the flowers, and smell their fragrance! This book is definitively better read in spring!
December was the month I found a new favourite romance author: Jessica Redland.
Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot Café was the second book by Jessica Redland I picked up, and it was such a lovely read.
Publisher’s description:
Everyone is getting into the festive spirit on Castle Street – snow is falling, fairy lights are glistening and Christmas shopping is underway.
But for Tara Porter, owner of thriving cafe, The Chocolate Pot, this is the most difficult time of the year. From the outside, Tara is a successful businesswoman and pillar of the community. Behind closed doors, she is lonely.
With a lifetime of secrets weighing on her shoulders, she has retreated from all friends, family and romance, and shut her real self away from the world. Afterall, if you don’t let them in, they can’t hurt you. She’s learnt that the hard way.
But as the weight of her past becomes heavier and an unexpected new neighbour moves onto the street – threatening the future of her cafe – Tara begins to realise that maybe it’s time to finally let people back in and confront her history. It could just change her life forever…
Even though I didn’t have any traumatic events sourrounding Christmas, I could sort of relate to Tara. It hasn’t been my favourite time of year for a long time. And I think it can be a tough time for many, for different reasons. The fact the author brings in mental health as an important part of the story, really added to it. It’s not “just another romance book”.
The first Jessica Redland book I read was Christmas at the Cat Café, and it should not come as a surprise that there were a few cats in that one. Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot Café also had a four legged family member, namely the gigant house bunny Hercules. I must admit I really wanted to give this bunny a big cuddle! I love bunnies, and actually had one when I was in my teens. His name was Black Beauty, or Blackie for short. I think these fury family members really adds a little extra love in the books!
Since then, I have read a third book by the author, and two paperbacks are on their way to me in the mail. I also have my Kobo, so… Yeah. Will definitely continue reading more books by Jessica Redland for sure!
