At thirty-three-years old Evangeline Starling’s life in Chicago is missing that special something. And when she’s passed over for promotion at work, Evie realizes she needs to make a change. Some time away to regain perspective might be just the thing. In a burst of impulsivity, she plans a holiday in a quaint English village. The holiday package comes with a temporary position at Much Ado About Books, the bookstore located beneath her rental apartment. There’s no better dream vacation for the bookish Evie, a life-long Shakespeare lover.
Not only is Evie swept up in running the delightful store as soon as she arrives, she’s drawn into the lives, loves and drama of the friendly villagers. Including Roane Robson, the charismatic and sexy farmer who tempts Evie every day with his friendly flirtations. Evie is determined to keep him at bay because a holiday romance can only end in heartbreak, right? But Evie can’t deny their connection and longs to trust in her handsome farmer that their whirlwind romance could turn in to the forever kind of love.
Release Date: Feb 2, 2021
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $7.99
I loved this book. I just got all of the feels reading this. Ms. Young pulled me in once Evie got to Northumberland and never let me go until we got to the last sentence. I just felt cozy reading about a small town with so many characters and real-life issues.
Evangeline Starling has a crappy few days. First, she was stood up by a man she started to have an emotional attachment to. Then, she quit her job after she was passed up for a promotion and now, she has learned that her mother is home out of rehab again. She can’t seem to catch a break and she doesn’t want to get swallowed up in the black hole of depression. She finds an ad to be a renter at a bookstore in Northumberland and immediately sends off a request. A trip out of the country is just what she needs.
Evie arrives at the small coastal town and is immediately drawn to her bookshop and the towns people. One in particular. A tall, handsome and kind farmer whom she meets on her first day there after saving his dog, Shadow. Roane Robson is very easy on the eyes and lays on the charm immediately. The problem is that Evie has sworn off men. The focus of this trip is to find herself and what she wants to do next in life.
Like I had mentioned previously, I was hooked. I like that there is a mutual attraction between the main characters immediately. The both try to fight it for respect of Evie’s decision to not date for the four weeks she is in town but each day is harder and harder for the both of them. The slow burn is so intense I felt my skin crawling with anticipation for when they would finally hook up.
In the meantime, the author pours into the lives of the towns people. There are multiple love stories, friendships, family feuds, and even a huge town feud to keep readers entertain as the main couple navigate through their feelings for one another. I needed to know about every single character because they had a story to tell.
Just when I thought it was going to be a clean romance, the author dropped a bomb that shakes up the romance and I wonder how they could get past it. I have to admit I looked at everything a bit differently because I just didn’t expect it but I got over it quickly.
This book is just a feel good small town romance and if you are a fan of that this is the perfect cozy read for you.
~ Samantha
Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Google Play