Member Reviews

Didn't enjoy this as much as thr 1st 2. Was a bit dull

Was this review helpful?

Love these books,always a great read,wish there was somewhere like that near me,a must read.

Was this review helpful?

Unfortunately I was not able to read the two previous book but I really enjoyed this one even if missing some background. It is funny, romantica and a really entertaining read.
Many thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley

Was this review helpful?

Once again love these books, they are set in the beautiful Cotswolds and this time follows on from Spain.
It is one of those books that I could not put down, reading into the small hours, not good when I have work the next day.
Well done again Alice Ross for a lovely read.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a simple well written book, had everything romance, fun, loved it

Was this review helpful?

In the third in the series it's the turn of Kate's story and the cookery's club time for French cooking. Kate is having a hard time being run off her feet by the twins terrible twos, the au pair doesn't seem much use, and her husbands working very long hours.... is it really all for work or is he up to something else! Then her gorgeous ex Greg appears in the village!

The cookery club soon show what good friends they are though and help her out as much as they can.... between cooking the mouthwatering French dishes... but what will happen to her marriage?

Great to be back in the Cotswolds I have loved this series and will always jump at any books by this author

Was this review helpful?

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley for my unbiased opinion of the book. I didn't start reading them in order and didn't effect integrity of the series. Each book in the series could stand alone, but why would you do that? I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with the quirky characters from the begining in Spain. The only sad thing about this one is not long enough. It was a nice unexpected ending for Kate, which I had all figured out since the start. I'm not going to spoil it you need to read it instead. lol I hope this bunch goes on more adventures and the books are couple hundred pages longer. Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Was this review helpful?

I have fallen in love with The Cotswolds. A charming story, like catching up with an old friend. The Cotswolds Cookery Club returns with book #3, A Taste of France. Each book focuses on a different member of the club and a country that the club devotes their cooking. This time we are brought into Kate's hectic life. She has taken leave from her veterinary practice to raise her three children. Even though she has hired an au pair, she is always overwhelmed with the day-to-day activities of taking care of her children and never has time to focus on herself. Kate begins to doubt herself as a good mother and begins to see signs her husband might be cheating. Then we have the return of her first love. The Cookery Club is her only respite from mom duties and it is the other members of the club that once again come together to help a friend in need.

The writing is fluid and thoroughly enjoyable. Alice Ross writes about everyday life in a way that makes you feel like you are present and part of the Cookery Club. You'll find yourself utterly absorbed in life in the Cotswolds. Throw in some mouth-watering French cooking and the pages will fly by. Easily read in one sitting.

Was this review helpful?

While this is part 3 of the story, it was still an enjoyable book. However, the lack of organization in Kate's personal life absolutely drove me crazy. A fun book with everything turning out perfectly for everyone. Nice read.

Was this review helpful?

From the start, Kate has been intriguing: a vet with 3 young children a French au pair and a husband whose work hours keep him away from home much of the time, she’s a wonderfully down to earth person who uses her ‘adult time’ with the ladies of the cookery club to unwind and just be. Finally sharing her concerns about her lack of mothering skills, her fractious daughter who ‘hates the twins’ and always wants to stay at a friend’s house after school, and her worries about her husband’s commitment to the marriage, she’s in tumult. Add to that her concerns about the locum’s departure from her veterinary clinic and her worries about juggling house, kids and her practice, she’s up against it.

Fortunately for Kate, the ladies of the club are not only friends but a wonderful support network. With her obsession with all things French, Kate’s excited by the current menu – a taste of France, and with tummy bugs, a dishwasher on the blink, finding her biggest accomplishment is a shower, and near sleepless as the au pair and her husband are both away for a week, the club steps in – does dishes, watches children, drags her off for a haircut and day of pampering, and generally helps her to put some things in order even as her life is seemingly out of control. But a new locum is sourced, her first love that she met in France, and her cleverness with cakes to make a ‘show’ at the school’s charity event, things are starting to provide more excitement, even if nothing feels settled. But with a new opportunity landing on her doorstep in the most unexpected way, her father’s news and a big surprise from her husband that is not quite what she expected, this is a wonderful installment that shows the power of friendship and it’s never ending ability to provide comfort, security, support and laughter, even when times feel bleak.

Alice Ross has brought together a wonderful concept, and added in these friends to build something that is accepting, warm and delicious. Always present are the food moments: references to recipes, tastes and treats that delight and enhance the emotions and sharing that happens between friends. I’m truly sad that this getaway to the Cotswolds is ending – as each is finding a new pathway in their life and I want to know more – if only to meet the new baby, see if the Twins ever stop painting the rocking horse with yoghurt and just how Connie’s new venture will take the world by storm.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” http://wp.me/p3OmRo-9qc/”> <a> I am. Indeed </a>

Was this review helpful?

After reading – and loving – the first two of this series I couldn’t wait to see where the third would take me and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Alice Ross writes a fine rom-com with a fantastic variety of characters and I am actually rather sad that there aren’t more in this series – guess I’ll have to move on to her other novels now!

A Taste of France continues from where the Spanish cuisine left off. The food culture changes but the problems of the women involved in the Cookery Club continue with the usual giggles. I doubt anyone could read these books without laughing out loud and I will certainly regard permanently sparkling windows with a twitch of my eyebrows in future.

A very entertaining book with, as I particularly like, all threads neatly sewn up at the end with everyone moving on with their lives. The story line and the characters have evolved beautifully in each novel with the introduction of new characters and plenty of romantic interests. I’m so happy to have read these three, and have definitely added the author to my favourites list.

My thanks to HQ Digital for approving an arc via NetGalley in exchange for my honest, original and unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this well written book. Has a good plot. I haven't read the other books but will be reading them.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first time I have read any books by this author. It is definitely is British with words and slang but not so overwhelming to make me wonder what they were talking about. It had it's funny moments with things that the children did and I liked the cooking club part of it. It was just lukewarm for me. I could easily put it down and come back to it later and it ended rather abruptly and quickly after dragging it out through the whole story about the main character feeling inadequate and overwhelmed then suddenly everyone was living happily every after. Not my cup of tea but not a bad story.

Was this review helpful?

Now this is the story I've been waiting for! I've been dying to hear about Kate's story since the series began and I was delighted when I found out that this would be the one! This series has been amazing and I've enjoyed every moment - this is the perfect final novella to end it. But I'm so sad it's over!

I've really enjoyed this series, with the mouth watering food, the drama between the couples, and the humour and good friendship between the cookery club - it's been an absolute delight.

I love the setting of the Cookery Club series, the Cotswolds to me sounds like a dream and I really felt like I was there with the characters. The characters are easily relatable to and I really enjoyed reading about each of their stories - apart from poor Melody! (I'm hoping Alice writes another purely for her!)

For a start, I adore the covers of this series. It's beautiful colours and background simply makes you want to read it even more! Then you read what the books about and it just draws you in - utterly and completely.

I don't want to give too much away but for most of the book I was convinced about Andrew - but there's a twist nearer the end of the book which I completely wasn't expecting! It was another great read in the series and I fell in love with the story. I know I sound like a broken record but I did really enjoy reading this and couldn't put it down.

Overall, an extremely enjoyable read. I'm so sad that this series is finished now! But cannot wait to read more by Alice Ross. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Was this review helpful?

The Cotswolds Cookery Club is told in three parts, working through the cuisines of different countries. A Taste of France is part three. They've cooked gastronomic delights from Italy, Spain, and now it's the turn of France - but definitely no frogs legs!

The cookery club is the one thing in life Kate Ellis could look forward to. She's run off her feet with two year old twins, their older sister, running the busy village veterinary practice, and contending with her husband Andrew's secretive and aloof behaviour. The cookery club is the perfect escape for Kate, where she can be herself and actually relax!

The club was set up four months ago, and Kate loved the cooking and dishes they came up with from different parts of the world. However what she most appreciated was the camaraderie, with her now three best friends - Connie, Melody and Trish. The club had brought all four women together, and provided each of them with an outlet and circle of support, whenever they've encountered difficult times.

Kate has always been a passionate Francophile. So she's delighted the club is venturing into the cuisine of France. The club receives a new challenge for the women to get stuck into. So with attempting to juggle her kids, her husband, work, the club and now the reappearance into the village of her gorgeous ex boyfriend Greg, Kate's plate is as full and overflowing as it's ever been. Will she be able to keep all balls in the air and save her marriage, keep her kids from turning totally feral, and also produce some absolutely mind blowing culinary delights?

The Cotswolds Cookery Club is told in three parts, a Taste of France is part three. Each part can be read as a standalone book, although if you can, relish reading each part in turn, so that you get to see the characters friendships bloom and grow as the books progress.

After getting to know Kate via the other characters in the previous books, it was great to finally read her story. I really felt for her trying to juggle everything, while simultaneously feeling she wasn't good enough. She really had it tough, and I felt exhausted reading about her days with the kids, work and then her husband and seemingly not of much use au pair. The twins were absolutely awful, and I was cringing reading parts. I would have preferred less focus on their appalling behaviour, although I assume this was ott to show just how tough Kate had it. They seemed to just get away with everything and anything, little wonder they were feral.

I particularly enjoy books that make you feel invested in the characters lives, ones that make you feel strongly about things that affect them. Alice Ross achieves this with her utterly likable characters (other than the twins), there's someone there most people can relate to. There was also the opportunity to catch up with the other characters lives who appeared in the other parts.

It was refreshing and enjoyable reading about the friendships between the four women and of how supportive they were to each other. It's not uncommon for women to be pitted against each other, so this book is a lovely change, with its positive take on female friendships, minus any petty backstabbing.

Then there's the food! A Taste of France is full of mouth watering autumn dishes that make you feel all warm inside. Making it the perfect book to read at this time of year. I adored reading the descriptions of the French dishes they cooked. I almost felt like the fifth member of the Cookery Club, and couldn't wait to read what dishes they concocted every few weeks. I've been saying for ages I will attempt to cook some French food from scratch, and this book has given me the motivation to actually cook some.

I adored this lovely little heartwarming series and am just sad it's come to an end.

With thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital, for the opportunity to read this ARK in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars.

"A Taste of France" is the third and final instalment in the Cotswolds Cookery Club by Alice Ross series, though if it were for me the series could go on and on - I would love to hear what's happening with this small but tight group of friends.

This part tells us more about Kate, the incredibly busy mum of three, and about the unfinished business of hers from the previous books. As in the previous two parts, we are treated to some incredibly delicious sounding recipes that the cookery club is making, and this time they took us on a very yummy journey to France. The descriptions of the food made not only my mouth water but only thinking about them now makes me hungry.

In this part I had a feeling it is a little too flat for my liking, with many repetitions and I felt as if we were going to in circles. It doesn't mean it is not good, because of course it is, it is full of warmth, some hilarious situations as well but if you twisted my arm I'd have to admit that it was my last favourite part. Also, I would love to see the twins this little bit better brought up, I really felt the pain of Kate's daughter and I myself wanted to cry, and not laugh, at their antics. They weren't funny, they were out - of - control children.

Altogether, it was a lovely, uplifting and quick read about the power of friendship and trust. The characters were great, the way they interacted together felt honest and I really liked the fact that the women are there for each other, no matter what. All three parts were feel - good and uplifting - recommended!

Was this review helpful?

This is the third book in Alice Ross’ “The Cotswolds Cookery Club” series and, having read the first two, I was really looking forward to being back with Connie and friends for all things French. This time, the focus was mainly on Kate, and her unfinished business that had carried across from the previous books came together beautifully for a fabulous twist! I don’t like books that end on a cliff-hanger, I like everything neatly tied up and this trilogy – thankfully - didn’t leave me wondering about anything. It left me wanting more, but that’s a different thing altogether :) Each of the three titles can easily be read as a standalone but I’d recommend reading all three, simply because they’re great stories! Alice is now on my list of favourite authors and I’m really looking forward to reading more of her titles.

Was this review helpful?

I love this series so I couldn't wait to get stuck into this book! Back to the Cotswold and this time its based on character Kate.
Kate has an extremely busy life and on top of that she suspects husband Andrew is having an affair with the au pair, immediately you feel for Kate if her suspicions are true then the affair could have been going on in her house! I had my fingers crossed throughout the book that Andrew was faithful to his wife and they would get their happy ever after! (i'll not spoil it for you whether they do or not).
Like previous books we were treated to those yummy delicious recipes that the cooking club are making and they just made my mouth water and my tummy rumble! This time the focus was on France!
Another thing that I love about this series is that all the women in the cookery club are there for each other and go out of their ways to help each other no matter what and that is lovely for them all to have that sort of support!
This is a real fun and exciting series that will put a smile on your face when reading it and you will not want the book to end! It is just fabulous!

Was this review helpful?

We rejoin The Cotswolds Cookery Club for part three of the story (A Taste of France) for another delightful, fun and feelgood read. The ladies are juggling lives and work but the cookery club proves a wonderful distraction and they are enjoying every minute of their passion for food. This is a short read but nonetheless very enjoyable, certainly heartwarming and absolutely ideal for a coffee break.

Was this review helpful?

My favorite so far of the series. Kate's story is a bit discombobulated (just like her life) but it's a fun easy read. Glad that Kate gets the ending she deserves and very much enjoyed reading about the friendship bonds the Cookery Club have formed. This book really shows how close the ladies have gotten and it's nice to read about such a comfortable friendship.

I do want to say: how awful are Kate's twins??? Always yelling for a poo, kicking over things, whining, crying. Phew I could not handle it myself

Was this review helpful?