Member Reviews
3.5 Stars
I usually love these books, and there were some lovely elements, but something was missing for me. Fforde's writing style is always a joy to read. It was comfy and quick, despite the slight slump in the middle and the predictable plot. Overall, I enjoyed it but wasn't my favourite.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This book follows on from 'a wedding in the country', although this is not indicated anywhere so I spent a great deal of the first half of the book wondering why there were references to events and people from the past. I don't understand why the book was set in the sixties, especially as the recurring reminder was black forest gateau. I have enjoyed many of this author's other books but this one failed to hit the mark with silly, unrealistic characters and very little plot. Not one I'd want to read again.
When you start reading it is almost impossible to put down until all is revealed.
Meg, a trainee chef is called by her mother to help out in an emergency, when she gets there she finds the head chef just walking out leaving her on her own. Nightingale Hotel is a gem hidden in Devon but definitely needs work.
Faced with a lunch for 50 she adapts the menu, a young arrogant young man arrives and says he's there to help.
There is a new rival hotel nearby that can offer so much more and it turns out that Justin is head chef there.
Can Louise, Megs mum, and Susan who has all her family involved persuade Justin to spend money doing the place up?
The arrival of influential friends soon have all in hand. will true romance blossom between Justin and Meg or will it be arguments forever?
Katie Ford is one of those romance authors that you can always tell the book is going to be a lots of fun, She has a way with words and she’s able to spin the most heartwarming and funny tales that make you feel them in your heart and make you laugh out loud at times!
Meg has always dreamed of working at a fancy restaurant in Paris but she ends up helping her mum with a rundown hotel in Dorset, will she find love instead of her dream job? Or will she realise that’s where she belonged all along!
I loved the rapor of all the characters and all of the back-and-forth between grumpy Justin and Meg.
The story can be a bit predictable at times. I thoroughly enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it as an easy Cozy read!
You know what you are going to get with Katie Fforde and it never disappoints. Obviously predictable, but sometimes just what you need to relax and escape the world. Very enjoyable!
I really enjoyed this book! This is my third book by Katie and I'll definitely be reading more! The characters have good depth and you really learn to love or hate them.
Meg was a wonderful woman breaking stereotypes not just because she wanted to be different, simply because she was following her passion!
It's safe to say this book.made me rather hungry at times. Especially when they were talking about the desert trolley 😯
The scene setting was wonderful as well. Nightingale sounds absolutely wonderful and I really wish I could visit in real life!
I also loved Ambrose the elderly lady that lives on site. She's like the voice of reason we all need occasionally. It wasn't until reading reviews for this I realised Meg is linked to another book. I think I'll have to do some research and see what else I can discover!
Loved this book. Loved the setting and the characters and the fact that it wasn’t only about one person and storyline. A really enjoyable read and can’t wait to pick up the second book in the series.
This is a story that is a continuation of previous characters and new ones. I couldn’t get into the characters of the story and found the writing to be lazy and slow-paced. I just couldn’t get into the story.
I have only read one other book by this author and was not aware that this book is the third in the series. However, it did not detract from the amazing book. Although the outcome of the story is inevitable,
it was written with so much emotion and description, that I wanted to go to the hotel, Nightingale Woods, and stay.
The characters were believable. The lady, Ambrosine was a favourite character of mine. I would like to have taken care of her. There is something for everyone in this book. I found it hard to put down and disappointed when I finished it.
Praise for Katie Fforde and a really excellent novel, which had a few surprises and humour. I will now read the first two books.
Meg comes to help her Mum Louise out at an Hotel in Dorset which is a bit run down. She meets the owner’s son Justin and she does not really like him. Meg wants to be a Chef and will be going to France to learn. The characters in the book mixed well together.
It was a nice easy read and I enjoyed the book and the fact it was in 1966 before modern technology which was good.
what a nice light hearted book to read in lovely surroundings and good food along with megs story of cinderella from rags to riches this being meg and justins fairytale
I enjoyed this book I read in a day hooked from the first page love it all so easy yo read as always a great plot fun character she one of my o to author just fab I recommend to you all
I love Katie Fforde’s books, and this was no exception! Beautiful story that had me hooked throughout, I read it in a weekend! The book is intended to be part of a series but you can absolutely read it as a standalone book also, would highly recommend!
A brilliant read which I really enjoyed. I read it as a standalone book but I have found out since it is part of a series. Set in the 1960s Meg who wants to be a chef, goes to help her mum run a hotel in Dorset . Great characters, interesting plot, a nice easy read with a feel good factor.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random house Uk and Katie Fforde for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review
I loved visiting the characters from previous books, Meg's story this time as she's goes to Nightingale Wood hotel to help her mum who works there.
A story of love, friendship, hard work and hope.
A really lovely story, I couldn't put it down!
Although it does follow on from previous books, you don't need to have read those, it can be read stand alone.
I really loved this book, a really nice escapist read, A feel good novel set in a hotel in Dorset. It felt wholesome. Thank you.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The third (and hopefully not last) book in the series and was pleased to see that it is set in the 1960s and follows the story of 22 year old Meg (who we first meet in A wedding in Provence). I loved watching the development and determination of Meg to bring her dreams of becoming a professional chef, into life, in an era when women were fighting for equal rights to be able to make a name for themselves.
When she embarks on work at the hotel and bumps into Justin (the son of the hotel owner) the development of an enemies to lovers story begins. I also loved the character portrayed by Ambrosine, who is definitely someone that I would love to be around.
All in all an unsurprising enjoyable read from this rom-com queen however I have given 4 stars instead of 5 only because I felt there were quite a lot of characters and at times it felt a bit chaotic trying to remember and keep up with everyone.
A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.
This is book is like meeting up with old friends.
Historical fiction book set in the 1960's when attitudes to women were beginning to change, this can be read as a standalone or part of the series of books written around friends who met in culinary cooking classes. This is the third book in the series. This is picks up with Meg joining her mother at a hotel in Dorset that needs a bit of oomph. The chef has upped and left and there's an annual banquet coming up that could make or break this hotel. Meg is also aware of their rival hotel and how well they are doing. Meg doesn't shy away from the challenge but then faces a particularly grumpy hotel owners son who doesn't accept the fact that she as a woman can cook as well as a man. This causes sparks to fly but Meg stays determined.
To complicate things further, the owner has recently passed away and has been passed to the two sons and a third mysterious benefactor and they have no idea when they find this n=benefactor, what their plans are for the hotel. This does not deter Meg and she goes ahead with plans for making the rooms en-suite Something that is now an expectation of a hotel stay.
There are also the elderly permeant residents to consider and what will come of them if the hotel closes. One elderly resident has a brilliant back story of helping with the French resistance during World War II who was married to a French Count who happened to be a Nazi sympathiser!
This is a Katie Fforde book, so you should expect, escapism easy reading, romance and a happy ending.
With thanks to #NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone and Century for this preview read of #OneEnchantedEvening.
Apologies for the delay in this review, i have been battling ill health.
Great story, lovely setting, enjoyed the charcters and the story very much. I thought it flowed really well and it was a really good read.