I always love Jo Thomas's books and this one was no exception. I really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Beca, Blake and Joe and as usual the food aspect, which is always such a delightful element of a Jo Thomas book, was mouthwatering. Highly recommend.

This was such a good story, I read 97% of it in one day. I couldn't put it down. I was curious as to how Beca was going to settle into the close-knit community she had previously fled from many years ago. People were talking about her and making assumptions based on the house she'd bought and what she planned to do with it.

When it was revealed she's signed up to be a foster parent and the reasons why, I was curious. It was obvious that when she made a preference for younger children, the two boys she gets are going to be anything but. Enter Joe and Blake, two boys who have been moved from home to home and are clearly unsettled. The younger boy Joe is still relatively easygoing although he does have learning difficulties. It's never specified exactly what but he doesn't like sudden changes, he has anxiety and stutters when it manifests and has a very focused mind sometimes to the detriment of everything else. He also says exactly what he thinks with no social awareness. Blake was the older boy, disillusioned with his life and fed up of being moved around, with nobody actually wanting to take the time to get to know him. He knows how the foster system works and is resentful of it and Beca when he first arrives, accusing her of treating him and Joe as nothing more than a paycheck.

Beca has no experience dealing with teenagers, especially troubled ones and struggles at first to connect with them. She is still also trying to fit in with the villagers and is desperate for the old days when her grandparents ran the gelateria in town. That's changed too, her ex-boyfriend has taken the heart out of it and now sells cheap, mass-manufactured ice cream with no taste, and overpriced fancy paninis and wine. In an attempt to help the boys find something to interest them and having lots of leftover fresh milk from her cows that came with the house, she finds her grandmother's old recipe book and they set about making ice cream which is a big hit and the boys are suddenly happy and engaged.

My heart went out to Blake and when he was happy, so was I. I just beamed in delight whenever he did. Joe was such good fun and I loved how he held nothing back, especially when telling Ed how bad his ice cream was. Griff was such a good man, helping Beca with the boys and the ice cream shack. There was no miscommunication trope this time, just not much communication at all, Beca wasn't looking for romance so had no intention of getting in between Griff and his new girlfriend, or his old one either. But the romance was always there on both sides, waiting for the right time.

I always like stories of small businesses being set up, they always make it seem so easy although in reality it's not quite so simple but I love a good ending story so I love seeing them flourish and overcome obstacles thrown in their way. (I knew it wasn't Ed who reported her to Environmental Health but I was wrong in who I thought it actually was).

I have read a few of Jo Thomas books and have to say I have yet to be disappointed in any way! This latest book of hers I have read is absolutely no exception. Beca Valentino is ready to leave city life and return to her hometown. When the perfect house goes up for sale she jumps at the chance and is so happy when her dreams become a reality. However, when she arrives home she realises that a lot has changed since she was last home, including the presence of her family's ice cream café now replaced by a wine bar run by none other than her ex-boyfriend.

It soon becomes clear that Beca's reasons for returning home are to fulfil her dreams of fostering children, however she wasn't quite prepared for it to happen so quickly. When she is put on the spot and asked to take in two teenage boys she agrees but unknowing whether she is remotely prepared for it. Her old school friend Griff still lives in the area and is a fisherman so luckily for Beca she has some familiarity. As with all her other books I have read the characters Jo Thomas creates are so likeable and easy to read about, these characters included.

I read this in just two sittings and absolutely adored it. Her books seem to have a way to transport you into their lives and the towns they live in and I admit I was sad that I had read it so quickly. This was a real feel good book that was a joy to read!

I have read a lot of Jo Thomas's books and really enjoyed this one. I liked the element of the boys and their fostering. I look forward to reading more.

I am a massive Jo Thomas fan so never miss the opportunity to read one of her books and this one is the idea read for lying by the pool.

Beca is trying to make a decision to move back to her hometown due to some history that occured before she left and she is still blaming herself. Beca has fostered two boys and throughout the story both boys progress wonderfully and the way it is written is beautiful.

I found this book relateable and very delicately and beautifully written.

this was an adorable read, it's warm and enveloping. You feel like you know the characters and i found myself laughing and crying alongside them. Beca was a great character, very relatable and someone youfind yourself rooting for.

Jo Thomas books are always a good read. The characters are relatable the locations are lovely and the stories always flow.

Beca has returned to her childhood coastal town in Wales, having had a successful business in London she was able to pay over the odds for a house she adored as a child and inherited a herd of cows along with it. She plans to foster young children and live a quieter life.

Coming back she realises how much she regrets not having spent more time here with her family especially her Italian grandparents who owned Valentino's gelateria. But everything has changed even her old friend Griff is distant, has she left it too late to return.

Overall I found it wholesome easy to read book that made me want to eat gelato.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC

A great read
This is a really good book to lose yourself in
A perfect summer read on the beach
Once you start reading this book you won’t want it to finish
Thanks NetGalley

Love everything about this book, the story, the setting, the characters. Took a couple of chapters to get hooked and then it just got better and better, didn’t want it to end! Enough plot twists to keep you wanting to find out more about the main love story and a cast of relatable characters cleverly crafted to create a hugely satisfying and heart warming read

What a lovely read loved all characters your pulled into the story I can see it all in my mind great summer read idea for beach love it

This is the first time I have read this author and I was looking forward to it. However I tried to get into this a few times, but inn the end gave up. Maybe try to finish sometime

A really fun and charming read with an enjoyable premise and gorgeous characters. I would highly recommend.

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming story if found family, and following your heart at a time when everyone is telling you otherwise.

I loved Beca’s character development, although she was the strong independent woman of the story, she also was human (which can often be forgotten about). She doubted herself at every turn but learned to listen to herself and not take into consideration the small town gossip.

The fostering storyline was very well placed and really gave the older children voice with the scenario. I loved seeing them grow into the story.

The ice cream shop element was fun and nostalgic.

The perfect summer read!

Absolutely loved this. Wasn't sure I would as it wasn't set abroad, but I've only been to Wales once, so it was still an adventure for me. Loved the foster kids element and the difficulties those kids had to overcome. Very emotional. Loved the old flame and the result. Another cracker from Jo Thomas

Once again Jo Thomas does it.
A warming, feel-good novel, with just enough sugar that it doesn't set your teeth on edge.
I laughed, I cried and now I desperately want gelato.

Beca is returning home to the seaside town, which she thought was too small for her all those years ago. Finding her ideal home, she moves in for a new start as well as to relive some of the memories of the past.

One of those memories is her Italian grandparents Ice Cream Café. However, it has been modernised by of all people her ex-boyfriend Ed. It has lost the soul of the place and the aim that her grandparents wanted. Determined and forthright, Beca decides she will create the essence of the place again as a way to honour what her family has taught her.

Beca hasn’t made it easy for herself, the place she has bought is a small farm, with cows that need milking. And she has finally finished the long process to foster children. When two rather challenging youngsters come along for some respite on their way somewhere else, Beca is finding she is being pulled in all directions. Along the way she bumps into Griff, a childhood friend who made his life in the hometown they grew up in. And after all these years is still as loyal as ever.

Jo Thomas has packed so much into this story, you wonder whether Beca will cope. But she does and the joy she gets with recreating the ice cream, along with developing these two lost youngsters as well as rediscovering the beauty of her hometown would make your ice cream melt as well as your heart.

Thomas has done it again, with a food packed, fun filled book which is the perfect way to go on holiday without leaving the comfort of your own home.

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.

Fantastic, cute summer read. Very uplifting.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Beca escapes the city and moves back to her hometown. She reconnects with her old friend Griff but things don’t go as she plans. Beca decides to til the house she buys by fostering but feels she has made a huge mistake when two teenager boys appear on her doorstep. Using an old family recipe book for inspiration and with help from her friends she opens a pop up gelato cafe on the beach.

Disaster strikes and puts her whole future at risk.

Love a Jo Thomas novel 🥰

This one pulled on the heart strings and makes you think about what is important in life, earning money or truly living!

Beca starts afresh in her hometown moving back after decades away, she wants to feel reconnected but she’s not sure how, or if she ever will!

Set in a homely seaside town with a few familiar, friendly faces and some adventures to be undertaken, especially with the discovery of her grandparents ice cream recipe book, lots of tasty experimenting takes place!

Great storyline kept me engaged until the end, then I wanted more!