Date of Reading: 23/08/2019
Author: Julie Stock
Publisher: Clued Up Publishing
Publication Date: August 6, 2019
My Rating: 3.5/5
(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)
About the book:
When Olivia goes to manage Finn's failing bistro, will they end up sharing a table for two, or will it be a recipe for disaster?
Olivia Fuller longs to manage one of the restaurants in her father’s chain and to break free to live the independent life she’s wanted for so long. When her father finally puts his trust in her and sends her to a failing restaurant in Devon, she’s confident she can prove herself capable of doing the job.
Finn Anderson is about to lose his beloved seaside bistro unless the bank can find a buyer to dig him out. When George Fuller offers Finn a deal, he has no choice but to accept if he wants any chance of getting his bistro back one day. And then the new manager arrives…
Even after meeting the prickly chef and discovering his complete lack of business skills, Olivia is confident she can turn the struggling business around. But as Olivia and Finn start working together, a mutual attraction develops between them, and soon, nothing is going according to Olivia’s plan.
When there’s a real chance that the bistro might be sold off, Olivia and Finn determine to fight for it, united by their hard work and their growing feelings for each other.
But can they save the bistro and be together, or does destiny have a different path in mind?
A feel-good contemporary romance set in a bistro beside the sea in Devon.
My Review:
The author was new to me but the cover and the blurb decided it for me. Who can resist a story about a businesswoman and that also when it is set near the seaside? As expected I warmed up to Olivia immediately. She is talented, caring and nothing like the ruthless business types. Finn is the exact opposite and so they two make the perfect halves of the equation.
Narrated through dual perspectives, we learn a lot about the altogether different spheres both of them come from. But there is a lot in common too. I admire Finn's stubbornness and hard work and yes, what we need sometimes is a bit of help from someone. He is lucky to have got it at the right time.
What disappointed me is the climax. It failed to produce the tension that I expected. A surprise twist would have really added to the angst. Well, that's all for the author to decide. But as it is, this is a sunny, heartwarming story of togetherness that makes wonders.
Meet the author:
Julie Stock writes contemporary feel-good romance from around the world: novels, novellas and short stories.
She published her debut novel, From Here to Nashville, on February 2015 and her second novel, The Vineyard in Alsace in March 2017. Over You (Sam's Story) and Finding You (Jenna's Story), her follow-up novellas to From Here to Nashville were published in 2018, making the From Here to You series complete. She has also published a boxed set of the From Here to You trilogy of books.
You can connect with Julie via her Facebook Author Page - www.facebook.com/JulieStockAuthor, and on Instagram - @julie.stockauthor.
Julie is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Society of Authors.
When she is not writing, she works in communications. She is married and lives with her family in Bedfordshire in the UK.
Giveaway to Win Signed Copy of The Bistro by Watersmeet Bridget and goodies (UK Only)
The prize will contain
• Signed paperback,
• Notebook with the front cover on
• Postcard magnet with the front cover on
• Bookmark with the front cover on
• Bag of Devon fudge
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries are welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
Thank you for reading and reviewing The Bistro by Watersmeet Bridge, Finitha, and for hosting me on your blog. I really appreciate it :)
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks sweet, too bad the ending missed the mark
ReplyDeleteStinks that the ending wasn't what it could have been.
ReplyDeleteGreat honest review I am sorry this book disappointed you with the climax of the story but I am glad you overall enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! Entered the giveaway.
ReplyDelete