Kate Lord Brown

Thank you Orion and Netgalley for allowing me to review this fab book xx

As soon as I saw the cover of this book it drew me in, it looks so summery and inviting with the added bonus of a gorgeous gateaux too!!

The content most certainly didn’t disappoint either. I adore books that have anything to do with cooking and baking. This book had both including a bit of Irish romance, competitiveness and a lovely castle too. I really felt the warmth of this book, and not just in the kitchen. Its a great read that will really make you happy on your sun lounger.

I rate this book 10/10… (plus d'informations)

En la zona montañosa de Valencia, una casa olvidada guarda sus secretos. Abandonada desde que las tropas de Franco arrasaron España en 1936, sus paredes se han desmoronado y el jardín ha sido invadido por la maleza. Guiada por una serie de cartas y una llave que su madre le ha dejado en herencia, Emma Temple abandona su trabajo como perfumista en Londres para devolver su antiguo esplendor a la ahora ruinosa casa de campo. A medida que esta va revelando sus secretos, Emma se sumerge cada vez más en la historia de su abuela, una enfermera británica que pasó la Guerra Civil en España como voluntaria. Pronto comprende que una cosa es querer dejar atrás el pasado y otra muy distinta que este te lo permita.… (plus d'informations)

Recently I read another book from this author, which I really liked and perhaps I had too high of expectations for this one. I really struggled with the story, which seemed to keep jumping around and just didn't seem to quite add up, and things didn't seem to get really interested until about two-thirds of the way through the book. The plot has all of the right elements - WWII France, artistic mysteries, fleeing refugees, scheming painters, old family secrets - but it felt like they just didn't work for some reason. I don't want to be too harsh, because I did finish the book, and a number of revelations towards the end gave the story more depth, but overall I just didn't love this one.… (plus d'informations)