Jules WakeCritiques

I read this book for a challenge prompt “holiday romance”. This is not my usual genre but was a pleasant enough version of the theme. I also usually tend to read books about other places by local authors but sometimes an outsider or visitor view on a location can be valuable too.

In this book self-effacing heroine Maddie Wilcox has taken a job as crew aboard a luxury yacht sailing around Croatia. Her best friend’s brother Nick comes aboard as a guest, on the arm of a spoilt and entitled model. Maddie finds herself doing an eye roll a minute as she waits on the brattish guests and is disappointed to find Nick as part of this until later in the cruise when she discovers there is more to him than she thought.

This was a light, easy beach read style of novel. I was a little conflicted by the nice ordinary girl versus the soulless beautiful-ones theme, as on one hand it is obviously relatable but also reduces people to stereotypes and is somewhat simplistic. Many of the characters in this book were very one dimensional but I guess it does highlight some of the superficiality of the modern social-media driven world and the shallowness of the celebrity lifestyle. Maddie was a refreshing counterpoint to this, but I did get tired of her putting herself down.

The Spark is an enjoyable book about meeting the right people at the wrong time and what happens after. It’s the story of Jess and Sam and first I have to say how much I love that they have realistic jobs! Jess works at a Women’s shelter while Sam is a teacher for special needs kids. They meet at a party and the connection was instant, but the bad timing was on part that Sam had a girlfriend. This book is about what happens next.

I want to reassure any concerned people that this is NOT a cheating book. It’s also more Women’s fiction that a straight romcom. Jess’s growth was really narrated well in the story and was one of the highlights for me.

All in all, this was a cute book even though it had one of the cliches I detest – the annoying ex.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Interesting book with a few twists and likeable characters. An easy read.

An easy to read, nice story, with a few twists.½

What a lovely book with some great characters. I felt I had been transported to Paris in this book ( a place on my bucket list) Thank you Harper Impulse and Netgalley for allowing me to review this fabulous read

3.5 Stars round up to 4!

CW: detailed sex scenes, head injury with blood

Well that book felt like a nice warm hygge!

Hopefully I was the first to make that punny little joke!

Whilst there were periods in the book where the tension had fallen completely away and the characters were just existing in their little Danish pastry filled world, I was always entertained. Seriously though, there were points where I was wondering what could possibly happen next, as it all seemed to be resolved. However, it all still worked, as the pacing was more like a real life scenario, as opposed to the speed-dating, condensed version we often see in a novel. A simple and charming romance book filled with an eclectic mix of loveable characters. The only problem I have now is how to get hold of a freshly made Danish pastry...

Also, I love the hygge ideals and am staring hard at my house and wondering where the candles and soft throws will go...

"I don't want someone who's scared of love, who's going to back off whenever the feelings threaten to overwhelm them or they think they're being manipulated into something. I want someone who's all in. Not someone who thinks they might be in love."
Izzy McBride never expected to inherit an actual castle from her great uncle, but here she was; granted it was in need of some serious TLC if she was going to accomplish her dream of turning it into a bed and breakfast. When Izzy's eccentric mother rents a room to an enigmatic author, Ross, and the Scottish snow starts to settle in it becomes a race against time to get the castle ready in time for Christmas.
Izzy is very determined to make the castle into something new, but a lack of funds are problematic, along with her mother's habit of making plans without telling her. The dynamic between the two leads to some funny situations throughout. The relationship between Izzy and her mother is interesting and one can see quickly her mother is eccentric. Izzy and Ross have a lot of awful encounters in the beginning, where neither seems to like the other. As time goes on the two become friends, but the closer they get the more Ross pulls away.
The story is a great cozy Christmas time read with fun and diverse characters. The romance is a little light in the novel in my opinion as most of it discusses the work on the castle. It is much more a story of the love of friends and family as they all bond and work together to prepare the castle. I didn't really feel like the romance element came into the narrative until the last few chapters. But, I think it is a lovely and fun holiday read to help get you in the spirit of Christmas time.

I picked this book on NetGalley because I wanted to read something Christmassy and set in Scotland.

The pros:
The book does deliver on both fronts - I enjoyed the descriptions and setting, quite vivid and compelling, of the castle by the loch in the Highlands and other parts of Scotland.
The Christmas feel-good, snowy feelings are definitely here too.
Izzy was an interesting character, well fleshed out.
There are a few social commentaries especially about land ownership and such which were interesting, and it was really a dive into the amount of work and dedication (and luck ;)) needed to run a luxury hotel.

The cons:
I was a bit thrown off by the lack of representation and by a few portrayals - for example a character seems stereotypically neuro-divergent, but while neurodiversity is never mentioned, she is made fun of/shamed a few times.
The storyline is very heteronormative/stereotypical and made me roll my eyes a few times. I found the addition of Jim and Jeanette a bit cringe-y as well at times.
My pet peeve - For all the talk of "being sustainable" by Izzie buying local, a lot of meat and dairy is being consumed in this book (eating plant-based is generally more meaningful in terms of low emissions than eating local, by the way) and it wasn't very pleasant to read for me.

I want to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.½

I was ready for a lot of things from this story...
...to fall in love with the time and place.
...to experience the culture with eyes wide open.
...to UTTERLY DESPISE our handsome yet shifty leading man, Gabe.
...to cheer on our lovely yet under confident leading lady, Fiona.
...to see the world from a new angle with just the right lighting.

What I wasn't prepared...
...to experience the vast differences between the traditions of old and new, which equally thrive like a neon heartbeat.
...to change my mind about Gabe, however begrudgingly, when he finally gets his **** together...even when it might simply be too late.
...to adore our Miss Fi so much for her fresh take on the every day, her willingness to stick to her guns, and her ability to stand on her own two feet, come what may.


All in all, it was quite the trip! From the moment my eyes alighted on the lovely cover to the final flick of the epage, I was fully immersed in the story and holding my breath that every thing in fact would turn out alright. Getting to know the family she stays with, and fully taken in by the culture thanks to the author's wonderful writing, was a special bonus to an already heart warming, and smile inducing story.


**ebook received for review; opinions are my own

A story set in more than trying times as everyone tries to find their place in a world on the edge, The Secrets of Latimer House takes you out of the here and now, and into history. Yes, ladies and gents, there WAS a 'Latimer House', and while the ins and outs of what went on moved us from battlefields to victory, the lives held within were just as important. Here is where the fiction part of the novel lies. The author learned about the reality, and created a world within that world so believable, so moving, so memorable that it goes beyond blurring the line between.

Despite there being many characters worthy of mention, for one reason or another, the heart and soul of the story reside in Evelyn, Betty, and Judith. Three women from more different backgrounds would be hard to find, but throughout their time together, through the ups, downs, heartaches, heart breaks, laughter, and tears, they realize that their similarities outweigh each and every one. They are women with families, and stories to share, all fighting for a common goal...to end a war that should never have been. They each contribute to the cause, some in bigger ways than they even realize, but the thing that really gets them through the bad times isn't just their gumption or resolve, but their friendship. The bond that they build, even while having to maintain secrets for the cause between them, gives them strength when they are down, courage when they are flagging, and backing for whatever may come their way. Evelyn with her good breeding and grace; she always knew how to handle any intimidating situation, but matters of the heart, she needed a hand. Betty was all beauty and bluster, but she learns that brains come along with that package and she only needed the right set of eyes to glimpse it for herself. Judith was reserved due to her darkened past, but she cared ever so much and so deeply that those friendships forged were her tethers in stormy times. They were sisters from different misters, brought together by choice and circumstance, in a world that didn't know how to break the hold evil had on it, but would never stop trying.

It was beautiful. It was heartbreaking. It had moments at which to shudder from anger and fear. It had moments with which to bask in the sun while remembering with fondness. I couldn't have asked for a better cast of characters, more memorable moments, or a clearer glimpse into a part of history I never knew.


**ecopy provided for review; opinions are my own

Three women from very different backgrounds work and room together to work at Latimer House. The story is told from the three different points of view. Each chapter shows who were are following. It was a fast read. I enjoyed all three of the girls stories.½

Maybe 3.5. Enjoyed the travel aspect of this book and would definitely try other books in this series though

Mina Campbell arbeitet in einer Testküche und Liebt das Kochen und auch das Essen, am liebsten zusammen mit Freunden. In der Liebe läuft es aber nicht so toll. Sie hat wieder einmal Liebeskummer. Kurzerhand entschließt sie sich, zu ihrer Patentante Amelie in die Schweiz zu reisen. Im Zug begegnet sie dem charmanten Luke. Aber sie will wieder zu sich selbst finden und hat kein Interesse an einem Wiedersehen. Es gefällt ihr gut in der Schweiz und auch die Schweizer Küche hat es ihr angetan. Doch dann trifft sie Luke wieder, der im Ski-Chalet ihrer Tante eingecheckt hat.
Julia Caplin hat einen wundervollen leichten Schreibstil. Ich habe mich sehr wohl gefühlt in der Schweiz, denn sie beschreibt die Handlungsorte sehr atmosphärisch.
Die Charaktere sind sehr toll dargestellt. Mina ist eine sympathische Person, aber ich finde sie auch ein wenig bestimmend und sprunghaft. Eigentlich hatte sie sich die Zukunft mit ihrem Freund so schön vorgestellt, doch was sie dann erfährt, setzt ihr zu. Aber auch Luke ist sympathisch. Er nimmt Rücksicht auf die Gemütslage von Mina.
Natürlich war von Anfang an klar: Es kommt, wie es kommen muss.
Auch wenn ich nicht so der Fan von Liebesgeschichten bin, so hat mich dieser Roman in der schönen Schweiz doch gut unterhalten.

{Second of 7 er ... 8 Romantic Escapes series; romance, travel, New York, Brooklyn, steam, audiobook}(2018)

Read by Olivia Mace who does a good job (to my undiscerning ear) with New York/ American accents.

Sophie, a character from The Little Café in Copenhagen, has just broken up with her boyfriend and accepts a job swap for six months with another food writer from New York. When she arrives, she discovers that she has been put up in an apartment above a bakery in Brooklyn owned and run by her landlady, Bella via Bella's cousin Todd, who is to be her colleague on the magazine. But Todd has an easy charm (and great looks) that all women fall for and Bella warns Sophie not to fall for him, nice as he is. Of course, we know what happens. As with the previous book, a friend of Sophie's also has a relationship percolating in the background; in this case, Bella's thwarted romance.

This was light and fun and there is some steam. I liked the way that the protagonists became friends first and the romance is believable because they are both nice, kind people (in spite of Todd's pains to appear otherwise). Kate, the protagonist from Little Cafe ... has a cameo role via phone calls from London, with mentions of a couple of the other characters from the first book too. There's a lot of detail about yummy food - so do not read this when you're hungry. I found, with this and the previous book, that there are sudden breaks in the flow of time which might be more obvious if I had been reading rather than listening, but I found them slightly disorientating. I thought there were more details about Copenhagen in the previous book than there were about New York (both of which I've been to) in this book so it didn't give me the same sense of place - although most of the story takes place in Bella's bakery or the magazine's offices or (presumably fictitious) restaurants.

Fun fluff, good for passing the time.

(October 2021)
3 stars

{First of 7 Romantic Escapes series; romance, Copenhagen, steam} (2018)

Kate Sinclair, angling for a promotion at her PR firm, is pipped at the post by her so-called boyfriend Josh who uses her idea. So Kate is palmed off with a project to bid for the account of Lars Wilder, a Danish businessman, promoting the art of 'hygge' (apparently pronounced 'hooge') - the indefinable sense of Danish style and comfort that its detractors dismiss as 'candles and cashmere blankets'. Surprisingly, she wins the account and is tasked with recruiting six journalists for a promotional trip to Copenhagen to discover hygge. She rounds up some contacts and, on a recommendation from Josh, phones the Sunday Inquirer to speak to Benedict Johnson - who shoots her down. Aiming to show Josh that she's fine without him, Kate attends an awards night at the Grosvenor Hotel wearing a simple, sexy Vera Wang creation where she meets someone to whom she's very attracted - but doesn't follow up on it.

Kate takes her journalists to Copenhagen - including (at the last moment) Benedict, who has been press-ganged by his boss into joining, which he's not too happy about - and although the start of the trip is a bit rough, the warmth of the Danish people rubs off on all of them. Fortunately, just around the corner from their hotel is Varme (meaning 'warmth'), the café owned and run by Lars's mum, Eva, where Kate finds refuge when the job gets too overwhelming.

Caplin takes us on a tour of Copenhagen and we have fun seeing it along with the little group.

The impressive Radhuspladsen with its huge tower, by now quite familiar to us because it could be seen from various parts of the city including the Tivoli Gardens, was a striking combination of austere and ornate. Built in sturdy red bricks, with rows of forbidding neat mullioned lead-paned windows on one floor which contrasted with the modern windows below, there were interesting architectural features like the two semi-circular bay windows topped with mini turrets and the elaborate crenelated affair on top of the roof, which brought to mind the palazzo in Siena.

I loved the friendship of all the characters and the romance; the attraction, the flirting, the friendship, the thoughtfulness, the hesitation, the gradual falling in love. I liked the way the little group, who at first seem incompatible, comes together as the trip goes along and end up being supportive of each other. For example, when they go to the Tivoli Gardens, Fiona (the shyest of them) uncharacteristically takes charge and decides that the group should go on the rollercoaster and Kate decides she should go along too, as a show of support - even though she's terrified of heights.

What the hell had I been thinking when I agreed to this? I think I let out a little involuntary whimper and with leaden legs mounted the next step on the staircase, my hand cramping on the handrail.
Ben turned my way. I raised my head with a determined who-me-scared lift of the chin and gave him an approximation of a smile, stretching my face in the right sort of direction and baring my teeth. It probably would have frightened small children and it didn’t fool him. His hand fumbled to take mine, giving it a quick squeeze. I closed my eyes, and squeezed back, waiting for his fingers to fall away but he kept my hand firmly clasped in his, stepping closer so that we were side by side.
‘You look terrified.’
‘I was hoping it didn’t show.’ My attempt at dry and deadpan failed big-time.

I felt perfectly happy, while reading it, if there wasn't to be a bedroom scene (even though the two leads would obviously end up together); well, there was a not-quite-made-it-to-the-bedroom scene which, to be honest, I felt didn't live up to the romance and I thought the book would have been just as good - or, even, better - without it.

My e-library-book expired when I was about halfway through and the only version I could find immediately (rather than wait for weeks for my hold to come back around) was an audiobook. It was read by Imogen Wilde who, I thought, did a brilliant job with the voices of the different characters (I say this with feeling, having attempted the feat while reading bedtime stories to my kids) including different accents, as appropriate.

I did like the way Caplin built the romantic tension and I had already borrowed the next in the series before I finished this book.

September 2021
3.5***½

Books about World War II are always interesting and almost always provide bits of revealing information that further demonstrate just how united the people in England were in trying to save their country and the world from Hitler’s atrocities. The Secrets of Latimer House is no exception. It is a fascinating story of some of the secret techniques that were used during the war, from interrogation to analysis to secret listeners. It tells the story through the eyes and experiences of three very different young women: a society heiress, a poor farm girl, and a German Jew who managed to escape from Germany after great personal losses. At first glance Evelyn, Betty and Judith couldn’t be more different and when they are billeted together it is hard to imagine them ever forming any kind of bond. But their loyalty, bravery and dedication to the vital roles they play unite them.

Very satisfying read, inspiring, showing how everyone in England was called upon to “do their part” and how well they all rose to that call.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers UK for providing an advance copy of The Secrets of Latimer House for my reading pleasure and honest review. It is well worth your time; you will enjoy it! All opinions are my own.

Mit einem Teeladen hat es nichts wirklich zu tun, höchstens ein paar genannte Grünteesorten und auf Seite 229 eine Kurzbeschreibung Teezeremonie, Rest Liebesgeschichte in japan

This is a lighthearted story, the first in a series. The author has a light touch on sentimental and emotional issues and does quite a good job of telling an engaging story. I recommend it to lighten up a dreary afternoon.

The Secrets of Latimer House by Jules Wake is Historical World War II Fiction. The author tells the story of a local manor used to gather intelligence from German Prisoners during World War II. I am so impressed by the historical details, writing style, characters, descriptions and the various perspectives in this book.
Wow, an incredible story that is far beyond what I ever expected, all I can think of now is I hope there will be a sequel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

Die Bloggerin und Fotografin Fiona hat ein Stipendium erhalten, damit sie sich in Tokio weiterbilden kann. Als I-Tüpfelchen gibt es nachher noch eine Ausstellung ihrer Bilder in einer angesehenen Londoner Galerie. Doch in Tokio trifft sie fast der Schlag, denn statt Professor Kobashi, der verhindert ist, soll sich Gabriel Burnett als Tutor um Fiona kümmern. Das erinnert Fiona an eine peinliche Situation in der Vergangenheit, doch Gabe scheint sich daran nicht zu erinnern. Er zeigt aber auch wenig Interesse daran, seine Tutor-Aufgaben wahrzunehmen. Doch Fiona ist bei einer Familie untergekommen, die Fiona sehr freundlich aufnimmt und ihr die japanische Kultur näherbringt.
Julia Caplin hat einen wundervollen leichten Schreibstil. Ich habe mich sehr wohl gefühlt in Japan, denn sie beschreibt die Handlungsorte sehr atmosphärisch. In Japan stößt modernes hektisches Leben immer wieder auf Tradition.
Die Charaktere sind einfach toll dargestellt. Fiona ist mit viel Enthusiasmus nach Tokio aufgebrochen, auch wenn ihre nervende Mutter das gar nicht gut fand. Aber sie hatte auch erwartet, dass ihr Tutor sie unterstützt. Doch Gabe hat keine Lust und zeigt das deutlich. Er ist ein begabter Fotograf, der sich aber auf seinem Weg etwas verirrt hat. Das lässt er dann an anderen aus. Obwohl Fiona auf den ersten Blick ziemlich unsicher wirkt, gibt sie Gabe kontra. Die viele Reibereien zwischen den Beiden waren unterhaltsam. Dass es dann immer mehr auf ein Happyend zusteuert, war ja vorhersehbar. Fionas Gastgeber haben mir gut gefallen, sie sorgen dafür, dass sich Fiona wohlfühlen kann und viel über Japan lernt. Das gibt Fiona die Möglichkeit sich weiterzuentwickeln, so dass sie am Ende der Reise selbstbewusst ist.
Ich bin eigentlich nicht so der Fan von Liebesgeschichten, aber ich reise sehr gerne und diese buchmäßige Reise nach Tokio war einfach toll.

I chose to read this for its title.
This is my first read about Croatia.
It's part of my 2020 PopSugar Reading Challenge: a book set in a country that starts in letter "C".
Aside from that, I'm very interested to learn about the culture and scenery about the country.
I had low expectations about the story since I'm not a big fan of romance.
However, I enjoyed reading about spending vacation in the coast of Croatia; it feels like I'm there.
Coincidentally, my SO was also in one of the places in the story while I was reading about it.
Overall, it's a relaxing read.

Covent Garden in the Snow by Jules Wake is a lovely Christmas romance about make-up artist Tilly Hunter. On the surface Tilly is a girl who appears to have her life perfectly in order. She loves her job at the London Metropolitan Opera Company, and she and her handsome finance, Felix, are planning their wedding. In reality, she is on probation for messing up the computers at work, and her romance is more fizzle than sizzle.

Her ineptness at technology has her having to spend time with the IT director learning how to use computers to actually help her department. Marcus, at first appears to be a button-downed corporate type, but over the course of their acquaintance, Till learns that he is actually a really good guy and in fact, when she finds her boyfriend in the arms of another, he becomes her emotional support. When she is accused of selling secrets about the celebrities that she works with and is in danger of losing her job, Marcus is among the many of her friends that come to her support.

Although Covent Garden in the Snow is a little long-winded, it’s playful attitude, interesting setting, and sympathetic characters drew me in and I enjoyed this well written Christmas romance.

“From the end of November onwards, stepping out into Covent Garden is magical and as soon as December first hits, it’s positively enchanting.” (Citation page 167)

Content
Mathilde „Tilly“ Hunter loves her work as a make-up artist at London Metropolitan Opera and she is very talented and really qualified for her job. But to get the career advancement she is hoping for, she needs to be familiar with modern technologies and computers und the new smart, attractive IT director Marcus Walker, who does not feel the vivid magic of the theatre world, has to train her. How could they work together successfully, when Tilly is just joking about her definitely missing computer-gen and for her the old card system is still perfect enough to manage the inventory? Then her life is near to shattering and she has to grow up, open her eyes to her problems and take things seriously.

Theme and Genre
This romantic Christmas novel is about family, friendship, love and life, and about beautiful London during Christmas time when Covent Garden, smelling of cinnamon and mulled wine, if full of lights and joy. An important theme is working with a leading opera company, opera, ballet, artists and the support team behind any performance on stage.

Characters
The characters are well described, loveable and understandable, and the development of artistic, sassy, but always caring Tilly makes her even more likeable.

Plot and writing
Tilly, the first-person narrator, tells the story. It takes place in London in the weeks before Christmas. The beautiful, festive atmosphere with snow slowly covering London, as well as the buzzling flair of theatre performances, are described in such a colorful and lively way that, while reading, the related pictures and feeling spring immediately to mind. The mixture between thoughtful and funny scenes guaranties pleasurable reading.

Conclusion
A funny, interesting and heartwarming Christmas story, the perfect read for a relaxed festive season.

Meine Tochter hat das Buch zuerst gelesen und hat es geliebt. Sie hat sich alle anderen Bücher der Serie auch noch zugelegt und mit Begeisterung gelesen. Ich selbst fand es auch super süß. Die junge Nina reist nach Paris um dem Freund ihres Bruders (und ihrem Ex-Schwarm) bei einem Patisserie-Kurs zu helfen. Sebastian hat sich das Bein gebrochen und ist auch sonst überlastet. Wie das Ganze liebesmässig ausgeht, ist keine große Überraschung. Dass die Patisserie zum vollen Erfolg wird, ebensowenig. Am besten ist die Figur der Nina gelungen, auch die Kursteilnehmer sind super dargestellt. Dass Ninas Bruder bezogen auf die Beziehung zu Sebastian so zickt, und auch dass Sebastian selbst anfangs so schwierig ist, ist hingegen etwas übertrieben, andererseits hätte das Buch sonst ja keine Handlung. Das beste aber sind die Beschreibungen der Kuchen, Tartes, Eclairs, Macarons.... ich liebe die französische Patisserie selbst sehr und wäre am liebsten sofort in ein schönes altes Café gestürmt. Also, ein rundum schönes Buch zum Abtauchen.