This review is dedicated to my darlin Nina (she is absolutely awesome) and Jessica (she makes bloggers feel awesome). Both of you have impacted my life in some way or the other. Nina is my friend and confidante and someone who sees the best in me when I am not sure I am good. Jessica is the author slowly becoming a friend who is honest, charming and all heart. Both have encouraged me to read the series by their warmth.
This is for you both. Thank you, Girls 💖
This was one the most fabulous books read during the Christmas season. I absolutely, totally, completely loved it. The reason was pretty simple
The book made me cry!!
Tara’s story had me so immersed in it that I didn’t want to do anything but read it. Every emotion wrenched an equal reaction from me. For me, this was Jessica Redland’s best book, the cover made me go ga-ga over it…
A Pollyanna turned cynic due to life’s trials reminded me completely of ME… Tara the owner of Chocolate Pot, not only made the perfect cup of hot chocolate, but was a fabulous crafter and embraced the concept of hygge wholeheartedly in her way of living. I too wanted to live in her flat, it was so cozy with a giant house bunny Hercules… Well I am not too sure of the bunny…😂 😂
Jessica’s writing brought a strong imagery which made me forget my real life. It had me crying, laughing, smiling, loving, and being angry. The only niggle I had was the hero was bang perfect for her… Well, that’s the joy of fiction – such unbelievable men are easy to write about.
I absolutely adored the book and I hope to use one of the scenes in my real life if a guy asks me to make him coffee because he doesn’t have cups or mugs… I am going to do the right thing and give him my takeaway paper mug!!
I downloaded the digital copy of the book from Kindle Unlimited, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
Emotionally, Tara Porter finds the festive period a challenge. Christmas Day is a reminder of the family she lost, and New Year’s Eve holds bitter memories of the biggest mistake of her life: marrying Garth Tewkesbury. Shunning invitations to celebrate, she seeks refuge in her flat with only her giant house bunny, Hercules, for company.
Professionally, though, it’s the best time of year. Tara’s thriving café, The Chocolate Pot, is always packed. With the café hosting a wedding and engagement party, it’s shaping up to be the café’s best Christmas ever.
When former nemesis, Jed Ferguson, threatens the future of The Chocolate Pot, Tara prepares for a fight. The café is everything to her and she’s not going to let anyone or anything jeopardise that.
Tara badly misjudged ex-husband Garth and, since then, has refused to let anyone in. After all, if you don’t let them in, they can’t hurt you. But has she misjudged Jed too? Is it possible that he’s not the arrogant, deceitful man from whom she bought the café 14 years earlier? Can she find the courage to find out for sure?
Publication Date: 10th November 2018
Publisher: Little Bear Books
53 Responses
Yep, looks I made the right decision to put this series on my shelf. Touching review, Shalini!
Awww…. Thank you… I have yet to read 5 more books of hers for 2019
I loved your description of the love interest. It’s much easier to write the perfect man that find him in real life! So true.
Oh yeah… I am still searching for one.. 😂 😂
Thank you so much, Shalini. Sorry for making you cry, although it sounds like it was a good thing 🙂 Loving this review and, in particular, your very kind words at the start. You are a superstar <3 xx
Aww… Jessica.. ❤️❤️ The credit of this review goes to you… Your words triggered mine… You are awesome 😘😘😍😍💞💞
I always say that it is an honor when an author comments on my post. Thank you for bestowing that honor on me
You’re very welcome. In my eyes, if a blogger has very kindly taken the time to read my work and even more time to write about it and promote it, the least I can do is say thank you on their blog. I owe so much to you and others for what you do and would consider it rude not to acknowledge it xx
😍❤️💞
That is so true – I am elated and twirl with excitement when that happens!
When I twirl, my fat twirls with me, not a good sight hehehe… 😂 😂
Awww. Too kind. THANK YOU xxxxx <3 <3 <3
This sounds like the perfect “snuggle under the blanket in your comfy chair and read by the fireplace” story. It’s snowing here today AND Shalini just recommended a fun Christmas read! I’m off to check this one out. Great review, Shalini! 🙂 I hope you had a good birthday yesterday! 🙂
It is on kindle unlimited… So it was sweet and cute… 😍❤️😘💞
I’m so glad you enjoyed it as much as I did. I adore your reviews as much as I do Jessica Redland; I covet all her, and your, clever words!
Hah!! Look who is talking the queen of vocabulary… Your highness, we can only aspire to be 10% of what you are 😍😘
Oh you sold me on this one, Shalini. I’ll be tracking down a copy!
This was really sweet Christopher, and the author simply awesome. It is on kindle unlimited if you subscribe to it
I do like the sound of a Pollyanna turned cynic- it’s very intriguing. This sounds really well done. Great review!
Very well done… I am trying to change since I had become a cynic. Well, hoping for a good 2019. I wish you lots of happiness too♥️
Thank you so mucg
Awesome! haha I can relate 😉 Aww thank you and you’re welcome! <3
Fantastic review as always! I love this one as well! And I am also not too sure about that bunny!💕
Giant house bunny hehehe a dog – I am good.. Bunny – not so much ❤️
Yes! I cannot imagine cuddling with a bunny, I think they are rodents? LOL
The bunnies in my country stink… Maybe bring in tropical country, it is extremely hot.. 😂 😂
Hee hee. You both need to Google ‘giant house bunny’. They are soooo gorgeous and snuggly. I’d love one myself but I don’t think my dog and cat would be too impressed … maybe one day x
Omg omg I checked they are so huge and cuddly… Not sure about stinky…
Jessica,these bunnies are good in the temperate climate, in tropical, they would stink more than me… 😂 😂 😂 😂
Will do! But I think I’ll stick with my cats and dogs! LOL💜🐰
Me too. Dogs… 😂
super review, Shalini, heart-felt and emotional. nothing like a good Christmas cozy, huh?
Yeah.. I am loving them… Then I went and read werewolves horror yesterday… 😂 😂
What a beautiful heartfelt review, Shalini. I was so curious about the giant bunny. I had to Google it. Gosh, they are so cute. Much love.
I Google them too. I still don’t want them at home 😂😂
If I had a farm, I would! And some Alpacas, too.
Your home is beautiful Dominique 😘😍😍
Thank you Shalini! 😊 If you want in this link below you can have a Home Tour of my house: https://3cstyle.com/2017/11/30/my-home-tour-part-1/
Omg wow your home is beautiful… So cozy so well maintained… I loved it 😍 😍 waiting for part 2
That part 2 is long overdue! I need to schedule a photo shoot so a professional photographer can take the pics. But my kids do not want their rooms to be seen. Lol.
That’s cute.. Then forget it… Kids need their privacy 😘
Agree! 😊
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Aww Shalini… every word of this review is beautiful and straight from your very big heart. I think this was my favourite Christmas read too. And if this made you cry… Girl, get the tissue box ready when you read Dreaming About Darran!
Omg omg Durran is going to make me cry?? 😉 😉 Then I will read over the weekend..
I think the band Durran Durran has some good songs, isn’t it?
Lol. Yes but the book is about Darran. 😂
And you have to read that series in order. .. well, you don’t HAVE to but I strongly recommend you do. You’ll appreciate Claire more that way.
By the way… it’s much easier for me to get you a Hercules than a Bert… just saying…
Hercules will stink in India with the temperatures rising and the humidity… I would be only running around trying to bathe him… 😂 😂 😂 😂 And then take a bath myself 🤣🤣🤣🤣
🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
Bert just needs a cord to charge him… 😂 😂 😂 Just like BOB🤣🤣🤣
MY marbles, my marbles… They are going 😂😂😂🤣🤣
Oh yeah….. 🦆😂😂
There you go with the duck and a BOB.. giving me more ideas why don’t you
Hahahahahahaha
Loving your exchange, Nina and Shalini, but I’m going to have to ask what a Bob and a Bert are. Bob has appeared before and I should have asked then.
Dreaming About Daran is one of my favourite books I’ve written. Honolouloubelle did read them out of order and enjoyed them still but I would definitely go in order for the trilogy as it builds to what happens in Daran xx
Hahaha Jessica prepare to be shocked…
Bob is battery operated boyfriend.. Hehehe Honolulubelle told me hehehehe
Bert is a character from the book, a robotic artificial intelligence gargoyle who can think fast but can only say Caw Caw. He needs a cord to charge… I want both Bert and Bob… But I want Bert and a live boyfriend more 🤣🤣😂😂
Hee hee hee *blushes* Serves me right for asking lol! I now have a connection between Hercules the giant bunny and BOB in my mind that I really don’t want to have!!!! 😂😂😂
Hahahaha welcome to the kinky group honey… Some days I go on a horny tangent… 😂 😂 😂 😂