Author: Sue Watson
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | Audible
Description: Escape to Devon for blustery walks along the beach, hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and proof that miracles really do happen, especially at Christmas.
A year after she separated from her husband, Gianni, on Christmas Day, Chloe’s heart is still in pieces as she unpacks the decorations for her first ever festive holiday alone. That is, until the phone rings…
It seems Gianni’s new seaside restaurant is in trouble and Chloe must go to Appledore to save the business – and him. Equally famous for his experimental culinary extravaganzas and his explosive temper, Gianni has been really stirring up a sensation with the locals – and not in a good way!
As pans fly and the temperature in the kitchen rises, Chloe’s calming influence and magic touch might just get critics back on side in time to save the restaurant from sinking like a sad soufflé. But will it be enough to save their marriage?
Chloe came to Appledore in search of her Christmas sparkle, but when the snow clears, will she finally find the way back to her husband’s heart?
My Thoughts: If you seek the whimsical and fun side of Christmas themes, look no further than Sue Watson. Her Christmas themed books with the most gorgeous covers are what made this author’s existence known to me. These books will be filled to the brim with all the fuzzy sweater feeling, hot chocolate tummy warming and eggnog toasting joy to be had during the festive season.
This story brings those feelings as well as some heartbreaking ones as I got to meet and tag along with Chloe Callidori and her soon to be ex-husband, Gianni. After fourteen years of marriage, they are headed to divorce but then Chloe receives a call asking for her help in getting her husband’s new restaurant up and running in the coastal town of Appledore, where they spent their honeymoon.
Once I learned that the restaurant is in trouble before it even opens comes as no surprise once I had met Gianni. He’s impossibly rude and insufferable, hurls insults left, right and center and his arrogance is over the top. I was surprised that Chloe agrees to help him. They didn’t separate on friendly terms and the last time Chloe saw Gianni in person, she dumped a glass of wine over his head.
These characters have so much more kept hidden below the surface, their vulnerabilities locked away from the rest of the world. I really loved how they begin to open up to one another and how they laid down their shields and looked at the situation from the other’s point of view. Several times, this story had me in tears at the pain and suffering both of these people went through.
Fans of this author will recognize the village of Appledore as the setting for her ice cream series and the characters from those stories are in this story. It’s not mandatory but I recommend reading that series before reading this book. I hope I will see more Christmas themed stories from Sue Watson set in Appledore.
My Final Verdict: No Christmas spirit is complete without a Sue Watson holiday story. I highly recommend everything she writes. If Christmas themes are not your go to, I highly recommend you pick up one of her thrillers. She’s got you covered, either way.
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