Author: Maddie Please
Publisher: Avon Books UK
Publication Date: March 2019
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN
Description: Sometimes you just need to get away…
Lulu has it all; a romance writer at the height of her career, she can often be found attending glittery parties or spending time with her good-looking, health-fanatic boyfriend, Benedict.
When writer’s block strikes she goes on a mini-break to Devon, which proves just the tonic she needs. But upon her return to London, she finds her usual perfect life in chaos.
Will escaping back to the countryside be the answer? And will life become even more complicated when Lulu runs into handsome, brooding farmer Joe?
A funny, feel-good and fabulous read that will take you on a trip you never knew you needed. Have you packed…?
My Thoughts: I was immediately intrigued when Lulu and her sister, Jassy, leave London for a sabbatical in the Devon countryside to find inspiration for their writing projects. Their remote retreat—with no Wi-Fi, no cellphone signal, and now a flat tire—sets up a wonderfully inconvenient escape. When Lulu meets Joe, the nearest neighbor, she feels an instant pull toward him, even though her life in London still includes her boyfriend, Benedict.
Once Lulu returns home, she finds Benedict with another woman in her apartment and begins to reassess everything she thought she wanted. She realizes that both her London life and her relationship with Benedict no longer fit who she wants to become. From there, she decides to sell her apartment and, after several attempts, finally ends things with Benedict.
I liked both Lulu and Joe, and I was interested to see where their connection would lead. That said, Lulu’s attraction to Joe—and how quickly it seems to deepen into love—felt a little rushed to me. I also struggled with how quickly Lulu shifts from city life to country living, especially when she begins making big decisions like moving to the countryside and buying chickens. Her plan felt more impulsive than carefully considered, as though she was winging it rather than truly preparing for such a major change.
Despite my reservations about Lulu’s choices, I loved the sense of community the author creates in Devon and enjoyed meeting the supporting characters. This was my first time reading Maddie Please’s work, and the warmth of the setting and cast makes me curious to read more from her.
My Final Verdict: The Mini-Break is a warm, feel-good read with an inviting countryside setting, a lively supporting cast, and plenty of charm. While Lulu’s major life changes and the romance with Joe sometimes felt a little rushed, the book still offers an enjoyable escape and a strong sense of community. Readers who enjoy light contemporary romance with humor, heart, and a fresh-start storyline will likely find this a pleasant and easygoing read.
Thank you to the publisher, Avon Books UK, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.
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