{LITTLE BOARD GAME CAFE 4} CHRISTMAS AT THE BOARD GAME CAFE

 

CHRISTMAS AT THE BOARD GAME CAFE by JENNIFER PAGE.

Genre ... Romance

Publication Date ... 10th October 2024

Publisher ... Head of Zeus / Aria

Standalone Fourth book in the Little Board Game Café series

Estimated Page Count ... 384

Order Link ... https://amzn.eu/d/gNiOWja

Kate seems to have it all – wonderful friends, a successful career and an idyllic life in the quirky Yorkshire town of Essendale. But under the surface Kate’s lonely, and she longs to feel part of a family – especially during Christmas.

With the holiday season fast approaching, and the town desperate to attract more visitors, Kate conceives a brilliant plan: an enchanting living Advent calendar. Each December evening, a captivating window display will be unveiled across town. With local businesses struggling, including her best friend’s board game café, she's feeling the pressure.

But Kate’s picture-perfect plans take an unexpected turn when her ex-boyfriend arrives in Yorkshire, insisting on creating the Christmas Eve display. Can Kate trust him to deliver a show-stopping window? And can she finally put the past behind her and embrace the future she’s always dreamed of?

Having visited the Scrabble Board Cafe in this quaint English village previously, first in Love Letters On Hazel Lane {book 2 in the series} and more recently in Second Chances at the Board Game Café {book 3 in the series} what better way to celebrate Christmas than with a return visit.

Such a wonderful cast. Mr B and his baubles by far my favourite though I did enjoy the exploration of Kate as a somewhat conflicted individual {how can she possibly resolve her current issues and consider a meaningful romance when she still has childhood issues to deal with?}, the beauty of her character being that, like her or not, relate to her/her situation or not, she is written with such a beautiful warmth and depth that you cannot help but feel for her.

Billed as the 'Standalone Fourth book in the Little Board Game Café series'. Whilst perfectly readable in its own right, I really would suggest that in order to get the best out of them they be read in order as whilst not dependent on the previous book each book builds on the previous one.

A great addition to the franchise. As much as I loved this as your fairly typical festive cosy-romance, delving as it did into the difficulties encountered by struggling local/village business, Kate's answer to which is the 'living advent calendar', I enjoyed it equally as a festive contemporary read.

Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn't writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children's opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.

Social Media Links ... X @jenpagewrites https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpagewrites/

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Publication Day Push of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

Share the love by following their blog.

Take a few minutes to check out their newest post and leaving a comment, you’ll instantly put a smile on their face.

Share on FaceBook, X, Pinterest, and other social media sites, it shows that you care about their work and want others to enjoy it too!

The next time you see their post pop up on your feed, hit the like button, leave a comment, or even share it with your followers. It’ll defiantly make their day.

BELLA'S COUNTRSIDE CHRISTMAS.

 

BELLA'S COUNTRSIDE CHRISTMAS by CLAIRE HUSTON.

Genre ... Cosy Christmas romance

Publication Date ... 18th September 2024

Estimated Page Count ... 363

Standalone Novel

Author Note ... This is a “sweet” or “closed door” romance
Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.
Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.
A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.
But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …
Given that its only just September and my family {namely my mam} know not to mention the 'C' word to me until at least after Halloween, for me there's always the worry that reading a 'Christmas' novel might feel a little, well, a little odd BUT given that the nights' are already drawing in {and my hottie bottie, Felicity speak for a hot water bottle, has already put in an appearance} reading this was akin to being cuddled wrapped in my favourite blanket.
A surprisingly enjoyable read; sweet but not so sweet as to be saccharine sickly sweet, PLUS with money and jewellery going missing from Brookfield Park, the retirement village where Bella works, there is also a cozy-crime element which added an equally enjoyable dimension to the story.
Wonderful, memorable characters that I'd love to see more of in future books. Bella's the type of person I'd like as a friend and as for Jack, what can I say about Jack? Hmm! Ideal boyfriend material??? And as for the 'old folk' of the retirement village, they add a wonderfully humorous element to the story.
All in all, if you are looking for a charming festive story to read this winter you could do a lot worse than to pick up a copy of Bella's Countryside Christmas.

Claire Huston lives in Warwickshire, UK with her husband and two children. She writes uplifting modern love stories about characters who are meant for each other but sometimes need a little help to realise it.

A keen amateur baker, she enjoys making cakes, biscuits and brownies almost as much as eating them. You can find recipes for over a hundred sweet treats at clairehuston.co.uk. This is also where she talks about and reviews books.
Social Media Links ... https://linktr.ee/clairehuston_author 



With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

Share the love by following their blog.
Take a few minutes to check out their newest post and leaving a comment, you’ll instantly put a smile on their face.
Share on FaceBook, X, Pinterest, and other social media sites, it shows that you care about their work and want others to enjoy it too!
The next time you see their post pop up on your feed, hit the like button, leave a comment, or even share it with your followers. It’ll defiantly make their day.

{THE LITTLE BOARD GAME 3}: SECOND CHANCES AT THE BOARD GAME CAFE.

 

SECOND CHANCES AT THE BOARD GAME CAFE by JENNIFER PAGE. 

Genre ... Cosy romance

Publication Date ... 6th June 2024

Publisher ... Head of Zeus/Aria

Standalone Third book in the Little Board Game Café series

Pre-order Link ... https://amzn.eu/d/gyPqfRG

The next warm and uplifting instalment in The Little Board Game Cafe series, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.

In the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, single mum Taylor dreams of a fashion design career, but she spends her days fixing zips, hemming skirts and worrying about her son, Max.

At the local board game cafe, railway enthusiast Harry, still recovering from a painful breakup, dreams of fatherhood. When Taylor and Harry cross paths, sparks fly, but Harry's confidence issues and Taylor's concerns for Max threaten their budding romance.

Can they find a second chance at love where they least expect it?

Having first visited the Board Game Cafe in Hebbleswick in book two {Love Letters on Hazel Lane} I was delighted to be back there again in this, the third book in the The Little Board Game Café Series. 

What one might describe as a refreshingly wholesome read. Stepping foot back in Hebbleswick was a bit like visiting home after not having visited for a while and I immediately popped into the cafe where I met villagers, single mum, Taylor, her son, Max who though he isn't specifically mentioned as being neurodivergent seemed to be so to me and, {possibly my favourite character} the adorable Harry who, equally socially awkward, I felt to be neurodivergent as well. 

Chock-a-block full of wonderful characters, some of whom I had met previously {as a sequel, characters/events from the previous books do crop up from time to time, however this doesn't distract from this, the latest instalment, which reads perfectly well as a standalone novel}, some of whom were new.

I loved getting to know Taylor, Max and Harry, being party to their inner dialogues; learning of their insecurities; watching as the romance between Taylor and Harry developed; of how the bond between the three and especially that of Harry and Max grew. And then of course, there was the baddie I loved to hate, Tarquin, the estate agent, who had featured in Love Letters on Hazel Lane, who was every bit as smooth talking and, well, ick as I remembered him.

Not having read book one in the series {The Little Board Game Cafe} I can't comment on that, but this is every bit as enjoyable as book two ... and even better. 

If your wanting a feel good, small community read with a sweet, fairly chaste romance,  an upcycling theme, scenes that will have you chuckling and references to The Railway Children {written by Edith Nesbit and one of my favourite films of all time} you could do a lot worse than immerse yourself in this delightful read.  

Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn't writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children's opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of game.

Social Media Links ...   Website  Instagram

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy. One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

Share the love by following their blog.

Take a few minutes to check out their newest post and leaving a comment, you’ll instantly put a smile on their face.

Share on FaceBook, X, Pinterest, and other social media sites, it shows that you care about their work and want others to enjoy it too!

The next time you see their post pop up on your feed, hit the like button, leave a comment, or even share it with your followers. It’ll defiantly make their day.