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Love on the Rocks
Bruno Thorne is the self-crowned king of Mariscombe, a seaside resort crammed with chip shops and amusement arcades. Things are changing because the resort has been picked as a holiday hot-spot and George Law wants to do for Mariscombe what Rick Stein did for Padstowe. He starts by outbidding Bruno for the rundown Rocks hotel.
515 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
105 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Henry
68 books1,601 followersVeronica Henry was a television script writer before turning her hand to fiction. She has published sixteen novels which she describes as realistic escapism - her setting are gorgeous, but her characters have problems and dilemmas everyone can identify with.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
September 16, 2021
Another light, easy read from Veronica Henry.
February 5, 2020
I stayed awake late until I finished this, I couldn't sleep. It was 2.36am when I reached the end. My alarm went off at 6.25am, so, yeah I slept very little tonight, even my body is hurting from the lack of more sleep.
This book is all about making mistakes, dealing with what life throws at you even if not in the best way. In short, it's about being human. This book, as all books by Veronica Henry, has a casting of various characters and all of them were surprising. There were moments that they disappointed me and they got me so madly angry at them but, again, they were just being human.
It was difficult to guess about the romantic relationships that would come out of there because things were always changing. There was a point that I simply gave up on guessing and just went on a discovery journey.
My favorite characters were, no doubt, Lisa and Bruno. These were the persons that changed the less. In their imperfections, they were the most reliable and trustworthy, in my humble opinion, of course.
This book is all about making mistakes, dealing with what life throws at you even if not in the best way. In short, it's about being human. This book, as all books by Veronica Henry, has a casting of various characters and all of them were surprising. There were moments that they disappointed me and they got me so madly angry at them but, again, they were just being human.
It was difficult to guess about the romantic relationships that would come out of there because things were always changing. There was a point that I simply gave up on guessing and just went on a discovery journey.
My favorite characters were, no doubt, Lisa and Bruno. These were the persons that changed the less. In their imperfections, they were the most reliable and trustworthy, in my humble opinion, of course.
March 14, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A small book I could loose myself in without having to think to hard about characters and plots ❤
September 15, 2019
If you want English literature, then this book is not what you’re after. If you want as it says on the cover “plenty of sex, scandal and shenanigans” then this is what you’re after. Great fun, sometimes a bit cliche, omg in places. A great page turner. I loved it!
March 30, 2015
Ever since I discovered Veronica Henry I have been a big fan of her works. She creates stories that aren't overtly feminine with characters and plot lines that are strong and familiar. Of all her books I didn't particularly enjoy A Night On The Orient Express but with this one I felt on much safer ground. There are a variety of characters with different backgrounds and abilities, some you love and some you love to hate. Of all of them I really warmed to Lisa. She was down to earth, a sympathetic main character. Whereas George and Victoria less so. But I didn't think you were supposed to like them, they were steal very real. Some characters, like George's friend, I found a bit superfluous.
The interweaving stories were much better and varied, ranging from how to deal with a death in the family to starting up a business and Henry switched between the different stories enough to keep in interesting but not so much that it became irritating.
The setting of Mariscombe I also found to be pleasant and charming, a place I could easily picture, made up from different parts of the British seaside that I visited during family holidays.
As always Love On The Rocks was a great read, I equal her books to getting into a bed made with fresh bed sheets and look forward to reading her next.
The interweaving stories were much better and varied, ranging from how to deal with a death in the family to starting up a business and Henry switched between the different stories enough to keep in interesting but not so much that it became irritating.
The setting of Mariscombe I also found to be pleasant and charming, a place I could easily picture, made up from different parts of the British seaside that I visited during family holidays.
As always Love On The Rocks was a great read, I equal her books to getting into a bed made with fresh bed sheets and look forward to reading her next.
March 12, 2014
Watching the characters and plot unfold in such an ideal setting, makes this the perfect summer read. One of the best holiday companions I've ever had!
January 9, 2018
Casual holiday book. Fast paced and easy to read . Ideal for gloomy winter day or beach.
September 14, 2018
This really isn't a scholarly read - after reading some classics and Arden over the past month I was really shocked by how bad I found the writing when I started to read this. So why did I read? Because it's been on my shelf for 10 years and I have no idea why, which bugged me. Frankly it's taking up much needed space, and as I have major book OCD I couldn't just pass on to my local book fair without reading. And why did I finish? Because that OCD also requires me to never give up (insert Lisa's Galaxy Quest giphy - I blame you for this!).
Once I realigned my expectations, and dumbed down my IQ to a suitable level, it's an okay, easy-to-read book, with the right amount of intrigue and straight out of a gossip mag style plots to get me through. Plus it demanded nothing of me, which was much desired through many a 'oh my god why is my child still teething' night.
I recommend for people who just need to keep reading, but sometimes the world is against you being able to take anything of much substance in.
Once I realigned my expectations, and dumbed down my IQ to a suitable level, it's an okay, easy-to-read book, with the right amount of intrigue and straight out of a gossip mag style plots to get me through. Plus it demanded nothing of me, which was much desired through many a 'oh my god why is my child still teething' night.
I recommend for people who just need to keep reading, but sometimes the world is against you being able to take anything of much substance in.
March 16, 2014
A nice story, and the description of the seaside town Mariscombe, where it was set, was lovely. I enjoyed the story and found it entertaining, but felt it wrapped up a little too quickly. I would recommend it though, it would make a good beach read!
February 28, 2015
Another fab read!
May 5, 2019
Loved this book from start to finish! Huge Veronica Henry fan x
May 30, 2014
I love books with a seaside setting so this was perfect for me. I really enjoyed it.
October 22, 2021
I was really looking forward to reading this, as a light holiday read and the first chapter with Lisa was great - it soon went downhill and turned into the usual predictable, poorly written, fill-the-pages- with-descriptions and product placements…………….
There is way too much product placement and unecessary, irrelevant descriptions. ‘He opened his grey-green door, his kitchen had sparkling stainless steel….cherrywood…….bun handles…….blah blah’ boring. ‘He opened the fridge and took out a TIGER BEER’. ‘George changed into jeans and a thick olive-green ribbed sweater’. And then a paragraph or two on him looking at his thinning hair. Even contemplating experimenting with his ‘SIDEBOARDS’ (yes sideboards, not side-burns, oh dear). FRUIT OF THE LOOM T shirt. SUNDAY TIMES. MAZDA MX5 - which means absolutely nowt to me. ‘His Australian wax jacket with nubuck collar and cuffs’ (again means nowt to me. It should read, ‘he put his jacket on’). ‘A buttoned Draylon head board’ - draylon with a capital ‘D”. Which shows me this writer has no idea of the English language. ‘TYPHOO TEA’. ‘The cold air insinuated its way through the T-shirt’. Ahh she’s showing us she knows big words! At that point I gave up.
Badly written, full of long descriptions to fill the pages which hold a story with nothing to say. I know it’s me. I need a story that just tells the story, yes we need some descriptions but not as detailed as some of these quick read writers like to use. We know it’s just a ruse to add more text and fill the pages, and it just doesn’t work for me
Another things all of these ‘writers’ do is use term that take a lot of text -‘stuck in the Friday’afternoon-traffic”. Same how-to-write-a-book-class??
There is way too much product placement and unecessary, irrelevant descriptions. ‘He opened his grey-green door, his kitchen had sparkling stainless steel….cherrywood…….bun handles…….blah blah’ boring. ‘He opened the fridge and took out a TIGER BEER’. ‘George changed into jeans and a thick olive-green ribbed sweater’. And then a paragraph or two on him looking at his thinning hair. Even contemplating experimenting with his ‘SIDEBOARDS’ (yes sideboards, not side-burns, oh dear). FRUIT OF THE LOOM T shirt. SUNDAY TIMES. MAZDA MX5 - which means absolutely nowt to me. ‘His Australian wax jacket with nubuck collar and cuffs’ (again means nowt to me. It should read, ‘he put his jacket on’). ‘A buttoned Draylon head board’ - draylon with a capital ‘D”. Which shows me this writer has no idea of the English language. ‘TYPHOO TEA’. ‘The cold air insinuated its way through the T-shirt’. Ahh she’s showing us she knows big words! At that point I gave up.
Badly written, full of long descriptions to fill the pages which hold a story with nothing to say. I know it’s me. I need a story that just tells the story, yes we need some descriptions but not as detailed as some of these quick read writers like to use. We know it’s just a ruse to add more text and fill the pages, and it just doesn’t work for me
Another things all of these ‘writers’ do is use term that take a lot of text -‘stuck in the Friday’afternoon-traffic”. Same how-to-write-a-book-class??
Read
October 7, 2023VH writes stories that really pull you in and keep you turning the pages. Unfortunately, the good characters are put through hell by the weak ones for most of the story, and they get away with murder, are instantly forgiven, then sail into the sunset with a HEA. They receive no consequences whatsoever! They seem able to fall in love at the drop of a hat, and have weak boundaries around members of the opposite sex. The good, strong characters‘ endings are often written on the very last page, and are rather ambiguous. None of the characters seem able to have open and honest conversations with their partners.
Also she juggles too many characters who take up unnecessary space. As a result, I am left unsatisfied at the end of the book. I won’t be reading any more VH. A shame, because I enjoy them until they end so abruptly.
If I lived in one of these novels, I would have regular check-ups for STDs!
Also she juggles too many characters who take up unnecessary space. As a result, I am left unsatisfied at the end of the book. I won’t be reading any more VH. A shame, because I enjoy them until they end so abruptly.
If I lived in one of these novels, I would have regular check-ups for STDs!
August 25, 2021
Another excellent book from Veronica Henry. As ever from her a cracking story, great characters and a few twists and turns.
This novel deals with human mistakes within relationships and ultimately forgiveness.
I enjoyed every story line throughout this book, loved the different characters and seeing the story from their differing points of views.
The description of the town of Mariscombe is so enticing I would love to go and stay there - also staying at the rocks would be a highlight.
This book was written a few years ago now but it has stood the trials of time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A great book for either a holiday read or just a bit of escapism. it will certainly spirit you away with the smells if the seaside and fish and chips!
This novel deals with human mistakes within relationships and ultimately forgiveness.
I enjoyed every story line throughout this book, loved the different characters and seeing the story from their differing points of views.
The description of the town of Mariscombe is so enticing I would love to go and stay there - also staying at the rocks would be a highlight.
This book was written a few years ago now but it has stood the trials of time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A great book for either a holiday read or just a bit of escapism. it will certainly spirit you away with the smells if the seaside and fish and chips!
June 12, 2022
Another delightful gem by Veronica. Lisa and George buy a run down hotel together with view of doing it up and live the dream. But things soon ho pear shaped when an unexpected visitor shows up! And then there's Bruno, the successful rival who owns the mariscombe hotel, he has troubles of his own, still trying to come to terms with a tragedy that he feels guilty of 2 years on. Then there's molly who is hiding a secret that will rock everyone!
I love Veronica's style and her characters are brilliantly written! 🤩 4 starts
I love Veronica's style and her characters are brilliantly written! 🤩 4 starts
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2021
I’m relatively new to this author, having seen her books described as “cosy” I felt they would probably be a bit limp but a book deal persuaded me to take a chance and I am so glad I did. According to her Good Reads author’s notes she describes her writing style as “realistic escapism” and it suits my tastes, I’m so pleased to add yet more to my TBR pile.
August 20, 2023
Well, I thought that this was going to be another chick by the sea kind of book. It's not though. There is a real depth in the characters explored. I also liked the use of the vocabulary, with lots of unusual and unexpected words being used. There is the beginning of 'A Sea Change' and I'm going to explore purchasing that book. Enjoy if you read either of these books!
October 16, 2019
This was exactly the entertaining easy-read I was looking for. The plot and characters had me hooked and wanting to find out what happened next. In places a little predictable but otherwise thoroughly enjoyable!
March 13, 2023
What a rollercoaster of a read. I loved the number of sub plots and the characters were all very realistically portrayed. The ending was just utterly perfect. The only sad thing was, like all good things that must come to and end, is that I finished the book - I feel so embroiled in these characters lives now. I’d highly recommend reading this book.
May 29, 2024
Normally I really enjoy this author’s books but somehow this one never really came to life for me. So many characters who never really came to live and some of them were so unpleasant!
Sorry but this was not my cup,of tea.
Sorry but this was not my cup,of tea.
November 3, 2017
An easy read which you can pick up and put down and still follow the plot. Perfect for me with a young Baby to look after
July 8, 2018
Perfect holiday read. Full of sunshine and seaside escapades
December 11, 2018
A love story with a difference.
February 25, 2019
Amazing
Thank you again for an amazing book and it was nice to have the short unexpected story added on to the end.
Thank you again for an amazing book and it was nice to have the short unexpected story added on to the end.
April 5, 2019
Purely a beach read. Light and Enjoyable. Was pleasantly surprised by a few of the plot twists that I didn’t see coming. Overall a good book.
September 15, 2019
Absolutely loved this.. think it might be one of my favourites this year
January 5, 2020
Why do I love this English books so much? I am not even put off by the English slang that comes up. This was a particularly good one with lots of threads that got woven together.
April 2, 2020
This ladybirds a good book. Great story.
April 15, 2020
One of my favourite escape books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews