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Bidding for Love
When Flora Stanza's uncle dies unexpectedly, leaving her a 51 percent share in the family antiques business, it gives her the perfect chance to leave her glamorous but less than happy London life for the quieter life of the country. Unfortunately, her cousin Charles and his fiancée Annabelle don't seem pleased to find Flora and her very pregnant cat on their doorstep.
Flora knows almost nothing about antiques, but with her London apartment rented out, her cat about to burst with kittens, and a mysterious man warning her about Annabelle, Flora has little choice but to accept her cousin's offer to stay in their abandoned holiday cottage, miles from anything remotely like what Flora considers civilization.
Soon, though, Flora is fighting off dinner invitations from the devastatingly handsome Henry and hiding her eco-friendly lodger, William. Could it be that country life isn't so dull after all?
Flora knows almost nothing about antiques, but with her London apartment rented out, her cat about to burst with kittens, and a mysterious man warning her about Annabelle, Flora has little choice but to accept her cousin's offer to stay in their abandoned holiday cottage, miles from anything remotely like what Flora considers civilization.
Soon, though, Flora is fighting off dinner invitations from the devastatingly handsome Henry and hiding her eco-friendly lodger, William. Could it be that country life isn't so dull after all?
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2005
109 people are currently reading
1509 people want to read
About the author
Katie Fforde
96 books2,311 followersCatherine Rose Gordon-Cumming was born 27 September 1952 in England, UK, the daughter of Shirley Barbara Laub and Michael Willoughby Gordon-Cumming. Her grandfather was Sir William Gordon-Cumming. Her sister is fellow writer Jane Gordon-Cumming. Katie married Desmond Fforde, cousin of the also writer Jasper Fforde. She has three children: Guy, Francis and Briony and didn't start writing until after the birth of her third child. She has previously worked both as a cleaning lady and in a health food cafe.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
Published since 1995, her romance novels are set in modern-day England. She is the founder of the "Katie Fforde Bursary" for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. Katie was elected the twenty-fifteenth Chairman (2009-2011) of the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is delighted to have been chosen as Chair of the Romantic Novelists' Association and says, "Catherine Jones was a wonderful chair and she's a very tough act to follow. However, I've been a member of the RNA for more years than I can actually remember and will have its very best interests at the core of everything I do."
Katie lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England with her husband, some of her three children and many pets. Recently her old hobbies of ironing and housework have given way to singing, Flamenco dancing and husky racing. She claims this keeps her fit. The writers she likes herself is also in the romantic genre, like Kate Saunders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
April 25, 2011
Not only is this novel terribly predictable, it commits the worst offense it isn't terribly interesting either. Fforde's style seems to be to tell rather than show so all too often the characters are flat and are not engaging. Most disturbing was the conclusion of the novel by which Flora and her distant cousin are coupled. Distant or not they are still related and the phrase "There were advantages to keeping it in the family," should never, ever be applied to sex and marriage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2009
kept being distracted by the fact that the two lovers are cousins!!? in this day and age? ... no thanks.
April 8, 2015
it's so hard to put this book down once i'm into it. i felt like i'm watching tv series, which i felt like i have to continue on watching to know what happened next. it gave different view each time. different things, interesting things happened each time and it's not boring at all.
the characters are all likeable, even the mean Annabelle, which at first i despised for her lack of friendliness towards Flora. but then i like her for being mean. i mean, her lack of sensitivity towards others showed me that there is someone out there who's like this. it completes this story, i think. and the thing she had with William is so predictable. she's just can't stop talking about William, not even thinking how Charles might think about it. and the naked painting? oh god. so titanic-ish. lol.
and i love Flora and Charles. they are so cute together. and the last gesture Charles did to her, is so unpredictable, so romantic. well, one stuffy guy can turns out to be sweet when he's in love, right?
reading this reminds me of the tv series, Hart of Dixie, where she has to leave the city life, to the country life, to inherit a medical practice, while in this book is about Flora who inherit some shares on the auctioneer business. it pretty much the same. the crush on someone's fiancee, the difficulty to adapt to the country life.
this book is totally a fun to read, especially in the summer. and it has a very perfect ending. there's no more question to it, there's just it. everything just perfect. and i can't stop smiling thinking how cute Charles and Flora gonna be together, raising the kittens and Imelda.
totally recommend this.
the characters are all likeable, even the mean Annabelle, which at first i despised for her lack of friendliness towards Flora. but then i like her for being mean. i mean, her lack of sensitivity towards others showed me that there is someone out there who's like this. it completes this story, i think. and the thing she had with William is so predictable. she's just can't stop talking about William, not even thinking how Charles might think about it. and the naked painting? oh god. so titanic-ish. lol.
and i love Flora and Charles. they are so cute together. and the last gesture Charles did to her, is so unpredictable, so romantic. well, one stuffy guy can turns out to be sweet when he's in love, right?
reading this reminds me of the tv series, Hart of Dixie, where she has to leave the city life, to the country life, to inherit a medical practice, while in this book is about Flora who inherit some shares on the auctioneer business. it pretty much the same. the crush on someone's fiancee, the difficulty to adapt to the country life.
this book is totally a fun to read, especially in the summer. and it has a very perfect ending. there's no more question to it, there's just it. everything just perfect. and i can't stop smiling thinking how cute Charles and Flora gonna be together, raising the kittens and Imelda.
totally recommend this.
December 28, 2009
I liked the general premise of this book and really liked the insight into working for an auction house. The downside of the book is that the last few chapters were really rushed, thrown together and pretty cheesy.
October 17, 2017
it was like a challenge to myself to finish it. didn't like main character. especially resented allusions to Pride and Prejudice, it was like being reminded how bad Fforde's writing is compared to Austen.
November 18, 2011
This was the first Katie Fforde book I have read. I chose it as I really liked the premise behind 'Bidding for Love'.
A young city-slicker woman (Flora) inherits a 51% share of an ailing country antiques business from an uncle. She arrives in the town, pregnant cat in tow, to find her "distant" cousin (Charles) and his awful fiance (Annabelle) are none too pleased to see her.
There are a few problems with this book that stopped me from really liking it (SPOILER ALERT):
The whole INCEST THEME!!! Yep, that's what I said. You see, half way through the book, after doing nothing but argue and fight with Charles, she decides she has actually fallen in love with him (yuk), and then of course they end up in bed together. Urgh! I'm sorry, I don't care how "distant" a cousin he is, the whole being related thing is frankly wrong. I spent most of the book desperately hoping that there would be a plot twist, revealing one of them was adopted... But, alas, no such luck!
The central character was a little annoying. She spends most of the time trying to convince people she isn't a pretty blonde bimbo... and then acts like a pretty blonde bimbo(!) who does little more than drink wine and take baths, which got monotonous, and argue with her stuffy cousin. I wondered if there was really any personality beind her.
The writing seemed a tad sloppy. By that I mean, characters were too superficial, relationships weren't developed enough, and the book seemed rushed. We learn almost nothing about the characters pasts or personalities. However, that said, the writer's style is easy to read and it is a bit of escapist chick-lit.
A young city-slicker woman (Flora) inherits a 51% share of an ailing country antiques business from an uncle. She arrives in the town, pregnant cat in tow, to find her "distant" cousin (Charles) and his awful fiance (Annabelle) are none too pleased to see her.
There are a few problems with this book that stopped me from really liking it (SPOILER ALERT):
The whole INCEST THEME!!! Yep, that's what I said. You see, half way through the book, after doing nothing but argue and fight with Charles, she decides she has actually fallen in love with him (yuk), and then of course they end up in bed together. Urgh! I'm sorry, I don't care how "distant" a cousin he is, the whole being related thing is frankly wrong. I spent most of the book desperately hoping that there would be a plot twist, revealing one of them was adopted... But, alas, no such luck!
The central character was a little annoying. She spends most of the time trying to convince people she isn't a pretty blonde bimbo... and then acts like a pretty blonde bimbo(!) who does little more than drink wine and take baths, which got monotonous, and argue with her stuffy cousin. I wondered if there was really any personality beind her.
The writing seemed a tad sloppy. By that I mean, characters were too superficial, relationships weren't developed enough, and the book seemed rushed. We learn almost nothing about the characters pasts or personalities. However, that said, the writer's style is easy to read and it is a bit of escapist chick-lit.
October 28, 2014
This was a mediocre story, long build up with a short, cheesy ending and badly written. I wouldn't recommend this book.
July 3, 2017
This was a book that I almost really liked…
20’something Flora Stanza unexpectedly inherits 51% of a family business – an antique auction house in the country. Although Flora knows nothing about antiques or country living, she decides to take the plunge. Her cousin, Charles, who owns the other 49%, has been managing the business for several years with the assistance of his fiancee, Annabelle. Flora thinks she has never met a stuffier couple, but because her cat is having kittens she can’t go back (??? the whole kitten thing seemed weak to me. The fact that she had sublet her London flat made a much more believable reason for sticking around, but that was glossed over in favor of the fact that the cat had just had kittens…), so she ends up taking up residence in a very isolated cottage owned by Annabelle.
This was really, really close to be a super-fun fluff book. I actually liked Flora (despite her obsession with clothes), and many of secondary characters were a lot of fun. The dialogue was engaging, and the story moved right along. But for me, there wasn’t very clear character development, and that frustrated me.
SPOILERS BELOW BUT NOT REALLY BECAUSE IT’S A SERIOUS CHICK FLICK AND YOU WILL FIGURE THIS ALL OUT WITHIN THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK ANYWAY –
20’something Flora Stanza unexpectedly inherits 51% of a family business – an antique auction house in the country. Although Flora knows nothing about antiques or country living, she decides to take the plunge. Her cousin, Charles, who owns the other 49%, has been managing the business for several years with the assistance of his fiancee, Annabelle. Flora thinks she has never met a stuffier couple, but because her cat is having kittens she can’t go back (??? the whole kitten thing seemed weak to me. The fact that she had sublet her London flat made a much more believable reason for sticking around, but that was glossed over in favor of the fact that the cat had just had kittens…), so she ends up taking up residence in a very isolated cottage owned by Annabelle.
This was really, really close to be a super-fun fluff book. I actually liked Flora (despite her obsession with clothes), and many of secondary characters were a lot of fun. The dialogue was engaging, and the story moved right along. But for me, there wasn’t very clear character development, and that frustrated me.
SPOILERS BELOW BUT NOT REALLY BECAUSE IT’S A SERIOUS CHICK FLICK AND YOU WILL FIGURE THIS ALL OUT WITHIN THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS OF THE BOOK ANYWAY –
September 13, 2020
A brilliant, witty and fun read. Fforde is a writer I keep going back to. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
January 2, 2009
When I want some light reading, I like to read Katie Fforde's books. This ione is a good story. Flora Stanza inherits 51% of an auction service and house. Her distant cousin Charles owns the other 48%. She decides to check out what she has inherited and see if she can make it a successful business. Shen meets her cousin, Charles, and his stick in the mud finacee, Annabelle. At first, the really don't want much to do with Flora, although Annabelle would like to buy 3% of Flora's part of the business so Charles owns the majority. Flora will not sell, so they take her on as a sort of partner.
Flora has some pretty good business sense and helps them get the business going better than it had been. Along the way, she does a makeover of Annabelle, changing her from frumpy to stylish. She meets some interesting people along the way: William, a sort of gypsy, the ladies man, Henry, and all the members of the town choir, including George and Edie. She always has Imelda the cat for company along with Imelda's 4 kittens.
There are several neat twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Annabelle doesn't end up with Charles, William ends up with someone the reader would never dream of, and Henry doen't end up with Flora.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I was able to read it in a day.
Flora has some pretty good business sense and helps them get the business going better than it had been. Along the way, she does a makeover of Annabelle, changing her from frumpy to stylish. She meets some interesting people along the way: William, a sort of gypsy, the ladies man, Henry, and all the members of the town choir, including George and Edie. She always has Imelda the cat for company along with Imelda's 4 kittens.
There are several neat twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Annabelle doesn't end up with Charles, William ends up with someone the reader would never dream of, and Henry doen't end up with Flora.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I was able to read it in a day.
November 23, 2012
I'd originally given this book five stars, with 60 pages to go until the end. You know a book is good when you are more upset that you've not got your book than you are about not having any clothes when you leave your suitcase behind. However, the ending just spoilt it a bit for me. It wasn't that I didn't like the outcome - I thought it was suitable for the narrative - it was that it felt so rushed. Everything got sorted out within about ten pages, almost like Fforde was working to a deadline or got bored of writing it.
Yes, it's chick-lit so don't open it expecting some new contemporary classic - you read this genre because it's easy and enjoyable. I found I could really related to the characters and Flora has the sort of life-scenario going on that many of us can empathise with i.e. sorting out life's issues with a relaxing bubble bath and a glass of wine. The two other main characters are also pretty believable in how fickle they are - a quality rare in characters in chick-lit.
Am I disappointed by the ending - yes. Will it stop me reading more Fforde - no but if other endings are just as rushed, that might do it.
Yes, it's chick-lit so don't open it expecting some new contemporary classic - you read this genre because it's easy and enjoyable. I found I could really related to the characters and Flora has the sort of life-scenario going on that many of us can empathise with i.e. sorting out life's issues with a relaxing bubble bath and a glass of wine. The two other main characters are also pretty believable in how fickle they are - a quality rare in characters in chick-lit.
Am I disappointed by the ending - yes. Will it stop me reading more Fforde - no but if other endings are just as rushed, that might do it.
February 10, 2009
O.k., so after a grueling semester of young adult literature, I was pretty much done with angsty teen novels. So, I went back to my comfort zone in chick lit. I picked the first pink book with the urban go-getter girl on the cover. It was this one. It had the added benefit of being a British novel, and I happen to love British chick-lit (Bridget Jones). Basically, this one fit the mold, without any brilliant writing, but the love interest is. her. cousin. Yes, her cousin! O.k., once or twice Fforde uses the phrase "distant cousin" but I was totally turned off by the idea that they were related. No matter how many times she said how handsome and charming he was, he was still Her Cousin. Other than that - totally good standard chick lit with a cute story. But, c'mon, your cousin? There aren't any other cute, available men out there?
October 9, 2007
a light easy read. A young women,Flora, surprisingly inherits 51% of an antique auction house.She packs up her pregant cat and decides to head to the country to learn about the buisness. The remainder of the assests are owned by a distant cousin,Charles, who is far from welcoming when Flora arrives in town.He is also terribly stuffy and engaged to a chilly fiancee who wants Charles to sell the auction house to make a profit. It is a fun read though terribly predictable.
May 14, 2016
Registered on Bookcrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7...
This was a fun read. Flora is a sort of a Bridget Jones character. She's a fish out of water, coming to live in the country to learn about her inheritance of an antique shop. Her distant cousin is Charles, he's stuffy, grumpy about change, and Flora is beautiful, full of enthusiasm. There are some fun characters.
This was a fun read. Flora is a sort of a Bridget Jones character. She's a fish out of water, coming to live in the country to learn about her inheritance of an antique shop. Her distant cousin is Charles, he's stuffy, grumpy about change, and Flora is beautiful, full of enthusiasm. There are some fun characters.
June 27, 2009
I really like the writing style of Katie Fforde. But this time, I didn't really like the story as much as I thought I would. I think the storyline was a bit annoying, like I was looking at some kind of cheap soap-serie. Especially the end wasn't very satisfying.
June 4, 2012
Either not as good as some of her earlier novels or I'm getting tired of her formula and style after reading so many of them. It seemed overly drawn out like it could have been edited down a good 50 pages.
November 21, 2013
L'ho preso perche' sono una maniaca del te', lo adoro! Purtroppo del te' non c'e' niente in questa storia, se non il fatto che la protagonista ne beve a litri. Mi ha ricordato i libri della Pilcher: ambientazioni stupende, un grande amore ma prevedibilita' assoluta...peccato!!!
July 29, 2016
Love Katie afforded. Flora Stanza makes a great main character. She learns that her looks are not her only good qualities. Also the use of English words like knickers, loo, a flat and jammy are so cute you need to say them out loud. Once you read a Katie Fforde novel you will be hooked.
July 16, 2016
Silly book. It's saving grace is the witty, English narrative, but there are better beach books out there.
September 10, 2012
Just started this...very light reading, but entertaining!
April 1, 2011
I did enjoy this, although like most other Katie Ffordes it was very predictable!
September 1, 2023
DNF'D p.264
I don't like marking unfinished books as read, but I gotta write a review somehow. I picked this book up from the library hoping for a lightweight summer read. And so it seemed at the beggining. Flora, a woman in her 20s and a London girly goes to a small town in England to learn all about the family business that she has come to be the prevailing shareholder of. The current boss is her distant cousin Charles, and she gets a job there in hopes of getting to know the antique business, her business. However, since until that point she lived in London, Charles and his fiance Annabelle have come to run the business. The first 100 pages were pretty promising, but then it got weird. Lets number the reasons that resulted in the irrevocable DNFing of this book. The main problem of this book, personally, was the main character, Flora. 1)First of all she is completely manipulative and entitled and constantly asks for things that she could easily get for herself. 2) She is completely nonchalant about discovering a homeless man living at her place, for a while now, and just magicallly comes to liking him and allowing him to stay with her just because when she was working he took care of her cat and cooked for her. It was on one hand extremely random, and on the other hand utterly unrealistic,,, but lest move on. 3) She....caught....feelings....FOR HER COUSIN. HER ENGAGED COUSIN. BRUH. THERE ARE 100 MEN IN THE STORY WHY HIM BRO. I get that they are "distant" cousins but I have never read the cousin-on-cousin trope AND I REFUSE TO EVER DO.
4) Lastly but DEFINITELY not least the internalized misogyny in this book. Oh my god. I was casually reading about how Flora felt bad for having a messy room when Charles came to visit last night, to her saying to him the other day : "You should come visit me now that i have tidied the house, I dont want you to think that I am a slut". Excuse me? EXCUSE ME?!?!? HOW DOES A MESSY ROOM MAKE YOU A SLUT. AND THATS NOT ALL. Further down the book the homeless man that is apparently a painter, gets an admission to paint Anabelle, Charlels fiance and he is talking to Flora about it; "Im really excited that will I will get to draw Anabelle's portrait, she has a really pretty face and long beautiful arms". And then we have Flora's thoughts on the matter; "Flora agreed, although she thought Anabelle's arms were on the bigger side". GOD FORBIT that big arms are beautiful. nahh for Flora thats not possible. Well, that obviously not the case BRUV all hands are beautiful point blank period. That's pretty much were I gave up on this book. There was no way I could continue reading for all the reasons listed above and additionaly, the complete lack of a plot. Flora went, everyone liked Flora, Flora god job that she is very good at, and then blah blah Charles is kinda handsome blah blah AAAAH ENOUGH. I reAlly hope that nobody reads this book, Im never too harsh on books, but, this one irritated and dissapointed me IMMENSLY. The plot in the beggining had pretty good potential but then it all went downhill. The 1 star rating is because there were kittens in the story. PEACE OUT.
I don't like marking unfinished books as read, but I gotta write a review somehow. I picked this book up from the library hoping for a lightweight summer read. And so it seemed at the beggining. Flora, a woman in her 20s and a London girly goes to a small town in England to learn all about the family business that she has come to be the prevailing shareholder of. The current boss is her distant cousin Charles, and she gets a job there in hopes of getting to know the antique business, her business. However, since until that point she lived in London, Charles and his fiance Annabelle have come to run the business. The first 100 pages were pretty promising, but then it got weird. Lets number the reasons that resulted in the irrevocable DNFing of this book. The main problem of this book, personally, was the main character, Flora. 1)First of all she is completely manipulative and entitled and constantly asks for things that she could easily get for herself. 2) She is completely nonchalant about discovering a homeless man living at her place, for a while now, and just magicallly comes to liking him and allowing him to stay with her just because when she was working he took care of her cat and cooked for her. It was on one hand extremely random, and on the other hand utterly unrealistic,,, but lest move on. 3) She....caught....feelings....FOR HER COUSIN. HER ENGAGED COUSIN. BRUH. THERE ARE 100 MEN IN THE STORY WHY HIM BRO. I get that they are "distant" cousins but I have never read the cousin-on-cousin trope AND I REFUSE TO EVER DO.
4) Lastly but DEFINITELY not least the internalized misogyny in this book. Oh my god. I was casually reading about how Flora felt bad for having a messy room when Charles came to visit last night, to her saying to him the other day : "You should come visit me now that i have tidied the house, I dont want you to think that I am a slut". Excuse me? EXCUSE ME?!?!? HOW DOES A MESSY ROOM MAKE YOU A SLUT. AND THATS NOT ALL. Further down the book the homeless man that is apparently a painter, gets an admission to paint Anabelle, Charlels fiance and he is talking to Flora about it; "Im really excited that will I will get to draw Anabelle's portrait, she has a really pretty face and long beautiful arms". And then we have Flora's thoughts on the matter; "Flora agreed, although she thought Anabelle's arms were on the bigger side". GOD FORBIT that big arms are beautiful. nahh for Flora thats not possible. Well, that obviously not the case BRUV all hands are beautiful point blank period. That's pretty much were I gave up on this book. There was no way I could continue reading for all the reasons listed above and additionaly, the complete lack of a plot. Flora went, everyone liked Flora, Flora god job that she is very good at, and then blah blah Charles is kinda handsome blah blah AAAAH ENOUGH. I reAlly hope that nobody reads this book, Im never too harsh on books, but, this one irritated and dissapointed me IMMENSLY. The plot in the beggining had pretty good potential but then it all went downhill. The 1 star rating is because there were kittens in the story. PEACE OUT.
February 28, 2022
This might be my first whole reading of what is called (sometimes controversially) Chick Lit. My spouse picked it up randomly for 1 Euro at a cheap bookstore as a spontaneous gift, and it was such a sweet idea. Flora's Lot had just the right amount of lightness for where my head was at.
The things I liked about it probably fall within staples of the genre. I liked how the main character was romantic without falling for the conventional trappings of what does and doesn't make a relationship. At several points, she both seriously and jokingly talks about seducing her love interest away from his current fiance, and it's written so genuinely it feels less like some dastardly musings of an evil fiend and more like the exasperated venting of a woman in love. The moderness of her whole mentality and vibe is cool. I never watched Sex and the City or read Bridget Jones's Diary but maybe I should.
The book has its humor, its cozy big-city-girl-in-small-town vibe, and keeps every worry in the realm of the mundane (a blessing in these times of global crises).
Worth noting is that the love interests are cousins. I don't mind a little tasteful taboo here and there—a touch of classy incest–but it was interesting how the author went about it. When talking about the two people in any regard, like business, daily relationships, or just how they react to each other in groups, she is not afraid to mention they are family and that the man is a protective older cousin of the big brother variety. But the moment the conversation steers to their romance, no one ever thinks about or mentions this blood relationship. It's swept completely under the rug... until the end of the book, where their last names get them confused for a honeymoon couple and wins them free champagne, and that's where the narrator finally shows her hand: "There are benefits to keeping it in the family." LMAO
The things I liked about it probably fall within staples of the genre. I liked how the main character was romantic without falling for the conventional trappings of what does and doesn't make a relationship. At several points, she both seriously and jokingly talks about seducing her love interest away from his current fiance, and it's written so genuinely it feels less like some dastardly musings of an evil fiend and more like the exasperated venting of a woman in love. The moderness of her whole mentality and vibe is cool. I never watched Sex and the City or read Bridget Jones's Diary but maybe I should.
The book has its humor, its cozy big-city-girl-in-small-town vibe, and keeps every worry in the realm of the mundane (a blessing in these times of global crises).
Worth noting is that the love interests are cousins. I don't mind a little tasteful taboo here and there—a touch of classy incest–but it was interesting how the author went about it. When talking about the two people in any regard, like business, daily relationships, or just how they react to each other in groups, she is not afraid to mention they are family and that the man is a protective older cousin of the big brother variety. But the moment the conversation steers to their romance, no one ever thinks about or mentions this blood relationship. It's swept completely under the rug... until the end of the book, where their last names get them confused for a honeymoon couple and wins them free champagne, and that's where the narrator finally shows her hand: "There are benefits to keeping it in the family." LMAO
April 6, 2025
It's a lovely read. Throughly enjoyed it, though a bit dated with some of the references and comments, but oh well, it was still a fab read. Bit weird, the happy couple are cousins, but to each their own, right?
I do reccomned for anyone who needs wholesome, happy, and easy read.
I do reccomned for anyone who needs wholesome, happy, and easy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2019
An excellent British romance ! I read it with a constant smile on my face.
A lovely summer read ! Makes you feel good all over !!
Loved it ! Highly recommended !
A lovely summer read ! Makes you feel good all over !!
Loved it ! Highly recommended !
September 5, 2025
enjoyable easy read.
October 6, 2018
Chic lit at its finest. This book was so adorable it made my heart happy.
August 25, 2012
Review for the abridged audiobook.
I have often suspected that an abridged version cuts out a lot of character development to just concentrate on the plot. This abridged audiobook was only 3hrs 19min long, so a large chunk of the book's 464 pages must have been missing. Sadly, the result was rather bland and dull.
When Flora hears that her uncle has left her a 51% share of his antiques business, she decides to rent out her London flat and move to the country. She has no experience of antiques, other than the Antiques Road Show on TV, so it is little surprise that her cousin Charles and his frumpy fiance, who are currently running the company, are none too welcoming when she arrives. Somewhat predictably she proves herself to be a great asset, coming up with some ground-breaking ideas.
Anabelle, Charles's fiance, would rather sell the property owned by the antiques business and pocket the profits. She owns 3% of the assets and is hoping that Flora will sell out to herself and Charles, but Flora has moved from London to make a go of it and that is what she determines to do.
Several other characters become embroiled in the plot, not least Imelda, Flora's cat and her four kittens. Then there is the handsome Harry who takes a shine to Flora, and William, a bit of a tramp-like character who has been squatting in the cottage that Flora moves into. Flora's mother visits on occasion, and Flora's London friend (Whose name I can't remember) provides a sympathetic ear when needed.
Nothing earth shattering, by any means, and the way the love interests turned out in the end was annoying, not what I'd expected or hoped. Maybe the full length version would have been better, or maybe I was lucky that I only had to spend 3hrs 19mins with this.
I have often suspected that an abridged version cuts out a lot of character development to just concentrate on the plot. This abridged audiobook was only 3hrs 19min long, so a large chunk of the book's 464 pages must have been missing. Sadly, the result was rather bland and dull.
When Flora hears that her uncle has left her a 51% share of his antiques business, she decides to rent out her London flat and move to the country. She has no experience of antiques, other than the Antiques Road Show on TV, so it is little surprise that her cousin Charles and his frumpy fiance, who are currently running the company, are none too welcoming when she arrives. Somewhat predictably she proves herself to be a great asset, coming up with some ground-breaking ideas.
Anabelle, Charles's fiance, would rather sell the property owned by the antiques business and pocket the profits. She owns 3% of the assets and is hoping that Flora will sell out to herself and Charles, but Flora has moved from London to make a go of it and that is what she determines to do.
Several other characters become embroiled in the plot, not least Imelda, Flora's cat and her four kittens. Then there is the handsome Harry who takes a shine to Flora, and William, a bit of a tramp-like character who has been squatting in the cottage that Flora moves into. Flora's mother visits on occasion, and Flora's London friend (Whose name I can't remember) provides a sympathetic ear when needed.
Nothing earth shattering, by any means, and the way the love interests turned out in the end was annoying, not what I'd expected or hoped. Maybe the full length version would have been better, or maybe I was lucky that I only had to spend 3hrs 19mins with this.
April 30, 2015
Flora has had jobs here and there but no real career. When she learns that her uncle has left her the majority share of an auction house she packs up all her things, leaves her apartment and friends in London and heads off to the country to meet her cousin (a couple of times removed...and this is important) who owns the other shares. Cousin Charles and his fiancee Anabelle aren't thrilled and they are not welcoming. After all, Flora is just a pretty blonde without much going on in the brains department--or so they think, and this, aggravatingly, is mentioned many times over.
Anyway, they reluctantly set her up in a cottage that belongs to Annabelle with the firm belief that she won't be staying. She knows nothing about antiques and it would be better for her not to worry her pretty blonde head about the business. They are willing to buy her out. But Flora, once she convinces her cousin to let her get to know the business, he has other ideas. There is potential here and she is good with people, good with marketing, and she is determined to make the business profitable once more.
In the other books I have read by Fforde, I have met Flora before...just with a different name and slightly different circumstances. The plot was quite predictable and did seem to drag on a bit, but maybe that's because I saw what was coming and just wanted to get to the end. No surprises with this one.
I didn't love the book, but it was light and amusing and easy to put down and pick right back up again without losing the train of thought. It was a good read for those days when you don't want surprises or you don't want to think too much about the plot.
Anyway, they reluctantly set her up in a cottage that belongs to Annabelle with the firm belief that she won't be staying. She knows nothing about antiques and it would be better for her not to worry her pretty blonde head about the business. They are willing to buy her out. But Flora, once she convinces her cousin to let her get to know the business, he has other ideas. There is potential here and she is good with people, good with marketing, and she is determined to make the business profitable once more.
In the other books I have read by Fforde, I have met Flora before...just with a different name and slightly different circumstances. The plot was quite predictable and did seem to drag on a bit, but maybe that's because I saw what was coming and just wanted to get to the end. No surprises with this one.
I didn't love the book, but it was light and amusing and easy to put down and pick right back up again without losing the train of thought. It was a good read for those days when you don't want surprises or you don't want to think too much about the plot.
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