Rachel's Riviera Retreat

by Daisy James

Welcome to Rachel's Riviera Retreat, the fifth book in a brand new series from the author of the Hummingbird Hotel series and the Cornish Confetti Agency series.Escape to the beautiful Neapolitan Riviera and enjoy a leisurely trip down the Amalfi Coast!

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2024

About the author

Daisy James loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plot-lines. She especially likes to create sunshine-filled settings in exotic locations - the Caribbean, Tuscany, Cornwall, Provence - so she can spend her time envisioning her characters enjoying the fabulous scenery and sampling the local food and drink.

When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea - china plates and teacups are a must.

Reviews

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number 5 of the Blossomwood Bay series.

After losing someone very close, becoming a workaholic and her marriage failing, Rachel moved to Devon to live with her friend Darcy and start a new venture.
After the boardwalk fire, Rachel lost the little that she had, and now that her friend Darcy is coming back a married woman, she's going to need a new place to live too.

When one of the girls gets offered a dream job she can't refuse, a weeks trip to a retreat in Italy is offered to Rachel and with a new gym opening up leaving her regulars cancelling her yoga and pilate classes, she sees the opportunity to go and relax, something she has been avoiding for a long time.
When arriving in Italy, expecting a retreat full of plenty of massages, relaxation and stress releasing classes, Rachel is surprised to be left at a very run down hotel, albeit with a very handsome Italian running it, and trips out to restaurants, beaches that are quite the opposite of relaxing.
Will Rachel figure out what she wants to do when back home or will she stay in Italy?
Will she learn to let go and slow down, and possibly even find more than friendships?

[Barbara]

This reads as if the manuscript was several thousand words short so she just started flinging modifiers at every possible word. I don't dislike descriptions, but this is way too OTT.


"As she stood there, surrounded by the verdant oasis of foliage, a blanket of calm wrapped its tendrils of tranquillity around her shoulders like a welcoming hug and her heightened anxiety levels began to ease. She inhaled a breath, relishing the aroma of freshness,"

And so on and so on forever.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Blossomwood Bay series. Such light-hearted but well-written stories. And so well edited - I don't think I've ever seen a typo in any of Ms. James' books. Rachel's retreat on the Italian Riviera was a perfect addition to the series. It moves the background story on, while concentrating mainly on the eponymous heroine. Fabulous summer vacation read.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fifth entrant in the series of books about the businesses lost to a fire in Blossomwood Bay, Devon, and the young women who owned those businesses, sends a yoga instructor to a retreat in Sorrento and produces a life changing cultural experience, a business plan and, of course, a romance. The best part of these tales is the glorious setings - in this case Sorrento, Positano and Capri - the the supporting characters who always enhance the lead character's experiences.

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series, so many amazing characters and the wonderful settings are breathtaking. The Italian Riviera sounds a delightful place to visit and Rachel certainly enjoyed her visit as did I.

[Susan Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it, different and interesting