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The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams
Nicole Harrison is planning the proposal of the century. Too bad its not her own…
Nicole, a born organiser and true romantic, has created her dream job when she sets up the Hopes & Dreams proposal agency – staging YouTube worthy proposals…until she’s hired to plan a proposal by gorgeous photographer Alex Black’s girlfriend.
Alex is the New Year’s kiss that Nicole hasn’t been able to forget – and now she’s planning his wedding to someone else! But if she lets herself fall for Alex’s charms, her reputation and business will be ruined before it’s even got off the ground! Suddenly the girl whose always prepared is at a loss…and falling head over heels.
Nicole, a born organiser and true romantic, has created her dream job when she sets up the Hopes & Dreams proposal agency – staging YouTube worthy proposals…until she’s hired to plan a proposal by gorgeous photographer Alex Black’s girlfriend.
Alex is the New Year’s kiss that Nicole hasn’t been able to forget – and now she’s planning his wedding to someone else! But if she lets herself fall for Alex’s charms, her reputation and business will be ruined before it’s even got off the ground! Suddenly the girl whose always prepared is at a loss…and falling head over heels.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
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812 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
November 19, 2018
The story started very well with New Year in the night club.
Ten months on at Hopes and Dreams Proposal Planners the characters all seem a little more annoying until Saffron enters the planners.
Saffron quite a demanding client but she's not scared of going for what she wants a proposal for Alex, the same Alex from the New Year party.
Nicole planning Alex's proposal was set for a disaster from the start. Why did she take this job? The thing is though Nicole's feelings are not one sided Alex feels for her too. My favourite wedding she went with Alex to was the Victorian railway.
The book is a little like Paige Toon's Thirteen Weddings. I don't mind Alex as a person and I think he brings out the best in Nicole. Nicole should have told everyone the truth much earlier and live for herself for a change not other people.
Nicole suggesting her proposal to Alex sounded so more suited to Alex and more romantic. Saffron did get Alex spot on in other aspects however.
Nicole and Alex both become more likeable again at the end as they were at the start. In particular Nicole who calls herself from then last few years fake and a snob. I like the real me that she walks in to Alex as at the end. Even her business gets another client in the end one who is impressed she managed to steal a man off Saffron, the thing is though she had Alex first and let him go however I don't think she'll be letting that happen again.
Ten months on at Hopes and Dreams Proposal Planners the characters all seem a little more annoying until Saffron enters the planners.
Saffron quite a demanding client but she's not scared of going for what she wants a proposal for Alex, the same Alex from the New Year party.
Nicole planning Alex's proposal was set for a disaster from the start. Why did she take this job? The thing is though Nicole's feelings are not one sided Alex feels for her too. My favourite wedding she went with Alex to was the Victorian railway.
The book is a little like Paige Toon's Thirteen Weddings. I don't mind Alex as a person and I think he brings out the best in Nicole. Nicole should have told everyone the truth much earlier and live for herself for a change not other people.
Nicole suggesting her proposal to Alex sounded so more suited to Alex and more romantic. Saffron did get Alex spot on in other aspects however.
Nicole and Alex both become more likeable again at the end as they were at the start. In particular Nicole who calls herself from then last few years fake and a snob. I like the real me that she walks in to Alex as at the end. Even her business gets another client in the end one who is impressed she managed to steal a man off Saffron, the thing is though she had Alex first and let him go however I don't think she'll be letting that happen again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2014
I couldn't wait to dive into "The Shop of Hopes and dreams". It has such a wonderful, festive, romantic cover and intriguing synopsis and I really hoped it's going to be the next jackpot on my ever - growing list of jackpots. And as Fiona Harper is a new author too me, it was much more exciting.
Nicole runs her own proposing business and she is desperately in need of more clients, best high - profile clients, who would take her and her Shop of Dreams and Hopes to the magazines, just like her biggest rivals do. And yes, one day her dreams come true and Saffron, an It - girl, hires her to arrange her proposal to her boyfriend. Sounds good, normal, seamless and problem - free? Oh no. When Nicole sets out on her mission as an under - cover journalist to get to know Alex to find out a little about him to organize the best proposal, it turns out that Alex is the guy that she snogged at the New Year's Party and can't forget. And, as it seems, he didn't forget her as well.
I couldn't so much connect to the characters. Nicole, and all the others, seemed a little too flat for me, too meh, and I'd like them to have stronger personalities. Nicole was hurt in the past, when her boyfriend dumped her and then very quickly found himself other girl, so she decided to concentrate on her business only. For me she lacked a little in confidence, she didn't have a spine and really she behaved as if she didn't know what she wants from life. If she wanted to be so decent, if she thought so much on her business then why, oh why, did she constantly find herself at Alex's side, helping him through the weddings? She kept lying, she was not honest with herself and finally she found herself in a point when she could tell the truth neither Alex, not Saffron and everything was going to explode.
Seems that I also had a problem with all the characters' attitude. Nicole was pitying herself, feeling sorry for herself, the friendship between her and her girlfriends, well, I don't know if I would call it a friendship at all. It started good, at the New Year's Party, and then it seemed like a normal relationship between the girls, with the usual banter, but perhaps they shouldn't go into business together, as for me it seemed that it caused only more problems and I had a feeling they are not honest towards each other, and that they, well, don't like each other.
Alex wasn't as white as many reviewers use to describe him, in my eyes. He went into relationship with Saffron and everything was nice as long as it was played according to his rules but as soon as Saffron started to be serious, he backed out. Saffron is the other story, how can a girl be so desperate and not see the clear signs that a guy isn't interested? Yes, her background, her father, her story, she wanted to prove that she's also something worth and is not only the It - girl from the tabloids' covers but was getting married the wisest way to give proof of it? She was a really pathetic character, with all her tantrums and "problems" and you could only feel pity for her the whole time.
The book started really good and I had a feeling I'm in for "something but unfortunately, very soon, it just went downhill for me. Nicole has just dug a deep hole for herself and it was just a matter of time till it explodes.
The book is very predictable, very. Everything that you think is going to happen - well, it happens, there is not a single twist to the story, it's not original. You knew that Saffron is going to end humiliated, that the lies are finally going to come out, that everything is going to explode, every scene ended just like I thought it's going to end, and every subplot ended just like I was sure it's going to end. And I was very disappointed with the lack of proposals in the story. I guess that after reading Holly Martin's "Hundred Proposals" series we are very spoiled and fitting the bill is now very hard. I would love if the book concentrated on what was in fact the main idea - proposals. Unfortunately, apart from Alex and Saffron's proposal there was only the one James Bond - style, and well, although I really have no idea if something like this is to be done or not, I liked this one, and I really hoped for more. Unfortunately, nada.
The inner monologues were absolutely way, way too long and I thought I'm never going to receive an answer to the question, it disrupted the dialogues in a very uncomfortable way and made them almost unreadable. Before I got the reply I was going back to check what was the question.
I really had big hopes for this book and although it started good and promising, then it felt just too flat, too slow and too predictable for me. It has a great potential, especially when it comes to the proposals business. Some parts of the story felt too rushed, some too slow and it just wasn't my kind of read, but I do hope for more Fiona Harper in the future.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
Nicole runs her own proposing business and she is desperately in need of more clients, best high - profile clients, who would take her and her Shop of Dreams and Hopes to the magazines, just like her biggest rivals do. And yes, one day her dreams come true and Saffron, an It - girl, hires her to arrange her proposal to her boyfriend. Sounds good, normal, seamless and problem - free? Oh no. When Nicole sets out on her mission as an under - cover journalist to get to know Alex to find out a little about him to organize the best proposal, it turns out that Alex is the guy that she snogged at the New Year's Party and can't forget. And, as it seems, he didn't forget her as well.
I couldn't so much connect to the characters. Nicole, and all the others, seemed a little too flat for me, too meh, and I'd like them to have stronger personalities. Nicole was hurt in the past, when her boyfriend dumped her and then very quickly found himself other girl, so she decided to concentrate on her business only. For me she lacked a little in confidence, she didn't have a spine and really she behaved as if she didn't know what she wants from life. If she wanted to be so decent, if she thought so much on her business then why, oh why, did she constantly find herself at Alex's side, helping him through the weddings? She kept lying, she was not honest with herself and finally she found herself in a point when she could tell the truth neither Alex, not Saffron and everything was going to explode.
Seems that I also had a problem with all the characters' attitude. Nicole was pitying herself, feeling sorry for herself, the friendship between her and her girlfriends, well, I don't know if I would call it a friendship at all. It started good, at the New Year's Party, and then it seemed like a normal relationship between the girls, with the usual banter, but perhaps they shouldn't go into business together, as for me it seemed that it caused only more problems and I had a feeling they are not honest towards each other, and that they, well, don't like each other.
Alex wasn't as white as many reviewers use to describe him, in my eyes. He went into relationship with Saffron and everything was nice as long as it was played according to his rules but as soon as Saffron started to be serious, he backed out. Saffron is the other story, how can a girl be so desperate and not see the clear signs that a guy isn't interested? Yes, her background, her father, her story, she wanted to prove that she's also something worth and is not only the It - girl from the tabloids' covers but was getting married the wisest way to give proof of it? She was a really pathetic character, with all her tantrums and "problems" and you could only feel pity for her the whole time.
The book started really good and I had a feeling I'm in for "something but unfortunately, very soon, it just went downhill for me. Nicole has just dug a deep hole for herself and it was just a matter of time till it explodes.
The book is very predictable, very. Everything that you think is going to happen - well, it happens, there is not a single twist to the story, it's not original. You knew that Saffron is going to end humiliated, that the lies are finally going to come out, that everything is going to explode, every scene ended just like I thought it's going to end, and every subplot ended just like I was sure it's going to end. And I was very disappointed with the lack of proposals in the story. I guess that after reading Holly Martin's "Hundred Proposals" series we are very spoiled and fitting the bill is now very hard. I would love if the book concentrated on what was in fact the main idea - proposals. Unfortunately, apart from Alex and Saffron's proposal there was only the one James Bond - style, and well, although I really have no idea if something like this is to be done or not, I liked this one, and I really hoped for more. Unfortunately, nada.
The inner monologues were absolutely way, way too long and I thought I'm never going to receive an answer to the question, it disrupted the dialogues in a very uncomfortable way and made them almost unreadable. Before I got the reply I was going back to check what was the question.
I really had big hopes for this book and although it started good and promising, then it felt just too flat, too slow and too predictable for me. It has a great potential, especially when it comes to the proposals business. Some parts of the story felt too rushed, some too slow and it just wasn't my kind of read, but I do hope for more Fiona Harper in the future.
Copy received from publisher in exchange for a review.
September 10, 2014
After finishing up K.A Tucker's fabulous new novel Burying Water, I had no idea what to read next. None at all. How do you pick something else to read after such an awesome book? I didn't know how, so I plumped for one of the October books I need to read and review, and I picked the one with the prettiest cover. The Little Shop of Hopes & Dreams has the prettiest book cover I think I've ever seen - it's gorgeous, and I was intrigued to see if the insides matched up to the outsides. I've never read a book about a proposal planner before and it sounded really interesting, so I couldn't wait to dive in. But, unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the novel.
Any book that came after Burying Water was always going to disappoint, and while The Little Shop of Hopes & Dreams had an interesting start - with Nicole and Alex kissing at New Year's, from there (for me) it just went down hill. I liked Nicole and Alex well enough, but I don't agree with what she did. You don't agree to plan a proposal for a guy who you may have feelings for, and you certainly don't pretend to be a journalist when you go scope him out for his proposal, and take him up on his offer of shooting a wedding (to get experience of different weddings jobs, as Nicole is a wedding journalist). You don't go to a second wedding, and a third wedding. The alarm bells were just ringing for me the whole time, saying "wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong". It's hard to believe in a romance when someone is actively destroying another one - whether Saffron & Alex were soulmates was irrelevant, the fact that Nicole was there, flirting with Alex and going to weddings, hardly helped and it annoyed me.
I would also have liked if the novel had focused more on other proposals. We only hear of one other Nicole-planned proposal in the novel, and considering the novel is about a proposal planner, I expected more. But instead the novel was just solely focused on Saffron and Alex's proposal. And Nicole's back-and-forth feelings for Alex, and Nicole's angst about Alex, and it just didn't sit right with me. This was a guy she kissed once, months ago. Much like in Thirteen Weddings by Paige Toon, I just didn't get why they were still hung up on each other (and if that was true - why had Alex started seeing Saffron in the first place?). It just didn't sit right with me. I wanted to enjoy the book, but I just didn't. If it had had less angst and more fun proposal planning, I may have enjoyed it more, but the entire premise was based on something I could hardly wrap my head around, which was a shame. It has such a lovely cover, but the book itself just wasn't my kind of read, although I'm sure it will appeal to others.
Any book that came after Burying Water was always going to disappoint, and while The Little Shop of Hopes & Dreams had an interesting start - with Nicole and Alex kissing at New Year's, from there (for me) it just went down hill. I liked Nicole and Alex well enough, but I don't agree with what she did. You don't agree to plan a proposal for a guy who you may have feelings for, and you certainly don't pretend to be a journalist when you go scope him out for his proposal, and take him up on his offer of shooting a wedding (to get experience of different weddings jobs, as Nicole is a wedding journalist). You don't go to a second wedding, and a third wedding. The alarm bells were just ringing for me the whole time, saying "wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong". It's hard to believe in a romance when someone is actively destroying another one - whether Saffron & Alex were soulmates was irrelevant, the fact that Nicole was there, flirting with Alex and going to weddings, hardly helped and it annoyed me.
I would also have liked if the novel had focused more on other proposals. We only hear of one other Nicole-planned proposal in the novel, and considering the novel is about a proposal planner, I expected more. But instead the novel was just solely focused on Saffron and Alex's proposal. And Nicole's back-and-forth feelings for Alex, and Nicole's angst about Alex, and it just didn't sit right with me. This was a guy she kissed once, months ago. Much like in Thirteen Weddings by Paige Toon, I just didn't get why they were still hung up on each other (and if that was true - why had Alex started seeing Saffron in the first place?). It just didn't sit right with me. I wanted to enjoy the book, but I just didn't. If it had had less angst and more fun proposal planning, I may have enjoyed it more, but the entire premise was based on something I could hardly wrap my head around, which was a shame. It has such a lovely cover, but the book itself just wasn't my kind of read, although I'm sure it will appeal to others.
September 14, 2014
Nicole Harrison is a proposal planner – people come to her for help when they want to propose to their loved one and she plans that proposal right down to the tiniest detail so that special moment is one to remember. It is a new business and struggling until the day that Saffron hires her to arrange her proposal. Saffron is an “it” girl, darling of the media and this job could be the one that propels Nicole into the big time. That is, until she realises that Alex, the man Saffron intends proposing to is that gorgeous hunk that she snogged last New Year’s Eve and still can’t get out of her head. And it seems, the feeling is mutual.
As is the way, instead of backing away, Nicole bumbles her through the assignment and things start to heat up between her and Alex in a story that is very reminiscent of Paige Toon’s Thirteen Weddings. I admit I got quite exasperated with Nicole at times. I kept wanting to shake her and remind her of “solidarity between sisters” as I did feel some sympathy towards Saffron who seemed destined to end up publicly humiliated with egg on her face.
It is a nice, cosy, easy to read story that you don’t have to think about, being comfortably predictable. You know how it is all going to end up, although you are pretty much hooked wondering how it can all get sorted out amicably as Nicole just digs a hole for herself that gets deeper and deeper. Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
As is the way, instead of backing away, Nicole bumbles her through the assignment and things start to heat up between her and Alex in a story that is very reminiscent of Paige Toon’s Thirteen Weddings. I admit I got quite exasperated with Nicole at times. I kept wanting to shake her and remind her of “solidarity between sisters” as I did feel some sympathy towards Saffron who seemed destined to end up publicly humiliated with egg on her face.
It is a nice, cosy, easy to read story that you don’t have to think about, being comfortably predictable. You know how it is all going to end up, although you are pretty much hooked wondering how it can all get sorted out amicably as Nicole just digs a hole for herself that gets deeper and deeper. Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
October 8, 2014
Nicole runs a proposal planning company. She provides the magical memories for her couples to hold onto for the rest of their blissful married life together. It’s a fledgling company and she dreams of it taking off and becoming really famous. She is a born organiser and enoys thinking about the tiniest details to make the memories special.
When Saffron, a current ‘it’ girl, hires her to organise her proposal, she thinks that this will be the event to propel her business to the next level. When she discovers that the prospective groom is the man she’s been dreaming about since a New Year kiss- she still thinks that she can organise the perfect proposal for them- but can she????
A lovely, heartwarming story which is ideal for losing yourself into when you settle into that comfy armchair at the weekend.
All the characters are well drawn and you even feel for Saffron, though you probably would expect her to come across as a spoilt diva.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a review copy and I would highly recommend this one.
When Saffron, a current ‘it’ girl, hires her to organise her proposal, she thinks that this will be the event to propel her business to the next level. When she discovers that the prospective groom is the man she’s been dreaming about since a New Year kiss- she still thinks that she can organise the perfect proposal for them- but can she????
A lovely, heartwarming story which is ideal for losing yourself into when you settle into that comfy armchair at the weekend.
All the characters are well drawn and you even feel for Saffron, though you probably would expect her to come across as a spoilt diva.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a review copy and I would highly recommend this one.
November 16, 2014
Fiona Harper has penned a wonderfully escapist read that is just perfect for a cold winter night. Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams has all of Harper's trade mark wit and gentle humour.
The heroine, Nicole has finally started her own business as a proposal planner but her own love life is a mess. Things get even more complicated when the make or break project comes in via a socialite more famed for high jinks than good behaviour who decides she wants to propose to her current man, come Hell or high water. Trouble is -- he is a man Nicole drunkenly kissed on New Year's Eve and who has been searching for Nicole ever since.
If you like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, you should definitely give Fiona Harper a try as the British equivalent.
The heroine, Nicole has finally started her own business as a proposal planner but her own love life is a mess. Things get even more complicated when the make or break project comes in via a socialite more famed for high jinks than good behaviour who decides she wants to propose to her current man, come Hell or high water. Trouble is -- he is a man Nicole drunkenly kissed on New Year's Eve and who has been searching for Nicole ever since.
If you like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, you should definitely give Fiona Harper a try as the British equivalent.
December 15, 2014
'Nicole Harrison is planning the proposal of the century. Too bad it's not her own.'
So, overall I can only give this a 2.5/3 stars as I only liked about 80 pages and that the rest was just repetitive. I don't need The Little Shop Of Hopes And Dreams, but I wish there was The Little Shop Of I hoped It Was Better. I was slightly disappointed by this book, but it's ok, I'm sure I'll get over it.
So, overall I can only give this a 2.5/3 stars as I only liked about 80 pages and that the rest was just repetitive. I don't need The Little Shop Of Hopes And Dreams, but I wish there was The Little Shop Of I hoped It Was Better. I was slightly disappointed by this book, but it's ok, I'm sure I'll get over it.
October 26, 2014
I struggled to 'get into' The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams but a few chapters in I enjoyed reading it. A little predictable really, you kind of knew how the book was going to end. I never really warmed to the main character of Nicole for some reason. An ok book but nothing spectacular.
September 24, 2015
What girl doesn't think of their happily ever after at one point or another? What girl hasn't thought about falling madly and deeply in love with someone? And living happily ever after? Well if you have I think this book is for you
I absolutely adored this book. Every single last page of it. It left me with a lovely warm fuzzy feeling. Nicole runs a proposal business which stages utube proposals for grooms/brides who wants to propose to their beloved in the most rememberable way possible. But it is all done in secret. Everything is going Nicole's way that is until she has to plan a proposal for a famous icon called Saffron who is planning to propose to her gorgeous boyfriend Alex Black. Although things are not as black and white as they should be. Alex was the person Nicole had a earth shattering kiss with at New Years a year before but stupidly never called back but never forgot. But how can she plan Alex's future to someone else? The only problem is that The little shop of Hopes and dreams really relies on Saffrons proposal going well. Nicole is falling head over heels fast but will she get her happy ever after?
I adored this book. Simply adored it. I know that I will be reading this book again and again. I really wish Fiona Harper writes a follow up to this book.
I absolutely adored this book. Every single last page of it. It left me with a lovely warm fuzzy feeling. Nicole runs a proposal business which stages utube proposals for grooms/brides who wants to propose to their beloved in the most rememberable way possible. But it is all done in secret. Everything is going Nicole's way that is until she has to plan a proposal for a famous icon called Saffron who is planning to propose to her gorgeous boyfriend Alex Black. Although things are not as black and white as they should be. Alex was the person Nicole had a earth shattering kiss with at New Years a year before but stupidly never called back but never forgot. But how can she plan Alex's future to someone else? The only problem is that The little shop of Hopes and dreams really relies on Saffrons proposal going well. Nicole is falling head over heels fast but will she get her happy ever after?
I adored this book. Simply adored it. I know that I will be reading this book again and again. I really wish Fiona Harper writes a follow up to this book.
December 2, 2016
Utterly lovely, and funny, and I really didn't know how Nicole was going to get out of the mess she'd created for herself. Fiona always writes warm characters that you'd like to have a cup of tea and a good gossip with, and blends them with quintessentially English details. Love it.
January 1, 2017
This book was a bargain so I downloaded & didn't get round to reading it until now. I have never read anything by Fiona Harper but I am now very keen to read more. Thoroughly enjoyed this book, would definitely recommend.
February 26, 2019
I loved this book, will be added to my favourites list. Haven't wanted to put it down, could've sat & read all day!!!
October 15, 2014
THE LITTLE SHOP OF HOPES AND DREAMS BY FIONA HARPER
#bluecoverbookweek
THE BLURB
Nicole Harrison is planning the proposal of the century. Too bad its not her own…
Nicole, a born organiser and true romantic, has created her dream job when she sets up the Hopes & Dreams proposal agency – staging YouTube worthy proposals…until she’s hired to plan a proposal by gorgeous photographer Alex Black’s girlfriend.
Alex is the New Year’s kiss that Nicole hasn’t been able to forget – and now she’s planning his wedding to someone else! But if she lets herself fall for Alex’s charms, her reputation and business will be ruined before it’s even got off the ground! Suddenly the girl whose always prepared is at a loss…and falling head over heels.
WHAT I SAY
I got to say i did enjoy reading this book but i will all so say i did see the way the book may been heading but it did not put me off
The book a romance read it got lots of ups and downs
A few unexpected complication come to light to which makes it a very good book lots of twists and turns .
Nicole the main character she starts a wedding proposal company i love the name Hopes and Dreams it going very well but she could do with a few more customers she a very hardworking young lady . She got to make this work it her dream .
She such a sweet girl she had a few boyfriends in her past but she not found the love of her life or did she years ago ?
She had a boyfriend about a year ago but it when a bit wrong was it for the best ?
Now Saffron wants her help with her proposal to her boyfriend
Saffron so glam she a socialite on top of her game the press love her she want the best and she will get it no matter what .I thought she was going to be a spoilt brat but she was not at all .Her character was nice she was a lovely lady but a bit to use to getting what she wants .she dresses so nice to her look was so cool people wanted to be seen with her .
She gets what she want what does her dad think of her can she please him all the time ?
Alex her boyfriend he sounds so cool .He very handsome he loves his job but he wants so much more from his life
What more could he want ?
Nicole and saffron plan this proposal Nicole got to meet him now to see now she going to doing this plan omg she know him how can this be happing ?
She still carries on with things she gets to see the real Alex the story's very good you get pulled into the plot can they work it out .The three of them can work it out they are some very heart felt moments it will touch you i just want to tell you more but i want you to read it
The book so well written you just get pulled into the story you want to shout and them all and tell them to sort it out i got hooked on the plot i just wanted to read to see what was going to happen next
All the characters were very good you will smile laugh, tell them what to do and loved them all
It a nice enjoyable read 4 stars read enjoy pass on thanks to net gallery for letting me review this book
#bluecoverbookweek
THE BLURB
Nicole Harrison is planning the proposal of the century. Too bad its not her own…
Nicole, a born organiser and true romantic, has created her dream job when she sets up the Hopes & Dreams proposal agency – staging YouTube worthy proposals…until she’s hired to plan a proposal by gorgeous photographer Alex Black’s girlfriend.
Alex is the New Year’s kiss that Nicole hasn’t been able to forget – and now she’s planning his wedding to someone else! But if she lets herself fall for Alex’s charms, her reputation and business will be ruined before it’s even got off the ground! Suddenly the girl whose always prepared is at a loss…and falling head over heels.
WHAT I SAY
I got to say i did enjoy reading this book but i will all so say i did see the way the book may been heading but it did not put me off
The book a romance read it got lots of ups and downs
A few unexpected complication come to light to which makes it a very good book lots of twists and turns .
Nicole the main character she starts a wedding proposal company i love the name Hopes and Dreams it going very well but she could do with a few more customers she a very hardworking young lady . She got to make this work it her dream .
She such a sweet girl she had a few boyfriends in her past but she not found the love of her life or did she years ago ?
She had a boyfriend about a year ago but it when a bit wrong was it for the best ?
Now Saffron wants her help with her proposal to her boyfriend
Saffron so glam she a socialite on top of her game the press love her she want the best and she will get it no matter what .I thought she was going to be a spoilt brat but she was not at all .Her character was nice she was a lovely lady but a bit to use to getting what she wants .she dresses so nice to her look was so cool people wanted to be seen with her .
She gets what she want what does her dad think of her can she please him all the time ?
Alex her boyfriend he sounds so cool .He very handsome he loves his job but he wants so much more from his life
What more could he want ?
Nicole and saffron plan this proposal Nicole got to meet him now to see now she going to doing this plan omg she know him how can this be happing ?
She still carries on with things she gets to see the real Alex the story's very good you get pulled into the plot can they work it out .The three of them can work it out they are some very heart felt moments it will touch you i just want to tell you more but i want you to read it
The book so well written you just get pulled into the story you want to shout and them all and tell them to sort it out i got hooked on the plot i just wanted to read to see what was going to happen next
All the characters were very good you will smile laugh, tell them what to do and loved them all
It a nice enjoyable read 4 stars read enjoy pass on thanks to net gallery for letting me review this book
October 5, 2014
The Little Shop of Hopes and Dreams, Fiona Harper
Review from jeannie zelos book reviews
This is the third book I’ve read about a business dealing with wedding/marriage proposals, and each one has started from the same point and gone in very different directions. That’s what is so great, how authors have such different ideas about stories, even if the brief is the same. I’ve been to art classes where 12 people will follow a step by step painting and yet produce 12 very different works at the end. Originality always comes through.
So, poor Nicole, her business really needs this latest job if its to survive, but then she meets the man who’s about to get proposed to...and finds out he’s the new years dream kiss mystery man. That wouldn’t matter so much, he wasn’t going out with this lady then but – wow – the attraction is still there on Nicole’s side, and she’s determined not to let it show. Fate and Alex though seem to have other plans. I love Nicole, she’s been hurt in the past by a jerk who she’d dated for two years, then just when she thought they were on the brink of getting engaged he dropped the bombshell and dumped her, looking for someone who fit the social grouping he’s in...grrr...that must have been devastating, especially as she’s worked so hard on herself to fit in with others. A real blow to her confidence and since then she’s avoided dating and focussed on her business.
Alex, wow – what a heartthrob. He’s not only a good looking guy but a decent one, and though he feels a pull to Nicole he tells himself its not really there, that he’s with Saffron and he’s just helping Nicole with her magazine article by letting her work with him for another full day. Its one of those times where Nicole can’t tell the truth without giving away the job she’s doing, and of course confidentiality is essential so she finds herself roped into another day working with Alex, and then another...meanwhile Saffron’s ideas go from giant to enormous, and Nicole can’t seem to steer her in the direction Alex would like, maximising the chance of a Yes – the Yes and publicity that would follow that her business needs to survive. The lies keep growing, she can’t tell either Alex of Saffron the truth and she’s getting really stressed about the whole thing. Her two friends have money invested in her business though so it’s not just herself depending on the success of this job. Saffron is a media star and she knows the job will attract the publicity they so dearly need.
Its a fun read, a bittersweet one at times and I really felt for Nicole especially when everything hits at once. That was tear-jerking in just the way I love. Once Nicole had gone down the path she did I couldn’t see what she could do either – if it was just her the business depended on then maybe – but her friends need their money protected too.
Stars: Four, a really enjoyable read.
ARC supplied via Netgalley and publishers.
Review from jeannie zelos book reviews
This is the third book I’ve read about a business dealing with wedding/marriage proposals, and each one has started from the same point and gone in very different directions. That’s what is so great, how authors have such different ideas about stories, even if the brief is the same. I’ve been to art classes where 12 people will follow a step by step painting and yet produce 12 very different works at the end. Originality always comes through.
So, poor Nicole, her business really needs this latest job if its to survive, but then she meets the man who’s about to get proposed to...and finds out he’s the new years dream kiss mystery man. That wouldn’t matter so much, he wasn’t going out with this lady then but – wow – the attraction is still there on Nicole’s side, and she’s determined not to let it show. Fate and Alex though seem to have other plans. I love Nicole, she’s been hurt in the past by a jerk who she’d dated for two years, then just when she thought they were on the brink of getting engaged he dropped the bombshell and dumped her, looking for someone who fit the social grouping he’s in...grrr...that must have been devastating, especially as she’s worked so hard on herself to fit in with others. A real blow to her confidence and since then she’s avoided dating and focussed on her business.
Alex, wow – what a heartthrob. He’s not only a good looking guy but a decent one, and though he feels a pull to Nicole he tells himself its not really there, that he’s with Saffron and he’s just helping Nicole with her magazine article by letting her work with him for another full day. Its one of those times where Nicole can’t tell the truth without giving away the job she’s doing, and of course confidentiality is essential so she finds herself roped into another day working with Alex, and then another...meanwhile Saffron’s ideas go from giant to enormous, and Nicole can’t seem to steer her in the direction Alex would like, maximising the chance of a Yes – the Yes and publicity that would follow that her business needs to survive. The lies keep growing, she can’t tell either Alex of Saffron the truth and she’s getting really stressed about the whole thing. Her two friends have money invested in her business though so it’s not just herself depending on the success of this job. Saffron is a media star and she knows the job will attract the publicity they so dearly need.
Its a fun read, a bittersweet one at times and I really felt for Nicole especially when everything hits at once. That was tear-jerking in just the way I love. Once Nicole had gone down the path she did I couldn’t see what she could do either – if it was just her the business depended on then maybe – but her friends need their money protected too.
Stars: Four, a really enjoyable read.
ARC supplied via Netgalley and publishers.
October 10, 2014
Nicole was a true hardcore romantic when she came up with the great idea to start a Marriage Proposal Planning company. Now after watching one too many enthusiastic couples melt into each others arms she realises she is missing out on something. Something or someone who will make her heart sing like a canary on champagne.
On a night out she meets that certain someone and he not only makes her heart sing, he also makes her limbs weak, her heart pound and her body ache for the horizontal tango. Numbers are exchanged and one would think things are a go, except Nicole chickens out and that’s when things get really complicated.
One year later and the perfect solution to all their business problems has waltzed in the door. The problem with the oh so perfect solution is the unexpected complication called Alex.
Harper knows just how to twist the plot in a way that keeps readers on their toes. A man with trust issues, a gal who doesn’t trust her instincts and a delightfully spontaneous socialite called Saffron to top it all off. This is certainly a romance with more ups and downs than a roller coaster ride.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Harlequin UK and Mills & Boon.
On a night out she meets that certain someone and he not only makes her heart sing, he also makes her limbs weak, her heart pound and her body ache for the horizontal tango. Numbers are exchanged and one would think things are a go, except Nicole chickens out and that’s when things get really complicated.
One year later and the perfect solution to all their business problems has waltzed in the door. The problem with the oh so perfect solution is the unexpected complication called Alex.
Harper knows just how to twist the plot in a way that keeps readers on their toes. A man with trust issues, a gal who doesn’t trust her instincts and a delightfully spontaneous socialite called Saffron to top it all off. This is certainly a romance with more ups and downs than a roller coaster ride.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Harlequin UK and Mills & Boon.
April 23, 2015
This fabulous little book had me glued to it's pages... all I can do is gush about how lovely this story is... it was a little slow to start, but once it gets going you just don't want to put it down...
A romance in all it's finest, the story comes from both POV's of the two lead characters, and what characters they are!
Alex Black is tall, dark, handsome, cool, and my latest bookcrush!
Nicole is a wonderful mess, she's beautiful, classy and smart but heck does she have a lot of issues!
I loved their interaction and was rooting for them throughout.
The setting for the story is London which is such a nice change from the norm. It's not exactly Christmassy even though the cover would suggest that, but, that didn't make a difference whatsoever to me.
The only negative I would say about this story is - A: Alex's stubbornness at the end, but then again it was all part of the drama right?... and B: the epilogue wasn't as good as I thought it would be, it was very impersonal, I wanted something from 'them' not a paragraph 'about' them.
On the whole I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and will be looking out for more from this author.
Suitable for all ages as there is no bad language or sexual scenes.
A romance in all it's finest, the story comes from both POV's of the two lead characters, and what characters they are!
Alex Black is tall, dark, handsome, cool, and my latest bookcrush!
Nicole is a wonderful mess, she's beautiful, classy and smart but heck does she have a lot of issues!
I loved their interaction and was rooting for them throughout.
The setting for the story is London which is such a nice change from the norm. It's not exactly Christmassy even though the cover would suggest that, but, that didn't make a difference whatsoever to me.
The only negative I would say about this story is - A: Alex's stubbornness at the end, but then again it was all part of the drama right?... and B: the epilogue wasn't as good as I thought it would be, it was very impersonal, I wanted something from 'them' not a paragraph 'about' them.
On the whole I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and will be looking out for more from this author.
Suitable for all ages as there is no bad language or sexual scenes.
October 1, 2014
Thank you to Harlequin UK for approving me for a review copy via NetGalley.
This was a really lovely bit of chick lit, with the perfect cosy feel you want from a good book as we head into the cold winter months.
For starters, I love the whole concept of a Proposal Planning business, and I love the personalised packages Nicole offers and how hard she works to achieve her goals.
Nicole’s character is wonderfully built. She’s hard-working, earnest and moral, so you really get a sense of her struggle between her heart and the business she has worked so hard to build, and can’t help but feel sorry for her predicament.
I also really liked how Saffron, Alex’s girlfriend, is portrayed. I think it would have been easy to make her a really spoilt brat, and I’m pleased that Harper didn’t do this. She is a drama queen, an It Girl, and yes, pretty spoilt, but she also had a good heart.
Alex himself is indeed pretty dreamy, and this book had me both laughing and cringing the whole way through, while desperately hoping every thing was going to turn out all right!
This was a really lovely bit of chick lit, with the perfect cosy feel you want from a good book as we head into the cold winter months.
For starters, I love the whole concept of a Proposal Planning business, and I love the personalised packages Nicole offers and how hard she works to achieve her goals.
Nicole’s character is wonderfully built. She’s hard-working, earnest and moral, so you really get a sense of her struggle between her heart and the business she has worked so hard to build, and can’t help but feel sorry for her predicament.
I also really liked how Saffron, Alex’s girlfriend, is portrayed. I think it would have been easy to make her a really spoilt brat, and I’m pleased that Harper didn’t do this. She is a drama queen, an It Girl, and yes, pretty spoilt, but she also had a good heart.
Alex himself is indeed pretty dreamy, and this book had me both laughing and cringing the whole way through, while desperately hoping every thing was going to turn out all right!
December 6, 2014
THE LITTLE SHOP OF HOPES AND DREAMS by author Fiona Harper is a Mills & Boon release for October 2014.
Nicole Harrison launches her new business setting up marriage proposals for clients. She had all positive response for her business so far.
Now the latest client on her list wanted to propose to her boyfriend. But the problem was her boyfriend was Alex, the man Nicole had kissed on New Year’s Eve and haven’t been able to forget. Meeting him again brought all the shimmering chemistry they shared to the surface again. But what will Nicole do now? Could she set up a proposal for her client with the man she had hots for? How would Nicole solve her dilemma now? Her name and reputation was at stake. Could she chose love?
THE LITTLE SHOP OF HOPES AND DREAMS is a fun, fast-paced story. The characters are realistically depicted by the author Fiona Harper.
Nicole Harrison launches her new business setting up marriage proposals for clients. She had all positive response for her business so far.
Now the latest client on her list wanted to propose to her boyfriend. But the problem was her boyfriend was Alex, the man Nicole had kissed on New Year’s Eve and haven’t been able to forget. Meeting him again brought all the shimmering chemistry they shared to the surface again. But what will Nicole do now? Could she set up a proposal for her client with the man she had hots for? How would Nicole solve her dilemma now? Her name and reputation was at stake. Could she chose love?
THE LITTLE SHOP OF HOPES AND DREAMS is a fun, fast-paced story. The characters are realistically depicted by the author Fiona Harper.
December 7, 2015
Sono un po' delusa... una bella cover natalizia per un romanzo in cui il Natale occupa si e no due pagine di scarso rilievo!!! Ok alle tecniche di marketing, ma non è che i lettori sono del tutto scemi!!
Natale a parte, ho trovato cmq il romanzo banalotto e non sono riuscita ad emozionarmi coi due protagonisti. Alcuni bei momenti, ma in generale è stata una lettura che ho trascinato fino alla fine, senza quella smania di andare avanti a leggere e quell'entusisamo che tanto mi piace trovare nei libri.
Tutto troppo prevedibile fin dall'inizio... Sì, lo so che tutti sappiamo ci sarà il lieto fine, ma qualche fonte di stupore nel mezzo ci andrebbe, giusto per vivacizzare un tantino la storia. Qui invece tutti gli eventi erano scontati e annunciati con troppo anticipo.
Insomma un romanzo carino e nulla più: ce ne sono molti altri che consiglierei in alternativa
Natale a parte, ho trovato cmq il romanzo banalotto e non sono riuscita ad emozionarmi coi due protagonisti. Alcuni bei momenti, ma in generale è stata una lettura che ho trascinato fino alla fine, senza quella smania di andare avanti a leggere e quell'entusisamo che tanto mi piace trovare nei libri.
Tutto troppo prevedibile fin dall'inizio... Sì, lo so che tutti sappiamo ci sarà il lieto fine, ma qualche fonte di stupore nel mezzo ci andrebbe, giusto per vivacizzare un tantino la storia. Qui invece tutti gli eventi erano scontati e annunciati con troppo anticipo.
Insomma un romanzo carino e nulla più: ce ne sono molti altri che consiglierei in alternativa
January 4, 2016
Una lettura leggera durante il periodo natalizio. Consigliato per chi vuole passare delle piacevoli ore in compagnia di Nicole, del bellissimo Alex, delle due migliori amiche Peggy e Mia che tutti vorrebbero e Saffron, una ragazza all'apparenza snob, ma che dentro si rivela una grande persona. L'ho voluto leggere durante il periodo natalizio perché credevo che quello fosse l'ambiente, ma così non è stato. Nonostante questo, non sono rimasta per niente delusa! L'ho comprato sotto consiglio di un'amica e ne sono rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa, anche se mi aspettavo molto di più. Non mi ha convinta al 100%, anche perché la storia di organizzare il matrimonio del ragazzo che ti piace l'ho già visto in un film con Jennifer Lopez, ma nonostante questo ho continuato la lettura, e a metà libro non volevo più staccarmi!
October 12, 2014
This book focuses on Nicole and her wedding proposal business that she owns with her friend Peggy.
After being dumped she attends a New Years eve party where she meets a handsome stranger, although she decides not to take it any further.
Saffron turns up as her proposal agency and asks Nicole to help her propose to her boyfriend Alex, who just happens to be the handsome from New Years eve.
Nicole is prepared to put her own happiness aside to make sure other people get their happy ending but Alex doesn't quite feel the same way as Saffron does about their relationship.
Really enjoyed reading this book.
After being dumped she attends a New Years eve party where she meets a handsome stranger, although she decides not to take it any further.
Saffron turns up as her proposal agency and asks Nicole to help her propose to her boyfriend Alex, who just happens to be the handsome from New Years eve.
Nicole is prepared to put her own happiness aside to make sure other people get their happy ending but Alex doesn't quite feel the same way as Saffron does about their relationship.
Really enjoyed reading this book.
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January 12, 2015I can't rate this book. I stopped reading - and I mean stopped - immediately shutting down my Kindle at 34% in, just at the point where At that point I broke out in a cold sweat! I can take gore, violence, sheer brutality, but not something as horrendous as that. ;)
Even up to that point I had a lot of misgivings about the characters and the plot. I don't like 'cheating' and this was a little too uncomfortable for me to even flick through to the end to see what happened.
Even up to that point I had a lot of misgivings about the characters and the plot. I don't like 'cheating' and this was a little too uncomfortable for me to even flick through to the end to see what happened.
September 4, 2016
More of a 3.5 rating, because the book is quite well written. I just have a pet peeve about people lying and fooling around with other people's boyfriends, but that might just be me. Nobody else seems to have a problem doing that (especially not in this book lol)
Also, be warned: every single piece of cheese that you've ever watched in a rom com is here. Every last one. They've been piled on top of each other, chapter after chapter, scene after scene. It was fun to read such an over-the-top storyline, though. It kind of makes your mind explode. And not entirely in a bad way ;)
Also, be warned: every single piece of cheese that you've ever watched in a rom com is here. Every last one. They've been piled on top of each other, chapter after chapter, scene after scene. It was fun to read such an over-the-top storyline, though. It kind of makes your mind explode. And not entirely in a bad way ;)
October 25, 2016
Really enjoyed this book and enjoyed it the more I read had excellent story lines and characters and had you wondering what will happen and will people find true love or not. Nicole is starting up her own proposals agency where she sorts out great proposals for propels and arranges it all. Can she make a go of it or not. Her first big client thinks she has found the right man but does it all work out for her or does things go wrong for Nicole. Well worth reading an easy read.
December 30, 2014
I enjoyed this book, but this isn't anywhere near the best book I have read based on a proposal planning agency this year, and unfortunately as much as I tried not to compare the two books, it sort of happened.
However that being said, I did like the story, and the chemistry between Alex and Nicole was just hovering all the time under the surface, and I wasn't 100% how it would turn out.
However that being said, I did like the story, and the chemistry between Alex and Nicole was just hovering all the time under the surface, and I wasn't 100% how it would turn out.
January 18, 2015
I absolutely loved this book in every way!! Such a nice easy read that really makes you fall in love with the characters and their complications. So glad with the ending. Alex and Nicole are made for each other ❤️
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February 23, 2015Sorry but I didn't like this one. I couldn't get past the issue of the camera card supposedly being ruined by what happened. Memory cards in digital cameras are virtually indestructible. There could have been umpteen other ways to cause an issue - this was a bad choice.
to-read-i-own
January 23, 201525p
January 31, 2015
Aw I loved this book. Cheesy, romantic, funny and silly. Like a John Hughes film set in this era. Bit of a guilty pleasure but glad I indulged
March 16, 2015
An enjoyable, easy read. Loved the characters, loved the story, loved the message. Would happily read a sequel. Would love to hear more from the characters.
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