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Westfield #1
The Chic Boutique on Baker Street
Amanda is making the idyllic escape to the countryside to find a new life. Ben is picking up the pieces of his life after his wife left. Could a chance encounter outside Amanda's 'chic boutique' set them on the road to renewed happiness? Shop owner Amanda leaves London behind for life in the country and finds love with local vet Ben in this fun, addictive winner of the Prima Flirty Fiction competition
384 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2016
About the author
Rachel Dove
122 books215 followersI am a wife, mother of two boys, avid reader and writer of words. I sometimes sleep, always have eye bags and dream of retiring to a big white house in Cornwall, with 2 shaggy dogs, drinking wine on my seafront balcony whilst creating works of romantic fiction. All done with immaculate make up and floaty dresses.
In the meantime I nearly always remember to brush my hair, seldom have time to look in a mirror and write many, many to-do lists. I write fast paced sexy medical romances for Mills & Boon, and contemporary fiction and romantic comedies for HQ Digital and Boldwood Books. I always have a few books in progress, and am always jotting down new shiny ideas to torment myself with.
Rachel Dove Bursary founder - RNA 2018 - 2020 (stopped due to RNA restructure)
Writers Bureau Writer of the Year - first place 2016
Come say hello on social media! @writerdove
In the meantime I nearly always remember to brush my hair, seldom have time to look in a mirror and write many, many to-do lists. I write fast paced sexy medical romances for Mills & Boon, and contemporary fiction and romantic comedies for HQ Digital and Boldwood Books. I always have a few books in progress, and am always jotting down new shiny ideas to torment myself with.
Rachel Dove Bursary founder - RNA 2018 - 2020 (stopped due to RNA restructure)
Writers Bureau Writer of the Year - first place 2016
Come say hello on social media! @writerdove
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 29, 2016
This is not a bad read by any means, a very pleasant way to spend a lazy couple of afternoons, but for me it just didn’t quite hit the spot. Amanda Perry, former city corporate lawyer who has been fired from her job and humiliated by her ex starts a new life in Yorkshire by opening a vintage type, upcycling crafty shop. I did get excited by the sound of her shop. I love my crochet and have Pinterest boards stuffed with vintage, crafts and upcycled furniture and bits and bobs so I was a little disappointed that, despite the title of the book, the shop really only serves as a background to the story.
There were parts of the book that I would definitely like to have seen explored in more detail, in particular the saving of the community centre and the Austen festival but as soon as these subplots were brought into the story then it seemed as if they were already upon us, dusted down and over and done with. I would have loved to have read about all the planning and preparations but there were just none to read about. It was in fact the festival that really struck the first alarm bell in my mind. Up to that point I never really saw Amanda as a successful lawyer, as she just doesn’t seem to have that sharp “edge” to her, seemingly being far too soft to ever survive in a cut throat corporate world. When she has an epiphany and realises that with her legal background she is just the sort of person to help save the community centre, I was expecting the sharp suited lawyer side of her to emerge and thrust into battle. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Her suggestion was to hold a Jane Austen festival as “it would be perfect for Yorkshire”. Why on earth would Jane Austen be considered synonymous with Yorkshire? The Brontes, yes but Jane Austen? That having been said, it did fit the extremely subtle Darcy and Elizabeth undercurrents that run throughout the book.
Having said all the above, it is not a bad read, but one that could have been better. I particularly really enjoyed reading about the local ladies and their matchmaking efforts, although some would of course have called them interfering old busy bodies. It was their antics that saved the book for me, bringing it up from a two star to a three.
I received a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
There were parts of the book that I would definitely like to have seen explored in more detail, in particular the saving of the community centre and the Austen festival but as soon as these subplots were brought into the story then it seemed as if they were already upon us, dusted down and over and done with. I would have loved to have read about all the planning and preparations but there were just none to read about. It was in fact the festival that really struck the first alarm bell in my mind. Up to that point I never really saw Amanda as a successful lawyer, as she just doesn’t seem to have that sharp “edge” to her, seemingly being far too soft to ever survive in a cut throat corporate world. When she has an epiphany and realises that with her legal background she is just the sort of person to help save the community centre, I was expecting the sharp suited lawyer side of her to emerge and thrust into battle. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Her suggestion was to hold a Jane Austen festival as “it would be perfect for Yorkshire”. Why on earth would Jane Austen be considered synonymous with Yorkshire? The Brontes, yes but Jane Austen? That having been said, it did fit the extremely subtle Darcy and Elizabeth undercurrents that run throughout the book.
Having said all the above, it is not a bad read, but one that could have been better. I particularly really enjoyed reading about the local ladies and their matchmaking efforts, although some would of course have called them interfering old busy bodies. It was their antics that saved the book for me, bringing it up from a two star to a three.
I received a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley.
April 25, 2016
After being fired from her high-flying career as a solicitor in the heart of London, and dumping her cheating boyfriend, Amanda opts for a complete lifestyle change and moves to a small Yorkshire village to open her own shabby chic boutique, ‘A New Lease of Life’, making bespoke handmade items.
She had hoped to settle into village life with ease, but one villager isn’t happy to see her in his village.
Ben Evans, the village vet and owner of a dog grooming shop, next door to Amanda’s shop, doesn’t like change, and he certainly doesn’t like outsiders coming into the town and setting up shop. He believes that Amanda will be a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ kind of girl, and lets her know his feelings at every opportunity.
The townsfolk though have other ideas. They have seen the way the two of them look at each other when the others not watching, and headed up by Agatha Mayweather, the women set out to get the two together.
‘The Chic Boutique on Bakers St’, is a loveable, fun, and at times laugh out loud novel.
Amanda is a complete whirlwind. She is clumsy, yet elegant, moody yet kind, and doesn’t like accepting other peoples’ offers of help, especially Ben’s.
She wants nothing more than to fit in with village life, having left the rat race behind. She is looking for a quiet life with a slower pace and thinks that she has found that with her own business.
She doesn’t take too kindly to ‘jumped-up’ Ben, who she believes hates her and has no understand of why, although from their first encounter there is something about him that pushes her buttons.
Ben is the sexy male protagonist of the story, hurt by a past romance. He has no time for newcomers, especially Londoners who are here today and gone tomorrow.
He secretly does like Amanda, but would never admit it, and tries to push her away at every opportunity, although he does slip up now and again, cursing himself for letting his guard down.
The townsfolk are all wonderful secondary characters, each with their own story to tell that added depth to the book.
Agatha was my favourite. A feisty old woman, she is like the ‘Lady of the Manor’, with her big house, her two dogs Maisie and Buster, whom she calls her children, and an estate manager, Sebastian Taylor who is at her beck and call. Agatha and Sebastian have known each other since primary school and are dear friends, though Seb would love the two of them to be much more.
The book is a sweet romance which has that feel good factor to it. It will warm your heart even on those cold and frosty days. It can be infuriating at times, the way you can see that Ben and Amanda feel about each other, but both are too pig-headed to admit it.
My only criticism was that the ending felt a little rushed and I would have loved to see it play out a bit longer.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
She had hoped to settle into village life with ease, but one villager isn’t happy to see her in his village.
Ben Evans, the village vet and owner of a dog grooming shop, next door to Amanda’s shop, doesn’t like change, and he certainly doesn’t like outsiders coming into the town and setting up shop. He believes that Amanda will be a ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ kind of girl, and lets her know his feelings at every opportunity.
The townsfolk though have other ideas. They have seen the way the two of them look at each other when the others not watching, and headed up by Agatha Mayweather, the women set out to get the two together.
‘The Chic Boutique on Bakers St’, is a loveable, fun, and at times laugh out loud novel.
Amanda is a complete whirlwind. She is clumsy, yet elegant, moody yet kind, and doesn’t like accepting other peoples’ offers of help, especially Ben’s.
She wants nothing more than to fit in with village life, having left the rat race behind. She is looking for a quiet life with a slower pace and thinks that she has found that with her own business.
She doesn’t take too kindly to ‘jumped-up’ Ben, who she believes hates her and has no understand of why, although from their first encounter there is something about him that pushes her buttons.
Ben is the sexy male protagonist of the story, hurt by a past romance. He has no time for newcomers, especially Londoners who are here today and gone tomorrow.
He secretly does like Amanda, but would never admit it, and tries to push her away at every opportunity, although he does slip up now and again, cursing himself for letting his guard down.
The townsfolk are all wonderful secondary characters, each with their own story to tell that added depth to the book.
Agatha was my favourite. A feisty old woman, she is like the ‘Lady of the Manor’, with her big house, her two dogs Maisie and Buster, whom she calls her children, and an estate manager, Sebastian Taylor who is at her beck and call. Agatha and Sebastian have known each other since primary school and are dear friends, though Seb would love the two of them to be much more.
The book is a sweet romance which has that feel good factor to it. It will warm your heart even on those cold and frosty days. It can be infuriating at times, the way you can see that Ben and Amanda feel about each other, but both are too pig-headed to admit it.
My only criticism was that the ending felt a little rushed and I would have loved to see it play out a bit longer.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
June 1, 2016
Mild spoilers ahaed, so read with caution!!!
The story follows Amanda, corporate lawyer, who was fired from her job because of the mistakes she's made. Her sleazy boyfriend Marcus cheated on her with air-head secretary of his (cliche much?), so she packs her bags, lefts for Yorkshire and opens up a store with hand-made stuff.
The plot istelf is not bad. I quite like stories like that (unless the MC moves to Provence or Tuscany - that's too much of a cliche even for me), they're perfect for lazy afternoons, when all you want to do is leave your miserable corporate work and leave for Darbyshire, Dorset or wherever.
Yeah, we all have days like that, right?
Anyways, as I said I quite liked the plot. It's a cute romance story set up in little town, with nice people around.
What's not to like?
Well, I'm not happy how the sublopt were shoved into our faces and then forgotten. The shop was just a bacground, saving the community center or Jane Austen festival were only mentioned as super important, but those plotlines weren't followed.
At the end Amanda says that she treats her new friends as family, but we never really see their relationship develop. They just meet and then BAM! - insta-friends.
And don't get me started on the pace of Amanda and Ben's relationship.
It's very bad Mr. Pink. Very vbad indeed.
First they barely speak to eachother , then they bicker, then they barely speak to eachother, then they obsess over eachother, then they're kinda on good terms, and then they don't speak to eachother, and them BAM - love is all around us. Rushed much?
They relationship is not developed enough, even when they speak they don't communicate. They just assume and that makes it look like we're reading high school drama.
If only they talk to eachother. They're adults for goodness sake!
I enjoyed the different POVs, it gave us more insight.
Overall it's an enjoyable story and if you like conpemporary romances you probably will like it as well. But it could be so much better.
~~~~
I received this book form the publisher in exchange for an honest review
The story follows Amanda, corporate lawyer, who was fired from her job because of the mistakes she's made. Her sleazy boyfriend Marcus cheated on her with air-head secretary of his (cliche much?), so she packs her bags, lefts for Yorkshire and opens up a store with hand-made stuff.
The plot istelf is not bad. I quite like stories like that (unless the MC moves to Provence or Tuscany - that's too much of a cliche even for me), they're perfect for lazy afternoons, when all you want to do is leave your miserable corporate work and leave for Darbyshire, Dorset or wherever.
Yeah, we all have days like that, right?
Anyways, as I said I quite liked the plot. It's a cute romance story set up in little town, with nice people around.
What's not to like?
Well, I'm not happy how the sublopt were shoved into our faces and then forgotten. The shop was just a bacground, saving the community center or Jane Austen festival were only mentioned as super important, but those plotlines weren't followed.
At the end Amanda says that she treats her new friends as family, but we never really see their relationship develop. They just meet and then BAM! - insta-friends.
And don't get me started on the pace of Amanda and Ben's relationship.
It's very bad Mr. Pink. Very vbad indeed.
First they barely speak to eachother , then they bicker, then they barely speak to eachother, then they obsess over eachother, then they're kinda on good terms, and then they don't speak to eachother, and them BAM - love is all around us. Rushed much?
They relationship is not developed enough, even when they speak they don't communicate. They just assume and that makes it look like we're reading high school drama.
If only they talk to eachother. They're adults for goodness sake!
I enjoyed the different POVs, it gave us more insight.
Overall it's an enjoyable story and if you like conpemporary romances you probably will like it as well. But it could be so much better.
~~~~
I received this book form the publisher in exchange for an honest review
March 23, 2016
"The Chic Boutique on Baker Street" by Rachel Dove was one of the most feel - good books that there are to read. Not too demanding, not too overwhelming but few hours of pure entertainment. I started to laugh out loud already after reading only a few pages and I kept smiling almost all the way through it. Yes, the story started quickly and with a kick but then it lost its impact, it slowed down a little and went a little downhill, but still the storytelling was full of warmth and humour and the book ticked all the boxes for a great read: will they/wont they lovely characters - tick; old life coming back - tick; troublesome family that knows better what is good for you and what's not - tick; not so obvious romance - tick; brilliant atmosphere and the sense of community - tick, a little drama - tick, an ex - boyfriend from hell - tick... well, whatever you wish for, it was in this book.
There are some great characters in this novel - larger than life but also down - to - earth, with their own problems and anxieties. Amanda needs a change, so after being fired from her job (and we learn soon that it was not her fault and she didn't make any mistake) she moves to a colourful, lovely Westfield, where people are verrrry close and like to know as much about each other as possible. Or even more. And they're very friendly - well, all but Ben, the owner of the business next to Amanda's one, where she sells hand - made items. Ben seems not to want anyone from the city to come to the village and mess up.
But then we also have Agatha, who takes Amanda under her wing - although Agatha has her own reasons, namely she plans on making a couple out of Amanda and Ben. But - can one meddle with other lives?
Yes, Amanda and Ben were great characters, though there were moments - many, many moments - when I so wanted to bang their heads together! They were so stubborn and they jumped to the wrong conclusions All. The. Time and sometimes I felt really desperate with these two. Because they weren't saying all the things, they had some secrets of their own and they didn't open so easily, there were tons of misunderstandings between them, misunderstandings that could easily be explained when they started to talk! Oh, give me their heads to bang, really! I could growl with frustration at them and yet it made me smile as well. Sure, there came a moment that I wanted nothing more as these two to sort the situation out, as there were so many missed opportunities, so many vague hints and I started to think it's too much already - sometimes it's better to stop than to wade through messing around even more.
Normally I think I would be outraged with the way the ladies were meddling as I follow the rule live and let live and don't meddle and keep your nose out of other people's business, but this time this meddling was incredibly funny, I'd say hilarious, and as I also saw that Ben and Amanda are destined to be together, I was cheering the ladies and keeping my fingers crossed that everything went well with their different plans to bring these two together. And, as they were tough cookies and hard nuts to crack, the ladies didn't have an easy job, but the author gave as a great insight into why Amanda and Ben were like this, telling us about significant events that happened in their lives that made them so reluctant to open and towards a new relationship. I also liked the glimpses into Amanda's previous place of work where the ex - boyfriend sleazy Marcus had some problems, ha.
Rachel Dove has in a great way described Westfield and its inhabitants, and her words are full of warmth and sympathy to the place and the characters and it is impossible not to like them all. Even the unpleasant ones. I loved the atmosphere in this story, so cosy and full of friendship and understanding. I adored the setting of this story and the village full of eccentrics, but eccentrics in a positive way, who were at the heart of the village and who loved their place, and who also loved meddling and knowing everything about other people and I loved how well organized the ladies were when it came to communicate about Ben and Amanda - who would have thought it :)You know, sometimes you want to read a book with some troubles but not necessary with earthquakes, not too complicated, where the characters are nice and good - natured, and "The Chic Boutique on Baker Street" is this kind of read.
It was really one of the warmest, nicest reads. It put a smile on my face more than often, and I am still laughing out loud when I think about one of the first scenes with the dogs and Sebastian. Rachel Dove's writing style is light and so easy to follow and she is a great storyteller. Sure, it was not a life - changing novel, more on the predictable side and you could have tell from the beginning how it's going to end, but it was a feel - good read, so easy - going and there were some brilliant one - liners and really, and I am looking forward to reading more from Ms Dove.
Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.
March 21, 2016
2.5 stars.
I so wanted to enjoy this book, after all it has plenty of things I usually love – a city girl moving to the country, a cosy village full of interfering old women, a hero who is a vet (meaning cute animals, yay!). And yet, I didn’t love this book. In fact there were times when I didn’t even like it that much.
Which is a shame, because some aspects of this book are exactly what I wanted them to be. The village is close-knit yet friendly, while the meddling bunch of old girls are great fun. On the whole this is an easy read that’s a bit predictable, but mostly good fun, however there were a few things that spoiled my enjoyment.
The beginning. We meet Amanda outside her shop just as she first meets Ben, who has a very strange and over the top reaction to her plans to open a crafty-upcycling store complete with coffee section at the front. Ben acts likes she’s the devil incarnate, come up to Yorkshire with her heathenish London ways, trying to destroy the heart of their village with… wool, knitting and sewing? It’s not like she’s opening a casino or planning to bulldoze the village for her upmarket hotel.
Anyway, as weird as that was, we then go back in time to find out why Amanda left London. Except the time line moves around in odd fits, back and forth, until she runs away. And that really irritated me. The way Amanda somehow uprooted her entire life in London, bought and set up a business overnight. Without a car. Oh, and turning off her phone so no one could contact her. Nor did she tell anyone where she went. Because Amanda’s nice and mature like that (and she does the phone trick again later, so clearly she grows and develops a lot across the book).
I’m also not the biggest fan of wandering pov that starts a paragraph with one character, then jumps from head to head along the way without warning. Add in the huge info-dump intro to each character as they first appear, and let’s just say this book and I did not get off to the best of starts.
It does improve, on the whole, though Ben and Amanda never seemed like a good couple to me. They never talk. Ever. Nor seem to actually want to spend time together unless forced. Communication issues play a big part in this book, but instead of being cute, it just underlined Amanda’s lack of maturity and Ben’s habit of jumping to the worst possible conclusion without any encouragement. I also found the Austen festival a bit odd, since Amanda says it’s perfect for Yorkshire (isn’t that the Brontes?) and it seems to be organised and put on overnight.
Overall, this book just didn’t work for me, mostly because of the writing style. Your own mileage may vary depending on how much patience you have for heroines behaving childishly and big old miscommunication in love plots. If you’re okay with those things and love a fresh start in the country type of tale, then give this a go. I hope you like it better than I did.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I so wanted to enjoy this book, after all it has plenty of things I usually love – a city girl moving to the country, a cosy village full of interfering old women, a hero who is a vet (meaning cute animals, yay!). And yet, I didn’t love this book. In fact there were times when I didn’t even like it that much.
Which is a shame, because some aspects of this book are exactly what I wanted them to be. The village is close-knit yet friendly, while the meddling bunch of old girls are great fun. On the whole this is an easy read that’s a bit predictable, but mostly good fun, however there were a few things that spoiled my enjoyment.
The beginning. We meet Amanda outside her shop just as she first meets Ben, who has a very strange and over the top reaction to her plans to open a crafty-upcycling store complete with coffee section at the front. Ben acts likes she’s the devil incarnate, come up to Yorkshire with her heathenish London ways, trying to destroy the heart of their village with… wool, knitting and sewing? It’s not like she’s opening a casino or planning to bulldoze the village for her upmarket hotel.
Anyway, as weird as that was, we then go back in time to find out why Amanda left London. Except the time line moves around in odd fits, back and forth, until she runs away. And that really irritated me. The way Amanda somehow uprooted her entire life in London, bought and set up a business overnight. Without a car. Oh, and turning off her phone so no one could contact her. Nor did she tell anyone where she went. Because Amanda’s nice and mature like that (and she does the phone trick again later, so clearly she grows and develops a lot across the book).
I’m also not the biggest fan of wandering pov that starts a paragraph with one character, then jumps from head to head along the way without warning. Add in the huge info-dump intro to each character as they first appear, and let’s just say this book and I did not get off to the best of starts.
It does improve, on the whole, though Ben and Amanda never seemed like a good couple to me. They never talk. Ever. Nor seem to actually want to spend time together unless forced. Communication issues play a big part in this book, but instead of being cute, it just underlined Amanda’s lack of maturity and Ben’s habit of jumping to the worst possible conclusion without any encouragement. I also found the Austen festival a bit odd, since Amanda says it’s perfect for Yorkshire (isn’t that the Brontes?) and it seems to be organised and put on overnight.
Overall, this book just didn’t work for me, mostly because of the writing style. Your own mileage may vary depending on how much patience you have for heroines behaving childishly and big old miscommunication in love plots. If you’re okay with those things and love a fresh start in the country type of tale, then give this a go. I hope you like it better than I did.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
May 27, 2016
4.5 Stars
You can tell I'm a Londoner, when I first spotted this book, I was convinced based on the title that it would be about a chic clothes boutique on the famous Baker Street (home of Sherlock Holmes), and when I saw the town was Westfield, all I could think of were the two large shopping centres of that name.
Regardless I am delighted to say that once I started the book (and read the blurb properly), I realised that I couldn't be more wrong, and that in fact Westfield is a delightful countryside village and Baker St just happens to be the name of the street where Amanda has bought a shop, after her life in London went wrong.
The boutique in question is called A New Lease of Life and sells shabby chic items, home made items, and things that have been upcycled. However what really makes this book the brilliant story that it is, are "The Ladies".
"The Ladies" are a group of good intention meddling women in the village, who are determined to matchmake Amanda, with the local vet, coming up with all sorts of relatively obvious schemes to get the pair together, with generally not fantastic consequences!
With a great group of personalities as well as a keen eye for scheming, they also launch a campaign to save the local town hall, while using Amanda's shop as a base, under the guise of a craft club. There are lots of crafty mentions, and at least one of them is always knitting, no matter what the situation is.
I am incredibly impressed that this is a debut novel, although with the clear talent Rachel Dove possesses it is clear why she won the Prima Prize and this publishing deal. I am eagerly looking forward to see what else this author will write.
The Chic Boutique on Baker St is a very easy read, and will have you smiling and enjoying yourself as you read it. I loved the book, and would love the various pets for myself, including Darcy, Pinky and Perky (and I'm not mentioning what animals any of those are!).
You can tell I'm a Londoner, when I first spotted this book, I was convinced based on the title that it would be about a chic clothes boutique on the famous Baker Street (home of Sherlock Holmes), and when I saw the town was Westfield, all I could think of were the two large shopping centres of that name.
Regardless I am delighted to say that once I started the book (and read the blurb properly), I realised that I couldn't be more wrong, and that in fact Westfield is a delightful countryside village and Baker St just happens to be the name of the street where Amanda has bought a shop, after her life in London went wrong.
The boutique in question is called A New Lease of Life and sells shabby chic items, home made items, and things that have been upcycled. However what really makes this book the brilliant story that it is, are "The Ladies".
"The Ladies" are a group of good intention meddling women in the village, who are determined to matchmake Amanda, with the local vet, coming up with all sorts of relatively obvious schemes to get the pair together, with generally not fantastic consequences!
With a great group of personalities as well as a keen eye for scheming, they also launch a campaign to save the local town hall, while using Amanda's shop as a base, under the guise of a craft club. There are lots of crafty mentions, and at least one of them is always knitting, no matter what the situation is.
I am incredibly impressed that this is a debut novel, although with the clear talent Rachel Dove possesses it is clear why she won the Prima Prize and this publishing deal. I am eagerly looking forward to see what else this author will write.
The Chic Boutique on Baker St is a very easy read, and will have you smiling and enjoying yourself as you read it. I loved the book, and would love the various pets for myself, including Darcy, Pinky and Perky (and I'm not mentioning what animals any of those are!).
April 19, 2016
In The Chic Boutique we follow Amanda, who has a career as a London lawyer. Things are not going great at work and when she finds her boyfriend Marcus, who also works at the firm, in the arms of another woman, she decides to up sticks and leave everything behind and move to Yorkshire. Amanda opens her dream shop of crafts and shabby boutique. Naming the new adventure New Lease of life. Her next door neighbour is a pet parlour run by the handsome local vet Ben, after litterally bumping into each other the sparks fly.
The ladies of the village, Agatha, Dotty, Hetty, Grace and Marlene set about matchmaking the couple but will Amanda and Ben fall in love? Or will they wish they never met?.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and on a certain level i did but i found parts quiet flat and at times Ben and Amanda just annoyed me with the whole will they, wont they?. There were so many missed opportunities and messing around that i wanted them to sort it out already.
The couple, i felt at times acted immature. Having said that i like the setting of the village and how everybody looked out for each other. The old ladies were refreshing. And i loved the addition of Amanda's new kittens.
I give this a 3.5 rating and would like to see more from Rachel Dove in the future.
The ladies of the village, Agatha, Dotty, Hetty, Grace and Marlene set about matchmaking the couple but will Amanda and Ben fall in love? Or will they wish they never met?.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and on a certain level i did but i found parts quiet flat and at times Ben and Amanda just annoyed me with the whole will they, wont they?. There were so many missed opportunities and messing around that i wanted them to sort it out already.
The couple, i felt at times acted immature. Having said that i like the setting of the village and how everybody looked out for each other. The old ladies were refreshing. And i loved the addition of Amanda's new kittens.
I give this a 3.5 rating and would like to see more from Rachel Dove in the future.
May 2, 2016
This book is a competition winner, and I can completely understand why. In fact I can almost hear the whoop of the judges when they opened this entry, because this is a book that has everything. The story is wonderful. It's rich and multilayered, with lots of satisfying twists and turns, and the central characters, Amanda and Ben, had me rooting for them all the way. There is also a great multi-generational cast of supporting characters, and then there's the fabulous village setting, which is so well described it made me want to up sticks and move to Baker Street. As for the shop itself, with its mix of craft and vintage, well that was lovely, and offered a fresh take on the shop theme that I enjoy.
Rachel Dove's writing is assured and fluent. Her natural story telling style lets you know you are in for a treat from the start. I also loved the touches of humour. As the book progressed I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, but at the same time I didn't want the story to end. It's a truly heartwarming romance which made me eager to hear more about the characters and the village. The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is a fabulous book, I can't wait for more from Rachel Dove.
I bought my copy of this book as a paperback, from Asda in Chesterfield
Rachel Dove's writing is assured and fluent. Her natural story telling style lets you know you are in for a treat from the start. I also loved the touches of humour. As the book progressed I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, but at the same time I didn't want the story to end. It's a truly heartwarming romance which made me eager to hear more about the characters and the village. The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is a fabulous book, I can't wait for more from Rachel Dove.
I bought my copy of this book as a paperback, from Asda in Chesterfield
March 22, 2016
The Chic Boutique On Baker Street is a light easy read romance set in the village of Westfield, Yorkshire, England.
Amanda Perry is the owner of a new boutique called "A New Lease Of Life". She has escaped her high-stress job as a commercial lawyer for a London firm after a bungled contract got her fired once she'd found her boyfriend with his trousers down being very friendly with his secretary.
A Dog grooming business called "Shampooched" runs next to Amanda's shop and she literally bumps into the owner, Ben Evans. Amanda gets a little confused about his relationship with employee Tracey, however she soon discovers he doubles up as the village vet.
Seen as potential marriage material for Ben, the local grey-haired village ladies, set about a little match-making. Led by Agatha Mayweather, the unofficial Lady of Westfield and a set of colourful characters Amanda and Ben are destined to be together. However the way is filled with pot-holes in true light romantic storylines.
Amanda Perry is the owner of a new boutique called "A New Lease Of Life". She has escaped her high-stress job as a commercial lawyer for a London firm after a bungled contract got her fired once she'd found her boyfriend with his trousers down being very friendly with his secretary.
A Dog grooming business called "Shampooched" runs next to Amanda's shop and she literally bumps into the owner, Ben Evans. Amanda gets a little confused about his relationship with employee Tracey, however she soon discovers he doubles up as the village vet.
Seen as potential marriage material for Ben, the local grey-haired village ladies, set about a little match-making. Led by Agatha Mayweather, the unofficial Lady of Westfield and a set of colourful characters Amanda and Ben are destined to be together. However the way is filled with pot-holes in true light romantic storylines.
March 16, 2016
Recently someone commented to me what is it with books lately where our heroine is giving up the city life or running away from something to start afresh in the country? Well this did make me stop and think yes they are actually right. This type of book seems to be becoming a whole new genre in itself in the last few months but I do have to admit I like this style of book as normally they are nice and easy to read. Yes they can be a bit predictable but sometimes I just want a book that takes me away from everything for a few hours and that won't require endless deep attention to keep up with the plot. The Chic Boutique on Baker Street by Rachel Dove falls into the category I have mentioned above and I am glad to say it was a truly lovely book with a fantastic, varied cast of characters and a fabulous setting of Westfield. Yes the overall plot was very easy to foresee but I didn't mind that so much as all the goings on made for a quick engaging read and I spend a few happy hours lost in the story of Amanda.
The Chic Boutique on Baker Street was the winner of the 2015 Flirty Competition with Prima Magazine and Mills and Boon so I thought to myself if this book had won a prize it must be good and have something that makes it stand out from all the rest. A cute cover combined with a snappy title that just begs read me now I knew The Chic Boutique on Baker Street would be the book ideally suited to my mood at the time. Although the opening line was a bit worrying when our main protagonist is contemplating whether a strip of ribbon would be strong enough as a makeshift noose. But thankfully the chapter then moved in a more positive turn as we start to become familiar with Amanda as she embarks upon a new life changing adventure.
Amanda is a woman running away from it all, a woman who has been hurt both personally and professionally. She has reached the end of her tether and needs out from the rat race. For so many years pressure has been heaped upon her from all sides not least her parents both of whom work in law and forever longed for Amanda to do the same. Feeling she had no choice she went down the same route as her parents and found herself working in a city law firm, the daily grind continously wearing her down. Always struggling to remain on top of things and be seen as the best woman for the job. So why when we meet Amanda has she recently moved to the village of Westfield in the glorious countryside to set up an upcycling/restoration shop called A New Lease for Life (ingenious name by the way considering the theme of the book). Let's just say men and relationships don't have always have a habit of working out the way we wish them to. There was also something else eluded to as the reason for Amanda escaping. I had a fair idea as to what it could be but wasn't fully certain as to what had gone down. Amanda was a character clearly hurting and needed a place to heal and finally do what she wanted career wise. Working as a lawyer was not to be her destiny. Fabrics and creating were a love she had kept hidden. But now she may just have the opportunity to fulfil a life long desire.
Ben was the local village vet who also was hurting from recent events in his past. Unfortunately an incident with a sandwich board outside his dog grooming business meant himself and Amanda didn't see eye to eye from the beginning. Both Ben and Amanda were great characters and over the course of the book provided us with plenty of laugh out loud moments.
Rachel Dove had a nice, simple flow to her writing and there were no lulls or dare I say boring moments at any point in the story. OK so she did tease things out a bit but it would have been no fun to read a book where everything was plain sailing, even at times when the actions of characters did prove to be very frustrating. Again maybe it was the impatient side of me coming through I really did feel for Amanda when she said 'there must be more to life than feeling the need to conceal half of your personality every day'. I think most of us do that in some form or other at some stage in our lives and I could see with a little bit of gentle persuasion and a nudge in the right direction Amanda would let this go and embrace whole heartedly the person she was truly meant to be. I certainly enjoyed watching this unfold over the course of the book.
Ben and Amanda both get off on the wrong foot. They view each other as annoying and hard to deal with yet there is a vague spark ignited between the pair and as a reader you are rooting for a positive, happy outcome for the pair considering the troubles they have endured romantically in the past. Really Amanda and Ben needed their heads banged together to gain some sense, there were so many misunderstandings and miscommunications. Innocent comments meant they rubbed each other up the wrong way and only lead to more stand off’s between the pair. Just as you thought they were getting closer one or the other would have a weird look or take something up the wrong way and they would then be awkward around each other or misinterpret what had been said. Truly they were the most frustrating duo and I think their fellow villagers felt the same and wanted to sort them out as losing Amanda or Ben from the village would be a true loss when the village is really starting to come to life. I loved how the 'older' residents of the village stuck together and put their little mischievous plans into action. For once in a book they did not come across as meddling and interfering rather they had love, happiness and friendship as their main goal and ambition. They wanted to see love's young dream come to fruition.
Normally in books similar this the Agatha Mayweather character would be seen as the hate figure in the village out to ruin everyone's fun with her prim and proper ways, allways opposed to anything that would enhance or benefit the village. So it was a delight to find the lady of the manor even though regimented in her ways and organisational skills had beneath it all a heart of gold. She was warm and welcoming and always wanted to help others. Amanda really appreciated the fact that Agatha took her under her wing and gave her the boost and start she needed to begin to relax and enjoy village life and put the recent past behind her. Agatha together with Dotty, Grace, Hetty and Marlene formed a tight little unit who could achieve anything whilst gossiping over a cup of tea and a ball of wool. A knit and a natter can achieve anything! The women weren't adverse to a little match making for Agatha too as they wanted her to have happiness and not become lonely after the death of her beloved husband. Her two gorgeous hounds or children as she liked to call them could only provide so much love but the group knew there was love waiting for Agatha right under her nose if only she could open her eyes to see it. Agatha's storyline was just genuinely lovely and heart warming and restores your faith that love is always out there for everybody no matter what stage of life you are at.
The Chic Boutique on Baker Street really is a wonderful read which you will race through in a couple of hours. You'll be eager to know the outcome as to whether Amanda finds happiness in Westfield or will the past rear it's ugly head once more? The 'silver knitting brigade are a delightful addition not to mention the animals dotted throughout that Ben tends to. I'm always a sucker for a cute animal in a book which then adds extra comedy value. I can see why Rachel Dove won the competition with this book as it was an enjoyable, fun read from beginning to end. Hopefully there will be a lot more to come from this author in the future as she seems to have a the ability to tell a brilliant story. I'll certainly be on the look out for her next release.
The Chic Boutique on Baker Street was the winner of the 2015 Flirty Competition with Prima Magazine and Mills and Boon so I thought to myself if this book had won a prize it must be good and have something that makes it stand out from all the rest. A cute cover combined with a snappy title that just begs read me now I knew The Chic Boutique on Baker Street would be the book ideally suited to my mood at the time. Although the opening line was a bit worrying when our main protagonist is contemplating whether a strip of ribbon would be strong enough as a makeshift noose. But thankfully the chapter then moved in a more positive turn as we start to become familiar with Amanda as she embarks upon a new life changing adventure.
Amanda is a woman running away from it all, a woman who has been hurt both personally and professionally. She has reached the end of her tether and needs out from the rat race. For so many years pressure has been heaped upon her from all sides not least her parents both of whom work in law and forever longed for Amanda to do the same. Feeling she had no choice she went down the same route as her parents and found herself working in a city law firm, the daily grind continously wearing her down. Always struggling to remain on top of things and be seen as the best woman for the job. So why when we meet Amanda has she recently moved to the village of Westfield in the glorious countryside to set up an upcycling/restoration shop called A New Lease for Life (ingenious name by the way considering the theme of the book). Let's just say men and relationships don't have always have a habit of working out the way we wish them to. There was also something else eluded to as the reason for Amanda escaping. I had a fair idea as to what it could be but wasn't fully certain as to what had gone down. Amanda was a character clearly hurting and needed a place to heal and finally do what she wanted career wise. Working as a lawyer was not to be her destiny. Fabrics and creating were a love she had kept hidden. But now she may just have the opportunity to fulfil a life long desire.
Ben was the local village vet who also was hurting from recent events in his past. Unfortunately an incident with a sandwich board outside his dog grooming business meant himself and Amanda didn't see eye to eye from the beginning. Both Ben and Amanda were great characters and over the course of the book provided us with plenty of laugh out loud moments.
Rachel Dove had a nice, simple flow to her writing and there were no lulls or dare I say boring moments at any point in the story. OK so she did tease things out a bit but it would have been no fun to read a book where everything was plain sailing, even at times when the actions of characters did prove to be very frustrating. Again maybe it was the impatient side of me coming through I really did feel for Amanda when she said 'there must be more to life than feeling the need to conceal half of your personality every day'. I think most of us do that in some form or other at some stage in our lives and I could see with a little bit of gentle persuasion and a nudge in the right direction Amanda would let this go and embrace whole heartedly the person she was truly meant to be. I certainly enjoyed watching this unfold over the course of the book.
Ben and Amanda both get off on the wrong foot. They view each other as annoying and hard to deal with yet there is a vague spark ignited between the pair and as a reader you are rooting for a positive, happy outcome for the pair considering the troubles they have endured romantically in the past. Really Amanda and Ben needed their heads banged together to gain some sense, there were so many misunderstandings and miscommunications. Innocent comments meant they rubbed each other up the wrong way and only lead to more stand off’s between the pair. Just as you thought they were getting closer one or the other would have a weird look or take something up the wrong way and they would then be awkward around each other or misinterpret what had been said. Truly they were the most frustrating duo and I think their fellow villagers felt the same and wanted to sort them out as losing Amanda or Ben from the village would be a true loss when the village is really starting to come to life. I loved how the 'older' residents of the village stuck together and put their little mischievous plans into action. For once in a book they did not come across as meddling and interfering rather they had love, happiness and friendship as their main goal and ambition. They wanted to see love's young dream come to fruition.
Normally in books similar this the Agatha Mayweather character would be seen as the hate figure in the village out to ruin everyone's fun with her prim and proper ways, allways opposed to anything that would enhance or benefit the village. So it was a delight to find the lady of the manor even though regimented in her ways and organisational skills had beneath it all a heart of gold. She was warm and welcoming and always wanted to help others. Amanda really appreciated the fact that Agatha took her under her wing and gave her the boost and start she needed to begin to relax and enjoy village life and put the recent past behind her. Agatha together with Dotty, Grace, Hetty and Marlene formed a tight little unit who could achieve anything whilst gossiping over a cup of tea and a ball of wool. A knit and a natter can achieve anything! The women weren't adverse to a little match making for Agatha too as they wanted her to have happiness and not become lonely after the death of her beloved husband. Her two gorgeous hounds or children as she liked to call them could only provide so much love but the group knew there was love waiting for Agatha right under her nose if only she could open her eyes to see it. Agatha's storyline was just genuinely lovely and heart warming and restores your faith that love is always out there for everybody no matter what stage of life you are at.
The Chic Boutique on Baker Street really is a wonderful read which you will race through in a couple of hours. You'll be eager to know the outcome as to whether Amanda finds happiness in Westfield or will the past rear it's ugly head once more? The 'silver knitting brigade are a delightful addition not to mention the animals dotted throughout that Ben tends to. I'm always a sucker for a cute animal in a book which then adds extra comedy value. I can see why Rachel Dove won the competition with this book as it was an enjoyable, fun read from beginning to end. Hopefully there will be a lot more to come from this author in the future as she seems to have a the ability to tell a brilliant story. I'll certainly be on the look out for her next release.
November 25, 2018
I really enjoyed this, it made me smile, and gave me the feel-good factor :)
It's a standard romance/chic lit book, and I have become addicted to them.
This one is just so enjoyable, and such an easy read.
Onto book 2 in the series now!
It's a standard romance/chic lit book, and I have become addicted to them.
This one is just so enjoyable, and such an easy read.
Onto book 2 in the series now!
February 22, 2020
Easy holiday read, happy ending!
April 25, 2016
Fun, feel-good and fabulous, contemporary women’s fiction has got a brand new star and her name is Rachel Dove!
To the outside world, Amanda Perry looks like a woman who has got the world at her feet: she’s got a high-powered job as a lawyer, is in the running to make partner at her law firm, has got a gorgeous fiance and an enviable wardrobe and all the designer heels a woman could wish for. But in one fell swoop Amanda loses everything: she catches her fiance cheating on her with his secretary, loses the firm a multi-million pound deal and ends up getting the sack! With no job, no fiance and no prospects, Amanda decides that the time has come for her to leave London behind, pack her bags, put her flat on the market and head to the small Yorkshire town of Westfield to lick her wounds and start afresh.
Taking over the lease of an antiques shop to fulfill her dream of opening up a boutique selling handmade crafts will enable Amanda to strike out on her own and be the mistress of her own destiny for a change – as opposed to doing someone else’s bidding. But no sooner does she set foot in Westfield that she finds herself incurring the wrath of local vet – and the village’s most eligible bachelor – Ben Evans who immediately informs her that her business is doomed to fail!
Amanda is absolutely incensed. When she moved to Westfield she had been adamant that she was not going to let anyone – least of all a man – call the shots and push her around! Determined to prove Ben wrong and to make a go of her business, Amanda rolls up her sleeves and gets to work to turn her boutique into a roaring success. Amanda wants to show Ben that he has seriously underestimated her. Not that she cares one single jot what Ben – with his good looks, charismatic smile and killer physique – thinks of her, of course!
Ben is Westfield’s golden boy, but he has had his fair share of problems. Having had his heart broken before, Ben had vowed to give romance a very wide berth and to keep his emotions under lock and key. But Ben hadn’t counted on Westfield’s coterie of single-minded old ladies who are determined to set him up with Amanda. Ben is initially appalled, but the more time he spends in Amanda’s company, the more he begins to warm to the idea of having her in his life.
Are Amanda and Ben ready to put their hearts on the line again? Or will they continue to be haunted by past mistakes and old fears?
The first page was all it took for me to fall helplessly in love with this book! Sparkling with warmth, humour, magic, charm and heart, The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is a gorgeous contemporary romance that I just couldn’t bear to put down! Heartwarming, hilarious and wonderfully written, The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is a first class tale about second chances, learning to trust yourself and finding the courage to love again that has got keeper written all over it!
I adored Amanda. She was a wonderful heroine who was funny, intelligent and smart and Ben is an absolutely gorgeous hero who’d make any romance reader swoon. Add a fabulous cast of supporting characters who will make you roar with laughter and an idyllic rural village you’d love to live in and you have an outstanding story that you will not be able to resist.
A bucolic charmer from a wonderful new voice in women’s fiction, The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is pure gold!
To the outside world, Amanda Perry looks like a woman who has got the world at her feet: she’s got a high-powered job as a lawyer, is in the running to make partner at her law firm, has got a gorgeous fiance and an enviable wardrobe and all the designer heels a woman could wish for. But in one fell swoop Amanda loses everything: she catches her fiance cheating on her with his secretary, loses the firm a multi-million pound deal and ends up getting the sack! With no job, no fiance and no prospects, Amanda decides that the time has come for her to leave London behind, pack her bags, put her flat on the market and head to the small Yorkshire town of Westfield to lick her wounds and start afresh.
Taking over the lease of an antiques shop to fulfill her dream of opening up a boutique selling handmade crafts will enable Amanda to strike out on her own and be the mistress of her own destiny for a change – as opposed to doing someone else’s bidding. But no sooner does she set foot in Westfield that she finds herself incurring the wrath of local vet – and the village’s most eligible bachelor – Ben Evans who immediately informs her that her business is doomed to fail!
Amanda is absolutely incensed. When she moved to Westfield she had been adamant that she was not going to let anyone – least of all a man – call the shots and push her around! Determined to prove Ben wrong and to make a go of her business, Amanda rolls up her sleeves and gets to work to turn her boutique into a roaring success. Amanda wants to show Ben that he has seriously underestimated her. Not that she cares one single jot what Ben – with his good looks, charismatic smile and killer physique – thinks of her, of course!
Ben is Westfield’s golden boy, but he has had his fair share of problems. Having had his heart broken before, Ben had vowed to give romance a very wide berth and to keep his emotions under lock and key. But Ben hadn’t counted on Westfield’s coterie of single-minded old ladies who are determined to set him up with Amanda. Ben is initially appalled, but the more time he spends in Amanda’s company, the more he begins to warm to the idea of having her in his life.
Are Amanda and Ben ready to put their hearts on the line again? Or will they continue to be haunted by past mistakes and old fears?
The first page was all it took for me to fall helplessly in love with this book! Sparkling with warmth, humour, magic, charm and heart, The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is a gorgeous contemporary romance that I just couldn’t bear to put down! Heartwarming, hilarious and wonderfully written, The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is a first class tale about second chances, learning to trust yourself and finding the courage to love again that has got keeper written all over it!
I adored Amanda. She was a wonderful heroine who was funny, intelligent and smart and Ben is an absolutely gorgeous hero who’d make any romance reader swoon. Add a fabulous cast of supporting characters who will make you roar with laughter and an idyllic rural village you’d love to live in and you have an outstanding story that you will not be able to resist.
A bucolic charmer from a wonderful new voice in women’s fiction, The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is pure gold!
March 3, 2016
4.5 - "These women of Westfield, they can do anything they put their minds to." Stars!
For the first book I have read by this author, Rachel Dove exceeded my expectations with The Chic Boutique on Baker Street, I didn’t want to put it down, it was such an enjoyable read.
Amanda Perry has upped sticks from the big city after a massive life changing decision and moved to the quiet town of Westfield, in Yorkshire where she plans to open her own upcycling and crafts shop A New Lease of Life. This quiet, sleepy town is the absolute opposite of everything she has known living in the city and working for an influential company, but she is determined to make a go of things, especially after pouring a rather sizeable chunk of her life savings into the venture. Her first meeting with local bachelor, Vet and Dog Grooming Parlour owner Ben Evans, goes down a less than friendly path much to the dismay of the many and varied retires of the village, who then set about some serious scheming and various matchmaking ploys in an attempt to try and bring them together.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it, poodle primper.
This was such an entertaining and easy-going wholly British read, the author took the time to give the relevant parts of Amanda and Ben’s pasts to enable you to understand why they are both reluctant to risk themselves again in a relationship together, I liked that you are also given the 'real-time' occurrence of events back in London, post Amanda’s leaving her job. And I absolutely loved the various secondary characters that made up their story, the ladies of Westfield certainly have mad skills in the way they repeatedly put Ben and Amanda in situations that would then hopefully help to build on the mutual attraction the pair felt for each other and I really liked that the author included several of their POV’s in the telling of the story as a whole.
"This is my home now."
I can’t say they was anything massively new or different about the plot, you can pretty much see where everything is going and how everyone is going to end up from pretty early on in the book, but it was extremely well written, I loved the feeling of community with the townsfolk all playing their part in the story-line. Ben and Amanda were both characters that you cannot help but like and root for, and it was just a really warm and comforting read, a few laughs a little drama, and plenty of smiles along the way.
I hope that the author is given the opportunity to add to this book, and make it a series. Elaine and Simon, both singletons and new to the village of Westfield are introduced into the plot at the very end, and I am sure that there is a story there desperate to be told. I will certainly be keeping an eye on this authors updates in the future.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
For the first book I have read by this author, Rachel Dove exceeded my expectations with The Chic Boutique on Baker Street, I didn’t want to put it down, it was such an enjoyable read.
Amanda Perry has upped sticks from the big city after a massive life changing decision and moved to the quiet town of Westfield, in Yorkshire where she plans to open her own upcycling and crafts shop A New Lease of Life. This quiet, sleepy town is the absolute opposite of everything she has known living in the city and working for an influential company, but she is determined to make a go of things, especially after pouring a rather sizeable chunk of her life savings into the venture. Her first meeting with local bachelor, Vet and Dog Grooming Parlour owner Ben Evans, goes down a less than friendly path much to the dismay of the many and varied retires of the village, who then set about some serious scheming and various matchmaking ploys in an attempt to try and bring them together.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it, poodle primper.
This was such an entertaining and easy-going wholly British read, the author took the time to give the relevant parts of Amanda and Ben’s pasts to enable you to understand why they are both reluctant to risk themselves again in a relationship together, I liked that you are also given the 'real-time' occurrence of events back in London, post Amanda’s leaving her job. And I absolutely loved the various secondary characters that made up their story, the ladies of Westfield certainly have mad skills in the way they repeatedly put Ben and Amanda in situations that would then hopefully help to build on the mutual attraction the pair felt for each other and I really liked that the author included several of their POV’s in the telling of the story as a whole.
"This is my home now."
I can’t say they was anything massively new or different about the plot, you can pretty much see where everything is going and how everyone is going to end up from pretty early on in the book, but it was extremely well written, I loved the feeling of community with the townsfolk all playing their part in the story-line. Ben and Amanda were both characters that you cannot help but like and root for, and it was just a really warm and comforting read, a few laughs a little drama, and plenty of smiles along the way.
I hope that the author is given the opportunity to add to this book, and make it a series. Elaine and Simon, both singletons and new to the village of Westfield are introduced into the plot at the very end, and I am sure that there is a story there desperate to be told. I will certainly be keeping an eye on this authors updates in the future.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
April 25, 2016
The chic boutique on Barker Street by Rachel Dove
Genre: romantic fiction
Release Date: 21st April 2016
Publisher: Mills & Boon
The perfect escape to the country…
Recently single and tired of the London rat race Amanda is determined to make her dreams of setting up an idyllic countryside boutique come true, and the picturesque village of Westfield is the perfect place to
make a fresh start.
Local vet Ben is the golden boy of Westfield, especially to resident gossip Agatha Mayweather, who is determined to help Ben get his life back together after his wife left.
When a chance encounter outside the ‘chic boutique’ sets sparks flying between Amanda and Ben, Agatha is itching to set them up. But are Amanda and Ben really ready for romance?
The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is the debut novel from Rachel Dove, winner of The Prima Flirty Fiction Competition. You won’t be able to resist this heart-warming romantic story set in an idyllic Yorkshire village, full of lovable characters and laugh-out-loud moments…as Amanda finds her way to a second chance at life and love. This is the reading escape you’ve been looking for!
WHAT I SAY
Wow what a lovely warm book I really liked this book a brilliant debut
I loved the sound of the village and the friendly warm community . I wanted to live there the description were so clear I could picture it in my mind . The characters were brilliant you could relate to them all very warm and friendly I like them all some make me laugh so much .A wonderful warm community spirt .
Amanda move to this quiet village for a new life why ? You will have to read to see why?
I like the way you are dip fed her past by bringing in characters from it a very nice way to do it .
Ben was the local vet I love his character he was just a lovely gentle guy I like how he and Amanda met it was not the best way to met but you could feel the chemistry between them .you get to know more about there past as the story moves along
I enjoyed the community all helping them out pointing them in the to right direction trying to help with a bit of match making it will make you smile and laugh .
This story packed with love ,fun,pets,romance,humour and lovely warm characters it a boy mets girl book .
what more could you want it a wonderful story I hope there will be more to follow on as it a lovely warm village full of great places and characters you will be glue to the plot
It very easy to read your pulled into the plot straight away you will be rooting for Amanda and Ben
A lovely book
Thank you netgalley for letting me read and review and brooks tours for letting me be in the book tour
BUY LINKS
AMAZON UK
WH SMITH
WATERSTONES
ABOUT RACHEL DOVE
Rachel Louise Dove is a mum of two from Yorkshire. She has always loved writing and has a had previous success as a self-published author. Rachel is the winner of the Mills & Boon Flirty Fiction competition.
Her first novel, Crossing Life Lines is out now in Kindle and paperback format.
Facebook
Twitter - @WriterDove
Goodreads
Instagram
Google+
Genre: romantic fiction
Release Date: 21st April 2016
Publisher: Mills & Boon
The perfect escape to the country…
Recently single and tired of the London rat race Amanda is determined to make her dreams of setting up an idyllic countryside boutique come true, and the picturesque village of Westfield is the perfect place to
make a fresh start.
Local vet Ben is the golden boy of Westfield, especially to resident gossip Agatha Mayweather, who is determined to help Ben get his life back together after his wife left.
When a chance encounter outside the ‘chic boutique’ sets sparks flying between Amanda and Ben, Agatha is itching to set them up. But are Amanda and Ben really ready for romance?
The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is the debut novel from Rachel Dove, winner of The Prima Flirty Fiction Competition. You won’t be able to resist this heart-warming romantic story set in an idyllic Yorkshire village, full of lovable characters and laugh-out-loud moments…as Amanda finds her way to a second chance at life and love. This is the reading escape you’ve been looking for!
WHAT I SAY
Wow what a lovely warm book I really liked this book a brilliant debut
I loved the sound of the village and the friendly warm community . I wanted to live there the description were so clear I could picture it in my mind . The characters were brilliant you could relate to them all very warm and friendly I like them all some make me laugh so much .A wonderful warm community spirt .
Amanda move to this quiet village for a new life why ? You will have to read to see why?
I like the way you are dip fed her past by bringing in characters from it a very nice way to do it .
Ben was the local vet I love his character he was just a lovely gentle guy I like how he and Amanda met it was not the best way to met but you could feel the chemistry between them .you get to know more about there past as the story moves along
I enjoyed the community all helping them out pointing them in the to right direction trying to help with a bit of match making it will make you smile and laugh .
This story packed with love ,fun,pets,romance,humour and lovely warm characters it a boy mets girl book .
what more could you want it a wonderful story I hope there will be more to follow on as it a lovely warm village full of great places and characters you will be glue to the plot
It very easy to read your pulled into the plot straight away you will be rooting for Amanda and Ben
A lovely book
Thank you netgalley for letting me read and review and brooks tours for letting me be in the book tour
BUY LINKS
AMAZON UK
WH SMITH
WATERSTONES
ABOUT RACHEL DOVE
Rachel Louise Dove is a mum of two from Yorkshire. She has always loved writing and has a had previous success as a self-published author. Rachel is the winner of the Mills & Boon Flirty Fiction competition.
Her first novel, Crossing Life Lines is out now in Kindle and paperback format.
Twitter - @WriterDove
Goodreads
Google+
May 2, 2016
For some bizarre reason I was convinced this was a cozy mystery for the first quarter of the book - clearly I had cozy mysteries on the brain and expected every book to be one. This is most clearly one of my beloved shop fiction reads! The story centres around The Chic Boutique run by Amanda, who is a sweet girl trying to get over a horrible disappointment in her previous job. That is an understatement, and I will say it does plague her throughout the book, but there is very much a happy ending. Her previous boyfriend is a moron on many levels which I'll leave you to find out for yourself.
As with all my shop fiction reads (I did kind of make up the genre, it might exist somewhere...) I adore how Amanda starts from scratch with her boutique. It's so cool that she lives above the shop too. At first she encounters a few problems, mostly lack of customers. However, the super friendly (aka extremely nosy and interfering but in a nice way) women of the community soon drag Amanda into their circles, getting her to help them in exchange for getting her more custom. As the friendships deepen so too does Amanda's creativity when she sees more of country life. I loved seeing her imagination create cute craft items, and have her expand on the original vision for her shop.
All the characters are likable, especially Agatha and her gang. I giggled so much at their interfering with Amanda and Ben's relationship, and laughed harder when Amanda got her own back on Agatha. Agatha is a widow, and no one messes with her...until Amanda turns the tables! While not my focus of any story, the romance between Amanda and Ben was sweet. I was thrilled to bits when she got some kittens - it only added to the brilliance of owning a shop (& living above it). There are a few glitches, naturally, which propelled Amanda to change direction in her personal life. I can honestly say I don't think I've hated anyone's parents as much as I did hers (& her ex). They just don't care for her happiness at all, which thankfully she finds in and around Baker Street.
This is definitely a feel good, funny, upbeat + inspiring must read & a reread - and please can someone make an audiobook version? I really really want to listen on it while I crochet and sew!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...
As with all my shop fiction reads (I did kind of make up the genre, it might exist somewhere...) I adore how Amanda starts from scratch with her boutique. It's so cool that she lives above the shop too. At first she encounters a few problems, mostly lack of customers. However, the super friendly (aka extremely nosy and interfering but in a nice way) women of the community soon drag Amanda into their circles, getting her to help them in exchange for getting her more custom. As the friendships deepen so too does Amanda's creativity when she sees more of country life. I loved seeing her imagination create cute craft items, and have her expand on the original vision for her shop.
All the characters are likable, especially Agatha and her gang. I giggled so much at their interfering with Amanda and Ben's relationship, and laughed harder when Amanda got her own back on Agatha. Agatha is a widow, and no one messes with her...until Amanda turns the tables! While not my focus of any story, the romance between Amanda and Ben was sweet. I was thrilled to bits when she got some kittens - it only added to the brilliance of owning a shop (& living above it). There are a few glitches, naturally, which propelled Amanda to change direction in her personal life. I can honestly say I don't think I've hated anyone's parents as much as I did hers (& her ex). They just don't care for her happiness at all, which thankfully she finds in and around Baker Street.
This is definitely a feel good, funny, upbeat + inspiring must read & a reread - and please can someone make an audiobook version? I really really want to listen on it while I crochet and sew!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...
March 3, 2016
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to JB for letting me take part in this tour. I had already requested this book from Netgalley so when I saw JB was also organizing a tour I knew I had to be part of it.
This is Rachel's debut book and let me tell you what a book.
We follow the story of Amanda and Ben. Amanda has just left London, almost on a whim, to move the the Yorkshire village of Westfield. She's tired of the constant pressure and stress of being a lawyer and has decided to try out village life.
Ben is the local vet. He's had his heart broken before and he's keeping himself pretty closed off. When Amanda turns up in the village he thinks she's just another City Girl looking for a little quite. He thinks that the novelty will wear off and then him and the rest of the village will have to pick up the pieces.
As the book progresses we see the sparks flying between these two but for some reason they just can't seem to get on the same page.
Rachel really hooks you into this story. I was racing through every page to find out what would happen next and willing these two to wake up and realise that they are perfect for each other.
I loved the brigade of village women trying to match-make. While a little meddling they had the best of intentions at heart and I would love to have an army like that looking out for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut book from Rachel and I cannot wait to see what is next from her.
This is Rachel's debut book and let me tell you what a book.
We follow the story of Amanda and Ben. Amanda has just left London, almost on a whim, to move the the Yorkshire village of Westfield. She's tired of the constant pressure and stress of being a lawyer and has decided to try out village life.
Ben is the local vet. He's had his heart broken before and he's keeping himself pretty closed off. When Amanda turns up in the village he thinks she's just another City Girl looking for a little quite. He thinks that the novelty will wear off and then him and the rest of the village will have to pick up the pieces.
As the book progresses we see the sparks flying between these two but for some reason they just can't seem to get on the same page.
Rachel really hooks you into this story. I was racing through every page to find out what would happen next and willing these two to wake up and realise that they are perfect for each other.
I loved the brigade of village women trying to match-make. While a little meddling they had the best of intentions at heart and I would love to have an army like that looking out for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut book from Rachel and I cannot wait to see what is next from her.
April 25, 2016
3.5 stars. I really liked it!
The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is a fresh and fast paced read about a woman trying to start a new life after a big delusion in her city life.
Amanda, the main character, is a very likable woman with a broken heart who decides to move to the rather traditional Westfield in search of a better and more comfortable life. After being a lawyer all her life, Amanda is very pleased with her craft shop, if only the golden boy of town, Ben, the vet next door wasn’t stealing all her thoughts.
I really liked how this book was narrated, it felt simple and light. This book is told in various POVs, unraveling little by little about the characters’ past and what are the motivations behind their actions.
One of my favorite things about this book is the setting. Westfield comes to life in the actions of these eccentric and colorful characters, especially Agatha and her group of friends. They plan a variety of brilliant schemes to see Ben and Amanda together, even though they aren’t looking for love. And that was fun and fantastic to read.
The book is complete with some unexpected twists and turns and a very satisfying ending.
The only thing I didn’t like about The Chic Boutique on Baker Street, is the shifts in the POV, they somehow felt disorganized, like, they change in the same chapter in the most unexpected moment and sometimes it was difficult to know who was thinking what.
Except for that, The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is an enjoyable read that will please fans of romance and summer-like reads.
The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is a fresh and fast paced read about a woman trying to start a new life after a big delusion in her city life.
Amanda, the main character, is a very likable woman with a broken heart who decides to move to the rather traditional Westfield in search of a better and more comfortable life. After being a lawyer all her life, Amanda is very pleased with her craft shop, if only the golden boy of town, Ben, the vet next door wasn’t stealing all her thoughts.
I really liked how this book was narrated, it felt simple and light. This book is told in various POVs, unraveling little by little about the characters’ past and what are the motivations behind their actions.
One of my favorite things about this book is the setting. Westfield comes to life in the actions of these eccentric and colorful characters, especially Agatha and her group of friends. They plan a variety of brilliant schemes to see Ben and Amanda together, even though they aren’t looking for love. And that was fun and fantastic to read.
The book is complete with some unexpected twists and turns and a very satisfying ending.
The only thing I didn’t like about The Chic Boutique on Baker Street, is the shifts in the POV, they somehow felt disorganized, like, they change in the same chapter in the most unexpected moment and sometimes it was difficult to know who was thinking what.
Except for that, The Chic Boutique on Baker Street is an enjoyable read that will please fans of romance and summer-like reads.
April 24, 2016
This is such a sweet romantic story. A real feel good tale to warm the cockles of your heart and ideal for a holiday read.
Amanda is a high flying lawyer in London until a situation arises and she makes an escape to the country. Leaving behind her ‘other half’ and over bearing parents. They have been dominant in her career choice and she needs to escape.
She arrives in Westfield with the intention of opening a shop. Fitting into a tight knit community is not always easy for an out-sider but the local ladies soon take her under their proverbial wings.
She meets Ben the resident village vet, there appears to be some friction between the pair but calm eventually prevails as the story unfolds. I really liked the supporting characters, the relationship between Agatha and Taylor rubbed along nicely in parallel with Amanda and Ben.
There is such a charm to the group and you feel yourself being drawn into the social hub and can visualise the whole village scene. Pinky, Perky and Darcy added a cute touch. I really enjoyed this, you know what you are going to get and it moves along at a reassuring pace. It’s somewhere I would be quite happy to live!
Thanks to the author, publisher, Netgalley and Brook Cottage Books for the ARC.
Amanda is a high flying lawyer in London until a situation arises and she makes an escape to the country. Leaving behind her ‘other half’ and over bearing parents. They have been dominant in her career choice and she needs to escape.
She arrives in Westfield with the intention of opening a shop. Fitting into a tight knit community is not always easy for an out-sider but the local ladies soon take her under their proverbial wings.
She meets Ben the resident village vet, there appears to be some friction between the pair but calm eventually prevails as the story unfolds. I really liked the supporting characters, the relationship between Agatha and Taylor rubbed along nicely in parallel with Amanda and Ben.
There is such a charm to the group and you feel yourself being drawn into the social hub and can visualise the whole village scene. Pinky, Perky and Darcy added a cute touch. I really enjoyed this, you know what you are going to get and it moves along at a reassuring pace. It’s somewhere I would be quite happy to live!
Thanks to the author, publisher, Netgalley and Brook Cottage Books for the ARC.
May 8, 2016
The author of this book won the Prima Flirty Fiction Competition and I can see why. This is such a fun and light-hearted book with a lovely cosy feeling to it.
Rachel has certainly woven a good yarn (no pun intended!) with this story of a once city high flyer setting up a handmade arts boutique. There are many ups and downs and if I had one slight criticism it would be about the misunderstandings throughout the book - they just made me impatient - however I can see that in the end they did add to the story line.
The ladies of the village who initially seem wary of Rachel rally round her to the last and form a formidable ally for her. I could identify with many of them and Rachel's descriptions of them really brought them to life for me.
My favourite part of the book was when Amanda realised who was on her side and who wasn't and the spectacular showdown which ensued.
Overall this is a good chill out read, not taxing, just go with the flow.
I'm giving this book four out of five stars. My thanks go to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an advance copy of this book to review.
Rachel has certainly woven a good yarn (no pun intended!) with this story of a once city high flyer setting up a handmade arts boutique. There are many ups and downs and if I had one slight criticism it would be about the misunderstandings throughout the book - they just made me impatient - however I can see that in the end they did add to the story line.
The ladies of the village who initially seem wary of Rachel rally round her to the last and form a formidable ally for her. I could identify with many of them and Rachel's descriptions of them really brought them to life for me.
My favourite part of the book was when Amanda realised who was on her side and who wasn't and the spectacular showdown which ensued.
Overall this is a good chill out read, not taxing, just go with the flow.
I'm giving this book four out of five stars. My thanks go to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an advance copy of this book to review.
April 24, 2016
This wonderful clean romance will make you believe in love again.
It does not promise or deliver a smooth path to either romance or love, but it does make me believe that love can find a way.
I loved the little old (or little bit older) ladies of Westfield.
This could have gone so many less than desireable ways for poor Amanda, but with the support of some good new friends, unlike any she has ever known before, her desire for a new life has a chance to take root.
Star crossed lovers, or maybe just could be friends, with misunderstandings and bad timing, they are not able to see clearly what is right in front of them.
For a small town that doesn't approve of change and thinks outsiders are not made to fit in, this story makes your heart grow another size or two larger before it is through.
It does not promise or deliver a smooth path to either romance or love, but it does make me believe that love can find a way.
I loved the little old (or little bit older) ladies of Westfield.
This could have gone so many less than desireable ways for poor Amanda, but with the support of some good new friends, unlike any she has ever known before, her desire for a new life has a chance to take root.
Star crossed lovers, or maybe just could be friends, with misunderstandings and bad timing, they are not able to see clearly what is right in front of them.
For a small town that doesn't approve of change and thinks outsiders are not made to fit in, this story makes your heart grow another size or two larger before it is through.
October 20, 2016
This was a really good book to read with a great story line. A classic story of boy meets girl, neither send the right signals to each other and their friends matchmake for them.
Amanda, working in London decides to up stcks and move to Westfield where she encounters Ben, local boy who is also the Vet. Ben thinks she's there to have her fun then move back to London so things don't start off well.
Agatha Mayweather, local landowner has a big heart and loves to matchmake. Combine Agatha with her friends Dotty, Hetty and everyone else; add in Pinky and Perky along with Darcy and the Bennett sisters and alot of fun is had...
I really hope there's at least another book to come set in Westfield. The ending to this book cries out for a sequel if not a series of books.
Amanda, working in London decides to up stcks and move to Westfield where she encounters Ben, local boy who is also the Vet. Ben thinks she's there to have her fun then move back to London so things don't start off well.
Agatha Mayweather, local landowner has a big heart and loves to matchmake. Combine Agatha with her friends Dotty, Hetty and everyone else; add in Pinky and Perky along with Darcy and the Bennett sisters and alot of fun is had...
I really hope there's at least another book to come set in Westfield. The ending to this book cries out for a sequel if not a series of books.
March 3, 2016
ARC provided via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the small town setting in this book a lot. It was a very cosy atmosphere and the people were really sweet and heart-warming. I really like the elderly ladies, they were absolutely cute and hilarious.
Unfortunately I had some problems connecting with the main protagonists. Their relationship felt very rushed and couldn't completely reach me emotionally.
I was also hoping that the boutique woud play a bigger role in the book but it felt like it was only a means to the end.
The story pace was flowing positively and I enjoyed the author's writing style.
I enjoyed the small town setting in this book a lot. It was a very cosy atmosphere and the people were really sweet and heart-warming. I really like the elderly ladies, they were absolutely cute and hilarious.
Unfortunately I had some problems connecting with the main protagonists. Their relationship felt very rushed and couldn't completely reach me emotionally.
I was also hoping that the boutique woud play a bigger role in the book but it felt like it was only a means to the end.
The story pace was flowing positively and I enjoyed the author's writing style.
March 25, 2016
What's not to like about this novel, its a light, modern romance. Amanda moves from London to an old fashioned country village called Westfield. It's a place where everyone knows your business. Amanda sets up her upcycling boutique shop and meets the town village vet, Ben, while next door. Amanda is single and Ben is divorced so the village sets out to make them a couple. Luckily Amanda and Ben are attracted to each other. But sparks fly between them and can the villagers give them a final push to true love?
March 4, 2016
full review to follow
June 11, 2016
This was a satisfying romance which had frequent moments of humour.
September 21, 2016
sweet and tender romance- liked the characters, dialogue, unique story.
October 30, 2016
Absolutely brilliant! My mouth dropped open at some of Taylor's comments, I felt frustration with Amanda and Ben and chuckled my way through. Brilliant characters. When can I move to Westfield??
March 14, 2016
Review to follow soon!!!
January 20, 2021
Well, this is what it is - chick lit. Light entertainment without thinking too much. There is the usual will they won't they relationship between the main protagonists - Ben and Amanda - and the peripheral characters who drive the story with comic entertainment. In this case it's the mother hens of the village of Westfield.
The character of Amanda is good, but I do feel that for someone so driven and educated, falling hook, line and sinker for someone like Marcus was a tad too much, but I suppose some people do go blindly into mistakes for love. Ben is frustrating but, well, he is a man!
This book won't win heavy literature awards, nor will it be a feature on the bookshelf for me, but it's the literary version of a Saturday teatime show - easy on the brain but entertaining.
The character of Amanda is good, but I do feel that for someone so driven and educated, falling hook, line and sinker for someone like Marcus was a tad too much, but I suppose some people do go blindly into mistakes for love. Ben is frustrating but, well, he is a man!
This book won't win heavy literature awards, nor will it be a feature on the bookshelf for me, but it's the literary version of a Saturday teatime show - easy on the brain but entertaining.
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