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Rosemary Lane #1
The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane
**Take a trip to the Yorkshire village of Burley Bridge, where a very special little cookbook shop is about to open its doors…**
In the beginning…
Kitty Cartwright has always solved her problems in the kitchen. Her cookbooks are her life, and there isn’t an issue that ‘Cooking with Aspic’ can’t fix. Her only wish is that she had a book entitled ‘Rustling Up Dinner When Your Husband Has Left You’.
Forty years later…
On Rosemary Lane, Della Cartwright plans to open a very special little bookshop. Not knowing what to do with the hundreds of cookbooks her mother left her, she now wants to share their recipes with the world – and no amount of aspic will stand in her way.
But with her family convinced it’s a hare-brained scheme, Della starts to wonder if she’s made a terrible decision. One thing’s for sure: she’s about to find out…
Lose yourself in Della’s world of food, family and friends. The perfect read for fans of Trisha Ashley and Carole Matthews.
In the beginning…
Kitty Cartwright has always solved her problems in the kitchen. Her cookbooks are her life, and there isn’t an issue that ‘Cooking with Aspic’ can’t fix. Her only wish is that she had a book entitled ‘Rustling Up Dinner When Your Husband Has Left You’.
Forty years later…
On Rosemary Lane, Della Cartwright plans to open a very special little bookshop. Not knowing what to do with the hundreds of cookbooks her mother left her, she now wants to share their recipes with the world – and no amount of aspic will stand in her way.
But with her family convinced it’s a hare-brained scheme, Della starts to wonder if she’s made a terrible decision. One thing’s for sure: she’s about to find out…
Lose yourself in Della’s world of food, family and friends. The perfect read for fans of Trisha Ashley and Carole Matthews.
370 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2016
170 people are currently reading
1328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
July 14, 2016
4 - "Recipes are for sharing." Stars!
I am a big fan of Fiona Gibson/Ellen Berry’s books. She always manages to take average day-to-day life and add a little something special to it. The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane did just that, it put me right in the middle of a Yorkshire family and told me their story.
I would say that if you are expecting a book about a shop, then this isn’t really the case, the story mainly focuses on Della, her husband Mark and their teenage daughter Sophie, and the lives they are living. The story starts with Della rushing to her ailing mothers beside, and then pretty much proceeds to go through everything that Della has to deal with in the aftermath of her death. Her brother and sister are less than useless when it comes to sorting anything out, and the funeral, clearance and subsequent sale of their mother’s house is all pretty much left up to her.
All the sparkle in her had been dimmed down so low as to be barely noticeable anymore.
The first thing that becomes glaringly apparent it that Della, is pretty much taken advantage of by everyone in her life who is important to her, life has become a series of tasks and routines and nothing she does or is involved in really offers her much joy anymore, a husband more interested in golf, and a daughter on the verge of leaving for college, Della is at a crossroads.
That crossroads comes in the form of her mothers’ 962 Cookbooks, they rekindle her passion for cookery, and the few happy memories she has of her childhood. And what starts out as a whimsical idea very soon becomes reality when she signs a lease for an empty shop on Rosemary Lane. Support for this decision is hugely lacking from those who should be offering her encouragement, and just as Della looks to start out on a new chapter in her life, the walls of the current chapter start crashing down.
To be honest I struggle hugely with my lead female characters being downtrodden and taken advantage of, especially when they then sit back and keep letting it continue, and to a point this was Della for a lot of the book, but what I liked is that she didn’t give up, she fought for her dream, and did what she wanted rather than was expected by those who were meant to be her support network, even when other parts of her life were in free-fall.
As a reader the author gives you enough information to work out what is going to happen with certain characters pretty early on, but the story arc in around the development of the Bookshop for Cook Books was strong enough to keep all the secondary drama in context and not take over the story in general. All-in-all, add in a few unexpected surprises along the way and this was a book I really enjoyed.
Another thing that made me happy is that this is the start of a series, and we get too look forward to more shops being imagined and opened on Rosemary Lane in the next couple of years, with The Bakery on Rosemary Lane, due next year, and The Bistro on Rosemary Lane, due in 2018.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
I am a big fan of Fiona Gibson/Ellen Berry’s books. She always manages to take average day-to-day life and add a little something special to it. The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane did just that, it put me right in the middle of a Yorkshire family and told me their story.
I would say that if you are expecting a book about a shop, then this isn’t really the case, the story mainly focuses on Della, her husband Mark and their teenage daughter Sophie, and the lives they are living. The story starts with Della rushing to her ailing mothers beside, and then pretty much proceeds to go through everything that Della has to deal with in the aftermath of her death. Her brother and sister are less than useless when it comes to sorting anything out, and the funeral, clearance and subsequent sale of their mother’s house is all pretty much left up to her.
All the sparkle in her had been dimmed down so low as to be barely noticeable anymore.
The first thing that becomes glaringly apparent it that Della, is pretty much taken advantage of by everyone in her life who is important to her, life has become a series of tasks and routines and nothing she does or is involved in really offers her much joy anymore, a husband more interested in golf, and a daughter on the verge of leaving for college, Della is at a crossroads.
That crossroads comes in the form of her mothers’ 962 Cookbooks, they rekindle her passion for cookery, and the few happy memories she has of her childhood. And what starts out as a whimsical idea very soon becomes reality when she signs a lease for an empty shop on Rosemary Lane. Support for this decision is hugely lacking from those who should be offering her encouragement, and just as Della looks to start out on a new chapter in her life, the walls of the current chapter start crashing down.
To be honest I struggle hugely with my lead female characters being downtrodden and taken advantage of, especially when they then sit back and keep letting it continue, and to a point this was Della for a lot of the book, but what I liked is that she didn’t give up, she fought for her dream, and did what she wanted rather than was expected by those who were meant to be her support network, even when other parts of her life were in free-fall.
As a reader the author gives you enough information to work out what is going to happen with certain characters pretty early on, but the story arc in around the development of the Bookshop for Cook Books was strong enough to keep all the secondary drama in context and not take over the story in general. All-in-all, add in a few unexpected surprises along the way and this was a book I really enjoyed.
Another thing that made me happy is that this is the start of a series, and we get too look forward to more shops being imagined and opened on Rosemary Lane in the next couple of years, with The Bakery on Rosemary Lane, due next year, and The Bistro on Rosemary Lane, due in 2018.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.
July 1, 2022
You see “Legally blonde” is one of my favorite comfort movies, this book sort of reminds me of that movie with different chain of events, it’s a real feel-good book.
It’s a very simple, relatable, no-fuss story.
“It’s never too late” is really at the heart of this book and I loved it for it, gives you a boost of life and faith.
It reminds me of a quote that goes something like; “ all endings are another beginning.”
This concept always lights me up, because it’s so very true but getting use to what’s familiar can sometimes make something new and unknown seem terrifying.
Della’s character development, the main character, was beautiful and heartwarming to witness, brought tears to me eyes as she started to recognize her value and ability. As she started to own herself and trust her instincts.
I’d say the build up of the story was a bit slow or maybe I was reading it way too slowly?
but the overall story was lovely, nothing ground breaking to be noted but just a lovely story to really enjoy and get inspired from.
⭐️: 4/5
July 26, 2016
When Della's mother passes away, she wants nothing more than her cookbooks. There are hundreds of books and therefore she needs to find a solution how to store them, and that's when she gets the idea to open a bookstore. Her daughter Sophie is excited about the idea, but her husband Mark is not very fond of the idea. With Mark being rather distant and spending a lot of time away from home and Sophie going to university, Della decides that it's perfect time to open the shop and to spend more time with her husband. Little did she know that things would take rather different turn and leave her all alone. At first Della was in shock and devastated, but eventually things started to fall together, and she found herself even stronger and confident than before. How will Della's bookshop do and whether Della and Mark have another chance you'll have to find out yourself!
It was a great story, the only downside was that the pace slowed down in the middle of the book, but it picked up nicely towards the end and I ended up really enjoying it. Even though Della seemed to be a bit naive and deserved a lot better, she made the right decisions in the end. I also really liked her daughter, she was young, but very wise and her character was one of the high lights in the book. As it's the first book in the series, I'm already curious about the other two.
It was a great story, the only downside was that the pace slowed down in the middle of the book, but it picked up nicely towards the end and I ended up really enjoying it. Even though Della seemed to be a bit naive and deserved a lot better, she made the right decisions in the end. I also really liked her daughter, she was young, but very wise and her character was one of the high lights in the book. As it's the first book in the series, I'm already curious about the other two.
July 18, 2016
It wasn't until I reached the end of the book that I realised that Ellen Berry is Fiona Gibson whose books I really like. I loved every page of this one, too! I've read a couple of books recently where the characters are around my age (50's) and find that you can really empathise with them and it makes a lovely change to read about 'slightly' older characters!
Della has just lost her mum and most of the care towards the end of her life fell to her and her siblings are also expecting her to clear the house. They choose the only things that they want to keep from the house and Della is left to arrange the clearance. She feels drawn to her mum's old cookbooks which felt like a big part of her childhood. There are literally hundreds of them but her husband isn't very keen to have them cluttering up their house.
After an unexpected turn Della signs a lease on an empty shop and plans to open a vintage cookery book shop. She wants others to find delight in the old books and also provide a meeting place for like minded people to meet and exchange ideas. She meets opposition- but her friends rally round and tell her how wonderful it will be. The prickly nature of steering through teenage childhood is also part of the book. The different relationships are portrayed so realistically.
We follow major life changes in some of the characters and it is lovely to see the friendships between Della and those around her. You can really imagine being in the little Yorkshire village and seeing this idyllic shop emerging from Della's dreams into reality.
I loved the 'opening' scenes - where the mix of the characters come together and you can feel the excitement in the air with everyone bringing food to share and they all sit down to chat and browse through the cookery books sharing in the history it brings with it. I tend to be a collector of cookery books- and can imagine the joy in finding such a shop in an unexpected location. I also loved the side story with Della trying to find members of the recipe club.
A really beautiful book to settle down with, maybe planning a little dinner party for friends or dreaming of following your hearts desire and seeing where it would lead you. It really wraps round you in a cosy hug and leaves you with a wonderfully warm feeling.
With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy.
Della has just lost her mum and most of the care towards the end of her life fell to her and her siblings are also expecting her to clear the house. They choose the only things that they want to keep from the house and Della is left to arrange the clearance. She feels drawn to her mum's old cookbooks which felt like a big part of her childhood. There are literally hundreds of them but her husband isn't very keen to have them cluttering up their house.
After an unexpected turn Della signs a lease on an empty shop and plans to open a vintage cookery book shop. She wants others to find delight in the old books and also provide a meeting place for like minded people to meet and exchange ideas. She meets opposition- but her friends rally round and tell her how wonderful it will be. The prickly nature of steering through teenage childhood is also part of the book. The different relationships are portrayed so realistically.
We follow major life changes in some of the characters and it is lovely to see the friendships between Della and those around her. You can really imagine being in the little Yorkshire village and seeing this idyllic shop emerging from Della's dreams into reality.
I loved the 'opening' scenes - where the mix of the characters come together and you can feel the excitement in the air with everyone bringing food to share and they all sit down to chat and browse through the cookery books sharing in the history it brings with it. I tend to be a collector of cookery books- and can imagine the joy in finding such a shop in an unexpected location. I also loved the side story with Della trying to find members of the recipe club.
A really beautiful book to settle down with, maybe planning a little dinner party for friends or dreaming of following your hearts desire and seeing where it would lead you. It really wraps round you in a cosy hug and leaves you with a wonderfully warm feeling.
With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy.
June 10, 2022
The story of Della who inherits 900 cookbooks and opens a cookbook shop. Quite a good story, a bit predictable in places but Della was annoying and a complete wet lettuce when it came to letting people walk over her, I just wanted to shake her!
July 12, 2016
I've got mixed feeling about this book, I think due to the sheer quantity of "shop" books that have been released in instant years, I was expecting a certain feel to the story, or at least that I would get to know a shop very well. I was aware this was to be a cookbook shop and I was intrigued by the idea, but yet it seemed to take forever for the story to get onto the shop at all, almost as though it was an afterthought to what the main story was, which felt more like Della's marriage.
I thought there were large hugely predictable sections of the book, where I could see exactly what was going to happen a mile off, and I found I just didn't really connect to large amounts of the characters. My favourite character was probably Della's daughter Sophie, and due to her leaving home to go to uni, we don't even see much of a lovely young woman.
There were some enjoyable sections, but mainly I spent the book wanting to throw something at Della for being just so naive about life, her marriage and just how to set up a new business. I also wanted to shake Della for her choice of husband, I really didn't take to Mark, nor her brother Jeff. They both seem to belittle Della without any reason.
Overall although there was glimpses of a good book, I found it just wasn't working fully for me, I quite liked it on the whole, but I would have loved more about the shop, more cooking, more food descriptions etc.. basically the bits I would have expected.
Thank you to Avon & Netgalley for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
I thought there were large hugely predictable sections of the book, where I could see exactly what was going to happen a mile off, and I found I just didn't really connect to large amounts of the characters. My favourite character was probably Della's daughter Sophie, and due to her leaving home to go to uni, we don't even see much of a lovely young woman.
There were some enjoyable sections, but mainly I spent the book wanting to throw something at Della for being just so naive about life, her marriage and just how to set up a new business. I also wanted to shake Della for her choice of husband, I really didn't take to Mark, nor her brother Jeff. They both seem to belittle Della without any reason.
Overall although there was glimpses of a good book, I found it just wasn't working fully for me, I quite liked it on the whole, but I would have loved more about the shop, more cooking, more food descriptions etc.. basically the bits I would have expected.
Thank you to Avon & Netgalley for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.
August 28, 2016
Della has just lost her mom after looking after her for many years, something her brother and sister left her too… and it looks like they will leave her to sort the funeral and their moms house. Della has a loving family but Sophie, her only daughter, is leaving for uni. How will Della and Mark (hubby) cope with a life with only them two? Della soon finds out when she brings home the hundreds of cook books her mom owned.
This is a story of empowerment and growth. Where things flow and each character learns there own strength and power. I loved every page of this feel good book and think it will brighten any gray day and although we all can't just go out and start a shop, it does give the reader a sign that somethings are not impossible and boundaries are personal built.
This is a story of empowerment and growth. Where things flow and each character learns there own strength and power. I loved every page of this feel good book and think it will brighten any gray day and although we all can't just go out and start a shop, it does give the reader a sign that somethings are not impossible and boundaries are personal built.
September 1, 2020
At times I thought I'd read this. But I don't think I have, it just has the stock incidents to full back on. Another of those light reads that gets you through the rainy days which we all go through and we all need books to fill that gap. Its not great literature but then it isn't trying to be. Amen to that.
Toast
Toast
November 2, 2022
Ik had weinig tijd om te lezen, waardoor ik steeds maar korte stukjes kon lezen. Daardoor kwam ik niet echt in het verhaal. Ook vond ik dat de opening van de boekwinkel pas vrij laat in het verhaal kwam. Ik zat er echt op te wachten, maar andere dingen in het verhaal kregen meer prioriteit. Dat vind ik wel jammer, want ik had juist nog iets meer over de boekwinkel willen lezen. Toen het eindelijk zover was, heb ik genoten van het verhaal. Op naar deel 2. Dat gaat over Della’s zus. Ik hoop dat Della zelf ook nog een rolletje in dat verhaal heeft.
August 7, 2016
Love, love, loved this book! Lovely setting, charming storyline, a protagonist to root for, and a modern happily ever after. Just an all round feel good story.
The story revolves around Della, a reliable working mum, who just lost her mother after being her carer during a terminal illness. Della is that woman. The one who puts herself last. She takes care of her husband, her daughter, her home, her mother and pretty much everything else that needs doing. She goes above and beyond at her little dead end job. She is caught up in the image of herself from childhood, as not quite enough, so she tries hard and excels at the things she does. In quick succession, her mother dies, her daughter moves out to go to university and her husband, well…let’s just say his timing showed the “content of his character”. The 962 cookbooks that Della inherits from her mother spur a change that has been a long time coming. The end result is the Della that was supposed to be, a new understanding of family, and homey bookshop on Rosemary Lane.
Highly recommended especially for fans of Katie Fforde! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for new books by Ellen Berry.
The story revolves around Della, a reliable working mum, who just lost her mother after being her carer during a terminal illness. Della is that woman. The one who puts herself last. She takes care of her husband, her daughter, her home, her mother and pretty much everything else that needs doing. She goes above and beyond at her little dead end job. She is caught up in the image of herself from childhood, as not quite enough, so she tries hard and excels at the things she does. In quick succession, her mother dies, her daughter moves out to go to university and her husband, well…let’s just say his timing showed the “content of his character”. The 962 cookbooks that Della inherits from her mother spur a change that has been a long time coming. The end result is the Della that was supposed to be, a new understanding of family, and homey bookshop on Rosemary Lane.
Highly recommended especially for fans of Katie Fforde! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for new books by Ellen Berry.
March 31, 2018
Being a huge book lover, this book instantly appealed with it having bookshop in the title. What turned out to be quite different is that the books in question are cookbooks.
The death of Della's mum brings a lot of change for Della. Cooking and recipes was a big part of Kitty's life so Della can't bare to get rid of all the wonderful cook books, which there is an awful lot more than any average person would have. All her family think she is mad when she decides to open a book shop solely selling cook books.
I really liked the idea of a shop solely selling cook books. We all have them but I loved that these had sentimental value to them also. I was hoping to be drooling at the mouth at the succulent thought of meals and food that would be mentioned through out but sadly there wasn't really any. Probably my fault for assuming there would be with the mention of cookbooks.
This is very much a story about moving on and taking chances. All that happens in Della's life in the aftermath of her mum's death enforces for me that she is doing the right thing. Too many of us settle for things and it was nice to see someone go out and grab life and take risks.
Overall The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane is a light hearted and enjoyable read. Set in an idyllic location, it certainly had a certain amount of appeal.
The death of Della's mum brings a lot of change for Della. Cooking and recipes was a big part of Kitty's life so Della can't bare to get rid of all the wonderful cook books, which there is an awful lot more than any average person would have. All her family think she is mad when she decides to open a book shop solely selling cook books.
I really liked the idea of a shop solely selling cook books. We all have them but I loved that these had sentimental value to them also. I was hoping to be drooling at the mouth at the succulent thought of meals and food that would be mentioned through out but sadly there wasn't really any. Probably my fault for assuming there would be with the mention of cookbooks.
This is very much a story about moving on and taking chances. All that happens in Della's life in the aftermath of her mum's death enforces for me that she is doing the right thing. Too many of us settle for things and it was nice to see someone go out and grab life and take risks.
Overall The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane is a light hearted and enjoyable read. Set in an idyllic location, it certainly had a certain amount of appeal.
April 14, 2018
Very sweet and infused with this unique English feel, The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane had me up the late in the night. So I guess it couldn’t be that bad. Basically, this book spoke to me because it’s about a fifty-year old woman who finds her happiness through independence. No doubt, it was very light and cute, and overlooked the deeper grieving process of coming to grips with the dissolution of a marriage, but it had its moments for sure. I especially liked Della, the main character, and how she coped with all the changes happening in her life, and persevered in making her dream come true. I wish that a bookshop like hers really was out there. I also enjoyed the Yorkshire country site with its small villages. I’ve visited there, and I could easily image it.
April 4, 2019
A lovely little coming of age story. It’s never too late for an adventure.
November 17, 2025
dont let this cover fool you, this is a depressing book with a door mat as the female lead.
September 29, 2017
A trite little story, strung together from cliches. Middle-aged woman struggling with empty-nest syndrome and the recent loss of her mother, wonders why her husband is so distant and what she will do with the more than 900 vintage cookbooks her mother left her. Brilliant idea! She will start a bookshop with them ! Even though everyone, her buzzkill husband first and foremost, predicts disaster and bankruptcy.
No problem ! With some courage, one or two good women friends and a lick of paint, the bookstore comes into being and is of course an immediate smashing success. And so are all other aspects of our heroine's life.
I don't mind escapist fluff, I don't mind a narrative that stays obediently within the conventions of the genre... but this book read like it had been written by a computer into whom some operator had fed the characteristics of books that appeal to women of a certain age. Not a spark of originality anywhere.
No problem ! With some courage, one or two good women friends and a lick of paint, the bookstore comes into being and is of course an immediate smashing success. And so are all other aspects of our heroine's life.
I don't mind escapist fluff, I don't mind a narrative that stays obediently within the conventions of the genre... but this book read like it had been written by a computer into whom some operator had fed the characteristics of books that appeal to women of a certain age. Not a spark of originality anywhere.
August 19, 2016
Very pleasant reading, bit of a romance and not at all intellectually challenging. A 50-year old plus inherits her mother's house, and with it it's 950 plus cookbooks. As she has such fond memories of thess books and her mother's love for them, she does not want to part with any and moves them to her house. Her louse of a husband is not a sympathetic character and objects. She comes across an empty shop in town and decides to open a cookbook shop on Rosemary Lane in the small English village. Hubby thinks it's a ridiculous idea. What follows is a good solution to a midlife crisis for all concerned.
December 15, 2016
The bookshop on Rosemary Lane was just delightful.
It is the first novel by Ellen Berry.
I really loved this book including the cover.
Adorable characters, charming storyline and a happy ending that gives you all the feels.
An enjoyable easy Christmas read that I recommend adding to your reading list.
It is the first novel by Ellen Berry.
I really loved this book including the cover.
Adorable characters, charming storyline and a happy ending that gives you all the feels.
An enjoyable easy Christmas read that I recommend adding to your reading list.
July 17, 2016
A bit disappointing...
September 18, 2017
Hvorfor skal kvinderne i bøger som disse altid fremstilles så naive og godtroende. I vore dage burde det være muligt at skrive en sød og romantisk roman, om en kvinde med ben i næsen. Bare se på Jane Austens heltinder, de er da stærke kvindeidealer for deres tid.
August 26, 2018
A truly charming read, it’s a book that have comfy Old friend. I really like to della And Sophie, and was quite happy to dislike Mark.
Can’t wait to read the other books in the series I don’t know I’m gonna love them just as much as I did this one.
Can’t wait to read the other books in the series I don’t know I’m gonna love them just as much as I did this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2017
If you like Fiona Gibson's novels, you will probably like this - she's the same person!
June 7, 2019
Light and fluffy holiday read. Perfect by the pool...!
March 29, 2020
4.5 Stars for this light hearted story of starting over while honoring past connections. It was just what I needed!
September 28, 2020
A lovely easy read. Any books about books I love ..
April 7, 2022
A romantic story about books and cooking how could I not read this! I loved how easy the story flowed. The characters were great and you were given little glances into them as well. Nice and feel good. Can’t wait to read more
June 6, 2017
Della's life is in a bit of a rut now that she has turned 50 and everyone else seems to be moving on to new adventures. Her beloved daughter, Sophie, can't wait to start art school; her grumpy husband, Mark, is always playing golf when he's not being a busy podiatrist, and her job at a castle gift shop is beyond humdrum.
The one thing that gives her pleasure is the collection of 962 old cookbooks that her mother, Kitty, had amassed over the years. Although she has a brother and sister, she was the one, at 10 years old, who would help her mother prepare different recipes from the well-worn, random books. Della decides to open a used cookbook store for other people who get nostalgic for how meals and entertaining were done back in the '50's.
I enjoyed this novel that reminded me of books by Katie Fford.
The one thing that gives her pleasure is the collection of 962 old cookbooks that her mother, Kitty, had amassed over the years. Although she has a brother and sister, she was the one, at 10 years old, who would help her mother prepare different recipes from the well-worn, random books. Della decides to open a used cookbook store for other people who get nostalgic for how meals and entertaining were done back in the '50's.
I enjoyed this novel that reminded me of books by Katie Fford.
Read
January 4, 2018i enjoyed this book; it was a quick read; however, i expected more on the bookshop and less on the relationship issue, which took up the first 70% of the novel. still, it was a good read and i liked the MC very much.
August 5, 2016
Novels with the word "Booskhop" in their titles are trending guys, trending, and it is lovely, because can there be a greater setting to a book then a bookshop? That is, if the above mentioned bookshop appears in the story at all! Ellen Berry, or rather as we know her better, Fiona Gibson, has decided to locate her latest release in a bookshop as well. In fact, this book is the first in the planned for three novels series, and it is a very promising beginning. I hope that the next books are going to introduce us to new characters - I'd hate to see that Della's business failed.
However, I had a feeling that nothing actually happens in this book, especially about the above mentioned bookshop. I was hoping for so much more about the shop itself but it actually appears only a few times in the story, when Della wonders if to open or not to open, and it's opening is at the end of the story, so we really don't know if she's succeeded or not. I was also incredibly intrigued by the idea of a cook - books shop only (because Della has inherited hundreds of her mother's cookbooks. Hundreds. Like, almost thousand!) and I was desperate to know how it turned out - unfortunately, I was not to know it. The story instead concentrates on the problems between Della and her husband Mark. It just seemed to take forever for the story to eventually mention the shop but in the end it was as if it was a very secondary subplot, an afterthought and I just found it a little misleading and I felt a little deceived. It is just that you are waiting and waiting for something and it doesn't come and when it eventually appears you are so annoyed and disappointed.
As much as I liked Della - because I think she was worth liking, yes, she was naive but she was also good - natured and she wanted only good - I hated how short - sighted she was when it came to Mark. He was so distant and moody and behaved in such an obvious way but I think Della wouldn't see the truth if it came and slapped her on the face. What I liked so much in Della was the fact that she allowed herself to have dreams, and she also was so determined to make those dreams come true. She wasn't afraid to take risks to follow her heart and I applauded her loud on this, heck, I was giving her standing ovations! Things often didn't go as well as she'd like them to, and it also made her feel more down - to - earth and realistic, and in these moments yes, she felt depressed and dispirited but she kept going. I only had a feeling, and I didn't like it at all, that Della is more like everybody's servant. She looked at the world through rose - tinted spectacles and saw her marriage, business in the same light and it was a tad annoying. But Della's daughter Sophie was truly a great character and I'd love to see more of her, though due to her leaving for University it wasn't possible.
What I also liked is the fact that the characters were so normal and not at all perfect. Della's life could be probably a carbon copy of so many lives of real people, as she was the one out of three siblings taking care of their mother when she was dying of cancer, yet there is almost no gratitude from them towards Della, on the contrary, her brother can only find faults in everything she did for their mother. The characters have the same problems and they were wrestling with them just like we must to. What bothered me however in all those situations was that Della never seemed to pick up a fight, to stand up for herself - I so wanted her to show all those patronizing people in her life that she's worth as much as they are or even more.
So yes, the book was a nice, easy, light - hearted read but it didn't deliver for me. It was about things that I didn't expect, and not mentioning things that I'd love to see more. I had a feeling that the author stretches the events unnecessary. The story was also a tad too predictable, there were chapters that were much too clichéd and far - fetched for my liking. But it is written in a lovely, warm and inviting writing style and there are plenty of humorous moments but also the author proves that she can write more poignant scenes as well. I will be for sure reading the next story in the series, I am truly intrigued and I'd love to see if it continues the story about Della or is going to introduce us to a new set of characters.
Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.
August 3, 2019
A hear-warming novel, it narrates the story of Della. After the death of her mother, she had inherited more than 900 cooking books. She loves cooking, even though had put it aside, too busy with her life. Now that her daughter is leaving for college, Della is feeling like her life was slipping away from her. What is Della going to do with her life? Will she continue living her life as she always did or finally will make a leap of faith and start a new chapter in her life?
It is a fast-paced novel that I really like and like Della so much. I also like the author’s writing and looking forward to continuing with the series.
It is a fast-paced novel that I really like and like Della so much. I also like the author’s writing and looking forward to continuing with the series.
July 17, 2016
What could be better for an avid reader than a story about a bookshop? Make it a bookshop filled with cookbooks and you have the delightful story by Ellen Berry, The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane. The book begins with Della rushing to her dying mothers side. She has been the sole caregiver to Kitty Cartwright despite having a brother and sister close by and a family of her own. But they are too busy with their lives to give more than lip service and criticism. Sophie, her daughter, is moving to an art school soon and Mark, her husband, has taken up golf to fill his spare time. Della’s life is filled with doing for others, not what she would like to do. After the funeral, Della has the responsibility of settling the estate and selling the mothers home. The only thing that Della wants of her mother’s is her collection of 962 cookbooks. She remembers as a child of 10 spending time with Kitty and her love of cooking but that ended when her father unexpectedly left them. Now she must find a way to keep the memory of her mother alive with her cookbooks. This becomes a conflict with her husband and most of her family that see the cookbooks only as used, smelly and trash. She wants to open a cozy cookbook bookshop in the little Yorkshire Village of Burley Bridge. Mark and most of her family think it is a ridiculous idea destined to fail. However, Della feels that she has been called to do this and she will accomplish it by herself. With many unexpected surprises and revelations Della’s quest for her cozy bookshop begins to take place. She begins her transformation into the strong independent woman who could do the things she wanted for herself by herself.
The first portion of this book unfolded a little slowly. It was difficult to read about Della being so taken advantaged of and seemingly unwilling to do anything about it. Once she started to stand up for herself it moved much faster and was more enjoyable. It was an enjoyable book about sometimes being forced to leave the comfort of normal expectations in life and pursuing that which your heart desires no matter the cost.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The first portion of this book unfolded a little slowly. It was difficult to read about Della being so taken advantaged of and seemingly unwilling to do anything about it. Once she started to stand up for herself it moved much faster and was more enjoyable. It was an enjoyable book about sometimes being forced to leave the comfort of normal expectations in life and pursuing that which your heart desires no matter the cost.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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