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Rosemary Lane #2
The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane
‘As comforting as a slice of homemade apple pie’ RedPrepare to fall in love with beautiful village of Burley Bridge.
Growing up in a quiet Yorkshire village, Roxanne couldn’t wait to escape and find her place in the world in London. As a high-powered fashion editor she lives a glamorous life of perennial singlehood – or so it seems to her sister Della. But when Roxanne gets her heart broken by a fashion photographer, she runs away, back to Della’s welcoming home above her bookshop in Burley Bridge.
But Burley Bridge, Roxanne discovers, is even quieter than she remembered. There’s nothing to do, so Roxanne agrees to walk Della’s dog Stanley. It’s on these walks that Roxanne makes a startling the people who live in Burley Bridge are, well, just people – different from the fashion set she’s used to, but kind and even interesting. Michael, a widower trying to make a go of a small bakery, particularly so. Little by little, cupcake by cupcake, Roxanne and Michael fall into a comforting friendship.
Could there be a life for Roxanne after all, in the place she’s spent years trying to escape?
The perfect cosy, heartwarming read for fans of Trisha Ashley.
Growing up in a quiet Yorkshire village, Roxanne couldn’t wait to escape and find her place in the world in London. As a high-powered fashion editor she lives a glamorous life of perennial singlehood – or so it seems to her sister Della. But when Roxanne gets her heart broken by a fashion photographer, she runs away, back to Della’s welcoming home above her bookshop in Burley Bridge.
But Burley Bridge, Roxanne discovers, is even quieter than she remembered. There’s nothing to do, so Roxanne agrees to walk Della’s dog Stanley. It’s on these walks that Roxanne makes a startling the people who live in Burley Bridge are, well, just people – different from the fashion set she’s used to, but kind and even interesting. Michael, a widower trying to make a go of a small bakery, particularly so. Little by little, cupcake by cupcake, Roxanne and Michael fall into a comforting friendship.
Could there be a life for Roxanne after all, in the place she’s spent years trying to escape?
The perfect cosy, heartwarming read for fans of Trisha Ashley.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2017
150 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
May 13, 2020
Mixed Feelings.
On a very positive note, I enjoyed this book a lot. It is an easy, engaging read with a lovely, relatable MC, a low-key romance and pleasant story.
I loved the fact that Roxanne is no spring chicken, but rather a mature (? :) ) woman in her late forties. She has a fulfilling career as a fashion director of a stylish magazine without being a slave either to her job or her appearance, has no children, but is neither apologetic, nor devastated about it, just accepting that life had something different for her in its store. She is not a very practical, but a thoroughly nice person, had disastrous relationships in the past and her present boyfriend -Sean, a much-sought photographer- does not show any inclination for settling down with her either.
When her magazine is taken over by a new editor with rather different ideas & mentality from hers, Roxanne accepts her offer of going on a sort of sabbatical & decides to visit her sister in their Yorkshire homevillage where Della runs a cosy, successful (cook)bookshop. There she befriends Michael, the owner of the newly set-up bakery and slowly, though unintentionally, learns to let go of her former existence and finds new purposes to her life.
For the "negative" side: the title is very misleading. The eponymous bakery hardly features in the story at all & I know it feels like hairsplitting when I say this, but there is no mention of a single cupcake in the book, although the cover blurb mentions them with relish.
OK, so it is not really about the cupcakes, rather about the inconsistency bw the cover blurb and the actual content of a book. Roxanne and Michael bond over anything else -dog-walking/pub-visiting/meeting in the bookshop- but certainly not over cupcakes.
Also -and I find this very annoying in general, but here I was practically pissed off- we have a case here what I call "book-abandon".
The story -while of course it implies that it will be a happy ending- has not what I would call a full closure. The author just leaves the story, the characters and us readers hanging almost in mid sentence and we are cheated out of at least 2 chapters: one, where everything is wrapped up nicely and another titled "1 year later" or something. There are lots of unfinished storylines that would deserve a decent conclusion and so would we, readers.
Arc provided by the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
On a very positive note, I enjoyed this book a lot. It is an easy, engaging read with a lovely, relatable MC, a low-key romance and pleasant story.
I loved the fact that Roxanne is no spring chicken, but rather a mature (? :) ) woman in her late forties. She has a fulfilling career as a fashion director of a stylish magazine without being a slave either to her job or her appearance, has no children, but is neither apologetic, nor devastated about it, just accepting that life had something different for her in its store. She is not a very practical, but a thoroughly nice person, had disastrous relationships in the past and her present boyfriend -Sean, a much-sought photographer- does not show any inclination for settling down with her either.
When her magazine is taken over by a new editor with rather different ideas & mentality from hers, Roxanne accepts her offer of going on a sort of sabbatical & decides to visit her sister in their Yorkshire homevillage where Della runs a cosy, successful (cook)bookshop. There she befriends Michael, the owner of the newly set-up bakery and slowly, though unintentionally, learns to let go of her former existence and finds new purposes to her life.
For the "negative" side: the title is very misleading. The eponymous bakery hardly features in the story at all & I know it feels like hairsplitting when I say this, but there is no mention of a single cupcake in the book, although the cover blurb mentions them with relish.
OK, so it is not really about the cupcakes, rather about the inconsistency bw the cover blurb and the actual content of a book. Roxanne and Michael bond over anything else -dog-walking/pub-visiting/meeting in the bookshop- but certainly not over cupcakes.
Also -and I find this very annoying in general, but here I was practically pissed off- we have a case here what I call "book-abandon".
The story -while of course it implies that it will be a happy ending- has not what I would call a full closure. The author just leaves the story, the characters and us readers hanging almost in mid sentence and we are cheated out of at least 2 chapters: one, where everything is wrapped up nicely and another titled "1 year later" or something. There are lots of unfinished storylines that would deserve a decent conclusion and so would we, readers.
Arc provided by the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2017
I really enjoyed this story although was surprised the bakery played such a small part in the story really. I found it a great easy read and lovely to hear more about characters from the first book in the series. Full of romance and family and friends. Roxanne is a fashion editor in London and when a new boss comes in and shakes everything up she really isn't sure where she stands. She decides to take a break and head to her sister who owns the bookshop on Rosemary lane but she hasn't lived in Yorkshire for years and can she enjoy a slower pace of life. She soon realised that it's changed and she can be happy here and she becomes friends with the owner of the bakery and his daughter and can she decide if her life belongs to fashion or living in Yorkshire. Well worth reading.
September 3, 2017
Roxanne works for “Your style”- A high end fashion magazine as their fashion director in London. Her background is Yorkshire. 3 hours and a million miles away from the life she now leads and enjoys. Her bubble is burst when changes are a foot at the magazine and Roxanne decides to get away from it all, especially as her relationship with Sean is rather wobbly to say the least. This is a well written book that took me awhile to get into, probably as from the title I was expecting the bakery to feature early on. Once I accepted that is wasn't, I enjoyed the lighthearted story and Roxanne’s character. A feelgood read for any time of year.
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased
September 8, 2017
Felt a bit let down that this book did not focus much on the bakery at all. Rather focusing on Roxanne's life as a fashion editor in London. The bakery played such a small part that I felt cheated.
I did enjoy reading about Roxanne's adventures back in Burley Bridge once she actually got there. The author should have spent more time on this than Roxanne's man and work problems in London.
The first part of the book should be edited out completely, Marsha's point of view adds nothing to the story and may out off some readers. If you can look past that and the overuse of the term ponce, stick with it. The story does end up lovely after a bit.
I did enjoy reading about Roxanne's adventures back in Burley Bridge once she actually got there. The author should have spent more time on this than Roxanne's man and work problems in London.
The first part of the book should be edited out completely, Marsha's point of view adds nothing to the story and may out off some readers. If you can look past that and the overuse of the term ponce, stick with it. The story does end up lovely after a bit.
October 10, 2017
"The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane" is the second book in the Rosemary Lane by Ellen Berry series but it can easily be read as a stand - alone. The book mentions some of the characters from the previous novel but it entirely focuses on a new character, Roxanne. She has left Yorkshire as a teenager, and now she's in her late forties and loves her work as a fashion editor. She's passionate about her job, and she's also successful, she has great ideas and she knows what it is the readers of the magazine want to see. However, there are some changes to come in the magazine and it's a little unsettling - as well as her relationship she's in starts to shake the foundations. So Roxanne decides to go back to Yorkshire where her sister Della still lives - Della, the one who owns the cookbook shop from the previous book.
This story started so, so well! I was doing the virtual high - fives because it was feeling like reading the good, old Fiona Gibson again - the writing was so warm and engaging, the story was flowing and I was incredibly caught up in the story. However, the more I got into the book, the slower and flatter it felt. There was not much happening and I had a feeling it is very repetitive and in the end I found myself skipping some of the passages and even a chapter or two - I am very sorry for this but it just didn't keep my attention. Then there is the same thing as with the first book in the series, "The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane" - the bookshop is in the title, as is the bakery in this book, but they are not the huge part of the story, the bakery hardly features in this story and it's just misleading.
I did like Roxanne. She was a great leading character. She was very passionate about her job, you could really feel she loves what she does and that she feels comfortable in her own skin. She was creative, and I always love this in characters. However, she finds herself at the crossroads right now, what with big changes at work and some troubles in love paradise, and we accompany her on her journey to find out what she really wants.
I really liked how Roxanne started to see that she really likes the countryside and that there is much more to living there as she thought, even though she sometimes learn to like it in the hard way, like going for a walk with the dog totally unprepared and dressed in very unsuitable clothes. It was nice to see her changing, making new friends, helping at the shop and feeling well in her own skin.
The London part of the book was really good, fast - paced and I totally enjoyed it. However, the Yorkshire part, while really important, as it was the time that Roxanne - of course! - started to change and see what she wants, was for me a little too flat, too slow, too meh. It was a tad predictable and some things, such like the later changes at Roxanne's magazine, felt much too rushed and much too clichéd and obvious.
Altogether, "The Little Bakery on the Rosemary Lane" was a warm, lovely story. It felt modern and up - to - date and it lovely mixed the world of fashion with cookbooks and fresh, tasty bread. It was about making your own choices, about not letting others to influence you, seeing you can really take the risk. It was an easy, pleasant read with a low - key romance and even though I maybe didn't love it as much as I initially thought, it was still pleasant enough and I am looking forward the third book in the series.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
March 31, 2020
Enjoyed this second installment in this series. The first book focuses on Della and her bookshop and this one is about her sister Roxeanne who leaves London and joins her sister Derbyshire for a sabbatical. Her love life is a mess and being away from her partner helps her get things in perspective. I have the last installment waiting on my kindle and will be starting it shortly.
July 22, 2020
Easy reading.
Not a great deal about the bakery.
Predictable.
Cute. 😁
Not a great deal about the bakery.
Predictable.
Cute. 😁
October 9, 2017
3.8-4 STARS
the little bakery on rosemary lane was heartwarming and adorable! i compare all "girl has job troubles and goes to the country to find love and new beginnings" to the gold standard, the undomestic goddess, but this book was definitely very cute and a great addition to the niche-genre!
what i liked:
1. this book was so funny! the writing was hilarious and really warm, like a hug.
2. the main character roxanne is so relatable and kind, and i was rooting for her the whole time.
3. i loved the whole location! it was the perfect little town with bookstores and bakeries and pubs.
not so much:
1. the overall plot, or lack thereof. it just seemed like MORE could have happened...she keeps saying how everyone thinks she'll mess things up in the bookstore and around her little town, but...she never really does. it's like BOOM she goes up north and everything is perfect and lovely. i would've liked more mishaps.
2. similar to above - it's called the little bakery on rosemary lane, but she goes to the bakery only a few times. i want more about the bakery!!!!!
3. this is a small thing, but i didn't like and was so confused about the last line. what? why was that how the book ended???
RECAP: NEW BEGINNINGS. BOOKSHOPS. COZY TOWNS. BAKERIES. FUNNY, QUIRKY, RELATABLE CHARACTERS.
the little bakery on rosemary lane was heartwarming and adorable! i compare all "girl has job troubles and goes to the country to find love and new beginnings" to the gold standard, the undomestic goddess, but this book was definitely very cute and a great addition to the niche-genre!
what i liked:
1. this book was so funny! the writing was hilarious and really warm, like a hug.
2. the main character roxanne is so relatable and kind, and i was rooting for her the whole time.
3. i loved the whole location! it was the perfect little town with bookstores and bakeries and pubs.
not so much:
1. the overall plot, or lack thereof. it just seemed like MORE could have happened...she keeps saying how everyone thinks she'll mess things up in the bookstore and around her little town, but...she never really does. it's like BOOM she goes up north and everything is perfect and lovely. i would've liked more mishaps.
2. similar to above - it's called the little bakery on rosemary lane, but she goes to the bakery only a few times. i want more about the bakery!!!!!
3. this is a small thing, but i didn't like and was so confused about the last line. what? why was that how the book ended???
RECAP: NEW BEGINNINGS. BOOKSHOPS. COZY TOWNS. BAKERIES. FUNNY, QUIRKY, RELATABLE CHARACTERS.
September 6, 2019
The Little Bakery On Rosemary Lane by Ellen Berry is a most delightful contemporary novel. There is a wonderful light-hearted atmosphere as we discover the value of family and good friends. It is the simple things in life that bring the most pleasure.
Busy London life where appearances matter contrasts with the slower more wholesome life in a Yorkshire town. Here community lives and supports each other which is the opposite of the isolation felt in London.
The main character has a huge heart that drops everything to support a friend in need. She has a desire to be wanted and to be helpful to those around her.
Life is about having the correct priorities. It is about supporting and loving those around us. It is about wearing wellies and walking dogs in the rain, not cocktail parties and networking.
I loved the warmth and laughter that enveloped the character and rippled out to include the reader. Ellen Berry has written the most charming novel. Her descriptions enable the reader to ‘walk’ down Rosemary Lane, ‘greeting’ the characters along the way. I cannot wait for a return visit to Rosemary Lane.
Busy London life where appearances matter contrasts with the slower more wholesome life in a Yorkshire town. Here community lives and supports each other which is the opposite of the isolation felt in London.
The main character has a huge heart that drops everything to support a friend in need. She has a desire to be wanted and to be helpful to those around her.
Life is about having the correct priorities. It is about supporting and loving those around us. It is about wearing wellies and walking dogs in the rain, not cocktail parties and networking.
I loved the warmth and laughter that enveloped the character and rippled out to include the reader. Ellen Berry has written the most charming novel. Her descriptions enable the reader to ‘walk’ down Rosemary Lane, ‘greeting’ the characters along the way. I cannot wait for a return visit to Rosemary Lane.
March 9, 2022
Adoro immergermi in ambientazioni capaci di farmi sentire come se fossi davvero in quel luogo! Questa volta mi sono ritrovata a Burley Bridge, nello Yorkshire: ho passeggiato per la campagna inglese, mangiato biscotti in una simpatica pasticceria e curiosato tra i negozietti di un tipico paesino, su e giù per Rosemary Lane. Incantevole!
Anche la storia mi è piaciuta, in parte perché ho ritrovato i protagonisti del libro precedente della Berry, “Una piccola libreria molto speciale”. Apprezzo sempre le storie in cui la protagonista riesce a reinventarsi, a crearsi una nuova vita, ad avviare un progetto tutto suo. Questo era già accaduto a Della nel primo romanzo di questa serie; adesso è il turno di sua sorella Roxanne, fashion director in una rivista di moda londinese che finirà per rifugiarsi a Burley Bridge, dove potrebbe trovare molto più della pace che cerca.
Una vicenda romantica, certo, una lettura semplice e leggera, che lascia emozioni positive e offre un po’ di respiro quando occorre staccare la spina per un attimo. La trama scorre bene nella sua semplicità, i personaggi sono ben caratterizzati e, come dicevo, l’ambientazione è molto ben riuscita.
Una lettura molto consigliata, anche se ancora non avete letto il primo volume della serie “Rosemary Lane”.
Anche la storia mi è piaciuta, in parte perché ho ritrovato i protagonisti del libro precedente della Berry, “Una piccola libreria molto speciale”. Apprezzo sempre le storie in cui la protagonista riesce a reinventarsi, a crearsi una nuova vita, ad avviare un progetto tutto suo. Questo era già accaduto a Della nel primo romanzo di questa serie; adesso è il turno di sua sorella Roxanne, fashion director in una rivista di moda londinese che finirà per rifugiarsi a Burley Bridge, dove potrebbe trovare molto più della pace che cerca.
Una vicenda romantica, certo, una lettura semplice e leggera, che lascia emozioni positive e offre un po’ di respiro quando occorre staccare la spina per un attimo. La trama scorre bene nella sua semplicità, i personaggi sono ben caratterizzati e, come dicevo, l’ambientazione è molto ben riuscita.
Una lettura molto consigliata, anche se ancora non avete letto il primo volume della serie “Rosemary Lane”.
October 20, 2017
A story about the growth and changes of Roxanne, a late 40-something single woman that loves her job as a Fashion Director, is hoping for more from her photographer-boyfriend Sean, and now is faced with major changes at work. Leaving the small Yorkshire town at 18, to work her dream job: things have settled in for her professionally, even as she wonders if her personal life will ever move into that next step. But, a big shake up at work, followed by a rather disastrous 50th birthday party for Sean lead to her taking a sabbatical (she planned to quit) and she’s off to visit her sister Della and her little specialty bookshop.
From the earliest moments, Roxanne is a bit ditzy but brilliantly creative, with a large streak of insecurity about her own capabilities outside of fashion. What saves her from being annoying is the intention: she wants to see everyone in the best light possible, she wants to cheer on other people’s success, she wants to be accepted and encouraged and find her place. But, she’s frustrated with people’s tendency to see her as ‘full of London airs’, assuming her days are spent in fashion houses with lattes and late nights. Uncomfortable with her own ability to make things work, a belief reinforced by her sister’s behavior and seeing her as her little sister, not a grown woman, it takes Roxanne a bit to find a comfortable place for herself back home. With a nudge toward a man in Michael, the owner of the new bakery, she’s still mindful of the presence of Sean in her life, even if that presence is mostly ill-timed telephone calls and late night visits.
This was an escape and get away read about a woman who has escaped home again to find her new direction. Many different scenes allow Roxanne to use her own particular brand of creative problem solving to create a result, and her own discoveries about herself, her relationship with her sister, and even the relationship with Sean. Each new discovery seems to lighten the weight on her heart: while she’s solidly aware that her love of fashion is frivolous and that the effort she feels is needed to exist in that world is responsible for countless hours of primping, preening and polish, she does have a knack for visualizing the pretty, a knack that many could use. With her disappointment in Sean’s behavior and the new friendship with Michael, though she’s managed to survive as a singleton for years, the opportunity for a relationship that she’s longed for may be harkening. Even as the story ended without a final defined ‘this is what happens” for Roxanne, and the moments about the bakery were minimal – and perhaps the story should have been retitled, this was a clever, well-developed and beautifully character driven story, full of heart and those questions we all face at different points in our lives.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
From the earliest moments, Roxanne is a bit ditzy but brilliantly creative, with a large streak of insecurity about her own capabilities outside of fashion. What saves her from being annoying is the intention: she wants to see everyone in the best light possible, she wants to cheer on other people’s success, she wants to be accepted and encouraged and find her place. But, she’s frustrated with people’s tendency to see her as ‘full of London airs’, assuming her days are spent in fashion houses with lattes and late nights. Uncomfortable with her own ability to make things work, a belief reinforced by her sister’s behavior and seeing her as her little sister, not a grown woman, it takes Roxanne a bit to find a comfortable place for herself back home. With a nudge toward a man in Michael, the owner of the new bakery, she’s still mindful of the presence of Sean in her life, even if that presence is mostly ill-timed telephone calls and late night visits.
This was an escape and get away read about a woman who has escaped home again to find her new direction. Many different scenes allow Roxanne to use her own particular brand of creative problem solving to create a result, and her own discoveries about herself, her relationship with her sister, and even the relationship with Sean. Each new discovery seems to lighten the weight on her heart: while she’s solidly aware that her love of fashion is frivolous and that the effort she feels is needed to exist in that world is responsible for countless hours of primping, preening and polish, she does have a knack for visualizing the pretty, a knack that many could use. With her disappointment in Sean’s behavior and the new friendship with Michael, though she’s managed to survive as a singleton for years, the opportunity for a relationship that she’s longed for may be harkening. Even as the story ended without a final defined ‘this is what happens” for Roxanne, and the moments about the bakery were minimal – and perhaps the story should have been retitled, this was a clever, well-developed and beautifully character driven story, full of heart and those questions we all face at different points in our lives.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
September 17, 2017
I am back visiting Rosemary Lane and it has been just over a year since I have been here. I was there when Della set up her bookshop specialising in one type of books - cookery ones. I wanted to go back and see how she was getting on and so I do with this new novel from Ellen Berry.
Back on Rosemary Lane, we do see something of Della, her bookshop is expanding, her happiness clearly there for everyone to see but she still worries about her sister, Roxanne.
Roxanne becomes the main protagonist for this story as she escaped Rosemary Lane as soon as she could for the bright lights of London. From nothing she has worked her way into the fashion industry and is a Fashion Editor on a glossy magazine, the sort you flick through in a waiting room but would not necessarily buy!
She has everything she wanted but it seems that something is perhaps missing - when fate means her job is suddenly changed to something else and her rather reluctant boyfriend refuses to commit to anything. Roxanne leaves London and returns to her sister in Rosemary Lane. But what is she going to do?
Roxanne discovers that there is very little to do. Della does not really need her help in the shop and it seems the only thing left her to do is to walk the dog. Trouble is her fashion knowledge and walking a dog on a wet Yorkshire dale are at odds with each other.
Whilst Roxanne learns that comfortable practical clothes are the way forward, no one is judging her and they take her at face value with no ulterior motive. Here she meets Michael who is just starting to find his feet in the new bakery on Rosemary Lane and when his daughter becomes friendly with Roxanne it seems that perhaps the bright lights of London have finally dulled. Of course it will not be that easy.
I enjoyed the interesting world of fashion and fashion photography. I certainly don't want to be part of that world and the author I would guess has had some experience within it, to get it across the way she did. The bakery is perhaps not a strong feature in the book and others have commented on this, but this was a very character driven novel but it has its place in setting the scene of the village and the lane of shops.
The story of Rosemary Lane has not finished, there has got to me much more to come? I am sure the pub that is featured in this book has a tale to tell and of course the bakery surely needs to expand? I can but dream and that is the sort of book this is. A lovely read.
Back on Rosemary Lane, we do see something of Della, her bookshop is expanding, her happiness clearly there for everyone to see but she still worries about her sister, Roxanne.
Roxanne becomes the main protagonist for this story as she escaped Rosemary Lane as soon as she could for the bright lights of London. From nothing she has worked her way into the fashion industry and is a Fashion Editor on a glossy magazine, the sort you flick through in a waiting room but would not necessarily buy!
She has everything she wanted but it seems that something is perhaps missing - when fate means her job is suddenly changed to something else and her rather reluctant boyfriend refuses to commit to anything. Roxanne leaves London and returns to her sister in Rosemary Lane. But what is she going to do?
Roxanne discovers that there is very little to do. Della does not really need her help in the shop and it seems the only thing left her to do is to walk the dog. Trouble is her fashion knowledge and walking a dog on a wet Yorkshire dale are at odds with each other.
Whilst Roxanne learns that comfortable practical clothes are the way forward, no one is judging her and they take her at face value with no ulterior motive. Here she meets Michael who is just starting to find his feet in the new bakery on Rosemary Lane and when his daughter becomes friendly with Roxanne it seems that perhaps the bright lights of London have finally dulled. Of course it will not be that easy.
I enjoyed the interesting world of fashion and fashion photography. I certainly don't want to be part of that world and the author I would guess has had some experience within it, to get it across the way she did. The bakery is perhaps not a strong feature in the book and others have commented on this, but this was a very character driven novel but it has its place in setting the scene of the village and the lane of shops.
The story of Rosemary Lane has not finished, there has got to me much more to come? I am sure the pub that is featured in this book has a tale to tell and of course the bakery surely needs to expand? I can but dream and that is the sort of book this is. A lovely read.
April 24, 2022
I hadn't realised this was the 2nd in a series when I got it. It's about Roxanne, who works at a fashion magazine in London. Having a few issues with work and her relationship she takes a break to Burley Bridge to stay with her sister Della. Here she meets Michael, who runs the bakery.
The story wasn't really based around the bakery and more the bookshop that her sister runs (which is the title of the 1st book). It was a nice and easy read. I do feel the ending was left on a cliff edge though. Does Roxanne live out the dream she has? What happened to her neighbour?
The story wasn't really based around the bakery and more the bookshop that her sister runs (which is the title of the 1st book). It was a nice and easy read. I do feel the ending was left on a cliff edge though. Does Roxanne live out the dream she has? What happened to her neighbour?
to-start-soon
November 12, 2017A digitized ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
(I have to say, the cover is quite fugly imo.)
(I have to say, the cover is quite fugly imo.)
December 17, 2017
For my written review, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
April 20, 2019
Easy read.
Loveable characters.
Left me wanting to know more
Loveable characters.
Left me wanting to know more
June 15, 2021
Carino e confortevole
February 5, 2023
Very predictable but exactly what you expect. Easy read with some funny bits. Good to get you back into reading if you're struggling. Thought the end was a little abrupt though.
September 9, 2017
The little bakery on Rosemary lane
By Ellen Berry
This is the first book I've read by this author. It was an enjoyable read. Simple and cute. The main character is Roxanne, a fashion magazine editor. Who's broken heart takes her back home. Where she reconnects with her sister. Walks her dog and meets a bakery owner named Michael.
Let the sunshine in...⭐️⭐️⭐️
By Ellen Berry
This is the first book I've read by this author. It was an enjoyable read. Simple and cute. The main character is Roxanne, a fashion magazine editor. Who's broken heart takes her back home. Where she reconnects with her sister. Walks her dog and meets a bakery owner named Michael.
Let the sunshine in...⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 3, 2020
Rating : 3.5 stars
Before getting down with the detailed review, let me clear something for the readers who are looking for reviews to decide whether to start this book or not while carefully avoiding spoilers. It is a kind of book; one would snuggle up with on a lazy Saturday afternoon or one would use as a palate cleanser after an intense read. On either way it is a good pick.
The little Bakery on the Rosemary Lane is the second book of the Rosemary Lane series. Despite being a part of the series the novel does not demand any knowledge of the previous novel. The protagonist of the novel, Roxanne, is a fashion director working for a high end magazine in London. Even at the age of 47, when everyone imagines their life would be settled in every aspect; Roxanne faces a lot of imbalance in her personal life with her partner Sean and her professional life. When her career and her reputation becomes questionable, she seeks a change and goes to her hometown, Burley Bridge to stay with her sister Della who owns a bookshop. Unexpectedly Roxanne enjoys her stay and befriends a baker named Michael. Then the novel unfolds furthermore to answer questions like, Will she ever return to her work? Is Michael more than a friend? Will she regain balance in her personal and professional life?
The novel moves in a normal pace without any drastic twists and turns. There is nothing much to complain with the author's penmanship and the characters featured in the novel. The description of the country is wrapped with innocence and very soothing. There is no exaggeration of characters or scenarios which makes the work likable. Although the book is filled with various instances of infidelity it does not meddle with the tone of the novel. A few take away from the novel is the knowledge that age doesn't promise any sort of settlement.Even at the age of 50 one can start a fulfilling life and it is okay to take a step back even it seems like a huge risk because life is full of surprises and opportunities.
On the downside, with the keyword BAKERY right on the front page leads to an expectation of getting some good recipes and it is a disappointment and at several point one could actually guess what is coming up next which kind of spoils the fascination.
THUS, one comes for the recipe and the behind the scenes of a bakery and stays for the second hand experience of a vacation.
Before getting down with the detailed review, let me clear something for the readers who are looking for reviews to decide whether to start this book or not while carefully avoiding spoilers. It is a kind of book; one would snuggle up with on a lazy Saturday afternoon or one would use as a palate cleanser after an intense read. On either way it is a good pick.
The little Bakery on the Rosemary Lane is the second book of the Rosemary Lane series. Despite being a part of the series the novel does not demand any knowledge of the previous novel. The protagonist of the novel, Roxanne, is a fashion director working for a high end magazine in London. Even at the age of 47, when everyone imagines their life would be settled in every aspect; Roxanne faces a lot of imbalance in her personal life with her partner Sean and her professional life. When her career and her reputation becomes questionable, she seeks a change and goes to her hometown, Burley Bridge to stay with her sister Della who owns a bookshop. Unexpectedly Roxanne enjoys her stay and befriends a baker named Michael. Then the novel unfolds furthermore to answer questions like, Will she ever return to her work? Is Michael more than a friend? Will she regain balance in her personal and professional life?
The novel moves in a normal pace without any drastic twists and turns. There is nothing much to complain with the author's penmanship and the characters featured in the novel. The description of the country is wrapped with innocence and very soothing. There is no exaggeration of characters or scenarios which makes the work likable. Although the book is filled with various instances of infidelity it does not meddle with the tone of the novel. A few take away from the novel is the knowledge that age doesn't promise any sort of settlement.Even at the age of 50 one can start a fulfilling life and it is okay to take a step back even it seems like a huge risk because life is full of surprises and opportunities.
On the downside, with the keyword BAKERY right on the front page leads to an expectation of getting some good recipes and it is a disappointment and at several point one could actually guess what is coming up next which kind of spoils the fascination.
THUS, one comes for the recipe and the behind the scenes of a bakery and stays for the second hand experience of a vacation.
June 4, 2024
I did not enjoy this book. That’s not to say you won’t. But here’s why: the plot seemed to drag in a lot of places, the book itself also seemed to be more about a woman whose life falls apart and she has to empower herself and rebuild it…which is a great theme. However, where it did have a few of those nuggets throughout - the ending made it clear that it was just a romance more than anything. It ended with the male love interest and heroin getting together rather than exploring the potential of the heroin standing on her own two feet. It could have ended with her looking into business names for an idea she had or even seeing an empty space in the village that she could see being hers. The bakery featured very little to say it was the title.
But it was a very easy read, nothing too dramatic, and nothing to really get emotionally invested in - plot or character-wise.
So, if you want an easy, quick read to cleanse the mind after an intense series - this would be fine.
But it was a very easy read, nothing too dramatic, and nothing to really get emotionally invested in - plot or character-wise.
So, if you want an easy, quick read to cleanse the mind after an intense series - this would be fine.
April 4, 2019
I can’t say that this is a great read , but as a reread it did seem better the second time around. I really wish they had fleshed out Isabelle more as a character as I think she’d be intriguing.
Fir me the problem was the love interest between Roxanne and Michael was barely at a fizzle and the lack of chemistry really let the book down. The work storyline did work to some extent , but it felt rushed especially the ending of roxanne’s career at the magazine.
Fir me the problem was the love interest between Roxanne and Michael was barely at a fizzle and the lack of chemistry really let the book down. The work storyline did work to some extent , but it felt rushed especially the ending of roxanne’s career at the magazine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2019
Una lettura intrigante, leggera e scorrevole.
L'unica pecca è il finale un po' troppo sbrigativo, avrei gradito assaporare la lovestory ancora per qualche pagina!
Se dovesse esserci un seguito, lo leggerò sicuramente. Nel frattempo, consiglio a tutti la lettura del romanzo attuale!
L'unica pecca è il finale un po' troppo sbrigativo, avrei gradito assaporare la lovestory ancora per qualche pagina!
Se dovesse esserci un seguito, lo leggerò sicuramente. Nel frattempo, consiglio a tutti la lettura del romanzo attuale!
November 30, 2017
A nice and easy, cosy read, with the feel good factor at the end.
November 4, 2018
A good light read
October 8, 2017
Roxanne Cartwright, 47, is Fashion Director for YourStyle magazine. A 30-year veteran in the magazine industry, she’s an ace at what she does and enjoys putting together glamorous fashion shoots for the magazine. So when she’s told by her new boss that the magazine is being taken in a new direction to cheap, figure-fixing pieces, Roxanne is shocked to learn that her position will be replaced by the new fashion-director-in-chief, Tina Court, who will oversee the transformation. Wary of her imminent dismissal, Roxanne uses her temporary time off from work to escape from London and retreat to her sister’s home in the small village of Burley Bridge in Yorkshire, where they grew up. After their mother’s death two years before, Della used her mum’s collection of cookbooks to open a cookbook bookshop and effectively changed the Burley Bridge landscape as Roxanne remembered it. The success of the bookshop has necessitated an expansion, and Roxanne heads to the village to help her sister with the finishing touches before the upcoming party and unveiling of the expanded space. At first reluctant to relinquish certain duties to her domestically impaired sister, in time Della realizes Roxanne’s effectiveness in handling matters in her absence and the two women become a great team.
Meanwhile, Roxanne is confused about her fashion photographer boyfriend back in London, Sean, who didn’t seem particularly displeased that she’d be leaving for two months. Sean is the first responsible boyfriend Roxanne’s ever had. Prior relationships consisted of a host of losers, and until Sean she wasn’t much concerned about having a stable relationship with anyone. The idea of a responsible, reliable man who fussed over her and could provide security seemed boring to Roxanne. But ever since she started dating Sean, suddenly she’s craving commitment. Nevertheless, something is off-putting about him. She’s heard rumors of his being a philanderer, but she can’t seem to resist his good looks and impish charm. She believes she’s in love with him, although his odd behavior, particularly that of chiding her for inconsequential incidents, is starting to get on her nerves. Roxanne finds herself continually making allowances for Sean's bad behavior whenever he apologizes, and she feels conflicted in her emotions about him. Especially since she’s met the owner of the Bakery on Rosemary Lane, Michael. He’s handsome, talented, available, and he seems to be interested in her. Suddenly, Sean doesn’t dominate her every thought. But then Sean shows up and surprises her in Burley Bridge while in Michael’s company, rendering her noticeably flustered. What will Roxanne do?
I really enjoyed this book. I loved reading about Roxanne’s life both in London and then Burley Bridge. I appreciated that she was a middle-aged woman, as most female protagonists I read about are much younger. I could easily relate to some of the witty references with regard to her age, and how it sometimes made her feel in the fashion world. And yet, this book could be read by persons young and old. Roxanne was a very chic, hip character, and didn’t come across as dowdy in any way. The relationship she shared with her sister, and that which she developed with Michael's daughter, Elsa, was endearing and added to my enjoyment of the book. I was interested to know how she would resolve her relationship issues, but events that transpired in the book ultimately dictated her decision, and I was happy about her choice. The only negatives I have about this book are that I’m not sure why it’s called The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane since the Bakery in the story is not center stage. It’s more in the background, so I found that a little misleading. Also, I’m not sure how to categorize it. Although it reads somewhat like a romance book, there wasn’t very much romance in it. At least not enough leading up to the outcome of the story, in my humble opinion. There was sort of a few themes going on too. I would have liked to have seen a little more fulfilling wrap-up of everyone and everything at the end. Aside from that it was a very good read. It kept me interested and I would read another book by Ellen Berry in the future.
I received an E-ARC of this book from the publisher via netgalley. All of the opinions stated in this review are my own.
Meanwhile, Roxanne is confused about her fashion photographer boyfriend back in London, Sean, who didn’t seem particularly displeased that she’d be leaving for two months. Sean is the first responsible boyfriend Roxanne’s ever had. Prior relationships consisted of a host of losers, and until Sean she wasn’t much concerned about having a stable relationship with anyone. The idea of a responsible, reliable man who fussed over her and could provide security seemed boring to Roxanne. But ever since she started dating Sean, suddenly she’s craving commitment. Nevertheless, something is off-putting about him. She’s heard rumors of his being a philanderer, but she can’t seem to resist his good looks and impish charm. She believes she’s in love with him, although his odd behavior, particularly that of chiding her for inconsequential incidents, is starting to get on her nerves. Roxanne finds herself continually making allowances for Sean's bad behavior whenever he apologizes, and she feels conflicted in her emotions about him. Especially since she’s met the owner of the Bakery on Rosemary Lane, Michael. He’s handsome, talented, available, and he seems to be interested in her. Suddenly, Sean doesn’t dominate her every thought. But then Sean shows up and surprises her in Burley Bridge while in Michael’s company, rendering her noticeably flustered. What will Roxanne do?
I really enjoyed this book. I loved reading about Roxanne’s life both in London and then Burley Bridge. I appreciated that she was a middle-aged woman, as most female protagonists I read about are much younger. I could easily relate to some of the witty references with regard to her age, and how it sometimes made her feel in the fashion world. And yet, this book could be read by persons young and old. Roxanne was a very chic, hip character, and didn’t come across as dowdy in any way. The relationship she shared with her sister, and that which she developed with Michael's daughter, Elsa, was endearing and added to my enjoyment of the book. I was interested to know how she would resolve her relationship issues, but events that transpired in the book ultimately dictated her decision, and I was happy about her choice. The only negatives I have about this book are that I’m not sure why it’s called The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane since the Bakery in the story is not center stage. It’s more in the background, so I found that a little misleading. Also, I’m not sure how to categorize it. Although it reads somewhat like a romance book, there wasn’t very much romance in it. At least not enough leading up to the outcome of the story, in my humble opinion. There was sort of a few themes going on too. I would have liked to have seen a little more fulfilling wrap-up of everyone and everything at the end. Aside from that it was a very good read. It kept me interested and I would read another book by Ellen Berry in the future.
I received an E-ARC of this book from the publisher via netgalley. All of the opinions stated in this review are my own.
December 9, 2017
I haven't read the first book in this series - The Bookshop on Rosemary Lane but I may pick it up after reading this book. In fact, there is nothing about this book that screams sequel at you. A couple of times I wondered if Della's story had already been told but they were just vague wonderings as this is very definitely a book about her sister Roxanne. I also wasn't aware when I purchased it that Ellen Berry was a pseudonym of Fiona Gibson - there was a pleasant surprise as I am quite a fan of Ms Gibson's books.
I quite enjoyed this book. In fact the first 40% I tore through but it seemed to really lose it's momentum once we moved from Rox's life in London to her arriving at her sister's flat above the bookshop in Burley Bridge. The London sections are written with a vibrancy that is sadly missing once moved to a more rural setting. This was disappointing as the whole point of the book, if the title is to be believed, is about Rosemary Lane. In fact, there is not really that much about the bakery at all so slightly misleading there. But I can see where it comes from.
The characters are well written and I particularly enjoyed Isabelle, especially the reveal at the end of the book. She may be a very peripheral character but she is important to Rox and the reasons why she has made a firm friendship with a woman so many years her senior. Some of them are not so appealing and I found it a little lazy that Sean was painted rather blackly whilst Martin was a seeming paragon of virtue - not really like characterisation I have come to expect from books under her normal writing name.
Despite this sniping and nit picking I did enjoy the book, although I was cursing myself for not reading something more festive due to the snow falling outside the window. I will possibly give the other books in the series a try - particularly the first one as I feel that there is much to learn about Della and her cosy little haven. I am pretty sure the third one will be about Rox setting up her little vintage shop on Rosemary Lane and will likely read that one as well - although there is nothing to indicate this is the truth or when this book may happen.
Nice compact writing in easy chunks that you easily pick up and put down so a good read for the commute.
I quite enjoyed this book. In fact the first 40% I tore through but it seemed to really lose it's momentum once we moved from Rox's life in London to her arriving at her sister's flat above the bookshop in Burley Bridge. The London sections are written with a vibrancy that is sadly missing once moved to a more rural setting. This was disappointing as the whole point of the book, if the title is to be believed, is about Rosemary Lane. In fact, there is not really that much about the bakery at all so slightly misleading there. But I can see where it comes from.
The characters are well written and I particularly enjoyed Isabelle, especially the reveal at the end of the book. She may be a very peripheral character but she is important to Rox and the reasons why she has made a firm friendship with a woman so many years her senior. Some of them are not so appealing and I found it a little lazy that Sean was painted rather blackly whilst Martin was a seeming paragon of virtue - not really like characterisation I have come to expect from books under her normal writing name.
Despite this sniping and nit picking I did enjoy the book, although I was cursing myself for not reading something more festive due to the snow falling outside the window. I will possibly give the other books in the series a try - particularly the first one as I feel that there is much to learn about Della and her cosy little haven. I am pretty sure the third one will be about Rox setting up her little vintage shop on Rosemary Lane and will likely read that one as well - although there is nothing to indicate this is the truth or when this book may happen.
Nice compact writing in easy chunks that you easily pick up and put down so a good read for the commute.
August 27, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Ellen Berry for my ARC copy of The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane.
Sometimes, I am as much of a sucker for a cover as the next person and this was the case with The Litle Bakery on Rosemary Lane. I picked it purely because I own a Scottish Terrier and this book has one on the front cover. Sometimes doing it this way works and sometimes it doesn't. Thankfully, with this novel it was the former.
Roxanne is a top fashion director in London after leaving her home in sleepy Yorkshire when she was a teenager. She's pretty happy with her life, she has a great boyfriend who works in the same industry as her, as a photographer. A lovely old neighbour Isabelle who is great company if a little eccentric, and she loves her job. But then when a shake up happens at work, everything seems to start going downhill. Taking her Editor's advice to go on a sabbatical, Roxanne finds herself heading back to Yorkshire to help her sister in her cookery book shop.
What Roxanne hadn't planned for was how much she was going to enjoy life in Burley Bridge. From helping in the shop, to walking Stanley the little Terrier, and socialising with Michael, the quiet yet attractive owner of The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane.
This novel is a fine example of romantic fiction or 'chic lit' done well. I've not come across this author before and I'm really glad that I've now had the opportunity. I really enjoyed this book, I found it engrossing despite the light subject matter, I was desperate to know what happened and found it impossible to put down! The characters were all engaging and likeable, and the ones you were supposed to dislike were very easy to dislike too! I'll definitely be checking out more of Ellen's books in the future!
Sometimes, I am as much of a sucker for a cover as the next person and this was the case with The Litle Bakery on Rosemary Lane. I picked it purely because I own a Scottish Terrier and this book has one on the front cover. Sometimes doing it this way works and sometimes it doesn't. Thankfully, with this novel it was the former.
Roxanne is a top fashion director in London after leaving her home in sleepy Yorkshire when she was a teenager. She's pretty happy with her life, she has a great boyfriend who works in the same industry as her, as a photographer. A lovely old neighbour Isabelle who is great company if a little eccentric, and she loves her job. But then when a shake up happens at work, everything seems to start going downhill. Taking her Editor's advice to go on a sabbatical, Roxanne finds herself heading back to Yorkshire to help her sister in her cookery book shop.
What Roxanne hadn't planned for was how much she was going to enjoy life in Burley Bridge. From helping in the shop, to walking Stanley the little Terrier, and socialising with Michael, the quiet yet attractive owner of The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane.
This novel is a fine example of romantic fiction or 'chic lit' done well. I've not come across this author before and I'm really glad that I've now had the opportunity. I really enjoyed this book, I found it engrossing despite the light subject matter, I was desperate to know what happened and found it impossible to put down! The characters were all engaging and likeable, and the ones you were supposed to dislike were very easy to dislike too! I'll definitely be checking out more of Ellen's books in the future!
September 25, 2017
The first part of the book is a great introduction to Roxanne's character and her life in London along with her relationship with Sean. After a disastrous day at work and then a terrible evening (let's be clear on things Dancing Queen is a fab song) events have well and truly spiralled out of control for Roxanne. With her life suddenly changing she finds herself on her way back to Burley Bridge to see her sister Della.
I loved Burley Bridge although I did wonder at first how Roxanne would cope with a more sedate way of life after living in London for so long. Along with seeing how she would react to being so near to her sister and reconnecting with her. I loved seeing Roxanne's personality shine through as the story progresses and she became a more likeable and rounded character. Ellen Berry manages to bring the place to life with her writing along with the people who live there.
This book is full of charm with a wonderful light and heartwarming feel to it that will certainly put you in a good mood. The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane moves at a lovely pace and is perfect to curl up with and enjoy!
With thanks to Sabah at Avon Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
I loved Burley Bridge although I did wonder at first how Roxanne would cope with a more sedate way of life after living in London for so long. Along with seeing how she would react to being so near to her sister and reconnecting with her. I loved seeing Roxanne's personality shine through as the story progresses and she became a more likeable and rounded character. Ellen Berry manages to bring the place to life with her writing along with the people who live there.
This book is full of charm with a wonderful light and heartwarming feel to it that will certainly put you in a good mood. The Little Bakery on Rosemary Lane moves at a lovely pace and is perfect to curl up with and enjoy!
With thanks to Sabah at Avon Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 16, 2019
It took about 18 chapters before I really got into this story because that's when Roxanne, our main lady, finally has some good interactions with Michael, the love interest! I was hoping it would pick up earlier but it did eventually get there.
Roxanne's pretty likeable - she a little quirky and she's pretty forgiving even though sometimes I wanted to give her a push to stick to her will a bit more. Her interactions with her sister are good in that respect, she sticks to her guns and stands up for herself! To Sean the ratty boyfriend though, it took her a while to see that he didn't treat her well. I wanted to throw some towels or something at Sean the whole time because he was clearly an inattentive, bigoted, pretentious ass. Like he needs a serious whack on the head - I don't even know how he couldn't see when he was being a terrible jerk to Roxanne! Jeez. Glad he wasn't the love interest!!!!
With the title The Bakery on Rosemary Lane, I figured the bakery would have played a lot more into the setting of the story but it just kind of is an aside. I feel like I may have gone in with too high hopes and this book just didn't quite get there.
Roxanne's pretty likeable - she a little quirky and she's pretty forgiving even though sometimes I wanted to give her a push to stick to her will a bit more. Her interactions with her sister are good in that respect, she sticks to her guns and stands up for herself! To Sean the ratty boyfriend though, it took her a while to see that he didn't treat her well. I wanted to throw some towels or something at Sean the whole time because he was clearly an inattentive, bigoted, pretentious ass. Like he needs a serious whack on the head - I don't even know how he couldn't see when he was being a terrible jerk to Roxanne! Jeez. Glad he wasn't the love interest!!!!
With the title The Bakery on Rosemary Lane, I figured the bakery would have played a lot more into the setting of the story but it just kind of is an aside. I feel like I may have gone in with too high hopes and this book just didn't quite get there.
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