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Little Somerby #1
The Second Chance Tea Shop
Second chances, new loves and scrumptious cakes, in this heart-warming novel. Perfect for all fans of Fern Britton, Katie Fforde and Cathy Bramley.
Following the tragic death of her beloved husband, Anna Hemingway decides it's time for a fresh start. So Anna and her three-year-old daughter Ellie move to a picture-perfect cottage in the beautiful village of Little Somerby, and when she takes over the running of the village tea shop, Ellie and Anna start to find happiness again.
But things get complicated when Matthew Carter, the owner of the local cider farm, enters their lives. Throughout a whirlwind year of village fetes and ancient wassails, love, laughter, apple pie and new memories, life slowly blossoms again. But when tragedy strikes and history seems to be repeating itself, Anna must find the strength to hold onto the new life she has built.
This beautiful, life-affirming debut novel marks the beginning of the Little Somerby series, and promises to make you smile, cry, reach for a cream tea, and long for a life in the perfect English countryside.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2017
231 people are currently reading
546 people want to read
About the author
Fay Keenan
24 books121 followersFay Keenan lives and works in Somerset. When Fay is not chasing her children around or writing, she teaches English at a local secondary school. Fay writes ‘heart thumping romantic fiction’ and likes to cover subjects of interest in her novels, including UK Parliament, the Air Ambulance and the international cider making industry. Her novels explore relationships, country living and hopefully have a good sprinkling of escapism, too!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 14, 2017
5☆ Charming and Beautiful read
The Second chance teashop is such a feel good story. Its charming and makes you feel warm inside.
It's about second chances, new beginnings, family, friendships, love and romance.
The first few pages for me had me turning pages. The new cottage, the big dog bounding in. It had me laughing before it even began!
Anna moves back to her hometown village Little Somerby with her daughter Ellie.
Anna's husband has passed away and she needs to be with her friends and family.
She moves into Pippin cottage next to her best friend Charlotte and is about to start work running the local village teashop.
Anna throws everything into running the teashop to help deal with her grief and emotions.
Well that is till she meets the gorgeous and sexy Matthew. He is a local and runs the local cider farm. There is an instant spark between them.
Could Matthew be the one to help Anna with her grief?
As the story progresses we learn that Matthew is also a single parent and going through a divorce. He's teenage daughter Merry is a breath of fresh air and seems to take a liking to Anna and Ellie.
Could Merry be the one to bond Matthew and Anna? Could Anna ever find it in her to love again after losing her husband. Or is it just companionship and friendship she needs?
There is no denying the chemistry between them. I was willing them together. I think he is just what she and Ellie need.
I loved the villagers and the teashop it was delightful and charming and really gelled the whole story.
I really enjoyed how the book was written in seasons. Each season bought exciting new adventures. New celebrations, new challenges and yummy new food.
It kept the story fresh and exciting.
Overall a great first book. I felt like I was fully involved in the story. I loved Anna but I especially loved Ellie and Merry. They made the story enchanting, for me Merry was my favourite character.
It was such an enjoyable, charming and loveable story. Great characters, yummy food and a budding romance. What more could you want. Hoping there will be more to come!
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
The Second chance teashop is such a feel good story. Its charming and makes you feel warm inside.
It's about second chances, new beginnings, family, friendships, love and romance.
The first few pages for me had me turning pages. The new cottage, the big dog bounding in. It had me laughing before it even began!
Anna moves back to her hometown village Little Somerby with her daughter Ellie.
Anna's husband has passed away and she needs to be with her friends and family.
She moves into Pippin cottage next to her best friend Charlotte and is about to start work running the local village teashop.
Anna throws everything into running the teashop to help deal with her grief and emotions.
Well that is till she meets the gorgeous and sexy Matthew. He is a local and runs the local cider farm. There is an instant spark between them.
Could Matthew be the one to help Anna with her grief?
As the story progresses we learn that Matthew is also a single parent and going through a divorce. He's teenage daughter Merry is a breath of fresh air and seems to take a liking to Anna and Ellie.
Could Merry be the one to bond Matthew and Anna? Could Anna ever find it in her to love again after losing her husband. Or is it just companionship and friendship she needs?
There is no denying the chemistry between them. I was willing them together. I think he is just what she and Ellie need.
I loved the villagers and the teashop it was delightful and charming and really gelled the whole story.
I really enjoyed how the book was written in seasons. Each season bought exciting new adventures. New celebrations, new challenges and yummy new food.
It kept the story fresh and exciting.
Overall a great first book. I felt like I was fully involved in the story. I loved Anna but I especially loved Ellie and Merry. They made the story enchanting, for me Merry was my favourite character.
It was such an enjoyable, charming and loveable story. Great characters, yummy food and a budding romance. What more could you want. Hoping there will be more to come!
I received this book from the Publisher in exchange for a honest and fair review via Netgalley.
March 21, 2017
The Second Chance Tea Shop is about Anna, who is a widow and Mum to 3 year old Ellie. She decides to start afresh and move back to the village where she grew up - Little Somersby in Somerset. Anna buys a lovely old cottage called Pippin Cottage - this book is jam packed with gorgeous sounding places and things - and has a new job as manager of The Little Orchard Tea Shop. Her best friend from school lives two cottages away, and Anna is looking forward to a new chapter in her life.
Initially she feels like an outsider, the undertones and subtleties of the villages relationships beyond her knowledge, but she soon gets into the way of life in the village of Little Somersby. The last things she expects is to meet a man she knew briefly over 16 years ago, Matthew Carter; a cider farm owner and father to Meredith. As well as being the Managing Director of Carter's Ciders - a successful cider farm and maker, he's also tall and good looking. But with the emergence of two people from Matthew's past, will him and Anna stand a chance at happiness...
The book is written in the order of the seasons, so you get to experience the changing of the scenery and passing of the year, the weather and the different locals festivities and customs. This really makes you feel like part of the village and community. I loved reading about the centuries old Wassailing celebration; filled with Hog roast, morris dancers, the green man and wassail queen, mulled cider, the Spring May Fair and the fudge cake and fiction book club, Anna sets up at the cafe.
The Second Chance Tea Shop is such a charming and delightful easy read. It's full of wonderful and vivid descriptions of the village and Anna's cottage; you can picture the Main Street with its butcher, takeaway, bakers, pub, wine shop, and other little local shops so clearly while reading. The village and residents end up feeling like a place you've visited before.
With the mouth watering descriptions of all types of food - cupcakes, treacle tarts, fruited tea loaf, cream teas and scones, muffins, cakes, Somerset cider prosciutto and pickle sandwiches, Wookey hole cheddar and spring onion toasties, plus drinks to wash all the food down - pots of earl grey, lattes and espressos, copious varieties of cider and wine - it really is a feel good book that makes you feel more light hearted and can perk you up again.
Sure it may have a rather similar plot to other books of the same genre, but it's so well written and utterly captivating that it manages to feel fresh. It does contain some sex scenes, which don't worry me, although I'm aware they're not everyone's cup of tea.
Anybody who loves chick lit, romance, and books filled with descriptions of yummy food in a picture perfect sounding village, would adore this book. Just make sure you have an endless supply of freshly baked cakes to eat before you start reading, or you'll be running out to the shops to buy some.
Thanks to NetGalley and Aria for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Initially she feels like an outsider, the undertones and subtleties of the villages relationships beyond her knowledge, but she soon gets into the way of life in the village of Little Somersby. The last things she expects is to meet a man she knew briefly over 16 years ago, Matthew Carter; a cider farm owner and father to Meredith. As well as being the Managing Director of Carter's Ciders - a successful cider farm and maker, he's also tall and good looking. But with the emergence of two people from Matthew's past, will him and Anna stand a chance at happiness...
The book is written in the order of the seasons, so you get to experience the changing of the scenery and passing of the year, the weather and the different locals festivities and customs. This really makes you feel like part of the village and community. I loved reading about the centuries old Wassailing celebration; filled with Hog roast, morris dancers, the green man and wassail queen, mulled cider, the Spring May Fair and the fudge cake and fiction book club, Anna sets up at the cafe.
The Second Chance Tea Shop is such a charming and delightful easy read. It's full of wonderful and vivid descriptions of the village and Anna's cottage; you can picture the Main Street with its butcher, takeaway, bakers, pub, wine shop, and other little local shops so clearly while reading. The village and residents end up feeling like a place you've visited before.
With the mouth watering descriptions of all types of food - cupcakes, treacle tarts, fruited tea loaf, cream teas and scones, muffins, cakes, Somerset cider prosciutto and pickle sandwiches, Wookey hole cheddar and spring onion toasties, plus drinks to wash all the food down - pots of earl grey, lattes and espressos, copious varieties of cider and wine - it really is a feel good book that makes you feel more light hearted and can perk you up again.
Sure it may have a rather similar plot to other books of the same genre, but it's so well written and utterly captivating that it manages to feel fresh. It does contain some sex scenes, which don't worry me, although I'm aware they're not everyone's cup of tea.
Anybody who loves chick lit, romance, and books filled with descriptions of yummy food in a picture perfect sounding village, would adore this book. Just make sure you have an endless supply of freshly baked cakes to eat before you start reading, or you'll be running out to the shops to buy some.
Thanks to NetGalley and Aria for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2017
‘If love was easy, we’d be doing it all the time, wouldn’t we?’
Second chances and healing, with teenager-ish charm having all the right ingredients with a total mix of both adult and young heart love where the lines evoke memories sounding as classic and pronto like Romeo and Mr. Darcy, turning it into a craving for indulgent sweet treats paired with a perfect tea to compliment the flavor of each seasons in life and new found love.
Merry Widow, Anna Hemingway with her three-year-old daughter Ellie, moved back to her hometown during winter, days before Christmas, to start afresh after she'd lost her husband two years ago in a car accident. She was entrusted to take over her godmother's The Little Orchard Tea Shop and bought this Pipin Cottage in the Somerset village of Little Somerby.
‘Falling in love again must be confusing...If you don’t take the risks, you’ll never experience the exhilaration.’
Set to take things slow and getting used to her new life — new home, new job — will then she meet Matthew Carter who runs a local family's cider business and a single father to Meredith. Like Anna, he's carrying a baggage of his own but the pull of attraction between them was hard to resist. Their relationship progress in a course of a year where they found solace and healing in each other from their past heartaches. But when they thought all is well then there's this blow that seems like repeating all over again. Will they stand the test and survive their second chances or will they deny themselves their happy ever after?
Well crafted and beautifully written for a debut novel, Fay Keenan showcases a story that ultimately develop the main characters by creatively describing what season have they'd gone through. Winter, when the cold of their hearts were both present from the history of their pasts situations and experiences. Spring, when their relationships (Anna and Matthew, Merry and Ellie, Merry and Flynn and even from the people's village) blooms and grow into something new. Summer, when they've been in their warmest selves and ‘the course of true love… or parenting, never did run smooth’ because ‘life has a habit of dealing the cards in the way you least expect’ . And then there's Fall — just when you thought everything is perfect, then came the inevitable storm that is fully ready to wreck their lives and the relationships they have been working to build.
It's not your ordinary cup of tea. Yes, it maybe a slow pace burner for the first few chapters but I enjoyed knowing the characters and telling the difference of what they were from the beginning and what they've become at the end. It's a palatable story in every sense from inspirational, young love to new adult romance, this hooks readers to keep on turning the pages until dawn.
With all the delightful sweet treats creating my own favorite ‘Flavours of Somerset’, from lavender and honey cupcake, vanilla and orange carrot cake, cream teas and scones and home baked apple and rosewater cupcakes, were nothing but torturous and inviting while 'Fudge and Fiction' is a total genius, I think I'll borrow and hack that amazing idea anytime soon.
As timely as it is for this coming holiday where second chances and new beginning is the single most important thing we need to be contemplating on, The Second Chance Tea Shop is an amazing read rendering the same message.
***Thank you Yasemin Turan of Aria Fiction for including me on this blog tour, to Netgalley and Fay Keenan for providing me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Links to buy:
Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play
About the Author:
Fay Keenan was born in Surrey and raised in Hampshire, before finally settling back in the West Country. When Fay is not chasing her children around or writing, she teaches English at a local secondary school. She lives with her husband of fourteen years, two daughters, a cat, two chickens and a Weimaraner called Bertie in a village in Somerset, which may or may not have provided the inspiration for Little Somerby.
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February 21, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley, Aria and Fay Keenan for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.
A recent flare up of chronic pain
Symptoms. Had seen me seeking out lighthearted, easy to read, happy books. I have stumbled upon a little gem with this book. It is easy to read, highly enjoyable and spirt lifting. A joy to read.
Anna Hemingways husband tragically died two years ago. Left to bring up their baby on her own. Anna and Now three year old cutie Ellie move back to Anna's hometown where she grew up. To be closer to Anna's best friend and family. Also to take over the running of the villiage shop which her aunt has left her in charge of for a year while she goes and lives aboard to help her arthritic bones.
There is lots of love, friendship, family and happiness in this book. All about villiage life and the running of the local tea shop. Villiage fairs, wassails, blessing of trees and new memories. There is happiness and heartache in bonds in this fantastic little read.
I loved this characters in this book and found the love aspect of this book extremely charming. There are some unexpected bits to this book, but mostly it goes exactly as you expect when you read the first few chapters. It is full of cake and cafe life something I simply love in a book. The scenes with little Ellie are simply adorable. What a wonderful start to the series.
If you like chicklit/romantic stories/ stories about cafe and villiage life then this book is for you.
Happy reading everyone
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.
A recent flare up of chronic pain
Symptoms. Had seen me seeking out lighthearted, easy to read, happy books. I have stumbled upon a little gem with this book. It is easy to read, highly enjoyable and spirt lifting. A joy to read.
Anna Hemingways husband tragically died two years ago. Left to bring up their baby on her own. Anna and Now three year old cutie Ellie move back to Anna's hometown where she grew up. To be closer to Anna's best friend and family. Also to take over the running of the villiage shop which her aunt has left her in charge of for a year while she goes and lives aboard to help her arthritic bones.
There is lots of love, friendship, family and happiness in this book. All about villiage life and the running of the local tea shop. Villiage fairs, wassails, blessing of trees and new memories. There is happiness and heartache in bonds in this fantastic little read.
I loved this characters in this book and found the love aspect of this book extremely charming. There are some unexpected bits to this book, but mostly it goes exactly as you expect when you read the first few chapters. It is full of cake and cafe life something I simply love in a book. The scenes with little Ellie are simply adorable. What a wonderful start to the series.
If you like chicklit/romantic stories/ stories about cafe and villiage life then this book is for you.
Happy reading everyone
January 13, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
That place is hotter than David Beckham’s boxers! … I’m so not joking – mere mortals like me would have to sell the family silver, if we hadn’t already, to get a table there. It’s worth going out with him just for the grub!
We’re not teenagers, Matthew –we both come with rather a lot of history… Like a second-hand car…
Christ, if it was me, I’d be sticking pins in a Chanel-dressed voodoo doll by now!
My Review:
I’m all about the indie’s and even more so when it is a first-time author, although sometimes it can be a gamble and I find myself holding my breath the book will be readable. Thankfully that was not a concern for this debut performance and the first offering of a planned series featuring a small English village, although the author did have a head start advantage being an English teacher and all. This was a sweet and gentle tale with a slowly building romance and side orders of humor, delicious sounding treats, and family drama until it took a turn for heavy angst and got a bit mired there a bit longer than I wished before those sweet scenes come back into focus. The frequent food mentions seemed to spark copious snacking during reading, that is my current excuse anyway. The premise was entertaining; the characters were endearing and appealing; and the writing was easy to follow, insightful, emotive, and relevant. I already have the second book in this series loaded on my Kindle and ready for immediate perusal.
I learned a few new Brit words and phrases, always a plus score for my day when I can add to my Brit word list – with the top new entries being “doorstep toast” which would be what Americans call Texas toast, and berk, which the Urban Dictionary tells me is the equivalent of an idiot, although the original slang origin was far more… earthy, and rhymes with hunt. So of course, I immediately had to add it to the top of my list ;)
That place is hotter than David Beckham’s boxers! … I’m so not joking – mere mortals like me would have to sell the family silver, if we hadn’t already, to get a table there. It’s worth going out with him just for the grub!
We’re not teenagers, Matthew –we both come with rather a lot of history… Like a second-hand car…
Christ, if it was me, I’d be sticking pins in a Chanel-dressed voodoo doll by now!
My Review:
I’m all about the indie’s and even more so when it is a first-time author, although sometimes it can be a gamble and I find myself holding my breath the book will be readable. Thankfully that was not a concern for this debut performance and the first offering of a planned series featuring a small English village, although the author did have a head start advantage being an English teacher and all. This was a sweet and gentle tale with a slowly building romance and side orders of humor, delicious sounding treats, and family drama until it took a turn for heavy angst and got a bit mired there a bit longer than I wished before those sweet scenes come back into focus. The frequent food mentions seemed to spark copious snacking during reading, that is my current excuse anyway. The premise was entertaining; the characters were endearing and appealing; and the writing was easy to follow, insightful, emotive, and relevant. I already have the second book in this series loaded on my Kindle and ready for immediate perusal.
I learned a few new Brit words and phrases, always a plus score for my day when I can add to my Brit word list – with the top new entries being “doorstep toast” which would be what Americans call Texas toast, and berk, which the Urban Dictionary tells me is the equivalent of an idiot, although the original slang origin was far more… earthy, and rhymes with hunt. So of course, I immediately had to add it to the top of my list ;)
April 6, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
I have to start by gushing over this absolutely beautiful cover, doesn’t it just scream springtime?! I adore it and what’s inside is just as sweet and lovely. Anna is a widow and trying to start a new life for herself and her three year old daughter, Ellie. She moves to the quaintest little village to run a tea shop and though I know it’s not real, I would still really like to visit it myself! There’s something about all these sweet shops, bakeries and tea shops that always pop up in books set in the U.K. that always appeals to me.
Though Anna has no intention of dating anytime soon, she meets Matthew who runs a local cider farm and can’t fight their growing connection. I really liked that this wasn’t one of those books where two people meet, fall in love instantly and everything is utterly perfect, they experience a few bumps in the road. Anna is quite mature and guarded so she takes her time in her new relationship which was very refreshing and appreciated. It follows Anna’s life over the course of a year and is broken up into sections based on the season. I loved experiencing the village through Anna’s eyes and seeing how it looked and felt during all the months of the year.
This was an uplifting read about getting a second chance at not only love, but at life in general. Ellie and Matthew’s teenaged daughter Merry really stole the show and were a great added bonus to the story. This was a light, easy read full of whimsy and hope, one that kept me flicking the pages rapidly as I was so hopeful that Anna would find true happiness. She grows and evolves so much over the course of the book and watching her relationship with Matthew blossom was so sweet and romantic. Is there anything more endearing than watching a love story unfold?!
I have to start by gushing over this absolutely beautiful cover, doesn’t it just scream springtime?! I adore it and what’s inside is just as sweet and lovely. Anna is a widow and trying to start a new life for herself and her three year old daughter, Ellie. She moves to the quaintest little village to run a tea shop and though I know it’s not real, I would still really like to visit it myself! There’s something about all these sweet shops, bakeries and tea shops that always pop up in books set in the U.K. that always appeals to me.
Though Anna has no intention of dating anytime soon, she meets Matthew who runs a local cider farm and can’t fight their growing connection. I really liked that this wasn’t one of those books where two people meet, fall in love instantly and everything is utterly perfect, they experience a few bumps in the road. Anna is quite mature and guarded so she takes her time in her new relationship which was very refreshing and appreciated. It follows Anna’s life over the course of a year and is broken up into sections based on the season. I loved experiencing the village through Anna’s eyes and seeing how it looked and felt during all the months of the year.
This was an uplifting read about getting a second chance at not only love, but at life in general. Ellie and Matthew’s teenaged daughter Merry really stole the show and were a great added bonus to the story. This was a light, easy read full of whimsy and hope, one that kept me flicking the pages rapidly as I was so hopeful that Anna would find true happiness. She grows and evolves so much over the course of the book and watching her relationship with Matthew blossom was so sweet and romantic. Is there anything more endearing than watching a love story unfold?!
April 5, 2017
After losing her husband, Anna moves to Little Somerby with her small daughter Ellie. She takes over running the tea shop where she meets all the villagers. She also takes part in village life and the annual celebrations. She lets romance in and allows herself to date again.
Matthews teenage daughter is a lovely character and she embraces Anna and Ellie and often pops round to see her. It adds the younger characters to the book who also frequent the tea shop.
Family secrets and strife are revealed along the way and friends help heal the troubled waters.
It was a lovely comfortable read and I look forward to reading more by Fay Keenan.
Matthews teenage daughter is a lovely character and she embraces Anna and Ellie and often pops round to see her. It adds the younger characters to the book who also frequent the tea shop.
Family secrets and strife are revealed along the way and friends help heal the troubled waters.
It was a lovely comfortable read and I look forward to reading more by Fay Keenan.
April 4, 2017
Having lost her husband suddenly two years ago, Anna Hemingway is ready to make a fresh start for herself and her little girl Ellie by returning back to the village of Little Somerby, her childhood home. Being close to her family and her best friend, Charlotte, feels right, and managing the local tea shop will keep her busy and give her something to get her teeth into. But as she starts to settle into her new home and her new job, there will many unexpected changes around her, and as she begins to feel the flutters of attraction for the local sexy cider-maker, who knows what the future holds. But Matthew Carter is also carrying around grief and feelings from his past and has his interfering, teenage daughter to think of. Can they survive the local gossips, move on from their past heartache, and forge something new together?
THE SECOND CHANCE TEA SHOP by Fay Keenan is a delightfully entertaining romance that is perfect for an afternoon's reading. Little Somerby is a picturesque setting that I instantly fell in love with, and I became invested in Anna and Matthew as they tried to navigate emotions of grief, loss, hope, and attraction. The kids in this book shone bright from the beginning and made me laugh throughout. This book was just so easy to get into and read, and time flew by as I got lost in its pages - with cake, love, and laughter this is a book for all romance fans.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
THE SECOND CHANCE TEA SHOP by Fay Keenan is a delightfully entertaining romance that is perfect for an afternoon's reading. Little Somerby is a picturesque setting that I instantly fell in love with, and I became invested in Anna and Matthew as they tried to navigate emotions of grief, loss, hope, and attraction. The kids in this book shone bright from the beginning and made me laugh throughout. This book was just so easy to get into and read, and time flew by as I got lost in its pages - with cake, love, and laughter this is a book for all romance fans.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
April 4, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
This is Fay Keenan's debut novel, and what a treat! Great characterisation, lovely little details, enchanting setting and an emotional journey for the characters and the reader.
With Matthew being the brooding hero and having concentrated most of his energy into the family business before his head gets turned by Anna, this was like a modern day version of North and South, only set in Somerset around the cider industry.
Knowing the area that Little Somerby is based on, and the landmarks described in Somerset, this was such a delight to read. I can’t wait to read the next book set in this charming village.
This is Fay Keenan's debut novel, and what a treat! Great characterisation, lovely little details, enchanting setting and an emotional journey for the characters and the reader.
With Matthew being the brooding hero and having concentrated most of his energy into the family business before his head gets turned by Anna, this was like a modern day version of North and South, only set in Somerset around the cider industry.
Knowing the area that Little Somerby is based on, and the landmarks described in Somerset, this was such a delight to read. I can’t wait to read the next book set in this charming village.
March 11, 2017
Well this is a story that started off reasonably well, not spectacularly but was enjoyable enough, and then as it progressed and especially for the second half, it became more and more enthralling and I found myself thoroughly enjoying what was happening.
As much though as I liked Anna and Matthew and was willing them together, to me the stars of the book were Ellie and Merry. Ellie is Anna's 3 year old daughter, and she comes out with some absolute classic lines. I love the innoncece of young children, and Ellie was just entertaining on all levels.
Merry is Matthews teenage daughter, and she takes an instant liking to Anna, and is determined to matchmake the adults. She is wonderful with Ellie and has her own challenges to face later in the book.
Despite them both having children, they are both single parents. Anna was widowed two years ago, and Matthew is divorced with his ex living in America. Anna has moved to Little Somerby where she grew up, to try to move on with her life, and has taken over the tea shop in town.
Despite the tea shop being a hub of the community, I disappointingly didn't really feel that enamoured with what was being sold. Having read many books set in tea shops in the past few months, the one thing the usually all have is the ability to make me drool for some sort of food, but it didn't really happen in this book, which I found a bit surprising.
However I did love the locals that came into the shop, and Anna slowly builds a great support network, and falls into a good routine of life, and getting to know her regulars.
Although I found this book quite easy to read, I couldn't help but feel at times especially at the beginning that it felt a bit on the long side. It may just be that I hadn't really got into the swing of the book, but I felt the percentage meter just wasn't going up as fast as I was expecting, for how much I had read. As the book progressed it bothered me less and less, but to me it seems like the biggest indicator that for me the book was a slow starter.
Despite my niggles, I did really enjoy The Second Chance Tea Shop, and I think this author has a lot of promise. I am definitely interested to see if there will be another book set in Little Somerby and to return to this village and some of the characters.
Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
February 24, 2017
I really enjoyed The Second Chance Tea Shop. It is beautifully written and so easy to read. With characters you fall in love with straight away.
The main character Anna has been through so much and you just feel for her and wish her every happiness. Throughout the book my heart broke for her, I felt every emotion for her in the book, from anger, sadness and happiness.
The cafe, cottage and whole village that is used in the book just sounds absolutely perfect and so peaceful it would be anyones dream place to live in.
A fabulous 5* read!
The main character Anna has been through so much and you just feel for her and wish her every happiness. Throughout the book my heart broke for her, I felt every emotion for her in the book, from anger, sadness and happiness.
The cafe, cottage and whole village that is used in the book just sounds absolutely perfect and so peaceful it would be anyones dream place to live in.
A fabulous 5* read!
December 28, 2021
DNF @ 51%
I seem to be on a poor story streak at the moment! At least this one was only a library book borrow and not an arc or costly purchase. The story kicked off quite well and, despite it being a debut book, the author has a strong "written voice". For that alone, I'm giving this a second star rather than the 1 star I generally give a DNF book.
Initially, as we grew to know the characters and setting, I was utterly absorbed by the book but as time went on I found myself becoming disconnected from it. The plot was very thin, not an awful lot happened nor was there even any character growth to fill the gap. I've read some truly great contemporary romances recently and have definitely been spoilt by authors who had both a great plot idea and then cleverly wove romance into it. This just lacked.
My views are based solely on the half of a book I read, and perhaps all the action took place in the second part. However a good story should hook you in (which this did) and then hold your attention, which this failed to do spectacularly. Too much tell and not show, too much being perfect at everything, not enough portraying of emotions so much as demonstrating lust.
Everything was just "too easy", Anna sailed through life able to take on the running of a tea shop, including doing the accounts, with nary a hiccup or worry. My parents owned a corner shop for many years - the working hours are incredibly long, the ordering of stock, working with suppliers, organising deliveries were time-consuming and they most certainly didn't wait until March to "do the books" - it had to be kept on top of on a very regular basis due to the huge amount of incomings and outgoings. I don't think the author had actually done her due diligence and researched either of the trades she included in any real depth.
In summary, this is a fairly pleasant read if you don't look too deeply. Unchallenging, lacking depth and a little bland.
I seem to be on a poor story streak at the moment! At least this one was only a library book borrow and not an arc or costly purchase. The story kicked off quite well and, despite it being a debut book, the author has a strong "written voice". For that alone, I'm giving this a second star rather than the 1 star I generally give a DNF book.
Initially, as we grew to know the characters and setting, I was utterly absorbed by the book but as time went on I found myself becoming disconnected from it. The plot was very thin, not an awful lot happened nor was there even any character growth to fill the gap. I've read some truly great contemporary romances recently and have definitely been spoilt by authors who had both a great plot idea and then cleverly wove romance into it. This just lacked.
My views are based solely on the half of a book I read, and perhaps all the action took place in the second part. However a good story should hook you in (which this did) and then hold your attention, which this failed to do spectacularly. Too much tell and not show, too much being perfect at everything, not enough portraying of emotions so much as demonstrating lust.
Everything was just "too easy", Anna sailed through life able to take on the running of a tea shop, including doing the accounts, with nary a hiccup or worry. My parents owned a corner shop for many years - the working hours are incredibly long, the ordering of stock, working with suppliers, organising deliveries were time-consuming and they most certainly didn't wait until March to "do the books" - it had to be kept on top of on a very regular basis due to the huge amount of incomings and outgoings. I don't think the author had actually done her due diligence and researched either of the trades she included in any real depth.
In summary, this is a fairly pleasant read if you don't look too deeply. Unchallenging, lacking depth and a little bland.
November 28, 2017
Not really a bad read but not a great one either. Could have done without all of the graphic sex and throbbing member descriptions, which were laughably bad at times. Bit unreal that the widowed main character gets together with her new beau in the first 10-15% of the book, right after meeting him basically and right after breaking down in her new home about having lost her husband. No time wasted. But then the author wastes no time on having them bonk all over the household.
Just a bit confusing as a story really. Anna seemed smart but not so smart when it came to her relationship with Matthew or with his brother Jonathan. Could have maybe benefited from better editing.
Just a bit confusing as a story really. Anna seemed smart but not so smart when it came to her relationship with Matthew or with his brother Jonathan. Could have maybe benefited from better editing.
March 26, 2017
Cheating is a big fat nope for me! 2 stars because the plot was good. Once the hero cheated it made me instantly hate him. The heroine pretty much forgave him after he stopped talking to her for weeks ( letting her believe he resents her for pushing him to far with his daughter) and cheats on her.. but that's okay because he comes to find her and says a few sweet words and she's all forgiving... NOPE!
**ARC via NetGalley for an honest review**
**ARC via NetGalley for an honest review**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2018
A genuinely enjoyable read- so easy to just keep turning the pages of this book that had some unpredictable events on the way to a very satisfying ending!
April 7, 2017
Told through the four seasons of the year, we meet Anna and her daughter Ellie as they return to the village of Little Somerby to make a new start. Taking over the town’s tea shop from her godmother, Anna is hoping the change of place and pace will put her world back on its feet, after losing her husband unexpectedly in a car accident. She’s gone all in, buying Pippin Cottage, at the end of Flowerdown Lane, and surrounded by an apple orchard, she’s really just wanting to be in familiar spaces with friends she’s had since childhood, closer to her parents, and fewer memories of her husband. But, as often happens, nothing is going quite according to plan: the movers are late, the heating won’t work and the changes are coming hard and fast, overwhelming her. Oh – and did I mention that it’s just weeks before Christmas?
When a call to the estate agent brings the gruff, albeit gorgeous man, to her door to start the stove- she’s completely taken aback. He’s not pleasant, doesn’t introduce himself, and Anna is instantly thinking the whole change of life is a mistake. But Matthew, despite being unfriendly at the moment, really isn’t. He’s got a ton of personal history (none of it good) in Pippin Cottage, and mounds of paperwork and things to accomplish as the manager of the family’s cider business. A single father, after his wife deserted he and his now teen daughter, he’s consumed with the business and the progress he’s made as manager. Everything else that makes him uncomfortable, unsettled or even uneasy is simply shut in a closet never to be looked at again.
But Anna and Matthew are drawn to one another: a tentative friendship blossoms into more with the steady influence (some say interference) from his daughter Meredith and the long-dead memory of a connection made years earlier, when Anna was a schoolgirl, during a tour of the orchard and cider operation. Slowly Anna starts to move forward, even as she still grips tightly to what might have been in her marriage: the loss and grief are familiar companions, ones that she retreats to often. On the other side: Matthew is a control freak- ready to assign the worst case scenario to all of his personal encounters, shielding himself from actually dealing with the emotional aftermath.
As the year progresses and we see the changes in them both, with secondary characters providing those moments that fill both Anna and the readers with information about town dynamics, gossip and personalities: the story begins to share the sense of community and security that Anna so desperately craved. Even as her relationship with Matt has her constantly overthinking things: her gentle and giving nature is apparent to all, and slowly the desire to be around and with Anna, for Matt, becomes a need. Much as her growing relationship with Meredith (desperate for a woman’s touch), and her very best friend Charlotte who always seems to have a million things happening at once: the connection and dependence that the two form for one another becomes a focal point and facing challenges and issues head-on becomes the crisis point that may tear them apart.
A wholly wonderful debut, bringing plenty of challenges, growth and moments where readers will completely understand everyone’s issues – I can’t wait for the next!
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
When a call to the estate agent brings the gruff, albeit gorgeous man, to her door to start the stove- she’s completely taken aback. He’s not pleasant, doesn’t introduce himself, and Anna is instantly thinking the whole change of life is a mistake. But Matthew, despite being unfriendly at the moment, really isn’t. He’s got a ton of personal history (none of it good) in Pippin Cottage, and mounds of paperwork and things to accomplish as the manager of the family’s cider business. A single father, after his wife deserted he and his now teen daughter, he’s consumed with the business and the progress he’s made as manager. Everything else that makes him uncomfortable, unsettled or even uneasy is simply shut in a closet never to be looked at again.
But Anna and Matthew are drawn to one another: a tentative friendship blossoms into more with the steady influence (some say interference) from his daughter Meredith and the long-dead memory of a connection made years earlier, when Anna was a schoolgirl, during a tour of the orchard and cider operation. Slowly Anna starts to move forward, even as she still grips tightly to what might have been in her marriage: the loss and grief are familiar companions, ones that she retreats to often. On the other side: Matthew is a control freak- ready to assign the worst case scenario to all of his personal encounters, shielding himself from actually dealing with the emotional aftermath.
As the year progresses and we see the changes in them both, with secondary characters providing those moments that fill both Anna and the readers with information about town dynamics, gossip and personalities: the story begins to share the sense of community and security that Anna so desperately craved. Even as her relationship with Matt has her constantly overthinking things: her gentle and giving nature is apparent to all, and slowly the desire to be around and with Anna, for Matt, becomes a need. Much as her growing relationship with Meredith (desperate for a woman’s touch), and her very best friend Charlotte who always seems to have a million things happening at once: the connection and dependence that the two form for one another becomes a focal point and facing challenges and issues head-on becomes the crisis point that may tear them apart.
A wholly wonderful debut, bringing plenty of challenges, growth and moments where readers will completely understand everyone’s issues – I can’t wait for the next!
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
June 19, 2018
So after reading the second one in this series and absolutely loving it, I finally got round to reading the first one and let me tell you I think I loved it more than the second! I mean, from the cover I knew I was going to love it anyway, I adore the colours, the pink, yellow and blue and the little cakes and cupcakes in the window are so cute! I also love the bunting at the top of the cover and the title is really sweet too.
The story itself is really interesting, I found myself trying to find moments in my day just so I could read it some more! I adore the whole country living community vibe that this book gives out. I wish we read more about Ellie, as it always seems that she's at nursery or at Anna's parents house but overall it was still a fantastic story. There are so many twists and drama involved that it was honestly just a great read.
This novel follows Anna who has decided to move to Little Somerby after the death of her husband. She wants to get away and have a fresh start somewhere where she isn't reminded of him daily. When she arrives, she has her work cut out for her as she has taken on the manger role at the local bakery/cafe and when she's not there she's either baking for there or looking after young daughter Ellie. However, when she meets Matthew, she finds something in her heart that she thought she'd lost forever. But, when Matthew's ex-wife comes back onto the scene and makes the biggest mistake of his life, can Anna keep it together? Or has Matthew lost her for good?
I don't even know if I have any more words to describe just how much I enjoyed this book. It's saucy, it's lighthearted, it's romantic, it's full of drama - it's everything I want in a book anyway! Glad I decided to give this one a read. Will definitely be looking out for more novels by this author in future.
The story itself is really interesting, I found myself trying to find moments in my day just so I could read it some more! I adore the whole country living community vibe that this book gives out. I wish we read more about Ellie, as it always seems that she's at nursery or at Anna's parents house but overall it was still a fantastic story. There are so many twists and drama involved that it was honestly just a great read.
This novel follows Anna who has decided to move to Little Somerby after the death of her husband. She wants to get away and have a fresh start somewhere where she isn't reminded of him daily. When she arrives, she has her work cut out for her as she has taken on the manger role at the local bakery/cafe and when she's not there she's either baking for there or looking after young daughter Ellie. However, when she meets Matthew, she finds something in her heart that she thought she'd lost forever. But, when Matthew's ex-wife comes back onto the scene and makes the biggest mistake of his life, can Anna keep it together? Or has Matthew lost her for good?
I don't even know if I have any more words to describe just how much I enjoyed this book. It's saucy, it's lighthearted, it's romantic, it's full of drama - it's everything I want in a book anyway! Glad I decided to give this one a read. Will definitely be looking out for more novels by this author in future.
April 1, 2019
Not my usual genre but I did enjoy this story.
Anna and her young daughter Ellie, move back to the village where she grew up a few years after her husband's death. It's a new start for them, they move into a new home, Anna takes on the running of Orchard Tea Shop and Ellie starts Nursery. Predictably, Anna finds love but it's complicated, both she and Matthew have their own demons to face, and for a while their relationship seems doomed.
A lovely book, kept my attention more that other books of this type. Perhaps I'll look for others by this author.
Anna and her young daughter Ellie, move back to the village where she grew up a few years after her husband's death. It's a new start for them, they move into a new home, Anna takes on the running of Orchard Tea Shop and Ellie starts Nursery. Predictably, Anna finds love but it's complicated, both she and Matthew have their own demons to face, and for a while their relationship seems doomed.
A lovely book, kept my attention more that other books of this type. Perhaps I'll look for others by this author.
December 31, 2023
A digitized ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wow so yeah, I was definitely hesitant with putting down the rating, because at the time there were only a few and I didn't want to dramatically lower the average. As it's been many years, that concern is out of the way. The book started off just fine, like all the chick-lit ARC I received, it was towards the end though, a gigantic WTF. Like, it made literally no sense. I can understand (or at least imagine) saying absolutely undeserved things under duress (to someone you love, so later on terribly regretting the act and then begging for forgiveness), but banging your cheating ex-wife, whom you loathe, to express your confusion and despair? How does that make any sense? What's worse is the cold shoulder and withdrawal that followed afterwards. Like, what a dick. If it's based on some true story, gal, it honestly sucks to be you and you better make your husband pay for the way he treated you. Like, again, WTF. I can stress this enough.
Wow so yeah, I was definitely hesitant with putting down the rating, because at the time there were only a few and I didn't want to dramatically lower the average. As it's been many years, that concern is out of the way. The book started off just fine, like all the chick-lit ARC I received, it was towards the end though, a gigantic WTF. Like, it made literally no sense. I can understand (or at least imagine) saying absolutely undeserved things under duress (to someone you love, so later on terribly regretting the act and then begging for forgiveness), but banging your cheating ex-wife, whom you loathe, to express your confusion and despair? How does that make any sense? What's worse is the cold shoulder and withdrawal that followed afterwards. Like, what a dick. If it's based on some true story, gal, it honestly sucks to be you and you better make your husband pay for the way he treated you. Like, again, WTF. I can stress this enough.
June 28, 2017
Very little storyline and seemed to drag on.
June 21, 2020
It was sweet, but a bit too much. I'm sure something big is going to happen, but I'm half way through and realized I just don't care!
April 15, 2017
The Blurb :
Following the tragic death of her beloved husband, Anna Hemingway decides it's time for a fresh start. So Anna and her three-year-old daughter Ellie move to a picture-perfect cottage in the beautiful village of Little Somerby, and when she takes over the running of the village tea shop, Ellie and Anna start to find happiness again.
But things get complicated when Matthew Carter, the owner of the local cider farm, enters their lives. Throughout a whirlwind year of village fetes and ancient wassails, love, laughter, apple pie and new memories, life slowly blossoms again. But when tragedy strikes and history seems to be repeating itself, Anna must find the strength to hold onto the new life she has built.
My Thoughts :
Firstly I must mention that amazing cover, its so pretty and detailed with the lovely little cakes in the window. If this alone doesnt make you want to read it, nothing will.
I instantly fell in love with the charactors in this book. Anna Hemingway and her daughter Ellie are trying for a fresh start after losing her husband, two years ago in a car accident, Anna returns to Little Somerby, where she grew up. Taking over the running of the local teashop in the town.
As Anna settles in and makes new friends, she once again gets reaquainted with Matthew Carter, owner of the local cider farm and divorced with a daughter called Merry. Merry takes an instant liking to Anna and Ellie.
I really liked that their relationship starts out pretty early on, I hate it when its all dragged out for the whole book. Its nice to see them at ease with each other and wanting to take things slowly after both being hurt in the past.
The story is set in different seasons, which I really liked as it worked well with the storylines. There are some beautiful descriptions to take into account, so much that I could picture in the town, its pub, bakers, wine shop, butchers and all the other local shops.
I loved the cakes and cream teas served in the tea shop all washed down with a delicious cup of tea.
This is just a great feel good story, that deals with loss, love and hope. Cant wait to read more in this series.
June 15, 2017
The Second Chance Tea Shop, the debut novel from Fay Keenan, begins with Anna Hemingway and her small daughter returning to the village where Anna grew up. Recently widowed, Anna is emotionally raw and has come home to heal, but when a tall, dark, handsome not-quite-a-stranger comes back into her life, things take an unexpected turn. A job running the local tea-room, a new romance, a slightly rogueish younger brother and the trials of teenage love all come together to shape an extraordinary year for Anna, one tinged with both light and dark, joy and sorrow.
Fay Keenan has woven a tale of love and loss, of the trials and tribulations of love, and of romance as sweet and frothy as a glass of Matthew Carter’s cider. Not to mention some rather sizzling love scenes, tastefully handled but enough to get the pulse racing! Her characters are relatable and recognisable, but never clichéd, and there are enough twists and turns in the plot to pull the reader along – I know I had trouble putting it down.
Keenan also takes the reader on a journey through the seasons, her keen eye for detail perfectly evoking the picture-postcard village of Little Somerby as the wheel of the year turns. There is some wonderful description – I loved Anna’s ancient cottage nestled in the orchard, and the old cider vat room, the heart of the estate. Also, the food! Anna happens to be a rather good cook, and the descriptions of various cakes and pastries were so delicious they made me feel hungry.
The Second Chance Tea Shop is a charming debut, and I’m very much looking forward to part two (there is going to be a part two, isn’t there?)
Fay Keenan has woven a tale of love and loss, of the trials and tribulations of love, and of romance as sweet and frothy as a glass of Matthew Carter’s cider. Not to mention some rather sizzling love scenes, tastefully handled but enough to get the pulse racing! Her characters are relatable and recognisable, but never clichéd, and there are enough twists and turns in the plot to pull the reader along – I know I had trouble putting it down.
Keenan also takes the reader on a journey through the seasons, her keen eye for detail perfectly evoking the picture-postcard village of Little Somerby as the wheel of the year turns. There is some wonderful description – I loved Anna’s ancient cottage nestled in the orchard, and the old cider vat room, the heart of the estate. Also, the food! Anna happens to be a rather good cook, and the descriptions of various cakes and pastries were so delicious they made me feel hungry.
The Second Chance Tea Shop is a charming debut, and I’m very much looking forward to part two (there is going to be a part two, isn’t there?)
July 29, 2017
A lovely, immersive love story that had me thinking about the characters in between reading sessions. The author gives a great sense of place and a skilfully-paced story that kept me turning the page. Themes that resonate universally, love, loss, mistakes and hope for another chance. I certainly wouldn't mind meeting Matthew 😉 and also trying some of Anna's cakes! This is a great read and I highly recommend it!
October 1, 2017
This is a wonderfully romantic debut by a talented writer. The style is clear and imaginative, flowing easily from page to page, with descriptions of places that make you feel completely present in the stunning locations. I'm looking forward, eagerly, to the second book in the series and I'm intrigued as to whose story it will be!
April 2, 2017
Fabulous first novel
A lovely read which I didn't want to put down. I believed in all the characters and wanted to go for coffee and scones in the tea shop! I'm looking forward to the next installment!
A lovely read which I didn't want to put down. I believed in all the characters and wanted to go for coffee and scones in the tea shop! I'm looking forward to the next installment!
October 14, 2017
Drift away and enjoy
Pure escapism, I found myself falling into such a wonderful love story... Anna's character had such likability as did her life and those in it. I enjoyed this book from start to finish... In fact I wanted to continue Anna and Matthew's story....
Pure escapism, I found myself falling into such a wonderful love story... Anna's character had such likability as did her life and those in it. I enjoyed this book from start to finish... In fact I wanted to continue Anna and Matthew's story....
October 14, 2017
Very moving!!
Very few books have made me feel soany emotions. You can't help but love these characters and just feel every emotions as they do. I loved this book. Truly loved it.
Very few books have made me feel soany emotions. You can't help but love these characters and just feel every emotions as they do. I loved this book. Truly loved it.
October 7, 2019
This has been a delightful read from start to finish. I'd already read book 2 so had to back track in order to read this book 1. But it was fine as each book can ve read as standalone in my opinion so nothing of the story was ruined.
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, some of whom I really felt for, whatwith all they'd been through in the past.
There were some emotional moments within the story but also lots of happy moments too.
I'm looking forward to reading book 3 very soon.
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, some of whom I really felt for, whatwith all they'd been through in the past.
There were some emotional moments within the story but also lots of happy moments too.
I'm looking forward to reading book 3 very soon.
June 12, 2024
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