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Little Teashop of Horrors
Amy Knowles has always been the plain sidekick to her pretty best friend Jules. And whilst the tearoom they both work in on the Monkpark Hall estate in Yorkshire is not exactly awash with eligible bachelors, it’s obvious where the male attention is concentrated – and it’s not just on the cakes!
268 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
60 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Jane Lovering
52 books230 followersJane Lovering was born in Devon, England but, following extradition procedures, now lives in Yorkshire. She has five children, four cats, two dogs and doesn't believe in housework so the bacteria and dust are approaching sentience and now rank among the pets. Incidentally, she doesn’t believe in ironing either, and the children all learned self-defensive cookery at early ages. She works in a local school and also teaches creative writing, which are extreme ways of avoiding the washing up.
Published since 2008, she writes romantic comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. One day she's going to find out what that means. Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and has a first class honours degree in creative writing. In 2012, her novel Please Don't Stop the Music won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the RNA.
Published since 2008, she writes romantic comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. One day she's going to find out what that means. Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and has a first class honours degree in creative writing. In 2012, her novel Please Don't Stop the Music won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the RNA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 10, 2018
4 Quirky Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Well... I have found the perfect romance for my friends that have an aversion towards romance books… there will be no eye rolling in this unusual and very delightful romance... there is no alpha male or sophisticated heroin… there is no Insta love, no walk of shame in the morning, no angst… what there is though is lovely real characters... characters you would actually meet when walking down the street... a beta hero who you’ll fall in love with… and a heroin who does not have a mean bone in her body…
Amy our heroine was so lovely…. Always worrying about everybody, always there for everybody, with the exception of herself… it was almost heartbreaking at times how little Amy thought of herself, when she was such a capable and wonderful person…. Josh our beta hero was very secretive and very damaged, my heart broke for him as well.... The relationship between these two developed so sweetly and at such a realistic pace... shoot it almost developed too slowly and how often does that happen in a romance?
Along with Amy and Josh was a cast of amazing and quirky secondary characters…. The setting was also interesting a historical hall, with a tea shop, and a birds of prey show…. Now I am not a bird person, but I will make an exception for Skrillex the owl…. This was a delightful book filled with laughs, love, and food…
Absolutely recommend to fans of a clean romance and even to those of you that don’t always love the love……
*** thank you to the author and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for a copy of this book ***
Well... I have found the perfect romance for my friends that have an aversion towards romance books… there will be no eye rolling in this unusual and very delightful romance... there is no alpha male or sophisticated heroin… there is no Insta love, no walk of shame in the morning, no angst… what there is though is lovely real characters... characters you would actually meet when walking down the street... a beta hero who you’ll fall in love with… and a heroin who does not have a mean bone in her body…
Amy our heroine was so lovely…. Always worrying about everybody, always there for everybody, with the exception of herself… it was almost heartbreaking at times how little Amy thought of herself, when she was such a capable and wonderful person…. Josh our beta hero was very secretive and very damaged, my heart broke for him as well.... The relationship between these two developed so sweetly and at such a realistic pace... shoot it almost developed too slowly and how often does that happen in a romance?
Along with Amy and Josh was a cast of amazing and quirky secondary characters…. The setting was also interesting a historical hall, with a tea shop, and a birds of prey show…. Now I am not a bird person, but I will make an exception for Skrillex the owl…. This was a delightful book filled with laughs, love, and food…
Absolutely recommend to fans of a clean romance and even to those of you that don’t always love the love……
*** thank you to the author and Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for a copy of this book ***
May 20, 2018
5☆ Prepare to fall in love!
Little Teashop of Horrors is a quirky fun read with great characters. I devoured it in one night.
The Little Tea Shop is under new ownership and he is threatening to close it down.
Edmund has come in and wants to change things. But Amy and Jules have other ideas.
Amy lives with her Grandmother in the cottage that belongs to the Monkpark Hall.
Amy is terrified if she loses her job then they will lose their home too.
I loved Amy's grandmother, it appears she has early onset of dementia or Altzhimers which is something that is close to my heart so I could really relate to Amy and her Grandmother.
I really liked Josh. Josh works at Monkepark as a birds of prey handler. He is clearly passionate about his birds and Amy.
He clearly has a big crush on her, even though he is hopeless with women and can come across as a lil creepy. He has a big heart if only Amy could see it too.
My heart went out to Amy, she has a big heart but has such a low self esteem.
She feels that she is the 'plain friend only there to make Jules look and feel good.
I can completely relate to this as my best friend made me feel that way for years.
Until something happened and were no longer friends. No one should make you feel like you are not good enough!
It's hard to put Into words just how utterly charming this book is.
It is deliciously heart warming, a vivid rich tale that has absolutely stole my heart.
It was Enchanting in every sense.
A scrumptious sweet romance.
The characters are strong, quirky and unique you just route for them to suceed.
I highly recommend this adorable book.
Prepare to fall in love with little tea shop of horrors.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
Little Teashop of Horrors is a quirky fun read with great characters. I devoured it in one night.
The Little Tea Shop is under new ownership and he is threatening to close it down.
Edmund has come in and wants to change things. But Amy and Jules have other ideas.
Amy lives with her Grandmother in the cottage that belongs to the Monkpark Hall.
Amy is terrified if she loses her job then they will lose their home too.
I loved Amy's grandmother, it appears she has early onset of dementia or Altzhimers which is something that is close to my heart so I could really relate to Amy and her Grandmother.
I really liked Josh. Josh works at Monkepark as a birds of prey handler. He is clearly passionate about his birds and Amy.
He clearly has a big crush on her, even though he is hopeless with women and can come across as a lil creepy. He has a big heart if only Amy could see it too.
My heart went out to Amy, she has a big heart but has such a low self esteem.
She feels that she is the 'plain friend only there to make Jules look and feel good.
I can completely relate to this as my best friend made me feel that way for years.
Until something happened and were no longer friends. No one should make you feel like you are not good enough!
It's hard to put Into words just how utterly charming this book is.
It is deliciously heart warming, a vivid rich tale that has absolutely stole my heart.
It was Enchanting in every sense.
A scrumptious sweet romance.
The characters are strong, quirky and unique you just route for them to suceed.
I highly recommend this adorable book.
Prepare to fall in love with little tea shop of horrors.
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...
May 14, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
Jules had a tendency to go off in full pursuit of any man that took her fancy like a whippet after a sausage.
Julia pulled the ‘sensible one’ trick, a move so rare that it was probably endangered… Her heels clattered over the waxed and shiny boards, attracting his attention to our approach, while my sensible flats squealed and squeaked like distressed hamsters.
That young lady is all fur coat and no knickers. She’ll find herself in trouble one of these days, mark my words.
His face was pale and narrow, giving him a sort of ‘shuffled together’ look, as though his features were furniture in an overcrowded room.
Julia was so upwardly mobile that she was practically rocket-fuelled.
‘Cleaning’ was probably not the right word for what this caravan needed, but flamethrowers are hard to come by.
You’re a bridesmaid, Ames, and if you’re not really nice to me I’m putting you in primrose yellow trimmed with puce. And those heels. Well, one heel, one flat, so you sort of lurch.
My Review:
This book was found treasure. It was a delightfully amusing and well-crafted tale which was sneakily and slowly constructed while we became acquainted with the oddly compelling yet endearing and strangely enticing characters and their heartbreaking histories. I smirked every single time a character was introduced, as each one was uniquely peculiar and described in such a colorful manner they were instantly knowable. The writing was stealthily insightful, acutely observant, and riddled with clever wit and levity. I adored it, even when I wanted to give the mousy main character a kick in her scratchy Edwardian outfit. I greatly admired and greedily covet the author’s vast and artfully nimble word skills and want to read every line she has ever penned. And I proudly have a few new words and phrases for my Brit Vocabulary List – which has become quite voluminous… First up is “go like the clappers” which is to go fast, supposedly like the clappers found in hells bells, then there is “pranny” which Urban Dictionary told me was a cross between prat and fanny but could also be considered an idiot as well as female genitals, so… hmm, seems to be a multitasker.
Jules had a tendency to go off in full pursuit of any man that took her fancy like a whippet after a sausage.
Julia pulled the ‘sensible one’ trick, a move so rare that it was probably endangered… Her heels clattered over the waxed and shiny boards, attracting his attention to our approach, while my sensible flats squealed and squeaked like distressed hamsters.
That young lady is all fur coat and no knickers. She’ll find herself in trouble one of these days, mark my words.
His face was pale and narrow, giving him a sort of ‘shuffled together’ look, as though his features were furniture in an overcrowded room.
Julia was so upwardly mobile that she was practically rocket-fuelled.
‘Cleaning’ was probably not the right word for what this caravan needed, but flamethrowers are hard to come by.
You’re a bridesmaid, Ames, and if you’re not really nice to me I’m putting you in primrose yellow trimmed with puce. And those heels. Well, one heel, one flat, so you sort of lurch.
My Review:
This book was found treasure. It was a delightfully amusing and well-crafted tale which was sneakily and slowly constructed while we became acquainted with the oddly compelling yet endearing and strangely enticing characters and their heartbreaking histories. I smirked every single time a character was introduced, as each one was uniquely peculiar and described in such a colorful manner they were instantly knowable. The writing was stealthily insightful, acutely observant, and riddled with clever wit and levity. I adored it, even when I wanted to give the mousy main character a kick in her scratchy Edwardian outfit. I greatly admired and greedily covet the author’s vast and artfully nimble word skills and want to read every line she has ever penned. And I proudly have a few new words and phrases for my Brit Vocabulary List – which has become quite voluminous… First up is “go like the clappers” which is to go fast, supposedly like the clappers found in hells bells, then there is “pranny” which Urban Dictionary told me was a cross between prat and fanny but could also be considered an idiot as well as female genitals, so… hmm, seems to be a multitasker.
May 19, 2022
I picked this up because of the title and silently hopping it would have some "hotter" included. It definitely did not but this is my first feel good book for this year! I'm kind of pleased I picked this up as it was an easy bit engaging story
June 11, 2018
Jane is fast becoming one of my favourite romance authors (after Kirsty Ferry natch :) ). I never used to read romances and still aren't a fan of many but I love Jane's because there's always a twist, always someone with a secret and I enjoy trying to work it out. I'm about 50/50 so far with the one's I've read. And I half got this one.
I'm still trying to work out where the 'horrors' come into the book although once you hear Josh's backstory then I guess that would fit as it's quite awful but that aside I do love the title. It grabs you and makes you want to explore further.
The characters as always are richly detailed even the secondary ones. It's quirky, it's fun, there's a very slow burning romance and on occasion it'll make you sad but overall it's really life affirming.
I loved it and if you like a quirky romance you will too
I'm still trying to work out where the 'horrors' come into the book although once you hear Josh's backstory then I guess that would fit as it's quite awful but that aside I do love the title. It grabs you and makes you want to explore further.
The characters as always are richly detailed even the secondary ones. It's quirky, it's fun, there's a very slow burning romance and on occasion it'll make you sad but overall it's really life affirming.
I loved it and if you like a quirky romance you will too
March 28, 2017
I adored this book!! It's a story full of romance, laughs, heartache, cake, drama and an amazing owl called Skrillex! The cover is pretty gorgeous too!!
This is the story of Amy who works at Monkpark Hall in the cafe with her best friend Julia. They've grown up together and the historic hall is more than a place of work for them both but with a new owner arriving the panic sets in about whether there will be a place for them anymore.
Amy lives with her grandmother in a cottage nearby, and her grandmother is a very spirited and forthright woman, who is very set in her ways so when Amy is not at the cafe she is keeping things steady at home. Except for the spoons!! Are they being touched while nobody is home? Her grandmother is convinced things are being moved.....
When the new boss, Edmund Evershott, arrives he is full of big plans, that never seem to take off and he soon becomes a fan of taking other peoples' ideas of how to make more money and increase visitor numbers and passing them off as his own. This doesn't go down well with the many loyal staff at the Hall.
One of which is Josh who runs the very successful Birds of Prey display centre at the Hall. He is very focused on his animals, keeps himself to himself and is seen as 'strange' by many of the other staff. Amy always finds him friendly and he notices how she is with his precious birds and that immediately makes him feel at ease around her. But all is not as it seems with Josh and he's obviously hiding something, but what? But he sees straight through the new boss and his sleazy ways and just hopes that others see that side before it is too late for their beloved Monkpark Hall.
I loved the character of Amy - she's one of the worlds' good guys with a positive attitude, except towards herself as she's always putting herself down, and always willing to help, but sometimes that leads to you being taken advantage of. Her friendships are a big part of her life and wanting to do right by her grandmother too.
I absolutely raced through this book as the characters all quickly captured my heart and it was an absolute delight to be transported to the world of Monkpark Hall for an afternoon!
This is the story of Amy who works at Monkpark Hall in the cafe with her best friend Julia. They've grown up together and the historic hall is more than a place of work for them both but with a new owner arriving the panic sets in about whether there will be a place for them anymore.
Amy lives with her grandmother in a cottage nearby, and her grandmother is a very spirited and forthright woman, who is very set in her ways so when Amy is not at the cafe she is keeping things steady at home. Except for the spoons!! Are they being touched while nobody is home? Her grandmother is convinced things are being moved.....
When the new boss, Edmund Evershott, arrives he is full of big plans, that never seem to take off and he soon becomes a fan of taking other peoples' ideas of how to make more money and increase visitor numbers and passing them off as his own. This doesn't go down well with the many loyal staff at the Hall.
One of which is Josh who runs the very successful Birds of Prey display centre at the Hall. He is very focused on his animals, keeps himself to himself and is seen as 'strange' by many of the other staff. Amy always finds him friendly and he notices how she is with his precious birds and that immediately makes him feel at ease around her. But all is not as it seems with Josh and he's obviously hiding something, but what? But he sees straight through the new boss and his sleazy ways and just hopes that others see that side before it is too late for their beloved Monkpark Hall.
I loved the character of Amy - she's one of the worlds' good guys with a positive attitude, except towards herself as she's always putting herself down, and always willing to help, but sometimes that leads to you being taken advantage of. Her friendships are a big part of her life and wanting to do right by her grandmother too.
I absolutely raced through this book as the characters all quickly captured my heart and it was an absolute delight to be transported to the world of Monkpark Hall for an afternoon!
March 28, 2017
I’m a fan of Jane’s books - I like the mixture of comedy and darkness. I wasn’t expecting a teashop book from her, to be honest. Anyway, we have a book about a tea shop. In Yorkshire. So there are scones and fairy cakes and raspberry crunch. There are also birds of prey. Owls! Hooray!
The heroine, Amy, had grown up being told that she’s nothing much to look at and not terribly good for anything. She has a pretty best friend, who isn’t very nice to her, and a grandmother who has old fashioned views about, well, everything. In reality, Amy is clever and capable and very, very kind, but she’s been taken advantage of so often, she’s pretty much come to expect it.
The hero, Josh, is oh, so broken. He’s very sweet (and good looking, although he does his best to hide it). He’s in love with Amy right from the start, but too messed up to do anything about it. As you know, I love a beta hero. I thought Josh was wonderful.
Amy runs the cafe in Monkpark Hall - a stately home that is open to the public. I loved the view of a stately home from behind the scenes. The staff (many of whom come from generations of people who worked at the Hall) feel that the house somehow belongs to them as much as they belong to it - something the new administrator who comes in fails to recognise until it’s too late.
I really enjoyed reading about Amy and Josh (and Skrillex). I especially liked the fact that, by the end of the book, they were healing each other, but the problems had not miraculously gone away (because deep seated problems rarely do that!). All that talk of cake has made me hungry now. I shall have to go and hunt me down some pudding.
The usual note - Jane is a friend and we both write for the same publisher. I was a fan of her writing before I even met her. I got a review copy of this book from Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
The heroine, Amy, had grown up being told that she’s nothing much to look at and not terribly good for anything. She has a pretty best friend, who isn’t very nice to her, and a grandmother who has old fashioned views about, well, everything. In reality, Amy is clever and capable and very, very kind, but she’s been taken advantage of so often, she’s pretty much come to expect it.
The hero, Josh, is oh, so broken. He’s very sweet (and good looking, although he does his best to hide it). He’s in love with Amy right from the start, but too messed up to do anything about it. As you know, I love a beta hero. I thought Josh was wonderful.
Amy runs the cafe in Monkpark Hall - a stately home that is open to the public. I loved the view of a stately home from behind the scenes. The staff (many of whom come from generations of people who worked at the Hall) feel that the house somehow belongs to them as much as they belong to it - something the new administrator who comes in fails to recognise until it’s too late.
I really enjoyed reading about Amy and Josh (and Skrillex). I especially liked the fact that, by the end of the book, they were healing each other, but the problems had not miraculously gone away (because deep seated problems rarely do that!). All that talk of cake has made me hungry now. I shall have to go and hunt me down some pudding.
The usual note - Jane is a friend and we both write for the same publisher. I was a fan of her writing before I even met her. I got a review copy of this book from Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
March 28, 2017
I’m a totally unashamed fan of Jane Lovering’s writing. It’s always a teeny bit quirky, romance with perfectly judged humour that has you laughing out loud at times, but often with a surprising edge of darkness. And this book – well, I’m delighted to tell you that it’s up there with her very best.
This story is told in two clear and distinctive voices. I loved Amy from the very beginning, as she worried about what the future held for the tearooms at Monkpark Hall, while squirting buttercream flowers on cakes, sweating in her too-tight Edwardian costume. There’s some great banter between her and “friend” Julia – do you know, although Julia’s a bit larger than life (though, it has to be said, not larger than poor Amy…) I rather liked her too, although there were moments when it would have been totally acceptable to dislike her intensely. We learn more about Amy as the book unfolds – who hurt her so badly, why she has such low self esteem, why she’s working in a tea room when she has management qualifications – and her story grabs you by the heart.
I particularly loved Amy’s relationship with her ailing grandmother, who returns from her “club” daily (the day centre) to renewed speculation about who’s been in the house in her absence, tweaking the curtains and rearranging the teaspoons. Amy’s gran is a Yorkshire pensioner through and through – blunt, rude, total beyond anyone’s control to make her conversation socially acceptable – but also a wonderful portrait of a much loved old lady with a slowly deteriorating grasp on reality.
The second voice is Josh – very much an outsider, caring for his beloved birds of prey (he flies them for the visitors at Monkpark Hall) far more than he cares for himself, a damaged soul who draws warmth from his encounters with Amy. His story unfolds slowly too, as he responds to Amy’s approaches – there are dark edges in all sorts of places in this lovely book, and there were times when his story and his desperate sadness really made me want to cry.
The story itself is a real page turner – as the lives of the two main characters unfold, the background story is one of greed, deception and villainy that threatens Monkpark itself and everyone who lives on the estate or works there. But this is a book by Jane Lovering – so there is that perfect balance I’ve mentioned so many times before with those incredibly funny scenes, moments and one-liners she writes so very well. The setting is wonderfully done too – Monkpark Hall with all its quirks and back staircases, with the glorious North Yorkshire scenery that surrounds it and gives succour to Josh in his reflective moments.
I said I would, and I really must mention Josh’s birds – every one a real character that we get to know well, involved in interactions that move the story on. Skrillex the owl – damaged in a road accident, and in need of as much loving care as his master – is just wonderful, and the star of one excellent nail-biting scene in the book when… but no, you must read it!
I always love Jane Lovering’s writing, and read this book in one self-indulgent weekend reading session. It’s a great story, beautifully written in her own inimitable style, with characters I guarantee you’ll grow to love every bit as much as I did. Highly, highly recommended.
This story is told in two clear and distinctive voices. I loved Amy from the very beginning, as she worried about what the future held for the tearooms at Monkpark Hall, while squirting buttercream flowers on cakes, sweating in her too-tight Edwardian costume. There’s some great banter between her and “friend” Julia – do you know, although Julia’s a bit larger than life (though, it has to be said, not larger than poor Amy…) I rather liked her too, although there were moments when it would have been totally acceptable to dislike her intensely. We learn more about Amy as the book unfolds – who hurt her so badly, why she has such low self esteem, why she’s working in a tea room when she has management qualifications – and her story grabs you by the heart.
I particularly loved Amy’s relationship with her ailing grandmother, who returns from her “club” daily (the day centre) to renewed speculation about who’s been in the house in her absence, tweaking the curtains and rearranging the teaspoons. Amy’s gran is a Yorkshire pensioner through and through – blunt, rude, total beyond anyone’s control to make her conversation socially acceptable – but also a wonderful portrait of a much loved old lady with a slowly deteriorating grasp on reality.
The second voice is Josh – very much an outsider, caring for his beloved birds of prey (he flies them for the visitors at Monkpark Hall) far more than he cares for himself, a damaged soul who draws warmth from his encounters with Amy. His story unfolds slowly too, as he responds to Amy’s approaches – there are dark edges in all sorts of places in this lovely book, and there were times when his story and his desperate sadness really made me want to cry.
The story itself is a real page turner – as the lives of the two main characters unfold, the background story is one of greed, deception and villainy that threatens Monkpark itself and everyone who lives on the estate or works there. But this is a book by Jane Lovering – so there is that perfect balance I’ve mentioned so many times before with those incredibly funny scenes, moments and one-liners she writes so very well. The setting is wonderfully done too – Monkpark Hall with all its quirks and back staircases, with the glorious North Yorkshire scenery that surrounds it and gives succour to Josh in his reflective moments.
I said I would, and I really must mention Josh’s birds – every one a real character that we get to know well, involved in interactions that move the story on. Skrillex the owl – damaged in a road accident, and in need of as much loving care as his master – is just wonderful, and the star of one excellent nail-biting scene in the book when… but no, you must read it!
I always love Jane Lovering’s writing, and read this book in one self-indulgent weekend reading session. It’s a great story, beautifully written in her own inimitable style, with characters I guarantee you’ll grow to love every bit as much as I did. Highly, highly recommended.
March 29, 2017
I have always loved Jane's books - she brings so much humour to them. The humour is still there in this one but it goes a little deeper than usual. The hero is dysfunctional, the heroine is not a stunning blonde and is too nice for her own good.
I couldn't put it down. In the usual romcom you don't root for the people in the way that I did for these characters. Josh was such a damaged man and so unlike an alpha male hero! Amy was far too nice - it was always the line of least resistance for her. But things start to happen - Amy has such patience with Josh, he starts to come out of his shell. They work in a Heritage house and Amy discovers that there is skulduggery afoot. She is forced to act out of character and truly finds her voice finally!
And then there's Skrillex. A hero of a very different kind!
Loved it and thank you to Choc Lit for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. How do you do it? I can honestly say, hand on heart, I've never read a Choc Lit book that I haven't loved! And this one is near the top of that list!
I couldn't put it down. In the usual romcom you don't root for the people in the way that I did for these characters. Josh was such a damaged man and so unlike an alpha male hero! Amy was far too nice - it was always the line of least resistance for her. But things start to happen - Amy has such patience with Josh, he starts to come out of his shell. They work in a Heritage house and Amy discovers that there is skulduggery afoot. She is forced to act out of character and truly finds her voice finally!
And then there's Skrillex. A hero of a very different kind!
Loved it and thank you to Choc Lit for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. How do you do it? I can honestly say, hand on heart, I've never read a Choc Lit book that I haven't loved! And this one is near the top of that list!
April 16, 2017
When springtime rolls around I'm always in the mood for a little chick lit and I tend to like the British variety. So When I saw that this had a setting of a teashop and a great house, I was already half in. When I saw that this had two main characters that had had their self esteem whittled down but still weren't bitter and tried hard, I was all in. I promptly requested this on Netgalley, was quickly denied so I bounced over to Amazon to buy it. When the reading heart wants what it wants it can't be denied & this was exactly the kind of read I hoped it'd be. Simply put, I adored this book.
Amy & Josh were wonderful to follow and I enjoyed watching them both grow beyond the hurts their pasts had doled out so that they could carve out better lives. I felt that their fits, starts and even their retreats were realistic and well done. In addition, the supporting characters were sometimes surprising. And of course, there was cake. I admit to stopping while reading so I could look up recipes. While there was quite a bit I knew would happen, the reveal and unfurl was so enjoyable so I didn't mind. I'd love to read another with these two. Also, Gran was great (loved the resolution to the spoons & curtains). The alternate POVs was nicely done & didn't simply show the same scene from the other person's pov so the story never stalled. Also points to the cover art. I don't know what it is but these sorts of covers always make me want to pick them up and read.
This was my first read by Jane Lovering but won't be my last. Highly recommended if, like me, you like your romances alpha-hole free and also like to be reminded that kindness & niceness do sometimes win in this world.
Amy & Josh were wonderful to follow and I enjoyed watching them both grow beyond the hurts their pasts had doled out so that they could carve out better lives. I felt that their fits, starts and even their retreats were realistic and well done. In addition, the supporting characters were sometimes surprising. And of course, there was cake. I admit to stopping while reading so I could look up recipes. While there was quite a bit I knew would happen, the reveal and unfurl was so enjoyable so I didn't mind. I'd love to read another with these two. Also, Gran was great (loved the resolution to the spoons & curtains). The alternate POVs was nicely done & didn't simply show the same scene from the other person's pov so the story never stalled. Also points to the cover art. I don't know what it is but these sorts of covers always make me want to pick them up and read.
This was my first read by Jane Lovering but won't be my last. Highly recommended if, like me, you like your romances alpha-hole free and also like to be reminded that kindness & niceness do sometimes win in this world.
March 28, 2017
I have read and loved all Jane Lovering’s books and can never get enough of her quirky sense of humour or different, but amazing, heroes. This, however, was probably my favourite of all her books – it is, quite simply, wonderful! The hero is so unusual he shouldn’t work as a hero at all, but he does, beautifully. He grows on you slowly but surely, and as he emerges from the deep shadows in which he’s been dwelling, the reader falls in love with him just as the heroine does. And the heroine – chubby, not exactly model material, and too nice for her own good – has you rooting for her from the word go. The author writes about serious issues, but with such warmth and humour you can’t help but want to read on. I was left feeling bereft when I had to leave these characters at the end of the story and if this novel doesn’t win lots of awards, there is no justice in this world! Absolutely fabulous!
May 14, 2018
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I am a fan of this author's books anyway but I have to say that I completely adored this book!! It has a fantastic cover that drew me in and the story is superb, full of laughs, romance, heartache and drama - exactly what you need for this kind of book!!
The characters were great and I loved their interaction, the plot was superb and I was addicted to the story - it had me flying through the pages and I read it in a few hours!
Five stars from me and I loved Skrillex - as an animal fan and lover, this book was just my cup of coffee (I don't drink tea!)
I am a fan of this author's books anyway but I have to say that I completely adored this book!! It has a fantastic cover that drew me in and the story is superb, full of laughs, romance, heartache and drama - exactly what you need for this kind of book!!
The characters were great and I loved their interaction, the plot was superb and I was addicted to the story - it had me flying through the pages and I read it in a few hours!
Five stars from me and I loved Skrillex - as an animal fan and lover, this book was just my cup of coffee (I don't drink tea!)
June 1, 2018
The story focuses on Josh and Amy, with alternating chapters from each of their perspectives, two people with completely different backgrounds and experiences of life. Amy runs a tea shop at Monkpark Hall with her best friend Julia, on behalf of the Heritage Trust. The Trust has appointed a new manager and Edmund Evershott has lots of plans for Monkpark Hall. The fate of the tea shop is anyone’s guess. It’s more than a job for Amy, she and her grandmother live in a cottage in the estate village, if she loses her job she and her grandmother lose their home. Amy’s life revolves around the tea shop and looking after her Gran, a blunt speaking lady who can be trying at times. She’s resigned to being plain, overweight Amy who pales into insignificance next to her vibrant, pretty and selfish friend. She’s kind and clever but lacks confidence in herself.
Josh’s story is much darker, and the shadows from the past have influenced the way he lives his life hugely. Flying his birds of prey for visitor demonstrations in Monkpark’s grounds and living in an old dilapidated caravan, he keeps himself fairly isolated apart from popping into the cafe for leftovers. He and Amy build a friendship of sorts but Josh does his best to hide his good looks with untidy hair, scruffy clothes and a stubbly face. Uncomfortable with most people and terrified of small, dark or enclosed spaces, he’s happiest with his birds. They accept him as he is and he can relax when he’s with them.
One of the things that made this story more realistic and enjoyable for me was the fact that a romantic relationship didn’t miraculously solve personal problems and issues, particularly Josh’s. He isn’t the likeliest of male leads but he’s a sympathetic character who grew on me quite quickly. There are mountains he still has to climb, although they are reducing in size.
The easy to read narrative flows well with warmth and quirky humour balancing out the darkness of the story. It covers quite a mix of emotions and issues including PTSD, friendship, fear and deception. A very enjoyable read.
Josh’s story is much darker, and the shadows from the past have influenced the way he lives his life hugely. Flying his birds of prey for visitor demonstrations in Monkpark’s grounds and living in an old dilapidated caravan, he keeps himself fairly isolated apart from popping into the cafe for leftovers. He and Amy build a friendship of sorts but Josh does his best to hide his good looks with untidy hair, scruffy clothes and a stubbly face. Uncomfortable with most people and terrified of small, dark or enclosed spaces, he’s happiest with his birds. They accept him as he is and he can relax when he’s with them.
One of the things that made this story more realistic and enjoyable for me was the fact that a romantic relationship didn’t miraculously solve personal problems and issues, particularly Josh’s. He isn’t the likeliest of male leads but he’s a sympathetic character who grew on me quite quickly. There are mountains he still has to climb, although they are reducing in size.
The easy to read narrative flows well with warmth and quirky humour balancing out the darkness of the story. It covers quite a mix of emotions and issues including PTSD, friendship, fear and deception. A very enjoyable read.
April 3, 2017
Jane Lovering does it again! I was hooked on this book as soon as I started reading it.
It is the story of Amy and Josh who work at a National Trust House, Monkpark Hall. Amy works in the teashop and Josh works with the birds of prey. The story is told from both view points on alternate chapters, which is fantastic as you really get to understand the characters and how they are feeling/thinking.
Both of them have their own issues, low self-esteem and trust issues which are fully explored in the book and you get to understand why they feel as they do. At times I really felt for Josh and really wanted him to have a brighter future as his past was so sad. He clearly is a good-looking man who hides this by his unkempt appearance and as the story develops you gain a clear understanding of why.
There are some great supporting characters too, such as Amy’s Nan, with her Yorkshire forth-rightness and humour, who Amy thinks is a bit mad because she thinks spoons and curtains have been moved while she is out at her day club and Julia, Amy’s best friend who I disliked intently at times. The birds also feature a fair bit and one of them who I must mention is an owl called Skrillex who has a starring role at one point.
As the story unfolds you realise that there is a threat to the livelihoods of the people who work at Monkpark Hall due to the greed of one person, who lures Amy into his schemes and plans.
The setting is lovely and I could imagine myself in the tearooms being served by Amy in her Edwardian costume, eating the delicious cakes freshly made that morning.
Can love and trust conquer the fears of the past?
It’s a brilliant story, with wonderful characters in a lovely setting, with sadness and humour. I would definitely recommend reading it.
Thanks to Choc-Lit for providing me with a review copy of this book in return for an honest review which is completely my own opinion.
It is the story of Amy and Josh who work at a National Trust House, Monkpark Hall. Amy works in the teashop and Josh works with the birds of prey. The story is told from both view points on alternate chapters, which is fantastic as you really get to understand the characters and how they are feeling/thinking.
Both of them have their own issues, low self-esteem and trust issues which are fully explored in the book and you get to understand why they feel as they do. At times I really felt for Josh and really wanted him to have a brighter future as his past was so sad. He clearly is a good-looking man who hides this by his unkempt appearance and as the story develops you gain a clear understanding of why.
There are some great supporting characters too, such as Amy’s Nan, with her Yorkshire forth-rightness and humour, who Amy thinks is a bit mad because she thinks spoons and curtains have been moved while she is out at her day club and Julia, Amy’s best friend who I disliked intently at times. The birds also feature a fair bit and one of them who I must mention is an owl called Skrillex who has a starring role at one point.
As the story unfolds you realise that there is a threat to the livelihoods of the people who work at Monkpark Hall due to the greed of one person, who lures Amy into his schemes and plans.
The setting is lovely and I could imagine myself in the tearooms being served by Amy in her Edwardian costume, eating the delicious cakes freshly made that morning.
Can love and trust conquer the fears of the past?
It’s a brilliant story, with wonderful characters in a lovely setting, with sadness and humour. I would definitely recommend reading it.
Thanks to Choc-Lit for providing me with a review copy of this book in return for an honest review which is completely my own opinion.
March 28, 2017
The Little Teashop of Horrors is one of those oh so rare reads that I didn’t want it to end. If I could analyse why I couldn’t put it down I’d say, in this case, it’s the characters and the writer’s voice that are so appealing.
Amy and Josh are two very flawed people with some rather nasty back-story, especially, Josh, who went straight to my heart. Amy, rather plump and no beauty, is certain guys will only look at her if they think they can get into her knickers. And Josh? A beautiful Heathcliffe figure who prefers to live in clapped-out old van (that really only has a roof) because he can’t stand being cooped up.
The two are such rounded characters that I felt I wanted to talk to them, to become friends (with Amy).
But Ms Lovering had me from the first when one of Josh’s hawks (he’s a bird-handler at the 18th century manor house that is open to the public) takes off for the hills during one of his displays and Josh’s reaction is, ‘Oh bugger’. Amy, who works in the manor’s teashop, has to wear 18th century clothes is kind, sweet and gets herself into all kinds of troubles, from the trivial but hilarious way her mop-cap’s elastic slowly loosens around her head and the cap pops off, to coming down the dank stairway after visiting the boss where she scares the living daylights out of a boy from a visiting school-party. The boy’s convinced she’s a ghost and thereby starts a chain of events that lead the reader on until he/she reluctantly reaches the last page where all the loose ends are neatly tied up.
But the main question is whether spooked (no pun intended) Josh will ever be able to shake off his awful past and realise that Amy is perfect for him.
An excellent read that kept me on tenterhooks all the way through and made me want to find Skillex and take him home with me (except Josh wouldn’t allow it).
Amy and Josh are two very flawed people with some rather nasty back-story, especially, Josh, who went straight to my heart. Amy, rather plump and no beauty, is certain guys will only look at her if they think they can get into her knickers. And Josh? A beautiful Heathcliffe figure who prefers to live in clapped-out old van (that really only has a roof) because he can’t stand being cooped up.
The two are such rounded characters that I felt I wanted to talk to them, to become friends (with Amy).
But Ms Lovering had me from the first when one of Josh’s hawks (he’s a bird-handler at the 18th century manor house that is open to the public) takes off for the hills during one of his displays and Josh’s reaction is, ‘Oh bugger’. Amy, who works in the manor’s teashop, has to wear 18th century clothes is kind, sweet and gets herself into all kinds of troubles, from the trivial but hilarious way her mop-cap’s elastic slowly loosens around her head and the cap pops off, to coming down the dank stairway after visiting the boss where she scares the living daylights out of a boy from a visiting school-party. The boy’s convinced she’s a ghost and thereby starts a chain of events that lead the reader on until he/she reluctantly reaches the last page where all the loose ends are neatly tied up.
But the main question is whether spooked (no pun intended) Josh will ever be able to shake off his awful past and realise that Amy is perfect for him.
An excellent read that kept me on tenterhooks all the way through and made me want to find Skillex and take him home with me (except Josh wouldn’t allow it).
February 5, 2019
I loved every minute of this light-hearted easy-to-read story. The characters were all well-flawed but genuine and interesting. I loved them all. The setting was fabulous. I live in NZ but one of my grandmothers was born in Thirsk. So I always feel a pull towards Yorkshire, though I have never been there.
The plot was fine and character-driven.
But what I loved most was the beautifully drawn link between the damaged and "imprisoned" young man and his free-flying birds inhabiting the open sky in contrast to his own state of permanent psychological imprisonment. This was just pure glory to me. It added richness and texture, bringing the purity of the breezy sky close to the story. You learn so much about a person from observing their relationship with animals and this author has made the most of this to let us understand her characters.
The romance between Amy and Josh was perfect - so slowly growing but the chemistry was unmistakable. I loved how it brought growth and healing to both characters.
Highly recommended. I sat up half the night reading and finished the next day when I should have been working but was too hooked to stop reading. Delightful. I will read more by this writer.
I included my own photo of a native NZ falcon on the glove, mainly for the interest of the author. This bird was being prepared for release to the wild by the staff of Wingspan here in NZ. Wingspan is an organisation dedicated to caring for our native raptors.
The plot was fine and character-driven.
But what I loved most was the beautifully drawn link between the damaged and "imprisoned" young man and his free-flying birds inhabiting the open sky in contrast to his own state of permanent psychological imprisonment. This was just pure glory to me. It added richness and texture, bringing the purity of the breezy sky close to the story. You learn so much about a person from observing their relationship with animals and this author has made the most of this to let us understand her characters.
The romance between Amy and Josh was perfect - so slowly growing but the chemistry was unmistakable. I loved how it brought growth and healing to both characters.
Highly recommended. I sat up half the night reading and finished the next day when I should have been working but was too hooked to stop reading. Delightful. I will read more by this writer.
I included my own photo of a native NZ falcon on the glove, mainly for the interest of the author. This bird was being prepared for release to the wild by the staff of Wingspan here in NZ. Wingspan is an organisation dedicated to caring for our native raptors.
May 20, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
If you've been reading a lot of dark and deep novels lately and fancy s change of 'scenery' so to speak, I highly recommend putting 'Little Teashop of Horrors' on your TBR! Well, let's be honest - I highly recommend putting this book on your TBR anyway! Don't be fooled by the 'horror' in the title - it isn't scary, although a couple of the characters leave a lot to be desired...
Amy works with her best friend, Julia, in the cafe at Monkpark Hall. In Amy's eyes, Julia is the 'pretty one', the 'popular one', the one who everyone remembers. Even though Amy doesn't want to be 'memorable', she would love to be noticed - surely that isn't too much to ask? Amy has the type of personality which draws people in, but often her personality can come back to bite her on the backside - especially when she allows people to walk all over her. Julia included.
Whilst Amy works in the cafe, other members of staff at Monkpark Hall seem to catch her eye, yet none of them catch her eye quite like Josh. Josh, like Amy, tries to stay in the background, only coming up for fresh air when his birds need him. Amy notices Josh and she wants to know what makes him so different. But will he let her get close enough?
Despite being very slow to begin with, the storyline packed more of a punch the further into the story I read. At first it was a case of finding out about the characters, the hall and the new boss. Don't get me wrong, it was great to set the scene and find out more about the characters - the 'bite' was just slow in coming. When it did, the pace picked up and multiple characters began to show their true colours (especially Josh). 'Little Teashop of Horrors' is a light-hearted and fun read, yet there are moments where characters pasts are brought to life, making for quite an emotional couple of chapters. Not teary emotional, more empathy emotional...if that makes sense. Heart-warming if you will.
In the end, 'Little Teashop of Horrors' completely surprised me and kept me thoroughly entertained. The storyline was a breath of fresh air in the fact it was different to what I have been reading recently - I'm certainly not complaining though, I needed the change.
Jane Lovering entertained me with her laugh out loud, bonkers and brilliant storyline - I welcomed the distraction which this storyline brought to me!
If you've been reading a lot of dark and deep novels lately and fancy s change of 'scenery' so to speak, I highly recommend putting 'Little Teashop of Horrors' on your TBR! Well, let's be honest - I highly recommend putting this book on your TBR anyway! Don't be fooled by the 'horror' in the title - it isn't scary, although a couple of the characters leave a lot to be desired...
Amy works with her best friend, Julia, in the cafe at Monkpark Hall. In Amy's eyes, Julia is the 'pretty one', the 'popular one', the one who everyone remembers. Even though Amy doesn't want to be 'memorable', she would love to be noticed - surely that isn't too much to ask? Amy has the type of personality which draws people in, but often her personality can come back to bite her on the backside - especially when she allows people to walk all over her. Julia included.
Whilst Amy works in the cafe, other members of staff at Monkpark Hall seem to catch her eye, yet none of them catch her eye quite like Josh. Josh, like Amy, tries to stay in the background, only coming up for fresh air when his birds need him. Amy notices Josh and she wants to know what makes him so different. But will he let her get close enough?
Despite being very slow to begin with, the storyline packed more of a punch the further into the story I read. At first it was a case of finding out about the characters, the hall and the new boss. Don't get me wrong, it was great to set the scene and find out more about the characters - the 'bite' was just slow in coming. When it did, the pace picked up and multiple characters began to show their true colours (especially Josh). 'Little Teashop of Horrors' is a light-hearted and fun read, yet there are moments where characters pasts are brought to life, making for quite an emotional couple of chapters. Not teary emotional, more empathy emotional...if that makes sense. Heart-warming if you will.
In the end, 'Little Teashop of Horrors' completely surprised me and kept me thoroughly entertained. The storyline was a breath of fresh air in the fact it was different to what I have been reading recently - I'm certainly not complaining though, I needed the change.
Jane Lovering entertained me with her laugh out loud, bonkers and brilliant storyline - I welcomed the distraction which this storyline brought to me!
November 14, 2023
Jane Lovering’s books have been described as quirky. Although this is only the third one of hers I’ve read so far, I already wholly agree with that descriptor. They’re quirky, uplifting, heartwarming, and so ridiculously cosy, like being embraced by a homey cottage. I’ve only discovered this author this year, but I’m already madly in love with her writing.
An additional perk Little Teashop of Horrors has that the other two books I’ve read lack is that it features dual POVs. Lovering’s down-to-earth male leads are always a draw for me, so I look forward to poking around Josh’s brain. So, let’s dive in.
Amy is a North Yorkshire waitress in her late twenties. Though she is educated and knowledgeable, Amy’s world is small. Same people. Same places. Limited cell reception. The café she works at, Monkpark Hall, is part of a large estate formerly owned by the nobility. Its main draw is the Edwardian era vibe, with staff required to dress as maids from the early nineteen-hundreds.
Amy is insecure and thinks of herself as plain, chubby, and unattractive, especially when standing next to her best friend Julia. Amy and Julia are presented as the trite female friend duo—one is tall, slim, blonde, superficial, and boy-crazy, and the other’s a plump brunette, reticent and “deep”.
Amy even wonders if Julia’s father abandoning her when she was young led to her obsession with men. Yuck… Because an absent father figure always leads women to promiscuity, does it?
One person who decidedly does not think of Amy as either fat or ugly is Josh. Shy and taciturn, Josh is a falconer whose birds of prey are one of Monkpark’s biggest attractions. Josh fancies Amy, and has for some time, but has poor social skills and struggles with asking her out on a date.
If there’s a misstep here, it’s in how Amy’s described as different, special, not like the other girls. Josh is attracted to her because she’s ostensibly more sensible than the other female employees, doesn’t indulge in idle gossip… Except that she does. She gossips as much as anyone. “She’s not like the other girls” is a tired trope that really ought to be retired already.
Their quiet lives in the sleepy Yorkshire village are enlivened when Monkpark Hall gets a new administrator, Edmund Evershott, which is the most colonising name to have ever colonised. Snobbish and dodgy, Edmund reveals to Amy that
Josh and Amy’s romance unfolds at a glacial pace. Until the very end of the book, it isn’t even treated as a budding relationship, given how one-sided it is. Josh likes Amy, but doesn’t actively pursue her, which gives them time to be friends first. The plot gods keep finding ways to throw them into scenes together, allowing Amy to gradually start thinking of him as more than a friend.
Their romance is understated and based on mutual empathy. I love their first date. It isn’t even treated as one in the traditional sense of the word. “Hey, wanna come over and help me clean this huge birdcage?” “Yeah, sure.” And that’s it. No drama, no pricey restaurants, just two people hanging out, talking, getting to know one another.
The way the characters act and think is so relatable and realistic. Josh’s social anxiety concerning seemingly minor things that wouldn’t faze most people is so bloody satisfying to read about. He panics internally over pretty much every word that flies out of his mouth, so charmingly insecure and off-centre.
That said, the quirkiness can sometimes go a bit overboard. There are scenes where it feels like the characters’ odd behaviour is turned up to eleven for no logical reason. It almost feels contractually mandated. “Readers love quirky, therefore the two main characters must behave as awkwardly as humanly possible in every single scene.” It robs the narrative of a natural progression, making it feel somewhat stilted. The further you read, the more irksome it becomes.
Josh’s social anxiety, in particular, starts to feel more and more contrived. Instead of conveying his tension through subtle body language, the author instead relies on crippling Josh’s speech. He seems incapable of finishing a single sentence in one go. Even his inner thoughts are choppy and stunted.
It’s not just the dialogue or the inner thoughts, though. The writing, on the whole, feels stiff and unpolished. There are entire sections that should’ve been blue-pencilled. For instance, the plot rushes to assure us that Josh isn’t sexist like most of the small-minded local men. Instead of conveying that through organic dialogue and actions, the author has Josh all but telepathically address the readers, promising us that he doesn’t objectify women and that we can trust him with Amy.
I love the way Lovering’s books make me feel. You’d think you’d need something grand and exceptional to get all smiley, but in her narratives, the characters never go skydiving or exploring the Grand Canyon. It’s all about finding joy in the mundane, rediscovering the beauty of familiar places.
That said, there is something distinctly claustrophobic about this narrative. As I’ve said, Amy’s world is small. Certain decisions and resolutions of various threads make it feel even smaller and more stifling.
The characters are likeable and you want them to be happy. In some books, that takes the form of reading about the characters accepting how good their lives and relationships already are and celebrating that realisation with them. In Little Teashop of Horrors, it’s the opposite. You want them to reach for more because they deserve it, but it feels like you’re instead forced to watch them settle.
Even the central relationship feels like Amy and Josh taking a look at each other and saying, “Well, okay, we’re good with this, since neither of us is likely to find anyone else who’s reasonable and nonjudgemental in this small village. And, you know, it’s not like we can move.”
The characters are so passive and seem to just go along with whatever happens to them. You never get the sense that Amy and Josh really, truly like where they live, what they do, and who they socialise with. A lot of that is chalked up to geography—few job opportunities, narrow-minded locals, a small dating pool, etcetera. Once again—you can move, you can leave this village. These are the kinds of characters who make you froth at the mouth because you can easily imagine them twenty years from now, regretting the consequences of their decisions, recognising only in their middle age the red flags they should have reacted to much earlier.
Given that the writing is so wooden, the plot slightly uninspired, and the characters a tad flat, I’d say this is my least favourite Lovering book so far. Still pretty good, of course, just not as enjoyable as some of the others. 3.5★
An additional perk Little Teashop of Horrors has that the other two books I’ve read lack is that it features dual POVs. Lovering’s down-to-earth male leads are always a draw for me, so I look forward to poking around Josh’s brain. So, let’s dive in.
Amy is a North Yorkshire waitress in her late twenties. Though she is educated and knowledgeable, Amy’s world is small. Same people. Same places. Limited cell reception. The café she works at, Monkpark Hall, is part of a large estate formerly owned by the nobility. Its main draw is the Edwardian era vibe, with staff required to dress as maids from the early nineteen-hundreds.
Amy is insecure and thinks of herself as plain, chubby, and unattractive, especially when standing next to her best friend Julia. Amy and Julia are presented as the trite female friend duo—one is tall, slim, blonde, superficial, and boy-crazy, and the other’s a plump brunette, reticent and “deep”.
Amy even wonders if Julia’s father abandoning her when she was young led to her obsession with men. Yuck… Because an absent father figure always leads women to promiscuity, does it?
One person who decidedly does not think of Amy as either fat or ugly is Josh. Shy and taciturn, Josh is a falconer whose birds of prey are one of Monkpark’s biggest attractions. Josh fancies Amy, and has for some time, but has poor social skills and struggles with asking her out on a date.
If there’s a misstep here, it’s in how Amy’s described as different, special, not like the other girls. Josh is attracted to her because she’s ostensibly more sensible than the other female employees, doesn’t indulge in idle gossip… Except that she does. She gossips as much as anyone. “She’s not like the other girls” is a tired trope that really ought to be retired already.
Their quiet lives in the sleepy Yorkshire village are enlivened when Monkpark Hall gets a new administrator, Edmund Evershott, which is the most colonising name to have ever colonised. Snobbish and dodgy, Edmund reveals to Amy that
Josh and Amy’s romance unfolds at a glacial pace. Until the very end of the book, it isn’t even treated as a budding relationship, given how one-sided it is. Josh likes Amy, but doesn’t actively pursue her, which gives them time to be friends first. The plot gods keep finding ways to throw them into scenes together, allowing Amy to gradually start thinking of him as more than a friend.
Their romance is understated and based on mutual empathy. I love their first date. It isn’t even treated as one in the traditional sense of the word. “Hey, wanna come over and help me clean this huge birdcage?” “Yeah, sure.” And that’s it. No drama, no pricey restaurants, just two people hanging out, talking, getting to know one another.
The way the characters act and think is so relatable and realistic. Josh’s social anxiety concerning seemingly minor things that wouldn’t faze most people is so bloody satisfying to read about. He panics internally over pretty much every word that flies out of his mouth, so charmingly insecure and off-centre.
That said, the quirkiness can sometimes go a bit overboard. There are scenes where it feels like the characters’ odd behaviour is turned up to eleven for no logical reason. It almost feels contractually mandated. “Readers love quirky, therefore the two main characters must behave as awkwardly as humanly possible in every single scene.” It robs the narrative of a natural progression, making it feel somewhat stilted. The further you read, the more irksome it becomes.
Josh’s social anxiety, in particular, starts to feel more and more contrived. Instead of conveying his tension through subtle body language, the author instead relies on crippling Josh’s speech. He seems incapable of finishing a single sentence in one go. Even his inner thoughts are choppy and stunted.
It’s not just the dialogue or the inner thoughts, though. The writing, on the whole, feels stiff and unpolished. There are entire sections that should’ve been blue-pencilled. For instance, the plot rushes to assure us that Josh isn’t sexist like most of the small-minded local men. Instead of conveying that through organic dialogue and actions, the author has Josh all but telepathically address the readers, promising us that he doesn’t objectify women and that we can trust him with Amy.
I love the way Lovering’s books make me feel. You’d think you’d need something grand and exceptional to get all smiley, but in her narratives, the characters never go skydiving or exploring the Grand Canyon. It’s all about finding joy in the mundane, rediscovering the beauty of familiar places.
That said, there is something distinctly claustrophobic about this narrative. As I’ve said, Amy’s world is small. Certain decisions and resolutions of various threads make it feel even smaller and more stifling.
The characters are likeable and you want them to be happy. In some books, that takes the form of reading about the characters accepting how good their lives and relationships already are and celebrating that realisation with them. In Little Teashop of Horrors, it’s the opposite. You want them to reach for more because they deserve it, but it feels like you’re instead forced to watch them settle.
Even the central relationship feels like Amy and Josh taking a look at each other and saying, “Well, okay, we’re good with this, since neither of us is likely to find anyone else who’s reasonable and nonjudgemental in this small village. And, you know, it’s not like we can move.”
The characters are so passive and seem to just go along with whatever happens to them. You never get the sense that Amy and Josh really, truly like where they live, what they do, and who they socialise with. A lot of that is chalked up to geography—few job opportunities, narrow-minded locals, a small dating pool, etcetera. Once again—you can move, you can leave this village. These are the kinds of characters who make you froth at the mouth because you can easily imagine them twenty years from now, regretting the consequences of their decisions, recognising only in their middle age the red flags they should have reacted to much earlier.
Given that the writing is so wooden, the plot slightly uninspired, and the characters a tad flat, I’d say this is my least favourite Lovering book so far. Still pretty good, of course, just not as enjoyable as some of the others. 3.5★
November 1, 2020
Well, this was super cute! It was light-hearted but with some heavy content (trigger warnings). The plot was not terribly complicated but still kept me interested, and it was nice to see a plus-sized heroine.
May 16, 2018
My Review - Little Teashop of Horrors by Jane Lovering
When I signed up for the blog tour of a Little Teashop of Horrors, I expected ghosts and cake! I was wrong. This is more comedy and cake that blood and gory bits.
The Good
This is a British romcom set in Yorkshire, and it features an owl! How original, I loved that! The heroine is Amy, and she is a little insecure about her looks.. but a knight in a shining tea-shop is just around the corner. Josh is a good boy with a crush on Amy.
The Bad
It took me a while to get into the book. I put in down three or four times before I just had a cuppa and got on with it. I think the pace is slow and it is supposed to be, and many women love that slice of cake fiction. I would have preferred a stronger more powerful intro.
The Ugly
I want an owl! No really, even though this wasn't what I was expecting I liked it, I just didn't LURVE it!
4 Stars
When I signed up for the blog tour of a Little Teashop of Horrors, I expected ghosts and cake! I was wrong. This is more comedy and cake that blood and gory bits.
The Good
This is a British romcom set in Yorkshire, and it features an owl! How original, I loved that! The heroine is Amy, and she is a little insecure about her looks.. but a knight in a shining tea-shop is just around the corner. Josh is a good boy with a crush on Amy.
The Bad
It took me a while to get into the book. I put in down three or four times before I just had a cuppa and got on with it. I think the pace is slow and it is supposed to be, and many women love that slice of cake fiction. I would have preferred a stronger more powerful intro.
The Ugly
I want an owl! No really, even though this wasn't what I was expecting I liked it, I just didn't LURVE it!
4 Stars
April 9, 2017
I loved this book. A sweet charming romance filled with fun, warmth and characters that I fell in love with. Perfect for a sunny Sunday morning.
May 16, 2018
This is the second book I’ve read by Jane Lovering, and this is not a crime or thriller book so is not my usual read but I liked the sound of this story so decided to give it a go, and yet again this author had me turning the pages (or rather tapping my kindle to turn to the next page) to see where the story was going.
The book is set in a stately home called Monkpark Hall which is a grand building with grounds etc and a lovely little café. Monkpark Hall has a new Administrator called Edmund running the place and we follow him as he takes over and tries to instil new ideas etc that he says he has come up with to bring more revenue to the home. He seems to have a hold over some members of the staff and came across as a bit of an individual who you wouldn’t like to cross.
The story is told in alternating chapters and we learn about Amy (who works in the café) and Josh (who is the bird keeper, looking after owls etc). I found these alternating chapters a lovely way for the story to be told and in reading this found out how Amy and Josh feel about the changes the new Administrator is introducing.
I don’t really want to give too much away about this book as feel it would spoil the story, so what I would say is if my review and the information about the book appeals to you, you won’t be disappointed. .
The book is set in a stately home called Monkpark Hall which is a grand building with grounds etc and a lovely little café. Monkpark Hall has a new Administrator called Edmund running the place and we follow him as he takes over and tries to instil new ideas etc that he says he has come up with to bring more revenue to the home. He seems to have a hold over some members of the staff and came across as a bit of an individual who you wouldn’t like to cross.
The story is told in alternating chapters and we learn about Amy (who works in the café) and Josh (who is the bird keeper, looking after owls etc). I found these alternating chapters a lovely way for the story to be told and in reading this found out how Amy and Josh feel about the changes the new Administrator is introducing.
I don’t really want to give too much away about this book as feel it would spoil the story, so what I would say is if my review and the information about the book appeals to you, you won’t be disappointed. .
May 4, 2017
This is told in alternating voices of the two main characters. Amy is the third generation of her family to work in an historic trust building. She and her grandmother are able to live in the village at reduced rent because a family works at Monkpark. This wasn't Amy's goal in life but she can't afford to keep her Gran at home any other way. She's always been a bit of a doormat for people but figures that is her lot in life.
Josh loves his birds but is very uncomfortable around people. He doesn't like to be in enclosed spaces, even inside houses. He's never had a relationship with a woman. He likes Amy though because she seems to see him as a real person and not just that strange guy with the birds.
This is an unusual romance. The characters both have back stories that make them think that they are unsuitable for love. I wish Amy's had been a little deeper. I felt like she was written almost as a cliche at times. I haven't seen a lot of male romance characters like Josh though. There was a lot of trauma in his background that made him stay away from people. Although the term is never used, he felt like a demi romantic/sexual character. He did not see people as potential love interests at all until he got to know Amy very well. He doesn't magically overcome his problems just because he meets a love interest either. He still has issues that drastically affect his life and relationships. That's a nice change from books where the hero or heroine's entire life gets fixed when they get a lover.
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
Josh loves his birds but is very uncomfortable around people. He doesn't like to be in enclosed spaces, even inside houses. He's never had a relationship with a woman. He likes Amy though because she seems to see him as a real person and not just that strange guy with the birds.
This is an unusual romance. The characters both have back stories that make them think that they are unsuitable for love. I wish Amy's had been a little deeper. I felt like she was written almost as a cliche at times. I haven't seen a lot of male romance characters like Josh though. There was a lot of trauma in his background that made him stay away from people. Although the term is never used, he felt like a demi romantic/sexual character. He did not see people as potential love interests at all until he got to know Amy very well. He doesn't magically overcome his problems just because he meets a love interest either. He still has issues that drastically affect his life and relationships. That's a nice change from books where the hero or heroine's entire life gets fixed when they get a lover.
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
April 3, 2017
Amy works in the bakery at Monkpark Hall, an estate in Yorkshire. Having always been seen as the dumpy sidekick to her pretty friend Jules, Amy finds kinship with the estate's resident bird guy Josh. When Edmund takes over the estate on behalf of a trust, he seems to take an interest in Amy much to the dismay of both Jules and Josh. Though I liked most of the characters in this book, I felt like the scenario with Edmund was clunky and the end just sort of fell together. I wanted to like it more than I actually did.
April 21, 2017
This was just the light read I was hoping it would be. I found the characters to be likeable, if not completely fleshed out and believable. Amy's self-esteem issues and Josh's trauma (especially) seemed a bit overblown and redundant by the end. There were a couple passages I had to read two or three times before understanding was speaking or what was going on; in that way, the editing could have been tighter. However, I did enjoy the plot for the most part and was excited to keep reading it. All in all, a good but not fantastic read.
I read this book as an e-galley via NetGalley.
I read this book as an e-galley via NetGalley.
March 3, 2018
I've ploughed my way through the first quarter of this book and have now decided to call it a day. I'm not averse to stories moving slowly but this one seemed to drag. I felt that I couldn't really connect with the characters and I'm just not interested in them enough to find out what happens to them. Not a lot seems to have happened so far. I've read one Jane Lovering book before, which I wasn't overly keen on either. I find that somehow a very subtle coarseness comes through in her writing, which isn't to my taste. Others obviously enjoy this author's books, but they're not for me.
November 8, 2017
4.5/5.0
Despite the misleading name, “Little Teashop of Horrors” is one of the sweetest contemporary romances around.
Read full review in the 2017 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Despite the misleading name, “Little Teashop of Horrors” is one of the sweetest contemporary romances around.
Read full review in the 2017 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 8, 2019
An ok read, pretty lengthy.
I liked the characters and the backgrounds though and how they had to ‘save’ each other.
I liked the characters and the backgrounds though and how they had to ‘save’ each other.
August 9, 2018
Let me say upfront, that I really enjoyed this book. The characters are very relatable and very real. A couple are annoying, horrible, selfish, and downright revolting. They do not, however, take away from the fact that this odd, idiosyncratic romance is an absolute delight, and is a great anti-dote to the standard sickly sweet romantic tropes churned out ad nausea.
I found the title to be a little misleading; the ‘Little Teashop of Horrors’ led me to expect something very different. I’m not exactly sure what the ‘horror’ was meant to be, maybe it was the new boss…
Amy is a character that makes you want to shake her, but only because you are rooting for her to stand up for herself. The two people closest to her, her grandmother and friend Julia, are more concerned with themselves, and don’t appear to see the negative impact they have on Amy’s life.
Her Grandmother has brought Amy up within a confining set of rules and behaviours to the extent that Amy’s gentle character consistently buries her anger, frustration, and dissatisfaction. The behaviour and strictures are the product of Grandma’s generation, class, and upbringing, and from having lived and worked all her life within the small community on the estate. Though I wouldn’t put up with the tea-making shenanigans, Amy must also deal with the early symptoms of her Grandmother’s dementia.
Amy’s childhood friend Julia knows how to manipulate and sway Amy to get her own way. I found her to be selfish and ego-centric, and given what happened between them in the past, I would have questioned their friendship except that Amy is so used to burying any irritation or grievance, her life has become governed by other people’s wants and needs rather than her own. She sees nothing in herself that would be attractive to the opposite sex, or make her of more value to those around her.
Evershott is brilliantly drawn as one of those men who plays with the emotions of people he perceives to be ‘weak’, in order to get what he wants. His manipulation of Amy is almost textbook and very unpleasant. Gaslighting springs to mind. As the new boss who holds the future of the estate’s employees in his hands, and by extension their homes, he is in a position of power, and he uses it for his own ends, especially with Amy.
Josh is the unlikely hero of this tale, and by far one of the best characters in the book. He is a loner, a bit odd, and is plagued by his past. In Amy, he sees someone he can relate to. He is attracted to her but not sure what to do about it. His behaviour at one point is totally un-hero-like, and I loved it. None of that ‘man to the rescue’ stuff we are plied with repeatedly. The other great characters are Josh’s birds. They are such a refreshing addition, and I love their disobedience! The relationships between humans and birds are terrific – Skrillex is just a delight!
Written slightly tongue-in-cheek, it is gentle and warm with a most liberal sprinkling of humour. I read it in two sittings (I do sleep occasionally), and thoroughly enjoyed how the story panned out. Peopled by refreshingly real characters, this isn’t a fast-paced read, but it doesn’t need to be; the story unfolds around the characters and the romance builds naturally. Lovely!
Read and enjoy.
I found the title to be a little misleading; the ‘Little Teashop of Horrors’ led me to expect something very different. I’m not exactly sure what the ‘horror’ was meant to be, maybe it was the new boss…
Amy is a character that makes you want to shake her, but only because you are rooting for her to stand up for herself. The two people closest to her, her grandmother and friend Julia, are more concerned with themselves, and don’t appear to see the negative impact they have on Amy’s life.
Her Grandmother has brought Amy up within a confining set of rules and behaviours to the extent that Amy’s gentle character consistently buries her anger, frustration, and dissatisfaction. The behaviour and strictures are the product of Grandma’s generation, class, and upbringing, and from having lived and worked all her life within the small community on the estate. Though I wouldn’t put up with the tea-making shenanigans, Amy must also deal with the early symptoms of her Grandmother’s dementia.
Amy’s childhood friend Julia knows how to manipulate and sway Amy to get her own way. I found her to be selfish and ego-centric, and given what happened between them in the past, I would have questioned their friendship except that Amy is so used to burying any irritation or grievance, her life has become governed by other people’s wants and needs rather than her own. She sees nothing in herself that would be attractive to the opposite sex, or make her of more value to those around her.
Evershott is brilliantly drawn as one of those men who plays with the emotions of people he perceives to be ‘weak’, in order to get what he wants. His manipulation of Amy is almost textbook and very unpleasant. Gaslighting springs to mind. As the new boss who holds the future of the estate’s employees in his hands, and by extension their homes, he is in a position of power, and he uses it for his own ends, especially with Amy.
Josh is the unlikely hero of this tale, and by far one of the best characters in the book. He is a loner, a bit odd, and is plagued by his past. In Amy, he sees someone he can relate to. He is attracted to her but not sure what to do about it. His behaviour at one point is totally un-hero-like, and I loved it. None of that ‘man to the rescue’ stuff we are plied with repeatedly. The other great characters are Josh’s birds. They are such a refreshing addition, and I love their disobedience! The relationships between humans and birds are terrific – Skrillex is just a delight!
Written slightly tongue-in-cheek, it is gentle and warm with a most liberal sprinkling of humour. I read it in two sittings (I do sleep occasionally), and thoroughly enjoyed how the story panned out. Peopled by refreshingly real characters, this isn’t a fast-paced read, but it doesn’t need to be; the story unfolds around the characters and the romance builds naturally. Lovely!
Read and enjoy.
May 16, 2018
Nobody writes contemporary romantic comedy like multi award-winning author Jane Lovering! She has this wonderful ability of balancing humour, sadness, pathos and emotion with flair and aplomb and her latest novel, Little Teashop of Horrors is her best book yet! Quirky, hilarious and a joy from start to finish, Little Teashop of Horrors continues to cement her standing as one of the genre’s most talented writers.
When your best friend is absolutely gorgeous and has men throwing themselves at her on a daily basis, you resign yourself to being overlooked and dismissed as a Plain Jane, sentiments which Amy Knowles is all too familiar with. Working with Jules in the tearoom at Monkpark Hall, Amy has become used to seeing men’s jaws drop whenever her pretty best friend walks into the room. Not that the stately home they both work at is exactly awash with eligible bachelors bearing engagement rings. But there is one man who notices her. One man who who doesn’t think that she is plain, ordinary and not worthy of attention: Joshua Wilson, a man who likes to keep himself to himself and the entire world at bay…
Joshua flies his birds of prey at Monkpark Hall for visitor entertainment and has grown used to hiding behind the walls and defenses which he has built around himself. Wounds from his traumatic past have not yet healed which is why Joshua prefers to interact with his birds rather than with people. Yet, when he met Amy, Joshua thought that he had found a kindred spirit he could relate to and not feel judged or pressured by. Joshua hasn’t felt so ease with another human being for years and years, but could the arrival of hotshot Edmund Evershott to Monkpark Hall put paid to his friendship with Amy and ruin any chance they might have of having a future together?
Suave, sophisticated and charismatic, Edmund Evershott has come to Monkpark Hall as the new manager with plenty of ideas and plans for the future of the stately home. Edmund has also taken quite a shine to Amy. But are his intentions truly honourable? Joshua suspects that Edmund is not as perfect as he seems and that he may be up to no good, but how is he going to prove that? Will he manage to get to uncover the secrets Edmund is hiding and save Amy from a broken heart? Or is an introverted recluse like Joshua no match for a man of the world like Edmund?
Jane Lovering never disappoints and she is on outstanding form with Little Teashop of Horrors. A superbly talented writer who never shies away from tackling hard-hitting issues in her writing, Jane Lovering has this wonderful ability of making you howl with laughter and sob like a baby on the same page and this is evident in her latest tale. At times moving and heartbreaking and at other times riotous and laugh out loud funny, Little Teashop of Horrors is a fantastic tale that will stay with you long after you read the last page.
A writer who has never let me down with her uplifting, believable and engrossing contemporary tales, Jane Lovering hits it out of the park again with Little Teashop of Horrors, a book I wholeheartedly recommend.
When your best friend is absolutely gorgeous and has men throwing themselves at her on a daily basis, you resign yourself to being overlooked and dismissed as a Plain Jane, sentiments which Amy Knowles is all too familiar with. Working with Jules in the tearoom at Monkpark Hall, Amy has become used to seeing men’s jaws drop whenever her pretty best friend walks into the room. Not that the stately home they both work at is exactly awash with eligible bachelors bearing engagement rings. But there is one man who notices her. One man who who doesn’t think that she is plain, ordinary and not worthy of attention: Joshua Wilson, a man who likes to keep himself to himself and the entire world at bay…
Joshua flies his birds of prey at Monkpark Hall for visitor entertainment and has grown used to hiding behind the walls and defenses which he has built around himself. Wounds from his traumatic past have not yet healed which is why Joshua prefers to interact with his birds rather than with people. Yet, when he met Amy, Joshua thought that he had found a kindred spirit he could relate to and not feel judged or pressured by. Joshua hasn’t felt so ease with another human being for years and years, but could the arrival of hotshot Edmund Evershott to Monkpark Hall put paid to his friendship with Amy and ruin any chance they might have of having a future together?
Suave, sophisticated and charismatic, Edmund Evershott has come to Monkpark Hall as the new manager with plenty of ideas and plans for the future of the stately home. Edmund has also taken quite a shine to Amy. But are his intentions truly honourable? Joshua suspects that Edmund is not as perfect as he seems and that he may be up to no good, but how is he going to prove that? Will he manage to get to uncover the secrets Edmund is hiding and save Amy from a broken heart? Or is an introverted recluse like Joshua no match for a man of the world like Edmund?
Jane Lovering never disappoints and she is on outstanding form with Little Teashop of Horrors. A superbly talented writer who never shies away from tackling hard-hitting issues in her writing, Jane Lovering has this wonderful ability of making you howl with laughter and sob like a baby on the same page and this is evident in her latest tale. At times moving and heartbreaking and at other times riotous and laugh out loud funny, Little Teashop of Horrors is a fantastic tale that will stay with you long after you read the last page.
A writer who has never let me down with her uplifting, believable and engrossing contemporary tales, Jane Lovering hits it out of the park again with Little Teashop of Horrors, a book I wholeheartedly recommend.
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