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The Cornish Cream Tea Novels #1
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus
Next stop, Cornwall! Hop on The Cornish Cream Tea Bus for a delicious, romantic adventure… Baking fanatic, Charlie Quilter, inherits a vintage bus in her late uncle’s will and is keen to give it a new lease of life. Charlie thinks it will be the perfect mobile café for afternoon tea, so she heads to the picturesque Cornish village of Porthgolow, hoping for a new start. However, Daniel Harper, the owner of the posh spa up on the hill isn’t very pleased that her bus is parked outside his lovely hotel. Has Charlie’s Cornish dream developed a soggy bottom? Or can she convince Daniel that her bus could take them somewhere wonderful?
400 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2020
237 people are currently reading
1972 people want to read
About the author
Cressida McLaughlin
61 books689 followersI grew up in London surrounded by books and with a cat named after Lawrence of Arabia. I studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia and live in Norwich with my husband David.
I'm a total book nerd and my TBR pile is out of control. I would quite like to be a ghost hunter, and I'm a huge fan of a fictional hero.
When I'm not writing, I spend my spare time reading, returning to London or exploring the beautiful Norfolk coastline.
I love hearing from readers, so please get in touch if you have a question or if you just want to say hello.
I'm a total book nerd and my TBR pile is out of control. I would quite like to be a ghost hunter, and I'm a huge fan of a fictional hero.
When I'm not writing, I spend my spare time reading, returning to London or exploring the beautiful Norfolk coastline.
I love hearing from readers, so please get in touch if you have a question or if you just want to say hello.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
October 6, 2019
Charlie Quilter is left in her uncle Hal’s will a 1964 AEC Routemaster, ex-London Transport double decker bus. Follow Charlie, a baker, as she transforms Gertie into a mobile cafe and sightseeing tour bus.
Having driven buses and coaches since 1981, I loved how Cressida puts across to the reader the passion that vintage buses and coaches can give. There is a little something that vintage buses and coaches have that modern vehicles lack. Cressida taps into the character of this Routemaster very well indeed and with her words you get the feel of this bus. I was really impressed that Cressida could put across the bus parts of this book so well. It was lovely for me to finish my rest break reading The Cornish Cream Tea Bus and then reflect upon the book as I drove along the motorway behind the wheel of my modern Euro 6 - Volvo B11R. Cressida had done her research well as Charlie had both her PCV licence and a valid Driver CPC Qualification Card. I will ignore the absence of an Operator’s Licence etc and all the legal requirements as this does not affect the story.
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus has a large list of lively characters who all have their part to play. The whole book is told from Charlie’s point of view and I had empathy for her from the moment she pressed the button to start the AEC AV590 9.6 litre engine. Character development was good and there was romance in this story too! The romance developed at a steady pace and it was uncertain which way Charlie’s heart would lead. This is light reading and is suitable for all age groups as there is no gritty sex within the pages, just the odd gentle kiss on the mouth. All the cream was on the scones!
This whole story is very British and is told in a cosy, warm, whimsical way, very similar to the popular television series Doc Martin, also set in Cornwall. Tourism and village life are lovingly depicted giving this book a great holiday feel. I really engaged with this book and had the “we’re all in this together” feel. Making me feel more at home, not just the bus and the scones, was Marmite - a pet Yorkiepoo. Charlie’s dog was a crossbreed Yorkshire Terrier/Poodle and as dogs are integral to many people’s lives, it is lovely when they are included within a story.
I enjoyed reading The Cornish Cream Tea Bus and thought it was a GOOD 4 star read. It was a light and fluffy, very comfortable read with a happy ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins UK for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
Having driven buses and coaches since 1981, I loved how Cressida puts across to the reader the passion that vintage buses and coaches can give. There is a little something that vintage buses and coaches have that modern vehicles lack. Cressida taps into the character of this Routemaster very well indeed and with her words you get the feel of this bus. I was really impressed that Cressida could put across the bus parts of this book so well. It was lovely for me to finish my rest break reading The Cornish Cream Tea Bus and then reflect upon the book as I drove along the motorway behind the wheel of my modern Euro 6 - Volvo B11R. Cressida had done her research well as Charlie had both her PCV licence and a valid Driver CPC Qualification Card. I will ignore the absence of an Operator’s Licence etc and all the legal requirements as this does not affect the story.
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus has a large list of lively characters who all have their part to play. The whole book is told from Charlie’s point of view and I had empathy for her from the moment she pressed the button to start the AEC AV590 9.6 litre engine. Character development was good and there was romance in this story too! The romance developed at a steady pace and it was uncertain which way Charlie’s heart would lead. This is light reading and is suitable for all age groups as there is no gritty sex within the pages, just the odd gentle kiss on the mouth. All the cream was on the scones!
This whole story is very British and is told in a cosy, warm, whimsical way, very similar to the popular television series Doc Martin, also set in Cornwall. Tourism and village life are lovingly depicted giving this book a great holiday feel. I really engaged with this book and had the “we’re all in this together” feel. Making me feel more at home, not just the bus and the scones, was Marmite - a pet Yorkiepoo. Charlie’s dog was a crossbreed Yorkshire Terrier/Poodle and as dogs are integral to many people’s lives, it is lovely when they are included within a story.
I enjoyed reading The Cornish Cream Tea Bus and thought it was a GOOD 4 star read. It was a light and fluffy, very comfortable read with a happy ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins UK for giving me a copy of this book on the understanding that I provide an honest review.
May 13, 2021
This was a lovely book. I’m so pleased that it’s one in a series of four as I’ve already got the second one. This book was set in Cornwall which is one of my favourite places and I knew a lot of the areas the book mentioned. It was such a warm, sweet read that I could actually taste the cream teas on that wonderful old bus. This is t the first book I’ve read by this author and I enjoyed her other book just as much.
December 3, 2022
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
Doing it the Cornish way: scone, jam and cream, is the theme of this lovely story that will guarantee your tummy will be rumbling. Thank goodness reading this book doesn’t give you calories: if I had eaten along with all of the characters, I would be in a very bad shape indeed!
Doing it the Cornish way: scone, jam and cream, is the theme of this lovely story that will guarantee your tummy will be rumbling. Thank goodness reading this book doesn’t give you calories: if I had eaten along with all of the characters, I would be in a very bad shape indeed!
September 6, 2019
I absolutely loved this story. It is such a feel-good book set in the stunning setting of Cornwall. Just as her other books, The Cornish Cream Tea Bus was first released as a 4-part serialised enovel, so the whole story is divided in 4 parts with a little cliff-hanger at the end of each. This makes for a very entertaining read that keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. It has quite a few surprises and it definitely made me chuckle more than once.
I really enjoyed the characters too. It was a real treat to get to know the main character, Charlie. She really was a fighter and poured her heart into her new Cornish adventure. She was dealing with grief and it was not an easy path for her to find her place in the world again, but I think Cressida McLaughlin wrote a very touching and heart-felt story, in which Charlie really shone.
The story also had a good dash of romance, with a love triangle going on, which kept me intrigued and very satisfied with the ending. But what really stole my heart were two things, the descriptions of the stunning Cornish coast and of the delicious food Charlie was preparing. Cornwall is on top of my places to visit next in the UK and when I do visit, I hope to find a charming cafe where to have some cream tea. It would be even better if the bus existed though! 🙂
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus is deliciously good. The small town community was a delight to read and I could picture their gatherings perfectly in my head. I would highly recommend this story for anyone looking for a touching, up-lifting and charming story!
I really enjoyed the characters too. It was a real treat to get to know the main character, Charlie. She really was a fighter and poured her heart into her new Cornish adventure. She was dealing with grief and it was not an easy path for her to find her place in the world again, but I think Cressida McLaughlin wrote a very touching and heart-felt story, in which Charlie really shone.
The story also had a good dash of romance, with a love triangle going on, which kept me intrigued and very satisfied with the ending. But what really stole my heart were two things, the descriptions of the stunning Cornish coast and of the delicious food Charlie was preparing. Cornwall is on top of my places to visit next in the UK and when I do visit, I hope to find a charming cafe where to have some cream tea. It would be even better if the bus existed though! 🙂
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus is deliciously good. The small town community was a delight to read and I could picture their gatherings perfectly in my head. I would highly recommend this story for anyone looking for a touching, up-lifting and charming story!
April 15, 2020
I thought it was an alright read, I didn´t love it but I also didn´t dislike it. I think I found Charlie a little annoying to be honest, but I definitely enjoyed the story and the focus on a small town on the Cornish coast. There are a few things that bothered me.
Firstly, the person who turned out to have the secret Instagram account with thousands of followers and tons of photos. How would this person, in a small town like that where everyone knows everyone, have not been seen taking photos all day long? If someone I know constantly took pictures, especially at my food market, I would probably ask to see them, or if not, I would at least notice they were taking them. Anyway....
Secondly, I found the change in one character´s character (ha!) very unbelievable and it was obvious that it was meant to make the reader root for the other guy. But there was nothing to suggest a dark side to this character and just adding a sudden, slightly ridiculous outburst and then changing the tone of this whole person was, in my opinion a bit of an easy way out...
Apart from that, I liked the community feel of the book and I loved the idea of bringing people together through food. I also liked the friendship between Juliette and Charlie and I loved the role of Marmite, Charlie´s dog, as well as Juliette´s cats in the story.
It´s definitely a good summer read but nothing to write home about.
Firstly, the person who turned out to have the secret Instagram account with thousands of followers and tons of photos. How would this person, in a small town like that where everyone knows everyone, have not been seen taking photos all day long? If someone I know constantly took pictures, especially at my food market, I would probably ask to see them, or if not, I would at least notice they were taking them. Anyway....
Secondly, I found the change in one character´s character (ha!) very unbelievable and it was obvious that it was meant to make the reader root for the other guy. But there was nothing to suggest a dark side to this character and just adding a sudden, slightly ridiculous outburst and then changing the tone of this whole person was, in my opinion a bit of an easy way out...
Apart from that, I liked the community feel of the book and I loved the idea of bringing people together through food. I also liked the friendship between Juliette and Charlie and I loved the role of Marmite, Charlie´s dog, as well as Juliette´s cats in the story.
It´s definitely a good summer read but nothing to write home about.
July 21, 2019
I was very fortunate to read the first 2 parts to this 4-part series via NetGalley but jumped at the chance to review the full book as I was so enjoying it. It's safe to say Cressida McLaughlin is onto another winner!
The story was full of laughs and a whole heap of determined attitude from the main character Charlie. She is bequeathed a vintage bus following the death of her uncle and partly to keep his memory alive and partly out of sheer determination she decides to turn it into a bus cafe, this initially has calamitous results that had me genuinely chuckling but I don't want to spoil it any further than that!
I predicted how the story was going to go and I could definitely sense romance in the air from the get-go but that didn't take anything away at all from such a luscious story with such an incredible setting and an array of amazing characters, all of whom (hmm maybe not Oliver...) I loved reading about.
All in all I thought it was fabulous, various aspects the storyline kept my attention. There was a tantalising teaser of another of Cressida's novels, The House of Birds and Butterflies, at the end of this book which has ensured it has gone straight onto my wishlist!
My many thanks to Harper Collins UK (HarperFiction) for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story was full of laughs and a whole heap of determined attitude from the main character Charlie. She is bequeathed a vintage bus following the death of her uncle and partly to keep his memory alive and partly out of sheer determination she decides to turn it into a bus cafe, this initially has calamitous results that had me genuinely chuckling but I don't want to spoil it any further than that!
I predicted how the story was going to go and I could definitely sense romance in the air from the get-go but that didn't take anything away at all from such a luscious story with such an incredible setting and an array of amazing characters, all of whom (hmm maybe not Oliver...) I loved reading about.
All in all I thought it was fabulous, various aspects the storyline kept my attention. There was a tantalising teaser of another of Cressida's novels, The House of Birds and Butterflies, at the end of this book which has ensured it has gone straight onto my wishlist!
My many thanks to Harper Collins UK (HarperFiction) for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2019
I loved the cover of this book so much and loved anything bassed in Cornwall so couldn't wait to read it and didn't disappoint me at all was so captivating and just loved it from the first page. So heartwarming full of starting over again in a new job and new area and full of Cornish cream teas and romance. Has excellent characters and the plot is amazing didn't want the story to end at all.
Charlie lives baking she works in a coffee shop but she looses get uncle and he leaves her his vintage bus in his will to her. She decides she could use it for being a mobile cafe for afternoon tea but when a friend suggests she goes and stays with her she takes her up and heads to Cornwall. Once she arrives she loves the village of Porthgolow and so happy for a new start. She has a dog marmite and they soon make new friends and she loves running her bus and making and selling cream teas and her only problem is Daniel who owns the post spa retreat up on the hill. He isn't happy about the van being parked where it is as outside his soar hotel. Can Charlie win him over in more ways than one and will she make a go of her new dream with the bus or will people be against it or is it just one person. Will decide to stay or leave at the end of the summer and will she find romance.
A perfect summer read.
Charlie lives baking she works in a coffee shop but she looses get uncle and he leaves her his vintage bus in his will to her. She decides she could use it for being a mobile cafe for afternoon tea but when a friend suggests she goes and stays with her she takes her up and heads to Cornwall. Once she arrives she loves the village of Porthgolow and so happy for a new start. She has a dog marmite and they soon make new friends and she loves running her bus and making and selling cream teas and her only problem is Daniel who owns the post spa retreat up on the hill. He isn't happy about the van being parked where it is as outside his soar hotel. Can Charlie win him over in more ways than one and will she make a go of her new dream with the bus or will people be against it or is it just one person. Will decide to stay or leave at the end of the summer and will she find romance.
A perfect summer read.
July 10, 2020
This book was ok. I found it a bit slow in places and Charlie got on my wick at times. I preferred her friend Juliette. I struggled with my concentration whilst reading this book... I found it really hard to stay interested in the story for longer than 20 mins at a time. It's the first time during lockdown that I've been unable to concentrate. Usually I dive into a book and I am completely absorbed, but not with this one. Maybe I was reading the wrong book at the wrong time... who knows... I'm gonna read the sequel next, so I'll see how I get on. 🤞🏻
May 27, 2020
It was OK. Sweet story and the overall idea was nice but it just didn’t grab me.
August 27, 2019
Great premise, really annoying protagonist.
October 6, 2019
Really enjoyable book about Charlie who decides to take a longer break away from her job. After her uncle Hal dies and leaves her gertie his prized bus. She also decides to escape after a disastrous relationship with her ex Stuart.
So she decides to go and stay with her best friend juliette and Lawrence her boyfriend in porthgolow when she arrives she decides gertie needs a facelift and so begins her cream tea bus tours and a food market. But she does opposition from the locals who do not want there village changed and Daniel the local owner of the very expensive spa hotel.
She is in for a very bumpy ride this summer.
Really enjoyed this book a nice easy read.
So she decides to go and stay with her best friend juliette and Lawrence her boyfriend in porthgolow when she arrives she decides gertie needs a facelift and so begins her cream tea bus tours and a food market. But she does opposition from the locals who do not want there village changed and Daniel the local owner of the very expensive spa hotel.
She is in for a very bumpy ride this summer.
Really enjoyed this book a nice easy read.
July 18, 2021
Loved this book. Cressida’s books always make you feel cosy, hungry and happy x
August 8, 2019
Charlie inherits a vintage bus from the beloved uncle and is determined to honour him by converting Gertie into a mobile tea room. After some false start, resulting in her being forced to take sabbatical from work, Charlie finds herself in Cornwall, staying with her best friend Juliette. This is when the new idea forms in her head, of waking the little town of Porthgolow up and organising food truck festivals. Unfortunately, not all of the villagers are happy with this idea, and the owner of the local exclusive Spa and Hotel, Daniel, is not so keen on having an old bus being parked next to his 5 - star business. Will she be able to persuade him and the others to her plans?
I've read the book when it was published as four - part series but guys, there is nothing better than having a full length novel in the hand!
Cressida McLaughlin goes from strength to strength with her books and I already know that her books are going to bring me joy, sunshine, wonderful settings and characters that are not only well developed but feel like friends. This time they were all likeable, believable characters that I loved or loved to hate. The colourful bunch of the villagers was so entertaining - and sometimes also annoying, but Cressida has so well captured the community spirit here and you could see that when the people eventually started to trust Charlie and believe in her ideas, they wouldn't let anyone hurt her, and it was a lovely feeling.
I liked our main character Charlie, her determination and ambition, even though she annoyed me from time to time with the way she was so easily jumping to conclusions, not giving the others a chance to prove that she's wrong. But it was absolutely brilliant to see her growing up throughout the story, maturing and finally accepting that not everybody is against her, that there are people with honest intentions who really want to help her, to support her. She was actually really inspiring with making the most of the opportunities that were given to her.
The pace of the book was brilliant, there was all the time something happening, it was full of twists, events and changes of direction, and the incredibly warm, welcoming writing style of the author was the icing on the cake (ha. See what I've done here?) Her writing is so descriptive and full of good mood and she brings everything she writes about easily to life. The little Porthgolow in Cornwall was a perfect setting for the story. A sleepy, a bit forgotten coastal village but with so much potential that the villagers perhaps stopped seeing, and seeing it through a newcomer's eyes was lovely. I loved Charlie's confidence that she can make the place attractive again - with a bit of hard work, some of her great ideas and luck.
It was a refreshing, uplifting and light - hearted story, full of mouth - watering descriptions of delicious food, cute dogs, full of life characters and blossoming romance with all the ups and downs, the kind of story that makes you want to drop everything, buy a bus and get on the road. So see you on the way! And don't forget to take a copy of "The Cornish Cream Tea Bus" with you!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
May 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. My heart was in my mouth towards the end of it & I hear there is to be a sequel out next week. Can’t wait to read it!
September 6, 2019
Thank you to Net Galley for sending me a free kindle copy in exchange for a honest review.
What a lovely book. I adored this story it had just the right mix of romance and humour. I also liked how you got to know each of the characters in depth throughout the book, Marmite being my favourite of course. Definitely a book that I would recommend.
What a lovely book. I adored this story it had just the right mix of romance and humour. I also liked how you got to know each of the characters in depth throughout the book, Marmite being my favourite of course. Definitely a book that I would recommend.
September 5, 2019
Make sure you have snacks by your side while you are reading this book, I failed to guess how hungry it may make me, and was rather frustrated reading it when the bar next to me had closed, so I couldn't get ice-cream and the other bar was clearly preparing a barbecue. I definitely had food on the brain while reading the first two parts of this.
That aside, OK, I do have a craving for a cream tea, haven't had Cornish clotted cream for yonks, this is a fabulous story, and I love all of it.
Originally published in 4 parts, I read this lovely combined version, so was able to read it all in one go, but it felt as though each part could easily be read as a standalone,,, but why would you only want to read 25% of a great book?
I loved reading Charlie's story, discovering just how a Cornish Cream Tea bus make work. i loved her ideas for rejuvenating picturesque Porthgolow.
Getting to meet all the villagers, was entertaining, and young Jonah quickly earned a place in my heart.
So many stand out moments, I adored every second of this book,
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
That aside, OK, I do have a craving for a cream tea, haven't had Cornish clotted cream for yonks, this is a fabulous story, and I love all of it.
Originally published in 4 parts, I read this lovely combined version, so was able to read it all in one go, but it felt as though each part could easily be read as a standalone,,, but why would you only want to read 25% of a great book?
I loved reading Charlie's story, discovering just how a Cornish Cream Tea bus make work. i loved her ideas for rejuvenating picturesque Porthgolow.
Getting to meet all the villagers, was entertaining, and young Jonah quickly earned a place in my heart.
So many stand out moments, I adored every second of this book,
Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
December 26, 2019
I really hate a story that hinges on the main character lurching to ludicrous assumptions. There must be a better way to move the action along. I was also frequently bugged by Charlie's lack of a business plan. Was she actually making a profit? Did she pay her friend Juliette to work for her? Characters would pop up who were so barely sketched out that I couldn't remember who they were. Anyway, I finished it, so there's that.
May 19, 2020
All I can say is that Cressida McLaughlin has done it again. I have just finished reading this and I absolutely loved it. It was brilliant I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the characters especially Charlie the main character. I thought Marmite was adorable.
I love books that are set in Cornwall. This book is a must read and I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I would definitely recommend this book if you haven’t read it.
I love books that are set in Cornwall. This book is a must read and I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I would definitely recommend this book if you haven’t read it.
August 15, 2019
I loved being able to catch up on the whole series in one volume.
Charlie is making a success of her new enterprise and is organising weekly food festivals, bringing in local businesses to share in the success. She has a few problems to overcome and danger never seems very far away.
This has been the most wonderful read and I eagerly await Cressida McLaughlin's next series.
Charlie is making a success of her new enterprise and is organising weekly food festivals, bringing in local businesses to share in the success. She has a few problems to overcome and danger never seems very far away.
This has been the most wonderful read and I eagerly await Cressida McLaughlin's next series.
August 25, 2019
This is a very charming story of Charlie and her vintage double decker bus. I was hooked from page 1, it was easy to read, fun and a story that had the perfect combination of romance, angst and determination to succeed. Hope there will be a sequel.
July 6, 2024
A nice story set in Cornwall. I'm not sure how feasible the bus touring around the places mentioned in a day is as Cornwall is massive, but also very beautiful. The book cover also annoyed me as Gertie is an old London Routemaster bus which is a double decker, not a single decker as depicted on the front cover.
January 30, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the main characters Charlie and Daniel and of course Gertie the bus (would love a cream tea right now!). The village had some wonderful characters and the descriptions of beautiful Cornish sunsets makes me want to go back.
January 29, 2024
This was such a beautiful book and an easy read. I look forward to reading the other books in this series
August 6, 2019
This is the kind of book that just makes you want to run out, purchase a vintage bus and start your own baking business!! It's made me want to do just that and it was a really enjoyable read that is the perfect slice of escapism!
Charlie inherits a vintage bus from her late uncle, and she wants to honour him by restoring the bus to its' former glory but finding a way that she can use it to start her own business. And her business is baking so she comes up with a plan to start a mobile cafe - sounds perfect to me!!
She ends up taking the bus to Cornwall to stay with a friend and to start some trial runs of how it could all work - everyone she meets is receptive to the idea apart from the owner of the local exclusive Spa, Daniel, who isn't too keen on an old bus being parked in sight of his business so the relationship between him and Charlie doesn't get off to the greatest start!
But with her determination the business starts well, and maybe even Daniel can be persuaded that it's good for the tourists visiting his spa too! She knows how to use social media to create a buzz about her bus and it's lovely to see how well the old and new sit alongside one another. It's not all plain sailing though and she wonders who is out to cause trouble for her when things start going wrong.
I loved the different personalities within the pages of this book and the thought of all those cream teas on the bus just made me crave a scone or three!! The use of the bus was such a lovely idea and the character of Charlie was a joy to spend time with - very driven and focused on making the most of the opportunity given to her. Very inspiring!! A lovely read!!
Charlie inherits a vintage bus from her late uncle, and she wants to honour him by restoring the bus to its' former glory but finding a way that she can use it to start her own business. And her business is baking so she comes up with a plan to start a mobile cafe - sounds perfect to me!!
She ends up taking the bus to Cornwall to stay with a friend and to start some trial runs of how it could all work - everyone she meets is receptive to the idea apart from the owner of the local exclusive Spa, Daniel, who isn't too keen on an old bus being parked in sight of his business so the relationship between him and Charlie doesn't get off to the greatest start!
But with her determination the business starts well, and maybe even Daniel can be persuaded that it's good for the tourists visiting his spa too! She knows how to use social media to create a buzz about her bus and it's lovely to see how well the old and new sit alongside one another. It's not all plain sailing though and she wonders who is out to cause trouble for her when things start going wrong.
I loved the different personalities within the pages of this book and the thought of all those cream teas on the bus just made me crave a scone or three!! The use of the bus was such a lovely idea and the character of Charlie was a joy to spend time with - very driven and focused on making the most of the opportunity given to her. Very inspiring!! A lovely read!!
September 8, 2019
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I really loved this book and the cover is just lovely!!
The author has developed some lovely characters and I really enjoyed getting to know them as the book progressed. They are genuine, likeable and believable characters and that helped make the book so good!
I thought that the story flowed really well and I really like this author's writing style, she is perfectly suited to writing books in this genre. She brought everything to life for me and I thought the story was an addictive read and it is a perfect read for summer!
The book was lovely to read, easy to follow and it is 5 stars from me for this one!!
I really loved this book and the cover is just lovely!!
The author has developed some lovely characters and I really enjoyed getting to know them as the book progressed. They are genuine, likeable and believable characters and that helped make the book so good!
I thought that the story flowed really well and I really like this author's writing style, she is perfectly suited to writing books in this genre. She brought everything to life for me and I thought the story was an addictive read and it is a perfect read for summer!
The book was lovely to read, easy to follow and it is 5 stars from me for this one!!
June 13, 2019
Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
Having read most of cressida's books I just knew this was going to be a fabulous read.
What a mixture a Double decker bus cream teas and Cornwall what more could you want in a book Dont go baking my heart is the first book in the Cornish cream tea bus series I can't wait for the next book to come out this really was a
SCRUMDIDLYUMTIOUS read and can highly recommend.
Having read most of cressida's books I just knew this was going to be a fabulous read.
What a mixture a Double decker bus cream teas and Cornwall what more could you want in a book Dont go baking my heart is the first book in the Cornish cream tea bus series I can't wait for the next book to come out this really was a
SCRUMDIDLYUMTIOUS read and can highly recommend.
April 28, 2020
I think this might have been better if read in four parts. Reading it as one book meant to had a strange drawn out plot, with nonsensical little cliff hangers throughout. Nothing really happened anyway, just a bunch of stupid misunderstandings, strung together by immature behaviour.
Also suspect they were using the phrase "Cornish Cream Tea Bus" to get their word count up. Surely they wouldn't have put it in almost every paragraph otherwise?
Also suspect they were using the phrase "Cornish Cream Tea Bus" to get their word count up. Surely they wouldn't have put it in almost every paragraph otherwise?
June 14, 2022
Loved the concept so really looked forward to reading this. The MC was annoying and I found the many misunderstandings between her and the possible BF manufactured. And the last bit, the cliffhanger, ... really???
July 27, 2020
I found this book really difficult to get into and was putting it down more than I was reading it initially. However, I kept at it as it was for a book club I'm in and I'm really glad I finished it. I really liked the writing style!
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus is split into four sections and follows Charlie and her dog Marmite to Cornwall with the double-decker bus she inherited from her late uncle. The first part focuses on her life prior to spending the summer at her best friend's house in Cornwall, which is perhaps the hardest part to get through. It drags quite a lot but I can understand why it is important for the book. It sets up Charlie's trip and the reason for her new mindset however, I think it may have worked just as well if the book had started from the day she arrived in Cornwall.
After getting through the first part, the book transforms into a cozy, summer read which is super cute! I couldn't believe it was the same book. I really enjoyed the last half of the book and found myself rooting for Charlie and her little business. Woo, an independent woman! It is a very feel-good story and even though there seemed to be an obstacle at every turn for Charlie, she never let it affect her or stop her, which is admirable.
Besides the random accident at the end of the book -which I won't go into because spoilers- that felt very random and misplaced, I have to say I loved the ending. This book was a rollercoaster to me and after discussing with my book-club I found that it wasn't just me which thought this. I am glad I read this as it is something I wouldn't have picked up by myself but I wanted more from it. I have bought the next book in the series, so hopefully, I will enjoy that one more.
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus is split into four sections and follows Charlie and her dog Marmite to Cornwall with the double-decker bus she inherited from her late uncle. The first part focuses on her life prior to spending the summer at her best friend's house in Cornwall, which is perhaps the hardest part to get through. It drags quite a lot but I can understand why it is important for the book. It sets up Charlie's trip and the reason for her new mindset however, I think it may have worked just as well if the book had started from the day she arrived in Cornwall.
After getting through the first part, the book transforms into a cozy, summer read which is super cute! I couldn't believe it was the same book. I really enjoyed the last half of the book and found myself rooting for Charlie and her little business. Woo, an independent woman! It is a very feel-good story and even though there seemed to be an obstacle at every turn for Charlie, she never let it affect her or stop her, which is admirable.
Besides the random accident at the end of the book -which I won't go into because spoilers- that felt very random and misplaced, I have to say I loved the ending. This book was a rollercoaster to me and after discussing with my book-club I found that it wasn't just me which thought this. I am glad I read this as it is something I wouldn't have picked up by myself but I wanted more from it. I have bought the next book in the series, so hopefully, I will enjoy that one more.
March 11, 2021
Anyone who knows me may be shocked to see me reviewing a contemporary romance novel as it’s as far removed from my favourite genres (fantasy/horror) as you can get. However, when I won a copy of The Cornish Cream Tea Bus in an online competition, it felt rude not to read my prize after the author was kind enough to donate and ship.
So…what did this black-hearted horror fan make of it? The term pleasantly surprised springs to mind first of all. I didn’t expect to become so invested in Charlie’s story. As a camper van owner I could resonate with her love of the old bus and could easily picture myself trundling down the beautiful Cornish lanes.
Finding a bright red double-decker bus turned coffee shop would be the highlight of any trip, so the storyline certainly captured my attention. As a small business owner myself, I was also rooting for the independents and rallying behind their plans.
I liked Charlie! She’s sassy, fun, caring, and she’s healing – again, this is something I can relate to. Daniel Harper even managed to melt my frozen heart as the story unfolded. The host of characters from Porthgolow are exactly how I would imagine a small Cornish town to be. Spending time in the pub with Myrtle sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon too!
There was plenty of action to keep the story moving as well as a few revelations. I did manage to see these twists coming, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The ending was wrapped up neatly, and I closed the book with – dare I say it – a contented smile!
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus is one of three in the series, and I find myself feeling curious about how it all pans out for Charlie. Who knows, I may become a romance reader after all.
A beautiful book full of Cornish sunsets, cream teas, and a heart-warming story.
Huge thanks to Cressida for gifting me a copy of The Cornish Cream Tea Bus.
So…what did this black-hearted horror fan make of it? The term pleasantly surprised springs to mind first of all. I didn’t expect to become so invested in Charlie’s story. As a camper van owner I could resonate with her love of the old bus and could easily picture myself trundling down the beautiful Cornish lanes.
Finding a bright red double-decker bus turned coffee shop would be the highlight of any trip, so the storyline certainly captured my attention. As a small business owner myself, I was also rooting for the independents and rallying behind their plans.
I liked Charlie! She’s sassy, fun, caring, and she’s healing – again, this is something I can relate to. Daniel Harper even managed to melt my frozen heart as the story unfolded. The host of characters from Porthgolow are exactly how I would imagine a small Cornish town to be. Spending time in the pub with Myrtle sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon too!
There was plenty of action to keep the story moving as well as a few revelations. I did manage to see these twists coming, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The ending was wrapped up neatly, and I closed the book with – dare I say it – a contented smile!
The Cornish Cream Tea Bus is one of three in the series, and I find myself feeling curious about how it all pans out for Charlie. Who knows, I may become a romance reader after all.
A beautiful book full of Cornish sunsets, cream teas, and a heart-warming story.
Huge thanks to Cressida for gifting me a copy of The Cornish Cream Tea Bus.
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