Zomer in Carrick Park

Tempest Sisters #1

by Kirsty Ferry, Olga Hoekstra (Translator)

Een zomerse trouwerij. Vijftig cupcakes. En een man die ze nooit meer zou zien, dacht ze...
Als Joel Leicester het hotel binnenloopt waar Rosa Tempest werkt, kan ze haar ogen bijna niet geloven. Van alle hotels in heel noordelijk Yorkshire, moet juist de man die haar hart heeft gebroken, Carrick Park binnen wandelen.
De laatste keer dat Rosa Joel zag, was toen ze na een doldwaze vakantie voor zijn voordeur stonden en werden begroet door een vrouw die beweerde zijn verloofde te zijn. Rosa is toen niet blijven hangen om Joels kant van het verhaal te horen. En nu, zes jaar later, heeft het lot dus een onaangename verrassing voor haar in petto. Want de toch al desastreuze trouwerij op Carrick Park kan namelijk alleen worden gered als Rosa en Joel met elkaar samenwerken.

Genres: Romance

145 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2018

About the author

Kirsty is from the North East of England and won the English Heritage/Belsay Hall National Creative Writing competition in 2009. She has had articles and short stories published in various magazines, newspapers and anthologies and was also a judge in the Paws 'n' Claws 'Wild and Free' Children's Story competition in 2011 and in 2013. 'The Memory of Snow', her first novel, was commended in the Northern Writer's Awards, shortlisted to the top five of Wyvern's novel competition in 2011 and longlisted in the Red Telephone Novel Competition in 2012. You can find out more about Kirsty and her work at www.rosethornpress.co.uk

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six years ago, Rosa Tempest had had her heart broken for the second time. She had sworn off men and now worked in Carrick Park hotel on reception. Rosa had no time for anything except work and catching up with her sisters, Jessie and Angel. With the wedding the hotel was hosting coming up soon, they were extremely busy. But the shock Rosa felt when Joel Leicester walked up to the reception desk, and the sizzle of awareness that shot through her, made her realize Joel was still very much in her thoughts. How was it possible that his friends were getting married at the hotel she worked in? What were the odds?

First in the Tempest Sisters series by Kirsty Ferry, Summer at Carrick Park is a delightful, entertaining and sometimes laugh-out-loud amusing novella. It can be read as a standalone quite easily, as each sister has her own story. Summer at Carrick Park is Rosa’s story. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Choc Lit publishing for my digital copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Kirsty ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love novellas as being a quick reader I can usually finish a good one in an evening and this was no exception. The pages just kept turning as I sought to find out when and how Rosa would both forgive Joel for past events but also wise up a little bit and realise how quickly she had jumped to heart breaking conclusions. 

I loved the sub-story of getting all the cakes although I did finish the book in desperate need for cupcakes. No timeslips this time, just a regular romance but it still works for me. Lovely characters, quick fun story and a happy ending. 

It's my first one about Carrick Park (although I have A Little Bit of Christmas Magic to read which features the hotel and I believe they tie into other series) and I loved meeting lots of new characters. The hotel sounds fab and I can't wait to read 'Magic' and dive back into this new world :)

[chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit boek is een perfecte zomer-read om mee te nemen op reis. Dit boek heeft veel diepgang en een sterke boodschap, toch neemt dit niets weg van de luchtigheid van het verhaal. Een perfecte setting en leuke personages zorgen er ook voor dat het boek heerlijk weg leest! Ik ben dan ook erg blij dat ik dit boek heb gelezen! Ik gaf dit boek 4 sterren en raad hem zeker aan! Volledige recensie verschijnt op 20 juni 2019 op www.leesmeemetmij.be

[Kwante in Wonderland · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ster, recensie volgt op mijn blog

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a fabulous novella! Just one word of warning - don't read this on an empty stomach! The description of cakes will have you drooling and feeling rather peckish!!

It's the story of Rosa Tempest, and features the Carrick Park hotel which is first seen in Some Veil Did Fall by Kirsty Ferry, as well as her Xmas novella 'A little bit of Christmas Magic' - but this is just as wonderful a read as a standalone story! Rosa is such a lovely character, sweet, hardworking - she's the senior receptionist at the hotel - and rather ace at baking cakes! She's also nursing a broken heart so is glad to have work - and cakes - to focus on!

But her past soon comes walking back into her life when her ex, Joel, walks through the doors of the hotel as he's the best man for his pal Luke who is seen to marry Erica at the hotel. Joel never got a chance to explain to Rosa just exactly what happened that night when she ran away from their romantic getaway - she even got her friends and family to lie for her when he tried to track her down to explain his side of the story - so maybe now is the chance for the truth to come out?!

But first they have to deal with a wedding disaster, and that can only be fixed by spending time together! Will it give them a chance to reconnect?!

I really enjoyed how this book flashes back to 6 years ago when Rosa and Joel first got together, as it gives you the chance to see their story from the beginning! I loved reading about their past and just wish there was more of this story as I could have easily spent more time in their company - and reading about cakes!!

A delicious treat for all!!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice short little comfort read. Felt the summer vibes.

[Jessica Dillema · Rating 3 out of 5]

Niet heel verrassend of vernieuwend, maar hij las wel lekker weg.

[Hennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een boek voor tussendoor, kort verhaal, leest lekker weg.

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

After an idyllic holiday in Cornwall, Joel and Rosa return home to Joel’s apartment to discover his fiancée waiting for him. Refusing to stay and listen to an explanation, Rosa leaves, making sure he cannot trace her. She’s been here before with two timing husband Jake and feels it’s time to give men a wide berth. Rosa’s love of all things baking gives her hope she can take over from her beloved godfather Donald when he retires from his bakery but the finances needed make it impossible.
Six years later she’s working at the Carrack House Hotel on the York Moors when Joel walks into her life once more. He’s best man at a wedding due to be held there and they have a crisis – no wedding cake! So it’s Rosa to the rescue.
A lovely feel good summer read about second chances and cupcakes. Thoroughly recommended.

[Suzanne Verheem-Kwak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosa beleeft een hartstochtelijke doch korte relatie met Joel. Als ze terugkomen van een romantisch weekend treffen ze in het appartement van Joel een vrouw aan die zegt zijn verloofde te zijn.
Na al een keer bedrogen te zijn geweest wacht Rosa niet af, maar vlucht direct weg en schermt zich af van Joel. Joel doet poging na poging om alsnog contact te krijgen met haar, maar faalt daarin.

“Ik wil niets van hem horen, nooit meer. Ik ben klaar met hem. Ik ben klaar met mannen in het algemeen.”

Omdat ze geen mogelijkheid heeft om de bakkerij van haar ooms over te nemen gaat Rosa werken in Hotel Carrick Park. Ze leidt een rustig leven en vermijdt risico’s.
Als Joel 6 jaar na hun verhouding plotseling voor haar staat is ze totaal overrompeld.
Door een bruiloftscrisis worden ze genoodzaakt samen te werken en probeert Joel weer om de weg naar het hart van Rosa terug te vinden.

“Daar stond hij, zijn donkere haar in de war, en hij zag er licht verlegen uit… Gewoon precies de Joel waar ze zo kort en tegelijkertijd zo krachtig van had gehouden.”



Omdat het een novelle, dus een kort verhaal, is lukt het schrijfster Kirsty Ferry net niet om mooie en complete personages neer te zetten. Daardoor komt het ook wat afgeraffeld over. Maar door de mooie schrijfstijl is het wel uitnodigend genoeg om door te blijven lezen. Je maakt ook kennis met de zussen van Rosa en ik ben zeer benieuwd wat hun verhalen zijn.
Prima voor een heerlijk middagje leesvermaak.
Een mooi, romantisch verhaal over tweede kansen, familie en heerlijke zoetigheid!
Deze novelle smaakt zeker naar meer!

3,5 ster

[Emma Rowson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooooh, what a lovely little gem of a novella!
‘Summer at Carrick Park’ tells the story of Rosa Tempest, a one time baker whose heart was broken by one Joel Leicester. Years later, he walks into the hotel where she is working, and they have to work together to right a potential wedding disaster!
I was hooked almost instantly. It is a quick and easy read, but it certainly does not scrimp on the storytelling. The story is lovely, uplifting and has the feel good factor in abundance, it can’t fail to warm even the coldest of hearts. It even had me laughing out loud on several occasions.
A special mention goes out to the fantastic cast of characters. I loved the dynamic between Rosa and her sisters, and I really would like her godfather and his partner in my life! They were all so well drawn and the relationships completely relatable.
Living in Lincolnshire, I’ve spent many a weekend and a holiday in Yorkshire, so for me the setting was so familiar and comforting. Carrick Park is reminiscent of places I’ve visited, and I loved the mentions of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay – both places I went to as a child. I discovered at the end of the novel that the author has actually used Carrick Park in a Christmas novel, ‘A Little Bit of Christmas Magic’ (which has already been added to my festive reading list!) and also in Book 1 of the Rossetti Mysteries books, ‘Some Veil Did Fall’.
I really enjoyed this little taste of Kirsty Ferry’s work, and I shall definitely be reading more of her books in the future.
I found ‘Summer at Carrick Park’ to be utterly enjoyable; as light and fluffy as Rosa’s cakes, filled with wonderful characters and topped with sweet and delicious storytelling! Perfect for a lazy afternoon – just don’t forget the cake!! I promise you will crave it by the end!!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosa is working as a receptionist in a hotel where a big wedding is being held. She is quite shocked when the best man appears as he is Joel, the man she had a short relationship with a few years ago. She was deeply in love but it ended suddenly and dramatically when they returned to his home after a romantic weekend to find another woman in his house, very comfortable in her pyjamas and flicking through wedding magazines. Rosa cut off all contact with Joel and despite his best efforts he could not get in contact with her to explain.

I love the warm, easy-to-read style of this author. She writes beautifully about her characters’ dilemmas and emotions. It is a very romantic story with thwarted love and second chances. I really warmed to Joel. He was just lovely with a lot of depth to his character,and he was so thoughtful. The reader knows more about the woman in his flat than Rosa, and also knows the lengths he goes to to try to find Rosa. I was really hoping they would find a way to be together. A crisis more or less forces them to come together to solve a problem at the wedding but even then Rosa is reticent. We learn that she has been hurt in the past and the way she was hurt explains why she is wary of getting involved with Joel. I loved his romantic gesture at one point to try to win over Rosa. It wasn’t a grand gesture but it was just perfect for Rosa and showed what a lovely genuine guy he was.

Summer at Carrick Park is a lovely romantic story from Kirsty Ferry and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, if you’ve already read A Little Bit of Christmas Magic – believe it or not, I haven’t, but I’ll put that right this year! – you’ll already be familiar with Carrick Park and will recognise some characters you’ve had the pleasure of meeting before. You might also remember the setting from the first of the Rossetti mysteries, Some Veil Did Fall. But this novella really is a perfect stand-alone read.

There’s no timeslip for once, just a thoroughly enjoyable modern romance in a vividly drawn setting – and lots and lots of cake (what’s not to like?). I think there’s a real art in producing a novella that has well-developed characters (as well as Rosa and Joel, I loved the relationship with the baking uncles, and the involvement of Rosa’s sisters), a story with enough depth and back story to engage your emotions and the fleshing out that makes it a satisfying read – and this book most definitely delivers.

I read it in one sitting on a hot afternoon in the garden, and totally agree with the publishers who called it “a gorgeous summer read that will melt your heart”. It will, though, also make you extremely hungry – it gave me an irresistible urge to whip up some cupcakes, but the experience really wouldn’t have been the same without a drop dead gorgeous kitchen helper…

[Isabelle D · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a lovely story about characters who had a brief relationship in the past and are now brought back together by chance. I like how their past relationship is told after they meet again, in a section labelled "6 years ago", so the reader is allowed to know exactly what happened before going back to the current year and see how they deal with the situation. My favourite part, though, is when they save Joel's friend's wedding together.

Note:
This was one of my reads for Choc Lit/Ruby Fiction's Tasting Panel (a group of ordinary, volunteer readers that helps the publisher select the best stories). I've just read it again, having bought the published ebook. This review is based on my original feedback.

[Anni Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deliciously sweet, heart-warming romance. I love Kirsty’s books and this was no exception. We’re back at Carrick Park where Rosa, is now working six years after leaving Joel a little too prematurely, when who should walk in to her hotel?
With a failed marriage behind her Rosa isn’t going to hang around when she meets Joel’s fiancé. But six years later, she is the person to come to the rescue when the best man needs help, because the bride has forgotten to order a wedding cake. A lovely easy and a captivating read with great characters, locations and plot. I smiled throughout and couldn’t put it down, just wish I’d had a cup cake or two to go with my mug of tea. Thank you Kirsty for another lovely book.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a deckchair, top up the Ice Tea and relax with this splendid little book from one of my favourite authors! This is another that didn’t disappoint, an engaging romance in a delectable setting – what more could you ask?
Rosa is a senior Receptionist at Carrick Park Hotel, Joel is a blast from her past – the one she peremptorily ditched without giving him a chance to explain. They are thrown together by the wedding of his friend, at the hotel, and a problem arises that Rosa and Joel can solve between them. Can she work past her issues? PS I’m now going to look for Green Smoke!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosa is the non-risk taking girl, who is the lead receptionist at a hotel. Her passion for baking is inspired by her uncles, who own a bakery. Having had her heart broken before by Joel, Rosa is quite surprised when he arrives at the hotel she works, as the best man for his friend. Not having the opportunity to explain the circumstances about their break up, this is his chance to prove to Rosa his true feelings.
Great story line, rounded characters and beautiful setting, I would definitely recommend this book!

[Ilse · Rating 3 out of 5]

veelbelovende cover, veelbelovende korte inhoud
dus hop daar gaat dit boek op mijn reader.

nadeel van ebook is natuurlijk dat je niet op voorhand ziet hoe dik (of dun) een boek is.
Dat bleek dus tegen te vallen. met 122bladzijde is dit boek nauwelijks meer dan een kortverhaal.

En dat is jammer, erkomen zoveel dingen aanbod in dit boek, dat als de schrijfster alles een beetje beter had uigewerkt, het echt een volwaardig boek was. Nu blijf ik toch wel een beetje op mijn honger zitten vrees ik.

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a while ago I read this as part of the Choc Lit tasting panel. It made me want to book into the hotel for a holiday immediately. Everything about this worked for me, the people, the setting, the story. If you enjoyed A Little Bit of Christmas Magic you will enjoy meeting these characters at the hotel and if you have not read it you have two treats in store. It is hard to imagine a better summer read!

[Mirandana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heerlijk boek om in het zonnetje 🌞 te lezen. Niks nieuws of spectaculairs, gewoon leuk. De personages, de liefde, de verhaallijnen, het kijkje terug naar 6 jaar geleden, 2 geweldige ooms ♡ De zussen band.  Erg fijne schrijfstijl ook. Dit is blijkbaar deel 1 uit de serie, kom maar door met de volgende delen!

[Susan in Perthshire]

Sorry, but I do dislike stories whose premise is a miscommunication which could have been sorted out by a straightforward conversation. In this instance, the heroine made a swift judgement, refused to listen to an explanation and excised the hero from her life. That is simply stupid and unrealistic and makes it impossible for me to engage.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Just right for curling up on a cold winters day or lying by the pool on holiday. I have now been looking for more of Kirsty's books

[Astrid Blokzijl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk boek om even te lezen als je weinig tijd hebt. Het is natuurlijk voorspelbaar hoe het afloopt, maar het leest lekker weg.

[Isolde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prima verhaal, onderhoudend, maar ben er niet stuk van.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know it was a novella, but it was so rushed.

[Femke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heerlijk romantisch boek. Het begin vond ik wat langdradig, maar daarna vond ik het jammer dat ik het boek uit had.

[my.readinglist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een heerlijk zomers feelgood verhaal!
Het verhaal had van mij nog veel langer mogen zijn.

[Jeanine Hagman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een leuk luchtig verhaal.

[Leonie van Driel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and light to read between some thrillers of other more heavy stories. 3.5 stars rounded down because of the predictability.

[Caitlinrosmolen · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️,5