Het winkeltje in Cockleberry Bay

Cockleberry Bay #1

by Nicola May, Patricia Pos (Translator)

100% Britse feelgood, dat is 'Het winkeltje in Cockleberry Bay' van Nicola May.

Het zit hoofdpersoon Rosa Larkin allemaal niet mee. Als ze een vervallen winkeltje erft in een rustig dorpje in Devon, denkt ze eerst aan verkopen. Helaas voor haar zit er een clausule bij de erfenis waarin bepaald is dat de winkel niet verkocht mag worden. Ze mag hem alleen nalaten aan iemand die het verdient. Rosa besluit het een kans te geven en vertrekt met haar teckel Hot naar Devon. Ze zet alles op alles om het winkeltje in Cockleberry Bay tot een succes te maken. Maar ze kan het niet alleen. Gelukkig zijn er genoeg locals die haar een handje willen helpen... of tegenwerken.

Nicola May stopt in 'Het winkeltje in Cockleberry Bay' lekker veel kleurrijke personages en allerlei twists.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Contemporary, Mystery, Ebooks

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2018

About the author

Hello, I'm Nicola May, author of 18 romantic comedy novels.

I look forward to sharing all my heartfelt and fun books with you.

For further information on me, my books and to read reviews please do go to www.nicolamay.com.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Kat Brownell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Absolutely ridiculous. I really didn't like this.

The author thinks she is sex-positive, but really doesn't understand what that means. From the first chapter, when Rosa is giving "drunken BJs" (who writes like that?) to her roommate whenever she can't pay her rent, I was pretty horrified by sex in this book. Rosa is full on assaulted at one point, but her reaction is basically "boys will be boys" and she completely blows it off. She also sleeps with not one, but three men with wives or girlfriends, at least one of whom she doesn't like at all, in fact despises, but she is hungover so why not have a bit of sex with the book's antagonist? She then freaks out when she finds out he has slept with someone else in addition to his girlfriend. Because, she can understand stepping out on one's girlfriend once, but cheating with multiple people is just unforgivable. This is a quote from the book. Wtf?

Finally there is Mary. Every single time, without fail, that Mary comes onto the scene we are reminded that she is fat. Every. Time. From her "penguin waddle" to the fat spilling off the stool every time she sits, we are not allowed to forget her weight. Oh, but don't worry, she loses weight at the end and is thus redeemed.

Oh, and I almost forgot about the adult proprietor calling her 18 year old employee a slut. To her face. What in the actual fuck?

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Lovely Stars🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

Love is friendship set on fire...

This book was an absolute pleasure to read... One of the absolute best parts of being a book blogger/reviewer is the exposure you get to so many amazing authors you wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to... this book is a perfect example of that.... I’ve never read anything by Nicola may, But I can guarantee I will take every opportunity offered to read more books from her.... I like my romance with a touch of humor, a lot of fabulous characters, and a beautiful setting.... this book had all that and the added bonus of some mystery....

Rosa has had a tough life, so when she is offered the opportunity to move to Cockleberry Bay and reopen a corner shop... she thinks this might be a perfect opportunity to get her life straight.... The catch... she can’t sell the shop she needs to give it to somebody who is worthy (when it is time) and also she has no idea who has gifted this to her.... Rosa really had a complete transformation throughout this book, it was so lovely to see... she started out with such thick walls around her, you wondered if there was any way she would be happy in a town where everybody knew everything about you.... and she grew into such a charming person with so many wonderful and Corky friends.... she also has the most adorable dog Hot🐾

There is also romance in this book... but you aren’t quite sure who the love interest is until towards the end.... I had my clear favorite, so I don’t really want to describe them because I probably will give it away.... just know there is not a love triangle, and you really want Rosa to make a certain choice (well at least I did).... as I mentioned above there is also some mystery in this book... who gave the corner shop to Rosa? Who was involved in the hit and run accident? And what happened to that necklace?

Strongly recommend to fans of Romance with some humor, wonderful quirky characters, and a touch of mystery...

*** thank you so much to Nicola May and Rachel at Rachel‘s Random Resources for a copy of this wonderful book ***

[Allyson Newman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wanting a break from my usual feast of murder mysteries and fast paced crime novels, I decided to read The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay. The reviews were excellent; the book came highly recommended. So even though I
frowned at the almost childlike narration and simple dialogue in the first few pages, I ploughed on in the hope that it would improve and live up to all the hype surrounding it. Sadly, it did not improve. I wondered if I had missed the bit where it explained that this book was aimed at pubescent girls with over active hormones, but then the frequent reference to 'shagging' and 'blow jobs' suggested it was aimed at an older audience.
Words fail me as I try to explain how this book could have got onto anyone's best seller list. It was neither 'cosy' nor 'funny'. In fact it was just boring and incredibly childish.
I won't be reading any more by this author.

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ This Gorgeous Story has it all... A Must Read! - Which i devoured from cover to cover!

 The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay has it all, Humour, heartache, mystery, romance, sex, a lil bit of magic, nosy neighbours, charm, Witt, Adorable fur babies, memorable characters, a quaint shop.

There is nothing I didn't love about this fabulous book.
It triggered so many emotions, it was an uplifting story full of warmth and laughter that tugged on my heart strings.
It made for a compulsive read that I couldn't put down.

Nicola's writing style was engaging and entertaining that instantly drew me in.
I fell in love with the characters. They was relatable and memorable.

When Rosa gets a surprise to say she has inherited The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay she doesn't have a clue who has left it to her.

But she is highly intrigued and sets off to Cockleberry Bay to see exactly what is in-store for her.

It's Christmas at Cockleberry Bay and trying to keep a low profile she stays at the local inn.
Except nothing stays a secret for long when her identity and her reason for being at Cockleberry Bay gets shouted out, at a local karaoke night.

Feeling betrayed Rosa runs off to stay at the shop.
The shop needs work but has lots of charm.
Rosa is determined to make it work.

Rosa is a damaged soul. With a heartbreaking childhood. In and out of children's homes. Rosa tends to push people away or use sex as a way of feeling wanted.
But best friend Josh is her rock. The chemistry between them goes alot further than friends with benefits.

I loved Rosa she is strong, wounded, vulnerable but determined and likeable. I really loved her character.
Ohhh not to forget Hot Dog the adorable dachshund. He was sooo cute and loveable and Rosa rock. She rescued him outside a shop when his owner was beating him.
They saved each other.

The village members are all quirky. A fortune teller in her 90s, the gossip co op shop worker, the gay bar owners who love a party offering Rosa a job, so many memorable characters.

As you can tell I adored this charming, and compelling book.
Prepare to be charmed by this utterly enchanting and irresistible story. I highly recommend The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay.

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

My Review is also on my blog website:
(plus a fab book giveaway)

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[DJ Sakata · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

Brian, my late husband, passed just last year… he was a miserable old bugger and I had a face-lift and my teeth done with one of his insurances, which helped numb the pain slightly.

You’ve obviously already realised that you can’t do a silent fart around here without it being in the South Cliffs Gazette.

I refuse to answer that on the grounds of sexual discrimination.

Meet me where the sky touches the sea.

My mum always says, “Follow your heart, but don’t forget to take your brain with you”. About men, she has another saying: “Keep their stomachs full and their balls empty,” but that’s not quite so poetic, is it?’

A boomerang always returns to the person who throws it. Karma will get him in the end.

My Review:

This was my first time reading the talented and witty Nicola May, although reading her clever arrangements of words will most likely become a habitual practice. I frequently smirked and occasionally cringed as her writing has a bit of everything, entertaining and engaging storylines, saucy banter, amusing humor, witty quips, adorable animals, heartbreak, painful insights, duplicity, and most importantly - quirky and endearing yet flawed characters who could have a college degree in bad decision making. Ms. May cunningly captured both the good and bad elements of small-town living from the predatory abuse of gossip and intimidation, pettiness, and snooping; to the empathetic and caring concern, supportiveness, and comradery in times of need. I fell in love with a tiny dachshund cleverly named as Hot Dog, as he was stolen as well as a sausage. I hope Ms. May brings us back to this quaint little town; there would be no shortage of peculiar characters and adventures to annotate. Which brings me to the new addition to my Brit Vocabulary Word List of full-on (maximum) and chuffed (mightily pleased). I would be full-on chuffed to return to Cockleberry Bay.

[Gemma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth the effort

Honestly baffled with the 5 star ratings and gushing reviews - the people in charge of the PR campaign are working overtime. This book wasn’t worth the time and effort: poorly written, poorly edited, predictable... I could go on. With boring characters, unnecessary crude sexual references and a questionable attitude towards sexual assault and rape, I am dubious about anyone who claims to enjoy this book. If anything, just save your money and read something else.

[Maria Olga Lectoraapasionada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me resultó una lectura entretenida, divertida en muchas ocasiones, una novela para pasar unos buenos ratos.
Ojo momentos tristes también tiene, pero en definitiva fue una lectura muy agradable ..

[Mo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Beware! Don’t be fooled by the cover of this book, nor the title. If you are in the mood for a charming and cozy mystery, this sure ain’t it!

Rosa sighed…‘Whilst you’re at it, maybe you could tell them I’ve been wanting to stick this shitty, unfulfilling job right up their pound-coin-shaped backsides for weeks anyway.’

‘I’ll bloody miss you, you crazy bitch.’ ‘You’ll miss the best drunken BJs you’ve ever had, you mean.’

Rosa is a disagreeable, foul-mouthed character. I don’t want to stick around to see if she would grow on me. (According to reviews several others have posted, she wouldn’t.)

Bailed on page 11.

[Miss T · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is lovely and did keep me reading to the end, but it was a bit simplistic. It was missing depth of the characters, I couldn't really get to know them. Although the main character has a complex history, she was not very complex herself. There are a lot of sleazy comments thought this book and sexual assaults that are almost treated as acceptable. The ending which finally tied the whole story together was rushed. It wasn't really for me. But any story in which the heroine brings her dog with her everywhere she goes is a good start!

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com

Rosa Larkin has been left a corner shop in Cockleberry Bay, Devon, in the will of an unknown person. She has also been left £2000, and a letter telling her that she cannot sell the shop, she can only pass it on to someone worthy.

It came as a complete shock to Rosa, as she has no family, due to being brought up in foster care, nor know of anyone who cared about her enough to do something like this for her.

Heading from London to Devon, she decides to give it a go at being a shop owner. However, she finds the village of Cockleberry suffocating as all the villagers know one another and like to interfere in other peoples lives.

Will Rosa be able to cope, not only with running a shop but with people being overbearing when she is used to being alone?

I wasn’t too sure what I was going to make of this book at the start. A couple of chapters in and Rosa had complete and utterly got on my nerves. She wasn’t an instantly likeable character, but as I carried on I found that I started warming towards her. Having been brought up in foster care, she learned to put up this wall around her and not let her emotions be on show, only allowing people to see the tough exterior. Over time this wall did come down, and it was nice to see the sweeter side of her.

For me, ‘Hot’, her little Sausage Dog, stole the show. Wherever Rosa went, Hot went too. He was so adorable and I enjoyed him being in nearly every scene.

The book has a lot of depth to it and a vast array of mainly wonderful characters. The setting is gorgeous, right on the beachfront in Devon. Old-fashioned shops, a proper tourist area, with a heart and soul to accommodate everyone.

It was a quick enjoyable read. I do wonder if Nicola May will take us back to Cockleberry Bay in the future?

[Ceecee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. Thought I’d have a change from the usual dark and twisty. Thought the title sounded pleasant and so I enthusiastically embraced the diversion from the usual genre. Thought it started well, easy to read, not great literature but quite fun. Thought I was on the right track. Then wham. Things start to get a bit, well, dark. There are some deeply unpleasant characters in the book and a couple of awful incidents, one of which is never properly resolved. Add that to the fact that the style of writing began to seriously get on my nerves with phrases that gushed not flowed, chuck in one dimensional characters and a couple of stereotypes, stir in some cringeworthy innuendo, season with some truly farcical incidents and there you are - one awful, predictable, boring potboiler. Next thought - back to the dark and twisty.
PS. I’m out of step with most reviewers but c’est la vie.

[Anna Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definetely a must read and a page turner. I absolutely loved this story I couldn't stop reading it as I was so in the book. I am confident that every new reader will enjoy this book as much as I have. Nicola May wrote a very charming and lovely book
The story started off very well and captured my interest from the first page till the end so I highly recommend it to those who love romance.

[Mrs E Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly plot, badly written. The opposite of uplifting, it made me cringe.


The dialogue was poor and the moral tone lacks credibility considering the sexual mores espoused in the text. Best avoided..

[Elly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked it up because it was on the Amazon Charts, but it doesn’t belong on the charts. Regret, it’s terribly written. The characters are incredibly shallow and one dimensional, you’re often ‘told’ and not shown, and it’s just generally awful and crude. Example: Prince Charming is also her landlord who she gives fellatio to when she can’t afford her rent.

The plot is meandering, but is all explained in painful detail in the last few chapters, along with a ridiculous happy ending. Very very blah.

There’s a lot of quite serious themes (abandonment, suicide, rape, unwanted pregnancy) which are used as plot devices without any real care, or sensitivity around them. Written by someone I suspect whose never really faced any of those kind of situations.

It’s also really badly formatted for Kindle. Weird indents and for a section, the text is red for no reason. Just goes to show the lack of care that went into this book. It shouldn’t have been published. Hated it.

Overall, it’s a shit book. Don’t read it. Don’t waste your time. I would have DNF but you can’t log a DNF in your reading challenge, so I ploughed on.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick book to read, read in a day book. It was quite sweet but, on the other hand very irritating, I could see how things were going to turn out very quickly and because it was a rubbish day weather-wise I read this book without really thinking about it. It was a free book from Amazon Prime so no expense spared!!!! There are two other books in this series without I’ll probably pass especially as you have to pay for them!!!

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked me in from the first few pages, and as the book progressed well it was under my skin and I kept thinking about it when I wasn't reading, until I decided to just give in and read most of the second half in one sitting. I just didn't want to put it down, I was so absorbed by Rosa Larkin's story.

There is far more to this book than meets the eye, I know what you are thinking, its another shop with inheritance books, some conditions stuck on it, and moving to a new place sort of thing. Well yes the book does contain that but its the way the story proceeds from there that is what makes it so special.

I loved Rosa who has had a tough childhood, and never really been that responsible suddenly has a shop, her own home and a new village to become who she was meant to be. She has her problems, but also is very determined to make this unexpected gift a success.

She also has Hot the Dog, otherwise known as Mr. Sausage who is utterly adorable and isn't far from the action at all. He is an adorable dog and certainly understands the W word that all dogs love!

This is a romantic comedy so you may be wondering why I haven't mentioned men yet, and that is because for a large amount of the book although I knew who my heart was going to set Rosa up with, there were many other prospective males, so I don't want to name any of them, and leave you to fall in love with one yourself, while potentially being disgusted by others.

I love the group of friends that Rosa starts to make, and there are some real characters that live in Cockleberry Bay, including the owners of The Lobster Pot, Queenie, Titch, and a few others who may not be as pleasant.

There are laughs to be had, some sadness, and overall I was left utterly bereft that my short time in Cockleberry Bay was over so soon. I loved the book that much, and want to be back there with my new found friends already. Incredibly well written, this book has completely got under my skin, highly recommended.

Thank you to Nicola May for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Darren Saunders · Rating 1 out of 5]

Books like this are why we can’t trust star ratings on websites.

I was looking for something on Kindle Unlimited that wasn’t sci-fi, crime thriller, or horror-paranormal, and this was rocking somewhere between four and five stars. Seemed pretty well liked, and I’m a sucker for a story set in a sleepy seaside town, so figured I’d give it a shout.

Yeah, it’s not a five star book. Not at all. Not even in the same ballpark. Hell, it’s a completely different sport.

The story is nice enough, but for all the twists and turns the author tried to include, it could have done with being twice the length. Plot lines were opened up, only for them to be wrapped up a few paragraphs later. The protagonist’s beloved dog is involved in an accident that takes up a grand total of four paragraphs, followed by a few token mentions of him being in a bandage and a hastily dealt with reveal of who hurt him a few chapters later.

But you know what, I’m willing to let all that stuff slide. It’s fine, I didn’t pay for the book.

The dialogue though. Christ.

It’s like the author has never had a conversation with any other human. Almost every line feels like it was written by an algorithm. No actual people talk the way the characters in this do.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder whether Nicola May is an Amazon bot, an experiment in machine learning set with a task to write easy, unassuming fiction that can fill up the Kindle Unlimited libraries with a ton of chaff to make it seem like the service is worth the money. That would explain all the five star reviews. No living, breathing human could read this book and give it five stars.

I’ve given it one star. I was able to chunter through it in a day or two and rather enjoyed the escapism of being in a sleepy, coastal village in Devon, but other than that it has very few redeeming features. It has a gay character who is woefully stereotyped, a girl who’s raped but chooses to keep the baby and not tell anyone, a massive plot twist that I picked up about half way through the book, and too many sex-crazed villainous men to keep track of. It’s like Eastenders took a holiday in Devon.

Still, ‘Nicola May’ has ‘written’ a few other books set in the same town, so she must be doing reasonably well out of it. Or Amazon are.

[Amanda B · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I won't continue this series.

[jane king · Rating 1 out of 5]

What tosh. The only good characters are Josh and the little dog Hot. Rosa and the rest are unlikeable. The storyline is unbelievable and the ending just rushed in as if the author had run out of things to write . Thank goodness it was free.

[Floor tussendeboeken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yaay eindelijk weer een feelgood die ik leuk vind :)

[Evelyn Evertsen-Romp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit is echt een heerlijk verhaal, het is niet gladgeschuurd en hier en daar rammelt het zelfs een beetje, maar juist daardoor werd ik er zo gelukkig van. Het lezen van Cockleberry Bay voelt heel persoonlijk, ik kon me totaal inleven in Rosa's avonturen.
Meteen nadat ik begonnen was met lezen, wilde ik het boek al niet meer wegleggen, heerlijk verslavend!
Nicola May leert ons dat eerste indrukken heus niet altijd kloppen, dat vrouwen prima voor zichzelf kunnen zorgen, en dat een warme sterke arm soms onontbeerlijk is.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is awful and I don't understand why it has such a high rating! It could be that the person reading it on audible is making it seem worse but the character is so unlikeable and annoying and I thought it was a light read but there's moments where I thought it was turning into a mystery / thriller?? Very confused. There's a lot I just find creepy about it. Unfortunately I won't be finishing the book.

[Jenny King · Rating 1 out of 5]

So I started reading this because I was looking for something really light as I was feeling very tired and it seemed to be getting rave reviews and was part of the kindle deals for the day. I did manage to finish it but am so stumped as to why it was getting so many 4 and 5 stars. I felt that it was really predictable, it just had things thrown into the story for no real reason, and very few of the characters were actually likeable. Not a fan!

[Mary]

Seeking something to cleanse the palate,I bought this book. Whilst the concept appealed to me,I found the characters and some of their dark deeds quite unappealing,for want of a better word.

Double meaning infused dialogue,a willingness and devil may care attitude to sleeping with any man, regardless of their relationship status,left me disheartened and disappointed that a story,language and potentially strong characters should be reduced thus.

[Kim Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I can't stop thinking about way after I've read it! 

I loved the character of Rosa, she was so entertaining and relatable.  One of those characters that you actually want to be! Or be friends with.  I loved the pluckiness of her character just going to start a new life in a new place and I totally adored and was quite envious of her friendship with Josh.  What could be better than having a gorgeous rugby player as your BFF who would drop everything to help you? Their relationship was so lovely and special! 

Right from the very first page, when Rosa visited the solicitor, I was totally invested in her life and her future, and once she moved to Devon I was almost obsessed with wanting to know more. I cherished every moment of the read, as it was so lovely but at the same time, I didn't want to keep reading because I didn't want the book to ever end. 

Now Hot, her little sausage dog deserves a review all of his own.  But he'll get a paragraph instead! Hot was a superstar.  As a new dog mamma myself, I loved the special relationship between Rosa and her dog.  He was an integral part of the story and was a charming, funny companion. LOVED him! And his name is genuis! 

The characters in the book all had their own special quirks and were so well written that even the rotters, you couldn't help but like.  I just loved everything about the book if you hadn't already guessed! 

I've read every book that Nicola May has ever written and have always said that I think she's incredibly talented and gifted.  And should be up there on bookshelves in supermarkets and bookstores next to the likes of Milly Johnson, Carole Matthews and Cathy Bramley.  I always read her books with a big smile on my face and warmth in my heart and there's always a lot of laughs along the way too. 

In summary, The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay is a brilliantly entertaining, feel good read, full of charm and humour which will keep you compelled to turn the pages to and feel a little sad when it's over that these people are no longer in your life.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.  

[Marieke Leest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik mocht dit boek lezen voor een leesclub van Hebban. De cover ziet er echt leuk uit en doet je onmiddellijk wegdromen. Het verhaal gaat over Rosa, die van baantje naar baantje hopt en goedkoop een kamer huurt bij een vriend, Josh in Londen maar verder niet echt iets bezit, ze heeft zelfs geen bankrekening. Plots erft ze een oud winkelpand in Cockleberry Bay. In de erfenis staat dat ze het pand niet mag verkopen. Ze besluit een kijkje te gaan nemen en de winkel opnieuw te openen. Cockleberry Bay is een klein dorpje waar veel geroddeld wordt. Dit mag Rosa aan den lijve ondervinden. Niet iedereen heeft het echter goed met elkaar voor.
Zelf had ik jammer genoeg niets met het hoofdpersonage. In het begin is ze nogal hulpeloos en ze drinkt veel. Ze wordt gedurende het boek wel sterker en zelfzekerder en ik kreeg naarmate het verhaal vorderde wel mee sympathie voor haar.
Echter bijna geen enkele man in het verhaal leek me een leuk type. Het waren stuk voor stuk rare mannen en ze belandt ook gewoon met iedereen in bed. Enkel het homokoppel van de Lobster Pot vond ik zelf erg leuk. De enige kanshebber was Josh, helaas werd hij tijdens het verhaal wat onderdrukt door Lucy.
Het einde was te snel voorbij. Rosa vindt de man van haar leven en in het volgende hoofdstuk gaan ze al trouwen, dus de echte verliefdheid maken we niet mee en dit vind ik wel jammer voor een feelgoodboek.
Het boek was wel vlot geschreven en de bestemming is er eentje om bij weg te dromen. Als vakantielectuur is dit wel een ideaal boek.
Al bij al vond ik het een leuk boek om te lezen maar de rest van de trilogie laat ik aan mij voorbij gaan. Maar het verhaal is wel afgerond is en je kan het even goed als standalone kan lezen, zonder het gevoel te hebben dat je iets mist als je de rest niet leest.

[Leesdame · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het boek leest lekker door, ik heb mezelf dan ook geen moment verveeld! Er gebeurde genoeg en ik vond al die smeuïge situaties waarin Rosa verzeild raakte vermakelijk om te lezen. Zo zat ik echt te grinniken tijdens het radio dubbel-interview met journalist Joe en Rosa. Een van mijn favoriete bijpersonages is de jonge vrouw Titch, vooral hoe ze het heft in eigen handen neemt als haar leven drastisch dreigt te veranderen.

Lees verder op mijn blog :)

[LolaF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro entretenido con un punto de misterio, otro romántico,... de final feliz.

Al principio me pareció un poco juvenil, pero conforme vas leyendo te vas dejando llevar por la historia y sus personajes, disfrutando de un buen rato de distracción.

Me ha gustado la portada, refleja lo que puedes encontrarte en el libro.

Está bien escrito, no le busques más. Leer por leer y entretenerse.

Y es el primero de una serie 😉

Valoración: 7,5
Lectura: Diciembre 2019

[Kayleigh · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book for people who don't read books.
I generally take offence to chick-lit but picked up as holiday read. Traditionally poorly written characters and plot coupled with a worryingly casual approach to sexual assault.

[Medusa Bren De wit · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Uit lijden zijn de sterkste geesten voortgekomen; de nobelste karakters zijn met littekens doorgroefd. – Kahlil Gibran-

In dit eerste deel van deze Britse feelgood serie maken we kennis met de Londense Rosa Larkin. Een spontane jonge vrouw die het echter niet makkelijk heeft gehad in haar leven. Ze woont bij haar beste vriend, Josh, in huis en verslijt het ene baantje na de andere. Ze is flink op weg om alcoholiste te worden en weet eigenlijk gewoon niet goed wat ze nou met het leven en al helemaal niet met haar leven aanmoet. Ze drinkt meer en vaker dan gezond voor haar is en buiten Josh en haar geliefde teckel Hot heeft ze verder niemand. Ze is getekend door haar verleden en wat de liefde van ouders, of überhaupt een familie is, is haar vreemd. Niet zo gek dus eigenlijk als je alles bij elkaar optelt dat haar leven nog net geen complete puinzooi is. Maar dan wordt ze bij een notaris geroepen en daar wordt haar verteld dat de ‘Corner Shop’ in Cockleberry Bay aan haar is nagelaten. Hoe, wie, wat en waarom blijft de vraag, Rosa snapt er werkelijk niets van, hoe kan iemand haar nou iets nalaten terwijl ze niet eens familie meer heeft naar haar weten? En waarom zou een wildvreemde dat dan doen? Ze vindt het allemaal maar raar en wil dan ook niets liever dan weg bij de notaris, ze neemt het koffertje met zich mee en haast zich naar haar werk. Daar wacht haar echter een nare verassing, ze is voor de zoveelste keer te laat en haar baas vindt zelfs deze reden geen goede uitzondering. ze wordt dan ook op staande voet ontslagen. Thuis aangekomen maken Rosa en Josh haar erfenis koffertje open, toch wel nieuwsgierig geworden naar hoe dit nou precies zit. Maar zelfs na dat blijft het antwoord op haar vragen uit.

“Als liefde je wenkt, volg haar dan, ook al zijn haar wegen moeilijk en steil. En als haar vleugels je inpakken, geef dan toe, ook al kan het zwaard dat tussen haar veren verborgen zit, je kwetsen.” -blz,182-

Toch besluit ze haar erfenis aan te nemen en verhuist al snel naar het idyllische plaatsje Cockleberry Bay om daar haar winkeltje te gaan beginnen. Het liefste houdt ze dit nog verborgen voor de inwoners van het dorp, al zal dit niet lang uitblijven, want de grootste roddeltante van het dorp heeft haar klauwen alweer uitgeslagen om erachter te komen waarvoor Rosa zich in hun dorpje bevindt. Rosa besluit alsnog om het een kans te geven en zich niet op haar kop te laten zitten. En ondanks dat niet iedereen zo blij lijkt te zijn met haar komst, zijn er toch ook aardig wat die volledig aan haar kant staan en juist blij zijn met een nieuw gezicht. Rosa zet alles op alles om van haar nieuwe winkeltje een succes te maken, gelukkig krijgt ze hierbij de hulp van een aantal dorpsbewoners. Maar of iedereen het nou zo goed bedoelt is nog maar de vraag. Al vrij snel lijkt Rosa zich steeds meer thuis te voelen in het dorpje aan zee. Gaat het haar lukken om dan toch het verleden achter zich te laten en samen met Hot er een mooie toekomst van te maken?

“Als ze terugblikte op haar leven, moest ze toegeven dat ze nooit echt gelukkig was geweest. Ze wist bovendien niet eens wat haar precies gelukkig zou maken. Geld had voor haar weinig waarde en mannen gebruikte ze alleen om zich af en toe veilig te voelen, of natuurlijk voor de seks. Tot haar eigen verbazing merkte Rosa echter dat ze zich op dit moment best goed voelde. Ze vond het heerlijk om over het strand te wandelen en zich aan de natuur over te geven, voelde zich volkomen op haar plek in haar appartement en kon niet wachten om haar winkel te openen.” -blz.151-

Toen had ik mijn eerste trip op Cockleberry Bay achter de rug en ik kan je zeggen dat ik van elk moment genoten heb. Het verhaal leest als een trein en de personages zijn zo ontzettend goed neergezet dat ik al snel een band met sommige van ze kreeg. Rosa werd al snel een vriendin en Josh, dat is gewoon zo’n schat van een gozer. Rosa haar gevecht met het leven is goed omschreven, je voelt haar pijn en angst, maar lacht net zo hard met haar mee als ze weer eens haar heerlijk sarcastische zinnen niet voor zich kan houden, of intens plezier heeft. Je ziet haar hoe verder het verhaal vordert groeien en een steeds betere vorm van zichzelf worden. Ze krijgt vriendschappen, maar wordt ook verraden, zoals een ieder dat wel in zijn of haar leven te verduren krijgt. Maar ondanks alles zet ze zo hard door. De naam van haar teckel vind ik echt hilarisch en wist bij mij een giga lach te veroorzaken. Maar ook de lokale bewoners van het dorp zijn over het algemeen superleuk en lief. Op een aantal na dan, maar ja…kennen we niet allemaal wel van zulke lui? Cockleberry Bay is mij absoluut goed bevallen en heeft voor een flinke glimlach op mijn gezicht gezorgd op een moment dat ik dat zo goed kan gebruiken. Ik zal dan ook zeker spoedig terugkeren naar dit geweldige plaatsje 🙂 En raad deze feelgood met een duister randje zo hier en daar dan ook echt aan, want dit verhaal, deze personages en dat prachtige dorpje, dat wil je gewoon ook in je hart sluiten. Want dat is wat het bij mij heeft gedaan in ieder geval 😀

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