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Daisy Does it Herself
Sometimes, the last place you intended to go is exactly where you need to be.
When 26-year-old Daisy’s life in London comes crashing down around her, the only thing she can think of is getting away – far away. That’s how she found herself stumbling off a train in England’s picturesque Peak District – 150 miles from home, with no idea why she’d gone there and even less idea how she intended to get home.
But as Daisy explores the gorgeous village of Upper Finlay, she glimpses the possibility of a different life. The Derbyshire Dales offer up new friends, new opportunities, and a distractingly dishy object of attraction in the form of local bookstore owner Alex (and his bumbling Great Dane.) When Daisy discovers Alex’s business is in trouble she steps in to save the day.
But London’s Calling – literally. The life Daisy ran away from is calling her back. Why then, is she so reluctant to heed its call?
Daisy’s got a decision to make: Will she play it safe, and return to what she knew? Or is she brave enough to take a leap of faith and create a bold, new life for herself in the last place she’d ever expected?
Daisy Does It Herself is a heartwarming, feel-good romantic comedy in the vein of Bridget Jones’s Diary, Diary of a Shopaholic, and Big Sexy Love. Fans of warm and witty romantic comedies with a guaranteed happily-ever-after will be entranced.
When 26-year-old Daisy’s life in London comes crashing down around her, the only thing she can think of is getting away – far away. That’s how she found herself stumbling off a train in England’s picturesque Peak District – 150 miles from home, with no idea why she’d gone there and even less idea how she intended to get home.
But as Daisy explores the gorgeous village of Upper Finlay, she glimpses the possibility of a different life. The Derbyshire Dales offer up new friends, new opportunities, and a distractingly dishy object of attraction in the form of local bookstore owner Alex (and his bumbling Great Dane.) When Daisy discovers Alex’s business is in trouble she steps in to save the day.
But London’s Calling – literally. The life Daisy ran away from is calling her back. Why then, is she so reluctant to heed its call?
Daisy’s got a decision to make: Will she play it safe, and return to what she knew? Or is she brave enough to take a leap of faith and create a bold, new life for herself in the last place she’d ever expected?
Daisy Does It Herself is a heartwarming, feel-good romantic comedy in the vein of Bridget Jones’s Diary, Diary of a Shopaholic, and Big Sexy Love. Fans of warm and witty romantic comedies with a guaranteed happily-ever-after will be entranced.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2020
252 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
March 3, 2023
4⭐
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, cheating, small town, slow burn, insta-love~ish, not a lick of steamage, finding your true calling
Daisy has had the worst day of her life, but it turns out falling asleep on the train was the best thing to ever happen to her.
Predictability galore, but still a cute little story.
Here is what was most enjoyable for me:
~ Bookshop atmosphere
~ How Alex took over the bookshop to keep his father's legacy alive
~ Wolf the Great Dane
~ Alex's cooking skills
~ British lingo
~ New found friends that loved her for her
~ Tom's memories of Daniel
~ How Daisy found her calling and helped save the bookshop cafe in the end
Rightfully so I hated Phil ~what a tool and Daisy's mother wasn't much better. I hated how Daisy just accepted what was instead of sticking up for herself more. Good thing Alex was as delightful as plump and golden brown gnocchi. Overall, a quick and light read that had some fun moments.
*Thanks to Gracie Player, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Featuring ~ single 1st person POV, cheating, small town, slow burn, insta-love~ish, not a lick of steamage, finding your true calling
Daisy has had the worst day of her life, but it turns out falling asleep on the train was the best thing to ever happen to her.
Predictability galore, but still a cute little story.
Here is what was most enjoyable for me:
~ Bookshop atmosphere
~ How Alex took over the bookshop to keep his father's legacy alive
~ Wolf the Great Dane
~ Alex's cooking skills
~ British lingo
~ New found friends that loved her for her
~ Tom's memories of Daniel
~ How Daisy found her calling and helped save the bookshop cafe in the end
Rightfully so I hated Phil ~what a tool and Daisy's mother wasn't much better. I hated how Daisy just accepted what was instead of sticking up for herself more. Good thing Alex was as delightful as plump and golden brown gnocchi. Overall, a quick and light read that had some fun moments.
*Thanks to Gracie Player, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
February 1, 2023
This is cute, but one thing is keeping me from engaging so I'm quitting a bit before halfway. I like that Daisy is finding herself after being gaslit for so long. I like that she's let herself fall into a bit of an idyll in Derbyshire. And I like Alex, though he's a bit too perfect.
But the author has let Daisy make a deal with her cheating jerk ex that they'll "talk" in a month so Daisy is all "my kind of boyfriend" making it impossible for her to commit to anything new. Look, he's a cheater and a liar and giving him anything is lame. Is there really anything he can say that "fixes" what Daisy saw? We were there for the scene so even if she forgets, I can't.
Also, Great Danes and roosters are not bookstore friendly pets. Just. Urgh.
I'm sure this would have been lovely if I could have gotten over the Phil thing. But it keeps coming up and as the sole bar to Daisy letting Alex in, it's a non-starter. For me.
But the author has let Daisy make a deal with her cheating jerk ex that they'll "talk" in a month so Daisy is all "my kind of boyfriend" making it impossible for her to commit to anything new. Look, he's a cheater and a liar and giving him anything is lame. Is there really anything he can say that "fixes" what Daisy saw? We were there for the scene so even if she forgets, I can't.
Also, Great Danes and roosters are not bookstore friendly pets. Just. Urgh.
I'm sure this would have been lovely if I could have gotten over the Phil thing. But it keeps coming up and as the sole bar to Daisy letting Alex in, it's a non-starter. For me.
May 5, 2024
Adorable, G-rated, New Adult, romantic comedy, set in a quaint village in England
Daisy Monroe is 26, and for the past six years, she has been in a romantic relationship with a wealthy control-freak named Phil, who is approximately a decade older than her. He calls her by the demeaning pet name, “Goose,” which she has always hated, but somehow she has never quite mustered up the gumption to insist that he stop using it. For the past two years she has lived with Phil in his fancy apartment in a prestigious part of London and has convinced herself he is “wonderful” because he is successful, handsome, and has “a rugby player’s build in a Gucci suit.”
Though Daisy was an indifferent student in a formal education setting, in the years since she left school, she has relentlessly studied on her own, in particular, teaching herself computer programming and digital marketing. While working as a temporary employee, she landed an assignment a year ago with a prominent London business where she has gradually become their de facto digital marketing and web person. She has done such a terrific job, in truth, that she has had valid reason to believe she would be given a formal offer of a permanent position doing that same work. Unfortunately, she is dumped from her temp job when the position she sought is handed to a far less qualified man.
Daisy stumbles home much earlier than normal in abject despair, only to come upon Phil at their shared apartment, locked in a blatantly sexual embrace with another woman! Daisy backs away in horror, with only one thought in her mind, to get away from her cheating bum of a boyfriend. Phil’s unapologetic, patronizing gaslighting, declaring she should come back into their apartment immediately because she didn’t see what she actually saw, does not stop her from skittering away from him. In a complete daze, Daisy ponders what her choices are and realizes she has no friends, because domineering Phil has, over their years together, systematically isolated her from everyone but him and her mother, who is Phil’s biggest fan. Daisy’s retrograde mother has been constantly urging Daisy to hold onto Phil by employing 1950’s style, submissive, womanly wiles, because she considers Phil a tremendous catch, whom she can’t imagine how Daisy ever managed to latch onto. When Daisy calls her mother to tell her what happened with Phil, hoping for moral support, completely in character, her mother urges her to overlook Phil’s cheating, stating that it’s just the way things are with men of his social standing. Fortunately, Daisy ignores this awful advice and instead wanders in a daze to the nearby London train station. There, she randomly hops on a train, exhausts herself weeping, and falls asleep, until the conductor wakes her and tells her she has to get off. It’s the end of the line. Daisy has arrived in a little village she never heard of before called Upper Finlay.
Thus begins Daisy’s adventures involving a handsome bookstore owner, Alex Dean, who is her same age, his lovable Great Dane, and Alex’s colorful coterie of loyal and welcoming friends.
I enjoyed everything about this terrific, G-rated, contemporary romance. Unlike a great many British novels I have read, which are marketed as romance but are actually chick lit, this novel truly is a romance. Yes, it is written in the first-person point of view (POV) of only the FMC, and the romance genre is typically written in the third-person POV of both the FMC and the MMC. But unlike chick lit, which is typically about a twenty-something woman’s dating disasters in a city setting and stresses female rejection of romance in favor of BFF relationships with a loyal band of hard-drinking women, this novel is set in a village and stresses Daisy’s growth from a pliant doormat with insufferable Phil, to an independent, self-confident woman, who becomes her best self within an adorable, “friends to romance” connection with marvelous Alex.
I very much enjoyed that there is plenty of vibrant, exciting chemistry between Daisy and Alex, even though there is no sex in this story. Unlike virtually every other G-rated, adult romance I have read, this author has an extremely well motivated reason for why two consenting adults, who obviously care deeply about each other and are very attracted to each other, do not consummate their relationship: Daisy does not officially dump Phil until the end of the book. In order to be perfectly fair to cheating, gaslighting Phil, who doesn't deserve it, she gives in to his pressure that she take a month to think about her relationship with him before ending it. But in her heart, it's been over from the the moment she caught Phil with another woman, so I do not consider this a romantic-triangle story.
The setting is also a big plus in this novel. As a small-town romance, it is extremely well done. And I say that as someone who does not typically enjoy USA, small-town romances, which tend to be Hallmark cliches. Upper Finlay is so well drawn, I felt like I was right there with Daisy in this delightfully quaint village.
All in all, from start to finish, this is an extremely well plotted dramedy, and I enjoyed every part of the book.
I rate this romance novel as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Daisy Coming into Her Own: 5 stars
Setting: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
6/18/21 I just experienced this romance novel again in audiobook format. It's an outstanding recording which does full justice to this wonderful book.
5/5/24 This novel has become a real comfort read for me. I just finished it again and totally enjoyed it.
Daisy Monroe is 26, and for the past six years, she has been in a romantic relationship with a wealthy control-freak named Phil, who is approximately a decade older than her. He calls her by the demeaning pet name, “Goose,” which she has always hated, but somehow she has never quite mustered up the gumption to insist that he stop using it. For the past two years she has lived with Phil in his fancy apartment in a prestigious part of London and has convinced herself he is “wonderful” because he is successful, handsome, and has “a rugby player’s build in a Gucci suit.”
Though Daisy was an indifferent student in a formal education setting, in the years since she left school, she has relentlessly studied on her own, in particular, teaching herself computer programming and digital marketing. While working as a temporary employee, she landed an assignment a year ago with a prominent London business where she has gradually become their de facto digital marketing and web person. She has done such a terrific job, in truth, that she has had valid reason to believe she would be given a formal offer of a permanent position doing that same work. Unfortunately, she is dumped from her temp job when the position she sought is handed to a far less qualified man.
Daisy stumbles home much earlier than normal in abject despair, only to come upon Phil at their shared apartment, locked in a blatantly sexual embrace with another woman! Daisy backs away in horror, with only one thought in her mind, to get away from her cheating bum of a boyfriend. Phil’s unapologetic, patronizing gaslighting, declaring she should come back into their apartment immediately because she didn’t see what she actually saw, does not stop her from skittering away from him. In a complete daze, Daisy ponders what her choices are and realizes she has no friends, because domineering Phil has, over their years together, systematically isolated her from everyone but him and her mother, who is Phil’s biggest fan. Daisy’s retrograde mother has been constantly urging Daisy to hold onto Phil by employing 1950’s style, submissive, womanly wiles, because she considers Phil a tremendous catch, whom she can’t imagine how Daisy ever managed to latch onto. When Daisy calls her mother to tell her what happened with Phil, hoping for moral support, completely in character, her mother urges her to overlook Phil’s cheating, stating that it’s just the way things are with men of his social standing. Fortunately, Daisy ignores this awful advice and instead wanders in a daze to the nearby London train station. There, she randomly hops on a train, exhausts herself weeping, and falls asleep, until the conductor wakes her and tells her she has to get off. It’s the end of the line. Daisy has arrived in a little village she never heard of before called Upper Finlay.
Thus begins Daisy’s adventures involving a handsome bookstore owner, Alex Dean, who is her same age, his lovable Great Dane, and Alex’s colorful coterie of loyal and welcoming friends.
I enjoyed everything about this terrific, G-rated, contemporary romance. Unlike a great many British novels I have read, which are marketed as romance but are actually chick lit, this novel truly is a romance. Yes, it is written in the first-person point of view (POV) of only the FMC, and the romance genre is typically written in the third-person POV of both the FMC and the MMC. But unlike chick lit, which is typically about a twenty-something woman’s dating disasters in a city setting and stresses female rejection of romance in favor of BFF relationships with a loyal band of hard-drinking women, this novel is set in a village and stresses Daisy’s growth from a pliant doormat with insufferable Phil, to an independent, self-confident woman, who becomes her best self within an adorable, “friends to romance” connection with marvelous Alex.
I very much enjoyed that there is plenty of vibrant, exciting chemistry between Daisy and Alex, even though there is no sex in this story. Unlike virtually every other G-rated, adult romance I have read, this author has an extremely well motivated reason for why two consenting adults, who obviously care deeply about each other and are very attracted to each other, do not consummate their relationship: Daisy does not officially dump Phil until the end of the book. In order to be perfectly fair to cheating, gaslighting Phil, who doesn't deserve it, she gives in to his pressure that she take a month to think about her relationship with him before ending it. But in her heart, it's been over from the the moment she caught Phil with another woman, so I do not consider this a romantic-triangle story.
The setting is also a big plus in this novel. As a small-town romance, it is extremely well done. And I say that as someone who does not typically enjoy USA, small-town romances, which tend to be Hallmark cliches. Upper Finlay is so well drawn, I felt like I was right there with Daisy in this delightfully quaint village.
All in all, from start to finish, this is an extremely well plotted dramedy, and I enjoyed every part of the book.
I rate this romance novel as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 5 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Daisy Coming into Her Own: 5 stars
Setting: 5 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 5 stars
6/18/21 I just experienced this romance novel again in audiobook format. It's an outstanding recording which does full justice to this wonderful book.
5/5/24 This novel has become a real comfort read for me. I just finished it again and totally enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2020
I absolutely loved this adorable story! It was the perfect thing to read on a lazy Saturday morning and just escape for a while.
Daisy lives in London with her well-off boyfriend Phil and has been temping for a big firm with dreams of becoming a web designer. When she has a meeting with her boss, she convinced all her dreams are going to come true. Instead, Daisy finds herself without a job and after discovering her boyfriend with another woman, hops on a train to escape. She soon ends up in Derbyshire with no idea what to do next.
Fast forward a few days, and Daisy has met Alex, who lets her live in a room above his bookstore in exchange for her helping out. The story then follows Daisy in her efforts to save the store, and fight her feelings for Alex, and navigate her relationship with Phil.
Daisy was a wonderful character, who I could definitely see some of myself in. For such a short book, I really connected with Daisy and felt completely immersed in her story.
I genuinely don't have any faults for this story. I read it at the perfect time and I would highly recommend it if you want to read something easy, heartwarming, and have some pure escapism!
I cannot wait to read Gracie Player's next novel!
5 stars!
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own*
Daisy lives in London with her well-off boyfriend Phil and has been temping for a big firm with dreams of becoming a web designer. When she has a meeting with her boss, she convinced all her dreams are going to come true. Instead, Daisy finds herself without a job and after discovering her boyfriend with another woman, hops on a train to escape. She soon ends up in Derbyshire with no idea what to do next.
Fast forward a few days, and Daisy has met Alex, who lets her live in a room above his bookstore in exchange for her helping out. The story then follows Daisy in her efforts to save the store, and fight her feelings for Alex, and navigate her relationship with Phil.
Daisy was a wonderful character, who I could definitely see some of myself in. For such a short book, I really connected with Daisy and felt completely immersed in her story.
I genuinely don't have any faults for this story. I read it at the perfect time and I would highly recommend it if you want to read something easy, heartwarming, and have some pure escapism!
I cannot wait to read Gracie Player's next novel!
5 stars!
*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own*
December 22, 2022
Soooooo cute. Romance,small town, and a bookstore in trouble. All the makings for a sweet story that was just adorable. This is the book you read after something that's devastated your literary world, and you need something light and entertaining. It was perfect for my mood. Predictable, but I didn't care one bit. 🥰
September 24, 2020
This was a really fun and heart-warming book to fly through.
The story starts with the main character named Daisy getting fired and catching her partner cheating on her on the same day, which I've seen several times in contemporary books, and honestly, what are the odds? She gets on a random train, finds herself in a small town called Upper Finlay, and starts working and living at a local bookstore owned by Alex, who is apparently the hottest, kindest guy in the whole Derbyshire (funny how that worked out).
The whole book was full of conveniences and far-fetched situations, which isn't necessarily a bad thing in this genre, but the part that got me the most was that Daisy got there only with her purse and was perfectly fine with living there for a month with only getting a few things at the charity shop? Wow, respect. Also, the time-continuity didn't make much sense a couple of times, which is a personal pet peeve of mine.
All of that aside, this book was delightful and I'm not sorry in the slightest that I read it. I loved seeing that Daisy had her aspirations in the IT field despite her jerk of a boyfriend and her mother constantly undermining her. The descriptions of the idyllic small town felt vivid and I appreciated that they were a bit more accurate than small towns in books tend to be (there are mean people in small towns, too, haha). The romance wasn't really at the forefront for the majority of the book, which was a bit unexpected but I didn't mind that much.
At only 196 pages, the story was quite short and simple, but the world was actually a perfect material for a series, which could follow Alex's friends? I'd read that. :- )
The story starts with the main character named Daisy getting fired and catching her partner cheating on her on the same day, which I've seen several times in contemporary books, and honestly, what are the odds? She gets on a random train, finds herself in a small town called Upper Finlay, and starts working and living at a local bookstore owned by Alex, who is apparently the hottest, kindest guy in the whole Derbyshire (funny how that worked out).
The whole book was full of conveniences and far-fetched situations, which isn't necessarily a bad thing in this genre, but the part that got me the most was that Daisy got there only with her purse and was perfectly fine with living there for a month with only getting a few things at the charity shop? Wow, respect. Also, the time-continuity didn't make much sense a couple of times, which is a personal pet peeve of mine.
All of that aside, this book was delightful and I'm not sorry in the slightest that I read it. I loved seeing that Daisy had her aspirations in the IT field despite her jerk of a boyfriend and her mother constantly undermining her. The descriptions of the idyllic small town felt vivid and I appreciated that they were a bit more accurate than small towns in books tend to be (there are mean people in small towns, too, haha). The romance wasn't really at the forefront for the majority of the book, which was a bit unexpected but I didn't mind that much.
At only 196 pages, the story was quite short and simple, but the world was actually a perfect material for a series, which could follow Alex's friends? I'd read that. :- )
December 30, 2021
This story was painfully boring, dull and felt longer than it was.
Daisy was not a fun character, sadly.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
Daisy was not a fun character, sadly.
I got this eARC from Netgalley.
March 30, 2021
2.5 STARS
Daisy thinks she's in line for a great promotion at work, but instead gets laid off and goes home to find her boyfriend cheating on her. She jumps on a train and takes it to the end of the line, coming to a charming town filled with too-good-to-be-true people.
Alex is the "knight in shining armor" type, and he lets Daisy stay in the apartment above his bookstore. There's instant attraction on both sides, and Alex is truly a nice sweet guy, but for some reason Daisy is stupidly loyal to her cheating boyfriend. Her reasons made no sense, and I found myself getting more irritated with her as the pages went by, I thought Alex deserved better.
The ending seemed very rushed, it's a fairly short book so I thought there could have been a bit "more" than the abrupt ending.
Daisy thinks she's in line for a great promotion at work, but instead gets laid off and goes home to find her boyfriend cheating on her. She jumps on a train and takes it to the end of the line, coming to a charming town filled with too-good-to-be-true people.
Alex is the "knight in shining armor" type, and he lets Daisy stay in the apartment above his bookstore. There's instant attraction on both sides, and Alex is truly a nice sweet guy, but for some reason Daisy is stupidly loyal to her cheating boyfriend. Her reasons made no sense, and I found myself getting more irritated with her as the pages went by, I thought Alex deserved better.
The ending seemed very rushed, it's a fairly short book so I thought there could have been a bit "more" than the abrupt ending.
January 14, 2023
Thank you @Rararesources and @Gracieplayer for letting me part of this tour and reviewing this book. I absloloutly loved Daisy does it herself and a bonues it is set in derbyshire which is where i live . The first few pages a found abit slow but after that i loved it and was hooked to the end. I was very sad when it finished. The story is set in upper Finlay and Daisy had terrible day and ends up on train but no clue where shes going. Daisy founds herself at lovely bookshop cafe that i would love to go to. I fell in love with the bookshop. Fton there she meets Alex and they end up helping each other. Great story love the characters especially Daisy and the aunt in the charity shop. I really liked Gracie Player writing style and her descriptions. I liked how Daisy character developed through the book due to her boyftiend changing her to what he wanted but when she went to Upper Finlay she found herself again which was lovely. This is the first book i have read by her and i will be reading more in the future. If strongly recommend Daisy does it herself if you not read it. Out to buy now 5 stars.
April 3, 2021
This book was a delight! A little predictable until the very end and then you are just not really sure... but then it all comes together! I really enjoyed this book!
April 20, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For me, Daisy Does it Herself had a bit of a bumpy start. I didn't connect with Daisy for a while. She tells her story of living with her hot shot boyfriend in London, while herself temping and becoming a computer sorceress on the side, which on paper sounds incredible, but to me she felt a bit bland and unrelatable. This changed very quickly, when it became clear that the bland, pretentious Daisy was the result of her boyfriend subtly grooming her into being the arm candy that he needed to have. And she went along with it, most probably not even noticing it was happening.
It is only when Daisy comes home after being fired from her job and finding her boyfriend kissing someone else, that she starts to take on her own character. Sadly, I personally still couldn't relate to the character she was showing now. She accidentally ends up in a small town and meets a hot bookseller/chef/barista and I'm sorry, but is this not the absolute dream??
I got really excited for Daisy and then grew increasingly frustrated again, when she told the boyfriend? Ex-boyfriend? It should've been ex-boyfriend the second she left that house tbh! that they could start discussing their relationship after a month apart. During that month, she starts living and working in the bookshop and grows ever closer with the owner, the dreamy Alex, who sounds absolutely adorable and I love him.
She soon learns that the bookshop is in trouble and when she learns of the emotional attachment that Alex has to the shop, well... she can't help but pour her all into saving the little shop that gave her a place to go when she needed it most.
Ovreall, I enjoyed this book. Especially the moments in the bookshop and whenever Alex is on the page (this is a serious book boyfriend alert, you guys!).
I loved that the book took a nerdy turn, not just with Daisy being an absolute PRO in anything technical (including writing her own codes like it's no big deal!) and the involvement of a fantasy author who is just as nuts as his fans (I would like to note that this reviewer goes to conventions and cosplays so I feel like I have earned the right to call my kind a little nuts :P). I loved the sense of community when Alex, Daisy and their friends do everything in their might to keep the bookshop running and the suspense in the end was absolutely killing me.
A couple of things nagged me, which didn't really spoil my experience, but are the reason why I only marked this book "I liked it" instead of "I loved it a lot".
I feel like there are a lot of stock characters involved which don't seem to have any depth to them, one of them being Daisy's mother, which made it very hard for me to feel empathy whenever Daisy felt down after telephoning her.
A second thing for me was the pacing. I felt like the ending was very rushed while the beginning seemed a little more drawn out and I would have enjoyed it the other way around (I also didn't need to know how much Daisy bathes and would have enjoyed more details and facts about the fantasy books, the fantasy fans and the author himself).
The romance - while being absolutely swoon worthy and cute - seemed to come out of nowhere to me. Not attraction, not like, but Alex being genuinely all caps IN LOVE with Daisy after what felt like a couple of days...
And lastly, there were some (very few but they were there) scenes in which I couldn't help but cringe a little. The most memorable example is when Daisy takes her first bath at Alex' bookstore on her first night and comes out of her room in only a tiny towel, which continues slipping and Alex is standing there, awkwardly not looking (but definitely looking). I know that it was meant to be a sexy scene, but to me it just felt increeeedibly awkward.
All in all though, I liked the book and recommend it to anyone in need of a quick and cute romance fix!
For me, Daisy Does it Herself had a bit of a bumpy start. I didn't connect with Daisy for a while. She tells her story of living with her hot shot boyfriend in London, while herself temping and becoming a computer sorceress on the side, which on paper sounds incredible, but to me she felt a bit bland and unrelatable. This changed very quickly, when it became clear that the bland, pretentious Daisy was the result of her boyfriend subtly grooming her into being the arm candy that he needed to have. And she went along with it, most probably not even noticing it was happening.
It is only when Daisy comes home after being fired from her job and finding her boyfriend kissing someone else, that she starts to take on her own character. Sadly, I personally still couldn't relate to the character she was showing now. She accidentally ends up in a small town and meets a hot bookseller/chef/barista and I'm sorry, but is this not the absolute dream??
I got really excited for Daisy and then grew increasingly frustrated again, when she told the boyfriend? Ex-boyfriend? It should've been ex-boyfriend the second she left that house tbh! that they could start discussing their relationship after a month apart. During that month, she starts living and working in the bookshop and grows ever closer with the owner, the dreamy Alex, who sounds absolutely adorable and I love him.
She soon learns that the bookshop is in trouble and when she learns of the emotional attachment that Alex has to the shop, well... she can't help but pour her all into saving the little shop that gave her a place to go when she needed it most.
Ovreall, I enjoyed this book. Especially the moments in the bookshop and whenever Alex is on the page (this is a serious book boyfriend alert, you guys!).
I loved that the book took a nerdy turn, not just with Daisy being an absolute PRO in anything technical (including writing her own codes like it's no big deal!) and the involvement of a fantasy author who is just as nuts as his fans (I would like to note that this reviewer goes to conventions and cosplays so I feel like I have earned the right to call my kind a little nuts :P). I loved the sense of community when Alex, Daisy and their friends do everything in their might to keep the bookshop running and the suspense in the end was absolutely killing me.
A couple of things nagged me, which didn't really spoil my experience, but are the reason why I only marked this book "I liked it" instead of "I loved it a lot".
I feel like there are a lot of stock characters involved which don't seem to have any depth to them, one of them being Daisy's mother, which made it very hard for me to feel empathy whenever Daisy felt down after telephoning her.
A second thing for me was the pacing. I felt like the ending was very rushed while the beginning seemed a little more drawn out and I would have enjoyed it the other way around (I also didn't need to know how much Daisy bathes and would have enjoyed more details and facts about the fantasy books, the fantasy fans and the author himself).
The romance - while being absolutely swoon worthy and cute - seemed to come out of nowhere to me. Not attraction, not like, but Alex being genuinely all caps IN LOVE with Daisy after what felt like a couple of days...
And lastly, there were some (very few but they were there) scenes in which I couldn't help but cringe a little. The most memorable example is when Daisy takes her first bath at Alex' bookstore on her first night and comes out of her room in only a tiny towel, which continues slipping and Alex is standing there, awkwardly not looking (but definitely looking). I know that it was meant to be a sexy scene, but to me it just felt increeeedibly awkward.
All in all though, I liked the book and recommend it to anyone in need of a quick and cute romance fix!
August 5, 2021
Unexpectedly awesome
I first scrolled over this choice because it didn't seem like my type of book. I took a risk by having my fiance pick a book and he selected this one. It was hard to put down! It was awesome with all the adventure of daisy life in a short month. I can't wait to see what else comes from Gracie Player.
I first scrolled over this choice because it didn't seem like my type of book. I took a risk by having my fiance pick a book and he selected this one. It was hard to put down! It was awesome with all the adventure of daisy life in a short month. I can't wait to see what else comes from Gracie Player.
January 16, 2023
I am a big fan of romance novels set in bookstores, so I knew I was onto a winner when Daisy Does it Herself popped up. Daisy finds herself in the awful position of being jobless and potentially boyfriend less all in the same day. In shock at how her day has turned out, she gets on a train - and doesn't get off! Finding herself in the beautiful Peak District, she finds herself stuck with no way home. When she comes across the local bookstore in the quaint village of Upper Finlay, Daisy finds herself a refuge. With a place to stay, and a job in the bookstore, Daisy sets herself a timeframe to work out what she wants from her relationship, as well as what she can achieve in her professional life. With the very handsome bookstore owner literally right downstairs, and new friends being made, Daisy finds herself with some very tough decisions to make!
This is such a lovely, easy read novel. The relationship between Daisy and her boyfriend Phil is worrying and the relationship between Daisy and her mother is almost as bad, so watching her escape them and working out what she wants on her own is quite frankly, refreshing. The added bonus is that she has to make all these decisions whilst surrounded by books! There are worse places to be! This is the perfect light read for a rainy (or snowy if the weather forecasts are to be believed!) Sunday afternoon! So get that fire roaring, grab yourself a hot chocolate* (*feel free to replace this with a glass of wine if you're not doing dry January!) and settle in with this lovely novel - its the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon!
This is such a lovely, easy read novel. The relationship between Daisy and her boyfriend Phil is worrying and the relationship between Daisy and her mother is almost as bad, so watching her escape them and working out what she wants on her own is quite frankly, refreshing. The added bonus is that she has to make all these decisions whilst surrounded by books! There are worse places to be! This is the perfect light read for a rainy (or snowy if the weather forecasts are to be believed!) Sunday afternoon! So get that fire roaring, grab yourself a hot chocolate* (*feel free to replace this with a glass of wine if you're not doing dry January!) and settle in with this lovely novel - its the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon!
March 2, 2022
Daisy lives in London with her boyfriend Phil who is well-off. Her mom likes Phil because of what he can do for her daughter.
Daisy works at a huge firm as a temp, but has big dreams of being promoted to Web Designer. On the day of a big meeting with her boss, she instead got fired. Plus when she got home, she walked in on her boyfriend with another woman. Well that sure sucks!
Daisy ran out of the house and kept running. She found herself on a train headed to ' God knows where', and ends up in Derbyshire. There she meets Alex, the owner of the town's bookstore and there's an instant attraction.
I wanted to make a change from my usual fantasy and historical fiction reads and dive into something new. This was my first time reading a romantic comedy. After reading this book of only 318 pages, I must say, it was like Gracie Player saying to me, "Welcome to Chic Lit!".
I dived in with no expectations and exited feeling so wholesome.
I liked all the characters. Daisy our main girl, got me upset a few times. If I walked in on my boyfriend with another woman, there would be nothing to think about or any conversation to be had. Especially when there was a gorgeous, considerate guy who noticeably likes me? Plus he can cook? I really wanted to smack Daisy on the head for that.
The ending was quite satisfying though. To me it was more about self-discovery and starting your life all over again.
Overall this story was heart-warming, very well written with a fast pace, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely a book to pick up on a lazy Sunday.
Daisy works at a huge firm as a temp, but has big dreams of being promoted to Web Designer. On the day of a big meeting with her boss, she instead got fired. Plus when she got home, she walked in on her boyfriend with another woman. Well that sure sucks!
Daisy ran out of the house and kept running. She found herself on a train headed to ' God knows where', and ends up in Derbyshire. There she meets Alex, the owner of the town's bookstore and there's an instant attraction.
I wanted to make a change from my usual fantasy and historical fiction reads and dive into something new. This was my first time reading a romantic comedy. After reading this book of only 318 pages, I must say, it was like Gracie Player saying to me, "Welcome to Chic Lit!".
I dived in with no expectations and exited feeling so wholesome.
I liked all the characters. Daisy our main girl, got me upset a few times. If I walked in on my boyfriend with another woman, there would be nothing to think about or any conversation to be had. Especially when there was a gorgeous, considerate guy who noticeably likes me? Plus he can cook? I really wanted to smack Daisy on the head for that.
The ending was quite satisfying though. To me it was more about self-discovery and starting your life all over again.
Overall this story was heart-warming, very well written with a fast pace, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely a book to pick up on a lazy Sunday.
August 13, 2021
This wasn’t bad, but there were too many things that were distracting for me.
I admit they were really minor things. But when minor things are distracting, that usually means the story isn’t good enough to really hold my attention.
Examples of really minor things that I found distracting: she left with only the things in her purse, and only went shopping once at a thrift store. And somehow she spent only 10 pounds at the thrift store, but also managed to be fully outfitted for a month with running gear, going out clothes, work clothes, bras, underwear, shoes, etc.
In this purse she also apparently carried makeup, deodorant, cell phone charger, etc because there is no mention of buying any of those things but she does use all of them.
She says she has 2 months salary at her disposal. She goes shopping once at the thrift store and spends 10 pounds, and her room and board is covered as part of her job exchange. At the end of the month, she is out of money. What has she spent her money on???
Why would she leave her home - a second time - and not take her clothes with her? At least her underwear and socks and shoes? Especially if she was out of money? That makes zero sense.
Who are these people that think owning a book store/cafe is a romantic little business that can be done by one person on their own? That’s just not realistic.
Do people who wear reading glasses really leave them on all the time?
I admit they were really minor things. But when minor things are distracting, that usually means the story isn’t good enough to really hold my attention.
Examples of really minor things that I found distracting: she left with only the things in her purse, and only went shopping once at a thrift store. And somehow she spent only 10 pounds at the thrift store, but also managed to be fully outfitted for a month with running gear, going out clothes, work clothes, bras, underwear, shoes, etc.
In this purse she also apparently carried makeup, deodorant, cell phone charger, etc because there is no mention of buying any of those things but she does use all of them.
She says she has 2 months salary at her disposal. She goes shopping once at the thrift store and spends 10 pounds, and her room and board is covered as part of her job exchange. At the end of the month, she is out of money. What has she spent her money on???
Why would she leave her home - a second time - and not take her clothes with her? At least her underwear and socks and shoes? Especially if she was out of money? That makes zero sense.
Who are these people that think owning a book store/cafe is a romantic little business that can be done by one person on their own? That’s just not realistic.
Do people who wear reading glasses really leave them on all the time?
January 12, 2023
The novel starts by introducing Daisy Monroe, who is 26 years old. She lives in London with her boyfriend Phil and they have been together six years so far.
After a horrible day and a couple of shocking events, Daisy takes a train to – well, she’s not quite sure, but it turns out to be Derbyshire – where she finds the wonderful Bookshop Café, its owner Alex and his boisterous dog Wolf.
What will Daisy do? Will she stay in Derbyshire and start a new life? Or will she go back to London and to Phil?
I really enjoyed this book. It was a light and easy read – and I mean both of those in a complimentary way – and I just kept reading for as long as I could, to know what was going to happen to lovely Daisy. It’s written in a very accessible, chatty style.
The chapters are a good length and with not too much description, which is perfect for my taste. It’s easy to get into the novel and you’re interested in Daisy immediately and wondering what the story is going to bring her. I read the whole novel in two days!
I loved the premise of the story and how she ended up in Derbyshire without meaning to. The village of Upper Finlay is great with its wonderful community and its funny charity shop. I want to visit!! I also loved how the story shows that women can achieve things without needing a man to do it for them.
Overall, it’s a lovely positive novel, uplifting and warm.
9 out of 10
After a horrible day and a couple of shocking events, Daisy takes a train to – well, she’s not quite sure, but it turns out to be Derbyshire – where she finds the wonderful Bookshop Café, its owner Alex and his boisterous dog Wolf.
What will Daisy do? Will she stay in Derbyshire and start a new life? Or will she go back to London and to Phil?
I really enjoyed this book. It was a light and easy read – and I mean both of those in a complimentary way – and I just kept reading for as long as I could, to know what was going to happen to lovely Daisy. It’s written in a very accessible, chatty style.
The chapters are a good length and with not too much description, which is perfect for my taste. It’s easy to get into the novel and you’re interested in Daisy immediately and wondering what the story is going to bring her. I read the whole novel in two days!
I loved the premise of the story and how she ended up in Derbyshire without meaning to. The village of Upper Finlay is great with its wonderful community and its funny charity shop. I want to visit!! I also loved how the story shows that women can achieve things without needing a man to do it for them.
Overall, it’s a lovely positive novel, uplifting and warm.
9 out of 10
June 11, 2020
This is my honest opinion about Daisy Does it Herself written by Gracie Player. Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC and; in exchange to that, I am writing my honest review for this book.
I want to write straight to the point. You may ignore the spoiler if there's any.
At the very beginning until the 80% reading progress, everything seems so great and awesome. I was glued to the book and can't stop giving my sympathy to Daisy even though I think at times she was being an idiot and miserable herself. Since the momentum of the hope and dreams was very promising from the beginning of the book, I was looking for more surprise element but there's not much of it. Towards the 81% reading progress, I found it blunt and the story was lengthened unnecessarily. Daisy could have saved so much of my time if she could just get things right by dumping Phil and continue her journey with Alex.
Overall, the book was saved by the happy ending and I am satisfied. I love it and would want all the readers to also appreciate it the way it is. Just forget about the blunt part and enjoy it.
The book deserves 4 stars of its rating and I would love to recommend this book to you all if you are in phases of finding a new journey in your life.
I want to write straight to the point. You may ignore the spoiler if there's any.
At the very beginning until the 80% reading progress, everything seems so great and awesome. I was glued to the book and can't stop giving my sympathy to Daisy even though I think at times she was being an idiot and miserable herself. Since the momentum of the hope and dreams was very promising from the beginning of the book, I was looking for more surprise element but there's not much of it. Towards the 81% reading progress, I found it blunt and the story was lengthened unnecessarily. Daisy could have saved so much of my time if she could just get things right by dumping Phil and continue her journey with Alex.
Overall, the book was saved by the happy ending and I am satisfied. I love it and would want all the readers to also appreciate it the way it is. Just forget about the blunt part and enjoy it.
The book deserves 4 stars of its rating and I would love to recommend this book to you all if you are in phases of finding a new journey in your life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2023
I really loved this, it was a cute, quick and adorable story. In fact I was sad when it ended because I wanted more of Daisy and Alex. In fact Gracie wrote a whole cast of characters I’d love to see in future books. Her writing is so lovely, it’s like talking to a friend you’ve known forever.
Cece, Rosie, Liam, Jim were all wonderful characters. I loved Upper Finlay so much, the charity shop, the quirky villagers it was such a gorgeous little community that I wanted to be a part of it myself. I loved the relationship between Daisy and her mum (because of how it ended but no spoilers)
The only criticism I have is that it ended far too soon for me, I would have loved another couple of chapters, but that’s just me I always want more from great stories. I really do hope Gracie returns to these characters in one way or another because I’d definitely buy it and be up for more.
Thanks to Gracie Player , TRM Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review, all opinions are my own and freely given.
Cece, Rosie, Liam, Jim were all wonderful characters. I loved Upper Finlay so much, the charity shop, the quirky villagers it was such a gorgeous little community that I wanted to be a part of it myself. I loved the relationship between Daisy and her mum (because of how it ended but no spoilers)
The only criticism I have is that it ended far too soon for me, I would have loved another couple of chapters, but that’s just me I always want more from great stories. I really do hope Gracie returns to these characters in one way or another because I’d definitely buy it and be up for more.
Thanks to Gracie Player , TRM Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review, all opinions are my own and freely given.
August 22, 2024
Chick lit at it's best. I loved it. Pure escapism. A perfect holiday read.
******************************
When 26-year-old Daisy’s life in London comes crashing down around her, the only thing she can think of is getting away – far away. That’s how she found herself stumbling off a train in England’s picturesque Peak District – 150 miles from home, with no idea why she’d gone there and even less idea how she intended to get home.
But as Daisy explores the gorgeous village of Upper Finlay, she glimpses the possibility of a different life. The Derbyshire Dales offer up new friends, new opportunities, and a distractingly dishy object of attraction in the form of local bookstore owner Alex (and his bumbling Great Dane.) When Daisy discovers Alex’s business is in trouble she steps in to save the day.
But London’s Calling – literally. The life Daisy ran away from is calling her back. Why then, is she so reluctant to heed its call?
Daisy’s got a decision to make: Will she play it safe, and return to what she knew? Or is she brave enough to take a leap of faith and create a bold, new life for herself in the last place she’d ever expected?
******************************
When 26-year-old Daisy’s life in London comes crashing down around her, the only thing she can think of is getting away – far away. That’s how she found herself stumbling off a train in England’s picturesque Peak District – 150 miles from home, with no idea why she’d gone there and even less idea how she intended to get home.
But as Daisy explores the gorgeous village of Upper Finlay, she glimpses the possibility of a different life. The Derbyshire Dales offer up new friends, new opportunities, and a distractingly dishy object of attraction in the form of local bookstore owner Alex (and his bumbling Great Dane.) When Daisy discovers Alex’s business is in trouble she steps in to save the day.
But London’s Calling – literally. The life Daisy ran away from is calling her back. Why then, is she so reluctant to heed its call?
Daisy’s got a decision to make: Will she play it safe, and return to what she knew? Or is she brave enough to take a leap of faith and create a bold, new life for herself in the last place she’d ever expected?
March 3, 2022
A quick heartwarming read.
I wanted to make a change from my usual fantasy and historical fiction reads and dive into something new. This was my first time reading a romantic comedy. After reading this book of only 318 pages, I must say, it was like Gracie Player saying to me, "Welcome to Chic Lit!".
I dived in with no expectations and exited feeling so wholesome.
I liked all the characters. Daisy our main girl, got me upset a few times. If I walked in on my boyfriend with another woman, there would be nothing to think about or any conversation to be had. Especially when there was a gorgeous, considerate guy who noticeably likes me? Plus he can cook? I really wanted to smack Daisy on the head for that.
The ending was quite satisfying though. To me it was more about self-discovery and starting your life all over again.
Overall this story was heart-warming, very well written with a fast pace, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely a book to pick up on a lazy Sunday.
I wanted to make a change from my usual fantasy and historical fiction reads and dive into something new. This was my first time reading a romantic comedy. After reading this book of only 318 pages, I must say, it was like Gracie Player saying to me, "Welcome to Chic Lit!".
I dived in with no expectations and exited feeling so wholesome.
I liked all the characters. Daisy our main girl, got me upset a few times. If I walked in on my boyfriend with another woman, there would be nothing to think about or any conversation to be had. Especially when there was a gorgeous, considerate guy who noticeably likes me? Plus he can cook? I really wanted to smack Daisy on the head for that.
The ending was quite satisfying though. To me it was more about self-discovery and starting your life all over again.
Overall this story was heart-warming, very well written with a fast pace, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely a book to pick up on a lazy Sunday.
January 10, 2023
Daisy Does it Herself by Gracie Player
Sometimes, the Last Place You Intended to Go is Exactly Where You Need to Be.
When 26-year-old Daisy's life in London comes crashing down around her, the only thing she can think of is getting away - far away. That's how she found herself stumbling off a train with no idea where she was and even less idea how she intended to get home.
The Derbyshire Dales offers up new friends, new opportunities, and a handsome, helpful bookstore owner Alex (and his bumbling Great Dane Wolf.)
As Daisy explores the gorgeous village of Upper Finlay, she glimpses the possibility of a different life.
But Phil and London are calling.
Daisy Does it Herself is a delightful, witty, easy romance with great characters and a good plot.
I want to thank publishers TRM Publishing, author Gracie Player, and Rachel's Random Resources for a spot on the tour and a copy to read and review.
Sometimes, the Last Place You Intended to Go is Exactly Where You Need to Be.
When 26-year-old Daisy's life in London comes crashing down around her, the only thing she can think of is getting away - far away. That's how she found herself stumbling off a train with no idea where she was and even less idea how she intended to get home.
The Derbyshire Dales offers up new friends, new opportunities, and a handsome, helpful bookstore owner Alex (and his bumbling Great Dane Wolf.)
As Daisy explores the gorgeous village of Upper Finlay, she glimpses the possibility of a different life.
But Phil and London are calling.
Daisy Does it Herself is a delightful, witty, easy romance with great characters and a good plot.
I want to thank publishers TRM Publishing, author Gracie Player, and Rachel's Random Resources for a spot on the tour and a copy to read and review.
January 24, 2023
This book is about a young woman, Daisy who has hopes and dreams of becoming a web designer and lives with her long-term boyfriend, Phil. Daisy had to learn web design on her own making the temporary company she worked with lots of money, and she hoped they would keep her permanently, and maybe promote her. However, she gets sacked instead of a promotion, so she heads home brokenhearted only to be shocked at what she found. Distraught, brokenhearted and upset that she lost it all, her career and boyfriend she gets on a train and ends up in a town she didn’t know. The train leaves Daisy in Derbyshire so she finds herself in upper Finlay in front of a bookshop. Daisy doesn’t realize she is going to find much more than just books in this shop when she meets the nice, sweet and sexy owner, Alex. Both Daisy and Alex hit it off and venture out to save the bookstore. This is a cute, funny, corky adventure Daisy goes on and finds her true self.
April 13, 2020
Daisy Does it Herself by Gracie Player is a delightful little book. It's about a girl named Daisy who seems to be in a great place in life - a loving (rich) boyfriend named Phil and a possible promotion from her temp job. Then in one fell swoop, Daisy's life ends up in a state of upheaval. Wanting to get away, she gets on a train and goes farther than she intended to - Derbyshire. While there, she wanders into a bookshop cafe, where she meets Alex, the sweetest character. Daisy decides that she needs space from Phil and offers to work at the bookshop in exchange for room and board for one month.
What I loved most about this book was the personal growth that Daisy goes through. She started out very timid and grows into a person who knows her self-worth.
If you are looking for a short, sweet romcom to whisk you away from real life, Daisy Does it Herself is the book for you.
What I loved most about this book was the personal growth that Daisy goes through. She started out very timid and grows into a person who knows her self-worth.
If you are looking for a short, sweet romcom to whisk you away from real life, Daisy Does it Herself is the book for you.
April 16, 2020
Disastrous day sets Daisy on path to greener pastures: sweet, positive😍
4-4.5🌟stars
🌄📚💕This was a lovely, sweet story that takes adversity and turns it into an exciting challenge, both for heroine Daisy and for the yummy, struggling bookstore owner she champions. It's a very feel-good plot with Daisy adopting the rhythms and admiring the quirks of the small Derbyshire community she ends up in by chance. The romance is simmering but sweet; Daisy is a character who ratchets up strength and self confidence through the course of the story; the Derbyshire secondary characters are each relatable, likeable and distinct; and the overall effect is a very enjoyable read.
Thanks to Books Go Social and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.
4-4.5🌟stars
🌄📚💕This was a lovely, sweet story that takes adversity and turns it into an exciting challenge, both for heroine Daisy and for the yummy, struggling bookstore owner she champions. It's a very feel-good plot with Daisy adopting the rhythms and admiring the quirks of the small Derbyshire community she ends up in by chance. The romance is simmering but sweet; Daisy is a character who ratchets up strength and self confidence through the course of the story; the Derbyshire secondary characters are each relatable, likeable and distinct; and the overall effect is a very enjoyable read.
Thanks to Books Go Social and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.
April 24, 2020
In one day Daisy’s life is upended. The promotion she thought she was going to get turns into her being let go. Her “perfect” boyfriend is found with another woman. With no idea what to do she boards a train, falls asleep and wakes up at the end of the line. In Derbyshire, Daisy meets Alex, who lets her live in the room above his bookstore in exchange for her help. Daisy is at a cross roads in her life and this change helps her not only find herself, but love in the process.
This is a perfect light heartwarming read for when you need a book that isn’t overly complicated and will make you smile. It will transport you to a cute village with a bookstore you wish was real. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy!
I want to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.
This is a perfect light heartwarming read for when you need a book that isn’t overly complicated and will make you smile. It will transport you to a cute village with a bookstore you wish was real. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy!
I want to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.
May 26, 2020
I love, love, LOVED this book. If you're a fan of Jenny Colgan, you'll adore Gracie Player.
In one day, Daisy Monroe loses her job, her boyfriend-maybe-fiance, and her home. When she falls asleep on a train trying to outrun her troubles, she finds herself stranded in Derbyshire, where she meets Alex, the handsome proprietor of The Bookshop Cafe.
Using this opportunity to have a reset, Daisy dives in as The Bookshop Cafe's newest employee, honing her web design skills to save the struggling business and charming the locals as she finds her way back to the self she used to be.
Before long, Daisy must come to terms with the person she wants to be, and the person she wants to be with.
This is a pure, light, fluffy escapist read with all the joy in self-discovery one could want. I adored this book and will gleefully recommend it to anyone who needs a bit of happiness in their life!
In one day, Daisy Monroe loses her job, her boyfriend-maybe-fiance, and her home. When she falls asleep on a train trying to outrun her troubles, she finds herself stranded in Derbyshire, where she meets Alex, the handsome proprietor of The Bookshop Cafe.
Using this opportunity to have a reset, Daisy dives in as The Bookshop Cafe's newest employee, honing her web design skills to save the struggling business and charming the locals as she finds her way back to the self she used to be.
Before long, Daisy must come to terms with the person she wants to be, and the person she wants to be with.
This is a pure, light, fluffy escapist read with all the joy in self-discovery one could want. I adored this book and will gleefully recommend it to anyone who needs a bit of happiness in their life!
July 30, 2020
This is definitely a feel good romantic comedy. Daisy really isn't sure what she wants to do in life as a career, but during her temporary position she becomes very interested in web design and hopes for a permanent in the company. Unfortunately she is let go and goes home to find her boyfriend of 4 years with another woman. She hops on a train and rides it to the end where she finds a quaint bookstore in a small town. She finds a group of friends that she feels like herself and now she needs to decide if she wants to stay or give her boyfriend another chance. Sure this is a predictable storyline, but it would make a great Hallmark movie. I finished the story quickly and enjoyed all the characters. It definitely had all the feel good moments. I received an ARC and I voluntarily reviewed this book.
March 21, 2021
Utterly and completely charming British RomCom ! Our heroine Daisy looses her job ( where for just under 2 years she has used her street smarts to raise the presence and business of her current temporary employer) and her man (she believes older,posh Phil was always slightly out of her range) to the wife of one of his even poster friends when she arrives home early after loosing her job, and even her mind when she ends up accidentally on a train to Derbyshire without money or luggage. There she finds not only fresh air, but friendship, a bookstore her scrappy business savy can save, and love of a gourmet-cookung, second-hand- book-store-owning soulful hottest. British authors write wit, and yearning with charm like no other nationality of author can. Well worth the price of admission for a heartwarming tale of getting your shit together in your mid twenties!
January 19, 2023
On the day that Daisy thinks she is up for a promotion but is let go and then finds her boyfriend cheating on her, she stumbles upon the village of Upper Finlay. In this small village, she will find friends, a career prospect and maybe even love.
I read this novel in one sitting, I loved the perfect amount of drama Daisy faces along her journey as well as the different characters. Daisy shows such progression in herself as a character and proves that when you surround yourself with the correct people nothing can stop you.
This was an unputdownable novel with a great narrative, fantastic characters and an ending to make you smile.
This is not an author I have read before but one I will be looking out for.
I hope that this novel comes into a series exploring the other characters of Alex's friendship group as I would love to know more about them and follow their journeys.
I read this novel in one sitting, I loved the perfect amount of drama Daisy faces along her journey as well as the different characters. Daisy shows such progression in herself as a character and proves that when you surround yourself with the correct people nothing can stop you.
This was an unputdownable novel with a great narrative, fantastic characters and an ending to make you smile.
This is not an author I have read before but one I will be looking out for.
I hope that this novel comes into a series exploring the other characters of Alex's friendship group as I would love to know more about them and follow their journeys.
May 8, 2024
I am not the target group for this book. But as someone who does read chick-lit from time to time, I found the fact that the whole book takes place at breakneck speed, over one month, and has gaping plot holes, made it impossible to just go with it. Every character was a stereotype, and I get that chick-lit has particular expectations, (quirky, lovable, heroic, handsome hero who owns a bookstore and cooks, full-of-himself villain, friendly village locals) I longed for some kind of flaw in people.
I blame whoever edited this.
It didn't help that the reader had a poor grasp of accents since the main character is supposed to be a cockney, but her mother talks in a cut-glass posh accent, and no one in the Derbyshire village talked with a Derbyshire accent (mainly Newcastle and Birmingham I think. I bought this from Chirp and wish I hadn't.
I blame whoever edited this.
It didn't help that the reader had a poor grasp of accents since the main character is supposed to be a cockney, but her mother talks in a cut-glass posh accent, and no one in the Derbyshire village talked with a Derbyshire accent (mainly Newcastle and Birmingham I think. I bought this from Chirp and wish I hadn't.
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