Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Little Cornish Kitchen #3

A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen

Rate this book
St Aidan: a cosy Cornish village where friendships are made for life and it’s always cocktail hour somewhere…

A clean slate in the world’s cosiest cottage by the sea…

When Gwen Starkey and her best friend, Ella Simpson, arrive in St Aidan to take on a cottage renovation, it’s the fresh start they both so desperately need. But when their new adventure begins with them unintentionally breaking into their neighbour, Ollie Lancaster’s cottage – thinking it’s their new home – and Gwen accidentally flashing the gorgeous Ollie before they flee, the life-long friends realise that life in Cornwall is going to be anything but quiet!

They also quickly discover that they’re in over their heads and it’s going to take a village to turn their cottage’s narrow walls into the luxurious hideaway of their dreams. St Aidan is full of colourful characters just waiting to welcome them, if only Gwen and Ella can find the courage to start leaving the past behind them…

339 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2022

99 people are currently reading
162 people want to read

About the author

Jane Linfoot

27 books283 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
383 (58%)
4 stars
181 (27%)
3 stars
74 (11%)
2 stars
20 (3%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Berit☀️✨ .
2,096 reviews15.6k followers
December 9, 2023
A delightfully scrumptious story! Loved being back in Cornwall in this lovely town with these charming characters. This is the third book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. This book introduces us to quite a few new characters, including Gwen and Ella who are new to town. they are living in a seaside cottage, where the rent has been cut with the stipulation that they are going to remodel the place. One of the first people Gwen meets when arriving in town is Ollie. their meeting is fraught with tension, embarrassment, and chemistry. but both Ollie and Gwen are going through things so they deny the chemistry for most of the book. Gwen finds herself a job at the Little Cornish Kitchen, where she whips up all kinds of yummy food and treats. this book reminded me that I haven’t had a piece of fudge in ages. Also, I just want to know if I move to small town Cornwall is everyone going to welcome me like Gwen and Ella were welcome to this town? Gwen really found her place and her footing, in this quaint town, not to mention love. Just a delightful heartwarming story filled with food, friends, family, decorating, and an adorable dove.

*** Big thank you to One More Chapter for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Profile Image for Louise H's Book Thoughts.
2,042 reviews317 followers
October 1, 2022
"Winter Warmer" is a very entertaining, moving and heart-warming piece of women's/adult fiction. It can be read as a stand-alone story, set in the fictional Cornish town of St Aiden's, though it does contain very mild spoilers for previous books. I found the title to be a little misleading, since the story spans several months, only ending once it is winter.


Gwen is a wonderfully sympathetic character, one whom you cannot help but instantly warm too arriving in St Aiden's battered down by life and painful loss. We get to accompany her on a very emotional but inspiring journey back to living life to it's fullest and being brave enough to love again. I laughed with Gwen, I cried with Gwen and I watched her fall in love, cheering as she found her way back to happiness.


In regards to Ollie, I did find her to be somewhat of an unreliable narrator, which in turn made it difficult to believe fully in her sudden change of heart. As the book is narrated solely from her viewpoint it also made it difficult for me to connect with him for quite a while, since I was only "seeing" him from a negative perspective. Once we get to know and understand him a little more things did pick up for me.


The romance aspect was a little lacking, though since this isn't described as romance (at least not on Netgalley) I'm not removing any stars for that. Everything was a little more told than shown, and most of the interactions we do get to see between Ollie and Gwen either end in a fall-out, are fairly brief or are glossed over. The last third of the book was much more convincing and we get to see how truly sweet and kind Ollie is.


My only true disappointment, in what was otherwise a great read, was the character of Ella. Although she was mentioned a lot in the book Ella was conspicuous by her absence most of the time. Even when she WAS there we never really had any heart-to-heart or deep conversations between these LIFELONG TWO BEST FRIENDS. Two friends who had moved to Cornwell in a bid to heal themselves, yet all I can tell you about Ella is she wears black sloggi knickers, didn't have many domestic skills and worked an awful lot. I couldn't say whether I liked her or not as she felt like a very rough outline of a character, with no shading in or depth.


Overall this is a story I would happily recommend to those who enjoy women's fiction. It has good writing with a style of prose that flows smoothly, engaging characters and a setting that you want to immediately move to.
Profile Image for Deanne Patterson.
2,445 reviews124 followers
July 8, 2024
A Winter Warmer has all the good feels you need with characters from previous books in this series. It's a true delight to do a catch up with the characters and I'm delighted that the characters have such heartwarming news to share. This is Gwen Starkey and her best friend, Ella Simpson's story. They need a reset; life has been rough recently. A trip to St Aidan is just what these best friends need. An awkward and embarrassing meeting with their neighbor Ollie Lancaster has Gwen sure she needs to avoid Ollie for life. As I was reading this sweet and emotional rom com I was invested in the characters well-being. Gwen and Ollie both are hurting and broken though they may not always show it on the outside they've both gone through similar circumstances and need to heal. As they start to heal will their relationship stay the same or fall part as they're not the same people they were when they first met. A moving read, I felt empathy for the characters as they explore happiness for the first time in a while with each other. Upbeat and inspiring!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,384 reviews573 followers
September 13, 2022
I'm craving fudge as a result of reading this book, if not fudge then flapjacks, bacon, cake, and all manner of other tasty goodies. Please don't read this book on an empty stomach unless you have snacks nearby. It will make you drool with hunger!

Now that I have warned you, let me just say how utterly delicious this book is, it is full of familiar faces from the previous Cornish Kitchen books but it completely works as a standalone as our main characters are all new.

I adored Gwen's story, as 4 years on from the loss of her brother in tragic circumstances, she is finally realising she needs to be brave and start living life again, just in small steps. And moving to Stargazey Cottage with best friend Ella who she is supporting through the break up of her marriage, looks like it is just the tonic.

For slowly but surely she is able to face up to things that reminds her of Ned, that she has been avoiding for years.

And then there is Ollie in Stargazey House, who also seems to have something holding him back from living and has more in common with Gwen than you may first think. What is obvious though is from their first meeting they spend a lot of time in denial!

I loved the Star Sisters as Gwen and Ella are calling themselves, and seeing all the promises they rashly made to secure the cottage, and how they try to meet them is amusing. I also enjoyed seeing the development work on the cottage, including the incredibly hot builder.

Then there is Minty who I have a soft spot for, she really does make an impact for something so small. As does Bud, who is also adorable.

This felt like a warm hug of a book that enveloped me in its pages and wouldn't let me go until I reached the end. I was utterly hooked and couldn't get enough of these characters, or all the tasty food they were clearly cooking and tasting.

And the humour especially the first few meetings between Gwen and Ollie, and the interesting situations she gets herself into, are very amusing and memorable.

Just another truly marvellous book from Jane Linfoot set in her beloved St Aiden, a location I am determined to visit one day (even though I may have to jump into the author's brain to be able to do that, as it's a fictional place!)

Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Nicola Michelle.
1,907 reviews18 followers
January 31, 2023
This was a lovely, saccharine sweet romance as we join two new characters in St Aidan. Gwen and Ella begin renovating their quaint but massively in need of renovation cottage. After an initial dodgy start of walking into the wrong house (and straight into the bedroom of the resident hunk) could it get much worse from there?

I loved the main two characters, the ‘stars sisters’ and they were so easy to root for. The other characters that we’ve met in the previous books also flew in and out which was nice to see whilst the characters and relationships continued to develop. It was also nice to see Gwen and Ollie work through their grief together as they’ve both overcome to much.

It was a satisfying ending and it was the definition of a cosy romance.
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,221 reviews135 followers
September 2, 2022
I received an ARC of, A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen, by Jane Linfoot. I wished I lived in St. Aidan, a beautiful town with great people. Best friends Gwen and Ella are starting over in a new town. They are not off to a great start though. I enjoyed this cozy read, in Cornwall, I love Doc Martin, and reading stories like this one reminds me of the show. This is book 3 in a series.
Profile Image for Pam Robertson.
1,463 reviews9 followers
October 12, 2022
This has got to be my favourite festive read of the season, so far. I was delighted to become reacquainted with the characters from Jane Linfoot's previous novels and remembered well the warmth and community feeling which ran through those stories. St Aidan's seems to be such an inclusive place which seems to have a healing effect on people who arrive with damaged lives and past hurts. This story centres on Gwen and her lifelong friend, Ella, who are looking for a fresh start. Gwen is one of those people who hs never found a place to settle and is aware that before long, she will want to move on. Ella's marriage has ended. I loved the humour which came from the situations.

Gwen is a particularly interesting character who develops throughout the story. She tries to come out of her comfort zone time after time, and has to try to come to terms with her life as it is now. Loss and grief is dealt with in a sensitive way. You also realise that Gwen is not the only character who is suffering in this way. You also see that the community, in many ways, stands in the place of family for those who need it. There are some gorgeous festive details which makes this an ideal seasonal read.

In short: uplifting, warm, moving on, starting again
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
Profile Image for Annette.
2,847 reviews50 followers
October 1, 2022
Ella and Gwen move to Cornwall, both recovering from heartache. They end up renovating a seaside cottage and meet new friends along the way.
I loved this book! I wanted to crawl inside it and stay. I didn’t know it was part of a series and it’s book three. I will definitely be keeping this series on my list.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Profile Image for RomanceByTheBook.
652 reviews14 followers
October 10, 2022
A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen is a heart-melting, feel-good romance.

I liked the other two books in this series, but I LOVED this book. I was not expecting to fall so head over heels for the characters and the story. I couldn’t get enough of this book and ended up re-reading it; even though I really don’t have the time, my reading schedule is packed! It is this perfectly cozy fall/winter read and left me feeling just so happy and light. First, let’s talk (gush) about the cover. It’s warm and welcoming and fits the story well, and I love how it stands out from the more cartoonish romance covers out there. So well done, whoever picked that cover.

A Winter Warmer picks up a little after the second book in the series. Like most romance series, this book can be read as a stand-alone. But as usual, I would recommend reading the other two books because they are delightful and filled with delicious food talk. This book would be considered a Christmas holiday book (which you all know I love) since the plot leads up to Christmas day. But this book isn’t inundated with Christmas stuff; Jane weaves the festive holiday throughout the plot but ensures that it doesn’t overwhelm her readers. This story has it all: romance, humour, two fabulous reno projects, and set in that quirky small coastal town. I felt like all the story elements just came together so beautifully. Readers got to meet some fabulous new characters, catch up with the old ones, and of course, there are some adorable animals in this book. The plot moves at that perfect charming romance pace, and along the way, we get to dig deeper into Gwen, Ella, and Ollie’s (the main male character) lives. Each of these characters has wonderful backstories, and there are moments when you will find yourself tearing up. What made me fall in love with this book was Gwen, she is just darn sweet, shy, and likeable, and chaos follows her wherever she goes. She is one of those characters that I instantly connected with. As I read this story, I found myself rooting for her and hoping she would find the courage to start living again.

The food talk in this book had my stomach growling and wishing I could hop on a plane, so I could eat some wonderful English food. I also loved how Jane added some of Gwen’s recipes at the back of the book. This is great for those keen on trying to recreate some of these yummy dishes. There are also two fabulous reno makeovers in this book! I ate up every description of the two cottages and felt like I just saw how they transformed into two beautiful homes.

The romance between Gwen and Ollie is sweet and delicious, just like a cup of hot chocolate. Their meet-cute moment was hilarious. Gwen’s clumsiness always seemed to come out when Ollie was around, which meant there were lots of awkward moments for poor Gwen. The progression of Gwen and Ollie’s relationship was slow, but it worked for the story and for the characters. Both Ollie and Gwen are trying to cope with the loss of a loved one that has left them scarred and afraid to live their lives. I love how they supported and understood each other. They encouraged each other to step out of their comfort zones. They really were just so well matched. I think I lost count of the number of moments between these two that made my heart go pitter-patter.

A Winter Warmer at the Cornish Kitchen is a sweet and heartfelt holiday novel that you will want to read again and again.

Thank you, HarperCollins UK and Rachel Random Resources for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
Profile Image for Amanda.
2,026 reviews55 followers
October 10, 2022
I have read and loved several of Jane's books to date. I haven't quite caught up with everything that she has written but that is something that I hope to rectify in the not too distant future. I must admit that I have a particular fondness for the series that Jane has set in 'The Little Cornish Kitchen'. I loved the first two books in the series and so when I heard that Jane was due to release another book in the series, I knew that I just had to grab a copy at the earliest opportunity and hibernate until I had read the very last word on the very last page. Well I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'A Winter Warmer At The Little Cornish Kitchen' but more about that in a bit.

This was one of those books that drew me in by the lovely, sparkly cover, the synopsis intrigued me and the story between the book's covers sealed the deal as it were. I started reading and I found I couldn't stop. I felt an instant bond with the two female lead characters and I felt as though they had become friends of mine. I cared about the characters and what happened to them so of course I had to keep reading. I had initially picked the book up only intending to read a chapter or two but I became so wrapped up in the story that I was still sat there reading several chapters and an hour or two later. I soon got to the end of 'A Winter Warmer At The Little Cornish Kitchen'. I found 'A Winter Warmer At The Little Cornish Kitchen' to be a joy to read from start to finish. This was perfect holiday reading and left me feeling as though I had had a hug from a mug- in other words I felt all warm and fuzzy inside.

'A Winter Warmer At The Little Cornish Kitchen' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Jane Linfoot. Jane has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Jane's books felt more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Jane creates adorable characters and you can tell that she cares greatly about them by the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes her characters seem just as real as you and i. I love the way in which Jane makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story themselves and at the heart of the action.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'A Winter Warmer At The Little Cornish Kitchen' and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Jane's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,776 reviews135 followers
September 21, 2022
What another gorgeous read from this series. It was great to be back in St Aiden. The previous books gave a wonderful welcome and this one does the same.

The small village of St Aiden is by the sea, the community is helpful and supportive. Just what Ella and her friend Gwen need when they decide to take on a cottage that needs renovating. After submitting a slightly exaggerated proposal they are accepted into this small and surprising little nook.

They are not the only ones who need a little St Aiden TLC, their neighbour Ollie is also a newcomer. Between them, they work through various stages of grief and loss. A the same time recovering some of what they have lost.

The main focus is on Gwen as she gradually comes out of her shell and starts to mingle. Offering help when needed she discovers what it is she used to love to do. The author tentatively tests the waters with this character as she dangles tantalising food-orientated challenges in front of her. Never happier than when looking after other people Gwen starts to help herself without realising it.

Ollie is an abrupt and in-your-face but cheeky sort of way. Instead of immersing himself in the community, he finds his solace in disappearing for days at a time to deal with his grief.

The author has not disappointed at all with this story. It is a chance to catch up with the goings on in St Aiden and catch up with Clemmie, the Mermaids and the singles club. Having new characters come into the village is great as it shows the best of what a community can offer.

I really enjoyed the way she tentatively coaxed the main characters out and gave them the opportunities they had. I did at times want to shake them and tell them to open their eyes and see the bigger picture, but actually, the slower route the author took was a much better one. It felt more natural and it made for a wonderful will they/ won't they scenario.

The gorgeous storyline, wonderful characters and another excellent instalment in this series. It is a book I would definitely recommend.

Profile Image for Frankie.
1,038 reviews75 followers
October 3, 2022
Cosy, heartwarming and delicious!

Firstly, a word of warning; don’t read this book if you’re on a diet as I can guarantee you will be snacking your way through reading, especially if like me you have a sweet tooth (or a full mouth of precious teeth) and weak-willed and crave anything with chocolate. Honestly, I swear my jeans are tighter. LOL!

I loved the sound of this book instantly, the title alone is so charming and draws you in and the cover makes you want to reach out with grabby hands and read it.

I adored the setting, the Cornish coast is beautifully written it’s like a character all on its own I was transported there by the lusciously richly descriptive writing. I have been reaching more for stories set near the sea lately, I’ve never been to Cornwall but I got a real sense of how atmospheric and beautiful it is and I adored the community feel to the story.

I did think that the romance aspect took a back step, it wasn’t the overriding element of the story which was a little bit of a disappointment but I could see where the author was going with each other the character’s storylines, I just wished that romance blossomed a little faster than it initially did as there seemed to be a rather a lot of dithering due to other factors. But saying that as the romance wasn’t pushed forefront from the beginning allowed me to properly get to know the characters and watch as they develop and change throughout the story which I liked.

I have read Jane Linfoot books in the past and loved them, which is one of the reasons this book appealed to me, as it’s been far too long since I had the time to read this author’s work. I thought this book was a little slower in pace than I usually read and different to what I remember from her previous books, yet I do think the pacing worked for the characters and the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to St Aiden – and will definitely return again, I loved the richly detailed and charming setting, the characters are likeable and relatable and the overall story is delightful.
Profile Image for thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books).
2,811 reviews117 followers
October 12, 2022
I Love Cornwall, sweet tooth and foodie, yep I knew I was going to really be in my element in this book. I mean it helps I’ve read Jane Linfoots books before so I kinda knew I was onto a sure thing.

This is the third book in the Cornish kitchen books, but don’t let that put you off jumping into this, it can totally be read as a stand-alone, if you’ve read the previous books some familiar faces may pop in, but if you haven’t it’s nothing that would make you feel lost or confused.

Gwen is amazing, I loved her so much, she is moving on from the tragic loss of her brother, i loved how she took small steps to move forward and try and make positive memories of the things she had avoided for years, rather than just the loss and pain. I loved her relationship with Ella, it’s so fun, full of humour but also love and a real bond.

Then we have Ollie, I loved Ollie so much as we learn about him over the course of the story, you learn he has more in common with Gwen than you think. You know he has something in his past, something he’s holding in and it’s so gorgeous to see him open as the story moves along.

I won’t say much more without ruining the plot or story, but as ever Jane has written another completely heartwarming book, one that engages you, fills you with delight and warmth , although warning this book seriously gives you cravings. It’s full of wonderful humour that first few meeting between Gwen and Ollie, i didn’t think I could laugh so much. Jane Linfoot makes me cry tears of happiness, sadness so much, luckily far more in joy and she’s a goto author for me to improve my moods or turn a grey day blue.

Thanks to Jane Linfoot and Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read this wonderful story in return for an honest review, all opinions are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Julia.
3,115 reviews100 followers
September 20, 2022
A Winter Warmer At The Little Cornish Kitchen by Jane Linfoot is a most delightful contemporary novel that will make you feel good and leave you smiling.
It is written in the first person, enabling the reader to ‘walk’ through the story. The style is easy going and very charming. As a reader we are heavily invested in the life of the lead character.
The setting is a Cornish village where we learn “you are never alone.” There is a wonderful community atmosphere. The village pulls together as one. Everyone has different talents. These are used to serve the community as a whole. People enter the village as strangers who soon become friends.
Characters have suffered loss. Two are wading through grief. No two grief journeys are the same but there are similarities – feelings of guilt, anger, fear. Lives rooted to a moment in time, running from what they fear, walling up lives, afraid to love for fear of loss. They need encouragement to spread their wings and to fly again.
Food is part of the focus of the novel, as our mouths water at some of the delights appearing from the little Cornish kitchen. Characters bond over food. I was delighted to see that the book included some recipes.
There are some serious themes but the tone is light-hearted overall. It is friendly and playful, being absolutely hilarious at times – I laughed at loud at some of the scenes around Ollie’s sweatshirt!
I absolutely adored this book. It is a perfect read to lighten your mood and make you smile. I am looking forward to more trips to the little Cornish kitchen.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Hannah Wilson .
434 reviews18 followers
October 6, 2022
This is a lovely light hearted book that will leave you with a rumbling tummy and the desire to do some decorating – or at least that’s what it did for me!

Food was a big part of the book and it helped Gwen to come to terms with the loss of her brother to a certain extent but also helped to increase her confidence and self belief. It also went a good way to ingrain her into the community of St Aidan and felt like a central part of every community and singles night event – I mean at the end of the day, who doesn’t like a get together with a good food table!

Gwen was definitely the centre of the story and I loved reading and watching her develop as we pass through the chapters, her moments with Ollie always left me a little unnerved as you couldn’t tell how they were going to pan out. There was that simmering chemistry just lying in the undercurrent waiting to burst out!

Ella in comparison was a bit of a quieter character, but I think this helped to elevate Gwen’s progress as it forced her out of her comfort zone and to try things that she felt she’d never be able to do again. I’m still amazed that Ella didn’t even know how to load a dishwasher though!

Overall this was a lovely cosy read that I enjoyed, although I did expect it to be a little more Christmassy from the cover. I think the enjoyment would be greater enhanced if I’d read the other books in this series as then you’d know the other characters to, however reading this without even realising it was part of a series just shows that it can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone book to.
Profile Image for Elaine - Splashes Into Books.
3,895 reviews137 followers
October 9, 2022
After loss and a break-up two friends desire
To move to Cornwall, new dreams for which to aspire.
They enter a competition to rent a cottage at reduced rate
Provided they agree its theirs to renovate.

When they win
They can't wait to begin.
They get in the vehicles and travel the miles
To St Aidan, where they'd holiday memories filled with smiles.

A fresh start but not in the cottage they first go
Where they meet Ollie Lancaster who is just . . . SO!
Their cottage is smaller, compact and bijou
With so much work they'll need to do!

In this community they soon find
The residents work together and are so kind.
Supportive, fun and plenty of laughter too
Will help Gwen and Ella as they see things through.

A delightful read with some tricky issues, too,
Showing that you never know just what others are going through.
A story of fresh starts, losing, grief and so much more
As well as romances and friendships to adore.

For my complementary copy of this book I give a huge thank you.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review
I hope you'll find time to read it too
As it is certainly a book I highly recommend to you.

P.S. At the end of the story, if you continue to take a look
You'll find recipes for some of the treats mentioned in this book
I don't know about you but I can't wait to discover
Which is my favourite - the fudge or another?
127 reviews3 followers
December 13, 2022
This is a book from a series and I have yet to read any of the others. However,, it works as a standalone book (as do all the others, so the author says in their notes). And I’m sure from the title, most people can guess what sort of a read this will be. It is cosy, it is reassuring, it has warm and friendly characters, it has romance and it has mentions of lots of sweet treats!

The story itself is told entirely from the viewpoint of Gwen who, with her friend Ella, blag their way into renovating a cottage in Cornwall and find that the support they get from the people of the village helps to heal old wounds. But will they be found out or will they succeed in their work?

As I said, there are no real surprises in this book. The characters are a bit sketchy (maybe because their stories are covered in the other books) and I didn’t feel like some of Gwen’s explanations made sense. But then other parts, particularly around the grief some of the characters were feeling felt very real so it’s a bit of a mix. I was also expecting it to feel a bit more wintry but I would say it’s more of an autumnal read if I’m being really picky!!

But for a light, entertaining book, it’s a good one to choose!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Profile Image for Greenreadsbooks .
186 reviews11 followers
October 8, 2022
The book is written in the first person from Gwen's point of view, almost in the style of a diary or letter which works well. At the beginning I was a bit concerned at first that the book may be full of farcical situations but I kept reading and was thankfully proved wrong. Gwen and Ollie were badly affected by grief and the story covers their tentative steps towards healing. The author has created a wonderful cosy, welcoming world that's great for escapism. I had a couple of minor issues with the story like why Gwen was so hard on Ollie at the beginning and so judgemental, but other than that I really enjoyed story and the characters were engaging. I loved reading about the design plans for the cottage and the house and all the events around the village. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys heartwarming, cosy stories. I also really want to read Jane's other books now!

Thanks to the author, publisher and Rachel's Random Resources for the gifted e-book in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for JANELLE.
846 reviews3 followers
October 26, 2022
I didn't realize this was part of a series when I read this book - so it's easily a stand-alone read, too. I would like to go back and start the series now after reading #3.

Gwen and Ella move to a small seaside town to remodel a cottage in return for staying there. Gwen has a job outside of town and it doesn't seem like she's as a main character as Ella. Ella and Ollie, their neighbor, seem to be the main focus. Ella is grieving the loss of her brother (and her mother in the past) and Ollie is grieving the loss of his rowing partner, from whom he inherited the house he's finishing. They seem to get stuck in the grieving part and it drags on the story a bit, slowing things down and was repeated a lot more than seems necessary. It's a slow moving story, but eventually ends in a HEA moment.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
Profile Image for Annette.
1,768 reviews10 followers
November 25, 2022
realize I am the only human being who did not fall in love with this book. Sorry about that.
Gwen and Ella come to this lovely Cornish town and plan to redo a cottage. Ella wants to stay for a very long time. Gwen can’t wait to get out of town. That is until she gets the bug to redo the cottage and make it charming and cozy.
I don’t think there was one single unexpected event in this story.
It seemed to follow all the steps to be “cute”.
I liked the villagers. They were interesting and entertaining. I could not really warm up to Gwen and Ella very well. Both were dealing with loss. Normally that would be instill empathy within me. I am not sure why, but this time it did not.
This is the third in a series, but that did not have any influence on me. It worked fine as a stand alone read. This book is just average for me. Middle of the road for me and not anything too, too exciting.
Profile Image for Coco.
641 reviews5 followers
September 9, 2022
A delightful story about making a new start in life.

After the breakdown of Ella's marriage and the tragic death of Gwen's brother, the two old friends relocate to Cornwall to renovate a seaside cottage, only to find the cottage is microscopic and the renovation far more than they expected. About to immediately turn tail and return to London, they are welcomed by villagers who offer to help with the cottage renovation in exchange for Ella and Gwen's promised design workshops. Except they gained tenancy of Stargazey Cottage under false pretences, having a complete lack of design experience. Can they wing it by offering Ella's organisation skills and Gwen's excellent cooking.

ARC generously supplied by One More Chapter HarperCollins UK, and NetGalley, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Michelle.
157 reviews
September 20, 2022
The story follows best friends Gwen and Ella, who take up the tenancy of (a much smaller than anticipated) cottage in a small village in Cornwall, on the understanding they will undertake renovations whilst living there. Unbeknown to Gwen & Ella the cottage is in a much more tired state than originally thought and their lack of DIY expertise brings the attention of the locals, who soon pitch in to help.

This is book 3 in the series of ‘The Little Cornish Kitchen’ and although this book can be read as a stand-alone, I think it would give a better understanding of the village and the people in it, to read the previous 2 beforehand.

The book is full of the atmospherics of small village life in Cornwall. The characters are well developed and it’s a nice feel-good cosy read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return of an honest, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Bridget.
2,789 reviews131 followers
October 8, 2022
This is book 3 in The Little Cornish Kitchen series by Jane Linfoot. Although I haven't read the first two instalments I wasn't deterred from reading this one. I enjoyed the author's characterisation, finding main character, Gwen Starkey brave as she gradually came out of her shell, following the loss of her brother. Gwen has moved from London with her bestie, Ella Simpson. Set in the fictional Cornish town of St Aidan, the two women are renovating a small cottage, called Stargazey and they meet Ollie Lancaster who lives at Stargazey House, down the road. A great winter tale told with humour and one I found heartwarming and immensely compelling.

This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from One More Chapter via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,761 reviews12 followers
October 9, 2022
This is the third in the Little Cornish Kitchen series but is easily read as a standalone.

Cosy, heartwarming and absolutely delightful. Set in sleepy St Aidan, Cornwall, we join Gwen and best friend Ella as they move into the gorgeous sounding Stargazey Cottage.

Food, such delicious sounding foods, this book is full of it, do not attempt to read on an empty stomach!

AWWATLCK is a gorgeous story of friendship and starting over. The story is told in first person by Gwen as she is welcomed to the community.

We reconnect with characters old and make new friends along the way. All characters are realistic, relatable and a bunch of the most friendliest people.

Highly entertaining and enjoyable. I can't wait to pay the Cornish Kitchen another visit sometime soon.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Laura.
263 reviews
October 14, 2022
As I am fortunate to live in Cornwall, I tend to be drawn to books based there. Unfortunately, the majority seem to follow the same format - the protagonist, (nearly always female), moves to Cornwall following some tragedy. She moves into a house that needs renovation. She then starts a business, usually involving books or food. She meets a man and after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, they become an item.

I'm sorry to say that I think I must be all Cornwalled out, as I found the story to be rather predictable, as it follows the usual pattern described above. The only difference to most other books based in Cornwall was that the community were helpful from the beginning.... usually the leading lady has to win them over, which is far more realistic!

However, if you like a feel-good cozy romance with cake and fudge, in an idyllic setting, this may well be the book for you. 3.5*
Profile Image for Jane Hunt.
Author 3 books116 followers
September 28, 2022
The latest book set in St Aidan, a fictional coastal village in Cornwall, is heartwarming and often humorous. St Aidan welcomes Gwen, Ella, and Ollie to its uniquely welcoming community; all have some emotional healing to do, and this is the perfect place to do it. This author writes humour so well, and the characters often make me smile. New friendships, healing, and slow-burn romance balance the poignant moments as Gwen, Ollie and Ella come to terms with their loss and move on with their lives. Food plays a vital role in the community, and this story has some delicious descriptions and recipes. I love the characters, the community and the cornish setting. It's the perfect escapist read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Author 1 book10 followers
September 29, 2022
Gwen and her best friend Ella decide to renovate a property together in St Aidan's, it will be a new start for both of them, but this little escape will not be as quiet as they initially thought it would be.

This is an excellent winter feel-good novel, where you will love every character, laugh at the one-liners and cringe at the main characters when things go wrong.

This novel left me happy and my face aching from every facial expression imaginable.

This was a really easy read and written in the first person from the point of view of Gwen, which allowed the reader to be more involved.

If you need a novel to curl up to as it gets darker earlier and the nights get colder I would highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for mrsljgibbs.
856 reviews33 followers
October 7, 2022
I would just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review.

This is actually book number 3 from ‘The Little Cornish Kitchen’ series but can very easily be read as a stand alone without any problems at all.
I really enjoyed this book and found it very easy to read, right from the very beginning and right to the very end, I just couldn’t read it fast enough!
This book also had quite a few amusing parts that had me giggling along but also be warned - when reading this book you will be left feeling very very hungry with all the mentions of delicious food!!
It was a cosy, wonderful, heartwarming story and I was left with my heart feeling very happy and full…..
Profile Image for Karen Farrow.
733 reviews11 followers
September 18, 2022
What a perfectly wonderful schmaltzy romance. Two people seemingly irrevocably damaged by the losses they have endured in their lives meet. Unbeknownst to the other they have both fallen heavily for the other. What ensues is a story where the main characters dance around each other, unwilling to let their hearts be happy and enjoy each other. This is backed up by the hapless “spoilt princess” friend and all the other residents who can all see what is happening and how much they are destined to be together.

All in all a wonderful, if predictable, love story with an amazingly descriptive backdrop
Profile Image for Rachel | Raesbookshelf.
74 reviews8 followers
October 6, 2022
*ARC ~ A Winter Warmer at the Little Cornish Kitchen - @janelinfoot *
Publication Date: 30th September

This was an ultimate cozy read and will definitely get you craving fudge (and other yummy treats) Best friends Gwen & Ella are starting over in the lovely Cornish town St Aidan, you follow along on their journey and the friendships you make. I thought this was really lovely and easy read and would definitely recommend this book. It is book three in a series but they can all be read as standalone novels which I really like.

Thanks @netgalley for a copy of this book on exchange for my honest review
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.