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Middledip #1
Starting Over
Tess Riddell has just been dumped. By her fiancé. Via email.
Her life has been torn apart and she’s left to pick up the pieces. Alone. It’s time for a new start where nobody knows her. And Tess can’t imagine anywhere better than Honeybun Cottage in the peaceful village of Middledip.
But life has other plans. She crashes — quite literally — into a handsome stranger down a winding country lane.
Tess and Miles definitely don’t hit it off, though. He’s a fun-loving charmer, and Tess needs some stability right now.
So no one is as shocked as she is when an unlikely friendship blossoms between them.
Is Tess ready to open her heart once more? She doesn’t want to get hurt again.
Then just as their relationship begins to develop into something deeper, old flames reappear and threaten Tess’s new beginning . . .
Can she find happiness in Miles’s arms, or will it take more than either of them is prepared to give?
Her life has been torn apart and she’s left to pick up the pieces. Alone. It’s time for a new start where nobody knows her. And Tess can’t imagine anywhere better than Honeybun Cottage in the peaceful village of Middledip.
But life has other plans. She crashes — quite literally — into a handsome stranger down a winding country lane.
Tess and Miles definitely don’t hit it off, though. He’s a fun-loving charmer, and Tess needs some stability right now.
So no one is as shocked as she is when an unlikely friendship blossoms between them.
Is Tess ready to open her heart once more? She doesn’t want to get hurt again.
Then just as their relationship begins to develop into something deeper, old flames reappear and threaten Tess’s new beginning . . .
Can she find happiness in Miles’s arms, or will it take more than either of them is prepared to give?
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2009
556 people are currently reading
714 people want to read
About the author
Sue Moorcroft
65 books1,007 followersSue Moorcroft is a Sunday Times bestselling author and has held the coveted #1 spot in the Amazon Kindle chart. She's won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, the Readers Best Romantic Read Award, two HOLT medallions and the Katie Fforde Bursary. She writes contemporary fiction of life and love.
She also writes short stories, serials, articles, columns, courses and writing 'how to'.
An army child, Sue was born in Germany then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK. She's worked in a bank, as a bookkeeper (probably a mistake), as a copytaker for Motor Cycle News and for a typesetter, but is pleased to have wriggled out of all 'proper jobs'.
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Website: www.suemoorcroft.com
Twitter: @suemoorcroft
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
April 11, 2024
My first read from bestselling author, Sue Moorcroft. 'Starting Over' was a wonderful introduction to the Middledip series. Vivid scenes, well developed plot and fleshed-out characters... now I know firsthand what the 'Moorcroft hype' is all about.
I found I enjoyed the interactions throughout the book the most as in my opinion, they appeared authentic. So charming! The author has a distinct way of making you feel you are in the same room as the characters she lovingly created. I also enjoyed the scenes between the main characters, Tess and Miles. I was intrigued with their relationship from the beginning and became vested in seeing their union unfold through to the end.
A lovely read meriting a 5 star from me!
I found I enjoyed the interactions throughout the book the most as in my opinion, they appeared authentic. So charming! The author has a distinct way of making you feel you are in the same room as the characters she lovingly created. I also enjoyed the scenes between the main characters, Tess and Miles. I was intrigued with their relationship from the beginning and became vested in seeing their union unfold through to the end.
A lovely read meriting a 5 star from me!
July 6, 2023
Now this was quite angsty and even had some smut, although only a couple of scenes and they were of the purple variety, but judging by that cover alone I was anticipating jolly japes and zero smut.
Tbf, both H (Ratty) and h (Tess) needed a good old stomach punch at times, such was their ridiculousness. She was a runner, he played childish games, but actually I wasn’t that bothered by them really, I was really enjoying this idyllic village full of imperfect and authentic characters. It was absorbing and escapist.
Complete story, available on ku although I upgraded to the audiobook which I also enjoyed. Recommended.
Tbf, both H (Ratty) and h (Tess) needed a good old stomach punch at times, such was their ridiculousness. She was a runner, he played childish games, but actually I wasn’t that bothered by them really, I was really enjoying this idyllic village full of imperfect and authentic characters. It was absorbing and escapist.
Complete story, available on ku although I upgraded to the audiobook which I also enjoyed. Recommended.
June 26, 2013
I did not like things the author did to create conflict. The narrator’s voice was unpleasant.
I liked the character definitions and story during the first half. But the last third felt like it was getting worse and worse - a sinking down. It was not a good story. I felt Tess did not deserve to be happy with Miles at the end.
I much preferred two of the author’s other books: Want to Know a Secret and All That Mullarkey.
Things I did not like:
NARRATOR:
I did not like the narrator Julie Teal. At first I didn’t mind her, but by the end of the book I couldn’t wait to get away from her voice. It was irritating, grating, too brusk, too harsh. Some of her character voices were worse than others. I prefer narrators with a softer and more pleasant sound.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 10 hrs and 55 mins. Swearing language: moderate to strong including religious swear words, but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2, plus others referred to not shown. Setting: current day England. Book copyright: 2009. Genre: contemporary romance.
I liked the character definitions and story during the first half. But the last third felt like it was getting worse and worse - a sinking down. It was not a good story. I felt Tess did not deserve to be happy with Miles at the end.
I much preferred two of the author’s other books: Want to Know a Secret and All That Mullarkey.
Things I did not like:
NARRATOR:
I did not like the narrator Julie Teal. At first I didn’t mind her, but by the end of the book I couldn’t wait to get away from her voice. It was irritating, grating, too brusk, too harsh. Some of her character voices were worse than others. I prefer narrators with a softer and more pleasant sound.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 10 hrs and 55 mins. Swearing language: moderate to strong including religious swear words, but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 2, plus others referred to not shown. Setting: current day England. Book copyright: 2009. Genre: contemporary romance.
June 11, 2012
This was one of those books that came up as one of the 'you might also like...' recommendations after I bought something on Amazon. I have been hearing lots of good things about Choc Lit publishing but haven't read any of their books so far, so I thought I would give this one a go.
I was a little unsure of the book at first, it took me a while to get used to the author's style - there are lots of fragmented sentences that, at times, felt a little jarring. However once I was used to it, this ended up being a brilliant read.
The story is so full of emotional ups and downs and very relatable. The heroine grows as the story progresses, although she is a nicely flawed character and makes some very well written and honest mistakes.
The hero is a little difficult, but that is what makes him really charming. I fell hook, line, and sinker for him!
This is so much more than boy meets girl and then they live happily every after... The story explores problems after that initial HEA, as well as past mistakes coming back to haunt you, and how quickly you can fall out of love as you do fall in love. The author takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, and a tells a wonderful love-story.
Lovely!
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
I was a little unsure of the book at first, it took me a while to get used to the author's style - there are lots of fragmented sentences that, at times, felt a little jarring. However once I was used to it, this ended up being a brilliant read.
The story is so full of emotional ups and downs and very relatable. The heroine grows as the story progresses, although she is a nicely flawed character and makes some very well written and honest mistakes.
The hero is a little difficult, but that is what makes him really charming. I fell hook, line, and sinker for him!
This is so much more than boy meets girl and then they live happily every after... The story explores problems after that initial HEA, as well as past mistakes coming back to haunt you, and how quickly you can fall out of love as you do fall in love. The author takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, and a tells a wonderful love-story.
Lovely!
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
April 13, 2014
I am so angry. I do not like to wind up hating the main character, although, that was a twist I did not see coming. Maybe some people appreciate the way it ended. I do not. Tess is one of the most selfish characters I have ever read. I really wanted Ratty to be done with her. Move on, dude. She's a freaking mess. So irritated. The ridiculous things that kept happening to her and involving those around her were ludicrous. Ugh. I loved this book SO MUCH at a certain point, then realized I was only 60% done. Downhill from there. If I knew Ratty in real life, I would most definitely have to shake him and say, "No, you are not going down this crazy road again." I have enjoyed Sue Moorcroft's other books in her "choc-lit" line... not this one. Is it obvious yet that I don't like how it ended?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2015
Not my usual reading by any means but I thought I'd give it a try after strong recommendation, and I'm glad I did. The plot was the sort of will-they-won't-they love story that I had been expecting but I was hooked by the evocative depiction of village life and wonderfully warm characterisation. The main characters were particularly well rounded but even the minor characters such as the orginiser of the local fete and Tess' agent felt like real, believable people. I shall definitely be reading more of the author's work in the future.
August 23, 2013
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http://readingssunshine.wordpress.com...
Tess Riddell não passou os melhores últimos dois anos, e por isso mesmo o que quer é começar tudo do zero. Pegou no seu Land Rover Freelander (que eu também queria!) e abandonou a sua casa, a dos pais e mudou-me para uma nova terra. No campo, onde toda a gente se conhece e que se preocupam uns com os outros, sente que pode até encontrar a felicidade na sua nova casa.
Durante uma chuva intensa e acabado de ter um acidente em plena estrada, a sua sorte é não ter sofrido dano algum foi ter batido contra um carro-reboque que ia para a mesma localidade que ela e lhe ter dado boleia para a oficina. Só é pena o mecânico, Miles, ser um pouco mal criado, mas pela conversa descobrem que são praticamente vizinhos, o que por um lado até é bom para Tess que não ficará longe do seu carro já que por sua decisão e como forma de agradecimento pela boleia e por ele e os seus dois empregados terem carregado os seus caixotes e o seu ecrã do computador gigante, prefere que o carro seja arranjado na oficina do que ir para ir para a Land Rover.
Miles é um mecânico respeitado na aldeia, toda a gente o adora e diz mil e uma coisas boas sobre ele. Num entanto é um tipo mulherengo, adora a diversão, os seus carros e como ele mesmo diz “Carros velhos e mulheres novas”.
Já Tess é uma ilustradora (um ponto que gostei) e é mais uma mulher de compromissos, embora tenha sido abandonada a dois dias antes do casamento através de… um Email! Não haveria maneira mais ridícula de terminar um casamento que ela planeara cuidadosamente. E os seus pais, bem esses não ajudavam muito, principalmente o seu pai que dizia sempre “ele lá terá as suas razões” Para as urtigas com as razões.
Este foi daqueles livros que quiz ler até chegar ao fim, e que ao mesmo tempo não quero que chegue ao fim porque sei que está terminar.
Eu adorei Tess, apesar de me ter irritado na parte final, acho que consegui percebe-la. É uma mulher que está habituada desde a adolescente a fugir dos problemas, mas que no entanto volta sempre ou quase sempre, precisando do seu próprio espaço para pensar, afastada de todos e de mais alguns. E além disso é uma ilustradora freelancer que faz postais de boas festas e capas de livros de fantasia quando calha, embora não seja conhecida na zona.
Miles, por outro lado, foi misterioso do inicio ao fim, acho que não nos conseguimos entrar totalmente na sua cabeça e saber o que estará realmente a pensar. Sim, as vezes apeteceu-me gritar “cobarde estúpido” e outros quantos nomes, outras vezes achei-o querido. As suas atitudes alimentavam o grandes mistério por de trás de Miles, o que foi deveras encantador.
Adorei Angel e Peter e os seus filhos, eram adoráveis, as crianças eram simplesmente queridas e reguilas e chatas as vezes.
O romance é perfeito e gradual o que me agradou imenso. Isto porque, Miles e Tess eram inicialmente apenas os melhores amigos que iam ao pub beber umas cervejas e falar da vida deles e dos outros,tomam conta das crianças de Angel. Brincam e fazem piadas juntos e ele até serve de modelo para as suas lindas ilustrações.
Adorei o livro e não me vou cansar de falar dele.
http://readingssunshine.wordpress.com...
Tess Riddell não passou os melhores últimos dois anos, e por isso mesmo o que quer é começar tudo do zero. Pegou no seu Land Rover Freelander (que eu também queria!) e abandonou a sua casa, a dos pais e mudou-me para uma nova terra. No campo, onde toda a gente se conhece e que se preocupam uns com os outros, sente que pode até encontrar a felicidade na sua nova casa.
Durante uma chuva intensa e acabado de ter um acidente em plena estrada, a sua sorte é não ter sofrido dano algum foi ter batido contra um carro-reboque que ia para a mesma localidade que ela e lhe ter dado boleia para a oficina. Só é pena o mecânico, Miles, ser um pouco mal criado, mas pela conversa descobrem que são praticamente vizinhos, o que por um lado até é bom para Tess que não ficará longe do seu carro já que por sua decisão e como forma de agradecimento pela boleia e por ele e os seus dois empregados terem carregado os seus caixotes e o seu ecrã do computador gigante, prefere que o carro seja arranjado na oficina do que ir para ir para a Land Rover.
Miles é um mecânico respeitado na aldeia, toda a gente o adora e diz mil e uma coisas boas sobre ele. Num entanto é um tipo mulherengo, adora a diversão, os seus carros e como ele mesmo diz “Carros velhos e mulheres novas”.
Já Tess é uma ilustradora (um ponto que gostei) e é mais uma mulher de compromissos, embora tenha sido abandonada a dois dias antes do casamento através de… um Email! Não haveria maneira mais ridícula de terminar um casamento que ela planeara cuidadosamente. E os seus pais, bem esses não ajudavam muito, principalmente o seu pai que dizia sempre “ele lá terá as suas razões” Para as urtigas com as razões.
Este foi daqueles livros que quiz ler até chegar ao fim, e que ao mesmo tempo não quero que chegue ao fim porque sei que está terminar.
Eu adorei Tess, apesar de me ter irritado na parte final, acho que consegui percebe-la. É uma mulher que está habituada desde a adolescente a fugir dos problemas, mas que no entanto volta sempre ou quase sempre, precisando do seu próprio espaço para pensar, afastada de todos e de mais alguns. E além disso é uma ilustradora freelancer que faz postais de boas festas e capas de livros de fantasia quando calha, embora não seja conhecida na zona.
Miles, por outro lado, foi misterioso do inicio ao fim, acho que não nos conseguimos entrar totalmente na sua cabeça e saber o que estará realmente a pensar. Sim, as vezes apeteceu-me gritar “cobarde estúpido” e outros quantos nomes, outras vezes achei-o querido. As suas atitudes alimentavam o grandes mistério por de trás de Miles, o que foi deveras encantador.
Adorei Angel e Peter e os seus filhos, eram adoráveis, as crianças eram simplesmente queridas e reguilas e chatas as vezes.
O romance é perfeito e gradual o que me agradou imenso. Isto porque, Miles e Tess eram inicialmente apenas os melhores amigos que iam ao pub beber umas cervejas e falar da vida deles e dos outros,tomam conta das crianças de Angel. Brincam e fazem piadas juntos e ele até serve de modelo para as suas lindas ilustrações.
Adorei o livro e não me vou cansar de falar dele.
June 5, 2011
I came across this book by accident. I read an excerpt was intrigued. Tess Riddell has runaway from London and moved to the countryside. She's had some setbacks and needs to get away from it all and start over.
I really empathized with Tess. She was happy and was getting ready to get married when it all fell apart. But what happened after being jilted a few days before her wedding knocked her entirely off balance. So she ends up in Honeybun Cottage in Middledip. On the way to her new cottage, she runs into the back of a wrecker, driven by one handsome Miles Rattenbury, also better known as "Ratty." Ratty gives Tess a hand, but they rub each other the wrong way. So what happens next? Does Tess find her new start? What will she do of Olly her ex comes back?
This book was well written for the most part and I enjoyed it. There were a few bits and pieces that bothered me. I didn't like how Tess's parents were more concerned with getting her back with Olly than they were with her wishes. Then there was they way Tess disappeared without a word to anyone. And then the end which was a little unbelievable for me. But it was a good book and I am looking forward to reading more by Sue Moorcroft.
I really empathized with Tess. She was happy and was getting ready to get married when it all fell apart. But what happened after being jilted a few days before her wedding knocked her entirely off balance. So she ends up in Honeybun Cottage in Middledip. On the way to her new cottage, she runs into the back of a wrecker, driven by one handsome Miles Rattenbury, also better known as "Ratty." Ratty gives Tess a hand, but they rub each other the wrong way. So what happens next? Does Tess find her new start? What will she do of Olly her ex comes back?
This book was well written for the most part and I enjoyed it. There were a few bits and pieces that bothered me. I didn't like how Tess's parents were more concerned with getting her back with Olly than they were with her wishes. Then there was they way Tess disappeared without a word to anyone. And then the end which was a little unbelievable for me. But it was a good book and I am looking forward to reading more by Sue Moorcroft.
September 16, 2010
Starting Over is truly delicious escapism, yet touches on familiar life and love crises experienced by woman or man alike. Oh, and what a man! A hero, absolutely, but a flawed one, who never pretends to be anything but what he is, you simply cannot help but love Miles Arnott-Rattenbury, affectionately know as “Ratty”. A man who, once he sets his sights on something…or someone, single-mindedly, determinedly; unconventionally, goes for it. And when Ratty gives up his heart, he gives all of it. Sigh… How could a man like that not fall in love with a vulnerable, pretty, feisty, strong, independent woman like his “Princess” Tess? And yes, she is all of those. A gorgeous gamut of emotions that make her human.
The book deals with those thorny parent issues. They struggle to deal with legacies of loves past… It is simply a heart-warming, emotionally rewarding read. Giving nothing away, the ending is perfect! My eyes filled up on one page, I was shouting, No! on the next, Yesss! on the next, a nail-biting, Ooooh God! on another. I finished this novel with a huge lump in my throat. Loved it. Pure Choc Lit. Well done, Sue Moorcroft.
Sheryl - Fan!
The book deals with those thorny parent issues. They struggle to deal with legacies of loves past… It is simply a heart-warming, emotionally rewarding read. Giving nothing away, the ending is perfect! My eyes filled up on one page, I was shouting, No! on the next, Yesss! on the next, a nail-biting, Ooooh God! on another. I finished this novel with a huge lump in my throat. Loved it. Pure Choc Lit. Well done, Sue Moorcroft.
Sheryl - Fan!
October 22, 2013
From start to finish I read this book in a little over 24 hours because I couldn't put it down. I fell asleep reading the book and then picked it up in the early hours of the following morning and continued until I'd finished it. I started reading another book 'All That Mullarkey' the same day and am completely gripped by that too. Sue Moorcroft has an uncanny way of getting into people's emotions and conveying those on paper.
March 12, 2024
I was disappointed with the disjointed narrative of this story. It felt at times like the author's notes rather than a complete narrative. I realise this is a conscious decision to try and recreate the harried nature of the narrative voice but it really left me flat as I read it. Often it felt like I'd misread or missed out a significant moment. It was difficult to lock into the story. In the end I left it without completing it ( an extremely rare occurrence for me!)
January 14, 2018
Another enchantingly delightful book from Sue Moorcroft. I could identify with both Ratty and Tess however once I got half way through the book and Ratty showed his angry side and Tess her intolerance I began to lose affinity with the characters. Despite this I couldn't put the book down and loved every moment of it.
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June 30, 2024Review to follow
July 22, 2017
Brief Book Review: 'Starting Over' by Sue Moorcroft ~ 5 Stars!
One of the main things that I love so much about Sue Moorcroft's storytelling, is how realistic it is. We all love a good suspense or paranormal novel every now and then, but there's always something so beautiful about reading a book where you can really connect to the people, the place and the situations.
Tess is a wonderful, broken character that from the first chapter we want more than anything to see fixed. Life, (and prick of an ex-fiance Olly,) has dealt her a hard blow and left her with a deep fear of letting people into her heart, in the worry that she'll lose them.
'I’ll dump all this crap in the kitchen, shall I?’
For the first time she smiled, and it lit her face like a sunbeam on a stormy day. ‘You’re a regular Sir Galahad.’
Miles "Ratty" Rattenbury, is not what you'd call the most conventional of knights in shining armour. A car enthusiast and owner of the local garage, the relationship between Ratty and Tess gets off to a stuttering start, and whilst I have a tendency to eagerly hope and pray for the long-awaited moment where the hero and heroine both confess their undying love to each other, I was more than content with the realistic pace of their developing relationship. Tess had been hurt badly leaving her with very deep trust issues, and Ratty had not been the most committed of gents in his past relationships, so a rushed 'opposites attract' romance would have been very out of character. Instead, Moorcroft gives us a beautiful journey where Tess and Ratty move from a tentative friendship to a beautiful all consuming love which grows stronger and is endangered by Tess' fears of relationship failure and abandonment. Reading the last few chapters was a huge emotional rollercoaster, as you begin to question whether love really can conquer all.
'Starting Over' is beautifully written and, despite being a love story at heart, also gives a clear depiction of the atmosphere of Village life in 'Middledip'. As anyone who lives in a close-knit Village community would know, there are the bossy mothers who strive for perfection and are the lead of the village planning committee, the childhood sweethearts who married and had children, and the old lady you'd wave to when you passed her house. In 'Starting Over', we are shown a range of characters for whom the village of Middledip is their life, and this was one of the reasons that I loved this book so much. Under the romance, pain of the past and the hope for the future, a huge part of Tess' development is how she finds herself fitting in with Village life, and although in many situations it would be easiest for her to run away and start a new life somewhere else, she is always drawn back to her cottage 'Honeybun', unable to separate herself from her home permanently.
In short, 'Starting Over' was a beautifully honest and realistic story that had me laughing out loud and crying in despair in equal measure. 5 stars and a definite recommended read.
One of the main things that I love so much about Sue Moorcroft's storytelling, is how realistic it is. We all love a good suspense or paranormal novel every now and then, but there's always something so beautiful about reading a book where you can really connect to the people, the place and the situations.
Tess is a wonderful, broken character that from the first chapter we want more than anything to see fixed. Life, (and prick of an ex-fiance Olly,) has dealt her a hard blow and left her with a deep fear of letting people into her heart, in the worry that she'll lose them.
'I’ll dump all this crap in the kitchen, shall I?’
For the first time she smiled, and it lit her face like a sunbeam on a stormy day. ‘You’re a regular Sir Galahad.’
Miles "Ratty" Rattenbury, is not what you'd call the most conventional of knights in shining armour. A car enthusiast and owner of the local garage, the relationship between Ratty and Tess gets off to a stuttering start, and whilst I have a tendency to eagerly hope and pray for the long-awaited moment where the hero and heroine both confess their undying love to each other, I was more than content with the realistic pace of their developing relationship. Tess had been hurt badly leaving her with very deep trust issues, and Ratty had not been the most committed of gents in his past relationships, so a rushed 'opposites attract' romance would have been very out of character. Instead, Moorcroft gives us a beautiful journey where Tess and Ratty move from a tentative friendship to a beautiful all consuming love which grows stronger and is endangered by Tess' fears of relationship failure and abandonment. Reading the last few chapters was a huge emotional rollercoaster, as you begin to question whether love really can conquer all.
'Starting Over' is beautifully written and, despite being a love story at heart, also gives a clear depiction of the atmosphere of Village life in 'Middledip'. As anyone who lives in a close-knit Village community would know, there are the bossy mothers who strive for perfection and are the lead of the village planning committee, the childhood sweethearts who married and had children, and the old lady you'd wave to when you passed her house. In 'Starting Over', we are shown a range of characters for whom the village of Middledip is their life, and this was one of the reasons that I loved this book so much. Under the romance, pain of the past and the hope for the future, a huge part of Tess' development is how she finds herself fitting in with Village life, and although in many situations it would be easiest for her to run away and start a new life somewhere else, she is always drawn back to her cottage 'Honeybun', unable to separate herself from her home permanently.
In short, 'Starting Over' was a beautifully honest and realistic story that had me laughing out loud and crying in despair in equal measure. 5 stars and a definite recommended read.
July 21, 2010
This was a nice book because it had this sort of honesty about it, and this natural flow of things.
It's about Tess who has been left at the altar, her fiance broke up with her via email. The horror! What a bastard, she was angry, and she was ill. And now she is finalyl picking up the pieces of her life and has moved away to a small village somewhere in England. At once she meets Miles, or Ratty as he is called, and dislikes him. But there is something hidden beneath that surface, and he is so sweet to people he like. But it is not as easy, her ex is back (still an ass), but something is building up.
Of all the ways to broke up, I disliked her ex Olly at once. And more as I got to know Tess, because there are more things hidden, and one thing is for sure. She is so much better off without him. I really liked when Miles came and defended her at once time when Olly was being an ass.
Miles, oh he is a player, he enjoys his women, but there is still this sweet side to him when he is around his friends, and their kids. One have to like him, and he does want her, and as times go by, he understands how much he wants her.
There is no big things happening, there is just life. Tess trying to make a new living, getting new friends, trying to get away from her overprotective parents, and slowly trusting a man again. But like life, there is also hardship. She is still very vulnerable, and it shows.
It's a nice book about life, love and everything else. I know she has to be comfortable to let him in, and I wait for it to happen. They are such good friends, and I am sure they could be happy together. But I am never certain, Moorcroft does keep me on my edge, I do not know how she does it, but she does. She makes me doubt and then she makes me happy. I like that, because even if my soul knows that that HEA is coming, I still want to be surprised.
What I liked about this book was the honesty, the normal people living normal lives, and two people falling in love, slowly but with a certainty. People making mistakes, and in the end, true love.Sometimes you don't need more than that. No big gestures, no crazy anecdotes, just a great couple and their way, to love, or not to love. I can't go and spoil everything now can I.
It's about Tess who has been left at the altar, her fiance broke up with her via email. The horror! What a bastard, she was angry, and she was ill. And now she is finalyl picking up the pieces of her life and has moved away to a small village somewhere in England. At once she meets Miles, or Ratty as he is called, and dislikes him. But there is something hidden beneath that surface, and he is so sweet to people he like. But it is not as easy, her ex is back (still an ass), but something is building up.
Of all the ways to broke up, I disliked her ex Olly at once. And more as I got to know Tess, because there are more things hidden, and one thing is for sure. She is so much better off without him. I really liked when Miles came and defended her at once time when Olly was being an ass.
Miles, oh he is a player, he enjoys his women, but there is still this sweet side to him when he is around his friends, and their kids. One have to like him, and he does want her, and as times go by, he understands how much he wants her.
There is no big things happening, there is just life. Tess trying to make a new living, getting new friends, trying to get away from her overprotective parents, and slowly trusting a man again. But like life, there is also hardship. She is still very vulnerable, and it shows.
It's a nice book about life, love and everything else. I know she has to be comfortable to let him in, and I wait for it to happen. They are such good friends, and I am sure they could be happy together. But I am never certain, Moorcroft does keep me on my edge, I do not know how she does it, but she does. She makes me doubt and then she makes me happy. I like that, because even if my soul knows that that HEA is coming, I still want to be surprised.
What I liked about this book was the honesty, the normal people living normal lives, and two people falling in love, slowly but with a certainty. People making mistakes, and in the end, true love.Sometimes you don't need more than that. No big gestures, no crazy anecdotes, just a great couple and their way, to love, or not to love. I can't go and spoil everything now can I.
February 12, 2016
Hoş , eğlenceli bir kitap daha bitti. Bazen hiçbir konuda düşünmek istemeyiz, tek istediğimiz kafamızı boşaltmak ve biraz olsun uzaklaşmaktır. İşte tam da böyle bir zamanda okunabilecek bir kitap Tatlı Düşler Yeşeren Umutlar.
Düğün öncesi hem de bir e-posta ile terk edilen Tess , bir kasabaya yerleşir. Hem iyileşmek hem de hayatına devam etmesini sağlayacak bir mola olacaktır bu ona. Yerleştiği kasabada ilk karşılaştığı kişi olan Ratty ile birbirlerine karşı iyi bir ilk izlenim bırakmazlar. Fakat zamanla birbirlerinden etkilenirler, Tess için bu durumu kabul etmek özellikle tekrar bir erkeğe güvenmek zor olacaktır.
Ratty ise bir tamir atölyesi işletmektedir. Bekar , çapkın biraz da sinir bir tip! Baştan beri birbirlerine açık olsalardı ilişkileri daha farklı olabilirdi. Bu duruma bu sıralar takmış durumdayım. Sinir olduğun nokta yine iletişim kopukluğu!... Hala birbirimizle doğru bir iletişim kurmayı beceremiyoruz. Bana kalırsa toplumdaki sorunların çoğu bu iletişim kuramama sorunundan kaynaklanıyor. Bu sıralar okuduğum bütün kitaplarda ve çevremde de aynı sorun ve konu ile karşılaşıyorum. İnsanın en büyük özelliği olan iletişimi kurmayı bile beceremeyen bir insanlıktan bahsediyoruz.
Ratty kendi çapında oyunlar oynaması çok saçmaydı. Hangi yaştasın. Karşındaki kadında güven uyandırmakla işe başlayabilirdin. Ve Tess! Hareketlerin çok saçma. Güvensizlik anlaşılabilir , fakat karşındaki seninle konuşmadan e-posta ile terk etti diye kızarken ,senin de açıklama dahi yapmadan kaçman daha berbat bir davranıştı.
Kitaba başlayıp bitirmem birkaç saatimi aldı. Çabuk ilerleyen, arada gülümseten , çoğu yerde sinir eden bir kitap. Benden tam puan alamasa da keyifli vakit geçirmek için okunabilir.
Düğün öncesi hem de bir e-posta ile terk edilen Tess , bir kasabaya yerleşir. Hem iyileşmek hem de hayatına devam etmesini sağlayacak bir mola olacaktır bu ona. Yerleştiği kasabada ilk karşılaştığı kişi olan Ratty ile birbirlerine karşı iyi bir ilk izlenim bırakmazlar. Fakat zamanla birbirlerinden etkilenirler, Tess için bu durumu kabul etmek özellikle tekrar bir erkeğe güvenmek zor olacaktır.
Ratty ise bir tamir atölyesi işletmektedir. Bekar , çapkın biraz da sinir bir tip! Baştan beri birbirlerine açık olsalardı ilişkileri daha farklı olabilirdi. Bu duruma bu sıralar takmış durumdayım. Sinir olduğun nokta yine iletişim kopukluğu!... Hala birbirimizle doğru bir iletişim kurmayı beceremiyoruz. Bana kalırsa toplumdaki sorunların çoğu bu iletişim kuramama sorunundan kaynaklanıyor. Bu sıralar okuduğum bütün kitaplarda ve çevremde de aynı sorun ve konu ile karşılaşıyorum. İnsanın en büyük özelliği olan iletişimi kurmayı bile beceremeyen bir insanlıktan bahsediyoruz.
Ratty kendi çapında oyunlar oynaması çok saçmaydı. Hangi yaştasın. Karşındaki kadında güven uyandırmakla işe başlayabilirdin. Ve Tess! Hareketlerin çok saçma. Güvensizlik anlaşılabilir , fakat karşındaki seninle konuşmadan e-posta ile terk etti diye kızarken ,senin de açıklama dahi yapmadan kaçman daha berbat bir davranıştı.
Kitaba başlayıp bitirmem birkaç saatimi aldı. Çabuk ilerleyen, arada gülümseten , çoğu yerde sinir eden bir kitap. Benden tam puan alamasa da keyifli vakit geçirmek için okunabilir.
January 9, 2011
This book gave me 'laugh out loud' moments, and tears. I really did feel for Tess at times.
You can't help loving Ratty - he's a rogue, but clever and handsome (of course)- a good 'bad boy' who knows how to get what he wants, and Tess's knight in shining armour.
I think every woman wants a guy like Ratty!
I don't want to say too much about this book and ruin the ending, but when, what I thought was the happy ending got shattered into a thousand pieces, there was another roller coaster ride of emotions to entail and this time through Ratty.
After the first couple of chapters, I didn't want to put this book down. That's not saying that the first couple of chapters are slow, just when things between Ratty and Tess were getting frustratingly exciting, I'd begrudgingly would have to put it down (otherwise the kids would starve, no housework or writing of my own done), and couldn't wait to pick it up again!
When I wasn't reading this book, I was always thinking about it. Always a sign of a good book in my opinion.
A wonderful romance, with some great, sexy, emotional twists ::sigh::
You can't help loving Ratty - he's a rogue, but clever and handsome (of course)- a good 'bad boy' who knows how to get what he wants, and Tess's knight in shining armour.
I think every woman wants a guy like Ratty!
I don't want to say too much about this book and ruin the ending, but when, what I thought was the happy ending got shattered into a thousand pieces, there was another roller coaster ride of emotions to entail and this time through Ratty.
After the first couple of chapters, I didn't want to put this book down. That's not saying that the first couple of chapters are slow, just when things between Ratty and Tess were getting frustratingly exciting, I'd begrudgingly would have to put it down (otherwise the kids would starve, no housework or writing of my own done), and couldn't wait to pick it up again!
When I wasn't reading this book, I was always thinking about it. Always a sign of a good book in my opinion.
A wonderful romance, with some great, sexy, emotional twists ::sigh::
February 14, 2021
Male 'Hero' is a bully. Female Hero Immature.
There. I have said it. I don't know in which world these characters live, but a male main character making lewd comments when witnessing a drunk chap almost raping a woman up against a vehicle and then excusing himself by saying he thought she was enjoying it; running around having 'fun' with as many women as possible, because 'sex was made for him'; proclaiming his love for the main female character, but at times (almost) attacking her, lives in a world that needs to change. Add to that an immature female main who flees at the first sign of trouble, and you lose your sympathy. I could almost forgive the weird short phrases punctuating the paragraphs if they were part of only the FMC's internal dialogue, but no, it's also part of the MMC's dialogue. Loved the bits about her job, but she needs help. Pronto.
There. I have said it. I don't know in which world these characters live, but a male main character making lewd comments when witnessing a drunk chap almost raping a woman up against a vehicle and then excusing himself by saying he thought she was enjoying it; running around having 'fun' with as many women as possible, because 'sex was made for him'; proclaiming his love for the main female character, but at times (almost) attacking her, lives in a world that needs to change. Add to that an immature female main who flees at the first sign of trouble, and you lose your sympathy. I could almost forgive the weird short phrases punctuating the paragraphs if they were part of only the FMC's internal dialogue, but no, it's also part of the MMC's dialogue. Loved the bits about her job, but she needs help. Pronto.
November 7, 2016
Starting Over seemed as though it would be an exciting book of how one girl's life changed instantly with the end of a marriage, but it turned out to be slightly on the boring side. I was not engaged in the book, nor was I excited to read it. Although not my favorite book, I did like how the author really incorporated what the girl's life was like before and after the ending of her marriage and the struggles that she was forced to overcome when trying to start her life over. I was disappointed with how the story ended, it was rather predictable and did not have a lot of build up to it. Overall, I was not a huge fan of this book as it was somewhat unpleasant to read.
February 4, 2020
Deleted from my kindle after a few chapters. This was my first encounter with Middledip and unfortunately I won't read the rest, I'm always disappointed when a story is unfolding and the author goes and plonks a fairly blatant sex scene in the middle, or in this case, fairly near the beginning. I think its an excuse because they can't make the book interesting otherwise. Too chatty and loose for me and a bit unreal, I gave up. Not for me I'm sorry to say, it dipped in the middle and didn't rise to my standard of good literature.
April 18, 2011
Amazon's Kindle Store can be a dangerous thing. I read a friend's review on this book and within minutes had it on my Macbook.
We briefly met Miles "Ratty" Rattenbury in "All That Mullarkey" and it was nice to read his story.
As with my review for "All That Mullarkey" this romance and its characters to me felt very real and lets face it for the majority of us the road to our one "true love" isn't always an easy road.
I can't wait to read more by this author.
We briefly met Miles "Ratty" Rattenbury in "All That Mullarkey" and it was nice to read his story.
As with my review for "All That Mullarkey" this romance and its characters to me felt very real and lets face it for the majority of us the road to our one "true love" isn't always an easy road.
I can't wait to read more by this author.
October 30, 2015
I want to live in a place like Middledip. Great characters written extremely well with flaws that make them more genuine, I love how nobody is perfect in here as is true in life (although the lovely Jos comes close).
The story did jump ahead in some spots time wise but I soon got back into the swing and some scenes had me flying along with hardly pause for breath they were that well written.
Loved the storyline and will definitely be picking up more books by this author.
The story did jump ahead in some spots time wise but I soon got back into the swing and some scenes had me flying along with hardly pause for breath they were that well written.
Loved the storyline and will definitely be picking up more books by this author.
October 7, 2013
Oops. My mistake. I thought that there was a mistake on page 194, but I was wrong. I had to read the passage several times to realize that there must have been a page break at the end of page 194. I made this mistake because Tess was thinking about Ratty and then all of a sudden she was talking to Ollie on the next page. I really enjoyed this book.
May 26, 2014
So não atribui 5 estrelas porque reservo para os que amo incondicionalmente. Merecia pelo menos 4.5 estrelas. Comecei por ler e achar um livro bonito e suave de fácil leitura mas a partir do meio do livro torna-se apaixonante e o protagonista Ratty é verdadeiramente fantástico. Adorei mesmo este livro. Recomendo!Em portugues o livro chama-se COMEÇAR DE NOVO.
February 19, 2012
I really enjoyed this lil romance, only took 4 hours or so to read! I like Tess as a character and the characters were drawn really well. In short its a nice way to take a break from a hefty tome that you might be reading.
July 14, 2013
Sweet romantic story about endings and new beginnings.
I loved the characters in the village which Tess moves to following the split with her fiancé Olly. As her new friends absorb her into village life, Tess learns that people are not always as they first appear.
I loved the characters in the village which Tess moves to following the split with her fiancé Olly. As her new friends absorb her into village life, Tess learns that people are not always as they first appear.
August 3, 2010
Fantastic read, highly recommended.
July 29, 2011
Really enjoyed this book, it was an easy read and kept you on your toes.
June 24, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. So much so I gave a copy to one of my friends and five more bought their own! A very good read.
April 5, 2013
Unexpected and surprising!
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