The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop | Cressida McLaughlin
Oh my goodness! I adored The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop.
It’s saturated in romantic joy that transports the reader to the true magic of winter and Christmas.
There’s some gorgeous, deliciously enticing, description, using all the senses, that paints vivid pictures in the mind’s eye, placing the reader right at the heart of Port Karadow so that location becomes every bit as important as character. Cressida McLaughlin made me want to visit immediately.
Trying to be yourself and fit in
The themes are quite wonderful as The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop uncovers the difficulties that can be found in trying to be yourself and fit into a new community as Ollie builds her new life.
In a fabulous plot, concepts of family and friendship, work-life balance, judgement and forgiveness all blend into a story that not only entertains but encourages readers to consider what is truly important in their own lives.
I loved the added piquancy of local legends in the story as they gave a mysterious Christmassy atmosphere as well as a romantic one. In fact, The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop is a beautifully layered story featuring romance, mystery, emotion and humour that captivates the reader entirely.
A friendly male lead – what a refreshing change!
What I enjoyed so much about Ollie as a character was the way she developed over the story. Arriving like an enthusiastic bookish bulldozer, she learns to temper her passions and ideas, and to consider the needs of others more effectively.
The way Cressida McLaughlin builds the physical attraction between Ollie and Max is quite wonderful. There’s a frisson of sexual tension that lends spice and attraction for the reader.
It’s such a refreshing change to have a male lead in Max who isn’t yet another embodiment of Mr Darcy, but rather is positive, friendly and outgoing. Becky, too, is an inspired addition because her snide attitude towards Ollie is the perfect foil to the positivity of others.
I actually forgot Ollie wasn’t real
The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop also offers a realistic and entertaining look into the world of books. But be warned; it could be bad for your bank balance as there are some real books and authors that are hard to resist!
I found myself wanting to chat with Ollie about her book event ideas, completely forgetting that she doesn’t really exist.
The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop is a book that makes you feel, like Ollie, that you’ve come home and it fills your life with hope, even if you might need a tissue or two along the way. It’s a truly wonderful read.
The Cornish Cream Tea Bookshop by Cressida McLaughlin is published by HarperCollins, RRP £8.99 PB
Pick up the latest issue of My Weekly, out today, to read a whimsical romantic short story by Cressida McLaughlin entitled Across The Street. It’s one of 12 sparkling stories in our Christmas bumper issue, along with loads more useful and uplifting content. Find us in newsagents and supermarkets.
