A Christmas Feast and other stories by Katie Fforde

A Christmas Feast and other stories by Katie Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A delicious Christmas feast of short stories from the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author of A French Affair and The Perfect Match.

Add some extra sparkle to your Christmas by joining Katie Fforde for a perfect, romantic Christmas feast of short stories. Collected together for the first time and including one brand new story.

Make your Christmas wishes come true...

I listened to the audio version of this, this is what I thought.

Would you consider the audio edition of A Christmas Feast to be better than the print version?
I have never read the print version, however this is great in order to get your jobs done. By being a collection of short stories, I can listen to a story at a time and really get into it. The only thing I would say is that some of these stories have already been published as separate short stories, one of which I had read. I did enjoy listening to the one I had previously read.

What other book might you compare A Christmas Feast to, and why?
Any other festive selection of short stories.

Have you listened to any of Jilly Bond and Rita Sharma ’s other performances? How does this one compare?
This was the first, however I really enjoyed the narration and would look for others by them.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
short but sweet treats

Any additional comments?
It would have been nice to have been told that some of the short stories had already been previously released, especially for those who have the print versions.

The Perfect Match - Katie Fforde

The Perfect Match by Katie Fforde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

'The wonderfully romantic new novel from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Recipe for Love.

Three years ago Bella Castle left her home town nursing a broken heart over Dominic Thane, the man she fell in love with but couldn't have .

Now she's made a new life for herself in the country, working as an estate agent.

Bella loves her job and she loves her boyfriend Nevil. But recently he's been preoccupied, and she's starting to question if his future hopes and dreams are a perfect match for hers.


And when Dominic turns up unexpectedly in search of his dream house, she begins to wonder if home is really where the heart is. But she's over him, isn't she?'





When I was offered the chance to review the new title by Katie Fforde I jumped at the chance. I had never read any of Katie Fforde's novels - only a novella - how I do not know!

Bella is the central character in this novel, she is an estate agent who currently lives with her Godmother Alice. Bella is going out with her boss, Nevil. Bella ran from her previous job due to a man, Dominic who was a married man with a child. She left her job and her home for a chance to start again.

Bella, has a professional but friendly relationship with most of her clients as she really feels like she wants to help them. Jane is an elderly lady who loves her home but its beginning to become a little unmanageable for her. Nevil wants her to sell, unlike Bella who desperately tries to find ways of her remaining in her house. There is good news when her nephew Dominic is coming to stay with her - the same Dominic that Bella went running from!

I loved this book as not only do we follow Bella and her relationship but Alice her Godmother and her second chance at love, she meets Michael on a train and forms a firm friendship with him. Although there are many side stories in this novel they all come together really well and none of them feel rushed. Being younger, I was unsure how I would connect to Alice and her story, as she is an older woman, however I found that this was one of my favourite stories within the novel.

Although this was the first book I have read by Katie Fforde this will certainly not be the last. I would recommend this book to any woman, older or younger you will connect to the story in a way and thoroughly enjoy it. I found the book easy to read and read in two sittings. It was wonderfully written and left me with a heartwarming feel.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this copy. For me this was 'The Perfect Match!'

From Scotland with Love - Katie Fforde

From Scotland With Love by Katie Fforde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

'When Daisy travels to Scotland to confront notorious author Rory McAllan, little does she know that within hours she'll be snowed in with him. But surely she's not going to have to spend her precious New Year's Eve with him too?

Put the champagne on ice, get the fireworks ready and step into the wonderfully warm, witty and romantic world of Katie Fforde.'

I love short stories and when I saw this was available to request on Netgalley I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately I have only just got round to reading it, although after Christmas I was not disappointed with the story.

This is the first story I have read by Katie Fforde and I must say this is certainly not going to be the last. I found that the story flowed well and I really enjoyed her style of writing. Although only being a short story, I found everything fit in well, it didn't seem rushed and so much was packed in. Everything from the setting and characters are built up throughout the story so you really make a connection with them. This I feel is hard to do in a short story, but Katie Fforde achieved this well.

When I began to read the story, I imagined 'The Holiday' where Cameron Diaz turns up at a quaint cottage in the middle of the countryside and does not seem to fit in. This was the impression I got from Daisy, she is a city girl, who I imagine would struggle to cope in the country, especially in Scotland! She has gone to see Rory, an author, who did not sign enough book plates for her, she is the PR girl in charge of his book.

Rory is a bit of a recluse, he lives on his own in Scotland with his dog and likes his own company. When Daisy turns up on his doorstep he is unsure a, why she is there and b, what she is going to do when the storm sets in.

The story crams so much in, but it is done in a way where things aren't rushed. I is a lovely heartwarming story that is an unexpected read. You learn an awful lot from the characters in the story and begin to understand why they are the way they are.

My only negative is the length of the story, I enjoyed it so much I didn't want it to end. This would have been a great full length novel featuring Daisy and Rory. This is perfect if you want a quick read that is going to stay with you for some time. I would recommend everyone to read this festive novella and only wish it was longer.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending it to me in exchange for an honest review.

A French Affair Katie Fforde - Guest Reviewer Janet Emson

Published by Century

Hardback publication date – 28 February 2013

Paperback publication date – 13 March 2014

Rating 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis

Gina and Sally Makepiece have inherited a stall in the French House – an antiques centre nestled in the heart of the English countryside. 
Gina is determined to drag the French House and its grumpy owner into the twenty-first century. Bearing all the attributes of a modern-day Mr Rochester, Matthew Ballinger is less than happy with the whirlwind that has arrived on his doorstep.
The last thing either of them want is to fall in love.
But will a trip to France change their minds?



Gina Makepiece and her sister Sally have been left a small legacy by their Aunt Rainey, a stall in The French House, an antiques centre in the Cotswolds. Neither of them know anything about antiques and while Sally displays little interest in old things, Gina is determined to make a success of the business and learn all she can about antiques. She has to contend with the taciturn Matthew Ballinger the owner of the French House. As she learns more about the antiques business and Matthew she slowly comes to realise she has fallen in love with antiques, the French House and its owner.
When she learns that the French House is in danger of being sold she uses all her PR skills in an attempt to raise the funds needed to save it, all the while wondering if Matthew returns her feelings.

I’m sure I’m like other people in that I have a group of authors I can turn to when I’m in a reading slump. For me that group includes Jane Austen and Katie Fforde. I have read all of her previous novels, some a number of times and have never been disappointed. I have always enjoyed the journeys the female protagonists have taken and watching how they fall in love. I know that when I settle down with a Katie Fforde novel I’m in for a treat. A French Affair was no different. I liked Gina, who was just the right level of feistiness and determined and her sister Sally who was more emotional and romantic. The relationship between Gina and Matthew develops at a realistic pace, whereas in some romantic novels I have read the protagonists go from barely knowing each other to practically married in the space of a couple of chapters. As always I found myself racing through this book, with the last couple of chapters a blur as I eagerly wanted to find out what would happen to Gina, Matthew and the French House. This was a lovely read and Katie Fforde fans won’t be disappointed. The only disappointment I have is that I have to wait until next year for the next book!

I would like to thank Janet for reviewing A French Affair, another great review!

You can contact Janet on Twitter: @JanetEmson