It starts to feel like I am constantly repeating myself… but I just love books about cafes. So when I read the title Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop I just knew I had to get my hands on this novel. As I have said before I tend to read a lot of feel good stories about tea shops, cafes, bakeries… These stories are like some kind of drug for me. But after reading so many of them you soon discover a traditional pattern and often this ends with “been there, done that”. But oh boy, was I in for a treat with this one!

Or course this book is about selling tea and cakes. But it is taken away from the classic setting of a little café by the coast into, for me, the unknown territory of food trucks. And I don’t think I actually do the story justice by calling it food trucks. Because this story is about Vanlife. People who actually travel all the time and life in their van. After a drunken night Rosie discovers she has actually purchased a pink van to travel around the country with. She is shocked and scared, but at the same time brave enough to just go for it. She has nothing to lose, because all she ever cared about is already lost. 

Like I said this story is about tea and comfort food cooked in a little van. But is so much more. It is about finding yourself, daring yourself to be a different person than you always thought you were. Inventing yourself once again. Discovering how life can be if you dare to step away from safety. It is about friendship in unlikely places and finding love when you least expect it.

But and this is a very big but, it is also about dishonesty, the dangers of the internet and being to trustworthy. I loved how the internet community was brought into the story, good and bad. It highlights all the wonderful experiences one can have with people who they meet online. But it also shows that internet is not a safety haven at all. Not everything is what it seems. I loved that there was room in this story for both of these aspects. And I loved it even more that these experiences where incorporated in the story. It made it more than just another feel good story about cakes and love.

But of course... there is some love. Isn’t there always. And I really truly enjoyed the blossoming relationship in this book. How can I not, when one of the love interest looks like Jason Mamoa and there is a lot of witty bantering between the characters. Especially because the Khal Drogo look alike is a passionate vegan who is very keen on converting our sugar and butter loving heroine. 

Apart from that booklovers will absolutely adore this story, especially because literature and novels play such a big part. Rosie’s best friend in the Vanlife scene owns a little van bookshop and they decide to work together to create teas that match with books. I absolutely loved that idea and as a book hoarder and book goodies I was so intrigued to see the ideas both of them came up with. 

All in all I really loved the whole story and all its little parts. Rosie’s Travelling Tea Shop is more then just another book about selling cakes. Its deeper then your average feel good story. It is without any doubt a cosy read, but it offers you more than just a quick, funny story. To stick on topic it is as sweet and satisfying as Rosie’s Cakes, but with a little extra that makes it wholesome, just like what Max might serve you in his van. An absolute must read if you ask me! 

Review will be published online 04/03/2019

amazingggg book! Such a unique topic that I've never read about it! Definitely recommend. It is also about discovering yourself, Cant wait to read more books by this author

This is wonderfully funny and original story all about taking chances, grabbing life and just basically coming out of your comfort zone to do something new, something which will set your heart and soul alight with joy. I am ashamed to say this is the first I have read by Rebecca Raisin and it will not be the last, I was instantly enchanted with her easy reading, entertaining and vibrant writing. 

 

Rosie is a high achieving chef, hard-working and a perfectionist, who believes she has everything she could ever want in her life. Great job, she sort of loves. Nice husband, who she doesn’t really see too much of, but when they do it’s OK, but she does love him. So she is left reeling and speechless and lost when her husband tells her in no-uncertain terms that their marriage is over, that he has found someone else – who Rosie soon finds out he has been seeing behind her back, and more than that her whole friends network knew about it. Some friends, best get shot of those! Callum basically blames her for their failed marriage, typical man it’s never his fault that he can’t keep his trousers zipped. Without a backwards glance the rat leaves, leaving Rosie devastated not just at the end of what she had always thought was a happy marriage, but also hugely upset over what her soon to be ex-husband said about her. She is staid, a bit set in her ways, predictable and not very adventurous. It is those and other harsh words that lead her to one night after a few too many drinks, she buys a pink camper van called; Poppy and has a whole plan to go on the road selling tea. 

 

All very good when you’re full to the brim with wine, but really? Is that even do-able? 

 

As it goes; yes, it is. And so, with Rosie takes the plunge, one thing leads to another and she is on the road with Poppy. Which is where the fun and romance really starts, she meets up with some brilliant people, some which are a little eclectic, individual and who have real good hearts especially her new friend and owner of the travelling book shop – really these two are a match made in heaven, tea and books; how perfect is that? Plus she meets someone who she allows herself to have feelings for again, yes there is a wee bit of a romance in-store for Rosie and yes the man she finally ends up with is utterly delectable, but her journey of self discovery isn’t exactly all is as it seems. I can’t say too much as I never like to give away spoilers and I wouldn’t wish to spoiler your reading, but there is a bit of a sinister twist. It is one of those sub plots which really make you think about who you begin chatting to and exactly how much you should share about yourself to others – especially those you meet online.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this, it is in all essence a great romantic comedy. But the difference with this to other’s I have read in this genre is that the author has tackled some pretty taboo subject’s which are more or less unheard of in romance books, such as being victim of a catfish – you need to read the book to find out what all that’s about. This is a fast paced, funny, romantic, heart-warming and realistic book that will have you not only laughing out loud but glued to the page. I loved the character’s, Rosie is a lovely young woman who the reader can really relate to. The writing is fresh, charming, engaging and very enjoyable.

This was a brilliant feel good read, made me feel like I wanted to just get up and travel off and do the same thing! Wanderlust passion! Wonderfully written that made me want to be there in the moment aswell

Rosie leaves her cheating husband and high pressure job, cooking in an upmarket restaurant in London, and takes us with her on her adventures as she sets off into everything unfamiliar and right out of her comfort 
zone. This involves buying a campervan and trailer that will be her travelling tea shop, and joining the community that move around the festival scene making a living from meeting the needs of both the festival goers and their fellow travellers. This is an easy read and very enjoyable, ideal for fans of Katie Fforde, Vicky.Pattison and Csrole Matthews.

This is a sweet romantic story of what happens when someone decides they need a complete change of lifestyle, because the last one sucked - fiances having affairs and so on.
So what do they do? but buy, on impulse an old Campervan/Mobile Teashop? which works because Rosie likes to bake cakes and make 'comfort' food. Rosie then takes this van on the Hippie trail, following the various festivals around the country. And trying to make sense of her new lifestyle with an electronic friend.
Cozy and warming, but little about the real unsustainability of living out of a van - even if you manage to find a really nice one, all year round. Apart from having to park up for the winter, they are seriously cold - I've stayed in them.. And trying to make ends meet - well... 
But still a romantic idea as in following the Gypsies O!

A nice book but certain major points are really inaccurate - e.g  in a tiny camper van /motorhome oven a bakery full of items are baked each day. Just not remotely believable.

A story of betrayal,travel friendships and most importantly love amongst people who pack up everything to travel around the country at festivals.a thoroughly good read !

Lighthearted and quick witted Rosie’s traveling tea shop takes you on a trip of self discovery.  Rosie has her world turned upside down on her birthday and on a drunken binge buys a caravan. She quits her job and starts off to discover a world that is nothing like her own and has a hard time adapting as her past keeps coming back.  She pushed to live in the moment but is afraid to see what is right in front of her

Review is scheduled to be posted on 14th Feb on my blog

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Rosie’s travelling tea shop by Rebecca Raisin was a fun and very easy to enjoy story.

It was a nice change from the more serious heavy books I have been reading of late. It brought a bit of sunshine into a very snowy January and reminded me of how fun it is to travel about and see some of our beautiful country. I wanted to read the book outside or sit with Aria in her mobile bookshop, while sipping some of Rosie’s literature themed teas.

The story, the characters, the pink van complete with a teal strip was all very cute. Maybe a bit too cute for me to want read lots of romantic novels close together, but as an occasional read I love dipping my toes in the genre.

On a rather random note –  

Reading the book made me hungry for all the delicious food that Rosie and Max both served up to their customers and to each other. I wanted home bakes and vegan cheese nut wraps.


Also Max, one of the main characters was described as looking like Jason Momoa…

The story did surprise me in one aspect and well I obviously can’t tell you more…because of spoilers. But I enjoyed the slightly different spin to the love triangle that I feared had been forming.

I did have one small niggle with the book, and it was the casual use of referring to Rosie’s cleaning behaviour as OCD… I realise people use the phrase OCD to refer to lots of behaviours that aren’t necessarily related to the illness, but it grates on me. And it annoyed me a little in the book. The casual usage of the term downplays the seriousness with which some people are affected by OCD.

Rosie’s travelling tea shop by Rebecca Raisin was a tad less predictable than the usual romantic novel, but to be honest I don’t mind predictability in the romance genre. I like and look forward to my Happy Ever After. Everything just fell into Rosie’s lap all a bit too easy, if only life worked out like that. It was pure escapism.

Rosie’s travelling tea shop by Rebecca Raisin is due to be published on 3rd of March 2019.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGally, the review is my own opinion.

Imagine coming home from yet another multiple hour shift in the restaurant where you’ve cooked, settled differences and have hopes to celebrate your birthday and make it special, only to find your partner arriving hours later with a “we need to talk” face on, and no present or recognition. If you are Rosie, you’re busy making excuses for the husband who isn’t ‘a details guy’ as you try not to face plant in the ‘celebration tart’ you made after work just to have a quiet celebration.  And that ‘talk’ is about his finding someone who is more ‘spontaneous’ and less controlled, and wants to talk – at one in the morning – about ‘splitting up “ the household built over the last seven years.  Devastating isn’t it. This was Rosie’s birthday – as she spent the night in self-recrimination, drinking wine and stumbling to work the next morning at ‘stupid o’clock’ only to discover that EVERYONE already knew about his affair, and you’ve not got the energy or ambition to deal with the whispers or gossip.  And it’s then you decide that you need to chuck it all in, after having made a drunken purchase of an RV, and found an on line community of “travelers’” who live in said RV’s and move from place to place as the mood takes them – some working the ‘fair circuit’ peddling wares.  You’ve already got a set of skills with your years in the kitchen, and your own tea blending hobby – and soon you are packing up and heading out after suggestions from the on line community. 

Such was the introduction to Rosie – a planner with more than her own share of OCD, and a worst-case scenario imagination all fueling her lack of confidence. Driving the fuchsia colored RV  (Poppy) s difficult enough, but with a map, schedule, rough plan and some vague plan about ‘what’s next’ – Rosie heads off to her first (and perhaps last) new opportunity, only to arrive with flair – nearly running over a fellow RVer, a flat tire and mud puddle being the “hello moment”. Fortunately, Rosie meets Aria – owner of her own little RV and a plan – she owns the “Little  Bookshop of Happily Ever Afters” a romance enthusiasts bookshop that is so cluttered in all the best ways (only bookie-people get that) it makes Rosie twitch. But, Aria is not only friendly but a bit of a force-of-nature, befriending and mentoring her all in one. Soon (as in the first hours) she and Rosie have planned to travel together and combine their shops – with Rosie’s tea blends and Aria’s books, they have a marketing niche that is both unique and wonderful. And, when you add in Rosie’s ability to bake those “favorites’ – real food that comforts and satisfies: the plan is starting to come together. 

More importantly than what’s on the menu is Rosie and dealing with her grief from the breakup, her reluctance to try new things, and her need to have a plan A, B, C and “just in case”. Understandable really as she is still holding onto guilt from her own relationship with her father – who descended into hoarding and tried to fill his own sadness and emptiness with ‘things’, and the young Rosie couldn’t help, and her reaction was to ‘overthink every move, over organizing her life and making no steps without contingency plans. But, some challenges from Aria, the new world opening up as she meets and sees the little community of :nomads’ and their willingness to stop and breathe, and an unexpected analysis from a woman on the circuit, not to mention two intriguing men, Rosie’s own confidence along with the ability to focus allow her to find new potential and dreams with a life that isn’t so structured and controlled.  Honestly – it was the growth, the timid to more-daring and less tense Rosie that was a wonderful surprise – and those moments – from laugh out loud to wanting to just sit and drink those teas that had me tearing through this book, reading it all in one quick sitting. Of course, I can’t wait to put a copy on the shelf for one of those days when I really need a read that takes me away and makes me smile – this book is that antidote to cold weather, reading blahs or just when you want to escape into a truly feel-good story that can’t help but make your heart sing in all the best ways! It’s a favorite read for 2019 – and I’ve decided that I can’t go wrong with a book from Rebeca Raisin when I just want to be happily entertained for hours!

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility. 

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-akf/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review 
What a fantastic book loved every page 
A WONDERFUL  FULL OF LIFE BOOK.
I laughed so much a real laugh out loud book.Rosie is such a character  how could you not love her i can highly recommend this book to family and friends

In some ways this book is predictable. Heartbroken woman sets out on her own to change her life. But seeing and learning about the Van-Life was so uplifting and such a new twist. 
 Rosie's life has always been by the books, but she realizes that doing things that she fears may open up her eyes to a whole new world filled with fun and great adventure. Aria and Max are fun characters to help guide Rosie. The writing just flows well and it is a fun cozy read. 
 thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for providing me with this eARC!

I absolutely adored this book and want my own traveling tea shop ASAP! This book follows the life of a woman named Rosie who is going through a divorce all while embarking on a new journey of living a nomadic life. Rosies life has always been by the books, but she realizes that doing things that she fears may open up her eyes to a whole new world filled with fun and great adventure. 
This is the first book I have read by this author and will be reading more of her books! Again, thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for providing me with this eARC!

I liked this funny and entertaining book.
It's well written, the cast of characters is likable and relatable, the plot engaging.
It was the first book I read by this author and I look forward to reading other.
Recommended!
Many thanks to HQ Digital and Netgalley for this ARC

I loved this delightful little romantic comedy! Raisin has written the perfect cozy read for a cold winter day. Looking forward to more from her!

I loved this book. A little predictable but then aren’t all books in this genre. Lovely characters and setting. My first from this Author

I just did not like this book. It had a very trite and predictable beginning. The friendship between Rosie and Aria happened way to quickly. Unbelievable.

I loved this book! Having only read one of the authors previous novels I forgot just how beautiful her stories are! Let me tell you, I will certainly be purchasing more of her books (in bulk) after reading about Rosie's life as she sets off on an adventure that changes her life. This is a heartwarming, funny, and brilliant read. It will be going straight to my favorite books of 2019 lists and I hope many readers will give it a try!

I have read hundreds of books where the main character suffers heartbreak, goes out on her own, and opens a cupcake shop/book shop/clothing shop to find herself and find love along the way.  So, when I began Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop, I was expecting a book just like the others.  However, this novel really stands above the rest in this genre.  Rosie opening up a Tea Shop while taking on a nomadic lifestyle really adds an interesting, and truly captivating, perspective on a well-known story.   I loved this book, and I kinda want to go live in a van now (though van living with a husband, two kids, a dog, and a hamster doesn't seem nearly as idyllic).  I can't wait to read more by this author! 

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.