The Icing on the Cake is the concluding part to what has been a wonderful series from Cressida McLaughlin. It ties up all the loose ends and sees the delivery of answers to so many questions I have had whilst reading this series. The reader really has been taken on a journey with the main female character, Charlie, in her bid to see the plans for her charming Cream Tea Bus become a reality and for it to hopefully be a roaring success. When we return to Charlie she is battling to keep the bus open as someone seems to have an agenda against her and doesn't wish to see Charlie making a go of things. Part three (Scones Away!) had left us on a cliffhanger and Charlie is still trying to resolve this issue. This problem is the culmination of a number of things that have gone wrong for her just when she seems to be getting on an even footing and things are going right for her.

In the previous installment I had found Charlie to be frustrating to say the least as she was always jumping to conclusions without actually taking the time to stop and think about things. I suppose this was because she was so passionate about what she was trying to achieve in trying to bring Porthgolow back to life and getting the bus up and running but I was waiting for her to stop and realise she needed to take it easy a bit and not be so judgemental. Thankfully this did occur and she no longer laid the blame at the wrong persons door. She slowly began to become aware that a lot of situations in life are never black and white and straightforward and that with a little bit of further digging, along with some compassion and understanding, that she could see the truth from the lies and then go on to do something about it.

Charlie had numerous pressing issues and complications in her life to solve both on a personal and professional level and I loved how she set out to achieve a balance between the two. She was really caught between a rock and a hard place when it came to Crystal Waters hotel Daniel and Oliver of the Mauraduing Mojito. I know who I wanted her to choose and the chemistry between herself and my man of choice has been evident from the get go. I just hoped she would make the right decision for her because she truly deserved happiness after being through so much and for battling through when the tides seemed to have been against her so often. I had my suspicions as to who could be behind all the misdemeanours that unnecessarily befell Charlie in a bid to take her down and my instincts proved right although the reasons for this I didn't guess. Also with regard to who was behind the Porthgolow Hideaway Instagram account again something that had been niggling away at me just clicked and I knew who it was. It was so heart warming and brought a lovely warm feeling to the book.

I love how Cressida McLaughlin creates such wonderful settings and then fills them with characters you really do come to care for. Porthgolow was really a special place and ever since Charlie's arrival she could see this too. It was only ever supposed to be a few months sabbatical from her café job whilst she came to terms with the loss of her beloved Uncle Hal. But Charlie certainly got a lot more than she bargained for with all the great initiatives she had created and the friends she had made that when she is faced with the ultimate decision will she leave or will she stay then a lot of soul searching ensues. I really began to warm to Charlie again in part four as she just threw caution to the wind and got on with things despite so many obstacles being placed in her way.

Charlie really was growing up as well and not being as rash and hasty as she had been in the past. She was taking responsibility for misjudging people's characters and it is a brave woman who can admit she was wrong and say sorry. It was almost like she had settled into her new way of life and become comfortable in her own skin and with the ambitions she had laid out for both herself and the town. The community spirit she had strived so desperately to create was slowly starting to emerge and people believed in what she was doing. I loved how everyone pulled together with one big festival to showcase just how special and unique Porthgolow was. Charlie was the one who got the ball rolling and with initiative, hard work and of course lots of cream teas and delectable cakes along the way perhaps she would start to see plenty of rewards for her effort but not without some consternation and problems along the way.

I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent with with Charlie and co in Porthgolow. She was a person in need of rescuing and whether the village and someone of the opposite sex helped her truly achieved that well you'll have to pick up this series and discover the answer. This has been an uplifting, warm and inviting read packed full of characters some you love and some you love to hate combined with a picturesque idyllic setting. Also in this concluding part, there were a few nail biting dramas and tense moments that had you on the edge of your seat and really did leave the reader guessing as to the eventual outcome right until the very last minute. The Cornish Cream Tea Bus is perfect to lose yourself in for a few hours whether you read each part separately as I have done or else are able to wait for the full length addition. I would love a little update in the future on the residents of Porthgolow or even for some characters that were in the background to step forward. A little Christmas short story perhaps but in the meantime do enjoy your visit to Porthgolow as you follow Charlie and her life full of ups and downs, romance, laughter and plenty of yummy food and treats.

I have adored this series and would love Cressida to return there one day. Such a feel-good, heartwarming read that doesn’t fail to put a smile on your face. Outstanding!

I’m sad now I’ve read the final part of this lovely, coastal series, it ties up all the loose ends and just when you think everything is going to work out for Charlie, because of her hard work and willingness to learn to trust again, there is a final breathtaking twist.

The story begins where part three finished. Will ‘The Cornish Cream Tea Bus’, survive, and who wants it to fail? At the start of the series, there are lots of people who might want Charlie to fail, but at this point in the story, the perpetrators are much fewer in number, thanks to Charlie’s kindness and tenacity. When the guilty party is revealed it isn’t a surprise, but it’s good to have your suspicions confirmed.

Charlie’ s romantic future seems brighter, but what happens after the Summer? The final twist is heartstopping and the resolution is perfect.

I enjoyed my time in Porthgolow and I hope the author may take us back there again? A lovely coastal romantic story, with some good unique elements, and complex, relatable characters, the perfect beach read.

I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins UK = Harper Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this series and the final part is the best of all of the,. Completely addictive, didn’t want to put it down, tension, drama, emotion and a happy end. What more could you want. Cressida is amazing she always manages to make me fall in love with the characters, the villages and stories. If you haven’t picked up a book by her I thoroughly recommend it, you won’t be disappointed and you’ll leave a lift happier.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I have been loving this mini series and had been waiting for this book, the final book in the series, The Icing on the Cake to be released!

I thought that it was a good follow on as the story picks up straight from where the third book ended and I loved being able to catch up with the characters. I thought that the story flowed really well and I really like this author's writing style. I have enjoyed this series so much that I will definitely be looking to get my hands on what she releases next and may have to treat myself to some of the books she has already released!!

The book was lovely to read, easy to follow and it is 5 stars from me for this one!!

I have now actually read the whole series, and this is a fabulous story! I loved it from start to finish, and hope there will be more tales of Gertie and co in the future.

A great final act for this series. I enjoyed it, rooted for the characters and was a bit sad when it ended.
It's a great summer read.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Part four of this series, and a great conclusion to the book, with some added drama, will they won't they get together and will Charlie and Gertie be staying in Cornwall?