Thank you to NetGalley and Clued Up Publishing for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I gravitated towards this book due to the colorful cover and Hallmark-inspired description. I’ve been reading quite a few of these sweet, romantic stories this summer, often a good way to pass the time on a rainy day. While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt that the relationship between Olivia and Finn came out of nowhere. There just wasn’t enough build-up between them, and although I was rooting for them in the end, I wasn’t entirely convinced about their relationship either. Frankly, my favorite character interactions and dialogue were the more contentious ones: Olivia and her father, Olivia and Rupert, Finn and Olivia’s father, Olivia and Damien, and even Olivia and Finn in the very beginning.
For a poolside read, it wasn’t too shabby and I’m happy to give it a 3-to-3.5 rating. Otherwise, I feel the story sort of dragged by the midway point. I don’t know if the story itself needed further development, or the characters, or the relationships, but something of substance was missing.

Lovely, charming and extremely delightful. I loved to see the relationships between the various characters simmer to a boil. It’s fresh and fun and definitely one of my new favorite cooking romances. 5/5 stars

Once in a while it is lovely to escape the stresses and strains of life and head off to a place where one can simply relax and enjoy the scenery. This is how I felt about The Bistro at Watersmeet Bridge, by Julie Stock. I wanted to read it as soon as I saw the title of the book. I also knew what the storyline would be. I quickly slipped into everyday life in Lynford and the struggle to make the Bistro succed against overwhelming odds.
Olivia Fuller and Finn Anderson are pitched together after his French restaurant fails and both he and Olivia are keen to show everyone that they can succeed in turning the business around. Olivia is trying to impress her father and Finn is trying to impress Olivia. Along the way, Olivia is forced to show that she can make it in a man’s world and prove her worth to those who would like nothing more than to see her fail, her father included.
A nice feel good story showing how difficult business life can be and how small communities can offer redemption to those who seek it.
It was also nice for me to put down my favourite genre, Psychological Thrillers and read at a more relaxed pace.
I gave the book 3.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Weapenry Co-Op for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A perfect quick summer read. It’s the predictable story line, yet comforting in trusting for a happy ending. This was my first book by this author and will probably look into reading more.

This is my first Julie Stock book and I really enjoyed it. The storyline had me hooked and I couldn’t put it down til I finished. A great holiday read!

The book started off well and I was enjoying it. But sadly it wasn’t for me. It just got very mundane and I couldn’t enjoy it. It’s a shame as the cover looked enchanting as did the description

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This bistro is in idyllic Devon, and the author has written this in a way that makes you want to visit the area and eat there. Finn and Olivia are working hard towards the same goal and have to deal with a few hiccups along the way. It's a light easy read filled with a cast that are likeable and characters which definitely aren't.
Am happy with the ending of the story and that nothing too dramatic occurred.
3.5 stars

A perfect summer read. It's well written, entertaining and engrossing.
I enjoyed the cast of characters, the setting and the plot.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

I was attracted to this book by the beautiful cover. I am also familiar with Lynton in Devon, so I was pleased to be offered a copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publisher in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this book. I loved the setting, and it is an easy charming read. There is a good cast of relatable characters.
This is a lovely feel-good book, for relaxing reading.