I thoroughly enjoyed this story set in Greenwich amongst the many Greenwich market traders.

And what a varied bunch they are, while being a totally fabulous community that Jess is part of.

I love how she is always happy to help others, even if she isn't willing to let people get too close to her.

And then Ash enters her life and for an hour a week while she is with him, she is really happy.

I also really loved Ash, and he slotted into life in and around the market almost seamlessly.

In a story that touches on tough issues, there are also plenty of the simple pleasures in life, such as flying a kite.

Really entertaining, I loved reading this story

Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A really fun read from Cressida McLaughlin and I loved the different setting of London/ Greenwich. Having been to that area myself, I loved the inclusion of different areas such as the market and Queen's House.

This one is full of great characters, along with the protagonists. There's some good mystery aspects throughout, with enough smaller plot lines to keep it all interesting.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Thank you for allowing me to read and review.

Having read all of Cressida McLaughlins. I was really looking forward to this book.

It didn’t disappoint, a chance meeting between 2 strangers blossomed into a fantastic friendship.

Which in turn helped another person accept there issue.

I would definitely recommend this fantastic book and would love to revisit in the future to see how the story develops between everyone.

Cressida McLaughlin always delivers! What a sweet novel set around London markets that captures community spirit beautifully. A perfect romance!

The Happy Hour by Cressida McLaughlin

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Can they fall in love, sixty minutes at a time?

The deliciously captivating new standalone novel from the bestselling author of The Staycation and The Cornish Cream Tea series.

Jess is happy working in Greenwich market selling trinkets to well-heeled locals and excitable tourists.

Then one Sunday, Jess is thrown together with handsome, funny Ash, as they chase a pickpocket through the market, and before long they are making a habit of running into each other at the same time each week.

Jess starts to realize that their hour together is the brightest part of her life. But Ash isn’t telling her everything – can she discover the truth before it’s too late?

My Opinion

I have yet to find a Cressida McLaughlin book that I haven't enjoyed so I was delighted when I saw that there was a new release. I would recommend making sure you are comfy when you start reading this, it was difficult to put down - I started reading late one evening and before I knew it I was over half way through. The main focus of The Happy Hour is the market where Jess works but there is so much more going on.

Cressida has written a slow-burn romance with the characters getting to know each other an hour at a time. The Happy Hour should definitely be on your reading list for this summer.

Rating 4/5

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.

When Jess and Ash meet at the market one Sunday when they find themselves chancing a pickpocket they both find they enjoying each others company. They begin to spent a happy hour every Sunday together but can this hour really be enough time do them to fall in love?

The Happy Hour by Cressida McLaughlin is a charming and enjoyable read.

The book is filled with warmth, relatable characters, and a strong sense of community. McLaughlin's writing is easy to read and full of heart, making this a perfect feel-good story. If you're looking for a light and uplifting book, The Happy Hour is a great choice.

Funny, heartwarming, enjoyable, great characters and a lovely storyline. I really enjoyed it and I love Cressidas books.

Jess and Ash come together catching a shoplifter in Greenwich Market. They start meeting once a week for an hour. You wonder why Ash is only available for that hour and whether there is going to be a really sad end to this story. Your mind goes everywhere.
I loved getting to know all the market traders and the way they come together. I loved Jess growth in confidence in her abilities and her relationship with Ash.
I always love Cressida's books and although this one had a very different feel , it still drew you in, soon invested in the characters.

Oh my. So hard. To find words about this book.
And not because it was brilliant. I usually enjoy Cressida McLaughlin's books, although her latest offers bored me to tears, to be honest, but I thought that this one, with this really great synopsis and gorgeous, gorgeous cover, will be different.
It wasn't. I think I've got it now - and as much as I hate to use this words in my reviews, I have to say - it was a boring story. I kept reading, eventually finding myself skimming and skipping more and more, because I had a feeling nothing happens there. I had problems with Jess as a main character, she was simply not my kind of character, closed, wanting to do everything by herself, pushing people away, and sure, she was very consequent in being like this, but talking to people and clearing the air would simply help. Ash was also not so my cup of tea, they both felt so reserved and I didn't buy into their love story.
The subplot of the market, of Felicity, of Lola and her music, of helping, rescuing was so often used and re - used and it made the book so, so slow. The more I read, the less interested I was.

Sadly, it was not a book for me. This extra star is for the cover.

A very enjoyable read. Something slightly different from an author who I have always enjoyed reading. The setting still conjures up the same magic but the story had an edge and tackled some deeper issues. The characters are engaging the journeys they go on is not to be missed.

Thank you Netgalley

I loved this book
From the moment I picked it up till the moment I finished it
Loved Jess and Ash’s story
This ladies books never disappoint
Thanks NetGalley

Jess is content with her life, she works in a lovely gift shop in Greenwich Market and has a side line hustle, making artwork with inspirational quotes and motivational lines. Single, she keeps to a mall group of friends and rarely sees her parents. What more does she want?

One Sunday in this vibrant place, she bumps into Ash, who has stepped into help a stallholder with a runaway thief. Something connects between them, but Ash can only stop for an hour as he has a prior engagement. But he returns week after week and for that hour it seems that Jess is the happiest she has been for a while.

As some sort of friendship then relationship develops, we are thrown in to the lives of those in the Market as well and the the community around Jess, grows and embraces Ash as well.

But is an hour enough, t make not just plans for the future but deal with all the issues from the past and in the present. It seems not.

This is a great book from McLaughlin, in a departure from her normal. Of course it has romance at its heart, but it also has what might have been, what could have been, what was never was and the art of self preservation from a number of characters to survive. Can the Happy Hour be extended to a life time?

A really lovely story of a couple who meet by accident in a busy London market. Both are attracted to each other, and meet each Sunday for just an hour to begin with, both hiding secrets which are holding them back from admitting their true feelings.
We meet lots of fun and quirky characters along the way, and the book has a real sense of community, all pulling together to help each other.
An emotional story, with laughter and tears along the way, really enjoyed this book.

I love Cressida Mclaughlin and she is on my list of go-to authors, where I will always grab their books without even reading the blurb.
This one did fall a little short for me and I didn't adore it the way I did with every single one of the cornish cream tea series but it was still an enjoyable read with lovely characters.

I loved the Cornish Cream Tea series and was looking forward to reading this stand-alone book by the author. However I sadly didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped; I didn't like the characters very much, I found them to be extremely immature and annoying, especially Jess. It all felt very predictable and shallow. Some parts were good e.g. the descriptions of the muffins and I loved the character of Wendy, but overall I thought this book was rather disappointing.

Jess finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the charming and enigmatic Ash during a chance encounter in Greenwich market. As they continue to cross paths week after week, Jess begins to realise that their brief but meaningful interactions are the highlight of her days. However, as their connection deepens, Jess discovers that Ash is harbouring secrets that threaten to derail their budding romance. Can Jess unravel the truth before it's too late? With its irresistible blend of romance and intrigue, this captivating novel is sure to leave readers swooning.

Something a little different, which was refreshing. Cressida brings Greenwich to life. I liked all the characters. There were lots of thought provoking moments. Yes, a good read all in all. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Yet another wonderful book by Cressida. With loveable characters and beautiful narratives making it a heart warming spring read.

Jess is a trader in the market, when she’s meets Ash she wants to let her self go, but it’s so hard. He only has an hour a week to see her and there’s a trust issue. They are both likable characters full of personality. It was great reading about their story.

This a lovely romance story that is written very well. It’s an easy read that I read in one day. It’s a happy 5 star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.