Enjoyed the stories of Violet and Felicity and how they came together with the same but different issues around love. Good characters - some you liked and some you didn't (as was the intention).

I wanted to know more at the end so wanted a few more chapters!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this ARC.

I've been reading Katie Fforde's novels for years and I've always liked them but I only gave the last one 3.5 stars. I had high hopes this would be better but unfortunately I couldn't get on with this at all.

The story is so slight. There are two young women living in the same house in a posh part of London in 1968 who become friends and both deal with step families and romances that suffer from miscommunication.

There was some attempt to show the quaintness of the sixties with maps and telephone directories (and the casual sexism of that period) but other than that I don't think that decade was drawn too well and it didn't feel particularly relatable.

I didn't like all the classism and hatred towards French people, there wasn't enough plot going on and I constantly mixed up Felicity and Violet and their two suitors. I also didn't believe in the chemistry of any of the love stories, and the pacing was all over the place.

The mudlarking and trying to find a forgotten palace was at least some semblance of a story but it wasn't enough. I am afraid this was too predictable and instantly forgettable. There was also no reason to set the story so far back in time. This book will work for a lot of people but for me it's not one of the author's best.

Katie Fforde does it again! Another hit for me!

Fantastic storyline, I loved Violet and Felicity's friendship, following their romantic adventures ❤️ well done Katie!

Another glorious winner from Katie Fforde!
Absolutely revelled and enjoyed this latest book, based in London in the late 1960’s.
Felicity has come to stay with her birth mother Lucinda in Chelsea to attend a secretarial college from Provence in France, and although Felicity is bilingual the English can be challenging.
Violet lives in the flat at the top of the Lucinda’s house where Felicity is staying and they become great friends. Through love and family complications the two new friends support each other.
Amazingly reminiscent of late 60’s London, English culture and class. Refreshingly good, this tale is full of kindness and love.
A hugely feel-good book that will lighten up anyone’s day! Another absolute classic which I loved from the first page to the last!
Thank you to NetGalley for the early read, loved this book!!

I really enjoyed this book. The book is set in the 1960s, and tells the story of Felicity who has moved to London from France. I really enjoyed the developing of friendships and love, and felt that this was a perfect chilled out read.

This is a cozy quick read...a fun read. Curl up in a comfy chair with a warm afghan, a cup of steaming tea, a delicious scone and enjoy...family and friends...

An easy read. I do enjoy Fforde's books, but this one seems a bit twee. Everything's so simplistic and there's little conflict. I think it lacks emotion too. Oliver is lovely and I think is given too hard a time. But there is lots to like; life in London, the new friendships which are struck up . . . With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another fun novel from Katie Fforde.

It's the 1970s, and Felicity has moved from rural France to London to live with her mother, who she has rarely seen throughout her childhood. She soon meets Violet, a neighbour, and Oliver. Will she settle into London life, or will France call her back? How will her relationships develop?

As ever, an effortless (and somewhat predictable) read. Thoroughly enjoyable and great for holidays or curling up with on the sofa.

This is a light and gentle read that effortlessly draws you into the lives of two young women. Their friendship, romances, and personal journeys are beautifully portrayed, making for an enjoyable and heartwarming story. The characters feel genuine and authentic, allowing readers to easily connect with their experiences and emotions. A perfect book for those seeking a relaxed and uplifting read about the joys and complexities of friendship and love.

I love Katie Fforde and feel she is back on form with this book, having not loved her last one. A gentle charming story which I throughly enjoyed, Katie writes with real warmth and I thought the setting and characters were well explored and engaging. Thank you!

This is a sweet, easy read. I’ve read all of Katie Ffordes’ books and this isn’t my favourite. I think it was the time period it was set in? I prefer her writing up to date novels. Having said that, it passed a rainy Sunday, so give it a go!

Another great read y a fabulous author. I really enjoyed the story, and learned some new things I’d never heard of before!
Well written, nicely paced on the whole and enough realism to keep it interesting. Would recommend.

I usually enjoy KF's books, but this one didn't quite work. Having lived through the sixties myself, I didn't recognise my experiences in this book. Perhaps the characters were too young - but I could not empathise with them.

It's well written of course but sadly not as enjoyable or as emotionally involving as her other books.

An enjoyable read. I always look forward to a new Katie Fforde book but found this one a bit slow to start with.Following Felicity's journey as she arrives in London from France to stay with her mother was interesting and as she encounters the dashing Olivier the story begins to grab your attention more especially with the addition of the other characters who all added much to the story. It's well worth a read

I felt this was a little different to Katie’s usual novels, still a good read but slow in places then totally rushed at the end. Interesting facts about mudlarking, a good capture of London in the swinging sixties and the general attitude to women. I too was expected to go to secretarial college to “learn something useful until I got married”. Other than that, a nice easy read but definitely not my favourite of her books.

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

A lovely book with a real air of the 1960's. I loved the information about mudlarking too, very atmospheric. Great characters and connections, wonderful friendship and romance.

This was so close to being a treasure of a five-star read. I loved most parts of this story, but sadly it wasn’t my favourite story by this author, but it still has the great bones of a good story. I will say it took me a while to get into it, but now I am desperate to go Mudlarking next time I’m in London. This story did give me that, once I got into it, I did enjoy the story, just felt a little stuck in the mud to start.

Love Katie's books. This one is set mainly in London in the late 1960's.
Excellent development of the characters who I got to know and was rooting for. I particularly liked Violet, a down to earth country girl who ends up living upstairs from Felicity and her mother. Felicity is half French, very chic and her mother is a bit of a snob.
Lots of info on areas of London and London life in the 60's and mudlarking. I too was swept along with the thrill of possibly finding treasure.
A feel good book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Another page turner fr5om Katie Fforde, I always know I am going to enjoy a book by this author and once again this was a brilliant read.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend it

Another brilliant book from Katie Fforde. Had to ration myself otherwise it would have been finished in a flash and I wanted to extend the enjoyment.
Friendship, families, intrigue - this novel has it all. Felicity from France staying with her distant mother to learn secretarial skills meets Oliver a mudlarker and would be jeweller. Not a smooth relationship.! She befriends Violet who is working for a mystery man... The girls share hopes, secrets and plans.
A delicious read...every bit as good as Katie's other novels. Thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommend