Sunset over the Cherry Orchard

sun, food and romance. jo thomas at her best. lovely to have this author back, once again she didnt disappoint

A fantastic sunny summer read.. great setting and wonderful characters. Definitely one to pick up this Summer.

A brilliant read. Its a slow paced book but certainly a delicious and romantic novel to keep you smiling. Beti is in a long term relationship and moves to Spain with her fiancé to run a bar, or at least that what they planned until her Fiancee finds another woman. He clears out Betis bank account and she is totally heartbroken but decides she won't be beaten and stays to continue on her plan. She moves to a smaller cheaper room to get by and has a couple of jobs at the cherry orchard. Antonio who runs it isn't the typical romantic man you expect in a book so watch them materialise. The romance of the story took quite a long time to get into it, and felt a little rushed towards the end but i really did enjoy it.
Thank you to net galley

Wow just wow, its a shame I have to come back to England, after being so thoroughly transported to southern Spain in this wonderful story of Beti learning to listen to her hearts desires in all wakes of her life, and learn just who she is as a person.

I'm at a loss to describe this book, I can either wax lyrical about everything, or I can just tell you to read it if you are looking for a great summery read, that will literally make you forget about real life while you are finishing it,.

There are so many ups and down, humour, emotion, fiery flamenco dancing, a storyline that reminds me of Footloose, unexpected relationships and new love, spanish food, spanish bars, a big dream, a message about social media, assorted storylines about family and a whole lot more besides.

I wouldn't want to tell you any specifics as the writing is so encompassing, and such a joy to read, that the only thing that can be said, is read this book, as I'm sure you will love it as much I as did. It is warm hearted, perfect escapism, either for summer holiday reading, or when you are wishing you were abroad in sunnier climes.

Beti is a character that I really did enjoy, especially seeing her own personal growth as the story proceeds, and seeing how her hopes and dreams change so gradually I think the reader is 3 steps ahead of her.

I have never read about a Cherry Farm before and this one sounds gorgeous, and the descriptions the cherries, made me almost be able to taste them for myself. The owner of the farm is tricky to get to grips with to start with but as the story unravels he was becoming my favourite character by a mile, matched closely by his 17 year old son.

Jo Thomas writes so warmly and its clear she is passionate and knowledgeable about the various aspects of Spanish life and how some villages are are more for locals and wanting traditional ways of life instead of the tourist trade.

This is my new favourite Jo Thomas book and I have adored all her others previously too, and I think Beti's story may stay with me for a while. It was my sheer pleasure to have been able to read this.

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

When I was sent a copy of this book I was intrigued and couldn't wait to find out what was instore in this new novel from Jo Thomas.  Sitting in my sun-filled garden, I delved in, and was caught hook, line, and sinker by this captivating story. 

The main character – Beti – and her journey in sunny Spain, learning more about herself than she could possibly imagine, had me right beside her on her rollercoaster adventure.  Taking a brave leap of faith & emigrating to the country of fire and flamenco, Beti was enchanted by the sunshine filled Spanish orchard, and so was I.   

The insightful and brilliant way that Jo Thomas used to describe everything, from the cherry blossoms to the sparkling, busy harbour, transported me from my little back garden to the sights/settings she described. 

 I definitely recommend this book, it's a great 'holiday read', even if you aren't venturing farther from your own back garden like me! 

****stars from me!

I received a free copy of the book via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Beti works in a burger bar at the airport and watches everyone jetting off to holidays/new lives in the sun, wishing she was going too. She has had three failed engagements and after another put-down by her cousin she decides that she is going to make a big change. So she jets off to Spain with current fiancee Will to take over the lease on the Butterfly bar. But once there Will dumps her, clears out her account and leave her to fend for herself. I did feel she was a bit of a wet blanket at the beginning of the story, lugging her wedding planning portfolio around with her everywhere, even to Spain!

Luckily the English owners of the bar she wants to lease feel very sorry for her, and befriend her, giving her time to find the money. Beti meets various people but ends up leasing a finca at an old cherry farm in a sleepy old fashioned village, not that far away from the harbor where she wants to lease the bar. There she meets a variety of people, mostly good, some a pain(!), along with the grumpy (but very handsome!) owner Antonio and his lovely son Miguel.

Various things happen and Beti ends up learning flamenco with Antonio as her tutor in order to win a bet. The last part of the book is so lovely, the whole village is out partying and watching the flamenco after a lot of them help to get the cherry harvest in. There was such a community feeling of all pulling together. Beti really finds her own way in life and becomes a much stronger character. Really lovely book, makes you want to run out to a little village in Spain and live a different life!