The Wedding Cake Tree (Choc Lit)

Romantic and touching without being sappy. Lovely descriptions.

Having lost her mother six months previous photographer Grace is back in Devon for the reading of her mother's will. Except it's not a really a will and more a set of instructions for her to follow. Grace must journey across the British Isles, and Zagreb too, to find out more about her mother's life and who she really was. Not only this but she won't be travelling alone. Alasdair, a battered and weary Marine who has stayed at the retreat run by Grace's mother, will be travelling with her along with letters and some of her ashes.
Having lost my own mother I can completely sympathize with Grace's bewilderment at what she was being asked to do. Having known her all her life as one person she discovers that her mother was not who she said she was and exceedingly good at keeping secrets. Travelling from the Yorkshire Dales where Grace discover family she never knew she had, via the Scottish Highlands and a man who may or may not be her father, to Zagreb where it becomes apparent that Grace never really knew her mother at all. it becomes a journey to find both herself and love, just as Rosamund planned all along.
Worried that her daughter's career as a paparazzo is destroying her life Rosamund is determined for her to move on and she knows exactly who with. Seeing Alasdair's reaction to his first meeting with Grace Rosamund starts plotting and planning as she writes a series of letters to Grace before passing away from terminal cancer. It's her hope that Grace will fall in love with Alasdair along the way and he with her, taking both their lives down a different path.
Family feuds, marital affairs, Scottish weddings and some beautiful locations make The Wedding Cake Tree a great read. I had every intention of starting it, reading a few pages and putting it down. Three hours later I was turning the last page of the book having loved Grace, Alasdair, Rosamund, Jake and all the other characters having laughed and cried.
Beautifully written it felt almost like watching a movie rather than a book. The descriptions of all the locations Grace and Alasdair visited were so vivid, so real, it felt like you were there with them. Despite the crying I'm so glad I read this wonderful tale of grief, hope, and the relationship between mother and daughter and look forward to seeing what else Ms Hudson writes next. I'm also going to check out wedding cake trees!

Link to follow when review is posted.

Love the premise of the book. Given a quest for a journey to learn about her mother 6 months after she has passed away from cancer. A good idea, and a good companion she is provided with. I did get a little confused with the names and travels though, but otherwise a good read. Would highly recommend.

I adored this book! Read it while going through a very stressful period in my own life and it was the perfect escape.

I'm not sure what I expected when I started reading this novel. It was one I received an eGalley of from NetGalley.com, and probably not one I would have picked up on my own. And it would have been a huge loss on my part. I loved this book so much. It was so much more than I expected it to be, and the characters were so well drawn. I think Melanie Hudson is going to be someone we'll be hearing a lot from in the future - I sure hope so.

I received this book from the publisher, for review, from Netgalley.
This is a truly wonderful story. It deals with loss and love and so much more that words just can't express in this review. It is about finding what truly makes you happy and to take chances in life. You never know how things will turn out unless you give it a go. It is extremely well written and flows effortlessly throughout. Some of the English terms threw me at first, but not for long, as I became immersed into this world. In this book I traveled far and wide, I climbed mountains and I fell in love. I absolutely loved the characters in this book. They are not only well developed, but are so realistic, it is like I know them personally. You may need some tissues on hand, I know that I did. I will definitely be reading more from this author and from Choc Lit. I know I thought it was supposed to be Chic Lit also. But they have some amazing books and I must read them all. Do not miss out on this exquisite read. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it to you all. Well done Melanie Hudson!

I loved this book- one of those books that makes you think. I had recently read something that asked if you were planning a journey of the 5 most important places to you- which would you pick and this book has the same base.

When Grace loses her mother, she receives notification that she has to see the solicitor in 6 months time. She is told that her mother has left instructions for her ashes to be spread in different locations and that she has arranged for a Marine to accompany her and pass on letters at each spot to reveal why that place is important and to let her know about her history.

She learns some surprising things, not least that her mum was keen for her to start a relationship with Alasdair and learn to conquer her fears over singing in public again.

They both have issues in their past to deal with and initially fight the attraction. But despite herself she finds herself enjoying the challenges her mum has set in place.

I could perfectly picture St Christopher's retreat where she grew up and each place her mum wanted her to visit. I enjoyed every page and was sad to come to the end. I will definately add Melanie Hudson to my list of authors to watch out for!

Many thanks to Net Galley for a chance to read this one. Reviewed on Amazon, Good Reads and my blog.

Book Blurb:

Can a mother’s secret past provide the answers for a daughter’s future?

Celebrity photographer Grace Buchanan has always known that, one day, she’d swap her manic day job for the peace and quiet of her beloved childhood cottage, St Christopher’s – she just didn’t expect it to be so soon. At the reading of her mother’s will, she’s shocked to learn that she hardly knew Rosamund at all, and that inheriting St Christopher’s hangs on one big – and very inconvenient – condition: Grace must drop everything for two weeks and travel the country with a mysterious stranger – war-weary Royal Marine, Alasdair Finn. Caught in a brief but perfect moment in time, Grace and Alasdair walk in Rosamund’s footsteps and read her letters at each breathtaking new place. As Grace slowly uncovers the truth about her mother’s incredible life story, Alasdair and Grace can’t help but question their own futures. Will Rosamund’s madcap scheme go to plan or will events take an unexpected turn?

An emotional, fun-filled journey of a lifetime.

My review:

I loved the places Melanie took me in The Wedding Cake Tree!! From the sheep to the stars to a sky with different shades of blue, The Wedding Cake Tree was a journey of discovery not only about Grace's mother, but about Grace and Alasdair. With a wide range of emotions, surprises, heart ache and hope, I loved this journey.

Melanie's description of the places and the people are fantastic! She makes everything vivid and easy to picture in my mind, and made me feel like I was right there with Grace and Alasdair.

I felt like I could relate to Grace. Her mother's final request and this trip Grace is to take with Alasdair is unusual, but I could see myself doing the same thing for my mother. As crazy as the whole idea seemed at the time, I was glad Grace did it! I liked the unexpectedness of The Wedding Cake Tree, and the different perspective Grace gets of her mother. I felt like I got to know her mother also. I liked the way she handled it all. This trip seemed to come at a good time for Grace, she seemed to be on the verge of change in her life, and this might be the push she needs...

Alasdair is a quiet hero, charming, entertaining and a bit of a mystery for a while. I really liked who he was and how he was with Grace. There was a definite attraction between them, but their relationship was not rushed. Neither of them were looking or expecting to find each other, both of their futures are unsettled at the moment. Where they went with this was a sweet, heart warming romantic journey. And where it ended up really pulled on my heart and made me feel sad, hopeful and happy all at the same time. A real churning mix of emotions was what made this book so real for me!

There are some great secondary characters in The Wedding Tree, and I liked the intertwining of relationships...that some worked and some just didn't.

Overall I found The Wedding Cake Tree to be a fantastic read that held my interest and really made me feel like I had a vested interest in the outcome! Melanie's writing is smooth, easy to read, and the pace of The Wedding Cake Tree was just right! I'd recommend The Wedding Cake Tree to any woman's fiction reader who likes a strong touch of romance too!

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http://www.amazon.com/review/R3SGRASGHHF750/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1258697980?book_show_action=false

Review also left on Amazon.ca, kobo, and shared on Google +

I gave the Wedding Cake Tree 4 stars not for the romance, but for the beautifully woven story that contains the romance. Melanie Hudson takes her time unfolding this lovely story of a woman that embarks upon the journey of her lifetime, and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The characters are multi layered, and I think that the revelations about the heroine's mother made her a central character as well. The hero and heroine were well drawn. Their romance was a bit predictable, but still quite satisfying. If you like detail in the descriptions and vividly drawn settings, this book will satisfy that need. I think that it might lend itself well to a book discussion group; as the mother/daughter aspect was so interesting.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

While Grace is ready to receive her inheritance, she is face with going on a journey one she did not want to go on let alone with someone she didn't know. Alasdair is so caught up in his life an guilt that when he is asked to go on a journey he said yes and now he is wondering if that was the best choice. I found the book quite predictable some times and I was ready to just roll my eyes and wanted to book done, but my view to that changed quickly. I really really liked this book. There where a few twisted an turns which kept you wanting to change the pages, so I have to say the book is a page turner and worth the read. I also have to say that the language is not to strong but I would say it would be better for either a older teenager. The author did a good job giving chemistry between the characters even though it was only from a one persons view. You really can not go wrong with this book its worth the read for sure.

Do any of us truly know our parents? Think about that for a moment. As children, we often think (mistakenly) that our mother’s or father’s lives started when we entered it. I mean, come on, before we were brilliant adults we were kids who thought the universe started and ended with us. It’s what kids do.

I know, personally, that my own mother lead quite an interesting and rewarding life before I made my appearance. But I didn’t know about that “former” life until I had become an adult and we had those heartwarming and at times, heartbreaking conversations. What if you never got the chance to know about your parents lives before you. What if you only learn about who they were “way back then” after they could no longer answer your questions or tell you their story firsthand?

Grace had to take a journey. One set out for her after her mother’s death. The first letter was delivered to her at the lawyer’s office. Words from beyond the grave leading straight to the heart and to an adventure. In order to inherit the cottage she loved dearly, she had to take time away from her own life and follow Rosamund’s instructions. And that someone she’d never met, a Royal Marine by the name of Alasdair Finn was to go along with her. Supposedly to keep her safe on this trip through her mother’s history, or perhaps even more.

Alasdair and Grace set out to follow a meandering trip through Grace’s mother’s life, the life that her daughter never had a clue about. Reading letters from Rosamund and scattering her ashes along the way at each stop.

The Wedding Cake Tree is a wonderful story of a woman’s life, and a celebration of it as well. Her love for Grace shines throughout, and if it seems she might be doing a bit of matchmaking from the afterlife… so be it.

Yes, there is a bit of a romance, so romance fans will not be disappointed at all. Yet it is a larger story. One that will grip your heart as you make this incredible journey with this couple. I cried, I laughed and I marveled at the beauty of the places Grace visited – and at the love of a parent for her child. It is certainly not your “average” romance novel. But, please, don’t let that put you off. There are many types of love. Enjoy experiencing them through the words of this novel.

I would recommend The Wedding Cake Tree for just about anyone. It is a rich, engaging, heartwarming story that you should not miss. It gets a 4 outta 5 from me. Go pick it up, you’ll understand what I mean very quickly.

Oh, there actually does exist a Wedding Cake Tree. Many in fact. Remember, Google is your friend, use it to find out more.

*I received an e-ARC of The Wedding Cake Tree from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

This was such a lovely story of love and loss, redemption and happiness. And Alasdair, oh my goodness - what a great H. At first I felt that having the characters follow a path set by Grace's recently deceased mother felt contrived but it actually works well - because it was contrived but not by Ms. Hudson, rather by Rosamund, in order to connect Grace and Alasdair. Alasdair had more dimension than many military heroes in romance novels and his quirky sweet side was an unexpected surprise! The reader knows that these are two individuals struggling with emotional challenges, while traveling together, getting to know one another and realizing a growing attraction and affection. Before reading this, I had no idea what a wedding cake tree was - I googled it and what a beautiful tree it turns out to be and I think an apt name - the tree has layers of leaves spreading out, just as Rosamund's reach did after her death - spreading information and love to Grace and Alasdair at each location and providing the root that anchored them together.

Such an interesting book to read! When Grace's mother dies, she discovers that her mom has set up a multi-stop trip that Grace must take and scatter her mom's ashes along the way. Grace will be accompanied on this trip by Royal Marine Alasdair, who has secrets of his own concerning Grace's mom and the will.

As the trip progresses, Grace learns more about her Mom, her never seen Dad, and even about herself. Of course, she also discovers that Alasdair may be the perfect one for her but even that is fraught with challenges.

This is a wonderful book about self discovery, managing and changing expectations and seeing things in a new frame of reference. I loved every page and look forward to future books by Ms. Hudson.

The Amazon reviews of this lovely book from one of my favourite publishers, Choc Lit, say everything about it really. There were 205 of them when I looked today, and only 8 of them three stars or less. In terms of volume, that's really something - but no surprise at all, because this book was absolutely lovely, a joy to read from its opening pages to the last.

The whole premise for the book is excellent - a tour arranged by Grace's mother Rosamund before her death, guided by a series of letters which help her find out more about her mother's life, with a gorgeous but emotionally damaged Marine as her guide and companion.

I've seen the comparisons with PS I Love You - but it's so much better than that. The whole journey with Alasdair and Grace is wonderful - every setting vividly, accurately and enticingly described (I know the Yorkshire setting well - the others I'd now love to visit...), but at an emotional level too. I loved Rosamund's clear voice through the letters, the perfect mother/daughter relationship it portrayed. And yes, Alasdair is thoroughly lovely - he'd certainly found a place in my heart by the book's end. I just loved it, a really good old-fashioned but original romantic read - don't miss this one.

My thanks to netgalley and publishers Choc Lit for my reading copy - which was actually my second copy, as it was already on my kindle from the date it was first released!

Loved this emotional roller-coaster of a read! Thank you!

When Grace Buchanan’s mother, Rosamund, dies, she leaves a complicated trail of written instructions, in the forms of letters, for Grace to follow. The trail, will take Grace to places that were important to Rosamund, and will allow Grace a glimpse of the woman her mother used to be, before motherhood and responsibilities claimed her attention. Accompanying Grace on this trip is, war weary Alasdair Finn, a sexy marine with more than enough angst of his own to worry about. Gradually, as the story is uncovered we learn more about all three characters and watch them develop into people with hopes and dreams of their own.

The story is really lovely; it unfolds slowly and gives the reader enough time to bond emotionally with the characters, so that they become realistic. I started to care for both Grace and Finn and hoped that as the story progressed, they would both find some sort of resolution.

On one level it’s a beautifully written love story, but it’s also a story about loss and trauma and the way in which people can sometimes lose direction until reminders force them to look at life and love in a totally different way.

I was engrossed in the story from the beginning, and I am sure that readers of romantic fiction will be equally engrossed in The Wedding Cake Tree.

I have had this book on my to-read list forever and it was brilliant! I found it was very slow in the beginning, but the slow pace of the book allowed the story to simmer and it was well worth the time it took to read.

What a rollercoaster of emotions I experienced reading this book. Grace's life was good for the most part, but between her mother, Rosamund's story, and Alasdair's life unfolding, how heartbreaking and inspiring are the sacrifices of the "special forces" of the ones who protect our lives and country, whatever choice of military services they choose to honor.