"Quirky tale filled with friendship and love."
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted May 4, 2018
Holiday | Romance Holiday
CHRISTMAS AT LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY is the last
installment of the Little
Beach Trilogy. This is the first
one I've read in this series and I didn't feel as if I had
walked into the middle of a scene. Kudos to Jenny Colgan
for that. This is always a concern for readers jumping into
series. Jenny Colgan opens with a quote from "Brigadoon" which
immediately conjured up wondrous images of a mystical
place. Did I mention this was my first Jenny Colgan book --
it certainly won't be my last. And then we are on the
Cornish Tidal Island of Mt. Polbearne which has an
interesting distinction. The road or route between the
island and mainland literally disappears under water twice
a day. I know -- you already have a smile on your face -- I
did too. So, now let's see just what's so special about Polly's
Little Beach Street Bakery that manages to flourish among a
small collection of shops and cottages. The very life of
Mt. Polbearne seemed to take a turn for the better when
Polly's graphic design business tanked and she moved to
this small town opening her little bakery. Mt.
Polbearne, like many small towns, fights to maintain it's
character while acknowledging the need to provide a living
for the town folk. The town is busy in the summer and
prosperous for the merchants. The town folk are happy with
the small inconveniences and they hope it prevents people from
building large homes driving out the people who have lived
there for generations. So far, pretty predictable. The
townsfolk are not against growth exactly, but they are
reluctant to see the charm and character of their town get
taken over by wealthy home owners looking to make Mt.
Polbearne their summer retreat. To the townies this is
their home, but much of their livelihood comes from the
vacationers. Polly and Huckle live in a lighthouse. Romantic and
eclectic, but certainly not convenient. Polly has a core
group of friends whose lives have branched off from existing
on the island. Kerensa is feeling left out of her husband
Reuben's very busy business life. Selina is still
recovering from losing her husband. This threesome have
a way of getting uber involved in each other lives and
that's what sets up the comic portion of CHRISTMAS AT
LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY. Huckle corners Polly on the subject of their wedding. He
wants to move ahead in their relationship. Polly is filled
with insecurities. Neither would really like a big affair,
but Huckle, fully aware of Polly's angst, suggests an
alternate to the wedding idea -- at least for the time
being. Why not skip this step and move into parenthood?
Parenthood is a vital part of why the younger townsfolk
are beginning to plan for things Mt. Polbearne needs -- in
particular -- a school. With the population of children
growing the need for a local school is a necessity. But
with the difficult travel between the island and mainland
there are many things to consider. Jenny Colgan has the gift of gab and the conversations
between her characters can't help but get a chuckle out of
her reader. Even with an impending disaster in the works,
Colgan finds something humorous. The most interesting part
of the story is the comparison between Huckle and Reuben.
The more we learn about these characters, the more you
appreciate their development -- mostly through chatter --
which is definitely Jenny Colgan's wheelhouse. CHRISTMAS AT
LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY is designed for the reader's
enjoyment.
SUMMARY
It's the most wonderful time of the year… and the
perfect moment to escape to a charming English village! From
the beloved author whose novels are "sheer indulgence from
start to finish" (SOPHIE KINSELLA) comes a delightful
holiday story — funny, heartfelt, romantic and packed with
recipes — perfect for the winter months. In the Cornish coastal village of Mount Polbearne, the
Christmas season has arrived. It’s a joyous time for family,
friends, and feasting, as decorations sparkle along the
town’s winding streets and shop windows glow with festive
displays. And in Polly’s Little Beach Street Bakery, the
aroma of gingerbread cookies and other treats tempts people
in from the cold. Though Polly is busy keeping up with the demands of the
season, she still makes time for her beekeeper boyfriend,
Huckle. She’s especially happy to be celebrating the holiday
this year with him, and can’t wait to cuddle up in front of
the fireplace with a cup of eggnog on Christmas Eve. But holiday bliss soon gives way to panic when a storm cuts
the village off from the mainland. Now it will take all of
the villagers to work together in order to ensure everyone
has a happy holiday. Full of heart and humor, Jenny Colgan’s latest novel
is an instant Christmastime classic.
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