Guest Review: The Cornish Cream Tea Holiday by Cressida McLaughlin

It’s going to be an unforgettable Cornish summer…

Thea Rushwood was looking forward to exploring the beautiful Cornish tourist spot of Port Karadow, but when her friend drops out at the last minute, she is forced to go solo. Arriving at her cosy holiday cottage to discover a building site next door, Thea and the annoyingly attractive, but grumpy builder, Ben, don’t get off to the best start.

Thea starts to wonder if her perfect escape wasn’t meant to be. That’s before she realizes there is more to Ben – and to the community – than she first thought. As a magical Cornish summer stretches out in front of her, Thea discovers this is one holiday that she never wants to end…

Review: This is the 6th book in the Cornish Cream Tea series from Cressida McLaughlin. I have been following this series from the start and have really enjoyed getting to know the characters and the area in which the stories are set. Although part of a series, each book can be read as a standalone. There are several recurring characters who appear throughout the series, but new characters are added to the cast with each story. 

This story introduces Thea Rushwood, who is holidaying on her own in the lovely Cornish seaside town of Port Karadow.  Her holiday cottage is just as cosy and welcoming as described, but there was no mention of the cottage next door which is being renovated, and with much noise. Her first meeting with ruggedly handsome Ben, her neighbour, is not promising, but she begins to realise that he is not as surly as he seemed on the surface and a friendship develops with him and his group of friends, most of whom readers of the series will recognise. When the real reason behind Thea’s choice of holiday destination is revealed, Ben and his friends are more than willing to help her realise her ambitions for the future. 

I can highly recommend this book, and indeed the whole Cornish Cream Tea series. I loved the story of Thea and Ben, and particularly Thea’s ambitions for herself and the town. The story is so well written that I could picture the town, hear the waves swishing back and forth and smell the gorgeous food that keeps being cooked and devoured all the way through the book. You had to admire Thea for planning for her future and carrying out those plans. The same could be said for Ben, who has moved away from an unhappy situation and has thrown himself into renovating his cottage. What a wonderful couple they would make. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series. I would love to find out how things are progressing for Thea and Ben if the next story is in the same setting.

To order your copy now, just click the link: UK or US