Can the peace of a quiet place like Tanglewood bring a happy Christmas?

Synopsis

A fun, festive cosy romance

A rural book shop. A chance to start over. But can she make her dream a reality?

Kazz used to love the excitement of her London life, but lately her passion for expensive city living has begun to wane. So when she’s given the opportunity to open a bookshop in picturesque Tanglewood, she jumps at the chance.

But village life is much quieter than she anticipated – is she actually suited for rural living? Resigned to a boring and uneventful Christmas, when she meets gorgeous Saul she is more than ready to have some fun and enjoy the festivities. If only Saul didn’t have a reputation for being a player…

Will Kazz become the heroine in her own Christmas romance, or will he love her and leave her under the mistletoe?

This gorgeous festive romance is perfect for fans of Kiley Dunbar, Rachel Lucas and Sue Moorcroft.

My review

Kazz’s life in London wasn’t always perfect, but she loved the excitement of it. But lately Kazz finds it more and more difficult to keep up with the London pace. When just before Christmas she not only is without a job and without a house, Kazz decides that now is perhaps the best time to visit her best friend Stevie in the quiet town of Tanglewood.
Tanglewood is everything London is not, and Kazz for sure needs to adapt to its pace. But the opportunity to open a bookshop is just too good to pass by.
And when she meets Saul, things take a turn for even the better and fun is on the cards again. Yet Kazz is warned by her friends as Saul for sure has the reputation for being a player and doesn’t go further than just a few dates.
However, will Christmas works its magic, or will Kazz return to the London life she was used to?

I always think it’s a bit funny to read a story where a character leaves a hectic city like London and goes to a total opposite little town, having to adapt to a complete different lifestyle. 😊

With Kazz, I didn’t know what to think. Because while she enjoys her hectic life and job in London, she also feels that something is missing. And there is no terrible break – up she needs to get over, or a tragedy to overcome.
Although I have to say I was a bit shocked to see how everything happens just all at the same time. Losing a job always sucks, but learning that your mother decided to move with her partner to Spain and also learning that your home is going to be sold (not by choice of Kazz’s mother!), is just too much to handle! 😊

Before you go thinking that Kazz’s mother is the evil character in this book, please don’t. Because she truly is a great mother, concerned about Kazz just like any wonderful mother is.
But I couldn’t possibly blame her for leaving Kazz, because Kazz just didn’t tell her about her current situation.

Life in Tanglewood couldn’t be more different than life in London, and it was great to read how Kazz is slowly learning that lesson too. People in Tanglewood not only know each other, but also know everything about each other. But also are ready to help each other out. Even an outsider like Kazz will be helped, just because she is friends with Stevie. That is all people need to know.

I liked to see how Kazz initially is reluctant to open the bookshop, but slowly realizes that her passion is indeed with books. It was her dream but somehow she lost sight of her dream. Perhaps I wouldn’t be happy if my friends would be a little bit too pushy to open a shop, but it’s also clear that Kazz perhaps needs that nudge.

When Kazz and Saul meet, as Saul will be helping Kazz out, initially it starts a bit strained. It made perfectly sense to me that it’s awkward to sit in a car with a total stranger, and that conversations just don’t flow that easily.
But having a long trip is also the perfect opportunity to get to know someone.

It saddened me to read how Saul has his reputation. Yes, he may be not committing to anyone and just has a few dates with women. But doesn’t that also mean that he hasn’t met the right woman yet?
Because not taking his dating history in account, it’s clear that he is just an awesome man. Ready to help whenever he can, he is kind, gentle and understanding. He only opens his heart for someone worthy of it, so what is wrong with that?

Attraction is a funny thing, because attraction between the right people can make the impossible turn into possible. We see it clearly here, as both Kazz and Saul aren’t looking for going ‘steady’, yet with each other they have to rethink about their thoughts.

Obviously there are several hurdles to take, some easier than others… And it is clear in this book that communication for sure is key, even how scary it may be to open up.

But I truly loved reading this book, about new starts, meeting new people, rediscovering dreams and passions. But most of all, about finding love, peace and rest in a wonderful quaint setting!