Showing posts with label romantic escapes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romantic escapes. Show all posts

Sunday, 3 November 2024

A Little Place in Prague - Julie Caplin

 


A Little Place in Prague

It's been years since Anna has seen Leo Knight. And of all the apartments in all the cities in all the world, he just happens to walk in to her cosy new attic home – as her new housemate.

As the two walk the cobbled streets of Prague, taking in the sights and sounds from Wenceslas Square, frosted with snow, to the soft glow of candlelit Charles Bridge, the enchantment of the City of a Hundred Spires soon starts to work its magic on them…

Purchase Link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Place-Prague-swoon-worthy-must-read-ebook/dp/B0CW1F5HX8

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Place-Prague-swoon-worthy-must-read-ebook/dp/B0CW1F5HX8

My Review:

Honestly, I could rave about Julie Caplin all day long, an absolute “ go to” author for me (as both Julie Caplin and Jules Wake) – I look forward to the next book from the moment I finish one. No pressure to write any faster at all 😊

A little place in Prague whisked us off to yet another brilliant location; these ‘Romantic Escapes’ books have allowed to travel all over the world from the comfort of your own armchair, I adore each of them. This isn’t a series where you need to have read previous books at all, each work as standalones but I cannot stress enough how great they all are and that you should read them. If you have read previous books you will spot little cameos from characters we’ve met before.

Supposed strangers, Anna and Leo, are thrown together in a flat share whilst competing in a beer brewing competition, each keen to learn and develop techniques for producing their own beer. This may be a strange set up for some but not for people that already know each other and have a significant history.

I adore their story; it’s testament to people wanting to change and better themselves, learning from past mistakes and showing that time can allow people to really change. Of course this story has ups and downs, neither character is perfect but they work well together; the chemistry is incredible.

It’s a gorgeously cosy read, perfect for the cooler days and dark evenings. As always there is a wonderful cast of characters that are entertaining and some that are infuriating as well as mouthwatering descriptions of delicious local food dishes and drinks. A thoroughly gorgeous read.


Having visited Prague very briefly many years ago, this book was a lovely way to reminisce about that trip although I now realise I barely touched the surface of what Prague has to offer! What is very clear from reading A Little Place in Prague is Julie Caplin’s love for the city, she is shining such a spotlight on to the culture, architecture, foods etc that I wouldn’t be surprised if most readers would love to have their very own escape to Prague.

Another fantastic read – already looking forward to the next! 

Author Bio


Julie Caplin, formerly a PR director, swanned around Europe for many years taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. 

These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for the highly successful Romantic Escapes series which have hit the best seller charts in Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic and have sold over two million copies worldwide.

The first book in the nine strong series, The Little Café in Copenhagen, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Social Media Links – @JulieCaplin Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/juliecaplinauthor/



Sunday, 3 October 2021

The Cosy Cottage in Ireland - Julie Caplin

 

Snuggle up in your favourite armchair and take a trip across the Irish sea for comfort food, cosy cottage nights and a heartwarming romance…

Talented lawyer Hannah Campbell is after a change in her workaholic Manchester life – so on an uncharacteristic whim she books herself a place at the world-renowned Killorgally Cookery School in Country Kerry. But on her first night in Ireland, sampling the delights of Dublin, Hannah can’t resist falling for the charms of handsome stranger Conor. It’s only when Hannah arrives at her postcard-pretty home at Killorgally for the next six weeks that she discovers what happens in Dublin doesn’t quite stay in Dublin …

Nestled amongst rolling green hills and breath-taking countryside, the cookery school throws Hannah and Conor together – for better or worse.

Purchase Link - mybook.to/CosyCottageEB


My Review:

An utterly charming and cosy read for this autumn. Julie Caplin is whisking readers away to the Emerald Isle with a story of romance, following your heart, taking chances and getting out of your comfort zone. The eighth book in this ‘Romantic Escapes’ series is set in beautiful Ireland, closer to home but still had me aching to get on a plane! If you haven’t come across this series the books are written as standalones, although connected through characters to previous books. I would implore you to read the rest of the series though, some of my favourite locations, characters and mouthwatering descriptions of food and drink you’ll read!

The Cosy Cottage in Ireland had me hooked from the first page, and I read in one glorious sitting. I loved the setting, the characters, and the story. Hannah is the sister of a character from the last book, she has been risk averse all her life and we meet her taking a leap of faith and doing something very out of character. Before heading to a world-famous culinary school, she meets a handsome, charming stranger and that meeting is the start of a whirlwind of ups and downs for her. Hannah is out of her comfort zone in so many ways, but as the weeks progress and as relationships with her fellow students develop, she starts to feel like her life is need of change and that perhaps Ireland holds the key.

Conor has given up a life others could only dream about, supporting his Mum with the culinary school is enough and creating dream cottages on their land is fuelling his creativity. He worries about getting close to people, he has been used by most people in his past and he is determined it will never happen again.

The chemistry and attraction between these two characters just cannot be denied, jumping off the page. They compliment each other perfectly, even when they don’t realise it themselves. Hannah is the most unromantic heroine and Conor is quick to jump to the wrong conclusion. When they need to work together, can they put differences aside?

LOVE LOVE LOVE. I was charmed by the descriptions of Ireland but the descriptions of the food, wow. I enjoyed the cast of characters, the humour (seriously couldn’t we have had a grand total of that swear jar ha!) and the heart that comes through the authors writing.
I have an idea where we may end up next, or at least some time in the future and I cannot wait. That being said, I hope we get to hear about a few of these characters again… (Please!!!!)

Perfect for cosying up and devouring in one go!

Author Bio:

Julie Caplin, formerly a PR director, swanned around Europe for many years taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. 

These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for her Romantic Escapes series which have been translated into fifteen different languages.

The first book in the seven strong series, The Little Café in Copenhagen, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Social Media Links – @JulieCaplin Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor/

Instagram @juliecaplinauthor




Thursday, 4 February 2021

The Little Swiss Ski Chalet - Julie Caplin

 



It’s time to pack your bags and head to the breath-taking, snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps for velvety hot chocolates, delicious cheeses and a gorgeous love story…

Food technician Minna has always believed that chocolate will solve everything – and it’s just what she needs when her latest relationship mishap goes viral!

So with her bags packed and a new determination to sort her life out, Minna decides to drown her sorrows with the best hot chocolate in the world at her godmother’s cosy Swiss chalet. Chocolate: yes. Romance: no. Until she has a run in on an Alpine train with a mysterious but oh-so-gorgeous stranger…

Purchase Links

http://amzn.to/3jU2lKy 🌎 http://mybook.to/SwissSkiChalet

My Review:

This is a gorgeous book by one of my favourite authors; Julie Caplin (alter ego of the wonderful Jules Wake) never fails to whisk me away to somewhere new and make me believe if I open my front door I’d be right there. Bringing to life another stunning location, this is a fantastic addition to a series of romantic escapes. There is something very comforting and familiar about these books, each with their own story and in a different place across the globe, some characters may overlap and make appearances, but they are all standalone books – each very special in its own right.

This time we are whisked to the Swiss Alps with Mina, a food technician who’s love life has just taken a nosedive and so she decides to visit her godmother Amelie who owns a wonderful ski chalet. Thanks to Minas adventures and escapades in this book I feel like I’ve had my own personal adventure on the Alps, and that isn’t something I would really do. I feel I’ve lived vicariously through this down to earth, funny and caring character, Mina.

Amelie herself sounds truly special. I wish I could take a visit to her Swiss Chalet. She has the knack for seeing what her guests need and matching them up to create new friendships that nurture and encourage the best out of them. Everything about the chalet sounds wonderful – how cosy it is, what special friendships are forged and how delicious the food sounds. I mean who wouldn’t want a time each day dedicated to cake!

With mouthwatering descriptions that will soothe the weariest heart, The Little Swiss Ski Chalet, is a soul soothing and heart warming read. Yet another great escape in a time where we are all keen to ignore reality, Julie Caplin creates a home away from home in book form, with a warm, family feeling community of characters.

Curl up, be transported to the Swiss Alps, and enjoy. I cannot recommend this book enough – or any by Julie Caplin/Jules Wake. 

Author Bio:

Julie Caplin, formerly a PR director, swanned around Europe for many years taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. 

These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for her Romantic Escapes series which have been translated into fifteen different languages.

The first book in the seven strong series, The Little Café in Copenhagen, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Social Media Links:

 @
JulieCaplin Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor/

Instagram @juliecaplinauthor