Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Absolutely loved reading this book, felt like I wish it’d carried out forever, If only.

I’ve read the series of Whitsborough Bay and again, thoroughly enjoyed them. I wasn’t disappointed to be reading them and hoped this was the same, it so was.

Each book gives you a little more background information, read about he characters have progressed since you last visited.

If reading about believable characters who start in you head is your kind of book, please do read the beginning of the series of books, and continue going. I can’t wait for the next one.

Recommend it.

3.75 Stars

Overall I thought that the book was sweet, with a little bit of unexpected thrown into the mix. This was one of those stories that you wanted to get cozy in front of a fire place and read with a cup of cocoa. This was easily read by itself but this book had the feeling that there were other books in the series that came before this, there were so many minor characters briefly introduced at the beginning that it felt like we should have already known them.

There were two main things that through this story off for me.

1) The deceit that was caused by Tara’s “sister” and husband felt totally off and random. The overall tone of the book was sweet and innocent and that specific truth just didn’t feel right with the vibe of the storyline; it honestly felt like a last minute add in for shock value

2) I felt the romance of this story was rushed. There was so much build up that we weren’t really introduced to the love interest until half way through the book, which caused everything to feel rushed. I also wish that there was a little more attention to the ending, again it felt rushed. The couple says the three magic words and it’s over. End of story?

⭐️ There is currently not a GoodReads book for this with the new title, so I will wait for that to be added before posting my review publicly.

I love this series of books. This one in particular made me cry a little. All the characters are brilliantly written, even the more minor ones. Fab read!

Loved this book. I loved reading about Tara porters life, her ups and downs, how she thought she had loved and lost in a totally unexpected way to realising that she hadn’t really experienced love and being loved before. Her life evolves around the chocolate pot cafe but for 14years she has done her job which she loves but as soon as it closes she retreats to her flat letting no one in. However she begins to look differently at life and opening up to people brings light into her otherwise darkened days. A wonderful story from start to finish, that leaves you wanting more

Really enjoyed this story. Being a foster carer myself it made me a little emotional in some parts. .

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review an eARC of this book!
This book is about a girl named Tara and her chocolate shop. Tara has a very traumatic past that has left her closed off to friends and romance. The only person she allows in is her giant pet rabbit named Hercules. Her closest friend is Carly (the cupcake shop owner from the previous book) and she has held her at arms length but decides to share her past. I loved seeing her retell her past and confront some of the demons that have been haunting her. However, this book mainly focuses on the past and is a character arc as opposed to being a cute Christmas story like the last one. I think the rebranding and taking Christmas out of the title is a good idea and more accurately reflects the story. I also think the author does a great job of creating the sweet and charming vibe of castle
Street and I’d love to read the rest of the series! The hate to love romance was fine and I thought the guy was super sweet but I wish there would’ve been more communication.

SPOILERS AHEAD:
Tara was a foster child after her dad died and her mom (who suffers from bipolar disorder) is unable to care for her. Her mom eventually commits suicide, leaving her completely dependent on her foster families. She goes through a couple of them and then finds a forever home. She has sisters and wonderful parents but one sister keeps setting her up with boyfriends and grooming her for something. Then there’s finally a guy she falls in love with and they get married, only to find out that he and the sister had an underground swinger/kink club and she was just a front because his bosses wanted him to appear more like a family man.
As for the romance, she bought the chocolate shop
building from a guy who’s family owned a cafe there. He wants her to continue running the business but she says no and that starts a hateful relationship. He moves to Australia then years later comes back after he finds out his wife only Wanted them to move there so she could get back with her ex. So now he’s back with his 2 adult daughters and there’s no love lost between him and Tara but then we find out that he didn’t know about the sketchy things that were done in the deal years ago and he’s actually a great guy. They’re both vulnerable with each other about their prior heartbreaks and they live happily ever after!

Loved it didnt want it to end.
I so want to no how the young lady zoe is.
I want to know if tara and Jed get married.
I want to know if Jed and arron become friends again.
I love the idea of a house bunny and sitting in the chocolate pot cafe drinking hot chocolate.
Hope there is going to be a second book.
Thank you for a brilliant read.

Lovely book. Very feel good. Enjoyed the character portrayals and plot. Would recommend for any time of year! Thank you

This was a lovely festive read. I loved how Tara began to open up to Carly her friend. Once the floodgates opened up you could feel her weight being lifted.
I want to visit this cafe and see all the crafty decorations and then have a chilli got chocolate.
The book was sweet and very worthy of a rainy afternoon during lockdown.
I loved the friendships in this book and it felt very warm and rewarding.
I would love to read more from this author.

Another trip to Whitsborough Bay and another cracking read. Tara has a painful past that she is running from. Having been betrayed in the most awful way by the two people she trusted the most, she now protects her heart by shutting everyone out and not engaging with anyone on a personal level. Instead she puts her heart into her cafe and her adorable giant house bunny, Hercules. However, when the cafe's handsome former owner Jed returns to possibly threaten her business and she realises that in protecting her heart she has ended up extremely lonely, it is time for Tara to face up to the past and reassess what she really wants from life.
Although a christmas book (and having a gorgeous cover) the focus of this one is not the festive season- merely bookending the story. However, this doesn't matter. There's romance but the focus of the book isn't really on this relationship - instead the real focus is on journey that Tara takes to change her life. The great thing about this is, whilst there are some great characters who support and encourage Tara in her journey, the real discovery and change comes from Tara herself which is very empowering. I loved it.

Another cute, cozy read by Jessica Redland, I once again fell in love with Castle Street.

Tara Porter owns The Chocolate Pot, a very successful cafe, but she has a secret. The holiday season is so hard on her personally. Divorced and separated from all of her old family and friends, Tara manages to uphold her reputation as a successful business owner but she longs to be part of a family.

Tara slowly begins opening up to neighbor businesswoman Carly, and begins letting the past property owner and Castle Street's newest business owner Jed into her life. Will opening herself up to her friends and a new man be the key to finding happiness?

Filled with Christmas cheer but also deep moments, again, Jessica Redland doesn't disappoint!

Second book by this Author and once again i was privledged to read this book pre publication. Love cozy book to read and cant wait to read some more

Tara lost her parents at a young age, but found wonderful foster parents who love her as their own. She also has a new foster sister who takes her under her wing. But all is not as it seems and when a shocking event happens she cut all ties with them. She moves to a quiet town and changes her name and open The Chocolate Pot. She closes herself off to people, but when she meets Carly she begins to open up and heal old old wounds.

With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
This is the 2nd book I've read by this author and was a nice xmas story. Can recommend.

What a beautifully written book, which i couldn't put down. It centres around Tara whose love of baking is wrapped up in the memories of her late father. This love of baking leads her to open her own cafe called the Chocolate Pot cafe.

Tara has secrets from her past that make her hesitant in opening up to friends. Throughout the book we watch Tara gradually open up and move from loneliness to friendships. We learn where the name of her cafe came from and share her 'best day ever'. This book is about love, friendship and survival and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to lose themselves in more than a love story.