Member Reviews
Wendy R, Reviewer
A sweet Christmas romance read about new beginnings and second chances. I loved the way Rosie built the relationships with the people in the hotel and village, and Danny was a wonderful character, growing in confidence as he enjoyed his holiday by the sea. A lovely escape perfect for this magical time of year. |
No Room at the Little Cornish Inn by Nancy Barone Publication Date: November 5, 2020 . Description from NetGalley... “There's magic in the Cornish air this Christmas... Rosie Anderson was hoping to whisk her young son Danny away for a lovely Christmas with family, far from the hustle and bustle of her life in London. But then her boss at the head office – aka Susan the Sacker – suddenly assigns her to go in incognito and save a tiny inn in Cornwall from being closed permanently. Rosie doesn't know why The Old Bell Inn is performing so badly but it's on her to sort it out! Hours in the car later, Rosie arrives at the inn to find she's been double booked – there are no rooms left. And she isn't there for more than a minute before she's butting heads with the manager, Irishman Mitchell Fitzpatrick. He seems to dislike her on sight, so it's confusing that he seems to get on so well with Danny... But if he's as terrible as his reputation, Rosie will have to be the one to fire him. This really isn't the Christmas Rosie was dreaming of. But maybe, just maybe, it could be a whole lot more...” . Thank you to @NetGalley @ariafiction for the digital ARC in return for my honest review. . My thoughts... I did not read romance or romcom before I joined Bookstagram. No reason.Recently, I have read a few. It’s been a mixed bag of great, good, okay and meh. Although, so far, the majority of what I’ve read have been based in Cornwall. Is it the water? Moving on...this book is your typical romance/romcom story. The title and the story is sweet and cute. Except, I had a problem with Rosie. The book started off well enough, introducing characters, getting to know Rosie and her son. She had relatable/acceptable musings, but then the musings changed. They became naive, eye-rolling ridiculous and I just wanted to give her a shake. Then, I thought I missed something, because I had to read back a few chapters as the “romantic relationship” just went super fast. There wasn’t anything in between. Overall, it was a quick read and had a Christmassy feel to it. |
A sweet holiday read. My only complaint is that everything happens extremely quickly at the end. I would have preferred some more detail and time to be spent on it. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this title. |
I have to start by saying that this would probably make an incredible hallmark movie. This plot that Nancy Barone has come up with would be perfect, and I would be so intrigued to see what would come to be regarding the setting. It sounds amazing and I have to give Barone kudos for thinking it up. Beautiful, snuggly warm Christmas feels, for sure. Sadly, this story did not work for me in the written word. The first half, I thought, was well done. The introduction to the characters was great. The story flowed well. There was some mystery that pulled you in and made you want to read more to find out what the heck was going on. You spend a good chunk of this novel in Rosie’s rambling thoughts, and really, the rambling both made and ruined this novel for me. Rosie, in general, made and ruined this for me. Sometimes, she was totally relatable and then her thoughts would change. You’d think that would make her more human, but I found it too far fetched. Frankly, some of her thoughts made her dense and obtuse in my mind. At first, I was totally sucked in. I didn’t even notice that Rosie was rambling. It was like having a heart to heart with your favorite friend. Realistic and relatable. Then, half way through, the flow started to go a little wonky. I had to reread more than a few paragraphs, because I was confused or something didn’t make sense. I wasn’t sure if it was the writing style, the references or the rambling that had started to go a tad bit long. It started to take me a while to sort the difference between Rosie’s thought process and when she got back to telling the actual story. I particularly had a problem with her work place relationship. Especially, that Rosie thought it was okay that someone from HR was treating her that poorly and that she had no one to go to above that person’s position. Then, suddenly, at the end we find out there was someone she could have gone to after all. I also had an issue with the romance in the second half. I found Rosie and Mitchell’s relationship started to jump ahead too far. Like I had missed something that happened in the background. It went from 0-100, and there wasn’t really much of a development. There was nothing, then undying love, then an overdramatic reaction that turned the just proclaimed undying love into smashed potatoes…? Huh?? The time line also confused me. Rosie woke up on Christmas morning, then went to bed, then woke up on Christmas morning… again?? In my opinion, there were too many balls up in the air, and the way Barone connected them, missed its mark with me. If it was kept a little simpler, I think I would have enjoyed this more. Thank you Netgalley, Aria and Aries and Nancy Barone for giving me a chance to read this story. All thoughts are my own. |
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for review based upon my honest opinion. All this book needed was a fireplace and hot cocoa. This was a lovely, light romantic Christmas story. I really enjoyed this book, the storyline was really cute and the main characters were very interesting. This was just like reading a Hallmark movie. A great beginner to my Christmas reading for this year. It was a quick read as I stayed up late to finish it, I liked it that much. Will definitely read more works by this author. |
kATHLEEN G, Reviewer
So so many bad reviews of the Little Bell Inn in Cornwall- but why? That's what Rosie has been sent to find out. Her loathsome boss Susan upends Rosie's plans for Christmas celebrations with her 8 year old Danny by insisting she head to Cornwall. Once there, though, Rosie finds a nicer place than the reviews suggest- except that Mitchell, the manager, is a grouch. Or is he? Mitchell bonds nicely with Danny and then, well you know what will happen. There aren't any big plot twists here but it's a nicely done read in a terrific setting (I love novels set in Cornwall) and with great characters. Except for Susan. To be fair, many of us will recognize her so she's well done too! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. You'll root for Danny, Rosie, Mitchell, and everyone who works at the Inn. |
This is a nice and cosy Christmas read, although a bit implausible (who works 3 weeks for free instead of being with their son, just to help a person they barely know?). What bothered me through the book is that the main character (a single mum) is always complaining that their family is not completed without a man, and that her son is going to have a trauma for not having a father figure... In this day and age there are lots of different kinds of families, and not all of them have a man in it (and this is perfectly fine :) ). ** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. ** |
Thanks are owed to author Nancy Barone, NetGalley, and publisher Aria & Aries for giving me a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This was such a cute Christmas book. The story provides the reader a wonderful story of new beginnings and finding a second chance at love in the most unexpected places. This book had some of my favorite romance troupes such as a grumpy male hero, single parents, and small town/village settings. I really enjoyed the relationships developed throughout the story and not just the main romantic one, but also the friendships and mother/son bonds deepened during their stay at the inn. I really found myself drawn to Mitchell. He was such a sweet hero! I loved the way he was willing to spend time getting to know Danny as well as Rosie. The pacing of this story was well done! I did not feel any scene was overly drawn out just to fill the pages, but really seemed to be written in for the story development. The ending was really satisfying! And not to give anything away, but I was glad certain individuals got theirs in the end! I highly recommend this cozy holiday read for those cold winter night in front of a fire and with a mug of hot chocolate! I look forward to more books by this author! |
Louise T, Reviewer
Rosie is a single parent with only one objective to make her son Danny happy. She hates her job and her boss Susan who is a real dragon I’m sure. Susan sends Rosie on a secret mission to oversee why one of there hotel chains is going downhill and to sack staff members whilst she’s there. This doesn’t sit well with Rosie as it’s Christmas and a time for her to visit her parents not to work. However unexpectedly her whole life is going to change for the better. |
Rosie is looking forward to spending her Christmas break celebrating with her six year old son, Danny. However Rosie’s horrible boss has other ideas, sending Rosie undercover to Cornwall to investigate an inn that the hotel chain that they work for owns. While there she gets more than she bargained for when she meets the manager of the inn, Mitchell. Will the magic of Christmas bring these two together? A sweet one sitting book. |
Patty A, Reviewer
No Room at the Little Cornish Inn is a lovely stand-alone book, centered on a small inn in Cornwall, in the town of Little Kettering. Rosie is ordered by her manager, a nasty woman named Susan, to spend her Christmas holiday "investigating" the Old Bell Inn, a small hotel owned by the chain they work for. Rosie takes her son Danny along so that they wouldn't be separated during the holidays, also Danny's birthday. While she is uncomfortable with the subterfuge she's been assigned, she quickly maneuvers her way into the good graces of the manager, Mitchell, and all his staff. She discovers inconsistencies in recordkeeping, missing funds and keeps reporting all good things to Susan, trying desperately to fix things to save the Old Bell Inn. The book is a fast read, light and fun. There are new friendships formed, old relationships resurrected and new relationships grown. I don't do spoilers, so you'll have to read this book and enjoy your stay at the Old Bell Inn. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own. |
Rosie, single mum to a wonderful 8yr old Danny will move heaven and earth to look after those around her. When she is sent across country on a mission to spy on an establishment in trouble, will she turn them over to her evil boss or turn her caring nature towards complete strangers? A lovely feel good read, centred around Rosie, at that magical time of year, Christmas. I did get stuck into this, although predictable at times, wanting to know what happens to everyone at the end. The characters grow on you throughout the book as you learn more about them. I must admit I did find myself skimming some parts as at times Rosie did tend to ramble on a bit and repeat some of same problems over again. If you are looking for a light hearted, easy read, with a bit of romance and Christmas thrown in, you will enjoy this story. Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and most importantly the author, for the chance to read this book, in exchange for an honest review. |
Christine D, Reviewer
What a lovely book! Rosie, a single mum to Danny, is sent to Cornwall to inspect a hotel by her bully of a boss. Read how her life changes for the better. This is a warm, comforting & great read. The setting at Christmas added to the feel of the book. Well worth a read on a cold winters day. |
Just a nice and sweet holiday read. I just love this kind of books. Nothing wow, bus cute. 3 stars. |
Totally delightful romance with an unexpected storyline about a unique inn that's been getting bad reviews and money is missing. I enjoyed the realistic angle of the main character having an eight-year-old, the bitchy boss, and the longing to be a good single mom--to be enough. Add in the gorgeous descriptions of the Cornish coast, windy walks, picnics, and a village that hasn't succumbed to big city ways. Great writing. |
Colin B, Reviewer
Rosie is sent by her boss the check on why one of her company's hotels in Cornwall is doing so badly, losing money and receiving poor reviews. She takes her son, Danny, for a stay undercover on the lead up to Christmas but ends up helping at the hotel whilst keeping her secret. I'm always a sucker for books set in Cornwall, so was really looking forward to reading this. It certainly hit the mark for me, I can relate to Rosie and her way of working, a softly softly approach, rather than the confrontational approach of her boss Susan. I loved the description of the area, the feeling of community that living in a small village can bring. With a few twists and turns along the way to add to the romantic side of the book I ended up finishing this book at 5am I just couldn't put it down. An ideal book to curl up with on a Winter's evening it definitely scored 5* for me. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book. |
Betsy N, Reviewer
I’m not a fan of books where one character is deceiving the other main character for most of the book. We all know that things won’t work out well when the truth comes out. If you can get past that, this was a sweet, but improbable story about a single mother who is sent by her demonic boss to figure out why an adorable inn in Cornwall hasn’t been earning as much money as it should. So Rosie sets off with her sweet eight-year old son to Cornwall to go undercover and figure out what is going on. Of course, the manager, Mitchell turns out to be a dreamy guy who is as nice as can be to her son. She falls in love with the area, but dreads his finding out her secret. It all got resolved rather easily but I still had questions about how the money was being siphoned away from the inn and where Mitchell got the money for his investment in a separate business. It made me want to visit Cornwall more than it made me want to spend more time with Rosie. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review. |
A pleasant enough holiday story with a happy ending. It lacked in any sort of character depth and development but did have nice holiday touches |
Librarian 24589
Rosie ends up having to work over her Christmas vacation - She and her son had hoped to have time together, but Rosie's boss insisted she inspect an inn that lately hadn't been passing muster Once Rosie got on board she started to turn things around as best she could without revealing her actual duty. I loved watched her go through all the motions, and the staff was super nice to her son, but the best part is when she managed to deliver the comeuppance that her boss so richly deserved. Her boss made the Devil in Prada almost look saintly, Fun book, for sure. |
Firing someone at Christmas time would not be anyone’s favorite thing to do and Rosie is a sweetheart of a woman who would rather try to help out someone. That is until she meets Mitchell and he is grumpy and rude and she is realizing that she just might have to fire this man! Her son is wanting to have a fun time with his mom and now it seems they may not even have a room. How is she going to turn this Christmas around for everyone and right now she is praying for a miracle of anything! No spoilers from me, but this is a great Christmas book and twists and turns and developments you won’t see coming! The author does a superb job in keeping the readers surprised! I would definitely recommend this book! I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions. |








