I’m a sucker for “cosy” - put the word in a book title and to be perfectly honest, I’m almost 100% sure I’d read “The Cosy Christmas Hairball” about Snowball the cat and his many wintry adventures in the snow.

You might think from my opening statement above that I didn’t like this book. But that would be wrong. I adored it - this story was super cute, super fun, and, yes, super cosy.

While this part of a series, it reads perfectly as a standalone. I read this over a weekend, snuggled on the couch, sipping tea, while my husband and teens watched a movie and had a wonderful time reading. Looking forward to reading more of this author.


Thanks to Harper Collins UK / One More Chapter and NetGalley for an eARC of this title. Opinions shared are influenced by nothing other than my reading experience.

When Hannah Campbell needs a break from her hectic life as a lawyer, she decides to take a break--and head to Ireland for six weeks to attend a cooking school. But sparks fly the first night when she meets the charming Conor in this delightful romance.

I'm a huge fan of Julie Caplin's covers--they're pretty and eye catching--but I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't read one yet. I'm so glad I finally did! The Cosy Cottage in Ireland was full of charm and was just like taking a much needed mini vacation. This was a quick read and utterly delightful and I'm absolutely looking forward to more.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for providing this copy in exchange for a review.

I wasn't sure about this book at first but ended up liking it very much. Love the food and scenery descriptions as well as the romance.

This novel certainly conjures up the beautiful scenery of Ireland, so lush and green.The whole setting is filled with warmth and friendliness- well apart from one quarter! Hannah is an interesting character. So capable in her working life, she is stepping out of her comfort zone to try to bring her cooking skills up to scratch. She likes to be in control, the one with all the answers. During her stay at Killorgally, she has the time to reevaluate what she wants for her future.

The characters who we meet are a varied bunch and so well drawn. They all add something to the story. At the heart of the book is the developing friendship between Hannah and Conor. Conor has been badly hurt in the past and all his defences are up. Though so different, they are good foils for each other and from the start, the chemistry is there. The opening chapter certainly gets your attention and shows you a side of Hannah's character which you would not otherwise see.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book


In short: a warm, uplifting romance

The Cosy Cottage in Ireland by Julie Caplin
Publication Date: September 29, 2021 - Out Today!
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Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources @juliecaplin @onemorechapter for the digital ARC and for inviting me to their book tour in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts…
So cosy. This is a stand-alone, closed-door romcom book in the Romantic Escapes series. I’ve read The Little Teashop in Tokyo from the same series and enjoyed it. I liked this better though. Being set in the Emerald Isle (Ireland), reading about food and cooking made it extra charming for me. I enjoyed the setting, the characters and Hannah’s story. I’d like to read more about all the characters from this book, and what was the “swear jar” total?! A perfect autumn cosy read.

Sweet escapism

Pardon the pun but I found this book to be sweet escapism... Our heroine is a fine, independent woman lawyer who comes to a cooking school without knowing how very famous it is and is lodged in the eponymous cosy cottage. Our hero is a handsome chef who has come home for mysterious reasons. Sparks fly. Just right for a rainy day!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-constrained e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

I have been a fan of Julie’s work for a while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I read the synopsis for ‘The Cosy Cottage In Ireland’ and it certainly sounded like my kind of books- a fun, light hearted, escapist read. Well it was certainly all that and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Cosy Cottage In Ireland’ but more about that in a bit.
I was drawn into this book from the very start. In fact as soon I started to read, I knew that I was going to be in for a treat and that I would find it rather difficult to put the book to one side for any length of time. I was spot on too. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I was still sat there reading four or five chapters later. I had taken so well to the various characters that I simply had to know how the story concluded for them all. The pages turned increasingly quickly as I worked my way through the story. All too quickly I reached the end of the story and I had to say goodbye to the various characters. I found ‘The Cosy Cottage In Ireland’ to be a fun and light hearted read, which held my attention throughout. It really was a delight to read.
‘The Cosy Cottage In Ireland’ is extremely well written. Julie certainly knows how to grab the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be a lovely story. I loved the way in which Julie creates her characters and she describes them so vividly that they seem just as real as you and I. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintains a gentle pace throughout and the way in which the story started is going to stay fresh in my mind for a long time to come. I loved the way in which Julie described Ireland which is a place that I have always wanted to visit but haven’t had the chance too. She made Ireland sound so idyllic that I am now more determined than ever to visit. I felt as though I was part of the story myself which is all thanks to Julie’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Cosy Cottage In Ireland’ and I would recommend this book to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Julie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

This was a book that drew me in from its opening pages – Hannah’s a very driven lawyer from Manchester who’s decided to step out of her comfort zone with a six week stay at the prestigious Killorgally Cookery School in County Kerry, and I liked her immediately. Staying over in Dublin before the course starts, she has a chance meeting with Conor, handsome and charismatic – and acts totally out of character, ending up in his bed on the principle that “what happens in Dublin…”, sneaking out in the early hours to start her big adventure. But her little mistake follows her – Killorgally is Conor’s family home, he’s a celebrity chef who’s walked away from fame and all the problems it brings, and he’s none too pleased to find her as one of the new intake of students.

The whole set-up of the cookery school is just wonderful – a working farm in a beautiful location, surrounded by various kinds of accommodation, the students expected to share in some of the daily tasks of tending the animals and working in the grounds. I always love an ensemble piece, and the characterisation is so well done – a group of individuals all on the course for their own reasons and with their own stories, slowly getting to know each other, seeing each other at their best and worst, every one of them intriguing and perfectly drawn. And as they learn their new skills – a particular challenge for Hannah – we follow the developing relationship between her and Conor, a believable and lovely slow-burn romance with a few significant stumbling blocks along the way.

Do you know, there was nothing about this book that I didn’t enjoy. I really loved the whistle stop tours of Dublin, and the Kerry setting of the cookery school – there are some evenings at the pub for local colour, some of the loveliest trips out to explore the area (on one occasion, by kayak – that was particularly special), and I felt entirely transported by the author’s descriptions. As it’s a cookery school, there’s plenty of focus on the food they produce and the meals they share – and the tasks they carry out around the farm (and the quieter moments that sometimes accompany them) add to the interest and some of the many moments of humour.

The interplay between the students is wonderful – and I loved all the little touches, especially the ever-present swear jar that Jason seems to have the monopoly on filling. There’s plenty of drama and intrigue to keep the pages turning, a nice focus on family complexities, a few surprises – and the slowly developing relationship between Hannah and Conor really was everything I wanted it to be (and perhaps a little more – I never knew doing jigsaws together could be so sexy!) with the most perfect chemistry.

When I finished reading, I closed this book with a smile, having thoroughly enjoyed my stay in the Kerry countryside but sorry to leave my friends behind. The whole book really was like the warmest of hugs – and I recommend it really highly.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

3.5 stars
Another enjoyable book in this cozy romance series! Julie Caplin describes things so vividly, the reader feels like they are there observing everything for themselves. Hannah steps out of her comfort zone and takes a chance when she signs up for cookery school ... if you have read any book in this delightful series, you know what this means! If you haven't, you are in for a treat with moments that make you laugh out loud, terrific side characters that are as interesting as our main girl, and romantic chemistry that is both natural and believable. Hannah and Conor as well as the rest of the cast live up to expectations and Ms Caplin continues to deliver fun in the form of food and romance set in a faraway place. Whats not to love?!

I have enjoyed every Julie Caplin book I've read and this author regularly makes me want to travel to the places she writes about. Her latest book was no exception. The rugged beauty of Ireland and the warmth of the Irish glowed through this involving story of Hannah's journey, both physical and emotional. A conservative lawyer, she finds the catalyst to letting out her wild side in celebrity chef Conor Byrne and his extensive family.

Can't wait for the next in the Romantic Escapes series.

This book is part of the Romantic Escape series of books, but it can also be read as a Standalone novel. When I started reading this book I discovered that the protagonist Hannah, was the Sister of Mina, the protagonist in the Little Swiss Chalet book. Mina was mentioned but didn't really feature in this book.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it is well written and the setting was idyllic, I loved the sound of the Cooking School and all of the food that they prepared. Food features a lot in Julie Caplin's books and always makes me feel hungry.
There was real chemistry between Hannah and Conor. I liked the other characters too. There was also some drama and a mystery to solve. The storyline flows well and it is a lovely read.
I think that the Romantic Escape series gets better and better. I enjoy reading them. They are excellent books to escape into. The locations are always amazing. This is a lovely book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

Lovely! Warm, cosy, autumnal and altogether hygge! You will snuggle up with this book, a soft blanket and your favourite hot drink and while away a grey afternoon in blissful Ireland. Loved it!

Used to women falling all over themselves for him, Conor Byrne is skeptical at first that Hannah Campbell has no clue who he is. Especially when she sneaks away after one unforgettable night together. Hannah doesn't do one night stands, and she definitely doesn't want to do the morning after with this handsome man who's way out of her league. Besides, she's on holiday in Ireland after signing up for a prestigious cooking course at Ballygeary Cookery School...a far cry from her busy life in Manchester as a lawyer. But to her dismay, it turns out Conor is a famous chef, son to the owner of the cooking school she's attending... and he seems to want nothing to do with her, while she can't seem to forget him.
This is a charmingly sweet story set on the coast of Ireland. The description of the resort and surrounding countryside was wonderful and relaxing. While I can't cook a thing, much like Hannah when she started, I do enjoy shows like MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen, and this book reminded me of those. This is my first book by Julie Caplin and I was surprised to find out it's part of a series. I can't wait to read the rest of them now.
I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

The Romantic Escapes series by Julie Caplin has been a wonderful series and this one is no exception. Full of warmth, emotion and some Irish humour too.

I'm a big fan of Julie's work and it was a pleasure to read another of her books.

This is book 8 in the series and I dont feel you need to read the series to appreciate the beauty of the story.

I really enjoyed meeting these characters and loved the settings. I've always wanted to go to Ireland and Julie has a way of making you feel like you are there in the pages.

I'm really looking forward to reading more of Julie's books, this one I devoured in an afternoon in the garden.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

🌄Good romance, idyllic setting, especially appealing for wannabe chefs😋👩‍🍳

4-4.5🌟 stars
I've read and really enjoyed several previous books by the author set in far-flung parts of the world like Croatia and Japan. Funny, they are always places I've never visited🤔. But Caplin does a yeoman's job of describing the scene and drawing you in. Chapter four may have been a bit too much detail in a large info drop for my taste, but the rest of the story was engaging, particularly the couple's meet-cute in the bar of a Dublin boutique hotel; their subsequent strengthening connection; the dynamics between the other characters sharing Hannah's cooking adventure; and the mystery trespasser at the Byrne family farm.

Setting most of the action at a cooking school in the Irish countryside was not best geared to my interests (you'll probably NEVER see me making my own sauces from scratch though I do get a kick out of The British Bakeoff), but I really liked the gumption of female lead Hannah. Hannah has led a sensible, cautious and somewhat ho-hum existence largely due to her own deceased parents' daredevil exploits. But here she has stepped out of her comfort zone to vacation while completing a cooking course. In the course of her six-week sabbatical she's tasted the simpler life, brought out a new side of herself and seen exciting new possibilities. Romance is only a piece of the jigsaw of career and personal fulfillment she's ready to assemble thanks to her taste of Ireland and cozy cottage living.

Male lead Conor has soured on the glitz and glamour of being a famous chef from a reknowned family of chefs. Does hot stuff Conor deserve Hannah? Read it and decide for yourself. I found the romance satisfying, with enough misunderstandings and bad influences from Conor's romantic history to make the end result all the sweeter.

A bit inspirational!

Thanks to Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Loved this. Julie Caplin books just get better and better . I loved it was set in Ireland. The cookery school sounded amazing. How Hannah met Conor was ace and I can’t spoil the plot but it was great. I loved how Hannah could not cook but she was an ace lawyer. A lovely story

Hannah decided to go on a sabbatical to follow a cooking course in Ireland. I love the setting, it sounds idyllic. The descriptions of the surroundings are very vivid so it's easy to imagine yourself there. I loved the talk about cooking. The characters were great. I liked that Hannah showed character development. Her stay in Ireland helped her decide what she wanted with her life. The romance was good and had chemistry. I really enjoyed this book.

Hannah is on her way to a cookery course in Kerry, Ireland, when she meets Conor one night in Dublin. She doesn't think she will see him again, but life has other plans.

Hannah is used to being the best at things, so struggles with being bottom of the class, but makes some great friends along the way.

The setting of the book is great, and makes me want to go and explore Ireland.

My first book by this author was The Little Swiss Ski Chalet. I absolutely loved Mina’s story and was thrilled when I realised that Hannah is Mina’s sister. I was immediately invested and knew that I was going to be in for a treat.
This story gets going very quickly, we are introduced to Hannah and learn a little about her reason for visiting Ireland and then we’re off. I’m becoming a fan of stories which get going quickly, avoiding chapter upon chapter of “will they, won’t they?” Of course, I love most romantic styles, but have recently found satisfaction with this format.
Hannah is very well drawn, and I could imagine meeting her, and finding a new friend. Conor is every bit the ideal leading man for Hannah. He’s mildly arrogant, but that is a protective barrier to help him avoid the wrong kind of interest. He’s as handsome as he is charming, it’s just as well that Hannah isn’t interested in meeting anyone, and he’s sworn off relationships too.
There are some fabulous characters and I loved that they were all perfectly developed, with a few potentials for sequels. In particular, I’d like to follow a story about Aidan and Sorcha, I felt that they had a whole other tale to offer. Perhaps along the lines of the little law practice in Ireland…
This is a book that I simply couldn’t put down. I was drawn right in and loved every moment. If I could pick a high point, it would have to be sea canoeing with Fungie. If you want to know more, there’s a purchase link above, and I know that you’ll enjoy this wonderful escape to the Emerald Isle.