It has been a rough week so all I really want to do every night is curl up with a cozy holiday romance and this one certainly fits the bill. It is cozy with lots a bread baking and a choir that sings carols in the style of sea shanties. Sadly though it is also boring. The first half of the book is the main character meeting people who tell her how nice and kind she is. Rinse and repeat. It can be refreshing to read with no real drama but there was no sparkle to this book for me,

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have enjoyed all the Alex Brown books I've read, and this one was just as good as her others. It was a believable story in a lovely setting, and the first of the Christmas books I plan to read this year. With all that's going on in our world, it was nice to read a comforting book that allowed me to just switch off for a few hours.

Loss, relocation and family not what you expect from a Christmas book but it works. Memories of growing up together. Don't distract from the immediacy of the story. Children, parents, hopes, dreams and making new friends all are key.
A lovely tale that will make you smile

I loved this book.
The story was brilliant not slushy like some Christmas books can be.
I liked how Bridget has managed to do all she has done with her children as well as handling her grief over losing Ted but again it's not a book that has u grabbing the tissues but it does leave a warm feeling inside you.
As I was reading it I could smell and taste the home baked goodies Bridget was baking. I can't wait to get this book when it is out. I hope this series is a long one and nothing bad happens.

What a lovely feel good book! I loved it. Can just imagine it being me. And can really imagine Mulberry on Sea! Bridget moves back there with her 3 children to stay in her in laws beach house. Her husband tragically died young. They both lived in Mulberry when they were younger. She meets chef Jack in rather unfortunate circumstances while ‘walking’ on the beach. And every time she meets him it’s never straightforward. It’s lovely how the community comes together when the roads are so slippery with ice and nothing can get through. Luckily Bridget has her trusty bike. Her kids are getting well into helping out with marketing and selling the bread. Oh and firing up a fire pit to sit around in the evening.

Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

What a lovely Christmassy read this was, really enjoyed it!

Alex Brown is such a wonderful author! Not only does she bring you laughs and joy in A Cosy Christmas at Bridget's Bicycle Bakery, but I found tears of hope. This story takes you on the journey of a mom and 3 kids returning home after a loss of a husband and father. The holidays are such a great time to bring family together while finding hope and joy along the way. I highly recommend this book for a good uplifting holiday read.

Lovely book. Bridget goes back to Mulberry on Sea with her 3 children when her life falls apart. She has a disastrous first meeting with Jack. Bridget then does what she does best. Bakes.

Hurray!! Gorgeous tidings of Christmas joy!!
Loved this Christmas book, brilliant as a stand alone or as a follow-up to the Carrington series.
Bridget is returning home to Mulberry on Sea with her three children and their pets, to live at the Beach House. No spoilers.......its a treat to discover what happens!!
The warmth and depth of Alex Brown's writing is hugely welcome, the characters and descriptions fabulous and inviting.
Highly and hugely recommended- its just fabulous!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the early read of this fantastic book!

This story of a family finding themselves after the loss of a husband/father will have readers rooting for a happy ending. Bridget has always wanted to be a baker and out of desperation to support her three children on her own, she sells and delivers freshly baked breads and treats. The community is amazing and supports each other in a heartwarming way. A new chance for love is available but grief takes time and work. This book will put readers in the mood to celebrate Christmas with love and togetherness.

Actual rating 3.5⭐️

To enter the world of Bridget’s Bicycle Cafe is to enter an alternative world where reality is suspended and life can be viewed through rose tinted spectacles. This latest offering from Alex Brown is cosy comfort overload particularly as we’re introduced to Bridget Carrington and the picture postcard setting of Mulberry-On-Sea during the festive season. If you’re one of those Christmas addicts counting off the weeks until the big day itself, love a bit of baking or are glued to the tv screen watching the current series of GBBO then this is the book for you. It’s a taste bud tingling, mouthwatering, appetising, calorie laden delight of a narrative that made me feel as if I’d piled on half a stone just envisioning all Bridget’s tempting treats. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer and we head towards the season to be merry, snuggle up and submerge yourself in the lives of these Mulberry-On-Sea residents as they welcome Bridget and her family back into the fold.

Returning to the picturesque seaside village following the death of her husband Ted, Bridget together with twins Olly and Oscar, 14, six year old Freya, Henry the retriever and Snuggle and Chewy the guinea pigs, is determined to make a fresh start. What better place to rediscover the joys of life and make plans for the future than here in Mulberry-On-Sea, full of wonderful happy memories and also Ted’s final resting place. Alex Brown tackles the very serious subject of grief in a lighthearted but sensitive manner, focusing on the family’s endeavours to move beyond their sadness and loss, finding a new way to live around the gaping hole Ted has left in all their lives. Bridget’s love of baking is the staple ingredient guaranteed to turn this family’s fortunes around, her life buoy in this sea of chaos, confusing and challenging times. Taking her therapeutic hobby and transforming it into a fledging business with some extra help from the children and other members of this close knit community is the essence of this gorgeous novel. Expect your stomach to rumble constantly as the kitchen in her fisherman’s beach house is filled with the aroma of baking bread, mince pies and other festive treats. Alex Brown has thrown every cliche under the sun into writing that exudes warmth, happiness, joy and festive good cheer ensuring her readers are safe in the knowledge that in this fictional world there’s absolutely NOTHING that can’t be fixed by a hot chocolate, a glass of mulled wine or some edible delight straight from the Aga. It’s like stepping into a magical fairytale of new beginnings where friendship, kindness, love and community spirit exist in abundance. I felt giddy with all the positivity floating in the salty sea air and tickled by the humour that is peppered throughout the pages, poor Bridget being the butt of many jokes ( you’ll understand the intended pun once you start reading!) All that is required is a generous dollop of romance and the recipe for the prefect cosy read is complete.

This is a storyline crammed to the rafters with cute,charming and charismatic characters. Freya is a poppet, a whirlwind of energy to match that of beloved retriever Henry and Hot Jack’s Irish wolfhound Sinead. Rita, landlady of the pub Hook Line and Sinker is kindness and generosity personified and I loved Vicar Joe and his sea shanty choir. If you’ve read the previous books in this series (which I haven’t) then certain characters will be familiar. Perhaps my favourite one of all is Bridget’s mother Patty who’s definitely a tad on the naughty side,flirtatious and funny and partial to a cocktail or three but not necessarily very maternal. She spices up what is otherwise a super sweet storyline as does the presence of pub chef Hot Jack. The author is definitely channelling Bridgerton vibes with this character!

Is there such a thing as TOO much loveliness? In my opinion quite possibly! I love a novel that envelops you in a big warm hug, wraps you up in cotton wool and protects you from the true harshness of life but I can only tolerate so much fantasy in one go without feeling slightly nauseous. This novel is literally bursting at the seams with goodness it’s like eating a very rich sumptuous dessert where one mouthful is enough before you feel replete. On this occasion I felt I’d truly overindulged by the time I’d turned the last page. In terms of the feel good vibe (which is off the scale!) induced by Bridget’s new beginnings and second chance at love this book deserves 5⭐️ It’s positive and uplifting but underneath the froth there’s very little substance which shouldn’t come as any real surprise. My 3.5⭐️ reflects the fact whilst enjoyable this novel is also terribly predictable. If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, easy and gentle read which is sometimes funny and romantic then this novel ticks all those boxes. Put some glitter and sparkle back in your life and gorge yourself on A Cosy Christmas at Bridget’s Bicycle Cafe.

Overall although I found the narrative to be slightly too gushing and sentimental with life’s problems oversimplified I wouldn’t be averse to following Bridget’s next adventure; I just need to walk off the virtual calories first!

My thanks as always to the publisher OMC and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

a sweet christmas read, Bridget finds herself without a home and the townspeople step up to help. this is a story to get you in the christmas spirit.

I love Alex browns books so much and couldn’t wait to read this as so loved the front cover. It’s was full of festive cheer and starting a new life and being happy again after loosing a loved one. Will there be romance or not in store. The village sounds a beautiful friendly village and you feel you are there and can just smell the baking she does especially the bread. A feel good read and wonderful characters and will certainly cheer you up when reading this story. It’s worth more than five stars in my eyes as such a brilliant read.
Bridget has her children and has lost her husband and needs to start a new life so heads back to her childhood village and she hasn’t got much money and turns up in the dark and can’t find the key and everything seems against her as her car is broken down as well. She needs to earn some money and be able to support her children so she bakes her bread and mince pies and starts selling them to people in the village. One person really stands out to her but is he to good looking and she feels it’s to early to find romance again. She wants to settle her children and be happy and she soon starts to this with baking and seeing old friends and new ones as well. But when her children tell her a few home truths and can see things she can’t will she believe them and be happy with the man of her dreams or not and will they all celebrate Christmas as a happy family unit.
Highly recommend this book.

The second I saw the cover picture, I knew I would like this book (I love when a book prediction comes true!) Can you resist that picture? I couldn’t; it’s so gorgeous and festive.

This title was so much more than just cosy. It was a beautiful story, written with warmth and sensitivity. This one is definitely going on my re-read list.

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

A Cosy Christmas at Bridget's Bicycle Bakery by Alex Brown is an absolutely charming read that is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. While reading this book, I was unaware that it is a continuation of a popular series, and I am now anxious to add the rest of the collection to my TBR.

Bridget has lost the love of her life, her husband Ted, and is determined to make a fresh start for herself and her three children by returning to Mulberry-On-Sea, the place where she grew up, and where she and Ted met and fell in love. As she turns her love of baking and sharing her bread into a means of entering village life with the locals, Bridget finds a sense of community that might be just what she and her children need to begin the healing process.

This is a lovely, warm, and heartfelt read that will be the perfect accompaniment to a mug of hot chocolate by the fire.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an ARC.

A lovely warm hearted book. It made me laugh out loud and brought tears to my eyes. What more could you ask for. It's Christmas the way we would all like it to be.

Loved it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

This is a lovely warm read and a lovely start to the series that’s a spin off from Carrington’s. Widow Bridget has moved to her in laws seaside hut with her three children after a very difficult struggle since the death of her much loved husband. Her way of relaxing is baking and armed with her sourdough starter (Louis) and an excellent aga she inadvertently helps the seaside village who are struggling to access supplies of bread. The local community is lovely but the way Bridget works hard to help them whilst finding an income for her family shows a great determination and the effect of the seaside environment on her family is also lovely to see. This is a very uplifting story and I can’t wait to find out how Bridget continues to thrive in future books.

Aw this is such a lovely festive read!!! I loved every second of it. The characters were so lovely and the bakery sounds incredible. I can’t wait to read more by this author

It’s so lovely to take another visit to Mulberry on Sea and Carringtons department store. Following the death of her husband Bridget takes her children to Mulberry on Sea where she grew up and met her husband. She needs a new start for her and the children her way of coping is to bake and with a community like Mulberry she finds herself baking bread and making friends new and old.

Alex Brown has written a lovely Christmassy treat of a read complete with recipes that make me want to start baking. Perfect for the dark winter evenings

A really lovely, festive read! This story of family, love, grief and loss is so well written with likeable characters and a happy ending! A warm, easy, merry read that I’d recommend.