It’s such a pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for A Cornish Winter’s Kiss by Jo Bartlett, and sharing my review. Published on 2nd July by Boldwood Books, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback and hardcover, and as an audiobook. My thanks, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via netgalley).
A standalone book from Jo this time – you’ll already know how much I loved Jo’s Cornish Midwife series, and I’m enjoying her Cornish Country Hospital series every bit as much. Her storytelling is something I always love – creating such real characters facing problems and challenges of one sort or another, always with a particularly authentic emotional edge. Her standalone books are often rather different from her series – sometimes a little darker, but always equally enjoyable. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for The Girl She Left Behind, an immersive story that gripped me from the very beginning through to its very last page (you’ll find my full review here): and A Mother’s Last Wish was a really exceptional read, written from the heart, drawing on her own real-life experience, making the reader feel so very deeply for the individuals at the book’s centre (you’ll find my full review here). But this time, something a little lighter – and a Christmas read! And yes, I can only agree (as I’m sure it’s what you’ll be thinking) that July might be a little early – I actually read it on the hottest day of the year so far – but that’s the publishing world, and there was no way I was going to miss out on being an early reader…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…isn’t it?
Emily Anderson adores romance—both in books and in real life (though her own love life is more ‘tragic subplot’ than ‘happily-ever-after’). As an audiobook narrator, she spends her days bringing love stories to life, convinced that one day, her own perfect romance will come true.
Jude Cavendish, thinks romance is a fairy tale for fools. A crime author with a serious case of writer’s block, he’s horrified when his publisher asks him to add a love story to his latest novel. He knows murders, mysteries, and mayhem—not grand gestures and stolen kisses.
Desperate for help, Jude reluctantly turns to Emily, whose sunshine personality is the complete opposite of his grumpy cynicism. She’s determined to show him that love is more than just fiction, and he’s determined to prove her wrong. But as Christmas magic sparkles over the Cornish coast, Jude starts to wonder… what if Emily’s right?
Could the festive season bring them both the plot twist they never saw coming?
A chance meeting on a train with a favourite romance author brings a new career for librarian Emily – instead of reading stories to children (which she does extremely well), she becomes an audiobook narrator. Meanwhile Jude, a successful crime writer, is struggling – he’s been told to introduce some romance into his next book, it’s something he knows little about, and he doesn’t know where to start. The pair begin to work together – if anyone knows how to engage a romance audience, it’s Emily – and she sets about introducing him to a range of experiences hoping he’ll pick up some ideas for bringing some love into his writing.
It’s a useful start – but they’re not quite there yet. And as it’s Christmas, Emily’s about to disappear to Cornwall to spend time with her family – and that forces him to make some decisions about his own Christmas plans, or he’s never going to hit that deadline. And, just maybe, and although he hates Christmas and still doesn’t really believe in love, she’s started to make his heart beat a little faster…
This is one of those wonderful books where I’d love to tell you how the story unfolds – but I think you really need to discover it for yourself. I will say though that I thought it was absolute perfection – two very different individuals who I grew to love, both very real, dealing with all sorts of issues, their relationship steadily growing, and a story filled with emotion. There are some wonderfully handled family moments (the supporting cast is particularly strong), problems with honesty and trust, a number of barriers to any chance of a happy ending – all played out against a backdrop that will be so familiar to many.
I never really think of romance books in terms of “tropes” – this one is certainly grumpy/sunshine, but is so much more than that. There’s plenty of lightness and laughter, but real emotional depth too – and a story with unexpected twists and turns, beautifully told, that completely engaged and delighted me from beginning to end. There are so many special moments I really want to tell you about (and not only Gary Barlow…) – I’m sorry though, my lips are sealed, but I promise you’ll enjoy this book every bit as much as I did. And don’t worry about the Christmas setting – it’s certainly particularly special, but there’s no real reason why this book needs to sit on your reading pile while waiting for the festive season. I absolutely loved it…
About the author
Jo Bartlett was born a stone’s throw from the English Channel and still lives near the sea in Kent, with her family, so close to the South Eastern edge of England that they’re very nearly French. Jo has made up stories for as long as she can remember, but never really took it any further, until a catalyst called cancer gave her the impetus to follow her dreams.
Since having her debut novel published in 2015, Jo has had numerous bestsellers in the UK, the USA, Australia and Canada, including a UK Top 10. Jo writes contemporary women’s fiction, with stories that focus on love, friendship, family and community. Since joining Boldwood Books in 2021, Jo has had twelve bestselling novels across The Cornish Midwife and Cornish Country Hospital series.
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