Category: Tilly Tennant

Blog Tour: A Cosy Candelit Christmas by Tilly Tennant

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Synopsis: It’s the week before Christmas and Isla McCoy has just received an unexpected gift: a letter announcing she is due a life-changing inheritance, but only if she’s willing to make amends with the father who abandoned her.

She has absolutely no intention of forgiving him, but who could resist an all-expenses-paid trip to the French resort of St Martin-de-Belleville?

There she meets smooth-talking Justin and nerdy glaciologist Sebastian; two very different men, with two very different agendas. Torn between her head and her heart, Isla finds herself utterly lost in a winter wonderland of her own feelings.

Surrounded by twinkling candles and roaring log-fires, Isla’s resolve finally begins to melt. But will she learn how to reconnect, not only with a whole new family, but with herself and her heart?

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: I really enjoyed the last book by Tilly featuring Isla’s friend Dodie. However I wanted to get stuck in with this book as I was curious about her best friend Isla. This book moves on to the same time period as Dodie, but we get to catch up with what Isla has done. Isla has had a strange phone call saying that her Grandmother she never knew has left her something in her will. However, that means visiting the French resort of St Martin-de-Belleville and seeing the Father who walked out on her and her Mum when she was a girl. <blog_break>

As Isla arrives in the resort she has no idea but upon meeting Dahlia the owner of the place she is staying, and geeky but loveable Glaciologist Sebastian things seem to take a turn for the better. I absolutely adored Sebastian and although Isla is quite prickly and defensive you could tell that she was thawing to both him and the lovely Dahlia that owns the hotel. Tilly does a cracking job describing this beautiful place and it was easy to fall in love with it all as you read.

There are certainly some hairy moments as Isla faces her fears and meets not only the Father she doesn’t know but the new step mother and half siblings. There are a couple of curveballs going on and you get the feeling that all is not as it seems on the surface. However, Isla doesn’t suffer fools gladly and you can see her battling to do the right thing. What I did love was that the process wasn’t shown to be easy. If she would have met her Dad and everything was instantly wonderful it wouldn’t have had the same impact.

I read this book in just two sittings and absolutely loved it. As much as I enjoyed reading about Dodie in book 1, geeky Seb and stern Isla stole the show and this book was definitely my favourite of the 2. A wonderful book and a perfect Christmas present!

Blog Tour: A Very Vintage Christmas by Tilly Tennant

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Synopsis: The fairy lights are up and shoppers are flooding the snowy seaside promenade. It’s going to be a busy month at Forget-Me-Not Vintage, a magical shop with a warm heart where every item has a story to be told. 


With bright red hair and an infectious smile, Dodie is a hopeless romantic and absolutely one of a kind, just like the pieces in her shop.

When Dodie finds a love letter in the pocket of an old woollen coat, she makes it her mission to deliver it to its rightful owner. Following the address, she manages to persuade the handsome but reluctant new tenant, Edward, to help her with her search.

As the story of the letter unfolds, Dodie is there, as always, to pick up the pieces and make things right. But who will be there for her when her own love story needs a helping hand?

Is it too much to dream of a happy ending like the ones in the black and white movies she adores? 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have loved Tilly’s books that I have read in the past and was looking forward to indulging in the one of the many Christmas Themed books I have at the moment (it’s never too early right?). The cover is to die for and gives it that Christmassy feel however although the book is centered around Christmas time it’s not too much overkill which I liked. Dodie is a little quirky, she dyes her hair all sorts of colours and owns and runs a Vintage clothing store in town. She finds a letter in among some bits she has brought but all she has is the name of the people who wrote and received the letter and an address. Considering it was in 1944 she has her work cut out but wants to know more about the people involved.

On her quest to find out more she meets Ed who somehow gets involved in her search. Other notable characters were Dodie’s friend Isla, her slightly kooky Gran and even Nick, the homeless guy who Dodie talks to. Dodie’s Gran definitely stole the limelight for me and it was hillarious listening to her regular updates on what ‘classes’ she was attending! It took me a few chapters to get into the story but once there I was completely enthralled.The story of the Wartime romance adds another level to this book and for me made it so much more interesting as it intertwines with Dodie’s life. Overall this is another great book by Tilly and what makes it even better is knowing there is another installment soon! A Cosy Candlelit Christmas is being released in October 2017 and features Isla who is seen in this story. I can’t wait to get started on it!

Blog Tour: A Wedding In Italy by Tilly Tennant

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Synopsis: Kate is living the dream with her gorgeous boyfriend Alessandro in his native city, but the reality is sometimes a little less romantic than she’d hoped. Every day in her new home is a fight against leaking pipes, her cantankerous landlord and her less-than-perfect grasp of the Italian lingo. 

All around her there is talk of weddings, but when a secret from her past is thrust out into the open, Kate must fight to prove to Alessandro’s Mamma – and the rest of his formidable family – that she truly is Italian marriage material. 

With the women in Alessandro’s life on a mission to break them apart, the cracks begin to show and Kate starts to question if Alessandro really is the man of her dreams. Can love and the city of romance conquer all, or is that just a fairy-tale?

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I was SO thrilled there was another Tilly Tennant book out but almost passed out in excitement when I realised this was a follow up to ‘Rome Is Where The Heart Is’. I dived right in and instantly fell in love all over again with the characters. Kate is now living the dream in Rome and her boyfriend Alessandro is there to support her all the way. However, it’s pretty clear that things haven’t quite gone as swimmingly as she had hoped and it isn’t long before you start to see Kate’s normally positive outlook start to diminish.

Kate was hoping that her dressmaking business would have taken off, however somehow she mas managed to get lumbered making dresses for her Landlords wife for less than she is meant to. On top of that she still hasn’t grasped the Italian language enough, she has a hard time trying to please all of the family and to top it all off she now has worries about some of the non family female members that seem to spend a lot of time with Alessandro.

Although things aren’t quite what she thought you cannot help but fall in love with Kate, she is so sunny and upbeat and there is an inate kindness about her. What adds to the story are Alessandro’s family who all have their own ways but undoubtedly make the story line so much richer. Lucetta (Alessandro’s sister) get’s married which means not only does Kate get to experience an Italian family wedding first hand, but she gets to meet Alessandro’s extended family too. We also in this latest story get to meet up with Jamie who was instrumental in book 1 and I was so pleased to see him back, albeit not for long!

This story was SO enjoyable because in true style Tilly takes you into the heart of the Conti family and you almost feel part of the furniture. Kate and Alessandro along with the family make for such a warm and inviting book that I hope we get to see them again as they are SO much fun.

Rome Is Where The Heart Is by Tilly Tennant

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Synopsis: Can a holiday romance ever have a happy ending? Escape with Kate to the sun-drenched city of Rome where a love affair is just about to begin …

When Kate’s husband Matt dumps her on Friday 13th she decides enough is enough – it’s time for her to have some fun and so she hops on a plane to Rome. A week of grappa and gelato in pavement cafes under azure blue skies will be just what the doctor ordered.

What she doesn’t count on is meeting and falling for sexy policeman Alessandro. But the course of true love doesn’t run smoothly – Alessandro has five meddling sisters, a fearsome mama and a beautiful ex Orazia. They’re all certain that Kate is not the girl for him.

Can Kate and Alessandro’s love last the distance? Or will she return home with the one souvenir she doesn’t want – a broken heart …

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I love the Tilly Tennant books I have already read and was really looking forward to reading this latest release. Kate is the star of the show and as the story starts we see her husband soon become her ex-husband as he decides they aren’t meant to be together any more. Fast forward a few months and Kate has made a bold decision. She is taking some holiday due from work and visiting Rome on her own. She decided that now she was on her own it was time to start doing things she wanted to do. When Kate lands at Rome airport she happens to run into a man named Jamie and they decide to share a taxi to the centre. That is the start of her remarkable holiday!

I fell in love with Jamie instantly and the descriptions of Rome were fantastic and have made me more excited about my own upcoming trip to Rome! During the course of her stay she also runs into local Policeman Alessandro and before you know it the two men involved seem to be turning her trip to Rome into something much more interesting. I also loved Alessandro’s crazy sister, and the story thread involving Jamie and his trip to Rome.

I thought I knew where the story was going however there was a slight change to that and the story took a sad but unexpected turn featuring Kate’s sisters. Although I loved this latest book it wasn’t my favourite of hers (hence the 4 stars instead of 5) but it still a thoroughly enjoyable read. This book is an ideal easy read to get you in the mood for you holidays. I also would love to see more on the characters we met in this book whether it be Jamie, or Kate’s sisters or indeed Kate herself. Another enjoyable book and I will look forward to the next one!

Once Upon A Winter by Tilly Tennant

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Synopsis: Snow is falling and Christmas day is in full swing at Hannah Meadows’s rural home. But the usual preparations for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and lashings of festive booze are interrupted by an unexpected knock at the door. And there on the doorstep they find a handsome stranger with no memory of who he is or how he came to be there, begging for their help. 

So begins a winter like no other – one that turns all their lives upside down. For Hannah and her sister Gina, the stranger’s arrival might herald the prospect of love and healing for the hurt caused by messy break-ups. For Jess, Gina’s teenage daughter, however, it signals dark times and discontent. There are new friends and enemies for them all and a new outlook on the world – and when the stranger’s memories finally return, there is heartache too.

If they can all weather the storm, happiness could be theirs. But storms this big can cause a lot of damage and chaos before they blow over… 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have read a couple of books of Tilly Tennats and have enjoyed them both so was looking forward to this Christmas themed book. I realised that this book was initially released in 4 parts, however I read it as a whole book. Just make sure if you are buying from Amazon that you get the whole book and not just one part.

The scene is certainly set in this book for the theme surrounding Christmas as in Hannah Meadow’s rural home its just herself along with her sister Gina and Niece Jess on Christmas Day. They plan to do nothing more that eat and drink in front of rubbish TV, especially as the snow is not only falling but settling making it impossible to go anywhere. However, a knock on the door is about to change their easy and lazy day they have planned. When a handsome man turns up on the doorstep with a head injury and zero memory their day starts to get rather more interesting.

Hannah was a character I found easy to read but in all honesty it was her older and more bossy sister Gina I fell in love with. Between the two of them with the occasional unhelpful input from teenager Jess, they end up spending a little time getting to know the mystery man. This seems to be the start of a very strange Christmas that leads into lots more strange events that seem to surround the two women. We get to meet Hannah’s neighbour George, as well as Briony & Paul who live on a nearby farm and their son Ross who also works and lives on the Farm.

I have to be honest and say that I found the beginning chunk of this hard to get in to, however once I was past the initial quarter I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a bit of a slow starter and initially I didn’t have any feelings for the man with no memory. Luckly as you read on and get to know the sisters and additional character more it flowed so well that I think I read the second half of the book in one sitting.

Overall this was a very enjoyable read if a bit slow to start. I loved the additional bit you get at the end (which if I understand correctly you don’t get if brought as short versions). I will look forward to Tilly’s next release!

CHRISTMAS AT THE LITTLE VILLAGE BAKERY BY TILLY TENNANT (HONEYBOURNE #2)

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Synopsis; Snow is falling in Honeybourne and Spencer is bringing home his American fiancée Tori for a traditional English Christmas with all the trimmings. But when his hippie mum and dad meet her high-maintenance parents, sparks of the wrong sort start to fly. Then Spencer bumps into his first love Jasmine and unexpected feelings come flooding back. 

Millie is run off her feet with Christmas orders at the Little Village Bakery and new baby Oscar. Thank goodness her cousin Darcie is here to help her. Although she does seem to be rather flirty with Millie’s boyfriend Dylan. 

Will Darcie ever find true love of her own? And is marrying Tori a terrible mistake for Spencer if his heart is with someone else?

*Please note, if you plan on reading the first book, then do not continue reading my review as it will inevitably contain spoilers*

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I absolutely loved the first book by Tilly that was set in the small village of Honeybourne. When I realised this was the second book featuring some of the same characters I was extremely excited. The first book features Millie and Dylan, and although they play a big part in this latest book, the main characters are Spencer and Tori. Spencer has been in America and he has brought his English fiance home for Christmas. Sadly for Spencer he hadn’t bargained on a lot of the things that end up happening over the seasonal period in Honeybourne.

Although Millie and Dylan are now settled with baby Oscar, they have help in the form of Millie’s cousin Darcie. Darcie helps out at the bakery and she certainly makes a lasting impression on the reader too. It seems Darcie is somewhat smitten with Dylan which can only cause confusion. IT seems on Spencer’s return he is the only one that has noticed it. However he has his own problems in the form of his hippy like parents and also meeting Tori’s parents for the first time.

As usual the characters Tilly Tennant creates are lovable and what is even more endearing is that you get to see additional characters from around the village that featured in book 1. Jasmine and Rich feature especially seeing as Jasmine was Spencer’s first love and one that he never quite got over. There are so many funny moments which made me giggle, especially when Spencer and Tori’s parent meet…it makes for some very amusing scenes.

Overall, the first book edged it for me as Millie and Dylan are still firm favourites. Having said that this was a thoroughly enjoyable book and with the added benefit of being set in a snowy Honeybourne around Christmas time it certainly has the seasonal feel to it. I love Christmas books, and think this would make a wonderful addition to anybody’s stocking this year!

THE LITTLE VILLAGE BAKERY BY TILLY TENNANT (HONEYBOURNE #1)

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Synopsis: Meet Millie. Heartbreak has forced her to make a new start and when she arrives at the old bakery in the little village of Honeybourne she is determined that this will be her home sweet home. Her imagination has been captured by the tumbledown bakery but with no running water and dust everywhere, her cosy idea of making cakes in a rural idyll quickly crumbles. 

Luckily the locals are a friendly bunch and step in to help Millie. One in particular, Dylan, a laid-back lothario, soon captures her attention. 

But just as Millie is beginning to settle in, an unexpected visitor from her past suddenly turns up determined to ruin everything for her. It’s time for Millie to face the skeletons in her closet if she’s going to live the dream of running her little village bakery, and her blossoming romance with Dylan. 

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: First off I love the cover for this book and having never read any of Tilly Tennant’s books I was looking forward to getting started. Right off the bat I liked Honeybourne. A small village where everybody knows everybody. Millie has turned up in Honeybourne having brought the old rundown bakery that has been standing unloved for many years. Millie is not an easy character to get to know and its clear from the outset that her past is whats made her run away and try to start afresh. However, the real reason behind it is kept cloaked in mystery until a long way into the book.

We also meet Jasmine, the pink haired jewellery maker along with her husband Rich and their triplets. They are instantly likeable along with Jasmines younger brother Dylan. Dylan is the laid back one who seemingly doesn’t have a care in the world. Additional characters include Millie’s neighbour Ruth, and Spencer an old friend of Dylan and Jasmine’s. The only niggle point for me in the story was that although Millie’s history was interesting it dragged out too long. Other than that the book, story and characters totally held me captive.

I fell in love with this village and it’s occupants and although the bakery itself is the starting point it isn’t necessarily the main focal point of the story. This was more getting to know the people involved. Millie’s past soon comes back top haunt her and before you know it everybody involved seems to have secret’s spilling out of their closet. The story was great and so enjoyable, and I really love the fact that the follow up books feature other characters within the village. Overall this was a thoroughly enjoyable read perfect for the summer. Luckily for me I have the next book lined up so I know which book will come next.